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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday received a phone call from Qatar's Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who conveyed his condolences over the deaths of Indian nationals in the explosion at Ras Laffan Industrial City.&nbsp;The blast at an LNG facility in Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City on Sunday night killed 13 people, including 12 Indians.&nbsp;"I thank His Highness the Amir of Qatar for his phone call and condolences on the loss of lives of Indian nationals in the tragic accident at Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar," Modi said in a post on 'X'.&nbsp;The Prime Minister said he and the Qatari ruler shared the grief of the bereaved families and expressed hope for the recovery of those injured.&nbsp;"India and Qatar remain steadfast in their commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens and stand in solidarity with each other," Modi said.&nbsp;The explosion at the Barzan local gas supply facility, operated by QatarEnergy LNG, also left 66 people injured, including several Indians.&nbsp;According to the Indian mission, citing Qatari authorities, all those injured are in stable condition and are receiving appropriate medical treatment.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/days-after-becoming-world-s-first-trillionaire-musk-loses-record-350-billion-1782241928192">Days after becoming world's first trillionaire, Elon Musk loses record $350 billion</a><h2>Modi stresses stronger BRICS security cooperation</h2>In a separate development, Modi met National Security Advisers and senior security officials from BRICS countries in New Delhi on Tuesday, highlighting the grouping's growing role in addressing global security challenges.&nbsp;The interaction followed the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting, chaired by NSA Ajit Doval. Held amid increasing geopolitical uncertainty, the discussions focused on issues such as terrorism, cybersecurity and threats arising from emerging technologies.&nbsp;During the meeting, Modi described BRICS as an important platform for strengthening security cooperation in a rapidly changing world. He urged member countries, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE, to deepen collaboration and address common vulnerabilities.&nbsp;In a post on X, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India's commitment to its chairmanship theme of "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.""Pleased to meet National Security Advisors and senior security officials of BRICS countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a changing global landscape, BRICS has a vital role in deepening security cooperation and addressing shared challenges, from terrorism and cybersecurity to emerging technologies. India's Chairmanship will seek to advance practical cooperation, support the priorities of the Global South and contribute to a safer, more secure and inclusive world."

The Prime Minister said he and the Qatar Emir expressed solidarity with the affected families, hoped for the recovery of the injured, and underscored the strong commitment of both countries to their citizens' well-being.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday received a phone call from Qatar's Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who conveyed his condolences over the deaths of Indian nationals in the explosion at Ras Laffan Industrial City. The blast at an LNG facility in Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City on Sunday night killed 13 people, including 12 Indians. "I thank His Highness the Amir of Qatar for his phone call and condolences on the loss of lives of Indian nationals in the tragic accident at Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar," Modi said in a post on 'X'. The Prime Minister said he and the Qatari ruler shared the grief of the bereaved families and expressed hope for the recovery of those injured. "India and Qatar remain steadfast in their commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens and stand in solidarity with each other," Modi said. The explosion at the Barzan local gas supply facility, operated by QatarEnergy LNG, also left 66 people injured, including several Indians. According to the Indian mission, citing Qatari authorities, all those injured are in stable condition and are receiving appropriate medical treatment. Also Read: Days after becoming world's first trillionaire, Elon Musk loses record $350 billion Modi stresses stronger BRICS security cooperation In a separate development, Modi met National Security Advisers and senior security officials from BRICS countries in New Delhi on Tuesday, highlighting the grouping's growing role in addressing global security challenges. The interaction followed the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers' Meeting, chaired by NSA Ajit Doval. Held amid increasing geopolitical uncertainty, the discussions focused on issues such as terrorism, cybersecurity and threats arising from emerging technologies. During the meeting, Modi described BRICS as an important platform for strengthening security cooperation in a rapidly changing world. He urged member countries, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE, to deepen collaboration and address common vulnerabilities. In a post on X, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India's commitment to its chairmanship theme of "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." "Pleased to meet National Security Advisors and senior security officials of BRICS countries. In a changing global landscape, BRICS has a vital role in deepening security cooperation and addressing shared challenges, from terrorism and cybersecurity to emerging technologies. India's Chairmanship will seek to advance practical cooperation, support the priorities of the Global South and contribute to a safer, more secure and inclusive world."

The Prime Minister said he and the Qatar Emir expressed solidarity with the affected families, hoped for the recovery of the injured, and underscored the strong commitment of both countries to their citizens' well-being.

PM Modi receives call from Qatar Emir after Ras Laffan gas plant blast kills 12 Indians, thanks him for condolences

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday called for setting up a “united security front” of Muslim nations against their enemies and extending “hands of friendship” for a new regional security structure. Pezeshkian, who was on a state visit to Pakistan on the invitation of PM Shehbaz Sharif, said Iran is reaching out to Islamic countries to form a “new regional security architecture” and mentioned speaking to Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, but not several Gulf countries like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, which Tehran targeted as retribution for US and Israeli attacks.&nbsp;“The unity and solidarity of the Islamic Ummah are essential for confronting common challenges,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-s-op-sindoor-lies-busted-iaf-document-proves-india-s-rafale-fleet-fully-intact-1782226973572">Pakistan’s Op Sindoor lies busted, IAF document proves India’s Rafale fleet fully intact</a>&nbsp;“We stretch our hands of friendship to establish a common understanding and build a new security structure for the countries in the region,” Pezeshkian added.&nbsp;“I believe Muslims shall form a united front against their enemies,” the Iranian president said while addressing a press conference with PM Shehbaz Sharif after their meeting.&nbsp;The Iranian president began his address by reciting verses by renowned poet Allama Iqbal, which he said continued to inspire unity among Muslim nations.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/11-india-bound-ships-carrying-crude-lpg-fertilisers-crossed-hormuz-since-us-iran-mou-signing-10-still-in-gulf-mea-1782217692758">11 India-bound ships carrying crude, LPG, fertilisers crossed Hormuz since US-Iran MoU signing; 10 still in Gulf: MEA</a><h2>‘No mention of Iran’s missiles in MoU’</h2>&nbsp;Pezeshkian said there was no mention of Iran’s missile programme in the memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran.&nbsp;“If it were not for Iran’s missile capabilities, our country would have been plundered and destroyed,” Pezeshkian said, vowing to “never compromise or negotiate our missile capabilities.”&nbsp;Pezeshkian said he held “constructive meetings and discussions” with PM Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Asim Munir.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/cred-founder-kunal-shah-becomes-global-ceo-of-whatsapp-meta-invests-900-million-in-fintech-startup-1782137297377">CRED founder Kunal Shah becomes global CEO of WhatsApp as Meta invests $900 million in startup</a>&nbsp;He concluded his speech by thanking the Pakistani side for accepting the invitation to the commemoration of the late Khamenei.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘Iran’s success is our success. Iran’s loss is our loss,’ says Shehbaz</h2>&nbsp;In his remarks at the joint press briefing, PM Shehbaz said that Islamabad and Tehran have “consistently stood by one another in difficult times”.&nbsp;Shehbaz described Pezeshkian as a “visionary and sagacious leader of a great country, Iran”. “But you’re a man of many talents and qualities — you are calm, you are wise and you are patient,” he added.&nbsp;Shehbaz also appreciated the “wisdom and sagacity” of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei for guiding the Iranian nation through “these very difficult and challenging times”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-led-tmc-faction-hits-back-expels-firhad-hakim-aroop-biswas-and-6-others-over-anti-party-activities-1782221480899">Mamata-led TMC faction hits back, expels Firhad Hakim, Aroop Roy and 6 others over anti-party activities</a>&nbsp;“Throughout this crisis, the entire Iranian nation, our Iranian brothers and sisters, have demonstrated their unity with honour and dignity,” he said.&nbsp;He also extended Pakistan’s deepest condolences on the “loss of thousands of precious lives, including the late Khamenei, who was a great visionary leader and respected by all and sundry around the Muslim world”.&nbsp;“Your happiness is our happiness. Your sorrow is our sorrow,” Shehbaz remarked, adding, “Iran’s success is our success. Iran’s loss is our loss.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heatwave-in-france-proves-deadly-as-40-drown-eiffel-tower-louvre-close-early-1782236812664">Heatwave in France proves deadly as 40 drown; Eiffel Tower, Louvre close early</a>&nbsp;Shehbaz announced he would be undertaking a visit to Tehran next week to pay respects to the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.&nbsp;“Zindabad dosti Pakistan o Iran,” he concluded. “We will never let you down”&nbsp;The Iranian president arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for an official visit to discuss the ongoing diplomatic efforts following the signing of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian began his address at the joint press conference with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by reciting verses penned by renowned poet Allama Iqbal, which he said continued to inspire unity among Muslim nations.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday called for setting up a “united security front” of Muslim nations against their enemies and extending “hands of friendship” for a new regional security structure. Pezeshkian, who was on a state visit to Pakistan on the invitation of PM Shehbaz Sharif, said Iran is reaching out to Islamic countries to form a “new regional security architecture” and mentioned speaking to Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, but not several Gulf countries like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, which Tehran targeted as retribution for US and Israeli attacks. “The unity and solidarity of the Islamic Ummah are essential for confronting common challenges,” he said. Also Read: Pakistan’s Op Sindoor lies busted, IAF document proves India’s Rafale fleet fully intact “We stretch our hands of friendship to establish a common understanding and build a new security structure for the countries in the region,” Pezeshkian added. “I believe Muslims shall form a united front against their enemies,” the Iranian president said while addressing a press conference with PM Shehbaz Sharif after their meeting. The Iranian president began his address by reciting verses by renowned poet Allama Iqbal, which he said continued to inspire unity among Muslim nations. Also Read: 11 India-bound ships carrying crude, LPG, fertilisers crossed Hormuz since US-Iran MoU signing; 10 still in Gulf: MEA ‘No mention of Iran’s missiles in MoU’ Pezeshkian said there was no mention of Iran’s missile programme in the memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran. “If it were not for Iran’s missile capabilities, our country would have been plundered and destroyed,” Pezeshkian said, vowing to “never compromise or negotiate our missile capabilities.” Pezeshkian said he held “constructive meetings and discussions” with PM Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Asim Munir. Also Read: CRED founder Kunal Shah becomes global CEO of WhatsApp as Meta invests $900 million in startup He concluded his speech by thanking the Pakistani side for accepting the invitation to the commemoration of the late Khamenei. ‘Iran’s success is our success. Iran’s loss is our loss,’ says Shehbaz In his remarks at the joint press briefing, PM Shehbaz said that Islamabad and Tehran have “consistently stood by one another in difficult times”. Shehbaz described Pezeshkian as a “visionary and sagacious leader of a great country, Iran”. “But you’re a man of many talents and qualities — you are calm, you are wise and you are patient,” he added. Shehbaz also appreciated the “wisdom and sagacity” of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei for guiding the Iranian nation through “these very difficult and challenging times”. Also Read: Mamata-led TMC faction hits back, expels Firhad Hakim, Aroop Roy and 6 others over anti-party activities “Throughout this crisis, the entire Iranian nation, our Iranian brothers and sisters, have demonstrated their unity with honour and dignity,” he said. He also extended Pakistan’s deepest condolences on the “loss of thousands of precious lives, including the late Khamenei, who was a great visionary leader and respected by all and sundry around the Muslim world”. “Your happiness is our happiness. Your sorrow is our sorrow,” Shehbaz remarked, adding, “Iran’s success is our success. Iran’s loss is our loss.” Also Read: Heatwave in France proves deadly as 40 drown; Eiffel Tower, Louvre close early Shehbaz announced he would be undertaking a visit to Tehran next week to pay respects to the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Zindabad dosti Pakistan o Iran,” he concluded. “We will never let you down” The Iranian president arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for an official visit to discuss the ongoing diplomatic efforts following the signing of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian began his address at the joint press conference with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by reciting verses penned by renowned poet Allama Iqbal, which he said continued to inspire unity among Muslim nations.

Iran’s Pezeshkian proposes a united security front of Muslim nations against their enemies

Elon Musk has suffered the largest personal wealth decline ever recorded after a sharp drop in the value of SpaceX.&nbsp;The billionaire's net worth fell by $350 billion within a week as shares of his rocket company slid nearly 30 per cent from their peak reached last Tuesday. According to Forbes estimates, Musk's fortune has declined from $1.45 trillion to just under $1.1 trillion.&nbsp;The scale of the loss exceeds the net worth of the world's second-richest person, Larry Page, estimated at slightly above $299 billion.&nbsp;Musk became the world's first trillionaire earlier this month following the blockbuster stock market debut of his rocket, satellite and artificial intelligence company. Investor enthusiasm drove SpaceX shares up as much as 67 per cent during their first three trading days after a record-setting initial public offering that valued the company at more than $1.8 trillion.&nbsp;Since then, the stock has retreated for three straight sessions, erasing roughly $928 billion in market value. The company's valuation has fallen from a peak of $2.9 trillion to just over $2 trillion.&nbsp;This is not the first major setback for Musk's wealth. He previously held the record for the largest single loss of personal fortune when his net worth dropped by an estimated $165 billion in 2022 amid a steep decline in Tesla shares.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heatwave-in-france-proves-deadly-as-40-drown-eiffel-tower-louvre-close-early-1782236812664">Heatwave in France proves deadly as 40 drown; Eiffel Tower, Louvre close early</a>&nbsp;Musk's fortune is largely tied to his 38 per cent holding in SpaceX, along with an 11 per cent stake in Tesla and ownership interests in several other start-ups.&nbsp;SpaceX recorded its worst trading day since becoming a public company on Monday, with shares plunging 16.4 per cent after the company announced plans for its first investment-grade bond offering. The move aims to raise at least $20 billion to support its artificial intelligence expansion plans.&nbsp;The fundraising effort has intensified concerns about whether major technology companies can continue financing the enormous investments required to compete in the AI sector. SpaceX said on Monday that it holds more than $100 billion in cash.&nbsp;Despite the recent sell-off, SpaceX shares ended Monday at $154, remaining above the company's initial public offering price of $135.&nbsp;However, enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence stocks and the SpaceX listing appears to be cooling across global markets.&nbsp;The Nasdaq index in New York fell 1.3 per cent on Monday, weighed down by a 5 per cent decline in Alphabet shares and a 4.8 per cent drop in Amazon.&nbsp;Market volatility extended to Asia on Tuesday. Trading on South Korea's benchmark Kospi index was temporarily halted after a sharp sell-off in AI chipmakers pushed the index down by 10 per cent. Japan's Nikkei fell 3.6 per cent, while US stock futures also pointed to significant losses before the opening bell.

Musk's fortune is closely tied to his 38 per cent stake in SpaceX, whose shares have retreated for three consecutive sessions. The slide has wiped out around $928 billion in market value, bringing the company's valuation down from a peak of $2.9 trillion to slightly over $2 trillion.

