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Israel-Hamas truce entered day four after fifty days of war nd bombardment that has killed thousands on both sides. Joyous and tearful reunions unfolded when people returned home.

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Against the backdrop of Christmas songs, 100 South Korean men and women gathered at a hotel near Seoul dressed in their best with name tags hanging on their clothes, hoping to find love.

The government hopes they make babies.

They were participants at a mass blind-dating event hosted by Seongnam city, an attempt by the local government to reverse a falling birth rate in a country where the popularity of marriage and enthusiasm towards parenthood have nosedived.

The participants, in their 20s and 30s, sat quietly next to one another until a relationship coach kick started the event with a rock-paper-scissor game, quickly filling the room with chatter and laughter.

The city appeared determined to arrange a match, preparing red wine, chocolates, games, free make-up services, and even background checks for the participating singles.

Lee Yu-mi, 36, who works for the city government, said she had to apply three times to finally get a spot at the event.

"I had no idea it would be this competitive," she said.

After five rounds of events this year, 198 people among 460 left the event as "couples," agreeing to exchange contacts with their pairs, the city said.

The South Korean capital Seoul had considered a similar event but put the plan on hold after facing criticism that it would be a waste of taxpayers' money that failed to tackle the reasons behind people opting not to marry and have babies - most notably the sky-high costs of housing and education.

Hwang Da-bin, who took part in a September event, said it saved him the cost of joining other social events or signing up for professional dating agencies.

"We are facing a real demographic crisis and the government needs to do whatever it can. I don't understand people complaining over this," Hwang said.

South Korea's fertility rate dropped to a record low&nbsp;of 0.78 last year in yet another grim milestone for the country with the world's lowest number of expected children for each woman.

The number is far below 1.66 in the United States and 1.3 in Japan in 2021. The average rate among countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development stood at 1.58 the same year.

Jung Jae-hoon, a professor at the department of social welfare at Seoul Women's University, said it was "nonsense" to expect these events to lead to higher birth rates.

"You need to spend more money directly on supporting pregnancy, child delivery and parenting to call it a policy to boost birth rates," Jung said.

Despite criticism, thousands of people have signed up for this year's blind-dating events arranged by the Seongnam city.

Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin said spreading positive views on marriage would eventually help raise the birth rates, stressing that the blind-dating events are just one of many policies his city has rolled out to reverse the plunging rates.

"Low birth rates cannot be resolved with a single policy," Shin said. "It's also the city's job to create the environment for people who want to marry find their partners."

Against the backdrop of Christmas songs, 100 South Korean men and women gathered at a hotel near Seoul dressed in their best with name tags hanging on their clothes, hoping to find love.

Against the backdrop of Christmas songs, 100 South Korean men and women gathered at a hotel near Seoul dressed in their best with name tags hanging on their clothes, hoping to find love. The government hopes they make babies. They were participants at a mass blind-dating event hosted by Seongnam city, an attempt by the local government to reverse a falling birth rate in a country where the popularity of marriage and enthusiasm towards parenthood have nosedived. The participants, in their 20s and 30s, sat quietly next to one another until a relationship coach kick started the event with a rock-paper-scissor game, quickly filling the room with chatter and laughter. The city appeared determined to arrange a match, preparing red wine, chocolates, games, free make-up services, and even background checks for the participating singles. Lee Yu-mi, 36, who works for the city government, said she had to apply three times to finally get a spot at the event. "I had no idea it would be this competitive," she said. After five rounds of events this year, 198 people among 460 left the event as "couples," agreeing to exchange contacts with their pairs, the city said. The South Korean capital Seoul had considered a similar event but put the plan on hold after facing criticism that it would be a waste of taxpayers' money that failed to tackle the reasons behind people opting not to marry and have babies - most notably the sky-high costs of housing and education. Hwang Da-bin, who took part in a September event, said it saved him the cost of joining other social events or signing up for professional dating agencies. "We are facing a real demographic crisis and the government needs to do whatever it can. I don't understand people complaining over this," Hwang said. South Korea's fertility rate dropped to a record low of 0.78 last year in yet another grim milestone for the country with the world's lowest number of expected children for each woman. The number is far below 1.66 in the United States and 1.3 in Japan in 2021. The average rate among countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development stood at 1.58 the same year. Jung Jae-hoon, a professor at the department of social welfare at Seoul Women's University, said it was "nonsense" to expect these events to lead to higher birth rates. "You need to spend more money directly on supporting pregnancy, child delivery and parenting to call it a policy to boost birth rates," Jung said. Despite criticism, thousands of people have signed up for this year's blind-dating events arranged by the Seongnam city. Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin said spreading positive views on marriage would eventually help raise the birth rates, stressing that the blind-dating events are just one of many policies his city has rolled out to reverse the plunging rates. "Low birth rates cannot be resolved with a single policy," Shin said. "It's also the city's job to create the environment for people who want to marry find their partners."

