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<p>Former Fox and News Corp chairman and media mogul Rupert Murdoch has been engaged for the sixth time to a retired scientist Elena Zhukova and is gearing up to get married for the fifth time at the age of 92.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The office of Rupert Murdoch announced that the 92-year-old media mogul will get married to 67-year-old retired molecular biologist Zhukova, as reported by the New York Times.</p>

<p>Murdoch started&nbsp;dating Zhukova soon after&nbsp;breaking his two-week-long engagement to 67-year-old conservative radio host Ann Lesley Smith.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nothing-short-of-remarkable-this-is-how-much-elon-musk-earns-in-one-minute-690652">&nbsp;'Nothing short of remarkable': THIS is how much Elon Musk earns in one minute</a></p>

<p>The wedding will be held at Moraga, his California vineyard and estate and the invitations have already been sent out, reported the Times, citing Murdoch's representative. The media mogul has been married four times earlier.</p>

<h2>Zhukova was previously married to Russia-born British billionaire</h2>

<p>Murdoch first met Zhukova at a large family gathering which was hosted by his third wife, Wendi Deng, whom he remained married to for 14 years and filed for divorce in 2013.</p>

<p>The reports of Murdoch’s latest engagement emerged just five months after he declared that he was stepping down from News Corp's media empire.</p>

<p>Murdoch’s New York-based company News Corp includes multiple national and international digital news outlets, some of which are the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Sky News Australia and HarperCollins.</p>

<p>According to Bloomberg, the media mogul's net worth is $8.96 billion. The new fiancee of Murdoch was previously appointed as a molecular diabetes specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles, reported the New York Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Billionaire Jeff Bezos sells Amazon shares</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/billionaire-jeff-bezos-sells-amazon-shares-689101/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Zhukova, who originally belongs to Russia, once while speaking about her family, referred to them as being part of the “usual, normal Moscow intelligentsia”. She had earlier married Alexander Zhukov, a Russia-born British billionaire energy investor.</p>

<p>The last wife of Murdoch was the former supermodel Jerry Hall. The couple divorced in 2022. &nbsp;Before that, he was married to Wendi Deng, Anna Murdoch Mann and Patricia Booker and has six children.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Former Fox and News Corp chairman and media mogul Rupert Murdoch has been engaged for the sixth time to a retired scientist Elena Zhukova and is gearing up to get married for the fifth time at the age of 92.

Former Fox and News Corp chairman and media mogul Rupert Murdoch has been engaged for the sixth time to a retired scientist Elena Zhukova and is gearing up to get married for the fifth time at the age of 92. The office of Rupert Murdoch announced that the 92-year-old media mogul will get married to 67-year-old retired molecular biologist Zhukova, as reported by the New York Times. Murdoch started dating Zhukova soon after breaking his two-week-long engagement to 67-year-old conservative radio host Ann Lesley Smith. Also Read: 'Nothing short of remarkable': THIS is how much Elon Musk earns in one minute The wedding will be held at Moraga, his California vineyard and estate and the invitations have already been sent out, reported the Times, citing Murdoch's representative. The media mogul has been married four times earlier. Zhukova was previously married to Russia-born British billionaire Murdoch first met Zhukova at a large family gathering which was hosted by his third wife, Wendi Deng, whom he remained married to for 14 years and filed for divorce in 2013. The reports of Murdoch’s latest engagement emerged just five months after he declared that he was stepping down from News Corp's media empire. Murdoch’s New York-based company News Corp includes multiple national and international digital news outlets, some of which are the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Sky News Australia and HarperCollins. According to Bloomberg, the media mogul's net worth is $8.96 billion. The new fiancee of Murdoch was previously appointed as a molecular diabetes specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles, reported the New York Times. Watch: Billionaire Jeff Bezos sells Amazon shares Zhukova, who originally belongs to Russia, once while speaking about her family, referred to them as being part of the “usual, normal Moscow intelligentsia”. She had earlier married Alexander Zhukov, a Russia-born British billionaire energy investor. The last wife of Murdoch was the former supermodel Jerry Hall. The couple divorced in 2022. Before that, he was married to Wendi Deng, Anna Murdoch Mann and Patricia Booker and has six children. (With inputs from agencies)

At 92, Rupert Murdoch plans his fifth wedding, this time with molecular biologist Elena Zhukova

At least 287 people were taken hostage by gunmen on Thursday, March 7, when they broke into a school in the northwest of the country, according to the headmaster, who informed authorities that this was the country's second mass kidnapping in less than a week.

Kuriga Kidnap: Gunmen kidnap more than 200 from Nigerian school, one dead

Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Thursday. Sweden is now a NATO member State making it the newest member of the military Alliance. Watch to know more!

Sweden officially joins NATO after completing its accession | This ends Sweden's neutrality stand

International Women's Day Special: WION tells you about women who have proven to be pillars in India's architectural prowess these brilliant architects who are Visionaries in building India's future. WION's Nikita Singh brings you this special segment on Women's day 2024. Watch to know more!