Elon Musk has suffered the largest personal wealth decline ever recorded after a sharp drop in the value of SpaceX. The billionaire's net worth fell by $350 billion within a week as shares of his rocket company slid nearly 30 per cent from their peak reached last Tuesday. According to Forbes estimates, Musk's fortune has declined from $1.45 trillion to just under $1.1 trillion. The scale of the loss exceeds the net worth of the world's second-richest person, Larry Page, estimated at slightly above $299 billion. Musk became the world's first trillionaire earlier this month following the blockbuster stock market debut of his rocket, satellite and artificial intelligence company. Investor enthusiasm drove SpaceX shares up as much as 67 per cent during their first three trading days after a record-setting initial public offering that valued the company at more than $1.8 trillion. Since then, the stock has retreated for three straight sessions, erasing roughly $928 billion in market value. The company's valuation has fallen from a peak of $2.9 trillion to just over $2 trillion. This is not the first major setback for Musk's wealth. He previously held the record for the largest single loss of personal fortune when his net worth dropped by an estimated $165 billion in 2022 amid a steep decline in Tesla shares. Also Read: Heatwave in France proves deadly as 40 drown; Eiffel Tower, Louvre close early Musk's fortune is largely tied to his 38 per cent holding in SpaceX, along with an 11 per cent stake in Tesla and ownership interests in several other start-ups. SpaceX recorded its worst trading day since becoming a public company on Monday, with shares plunging 16.4 per cent after the company announced plans for its first investment-grade bond offering. The move aims to raise at least $20 billion to support its artificial intelligence expansion plans. The fundraising effort has intensified concerns about whether major technology companies can continue financing the enormous investments required to compete in the AI sector. SpaceX said on Monday that it holds more than $100 billion in cash. Despite the recent sell-off, SpaceX shares ended Monday at $154, remaining above the company's initial public offering price of $135. However, enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence stocks and the SpaceX listing appears to be cooling across global markets. The Nasdaq index in New York fell 1.3 per cent on Monday, weighed down by a 5 per cent decline in Alphabet shares and a 4.8 per cent drop in Amazon. Market volatility extended to Asia on Tuesday. Trading on South Korea's benchmark Kospi index was temporarily halted after a sharp sell-off in AI chipmakers pushed the index down by 10 per cent. Japan's Nikkei fell 3.6 per cent, while US stock futures also pointed to significant losses before the opening bell.

Musk's fortune is closely tied to his 38 per cent stake in SpaceX, whose shares have retreated for three consecutive sessions. The slide has wiped out around $928 billion in market value, bringing the company's valuation down from a peak of $2.9 trillion to slightly over $2 trillion.

Days after becoming world's first trillionaire, Elon Musk loses record $350 billion

France experienced its hottest day in the latest heatwave on Monday, as two children, aged 2 and 4, were found dead inside a parked car in the country’s south. Three elderly people also died in their homes from heat as temperatures were forecast to reach up to 43 degrees Celsius. Some 39 million people are under ‘red alert’ warnings for extreme heat.&nbsp;France is being battered by a deadly heatwave since last week, disrupting daily life and forcing school closures and train cancellations.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-s-op-sindoor-lies-busted-iaf-document-proves-india-s-rafale-fleet-fully-intact-1782226973572">Pakistan’s Op Sindoor lies busted, IAF document proves India’s Rafale fleet fully intact</a>&nbsp;Over 40 people have died due to drowning over the last week, as people turned to swimming in hopes of finding relief from a scorching heat wave. The 40 people who died by drowning since last Thursday were mainly young people, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said.&nbsp;“It’s not something to be taken lightly, going swimming in unsupervised areas during a heat wave,” said French Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari.Extreme conditions are expected to last at least until the end of the week, with daytime highs above 104 degrees Fahrenheit in many towns.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-led-tmc-faction-hits-back-expels-firhad-hakim-aroop-biswas-and-6-others-over-anti-party-activities-1782221480899">Mamata-led TMC faction hits back, expels Firhad Hakim, Aroop Roy and 6 others over anti-party activities</a>&nbsp;Since France is not made to withstand such extreme hot weather and does not have widespread air conditioning, schools, public transportation and sporting events have been impacted.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum close early due to heat</h2>&nbsp;The Eiffel Tower, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, which closes late at night as it usually does, closed early on Tuesday because of exceptionally high temperatures.“Due to the high temperatures forecast, the Eiffel Tower will be adjusting its operations,” said the operator of the monument made of latticed steel girders.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/11-india-bound-ships-carrying-crude-lpg-fertilisers-crossed-hormuz-since-us-iran-mou-signing-10-still-in-gulf-mea-1782217692758">11 India-bound ships carrying crude, LPG, fertilisers crossed Hormuz since US-Iran MoU signing; 10 still in Gulf: MEA</a>&nbsp;The Louvre Museum also announced on Tuesday that it would bring forward its closing time to 4 pm, instead of 6 pm, from Wednesday to Saturday because of the heat.&nbsp;“Further record-breaking temperatures are expected, including some that could surpass all previous records, regardless of the time of year,” Meteo France, the national weather service, said.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Other European countries also grappling with searing heat</h2>&nbsp;Several other European countries like Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom were also grappling with searing heat. Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service.&nbsp;Human-caused climate change is tied to increasingly extreme weather, and UN climate agency projections say the next five years should shatter more heat records.The heatwave is exceptionally intense and has already been compared to the one in August 2003 when it caused an estimated 15,000 deaths, many of them among older people in apartments and retirement homes without air conditioning.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/cred-founder-kunal-shah-becomes-global-ceo-of-whatsapp-meta-invests-900-million-in-fintech-startup-1782137297377">CRED founder Kunal Shah becomes global CEO of WhatsApp as Meta invests $900 million in startup</a>&nbsp;Over the last four years, more than 200,000 people across Europe died from heat-related causes, and most of those deaths were preventable, the WHO’s Europe office said.&nbsp;Met Office, the UK weather agency, also issued a red extreme heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday.&nbsp;On Tuesday, multiple train operators across the UK said they were cancelling train services to “ensure the safe operation of the railway.”

Since France is not made to withstand such extreme hot weather and does not have widespread air conditioning, life is severely impacted. Over 40 people have died due to drowning over the last week, as people turned to swimming in hopes of finding relief from a scorching heat wave.

France experienced its hottest day in the latest heatwave on Monday, as two children, aged 2 and 4, were found dead inside a parked car in the country’s south. Three elderly people also died in their homes from heat as temperatures were forecast to reach up to 43 degrees Celsius. Some 39 million people are under ‘red alert’ warnings for extreme heat. France is being battered by a deadly heatwave since last week, disrupting daily life and forcing school closures and train cancellations. Also Read: Pakistan’s Op Sindoor lies busted, IAF document proves India’s Rafale fleet fully intact Over 40 people have died due to drowning over the last week, as people turned to swimming in hopes of finding relief from a scorching heat wave. The 40 people who died by drowning since last Thursday were mainly young people, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said. “It’s not something to be taken lightly, going swimming in unsupervised areas during a heat wave,” said French Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari. Extreme conditions are expected to last at least until the end of the week, with daytime highs above 104 degrees Fahrenheit in many towns. Also Read: Mamata-led TMC faction hits back, expels Firhad Hakim, Aroop Roy and 6 others over anti-party activities Since France is not made to withstand such extreme hot weather and does not have widespread air conditioning, schools, public transportation and sporting events have been impacted. Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum close early due to heat The Eiffel Tower, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, which closes late at night as it usually does, closed early on Tuesday because of exceptionally high temperatures. “Due to the high temperatures forecast, the Eiffel Tower will be adjusting its operations,” said the operator of the monument made of latticed steel girders. Also Read: 11 India-bound ships carrying crude, LPG, fertilisers crossed Hormuz since US-Iran MoU signing; 10 still in Gulf: MEA The Louvre Museum also announced on Tuesday that it would bring forward its closing time to 4 pm, instead of 6 pm, from Wednesday to Saturday because of the heat. “Further record-breaking temperatures are expected, including some that could surpass all previous records, regardless of the time of year,” Meteo France, the national weather service, said. Other European countries also grappling with searing heat Several other European countries like Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom were also grappling with searing heat. Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Human-caused climate change is tied to increasingly extreme weather, and UN climate agency projections say the next five years should shatter more heat records. The heatwave is exceptionally intense and has already been compared to the one in August 2003 when it caused an estimated 15,000 deaths, many of them among older people in apartments and retirement homes without air conditioning. Also Read: CRED founder Kunal Shah becomes global CEO of WhatsApp as Meta invests $900 million in startup Over the last four years, more than 200,000 people across Europe died from heat-related causes, and most of those deaths were preventable, the WHO’s Europe office said. Met Office, the UK weather agency, also issued a red extreme heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday. On Tuesday, multiple train operators across the UK said they were cancelling train services to “ensure the safe operation of the railway.”

Since France is not made to withstand such extreme hot weather and does not have widespread air conditioning, life is severely impacted. Over 40 people have died due to drowning over the last week, as people turned to swimming in hopes of finding relief from a scorching heat wave.

Heatwave in France proves deadly as 40 drown; Eiffel Tower, Louvre close early

The B-52 Stratofortress can fly over 14,000 kilometres on a single fuel load, roughly the distance from New York to Sydney. That range alone makes it one of the longest-legged combat aircraft in the world. But the B-52 was designed from the start to operate with aerial refuelling support, and when connected to a tanker aircraft, its range stops being a number and becomes a question of human endurance instead.&nbsp;How The Refuelling Works&nbsp;The B-52 receives fuel through a boom receptacle mounted on top of the fuselage, forward of the cockpit. A KC-135 Stratotanker or KC-46 Pegasus flies in formation above and slightly ahead of the bomber, and a boom operator on the tanker extends a rigid, telescoping fuel boom downward into the receptacle. Once connected, fuel flows at approximately 7,000 pounds per minute — meaning a single refuelling contact can transfer around 25,000 pounds of jet fuel in roughly four minutes. The B-52 pilot holds a precise formation position behind the tanker while the boom operator manages the connection. The process can be repeated as many times as needed, at intervals determined by the bomber's fuel consumption rate and the availability of tanker support.&nbsp;Range Becomes Endurance&nbsp;With tanker support available along its route, the B-52's operational range is no longer limited by fuel capacity. It is limited only by the physical and mental endurance of its five-person crew. On missions lasting 30 to 35 hours, which are not unusual for long-range deterrence patrols or combat sorties launched from the continental United States — crews refuel multiple times while airborne. The aircraft never needs to land for fuel. It can stay in the air as long as there are tankers to meet it and crew members capable of flying it.&nbsp;Cold War Patrols That Never Landed&nbsp;During Operation Chrome Dome — the Cold War programme that kept nuclear-armed B-52s airborne around the clock as a deterrent against Soviet first strikes — bombers launched from bases in the United States and flew continuous 24-hour patrol routes over the Arctic and the Atlantic, refuelling from tankers positioned along their flight paths. The B-52s were airborne with live nuclear weapons, ready to proceed to their assigned targets in the Soviet Union if a launch order was received. These patrols ran continuously from 1961 to 1968, with bombers rotating in and out of the air in a never-ending cycle. The only reason each individual bomber eventually landed was not fuel — it was crew fatigue.&nbsp;Why This Capability Still Matters&nbsp;The ability to keep a bomber airborne indefinitely with tanker support is not a Cold War relic — it is a current operational capability. In 1991, seven B-52s flew a 35-hour round trip from Louisiana to Iraq and back without landing — Operation Secret Squirrel. In more recent years, B-52s have flown bomber task force missions from the continental United States to the Middle East, the Pacific, and Eastern Europe, refuelling in the air and returning to base without ever touching a foreign runway. In a world where basing access can be denied or politically complicated, an aircraft that can reach any point on Earth from home soil — provided tanker support is available — remains one of the most strategically valuable assets in any air force.

The B-52 takes on 7,000 pounds of fuel per minute from KC-135 tankers. With aerial refuelling, its range is unlimited — only crew endurance determines when it lands.

The B-52 Stratofortress can fly over 14,000 kilometres on a single fuel load, roughly the distance from New York to Sydney. That range alone makes it one of the longest-legged combat aircraft in the world. But the B-52 was designed from the start to operate with aerial refuelling support, and when connected to a tanker aircraft, its range stops being a number and becomes a question of human endurance instead. How The Refuelling Works The B-52 receives fuel through a boom receptacle mounted on top of the fuselage, forward of the cockpit. A KC-135 Stratotanker or KC-46 Pegasus flies in formation above and slightly ahead of the bomber, and a boom operator on the tanker extends a rigid, telescoping fuel boom downward into the receptacle. Once connected, fuel flows at approximately 7,000 pounds per minute — meaning a single refuelling contact can transfer around 25,000 pounds of jet fuel in roughly four minutes. The B-52 pilot holds a precise formation position behind the tanker while the boom operator manages the connection. The process can be repeated as many times as needed, at intervals determined by the bomber's fuel consumption rate and the availability of tanker support. Range Becomes Endurance With tanker support available along its route, the B-52's operational range is no longer limited by fuel capacity. It is limited only by the physical and mental endurance of its five-person crew. On missions lasting 30 to 35 hours, which are not unusual for long-range deterrence patrols or combat sorties launched from the continental United States — crews refuel multiple times while airborne. The aircraft never needs to land for fuel. It can stay in the air as long as there are tankers to meet it and crew members capable of flying it. Cold War Patrols That Never Landed During Operation Chrome Dome — the Cold War programme that kept nuclear-armed B-52s airborne around the clock as a deterrent against Soviet first strikes — bombers launched from bases in the United States and flew continuous 24-hour patrol routes over the Arctic and the Atlantic, refuelling from tankers positioned along their flight paths. The B-52s were airborne with live nuclear weapons, ready to proceed to their assigned targets in the Soviet Union if a launch order was received. These patrols ran continuously from 1961 to 1968, with bombers rotating in and out of the air in a never-ending cycle. The only reason each individual bomber eventually landed was not fuel — it was crew fatigue. Why This Capability Still Matters The ability to keep a bomber airborne indefinitely with tanker support is not a Cold War relic — it is a current operational capability. In 1991, seven B-52s flew a 35-hour round trip from Louisiana to Iraq and back without landing — Operation Secret Squirrel. In more recent years, B-52s have flown bomber task force missions from the continental United States to the Middle East, the Pacific, and Eastern Europe, refuelling in the air and returning to base without ever touching a foreign runway. In a world where basing access can be denied or politically complicated, an aircraft that can reach any point on Earth from home soil — provided tanker support is available — remains one of the most strategically valuable assets in any air force.

The B-52 Stratofortress already has an unrefuelled range of over 14,000 kilometres. But with aerial refuelling from KC-135 tankers, which pump 7,000 pounds of fuel per minute directly into the bomber, the B-52's range becomes effectively unlimited.&nbsp;

With mid-air refuelling, the B-52 can fly literally forever, the only limit is the crew

The B-52 Stratofortress carries a crew of five: an aircraft commander, a co-pilot, a navigator, a radar navigator, and an electronic warfare officer. The first four have roles that are immediately understandable — flying the aircraft, navigating to the target, and managing weapons delivery. The fifth crew member, the Electronic Warfare Officer, or EWO, does something altogether different. The EWO fights a war that is invisible to the naked eye, waged entirely in the electromagnetic spectrum.&nbsp;What The EWO Actually Does&nbsp;The EWO's station is on the upper flight deck of the B-52, surrounded by displays and control panels connected to the aircraft's suite of electronic warfare systems. The EWO's primary job is to monitor the electromagnetic environment around the aircraft — detecting, identifying, and prioritising every radar signal, missile guidance beam, and electronic emission that could represent a threat. When a surface-to-air missile system locks onto the B-52, the EWO is the crew member who sees it first — not as a visual object, but as an electronic signal on a screen. When enemy fighters activate their targeting radars, the EWO identifies the type, direction, and urgency of the threat and advises the pilots on how to respond.&nbsp;Jamming, Chaff, And Flares&nbsp;The B-52H carries a complex suite of active and passive electronic countermeasures under the EWO's control. Active jamming systems — including the AN/ALQ-155 Power Management System, AN/ALQ-117, and AN/ALQ-172 — transmit electronic signals designed to confuse, overwhelm, or deceive enemy radars, making it harder for missiles and fire-control systems to track the bomber accurately. For passive defence, the EWO commands the AN/ALE-24 chaff dispensing system, which releases clouds of metallic strips that reflect radar waves and create false targets, and the AN/ALE-20 flare system, which deploys heat-emitting decoys to draw infrared-guided missiles away from the aircraft's engines.&nbsp;Steering Through The Electromagnetic Spectrum&nbsp;Veteran EWOs have described their role as steering the aircraft through the hostile electromagnetic spectrum. While the pilots physically fly the bomber through airspace, the EWO is simultaneously navigating through an invisible landscape of radar beams, missile guidance frequencies, and communications signals — deciding which threats to jam, which to evade, and which to prioritise in real time. During Operation Linebacker II over Hanoi in December 1972, EWOs aboard B-52s were operating their countermeasures against one of the densest surface-to-air missile environments in history, with approximately 1,240 SAMs fired at the bomber formations over 11 nights. The effectiveness of the EWOs' work was a significant factor in the overall loss rate remaining below two per cent.&nbsp;A Role That Has Only Grown More Important&nbsp;In the decades since Vietnam, the electromagnetic battlespace has become dramatically more complex. Modern integrated air defence systems operate across multiple frequency bands, use advanced electronic counter-countermeasures to defeat jamming, and can network multiple radar sites to track targets collaboratively. The B-52J upgrade programme includes significant modernisation of the aircraft's electronic warfare systems — equipping the EWO with newer, more capable tools to operate in this environment. The EWO remains the only crew member on the B-52 whose entire job is defence — not flying, not navigating, not attacking, but keeping the aircraft and its crew alive against threats they cannot see with their eyes.

