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At least nine people have been&nbsp;killed and more than 1,000 others were injured after Taiwan was struck by one of its worst earthquakes in at least 25 years, on Wednesday (Apr 3). While the island is no stranger to powerful temblors, the death toll has largely been&nbsp;contained after the 7.2 magnitude quake, thanks to Taiwan’s technology and improved disaster response over the years.&nbsp;

<h2>Why does Taiwan witness frequent earthquakes?</h2>

The island lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the line of seismic faults which encircle the Pacific Ocean and is characterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Notably, most of the world’s earthquakes take place along this Ring of Fire.

The long horseshoe-shaped path along the Pacific Ocean is approximately 40,000 kilometres and is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Taiwanese TV anchors continue reading news as earthquake rocks studio

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taiwanese-tv-anchors-continue-reading-news-as-earthquake-rocks-studio-707450/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The frequent quakes have been attributed to the tension accumulated from the interactions of two tectonic plates – the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate – which lead to sudden releases in the form of earthquakes.&nbsp;

Around 90 per cent of all the world’s earthquakes take place along the Ring of Fire, which is also home to more than 450 volcanoes.&nbsp;

<h2>How Taiwan’s tech, policies&nbsp;help the island&nbsp;</h2>

Taiwan’s technological advancements have not only turned the island into a semiconductor powerhouse but also helped mitigate the impact of earthquakes allowing it to keep damage and casualties relatively low.&nbsp;

Since 1980, Taiwan and its surrounding waters have recorded about 2,000 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 or greater, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).&nbsp;

The last major earthquake in Taiwan occurred in February 2016, when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake caused a 17-storey apartment complex in southwestern Taiwan to collapse, killing at least 114 people.

Five people involved in the construction of the high-rise building – which was the only major structure to have collapsed following the 2016 earthquake – were found guilty of negligence and given prison sentences.

However, it was the devastating earthquake on September 21, 1999, that acted as a wake-up call for Taiwanese officials to improve its emergency response and disaster reduction.&nbsp;

At the time, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in central Taiwan killed nearly 2,500 people and left around 100,000 others injured. It also left 50,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.&nbsp;

“Observers strongly criticised Taiwan’s response…arguing that it took hours for emergency medical response teams to arrive, that rescuers lacked training, and that the operations between government agencies were not well coordinated,” Daniel Aldrich, professor of political science and public policy at Northeastern University told the Associated Press.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-tilted-buildings-swinging-bridges-terrifying-visuals-of-taiwan-earthquake-emerge-707436">Tilted buildings, swinging bridges, terrifying visuals of Taiwan earthquake emerge</a>

The government had also passed the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act and set up two national centres to handle coordination and training for earthquakes.

Over the years, Taiwan has developed what has been called one of the most advanced earthquake preparedness in the world, Stephen Gao, a seismologist at Missouri University of Science and Technology told the AP.&nbsp;

This includes the implementation of strict building codes, a world-class seismological network, and widespread public education campaigns on earthquake safety.&nbsp;

However, Taiwan did not stop there and continues to develop its disaster response system, which has reportedly become more sophisticated in the last three years or so.&nbsp;

“Taiwan continues to develop these technologies, and we have advantages,” said Wu Yih-min, a professor of geosciences at National Taiwan University, according to Bloomberg.

Wu, a team head at the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, also explained how these systems work.&nbsp;

Taiwan’s disaster response system scans keywords and photos posted online, detects mobile signals in affected areas, and collects screenshots from surveillance cameras across Taiwan.&nbsp;

This data helps the government to deploy resources quickly, track the flow of people, and assess damage across the island, said Wu.&nbsp;

More than 300,000 households lost power after the quake, but according to Taiwan’s power company, electricity to more than two-thirds was restored in less than two hours, reported Bloomberg. As of Wednesday afternoon, only 3,478 were still dealing with outages, the company said.

<h2>Impact of&nbsp;Wednesday’s earthquake</h2>

The earthquake on Wednesday struck at 8:00 am (local time) just offshore the sparsely populated Taiwanese county of Hualien, as people were leaving for work and children were headed to school.&nbsp;

At least nine people were killed and around 1,038 others were injured, reported Reuters citing the data from the Taiwanese government, on Thursday (Apr 4). &nbsp;

The earthquake was powerful enough to trigger a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines, which was lifted later in the day.&nbsp;

It also triggered around 24 landslides, downed power lines, and caused some buildings to precariously tilt at 45-degree angles with their ground floors crushed, and others to collapse.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taiwan-earthquake-two-indians-go-missing-after-calamity-9-dead-more-than-1000-injured-707470">Taiwan earthquake: Two Indians go missing after calamity; 9 dead, more than 1000 injured</a>

Around 35 roads, bridges and tunnels were damaged and train services were briefly halted after some train tracks were twisted by the stress of the quake.&nbsp;

Taiwan’s weather agency recorded more than 50 aftershocks, which could be felt as far as Taipei, but the number rose to 201 by evening. Some aftershocks were of magnitude 6.5 and many over magnitude 5.