International Women's Day 2024: Honouring trailblazing women architects

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<p>More than 200 school students were kidnapped in the Nigerian town Kuriga on Thursday, the news agency Reuters reported on Friday citing a teacher, local councillor and parents of the missing children.&nbsp;Speaking to Reuters, Sani Abdullahi, a home economics teacher, said, "The number of the kidnapped from the secondary section based on the statistics we took together with the parents is 187 while that of the primary section is 40 for now."</p>

<p>The gunmen initially took 100 primary school pupils but later freed them while others escaped, Kuriga's local councillor Idris Maiallura said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A lack of security blamed on kidnappings</strong></h2>

<p>Parents and residents blamed the kidnappings on a lack of security in the town. Fatima Usman, whose two children were among those abducted, told the news agency, "We don't know what to do, we are all waiting to see what God can do. They are my only children I have on Earth."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/helicopter-with-six-on-board-crashes-in-california-nigerias-access-bank-group-ceo-among-deceased-689164">Helicopter with six on board crashes in California, Nigeria's Access Bank group CEO among the dead</a></strong></p>

<p>Another parent said that local vigilantes had tried to repel the gunmen but had been overpowered.</p>

<p>Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani's office said that he visited Kuriga and promised to get the students released.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Amnesty International condemns kidnappings</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to safely rescue the students and hold perpetrators to account.</p>

<p>"Schools should be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life. The Nigerian authorities must take measures immediately to prevent attacks on schools, to protect children’s lives and their right to education," Amnesty International said in a post on X.</p>

<p>The last such kidnapping involving school children in Kaduna was in July 2021 when gunmen took more than 150 students in a raid. The students were reunited months later with their families after they paid ransoms.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


More than 200 school students were kidnapped in the Nigerian town Kuriga on Thursday, the news agency Reuters reported on Friday citing a teacher, local councillor and parents of the missing children.

More than 200 school students were kidnapped in the Nigerian town Kuriga on Thursday, the news agency Reuters reported on Friday citing a teacher, local councillor and parents of the missing children. Speaking to Reuters, Sani Abdullahi, a home economics teacher, said, "The number of the kidnapped from the secondary section based on the statistics we took together with the parents is 187 while that of the primary section is 40 for now." The gunmen initially took 100 primary school pupils but later freed them while others escaped, Kuriga's local councillor Idris Maiallura said. A lack of security blamed on kidnappings Parents and residents blamed the kidnappings on a lack of security in the town. Fatima Usman, whose two children were among those abducted, told the news agency, "We don't know what to do, we are all waiting to see what God can do. They are my only children I have on Earth." Also read | Helicopter with six on board crashes in California, Nigeria's Access Bank group CEO among the dead Another parent said that local vigilantes had tried to repel the gunmen but had been overpowered. Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani's office said that he visited Kuriga and promised to get the students released. Amnesty International condemns kidnappings Meanwhile, Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to safely rescue the students and hold perpetrators to account. "Schools should be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life. The Nigerian authorities must take measures immediately to prevent attacks on schools, to protect children’s lives and their right to education," Amnesty International said in a post on X. The last such kidnapping involving school children in Kaduna was in July 2021 when gunmen took more than 150 students in a raid. The students were reunited months later with their families after they paid ransoms. (With inputs from agencies)

Over 200 school students kidnapped in Nigeria's Kuriga

Have you ever wondered what women do when they are not performing a role? How do they enjoy their free time? Most importantly, do women have as much free time as men do, to sit back and relax? These are some of the questions Surabhi Yadav is trying to explore through her Instagram page called – Project Basanti: Women at Leisure. The social media page is a repository of pictures and videos that exhibit and celebrate the fleetingly unguarded moments of women’s leisure. Women taking time out to lean back and do what they want to do – is the true test of equality and success. Watch our special Women’s Day story and let us know in the comments below - what leisure means to you and what you enjoy doing when you truly are at leisure.

International Women's Day 2024: Women and their language of leisure

Police in Ottawa, Canada, confirmed on Thursday that six Sri Lankans, including a mother and four little children, had been fatally stabbed with knives late on Wednesday. This shocking incident occurred in a nation where mass killings are uncommon.

Six Sri Lankans found dead inside two-storey house in Canada's Ottawa

Six people from Sri Lanka, including a mother and four young children, were knifed to death in the Canadian capital Ottawa late on Wednesday, police said on Thursday, rocking a country where mass murders are rare.

Six Sri Lankans knifed to death in Canadian capital in rare case of mass murder

A United Airlines opens new tab flight headed for Japan landed safely on Thursday at Los Angeles International Airport after losing a tire mid-air following takeoff from San Francisco, the carrier said in a statement. United said it is arranging for a new aircraft to continue the trip for the 249 people who were on board the Boeing B777-200 jet.

United Airlines flight diverts to LAX after losing a tire

On Thursday, Sweden formally joined NATO in Washington, two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted a reevaluation of the country's national security strategy and the realization that membership in the alliance offered the greatest assurance of protection for the Scandinavian nation.

Sweden joins NATO military alliance amid Ukraine war, abandons non-alignment policy

President Joe Biden was telling Israel to alter their approach in Gaza when he wasn't arguing for a second term. With the entire world focusing on Biden Using his yearly State of the Union speech on Thursday night, the President applied pressure on the Israeli government to permit more humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip and to work toward a two-state solution after the war.

