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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (July 7) renewed his push for the US to take control of Greenland, saying the strategically important Arctic territory “should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark” during remarks made alongside the NATO summit.&nbsp;Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump’s latest comments revived a long-running dispute that first emerged during his previous presidency and risked adding fresh strain to relations between Washington and its European allies at a time when US-Europe ties remain under pressure.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigel-farage-quits-as-mp-in-uk-triggers-by-election-amid-over-6-million-funding-probe-1783451258697">Nigel Farage quits as MP in UK, triggers by-election amid over $6 million funding probe</a>&nbsp;Trump acknowledged that his repeated calls for the US to acquire Greenland had created friction within NATO, arguing that the territory was of strategic importance to Washington.&nbsp;“That’s what hurt my relationship with NATO, because Greenland doesn’t help Denmark. Denmark doesn’t spend money to really help Greenland, but it’s an important part for the United States, and it’s surrounded by China ships and Russian ships, and that’s not going to happen,” Trump said. He added: “They wouldn’t go along with it, and with all the money we spend to help them with Russia.”&nbsp;Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Trump's remarks, insisting there was no possibility of Greenland changing hands and indicating the issue would not feature in discussions at the NATO summit.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/both-russia-and-ukraine-want-to-settle-war-trump-at-nato-summit-in-ankara-1783443976385">Both Russia and Ukraine want to 'settle' war: Trump at NATO summit in Ankara</a>&nbsp;“It is a well-known position of the United States that it wants to own and take over Greenland. I hope that it is equally well-known everywhere that this is not going to happen,” Frederiksen said.Greenland’s Foreign Minister Mute Egede also dismissed any suggestion of external control, saying the island’s future would be determined solely by its people.&nbsp;In a social media post, he reaffirmed Greenland’s commitment to maintaining close ties with its allies while stressing that decisions about the territory’s future rested with Greenlanders. “That’s how it has always been. And that’s how it always will be,” he said. &nbsp;

US President Donald Trump renewed his push for the US to take control of Greenland, citing its strategic importance in the Arctic. Denmark and Greenland's leaders firmly rejected the proposal, maintaining it is not for sale.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (July 7) renewed his push for the US to take control of Greenland, saying the strategically important Arctic territory “should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark” during remarks made alongside the NATO summit. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump’s latest comments revived a long-running dispute that first emerged during his previous presidency and risked adding fresh strain to relations between Washington and its European allies at a time when US-Europe ties remain under pressure. Also read: Nigel Farage quits as MP in UK, triggers by-election amid over $6 million funding probe Trump acknowledged that his repeated calls for the US to acquire Greenland had created friction within NATO, arguing that the territory was of strategic importance to Washington. “That’s what hurt my relationship with NATO, because Greenland doesn’t help Denmark. Denmark doesn’t spend money to really help Greenland, but it’s an important part for the United States, and it’s surrounded by China ships and Russian ships, and that’s not going to happen,” Trump said. He added: “They wouldn’t go along with it, and with all the money we spend to help them with Russia.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Trump's remarks, insisting there was no possibility of Greenland changing hands and indicating the issue would not feature in discussions at the NATO summit. Also read: Both Russia and Ukraine want to 'settle' war: Trump at NATO summit in Ankara “It is a well-known position of the United States that it wants to own and take over Greenland. I hope that it is equally well-known everywhere that this is not going to happen,” Frederiksen said. Greenland’s Foreign Minister Mute Egede also dismissed any suggestion of external control, saying the island’s future would be determined solely by its people. In a social media post, he reaffirmed Greenland’s commitment to maintaining close ties with its allies while stressing that decisions about the territory’s future rested with Greenlanders. “That’s how it has always been. And that’s how it always will be,” he said.

US President Donald Trump renewed his push for the US to take control of Greenland, citing its strategic importance in the Arctic. Denmark and Greenland's leaders firmly rejected the proposal, maintaining it is not for sale.

Trump says Greenland should be under US control, Denmark rejects claim at NATO Summit

Nigel Farage has announced that he will resign as the Member of Parliament for Clacton and seek a fresh mandate through a by-election, saying voters should decide whether he deserves to remain in office as questions continue to be raised about his political funding.&nbsp;The Reform UK leader announced on Tuesday (July 7), describing the contest as a “people versus the establishment” by-election. Farage said he wanted the electorate to judge his conduct directly, insisting he had done nothing wrong.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">If I lose, they win. If they win, you lose. If you lose, Britain will forever be broken and nothing will change. We will prevail. My message to the people of Clacton. 👇 <a href="https://t.co/j9LCX2v0Dw">pic.twitter.com/j9LCX2v0Dw</a>&mdash; Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) <a href="https://x.com/Nigel_Farage/status/2074491134055706707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-open-to-f-35-sale-to-turkey-netanyahu-says-it-would-destroy-middle-east-power-balance-1783450141608">Trump open to F-35 sale to Turkey; Netanyahu says it would 'destroy' Middle East power balance</a>&nbsp;“I’ve decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions,” Farage said. He added: “I will fight to win. I will fight to continue the political revolution that Reform has started.”&nbsp;The announcement comes as Farage faces an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over his failure to declare a £5 million (around $6.67 million) gift from British-Thai cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne before he entered Parliament.&nbsp;According to the BBC, the inquiry was launched in May after opposition parties raised concerns that the donation had not been registered. The investigation is examining whether Farage complied with parliamentary rules governing the declaration of financial interests.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/marine-le-pen-2027-french-presidential-election-conviction-appeal-1783435959941">French court cuts Marine Le Pen's election ban, orders electronic ankle bracelet</a>&nbsp;Farage has consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the £5 million was a personal, non-political gift rather than a political donation and therefore did not require registration under parliamentary rules.&nbsp;The by-election is expected to become a major political test for Reform UK, with Farage seeking renewed backing from voters in Clacton while the standards investigation remains ongoing.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rick-scott-pakistan-neutrality-khamenei-criticism-us-iran-mediation-1783424421189">'Where Bin Laden hid...': Rick Scott slams Pakistan after Khamenei tribute</a> &nbsp;

Nigel Farage has resigned as Clacton’s MP to trigger a by-election, letting voters judge him amid a parliamentary standards investigation into an undeclared £5 million cryptocurrency tycoon gift.

Nigel Farage has announced that he will resign as the Member of Parliament for Clacton and seek a fresh mandate through a by-election, saying voters should decide whether he deserves to remain in office as questions continue to be raised about his political funding. The Reform UK leader announced on Tuesday (July 7), describing the contest as a “people versus the establishment” by-election. Farage said he wanted the electorate to judge his conduct directly, insisting he had done nothing wrong.

Nigel Farage has resigned as Clacton’s MP to trigger a by-election, letting voters judge him amid a parliamentary standards investigation into an undeclared £5 million cryptocurrency tycoon gift.

Nigel Farage quits as MP in UK, triggers by-election amid over $6 million funding probe

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said his administration will lift sanctions on Turkey and will soon decide whether to resume the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the country. He announced while meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara. The development marks a shift in Washington's position after it removed Turkey from the F-35 programme in 2019 following Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system. The United States also imposed sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.&nbsp;"We're going to be taking the sanctions off," Trump told reporters.&nbsp;Sitting beside Erdogan, Trump also indicated that his administration was reviewing Turkey's request to acquire the advanced fighter aircraft.&nbsp;"That's a decision we're going to make… it's a great plane, the best plane by far, and it's certainly something we will consider," Trump said.&nbsp;The announcement followed a lavish welcome for Trump in Turkey, where Ottoman warriors in suits of armour greeted him outside a marble palace as fighter jets flew overhead. Erdogan also personally received Trump at the airport, at times holding the US President by the arm after he stepped off the new Air Force One.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-tankers-hit-in-strait-of-hormuz-in-24-hours-amid-us-iran-ceasefire-1783439591272">Three tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours amid US-Iran ceasefire</a><h2>Netanyahu says F-35 sale would upset regional balance</h2>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the possible sale of F 35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, warning that such a move would affect the balance of power in the Middle East.&nbsp;"It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East, because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations," Netanyahu told CNN in a televised interview, AFP reported. &nbsp;&nbsp;"When you give them that power, you're going to see aggression in its wake," it added.&nbsp;Turkey has long sought to rejoin the F-35 programme and pushed for the removal of US sanctions, which have strained relations and affected its defence projects. Netanyahu has previously opposed supplying the aircraft to Turkey, while Erdogan is hoping that his relationship with Trump will help secure the delivery of five F-35 jets, for which payment has already been made.

Any move to readmit Turkey to the F-35 programme would have to clear a key legal hurdle under a 2020 law requiring the US administration to determine that Ankara no longer possesses or operates the Russian S-400 systems.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said his administration will lift sanctions on Turkey and will soon decide whether to resume the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the country. He announced while meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara. The development marks a shift in Washington's position after it removed Turkey from the F-35 programme in 2019 following Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system. The United States also imposed sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA. "We're going to be taking the sanctions off," Trump told reporters. Sitting beside Erdogan, Trump also indicated that his administration was reviewing Turkey's request to acquire the advanced fighter aircraft. "That's a decision we're going to make… it's a great plane, the best plane by far, and it's certainly something we will consider," Trump said. The announcement followed a lavish welcome for Trump in Turkey, where Ottoman warriors in suits of armour greeted him outside a marble palace as fighter jets flew overhead. Erdogan also personally received Trump at the airport, at times holding the US President by the arm after he stepped off the new Air Force One. Also Read: Three tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours amid US-Iran ceasefire Netanyahu says F-35 sale would upset regional balance Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the possible sale of F 35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, warning that such a move would affect the balance of power in the Middle East. "It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East, because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations," Netanyahu told CNN in a televised interview, AFP reported. "When you give them that power, you're going to see aggression in its wake," it added. Turkey has long sought to rejoin the F-35 programme and pushed for the removal of US sanctions, which have strained relations and affected its defence projects. Netanyahu has previously opposed supplying the aircraft to Turkey, while Erdogan is hoping that his relationship with Trump will help secure the delivery of five F-35 jets, for which payment has already been made.

Any move to readmit Turkey to the F-35 programme would have to clear a key legal hurdle under a 2020 law requiring the US administration to determine that Ankara no longer possesses or operates the Russian S-400 systems.

Trump open to F-35 sale to Turkey; Netanyahu says it would 'destroy' Middle East power balance

New Delhi: US, Canadian and European authorities have arrested 24 people in a sweeping crackdown on India-based organised crime groups, with one gang accused for the first time of orchestrating the 2023 killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.&nbsp;The operation, codenamed “Operation Hard Ball”, targeted three transnational syndicates and resulted in the unsealing of three federal indictments in Los Angeles charging 37 defendants in total. Eleven arrests were made in California, with others in Indiana, Georgia, Canada, and Spain. Ten fugitives remain at large.&nbsp;The most significant development involves the action against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, whose leader, currently imprisoned in India, is accused of ordering Nijjar’s killing. On 18 June 2023, two gunmen shot the 45-year-old in Surrey, British Columbia. Canadian authorities have long investigated the murder amid heightened tensions between India and Canada over Khalistani extremism.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-unveils-billions-in-arms-deals-after-trump-s-pressure-for-higher-defence-spending-1783428507988">NATO unveils billions in arms deals after Trump’s pressure for higher defence spending</a>&nbsp;According to the US indictment, Bishnoi, 33, and his North American lieutenant Satinderjeet Singh, known as “Goldy Brar”, directed the killing.&nbsp;“Among the crimes alleged in the indictment is the assassination of a prominent political and religious leader, identified in court documents as “H.S.N.”from India’s Punjab state and who was living in Canada at the time of his death,” US Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, said in a statement.&nbsp;Canada designated the Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity in September 2025. The gang is also accused of extorting victims in California and Canada, stealing hundreds of kilogrammes of cocaine from rivals in the Los Angeles area, and threatening prominent figures in the Indian diaspora. In one instance, Bishnoi claimed responsibility for a shooting at the home of a Canadian Indian actor and singer.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-a-staunch-supporter-of-free-open-and-inclusive-indo-pacific-says-pm-modi-in-address-to-indonesian-parliament-1783421165120">‘India a staunch supporter of free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,’ says PM Modi in address to Indonesian parliament</a>&nbsp;Two other India-linked groups were also targeted in the operation. The Jaggu Bhagwanpuria syndicate, a rival to Bishnoi, faces charges of murder-for-hire and drug trafficking. A third network led by Canadian-based Ravinder Singh Dhanda allegedly smuggled hundreds of kilogrammes of cocaine and methamphetamine weekly from California into Canada using lorries.&nbsp;Authorities seized about 1,000 kg of cocaine, 1 kg of heroin, $40,000 in cash and around a dozen firearms. The operation involved the FBI, LAPD, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other agencies across multiple continents.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fugitive-diamantaire-nirav-modi-loses-final-appeal-extradition-becomes-imminent-1783333083018">Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi loses final appeal before ECHR, extradition becomes immine</a>nt&nbsp;US officials described the gangs as spreading fear and violence within Indian diaspora communities. “Transnational criminal gangs… will face the full force of justice,” said First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli.&nbsp;RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme emphasised the importance of international cooperation against groups using “murder, cruelty and fear”. The charges include racketeering conspiracy, extortion and drug trafficking, with many defendants facing potential life sentences if convicted. All remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.&nbsp;Indian officials have long argued that Canada has failed to act decisively against pro-Khalistani extremists and associated criminal gangs, allowing them to threaten Indian diplomats, community members and opponents. Tuesday’s development will essentially help assuage India’s concern after crackdown on criminal gangs.

The operation, codenamed “Operation Hard Ball”, targeted three transnational syndicates and resulted in the unsealing of three federal indictments in Los Angeles charging 37 defendants in total. Eleven arrests were made in California, with others in Indiana, Georgia, Canada, and Spain.

New Delhi: US, Canadian and European authorities have arrested 24 people in a sweeping crackdown on India-based organised crime groups, with one gang accused for the first time of orchestrating the 2023 killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The operation, codenamed “Operation Hard Ball”, targeted three transnational syndicates and resulted in the unsealing of three federal indictments in Los Angeles charging 37 defendants in total. Eleven arrests were made in California, with others in Indiana, Georgia, Canada, and Spain. Ten fugitives remain at large. The most significant development involves the action against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, whose leader, currently imprisoned in India, is accused of ordering Nijjar’s killing. On 18 June 2023, two gunmen shot the 45-year-old in Surrey, British Columbia. Canadian authorities have long investigated the murder amid heightened tensions between India and Canada over Khalistani extremism. Also Read: NATO unveils billions in arms deals after Trump’s pressure for higher defence spending According to the US indictment, Bishnoi, 33, and his North American lieutenant Satinderjeet Singh, known as “Goldy Brar”, directed the killing. “Among the crimes alleged in the indictment is the assassination of a prominent political and religious leader, identified in court documents as “H.S.N.”from India’s Punjab state and who was living in Canada at the time of his death,” US Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, said in a statement. Canada designated the Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity in September 2025. The gang is also accused of extorting victims in California and Canada, stealing hundreds of kilogrammes of cocaine from rivals in the Los Angeles area, and threatening prominent figures in the Indian diaspora. In one instance, Bishnoi claimed responsibility for a shooting at the home of a Canadian Indian actor and singer. Also Read: ‘India a staunch supporter of free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,’ says PM Modi in address to Indonesian parliament Two other India-linked groups were also targeted in the operation. The Jaggu Bhagwanpuria syndicate, a rival to Bishnoi, faces charges of murder-for-hire and drug trafficking. A third network led by Canadian-based Ravinder Singh Dhanda allegedly smuggled hundreds of kilogrammes of cocaine and methamphetamine weekly from California into Canada using lorries. Authorities seized about 1,000 kg of cocaine, 1 kg of heroin, $40,000 in cash and around a dozen firearms. The operation involved the FBI, LAPD, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other agencies across multiple continents. Also Read: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi loses final appeal before ECHR, extradition becomes imminent US officials described the gangs as spreading fear and violence within Indian diaspora communities. “Transnational criminal gangs… will face the full force of justice,” said First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme emphasised the importance of international cooperation against groups using “murder, cruelty and fear”. The charges include racketeering conspiracy, extortion and drug trafficking, with many defendants facing potential life sentences if convicted. All remain presumed innocent until proven guilty. Indian officials have long argued that Canada has failed to act decisively against pro-Khalistani extremists and associated criminal gangs, allowing them to threaten Indian diplomats, community members and opponents. Tuesday’s development will essentially help assuage India’s concern after crackdown on criminal gangs.