Additionally, 52 people were reported missing, as of Thursday (Apr 4), said the fire authorities after around a dozen of the hotel workers on their way to a resort in a national park had been located, with 38 still listed as missing.

Fire authorities also rescued some 70 people trapped in tunnels near Hualien city. On Thursday morning, six people who had been trapped in a mining area had been rescued using a helicopter, said the fire department.&nbsp;

As of early Thursday, rescue work for people who had been trapped in buildings in Hualien city was completed, while some people slept outdoors overnight. However, aftershocks continued to rock the region.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

At least nine people have been killed and more than 1,000 others were injured after Taiwan was struck by one of its worst earthquakes in at least 25 years, on Wednesday (Apr 3).

At least nine people have been killed and more than 1,000 others were injured after Taiwan was struck by one of its worst earthquakes in at least 25 years, on Wednesday (Apr 3). While the island is no stranger to powerful temblors, the death toll has largely been contained after the 7.2 magnitude quake, thanks to Taiwan’s technology and improved disaster response over the years. Why does Taiwan witness frequent earthquakes? The island lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the line of seismic faults which encircle the Pacific Ocean and is characterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Notably, most of the world’s earthquakes take place along this Ring of Fire. The long horseshoe-shaped path along the Pacific Ocean is approximately 40,000 kilometres and is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. WATCH | Taiwanese TV anchors continue reading news as earthquake rocks studio The frequent quakes have been attributed to the tension accumulated from the interactions of two tectonic plates – the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate – which lead to sudden releases in the form of earthquakes. Around 90 per cent of all the world’s earthquakes take place along the Ring of Fire, which is also home to more than 450 volcanoes. How Taiwan’s tech, policies help the island Taiwan’s technological advancements have not only turned the island into a semiconductor powerhouse but also helped mitigate the impact of earthquakes allowing it to keep damage and casualties relatively low. Since 1980, Taiwan and its surrounding waters have recorded about 2,000 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 or greater, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The last major earthquake in Taiwan occurred in February 2016, when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake caused a 17-storey apartment complex in southwestern Taiwan to collapse, killing at least 114 people. Five people involved in the construction of the high-rise building – which was the only major structure to have collapsed following the 2016 earthquake – were found guilty of negligence and given prison sentences. However, it was the devastating earthquake on September 21, 1999, that acted as a wake-up call for Taiwanese officials to improve its emergency response and disaster reduction. At the time, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in central Taiwan killed nearly 2,500 people and left around 100,000 others injured. It also left 50,000 buildings damaged or destroyed. “Observers strongly criticised Taiwan’s response…arguing that it took hours for emergency medical response teams to arrive, that rescuers lacked training, and that the operations between government agencies were not well coordinated,” Daniel Aldrich, professor of political science and public policy at Northeastern University told the Associated Press. Also Read | Tilted buildings, swinging bridges, terrifying visuals of Taiwan earthquake emerge The government had also passed the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act and set up two national centres to handle coordination and training for earthquakes. Over the years, Taiwan has developed what has been called one of the most advanced earthquake preparedness in the world, Stephen Gao, a seismologist at Missouri University of Science and Technology told the AP. This includes the implementation of strict building codes, a world-class seismological network, and widespread public education campaigns on earthquake safety. However, Taiwan did not stop there and continues to develop its disaster response system, which has reportedly become more sophisticated in the last three years or so. “Taiwan continues to develop these technologies, and we have advantages,” said Wu Yih-min, a professor of geosciences at National Taiwan University, according to Bloomberg. Wu, a team head at the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, also explained how these systems work. Taiwan’s disaster response system scans keywords and photos posted online, detects mobile signals in affected areas, and collects screenshots from surveillance cameras across Taiwan. This data helps the government to deploy resources quickly, track the flow of people, and assess damage across the island, said Wu. More than 300,000 households lost power after the quake, but according to Taiwan’s power company, electricity to more than two-thirds was restored in less than two hours, reported Bloomberg. As of Wednesday afternoon, only 3,478 were still dealing with outages, the company said. Impact of Wednesday’s earthquake The earthquake on Wednesday struck at 8:00 am (local time) just offshore the sparsely populated Taiwanese county of Hualien, as people were leaving for work and children were headed to school. At least nine people were killed and around 1,038 others were injured, reported Reuters citing the data from the Taiwanese government, on Thursday (Apr 4). The earthquake was powerful enough to trigger a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines, which was lifted later in the day. It also triggered around 24 landslides, downed power lines, and caused some buildings to precariously tilt at 45-degree angles with their ground floors crushed, and others to collapse. Also Read | Taiwan earthquake: Two Indians go missing after calamity; 9 dead, more than 1000 injured Around 35 roads, bridges and tunnels were damaged and train services were briefly halted after some train tracks were twisted by the stress of the quake. Taiwan’s weather agency recorded more than 50 aftershocks, which could be felt as far as Taipei, but the number rose to 201 by evening. Some aftershocks were of magnitude 6.5 and many over magnitude 5. Additionally, 52 people were reported missing, as of Thursday (Apr 4), said the fire authorities after around a dozen of the hotel workers on their way to a resort in a national park had been located, with 38 still listed as missing. Fire authorities also rescued some 70 people trapped in tunnels near Hualien city. On Thursday morning, six people who had been trapped in a mining area had been rescued using a helicopter, said the fire department. As of early Thursday, rescue work for people who had been trapped in buildings in Hualien city was completed, while some people slept outdoors overnight. However, aftershocks continued to rock the region. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained: Why is Taiwan prone to earthquakes and how its technology, policies help in disaster mitigation

