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The "prime minister" of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, has publicly launched a war of words with Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Rathore reportedly slammed Asif for his reported remarks questioning the Kashmiri identity of residents of parts of the region. He said that people of Jammu and Kashmir do not need "validation" from Islamabad.&nbsp;In a post on the social media platform X on Friday (June 26), Rathore accused Asif of creating divisions by allegedly suggesting that residents of Rawalakot and Mirpur in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were "not proper Kashmiris".&nbsp;WION could not independently verify the reported remarks attributed to Asif.&nbsp;Responding to the reported comments, Rathore said, "People of Jammu and Kashmir do not need validation of their identity from defence minister of Pakistan Khawaja Asif or anybody else for that matter."&nbsp;He went on to criticise the veteran politician, saying, "Boomers such as him and their antics are creating divisions instead of bringing people closer."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-parisians-are-abandoning-their-homes-and-heading-outdoors-during-the-deadly-heatwave-wion-decodes-1782535651165">Why are Parisians fleeing their homes during the heatwave? WION Decodes</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">People of Jammu and Kashmir do not need validation of their identity from Defence Minister of Pakistan <a href="https://x.com/KhawajaMAsif?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KhawajaMAsif</a> or anybody else for that matter. Boomers such as him and their antics are creating divisions instead of bringing people closer. After noticing backlash on his…&mdash; Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) <a href="https://x.com/PMofAJK/status/2070522445917008076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Anchor: Regarding what you said about Rawalakot... Khawaja Asif: I said they cannot even prove their birth certificates. Anchor: You also mentioned language. By that logic, people in Multan speak Seraiki, not Punjabi. Khawaja Asif: Yes, but our languages are still quite… <a href="https://t.co/09c5YY9DN8">pic.twitter.com/09c5YY9DN8</a>&mdash; برهان الدین ‏| Burhan uddin (@burhan_uddin_0) <a href="https://x.com/burhan_uddin_0/status/2070222386511970657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>'Asif should apologise'</h2>Rathore also claimed that Asif attempted to walk back his remarks after facing criticism. "After noticing backlash on his faux pas, he's now covering up by finding faults in Azad Jammu and Kashmir's governance," Rathore wrote.&nbsp;The PoK leader was referring to what was reported as Asif's subsequent clarification, in which the Pakistan defence minister argued that Kashmiri identity was defined by years of struggle and sacrifice rather than birth certificates. Asif also reportedly pointed to alleged governance shortcomings in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir while defending his position.Rejecting that argument, Rathore urged Asif to acknowledge his original remarks instead of shifting the focus.&nbsp;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...and it's scary': Congressman on Anthropic Mythos model demo</a>&nbsp;"Sir, ask your higher-ups and they'll tell you how well we've governed. A more dignified act would be to address the elephant in the room and apologize for your original remarks instead of scapegoating our governance," Rathore said.

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s “prime minister” Faisal Mumtaz Rathore slammed Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for questioning the Kashmiri identity of residents, demanding an apology instead of governance-related deflections.

The "prime minister" of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, has publicly launched a war of words with Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Rathore reportedly slammed Asif for his reported remarks questioning the Kashmiri identity of residents of parts of the region. He said that people of Jammu and Kashmir do not need "validation" from Islamabad. In a post on the social media platform X on Friday (June 26), Rathore accused Asif of creating divisions by allegedly suggesting that residents of Rawalakot and Mirpur in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were "not proper Kashmiris". WION could not independently verify the reported remarks attributed to Asif. Responding to the reported comments, Rathore said, "People of Jammu and Kashmir do not need validation of their identity from defence minister of Pakistan Khawaja Asif or anybody else for that matter." He went on to criticise the veteran politician, saying, "Boomers such as him and their antics are creating divisions instead of bringing people closer." Also read: Why are Parisians fleeing their homes during the heatwave? WION Decodes

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s “prime minister” Faisal Mumtaz Rathore slammed Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for questioning the Kashmiri identity of residents, demanding an apology instead of governance-related deflections.

‘Ask your higher-ups, they'll tell you…’: PoK ‘PM’ slams Khawaja Asif over remarks on Kashmiris, says don’t need validation from Islamabad

An unidentified projectile hit a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (June 27), said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The vessel's bridge was damaged in the attack but no casualties have been reported so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The vessel sustained damage to their bridge; all crew are reported safe," UKMTO said.&nbsp;The vessel said to be attacked is the Panama-flagged tanker KIKU.&nbsp;The attack comes amid The US military carrying out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites, along with coastal radar locations, &nbsp;in response to an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-democrats-godless-communists-greatest-communist-speech-1782550081489">Trump calls Democrats 'godless communists', claims he would be 'the greatest communist in history'</a>&nbsp;According to CENTCOM, the strikes followed Iran's June 25 attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely as it was leaving the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast.&nbsp;In retaliation the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted locations where US forces are deployed. Though, it did not specify the locations it targeted or provide further details.&nbsp;United States President Donald Trump on Friday slammed Iran for "drone attack on Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz," and called it a "foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement". Trump alleged that a "large and expensive" cargo vessel was hit in the attack, while US forces intercepted three other drones.&nbsp;Taking to Truth Social Trump wrote, The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship. Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement.&nbsp;Iran rejected Trumps claim as "a complete lie," according to NourNews. &nbsp;

The vessel's bridge was damaged in the attack

An unidentified projectile hit a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (June 27), said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The vessel's bridge was damaged in the attack but no casualties have been reported so far. "The vessel sustained damage to their bridge; all crew are reported safe," UKMTO said. The vessel said to be attacked is the Panama-flagged tanker KIKU. The attack comes amid The US military carrying out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites, along with coastal radar locations, in response to an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. ALSO READ: Trump calls Democrats 'godless communists', claims he would be 'the greatest communist in history' According to CENTCOM, the strikes followed Iran's June 25 attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely as it was leaving the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast. In retaliation the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted locations where US forces are deployed. Though, it did not specify the locations it targeted or provide further details. United States President Donald Trump on Friday slammed Iran for "drone attack on Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz," and called it a "foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement". Trump alleged that a "large and expensive" cargo vessel was hit in the attack, while US forces intercepted three other drones. Taking to Truth Social Trump wrote, The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship. Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement. Iran rejected Trumps claim as "a complete lie," according to NourNews.

The vessel's bridge was damaged in the attack

Tanker hit by unidentified projectile in Strait of Hormuz, no casualties reported so far

Artificial Intelligence firm Anthropic recently showed some US lawmakers a demo of its Mythos model, which could identify vulnerabilities in the websites, intranets, and online systems of banking and financial institutions, among other things. The model could either fix those vulnerabilities or exploit them, potentially enabling the theft of funds from bank accounts. Andrew Garbarino, one of the lawmakers who attended the demonstration, has now spoken publicly, expressing alarm at what was shown.<h2>What House Homeland Security Committee Chair Andrew Garbarino said about Anthropic's controversial Mythos model</h2>"They showed us what it could do, and it's scary," Representative Andrew Garbarino, a New York Republican and Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, told Punchbowl News during its "Fly Out Day" programme.Garbarino said the closed-door demonstration left him shaken. During the demo, Anthropic "told the model to find a vulnerability in a bank and empty accounts, and then it went and did it," Garbarino told Punchbowl. He added that Mythos was then able to identify the vulnerability and fix it.<h2>Republican Congressman Garbarino wants the government to act on AI</h2>Garbarino said he wants Washington to move quickly on AI. The Anthropic demo showed that the government must "act soon", he said, while also acknowledging the challenges involved."I say act, but I don't know what the answer is," Garbarino said, admitting that lawmakers have been slow to respond to developments in AI. "We don't know what we have to do," he said, adding, "I'd say 95 per cent of my colleagues don't understand what the hell's going on."<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-treasury-to-test-anthropic-s-mythos-for-cyber-risks-1776229191378/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-treasury-to-test-anthropic-s-mythos-for-cyber-risks-1776229191378/embed</a><h2>Momentum builds towards AI regulation</h2>Garbarino praised US President Donald Trump's executive order directing federal agencies to prepare for AI-driven cyber threats. He also backed a discussion draft released by Representatives Jay Obernolte and Lori Trahan proposing a federal AI regulatory framework. According to Garbarino, government agencies and Congress should be given access to such advanced AI platforms before they are released to the public.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/anthropic-s-most-powerful-ai-model-gets-partial-us-approval-here-s-what-changed-1782540188737">Anthropic's most powerful AI model gets partial US approval. Here's what changed</a><h2>Demos by Anthropic, OpenAI and others are ringing alarm bells</h2>Details remain limited, but the session described by Garbarino was a private demonstration rather than a public hearing. It formed part of a broader series of briefings for US lawmakers and officials. Axios reported in April that Anthropic and OpenAI had briefed House Homeland Security Committee staff on their cyber-capable AI models during classified sessions.Garbarino's committee has also held public hearings on AI-related security issues, including a December 2025 hearing prompted by Anthropic's disclosure of a largely autonomous cyberattack linked to China.Anthropic officials also demonstrated a so-called "jailbreak", in which an AI model bypasses the safety guardrails imposed by its human developers. According to Garbarino, one unspecified model generated a plan to kidnap a lawmaker in just 30 seconds. He warned that malicious actors could use similar tools to "turn off this gas pipeline" or "increase the amount of chlorine" in a public water system. "You have the ability to not just learn how to do it, but to tell it to do it for you," he said.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-anthropic-us-now-limits-openai-s-latest-powerful-ai-model-to-domestic-users-1782514231980https://www.wionews.com/world/after-anthropic-us-now-limits-openai-s-latest-powerful-ai-model-to-domestic-users-1782514231980">After Anthropic, US now limits OpenAI's latest powerful AI model to domestic users</a><h2>What is Mythos, and how dangerous is it?</h2>Mythos is reported to be Anthropic's most advanced AI model to date. Owing to its capabilities, the company has reportedly withheld it from broad public release. The concerns centres on its ability to identify and exploit security flaws in websites, enterprise networks and other online systems. According to reports, the White House has restricted public access to Mythos and directed Anthropic to limit access to some of its most advanced AI models, including by restricting availability to certain foreign nationals, due to national security concerns.The Associated Press news agency recently reported that Mythos was able to identify vulnerabilities in classified US government systems as part of Anthropic's Project Glasswing, a limited deployment of the model to selected organisations for testing. During a US Senate hearing on 11 June, Senator Mark Warner said the tool "broke into almost all of our classified systems, not in weeks but in hours", underscoring lawmakers' concerns about the cybersecurity risks posed by highly capable AI systems.

US Congressman Andrew Garbarino revealed in an interview that Anthropic's Mythos AI model demonstrated the ability to find and exploit banking vulnerabilities. He is asking for regulation. So are many others in the government and private sectors

Artificial Intelligence firm Anthropic recently showed some US lawmakers a demo of its Mythos model, which could identify vulnerabilities in the websites, intranets, and online systems of banking and financial institutions, among other things. The model could either fix those vulnerabilities or exploit them, potentially enabling the theft of funds from bank accounts. Andrew Garbarino, one of the lawmakers who attended the demonstration, has now spoken publicly, expressing alarm at what was shown. What House Homeland Security Committee Chair Andrew Garbarino said about Anthropic's controversial Mythos model "They showed us what it could do, and it's scary," Representative Andrew Garbarino, a New York Republican and Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, told Punchbowl News during its "Fly Out Day" programme. Garbarino said the closed-door demonstration left him shaken. During the demo, Anthropic "told the model to find a vulnerability in a bank and empty accounts, and then it went and did it," Garbarino told Punchbowl. He added that Mythos was then able to identify the vulnerability and fix it. Republican Congressman Garbarino wants the government to act on AI Garbarino said he wants Washington to move quickly on AI. The Anthropic demo showed that the government must "act soon", he said, while also acknowledging the challenges involved. "I say act, but I don't know what the answer is," Garbarino said, admitting that lawmakers have been slow to respond to developments in AI. "We don't know what we have to do," he said, adding, "I'd say 95 per cent of my colleagues don't understand what the hell's going on." https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-treasury-to-test-anthropic-s-mythos-for-cyber-risks-1776229191378/embed Momentum builds towards AI regulation Garbarino praised US President Donald Trump's executive order directing federal agencies to prepare for AI-driven cyber threats. He also backed a discussion draft released by Representatives Jay Obernolte and Lori Trahan proposing a federal AI regulatory framework. According to Garbarino, government agencies and Congress should be given access to such advanced AI platforms before they are released to the public. Also read: Anthropic's most powerful AI model gets partial US approval. Here's what changed Demos by Anthropic, OpenAI and others are ringing alarm bells Details remain limited, but the session described by Garbarino was a private demonstration rather than a public hearing. It formed part of a broader series of briefings for US lawmakers and officials. Axios reported in April that Anthropic and OpenAI had briefed House Homeland Security Committee staff on their cyber-capable AI models during classified sessions. Garbarino's committee has also held public hearings on AI-related security issues, including a December 2025 hearing prompted by Anthropic's disclosure of a largely autonomous cyberattack linked to China. Anthropic officials also demonstrated a so-called "jailbreak", in which an AI model bypasses the safety guardrails imposed by its human developers. According to Garbarino, one unspecified model generated a plan to kidnap a lawmaker in just 30 seconds. He warned that malicious actors could use similar tools to "turn off this gas pipeline" or "increase the amount of chlorine" in a public water system. "You have the ability to not just learn how to do it, but to tell it to do it for you," he said. Also read: After Anthropic, US now limits OpenAI's latest powerful AI model to domestic users What is Mythos, and how dangerous is it? Mythos is reported to be Anthropic's most advanced AI model to date. Owing to its capabilities, the company has reportedly withheld it from broad public release. The concerns centres on its ability to identify and exploit security flaws in websites, enterprise networks and other online systems. According to reports, the White House has restricted public access to Mythos and directed Anthropic to limit access to some of its most advanced AI models, including by restricting availability to certain foreign nationals, due to national security concerns. The Associated Press news agency recently reported that Mythos was able to identify vulnerabilities in classified US government systems as part of Anthropic's Project Glasswing, a limited deployment of the model to selected organisations for testing. During a US Senate hearing on 11 June, Senator Mark Warner said the tool "broke into almost all of our classified systems, not in weeks but in hours", underscoring lawmakers' concerns about the cybersecurity risks posed by highly capable AI systems.