The B-52's Electronic Warfare Officer fights in the electromagnetic spectrum — jamming radars, deploying chaff and flares, steering the bomber through invisible threats.

The B-52 Stratofortress carries a crew of five: an aircraft commander, a co-pilot, a navigator, a radar navigator, and an electronic warfare officer. The first four have roles that are immediately understandable — flying the aircraft, navigating to the target, and managing weapons delivery. The fifth crew member, the Electronic Warfare Officer, or EWO, does something altogether different. The EWO fights a war that is invisible to the naked eye, waged entirely in the electromagnetic spectrum. What The EWO Actually Does The EWO's station is on the upper flight deck of the B-52, surrounded by displays and control panels connected to the aircraft's suite of electronic warfare systems. The EWO's primary job is to monitor the electromagnetic environment around the aircraft — detecting, identifying, and prioritising every radar signal, missile guidance beam, and electronic emission that could represent a threat. When a surface-to-air missile system locks onto the B-52, the EWO is the crew member who sees it first — not as a visual object, but as an electronic signal on a screen. When enemy fighters activate their targeting radars, the EWO identifies the type, direction, and urgency of the threat and advises the pilots on how to respond. Jamming, Chaff, And Flares The B-52H carries a complex suite of active and passive electronic countermeasures under the EWO's control. Active jamming systems — including the AN/ALQ-155 Power Management System, AN/ALQ-117, and AN/ALQ-172 — transmit electronic signals designed to confuse, overwhelm, or deceive enemy radars, making it harder for missiles and fire-control systems to track the bomber accurately. For passive defence, the EWO commands the AN/ALE-24 chaff dispensing system, which releases clouds of metallic strips that reflect radar waves and create false targets, and the AN/ALE-20 flare system, which deploys heat-emitting decoys to draw infrared-guided missiles away from the aircraft's engines. Steering Through The Electromagnetic Spectrum Veteran EWOs have described their role as steering the aircraft through the hostile electromagnetic spectrum. While the pilots physically fly the bomber through airspace, the EWO is simultaneously navigating through an invisible landscape of radar beams, missile guidance frequencies, and communications signals — deciding which threats to jam, which to evade, and which to prioritise in real time. During Operation Linebacker II over Hanoi in December 1972, EWOs aboard B-52s were operating their countermeasures against one of the densest surface-to-air missile environments in history, with approximately 1,240 SAMs fired at the bomber formations over 11 nights. The effectiveness of the EWOs' work was a significant factor in the overall loss rate remaining below two per cent. A Role That Has Only Grown More Important In the decades since Vietnam, the electromagnetic battlespace has become dramatically more complex. Modern integrated air defence systems operate across multiple frequency bands, use advanced electronic counter-countermeasures to defeat jamming, and can network multiple radar sites to track targets collaboratively. The B-52J upgrade programme includes significant modernisation of the aircraft's electronic warfare systems — equipping the EWO with newer, more capable tools to operate in this environment. The EWO remains the only crew member on the B-52 whose entire job is defence — not flying, not navigating, not attacking, but keeping the aircraft and its crew alive against threats they cannot see with their eyes.

One of the B-52's five crew members never drops a bomb, never fires a weapon, and never touches the flight controls.&nbsp;

The B-52 carries a crew member whose only job is to fight an invisible war

When people think of the B-52 Stratofortress, they think of nuclear deterrence, carpet bombing, and cruise missile strikes. What almost nobody thinks of is the B-52 as a weapon against ships. But one of the aircraft's most strategically significant capabilities is maritime mining — the ability to rapidly deploy large numbers of naval sea mines across critical waterways from high altitude, denying passage to enemy vessels without ever putting a ship in the water.&nbsp;51 Mines From One Aircraft&nbsp;A fully loaded B-52H can carry up to 51 Quickstrike Mk 62 naval mines using its internal Common Strategic Rotary Launchers. Quickstrike mines are 500-pound bottom mines equipped with sophisticated sensors that can detect and engage specific vessel types based on their acoustic, magnetic, and pressure signatures. Once deployed, the mines settle on the seabed and can remain active for months, waiting for a vessel matching their programmed parameters to pass overhead. A single B-52 sortie can establish an entire minefield across a shipping lane or harbour approach — a task that would traditionally require multiple surface ships operating in contested waters over a much longer period.&nbsp;Extended Range: Drop Mines From 40 Miles Away&nbsp;In May 2023, the US Air Force successfully tested the Quickstrike Extended Range system — known as QS-ER — from a B-52H during exercises off Kauai, Hawaii. The QS-ER concept mates a Mk 64 underwater mine with a Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range guidance kit, giving the mine GPS-guided glide capability after release. This allows the B-52 to deploy mines from a standoff distance of over 40 miles — well beyond the range of most coastal defence systems. The bomber drops the weapon at altitude, and the mine glides autonomously to its designated position on the seabed. The B-52 never needs to fly directly over the area it is mining.&nbsp;Why This Changes Naval Warfare&nbsp;Traditional mine-laying requires surface ships or submarines to physically transit into the waters being mined — a slow, dangerous process that exposes the mine-laying vessel to enemy fire, detection, and interception. The B-52 eliminates this risk entirely. Flying at high altitude, at speeds of up to 960 kilometres per hour, and with a range of over 14,000 kilometres, a B-52 can deploy a minefield across a critical chokepoint — a strait, a harbour approach, a canal entry — in minutes rather than hours, from a distance that keeps the aircraft safely beyond the reach of most coastal defences. In a conflict in the Pacific, where control of shipping lanes is a central strategic concern, this capability is not theoretical — it is operational.&nbsp;The Mission Nobody Talks About&nbsp;Maritime mining is one of the oldest forms of naval warfare, and one of the most effective. Mines are cheap relative to the damage they inflict, difficult to detect and clear, and psychologically powerful — the mere knowledge that mines have been deployed in a shipping lane is often enough to shut it down. The B-52's ability to deploy 51 mines in a single sortie, from standoff range, at speed, and across vast distances, makes it one of the most efficient mine-laying platforms in the world — despite being a 70-year-old strategic bomber that was never originally designed for the role. It is one more example of the B-52 doing a job that nobody imagined for it when it was built, and doing it better than purpose-designed alternatives.

A B-52 can carry 51 Quickstrike sea mines and deploy them across shipping lanes from 40+ miles away. It's one of the bomber's least-known and most powerful capabilities.

When people think of the B-52 Stratofortress, they think of nuclear deterrence, carpet bombing, and cruise missile strikes. What almost nobody thinks of is the B-52 as a weapon against ships. But one of the aircraft's most strategically significant capabilities is maritime mining — the ability to rapidly deploy large numbers of naval sea mines across critical waterways from high altitude, denying passage to enemy vessels without ever putting a ship in the water. 51 Mines From One Aircraft A fully loaded B-52H can carry up to 51 Quickstrike Mk 62 naval mines using its internal Common Strategic Rotary Launchers. Quickstrike mines are 500-pound bottom mines equipped with sophisticated sensors that can detect and engage specific vessel types based on their acoustic, magnetic, and pressure signatures. Once deployed, the mines settle on the seabed and can remain active for months, waiting for a vessel matching their programmed parameters to pass overhead. A single B-52 sortie can establish an entire minefield across a shipping lane or harbour approach — a task that would traditionally require multiple surface ships operating in contested waters over a much longer period. Extended Range: Drop Mines From 40 Miles Away In May 2023, the US Air Force successfully tested the Quickstrike Extended Range system — known as QS-ER — from a B-52H during exercises off Kauai, Hawaii. The QS-ER concept mates a Mk 64 underwater mine with a Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range guidance kit, giving the mine GPS-guided glide capability after release. This allows the B-52 to deploy mines from a standoff distance of over 40 miles — well beyond the range of most coastal defence systems. The bomber drops the weapon at altitude, and the mine glides autonomously to its designated position on the seabed. The B-52 never needs to fly directly over the area it is mining. Why This Changes Naval Warfare Traditional mine-laying requires surface ships or submarines to physically transit into the waters being mined — a slow, dangerous process that exposes the mine-laying vessel to enemy fire, detection, and interception. The B-52 eliminates this risk entirely. Flying at high altitude, at speeds of up to 960 kilometres per hour, and with a range of over 14,000 kilometres, a B-52 can deploy a minefield across a critical chokepoint — a strait, a harbour approach, a canal entry — in minutes rather than hours, from a distance that keeps the aircraft safely beyond the reach of most coastal defences. In a conflict in the Pacific, where control of shipping lanes is a central strategic concern, this capability is not theoretical — it is operational. The Mission Nobody Talks About Maritime mining is one of the oldest forms of naval warfare, and one of the most effective. Mines are cheap relative to the damage they inflict, difficult to detect and clear, and psychologically powerful — the mere knowledge that mines have been deployed in a shipping lane is often enough to shut it down. The B-52's ability to deploy 51 mines in a single sortie, from standoff range, at speed, and across vast distances, makes it one of the most efficient mine-laying platforms in the world — despite being a 70-year-old strategic bomber that was never originally designed for the role. It is one more example of the B-52 doing a job that nobody imagined for it when it was built, and doing it better than purpose-designed alternatives.

A single B-52H can carry up to 51 Quickstrike naval mines and deploy them across critical shipping lanes from the air, shutting down entire sea routes without a single ship ever being involved. A newer extended-range version can be dropped from over 40 miles away.

A single B-52 can mine an entire shipping lane from the sky, carrying 51 sea mines at once

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was reached in Islamabad, has triggered intense debate over the future of the Strait of Hormuz after the war. Some observers suggested that Iran has emerged with control over one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.But according to war correspondent and analyst Elijah J Magnier, speaking to WION, the agreement does not hand the strait to Iran. Instead, it creates a temporary framework that allows both sides to negotiate how the waterway will be managed in the future.<h2>What does the MoU actually do?</h2>According to Magnier, the agreement establishes a 60-day period during which neither side will attempt to impose control over the strait. “For 60 days, nobody is going to control it as stipulated in the MoU,” he told WION.&nbsp;During this period, Iran and Oman, which share jurisdiction over the Strait of Hormuz, are expected to begin discussions on future arrangements governing navigation through the waterway.&nbsp;Magnier noted that the key question remains which legal framework will ultimately be used. There are competing interpretations regarding whether ships enjoy “free passage” or “innocent passage”, and whether older maritime conventions or newer international rules should apply.&nbsp;The analyst pointed out that Iran has long maintained reservations regarding parts of the modern law of the sea framework, making future negotiations particularly important.<h2>Can Iran impose fees on ships?</h2>One of the biggest questions is whether Iran could eventually charge vessels passing through the strait. Magnier argued that Iran may seek a model similar to that used by Turkey in the Bosphorus. Instead of charging a direct transit fee, Tehran could potentially levy charges related to security, environmental protection or maintenance services.&nbsp;“This is something that Iran can put forward and not ask for fees for passage and transit, but they can have it in a completely different way,” he added. According to Magnier, discussions during the 60 days are expected to focus heavily on precisely these issues.<h2>Does Trump’s blockade threat mean the war could restart?</h2>US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could reimpose a blockade if Iran violates the roadmap. Magnier, however, downplayed the likelihood of a return to military confrontation.&nbsp;He argued that renewed hostilities would be costly for the United States economically and politically. He said oil markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the Gulf and any fresh disruption could trigger another surge in energy prices.&nbsp;“I don’t think the MoU was made for him to resume the blockade or the war,” Magnier said.Instead, he suggested that some of Trump’s rhetoric may be aimed at domestic political audiences as well as allies unhappy with the outcome of the conflict.<h2>What about nuclear inspections?</h2>The MoU has also sparked disagreement over nuclear inspections. While Washington has portrayed the agreement as paving the way for extensive inspections, Iran has maintained that no final commitments have yet been made. Magnier further said that the agreement itself makes clear that negotiations on a final deal are only beginning.&nbsp;According to his reading of the document, the current phase is focused on implementing initial confidence-building measures rather than finalising a permanent settlement.&nbsp;“Within these 60 days, it’s just talk, nothing is finalised,” he said.&nbsp;The analyst argued that allowing inspectors back into Iran could be viewed as a goodwill gesture, but also as leverage Tehran could use if it believes the United States is failing to meet its own obligations under the agreement.<h2>Why does Iran say Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions?</h2>Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that the Strait of Hormuz will not revert to the arrangements that existed before the conflict. Magnier believes this does not necessarily mean Tehran will shut the strait or gain unrestricted authority over it.&nbsp;Instead, Iran appears to be signalling that future rules could include additional security, environmental or regulatory measures that did not previously exist.&nbsp;According to Magnier, Washington may ultimately accept such changes if they do not significantly disrupt global energy flows.&nbsp;The analyst noted that around 80 per cent of the oil moving through Hormuz is destined for China and other Asian markets, reducing the direct economic impact on America.

The Islamabad MoU creates a temporary 60-day framework for maritime management rather than giving Iran control over the Strait of Hormuz, initiating negotiations on transit rules, fees, and security.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was reached in Islamabad, has triggered intense debate over the future of the Strait of Hormuz after the war. Some observers suggested that Iran has emerged with control over one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. But according to war correspondent and analyst Elijah J Magnier, speaking to WION, the agreement does not hand the strait to Iran. Instead, it creates a temporary framework that allows both sides to negotiate how the waterway will be managed in the future. What does the MoU actually do? According to Magnier, the agreement establishes a 60-day period during which neither side will attempt to impose control over the strait. “For 60 days, nobody is going to control it as stipulated in the MoU,” he told WION. During this period, Iran and Oman, which share jurisdiction over the Strait of Hormuz, are expected to begin discussions on future arrangements governing navigation through the waterway. Magnier noted that the key question remains which legal framework will ultimately be used. There are competing interpretations regarding whether ships enjoy “free passage” or “innocent passage”, and whether older maritime conventions or newer international rules should apply. The analyst pointed out that Iran has long maintained reservations regarding parts of the modern law of the sea framework, making future negotiations particularly important. Can Iran impose fees on ships? One of the biggest questions is whether Iran could eventually charge vessels passing through the strait. Magnier argued that Iran may seek a model similar to that used by Turkey in the Bosphorus. Instead of charging a direct transit fee, Tehran could potentially levy charges related to security, environmental protection or maintenance services. “This is something that Iran can put forward and not ask for fees for passage and transit, but they can have it in a completely different way,” he added. According to Magnier, discussions during the 60 days are expected to focus heavily on precisely these issues. Does Trump’s blockade threat mean the war could restart? US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could reimpose a blockade if Iran violates the roadmap. Magnier, however, downplayed the likelihood of a return to military confrontation. He argued that renewed hostilities would be costly for the United States economically and politically. He said oil markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the Gulf and any fresh disruption could trigger another surge in energy prices. “I don’t think the MoU was made for him to resume the blockade or the war,” Magnier said. Instead, he suggested that some of Trump’s rhetoric may be aimed at domestic political audiences as well as allies unhappy with the outcome of the conflict. What about nuclear inspections? The MoU has also sparked disagreement over nuclear inspections. While Washington has portrayed the agreement as paving the way for extensive inspections, Iran has maintained that no final commitments have yet been made. Magnier further said that the agreement itself makes clear that negotiations on a final deal are only beginning. According to his reading of the document, the current phase is focused on implementing initial confidence-building measures rather than finalising a permanent settlement. “Within these 60 days, it’s just talk, nothing is finalised,” he said. The analyst argued that allowing inspectors back into Iran could be viewed as a goodwill gesture, but also as leverage Tehran could use if it believes the United States is failing to meet its own obligations under the agreement. Why does Iran say Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions? Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that the Strait of Hormuz will not revert to the arrangements that existed before the conflict. Magnier believes this does not necessarily mean Tehran will shut the strait or gain unrestricted authority over it. Instead, Iran appears to be signalling that future rules could include additional security, environmental or regulatory measures that did not previously exist. According to Magnier, Washington may ultimately accept such changes if they do not significantly disrupt global energy flows. The analyst noted that around 80 per cent of the oil moving through Hormuz is destined for China and other Asian markets, reducing the direct economic impact on America.