Britain will warn Israel on Wednesday that its patience is running thin over the "dreadful suffering" in Gaza, where a lack of aid is leading people to die of hunger. Watch in for more details!

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The Danish government fired the country's chief of defense Flemming Lentfer on Wednesday after he failed to report flaws in a Danish frigate's air defense and weapons systems which emerged during an attack by Houthi militants in the Red Sea last month.

BREAKING: Denmark fires defence chief over red sea failures

Today marks the 75th anniversary of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. On April 4, 1949, the 12 members, which included Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, founded&nbsp;a political and military alliance of European and North American countries. Since its inception, NATO has added 20 new member countries.

<h2>How much is NATO's budget?</h2>

NATO's budget for 2023 was $1.26 trillion. The annual NATO budget is funded by all 32 member countries. Instead of making direct payments, member nations contribute to national defense spending, such as domestic personnel expenses, equipment purchases, and infrastructure investments, to support NATO's operational preparedness and strategic efforts across the world.

NATO signed&nbsp;the Defense Investment Pledge in 2014, encouraging member nations to invest at least 2% of their GDP on defense.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/ukraine-hands-out-awards-to-vigilante-hackers-for-cyber-attacks-against-russia-707485" hreflang="en">Ukraine hands out awards to vigilante hackers for cyber-attacks against Russia</a>

<h2>How much did the United States spend on NATO in 2024?</h2>

The United States has long been an important contributor to NATO. Last year, it contributed $860 billion, accounting for 68 percent of NATO's overall budget. This equals 3.49 percent of America's overall GDP.&nbsp;

<h2>How much did other NATO members contribute?</h2>

Canada offered 1.38 percent of its GDP, or $28.95 billion (2.29 percent of overall contributions), whereas the European allies combined accounted for $375.1 billion (29.68 percent) of the entire budget.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/nato-chief-weighs-in-on-multi-year-commitments-to-support-ukraine-for-long-haul-707327" hreflang="en">NATO chief weighs in on ‘multi-year’ commitments to support Ukraine for ‘long haul’</a>

Last year, Poland allocated 3.9% of its GDP, outpacing the United States in terms of GDP percentage. Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Romania, Hungary, Latvia, the United Kingdom, and Slovakia all contributed more than the 2% guideline last year.

Watch:&nbsp;Grant Shapps: NATO countries are playing "Russian roulette" with insufficient defense spending

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<h2>How much has the United States spent&nbsp;on NATO over the past 75 years?</h2>

According to its annual military Expenditure of NATO Countries report, the United States has contributed $21.9 trillion to NATO's military budget over the last 75 years, far outspending its 31 counterparts.

NATO stated that by the end of this year, 18 allies are likely to have met the criteria, a six-fold increase since the promise was inked in 2014.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. On April 4, 1949, the 12 members, which included Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, founded a political and military alliance of European and North American countries.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. On April 4, 1949, the 12 members, which included Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, founded a political and military alliance of European and North American countries. Since its inception, NATO has added 20 new member countries. How much is NATO's budget? NATO's budget for 2023 was $1.26 trillion. The annual NATO budget is funded by all 32 member countries. Instead of making direct payments, member nations contribute to national defense spending, such as domestic personnel expenses, equipment purchases, and infrastructure investments, to support NATO's operational preparedness and strategic efforts across the world. NATO signed the Defense Investment Pledge in 2014, encouraging member nations to invest at least 2% of their GDP on defense. Also read | Ukraine hands out awards to vigilante hackers for cyber-attacks against Russia How much did the United States spend on NATO in 2024? The United States has long been an important contributor to NATO. Last year, it contributed $860 billion, accounting for 68 percent of NATO's overall budget. This equals 3.49 percent of America's overall GDP. How much did other NATO members contribute? Canada offered 1.38 percent of its GDP, or $28.95 billion (2.29 percent of overall contributions), whereas the European allies combined accounted for $375.1 billion (29.68 percent) of the entire budget. Also read | NATO chief weighs in on ‘multi-year’ commitments to support Ukraine for ‘long haul’ Last year, Poland allocated 3.9% of its GDP, outpacing the United States in terms of GDP percentage. Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Romania, Hungary, Latvia, the United Kingdom, and Slovakia all contributed more than the 2% guideline last year. Watch: Grant Shapps: NATO countries are playing "Russian roulette" with insufficient defense spending × How much has the United States spent on NATO over the past 75 years? According to its annual military Expenditure of NATO Countries report, the United States has contributed $21.9 trillion to NATO's military budget over the last 75 years, far outspending its 31 counterparts. NATO stated that by the end of this year, 18 allies are likely to have met the criteria, a six-fold increase since the promise was inked in 2014.