Biden's address: Biden pressures Israel as he promises Gaza aid

<p>During the recent State of the Union address, President Joe Biden found himself at the centre&nbsp;of a lighthearted yet embarrassing moment as he confused the deceased nursing student Laken Riley with Lincoln Riley, the USC Head Coach. Joe Biden, who is giving a speech for the first time after announcing his candidacy for a second presidential run, also compared thousands of refugees trying to enter the country with Riley, leaving the internet confused like never before.</p>

<p>Biden was seen raising the Laken Riley support pin, given to him by US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. He then confused the deceased nursing student Laken Riley's name with Lincoln Riley.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-gaza-war-putin-and-more-key-takeaways-from-joe-bidens-state-of-the-union-address-2024-697872">Trump, Gaza war, Putin, and more: Key takeaways from Joe Biden's State of the Union address 2024</a></strong></p>

<p>Lincoln Riley is the USC Head Coach.&nbsp;</p>

<p>US Representative Greene launched the initiatives "Say Her Name Laken Riley" and "STOP THE BIDEN BORDER CRISIS". Marjorie was sporting a T-shirt honouring the late 22-year-old.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">MTG Calls out Joe Biden at the SOTU!<br />
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"What about Laken Riley!?"<br />
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"Say Her Name!"<br />
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Joe Biden responded by mistaking her for the USC Head Coach, Lincoln Riley. <a href="https://t.co/hGyZjM6KZy">pic.twitter.com/hGyZjM6KZy</a></p>
— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACTBrigitte/status/1765938782778376498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The debate on social media intensified after this&nbsp;comparison.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Biden then went on to compare Lincoln Riley with the countless refugees seeking entry into the country and was then accused of&nbsp;using the "narrative to pitch for his immigration bill."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-reacts-to-alleged-killing-of-laken-hope-riley-by-undocumented-immigrant-694282">White House reacts to alleged killing of Laken Hope Riley by undocumented immigrant</a></strong></p>

<p>Biden said he was concerned about accidentally hurting innocent immigrants who are only trying to support their families but added that the situation remains complex.</p>

<p>The US president mentioned Riley's name after it was called out by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said she was murdered by "an illegal".</p>

<p>In response, while wrapping up the speech, Biden listed down the things he won't do on immigration. He said, "I will not demonise immigrants saying they 'poison the blood of our country' as he said in his own words," referring to former President Donald Trump's infamous repetition of Adolf Hitler's words.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US leaders caught in string of gaffes; Republicans question Biden mental acuity</strong></p>

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<p>The President of The United States added, "I will not separate families. I will not ban people from America because of their faith," he added while referring to Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance policy and the so-called "Muslim ban."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


During the recent State of the Union address, President Joe Biden found himself at the centre of a lighthearted yet embarrassing moment as he confused the deceased nursing student Laken Riley with Lincoln Riley, the USC Head Coach.

During the recent State of the Union address, President Joe Biden found himself at the centre of a lighthearted yet embarrassing moment as he confused the deceased nursing student Laken Riley with Lincoln Riley, the USC Head Coach. Joe Biden, who is giving a speech for the first time after announcing his candidacy for a second presidential run, also compared thousands of refugees trying to enter the country with Riley, leaving the internet confused like never before. Biden was seen raising the Laken Riley support pin, given to him by US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. He then confused the deceased nursing student Laken Riley's name with Lincoln Riley. Also read | Trump, Gaza war, Putin, and more: Key takeaways from Joe Biden's State of the Union address 2024 Lincoln Riley is the USC Head Coach. US Representative Greene launched the initiatives "Say Her Name Laken Riley" and "STOP THE BIDEN BORDER CRISIS". Marjorie was sporting a T-shirt honouring the late 22-year-old. MTG Calls out Joe Biden at the SOTU! "What about Laken Riley!?" "Say Her Name!" Joe Biden responded by mistaking her for the USC Head Coach, Lincoln Riley. pic.twitter.com/hGyZjM6KZy — Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) March 8, 2024 × The debate on social media intensified after this comparison. Biden then went on to compare Lincoln Riley with the countless refugees seeking entry into the country and was then accused of using the "narrative to pitch for his immigration bill." Also read | White House reacts to alleged killing of Laken Hope Riley by undocumented immigrant Biden said he was concerned about accidentally hurting innocent immigrants who are only trying to support their families but added that the situation remains complex. The US president mentioned Riley's name after it was called out by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said she was murdered by "an illegal". In response, while wrapping up the speech, Biden listed down the things he won't do on immigration. He said, "I will not demonise immigrants saying they 'poison the blood of our country' as he said in his own words," referring to former President Donald Trump's infamous repetition of Adolf Hitler's words. Also watch | US leaders caught in string of gaffes; Republicans question Biden mental acuity × The President of The United States added, "I will not separate families. I will not ban people from America because of their faith," he added while referring to Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance policy and the so-called "Muslim ban." (With inputs from agencies)

SOTU 2024: Biden confuses Laken Riley with Lincoln Riley in pitch for immigration bill