The Islamabad MoU creates a temporary 60-day framework for maritime management rather than giving Iran control over the Strait of Hormuz, initiating negotiations on transit rules, fees, and security.

WION Exclusive: Why Islamabad MoU doesn’t hand Hormuz to Iran

Running through the lower centre of the B-52 Stratofortress fuselage is a weapons bay that measures approximately 27 feet in length and contains roughly 1,043 cubic feet of internal volume. When the bay doors are closed, the clearance inside is around four feet — enough to crouch through, but not to stand upright. It was not designed for human comfort. It was designed to carry the most destructive weapons ever built.&nbsp;Built For Nuclear Gravity Bombs&nbsp;When the B-52 entered service in 1955, its primary mission was nuclear deterrence. The bomb bay was engineered to carry free-fall thermonuclear gravity bombs — massive weapons like the B28, B41, and B53 that weighed thousands of pounds each and carried yields measured in megatons. The bay's dimensions were dictated by the size and weight of these weapons. During the Cold War, B-52s on airborne alert carried live nuclear bombs in this bay continuously, ready to be released over Soviet targets within hours of a presidential order. The bomb bay was, in the most literal sense, designed for the end of the world.&nbsp;The Rotary Launcher That Changed Everything&nbsp;As the B-52's mission evolved beyond nuclear-only operations, the bomb bay was adapted to carry a Common Strategic Rotary Launcher — a cylindrical, motorised rack that rotates like a revolver chamber, presenting each weapon in sequence to the bay doors for release. The rotary launcher can be loaded with AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles, the same weapons used in Operation Desert Storm's opening salvo. It can also carry GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions and other precision-guided weapons. The launcher's design allows the B-52 to carry a diverse mix of ordnance internally and release individual weapons in rapid sequence without the crew manually reconfiguring anything.&nbsp;Conventional Bomb Racks&nbsp;For conventional bombing missions, the rotary launcher can be replaced with traditional bomb racks capable of holding large quantities of unguided or guided bombs. During the Vietnam War, B-52s carried massive loads of conventional 500-pound and 750-pound bombs in the bay, releasing them in carpet-bombing patterns over target areas. The same bomb bay that was built to carry a single nuclear weapon capable of destroying a city could also be loaded with dozens of conventional bombs for sustained area bombardment — a versatility that no other bomber of its era offered.&nbsp;Why The Bay Still Matters&nbsp;In an era of stealth bombers and standoff missiles, the B-52's cavernous bomb bay remains relevant because of what it enables: the ability to carry weapons internally, protected from drag and turbulence, while simultaneously carrying additional weapons on external pylons under the wings. This dual-carriage capability — internal bay plus external hardpoints — is what gives the B-52 its record 70,000-pound total payload. The bomb bay that was designed in the 1950s to end civilisation in a nuclear exchange is now, seven decades later, being used to carry precision weapons, cruise missiles, and experimental hypersonic test vehicles. Its original purpose has changed. Its usefulness has not.

The B-52's 27-foot, 1,000 cubic foot internal bomb bay was designed for thermonuclear weapons. Today it carries cruise missiles, JDAMs, and a rotary launcher.

Running through the lower centre of the B-52 Stratofortress fuselage is a weapons bay that measures approximately 27 feet in length and contains roughly 1,043 cubic feet of internal volume. When the bay doors are closed, the clearance inside is around four feet — enough to crouch through, but not to stand upright. It was not designed for human comfort. It was designed to carry the most destructive weapons ever built. Built For Nuclear Gravity Bombs When the B-52 entered service in 1955, its primary mission was nuclear deterrence. The bomb bay was engineered to carry free-fall thermonuclear gravity bombs — massive weapons like the B28, B41, and B53 that weighed thousands of pounds each and carried yields measured in megatons. The bay's dimensions were dictated by the size and weight of these weapons. During the Cold War, B-52s on airborne alert carried live nuclear bombs in this bay continuously, ready to be released over Soviet targets within hours of a presidential order. The bomb bay was, in the most literal sense, designed for the end of the world. The Rotary Launcher That Changed Everything As the B-52's mission evolved beyond nuclear-only operations, the bomb bay was adapted to carry a Common Strategic Rotary Launcher — a cylindrical, motorised rack that rotates like a revolver chamber, presenting each weapon in sequence to the bay doors for release. The rotary launcher can be loaded with AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles, the same weapons used in Operation Desert Storm's opening salvo. It can also carry GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions and other precision-guided weapons. The launcher's design allows the B-52 to carry a diverse mix of ordnance internally and release individual weapons in rapid sequence without the crew manually reconfiguring anything. Conventional Bomb Racks For conventional bombing missions, the rotary launcher can be replaced with traditional bomb racks capable of holding large quantities of unguided or guided bombs. During the Vietnam War, B-52s carried massive loads of conventional 500-pound and 750-pound bombs in the bay, releasing them in carpet-bombing patterns over target areas. The same bomb bay that was built to carry a single nuclear weapon capable of destroying a city could also be loaded with dozens of conventional bombs for sustained area bombardment — a versatility that no other bomber of its era offered. Why The Bay Still Matters In an era of stealth bombers and standoff missiles, the B-52's cavernous bomb bay remains relevant because of what it enables: the ability to carry weapons internally, protected from drag and turbulence, while simultaneously carrying additional weapons on external pylons under the wings. This dual-carriage capability — internal bay plus external hardpoints — is what gives the B-52 its record 70,000-pound total payload. The bomb bay that was designed in the 1950s to end civilisation in a nuclear exchange is now, seven decades later, being used to carry precision weapons, cruise missiles, and experimental hypersonic test vehicles. Its original purpose has changed. Its usefulness has not.

The B-52 Stratofortress carries a 27-foot-long internal weapons bay with over 1,000 cubic feet of volume, originally designed to hold thermonuclear gravity bombs during the Cold War.&nbsp;

The B-52 has a 27-foot bomb bay big enough to walk through, it was built for nuclear armageddon

Every B-52 Stratofortress takeoff produces the same distinctive image: a massive aircraft climbing away from the runway trailing eight thick columns of black smoke that merge into a single dark smear across the sky. It is one of the most recognisable visual signatures in military aviation — and for a bomber that is supposed to deliver weapons deep into enemy territory, it is also one of the most problematic.&nbsp;Why The Engines Smoke&nbsp;The B-52H is powered by eight Pratt and Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines — the military variant of the JT3D commercial engine that entered service in the early 1960s. These are low-bypass turbofan engines from an era when fuel efficiency and clean combustion were secondary to raw thrust. The TF33s burn jet fuel less completely than modern engines, producing visible soot particles — particularly during high-power settings at takeoff, climb, and acceleration. The result is a dense black exhaust trail that has become synonymous with the B-52 over the past six decades.&nbsp;An Arrow Pointing Straight At You&nbsp;In a combat environment, the B-52's smoke trail is a serious tactical liability. Any smoke trail at altitude is effectively a high-visibility arrow in the sky that makes the aircraft easy to locate for an adversary — whether from the ground, from intercepting fighters, or from satellite surveillance. The B-52 is already a large, non-stealthy aircraft with a significant radar cross-section. Adding a visible smoke trail that can be seen from miles away removes any remaining ambiguity about where the bomber is and which direction it is heading.&nbsp;Contrails Make It Worse&nbsp;At the B-52's typical operating altitude of up to 50,000 feet, the cold temperatures cause additional contrail formation — the white condensation trails that form behind any aircraft at high altitude. But the B-52's soot-heavy exhaust makes contrail formation more pronounced and more persistent than it would be from a cleaner engine. The combination of black exhaust smoke at lower altitudes and thick contrails at higher altitudes means the B-52 leaves a visible trace across almost every phase of its flight profile.&nbsp;The Fix: Rolls-Royce F130 Engines&nbsp;Under the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program, all 76 active B-52H bombers will receive new Rolls-Royce F130 engines — a modern, high-bypass turbofan adapted from the commercial BR725 engine. The F130 burns fuel far more efficiently and far more cleanly than the 1960s-era TF33. The black smoke trail that has followed every B-52 for over 60 years will be eliminated entirely. The new engines will also deliver significantly better fuel efficiency — extending the bomber's already considerable range — reduced maintenance requirements, and lower operating costs. When the upgraded B-52J enters service in the 2030s, it will be the first time in the aircraft's history that it flies without leaving a visible smoke signature behind it.

The B-52's TF33 engines produce a black smoke trail that makes it visible from miles away. The new Rolls-Royce F130 engines will eliminate the signature entirely.

Every B-52 Stratofortress takeoff produces the same distinctive image: a massive aircraft climbing away from the runway trailing eight thick columns of black smoke that merge into a single dark smear across the sky. It is one of the most recognisable visual signatures in military aviation — and for a bomber that is supposed to deliver weapons deep into enemy territory, it is also one of the most problematic. Why The Engines Smoke The B-52H is powered by eight Pratt and Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines — the military variant of the JT3D commercial engine that entered service in the early 1960s. These are low-bypass turbofan engines from an era when fuel efficiency and clean combustion were secondary to raw thrust. The TF33s burn jet fuel less completely than modern engines, producing visible soot particles — particularly during high-power settings at takeoff, climb, and acceleration. The result is a dense black exhaust trail that has become synonymous with the B-52 over the past six decades. An Arrow Pointing Straight At You In a combat environment, the B-52's smoke trail is a serious tactical liability. Any smoke trail at altitude is effectively a high-visibility arrow in the sky that makes the aircraft easy to locate for an adversary — whether from the ground, from intercepting fighters, or from satellite surveillance. The B-52 is already a large, non-stealthy aircraft with a significant radar cross-section. Adding a visible smoke trail that can be seen from miles away removes any remaining ambiguity about where the bomber is and which direction it is heading. Contrails Make It Worse At the B-52's typical operating altitude of up to 50,000 feet, the cold temperatures cause additional contrail formation — the white condensation trails that form behind any aircraft at high altitude. But the B-52's soot-heavy exhaust makes contrail formation more pronounced and more persistent than it would be from a cleaner engine. The combination of black exhaust smoke at lower altitudes and thick contrails at higher altitudes means the B-52 leaves a visible trace across almost every phase of its flight profile. The Fix: Rolls-Royce F130 Engines Under the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program, all 76 active B-52H bombers will receive new Rolls-Royce F130 engines — a modern, high-bypass turbofan adapted from the commercial BR725 engine. The F130 burns fuel far more efficiently and far more cleanly than the 1960s-era TF33. The black smoke trail that has followed every B-52 for over 60 years will be eliminated entirely. The new engines will also deliver significantly better fuel efficiency — extending the bomber's already considerable range — reduced maintenance requirements, and lower operating costs. When the upgraded B-52J enters service in the 2030s, it will be the first time in the aircraft's history that it flies without leaving a visible smoke signature behind it.

For over six decades, the B-52 Stratofortress has been one of the easiest aircraft in the world to spot — not because of its size, but because its eight TF33 engines produce a thick black smoke trail that acts as a ‘high visibility arrow in the sky.’&nbsp;

B-52's eight engines leave a black smoke trail visible for miles and it is finally getting fixed

Every military aircraft with ejection seats fires the crew upward and away from the aircraft. Every military aircraft except one. The B-52 Stratofortress has a split ejection system unlike anything else in operational service: three crew members eject upward through the roof, and two crew members eject downward through the floor.&nbsp;Two Decks, Two Directions&nbsp;The B-52's crew compartment is arranged on two levels. The upper flight deck houses the aircraft commander, the co-pilot, and the electronic warfare officer. Their ejection seats fire upward through explosive hatches in the roof of the fuselage — a conventional ejection sequence that clears the crew above the aircraft and deploys parachutes in the standard way. The lower deck houses the navigator and the radar navigator in a windowless compartment beneath the flight deck. There is no space above them for upward-firing seats — the upper deck is directly overhead. The only way out is down.&nbsp;Fired Through The Floor&nbsp;The lower deck crew members sit on downward-firing ejection seats. When the ejection sequence is initiated, explosive bolts blow open hatches in the floor of the aircraft, and the seats fire the crew members downward and away from the bomber. The crew members then separate from their seats and their parachutes deploy as they fall. It is a system that works — but it comes with a critical limitation that upward-firing seats do not have.&nbsp;The Minimum Altitude Problem&nbsp;For a downward-firing ejection to be survivable, the aircraft must be at a minimum altitude of approximately 250 feet — enough height for the crew member to clear the aircraft, separate from the seat, deploy a parachute, and decelerate before hitting the ground. Below that altitude — during takeoff, landing, or low-level flight — downward ejection was effectively a death sentence. The parachute simply did not have enough time or altitude to fully deploy. This limitation meant that for the navigator and radar navigator, the most dangerous phases of flight offered no viable escape option.&nbsp;The Sequence Matters&nbsp;A full crew bailout from a B-52 must be executed in a precise sequence to prevent crew members from colliding with each other in mid-air. The lower deck crew — the navigator and radar navigator — must eject first, firing downward and away from the aircraft. Only after they are clear does the electronic warfare officer on the upper deck eject, followed by the co-pilot, and finally the aircraft commander, who is always the last to leave. Getting this sequence wrong at high speed and under combat conditions could be as dangerous as the emergency that triggered the ejection in the first place.&nbsp;A System Born Of Compromise&nbsp;The B-52's split ejection system is a product of 1950s engineering constraints. The aircraft was designed around its weapons bay, its engines, and its fuel capacity — not around crew comfort or survivability. The two-deck layout was the most efficient use of fuselage space, and downward ejection was the only viable solution for the lower crew. Modern aircraft designers would never accept a system with the limitations that the B-52's downward seats carry, but the B-52 was built in an era when the aircraft's mission — delivering nuclear weapons — was considered more important than the odds of its crew surviving an emergency. The seats remain in the aircraft today, and every B-52 crew member who sits in one of the lower deck positions accepts the trade-off every time they fly.

The B-52's upper crew ejects upward. The lower crew ejects downward through floor hatches. Below 250 feet, downward ejection was often fatal. Here's how it works.