US Congressman Andrew Garbarino revealed that Anthropic's Mythos AI model demonstrated the ability to find and exploit banking vulnerabilities. He is asking for regulation. So are many others in the government and private sectors

'They showed us what it could do, and it's scary': Congressman on Anthropic Mythos model demo

US President Donald Trump, in a speech at the Faith &amp; Freedom Coalition’s annual Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton hotel on Friday, decried the Democrats as “godless communists” who pose an existential threat to America. At the same time, he bragged that he would be “the greatest communist in history”. He tried to stoke fear in the hearts of Americans in the wake of subsequent victories from Democratic Socialist candidates in the Democratic primaries, specifically in New York City.“As you saw with the communists elected in New York City recently, they're communists. They're not social democrats,” said Trump, referring to the winners at the New York City Democratic Primaries, by candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdan. Mamdani and DSA-backed Assemblymember Claire Valdez and &nbsp;Brad Lander won the Democratic primaries on Tuesday, June 23. Trump threatened that communists would destroy the American way of life. &nbsp;He warned that democrats “want to resume the transgender mutilation of children, they want to restart the war on Christians and churches, and as you saw with the communists elected in New York recently … they want to completely destroy the traditional American way of life.”It was the first time Trump was in the Hilton Hotel since his last episode of assassination attack at the White House Correspondence Dinner. “Assassinations of those who oppose them is a very important element of their ideology. Assassination is a big deal for them. They're animals, they're animals," said Trump.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-sbl-energy-alok-choudhari-sudan-explosives-1782545173191">US sanctions Indian firm SBL Energy and CEO over alleged explosives supplies to Sudan</a>He then went ahead with his speech on political economy, “Communism is very easy to sell. It destroys everything, but it is very easy. And I’ll be honest - I think I’d be the greatest communist in history.” He claimed that communism is just about distributing free rent, houses and food, “In many cases they're not smart, but in some cases they are. It's easy to get followers because they make promises that they know they can't keep, and the [establishment] Democrats aren't fighting back. That's why they're dumb.”Trump, who had been trailing in polls for going back on his campaign promises, is trying to corner the democrats by branding the entire Democratic party with the most extreme views of the left. “All communists are godless. They do not believe in God … These ruthless communists attack all religions, but in particular Christianity. They always do. They’re after Christianity more than any other religion,” said Trump while addressing a favourable niche of Christian audience. He went on to brand communism as the greatest threat America has faced in 250 years. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump: &quot;I&#39;ll be honest -- I think I&#39;d be the greatest communist in history&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ot3t4nYy6D">pic.twitter.com/ot3t4nYy6D</a>&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/2070570909790843367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Donald Trump accused Democrats of being "godless communists" at the Faith & Freedom Coalition conference and joked he would be "the greatest communist in history."

US President Donald Trump, in a speech at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s annual Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton hotel on Friday, decried the Democrats as “godless communists” who pose an existential threat to America. At the same time, he bragged that he would be “the greatest communist in history”. He tried to stoke fear in the hearts of Americans in the wake of subsequent victories from Democratic Socialist candidates in the Democratic primaries, specifically in New York City. “As you saw with the communists elected in New York City recently, they're communists. They're not social democrats,” said Trump, referring to the winners at the New York City Democratic Primaries, by candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdan. Mamdani and DSA-backed Assemblymember Claire Valdez and Brad Lander won the Democratic primaries on Tuesday, June 23. Trump threatened that communists would destroy the American way of life. He warned that democrats “want to resume the transgender mutilation of children, they want to restart the war on Christians and churches, and as you saw with the communists elected in New York recently … they want to completely destroy the traditional American way of life.” It was the first time Trump was in the Hilton Hotel since his last episode of assassination attack at the White House Correspondence Dinner. “Assassinations of those who oppose them is a very important element of their ideology. Assassination is a big deal for them. They're animals, they're animals," said Trump. Also Read: US sanctions Indian firm SBL Energy and CEO over alleged explosives supplies to Sudan He then went ahead with his speech on political economy, “Communism is very easy to sell. It destroys everything, but it is very easy. And I’ll be honest - I think I’d be the greatest communist in history.” He claimed that communism is just about distributing free rent, houses and food, “In many cases they're not smart, but in some cases they are. It's easy to get followers because they make promises that they know they can't keep, and the [establishment] Democrats aren't fighting back. That's why they're dumb.” Trump, who had been trailing in polls for going back on his campaign promises, is trying to corner the democrats by branding the entire Democratic party with the most extreme views of the left. “All communists are godless. They do not believe in God … These ruthless communists attack all religions, but in particular Christianity. They always do. They’re after Christianity more than any other religion,” said Trump while addressing a favourable niche of Christian audience. He went on to brand communism as the greatest threat America has faced in 250 years.

Donald Trump accused Democrats of being "godless communists" at the Faith &amp; Freedom Coalition conference and joked he would be "the greatest communist in history."

Trump calls Democrats 'godless communists', claims he would be 'the greatest communist in history'

The US Treasury Department has sanctioned Indian explosives manufacturing firm, SBL Energy Limited and its CEO, Alok Choudhari, for allegedly supplying over 200 shipments of explosives and explosive-related materials to a company, Target Multiactivities Company Ltd (TMAC), a Sudan-based entity controlled by Sudan's Defence Industries System (DIS). TMAC is a procurement arm that directly maintains the Sudan Armed Forces' (SAF) arsenal."These networks supply weapons, explosives, and foreign fighters to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Their support has prolonged a conflict that has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis and provided space for terrorist groups to operate," said Tommy Spigot, spokesperson of the US Department of State, in a statement.According to the US Treasury DIS, control multiple subsidiaries; it is a Sudanese conglomerate. &nbsp;It generates an estimated $2 billion in annual revenue, which it uses to finance and maintain the arsenal of the Sudanese Armed Forces through complex and opaque structures. The GIAD Industrial Group, also known as Sudan Master Technology, is a subsidiary of the DIS, masquerading as a commercial vehicle and steel manufacturer. It directly produces military vehicles, armaments, and logistical support for the SAF. The DIS's subsidiary TMAC is led by military officers, which then allows them to legally import foreign industrial components, like the Indian explosives. This then continues to target civilians, pushing any efforts to cease hostilities. The GIAD Industrial Group and DIS had been sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2013.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-global-trust-india-putin-macron-pew-survey-2026-1782537783728">Trump's global image slumps: Indians trust Putin more than Trump</a><h2>Other entities in the network</h2>The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said in its statement on Friday that the sanctions target the network. Along with SBL Energy Limited, TMAC, its general manager and senior Defence Industries System (DIS) official Tariq Hussain Muhammad Madani, it sanctioned several firms based in Sudan and Egypt. Among them are Ports Engineering Company, a SAF-aligned state-owned civil engineering firm that imported UAE military uniforms and Turkish ammunition cases, Enrique Daniel Palacios Quintanilla and Jack Peter Derman Guzman, two executives at RSF-aligned Talent Bridge SA, a company concealing mercenary recruitment from Panama, and Fredy Alejandro Lopez Ocampon, a retired Colombian officer who is involved in a transnational network deploying former Colombian soldiers to the RSF.&nbsp;

The US has sanctioned India's SBL Energy Limited and CEO Alok Choudhari over alleged explosives shipments to a Sudanese military-linked company accused of supplying the Sudan Armed Forces.

The US Treasury Department has sanctioned Indian explosives manufacturing firm, SBL Energy Limited and its CEO, Alok Choudhari, for allegedly supplying over 200 shipments of explosives and explosive-related materials to a company, Target Multiactivities Company Ltd (TMAC), a Sudan-based entity controlled by Sudan's Defence Industries System (DIS). TMAC is a procurement arm that directly maintains the Sudan Armed Forces' (SAF) arsenal. "These networks supply weapons, explosives, and foreign fighters to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Their support has prolonged a conflict that has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis and provided space for terrorist groups to operate," said Tommy Spigot, spokesperson of the US Department of State, in a statement. According to the US Treasury DIS, control multiple subsidiaries; it is a Sudanese conglomerate. It generates an estimated $2 billion in annual revenue, which it uses to finance and maintain the arsenal of the Sudanese Armed Forces through complex and opaque structures. The GIAD Industrial Group, also known as Sudan Master Technology, is a subsidiary of the DIS, masquerading as a commercial vehicle and steel manufacturer. It directly produces military vehicles, armaments, and logistical support for the SAF. The DIS's subsidiary TMAC is led by military officers, which then allows them to legally import foreign industrial components, like the Indian explosives. This then continues to target civilians, pushing any efforts to cease hostilities. The GIAD Industrial Group and DIS had been sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2013. Also Read: Trump's global image slumps: Indians trust Putin more than Trump Other entities in the network The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said in its statement on Friday that the sanctions target the network. Along with SBL Energy Limited, TMAC, its general manager and senior Defence Industries System (DIS) official Tariq Hussain Muhammad Madani, it sanctioned several firms based in Sudan and Egypt. Among them are Ports Engineering Company, a SAF-aligned state-owned civil engineering firm that imported UAE military uniforms and Turkish ammunition cases, Enrique Daniel Palacios Quintanilla and Jack Peter Derman Guzman, two executives at RSF-aligned Talent Bridge SA, a company concealing mercenary recruitment from Panama, and Fredy Alejandro Lopez Ocampon, a retired Colombian officer who is involved in a transnational network deploying former Colombian soldiers to the RSF.

The US has sanctioned India's SBL Energy Limited and CEO Alok Choudhari over alleged explosives shipments to a Sudanese military-linked company accused of supplying the Sudan Armed Forces.

US sanctions Indian firm SBL Energy and CEO over alleged explosives supplies to Sudan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to visit India from July 1 to 3 for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, marking her first official trip to New Delhi since assuming office. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership rooted in a long history of cultural ties, bilateral trade, and shared economic security initiatives. The upcoming visit will cover trade, technology, infrastructure and defence cooperation, against the backdrop of an increasingly assertive China and shifting geopolitical equations in the Indo-Pacific.<h2>What we know about India-Japan relations</h2>Over the past decade, India and Japan have transformed their relationship into what both governments describe as a "Special Strategic and Global Partnership." The relations have been defined via various agreements signed in different sectors like defence, advanced technology, supply chains, clean energy and regional security. The two countries also signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2015. The India-Japan Act East Forum was launched in 2016 to boost connectivity projects in India's Northeast and the 15th Annual Summit in 2024 further expanded cooperation through a Joint Vision Roadmap focused on clean energy, emerging technologies and space collaboration. India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) align seamlessly with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) framework. Alongside the US and Australia, both nations actively collaborate in the Quad. With Japan and China relations being a tensed one in the recent times, collaboration with India becomes an important one.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-sanae-takaichi-appears-visibly-shaken-in-viral-clip-sparks-fresh-health-concerns-video-1781418598328">Japan PM Sanae Takaichi appears visibly shaken in viral video</a><h2>What to expect from Japan PM's visit?</h2>As Takaichi makes her first visit to India and prepares to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, economic security is expected to be one of the central themes of the discussions. With global supply chains being affected due to the war between Iran and the US, both countries will look to strengthen cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing. Trade and investment are also likely to feature in the discussion as Japan remains one of India's largest development partners and investors, with both governments seeking faster implementation of infrastructure projects and greater Japanese participation in India's manufacturing sector. The collaboration in artificial intelligence, clean energy, and defence cooperation are also expected to be high on the agenda.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-sanae-takaichi-to-make-first-official-visit-to-india-in-july-1782199563773">Japan PM Sanae Takaichi to make first official visit to India in July</a><h2>Japan's growing role in India and China angle</h2>Japan has become one of India's most important partners in infrastructure development. The flagship Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, based on Japan's Shinkansen technology, remains the most visible symbol of this partnership. The project is being financed largely through ultra-concessional loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Beyond the bullet train, Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) has supported industrial corridors, metro rail systems, connectivity projects in the Northeast and other strategic infrastructure initiatives. India continues to be the largest recipient of Japanese ODA, reflecting Tokyo's long-term commitment to India's economic growth. Recent JICA loans worth over ₹11,000 crore for multiple projects further underline this partnership. The two countries are also working together on semiconductor supply chains, quality infrastructure, sustainable development and capacity building. Although neither country frames the relationship as an alliance against China, Beijing's growing economic and military influence has become an important driver of closer India-Japan cooperation.

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's first visit to India for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit is set to deepen cooperation in defence, trade, semiconductors, clean energy and emerging technologies. Here's why the summit is crucial 

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to visit India from July 1 to 3 for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, marking her first official trip to New Delhi since assuming office. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership rooted in a long history of cultural ties, bilateral trade, and shared economic security initiatives. The upcoming visit will cover trade, technology, infrastructure and defence cooperation, against the backdrop of an increasingly assertive China and shifting geopolitical equations in the Indo-Pacific. What we know about India-Japan relations Over the past decade, India and Japan have transformed their relationship into what both governments describe as a "Special Strategic and Global Partnership." The relations have been defined via various agreements signed in different sectors like defence, advanced technology, supply chains, clean energy and regional security. The two countries also signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2015. The India-Japan Act East Forum was launched in 2016 to boost connectivity projects in India's Northeast and the 15th Annual Summit in 2024 further expanded cooperation through a Joint Vision Roadmap focused on clean energy, emerging technologies and space collaboration. India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) align seamlessly with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) framework. Alongside the US and Australia, both nations actively collaborate in the Quad. With Japan and China relations being a tensed one in the recent times, collaboration with India becomes an important one. Also Read: Japan PM Sanae Takaichi appears visibly shaken in viral video What to expect from Japan PM's visit? As Takaichi makes her first visit to India and prepares to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, economic security is expected to be one of the central themes of the discussions. With global supply chains being affected due to the war between Iran and the US, both countries will look to strengthen cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing. Trade and investment are also likely to feature in the discussion as Japan remains one of India's largest development partners and investors, with both governments seeking faster implementation of infrastructure projects and greater Japanese participation in India's manufacturing sector. The collaboration in artificial intelligence, clean energy, and defence cooperation are also expected to be high on the agenda. Also Read: Japan PM Sanae Takaichi to make first official visit to India in July Japan's growing role in India and China angle Japan has become one of India's most important partners in infrastructure development. The flagship Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, based on Japan's Shinkansen technology, remains the most visible symbol of this partnership. The project is being financed largely through ultra-concessional loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Beyond the bullet train, Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) has supported industrial corridors, metro rail systems, connectivity projects in the Northeast and other strategic infrastructure initiatives. India continues to be the largest recipient of Japanese ODA, reflecting Tokyo's long-term commitment to India's economic growth. Recent JICA loans worth over ₹11,000 crore for multiple projects further underline this partnership. The two countries are also working together on semiconductor supply chains, quality infrastructure, sustainable development and capacity building. Although neither country frames the relationship as an alliance against China, Beijing's growing economic and military influence has become an important driver of closer India-Japan cooperation.