NATO 75th anniversary: US spent $21.9 trillion on NATO over 75 years; How much other members contributed?

Amid the damage and destruction by a recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan, surveillance footage from a hospital has come to light that shows the heroic efforts of nurses in the neonatal unit.

As the tremors rocked the building, these nurses swiftly moved to protect the vulnerable babies in their care. They secured their incubators to ensure their safety. The video, which is now going viral on social media platforms, has captured a tense scene within the unit as the earthquake struck.

With the ground trembling, four dedicated staff members sprung into action. Even when their own lives were at stake they ensured that the fragile newborns are protected anyhow.

The nurses rushed to the unit in order to stabilise the bassinets. They were also reportedly aware of potential hazards such as flying debris from nearby windows and that is why were keeping a watch for it as well to safeguard the babies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/steel-ball-savior-how-taipei-101-taiwans-tallest-skyscraper-survived-a-massive-quake-707724">Steel Ball savior: How Taipei 101, Taiwan's tallest skyscraper survived a massive quake?</a>

Notably, in the aftermath of the quake, harrowing stories has emerged.

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Nurses in a Taiwan Hospital protecting babies during Earthquake <a href="https://t.co/I66wVRdMME">pic.twitter.com/I66wVRdMME</a>
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One&nbsp;survivor said that rockslides resembling 'bullets' were seen around the coal mine where he worked.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-75th-anniversary-us-spent-219-trillion-on-nato-over-75-years-how-much-other-members-contributed-707744">NATO 75th anniversary: US spent $21.9 trillion on NATO over 75 years; How much other members contributed?</a>

Across social media platforms, individuals&nbsp;shared videos and images capturing the intensity of the earthquake's impact.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-announces-new-x-feature-community-posts-707739">Elon Musk announces new X feature - Community Posts</a>

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The earthquake tragically resulted in the loss of at least nine lives and left over 1,000 individuals injured.

An almost similar intensity earthquake had rattled regions of Turkey and Syria last year, where too tales of extraordinary courage emerged. In the video shared on various social media platforms, one could see nurses from a hospital&nbsp;rushing into the neonatal unit to prevent the baby incubators from toppling over, as the building shaked vigorously.

Meanwhile, outgoing Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and President-elect Lai Ching-Te expressed their appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support after a 7.4 magnitude quake.&nbsp;Tsai Ing-wen said, "We are deeply grateful for your kind words and support, @narendramodi, at this challenging time. Your solidarity means a great deal to the people of Taiwan as we all work toward a swift recovery."

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid the damage and destruction by a recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan, surveillance footage from a hospital has come to light that shows the heroic efforts of nurses in the neonatal unit.

Amid the damage and destruction by a recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan, surveillance footage from a hospital has come to light that shows the heroic efforts of nurses in the neonatal unit. As the tremors rocked the building, these nurses swiftly moved to protect the vulnerable babies in their care. They secured their incubators to ensure their safety. The video, which is now going viral on social media platforms, has captured a tense scene within the unit as the earthquake struck. With the ground trembling, four dedicated staff members sprung into action. Even when their own lives were at stake they ensured that the fragile newborns are protected anyhow. The nurses rushed to the unit in order to stabilise the bassinets. They were also reportedly aware of potential hazards such as flying debris from nearby windows and that is why were keeping a watch for it as well to safeguard the babies. Also Read | Steel Ball savior: How Taipei 101, Taiwan's tallest skyscraper survived a massive quake? Notably, in the aftermath of the quake, harrowing stories has emerged. Nurses in a Taiwan Hospital protecting babies during Earthquake pic.twitter.com/I66wVRdMME — Bonjour (@imromec) April 3, 2024 × One survivor said that rockslides resembling 'bullets' were seen around the coal mine where he worked. Also Read | NATO 75th anniversary: US spent $21.9 trillion on NATO over 75 years; How much other members contributed? Across social media platforms, individuals shared videos and images capturing the intensity of the earthquake's impact. Watch | Elon Musk announces new X feature - Community Posts × The earthquake tragically resulted in the loss of at least nine lives and left over 1,000 individuals injured. An almost similar intensity earthquake had rattled regions of Turkey and Syria last year, where too tales of extraordinary courage emerged. In the video shared on various social media platforms, one could see nurses from a hospital rushing into the neonatal unit to prevent the baby incubators from toppling over, as the building shaked vigorously. Meanwhile, outgoing Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and President-elect Lai Ching-Te expressed their appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support after a 7.4 magnitude quake. Tsai Ing-wen said, "We are deeply grateful for your kind words and support, @narendramodi, at this challenging time. Your solidarity means a great deal to the people of Taiwan as we all work toward a swift recovery." (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH | Heroic nurses protect neonatal unit babies during Taiwan quake