The operation, codenamed “Operation Hard Ball”, targeted three transnational syndicates and resulted in the unsealing of three federal indictments in Los Angeles charging 37 defendants in total. Eleven arrests were made in California, with others in Indiana, Georgia, Canada, and Spain.

Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar charged in US over killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik for his role in helping Indonesia's leadership during the country's independence struggle against Dutch rule.&nbsp;Speaking in the Indonesian parliament in Jakarta, Modi recalled how Patnaik, a pilot, safely flew Indonesia's then Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India. He said the mission strengthened the relationship between the two countries.&nbsp;"Both our nations gained independence around the same time: Indonesia in 1945 and India in 1947. When it came to sovereignty as independent nations, India became a strong voice in support of Indonesia's independence movement at the United Nations. The role played by the respected Biju Patnaik during that period, the way he safely brought Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India, brought the two nations closer," Modi said.<h2>The historic 1947 rescue mission</h2>The operation took place after the end of the Second World War, when the Dutch tried to regain control over Indonesia. They launched a large military offensive and placed Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta under house arrest in Jakarta, preventing them from leading the country's independence movement or leaving the city.&nbsp;Jawaharlal Nehru, then prime minister of India, assigned the 31-year-old Biju Patnaik, an accomplished pilot and founder of Kalinga Airlines, to carry out a secret mission to rescue the two leaders so they could gather international support against Dutch colonial rule.&nbsp;In July 1947, Patnaik and his co-pilot wife, Gyanwati Patnaik, flew a Douglas C-47 Dakota aircraft into Indonesian airspace despite warnings from the Dutch that the aircraft would be shot down. Patnaik responded that any attack on his plane would lead to Dutch aircraft being targeted over Indian skies in retaliation.&nbsp;Patnaik landed safely on a temporary airstrip, brought Sjahrir and Hatta on board, and flew them to New Delhi through Singapore on July 24, 1947.The rescue mission helped draw international attention to Indonesia's fight for independence and increased pressure on the Dutch, who later recognised Indonesia's sovereignty.

Addressing the Indonesian Parliament, PM Modi highlighted the role of Biju Patnaik, who undertook a death-defying rescue mission to safely fly Indonesia's then Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik for his role in helping Indonesia's leadership during the country's independence struggle against Dutch rule. Speaking in the Indonesian parliament in Jakarta, Modi recalled how Patnaik, a pilot, safely flew Indonesia's then Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India. He said the mission strengthened the relationship between the two countries. "Both our nations gained independence around the same time: Indonesia in 1945 and India in 1947. When it came to sovereignty as independent nations, India became a strong voice in support of Indonesia's independence movement at the United Nations. The role played by the respected Biju Patnaik during that period, the way he safely brought Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India, brought the two nations closer," Modi said. The historic 1947 rescue mission The operation took place after the end of the Second World War, when the Dutch tried to regain control over Indonesia. They launched a large military offensive and placed Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta under house arrest in Jakarta, preventing them from leading the country's independence movement or leaving the city. Jawaharlal Nehru, then prime minister of India, assigned the 31-year-old Biju Patnaik, an accomplished pilot and founder of Kalinga Airlines, to carry out a secret mission to rescue the two leaders so they could gather international support against Dutch colonial rule. In July 1947, Patnaik and his co-pilot wife, Gyanwati Patnaik, flew a Douglas C-47 Dakota aircraft into Indonesian airspace despite warnings from the Dutch that the aircraft would be shot down. Patnaik responded that any attack on his plane would lead to Dutch aircraft being targeted over Indian skies in retaliation. Patnaik landed safely on a temporary airstrip, brought Sjahrir and Hatta on board, and flew them to New Delhi through Singapore on July 24, 1947. The rescue mission helped draw international attention to Indonesia's fight for independence and increased pressure on the Dutch, who later recognised Indonesia's sovereignty.

Addressing the Indonesian Parliament, PM Modi highlighted the role of Biju Patnaik, who undertook a death-defying rescue mission to safely fly Indonesia's then Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India.

‘Brought two nations closer’: Why PM Modi praised Biju Patnaik in Indonesia

The USS Abraham Lincoln has moved away from the Gulf of Oman to the Arabian Sea. Official military logs from July 5, 2026, explicitly place the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. The carrier's embedded helicopter squadrons, HSC-14 and HSM-71, participated alongside the USS George HW Bush in a massive 14,000-square-mile search and rescue operation after one US Navy sailor went missing during an unspecified impact and emergency landing in the Arabian sea. The search and rescue operation was suspended on July 5.According to a report from West Asia News Agency, the carrier, which had earlier shifted from its position about 140 kilometres off Iran's port of Chabahar, to a new area approximately 207 kilometres further south. Independent analysts suggest that the forward screening presence at the Gulf of Oman has been scaled back. The US CENTCOM has decided to maintain only one of its carrier strike groups in a forward position, moving the other one further away from the Iranian strike range, and providing a better reaction time. This greater distance allows the strike group's Aegis combat systems and destroyers more time to track, intercept, and neutralise incoming ballistic or cruise missilesAlso Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/marine-le-pen-2027-french-presidential-election-conviction-appeal-1783435959941">French court upholds Marine Le Pen's conviction but clears path for 2027 election</a>This is the second occasion the USS Abraham Lincoln has retreated from its forward position. Earlier, the strike group, along with the carrier, moved to the southeast Indian Ocean following a four-cruise-missile engagement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran framed the incident as the carrier group fled to the "southeast of the Indian Ocean.”Tension in the Strait of Hormuz remained high as the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced earlier Tuesday that an oil tanker was struck 15 km east of the coastal town of Lima, causing a fire onboard. “No casualties or environmental damage have been reported,” the agency stated. The Qatar-owned tanker Al-Raqayyat was trying to pass the Strait of Hormuz, &nbsp;via the Omani route under the protection of the US Navy, when it was targeted as it ignored repeated warnings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

USS Abraham Lincoln has moved into the Arabian Sea as the US scales back its forward carrier presence near Iran. The repositioning comes amid rising Strait of Hormuz tensions.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has moved away from the Gulf of Oman to the Arabian Sea. Official military logs from July 5, 2026, explicitly place the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. The carrier's embedded helicopter squadrons, HSC-14 and HSM-71, participated alongside the USS George HW Bush in a massive 14,000-square-mile search and rescue operation after one US Navy sailor went missing during an unspecified impact and emergency landing in the Arabian sea. The search and rescue operation was suspended on July 5. According to a report from West Asia News Agency, the carrier, which had earlier shifted from its position about 140 kilometres off Iran's port of Chabahar, to a new area approximately 207 kilometres further south. Independent analysts suggest that the forward screening presence at the Gulf of Oman has been scaled back. The US CENTCOM has decided to maintain only one of its carrier strike groups in a forward position, moving the other one further away from the Iranian strike range, and providing a better reaction time. This greater distance allows the strike group's Aegis combat systems and destroyers more time to track, intercept, and neutralise incoming ballistic or cruise missiles Also Read: French court upholds Marine Le Pen's conviction but clears path for 2027 election This is the second occasion the USS Abraham Lincoln has retreated from its forward position. Earlier, the strike group, along with the carrier, moved to the southeast Indian Ocean following a four-cruise-missile engagement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran framed the incident as the carrier group fled to the "southeast of the Indian Ocean.” Tension in the Strait of Hormuz remained high as the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced earlier Tuesday that an oil tanker was struck 15 km east of the coastal town of Lima, causing a fire onboard. “No casualties or environmental damage have been reported,” the agency stated. The Qatar-owned tanker Al-Raqayyat was trying to pass the Strait of Hormuz, via the Omani route under the protection of the US Navy, when it was targeted as it ignored repeated warnings.

USS Abraham Lincoln has moved into the Arabian Sea as the US scales back its forward carrier presence near Iran. The repositioning comes amid rising Strait of Hormuz tensions.

USS Abraham Lincoln moves away from Gulf of Oman to Arabian Sea farther from Iran's missile range

Florida-based social media influencer Brianna Johnson, popularly known online as DreamDoll Brii, was shot while she was driving her lime green Lamborghini Urus in Miramar and died. 21-year-old Brianna Johnson, was inside her vehicle when a white sedan pulled up next to the vehicle and opened fire, according to NY Post. Police said the 21-year-old later “succumbed to her injuries” on Sunday.Two other people, both men, travelling in the Lamborghini were also shot. They were taken to the hospital in critical condition.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-unveils-billions-in-arms-deals-after-trump-s-pressure-for-higher-defence-spending-1783428507988">NATO unveils billions in arms deals after Trump’s pressure for higher defence spending</a>&nbsp;Miramar Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Surveillance footage shows a light-coloured car following the Lamborghini before the gunfire. After the shots were fired, the car with the suspects sped away while the Lamborghini rolled into a property nearby.Johnson’s family told local media that she and the two other occupants had attended a large party earlier that night.&nbsp;The group later stopped at a Shell gas station, where a fight reportedly broke out. It is not yet clear whether that incident was connected to the shooting. Police have not confirmed a motive, and the investigation is underway.Following the news, tributes poured in across Instagram and TikTok, where DreamDoll Brii reportedly had a combined following of more than 470,000.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fugitive-diamantaire-nirav-modi-loses-final-appeal-extradition-becomes-imminent-1783333083018">Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi loses final appeal before ECHR, extradition becomes immine</a>nt&nbsp;She was best known for her song Bend Ova, which reportedly became a popular audio on TikTok. Fans shared condolence messages and remembered her for the content she regularly posted online.&nbsp;Miramar Police Chief Delrish Moss said investigators believe the attackers were targeting the vehicle. Meanwhile, witnesses told local media that the shooting sounded like a heavy burst of gunfire.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-cop-arrested-after-raids-find-disproportionate-assets-worth-rs-300-crore-1783435568416">Telangana cop arrested after raids find disproportionate assets worth Rs 300 crore</a>&nbsp;Following news of her death, messages of condolence poured in across Instagram and TikTok from fans and followers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact the Miramar Police Department’s Homicide Tip Line or submit an anonymous tip through Broward County Crime Stoppers.

Following the tragic news, tributes poured in across Instagram and TikTok, where DreamDoll Brii reportedly had a combined following of more than 470,000. She was best known for her song Bend Ova, which reportedly became a popular audio on TikTok.

Florida-based social media influencer Brianna Johnson, popularly known online as DreamDoll Brii, was shot while she was driving her lime green Lamborghini Urus in Miramar and died. 21-year-old Brianna Johnson, was inside her vehicle when a white sedan pulled up next to the vehicle and opened fire, according to NY Post. Police said the 21-year-old later “succumbed to her injuries” on Sunday. Two other people, both men, travelling in the Lamborghini were also shot. They were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Also Read: NATO unveils billions in arms deals after Trump’s pressure for higher defence spending Miramar Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Surveillance footage shows a light-coloured car following the Lamborghini before the gunfire. After the shots were fired, the car with the suspects sped away while the Lamborghini rolled into a property nearby. Johnson’s family told local media that she and the two other occupants had attended a large party earlier that night. The group later stopped at a Shell gas station, where a fight reportedly broke out. It is not yet clear whether that incident was connected to the shooting. Police have not confirmed a motive, and the investigation is underway. Following the news, tributes poured in across Instagram and TikTok, where DreamDoll Brii reportedly had a combined following of more than 470,000. Also Read: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi loses final appeal before ECHR, extradition becomes imminent She was best known for her song Bend Ova, which reportedly became a popular audio on TikTok. Fans shared condolence messages and remembered her for the content she regularly posted online. Miramar Police Chief Delrish Moss said investigators believe the attackers were targeting the vehicle. Meanwhile, witnesses told local media that the shooting sounded like a heavy burst of gunfire. Also Read: Telangana cop arrested after raids find disproportionate assets worth Rs 300 crore Following news of her death, messages of condolence poured in across Instagram and TikTok from fans and followers. Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact the Miramar Police Department’s Homicide Tip Line or submit an anonymous tip through Broward County Crime Stoppers.

Following the tragic news, tributes poured in across Instagram and TikTok, where DreamDoll Brii reportedly had a combined following of more than 470,000. She was best known for her song Bend Ova, which reportedly became a popular audio on TikTok.

Florida: Social media influencer DreamDoll Brii, 21, shot in Lamborghini; dies

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he believes both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are ready to end the war after holding separate conversations with the two leaders.&nbsp;"I think they both want to make a deal," Trump told journalists after arriving in Ankara for the NATO summit.&nbsp;"We had a long talk; it lasted a long time. ‌And I also spoke with President Zelenskyy right after that. I think they both want to make a deal. ... I think we're going ‌to get it settled, hopefully soon."&nbsp;Trump's comments followed a lengthy phone call with Putin on Sunday. According to the Kremlin, the US president offered to help find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Zelensky also confirmed that he spoke with Trump, saying they discussed the war's roughly 1,200-kilometre frontline and describing the conversation as "very good."&nbsp;Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet on Wednesday during the NATO summit. The meeting comes after Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russia's energy sector, while Moscow launched large-scale strikes that killed 50 people in Ukraine's capital in July alone.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-28-000-russian-troops-killed-in-june-zelensky-pitches-ukraine-s-nato-membership-to-boost-alliance-capabilities-1783432931953">'Nearly 28,000 Russian troops killed in June': Zelensky pitches Ukraine's NATO membership to boost alliance capabilities</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Zelensky renewed his call for Ukraine to become a member of NATO, arguing that the country's experienced military would make the alliance stronger. He also urged NATO members to provide more support for Ukraine's air defences, saying the country urgently needs additional interceptor missiles to counter Russian attacks.&nbsp;Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Zelensky said, "Today, we defend against hundreds and hundreds of attack drones every day, and thousands and thousands every week and every month. Ukraine’s defence sector is building that capability even in the middle of a full-scale war."&nbsp;"Do you really believe it would be right to live outside NATO, a country and a people with this level of defensive capability?" Zelensky said in a speech on the sidelines of the summit.

Trump's remarks came after a lengthy call with Putin, during which the Kremlin said he offered to help find a diplomatic solution. Zelensky also confirmed speaking with Trump, calling their discussion on the war's 1,200-kilometre frontline "very good."