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's first visit to India for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit is set to deepen cooperation in defence, trade, semiconductors, clean energy and emerging technologies. Here's why the summit is crucial&nbsp;

Why Japan PM Sanae Takaichi's India visit is strategically significant | WION Decodes

"Did India miss the AI bus?" This is a frequently asked question at recent artificial intelligence-related events in India. Clearly, the progress has been slow. But what is the reason? The answer may lie in how low, and slow, the investment has been in AI startups, foundational AI model development, and research and development (R&amp;D). Here is a status report:<h2>India's research and development funding gap</h2>India's gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) is around 0.64 per cent of GDP. This is below the global average and far behind China, at around 2.6 per cent, and the US, at around 3.6 per cent, according to the <a href="https://power.lowyinstitute.org/data/economic-capability/technology/rnd-spending-of-gdp/">Lowy Institute</a>. Private industry funds only about 36 per cent of total R&amp;D in India, compared with more than 70 per cent in the US, China and South Korea, according to a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace analysis. It also noted that India trails the two top AI leader nations in AI patents granted, reflecting not only a spending gap but also a quality gap.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-s-digital-paradox-world-class-talent-third-world-capital-wion-expert-speak-1781084191225">India's digital paradox: World-class talent, third-world capital | WION Expert Speak</a><h2>Investment in AI startups in India reveals a capital chasm</h2>Indian AI startups raised $643 million across 100 deals in 2025, up just 4.1 per cent, while AI funding in US startups surged 141 per cent to $121 billion across 765 rounds, according to Tracxn data reported by <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/27/india-startup-funding-hits-11b-in-2025-as-investors-grow-more-selective/">TechCrunch</a>. Indian capital largely favoured application-led firms over capital-intensive foundational model developers. Investors attribute this to India's lack of large foundational AI model companies and the time required to build research depth, talent pipelines and patient capital.However, there has been a sharp upturn in 2026. Indian AI startups raised <a href="https://www.analyticsinsight.net/amp/story/startups/how-indian-ai-startups-raised-394-billion-in-just-three-months">$3.94 billion</a> in the first quarter of this year alone, more than six times the full-year 2025 total. This was led by Neysa's $600 million funding round and the momentum generated by the AI Impact Summit hosted by India, according to Analytics Insight.New Delhi has reinforced this shift with a $1.15 billion Fund of Funds and a Rs 1 trillion ($12 billion) Research, Development and Innovation scheme spanning AI, quantum computing and deep-tech technologies, as reported by TechCrunch.Much of this remains at the policy announcement and reporting stage, so its long-term durability remains to be seen. However, it is fair to say that the direction has clearly reversed.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-s-ai-problem-gaps-in-compute-hardware-infrastructure-chips-1781943963441">India's AI problem: Gaps in compute, hardware, infrastructure, chips affect readiness</a><h2>Research output: China leads, India climbs slowly</h2>China dominates high-impact research, with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's (<a href="https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/aspis-critical-technology-tracker-2025-updates-and-10-new-technologies/">ASPI</a>) Critical Technology Tracker, published in December 2025, showing China leading in 66 of 74 critical technologies like AI. India is slowly climbing up, having ranked 50th, up from 43rd a year earlier. India's weakness is concentrated in compute infrastructure and frontier AI model categories that matter most, rather than in the breadth of its research base.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/how-india-is-positioning-itself-in-an-ai-world-wion-1771597788504/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/how-india-is-positioning-itself-in-an-ai-world-wion-1771597788504/embed</a><h2>Foundational AI: India's sovereign model bet</h2>India's foundational AI model push has been stuck in the planning stage for years, but is now moving towards <a href=" https://explainx.ai/blog/india-sovereign-ai-status-indiaai-mission-2026">execution</a>. <a href=" https://www.sarvam.ai/blogs/sarvam-30b-105b">Sarvam AI </a>was selected under the IndiaAI Mission in April 2025 to build the country's first sovereign large language model (LLM) ecosystem. Sarvam's original mandate was to build a 120-billion-parameter model. It <a href="https://www.opensourceforu.com/2026/03/sarvam-releases-30b-and-105b-llms-under-apache-2-0/">released</a> two open-source models in early 2026, Sarvam-30B and Sarvam-105B, under the Apache 2.0 licence on Hugging Face and AIKosh. Both are mixture-of-experts (MoE) reasoning models trained from scratch using government-supported compute infrastructure. A separate awardee, Soket AI, retains the original 120-billion-parameter model mandate.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/forget-building-ai-india-is-yet-to-build-its-first-fully-indigenous-computer-or-mobile-phone-1781750813969">Forget building AI, India is yet to build its first fully indigenous computer or mobile phone</a> These should be viewed alongside the limitations. Sarvam's models were trained on a few thousand graphics processing units (GPUs) over several months, far below the cluster-months of more than 10,000 GPUs typically required for frontier-scale AI training. In addition, all sovereign model training continues to rely on imported NVIDIA chips, highlighting India's dependence on foreign semiconductor hardware. While India has now demonstrated that it can build and release competitive open-source AI models, closing the capability gap in frontier-scale AI systems remains the more difficult challenge.

India's AI progress has been constrained by low R&D spending and limited startup funding. The IndiaAI Mission and sovereign AI model efforts signal a significant shift in direction. Here is a status report

"Did India miss the AI bus?" This is a frequently asked question at recent artificial intelligence-related events in India. Clearly, the progress has been slow. But what is the reason? The answer may lie in how low, and slow, the investment has been in AI startups, foundational AI model development, and research and development (R&D). Here is a status report: India's research and development funding gap India's gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) is around 0.64 per cent of GDP. This is below the global average and far behind China, at around 2.6 per cent, and the US, at around 3.6 per cent, according to the Lowy Institute. Private industry funds only about 36 per cent of total R&D in India, compared with more than 70 per cent in the US, China and South Korea, according to a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace analysis. It also noted that India trails the two top AI leader nations in AI patents granted, reflecting not only a spending gap but also a quality gap. Also read: India's digital paradox: World-class talent, third-world capital | WION Expert Speak Investment in AI startups in India reveals a capital chasm Indian AI startups raised $643 million across 100 deals in 2025, up just 4.1 per cent, while AI funding in US startups surged 141 per cent to $121 billion across 765 rounds, according to Tracxn data reported by TechCrunch. Indian capital largely favoured application-led firms over capital-intensive foundational model developers. Investors attribute this to India's lack of large foundational AI model companies and the time required to build research depth, talent pipelines and patient capital. However, there has been a sharp upturn in 2026. Indian AI startups raised $3.94 billion in the first quarter of this year alone, more than six times the full-year 2025 total. This was led by Neysa's $600 million funding round and the momentum generated by the AI Impact Summit hosted by India, according to Analytics Insight. New Delhi has reinforced this shift with a $1.15 billion Fund of Funds and a Rs 1 trillion ($12 billion) Research, Development and Innovation scheme spanning AI, quantum computing and deep-tech technologies, as reported by TechCrunch. Much of this remains at the policy announcement and reporting stage, so its long-term durability remains to be seen. However, it is fair to say that the direction has clearly reversed. Also read: India's AI problem: Gaps in compute, hardware, infrastructure, chips affect readiness Research output: China leads, India climbs slowly China dominates high-impact research, with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's (ASPI) Critical Technology Tracker, published in December 2025, showing China leading in 66 of 74 critical technologies like AI. India is slowly climbing up, having ranked 50th, up from 43rd a year earlier. India's weakness is concentrated in compute infrastructure and frontier AI model categories that matter most, rather than in the breadth of its research base. https://www.wionews.com/videos/how-india-is-positioning-itself-in-an-ai-world-wion-1771597788504/embed Foundational AI: India's sovereign model bet India's foundational AI model push has been stuck in the planning stage for years, but is now moving towards execution. Sarvam AI was selected under the IndiaAI Mission in April 2025 to build the country's first sovereign large language model (LLM) ecosystem. Sarvam's original mandate was to build a 120-billion-parameter model. It released two open-source models in early 2026, Sarvam-30B and Sarvam-105B, under the Apache 2.0 licence on Hugging Face and AIKosh. Both are mixture-of-experts (MoE) reasoning models trained from scratch using government-supported compute infrastructure. A separate awardee, Soket AI, retains the original 120-billion-parameter model mandate. Also read: Forget building AI, India is yet to build its first fully indigenous computer or mobile phone These should be viewed alongside the limitations. Sarvam's models were trained on a few thousand graphics processing units (GPUs) over several months, far below the cluster-months of more than 10,000 GPUs typically required for frontier-scale AI training. In addition, all sovereign model training continues to rely on imported NVIDIA chips, highlighting India's dependence on foreign semiconductor hardware. While India has now demonstrated that it can build and release competitive open-source AI models, closing the capability gap in frontier-scale AI systems remains the more difficult challenge.

India's AI progress has been constrained by low R&amp;D spending and limited startup funding. The IndiaAI Mission and sovereign AI model efforts signal a significant shift in direction. Here is a status report

India's AI problem: Funding gap for AI startups, research and development is the core constraint

Seychelles has described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit as a landmark visit that shows deepening friendship between the two nations, coinciding with the island nation's golden jubilee of independence. Foreign Minister Barry Faure, speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, said that PM Modi's state visit to his country holds "a lot of meaning" and "bodes well for the future of our relations"."It is a historic visit, taking place at an exceptional time in the history of Seychelles," Faure said. "We are celebrating our 50th anniversary since we gained sovereignty in 1976. We are also celebrating the 50th anniversary since we established diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-pm-modi-to-visit-seychelles-for-golden-jubilee-celebrations-1782403264258">Indian PM Modi to visit Seychelles for Golden Jubilee celebrations</a>Prime Minister Modi is the chief guest for the independence celebrations, an invitation extended to reflect India's consistent support. The trip follows Seychelles President Dr Patrick Herminie's state visit to India in February.Faure highlighted India's role as a reliable partner, particularly during crises. "India is a country that has demonstrated its solidarity with neighbours and with the Global South," he said. During the COVID-19 pandemic and regional challenges, India provided critical assistance, including food security support and infrastructure aid. Seychelles also backs India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, with Faure stressing the need for African representation.Full interview:WION: How do you see PM Modi's visit to your country?&nbsp; Barry Faure: This visit is an historic visit, taking place at an exceptional time in the history of Seychelles. It is a state visit of the Prime Minister, 2nd state visit to Seychelles, and it follows from the state visit of President Dr Patrick Herminie to India in February this year. We are celebrating our 50th anniversary since we gained sovereignty in 1976. We are also celebrating the 50th anniversary since we established diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles. It is a very big event in the history of &nbsp;Seychelles. Looking forward to the visit of PM Modi, which demonstrates the strong partnership and the friendship that exists between our two countries. It holds a lot of meaning, a lot of value and bodes well for the future of our relations.WION: Prime Minister Modi will be in your country as the chief guest for the celebrations. What was the thinking behind inviting the Indian Prime Minister for this honour? Barry Faure: Since India has been a very strong and consistent loyal supporter of &nbsp;Seychelles, since the PM has been to &nbsp;Seychelles before, 10 years ago, we thought that it would be good for us to have him back here. Now that we have the new administration of PM Herminie. Being such a special friend to the Seychelles, to have him on our side on this occasion. There has been so much that has been achieved in our relations. Our relations span a wide range of areas, and we are on the cusp of taking it to the next qualitative level.WION: Any outcomes are expected during the visit? Barry Faure: Right, a number of legal instruments, which will be exchanged tomorrow at the President's state house. Number of announcements that will be made. At this point of time, I would not like to pre-empt. This visit is carefully prepared over several months, since February, when our President visited your country. We invited PM Modi to visit our country, and PM Modi expressed interest.WION: How do you see India's support to your country during COVID and during the West Asia crisis? Barry Faure: India is a country that has demonstrated its solidarity with neighbours and with the Global South. It is a country with a very strong sense of responsibility, vis-à-vis its neighbours and the global south. We are a small country in the Indian Ocean, although we have a large exclusive economic zone. We require partners like India, especially in times of crisis. We have seen with the crisis in 2020, how India responded to us and also the needs of other countries, in India's neighbourhood, in Africa. During the shortages, we have been gifted by India to support our food security and infrastructure development. We are grateful for India's graciousness. Its foreign policy of being responsible and being an important member of the international community. India is vying for, and we are supporting its call to be a member of the UNSC. Africa needs to have representation at the UNSC.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Calling India a "strong and consistent supporter", Seychelles Foreign Minister Barry Faure said PM Modi's visit carries immense significance and could take bilateral ties to a new qualitative level as both nations mark a historic double anniversary.

Seychelles has described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit as a landmark visit that shows deepening friendship between the two nations, coinciding with the island nation's golden jubilee of independence. Foreign Minister Barry Faure, speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, said that PM Modi's state visit to his country holds "a lot of meaning" and "bodes well for the future of our relations". "It is a historic visit, taking place at an exceptional time in the history of Seychelles," Faure said. "We are celebrating our 50th anniversary since we gained sovereignty in 1976. We are also celebrating the 50th anniversary since we established diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles." Also read | Indian PM Modi to visit Seychelles for Golden Jubilee celebrations Prime Minister Modi is the chief guest for the independence celebrations, an invitation extended to reflect India's consistent support. The trip follows Seychelles President Dr Patrick Herminie's state visit to India in February. Faure highlighted India's role as a reliable partner, particularly during crises. "India is a country that has demonstrated its solidarity with neighbours and with the Global South," he said. During the COVID-19 pandemic and regional challenges, India provided critical assistance, including food security support and infrastructure aid. Seychelles also backs India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, with Faure stressing the need for African representation. Full interview: WION: How do you see PM Modi's visit to your country? Barry Faure: This visit is an historic visit, taking place at an exceptional time in the history of Seychelles. It is a state visit of the Prime Minister, 2nd state visit to Seychelles, and it follows from the state visit of President Dr Patrick Herminie to India in February this year. We are celebrating our 50th anniversary since we gained sovereignty in 1976. We are also celebrating the 50th anniversary since we established diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles. It is a very big event in the history of Seychelles. Looking forward to the visit of PM Modi, which demonstrates the strong partnership and the friendship that exists between our two countries. It holds a lot of meaning, a lot of value and bodes well for the future of our relations. WION: Prime Minister Modi will be in your country as the chief guest for the celebrations. What was the thinking behind inviting the Indian Prime Minister for this honour? Barry Faure: Since India has been a very strong and consistent loyal supporter of Seychelles, since the PM has been to Seychelles before, 10 years ago, we thought that it would be good for us to have him back here. Now that we have the new administration of PM Herminie. Being such a special friend to the Seychelles, to have him on our side on this occasion. There has been so much that has been achieved in our relations. Our relations span a wide range of areas, and we are on the cusp of taking it to the next qualitative level. WION: Any outcomes are expected during the visit? Barry Faure: Right, a number of legal instruments, which will be exchanged tomorrow at the President's state house. Number of announcements that will be made. At this point of time, I would not like to pre-empt. This visit is carefully prepared over several months, since February, when our President visited your country. We invited PM Modi to visit our country, and PM Modi expressed interest. WION: How do you see India's support to your country during COVID and during the West Asia crisis? Barry Faure: India is a country that has demonstrated its solidarity with neighbours and with the Global South. It is a country with a very strong sense of responsibility, vis-à-vis its neighbours and the global south. We are a small country in the Indian Ocean, although we have a large exclusive economic zone. We require partners like India, especially in times of crisis. We have seen with the crisis in 2020, how India responded to us and also the needs of other countries, in India's neighbourhood, in Africa. During the shortages, we have been gifted by India to support our food security and infrastructure development. We are grateful for India's graciousness. Its foreign policy of being responsible and being an important member of the international community. India is vying for, and we are supporting its call to be a member of the UNSC. Africa needs to have representation at the UNSC.