Israel: Thousands of Israelis take to streets, Netanyahu's govt faces pressure

NATO foreign ministers meet on Wednesday to discuss how to put military support for Ukraine on a long-term footing, including a proposal for a $107 billion five-year fund and a plan seen as a way to "Trump-proof" aid for Kyiv. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine war: NATO plans $100 bn 'Trump-proof' military fund for Kyiv

Former United States president Donald Trump’s bid to delay his trial on charges based on hush money transferred to adult film actress Stormy Daniels was rejected by a New York judge.&nbsp;

Trump's lawyers had requested to adjourn the hearing in the New York hush money case until the Supreme Court rules on presidential immunity.

The case is with Judge Juan Merchan in Manhattan and its hearing is scheduled to start on April 15.&nbsp;

Merchan said that the request of the former president was untimely and ruled that his lawyers had many opportunities to raise the issue of presidential immunity before but they chose to raise it in a&nbsp;March 7 court filing.

The judge on Wednesday (April 3) ruled that former president Donald Trump is not immune from prosecution in the hush money case since he did not invoke the defence in a timely manner.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-launches-fresh-tirade-against-illegal-migrants-calls-them-animals-and-not-humans-707246">Trump launches fresh tirade against illegal migrants, calls them ‘animals’ and ‘not humans’</a>

Judge Juan Merchan ruled that the former president was "well aware" he could try claiming presidential immunity after being indicted a year ago on charges of falsifying business records which were connected with hush money transferred to Daniels.&nbsp;

"Nonetheless, the defendant chose not to raise the defence of presidential immunity until well past the 45-day period provided by statute," Merchan said.

Merchan did not rule on the merits of the immunity claim made by Trump and decided to focus on the timing, which he claimed tested "this court's credulity."

"This Court finds that Defendant had myriad opportunities to raise the claim of presidential immunity well before March 7, 2024," wrote Merchan.

<h2>Judge relying on 'fundamentally flawed legal premise' in Trump's classified information case: Special counsel&nbsp;</h2>

In Donald Trump's criminal case, where he is charged with retaining classified information, special counsel Jack Smith in a court filing said that the judge was relying on a “fundamentally flawed legal premise” when asking lawyers to look into whether the former president can claim presidential immunity as per federal records law.

Smith added that if Judge Aileen Cannon gives the ruling that Trump can use the Presidential Records Act (PRA) in his defence, he will file another appeal in a higher court and will seek an order for the judge to correctly apply the law.

Watch:&nbsp;Former President Donald Trump calls immigrants in US 'animals'

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This has increased the chances of the trial being pushed back beyond the November general election in which Trump is certain to be the Republican nominee for president.

Meanwhile, Trump's defence team argued, "If this case is presented to a jury—which it should not be—the jury would be forced to resolve factual issues relating to not only PRA categorisations but also documents' alleged classification status."

"Not a single one had heard Trump say that he was designating records as personal or that, at the time he caused the transfer of boxes to Mar-a-Lago, he believed that his removal of records amounted to designating them as personal under the PRA," stated the special counsel. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former United States president Donald Trump’s bid to delay his trial on charges based on hush money transferred to adult film actress Stormy Daniels was rejected by a New York judge.