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he believes both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are ready to end the war after holding separate conversations with the two leaders. "I think they both want to make a deal," Trump told journalists after arriving in Ankara for the NATO summit. "We had a long talk; it lasted a long time. ‌And I also spoke with President Zelenskyy right after that. I think they both want to make a deal. ... I think we're going ‌to get it settled, hopefully soon." Trump's comments followed a lengthy phone call with Putin on Sunday. According to the Kremlin, the US president offered to help find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Zelensky also confirmed that he spoke with Trump, saying they discussed the war's roughly 1,200-kilometre frontline and describing the conversation as "very good." Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet on Wednesday during the NATO summit. The meeting comes after Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russia's energy sector, while Moscow launched large-scale strikes that killed 50 people in Ukraine's capital in July alone. Also Read: 'Nearly 28,000 Russian troops killed in June': Zelensky pitches Ukraine's NATO membership to boost alliance capabilities Meanwhile, Zelensky renewed his call for Ukraine to become a member of NATO, arguing that the country's experienced military would make the alliance stronger. He also urged NATO members to provide more support for Ukraine's air defences, saying the country urgently needs additional interceptor missiles to counter Russian attacks. Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Zelensky said, "Today, we defend against hundreds and hundreds of attack drones every day, and thousands and thousands every week and every month. Ukraine’s defence sector is building that capability even in the middle of a full-scale war." "Do you really believe it would be right to live outside NATO, a country and a people with this level of defensive capability?" Zelensky said in a speech on the sidelines of the summit.

Trump's remarks came after a lengthy call with Putin, during which the Kremlin said he offered to help find a diplomatic solution. Zelensky also confirmed speaking with Trump, calling their discussion on the war's 1,200 kilometre frontline "very good."

Both Russia and Ukraine want to 'settle' war: Trump at NATO summit in Ankara

Three tankers were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, marking the latest flare-up in the vital waterway that accounts for one-fifth of the world's oil supply. The attacks have raised fresh concerns over the durability of the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 17 between the United States and Iran to end the war.&nbsp;According to the British maritime security agency UKMTO, an "unknown projectile" struck a tanker overnight and triggered a fire. Two more tankers were later hit, with at least one vessel struck by a drone.&nbsp;In its latest update, UKMTO said, "UKMTO has received a report of a further incident involving a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was struck by an unknown Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and has sustained minor structural damage. No casualties or environmental impact reported," it said in a post on X.&nbsp;The three vessels were attacked near Oman. The incidents renewed concerns over the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran lifted its blockade of the key waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States.&nbsp;Oman had proposed a temporary transit corridor along its coastline, an initiative opposed by Iran, which wants to charge ships using the narrow passage.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-unveils-billions-in-arms-deals-after-trump-s-pressure-for-higher-defence-spending-1783428507988">NATO unveils billions in arms deals after Trump’s pressure for higher defence spending</a><h2>Qatar blames Iran for tanker attack</h2>One of the vessels that was hit, the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat, was travelling off the coast of Oman to India when it was struck.&nbsp;Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire, blamed Iran for the attack on its tanker and urged Tehran to stop actions that threaten maritime security."The targeting of the Qatari vessel 'Al-Rekayyat' while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security and safety of international maritime navigation," Doha's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari wrote on X.&nbsp;"We hold Iran fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages or repercussions," he added.&nbsp;Meanwhile, talks between Iran and the United States appeared to be on hold until after the burial of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the US-Israeli strikes on February 28.<h2>Trump reviews military threat</h2>As tensions over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz persisted, US President Donald Trump repeated that military action against Iran remained an option if diplomacy failed.&nbsp;"We're either going to make a deal or we're going to finish the job.... We can knock down their bridges in one hour; we can knock out their energy supply," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.&nbsp;Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected the warning, saying negotiations could not continue under military pressure."Honour your signature," he wrote on X, referring to the interim ceasefire memorandum.

Qatar blamed Iran for the attack on its tanker and called on Tehran to cease actions threatening regional security and maritime navigation. The country held Iran fully responsible for the incident and its consequences.

Three tankers were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, marking the latest flare-up in the vital waterway that accounts for one-fifth of the world's oil supply. The attacks have raised fresh concerns over the durability of the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 17 between the United States and Iran to end the war. According to the British maritime security agency UKMTO, an "unknown projectile" struck a tanker overnight and triggered a fire. Two more tankers were later hit, with at least one vessel struck by a drone. In its latest update, UKMTO said, "UKMTO has received a report of a further incident involving a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was struck by an unknown Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and has sustained minor structural damage. No casualties or environmental impact reported," it said in a post on X. The three vessels were attacked near Oman. The incidents renewed concerns over the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran lifted its blockade of the key waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States. Oman had proposed a temporary transit corridor along its coastline, an initiative opposed by Iran, which wants to charge ships using the narrow passage. Also Read: NATO unveils billions in arms deals after Trump’s pressure for higher defence spending Qatar blames Iran for tanker attack One of the vessels that was hit, the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat, was travelling off the coast of Oman to India when it was struck. Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire, blamed Iran for the attack on its tanker and urged Tehran to stop actions that threaten maritime security. "The targeting of the Qatari vessel 'Al-Rekayyat' while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security and safety of international maritime navigation," Doha's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari wrote on X. "We hold Iran fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages or repercussions," he added. Meanwhile, talks between Iran and the United States appeared to be on hold until after the burial of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the US-Israeli strikes on February 28. Trump reviews military threat As tensions over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz persisted, US President Donald Trump repeated that military action against Iran remained an option if diplomacy failed. "We're either going to make a deal or we're going to finish the job.... We can knock down their bridges in one hour; we can knock out their energy supply," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected the warning, saying negotiations could not continue under military pressure. "Honour your signature," he wrote on X, referring to the interim ceasefire memorandum.

Qatar blamed Iran for the attack on its tanker and called on Tehran to cease actions threatening regional security and maritime navigation. The country held Iran fully responsible for the incident and its consequences.

Three tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours amid US-Iran ceasefire

French National Rally Chief Marine Le Pen has been cleared to participate in the Presidential Election in 2027. The court upheld her conviction ⁠for embezzling European parliament funds, but shortened her ban from running the office, and conditioned that she has to wear an electronic ankle bracelet for at least one year. This significantly reduces the potential of her movement for the Presidential campaign, which her far-right party has the strongest chance of winning.&nbsp;<h2>Why was Le Pen on trial?</h2>57-year-old Le Pen had been subjected to a five-year ban from running for the office and a two-year sentence by a lower court in 2025 over a fake job scam. The sentence has been reduced to 15 months ban from running in the election and one in which she must wear ​an electronic ankle tag for monitoring. &nbsp;The first trial found Le Pen, along with 24 former European lawmakers, assistants and accountants, as well as the anti-immigration party itself, used European Parliament funds to appoint National Rally staff between 2004 and 2016. Le Pen claimed that she acted in “good faith” and said that her party was accused of “witch hunting”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/meta-google-delhi-high-court-courtroom-videos-intermediary-liability-1783432585143">Meta, Google tell Delhi High Court they can't proactively act as 'super censor'</a><h2>Le Pen is increasing her numbers consistently</h2>Le Pen had unsuccessfully run for the French presidency three times and consistently gained on her opponents. She secured third position in her first attempt in 2012, then she reached the second round in 2017 but was defeated heavily by Macron. In 2022, she narrowed the gap by registering 41.4 per cent of the vote against Macron.Le Pen had earlier expressed her willingness to run for the office in 2027, but suggested that she would not run if her sentence was reduced and if her movements were restricted or she had to wear an electronic tag. “If I’m allowed to be a candidate but am effectively prevented from campaigning freely, then you understand that wouldn’t be possible,” said Le Pen. Le Pen's lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, has said that she is 'Partially' happy with the verdict.&nbsp;A recent poll has found that the far right has a significant chance of securing a victory in the first round of next year's vote, but is divided on a second round outcome. While some suggestions include slightly better results for Jordan Bardella, President of the National Rally. While her adversaries point to her as a formidable opponent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Marine Le Pen has been cleared to contest France's 2027 presidential election after a court reduced her election ban while upholding her conviction in the European Parliament funds case.

French National Rally Chief Marine Le Pen has been cleared to participate in the Presidential Election in 2027. The court upheld her conviction ⁠for embezzling European parliament funds, but shortened her ban from running the office, and conditioned that she has to wear an electronic ankle bracelet for at least one year. This significantly reduces the potential of her movement for the Presidential campaign, which her far-right party has the strongest chance of winning. Why was Le Pen on trial? 57-year-old Le Pen had been subjected to a five-year ban from running for the office and a two-year sentence by a lower court in 2025 over a fake job scam. The sentence has been reduced to 15 months ban from running in the election and one in which she must wear an electronic ankle tag for monitoring. The first trial found Le Pen, along with 24 former European lawmakers, assistants and accountants, as well as the anti-immigration party itself, used European Parliament funds to appoint National Rally staff between 2004 and 2016. Le Pen claimed that she acted in “good faith” and said that her party was accused of “witch hunting”. Also Read: Meta, Google tell Delhi High Court they can't proactively act as 'super censor' Le Pen is increasing her numbers consistently Le Pen had unsuccessfully run for the French presidency three times and consistently gained on her opponents. She secured third position in her first attempt in 2012, then she reached the second round in 2017 but was defeated heavily by Macron. In 2022, she narrowed the gap by registering 41.4 per cent of the vote against Macron. Le Pen had earlier expressed her willingness to run for the office in 2027, but suggested that she would not run if her sentence was reduced and if her movements were restricted or she had to wear an electronic tag. “If I’m allowed to be a candidate but am effectively prevented from campaigning freely, then you understand that wouldn’t be possible,” said Le Pen. Le Pen's lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, has said that she is 'Partially' happy with the verdict. A recent poll has found that the far right has a significant chance of securing a victory in the first round of next year's vote, but is divided on a second round outcome. While some suggestions include slightly better results for Jordan Bardella, President of the National Rally. While her adversaries point to her as a formidable opponent.

Marine Le Pen has been cleared to contest France's 2027 presidential election after a court reduced her election ban while upholding her conviction in the European Parliament funds case.

French court upholds Marine Le Pen's conviction but clears path for 2027 election

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday renewed his appeal for Ukraine to join NATO, saying the country's battle-tested military would strengthen the alliance's collective defence. He also urged allies to increase support for Ukraine's air defences as the country faces a shortage of interceptor missiles needed to counter Russian attacks.&nbsp;Highlighting Ukraine's achievements in drone warfare during more than four years of conflict with Russia, Zelensky argued that Kyiv's military capabilities would benefit NATO.&nbsp;Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Zelensky said, "Today, we defend against hundreds and hundreds of attack drones every day, and thousands and thousands every week and every month. Ukraine’s defence sector is building that capability even in the middle of a full-scale war."&nbsp;"Do you really believe it would be right to live outside NATO, a country and a people with this level of defensive capability?" Zelensky said in a speech on the sidelines of the summit.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-unveils-billions-in-arms-deals-after-trump-s-pressure-for-higher-defence-spending-1783428507988">NATO unveils billions in arms deals after Trump’s pressure for higher defence spending</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In June alone, nearly 28,000 Russian soldiers were eliminated – and we have video confirmation for every single one of them. The overwhelming majority were struck by drones. Frankly, we take no pride in this. We are saying it to show what modern war looks like – a war we did not… <a href="https://t.co/iAdgPznPUk">pic.twitter.com/iAdgPznPUk</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2074484262657503591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Zelensky repeated his call for NATO membership despite US President Donald Trump ruling out Kyiv's entry into the Western military alliance. Trump has opposed Ukraine's long-standing bid to join NATO while seeking to bring an end to the war with Russia.&nbsp;The Ukrainian president said the country could manage most of its defence needs on its own but required stronger international support for air defence systems.&nbsp;"We are capable of doing everything else ourselves, but when it comes to air defence, we need our partners' determination," he said.&nbsp;Zelensky also claimed that Ukraine eliminated nearly 28,000 Russian soldiers in June alone and said every casualty had been verified through video evidence. He added that Ukraine had dismantled Russia's belief that it possessed a secure strategic rear by carrying out deep strikes inside the country, including a recent drone attack on an oil refinery in Siberia.&nbsp;“In June alone, nearly 28,000 Russian soldiers were eliminated – and we have video confirmation for every single one of them. The overwhelming majority were struck by drones,” he said.&nbsp;"We have completely eliminated the very idea of Russia having a strategic rear. For a long time, Russia believed it had a territorial advantage no one else possessed – a deep rear where it could safely keep military production, military equipment, and everything its war depends on, believing no one could reach it."&nbsp;"We have reached them. Just yesterday, Ukrainian drones broke through Russia’s defences and struck a Russian oil refinery in Siberia," he added.&nbsp;Zelensky said the current production of US-made Patriot missiles was insufficient and urged allies to persuade Washington to allow Ukraine to manufacture the systems under licence. He also called on European countries to work with Ukraine to develop their own affordable anti-ballistic defence technology.

Zelensky urged NATO to step up support for Ukraine's air defences and said deep drone strikes, including a recent attack on an oil refinery in Siberia, had eliminated Russia's sense of having a secure strategic rear.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday renewed his appeal for Ukraine to join NATO, saying the country's battle-tested military would strengthen the alliance's collective defence. He also urged allies to increase support for Ukraine's air defences as the country faces a shortage of interceptor missiles needed to counter Russian attacks. Highlighting Ukraine's achievements in drone warfare during more than four years of conflict with Russia, Zelensky argued that Kyiv's military capabilities would benefit NATO. Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Zelensky said, "Today, we defend against hundreds and hundreds of attack drones every day, and thousands and thousands every week and every month. Ukraine’s defence sector is building that capability even in the middle of a full-scale war." "Do you really believe it would be right to live outside NATO, a country and a people with this level of defensive capability?" Zelensky said in a speech on the sidelines of the summit. Also Read: NATO unveils billions in arms deals after Trump’s pressure for higher defence spending

Zelensky urged NATO to step up support for Ukraine's air defences and said deep drone strikes, including a recent attack on an oil refinery in Siberia, had eliminated Russia's sense of having a secure strategic rear.