Gunmen attacks school in Nigeria's northwest | Abduct 287 students

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<p>Multiple United States (US) government websites experienced a brief outage on Thursday night (Mar 7). In a post on X, the Department of Homeland Security said, "We are currently investigating and working to resolve an outage with&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/bsXWDfJOfA" target="_blank">http://dhs.gov</a>&nbsp;and component domains. We will restore the sites as soon as possible."</p>

<p>However, in a subsequent post, the department said that the issue was resolved.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This issue has been resolved. <a href="https://t.co/hxFpL6iBrm">https://t.co/hxFpL6iBrm</a></p>
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1765935573477327348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Some of the websites that experienced outages included the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, the Federal Management Agency and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The cause of the outages is not yet known. However, Homeland Security&nbsp;officials said that the outages did not appear to be malicious. Search.gov, a search engine for the federal government, said a planned maintenance was scheduled on Thursday from 3 pm to 6 pm.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The outages happened during President Joe Biden's&nbsp;State of the Union addressed that lasted for 68 minutes.&nbsp;</p>


Multiple United States (US) government websites experienced a brief outage on Thursday night (Mar 7). In a post on X, the Department of Homeland Security said, "We are currently investigating and working to resolve an outage with http://dhs.

Multiple United States (US) government websites experienced a brief outage on Thursday night (Mar 7). In a post on X, the Department of Homeland Security said, "We are currently investigating and working to resolve an outage with http://dhs.gov and component domains. We will restore the sites as soon as possible." However, in a subsequent post, the department said that the issue was resolved. This issue has been resolved. https://t.co/hxFpL6iBrm — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 8, 2024 × Some of the websites that experienced outages included the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, the Federal Management Agency and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The cause of the outages is not yet known. However, Homeland Security officials said that the outages did not appear to be malicious. Search.gov, a search engine for the federal government, said a planned maintenance was scheduled on Thursday from 3 pm to 6 pm. The outages happened during President Joe Biden's State of the Union addressed that lasted for 68 minutes.

Multiple US govt websites experience brief outages; cause unknown

The people trafficking network that reportedly sent young people to the Russia-Ukraine war zone under the pretense of lucrative jobs was raided by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday. Watch to find out more!

Traffickers sent Indians to universities in Russia, then forced them to fight Ukraine war: CBI

<p>President Joe Biden, in his State of the Union speech on Thursday (Mar&nbsp;7), is expected to announce that the US Army will build a port on Gaza's Mediterranean coast so that humanitarian assistance can be delivered via sea, said senior administration officials cited in American media.</p>

<p>The officials further stated that the Palestinian militant group Hamas was delaying the new hostage deal with Israel as it did not agree on releasing sick and elderly hostages that it had held captive.</p>

<p>In his speech to Congress, Biden will announce that he has ordered the U.S. military "to undertake an emergency mission to establish a port in Gaza, working with like-minded countries and humanitarian partners," one of the officials said.</p>

<p>The temporary port would enable "hundreds of additional truckloads" of humanitarian aid to be delivered to Palestinians living in the war-torn besieged enclave every day, said the official, further adding that the US would coordinate security with Israel.</p>

<p>It also would work with the United Nations and humanitarian aid organisations that "understand the distribution of assistance within Gaza," stated the official, adding that initial supplies would come from Cyprus.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-puts-focus-on-genocide-convention-over-imminent-threat-of-famine-in-gaza-697436">South Africa puts focus on Genocide Convention over 'imminent threat' of famine in Gaza</a></p>

<h2><strong>US airdrops fresh round of humanitarian aid in&nbsp;Gaza; 36,800 meals delivered</strong></h2>

<p>The United States on Tuesday (March 5) carried out a fresh round of airdrop of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in war-torn Gaza, delivering over 36,800 meals.</p>

<p>The first airdrop was made on Saturday where humanitarian aid was dropped over the coast of southwestern Gaza. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The situation in the besieged Palestinian enclave is dire, with over 2.3 million people displaced due to the ongoing Israeli offensive. As per the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza, at least 15 children died in one hospital alone. There are also reports of people dying of malnutrition.</p>

<h2><strong>Gaza truce talks to reconvene next week</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, Hamas on Thursday (March 7) announced that its delegation left Cairo and discussions on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release are set to reconvene next week.</p>

<p>The latest development raises questions if the mediators would be able to ink a ceasefire deal before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.</p>

<p>Despite an impasse over Hamas' phased process demand, Egyptian officials have not ruled out the possibility of a deal before Ramadan, expected to begin Sunday evening (Mar 10).</p>

<p>Earlier on Saturday, a US senior official said that Israel has 'more or less' agreed to a deal proposing a six-week ceasefire in its war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.</p>

<p>The Biden administration official further added that it was now up to Hamas to fully agree to the release of the most vulnerable hostages for the agreement to be put into effect.</p>

<p>"There's a framework deal. The Israelis have more or less accepted it," the Biden administration official said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


President Joe Biden, in his State of the Union speech on Thursday (Mar 7), is expected to announce that the US Army will build a port on Gaza's Mediterranean coast so that humanitarian assistance can be delivered via sea, said senior administration officials cited in American media.