Calling India a "strong and consistent supporter", Seychelles Foreign Minister Barry Faure said PM Modi's visit carries immense significance and could take bilateral ties to a new qualitative level as both nations mark a historic double anniversary.

'India is a special friend': Seychelles FM Barry Faure ahead of PM Modi's visit

The confidence in Trump's leadership has significantly flipped in India. 51 per cent of Indian respondents express confidence in Putin to manage global affairs, compared to only 39 per cent who trust in Trump's capability. The report also suggests that the majority of Indians disapprove of Trump on a wide spectrum of global policy issues, from handling of Iran, Venezuela, global tariffs and immigration policies. Roughly 17 per cent approve of Trump's handling of Venezuela, while 28 per cent approve of his handling of Iran, 18 per cent of Indians approve of Trump's global tariff policy, and only 32 per cent have a favourable view of Trump's restrictive immigration policy.&nbsp;<h2>India is the only outlier</h2>The majority of Indians, approximately 80 per cent, think Trump is "arrogant" and 65 per cent think he is a “dangerous leader”. But a significant 67 per cent majority also described him as a "strong leader". Among 17 middle-income countries, only Indians have a comparatively favourable view of US interference in other countries, 47 per cent think the US does interfere, while 30 per cent think the US does not. This shows that while Indians find the US policy unfavourable, there is still a large division among the Indian population about the true US motivation on the world stage. India is an outlier, whereas most of the middle-income countries have a median of 75 per cent who think that the US interferes in other countries' internal policies. Despite growing closeness between the US and Pakistan, only 12 per cent of Pakistanis express confidence in Trump, while a massive 82 per cent report no confidence at all.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wild-elephant-attacks-air-force-bus-sri-lanka-1782481145460">Watch: Wild elephant attacks Air Force bus in Sri Lanka, passengers escape unhurt</a><h2>Emmanuel Macron has the highest confidence globally&nbsp;</h2>French President Emmanuel Macron commands the most trust globally, among the major world leaders, in Pew Research Centre’s multi-nation June leadership comparisons. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping command more trust than US President Donald Trump globally, according to the survey released on Tuesday. The survey, which covered 42,151 adults in 36 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Gulf region, was conducted between February 8 and May 13, 2026. It shows that Macron sits at the top of the leaderboard with 43 per cent confidence, followed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at 35 per cent, Chinese President Xi Jinping at 34 per cent, Russian President Vladimir Putin at 31 per cent, US President Donald Trump at 23 per cent, and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at last with only 18 per cent confidence in his leadership to manage the international affairs.<h2>The irony of Macron's confidence</h2>While French President Emmanuel Macron commands the most approval rating globally, a separate domestic polling tracked by Statista shows that Macron's approval rating within France sits at a historic low of just 18 per cent, with more than 75 per cent disapprove of his leadership. This makes him the least popular democratically elected leader while being the most trusted leader internationally.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pew survey finds Indians trust Putin more than Trump on global affairs. Macron ranks highest globally, while Trump's ratings decline across key issues.

The confidence in Trump's leadership has significantly flipped in India. 51 per cent of Indian respondents express confidence in Putin to manage global affairs, compared to only 39 per cent who trust in Trump's capability. The report also suggests that the majority of Indians disapprove of Trump on a wide spectrum of global policy issues, from handling of Iran, Venezuela, global tariffs and immigration policies. Roughly 17 per cent approve of Trump's handling of Venezuela, while 28 per cent approve of his handling of Iran, 18 per cent of Indians approve of Trump's global tariff policy, and only 32 per cent have a favourable view of Trump's restrictive immigration policy. India is the only outlier The majority of Indians, approximately 80 per cent, think Trump is "arrogant" and 65 per cent think he is a “dangerous leader”. But a significant 67 per cent majority also described him as a "strong leader". Among 17 middle-income countries, only Indians have a comparatively favourable view of US interference in other countries, 47 per cent think the US does interfere, while 30 per cent think the US does not. This shows that while Indians find the US policy unfavourable, there is still a large division among the Indian population about the true US motivation on the world stage. India is an outlier, whereas most of the middle-income countries have a median of 75 per cent who think that the US interferes in other countries' internal policies. Despite growing closeness between the US and Pakistan, only 12 per cent of Pakistanis express confidence in Trump, while a massive 82 per cent report no confidence at all. Also Read: Watch: Wild elephant attacks Air Force bus in Sri Lanka, passengers escape unhurt Emmanuel Macron has the highest confidence globally French President Emmanuel Macron commands the most trust globally, among the major world leaders, in Pew Research Centre’s multi-nation June leadership comparisons. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping command more trust than US President Donald Trump globally, according to the survey released on Tuesday. The survey, which covered 42,151 adults in 36 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Gulf region, was conducted between February 8 and May 13, 2026. It shows that Macron sits at the top of the leaderboard with 43 per cent confidence, followed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at 35 per cent, Chinese President Xi Jinping at 34 per cent, Russian President Vladimir Putin at 31 per cent, US President Donald Trump at 23 per cent, and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at last with only 18 per cent confidence in his leadership to manage the international affairs. The irony of Macron's confidence While French President Emmanuel Macron commands the most approval rating globally, a separate domestic polling tracked by Statista shows that Macron's approval rating within France sits at a historic low of just 18 per cent, with more than 75 per cent disapprove of his leadership. This makes him the least popular democratically elected leader while being the most trusted leader internationally.

Pew survey finds Indians trust Putin more than Trump on global affairs. Macron ranks highest globally, while Trump's ratings decline across key issues.

Trump's global image slumps: Indians trust Putin more than Trump

France and rest of Europe is witnessing deadly heatwave and Parisians are flocking outdoors to tackle with the heat. While it is advised to avoid outside spaces in summers in India, parks and open spaces have been asked to be open 24 hours in Paris to help the residents amid extreme heat. As Parisians head outside, they resort to their peak summer habit - drinking - which in turn leads to health issues. To tackle the increasing hospitalisation, authorities banned public drinking and sale of alcohol in the weekends after evening hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;As temperature soars making this summer unbearable for people in Europe, we look at why living indoors in Paris is impossible and why drinking had to be banned by authorities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Read More: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-tourism-disrupted-here-s-why-eiffel-tower-and-louvre-closing-early-this-week-1782272445313">Hottest summer since 1947: How is 2026 France heatwave affecting Paris tourism</a><h2>Why is staying indoors becoming unbearable in Paris?</h2>Most of the picturesque apartments in Paris use sheets of zinc as covering on their rooftops. Though zinc rooftops give Paris its iconic grey skyline and make the city's historic buildings visually striking, the material also has a major drawback during extreme heat. Zinc is an excellent conductor of heat, meaning it absorbs the sun's rays throughout the day and transfers that heat into the apartments directly beneath the roof. While this property is beneficial during the colder months, helping homes retain warmth in winter, it becomes a serious disadvantage during heatwaves.&nbsp;&nbsp;While these zinc rooftops are part of a UNESCO-recognised cultural heritage, air conditioning remains extremely rare in Parisian apartments. Most of the city's buildings are protected by strict heritage preservation rules that limit structural alterations or the installation of visible external AC units. This forces Parisans to head outdoor during severe heatwaves. The design of many Parisian apartments has made the ongoing heatwave difficult to endure not only for locals but also for people of other nationalities. With daytime temperatures climbing above 40°C (104°F) and nights remaining as warm as 25°C (77°F), many residents and visitors say staying indoors has become almost unbearable.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-massive-rush-for-acs-as-france-heatwave-sparks-chaos-inside-store-1782529837804/amp">WATCH: Massive rush for ACs as France heatwave sparks chaos inside store</a>&nbsp;With a temperate climate, France is accustomed to relatively mild summers, where temperatures typically hover between 20°C and 30°C. The current heatwave, however, has shattered those norms, with temperatures crossing 40°C—well above seasonal averages. The persistent heat, including unusually warm nights, has made it difficult for buildings to shed accumulated heat, forcing many residents to seek relief outdoors.<h2>Why do French people drink outdoors?</h2>French people have a habit of sipping wine, beer, in summer time - a social ritual called 'l'apéro'. Derived from the Latin word aperire, which means "to open", the tradition is designed to "open" the appetite and unwind with friends or family before dinner. During the summer, this culture shifts directly onto outdoor, a specific habit known as prendre un verre en terrasse (having a drink on the terrace). Though, the irony is, most Paris apaqrtments do not have balconies and are extremely confined with no open spaces, such as living room, etc. With rising temperatures, and indoors becoming unbearable, people take to open space. Drinking alcohol in public isn't banned in France, so people resort to their habit. This becomes deadly as alcohol forces the body to lose fluids rapidly, leading to hospitalisation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

France's record-breaking heatwave has transformed life in Paris, with residents sleeping in parks, rushing to buy air conditioners, and avoiding overheated apartments with zinc rooftops. Authorities have kept parks open overnight as soaring temperatures reshape daily life

France and rest of Europe is witnessing deadly heatwave and Parisians are flocking outdoors to tackle with the heat. While it is advised to avoid outside spaces in summers in India, parks and open spaces have been asked to be open 24 hours in Paris to help the residents amid extreme heat. As Parisians head outside, they resort to their peak summer habit - drinking - which in turn leads to health issues. To tackle the increasing hospitalisation, authorities banned public drinking and sale of alcohol in the weekends after evening hours. As temperature soars making this summer unbearable for people in Europe, we look at why living indoors in Paris is impossible and why drinking had to be banned by authorities. Read More: Hottest summer since 1947: How is 2026 France heatwave affecting Paris tourism Why is staying indoors becoming unbearable in Paris? Most of the picturesque apartments in Paris use sheets of zinc as covering on their rooftops. Though zinc rooftops give Paris its iconic grey skyline and make the city's historic buildings visually striking, the material also has a major drawback during extreme heat. Zinc is an excellent conductor of heat, meaning it absorbs the sun's rays throughout the day and transfers that heat into the apartments directly beneath the roof. While this property is beneficial during the colder months, helping homes retain warmth in winter, it becomes a serious disadvantage during heatwaves. While these zinc rooftops are part of a UNESCO-recognised cultural heritage, air conditioning remains extremely rare in Parisian apartments. Most of the city's buildings are protected by strict heritage preservation rules that limit structural alterations or the installation of visible external AC units. This forces Parisans to head outdoor during severe heatwaves. The design of many Parisian apartments has made the ongoing heatwave difficult to endure not only for locals but also for people of other nationalities. With daytime temperatures climbing above 40°C (104°F) and nights remaining as warm as 25°C (77°F), many residents and visitors say staying indoors has become almost unbearable. WATCH: Massive rush for ACs as France heatwave sparks chaos inside store With a temperate climate, France is accustomed to relatively mild summers, where temperatures typically hover between 20°C and 30°C. The current heatwave, however, has shattered those norms, with temperatures crossing 40°C—well above seasonal averages. The persistent heat, including unusually warm nights, has made it difficult for buildings to shed accumulated heat, forcing many residents to seek relief outdoors. Why do French people drink outdoors? French people have a habit of sipping wine, beer, in summer time - a social ritual called 'l'apéro'. Derived from the Latin word aperire, which means "to open", the tradition is designed to "open" the appetite and unwind with friends or family before dinner. During the summer, this culture shifts directly onto outdoor, a specific habit known as prendre un verre en terrasse (having a drink on the terrace). Though, the irony is, most Paris apaqrtments do not have balconies and are extremely confined with no open spaces, such as living room, etc. With rising temperatures, and indoors becoming unbearable, people take to open space. Drinking alcohol in public isn't banned in France, so people resort to their habit. This becomes deadly as alcohol forces the body to lose fluids rapidly, leading to hospitalisation.

France's record-breaking heatwave has transformed life in Paris, with residents sleeping in parks, rushing to buy air conditioners, and avoiding overheated apartments with zinc rooftops. Authorities have kept parks open overnight as soaring temperatures reshape daily life

Why Parisians are abandoning their homes and heading outdoors during the deadly heatwave | WION Decodes

Israel’s official X account has deleted a post promoting a new country-exclusive Ben &amp; Jerry’s flavour following a wave of online criticism linking the campaign to the ongoing war in Gaza. The deleted post, uploaded Tuesday (Jun 23), introduced a "Milk and Honey" flavour, calling it the country's "official ice cream."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/you-will-be-quiet-israel-and-un-officials-clash-in-fiery-exchange-over-report-on-abuse-of-palestinian-children-by-israeli-settlers-watch-video-1781921810472">'You will be quiet': Israel and UN officials clash in fiery exchange over report on abuse of Palestinian children by Israeli settlers | WATCH</a>According to promotional material from Ben &amp; Jerry's Israel, the flavour was launched to support southern Israeli communities. The company noted that the milk and cream are sourced from dairy farms in Kibbutz Alumim, the honey comes from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, and the chocolate Star of David pieces are manufactured at a factory in Beersheba.

According to promotional material from Ben &amp; Jerry's Israel, the flavour was launched to support southern Israeli communities. The company noted that the milk and cream are sourced from dairy farms in Kibbutz Alumim, the honey comes from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, and the chocolate Star of David pieces are manufactured at a factory in Beersheba.

Israel deletes Ben & Jerry's ice cream post after 'Genocidaires' mockery online

<h2>Backlash over 'Genocidaires' flavour</h2>The announcement immediately drew fierce blowback on social media, with critics pointing to the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Users quickly circulated mock-ups of the packaging, with one user editing the label to read "Genocidaires' Delight." Others commented that the product “tastes like genocide.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://t.co/2U8qnj9UCP">pic.twitter.com/2U8qnj9UCP</a>&mdash; Potato Of Reason (@PotatoOfReason) <a href="https://x.com/PotatoOfReason/status/2069450470381195466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fixed it for you <a href="https://t.co/OQ8CGGr2Uk">pic.twitter.com/OQ8CGGr2Uk</a>&mdash; MasterChungus (@Copelander73) <a href="https://x.com/Copelander73/status/2069482364837802483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The digital pushback comes amid renewed international focus on the conflict. A United Nations commission report released this week accused Israel of grave violations against Palestinian children in Gaza. Israel has consistently denied all accusations of genocide and war crimes.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-is-not-a-bluff-putin-facing-mutiny-russian-commander-warns-army-would-turn-guns-on-kremlin-demands-live-showdown-with-president-1782438532611">'This is not a bluff': Putin facing mutiny? Russian commander warns army would 'turn guns on Kremlin' unless... | WATCH</a><h2>Ben &amp; Jerry's: A fractured brand</h2>The fallout also highlights the messy, ongoing corporate rift between the local Israeli franchise and Ben &amp; Jerry's global brand.Ben &amp; Jerry's Israel operates independently from its US parent company. The current arrangement stems from a 2022 deal where parent company Unilever sold the local business rights to Israeli licensee Avi Zinger, allowing him to continue sales across Israel and the occupied West Bank.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Great question from @Milliedrewgeorge and one I want to clear up: In 2000 Ben &amp; Jerry’s was sold to Unilever as a publicly held corporation. Jerry and I did everything that we could to try to keep it independent, but SEC rules forced the board to make a decision to have the… <a href="https://t.co/O4IwUARph7">pic.twitter.com/O4IwUARph7</a>&mdash; Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) <a href="https://x.com/YoBenCohen/status/2069522836813705587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That move was designed to bypass a 2021 decision by Ben &amp; Jerry’s independent board, which had announced it would halt sales in occupied Palestinian territories because doing so clashed with the company's progressive values.The decision triggered a protracted legal battle between the brand's founders, its board, and Unilever. Co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have been vocal supporters of Palestinian rights and critics of Israel's military operations. Last year, Cohen announced plans for a separate watermelon-flavoured ice cream to promote peace in Palestine, alleging that Unilever had blocked similar corporate initiatives.