South Korean city turns to matchmaking to boost low birth rates

Israel-Hamas truce entered day four after fifty days of war and bombardment that has killed thousands on both sides. Joyous and tearful reunions unfolded when people returned home.

Israel-Hamas War: Hamas releases 4th batch of hostages

According to research conducted by the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), located in Utrecht, about 25 miles south of Amsterdam, 80 out of every 100,000 children in the age range of 5 to 14 had pneumonia last week.

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Twenty people were killed and nearly 2,000 inmates escaped during Sunday's attack on a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone, officials said on Monday.

The West African country was thrown into panic in the early hours when the assailants sent gunfire ringing across the capital Freetown. The government blamed "renegade soldiers" that it said had been repelled.

President Julius Maada Bio said in an address on Sunday that most of the leaders of the attack had been arrested and that efforts to apprehend others were under way. An investigation has been launched, he said.

Army spokesman Colonel Issa Bangura told Reuters that the 20 dead included 13 soldiers, three assailants, a police officer, a civilian and someone working in private security. Eight people were wounded and three arrested, he said.

Some 1,890 inmates escaped from the Pademba Road central prison after the attackers broke in, according to a situation report that prison officials shared with Reuters on Monday. So far, 23 have returned, it said.

In a two-hour raid, the assailants rammed open the main gate with a vehicle after gunfire and a rocket launcher failed to breach prison defences, said Colonel Shek Sulaiman Massaquoi, the acting director general of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service.

Inside the prison on Monday, a Reuters reporter saw cell doors broken open or removed entirely, and piles of trash from an ongoing clean-up.

The police urged inmates to return to prison in a statement on Monday, and offered the public rewards for details on the whereabouts of escapees or the attackers.

Tentative&nbsp;Calm

Life returned to Freetown on Monday afternoon as shops and businesses opened after the government reduced an all-day curfew to a nightly one running from 2100-0600 GMT.

In a show of a return to normalcy, Bio's X social media account on Monday shared a picture of the president behind his desk in his office saying he was at work.

"The task before us is too great and urgent to be derailed by those who seek to truncate the peace and security that we have enjoyed as a country," he said in the post.

Sierra Leone, which is still recovering from a 1991-2002 civil war in which more than 50,000 were killed, has been tense since Bio was re-elected in June, a result rejected by the main opposition candidate and questioned by international partners including the United States and the European Union.

In August 2022, at least 21 civilians and six police officers were killed in anti-government protests.

Twenty people were killed and nearly 2,000 inmates escaped during Sunday's attack on a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone, officials said on Monday.

Twenty people were killed and nearly 2,000 inmates escaped during Sunday's attack on a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone, officials said on Monday. The West African country was thrown into panic in the early hours when the assailants sent gunfire ringing across the capital Freetown. The government blamed "renegade soldiers" that it said had been repelled. President Julius Maada Bio said in an address on Sunday that most of the leaders of the attack had been arrested and that efforts to apprehend others were under way. An investigation has been launched, he said. Army spokesman Colonel Issa Bangura told Reuters that the 20 dead included 13 soldiers, three assailants, a police officer, a civilian and someone working in private security. Eight people were wounded and three arrested, he said. Some 1,890 inmates escaped from the Pademba Road central prison after the attackers broke in, according to a situation report that prison officials shared with Reuters on Monday. So far, 23 have returned, it said. In a two-hour raid, the assailants rammed open the main gate with a vehicle after gunfire and a rocket launcher failed to breach prison defences, said Colonel Shek Sulaiman Massaquoi, the acting director general of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service. Inside the prison on Monday, a Reuters reporter saw cell doors broken open or removed entirely, and piles of trash from an ongoing clean-up. The police urged inmates to return to prison in a statement on Monday, and offered the public rewards for details on the whereabouts of escapees or the attackers. Tentative Calm Life returned to Freetown on Monday afternoon as shops and businesses opened after the government reduced an all-day curfew to a nightly one running from 2100-0600 GMT. In a show of a return to normalcy, Bio's X social media account on Monday shared a picture of the president behind his desk in his office saying he was at work. "The task before us is too great and urgent to be derailed by those who seek to truncate the peace and security that we have enjoyed as a country," he said in the post. Sierra Leone, which is still recovering from a 1991-2002 civil war in which more than 50,000 were killed, has been tense since Bio was re-elected in June, a result rejected by the main opposition candidate and questioned by international partners including the United States and the European Union. In August 2022, at least 21 civilians and six police officers were killed in anti-government protests.