Every military aircraft with ejection seats fires the crew upward and away from the aircraft. Every military aircraft except one. The B-52 Stratofortress has a split ejection system unlike anything else in operational service: three crew members eject upward through the roof, and two crew members eject downward through the floor. Two Decks, Two Directions The B-52's crew compartment is arranged on two levels. The upper flight deck houses the aircraft commander, the co-pilot, and the electronic warfare officer. Their ejection seats fire upward through explosive hatches in the roof of the fuselage — a conventional ejection sequence that clears the crew above the aircraft and deploys parachutes in the standard way. The lower deck houses the navigator and the radar navigator in a windowless compartment beneath the flight deck. There is no space above them for upward-firing seats — the upper deck is directly overhead. The only way out is down. Fired Through The Floor The lower deck crew members sit on downward-firing ejection seats. When the ejection sequence is initiated, explosive bolts blow open hatches in the floor of the aircraft, and the seats fire the crew members downward and away from the bomber. The crew members then separate from their seats and their parachutes deploy as they fall. It is a system that works — but it comes with a critical limitation that upward-firing seats do not have. The Minimum Altitude Problem For a downward-firing ejection to be survivable, the aircraft must be at a minimum altitude of approximately 250 feet — enough height for the crew member to clear the aircraft, separate from the seat, deploy a parachute, and decelerate before hitting the ground. Below that altitude — during takeoff, landing, or low-level flight — downward ejection was effectively a death sentence. The parachute simply did not have enough time or altitude to fully deploy. This limitation meant that for the navigator and radar navigator, the most dangerous phases of flight offered no viable escape option. The Sequence Matters A full crew bailout from a B-52 must be executed in a precise sequence to prevent crew members from colliding with each other in mid-air. The lower deck crew — the navigator and radar navigator — must eject first, firing downward and away from the aircraft. Only after they are clear does the electronic warfare officer on the upper deck eject, followed by the co-pilot, and finally the aircraft commander, who is always the last to leave. Getting this sequence wrong at high speed and under combat conditions could be as dangerous as the emergency that triggered the ejection in the first place. A System Born Of Compromise The B-52's split ejection system is a product of 1950s engineering constraints. The aircraft was designed around its weapons bay, its engines, and its fuel capacity — not around crew comfort or survivability. The two-deck layout was the most efficient use of fuselage space, and downward ejection was the only viable solution for the lower crew. Modern aircraft designers would never accept a system with the limitations that the B-52's downward seats carry, but the B-52 was built in an era when the aircraft's mission — delivering nuclear weapons — was considered more important than the odds of its crew surviving an emergency. The seats remain in the aircraft today, and every B-52 crew member who sits in one of the lower deck positions accepts the trade-off every time they fly.

The B-52 Stratofortress has one of the most unusual ejection systems in military aviation. The pilot, co-pilot, and electronic warfare officer on the upper deck eject upward through roof hatches.&nbsp;

Half B-52 crew ejects upward, the other half ejects downward through the floor! Here's why

If you watch a B-52 Stratofortress sitting on the tarmac with a full fuel load, the first thing you will notice is that the wings appear to be drooping. The massive 185-foot wingspan does not hold level — the wingtips hang visibly downward, sometimes as much as 10 to 12 feet below their neutral position. Small outrigger wheels mounted under each wingtip rest on the ground to prevent the wings from scraping the runway surface. To the untrained eye, it looks like something is broken. In fact, the B-52's wings are doing exactly what they were designed to do.&nbsp;A 32-Foot Arc Of Flex&nbsp;The B-52's wings were designed in the early 1950s to be deliberately flexible. According to test data from Boeing, each wingtip can travel through a total arc of approximately 32 feet — 16 feet above and 16 feet below the neutral position — across the full range of flight loads from negative-G to positive 4-G manoeuvres. Test pilot Alvin ‘Tex’ Johnston documented this figure during the aircraft's structural testing programme. In practical terms, if you were standing at one wingtip and watching the other during turbulence, you would see it moving through a range of motion greater than the height of a three-storey building.&nbsp;Why Flexibility Is Strength&nbsp;The decision to make the B-52's wings flexible rather than rigid was a deliberate engineering choice. A rigid wing structure, subjected to the constant stresses of turbulence, high-altitude gust loads, and heavy fuel and weapons payloads, would accumulate fatigue damage far more quickly. The B-52's flexible wing acts like a shock absorber — bending and flexing under load rather than transferring those forces directly into the wing root and fuselage. This aeroelastic design is a key reason the B-52's airframe has remained structurally sound for over 60 years and is expected to continue flying until at least 2050.&nbsp;The Fuel That Makes Them Droop&nbsp;The B-52 stores the majority of its massive fuel load — up to 312,197 pounds of jet fuel at maximum capacity — directly inside the wing structure in what is known as a wet wing design. When the aircraft is fully fuelled on the ground, the sheer weight of that fuel pulls the wingtips downward by as much as 12 feet. As fuel is consumed during flight and the wings lighten, they rise back toward their neutral position. The visible drooping of a fully fuelled B-52 on the ramp is one of the aircraft's most distinctive visual characteristics.&nbsp;The Outrigger Wheels Nobody Forgets&nbsp;The small outrigger wheels mounted under each wingtip exist specifically because of this extreme wing flex. On the ground, they prevent the heavy, fuel-laden wings from bending far enough to contact the runway surface. In flight, they retract and serve no purpose — but on the ground, they are the only thing standing between a 185-foot wingspan and the tarmac. No other operational military aircraft in the world requires wingtip landing gear, and the B-52 is the only bomber where watching the wings flex during taxi, takeoff, and turbulence is a routine part of the experience for every crew member and every ground observer.

The B-52's wingtips droop 12 feet on the ground and flex through a 32-foot arc in flight. This extreme flexibility is why the aircraft has survived 70 years.

If you watch a B-52 Stratofortress sitting on the tarmac with a full fuel load, the first thing you will notice is that the wings appear to be drooping. The massive 185-foot wingspan does not hold level — the wingtips hang visibly downward, sometimes as much as 10 to 12 feet below their neutral position. Small outrigger wheels mounted under each wingtip rest on the ground to prevent the wings from scraping the runway surface. To the untrained eye, it looks like something is broken. In fact, the B-52's wings are doing exactly what they were designed to do. A 32-Foot Arc Of Flex The B-52's wings were designed in the early 1950s to be deliberately flexible. According to test data from Boeing, each wingtip can travel through a total arc of approximately 32 feet — 16 feet above and 16 feet below the neutral position — across the full range of flight loads from negative-G to positive 4-G manoeuvres. Test pilot Alvin ‘Tex’ Johnston documented this figure during the aircraft's structural testing programme. In practical terms, if you were standing at one wingtip and watching the other during turbulence, you would see it moving through a range of motion greater than the height of a three-storey building. Why Flexibility Is Strength The decision to make the B-52's wings flexible rather than rigid was a deliberate engineering choice. A rigid wing structure, subjected to the constant stresses of turbulence, high-altitude gust loads, and heavy fuel and weapons payloads, would accumulate fatigue damage far more quickly. The B-52's flexible wing acts like a shock absorber — bending and flexing under load rather than transferring those forces directly into the wing root and fuselage. This aeroelastic design is a key reason the B-52's airframe has remained structurally sound for over 60 years and is expected to continue flying until at least 2050. The Fuel That Makes Them Droop The B-52 stores the majority of its massive fuel load — up to 312,197 pounds of jet fuel at maximum capacity — directly inside the wing structure in what is known as a wet wing design. When the aircraft is fully fuelled on the ground, the sheer weight of that fuel pulls the wingtips downward by as much as 12 feet. As fuel is consumed during flight and the wings lighten, they rise back toward their neutral position. The visible drooping of a fully fuelled B-52 on the ramp is one of the aircraft's most distinctive visual characteristics. The Outrigger Wheels Nobody Forgets The small outrigger wheels mounted under each wingtip exist specifically because of this extreme wing flex. On the ground, they prevent the heavy, fuel-laden wings from bending far enough to contact the runway surface. In flight, they retract and serve no purpose — but on the ground, they are the only thing standing between a 185-foot wingspan and the tarmac. No other operational military aircraft in the world requires wingtip landing gear, and the B-52 is the only bomber where watching the wings flex during taxi, takeoff, and turbulence is a routine part of the experience for every crew member and every ground observer.

The B-52 Stratofortress has the most flexible wings of any military aircraft in service. Fully loaded on the ground, the wingtips droop up to 12 feet below their neutral position. In flight, each wingtip can travel through a 32-foot arc, 16 feet up and 16 feet down.

B-52's wings flex so dramatically that tips can move upto 32 feet

Long-haul flights have always been tiring no matter which class you travel in. And despite airlines across the world trying hard to provide you with the best comfort like luxurious bigger seats, better entertainment and improved meals, they have not been very successful. However, Australia’s Qantas airlines seem to have come up with a solution that they say has to do with biology. Yes, you heard that right.&nbsp;The airline is preparing to launch the world’s longest commercial flights between Sydney and London in 2027 that will take up to 20 hours for which it wants to completely overhaul the experience for passengers in terms of comfort. And to achieve its goal the airline is thinking beyond just providing cabin comfort, rather it is focusing on every aspect of the journey around sleep science, human circadian rhythms and passenger wellbeing.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-victory-to-resignation-how-keir-starmer-lost-his-mandate-in-just-20-months-wion-decodes-1782219182396">From victory to resignation: How Keir Starmer lost his mandate in just 20 months| WION Decodes</a>&nbsp;Under it initiative Project Sunrise the airline will eventually connect Sydney directly with London and later New York using specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft. This mammoth machine will have the capacity to fly for as long as 22 hours without refuelling. To improve its fuel capacity and provide improved comfort, the aircraft will carry only 238 passengers, far fewer than a standard A350.&nbsp;<h2>Aircraft space not the biggest challenge</h2>&nbsp;But the biggest challenge here is not about creating larger space or the machine but the human body.&nbsp;&nbsp;Flying across seven to 16 time zones the body’s circadian rhythm -body’s natural, internal 24-hour clock- goes for a toss leading to jet lag, fatigue and reduced alertness in many people that last for several days after arrival.&nbsp;Qantas has spent years researching how light exposure, meal timing and movement can help travellers in adjusting to a new time zone before they even land, said Peter Cistulli, professor of sleep medicine at the University of Sydney, who has been working on the airlines' Project Sunrise.&nbsp;According to the research, passengers should not be served meals whenever they are hungry but schedules should be designed in a way that encourages wakefulness or sleep depending on the destination’s local time.&nbsp;Lighting also has an important role to play here, so the cabin lighting will also change using colour and intensity to mimic sunrise and sunset to help passengers’ internal body clocks to adjust.&nbsp;<h2>Cabin design changed accordingly</h2>&nbsp;The aircraft’s interior has also been tweaked and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone setup to allow&nbsp;passengers leave their seats to stretch, perform mild exercises like stretching or simply stand and move around during the flight.&nbsp;According to the airline,&nbsp;ideas like exercise bikes and yoga areas was also discussed but the cabin designer David Caon decided to settle for quieter relaxation space featuring soft, diffused lighting&nbsp; aimed at reducing stress and encouraging gentle movements.&nbsp;Qantas' research on providing comfort to passengers on ultra-long-haul travel began in 2019. They operated experimental nonstop flights between New York, London and Sydney during which the sleep patterns of passengers their&nbsp; alertness, food intake and movement with wearable technology was tracked leading them to the conclusion that flight comfort in long journey flights has largely to do with biology.

The airline is preparing to launch the world’s longest commercial flights between Sydney and London in 2027 that will take up to 20 hours for which it wants to completely overhaul the experience for passengers in terms of comfort.

Long-haul flights have always been tiring no matter which class you travel in. And despite airlines across the world trying hard to provide you with the best comfort like luxurious bigger seats, better entertainment and improved meals, they have not been very successful. However, Australia’s Qantas airlines seem to have come up with a solution that they say has to do with biology. Yes, you heard that right. The airline is preparing to launch the world’s longest commercial flights between Sydney and London in 2027 that will take up to 20 hours for which it wants to completely overhaul the experience for passengers in terms of comfort. And to achieve its goal the airline is thinking beyond just providing cabin comfort, rather it is focusing on every aspect of the journey around sleep science, human circadian rhythms and passenger wellbeing. ALSO READ: From victory to resignation: How Keir Starmer lost his mandate in just 20 months| WION Decodes Under it initiative Project Sunrise the airline will eventually connect Sydney directly with London and later New York using specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft. This mammoth machine will have the capacity to fly for as long as 22 hours without refuelling. To improve its fuel capacity and provide improved comfort, the aircraft will carry only 238 passengers, far fewer than a standard A350. Aircraft space not the biggest challenge But the biggest challenge here is not about creating larger space or the machine but the human body. Flying across seven to 16 time zones the body’s circadian rhythm -body’s natural, internal 24-hour clock- goes for a toss leading to jet lag, fatigue and reduced alertness in many people that last for several days after arrival. Qantas has spent years researching how light exposure, meal timing and movement can help travellers in adjusting to a new time zone before they even land, said Peter Cistulli, professor of sleep medicine at the University of Sydney, who has been working on the airlines' Project Sunrise. According to the research, passengers should not be served meals whenever they are hungry but schedules should be designed in a way that encourages wakefulness or sleep depending on the destination’s local time. Lighting also has an important role to play here, so the cabin lighting will also change using colour and intensity to mimic sunrise and sunset to help passengers’ internal body clocks to adjust. Cabin design changed accordingly The aircraft’s interior has also been tweaked and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone setup to allow passengers leave their seats to stretch, perform mild exercises like stretching or simply stand and move around during the flight. According to the airline, ideas like exercise bikes and yoga areas was also discussed but the cabin designer David Caon decided to settle for quieter relaxation space featuring soft, diffused lighting aimed at reducing stress and encouraging gentle movements. Qantas' research on providing comfort to passengers on ultra-long-haul travel began in 2019. They operated experimental nonstop flights between New York, London and Sydney during which the sleep patterns of passengers their alertness, food intake and movement with wearable technology was tracked leading them to the conclusion that flight comfort in long journey flights has largely to do with biology.

The airline is preparing to launch the world’s longest commercial flights between Sydney and London in 2027 that will take up to 20 hours for which it wants to completely overhaul the experience for passengers in terms of comfort.

How airlines are trying to beat jet lag on long-haul flights and turn it into a flying retreat | WION Decodes

A ransom note sent to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of US television presenter Savannah Guthrie, has claimed that she died after being abducted from her home earlier this year, according to reports citing investigators. The note was one of two messages allegedly sent by the suspected kidnappers to Guthrie’s family and news organisations in the days following her disappearance in January.&nbsp;According to US media reports, the first note demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin in exchange for Nancy Guthrie’s release. A second note, received days later, claimed that she had died while in captivity. The reported message also stated that her death had not been intentional and included an apology to her family.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-claims-israel-deliberately-targeted-gaza-children-during-and-after-war-netanyahu-government-rejects-allegation-1782219343229">UN claims Israel deliberately targeted Gaza children during and after war; Netanyahu government rejects allegation</a>&nbsp;Authorities have not publicly confirmed the contents of either note. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment on the reported details but said the investigation remains active. “The investigation remains active and ongoing,” the department said in a statement.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-have-no-intention-of-building-a-bomb-pezeshkian-says-ready-to-guarantee-no-nuke-weapons-but-there-s-a-condition-1782040509353">‘We have no intention of building a bomb’: Pezeshkian says ready to guarantee no nuke weapons. But there’s a condition</a>&nbsp;The latest development has intensified the anguish surrounding the high-profile case, which has remained unresolved since Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. On Tuesday (June 23), Savannah Guthrie became emotional during her first appearance on NBC’s Today show since reports about the second ransom note emerged.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-has-fully-and-completely-agreed-to-highest-level-nuclear-inspection-trump-s-big-claim-amid-switzerland-talks-1782214814586">‘Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspection’: Trump's big claim amid Switzerland talks</a>&nbsp;Fighting back tears, the veteran presenter made a fresh appeal for information that could help investigators locate her mother or identify those responsible. “Somebody knows something,” Guthrie said. “We are in agony.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forced-to-dig-my-own-grave-ex-student-files-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-abuse-at-new-york-boarding-school-1782068705159">‘Forced to dig my own grave’: Ex-student files $10m lawsuit over alleged abuse at New York boarding school</a>

A ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie, the abducted 84-year-old mother of TV presenter Savannah Guthrie, has died in captivity, as her family makes an emotional appeal for information.