President Joe Biden, in his State of the Union speech on Thursday (Mar 7), is expected to announce that the US Army will build a port on Gaza's Mediterranean coast so that humanitarian assistance can be delivered via sea, said senior administration officials cited in American media. The officials further stated that the Palestinian militant group Hamas was delaying the new hostage deal with Israel as it did not agree on releasing sick and elderly hostages that it had held captive. In his speech to Congress, Biden will announce that he has ordered the U.S. military "to undertake an emergency mission to establish a port in Gaza, working with like-minded countries and humanitarian partners," one of the officials said. The temporary port would enable "hundreds of additional truckloads" of humanitarian aid to be delivered to Palestinians living in the war-torn besieged enclave every day, said the official, further adding that the US would coordinate security with Israel. It also would work with the United Nations and humanitarian aid organisations that "understand the distribution of assistance within Gaza," stated the official, adding that initial supplies would come from Cyprus. Also read: South Africa puts focus on Genocide Convention over 'imminent threat' of famine in Gaza US airdrops fresh round of humanitarian aid in Gaza; 36,800 meals delivered The United States on Tuesday (March 5) carried out a fresh round of airdrop of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in war-torn Gaza, delivering over 36,800 meals. The first airdrop was made on Saturday where humanitarian aid was dropped over the coast of southwestern Gaza. The situation in the besieged Palestinian enclave is dire, with over 2.3 million people displaced due to the ongoing Israeli offensive. As per the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza, at least 15 children died in one hospital alone. There are also reports of people dying of malnutrition. Gaza truce talks to reconvene next week Meanwhile, Hamas on Thursday (March 7) announced that its delegation left Cairo and discussions on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release are set to reconvene next week. The latest development raises questions if the mediators would be able to ink a ceasefire deal before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Despite an impasse over Hamas' phased process demand, Egyptian officials have not ruled out the possibility of a deal before Ramadan, expected to begin Sunday evening (Mar 10). Earlier on Saturday, a US senior official said that Israel has 'more or less' agreed to a deal proposing a six-week ceasefire in its war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Biden administration official further added that it was now up to Hamas to fully agree to the release of the most vulnerable hostages for the agreement to be put into effect. "There's a framework deal. The Israelis have more or less accepted it," the Biden administration official said. (With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden to announce Gaza port construction to enable aid into war-torn Palestinian enclave

US President Joe Biden delivered his annual State of the Union address to US Congress. Biden started his State of the Union Address with a focus on defending democracy economic recovery and Reproductive Rights but before any of this was brought up he attacked Russian President Putin for the Ukraine war. Biden warned Putin that he will not back down. Biden said that the US is standing up against China's unfair economic practice, standing up for peace and stability across the Taiwan state and revitalizing its partnership with allies like India. Watch to know more!

Biden says US to revitalise partnership with allies like India | US State of Union Address

<p>Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Washington on Thursday (March 7), two years after the Russia-Ukraine war raised security concerns. The war, which started on February 24, 2024, forced Stockholm to rethink its national security policy and decide that support for the alliance was the Scandinavian nation's best guarantee of security.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, a report by the Financial Times mentioned that NATO membership may turn Sweden into a logistics hub and a reinforcement route.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report noted that Sweden includes the island of Gotland, which opens up fresh supply and reinforcement lines. It will allow the NATO nations to use it as a transportation hub, facilitating the defence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These nations formerly relied on the Suwalki Gap, which is a thin strip separating the Baltic countries from Poland.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sanctions-against-moscow-backfire-us-spent-20mn-to-maintain-superyacht-seized-from-russian-oligarch-697675">Sanctions against Moscow backfire? US spent $20mn to maintain superyacht seized from Russian oligarch</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>As quoted in the paper, Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said, "The Baltic Sea becomes a NATO lake. It reduces the vulnerability of the Baltics through only the Suwalki Gap. The entire security of the region is made stronger because it makes the eastern Baltic less vulnerable."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The paper further quoted Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt as saying that Sweden and Finland's membership will also "enable NATO to look at northern Europe as one big region, without a gaping hole in the map".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Experts have warned that the Ukraine war might spread in Europe, and include&nbsp;other nations as well. It has subsequently amplified the need for NATO's better control and accessibility in the continent.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eus-von-der-leyen-wins-conservatives-backing-to-lead-bloc-for-5-more-years-697691">EU's von der Leyen wins conservatives' backing to lead bloc for 5 more years</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine urges faster delivery of western arms&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>A Russian military official said that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine may grow to include additional proxy troops in the military confrontation with Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky, who is the chief of the Military Academy of the Russian General Staff, wrote in an article published in the Voennaya Mysl (Military Thought) magazine that the spread of war may lead to a direct military battle with Russia itself, or possibly to a full-fledged war in Europe.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
"How the situation may evolve is currently hard to predict, amid the rising controversy that almost always leads to the use of force. The Ukraine conflict could well escalate to include an expanded list of proxy forces being used for the military confrontation with Russia, or even to a large-scale war in Europe," the Russian general said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Zarudnitsky cautioned against playing down military threats to domestic security. "In order to weaken our country, the United States and Western countries are making every effort to destabilize the social and political situation in Russia, using religious, ethnic or civilizational strife that may also lead to the use of force," he warned.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Washington on Thursday (March 7), two years after the Russia-Ukraine war raised security concerns.

Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Washington on Thursday (March 7), two years after the Russia-Ukraine war raised security concerns. The war, which started on February 24, 2024, forced Stockholm to rethink its national security policy and decide that support for the alliance was the Scandinavian nation's best guarantee of security. However, a report by the Financial Times mentioned that NATO membership may turn Sweden into a logistics hub and a reinforcement route. The report noted that Sweden includes the island of Gotland, which opens up fresh supply and reinforcement lines. It will allow the NATO nations to use it as a transportation hub, facilitating the defence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These nations formerly relied on the Suwalki Gap, which is a thin strip separating the Baltic countries from Poland. Also read: Sanctions against Moscow backfire? US spent $20mn to maintain superyacht seized from Russian oligarch As quoted in the paper, Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said, "The Baltic Sea becomes a NATO lake. It reduces the vulnerability of the Baltics through only the Suwalki Gap. The entire security of the region is made stronger because it makes the eastern Baltic less vulnerable." The paper further quoted Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt as saying that Sweden and Finland's membership will also "enable NATO to look at northern Europe as one big region, without a gaping hole in the map". Experts have warned that the Ukraine war might spread in Europe, and include other nations as well. It has subsequently amplified the need for NATO's better control and accessibility in the continent. Also read: EU's von der Leyen wins conservatives' backing to lead bloc for 5 more years Watch: Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine urges faster delivery of western arms × A Russian military official said that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine may grow to include additional proxy troops in the military confrontation with Russia. Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky, who is the chief of the Military Academy of the Russian General Staff, wrote in an article published in the Voennaya Mysl (Military Thought) magazine that the spread of war may lead to a direct military battle with Russia itself, or possibly to a full-fledged war in Europe. "How the situation may evolve is currently hard to predict, amid the rising controversy that almost always leads to the use of force. The Ukraine conflict could well escalate to include an expanded list of proxy forces being used for the military confrontation with Russia, or even to a large-scale war in Europe," the Russian general said. Zarudnitsky cautioned against playing down military threats to domestic security. "In order to weaken our country, the United States and Western countries are making every effort to destabilize the social and political situation in Russia, using religious, ethnic or civilizational strife that may also lead to the use of force," he warned. (With inputs from agencies)

New NATO member Sweden may turn into logistics hub for military alliance: Report

British foreign minister David Cameron said on Thursday there was "incredible unity" between NATO allies when asked about an intercepted online call between senior German military officials about Ukraine which included details of British operations.

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Stronger criminal gangs than the nation's security services have targeted jails and the airport that serves the city, pushing 15,000 people from their homes in Port-au-Prince and closing businesses and schools in the process.

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Beijing: On Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the military to plan ahead for naval battles, defend the nation's maritime interests and rights, and foster the growth of the marine industry.

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Sweden's NATO accession ends era of go-it-alone security

In addition to highlighting the stark differences between himself and Republican nominee Donald Trump, US President Joe Biden hopes to remind Americans of how the economy has recovered since the Covid-19 outbreak in his State of the Union address on Thursday night.

Biden's address 2024: Biden makes strong pitch for reproductive rights and abortion

<p>A United Airlines plane that departed from San Francisco for Japan made an emergency landing in Los Angeles after it lost a tyre during&nbsp;take-off on Thursday (Mar 7), in yet another headache for planemaker Boeing.</p>

<p>In the videos of the incident circulated on social media platforms,</p>

<p>Videos on social media show the moment&nbsp;one of the six tyres of the Boeing 777, placed on its left-side main landing gear assembly, fell off after it took off.</p>

<p>The tyre fell inside San Francisco International Airport's employee parking lot where it smashed over a car and shattered the vehicle's back window, broke through a fence and stopped inside a neighbouring lot.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> Moment United Airlines Flight UAL35 Lost a Tire During Takeoff from SFO.<br />
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The flight has landed safely at LAX. Reports the tire hit the ground, bounced and hit an employees car in the parking lot. <a href="https://t.co/jab2BqtXXu">pic.twitter.com/jab2BqtXXu</a></p>
— CNW (@CANews_Watch) <a href="https://twitter.com/CANews_Watch/status/1765852335920882074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a statement, airport spokesman Doug Yakel said that no one suffered injuries. Fire engines were present at Los Angeles International Airport, however, they were not needed as an uneventful landing was made by the&nbsp;Boeing 777 which stopped after running nearly two-thirds of the runway.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> United Airlines Flight UAL35 lost a tire during takeoff from SFO.<br />
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UAL35 is currently in the air, diverting to LAX. One or two tires are missing from the aircraft. Landing gear has damaged multiple cars at SFO (in video from <a href="https://twitter.com/Julian61865944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Julian61865944</a>) <a href="https://t.co/2GiRanJQZK">pic.twitter.com/2GiRanJQZK</a></p>
— CNW (@CANews_Watch) <a href="https://twitter.com/CANews_Watch/status/1765843896008110403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/american-airlines-takes-flight-into-the-future-with-largest-plane-order-in-10-years-696654">American Airlines takes flight into the future with largest plane order in 10 years</a></p>