Israel has deleted a social media post promoting a new Israel-exclusive Ben &amp; Jerry's flavour after users flooded X with criticism and mock labels such as "Genocidaires' Delight." The backlash quickly turned a marketing campaign into a political flashpoint tied to the ongoing Gaza war.

Israel’s official X account has deleted a post promoting a new country-exclusive Ben & Jerry’s flavour following a wave of online criticism linking the campaign to the ongoing war in Gaza. The deleted post, uploaded Tuesday (Jun 23), introduced a "Milk and Honey" flavour, calling it the country's "official ice cream." Also read | 'You will be quiet': Israel and UN officials clash in fiery exchange over report on abuse of Palestinian children by Israeli settlers | WATCH According to promotional material from Ben & Jerry's Israel, the flavour was launched to support southern Israeli communities. The company noted that the milk and cream are sourced from dairy farms in Kibbutz Alumim, the honey comes from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, and the chocolate Star of David pieces are manufactured at a factory in Beersheba.

Israel has deleted a social media post promoting a new Israel-exclusive Ben &amp; Jerry's flavour after users flooded X with criticism and mock labels such as "Genocidaires' Delight." The backlash quickly turned a marketing campaign into a political flashpoint tied to the ongoing Gaza war.

Israel deletes post promoting Ben & Jerry's new 'Genocidaires' ice cream after online backlash

As a record-breaking heatwave grips large parts of Europe, authorities are increasingly worried about what happens when soaring temperatures collide with alcohol. Paris has even put a temporary ban on public drinking because hospitals are getting overburdened. As per reports, in just one 24-hour period, as the temperature spiked, cardiac arrests went up four times over.It leaves everyone asking the same question: Is a cold drink in a heatwave really that bad? Well, yeah. But it's not about the drink itself; it is about what alcohol does to your body’s internal thermostat.<h2>The hydration trap</h2>In heat, your body sweats to cool itself and loses water in the process. Alcohol, meanwhile, drains you from the inside out. It's a diuretic, which is just a medical way of saying it forces your body to pee out way more liquid than you're actually drinking.If we talk about a standard shot of whisky. That tiny bit of liquor (25ml)forces your body to dump about four times its volume in urine (100ml).Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ac-nation-how-singapore-beats-the-heat-offers-lesson-for-india-other-nations-facing-super-el-ni-o-slow-monsoon-heatwaves-1782386547272">‘AC Nation’ Singapore's lessons for India, other nations amid Super El Niño heat</a><h2>What alcohol does to your heart</h2>When it gets hot, your body tries to cool down by widening the blood vessels near your skin to let heat escape. You're also sweating, which drops your overall blood volume.When you add alcohol, it forces those blood vessels to open up even wider. Low blood volume plus wide-open vessels equals a massive drop in blood pressure. Suddenly, your heart has to pump like crazy just to keep oxygen moving to your brain and organs. That's why people get dizzy or faint.Even worse, when you dehydrate, you lose electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Your heart needs those to keep a steady rhythm. Lose too many, and you risk an irregular heartbeat or, in worst-case scenarios, a heart attack.<h2>Blurring the warning signs</h2>Alcohol also paves the way for heatstroke, which is a literal life-or-death emergency where your body's cooling system just breaks down. Because you're dehydrated, you stop sweating properly.But the biggest issue is your brain. A few drinks in, and you're probably not going to notice that your headache, nausea, or racing pulse is actually a medical emergency. You miss the warning signs until it's too late.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/it-will-melt-your-face-off-heat-dome-to-scorch-united-states-through-july-4-1782533265772">'It will melt your face off': Heat dome to scorch United States through July 4</a><h2>So, should you completely avoid alcohol?</h2>Not necessarily. Doctors find that if you just tell people "don't drink," they don't automatically reach for water or juice instead; they just drink nothing, which makes them even more dehydrated. If you're going to have a drink, skip the heavy liquor and cocktails. Stick to something weak, like a low-ABV beer, pace yourself, and chug water alongside it.

A heatwave already puts stress on the body. Add alcohol to the mix, and the risks multiply. From dehydration and fainting to irregular heart rhythms and heatstroke, experts say drinking in extreme heat can quickly become dangerous.

As a record-breaking heatwave grips large parts of Europe, authorities are increasingly worried about what happens when soaring temperatures collide with alcohol. Paris has even put a temporary ban on public drinking because hospitals are getting overburdened. As per reports, in just one 24-hour period, as the temperature spiked, cardiac arrests went up four times over. It leaves everyone asking the same question: Is a cold drink in a heatwave really that bad? Well, yeah. But it's not about the drink itself; it is about what alcohol does to your body’s internal thermostat. The hydration trap In heat, your body sweats to cool itself and loses water in the process. Alcohol, meanwhile, drains you from the inside out. It's a diuretic, which is just a medical way of saying it forces your body to pee out way more liquid than you're actually drinking. If we talk about a standard shot of whisky. That tiny bit of liquor (25ml)forces your body to dump about four times its volume in urine (100ml). Also read | ‘AC Nation’ Singapore's lessons for India, other nations amid Super El Niño heat What alcohol does to your heart When it gets hot, your body tries to cool down by widening the blood vessels near your skin to let heat escape. You're also sweating, which drops your overall blood volume. When you add alcohol, it forces those blood vessels to open up even wider. Low blood volume plus wide-open vessels equals a massive drop in blood pressure. Suddenly, your heart has to pump like crazy just to keep oxygen moving to your brain and organs. That's why people get dizzy or faint. Even worse, when you dehydrate, you lose electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Your heart needs those to keep a steady rhythm. Lose too many, and you risk an irregular heartbeat or, in worst-case scenarios, a heart attack. Blurring the warning signs Alcohol also paves the way for heatstroke, which is a literal life-or-death emergency where your body's cooling system just breaks down. Because you're dehydrated, you stop sweating properly. But the biggest issue is your brain. A few drinks in, and you're probably not going to notice that your headache, nausea, or racing pulse is actually a medical emergency. You miss the warning signs until it's too late. Also read | 'It will melt your face off': Heat dome to scorch United States through July 4 So, should you completely avoid alcohol? Not necessarily. Doctors find that if you just tell people "don't drink," they don't automatically reach for water or juice instead; they just drink nothing, which makes them even more dehydrated. If you're going to have a drink, skip the heavy liquor and cocktails. Stick to something weak, like a low-ABV beer, pace yourself, and chug water alongside it.

A heatwave already puts stress on the body. Add alcohol to the mix, and the risks multiply. From dehydration and fainting to irregular heart rhythms and heatstroke, experts say drinking in extreme heat can quickly become dangerous.

Beat the heat: Why Europe is banning alcohol in heatwave, and why drinking in hot weather is a bad idea

The United States is the next part of the world that will be engulfed by a heat dome. Temperatures will soar above 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country in the coming days. This lid that keeps hot air positioned over one region will cover the central and eastern US. According to a meteorologist, North Carolina would feel the most effects of the scorching heat. Meteorologist Ryan Maue has warned that in Raleigh, the extreme heat will "melt your face off", where temperatures will hover at 41 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) on July 3. Neatly 271 million Americans will bake under 33 degrees, which will feel like 47 degrees Celsius with the humidity. The heat dome will reach its peak strength between July 2 and July 4, ushering in the most dangerous period. The Southeast and Carolinas will be the most affected.&nbsp;The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a High Risk warning for extreme heat in parts of the Mid-Atlantic through July 2. "Widespread temperatures into the 90s to low 100s, combined with high humidity, will result in heat indices approaching or exceeding 105-110 in many places," NOAA forecasters stated.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/europe-s-heatwaves-threaten-to-push-127-million-into-poverty-by-2100-1782369833103">Europe's heatwaves threaten to push 127 million into poverty by 2100, study finds</a><h2>Sun will bake Fourth of July weekend</h2>Initially, two smaller heat domes will form over the Southwest and subtropical Atlantic. With the humidity, temperatures in the 30s would feel like 41, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The heat will continue to batter the regions from the end of June into early July. Alex Sosnowski said in a statement, "A multiday heat wave is brewing across the middle of the nation ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, expanding from the Plains to the Midwest and even nosing into the East."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-is-omega-block-europe-heatwave-1782385542948">Omega Block is baking Europe, and humans have amplified it - How does it form and work?</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-satellite-photo-shows-super-el-ni-o-has-elevated-sea-levels-in-pacific-1782134815575">NASA satellite photo shows Super El Niño has triggered a very specific change in the Pacific</a>&nbsp;Experts say that this would be an unprecedented time this year, with several parts of the Central and Eastern US witnessing 90-degree temperatures. Chicago is likely to see five consecutive days with highs of 33 degrees Celsius or above next week. The conditions would be much worse in St. Louis when the heat could take over for eight straight days. The heat dome will expand eastward next week, causing the conditions to worsen.<h2>What is a heat dome?</h2> It is a powerful weather phenomenon that has Europe in its grasp already. It is a high-pressure area that traps hot air over a specific region, pushing and holding it down over one area. It prevents the formation of clouds, essentially baking the ground under with sunshine due to a lack of cover. The temperatures remain dangerously high, creating life-threatening conditions.&nbsp; &nbsp;A Super El Niño has swept the globe this year, which will lead to extreme heat, droughts and floods across the world. Europe and India are already feeling the effects, and the US is next.

The week leading up to the Fourth of July weekend will be extremely hot for parts of the United States as temperatures can go as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Even with temperatures near 90 F in other parts, it would feel like 105 F. This is because of the heat dome.

The United States is the next part of the world that will be engulfed by a heat dome. Temperatures will soar above 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country in the coming days. This lid that keeps hot air positioned over one region will cover the central and eastern US. According to a meteorologist, North Carolina would feel the most effects of the scorching heat. Meteorologist Ryan Maue has warned that in Raleigh, the extreme heat will "melt your face off", where temperatures will hover at 41 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) on July 3. Neatly 271 million Americans will bake under 33 degrees, which will feel like 47 degrees Celsius with the humidity. The heat dome will reach its peak strength between July 2 and July 4, ushering in the most dangerous period. The Southeast and Carolinas will be the most affected. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a High Risk warning for extreme heat in parts of the Mid-Atlantic through July 2. "Widespread temperatures into the 90s to low 100s, combined with high humidity, will result in heat indices approaching or exceeding 105-110 in many places," NOAA forecasters stated. Also Read: Europe's heatwaves threaten to push 127 million into poverty by 2100, study finds Sun will bake Fourth of July weekend Initially, two smaller heat domes will form over the Southwest and subtropical Atlantic. With the humidity, temperatures in the 30s would feel like 41, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The heat will continue to batter the regions from the end of June into early July. Alex Sosnowski said in a statement, "A multiday heat wave is brewing across the middle of the nation ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, expanding from the Plains to the Midwest and even nosing into the East." Also Read: Omega Block is baking Europe, and humans have amplified it - How does it form and work? Also Read: NASA satellite photo shows Super El Niño has triggered a very specific change in the Pacific Experts say that this would be an unprecedented time this year, with several parts of the Central and Eastern US witnessing 90-degree temperatures. Chicago is likely to see five consecutive days with highs of 33 degrees Celsius or above next week. The conditions would be much worse in St. Louis when the heat could take over for eight straight days. The heat dome will expand eastward next week, causing the conditions to worsen. What is a heat dome? It is a powerful weather phenomenon that has Europe in its grasp already. It is a high-pressure area that traps hot air over a specific region, pushing and holding it down over one area. It prevents the formation of clouds, essentially baking the ground under with sunshine due to a lack of cover. The temperatures remain dangerously high, creating life-threatening conditions. A Super El Niño has swept the globe this year, which will lead to extreme heat, droughts and floods across the world. Europe and India are already feeling the effects, and the US is next.

The week leading up to the Fourth of July weekend will be extremely hot for parts of the United States as temperatures can go as high as 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Even with temperatures near 90 F in other parts, it would feel like 105 F. This is because of the heat dome.

'It will melt your face off': Heat dome to scorch United States through July 4

An earthquake of magnitude 5.4 struck Pakistan on Saturday morning, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. The quake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometres (22 miles) at 8:36 am local time. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.&nbsp;The earthquake comes hours after another quake measuring 4.7 struck off the northern coast of Venezuela, which was already reeling from the twin quakes that resulted in widespread devastation across the country. The latest tremor was recorded 61 kilometres northwest of Maracay, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.The death toll in the disaster has reached 920, with tens of thousands reported missing as rescue teams race to search for survivors under the collapsed buildings. Authorities expect the number to rise further as thousands were injured and more than 50,000 remain missing. The two quakes, one magnitude 7.2 and the other 7.5, struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening, flattening buildings in the northern parts of the country. The worst-hit area was La Guaira, near the capital Caracas, where entire residential blocks collapsed.&nbsp;Rescue teams on the ground said the scale of the destruction has made the search for survivors extremely difficult."Unfortunately, the collapse is total, and there is little chance of finding survivors," said rescue team leader Nadiomar Polanco, adding that efforts were now focused on recovering bodies from the site.In several neighbourhoods, residents, volunteers, and families are still clearing rubble manually, with limited access to heavy machinery and what many describe as insufficient official support. Some people in the most severely affected areas say government assistance has yet to reach them in a meaningful way.Meanwhile, international assistance is now being mobilised. Search-and-rescue teams from Spain, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia, and Mexico have already arrived at the site. The United States has also committed a disaster response deployment of more than 250 personnel, including specialised rescue teams and trained dogs.&nbsp;

Earthquake of magnitude 5.4 strikes Pakistan

An earthquake of magnitude 5.4 struck Pakistan on Saturday morning, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. The quake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometres (22 miles) at 8:36 am local time. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The earthquake comes hours after another quake measuring 4.7 struck off the northern coast of Venezuela, which was already reeling from the twin quakes that resulted in widespread devastation across the country. The latest tremor was recorded 61 kilometres northwest of Maracay, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. The death toll in the disaster has reached 920, with tens of thousands reported missing as rescue teams race to search for survivors under the collapsed buildings. Authorities expect the number to rise further as thousands were injured and more than 50,000 remain missing. The two quakes, one magnitude 7.2 and the other 7.5, struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening, flattening buildings in the northern parts of the country. The worst-hit area was La Guaira, near the capital Caracas, where entire residential blocks collapsed. Rescue teams on the ground said the scale of the destruction has made the search for survivors extremely difficult. "Unfortunately, the collapse is total, and there is little chance of finding survivors," said rescue team leader Nadiomar Polanco, adding that efforts were now focused on recovering bodies from the site. In several neighbourhoods, residents, volunteers, and families are still clearing rubble manually, with limited access to heavy machinery and what many describe as insufficient official support. Some people in the most severely affected areas say government assistance has yet to reach them in a meaningful way. Meanwhile, international assistance is now being mobilised. Search-and-rescue teams from Spain, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia, and Mexico have already arrived at the site. The United States has also committed a disaster response deployment of more than 250 personnel, including specialised rescue teams and trained dogs.