'Nearly 28,000 Russian troops killed in June': Zelensky pitches Ukraine's NATO membership to boost alliance capabilities

US Senator Rick Scott has questioned the neutrality of the mediator Pakistan, as it had sent a delegation to attend the funeral of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging Washington to "remember who Pakistan really is". The delegation was led by Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, who praised the 86-year-old late Shia cleric and said that Pakistan and Iran walk together always.&nbsp;Scott shared a video of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing Ayatollah as a &nbsp;“a great scholar and leader whom millions of Muslims will remember." He said that “Millions of Muslims –– not only in Iran ––but around the globe will remember him as a leader." Sharif also referred to the thousands of martyrs in what is considered a veiled reference to the United States and Israel, “Pakistan and Iran will march together under all circumstances.”Rick hit out at Sharif, for whom Scott accused Islamabad of hypocrisy and described Khamenei as a “genocidal mass-murdering tyrant”, reminding that Pakistan is the country which hosted Bin Laden, and it disqualifies Islamabad's role to be a neutral mediator. “We need to remember who Pakistan really is in the middle of all this. We’re talking about a country where bin Laden hid out for a decade, where they selectively enforce lopsided blasphemy laws to persecute Christians, and where the Prime Minister just praised the genocidal mass murdering tyrant that used to run Iran," wrote Scott in a social media post.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-monitoring-nato-summit-kremlin-peskov-ukraine-trump-1783421997995">Kremlin says NATO summit is of 'great interest' as alliance unveils new defence plans</a>He drew a parallel between Qatar, which is often accused of harbouring Hamas and Pakistan. “They’re no better qualified to ‘mediate’ this than the Hamas-harbouring Qataris. Islamabad should take note; we’re watching closely."&nbsp;US lawmakers have also taken issue with Pakistan’s outright refusal to join the Abraham Accords. In May 2026, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham similarly labelled Pakistan’s role as "more than problematic". This recent remark comes weeks after the US-Iran agreement to a MoU framework for negotiating a peace mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. But the implementation of the framework remains a major hurdle over the details of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the release of Iranian funds.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">We need to remember who Pakistan really is in the middle of all this. We’re talking about a country where bin Laden hid out for a decade, where they selectively enforce lopsided blasphemy laws to persecute Christians, and where the Prime Minister just praised the genocidal mass… <a href="https://t.co/7SRIGGwyI1">https://t.co/7SRIGGwyI1</a>&mdash; Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) <a href="https://x.com/SenRickScott/status/2074265499358171324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

US Senator Rick Scott questioned Pakistan's neutrality after the PM Shehbaz Sharif praised Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying Islamabad cannot be a credible mediator in US-Iran diplomacy.

US Senator Rick Scott has questioned the neutrality of the mediator Pakistan, as it had sent a delegation to attend the funeral of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging Washington to "remember who Pakistan really is". The delegation was led by Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, who praised the 86-year-old late Shia cleric and said that Pakistan and Iran walk together always. Scott shared a video of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing Ayatollah as a “a great scholar and leader whom millions of Muslims will remember." He said that “Millions of Muslims –– not only in Iran ––but around the globe will remember him as a leader." Sharif also referred to the thousands of martyrs in what is considered a veiled reference to the United States and Israel, “Pakistan and Iran will march together under all circumstances.” Rick hit out at Sharif, for whom Scott accused Islamabad of hypocrisy and described Khamenei as a “genocidal mass-murdering tyrant”, reminding that Pakistan is the country which hosted Bin Laden, and it disqualifies Islamabad's role to be a neutral mediator. “We need to remember who Pakistan really is in the middle of all this. We’re talking about a country where bin Laden hid out for a decade, where they selectively enforce lopsided blasphemy laws to persecute Christians, and where the Prime Minister just praised the genocidal mass murdering tyrant that used to run Iran," wrote Scott in a social media post. Also Read: Kremlin says NATO summit is of 'great interest' as alliance unveils new defence plans He drew a parallel between Qatar, which is often accused of harbouring Hamas and Pakistan. “They’re no better qualified to ‘mediate’ this than the Hamas-harbouring Qataris. Islamabad should take note; we’re watching closely." US lawmakers have also taken issue with Pakistan’s outright refusal to join the Abraham Accords. In May 2026, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham similarly labelled Pakistan’s role as "more than problematic". This recent remark comes weeks after the US-Iran agreement to a MoU framework for negotiating a peace mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. But the implementation of the framework remains a major hurdle over the details of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the release of Iranian funds.

US Senator Rick Scott questioned Pakistan's neutrality after the PM Shehbaz Sharif praised Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying Islamabad cannot be a credible mediator in US-Iran diplomacy.

'Where Bin Laden hid...': Rick Scott slams Pakistan's mediator role after Khamenei tribute

NATO nations unveiled arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars in Turkey on Tuesday, as Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance needs a “transatlantic defence industrial revolution” to meet the challenge from its adversaries. He added that the defence industry must be ready to turn money into contracts and to take more risks.&nbsp;“So now let’s deliver even more, even faster, and together,” he added.&nbsp;Rutte added that member states spent $37 billion in one year, and by next year, the alliance will have the capacity to produce four million artillery shells.&nbsp;Speaking at the defence industry forum in the capital, Ankara, Rutte announced a series of initiatives while inviting representatives from NATO members to join the stage. “We can do more when we do it together. And we must do more of it,” he said, adding, “NATO allies are joining new multinational procurement coalitions. This really helps us get more of what you need across a range of capabilities.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-a-staunch-supporter-of-free-open-and-inclusive-indo-pacific-says-pm-modi-in-address-to-indonesian-parliament-1783421165120">‘India a staunch supporter of free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,’ says PM Modi in address to Indonesian parliament</a><h2>Investment of over $40 billion in next 5 years on anti-drone capabilities</h2>&nbsp;Rutte also said that NATO allies will invest more than $40 billion in the next five years in their anti-drone capabilities.&nbsp;The deals were mostly kept under wraps to make a splash at the summit and included European ⁠countries buying surveillance drones from US company Northrop Grumman and NATO buying planes from Sweden’s Saab.&nbsp;Swedish manufacturer Saab will be supplying up to 10 new GlobalEye surveillance aircraft for a 10-nation consortium, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced.“It’s a moment of great pride,” he said, noting that the twin-engine aircraft would be “made within the alliance for all the alliance.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fugitive-diamantaire-nirav-modi-loses-final-appeal-extradition-becomes-imminent-1783333083018">Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi loses final appeal before ECHR, extradition becomes immine</a>nt<h2>US in talks about joint production of missiles in Europe&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;The United States is also in talks with Germany and other nations about joint production in Europe of missiles that are in high demand for the defence of Ukraine amid concern about the capacity of US weapons manufacturers to meet demand, as the Iran and Ukraine wars have depleted US arms stocks.&nbsp;The NATO announcements come following President Donald Trump’s frequent criticism of Europe for insufficient defence contributions and over-relying on the US to defend them through NATO.&nbsp;Rutte said on Monday that Europeans had made “staggering” increases in defence spending ⁠in part due to fears of Russia, which have surged since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and also after Trump's “extremely forceful” nagging.&nbsp;Last month, Rutte said NATO's European members and Canada had spent $90 billion more on defence in real terms in 2025 than in 2024, to reach a total of more than $570 billion — an increase of around 20%.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/auto-experts-reject-concerns-over-e20-say-even-f1-cars-run-on-it-back-govt-1783190120319">Auto experts reject concerns over E20, say even F1 cars run on it; back govt</a><h2>Trump criticised NATO members for insufficient support in Iran conflict</h2>&nbsp;Tensions within NATO deepened when the US attacked Iran and Trump repeatedly criticised the alliance members for insufficient support in the conflict. Trump threatened to quit the alliance or disregard its collective defence pact.&nbsp;European officials insist they largely honoured commitments to let the US use their airspace and bases in their countries, despite not ⁠having been consulted about a war that roiled their economies and was deeply unpopular in Europe.&nbsp;The US has also announced troop withdrawals from Europe, cut the forces it assigns to NATO’s defence plans and launched a six-month review of its military presence on the continent.&nbsp;Trump branded NATO a “paper tiger” that would cease to function without American arms and leadership.

The defence deals were mostly kept under wraps to make a splash at the NATO Summit in Ankara and included European ⁠countries buying surveillance drones from US company Northrop Grumman and NATO buying planes from Sweden’s Saab.

NATO nations unveiled arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars in Turkey on Tuesday, as Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance needs a “transatlantic defence industrial revolution” to meet the challenge from its adversaries. He added that the defence industry must be ready to turn money into contracts and to take more risks. “So now let’s deliver even more, even faster, and together,” he added. Rutte added that member states spent $37 billion in one year, and by next year, the alliance will have the capacity to produce four million artillery shells. Speaking at the defence industry forum in the capital, Ankara, Rutte announced a series of initiatives while inviting representatives from NATO members to join the stage. “We can do more when we do it together. And we must do more of it,” he said, adding, “NATO allies are joining new multinational procurement coalitions. This really helps us get more of what you need across a range of capabilities.” Also Read: ‘India a staunch supporter of free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,’ says PM Modi in address to Indonesian parliament Investment of over $40 billion in next 5 years on anti-drone capabilities Rutte also said that NATO allies will invest more than $40 billion in the next five years in their anti-drone capabilities. The deals were mostly kept under wraps to make a splash at the summit and included European ⁠countries buying surveillance drones from US company Northrop Grumman and NATO buying planes from Sweden’s Saab. Swedish manufacturer Saab will be supplying up to 10 new GlobalEye surveillance aircraft for a 10-nation consortium, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced. “It’s a moment of great pride,” he said, noting that the twin-engine aircraft would be “made within the alliance for all the alliance.” Also Read: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi loses final appeal before ECHR, extradition becomes imminent US in talks about joint production of missiles in Europe The United States is also in talks with Germany and other nations about joint production in Europe of missiles that are in high demand for the defence of Ukraine amid concern about the capacity of US weapons manufacturers to meet demand, as the Iran and Ukraine wars have depleted US arms stocks. The NATO announcements come following President Donald Trump’s frequent criticism of Europe for insufficient defence contributions and over-relying on the US to defend them through NATO. Rutte said on Monday that Europeans had made “staggering” increases in defence spending ⁠in part due to fears of Russia, which have surged since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and also after Trump's “extremely forceful” nagging. Last month, Rutte said NATO's European members and Canada had spent $90 billion more on defence in real terms in 2025 than in 2024, to reach a total of more than $570 billion — an increase of around 20%. Also Read: Auto experts reject concerns over E20, say even F1 cars run on it; back govt Trump criticised NATO members for insufficient support in Iran conflict Tensions within NATO deepened when the US attacked Iran and Trump repeatedly criticised the alliance members for insufficient support in the conflict. Trump threatened to quit the alliance or disregard its collective defence pact. European officials insist they largely honoured commitments to let the US use their airspace and bases in their countries, despite not ⁠having been consulted about a war that roiled their economies and was deeply unpopular in Europe. The US has also announced troop withdrawals from Europe, cut the forces it assigns to NATO’s defence plans and launched a six-month review of its military presence on the continent. Trump branded NATO a “paper tiger” that would cease to function without American arms and leadership.

The defence deals were mostly kept under wraps to make a splash at the NATO Summit in Ankara and included European ⁠countries buying surveillance drones from US company Northrop Grumman and NATO buying planes from Sweden’s Saab.

NATO unveils billions in arms deals after Trump’s pressure for higher defence spending

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Monday openly acknowledged that he had drawn inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance model, saying several Indian programmes had been adapted in Indonesia and were already producing encouraging results.Speaking at a banquet lunch attended by PM Modi, President Subianto mixed humour with a message of closer cooperation as he praised India's development journey.&nbsp;Addressing the Prime Minister, he said, "I follow your career, and I copied many of your programmes. I don't mind admitting, because if it succeeds for hundreds of millions of people with the same background as Indonesia, the same problems, we are making the same, we have the same problems of a big population, we have agriculture in the background, we face many natural disasters, and yet India has achieved much progress. So I openly admit that I follow your career and I copied a lot of your programmes."&nbsp;He added that adopting those initiatives had benefited Indonesia, saying, "And it's proving to be successful for us. So, thank you very much. I'm very happy there's no copyright to all your programmes."&nbsp;The Indonesian President also revealed that a delegation from Jakarta had recently returned after spending several weeks in India to study agricultural practices that have transformed dry land into productive farmland.&nbsp;"In fact, just I think yesterday, a team from Indonesia just came back from, I think, two or three weeks of study of the achievements many Indian groups have achieved in making arid land to be arable again. It's called permaculture. So we are studying this closely, and we have a lot to learn, and we are not afraid of learning," the President noted.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Jakarta, Indonesia: During the banquet lunch hosted in honour of PM Narendra Modi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto says, &quot;... I also want to admit to your excellency (PM Modi), I follow your career and I copy many of your programs. I don&#39;t mind admitting because… <a href="https://t.co/k0DWeFPiKS">pic.twitter.com/k0DWeFPiKS</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2074395882099732606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

President Subianto made the remarks as PM Modi is visiting Indonesia from July 6 to 8 for the first leg of his three-nation diplomatic tour, which will later take him to Australia and New Zealand.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-monitoring-nato-summit-kremlin-peskov-ukraine-trump-1783421997995">Kremlin says NATO summit is of 'great interest' as alliance unveils new defence plans</a>&nbsp;The visit also marked significant progress in bilateral cooperation as the two countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in defence, education and other strategic sectors.&nbsp;Both sides exchanged a series of Memorandums of Understanding covering space exploration, critical minerals, technology, disaster management, medical products regulation, agriculture and maritime safety.&nbsp;"We have signed an agreement to deepen collaboration in tech, AI, and startup businesses," PM Modi announced during a joint press briefing, adding, "We will be opening a campus of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B) in Indonesia."&nbsp;India and Indonesia also agreed to work towards linking their cross-border QR payment systems to make financial transactions easier.The two nations will also jointly support the preservation and conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta.&nbsp;During the visit, Indonesia honoured PM Modi with its highest civilian award, the 'Bintang Adipurna' medal, recognising his contribution to strengthening relations between the two countries.&nbsp;Thanking Indonesia for the honour, PM Modi said, "The respect shown through this medal is for every Indian, and I would like to thank Indonesia on their behalf."

Indonesian President revealed that a delegation from Jakarta had recently returned after spending two to three weeks in India studying agricultural practices that have successfully transformed arid land into productive farmland, with the aim of adapting similar techniques in Indonesia.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Monday openly acknowledged that he had drawn inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance model, saying several Indian programmes had been adapted in Indonesia and were already producing encouraging results. Speaking at a banquet lunch attended by PM Modi, President Subianto mixed humour with a message of closer cooperation as he praised India's development journey. Addressing the Prime Minister, he said, "I follow your career, and I copied many of your programmes. I don't mind admitting, because if it succeeds for hundreds of millions of people with the same background as Indonesia, the same problems, we are making the same, we have the same problems of a big population, we have agriculture in the background, we face many natural disasters, and yet India has achieved much progress. So I openly admit that I follow your career and I copied a lot of your programmes." He added that adopting those initiatives had benefited Indonesia, saying, "And it's proving to be successful for us. So, thank you very much. I'm very happy there's no copyright to all your programmes." The Indonesian President also revealed that a delegation from Jakarta had recently returned after spending several weeks in India to study agricultural practices that have transformed dry land into productive farmland. "In fact, just I think yesterday, a team from Indonesia just came back from, I think, two or three weeks of study of the achievements many Indian groups have achieved in making arid land to be arable again. It's called permaculture. So we are studying this closely, and we have a lot to learn, and we are not afraid of learning," the President noted.

Indonesian President revealed that a delegation from Jakarta had recently returned after spending two to three weeks in India studying agricultural practices that have successfully transformed arid land into productive farmland, with the aim of adapting similar techniques in Indonesia.