Former United States president Donald Trump’s bid to delay his trial on charges based on hush money transferred to adult film actress Stormy Daniels was rejected by a New York judge. Trump's lawyers had requested to adjourn the hearing in the New York hush money case until the Supreme Court rules on presidential immunity. The case is with Judge Juan Merchan in Manhattan and its hearing is scheduled to start on April 15. Merchan said that the request of the former president was untimely and ruled that his lawyers had many opportunities to raise the issue of presidential immunity before but they chose to raise it in a March 7 court filing. The judge on Wednesday (April 3) ruled that former president Donald Trump is not immune from prosecution in the hush money case since he did not invoke the defence in a timely manner. Also Read: Trump launches fresh tirade against illegal migrants, calls them ‘animals’ and ‘not humans’ Judge Juan Merchan ruled that the former president was "well aware" he could try claiming presidential immunity after being indicted a year ago on charges of falsifying business records which were connected with hush money transferred to Daniels. "Nonetheless, the defendant chose not to raise the defence of presidential immunity until well past the 45-day period provided by statute," Merchan said. Merchan did not rule on the merits of the immunity claim made by Trump and decided to focus on the timing, which he claimed tested "this court's credulity." "This Court finds that Defendant had myriad opportunities to raise the claim of presidential immunity well before March 7, 2024," wrote Merchan. Judge relying on 'fundamentally flawed legal premise' in Trump's classified information case: Special counsel In Donald Trump's criminal case, where he is charged with retaining classified information, special counsel Jack Smith in a court filing said that the judge was relying on a “fundamentally flawed legal premise” when asking lawyers to look into whether the former president can claim presidential immunity as per federal records law. Smith added that if Judge Aileen Cannon gives the ruling that Trump can use the Presidential Records Act (PRA) in his defence, he will file another appeal in a higher court and will seek an order for the judge to correctly apply the law. Watch: Former President Donald Trump calls immigrants in US 'animals' This has increased the chances of the trial being pushed back beyond the November general election in which Trump is certain to be the Republican nominee for president. Meanwhile, Trump's defence team argued, "If this case is presented to a jury—which it should not be—the jury would be forced to resolve factual issues relating to not only PRA categorisations but also documents' alleged classification status." "Not a single one had heard Trump say that he was designating records as personal or that, at the time he caused the transfer of boxes to Mar-a-Lago, he believed that his removal of records amounted to designating them as personal under the PRA," stated the special counsel. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump hush money case: New York judge rejects bid to delay trial over presidential immunity claim

Israel is facing major diplomatic backlash over the airstrike that killed seven international aid workers, delivering desperately-needed food to the Gaza strip. Israel's defence forces chief of staff Herzi Halevi has issued an apology for deadly Israeli strike on an aid convoy in Gaza. He says the strike was a result of a 'misidentification'.

Israel faces backlash for aid workers' deaths, western allies 'demand explanation'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with France's Minister of Defense in Paris. Both the leaders discussed the ongoing collaboration with Europe in supporting Ukraine. Watch in for more details!

US' Antony Blinken grounded due to aircraft mechanical issue

Botswana’s president has threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany amid a dispute over the import of hunting trophies. Watch in for more details!

Diplomatic row over Trophy Hunting: Germany proposes Trophy import ban

At least about nine people have been killed and over 700 others have been injured after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake jolted Taiwan's Capital Taipei. An estimated 50 people at this moment are still said to be missing.

Taiwan Earthquake: Hualien starts demolishing quake-hit, heavily tilted buildings

An activated but faulty missile launcher on a Danish navy vessel triggered a closure of airspace and shipping traffic in the Great Belt strait on Thursday. Watch in for more details!

BREAKING: Faulty missile launcher closes busy Danish sea lane | WION News

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe- Rescue efforts are under way in Taiwan after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the island's eastern coast, killing at least nine and injuring more than 900.

Taiwan Earthquake: Rescue efforts continue | Hualien County: Epicentre of quake | WION Speed News

According to recent research, all 15 billionaires who are under the age of 30, have earned their wealth through huge inheritances. Forbes’ 38th Annual World’s Billionaires List saw the highest-ever number of people on the list, 141 more than last year.

According to recent research, all 15 billionaires who are under the age of 30, have earned their wealth through huge inheritances. Forbes’ 38th Annual World’s Billionaires List saw the highest-ever number of people on the list, 141 more than last year. This record broke the one set in 2021 with 26 more billionaires. This is the first wave of “the great wealth transfer” in which heirs are expected to receive more than $5.2tn from over 1,000 wealthy people in the next two decades. The 15 billionaires under 30 Leonardo Maria, Luca, and Clemente Del Vecchio Each of the three Del Vecchio siblings—Leonardo, 28, Luca, 22, and Clemente, 19—inherited a 12.5% share in the family's holding business, Delfin, based in Luxembourg. Delfin controls almost a third of EssilorLuxottica, the company that makes Oakley and Ray-Ban sunglasses. Livia Voigt and Dora Voigt de Assis The list also includes Livia Voigt, 19, and her elder sister Dora Voigt de Assis, 26, who both own shares in WEG Industries, a Brazilian manufacturer of electrical equipment that their grandfather Werner Ricardo co-founded. Kim Jung-young and Kim Jung-min 20-year-old Kim Jung-young and her 22-year-old sister Kim Jung-min own around 18% of NXC, the company that is the biggest stakeholder in the online gaming company Nexon. Kevin David Lehmann 21-year-old Kevin David Lehmann controls 50% of dm (drogerie markt), the largest drugstore chain in Germany. In 2017, his father Guenther transferred ownership of his 50% dm stake to Kevin. Remi Dassault Remi Dassault, 22, is the heir to the Dassault aerospace and software empire. He is the son of Olivier Dassault. Dassault Aviation, the French aerospace firm founded by Olivier Dassault's grandfather, began as a manufacturer of propellers during World War I. Firoz Mistry and Zahan Mistry Zahan and Firoz Mistry are the sons of the late Cyrus Mistry, former chairman of Tata Sons. Their father passed away in a vehicle accident in 2022, leaving them each with an 18.4% stake in Tata Sons. Alexandra Andresen Alexandra Andresen, 28, inherited 42% of the family-owned investment company Ferd, which runs hedge funds and is an active investor on the Nordic stock exchange. Also read | Forbes world’s billionaires list: Byju Raveendran no longer a billionaire, now has $0 net worth Sophie Luise Fielmann 29-year-old Sophie Luise Fielmann, the daughter of Guenther Fielmann, the founder of Fielmann AG is the majority shareholder of the company. The company is among the top optician chains across Europe. Gustav Magnar Witzoe Gustav Magnar Witzoe, 30, owns nearly half of Salmar ASA, one of the world's largest salmon producers. His stake was gifted to him in 2013 by his father, Gustav Witzoe, who founded the company in 1991.