Earthquake of magnitude 5.4 strikes Pakistan

As intense heatwave continues to in France, a viral video shows the panic among the citizens. In a video that is doing rounds on social media, a massive crowd of customers are seen rushing into a store to grab air conditioners. Shoppers are seen hurrying through aisles around cooling units as they clash onto each other in an attempt to get hold of AC units to tackled the sweltering temperatures. Some bystanders are visibly shocked as the scene unfolds. The footage has been shared on X by an user named @cpasdeslol_X. WION couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the video.&nbsp;The reaction video relates to a larger issue of European heat crisis that has sent temperatures soaring and exposed millions to dangerous conditions. France has been among the countries hardest, with Paris recording more days above 40 degrees Celsius this week than it did during the entire period from 1872 to 2019.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-heatwave-three-year-old-boy-dies-after-getting-trapped-in-car-amid-extreme-heat-in-paris-1782460134256">France heatwave: Three-year-old boy dies after getting trapped in car amid extreme heat in Paris</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨🇫🇷 FLASH | La chaleur rend-elle complètement fou ? À Chambéry, des dizaines de clients se sont rués vers les climatiseurs dès l’ouverture d’un magasin. Entre bousculades, tensions et course dans les rayons, la scène a rapidement dégénéré sous les yeux des personnes présentes.… <a href="https://t.co/QxELU0eYOz">pic.twitter.com/QxELU0eYOz</a>&mdash; Cpasdeslol (@cpasdeslol_X) <a href="https://x.com/cpasdeslol_X/status/2070192394033680686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 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/did-paris-just-ban-alcohol-consumption-and-sales-what-s-the-truth-1782449650615">Did Paris just ban alcohol consumption and sales? What's the truth</a><h2>Paris bans public drinking on weekends</h2>Authorities in Paris decided to temporarily ban ​the drinking of alcohol in public places and its sales after 6PM. The police said that hospitals in the capital are “reaching saturation point”, with the health authorities adding that the step would decrease pressure on hospitals as well as cardiac arrest risks. The public drinking ban begins at noon on Friday (June 26) and lasts until 7am Saturday (June 27). The ban again begins at the same hours from Saturday (June 27) to Sunday (June 28). Takeaway alcohol sales are also banned from 6pm on June 26 to 7am June 27, and again 6pm June 27 to 7am on June 28. The ban does not include restaurants and cafes with public seating areas. Drinking inside residential homes or private venues also faces no restrictions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A viral video from Chambery, France, shows shoppers rushing into a store to buy air conditioners as an intense heatwave grips the country. The frenzy comes amid record-breaking temperatures across France

As intense heatwave continues to in France, a viral video shows the panic among the citizens. In a video that is doing rounds on social media, a massive crowd of customers are seen rushing into a store to grab air conditioners. Shoppers are seen hurrying through aisles around cooling units as they clash onto each other in an attempt to get hold of AC units to tackled the sweltering temperatures. Some bystanders are visibly shocked as the scene unfolds. The footage has been shared on X by an user named @cpasdeslol_X. WION couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the video. The reaction video relates to a larger issue of European heat crisis that has sent temperatures soaring and exposed millions to dangerous conditions. France has been among the countries hardest, with Paris recording more days above 40 degrees Celsius this week than it did during the entire period from 1872 to 2019. Also Read: France heatwave: Three-year-old boy dies after getting trapped in car amid extreme heat in Paris

A viral video from Chambery, France, shows shoppers rushing into a store to buy air conditioners as an intense heatwave grips the country. The frenzy comes amid record-breaking temperatures across France

WATCH: Massive rush for ACs as France heatwave sparks chaos inside store

Captain Ibrahim Traore, the military ruler of Burkina Faso, decided to cut diplomatic ties with its former colonial ruler, France, accusing it of continuously acting against the country's interests.&nbsp;"The government of Burkina Faso hereby informs the national and international community that it has decided to sever diplomatic relations with France with effect from today, June 26, 2026," it announced in a statement read out on the West African nation's national television.&nbsp;The military junta led by Traore, which came to power in a September 2022 coup, also accused France of having "neo-colonial ambitions, made evident by its active support for subversive networks and the terrorists who are plunging our country and the Sahel into mourning".&nbsp;The West African country, like several of its neighbours, has been reeling under deadly violence by Islamic jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.&nbsp;In its statement, Burkina Faso clarified that the decision concerns only institutional ties between the two countries and does not call for cutting human and cultural ties.&nbsp;This decision “concerns exclusively the institutional framework of relations between the two states exclusively at the diplomatic level.”&nbsp;It "in no way calls into question the historical, human, cultural and social ties that unite the Burkinabe and French peoples", the government said.&nbsp;France, which ruled Burkina Faso and other parts of northern, central and western Africa during the colonial period, continued to intervene militarily in the region after the early 1960s, contributing to growing anti-French sentiment among nationalist governments.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-anthropic-us-now-limits-openai-s-latest-powerful-ai-model-to-domestic-users-1782514231980">After Anthropic, US now limits OpenAI's latest powerful AI model to domestic users</a>&nbsp;The 34-year-old Traore has adopted a strongly nationalist and anti-French stance since coming to power. He earlier expelled French military forces from the country, banned Paris-based media outlets and urged other African nations to abandon their ties with France.&nbsp;He has also realigned Burkina Faso away from the West by forging closer military and economic partnerships with Russia, Turkey and China.&nbsp;France has vowed to abandon the so-called "Francafrique" strategy, under which Paris sought to keep francophone Africa under its thumb through political collusion, exclusive access for French businesses and oblique financial deals, including graft.&nbsp;In response, France on Friday described Burkina Faso's decision to sever diplomatic ties over allegations that Paris acted against the West African country's interests as a "hostile and baseless decision".&nbsp;The foreign ministry said the "unilateral decision" showed "the troubling drift of the Burkinabe authorities", adding that "the necessary reciprocal measures are under review".&nbsp;

The military junta accused France of pursuing "neo-colonial ambitions" by supporting subversive networks and terrorists destabilising Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel.

Captain Ibrahim Traore, the military ruler of Burkina Faso, decided to cut diplomatic ties with its former colonial ruler, France, accusing it of continuously acting against the country's interests. "The government of Burkina Faso hereby informs the national and international community that it has decided to sever diplomatic relations with France with effect from today, June 26, 2026," it announced in a statement read out on the West African nation's national television. The military junta led by Traore, which came to power in a September 2022 coup, also accused France of having "neo-colonial ambitions, made evident by its active support for subversive networks and the terrorists who are plunging our country and the Sahel into mourning". The West African country, like several of its neighbours, has been reeling under deadly violence by Islamic jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. In its statement, Burkina Faso clarified that the decision concerns only institutional ties between the two countries and does not call for cutting human and cultural ties. This decision “concerns exclusively the institutional framework of relations between the two states exclusively at the diplomatic level.” It "in no way calls into question the historical, human, cultural and social ties that unite the Burkinabe and French peoples", the government said. France, which ruled Burkina Faso and other parts of northern, central and western Africa during the colonial period, continued to intervene militarily in the region after the early 1960s, contributing to growing anti-French sentiment among nationalist governments. Also Read: After Anthropic, US now limits OpenAI's latest powerful AI model to domestic users The 34-year-old Traore has adopted a strongly nationalist and anti-French stance since coming to power. He earlier expelled French military forces from the country, banned Paris-based media outlets and urged other African nations to abandon their ties with France. He has also realigned Burkina Faso away from the West by forging closer military and economic partnerships with Russia, Turkey and China. France has vowed to abandon the so-called "Francafrique" strategy, under which Paris sought to keep francophone Africa under its thumb through political collusion, exclusive access for French businesses and oblique financial deals, including graft. In response, France on Friday described Burkina Faso's decision to sever diplomatic ties over allegations that Paris acted against the West African country's interests as a "hostile and baseless decision". The foreign ministry said the "unilateral decision" showed "the troubling drift of the Burkinabe authorities", adding that "the necessary reciprocal measures are under review".

The military junta accused France of pursuing "neo-colonial ambitions" by supporting subversive networks and terrorists destabilising Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel.

Burkina Faso severs diplomatic ties with former ruler France, Paris hits back

In another incident of Indian-origin people being targeted outside the country, a businessman was injured in a shooting in Portugal on Friday (June 27). The incident has prompted local authorities to launch an investigation, while the victim has been identified as India-origin Kishore Gujarati. According to police, he was targeted by unidentified assailants in the Cidade Nova area of Odivelas. The police is also investigating a possible gang-related activity after the shooting incident. After the attack, a Facebook account operating under the name "Rahul RK Meena" claimed responsibility for the attack. However, his name or identity has not been confirmed by the authorities.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-origin-man-stabbed-to-death-in-west-london-probe-underway-1781378740814">Indian origin man stabbed to death in West London</a>&nbsp;What the FB page revealed?&nbsp;In a series of posts, the individual alleged that the shooting was carried out after the victim ignored repeated messages. The posts also contained threats directed at others, warning that anyone who had received calls from the account should expect further violence. The individual further claimed to have a global network and vowed to "settle scores" with several people. The posts also mentioned alleged criminal groups, including the Sunil Meena Gang and the Aman Sahu Gang.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beaten-stripped-whipped-indian-origin-man-gets-34-years-in-jail-for-raping-uk-woman-1781323118511">Indian-origin man gets 34 years in jail for raping UK woman</a><h2>What the authorities say?</h2>Authorities have urged caution against drawing conclusions based on unverified social media content. According to officials, the investigation remains ongoing, and no official confirmation has been made linking the shooting to organised crime or gang activity. Police are examining all available evidence, including the online posts, to determine whether they are connected to the attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;The incident has sparked concern among the Indian community in Portugal. Despite official appeal to the public not to spread unverified claims online as the investigation progresses, the fear increases as there have been multiple gang related crimes against Indians living in Portugal. In June 2026, an alliance of international syndicates involving the Sunil Meena Gang and operatives linked to Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for two targeted shootings in Portugal. In 2025, Indian gang rivalries spilled onto Portuguese streets when wanted gangster Randeep Malik - who was associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang - claimed responsibility for a targeted hit in the Lisbon metropolitan area.

Indian-origin businessman Kishore Gujarati was injured in a shooting in Portugal's Odivelas. A Facebook user claiming to be Rahul RK Meena took responsibility and issued fresh threats, but authorities have not verified the post. Police are investigating the attack and possible gang links.

In another incident of Indian-origin people being targeted outside the country, a businessman was injured in a shooting in Portugal on Friday (June 27). The incident has prompted local authorities to launch an investigation, while the victim has been identified as India-origin Kishore Gujarati. According to police, he was targeted by unidentified assailants in the Cidade Nova area of Odivelas. The police is also investigating a possible gang-related activity after the shooting incident. After the attack, a Facebook account operating under the name "Rahul RK Meena" claimed responsibility for the attack. However, his name or identity has not been confirmed by the authorities. Also Read: Indian origin man stabbed to death in West London What the FB page revealed? In a series of posts, the individual alleged that the shooting was carried out after the victim ignored repeated messages. The posts also contained threats directed at others, warning that anyone who had received calls from the account should expect further violence. The individual further claimed to have a global network and vowed to "settle scores" with several people. The posts also mentioned alleged criminal groups, including the Sunil Meena Gang and the Aman Sahu Gang. Also Read: Indian-origin man gets 34 years in jail for raping UK woman What the authorities say? Authorities have urged caution against drawing conclusions based on unverified social media content. According to officials, the investigation remains ongoing, and no official confirmation has been made linking the shooting to organised crime or gang activity. Police are examining all available evidence, including the online posts, to determine whether they are connected to the attack. The incident has sparked concern among the Indian community in Portugal. Despite official appeal to the public not to spread unverified claims online as the investigation progresses, the fear increases as there have been multiple gang related crimes against Indians living in Portugal. In June 2026, an alliance of international syndicates involving the Sunil Meena Gang and operatives linked to Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for two targeted shootings in Portugal. In 2025, Indian gang rivalries spilled onto Portuguese streets when wanted gangster Randeep Malik - who was associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang - claimed responsibility for a targeted hit in the Lisbon metropolitan area.

Indian-origin businessman Kishore Gujarati was injured in a shooting in Portugal's Odivelas. A Facebook user claiming to be Rahul RK Meena took responsibility and issued fresh threats, but authorities have not verified the post. Police are investigating the attack and possible gang links.

'Ignoring us is inviting death': Indian-origin man attacked in Portugal, probe on 'gang angle' underway

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Jun 26) said that the repairs to the National Mall Reflecting Pool would begin after July 4. This comes as the landmark continues to face scrutiny over its recent renovation and reports of damage. Trump has faced massive backlash after the nearly $14 million project turned green with algae, not even 24 hours after it was completed. After the US president blamed vandals, the National Park Service confirmed the allegations on Wednesday (Jun 24). Six people have been arrested, and seven were cited for vandalising the Reflecting Pool.The landmark, which stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, was renovated under a nearly $14 million project initiated by Trump ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary. The restoration was intended to improve the pool’s appearance, but concerns have since surfaced over algae buildup, peeling coating and signs of deterioration within weeks of the work being completed.<h2>Did vandalism cause damage to Reflecting Pool?</h2>Trump has claimed that vandals were responsible for the damage, alleging that someone deliberately cut a 350-foot (107-metre) gash in the pool during the night. However, no evidence has been made public to substantiate that allegation. A National Park Service official said in a sworn court filing on Wednesday that the US Park Police examined what appeared to be intentional damage at the site on June 9.Frank Lands, the deputy director of operations at NPS, said that the damage to the pool included “a caulk over the foam sealant that was cut with a sharp knife or razor and destruction of delaminating surface material.” He added that about 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool.“The National Park Service plans to begin draining the Reflecting Pool following the Independence Day celebration to conduct repairs, including assessing and repairing any damage to the lining,” Lands said.