A ransom note sent to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of US television presenter Savannah Guthrie, has claimed that she died after being abducted from her home earlier this year, according to reports citing investigators. The note was one of two messages allegedly sent by the suspected kidnappers to Guthrie’s family and news organisations in the days following her disappearance in January. According to US media reports, the first note demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin in exchange for Nancy Guthrie’s release. A second note, received days later, claimed that she had died while in captivity. The reported message also stated that her death had not been intentional and included an apology to her family. Also read: UN claims Israel deliberately targeted Gaza children during and after war; Netanyahu government rejects allegation Authorities have not publicly confirmed the contents of either note. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment on the reported details but said the investigation remains active. “The investigation remains active and ongoing,” the department said in a statement. Also read: ‘We have no intention of building a bomb’: Pezeshkian says ready to guarantee no nuke weapons. But there’s a condition The latest development has intensified the anguish surrounding the high-profile case, which has remained unresolved since Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. On Tuesday (June 23), Savannah Guthrie became emotional during her first appearance on NBC’s Today show since reports about the second ransom note emerged. Also read: ‘Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspection’: Trump's big claim amid Switzerland talks Fighting back tears, the veteran presenter made a fresh appeal for information that could help investigators locate her mother or identify those responsible. “Somebody knows something,” Guthrie said. “We are in agony.” Also read: ‘Forced to dig my own grave’: Ex-student files $10m lawsuit over alleged abuse at New York boarding school

A ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie, the abducted 84-year-old mother of TV presenter Savannah Guthrie, has died in captivity, as her family makes an emotional appeal for information.

Nancy Guthrie is DEAD: Kidnappers claim in ransom note she lost life after abduction

A Canberra man who spends his days cleaning air conditioners and his spare time acting as a town crier has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's loudest person after producing a staggering 122.4-decibel shout.&nbsp;Joseph McGrail-Bateup, 58, from Australia's capital city, broke a record that had stood for more than three decades. His shout of the word "now" surpassed the previous mark of 121.7 decibels, set in 1994 by Northern Ireland schoolteacher Annalisa Flanagan, who famously yelled the word "quiet".&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-claims-israel-deliberately-targeted-gaza-children-during-and-after-war-netanyahu-government-rejects-allegation-1782219343229">UN claims Israel deliberately targeted Gaza children during and after war; Netanyahu government rejects allegation</a>&nbsp;According to Guinness World Records, McGrail-Bateup's shout reached a volume comparable to a chainsaw, a nearby ambulance siren or even a jet aircraft during take-off. Speaking on Tuesday (June 23), McGrail-Bateup said the achievement was not something he could realistically train for beforehand.&nbsp;"There's no way that you can actually practise for it. You have to just keep it for the day, especially with the world record attempt," he said. The record did not come without consequences. McGrail-Bateup revealed that it took seven attempts to produce the winning shout and that his voice paid the price afterwards.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-has-fully-and-completely-agreed-to-highest-level-nuclear-inspection-trump-s-big-claim-amid-switzerland-talks-1782214814586">‘Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspection’: Trump's big claim amid Switzerland talks</a>&nbsp;"It took me seven attempts just for one word, which was the word 'now', and my voice was shot for the next couple of days as well. It was husky. It was terrible," he said. "So no, you can't really practise for it. But it's a lot of fun when you're doing it."&nbsp;Despite being recognised as the world's loudest person, McGrail-Bateup said he prefers to think of himself as the loudest man, noting that Flanagan's achievement remains intact. "I'm pleased that she gets to keep her record. So she's still the loudest woman in the world and I'm the loudest male in the world," he said.

Australian town crier Joseph McGrail-Bateup, 58, broke a 30-year record to become the world’s loudest man, recording a 122.4-decibel shout of the word “now.”

A Canberra man who spends his days cleaning air conditioners and his spare time acting as a town crier has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's loudest person after producing a staggering 122.4-decibel shout. Joseph McGrail-Bateup, 58, from Australia's capital city, broke a record that had stood for more than three decades. His shout of the word "now" surpassed the previous mark of 121.7 decibels, set in 1994 by Northern Ireland schoolteacher Annalisa Flanagan, who famously yelled the word "quiet". Also read: UN claims Israel deliberately targeted Gaza children during and after war; Netanyahu government rejects allegation According to Guinness World Records, McGrail-Bateup's shout reached a volume comparable to a chainsaw, a nearby ambulance siren or even a jet aircraft during take-off. Speaking on Tuesday (June 23), McGrail-Bateup said the achievement was not something he could realistically train for beforehand. "There's no way that you can actually practise for it. You have to just keep it for the day, especially with the world record attempt," he said. The record did not come without consequences. McGrail-Bateup revealed that it took seven attempts to produce the winning shout and that his voice paid the price afterwards. Also read: ‘Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspection’: Trump's big claim amid Switzerland talks "It took me seven attempts just for one word, which was the word 'now', and my voice was shot for the next couple of days as well. It was husky. It was terrible," he said. "So no, you can't really practise for it. But it's a lot of fun when you're doing it." Despite being recognised as the world's loudest person, McGrail-Bateup said he prefers to think of himself as the loudest man, noting that Flanagan's achievement remains intact. "I'm pleased that she gets to keep her record. So she's still the loudest woman in the world and I'm the loudest male in the world," he said.

Australian town crier Joseph McGrail-Bateup, 58, broke a 30-year record to become the world’s loudest man, recording a 122.4-decibel shout of the word “now.”

Australian man becomes loudest person on earth, records 122.4 dB shout

Niger's military-led government has officially submitted its request to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Hague-based tribunal announced on Tuesday. The move comes nine months after Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, declared their intention to withdraw from the court. The three Sahelian nations are all governed by hardline military regimes that came to power in coups between 2020 and 2023 and have increasingly distanced themselves from the West. In September 2025, they jointly accused the ICC of serving as a tool of neo-colonial domination and imperial influence. According to a statement provided to AFP on Tuesday, the ICC stated that it had received an instrument of withdrawal on June 18 from Niger, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-has-fully-and-completely-agreed-to-highest-level-nuclear-inspection-trump-s-big-claim-amid-switzerland-talks-1782214814586">‘Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspection’: Trump's big claim amid Switzerland talks</a><h3>Deadly violence from jihadist groups</h3>The withdrawal will become effective on June 18, 2027, one year after the notification date. Until then, Niger remains bound by its obligations under the court's framework. "While joining or withdrawing from a treaty remains a sovereign right of States under international law, we regret any decision to depart from the collective effort to end impunity for the most serious international crimes," the ICC said in its statement.&nbsp;WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-nsa-meet-iran-accuses-uae-of-direct-role-in-military-aggression-1782224829660/embed Meanwhile, the ICC made no mention of Mali or Burkina Faso in its statement. The three Sahelian nations are experiencing deadly violence from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State; however, their militaries are also accused of crimes against citizens. The International Criminal Court was founded in 2002 with the mission to prosecute the perpetrators of the most serious crimes, such as war crimes, when countries lack the will or capacity to do so themselves. The ICC has 125 member states at the moment. The United States and Russia are not among them, nor are Israel, China, or Myanmar. &nbsp;

The three Sahelian nations are experiencing deadly violence from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State; additionally, their militaries are also accused of crimes against citizens.

Niger's military-led government has officially submitted its request to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Hague-based tribunal announced on Tuesday. The move comes nine months after Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, declared their intention to withdraw from the court. The three Sahelian nations are all governed by hardline military regimes that came to power in coups between 2020 and 2023 and have increasingly distanced themselves from the West. In September 2025, they jointly accused the ICC of serving as a tool of neo-colonial domination and imperial influence. According to a statement provided to AFP on Tuesday, the ICC stated that it had received an instrument of withdrawal on June 18 from Niger, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani. Also read: ‘Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspection’: Trump's big claim amid Switzerland talks Deadly violence from jihadist groups The withdrawal will become effective on June 18, 2027, one year after the notification date. Until then, Niger remains bound by its obligations under the court's framework. "While joining or withdrawing from a treaty remains a sovereign right of States under international law, we regret any decision to depart from the collective effort to end impunity for the most serious international crimes," the ICC said in its statement. WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-nsa-meet-iran-accuses-uae-of-direct-role-in-military-aggression-1782224829660/embed Meanwhile, the ICC made no mention of Mali or Burkina Faso in its statement. The three Sahelian nations are experiencing deadly violence from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State; however, their militaries are also accused of crimes against citizens. The International Criminal Court was founded in 2002 with the mission to prosecute the perpetrators of the most serious crimes, such as war crimes, when countries lack the will or capacity to do so themselves. The ICC has 125 member states at the moment. The United States and Russia are not among them, nor are Israel, China, or Myanmar.

The three Sahelian nations are experiencing deadly violence from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State; additionally, their militaries are also accused of crimes against citizens.

Niger files official withdrawal request from International Criminal Court: Here's why

NVIDIA has unveiled a near-zero-water cooling system for AI data centres. Using a closed-loop liquid cooling design, the technology recirculates coolant instead of consuming water, reducing energy use, operating costs and dependence on traditional cooling towers.

NVIDIA has unveiled a near-zero-water cooling system for AI data centres. Using a closed-loop liquid cooling design, the technology recirculates coolant instead of consuming water, reducing energy use, operating costs and dependence on traditional cooling towers.

Can AI data centres run without water? Nvidia introduces near-zero-water cooling technology

Israeli authorities and security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza, resulting in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, while also committing war crimes against children in the occupied West Bank, according to a United Nations inquiry released on Tuesday (23 June).&nbsp;The findings were published by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which examined alleged violations against Palestinian children since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October 2023.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-has-fully-and-completely-agreed-to-highest-level-nuclear-inspection-trump-s-big-claim-amid-switzerland-talks-1782214814586">‘Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspection’: Trump's big claim amid Switzerland talks</a>&nbsp;The commission said that around 30 per cent of those killed in the Gaza conflict were children and added that Palestinian minors had been deliberately targeted by Israeli authorities and security forces. It described the killings as a key element in establishing what it called genocidal intent to destroy the Palestinian group, in whole or in part, in Gaza.&nbsp;"The evidence shows that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted and killed by the Israeli security forces," commission chair Srinivasan Muralidhar said in a statement accompanying the report.<h2>What did Israel say in response?</h2>Israel rejected the findings. In a statement, Israel's mission in Geneva described the report as the commission's "second defamatory advocacy report" and said it "dismisses this libellous sham"."Every child deserves protection," the mission said, arguing that the report ignored what it called the "brutal tactics of Hamas".&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-have-no-intention-of-building-a-bomb-pezeshkian-says-ready-to-guarantee-no-nuke-weapons-but-there-s-a-condition-1782040509353">‘We have no intention of building a bomb’: Pezeshkian says ready to guarantee no nuke weapons. But there’s a condition</a>&nbsp;Israel also rejected allegations that it deliberately targets children, saying it "consistently strives to minimise harm to children even in situations of conflict". The mission further argued that the report failed to acknowledge Israel's role in facilitating vaccinations, allowing the entry of medical personnel and establishing field hospitals.

A UN inquiry accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting Palestinian children, alleging war crimes and genocidal intent. Israel rejected the report, calling it a libellous sham that ignores Hamas tactics.

Israeli authorities and security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza, resulting in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, while also committing war crimes against children in the occupied West Bank, according to a United Nations inquiry released on Tuesday (23 June). The findings were published by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which examined alleged violations against Palestinian children since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October 2023. Also read: ‘Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspection’: Trump's big claim amid Switzerland talks The commission said that around 30 per cent of those killed in the Gaza conflict were children and added that Palestinian minors had been deliberately targeted by Israeli authorities and security forces. It described the killings as a key element in establishing what it called genocidal intent to destroy the Palestinian group, in whole or in part, in Gaza. "The evidence shows that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted and killed by the Israeli security forces," commission chair Srinivasan Muralidhar said in a statement accompanying the report. What did Israel say in response? Israel rejected the findings. In a statement, Israel's mission in Geneva described the report as the commission's "second defamatory advocacy report" and said it "dismisses this libellous sham". "Every child deserves protection," the mission said, arguing that the report ignored what it called the "brutal tactics of Hamas". Also read: ‘We have no intention of building a bomb’: Pezeshkian says ready to guarantee no nuke weapons. But there’s a condition Israel also rejected allegations that it deliberately targets children, saying it "consistently strives to minimise harm to children even in situations of conflict". The mission further argued that the report failed to acknowledge Israel's role in facilitating vaccinations, allowing the entry of medical personnel and establishing field hospitals.

A UN inquiry accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting Palestinian children, alleging war crimes and genocidal intent. Israel rejected the report, calling it a libellous sham that ignores Hamas tactics.

UN claims Israel deliberately targeted Gaza children during and after war; Netanyahu government rejects allegation

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday (June 22) after spending less than two years in office. He becomes the seventh British prime minister to leave office in the last 10 years, a statistic that makes UK politics look less like a stable democracy. Speaking at a press briefing, Starmer said he had “heard the answer” from his party and accepted it “with good grace”. He said, “I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”&nbsp;<h2>Rise of Starmer and foray into politics</h2>&nbsp;Starmer led the UK Labour Party to a landslide victory in general election held in July 2024, but severe economic struggles, unpopular welfare cuts, and a major political scandal regarding the appointment of Peter Mandelson led to his downfall&nbsp;Starmer was a human rights lawyer but his foray into politics began after being elected as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras in 2015&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-impact-will-israel-hezbollah-truce-have-on-us-iran-talks-and-the-global-economy-wion-decodes-1781954323882">What impact will Israel-Hezbollah truce have on US-Iran talks and the global economy? WION Decodes</a>&nbsp;He took over the Labour Party leadership from Jeremy Corbyn in 2020 when voters had handed Labour their biggest drubbing since 1935. But he drove his party to a massive success in July 2024 winning 174 parliamentary seats, complete majority, in the general elections and became the Prime Minister.&nbsp;<h2>Dwindling popularity and the Mandelson crisis</h2>&nbsp;But the honeymoon period did not last long as unpopular policies such as cut in winter fuel payments for pensioners, rise in certain taxes, and early prisoner release rapidly dwindled his popularity among voters.&nbsp;One of the biggest blows to Starmer came in the form of him appointing Peter Mandelson as UK's ambassador to the United States. Mandelson had ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and had allegedly passed government information to him in the late 2000s. And when the Epstein files was released by the Trump government in September 2025 his ties to Epstein became even more clearer.&nbsp;Though Starmer took immediate steps and fired Mandelson, it was too late. The UK Prime Minister's popularity had waned till then and his leadership was in trouble.&nbsp;The Mandelson crisis along with unpopular policies gave Labour Party a drubbing in the recently concluded local election.&nbsp;And a full-scale parliamentary rebellion sparked by the return of popular rival Andy Burnham, who secured a commanding victory in the high-stakes Makerfield by-election on June 18, 2026 completely destroyed Starmers authority. Demands for his resignation started to become louder, also within his party.&nbsp;<h2>Starmer steps down</h2>&nbsp;Under immense pressure from his party and the dwindling support from the People of Britain forced Starmer to resign on Monday (June 22), just two years after leading the Labour Party back to power and ending the Conservative Party’s 14-year hold on government.&nbsp;His resignation adds another chapter to political turbulence in Britain in the last one decade. Britain has seen prime ministers come and putting Indian coalition politics also to shame.