<p>Airport spokesman Dae Levine confirmed that the aeroplane made a safe landing and was then towed away.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Plane designed to land safely with missing or damaged tyres</strong></h2>

<p>The plane carried 14 crew members and 235 passengers, according to United Airlines. The airline stated that the flight, built in 2002, was designed to make a safe landing with damaged or missing tyres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>United Airlines said that the passengers were shifted to another plane for the remaining journey. Six tyres are attached to the Boeing 777s, on each side of its two main landing gears.</p>

<p>According to aviation experts, the loss of tyres by planes is a rare occurrence and does not indicate a larger safety issue.</p>

<p>“In aviation, we never want to have single points of failure if they can be avoided, and this is a case in point,” said Alan Price, a former chief pilot for Delta Air Lines, speaking to The Associated Press.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Rats on plane: Sri Lanka Airlines aircraft grounded for three days after rodent spotting on flight</strong></p>

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<p>“The remaining tyres are fully capable of handling the load,” he said. Price claimed that a loose tyre is just a maintenance issue and is not an issue created by the manufacturer.</p>

<p>Professor of aviation safety at the University of Southern California and retired pilot John Cox also agreed. “I don’t see any impact for Boeing as it was a United maintenance team that changed the tyre,” he said.</p>

<p>Spokesman Tony Molinaro said that the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident.</p>

<p>Months back, an Alaska Airlines' Boeing jetliner blew out a part of its fuselage seven minutes after it took off, above Oregon, Portland. The fall of the door plug forced the pilots to make an emergency landing as wild winds gushed in and some belongings of passengers were sucked out.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A United Airlines plane that departed from San Francisco for Japan made an emergency landing in Los Angeles after it lost a tyre during take-off on Thursday (Mar 7), in yet another headache for planemaker Boeing.

A United Airlines plane that departed from San Francisco for Japan made an emergency landing in Los Angeles after it lost a tyre during take-off on Thursday (Mar 7), in yet another headache for planemaker Boeing. In the videos of the incident circulated on social media platforms, Videos on social media show the moment one of the six tyres of the Boeing 777, placed on its left-side main landing gear assembly, fell off after it took off. The tyre fell inside San Francisco International Airport's employee parking lot where it smashed over a car and shattered the vehicle's back window, broke through a fence and stopped inside a neighbouring lot. #BREAKING Moment United Airlines Flight UAL35 Lost a Tire During Takeoff from SFO. The flight has landed safely at LAX. Reports the tire hit the ground, bounced and hit an employees car in the parking lot. pic.twitter.com/jab2BqtXXu — CNW (@CANews_Watch) March 7, 2024 × In a statement, airport spokesman Doug Yakel said that no one suffered injuries. Fire engines were present at Los Angeles International Airport, however, they were not needed as an uneventful landing was made by the Boeing 777 which stopped after running nearly two-thirds of the runway. #BREAKING United Airlines Flight UAL35 lost a tire during takeoff from SFO. UAL35 is currently in the air, diverting to LAX. One or two tires are missing from the aircraft. Landing gear has damaged multiple cars at SFO (in video from @Julian61865944) pic.twitter.com/2GiRanJQZK — CNW (@CANews_Watch) March 7, 2024 × Also Read: American Airlines takes flight into the future with largest plane order in 10 years Airport spokesman Dae Levine confirmed that the aeroplane made a safe landing and was then towed away. Plane designed to land safely with missing or damaged tyres The plane carried 14 crew members and 235 passengers, according to United Airlines. The airline stated that the flight, built in 2002, was designed to make a safe landing with damaged or missing tyres. United Airlines said that the passengers were shifted to another plane for the remaining journey. Six tyres are attached to the Boeing 777s, on each side of its two main landing gears. According to aviation experts, the loss of tyres by planes is a rare occurrence and does not indicate a larger safety issue. “In aviation, we never want to have single points of failure if they can be avoided, and this is a case in point,” said Alan Price, a former chief pilot for Delta Air Lines, speaking to The Associated Press. Watch: Rats on plane: Sri Lanka Airlines aircraft grounded for three days after rodent spotting on flight “The remaining tyres are fully capable of handling the load,” he said. Price claimed that a loose tyre is just a maintenance issue and is not an issue created by the manufacturer. Professor of aviation safety at the University of Southern California and retired pilot John Cox also agreed. “I don’t see any impact for Boeing as it was a United maintenance team that changed the tyre,” he said. Spokesman Tony Molinaro said that the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident. Months back, an Alaska Airlines' Boeing jetliner blew out a part of its fuselage seven minutes after it took off, above Oregon, Portland. The fall of the door plug forced the pilots to make an emergency landing as wild winds gushed in and some belongings of passengers were sucked out. (With inputs from agencies)

United Airlines flight loses a tyre, makes emergency landing in new trouble for Boeing: Video

Gunman kidnapped dozens of pupils in North Nigeria, residents and parents said in what would be the biggest abduction targeting a school since 202. The incident marked the second Mass abduction in the West African nation in less than a week. Watch to know more!