Twenty killed in Sierra Leone attack, nearly 2,000 prisoners escape

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar met with Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza following their abduction on October 7, local media in Israel reported Monday (Nov 27).

Sinwar spoke with them in Hebrew without an accent, and the meeting took place in an underground tunnel.

The Hamas chief assured the hostages that they “were safe with them and did not need to fear”, reported Channel 12, adding that the story has been confirmed by the Israeli security establishment.

"Hello, I am Yahya Sinwar. You are the safest here. Nothing will happen to you," he is believed to have said to the hostages, as confirmed by one of the captives released over the weekend.

<h2>Sinwar learnt Hebrew while being in prison</h2>

According to an unsourced report in Haaretz Monday, all hostages present to hear Sinwar were from Nir Oz, a kibbutz that suffered heavy losses on October 7.

After saying these words, he departed.

Watch:&nbsp;Israel-Hamas truce deal extended by two more days, confirms Qatar

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Sinwar acquired his fluent Hebrew skills during his time in Israeli prison, before being released in a negotiated deal with Hamas back in 2011. He returned to Gaza the same year and now is playing a crucial role in the exchange process in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Sinwar manages contacts through Qatar, and the assessment is that he aims to stretch the duration of the truce as much as possible, Ynet News reported.

<h2>‘Intelligent man’</h2>

According to Israeli officials' estimates, he is often found alongside other high-ranking Hamas officials in tunnels or subterranean bunkers in the southern part of the Strip.

Even Israeli officials believe he is a very “intelligent person” who spent his days in prison learning as much about Israelis as he could.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-live-hamas-releases-third-group-of-captives-in-exchange-for-palestinian-prisoners-663167">Also read:&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war top developments| Truce extension a glimpse of hope, says UN chief</a>

“He’s a very intelligent person who invested in his intellectual development and in an in-depth understanding of Israeli society,” Betty Lahat, a former warden of Hasharon Prison and head of the Israel Prison Service’s Intelligence Department, had said last year.

He was chosen to lead Hamas in Gaza in 2017, taking over from Ismail Haniyeh.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar met with Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza following their abduction on October 7, local media in Israel reported Monday (Nov 27). Sinwar spoke with them in Hebrew without an accent, and the meeting took place in an underground tunnel.

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar met with Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza following their abduction on October 7, local media in Israel reported Monday (Nov 27). Sinwar spoke with them in Hebrew without an accent, and the meeting took place in an underground tunnel. The Hamas chief assured the hostages that they “were safe with them and did not need to fear”, reported Channel 12, adding that the story has been confirmed by the Israeli security establishment. "Hello, I am Yahya Sinwar. You are the safest here. Nothing will happen to you," he is believed to have said to the hostages, as confirmed by one of the captives released over the weekend. Sinwar learnt Hebrew while being in prison According to an unsourced report in Haaretz Monday, all hostages present to hear Sinwar were from Nir Oz, a kibbutz that suffered heavy losses on October 7. After saying these words, he departed. Watch: Israel-Hamas truce deal extended by two more days, confirms Qatar × Sinwar acquired his fluent Hebrew skills during his time in Israeli prison, before being released in a negotiated deal with Hamas back in 2011. He returned to Gaza the same year and now is playing a crucial role in the exchange process in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Sinwar manages contacts through Qatar, and the assessment is that he aims to stretch the duration of the truce as much as possible, Ynet News reported. ‘Intelligent man’ According to Israeli officials' estimates, he is often found alongside other high-ranking Hamas officials in tunnels or subterranean bunkers in the southern part of the Strip. Even Israeli officials believe he is a very “intelligent person” who spent his days in prison learning as much about Israelis as he could. Also read: Israel-Hamas war top developments| Truce extension a glimpse of hope, says UN chief “He’s a very intelligent person who invested in his intellectual development and in an in-depth understanding of Israeli society,” Betty Lahat, a former warden of Hasharon Prison and head of the Israel Prison Service’s Intelligence Department, had said last year. He was chosen to lead Hamas in Gaza in 2017, taking over from Ismail Haniyeh. (With inputs from agencies)

'Nothing will happen to you,' Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar met Israeli hostages in a tunnel

The four-day truce deal has been extended. Qatar confirms the development by posying 'X'. The truce is extended by two days. Agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian truce.