Starmer led the UK Labour Party to a landslide victory in general election held in July 2024, but severe economic struggles, unpopular welfare cuts led to his downfall.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday (June 22) after spending less than two years in office. He becomes the seventh British prime minister to leave office in the last 10 years, a statistic that makes UK politics look less like a stable democracy. Speaking at a press briefing, Starmer said he had “heard the answer” from his party and accepted it “with good grace”. He said, “I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.” Rise of Starmer and foray into politics Starmer led the UK Labour Party to a landslide victory in general election held in July 2024, but severe economic struggles, unpopular welfare cuts, and a major political scandal regarding the appointment of Peter Mandelson led to his downfall Starmer was a human rights lawyer but his foray into politics began after being elected as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras in 2015 ALSO READ: What impact will Israel-Hezbollah truce have on US-Iran talks and the global economy? WION Decodes He took over the Labour Party leadership from Jeremy Corbyn in 2020 when voters had handed Labour their biggest drubbing since 1935. But he drove his party to a massive success in July 2024 winning 174 parliamentary seats, complete majority, in the general elections and became the Prime Minister. Dwindling popularity and the Mandelson crisis But the honeymoon period did not last long as unpopular policies such as cut in winter fuel payments for pensioners, rise in certain taxes, and early prisoner release rapidly dwindled his popularity among voters. One of the biggest blows to Starmer came in the form of him appointing Peter Mandelson as UK's ambassador to the United States. Mandelson had ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and had allegedly passed government information to him in the late 2000s. And when the Epstein files was released by the Trump government in September 2025 his ties to Epstein became even more clearer. Though Starmer took immediate steps and fired Mandelson, it was too late. The UK Prime Minister's popularity had waned till then and his leadership was in trouble. The Mandelson crisis along with unpopular policies gave Labour Party a drubbing in the recently concluded local election. And a full-scale parliamentary rebellion sparked by the return of popular rival Andy Burnham, who secured a commanding victory in the high-stakes Makerfield by-election on June 18, 2026 completely destroyed Starmers authority. Demands for his resignation started to become louder, also within his party. Starmer steps down Under immense pressure from his party and the dwindling support from the People of Britain forced Starmer to resign on Monday (June 22), just two years after leading the Labour Party back to power and ending the Conservative Party’s 14-year hold on government. His resignation adds another chapter to political turbulence in Britain in the last one decade. Britain has seen prime ministers come and putting Indian coalition politics also to shame.

Starmer led the UK Labour Party to a landslide victory in general election held in July 2024, but severe economic struggles, unpopular welfare cuts led to his downfall.

From victory to resignation: How Keir Starmer lost his mandate in just 20 months| WION Decodes

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared in a press briefing on Tuesday that 11 India-bound vessels have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran; 10 are still in the Persian Gulf, while two additional Indian ships have crossed into the Persian Gulf from the western side.&nbsp;“We have 10 Indian-flagged vessels still in the Persian Gulf region. In addition, two Indian ships have crossed from this side into the Persian Gulf. Since the signing of the MoU on June 17, eleven India-bound vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz,” said the MEA spokesperson.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lucknow-fire-tragedy-3-arrested-4-officials-suspended-sit-set-up-for-probe-1782159599783">Lucknow fire tragedy: 3 arrested; 4 officials suspended; SIT set up for probe</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/MEABriefing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MEABriefing</a> | 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 We have ten Indian flagged vessels still in the Persian Gulf region. In addition, we have two Indian ships which have crossed… <a href="https://t.co/NVshRLReNL">pic.twitter.com/NVshRLReNL</a>&mdash; All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) <a href="https://x.com/airnewsalerts/status/2069375297401848228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;“The vessels include three India-flagged crude oil tankers, each carrying 2,85,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, one foreign-flag LPG carrier; one foreign-flag crude oil tanker; and six foreign-flag bulk carriers carrying fertiliser, and it is our expectation and hope that the remaining Indian-flag vessels, of which the number I just gave you, would also be able to cross the order soon,” Jaiswal added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-students-killed-in-fire-at-animation-centre-in-lucknow-many-jump-from-1st-floor-1782130828955">15 killed in fire at animation centre in Lucknow; many jump off 1st floor</a><h2>Strait of Hormuz reopened last week, but Tehran's threats for closure continue &nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;The MEA’s comments come during uncertainty about transit through the strategic waterway, a key route for global oil and gas transport, amid contradictory statements from the US and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz reopened last week after the MoU signing and the lifting of the naval blockade by the US. However, on Saturday Tehran announced that it had closed the strait again following Israeli attacks in Lebanon.&nbsp;The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and serves as a key route for crude oil exports from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE and Iran.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vance-says-iran-has-agreed-to-resume-iaea-nuclear-inspections-probably-by-this-week-1782143460029">Vance says Iran has agreed to resume IAEA nuclear inspections, probably by ‘this week’</a>&nbsp;The Iran-US war and naval blockade on shipping through the strait had disrupted oil flows, squeezed global energy supplies and led to a sharp rise in crude prices.&nbsp;<h2>Tracking firms indicate increased vessel movement</h2>&nbsp;Maritime traffic through the strait has picked up pace, and tracking firms indicate increased vessel movement in recent days.&nbsp;President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Tuesday that 19 million barrels of oil flowed out of the Hormuz Strait on Monday. “Oil prices are tumbling down, and the world is a much safer place.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/cred-founder-kunal-shah-becomes-global-ceo-of-whatsapp-meta-invests-900-million-in-fintech-startup-1782137297377">CRED founder Kunal Shah becomes global CEO of WhatsApp as Meta invests $900 million in startup</a> Last Thursday, the US lifted its blockade of Iran, allowing oil tankers to move through Hormuz as a tentative agreement to end the war came into effect.On June 17, President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives US-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington.

Three India-flagged crude oil tankers, each carrying 2,85,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, one foreign-flag LPG carrier, one foreign-flag crude oil tanker, and six foreign-flag bulk carriers carrying fertiliser crossed through the Strait of Hormuz, the MEA spokesperson said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared in a press briefing on Tuesday that 11 India-bound vessels have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran; 10 are still in the Persian Gulf, while two additional Indian ships have crossed into the Persian Gulf from the western side. “We have 10 Indian-flagged vessels still in the Persian Gulf region. In addition, two Indian ships have crossed from this side into the Persian Gulf. Since the signing of the MoU on June 17, eleven India-bound vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz,” said the MEA spokesperson. Also Read: Lucknow fire tragedy: 3 arrested; 4 officials suspended; SIT set up for probe

Three India-flagged crude oil tankers, each carrying 2,85,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, one foreign-flag LPG carrier, one foreign-flag crude oil tanker, and six foreign-flag bulk carriers carrying fertiliser crossed through the Strait of Hormuz, the MEA spokesperson said.

11 India-bound ships carrying crude, LPG, fertilisers crossed Hormuz since US-Iran MoU signing; 10 still in Gulf: MEA

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed to submit to the "highest level" of nuclear inspections for the foreseeable future, describing the move as a major concession amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.&nbsp;In a statement posted on Truth Social on Tuesday (June 23), Trump said Iran had "fully and completely agreed" to extensive nuclear inspections "long into the future", adding that the arrangement would ensure what he called "nuclear honesty".

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-one-bites-the-dust-larry-the-cat-is-now-fed-up-with-pms-resignations-in-the-uk-doesn-t-want-to-remember-their-names-1782134836315">'Another one bites the dust': Larry the cat is now fed up with PMs resignations in the UK, doesn't want to remember their names</a>&nbsp;"Despite their protestations and false statements to the contrary, coupled with the drumbeat of the Fake News, which is doing everything possible to make the US victory as small and insignificant as possible, Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future," Trump wrote.&nbsp;He said the inspections were a prerequisite for continued negotiations, stating that there would have been "no further negotiations" had Tehran not accepted the conditions.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-world-is-no-longer-afraid-of-america-and-that-should-worry-washington-wion-decodes-1779864189948">The world is no longer afraid of America - and that should worry Washington | WION Decodes</a>&nbsp;Trump also announced that he had agreed to keep the strategically important Strait of Hormuz open and not pursue any further naval blockade against Iran. However, he noted that US naval assets would remain in position in case circumstances changed.&nbsp;"All ships are remaining in place should it be necessary to reinstitute the Blockade, which seems, at this point, highly unlikely," he said.&nbsp;Describing the situation in Iran as a humanitarian crisis, Trump argued that the assistance was urgently needed. "These are things that are desperately needed by Iran. This is a humanitarian crisis, and I feel it is necessary to help, now, before it is too late," he wrote.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-war-ends-but-did-trump-achieve-his-objectives-wion-decodes-1781606302003">US-Iran war ends - But did Trump achieve his ‘objectives’? WION Decodes</a>

Donald Trump claimed Iran agreed to "highest level" nuclear inspections for the foreseeable future, a major concession allowing continued negotiations while the US pauses a planned Strait of Hormuz blockade.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed to submit to the "highest level" of nuclear inspections for the foreseeable future, describing the move as a major concession amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. In a statement posted on Truth Social on Tuesday (June 23), Trump said Iran had "fully and completely agreed" to extensive nuclear inspections "long into the future", adding that the arrangement would ensure what he called "nuclear honesty".

Donald Trump claimed Iran agreed to "highest level" nuclear inspections for the foreseeable future, a major concession allowing continued negotiations while the US pauses a planned Strait of Hormuz blockade.

‘Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspection’: Trump's big claim amid Switzerland talks

SpaceX has lost over $600 billion in market value in just three trading sessions, days after becoming the world's most valuable company. The loss is being considered nearly three times the combined wealth of India's two richest businessmen, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, with a net worth of $88.3 billion, and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, worth an estimated at $120 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. SpaceX shares tumbled 16 per cent on Monday to finish at $154.60, marking their lowest level since the stock market debut of Elon Musk's company. The drop extended a three-day losing streak to 23 per cent, erasing more than $600 billion from the company's market value. Even after the selloff, SpaceX remains among the world's most valuable firms, with a market capitalisation exceeding $2 trillion. The downturn comes just days after SpaceX's record-breaking IPO, which raised $75 billion and sparked strong investor interest. The company rapidly joined the ranks of the world's most valuable corporations as investors sought exposure to Elon Musk's businesses in space exploration, satellite communications and artificial intelligence.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boston-tea-party-bill-demanding-1-2-million-in-damages-unveiled-at-uk-national-archives-1782186912405"> Boston Tea Party ‘bill’ demanding £1.2 million in damages unveiled at UK National Archives</a><h3>Outpacing SpaceX's valuation</h3>Market analysts, however, noted that the stock's rapid ascent made it vulnerable to profit-booking. "Sellers are back in control. Anyone in the world who wanted to buy this has bought it already," Michael O'Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading, told Bloomberg. The comment highlighted concerns that SpaceX's valuation may have outpaced its underlying fundamentals. Another factor weighing on sentiment is SpaceX's aggressive push into artificial intelligence. Investor sentiment has also been affected by the company's expanding focus on artificial intelligence. According to Bloomberg, SpaceX is preparing to raise at least $20 billion through its first investment-grade bond offering to help fund its AI initiatives. The company has also entered into a multibillion-dollar deal to provide computing capacity to Reflection AI, an artificial intelligence startup. While several investors see AI as a major opportunity for growth, others worry that the company is growing too aggressively at a time when expectations are already sky-high. Most of the post-IPO rally was due to retail investors. Reports also indicated that retail investors came up with a net $405 million worth of SpaceX shares during the initial five trading sessions after listing. In addition, SpaceX attracted more retail money than all the Magnificent Seven technology stocks combined during that period.

SpaceX rapidly joined the ranks of the world's most valuable corporations as investors sought exposure to Elon Musk's businesses in space exploration, satellite communications and artificial intelligence.

SpaceX has lost over $600 billion in market value in just three trading sessions, days after becoming the world's most valuable company. The loss is being considered nearly three times the combined wealth of India's two richest businessmen, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, with a net worth of $88.3 billion, and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, worth an estimated at $120 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. SpaceX shares tumbled 16 per cent on Monday to finish at $154.60, marking their lowest level since the stock market debut of Elon Musk's company. The drop extended a three-day losing streak to 23 per cent, erasing more than $600 billion from the company's market value. Even after the selloff, SpaceX remains among the world's most valuable firms, with a market capitalisation exceeding $2 trillion. The downturn comes just days after SpaceX's record-breaking IPO, which raised $75 billion and sparked strong investor interest. The company rapidly joined the ranks of the world's most valuable corporations as investors sought exposure to Elon Musk's businesses in space exploration, satellite communications and artificial intelligence. Also read: Boston Tea Party ‘bill’ demanding £1.2 million in damages unveiled at UK National Archives Outpacing SpaceX's valuation Market analysts, however, noted that the stock's rapid ascent made it vulnerable to profit-booking. "Sellers are back in control. Anyone in the world who wanted to buy this has bought it already," Michael O'Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading, told Bloomberg. The comment highlighted concerns that SpaceX's valuation may have outpaced its underlying fundamentals. Another factor weighing on sentiment is SpaceX's aggressive push into artificial intelligence. Investor sentiment has also been affected by the company's expanding focus on artificial intelligence. According to Bloomberg, SpaceX is preparing to raise at least $20 billion through its first investment-grade bond offering to help fund its AI initiatives. The company has also entered into a multibillion-dollar deal to provide computing capacity to Reflection AI, an artificial intelligence startup. While several investors see AI as a major opportunity for growth, others worry that the company is growing too aggressively at a time when expectations are already sky-high. Most of the post-IPO rally was due to retail investors. Reports also indicated that retail investors came up with a net $405 million worth of SpaceX shares during the initial five trading sessions after listing. In addition, SpaceX attracted more retail money than all the Magnificent Seven technology stocks combined during that period.

SpaceX rapidly joined the ranks of the world's most valuable corporations as investors sought exposure to Elon Musk's businesses in space exploration, satellite communications and artificial intelligence.

Elon Musk's SpaceX loses $600bn in 3 days, nearly triple combined wealth of Ambani and Adani

Iran said Tuesday that inspectors from the United Nations nuclear watchdog would not be given access to its nuclear sites that were bombed during the war with Israel and the United States last year."We have not had a meeting with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, nor do we have any plans for the agency to inspect Iran's nuclear facilities damaged by the US and Zionist military aggression," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP.&nbsp;On Monday US Vice President JD Vance had said Iran would allow UN nuclear inspectors to return, calling it "a major milestone... and the first step in permanently denuclearising" Iran. It followed talks between the foes in Switzerland mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. In June last year a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, which the United States later joined, saw Washington bomb three nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Iran said Natanz was again hit in the most recent war with the US and Israel, but Israel said it was "not aware of a strike".&nbsp;US President Donald Trump claimed last year to have "obliterated" Iran's nuclear programme, but the extent of the damage is not known. Iran has so far denied access to the sites, citing security concerns.Under a law passed by its parliament, Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in July last year, criticising the agency for failing to condemn the Israeli-American strikes.But in September it agreed to resume cooperation after the two sides reached an agreement on a new framework. This deal however did not apply to the bombed sites. "There is basically no protocol in this regard," Baqaei said on Tuesday. "As a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, as a country committed to safeguards agreements, we will continue the current procedure, and I think the current procedure is very clear," he added.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirms Iran will not grant UN nuclear watchdog access to bombed sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan despite ongoing US talks.