Trump said Reflecting Pool repairs will begin after July 4 as the NPS reported apparent intentional damage. The project has faced criticism over algae, deterioration and alleged vandalism.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Jun 26) said that the repairs to the National Mall Reflecting Pool would begin after July 4. This comes as the landmark continues to face scrutiny over its recent renovation and reports of damage. Trump has faced massive backlash after the nearly $14 million project turned green with algae, not even 24 hours after it was completed. After the US president blamed vandals, the National Park Service confirmed the allegations on Wednesday (Jun 24). Six people have been arrested, and seven were cited for vandalising the Reflecting Pool. The landmark, which stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, was renovated under a nearly $14 million project initiated by Trump ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary. The restoration was intended to improve the pool’s appearance, but concerns have since surfaced over algae buildup, peeling coating and signs of deterioration within weeks of the work being completed. Did vandalism cause damage to Reflecting Pool? Trump has claimed that vandals were responsible for the damage, alleging that someone deliberately cut a 350-foot (107-metre) gash in the pool during the night. However, no evidence has been made public to substantiate that allegation. A National Park Service official said in a sworn court filing on Wednesday that the US Park Police examined what appeared to be intentional damage at the site on June 9. Frank Lands, the deputy director of operations at NPS, said that the damage to the pool included “a caulk over the foam sealant that was cut with a sharp knife or razor and destruction of delaminating surface material.” He added that about 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool. “The National Park Service plans to begin draining the Reflecting Pool following the Independence Day celebration to conduct repairs, including assessing and repairing any damage to the lining,” Lands said.

Trump said Reflecting Pool repairs will begin after July 4 as the NPS reported apparent intentional damage. The project has faced criticism over algae, deterioration and alleged vandalism.

Was Reflecting Pool intentionally vandalised? Trump says repairs to begin after July 4

Hours after former US National Security Advisor John Bolton pleaded guilty, US President Donald Trump reacted calling him a “terrible man.” Trump said that Bolton was “very dumb, unbalanced, and unskilled former representative of the United States of America.” &nbsp;Claiming that Bolton wanted wars and destruction wherever he went, Trump ensured that he will be punished “harshly.”&nbsp;&nbsp;“A lunatic who only wanted to start trouble and wars, and who was a needless pusher of death and destruction wherever he went,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Trump in his first term had appointed John Bolton as his National Security Advisor in March 2018. Bolton served from April 2018 until September 2019. The two had a fallout over foreign policy, with Trump choosing diplomacy with Iran and North Korea, while Bolton pushing for military intervention.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-ex-nsa-john-bolton-indicted-over-sharing-us-defence-secrets-was-his-email-hacked-by-iran-1760668587048">Trump's ex-NSA John Bolton indicted on charges of sharing US defence secrets: Was his email hacked by Iran?</a><h2>Bolton pleads guilty</h2>Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday in front of the federal judge Theodore Chuang saying: "I am, Your Honour, and I'm sorry for it." Under a plea agreement with the Department of Justice, Bolton faces a maximum prison sentence of five years. He must also pay a $2.25 million fine and forfeit his federal pension. Bolton had originally been indicted on 18 counts linked to the improper handling of classified material. In pleading guilty, he admitted to a single charge involving the illegal retention of classified information.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-trump-nsa-john-bolton-turned-outspoken-critic-pleads-guilty-to-mishandling-classified-documents-1782505113605">Ex-Trump NSA John Bolton, turned outspoken critic, pleads guilty to mishandling classified documents</a><h2>What is Bolton accused of?</h2>According to the indictment, Bolton shared sensitive and top-secret material related to his role as National Security Adviser (NSA) with two unauthorised individuals between April 2018 and August 2025. The indictment also states that Bolton and his family members, referred to as his “editors,” discussed the potential use of these materials in a forthcoming book. The document also reveals that after Bolton left office, a hacker linked to the Iranian government gained access to his personal email account, where some classified information was stored. While Bolton’s representative informed authorities about the hack, they reportedly failed to disclose that classified data had been kept in the email account.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Trump lashed out at former National Security Adviser John Bolton after he pleaded guilty to mishandling classified documents. Calling Bolton a "terrible man" and "war hawk," Trump vowed harsh consequences as Bolton faces prison, a hefty fine

Hours after former US National Security Advisor John Bolton pleaded guilty, US President Donald Trump reacted calling him a “terrible man.” Trump said that Bolton was “very dumb, unbalanced, and unskilled former representative of the United States of America.” Claiming that Bolton wanted wars and destruction wherever he went, Trump ensured that he will be punished “harshly.” “A lunatic who only wanted to start trouble and wars, and who was a needless pusher of death and destruction wherever he went,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Trump in his first term had appointed John Bolton as his National Security Advisor in March 2018. Bolton served from April 2018 until September 2019. The two had a fallout over foreign policy, with Trump choosing diplomacy with Iran and North Korea, while Bolton pushing for military intervention. Also Read: Trump's ex-NSA John Bolton indicted on charges of sharing US defence secrets: Was his email hacked by Iran? Bolton pleads guilty Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday in front of the federal judge Theodore Chuang saying: "I am, Your Honour, and I'm sorry for it." Under a plea agreement with the Department of Justice, Bolton faces a maximum prison sentence of five years. He must also pay a $2.25 million fine and forfeit his federal pension. Bolton had originally been indicted on 18 counts linked to the improper handling of classified material. In pleading guilty, he admitted to a single charge involving the illegal retention of classified information. Also Read: Ex-Trump NSA John Bolton, turned outspoken critic, pleads guilty to mishandling classified documents What is Bolton accused of? According to the indictment, Bolton shared sensitive and top-secret material related to his role as National Security Adviser (NSA) with two unauthorised individuals between April 2018 and August 2025. The indictment also states that Bolton and his family members, referred to as his “editors,” discussed the potential use of these materials in a forthcoming book. The document also reveals that after Bolton left office, a hacker linked to the Iranian government gained access to his personal email account, where some classified information was stored. While Bolton’s representative informed authorities about the hack, they reportedly failed to disclose that classified data had been kept in the email account.

Trump lashed out at former National Security Adviser John Bolton after he pleaded guilty to mishandling classified documents. Calling Bolton a "terrible man" and "war hawk," Trump vowed harsh consequences as Bolton faces prison, a hefty fine

'Lunatic who wanted wars...': Trump, who started Iran war, reacts after his ex-NSA John Bolton pleads guilty

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Jun 26) unveiled a fresh rendering of a special edition American passport to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The new passport features Trump's own image on one of its pages.<h2>'Welcome, but be good!'</h2>Sharing the design on his Truth Social platform, Trump described it as the country's new passport and added the message: "Welcome, but be good!"

The passport mock-up shows a portrait of Trump standing in what can be described as a power pose behind his desk with a stern expression, alongside his signature. The background includes text from the Declaration of Independence. The image appears to be based on an official portrait taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/dumocrats-trump-drops-new-nickname-for-democrats-during-iran-war-rant-1782365548404">'DUMocrats': Trump drops new nickname for Democrats during Iran war rant</a>The opposite page features a painting depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, along with the inscription "United States of America 250," a reference to the country's upcoming semiquincentennial celebrations.<h2>White House unveils 'Patriot Passport'</h2>The White House also shared the design on social media, calling it the "Patriot Passport."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PATRIOT PASSPORT. <a href="https://t.co/RYvLKloC7d">pic.twitter.com/RYvLKloC7d</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2070625687203897369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The State Department had previously announced plans to release a commemorative passport featuring custom artwork as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. According to earlier statements, the limited-edition passports are expected to become available from July 6 and will be issued through in-person appointments in Washington, subject to availability.The department has not yet issued additional details about the design or whether the rendering shared by Trump is the final version.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dying-in-detention-deaths-in-ice-custody-up-by-140-under-trump-human-rights-watch-reveals-shocking-data-1782459867748">'Dying in Detention': Deaths in ICE custody up by 140% under Trump, Human Rights Watch reveals SHOCKING data</a><h2>Why Trump's portrait is attracting attention</h2>The passport proposal is one of the many examples of Trump placing a personal imprint on government institutions during his second term. His administration has introduced a series of symbolic changes, including displaying large presidential banners outside federal buildings and announcing plans to place his signature on the one-dollar bill.Trump had also sought to add his name to the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, although a court later ruled that it should be removed.If the commemorative passport is issued as shown, Trump would become the first sitting US president to be featured in an American travel document. &nbsp;

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a special edition "Patriot Passport" ahead of America's 250th anniversary, featuring his own portrait and signature. If issued as shown, it would mark the first time a sitting US president appears inside an American passport.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Jun 26) unveiled a fresh rendering of a special edition American passport to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The new passport features Trump's own image on one of its pages. 'Welcome, but be good!' Sharing the design on his Truth Social platform, Trump described it as the country's new passport and added the message: "Welcome, but be good!"

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a special edition "Patriot Passport" ahead of America's 250th anniversary, featuring his own portrait and signature. If issued as shown, it would mark the first time a sitting US president appears inside an American passport.

'Welcome, but be good!': Trump unveils passport featuring his image ahead of America's 250th anniversary. Click here to see

A new earthquake measuring 4.7 magnitude struck off the northern coast of Venezuela on Friday (Jun 26), just days after two powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes left the South American country facing one of its worst natural disasters in decades. The latest tremor was recorded 61 kilometres northwest of Maracay, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. Reuters, citing local witnesses, reported that the shaking was felt in both Maracay and Caracas.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🔔<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Earthquake</a> (<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/sismo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sismo</a>) M4.7 strikes 61 km NW of <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Maracay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maracay</a> (<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Venezuela?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Venezuela</a>) 29 min ago. More info: <a href="https://t.co/3bGuuzbvo5">https://t.co/3bGuuzbvo5</a>&mdash; AllQuakes - EMSC (@EMSC) <a href="https://x.com/EMSC/status/2070639615443132566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The fresh quake comes as Venezuela continues to reel from the twin earthquakes that struck on Wednesday evening. Those quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, caused widespread destruction, flattened buildings in coastal and urban areas and overwhelmed rescue efforts across the country.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-catastrophic-twin-earthquakes-death-toll-climbs-to-235-frantic-rescue-efforts-continue-as-aid-starts-flowing-in-1782437012174">Venezuela twin earthquakes: Death toll climbs to 235; frantic rescue efforts continue as aid starts flowing in</a><h2>Death toll continues to climb</h2>According to the latest figures, the death toll has reached at least 920, with the number expected to rise further as emergency teams continue searching through the rubble. Thousands more have been injured, and more than 50,000 people are still missing, according to Venezuelan authorities.<h2>Rescue efforts continue</h2>The hardest-hit area has been the coastal state of La Guaira, near the capital Caracas, where entire residential blocks collapsed. In one housing complex made up of four tall apartment buildings, much of the structure was reduced to rubble.Rescue teams on the ground said the scale of the destruction has made the search for survivors extremely difficult."Unfortunately, the collapse is total, and there is little chance of finding survivors," said rescue team leader Nadiomar Polanco, adding that efforts were now focused on recovering bodies from the site.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dying-in-detention-deaths-in-ice-custody-up-by-140-under-trump-human-rights-watch-reveals-shocking-data-1782459867748">'Dying in Detention': Deaths in ICE custody up by 140% under Trump, Human Rights Watch reveals SHOCKING data</a>In several neighbourhoods, families, volunteers, and neighbours continued to dig through debris by hand, often without heavy machinery or enough official support. Some residents said they had not seen government assistance in the worst-hit areas.<h2>Global community steps up to help</h2>International aid has begun to arrive. Rescue teams from Spain, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia and Mexico are already on the ground, while the United States has announced a disaster response package involving more than 250 personnel, including search-and-rescue units with trained dogs.The United Nations has warned that the crisis could deepen further if relief does not reach isolated communities quickly. "The international community must not allow this emergency to deepen into a larger human tragedy." Aid agencies said the scale of destruction, combined with Venezuela's weakened health system and economic collapse, has created a severe humanitarian emergency.

A fresh 4.9-magnitude earthquake has struck northern Venezuela just days after twin powerful quakes devastated the country. With the death toll now at 920 and more than 50,000 people reportedly missing, rescuers are racing against time amid fears of more aftershocks.

A new earthquake measuring 4.7 magnitude struck off the northern coast of Venezuela on Friday (Jun 26), just days after two powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes left the South American country facing one of its worst natural disasters in decades. The latest tremor was recorded 61 kilometres northwest of Maracay, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. Reuters, citing local witnesses, reported that the shaking was felt in both Maracay and Caracas.

A fresh 4.7-magnitude earthquake has struck northern Venezuela just days after twin powerful quakes devastated the country. With the death toll now at 920 and more than 50,000 people reportedly missing, rescuers are racing against time amid fears of more aftershocks.

Fresh 4.7 magnitude quake hits northern Venezuela as death toll from deadly tremors climbs to 920

US President Donald Trump on Friday revived his tariff threat against Europe over proposed Digital Services Taxes aimed at major technology companies.&nbsp;Trump threatened to impose a 100 per cent tariff on European countries that introduce a Digital Services Tax, warning that any existing trade agreements with those countries would be scrapped.&nbsp;"Any Country that imposes such a Tax will immediately be met with a 100% TARIFF on any and all Goods sent to the United States of America," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.&nbsp;<h2>What is a Digital Services Tax (DST)?</h2>Digital Services Taxes are designed to address a gap in international tax rules. Traditional corporate tax systems generally require a company to have a physical presence in a country before it pays corporate taxes there. Digital businesses, however, can generate significant revenue from users in a country without having offices or employees there.&nbsp;As a result, many technology companies legally book much of their revenue through low-tax jurisdictions, allowing them to reduce their overall tax burden instead of paying taxes where their users and customers are located.&nbsp;DSTs mainly target large technology companies such as Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft, along with digital platforms including Netflix, Spotify and Uber.<h2>The EU's original proposal</h2>In March 2018, the European Commission proposed new rules to ensure digital businesses pay taxes where they have a significant digital presence. The package included one proposal to reform corporate tax rules and another introducing an interim tax on revenue earned from certain digital services.&nbsp;The proposals are currently on hold while countries continue working towards a global tax agreement under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).<h2>Why do European countries have different DST rates?</h2>After EU-wide negotiations failed to produce a common system, several European countries introduced their own Digital Services Taxes.&nbsp;DST rates generally range between 2 per cent and 5 per cent across Europe, although some countries apply higher or lower rates. Hungary currently has the highest rate at 7.5 per cent.<h2>What gets taxed?</h2>Most Digital Services Taxes apply to revenue earned from online advertising. Depending on the country, they can also cover digital marketplaces, the sale of user data and streaming services.&nbsp;Austria and Hungary tax only online advertising revenue. Denmark's tax applies only to streaming services. France has one of the broadest systems, covering digital platforms, targeted advertising and the transmission of user data for advertising purposes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-tariff-threats-return-this-time-targeting-europe-over-big-tech-taxes-1782500956398">Trump's tariff threats return, this time targeting Europe over Big Tech taxes</a><h2>Why has the tax triggered tensions with the US?</h2>Digital Services Taxes have become a major source of trade friction between the United States and Europe. Washington argues that these taxes disproportionately affect large American technology companies and amount to discrimination against US firms.&nbsp;The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened trade action over the taxes, while the US Treasury has indicated it wants to reassess the current international tax framework.