Hamas confirms truce deal extension, as per reports

Hostage release: 20 women & children to be released in next two-days

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised

David Fuller, the man believed to be the worst necrophiliac killer Britain has ever seen, could carry out his nefarious abuse of over 100 women and girls due to "serious failings" at his workplace, found an inquiry on Tuesday.&nbsp;

An inquiry found that Fuller's string of abuses was aided by the hospital's "missed opportunities to question" his working practices.

<h2>Fuller and his crimes</h2>

Between 2005 and 2020, David Fuller abused the bodies of at least 101 women and girls at Kent hospitals: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.&nbsp;

In 2021, Fuller admitted to killing two women 25-year-old Wendy Knell and 20-year-old Caroline Pierce. He said that he committed the murders in 1987 in separate attacks in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.&nbsp;

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Subsequently, he admitted to engaging in necrophilia on many occasions. He confessed to abusing the bodies of many women he found in mortuaries. His victims ranged between the ages of nine and a hundred years.&nbsp;

A search of his home uncovered more than 800,000 images and 500 videos of his "persistent interest" in abusing, raping and murdering women.

For his shocking crimes, he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. He was given two life sentences for the murders. In addition, he was sentenced to 16 years behind bars for abusing corpses, so the 69-year-old will die in prison.&nbsp;

<h2>Inquiry findings</h2>

An inquiry into his crimes found that "there were missed opportunities to question Fuller's working practices".

The Guardian quotes Inquiry chair Sir Jonathan Michael as saying that the abuse "had caused shock and horror across our country and beyond".

"He routinely worked beyond his contracted hours, undertaking tasks in the mortuary that were not necessary or which should not have been carried out by someone with his chronic back problems. This was never properly questioned," he added.

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Michael in the report released on Tuesday (Nov 28) said, "The offences that Fuller committed were truly shocking and he will never be released from prison."

He chalked up Fuller's barbarities to "failures of management, of governance, of regulation, failure to follow standard policies and procedures, together with a persistent lack of curiosity."

As per the report, there was "little regard" given to who was accessing the mortuary. It said that Fuller, who worked as the maintenance supervisor at hospitals, visited the mortuaries around 444 times in a year, yet it went "unnoticed and unchecked".

Talking to reporters, he also said&nbsp;senior bosses were allegedly "aware of problems in the running of the mortuary from as early as 2008".

<h2>How can such crimes be prevented?</h2>

The inquiry, as per BBC, has made 17 recommendations to prevent "similar atrocities". These include the installation of CCTV cameras in mortuaries and post-mortem rooms. Making it compulsory for maintenance staff to carry out tasks in these areas in pairs was also recommended.

Furthermore, it recommended that the "practice of leaving deceased people out of mortuary fridges overnight" or while maintenance is carried out should be put to an end.

Another inquiry to review how the deceased are cared for around the UK was launched in July and its findings are expected to be released in 2024.

(With inputs from agencies)

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised David Fuller, the man believed to be the worst necrophiliac killer Britain has ever seen, could carry out his nefarious abuse of over 100 women and girls due to "serious failings" at his workplace, found an inquiry on Tuesday.