Watch | 'I don't mind admitting it, I follow your career...': Indonesian President's big praise for PM Modi

The NFHS-6 has released new data which highlights a profound shift in the demographic future of India as Kerala has the country’s highest share of elderly citizens at 20.7 per cent. The progress is a result of the extended life expectancy, as the state is confronting a unique social reality. While fewer children, increased longevity, and high rates of global migration for education and employment show a rise in development, they also indicate that Kerala's rising elderly population is increasingly spending their later years with fewer family members around to care for them. This shifting social structure is testing traditional family arrangements. Increasingly, elderly citizens live in financially comfortable homes with children working outside the city or in India, who often leave them completely alone. Consequently, old-age vulnerability in Kerala is no longer dictated by conventional income metrics; it is increasingly defined by a "poverty of care." As society becomes more mobile and urban, functions once managed entirely within households now demand structured institutional support to preserve the dignity and autonomy of seniors. Fortunately, Kerala possesses a unique institutional advantage through its local governments, which are ideally positioned to support this growing demographic.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-a-staunch-supporter-of-free-open-and-inclusive-indo-pacific-says-pm-modi-in-address-to-indonesian-parliament-1783421165120"> ‘India a staunch supporter of free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,’ says PM Modi in address to Indonesian parliament</a><h2>Japan’s elderly population</h2>According to Japan's internal affairs ministry data, the number of people aged 65 or older in Japan stands at 36.19 million, as of September 2025, falling by 50,000 from a year earlier. Japan's population of people aged 65 or older is projected to reach 15.68 million, accounting for 26.2 per cent of the total male population. In addition, the estimated number of women aged 65 or older stands at 20.51 million, which accounts for 32.4 per cent of the overall female population. The share of senior citizens aged 65 and older in the overall population continues to grow annually. Projections from the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research indicate this demographic will make up 34.8 per cent of the population by 2040, as the nation's second baby boomer generation (born between 1971 and 1974) crosses the age of 65. In 2024, the number of employed seniors aged 65 or older climbed for the 21st consecutive year, reaching a record high of 9.3 million. This group accounted for 13.7 per cent of the total workforce aged 15 and above, marking a 0.2 percentage point increase. Additionally, the employment rate specifically within the 65-and-over age group rose by 0.5 percentage points to reach 25.7 per cent. Among these older workers, the wholesale and retail sectors employed the largest share at 1.33 million people. The medical and welfare sectors followed with 1.15 million workers, while the service industry employed 1.04 million. Excluding corporate executives, there were 5.63 million employees in this age bracket, with non-regular workers making up the vast majority at 4.33 million, or 76.9 per cent.

As society becomes more mobile and urban, functions once managed entirely within households now demand structured institutional support to preserve the dignity and autonomy of seniors.

The NFHS-6 has released new data which highlights a profound shift in the demographic future of India as Kerala has the country’s highest share of elderly citizens at 20.7 per cent. The progress is a result of the extended life expectancy, as the state is confronting a unique social reality. While fewer children, increased longevity, and high rates of global migration for education and employment show a rise in development, they also indicate that Kerala's rising elderly population is increasingly spending their later years with fewer family members around to care for them. This shifting social structure is testing traditional family arrangements. Increasingly, elderly citizens live in financially comfortable homes with children working outside the city or in India, who often leave them completely alone. Consequently, old-age vulnerability in Kerala is no longer dictated by conventional income metrics; it is increasingly defined by a "poverty of care." As society becomes more mobile and urban, functions once managed entirely within households now demand structured institutional support to preserve the dignity and autonomy of seniors. Fortunately, Kerala possesses a unique institutional advantage through its local governments, which are ideally positioned to support this growing demographic. Also read: ‘India a staunch supporter of free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,’ says PM Modi in address to Indonesian parliament Japan’s elderly population According to Japan's internal affairs ministry data, the number of people aged 65 or older in Japan stands at 36.19 million, as of September 2025, falling by 50,000 from a year earlier. Japan's population of people aged 65 or older is projected to reach 15.68 million, accounting for 26.2 per cent of the total male population. In addition, the estimated number of women aged 65 or older stands at 20.51 million, which accounts for 32.4 per cent of the overall female population. The share of senior citizens aged 65 and older in the overall population continues to grow annually. Projections from the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research indicate this demographic will make up 34.8 per cent of the population by 2040, as the nation's second baby boomer generation (born between 1971 and 1974) crosses the age of 65. In 2024, the number of employed seniors aged 65 or older climbed for the 21st consecutive year, reaching a record high of 9.3 million. This group accounted for 13.7 per cent of the total workforce aged 15 and above, marking a 0.2 percentage point increase. Additionally, the employment rate specifically within the 65-and-over age group rose by 0.5 percentage points to reach 25.7 per cent. Among these older workers, the wholesale and retail sectors employed the largest share at 1.33 million people. The medical and welfare sectors followed with 1.15 million workers, while the service industry employed 1.04 million. Excluding corporate executives, there were 5.63 million employees in this age bracket, with non-regular workers making up the vast majority at 4.33 million, or 76.9 per cent.

As society becomes more mobile and urban, functions once managed entirely within households now demand structured institutional support to preserve the dignity and autonomy of seniors.

Kerala's population is ageing like Japan's, but faces different challenge: Here's how

Russia on Tuesday said that it is following the NATO summit in Ankara closely, suggesting that it remains of “great interest” to Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov hinted that the series of “confrontational” statements about Russia on the build-up to the summit is not helpful to a potential peace between Russia and Ukraine.&nbsp;"This is an event that ​is of great interest, including to us. Of course, we will be monitoring all the news and information coming out of ​Ankara," said Peskov. &nbsp;“To ⁠our regret, these were not statements about constructive engagement and dialogue, but rather statements of a confrontational nature.”NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte has said that &nbsp;Russia is “pouring almost half of its national budget into its war machine,” while China “continues to modernise its armed forces and expand its nuclear capabilities without transparency,” and North Korea is supporting Russia.In Ankara, NATO has announced a plan to invest in anti-drone and surveillance capabilities. The alliance has announced $40bn on anti-drone capabilities. It is also likely to purchase 10 Saab GlobalEye surveillance planes over the US AWACS.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-indonesia-highest-civilian-honour-20-outcomes-visit-1783418442718">PM Modi conferred Indonesia's highest civilian honour; 20 key outcomes announced</a>“We must remain vigilant. These countries are increasingly working together, and that should concern us all, because I assure you they do not have our best interests in mind.” He urged for a Transatlantic Defence Industrial Revolution, NATO needs it, and it can be achieved, even though it sounds “dramatic”.Trump on Monday, July 6, said that he will discuss the war in Ukraine at the NATO summit and that the resolution of the war was &nbsp;"getting closer than people realise." Peskov suggested that the US attempt to steer the conflict towards negotiations would succeed. "At the very least, ⁠we, ​as the Russian President has repeatedly ​said, remain open to this."&nbsp;

Russia says it is closely following the NATO summit as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticises the alliance's rhetoric. Trump says Ukraine peace may be closer than expected.

Russia on Tuesday said that it is following the NATO summit in Ankara closely, suggesting that it remains of “great interest” to Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov hinted that the series of “confrontational” statements about Russia on the build-up to the summit is not helpful to a potential peace between Russia and Ukraine. "This is an event that is of great interest, including to us. Of course, we will be monitoring all the news and information coming out of Ankara," said Peskov. “To ⁠our regret, these were not statements about constructive engagement and dialogue, but rather statements of a confrontational nature.” NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte has said that Russia is “pouring almost half of its national budget into its war machine,” while China “continues to modernise its armed forces and expand its nuclear capabilities without transparency,” and North Korea is supporting Russia. In Ankara, NATO has announced a plan to invest in anti-drone and surveillance capabilities. The alliance has announced $40bn on anti-drone capabilities. It is also likely to purchase 10 Saab GlobalEye surveillance planes over the US AWACS. Also Read: PM Modi conferred Indonesia's highest civilian honour; 20 key outcomes announced “We must remain vigilant. These countries are increasingly working together, and that should concern us all, because I assure you they do not have our best interests in mind.” He urged for a Transatlantic Defence Industrial Revolution, NATO needs it, and it can be achieved, even though it sounds “dramatic”. Trump on Monday, July 6, said that he will discuss the war in Ukraine at the NATO summit and that the resolution of the war was "getting closer than people realise." Peskov suggested that the US attempt to steer the conflict towards negotiations would succeed. "At the very least, ⁠we, as the Russian President has repeatedly said, remain open to this."

Russia says it is closely following the NATO summit as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticises the alliance's rhetoric. Trump says Ukraine peace may be closer than expected.

Kremlin says NATO summit is of 'great interest' as alliance unveils new defence plans

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India is a staunch supporter of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and advocates for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region and added that India and Indonesia must continue to work together in this direction. PM Modi further said that India believes in shared prosperity, not expansionism, and its foreign policy is based on development and cooperation as he highlighted the historic ties between India and Indonesia while addressing the Indonesian Parliament.&nbsp;PM Modi said, “India is a staunch supporter of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. India advocates for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region. We have placed ASEAN at the centre of this approach; our ‘Act East Policy’ is also ASEAN-centric. The comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN continues to advance steadily. Therefore, India and Indonesia must continue to work together in this direction.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Jakarta, Indonesia | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, &quot;...India is a staunch supporter of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. India advocates for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region. We have placed ASEAN at the centre of this approach; our &#39;Act East… <a href="https://t.co/oslC0n0gYE">pic.twitter.com/oslC0n0gYE</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2074437493370597621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>‘India pursues policy of development rather than expansionism’: PM Modi</h2> India is a nation that pursues a policy of development rather than expansionism, he added. “We advocate ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, i.e., development for all, with the participation of all. Today, I stand before all of you carrying this very mantra and sentiment,” PM Modi said. “Our capitals may be thousands of kilometres apart, but the sea separates us by only 150 kilometres. While the ocean is often a barrier between nations, the sea acts as a bridge between us and lies at the heart of our shared future,” the PM said. PM Modi said the names India, Indonesia, and the Indian Ocean themselves bear witness to deep-rooted connection. The PM emphasised the civilisational, democratic, and maritime ties between India and Indonesia, saying the two countries have built a friendship that continues to grow stronger with time. The Prime Minister also thanked the people and the government of Indonesia for their warm reception and hospitality and called the visit one of the most memorable experiences of his life. Earlier after arrival, Prime Minister Modi held delegation-level talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation across a range of sectors, including security, technology, education, and culture. <h2>‘Democratic values and unity in diversity common strengths of both countries’</h2> Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, PM Modi said that democratic values and unity in diversity remain common strengths of both countries.India will support the development of Indonesia-specific electronic voting machines (EVMs), helping the country modernise its electoral framework ahead of its 2029 elections. The Prime Minister had also noted that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established between India and Indonesia in 2018 is entering a new phase. He further reiterated India’s continued support for ASEAN centrality, stating that stronger India-Indonesia cooperation contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi is on a three-day visit to Indonesia from July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto.Indonesia also conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi its highest civilian honour, the ‘Bintang Adipurna’, reflecting the growing depth of ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India believes in shared prosperity, not expansionism, and its foreign policy is based on development and cooperation as he highlighted the historic ties between India and Indonesia while addressing the Indonesian Parliament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India is a staunch supporter of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and advocates for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region and added that India and Indonesia must continue to work together in this direction. PM Modi further said that India believes in shared prosperity, not expansionism, and its foreign policy is based on development and cooperation as he highlighted the historic ties between India and Indonesia while addressing the Indonesian Parliament. PM Modi said, “India is a staunch supporter of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. India advocates for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region. We have placed ASEAN at the centre of this approach; our ‘Act East Policy’ is also ASEAN-centric. The comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN continues to advance steadily. Therefore, India and Indonesia must continue to work together in this direction.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India believes in shared prosperity, not expansionism, and its foreign policy is based on development and cooperation as he highlighted the historic ties between India and Indonesia while addressing the Indonesian Parliament.

‘India a staunch supporter of free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,’ says PM Modi in address to Indonesian parliament

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the highest civilian honour, “Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia” for his role in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two nations. Indian Prime Minister received a grand ceremonial welcome upon his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 6, featuring an escort by an Indonesian Air Force fighter jet and a personal reception by the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the airport. It marks the start of the official three-nation visit on a three-nation tour that will continue in Australia and conclude in New Zealand.&nbsp;Expressing his gratitude, PM Modi said, “I accept the Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia with great humility.”He further added, “This honour belongs to the people of India. It reflects the warmth and affection of the people of Indonesia. It is also a tribute to the historic and deeply-rooted ties between India and Indonesia.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kolkata-minor-girl-body-found-south-24-parganas-protests-lynching-1783273677024">Kolkata 12-year-old girl's body found in pond sparks protests, one lynched in South 24 Parganas</a><h2>MEA shares list of 20 outcomes from PM Modi's Indonesia Visit&nbsp;</h2>Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared a list of 20 outcomes from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia. This includes-<ul><li>MoU on cooperation promoting investment in extraction, processing and research in the field of critical mineral and steel technology supply chain;&nbsp;</li><li>MoU on maritime safety and security cooperation;&nbsp;</li><li>MoU on the development of rare earth magnets between Non-Ferrous material technology development centre, Midwest Ltd, and PT Perminas;&nbsp;</li><li>Cooperation on innovation, development and competitiveness of the Brahmos weapon system;&nbsp;</li><li>India's missile and other defence exports; &nbsp;</li><li>Joint venture between Steel Authority of India and PT Krakatu Steel;</li><li>Research, technology sharing and capacity building on space technology;&nbsp;</li><li>Cultural diplomacy in the form of assistance in the restoration of the Prambanan temple complex, Yogyakarta, the largest Hindu Temple in Indonesia;&nbsp;</li><li>MoU between Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan in the field of Medical Product Regulation;</li><li>Cooperation in disaster management in the form of an MoU signed between the National Disaster Management Authority of India and the National Agency for Disaster Management, Indonesia, on risk assessment, response and recovery;&nbsp;</li><li>MoU on cooperation in telecommunication technologies;&nbsp;</li><li>MoU on research, technology and innovation cooperation;</li><li>Implementation Arrangement on Health Workforce Collaboration;</li><li>MoU of cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors;</li><li>Deployment of an Indonesian Liaison officer who will oversee maritime information sharing and security cooperation;&nbsp;</li><li>Supply of 100 tonnes of high-quality DWR 162 wheat seeds to Indonesia;&nbsp;</li><li>Commemoration of Tagore Dewantara, the year of cultural diplomacy;</li><li>Setting up of the IIM Bangalore Branch Campus at Singhasari, SEZ, Indonesia;</li><li>Cooperation between Open Network for Digital Commerce and Indonesia Open Network;</li><li>MoU between the Election Commission of India and the General Election Commission of Indonesia.</li></ul><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-modi-indonesia-visit-pm-narendra-modi-receives-indonesia-s-highest-honour-1783411957010/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-modi-indonesia-visit-pm-narendra-modi-receives-indonesia-s-highest-honour-1783411957010/embed</a>&nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi received Indonesia's highest civilian honour, Bintang Adipurna. MEA announced 20 outcomes, including defence, critical minerals, maritime security and trade.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the highest civilian honour, “Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia” for his role in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two nations. Indian Prime Minister received a grand ceremonial welcome upon his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 6, featuring an escort by an Indonesian Air Force fighter jet and a personal reception by the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the airport. It marks the start of the official three-nation visit on a three-nation tour that will continue in Australia and conclude in New Zealand. Expressing his gratitude, PM Modi said, “I accept the Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia with great humility.” He further added, “This honour belongs to the people of India. It reflects the warmth and affection of the people of Indonesia. It is also a tribute to the historic and deeply-rooted ties between India and Indonesia.” Also Read: Kolkata 12-year-old girl's body found in pond sparks protests, one lynched in South 24 Parganas MEA shares list of 20 outcomes from PM Modi's Indonesia Visit Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared a list of 20 outcomes from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia. This includes- MoU on cooperation promoting investment in extraction, processing and research in the field of critical mineral and steel technology supply chain; MoU on maritime safety and security cooperation; MoU on the development of rare earth magnets between Non-Ferrous material technology development centre, Midwest Ltd, and PT Perminas; Cooperation on innovation, development and competitiveness of the Brahmos weapon system; India's missile and other defence exports; Joint venture between Steel Authority of India and PT Krakatu Steel; Research, technology sharing and capacity building on space technology; Cultural diplomacy in the form of assistance in the restoration of the Prambanan temple complex, Yogyakarta, the largest Hindu Temple in Indonesia; MoU between Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan in the field of Medical Product Regulation; Cooperation in disaster management in the form of an MoU signed between the National Disaster Management Authority of India and the National Agency for Disaster Management, Indonesia, on risk assessment, response and recovery; MoU on cooperation in telecommunication technologies; MoU on research, technology and innovation cooperation; Implementation Arrangement on Health Workforce Collaboration; MoU of cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors; Deployment of an Indonesian Liaison officer who will oversee maritime information sharing and security cooperation; Supply of 100 tonnes of high-quality DWR 162 wheat seeds to Indonesia; Commemoration of Tagore Dewantara, the year of cultural diplomacy; Setting up of the IIM Bangalore Branch Campus at Singhasari, SEZ, Indonesia; Cooperation between Open Network for Digital Commerce and Indonesia Open Network; MoU between the Election Commission of India and the General Election Commission of Indonesia. https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-modi-indonesia-visit-pm-narendra-modi-receives-indonesia-s-highest-honour-1783411957010/embed

PM Narendra Modi received Indonesia's highest civilian honour, Bintang Adipurna. MEA announced 20 outcomes, including defence, critical minerals, maritime security and trade.