No billionaire under 30 has earned their wealth, they amassed it through 'the great wealth transfer'

With less than eight months to go until an expected autumn UK general election, Rishi Sunak has a steep climb to avoid defeat. Support for the Conservatives has dropped to a low of 23 per cent. Watch in for more details!

UK PM Rishi Sunak undecided on General Elections date | Elections expected this year

Israel reportedly used an Artificial Intelligence-based programme identified as "Lavender" to identify thousands of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and bomb them.&nbsp;

The report emerged amid Hamas leader abroad, Ismail Haniyeh, saying in a Wednesday (Apr 3) speech that the militant group is sticking to its original ceasefire and hostage negotiations demand&nbsp;that Israel must halt all military operations in the Gaza Strip. &nbsp;

The ongoing war started after Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel, killing about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, as per official Israeli figures.&nbsp;

Hamas also took some 250 people hostage, some of whom were later returned as part of a deal in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. In the aftermath of the attack, Israel responded with several strikes on Gaza that have killed more than 30,000 people, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-hosts-muslim-leaders-in-muted-ramadan-event-amid-israel-hamas-war-707162">Biden hosts Muslim leaders in muted Ramadan event amid Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Use of AI to target Hamas?</h2>

In a report by the news agency AFP, security experts have said that Israel's ability to track down suspected Hamas militants is aided by unprecedented use of AI. It is generating targets at a much faster rate than was previously possible. The system is also estimating the collateral damage from its strikes.&nbsp;

With the use of the AI system, Israeli military officials reportedly allowed large numbers of Palestinian civilians to be killed. This mostly happened in the early weeks and months of the conflict.&nbsp;

As quoted by The Guardian, one intelligence officer who used Lavender, said, "This is unparalleled, in my memory." He added that they had more faith in a "statistical mechanism" than a grieving soldier.&nbsp;

"Everyone there, including me, lost people on October 7. The machine did it coldly. And that made it easier," the official added.&nbsp;

At least six of those who used that AI system gave testimonies&nbsp;to journalist Yuval Abraham for a report published by the Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/woman-of-indian-descent-among-6-international-aid-workers-slain-in-israeli-strike-in-gaza-707129">Woman of Indian descent among 6 international aid workers killed in Israeli strike in Gaza</a>&nbsp;

The AFP report also mentioned that the&nbsp;Israel Defense Forces (IDF) first advertised its use of AI-powered targeting after an 11-day conflict in Gaza in May 2021. The commanders had described it as the world's "first AI war".

The military chief during that conflict, Aviv Kohavi, reportedly told Israeli media ahead of the October 7 attacks that AI systems had enabled the IDF to identify "100 new targets every day". As compared to it, the&nbsp;human analysts could previously produce only "50 targets in a year". &nbsp;

In a blog on the Israeli military's website in November, it was noted that&nbsp;its AI-enhanced "targeting directorate"&nbsp;had identified more than 12,000 targets in just 27 days.&nbsp;

Another AI system&nbsp;called Habsora (The Gospel), produced targets "for precise attacks on infrastructure associated with Hamas, inflicting great damage on the enemy and minimal harm to those not involved," an unnamed Israeli official was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Joint World Bank-UN report pegs Gaza's damages at $18.5 billion&nbsp;

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<h2>Death of aid workers in Gaza&nbsp;</h2>

Israel has been facing wrath because of the current humanitarian situation in Gaza and the recent death of foreign aid workers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a "tragic incident", but also said that "such accidents happen in wartime".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said explanations provided by Israel about the killing of seven people working for the aid charity World Central Kitchen in a Gaza airstrike were insufficient and unacceptable, demanding further details.

"That is unacceptable and insufficient, and we are awaiting a much stronger and more detailed clarification, after which we'll see what action to take," Sanchez told a news briefing on Wednesday while visiting Qatar.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israel reportedly used an Artificial Intelligence-based programme identified as "Lavender" to identify thousands of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and bomb them.