Iran said Tuesday that inspectors from the United Nations nuclear watchdog would not be given access to its nuclear sites that were bombed during the war with Israel and the United States last year. "We have not had a meeting with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, nor do we have any plans for the agency to inspect Iran's nuclear facilities damaged by the US and Zionist military aggression," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP. On Monday US Vice President JD Vance had said Iran would allow UN nuclear inspectors to return, calling it "a major milestone... and the first step in permanently denuclearising" Iran. It followed talks between the foes in Switzerland mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. In June last year a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, which the United States later joined, saw Washington bomb three nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Iran said Natanz was again hit in the most recent war with the US and Israel, but Israel said it was "not aware of a strike". US President Donald Trump claimed last year to have "obliterated" Iran's nuclear programme, but the extent of the damage is not known. Iran has so far denied access to the sites, citing security concerns. Under a law passed by its parliament, Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in July last year, criticising the agency for failing to condemn the Israeli-American strikes. But in September it agreed to resume cooperation after the two sides reached an agreement on a new framework. This deal however did not apply to the bombed sites. "There is basically no protocol in this regard," Baqaei said on Tuesday. "As a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, as a country committed to safeguards agreements, we will continue the current procedure, and I think the current procedure is very clear," he added.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirms Iran will not grant UN nuclear watchdog access to bombed sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan despite ongoing US talks.

Iran blocks IAEA inspections of damaged nuclear sites amid Switzerland peace talks

India slammed Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's remarks about the country on Tuesday (June 23). The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that Asif's remark was just a desperate attempt to cover the failure of Pakistan.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Such remarks are desperate attempts by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and deflect attention away from its human rights abuses. We categorically reject these fabricated claims with the contempt that they deserve. The ongoing protests in Pakistan occupied Kashmir are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades long policy of systemic economic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation,” he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;Asif, on Saturday (June 20), threatened a war against India over water security. "The moment we feel that our national security, and water is part of our national security, is being threatened, we will go to war against India. Definitely," he said, speaking at ARY News.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lucknow-tragedy-delhi-horror-goa-inferno-different-cities-same-deadly-pattern-1782196298202">Lucknow Tragedy, Delhi Horror, Goa Inferno: Different cities, same pattern</a>&nbsp;The minister also talked about the Indian nationals who lost their lives in a factory explosion in Qatar. "It is a deeply tragic incident in which 12 Indian nationals lost their lives. Several people from other countries were also among the deceased. The explosion occurred at the Ras Laffan Gas Field, resulting in the deaths of 12 Indian citizens and injuries to many others. We have been informed that around 66 people of different nationalities sustained injuries. At present, it is not clear how many of the injured are Indian nationals, but all those hurt are reported to be safe,” he said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/telegram-ban-lifted-or-extended-in-india-after-after-neet-re-exam-students-seek-answers-1782193800837">Telegram ban lifted or extended in India after NEET exam? Students seek answers</a>&nbsp;“We are in contact with the local authorities regarding the identification of the deceased and the arrangements for repatriating their mortal remains to India. We are also in touch with the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate accident,” Jaiswal added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/inside-bjp-s-first-bengal-budget-key-takeaways-from-the-4-39-trillion-outlay-1782165746222">Inside BJP’s first Bengal Budget: Key takeaways from the ₹4.39 trillion outlay</a>

India slammed Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's remarks about the country on Tuesday (June 23). The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that Asif's remark was just a desperate attempt to cover the failure of Pakistan.

India slammed Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's remarks about the country on Tuesday (June 23). The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that Asif's remark was just a desperate attempt to cover the failure of Pakistan. “Such remarks are desperate attempts by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and deflect attention away from its human rights abuses. We categorically reject these fabricated claims with the contempt that they deserve. The ongoing protests in Pakistan occupied Kashmir are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades long policy of systemic economic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation,” he added. Asif, on Saturday (June 20), threatened a war against India over water security. "The moment we feel that our national security, and water is part of our national security, is being threatened, we will go to war against India. Definitely," he said, speaking at ARY News. Also read: Lucknow Tragedy, Delhi Horror, Goa Inferno: Different cities, same pattern The minister also talked about the Indian nationals who lost their lives in a factory explosion in Qatar. "It is a deeply tragic incident in which 12 Indian nationals lost their lives. Several people from other countries were also among the deceased. The explosion occurred at the Ras Laffan Gas Field, resulting in the deaths of 12 Indian citizens and injuries to many others. We have been informed that around 66 people of different nationalities sustained injuries. At present, it is not clear how many of the injured are Indian nationals, but all those hurt are reported to be safe,” he said. Also read: Telegram ban lifted or extended in India after NEET exam? Students seek answers “We are in contact with the local authorities regarding the identification of the deceased and the arrangements for repatriating their mortal remains to India. We are also in touch with the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate accident,” Jaiswal added. Also read: Inside BJP’s first Bengal Budget: Key takeaways from the ₹4.39 trillion outlay

India slammed Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's remarks about the country on Tuesday (June 23). The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that Asif's remark was just a desperate attempt to cover the failure of Pakistan.

‘Desperate attempt to cover own failing’, India slams remarks by Khawaja Asif on ‘water war’

High Commissioner of Canada to India Chris Cooter and Ireland’s Deputy Ambassador Raymond Mullen have led a solemn commemoration in New Delhi for the 329 people killed in the 1985 Air India Flight 182 terrorist attack. Also referred to as the 1985 Kanishka Air India bombing, it was one of the deadliest aviation terror attacks in history, along with the 9/11 terror attacks.&nbsp;The ceremony at Canada House marked the 41st anniversary of the bombing, which claimed the lives of 268 Canadians, 27 British citizens, 22 Indians, 10 Americans and two others. Families of the victims, senior Indian government officials and diplomats gathered to remember those lost when a bomb destroyed the Boeing 747 over the Atlantic Ocean.&nbsp;Participants laid wreaths at a memorial tree planted at Canada House in 2025, observed a minute’s silence and signed a book of remembrance. “Forty-one years after the Air India Flight 182 tragedy, we remember the 329 innocent lives lost and stand in solidarity with their families,” High Commissioner Cooter said.&nbsp;“The bombing remains a painful chapter in Canada’s history and a solemn reminder that terrorism has no place in our societies. As we honour those who were taken from us, together with India, Ireland, and our international partners, we reaffirm our shared commitment to remembrance, justice, and a future rooted in peace, security, and compassion.”&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>&nbsp;Deputy Ambassador Mullen echoed the sentiment: “As we gather in remembrance, we honour those who were lost and acknowledge the families who have carried this loss with remarkable courage for more than four decades. Terrorism leaves lasting scars, but it cannot extinguish our shared humanity". He added, "By remembering, standing together, and fostering understanding, we reaffirm our resolve to reject hatred and build a more peaceful future.” Joint Secretary (AD), MEA Siddhartha Nath represented the Indian govt.&nbsp;The flight was en route from Montreal to London and then Delhi when it was blown up on 23 June 1985 at 9,400 metres (31,000ft) while flying in Irish airspace. The wreckage crashed into the Atlantic, killing everyone on board.Irish authorities and the Naval Service played a central role in the grim recovery operation. Relatives of victims travelled to Ireland and were supported by residents of Ahakista in County Cork, where a permanent memorial was erected in 1986. Annual commemorations continue there each 23 June.&nbsp;In Canada, 23 June is observed as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, with memorials in several cities including Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. The anniversary comes months after Mahesh Chandra Sharma, who lost family members in the bombing, was awarded the Order of Canada. The Concordia University professor established scholarships in their honour.&nbsp;The terror attack was carried out by Khalistani terrorists linked to the outlawed terror group Babbar Khalsa. Canadian investigators identified Talwinder Singh Parmar as the mastermind and Inderjit Singh Reyat as the bomb-maker. Authorities have pursued justice for decades, though the full accountability sought by many families has been elusive.

The ceremony at Canada House marked the 41st anniversary of the bombing, which claimed the lives of 268 Canadians, 27 British citizens, 22 Indians, 10 Americans and two others. 

High Commissioner of Canada to India Chris Cooter and Ireland’s Deputy Ambassador Raymond Mullen have led a solemn commemoration in New Delhi for the 329 people killed in the 1985 Air India Flight 182 terrorist attack. Also referred to as the 1985 Kanishka Air India bombing, it was one of the deadliest aviation terror attacks in history, along with the 9/11 terror attacks. The ceremony at Canada House marked the 41st anniversary of the bombing, which claimed the lives of 268 Canadians, 27 British citizens, 22 Indians, 10 Americans and two others. Families of the victims, senior Indian government officials and diplomats gathered to remember those lost when a bomb destroyed the Boeing 747 over the Atlantic Ocean. Participants laid wreaths at a memorial tree planted at Canada House in 2025, observed a minute’s silence and signed a book of remembrance. “Forty-one years after the Air India Flight 182 tragedy, we remember the 329 innocent lives lost and stand in solidarity with their families,” High Commissioner Cooter said. “The bombing remains a painful chapter in Canada’s history and a solemn reminder that terrorism has no place in our societies. As we honour those who were taken from us, together with India, Ireland, and our international partners, we reaffirm our shared commitment to remembrance, justice, and a future rooted in peace, security, and compassion.” Also read: Japan PM Sanae Takaichi to make first official visit to India in July Deputy Ambassador Mullen echoed the sentiment: “As we gather in remembrance, we honour those who were lost and acknowledge the families who have carried this loss with remarkable courage for more than four decades. Terrorism leaves lasting scars, but it cannot extinguish our shared humanity". He added, "By remembering, standing together, and fostering understanding, we reaffirm our resolve to reject hatred and build a more peaceful future.” Joint Secretary (AD), MEA Siddhartha Nath represented the Indian govt. The flight was en route from Montreal to London and then Delhi when it was blown up on 23 June 1985 at 9,400 metres (31,000ft) while flying in Irish airspace. The wreckage crashed into the Atlantic, killing everyone on board. Irish authorities and the Naval Service played a central role in the grim recovery operation. Relatives of victims travelled to Ireland and were supported by residents of Ahakista in County Cork, where a permanent memorial was erected in 1986. Annual commemorations continue there each 23 June. In Canada, 23 June is observed as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, with memorials in several cities including Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. The anniversary comes months after Mahesh Chandra Sharma, who lost family members in the bombing, was awarded the Order of Canada. The Concordia University professor established scholarships in their honour. The terror attack was carried out by Khalistani terrorists linked to the outlawed terror group Babbar Khalsa. Canadian investigators identified Talwinder Singh Parmar as the mastermind and Inderjit Singh Reyat as the bomb-maker. Authorities have pursued justice for decades, though the full accountability sought by many families has been elusive.

The ceremony at Canada House marked the 41st anniversary of the bombing, which claimed the lives of 268 Canadians, 27 British citizens, 22 Indians, 10 Americans and two others.&nbsp;

Canada, Ireland honours victims of 1985 Air India attack on anniversary

Tensions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates spilled into open confrontation at a BRICS national security advisers’ meeting in New Delhi, echoing a similar clash at the group’s foreign ministers’ gathering last month. Iran’s Dr Ghadir Nezamipour, Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, directly accused the UAE of complicity in recent military actions against his country.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-they-re-not-behaving-trump-issues-big-warning-to-iran-amid-disagreements-on-nuclear-inspection-hormuz-1782179991681">'If they’re not behaving...': Trump issues BIG warning to Iran amid disagreements on nuclear inspection, Hormuz</a>&nbsp;<h2>What happened in 16th BRICS NSA meeting?</h2>Speaking at the 16th BRICS NSA meeting chaired by India’s Ajit Doval, he said the US and Israel initiated aggression in the Strait of Hormuz, with “part of these attacks…launched from bases located on the territory of the United Arab Emirates.” “The entire world witnessed that the United States and Israel were the initiators of the aggression and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz,”&nbsp;Nezamipour stated.&nbsp;“Nevertheless, instead of condemning these hostile actions, the UAE directly participated in the aggression and allowed its territory to be used as a platform for attacks against Iran’s civilian infrastructure, schools, and hospitals.” He urged Abu Dhabi to “respect the principles of good neighbourliness” and choose “the path of peace, stability, and regional cooperation”. To underscore the human cost, Nezamipour displayed an image of students killed in Minab on the first day of the conflict.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-hezbollah-s-defeat-not-so-easy-for-israel-shia-group-is-deeply-embedded-in-lebanon-the-big-question-analysis-commantary-1782193086073/amp">Why is Hezbollah's defeat not so easy for Israel? Shia group is deeply embedded in Lebanon | The Big Question</a>&nbsp;Similar friction at the May foreign ministers’ meeting in Delhi prevented a full joint statement. During foreign ministers' meetings, the UAE has categorically rejected Iran’s allegations and said that the country has been attacked by Iran during the 40 day war. Back then, UAE Minister of State Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar said, “the UAE’s categorical rejects Iran’s allegations". "UAE reserves its full sovereign, legal, diplomatic, and military rights to respond to any threat, allegation, or hostile act."&nbsp;The latest exchange highlights deep divisions within the expanded BRICS grouping, which now includes both Iran and the UAE alongside Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, over the West Asia crisis. New Delhi, which maintains ties with all parties, has called for safe maritime flows through key chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Repeated public spats underscore challenges for BRICS in forging unified positions on regional conflicts, even as the group positions itself as a voice for the Global South.

A BRICS security meeting in New Delhi witnessed a sharp exchange as Iran accused the UAE of allowing its territory to be used for attacks during the recent conflict. The public confrontation highlighted growing divisions within the expanded BRICS bloc 

Tensions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates spilled into open confrontation at a BRICS national security advisers’ meeting in New Delhi, echoing a similar clash at the group’s foreign ministers’ gathering last month. Iran’s Dr Ghadir Nezamipour, Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, directly accused the UAE of complicity in recent military actions against his country. Also Read: 'If they’re not behaving...': Trump issues BIG warning to Iran amid disagreements on nuclear inspection, Hormuz What happened in 16th BRICS NSA meeting? Speaking at the 16th BRICS NSA meeting chaired by India’s Ajit Doval, he said the US and Israel initiated aggression in the Strait of Hormuz, with “part of these attacks…launched from bases located on the territory of the United Arab Emirates.” “The entire world witnessed that the United States and Israel were the initiators of the aggression and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz,” Nezamipour stated. “Nevertheless, instead of condemning these hostile actions, the UAE directly participated in the aggression and allowed its territory to be used as a platform for attacks against Iran’s civilian infrastructure, schools, and hospitals.” He urged Abu Dhabi to “respect the principles of good neighbourliness” and choose “the path of peace, stability, and regional cooperation”. To underscore the human cost, Nezamipour displayed an image of students killed in Minab on the first day of the conflict. Also Read: Why is Hezbollah's defeat not so easy for Israel? Shia group is deeply embedded in Lebanon | The Big Question Similar friction at the May foreign ministers’ meeting in Delhi prevented a full joint statement. During foreign ministers' meetings, the UAE has categorically rejected Iran’s allegations and said that the country has been attacked by Iran during the 40 day war. Back then, UAE Minister of State Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar said, “the UAE’s categorical rejects Iran’s allegations". "UAE reserves its full sovereign, legal, diplomatic, and military rights to respond to any threat, allegation, or hostile act." The latest exchange highlights deep divisions within the expanded BRICS grouping, which now includes both Iran and the UAE alongside Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, over the West Asia crisis. New Delhi, which maintains ties with all parties, has called for safe maritime flows through key chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Repeated public spats underscore challenges for BRICS in forging unified positions on regional conflicts, even as the group positions itself as a voice for the Global South.

A BRICS security meeting in New Delhi witnessed a sharp exchange as Iran accused the UAE of allowing its territory to be used for attacks during the recent conflict. The public confrontation highlighted growing divisions within the expanded BRICS bloc&nbsp;

Iran, UAE clash at BRICS NSAs meet in Delhi; Tehran accuses Abu Dhabi of allowing attacks from its soil

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