PM Modi conferred Indonesia's highest civilian honour; 20 key outcomes announced

Saudi Arabia has reduced the price of its flagship crude sold to Asian buyers for August by the largest margin in at least 26 years. As a result of this, State-owned Saudi Aramco will lower the official selling price (OSP) of its benchmark Arab Light crude by $11 per barrel, leaving it at a $1.50 discount to the regional benchmark. The reduction happened because global crude prices have weakened since mid-June after the United States and Iran reached an agreement to end the war that started in February this year and disrupted the oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude has since fallen to about $72 a barrel, returning to levels last seen before the war. Additionally, exports resumed from the Persian Gulf, and Saudi Aramco increased shipments from Ras Tanura to roughly 90 per cent of pre-war levels. During the conflict, the company had rerouted much of its crude through its Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea after disruptions to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/when-will-petrol-and-diesel-get-cheaper-in-india-modi-government-s-petroleum-minister-hardeep-puri-drops-big-hint-1783041168875">When will petrol and diesel get cheaper in India?</a><h3>OPEC+ output increase adds to supply concerns</h3>The latest price cut also follows OPEC+'s decision to approve another production quota increase for August. The alliance, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, had announced only limited output hikes while the conflict was ongoing because several Gulf producers were unable to significantly raise exports due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-oil-supply-set-to-rise-again-in-august-1783319232731">Global oil supply set to rise again in August</a><h3>Saudi price cut still leaves its crude at a premium</h3>Despite announcing its steepest price reduction, reports suggest that it will not make any difference to Asian buyers as Saudi Arabia's flagship crude remains costlier than several competing Gulf grades. According to traders cited by Reuters, Saudi Arabia is not the only producer lowering prices. Other Gulf exporters have also offered deeper discounts. "The sharp month-on-month cuts to Saudi term OSPs came as little surprise, with competing Middle Eastern spot grades trading at even deeper discounts," Vortexa analyst Emma Li told Reuters. "Weak Asian demand, especially from China, together with the sanctions waiver on Iranian crude, has intensified competition among sellers and shifted the market in buyers' favour," Li added. The report also claimed that producers including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC), Iraq's SOMO, and Kuwait Petroleum Corp. are now offering their crude at substantial discounts in an effort to maintain demand as supply across the region recovers.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia has cut the price of its flagship Arab Light crude for Asian buyers by the biggest margin in over 26 years, as rising global supply and easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensify competition. The move follows OPEC+'s decision to raise oil output.

Saudi Arabia has reduced the price of its flagship crude sold to Asian buyers for August by the largest margin in at least 26 years. As a result of this, State-owned Saudi Aramco will lower the official selling price (OSP) of its benchmark Arab Light crude by $11 per barrel, leaving it at a $1.50 discount to the regional benchmark. The reduction happened because global crude prices have weakened since mid-June after the United States and Iran reached an agreement to end the war that started in February this year and disrupted the oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude has since fallen to about $72 a barrel, returning to levels last seen before the war. Additionally, exports resumed from the Persian Gulf, and Saudi Aramco increased shipments from Ras Tanura to roughly 90 per cent of pre-war levels. During the conflict, the company had rerouted much of its crude through its Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea after disruptions to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Also Read: When will petrol and diesel get cheaper in India? OPEC+ output increase adds to supply concerns The latest price cut also follows OPEC+'s decision to approve another production quota increase for August. The alliance, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, had announced only limited output hikes while the conflict was ongoing because several Gulf producers were unable to significantly raise exports due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Also Read: Global oil supply set to rise again in August Saudi price cut still leaves its crude at a premium Despite announcing its steepest price reduction, reports suggest that it will not make any difference to Asian buyers as Saudi Arabia's flagship crude remains costlier than several competing Gulf grades. According to traders cited by Reuters, Saudi Arabia is not the only producer lowering prices. Other Gulf exporters have also offered deeper discounts. "The sharp month-on-month cuts to Saudi term OSPs came as little surprise, with competing Middle Eastern spot grades trading at even deeper discounts," Vortexa analyst Emma Li told Reuters. "Weak Asian demand, especially from China, together with the sanctions waiver on Iranian crude, has intensified competition among sellers and shifted the market in buyers' favour," Li added. The report also claimed that producers including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC), Iraq's SOMO, and Kuwait Petroleum Corp. are now offering their crude at substantial discounts in an effort to maintain demand as supply across the region recovers.

Saudi Arabia has cut the price of its flagship Arab Light crude for Asian buyers by the biggest margin in over 26 years, as rising global supply and easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensify competition. The move follows OPEC+'s decision to raise oil output.

Why Saudi Arabia has made its biggest oil price cut in decades

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is using Anthropic's AI model Mythos to audit government software, Reuters has reported, citing three people familiar with the matter. This is interesting given the tussles between the Trump administration and Anthropic, the firm behind the popular Claude AI models. CISA is using Mythos to scan government code repositories for bugs that could leave the door open for foreign spies and cybercriminals, according to the report.<h2>Why is the US government using Anthropic's coding agent significant? The political irony</h2>It's interesting that the agency is using the controversial Mythos, not the regular Claude model for the audit, as per the report. Mythos has demonstrated the ability to find, exploit and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including those in the financial and banking sectors. Upon its release, Mythos was immediately restricted for use only by approved organisations. The political irony is not lost on anyone. Just three months ago, the Pentagon had slapped Anthropic with a supply-chain risk designation. A judge later blocked the blacklisting in March. Mythos has not yet been released to the public.Axios, meanwhile, had reported that the US intelligence agency, the National Security Agency (NSA), had been using Mythos as of April despite the blacklist. The New York Times reported in late June that NSA analysts testing it in classified settings were impressed by its performance.In short, the US security establishment is quietly embracing the very company that the Trump administration had tried to blacklist.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-showed-us-what-it-could-do-and-it-s-scary-congressman-andrew-garbarino-on-anthropic-mythos-model-demo-claude-ai-news-1782552364247">'They showed us what it could do, and it's scary': Congressman on Anthropic Mythos model demo</a><h2>Which websites are included for Anthropic code-checking?</h2>The Reuters report said the Anthropic AI model would be used for auditing government code repositories, not websites as such. The task is being carried out by CISA's Attack Surface Evaluation (ASE) team, which conducts digital security assessments and authorised hacking exercises across government systems. It is not clear exactly how much government code the team has reviewed or the nature and severity of the vulnerabilities it has discovered. Nor have CISA or Anthropic disclosed which government departments or websites are included in the programme.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-lifts-export-curbs-on-anthropic-s-fable-and-mythos-ai-models-1782909734073/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-lifts-export-curbs-on-anthropic-s-fable-and-mythos-ai-models-1782909734073/embed</a><h2>Finance, business and economy relevance</h2>The ASE team works across the federal government. Therefore, it would be reasonable to assume that systems operated by the Department of the Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Commerce could potentially fall within the scope of these audits, although the Reuters story does not specifically mention any of these agencies. Notably, in February, the Treasury, State and Health and Human Services Departments issued statements confirming compliance with the government directive at the time to phase out Anthropic tools following government order.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/from-mythos-to-reality-anthropic-launches-claude-fable-5-its-most-powerful-public-ai-model-1781035985872">From Mythos to reality: Anthropic launches Claude Fable 5, its most powerful public AI model</a><h2>Is the US government admitting that its code needs fixing?</h2>The sources cited by Reuters said the audits had already uncovered a large number of vulnerabilities. However, this should not be interpreted as an admission that government software is fundamentally broken. Large organisations routinely conduct code audits because legacy software, outdated libraries and coding errors inevitably accumulate over time. AI is now making it significantly easier to identify bugs and security vulnerabilities in large volumes of legacy code at scale, allowing agencies to fix weaknesses before they can be exploited by foreign adversaries or cybercriminals.

CISA, the US cybersecurity agency, is using Anthropic's unreleased Mythos AI to audit US government code repositories for cybersecurity flaws. This is a major shift in federal AI adoption despite earlier Trump-era restrictions against Anthropic.

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is using Anthropic's AI model Mythos to audit government software, Reuters has reported, citing three people familiar with the matter. This is interesting given the tussles between the Trump administration and Anthropic, the firm behind the popular Claude AI models. CISA is using Mythos to scan government code repositories for bugs that could leave the door open for foreign spies and cybercriminals, according to the report. Why is the US government using Anthropic's coding agent significant? The political irony It's interesting that the agency is using the controversial Mythos, not the regular Claude model for the audit, as per the report. Mythos has demonstrated the ability to find, exploit and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including those in the financial and banking sectors. Upon its release, Mythos was immediately restricted for use only by approved organisations. The political irony is not lost on anyone. Just three months ago, the Pentagon had slapped Anthropic with a supply-chain risk designation. A judge later blocked the blacklisting in March. Mythos has not yet been released to the public. Axios, meanwhile, had reported that the US intelligence agency, the National Security Agency (NSA), had been using Mythos as of April despite the blacklist. The New York Times reported in late June that NSA analysts testing it in classified settings were impressed by its performance. In short, the US security establishment is quietly embracing the very company that the Trump administration had tried to blacklist. Also read: 'They showed us what it could do, and it's scary': Congressman on Anthropic Mythos model demo Which websites are included for Anthropic code-checking? The Reuters report said the Anthropic AI model would be used for auditing government code repositories, not websites as such. The task is being carried out by CISA's Attack Surface Evaluation (ASE) team, which conducts digital security assessments and authorised hacking exercises across government systems. It is not clear exactly how much government code the team has reviewed or the nature and severity of the vulnerabilities it has discovered. Nor have CISA or Anthropic disclosed which government departments or websites are included in the programme. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-lifts-export-curbs-on-anthropic-s-fable-and-mythos-ai-models-1782909734073/embed Finance, business and economy relevance The ASE team works across the federal government. Therefore, it would be reasonable to assume that systems operated by the Department of the Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Commerce could potentially fall within the scope of these audits, although the Reuters story does not specifically mention any of these agencies. Notably, in February, the Treasury, State and Health and Human Services Departments issued statements confirming compliance with the government directive at the time to phase out Anthropic tools following government order. Also read: From Mythos to reality: Anthropic launches Claude Fable 5, its most powerful public AI model Is the US government admitting that its code needs fixing? The sources cited by Reuters said the audits had already uncovered a large number of vulnerabilities. However, this should not be interpreted as an admission that government software is fundamentally broken. Large organisations routinely conduct code audits because legacy software, outdated libraries and coding errors inevitably accumulate over time. AI is now making it significantly easier to identify bugs and security vulnerabilities in large volumes of legacy code at scale, allowing agencies to fix weaknesses before they can be exploited by foreign adversaries or cybercriminals.

CISA, the US cybersecurity agency, is using Anthropic's unreleased Mythos AI to audit US government code repositories for cybersecurity flaws. This is a major shift in federal AI adoption despite earlier Trump-era restrictions against Anthropic.

US cybersecurity agency is reportedly using Anthropic's Mythos for auditing govt code. What does it mean?

Pakistan has is reportedly brokering a peace deal between Libya's rival eastern and western power centres, according to a Reuters report citing two Pakistani sources familiar with the matter. According to the Reuters report, the United States is "fully aware and involved" in Pakistan's role. This comes after Pakistan played a key role in mediating between Iran and the US to end the war that started on Feb 28. The report claimed that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are also backing the initiative by Pakistan. &nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pok-leader-appeals-to-india-for-food-medicines-as-pakistan-s-brutality-continues-1783364201637">Pok leader appeals to India for food &amp; medicines as Pakistan's brutality continues</a><h2>What's happening in Libya?</h2>Libya is split between two primary rival administrations in political deadlock. While both sides approved a unified national budget of 190 billion dinars (approx. $30 billion) in April 2026, they remain divided over control of the central government, national institutions, and the military. The power is divided between Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and the Government of National Stability (GNS) in Tobruk and Benghazi. The western-based GNU is led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah and has international recognition from the United Nations and receives primary regional support from Türkiye and Qatar. The eastern-based GNS is led by Prime Minister Osama Hammad and operates under the legislative authority of the House of Representatives. This eastern faction also enjoys the support of Libyan National Army (LNA) under Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and is backed by Egypt, the UAE, and Russia.&nbsp;<h2>What has Pakistan proposed?</h2>Reuters reported that Islamabad has proposed a "Libya Reunification Plan" that has outlined a 36-month transitional power-sharing arrangement under a body called the Government of National Consensus and Presidential Council. Under the proposal, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, the prime minister of the UN-recognised western-based Government of National Unity (GNU), would continue as prime minister during the transition. Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), would become chairman of the Presidential Council. His father, Khalifa Haftar, whose forces control several of Libya's largest oilfields and strategic infrastructure, would oversee the country's budget under the proposed arrangement.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europe-dominates-global-passport-index-2026-where-do-india-china-and-pakistan-stand-1783299438122">Europe dominates Global Passport Index 2026: Where do India, China and Pakistan stand? FULL LIST</a><h2>Pakistan mediated between Iran and US</h2>Pakistan has emerged as the primary mediator between the United States and Iran, successfully brokering a ceasefire that is a fragile one up untill now.High-level negotiations were held in Islamabad wherein US Vice President JD Vance met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iran Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf in presence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.