Nigeria: 287 students abducted from school by gunmen in Northwest Nigeria

<p><strong>International Women's Day 2024</strong>: For South African women, April of 2024 will mark 30 years since apartheid was abolished. In a system of legalised racial segregation in which all races except Whites were partly or completely denied their political and civil rights, South African women of colour were "deprived of their human rights as individuals", scholar Judith Nolde <a href="https://scholar.valpo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&amp;context=twls">noted</a> in October 1991.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In April 1994, South Africa held its first free and fair elections when anyone over 18 years old could vote regardless of race. Nelson Mandela's African National Congress was elected to power with over 62 per cent vote share.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation," Nelson Mandela <a href="https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Inaugural_Speech_17984.html">announced</a> during his inaugural speech on May 10, 1994, in Pretoria, culminating one of the most remarkable journeys in the history of modern nations.<img alt="South African's President Nelson Mandela (right) with Deputy President and his reformist predecessor F.W. de Klerk in Pretoria on May 10, 1994 | Reuters" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="05086441-7965-4454-9fa0-10338476b6c2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SouthAfrica%20%281%29.png" /></p>

<p><em>South Africa's President Nelson Mandela (right) with Deputy President and his reformist predecessor F.W. de Klerk in Pretoria on May 10, 1994 | Reuters</em></p>

<p>"We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination," the 1993 Nobel Peace Laureate said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But while Mandela's inaugural speech came to symbolise the watershed moment for gender parity in post-apartheid South Africa, it took many more years for real change on the ground.&nbsp;<img alt="Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, Middle East, India and South East Asia, South African Tourism" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="810710f4-47c2-47f2-ac1c-27d7b4415896" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SouthAfrica%20%285%29.png" /></p>

<p><em>Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, Middle East, India and South East Asia, South African Tourism</em></p>

<p>As a woman of colour, navigating through the era of apartheid and its aftermath, Neliswa Nkani encountered the need to exert twice the effort to affirm her worth, abilities and capabilities.</p>

<p>"It's crucial to acknowledge that the industry in South Africa underwent transformation only after 2000," Nkani, South African Tourism's Hub Head for Middle East, India and South East Asia, told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2002, she became one of the first black professionals to be assigned outside South Africa, defying the expectations of an industry that doubted the competence of women of colour.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | International Women's Day: Pay gap, gender bias continue to haunt | WION</strong></p>

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<p>"Being a woman presents its challenges and being a woman of colour who is strong, educated and vocal compounds those challenges," Nkani added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asked for one piece of advice for young girls who are trying to break the glass ceiling while pursuing their dreams or are simply working hard to provide for their families, Nkani said: "My advice to young girls would be that if you give to life, it will reciprocate and give back to you. Similarly, if you take from life, it will too withdraw from you. Strive to be the best version of yourself in everything you do."</p>


International Women's Day 2024: For South African women, April of 2024 will mark 30 years since apartheid was abolished. In a system of legalised racial segregation in which all races except Whites were partly or completely denied their political and civil rights, South African women of colour were "deprived of their human rights as individuals", scholar Judith Nolde noted in October 1991.

International Women's Day 2024: For South African women, April of 2024 will mark 30 years since apartheid was abolished. In a system of legalised racial segregation in which all races except Whites were partly or completely denied their political and civil rights, South African women of colour were "deprived of their human rights as individuals", scholar Judith Nolde noted in October 1991. In April 1994, South Africa held its first free and fair elections when anyone over 18 years old could vote regardless of race. Nelson Mandela's African National Congress was elected to power with over 62 per cent vote share. "We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation," Nelson Mandela announced during his inaugural speech on May 10, 1994, in Pretoria, culminating one of the most remarkable journeys in the history of modern nations. South Africa's President Nelson Mandela (right) with Deputy President and his reformist predecessor F.W. de Klerk in Pretoria on May 10, 1994 | Reuters "We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination," the 1993 Nobel Peace Laureate said. But while Mandela's inaugural speech came to symbolise the watershed moment for gender parity in post-apartheid South Africa, it took many more years for real change on the ground. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, Middle East, India and South East Asia, South African Tourism As a woman of colour, navigating through the era of apartheid and its aftermath, Neliswa Nkani encountered the need to exert twice the effort to affirm her worth, abilities and capabilities. "It's crucial to acknowledge that the industry in South Africa underwent transformation only after 2000," Nkani, South African Tourism's Hub Head for Middle East, India and South East Asia, told WION. In 2002, she became one of the first black professionals to be assigned outside South Africa, defying the expectations of an industry that doubted the competence of women of colour. Also watch | Gravitas | International Women's Day: Pay gap, gender bias continue to haunt | WION × "Being a woman presents its challenges and being a woman of colour who is strong, educated and vocal compounds those challenges," Nkani added. Asked for one piece of advice for young girls who are trying to break the glass ceiling while pursuing their dreams or are simply working hard to provide for their families, Nkani said: "My advice to young girls would be that if you give to life, it will reciprocate and give back to you. Similarly, if you take from life, it will too withdraw from you. Strive to be the best version of yourself in everything you do."

Women's Day 2024: The woman breaking the glass ceiling in post-apartheid South Africa

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