Digital Services Taxes aim to close a gap in international tax rules by ensuring Big Tech companies such as Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft pay taxes where they generate revenue, even without a physical presence in those countries.

US President Donald Trump on Friday revived his tariff threat against Europe over proposed Digital Services Taxes aimed at major technology companies. Trump threatened to impose a 100 per cent tariff on European countries that introduce a Digital Services Tax, warning that any existing trade agreements with those countries would be scrapped. "Any Country that imposes such a Tax will immediately be met with a 100% TARIFF on any and all Goods sent to the United States of America," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. What is a Digital Services Tax (DST)? Digital Services Taxes are designed to address a gap in international tax rules. Traditional corporate tax systems generally require a company to have a physical presence in a country before it pays corporate taxes there. Digital businesses, however, can generate significant revenue from users in a country without having offices or employees there. As a result, many technology companies legally book much of their revenue through low-tax jurisdictions, allowing them to reduce their overall tax burden instead of paying taxes where their users and customers are located. DSTs mainly target large technology companies such as Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft, along with digital platforms including Netflix, Spotify and Uber. The EU's original proposal In March 2018, the European Commission proposed new rules to ensure digital businesses pay taxes where they have a significant digital presence. The package included one proposal to reform corporate tax rules and another introducing an interim tax on revenue earned from certain digital services. The proposals are currently on hold while countries continue working towards a global tax agreement under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Why do European countries have different DST rates? After EU-wide negotiations failed to produce a common system, several European countries introduced their own Digital Services Taxes. DST rates generally range between 2 per cent and 5 per cent across Europe, although some countries apply higher or lower rates. Hungary currently has the highest rate at 7.5 per cent. What gets taxed? Most Digital Services Taxes apply to revenue earned from online advertising. Depending on the country, they can also cover digital marketplaces, the sale of user data and streaming services. Austria and Hungary tax only online advertising revenue. Denmark's tax applies only to streaming services. France has one of the broadest systems, covering digital platforms, targeted advertising and the transmission of user data for advertising purposes. Also Read: Trump's tariff threats return, this time targeting Europe over Big Tech taxes Why has the tax triggered tensions with the US? Digital Services Taxes have become a major source of trade friction between the United States and Europe. Washington argues that these taxes disproportionately affect large American technology companies and amount to discrimination against US firms. The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened trade action over the taxes, while the US Treasury has indicated it wants to reassess the current international tax framework.

Digital Services Taxes aim to close a gap in international tax rules by ensuring Big Tech companies such as Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft pay taxes where they generate revenue, even without a physical presence in those countries.

What is Europe's Big Tech tax plan that triggered Trump's 100% tariff warning?

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its Navy targeted locations where US forces are deployed after the US military said it carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites, along with coastal radar locations, in response to an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;&nbsp;The IRGC did not specify the locations it targeted or provide further details.&nbsp;It also condemned the US strikes, accusing Washington of breaching its commitments.&nbsp;"As always, it violated its commitments and launched an air strike" on the Iranian coast, the statement said.&nbsp;"According to Article 5 of the Memorandum of Understanding, Islamabad has arrangements for controlling traffic in the Strait of Hormuz with the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, the US, by inciting various parties, sought to violate this commitment, which was met with the necessary response," it added.&nbsp;Iran also warned of the broader response to the United States if it attacks the Islamic Republic in future. "If the aggression is repeated, our response will be more extensive," the IRGC said.<h2>Vance warns Iran against further attacks</h2>Shortly after the US strikes, Vice President JD Vance warned Iran it would face "violence" if it carried out any further attacks following the US response to the drone strike on the cargo ship.&nbsp;"Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honoured it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence," Vance posted on X, referring to the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending nearly four months of conflict.

The development came shortly after the US military said it had carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites, as well as coastal radar locations, in response to an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its Navy targeted locations where US forces are deployed after the US military said it carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites, along with coastal radar locations, in response to an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC did not specify the locations it targeted or provide further details. It also condemned the US strikes, accusing Washington of breaching its commitments. "As always, it violated its commitments and launched an air strike" on the Iranian coast, the statement said. "According to Article 5 of the Memorandum of Understanding, Islamabad has arrangements for controlling traffic in the Strait of Hormuz with the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, the US, by inciting various parties, sought to violate this commitment, which was met with the necessary response," it added. Iran also warned of the broader response to the United States if it attacks the Islamic Republic in future. "If the aggression is repeated, our response will be more extensive," the IRGC said. Vance warns Iran against further attacks Shortly after the US strikes, Vice President JD Vance warned Iran it would face "violence" if it carried out any further attacks following the US response to the drone strike on the cargo ship. "Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honoured it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence," Vance posted on X, referring to the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending nearly four months of conflict.

The development came shortly after the US military said it had carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites, as well as coastal radar locations, in response to an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran says it targeted US positions in retaliation for American strikes

OpenAI on Friday launched a limited US-only preview of its latest and most powerful AI model series for a select group of partners at the request of the US government, the company said.&nbsp;The rollout comes two weeks after the White House ordered OpenAI rival Anthropic to block all foreign nationals from accessing its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models, citing national security concerns. Anthropic later suspended access to both models, saying it could not reliably comply with the restriction on foreign nationals.&nbsp;Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a voluntary federal review of national security risks in advanced AI models before their public release.<h2>OpenAI limits rollout to trusted US partners</h2>The company said it briefed the US government on the capabilities of its new AI models before the launch. At the government's request, the initial preview has been restricted to a select group of trusted partners whose identities have been shared with authorities.&nbsp;OpenAI said the participating organisations are based in the United States, although overseas employees at those companies and entities will also be able to access the new models.&nbsp;The GPT 5.6 series includes three models. Sol is OpenAI's new flagship model, Terra is designed for everyday tasks, and Luna is a faster, lower-cost option.&nbsp;Once widely available, OpenAI said Terra will cost half as much as its predecessor GPT 5.5 as the company competes with Anthropic and Google for customers.<h2>US eases restrictions on Anthropic</h2>Meanwhile, the US government on Friday lifted its block on Anthropic's Claude Mythos 5 AI model, allowing the company to release it to more than 100 US institutions, including major companies and government agencies.&nbsp;The decision came in a letter sent to Anthropic on Friday afternoon and marked a major de-escalation in the dispute between the Trump administration and the AI company. Two weeks earlier, the administration imposed export controls on Mythos and Fable 5 after warnings from Amazon and other companies that the models could be "jailbroken" for malicious purposes.

The move follows a White House order issued two weeks ago directing another AI company, Anthropic, to block foreign nationals from accessing its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models over national security concerns.

OpenAI on Friday launched a limited US-only preview of its latest and most powerful AI model series for a select group of partners at the request of the US government, the company said. The rollout comes two weeks after the White House ordered OpenAI rival Anthropic to block all foreign nationals from accessing its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models, citing national security concerns. Anthropic later suspended access to both models, saying it could not reliably comply with the restriction on foreign nationals. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a voluntary federal review of national security risks in advanced AI models before their public release. OpenAI limits rollout to trusted US partners The company said it briefed the US government on the capabilities of its new AI models before the launch. At the government's request, the initial preview has been restricted to a select group of trusted partners whose identities have been shared with authorities. OpenAI said the participating organisations are based in the United States, although overseas employees at those companies and entities will also be able to access the new models. The GPT 5.6 series includes three models. Sol is OpenAI's new flagship model, Terra is designed for everyday tasks, and Luna is a faster, lower-cost option. Once widely available, OpenAI said Terra will cost half as much as its predecessor GPT 5.5 as the company competes with Anthropic and Google for customers. US eases restrictions on Anthropic Meanwhile, the US government on Friday lifted its block on Anthropic's Claude Mythos 5 AI model, allowing the company to release it to more than 100 US institutions, including major companies and government agencies. The decision came in a letter sent to Anthropic on Friday afternoon and marked a major de-escalation in the dispute between the Trump administration and the AI company. Two weeks earlier, the administration imposed export controls on Mythos and Fable 5 after warnings from Amazon and other companies that the models could be "jailbroken" for malicious purposes.

The move follows a White House order issued two weeks ago directing another AI company, Anthropic, to block foreign nationals from accessing its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models over national security concerns.

After Anthropic, US now limits OpenAI's latest powerful AI model to domestic users

US President Donald Trump on Friday thanked India after Hyderabad officially unveiled an avenue named after him, describing it as the "first U.S. President to ever be honoured in this way" in a post shared on Truth Social.&nbsp;Sharing an image from the unveiling ceremony, Trump wrote: "The new Donald Trump Avenue in Hyderabad, India — The first U.S. President to ever be honoured in this way. Thank you! President DONALD J. TRUMP."&nbsp;The acknowledgement came days after the Telangana government renamed a road adjoining the US Consulate in Hyderabad as Donald Trump Avenue. The move was presented as part of efforts to strengthen the city's global profile and highlight its role in India-US engagement.&nbsp;The avenue is located in Hyderabad's Financial District at Nanakramguda, home to the US diplomatic mission and several major international technology companies. Officials described the renaming as a symbolic recognition of the relationship between Hyderabad and the United States.&nbsp;The ceremonial plaque was unveiled earlier this week in the presence of US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and senior Telangana government representatives during an event linked to commemorative celebrations marking 250 years of American independence.<h2>Telangana highlights Hyderabad's global ties</h2>The road naming was first announced by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy during the Telangana Rising Summit in December 2025. The state government said the initiative reflected Hyderabad's growing role in the India-US partnership.&nbsp;Unveiling the plaque, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said, "America is not just a country on the map for Hyderabad families. It is a son in Boston, a daughter in New Jersey, a friend in Seattle or a founder in Austin," he said, describing the US Telangana relationship as one built not only by governments but also by students, professionals, entrepreneurs and families.&nbsp;Highlighting Hyderabad's technology links with the United States, Bhatti said, "If you give Hyderabad a development centre, we may send back a global CEO," recalling the city's journey from attracting Microsoft in the 1990s to producing global leaders such as Satya Nadella.&nbsp;The decision stems from a broader initiative announced by the Telangana government to name key roads and public infrastructure in Hyderabad after globally recognised figures and institutions. Earlier, speaking at the US India Strategic Partnership Forum, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said the city aimed to create internationally identifiable urban landmarks.

'Donald Trump Avenue' is situated in Hyderabad's Financial District at Nanakramguda, an area that houses the US diplomatic mission and several leading international technology companies.

US President Donald Trump on Friday thanked India after Hyderabad officially unveiled an avenue named after him, describing it as the "first U.S. President to ever be honoured in this way" in a post shared on Truth Social. Sharing an image from the unveiling ceremony, Trump wrote: "The new Donald Trump Avenue in Hyderabad, India — The first U.S. President to ever be honoured in this way. Thank you! President DONALD J. TRUMP." The acknowledgement came days after the Telangana government renamed a road adjoining the US Consulate in Hyderabad as Donald Trump Avenue. The move was presented as part of efforts to strengthen the city's global profile and highlight its role in India-US engagement. The avenue is located in Hyderabad's Financial District at Nanakramguda, home to the US diplomatic mission and several major international technology companies. Officials described the renaming as a symbolic recognition of the relationship between Hyderabad and the United States. The ceremonial plaque was unveiled earlier this week in the presence of US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and senior Telangana government representatives during an event linked to commemorative celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. Telangana highlights Hyderabad's global ties The road naming was first announced by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy during the Telangana Rising Summit in December 2025. The state government said the initiative reflected Hyderabad's growing role in the India-US partnership. Unveiling the plaque, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said, "America is not just a country on the map for Hyderabad families. It is a son in Boston, a daughter in New Jersey, a friend in Seattle or a founder in Austin," he said, describing the US Telangana relationship as one built not only by governments but also by students, professionals, entrepreneurs and families. Highlighting Hyderabad's technology links with the United States, Bhatti said, "If you give Hyderabad a development centre, we may send back a global CEO," recalling the city's journey from attracting Microsoft in the 1990s to producing global leaders such as Satya Nadella. The decision stems from a broader initiative announced by the Telangana government to name key roads and public infrastructure in Hyderabad after globally recognised figures and institutions. Earlier, speaking at the US India Strategic Partnership Forum, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said the city aimed to create internationally identifiable urban landmarks.

'Donald Trump Avenue' is situated in Hyderabad's Financial District at Nanakramguda, an area that houses the US diplomatic mission and several leading international technology companies.

'First US president ever....': Trump reacts after Hyderabad names road after him

The US military carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites, along with coastal radar locations, on Friday in response to an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.&nbsp;According to CENTCOM, the strikes followed Iran's June 25 attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely as it was leaving the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast.&nbsp;“U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites after Iran hit M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with a one-way attack drone. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran’s attack,” Centcom said on X.&nbsp;The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire. Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behaviour undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor," it added.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/W4zjNqnmCt">https://t.co/W4zjNqnmCt</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2070607101207232829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 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/us-israel-lebanon-sign-trilateral-framework-agreement-after-fifth-round-of-talks-in-dc-1782498292166">US, Israel, Lebanon sign trilateral framework agreement after fifth round of talks in DC</a>&nbsp;The US military said Iran's attack on the commercial vessel violated the ceasefire and threatened freedom of navigation through one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes. It added that American forces would continue coordinating safe passage for commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz while remaining vigilant to enforce the agreement with Iran.&nbsp;The strikes came hours after US President Donald Trump condemned what he described as an Iranian drone attack on the cargo vessel, calling it "Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement."&nbsp;Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump declined to say how Washington might respond or whether he believed the ceasefire remained in force."You'll find out," he said. "I don't like the fact that they took a shot yesterday. They shouldn't be doing that."&nbsp;The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations on a permanent settlement to the conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.&nbsp;Iran has warned ships against entering or leaving the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz without its permission. Despite the warning, commercial vessels have continued to transit the waterway, with some using routes not authorised by Tehran.&nbsp;The drone attack occurred just over a week after Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 aimed at securing a permanent peace agreement between the two countries.

The US military said the strikes were a powerful response to yesterday's attack on a commercial ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, adding that it remains vigilant to ensure the agreement with Iran is fully observed.


The US military carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites, along with coastal radar locations, on Friday in response to an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. According to CENTCOM, the strikes followed Iran's June 25 attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely as it was leaving the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast. “U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites after Iran hit M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with a one-way attack drone. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran’s attack,” Centcom said on X. The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire. Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behaviour undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor," it added.

The US military said the strikes were a powerful response to yesterday's attack on a commercial ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, adding that it remains vigilant to ensure the agreement with Iran is fully observed. &nbsp;

US strikes Iran in 'powerful response' to drone attack on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz

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