Pakistan is playing a behind-the-scenes role in efforts to reunify Libya by mediating between the country's rival eastern and western factions. According to Reuters, the proposal, supported by the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, envisions a 36-month transitional power-sharing government.

Pakistan has is reportedly brokering a peace deal between Libya's rival eastern and western power centres, according to a Reuters report citing two Pakistani sources familiar with the matter. According to the Reuters report, the United States is "fully aware and involved" in Pakistan's role. This comes after Pakistan played a key role in mediating between Iran and the US to end the war that started on Feb 28. The report claimed that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are also backing the initiative by Pakistan. Also Read: Pok leader appeals to India for food & medicines as Pakistan's brutality continues What's happening in Libya? Libya is split between two primary rival administrations in political deadlock. While both sides approved a unified national budget of 190 billion dinars (approx. $30 billion) in April 2026, they remain divided over control of the central government, national institutions, and the military. The power is divided between Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and the Government of National Stability (GNS) in Tobruk and Benghazi. The western-based GNU is led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah and has international recognition from the United Nations and receives primary regional support from Türkiye and Qatar. The eastern-based GNS is led by Prime Minister Osama Hammad and operates under the legislative authority of the House of Representatives. This eastern faction also enjoys the support of Libyan National Army (LNA) under Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and is backed by Egypt, the UAE, and Russia. What has Pakistan proposed? Reuters reported that Islamabad has proposed a "Libya Reunification Plan" that has outlined a 36-month transitional power-sharing arrangement under a body called the Government of National Consensus and Presidential Council. Under the proposal, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, the prime minister of the UN-recognised western-based Government of National Unity (GNU), would continue as prime minister during the transition. Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), would become chairman of the Presidential Council. His father, Khalifa Haftar, whose forces control several of Libya's largest oilfields and strategic infrastructure, would oversee the country's budget under the proposed arrangement. Also Read: Europe dominates Global Passport Index 2026: Where do India, China and Pakistan stand? FULL LIST Pakistan mediated between Iran and US Pakistan has emerged as the primary mediator between the United States and Iran, successfully brokering a ceasefire that is a fragile one up untill now.High-level negotiations were held in Islamabad wherein US Vice President JD Vance met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iran Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf in presence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.

Pakistan is playing a behind-the-scenes role in efforts to reunify Libya by mediating between the country's rival eastern and western factions. According to Reuters, the proposal, supported by the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, envisions a 36-month transitional power-sharing government.

Is Pakistan brokering a peace deal between rival factions in Libya? What reports claim

Tech giant Elon Musk might be under scanner yet again as a US federal judge has refused to overturn a jury’s finding he misled Twitter investors during his 2022 takeover saga. This verdict could cost the billionaire billions of dollars in damages. In a ruling that was delivered on Monday (July 6), US District Judge Charles Breyer rejected Musk’s request to set aside the March jury verdict. The decision is another legal setback for Musk over his handling of the high-profile acquisition that eventually saw him purchase Twitter for $44 billion before renaming the platform X.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/spacex-ipo-soars-and-elon-musk-becomes-world-s-first-trillionaire-1781288775478">SpaceX IPO soars and Elon Musk becomes world's FIRST trillionaire</a><h2>What the latest verdict says?</h2>The case centred on a series of posts Musk published in May 2022 after agreeing to acquire Twitter. Shareholders argued that his public comments questioning the prevalence of fake and spam accounts were designed to weaken the company’s market value and improve his bargaining position as he sought to renegotiate the deal or walk away from it altogether. A jury agreed with his argument in March, finding that Musk’s statements had misled investors who suffered losses after Twitter’s share price fell. &nbsp;Lawyers representing the shareholder class have estimated that the verdict, combined with prejudgment interest, could expose Musk to around $2.6 billion in damages. Mark Molumphy, counsel for the investors, welcomed the ruling, describing it as “a very good day."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-withholds-final-clearances-for-elon-musk-s-starlink-over-west-asia-war-use-report-1781116360706">India withholds final clearances for Elon Musk’s Starlink over West Asia war use: Report</a>&nbsp;The ruling said that the evidence presented during the trial was sufficient for jurors to conclude that Musk’s first disputed post was false and that concerns over automated accounts could reasonably be viewed as a pretext for escaping the original acquisition agreement. “Even if the speaker has a change of heart or a momentary regret about a transaction, such qualms do not justify lying to the investing public,” Breyer wrote. However, the judge reached a different conclusion regarding another post published days later. Because the investors failed to show that the second message had a measurable impact on Twitter’s market value, Breyer ruled that Musk could not be held liable for that particular statement. Breyer also rejected Musk’s argument that the jury’s verdict had been influenced by bias. Musk’s lawyers had pointed to the appearance of “$4.20”, highlighted in blue on the verdict form, claiming it demonstrated that jurors were mocking the billionaire and attempting to “send a message”.

A US federal judge refused to overturn a jury verdict that found Elon Musk misled Twitter investors during his 2022 takeover bid. The ruling keeps alive a lawsuit that could cost Musk billions in damages, while allowing investors to seek prejudgment interest.

Tech giant Elon Musk might be under scanner yet again as a US federal judge has refused to overturn a jury’s finding he misled Twitter investors during his 2022 takeover saga. This verdict could cost the billionaire billions of dollars in damages. In a ruling that was delivered on Monday (July 6), US District Judge Charles Breyer rejected Musk’s request to set aside the March jury verdict. The decision is another legal setback for Musk over his handling of the high-profile acquisition that eventually saw him purchase Twitter for $44 billion before renaming the platform X. Also Read: SpaceX IPO soars and Elon Musk becomes world's FIRST trillionaire What the latest verdict says? The case centred on a series of posts Musk published in May 2022 after agreeing to acquire Twitter. Shareholders argued that his public comments questioning the prevalence of fake and spam accounts were designed to weaken the company’s market value and improve his bargaining position as he sought to renegotiate the deal or walk away from it altogether. A jury agreed with his argument in March, finding that Musk’s statements had misled investors who suffered losses after Twitter’s share price fell. Lawyers representing the shareholder class have estimated that the verdict, combined with prejudgment interest, could expose Musk to around $2.6 billion in damages. Mark Molumphy, counsel for the investors, welcomed the ruling, describing it as “a very good day." Also Read: India withholds final clearances for Elon Musk’s Starlink over West Asia war use: Report The ruling said that the evidence presented during the trial was sufficient for jurors to conclude that Musk’s first disputed post was false and that concerns over automated accounts could reasonably be viewed as a pretext for escaping the original acquisition agreement. “Even if the speaker has a change of heart or a momentary regret about a transaction, such qualms do not justify lying to the investing public,” Breyer wrote. However, the judge reached a different conclusion regarding another post published days later. Because the investors failed to show that the second message had a measurable impact on Twitter’s market value, Breyer ruled that Musk could not be held liable for that particular statement. Breyer also rejected Musk’s argument that the jury’s verdict had been influenced by bias. Musk’s lawyers had pointed to the appearance of “$4.20”, highlighted in blue on the verdict form, claiming it demonstrated that jurors were mocking the billionaire and attempting to “send a message”.

A US federal judge refused to overturn a jury verdict that found Elon Musk misled Twitter investors during his 2022 takeover bid. The ruling keeps alive a lawsuit that could cost Musk billions in damages, while allowing investors to seek prejudgment interest.

Elon Musk under scrutiny again as US judge upholds Twitter investor fraud verdict

Landslide in China devastates a village near Longnan city, located in the northwestern Gansu province, resulting in the deaths of five people on Tuesday (July 7). Initially, at least 33 individuals were reported missing following the disaster. Rescue teams successfully located 21 trapped people, but five of them passed away despite receiving emergency medical care. Emergency workers are still actively searching to find the 12 individuals who remain missing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A devastating landslide near Longnan City in China's northwestern Gansu province has left five people dead and 12 others missing, prompting an urgent emergency rescue operation.

Landslide in China devastates a village near Longnan city, located in the northwestern Gansu province, resulting in the deaths of five people on Tuesday (July 7). Initially, at least 33 individuals were reported missing following the disaster. Rescue teams successfully located 21 trapped people, but five of them passed away despite receiving emergency medical care. Emergency workers are still actively searching to find the 12 individuals who remain missing.

A devastating landslide near Longnan City in China's northwestern Gansu province has left five people dead and 12 others missing, prompting an urgent emergency rescue operation.

5 killed, 12 still missing as devastating landslide hits village in northwestern China

Explosions were reported in Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday (July 7) as France’s President Emmanuel Macron met with his Syrian counterpart President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Blasts were heard as Macron entered the presidential palace to meet al-Sharaa in what is being described as a landmark visit. &nbsp;A large plume of smoke could be seen as videos of the incident circulated online. Videos also show a vehicle on fire and blood stains on the street. No group immediately claimed responsibility and the number of casualties is not known.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to Syrian reports, blast occurred near Four Seasons Hotel - where the French president was staying. Reports also said that the blasts were caused by explosive devices but there has not been an official statement from the Syrian authorities on the incident at the time of publishing the article. The French president’s office said Macron was safe and that his visit to Syria was continuing.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-israel-friendship-after-us-lifts-sanctions-israeli-foreign-minister-hint-at-expansion-of-abraham-accords-here-s-what-we-know-1751362940297">Syria-Israel friendship after US lifts sanctions? Israeli foreign minister hints at expansion of Abraham Accords - here's what we know</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Multiple explosive devices just detonated near the Damascus hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron is staying for his historic visit to Syria <a href="https://t.co/9f79VdEecu">pic.twitter.com/9f79VdEecu</a>&mdash; Emily Schrader - אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) <a href="https://x.com/emilykschrader/status/2074402885798953450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-al-qaeda-terrorist-to-trumps-tough-attractive-guy-story-of-syrian-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-9073460">From al-Qaeda terrorist to Trump's 'tough attractive guy': Story of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa</a>&nbsp;At least 18 people have been wounded with Syria’s Interior Ministry saying that four police officers were among those wounded in the blasts, the state news agency SANA reported. The Interior Ministry also told SANA that the blasts took place “outside the security zone designated for the French President’s residence, and did not pose any direct threat to the residence or the official visit programme, which is proceeding according to the planned schedule.” An investogation has been launched on the incident. “Preliminary findings indicate that the two explosive devices were improvised. One was placed inside a vehicle parked along the roadside, while the other was concealed in a trash container,” the Interior Ministry said, as cited by SANA. He said that the blasts occurred despite “unprecedented” security measures. &nbsp;

Explosions rocked Damascus on July 7 as French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Syrian capital, becoming the first major EU leader to do so since Bashar al-Assad's fall. Smoke was seen near Macron's hotel, raising fresh security concerns amid Syria's political transition.

Explosions were reported in Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday (July 7) as France’s President Emmanuel Macron met with his Syrian counterpart President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Blasts were heard as Macron entered the presidential palace to meet al-Sharaa in what is being described as a landmark visit. A large plume of smoke could be seen as videos of the incident circulated online. Videos also show a vehicle on fire and blood stains on the street. No group immediately claimed responsibility and the number of casualties is not known. According to Syrian reports, blast occurred near Four Seasons Hotel - where the French president was staying. Reports also said that the blasts were caused by explosive devices but there has not been an official statement from the Syrian authorities on the incident at the time of publishing the article. The French president’s office said Macron was safe and that his visit to Syria was continuing. Also Read: Syria-Israel friendship after US lifts sanctions? Israeli foreign minister hints at expansion of Abraham Accords - here's what we know

Explosions rocked Damascus on July 7 as French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Syrian capital, becoming the first major EU leader to do so since Bashar al-Assad's fall. Smoke was seen near Macron's hotel, raising fresh security concerns amid Syria's political transition.

Massive explosion rocks Syria near French President Macron's hotel; his office says 'he is ...'

The Iranian holy city of Qom on Tuesday (July 7) was flooded by thousands of people on the fourth day of funeral procession of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The remains of Khamenei, who was killed in joint strikes by the US and Israel on February 28, is being taken to various spots that hold deep religious and political significance for Shia Islam. On the fourth day, it is at the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, a holy city that houses Shia Islam's most influential seminaries and shrines. Aerial footage showed the Qom streets jam-packed with mourners. Khamenei will be buried on July 9 in his hometown in Mashhad.&nbsp;But one key aspect of this is the stopovers of the funeral procession in Iraq, with which Iran had fought an eight-year war from 1980. Why were the sites of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq chosen for this? As mourners from across the world bid farewell to the Iranian leader, WION decodes the significance of each stop of the funeral route.<h2>First stop - Tehran's Grand Mosalla</h2>From July 3 to July 5, Khamenei's coffin was placed at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, the country's largest state prayer complex and the traditional venue for Friday prayers led by the Supreme Leader. The place symbolises the Islamic Republic's religious and political authority. World leaders and religious figures paid their tributes to the leader at this very location. The Indian government also sent its delegation comprising of overnor of Bihar, Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain, and the Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita to represent it. Other Opposition leaders including Congress' Salman Khurshid and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti have paid their last respects. Several other influencers and religious leaders also attended the funeral.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260707/image-1783407853356.png"></figure>&nbsp;<h2>Second stop: Tehran's Imam Hossein Square to Azadi (Freedom) Square</h2>On July 6, a 10-kilometre funeral procession was held in the heart of Tehran. The procession started at Imam Hossein Square, named after Named, the third Shia Imam, and represents "martyrdom." It then passed through Tehran University, where Khamenei often delivered his most critical Friday sermons. It signifies how the new and old generations are united under Khamenei's ideas. The procession ended at Azadi (Freedom) Square - that reportedly represents "Eternal Iran." Ending the procession here shows Khamenei as the guardian of the nation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-iran-took-former-supreme-leader-ali-khamenei-s-coffin-back-to-the-site-where-he-was-killed-1783049613764">Why Iran took former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's coffin back to the site where he was killed</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260707/image-1783408107316.png"></figure><h2>Qom, the spiritual and intellectual heart of Iran</h2>On July 7, the procession is being held in Qom. It is one of Iran's holiest city which is also a centre of Shia scholarship. The body of Khamenei is placed at the Jamkaran Mosque, a site revered for its association with the awaited Mahdi, the 12th Imam. This stop reinforces the legitimacy of the Supreme Leader’s office. Unlike other shrines that house tombs, Jamkaran is built on the spot where the Mahdi is believed to have appeared to a local man in 984 AD, commanding him to build the mosque. Shias believe he will appear again.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260707/image-1783408289328.png"></figure><h2>Najaf and Karbala: Holy shrines of Imam Ali and Imam Hussein in Iraq</h2>On July 8, the funeral will cross into Iraq, stopping at the shrines of Imam Ali in Najaf and Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq. Though they are in Iraq, with which Iran had fought a long war, these two sites are the two holiest sites in Shia Islam, a shared religious heritage of both nations. By taking Khamenei's coffin to these locations, Iran is not only following a relgious practice, but is also transforming the funeral into a worldwide event that showcases pan-Shia demonstration of power, linking the Iranian leadership directly to the founding figures of the faith. While Najaf houses the shrines of Imam Ali, who is the "Commander of the Faithful," and represents the origin of Shia leadership, Karbala is the shrine of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet, who was killed in 680 AD for refusing to submit to an unjust ruler. This location is the symbol of resistance and martyrdom.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brought-america-to-its-knees-indian-pandit-s-anti-us-speech-goes-viral-as-he-attends-khamenei-s-funeral-in-iran-1783232401848">'Brought America to its knees': Indian pandit's anti-US speech goes viral as he attends Khamenei's funeral in Iran</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260707/image-1783408375829.png"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260707/image-1783408431322.png"></figure><h2>Mashhad: the burial place</h2>Mashhad in northeastern Iran is the birthplace of Khamenei. &nbsp;As per his last wish, he will be buried there on July 9. The city's name, Mashhad, literally means "Place of Martyrdom," referring to the burial site of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam. The shrine complex is another holy site, drawing over 20 million pilgrims annually. By burying Khamenei here, Iran officially sends a message worldwide that his death in a US-Israeli airstrike was "martyrdom." Some reports also pointed out that Khamenei’s burial in the Imam Reza Shrine is an aim to integrate his memory into the foundational religious fabric of Shia Islam.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260707/image-1783411054284.png"></figure>

From Tehran's Grand Mosalla to the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad and Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, every stop on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral route reflects deep religious and political importance. Why are the holy sites of Iraq included, in spite of Iran and Iraq being former enemies? 