Israel reportedly used an Artificial Intelligence-based programme identified as "Lavender" to identify thousands of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and bomb them. The report emerged amid Hamas leader abroad, Ismail Haniyeh, saying in a Wednesday (Apr 3) speech that the militant group is sticking to its original ceasefire and hostage negotiations demand that Israel must halt all military operations in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing war started after Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel, killing about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, as per official Israeli figures. Hamas also took some 250 people hostage, some of whom were later returned as part of a deal in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. In the aftermath of the attack, Israel responded with several strikes on Gaza that have killed more than 30,000 people, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Also read: Biden hosts Muslim leaders in muted Ramadan event amid Israel-Hamas war Use of AI to target Hamas? In a report by the news agency AFP, security experts have said that Israel's ability to track down suspected Hamas militants is aided by unprecedented use of AI. It is generating targets at a much faster rate than was previously possible. The system is also estimating the collateral damage from its strikes. With the use of the AI system, Israeli military officials reportedly allowed large numbers of Palestinian civilians to be killed. This mostly happened in the early weeks and months of the conflict. As quoted by The Guardian, one intelligence officer who used Lavender, said, "This is unparalleled, in my memory." He added that they had more faith in a "statistical mechanism" than a grieving soldier. "Everyone there, including me, lost people on October 7. The machine did it coldly. And that made it easier," the official added. At least six of those who used that AI system gave testimonies to journalist Yuval Abraham for a report published by the Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call. Also read: Woman of Indian descent among 6 international aid workers killed in Israeli strike in Gaza The AFP report also mentioned that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) first advertised its use of AI-powered targeting after an 11-day conflict in Gaza in May 2021. The commanders had described it as the world's "first AI war". The military chief during that conflict, Aviv Kohavi, reportedly told Israeli media ahead of the October 7 attacks that AI systems had enabled the IDF to identify "100 new targets every day". As compared to it, the human analysts could previously produce only "50 targets in a year". In a blog on the Israeli military's website in November, it was noted that its AI-enhanced "targeting directorate" had identified more than 12,000 targets in just 27 days. Another AI system called Habsora (The Gospel), produced targets "for precise attacks on infrastructure associated with Hamas, inflicting great damage on the enemy and minimal harm to those not involved," an unnamed Israeli official was quoted as saying. Watch: Joint World Bank-UN report pegs Gaza's damages at $18.5 billion × Death of aid workers in Gaza Israel has been facing wrath because of the current humanitarian situation in Gaza and the recent death of foreign aid workers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a "tragic incident", but also said that "such accidents happen in wartime". Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said explanations provided by Israel about the killing of seven people working for the aid charity World Central Kitchen in a Gaza airstrike were insufficient and unacceptable, demanding further details. "That is unacceptable and insufficient, and we are awaiting a much stronger and more detailed clarification, after which we'll see what action to take," Sanchez told a news briefing on Wednesday while visiting Qatar. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel using 'unparalleled' AI to list out suspected Hamas targets: Report

The White House says that US President Joe Biden is outraged the president will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu three days after the Israeli attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen Aid workers in Gaza. Watch in for more details!

Israel War: Outrage over the killing of aid workers

Speech fasting, or the deliberate abstinence from speaking, has long been practised in many cultures and is often associated with religious observances, spiritual practices, or meditation. However, the trend is increasing these days. Watch to know more!

How can speech fasting impact your health?

Israel War: Will the US still give weapons to Israel?

Total sixteen Pakistani judges have received threatening white-powder letters till now. Lahore police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) have launched an investigation into the matter. Watch in for more details!

Pakistan: 4 judges of Pakistan Supreme Court receive mysterious 'anthrax laced' letters

NASA achieved a resounding success last year when it intentionally crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid. The test was a way to deflect potentially hazardous space rocks from hitting Earth. Our next story tells you how this first-of-his-kind planetary defence experiment now has unintended unintended consequences.

NASA's Dart mission asteroid: Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars

In Syria, it's not the war that directly is impacting Ramadan celebration instead it's the pinching economic crisis that is keeping people from truly enjoying themselves on Islam's holiest month. Watch in for more details!

Syrian feel the economic pinch this Ramadan

Terror outfit Jaish Al-Adl has claimed responsibility for simultaneous attacks on military posts in Southeastern Iran. At least three members of the security forces have been killed in the attack.

Terror outfit Jaish Al-Adl carries out attack on Iran's military post, clashes still underway

Over two years of the conflict, the French President Emmanuel Macron, has gone from not wanting to humiliate Russia to suggesting that troops be sent to Ukraine. Watch in for more details!

'Europeans can't be cowards when countering Moscow', says French President Macron

Donald Trump leads Joe Biden in six out of seven battleground states in the 2024 US presidential election, according to a Wall Street Journal poll released. Watch in for more details!

Donald Trump leads Joe Biden in 6 of 7 battleground states, poll finds

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