The Iranian holy city of Qom on Tuesday (July 7) was flooded by thousands of people on the fourth day of funeral procession of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The remains of Khamenei, who was killed in joint strikes by the US and Israel on February 28, is being taken to various spots that hold deep religious and political significance for Shia Islam. On the fourth day, it is at the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, a holy city that houses Shia Islam's most influential seminaries and shrines. Aerial footage showed the Qom streets jam-packed with mourners. Khamenei will be buried on July 9 in his hometown in Mashhad. But one key aspect of this is the stopovers of the funeral procession in Iraq, with which Iran had fought an eight-year war from 1980. Why were the sites of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq chosen for this? As mourners from across the world bid farewell to the Iranian leader, WION decodes the significance of each stop of the funeral route. First stop - Tehran's Grand Mosalla From July 3 to July 5, Khamenei's coffin was placed at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, the country's largest state prayer complex and the traditional venue for Friday prayers led by the Supreme Leader. The place symbolises the Islamic Republic's religious and political authority. World leaders and religious figures paid their tributes to the leader at this very location. The Indian government also sent its delegation comprising of overnor of Bihar, Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain, and the Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita to represent it. Other Opposition leaders including Congress' Salman Khurshid and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti have paid their last respects. Several other influencers and religious leaders also attended the funeral. Second stop: Tehran's Imam Hossein Square to Azadi (Freedom) Square On July 6, a 10-kilometre funeral procession was held in the heart of Tehran. The procession started at Imam Hossein Square, named after Named, the third Shia Imam, and represents "martyrdom." It then passed through Tehran University, where Khamenei often delivered his most critical Friday sermons. It signifies how the new and old generations are united under Khamenei's ideas. The procession ended at Azadi (Freedom) Square - that reportedly represents "Eternal Iran." Ending the procession here shows Khamenei as the guardian of the nation. Also Read: Why Iran took former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's coffin back to the site where he was killed Qom, the spiritual and intellectual heart of Iran On July 7, the procession is being held in Qom. It is one of Iran's holiest city which is also a centre of Shia scholarship. The body of Khamenei is placed at the Jamkaran Mosque, a site revered for its association with the awaited Mahdi, the 12th Imam. This stop reinforces the legitimacy of the Supreme Leader’s office. Unlike other shrines that house tombs, Jamkaran is built on the spot where the Mahdi is believed to have appeared to a local man in 984 AD, commanding him to build the mosque. Shias believe he will appear again. Najaf and Karbala: Holy shrines of Imam Ali and Imam Hussein in Iraq On July 8, the funeral will cross into Iraq, stopping at the shrines of Imam Ali in Najaf and Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq. Though they are in Iraq, with which Iran had fought a long war, these two sites are the two holiest sites in Shia Islam, a shared religious heritage of both nations. By taking Khamenei's coffin to these locations, Iran is not only following a relgious practice, but is also transforming the funeral into a worldwide event that showcases pan-Shia demonstration of power, linking the Iranian leadership directly to the founding figures of the faith. While Najaf houses the shrines of Imam Ali, who is the "Commander of the Faithful," and represents the origin of Shia leadership, Karbala is the shrine of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet, who was killed in 680 AD for refusing to submit to an unjust ruler. This location is the symbol of resistance and martyrdom. Also Read: 'Brought America to its knees': Indian pandit's anti-US speech goes viral as he attends Khamenei's funeral in Iran Mashhad: the burial place Mashhad in northeastern Iran is the birthplace of Khamenei. As per his last wish, he will be buried there on July 9. The city's name, Mashhad, literally means "Place of Martyrdom," referring to the burial site of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam. The shrine complex is another holy site, drawing over 20 million pilgrims annually. By burying Khamenei here, Iran officially sends a message worldwide that his death in a US-Israeli airstrike was "martyrdom." Some reports also pointed out that Khamenei’s burial in the Imam Reza Shrine is an aim to integrate his memory into the foundational religious fabric of Shia Islam.

From Tehran's Grand Mosalla to the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad and Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, every stop on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral route reflects deep religious and political importance. Why are the holy sites of Iraq included, in spite of Iran and Iraq being former enemies?&nbsp;

Why is Khamenei's funeral procession going through former enemy nation Iraq?  Tehran to Karbala, every stop explained | WION Decodes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to New Zealand later this week, marking the first such high-level visit of an Indian PM to the country in 40 years, as both nations seek to deepen ties through trade, defence and people-to-people links. Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Muanpuii Saiawi speaking to WION'S Sidhant Sibal said that the trip builds on momentum from New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to India in March 2025. "This visit happens after 4 decades and therefore, visiting New Zealand in itself is a very important objective," she said. A key focus will be implementing the bilateral Free Trade Agreement signed in April. Saiawi highlighted a large Indian business delegation accompanying Modi to "unlock the full potential of the FTA for the mutual benefit of both our countries."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-eu-fta-will-double-trade-in-5-years-eu-ambassador-herv-delphin-tells-wion-1782801966582">India-EU FTA will double trade in 5 years, EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin tells WION</a> The Indian diaspora, numbering more than 300,000 "Kiwi Indians," is expected to play a prominent role. An event titled "Kia Ora Modi", meaning "Namaste Modi" in Māori, will bring together over 10,000 community members. High commissioner Saiawi described the diaspora as "a living bridge" that nurtures the relationship. The visit forms part of PM Modi's broader Indo-Pacific tour, taking in Indonesia and Australia. The Indian High Commissioner said it aligns with India's "MAHASAGAR" vision for security and growth, and support for a "free and open Indo-Pacific" and rules-based order.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-response-to-wion-rubio-dismisses-racist-remarks-on-indians-as-stupid-comments-video-1779613601094">In response to WION, Rubio dismisses racist remarks on Indians as 'stupid' comments - VIDEO</a><h3>Full interview of the Indian High commissioner to New Zealand Muanpuii Saiawi:</h3>&nbsp;What are the key objectives of PM Modi's historic visit to New Zealand in July 2026? This visit would build upon the momentum created when the Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon, visited India in March last year. It's important to meet our partner's face-to-face to further engage on the entire gamut of our bilateral relationship. This visit happens after 4 decades, and therefore, visiting New Zealand in itself is a very important objective. Now, a bilateral FTA was signed in April, which both you and I had witnessed and providing impetus to trade and commerce, is a very important objective. A big business delegation will also be visiting New Zealand for business level talks, and we are working towards unlocking the full potential of the FTA for the mutual benefit of both our countries. Defence and security cooperation is also important, and we'll build on the MOU that was signed last year. People are at the heart of our relationship, culture, education, and tourism, and it's 100 years of unity through sports between India and New Zealand.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-envoy-cooter-says-ties-with-india-at-best-moment-ever-energy-defence-cooperation-to-accelerate-1781118622735">Canada envoy Cooter says ties with India at ‘best moment ever’; energy, defence cooperation to accelerate</a>&nbsp;The Prime Minister of course addresses the diaspora as well. New Zealand has a big number of Indian diaspora. How do you see Diaspora playing an important role in the relationship?&nbsp;There are more than 300000; we call them Kiwi Indians here in New Zealand, and they are so excited to receive our honourable prime minister. There is an event called Kia Ora Modi that's like Namaste Modi, but in Maori language, and it would bring together over 10000 Kiwi Indians. Prime Minister Modi has always prioritised the Indian diaspora engagement in all of his foreign travels, &amp; we are very proud of the Kiwi Indians here in New Zealand, and likewise, we are very proud of the strides that India is taking under the leadership of our honourable prime minister. We call the Indian diaspora here in New Zealand like a living bridge as they are the ones who nurture the relationship.&nbsp; How much there will be a conversation on areas like defence and technology.&nbsp; Defence and security is a very strong component of the visit, and as I had mentioned, we had signed an MOU on defence cooperation last year. We had an inaugural defence strategic dialogue; we will be building on that relationship further. In terms of technology, with the free trade agreement, there are components of agri-tech, in improving productivity in agriculture and horticulture. Also in sports, there are high-performance sports. We are working very closely with New Zealand on improving the performance of our sportspersons and athletes.&nbsp;How does PM Modi's New Zealand visit fit into his broader Indo-Pacific tour?&nbsp;&nbsp;So in this current tour, the prime minister is visiting Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. If you look at all these 3 nations, including India, they are all maritime nations. This visit is in keeping with the prime minister's vision of MAHASAGAR, which is mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions, and we advocate a free and open Indo-Pacific. We advocate for resilient supply chains and a rule-based international order. As far as New Zealand is concerned, I would like to emphasise that India, New Zealand have closely worked together in the combined task force 150. Last year under New Zealand's command, India's naval ship INS Tarkash partnered with a multinational, task force, and had seized 2.5 tons of narcotics in the joint operation called operation Anzac tiger in the Western part of the Indian Ocean. These are just anecdotes and things that we do together. &nbsp;So certainly we could build on this.&nbsp; What outcomes can be expected from the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and New Zealand's leadership? So from my perspective, the thing is we want, we don't want to diverge at everything at this point of time. But one thing is, we will take stock of our bilateral relations, the entire gamut of our bilateral relations as well as international issues. There will be several MOU exchanged across many sectors, and as I had mentioned before, some of the themes will be relating to the economic part. Some on the defence, security part and some would be relating to culture, education, tourism &amp; sports.&nbsp; &nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi is set to make a historic visit to New Zealand, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years, to boost the bilateral FTA, defense ties, and connect with the 300,000-strong diaspora at the "Kia Ora Modi" event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to New Zealand later this week, marking the first such high-level visit of an Indian PM to the country in 40 years, as both nations seek to deepen ties through trade, defence and people-to-people links. Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Muanpuii Saiawi speaking to WION'S Sidhant Sibal said that the trip builds on momentum from New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to India in March 2025. "This visit happens after 4 decades and therefore, visiting New Zealand in itself is a very important objective," she said. A key focus will be implementing the bilateral Free Trade Agreement signed in April. Saiawi highlighted a large Indian business delegation accompanying Modi to "unlock the full potential of the FTA for the mutual benefit of both our countries." Also read: India-EU FTA will double trade in 5 years, EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin tells WION The Indian diaspora, numbering more than 300,000 "Kiwi Indians," is expected to play a prominent role. An event titled "Kia Ora Modi", meaning "Namaste Modi" in Māori, will bring together over 10,000 community members. High commissioner Saiawi described the diaspora as "a living bridge" that nurtures the relationship. The visit forms part of PM Modi's broader Indo-Pacific tour, taking in Indonesia and Australia. The Indian High Commissioner said it aligns with India's "MAHASAGAR" vision for security and growth, and support for a "free and open Indo-Pacific" and rules-based order. Also read: In response to WION, Rubio dismisses racist remarks on Indians as 'stupid' comments - VIDEO Full interview of the Indian High commissioner to New Zealand Muanpuii Saiawi: What are the key objectives of PM Modi's historic visit to New Zealand in July 2026? This visit would build upon the momentum created when the Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon, visited India in March last year. It's important to meet our partner's face-to-face to further engage on the entire gamut of our bilateral relationship. This visit happens after 4 decades, and therefore, visiting New Zealand in itself is a very important objective. Now, a bilateral FTA was signed in April, which both you and I had witnessed and providing impetus to trade and commerce, is a very important objective. A big business delegation will also be visiting New Zealand for business level talks, and we are working towards unlocking the full potential of the FTA for the mutual benefit of both our countries. Defence and security cooperation is also important, and we'll build on the MOU that was signed last year. People are at the heart of our relationship, culture, education, and tourism, and it's 100 years of unity through sports between India and New Zealand. Also read: Canada envoy Cooter says ties with India at ‘best moment ever’; energy, defence cooperation to accelerate The Prime Minister of course addresses the diaspora as well. New Zealand has a big number of Indian diaspora. How do you see Diaspora playing an important role in the relationship? There are more than 300000; we call them Kiwi Indians here in New Zealand, and they are so excited to receive our honourable prime minister. There is an event called Kia Ora Modi that's like Namaste Modi, but in Maori language, and it would bring together over 10000 Kiwi Indians. Prime Minister Modi has always prioritised the Indian diaspora engagement in all of his foreign travels, & we are very proud of the Kiwi Indians here in New Zealand, and likewise, we are very proud of the strides that India is taking under the leadership of our honourable prime minister. We call the Indian diaspora here in New Zealand like a living bridge as they are the ones who nurture the relationship. How much there will be a conversation on areas like defence and technology. Defence and security is a very strong component of the visit, and as I had mentioned, we had signed an MOU on defence cooperation last year. We had an inaugural defence strategic dialogue; we will be building on that relationship further. In terms of technology, with the free trade agreement, there are components of agri-tech, in improving productivity in agriculture and horticulture. Also in sports, there are high-performance sports. We are working very closely with New Zealand on improving the performance of our sportspersons and athletes. How does PM Modi's New Zealand visit fit into his broader Indo-Pacific tour? So in this current tour, the prime minister is visiting Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. If you look at all these 3 nations, including India, they are all maritime nations. This visit is in keeping with the prime minister's vision of MAHASAGAR, which is mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions, and we advocate a free and open Indo-Pacific. We advocate for resilient supply chains and a rule-based international order. As far as New Zealand is concerned, I would like to emphasise that India, New Zealand have closely worked together in the combined task force 150. Last year under New Zealand's command, India's naval ship INS Tarkash partnered with a multinational, task force, and had seized 2.5 tons of narcotics in the joint operation called operation Anzac tiger in the Western part of the Indian Ocean. These are just anecdotes and things that we do together. So certainly we could build on this. What outcomes can be expected from the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and New Zealand's leadership? So from my perspective, the thing is we want, we don't want to diverge at everything at this point of time. But one thing is, we will take stock of our bilateral relations, the entire gamut of our bilateral relations as well as international issues. There will be several MOU exchanged across many sectors, and as I had mentioned before, some of the themes will be relating to the economic part. Some on the defence, security part and some would be relating to culture, education, tourism & sports.

PM Narendra Modi is set to make a historic visit to New Zealand, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years, to boost the bilateral FTA, defense ties, and connect with the 300,000-strong diaspora at the "Kia Ora Modi" event.

Indian envoy to New Zealand Muanpuii Saiawi says PM Modi's visit to firm up ties; focus on trade, defence

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