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised David Fuller, the man believed to be the worst necrophiliac killer Britain has ever seen, could carry out his nefarious abuse of over 100 women and girls due to "serious failings" at his workplace, found an inquiry on Tuesday. An inquiry found that Fuller's string of abuses was aided by the hospital's "missed opportunities to question" his working practices. Fuller and his crimes Between 2005 and 2020, David Fuller abused the bodies of at least 101 women and girls at Kent hospitals: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. In 2021, Fuller admitted to killing two women 25-year-old Wendy Knell and 20-year-old Caroline Pierce. He said that he committed the murders in 1987 in separate attacks in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Also read | Ukraine spy chief’s wife poisoned with ‘heavy metals’ in suspected assassination attempt Subsequently, he admitted to engaging in necrophilia on many occasions. He confessed to abusing the bodies of many women he found in mortuaries. His victims ranged between the ages of nine and a hundred years. A search of his home uncovered more than 800,000 images and 500 videos of his "persistent interest" in abusing, raping and murdering women. For his shocking crimes, he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. He was given two life sentences for the murders. In addition, he was sentenced to 16 years behind bars for abusing corpses, so the 69-year-old will die in prison. Inquiry findings An inquiry into his crimes found that "there were missed opportunities to question Fuller's working practices". The Guardian quotes Inquiry chair Sir Jonathan Michael as saying that the abuse "had caused shock and horror across our country and beyond". "He routinely worked beyond his contracted hours, undertaking tasks in the mortuary that were not necessary or which should not have been carried out by someone with his chronic back problems. This was never properly questioned," he added. Also read | Bangladeshi couple's research paper cum wedding invitation leaves internet in splits Michael in the report released on Tuesday (Nov 28) said, "The offences that Fuller committed were truly shocking and he will never be released from prison." He chalked up Fuller's barbarities to "failures of management, of governance, of regulation, failure to follow standard policies and procedures, together with a persistent lack of curiosity." As per the report, there was "little regard" given to who was accessing the mortuary. It said that Fuller, who worked as the maintenance supervisor at hospitals, visited the mortuaries around 444 times in a year, yet it went "unnoticed and unchecked". Talking to reporters, he also said senior bosses were allegedly "aware of problems in the running of the mortuary from as early as 2008". How can such crimes be prevented? The inquiry, as per BBC, has made 17 recommendations to prevent "similar atrocities". These include the installation of CCTV cameras in mortuaries and post-mortem rooms. Making it compulsory for maintenance staff to carry out tasks in these areas in pairs was also recommended. Furthermore, it recommended that the "practice of leaving deceased people out of mortuary fridges overnight" or while maintenance is carried out should be put to an end. Another inquiry to review how the deceased are cared for around the UK was launched in July and its findings are expected to be released in 2024. (With inputs from agencies)

'Serious failings' aided UK mortuary body abuser, necrophiliac David Fuller in his spine-chilling crimes

Pakistan has taken a contentious decision to deport millions of Afghan refugees as the deadline to voluntarily leave has expired. What's behind Pakistan's expulsion of the 'undocumented' migrants? In this report, we delve into Islamabad's justifications for its move and the potential human rights concerns it raises.

Pakistan: Afghan migrants involved in 2024 Pakistan election to be deported

The recently released iOS17 update includes a feature called "NameDrop," which has Apple customers talking. NameDrop, which is similar to AirDrop, enables iPhone users to instantly exchange contact information without physically exchanging phones with other iPhones or Apple Watches nearby.

New iPhone feature raises privacy concerns amid iOS17 update

Israel's ambassador to India Naor Gilon has expressed Israel's interest in bringing more Indian workers to the country through government-to-government programmes.

The focus areas for recruitment, he said, would include caregiving, construction workers, and agriculture.

Speaking to the media, the ambassador said, "When are our foreign minister was here, he signed a framework agreement with Dr S Jaishankar, to bring workers from India to Israel, and also to provide structure to those who are already working there, through the government-to-government framework.”

Gilon highlighted the existing protocols in the caregiver and construction sectors signed under the broader agreement between the Indian and Israeli governments, stating, "These two are already there signed, construction was signed two weeks ago by me, together with my counterpart in MEA. Starting to bring people via this protocol, and maybe we will do protocol on agriculture, these are the three sectors where we need the most now"

Gilon underlined the significance of long-term government-to-government agreements as the primary mechanism for sending workers, with the recruitment process entrusted to the Indian government.

In light of what he referred to as an "emergency," Israel has temporarily allowed its private sector a "limited quota" for foreign workers, including 5,000 in agriculture and 10,000 in construction over three months.

The ambassador explained, "In the long-term, we see government-to-government agreements with different countries, including India, as the main tool to send people, and all recruitment processes in India, are handled by the Indian government."

The ambassador praised India's response to the October 7 terror attack by Hamas, describing it as "remarkable" and one of the "strongest reactions."

He particularly commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unwavering stance against terrorism, stating, "PM Modi came out clear and adamant against terrorism."

While acknowledging India's abstention from the UNGA resolution by Arab countries, he noted that India voted in favour of the Canadian amendments.&nbsp;

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Discussing Israel's recent ban on the Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, Gilon deemed it a "nice gesture," considering the 15th anniversary of the Mumbai 26/11 attacks.

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He emphasised Israel's determination in fighting terrorism, asserting, "When it comes to fighting terrorism, we are very determined... It's the right thing to do." 6 Israeli citizens were killed in the Mumbai terror attack. &nbsp;Regarding the request for India to ban Hamas, Gilon clarified, "we filed the information needed... did whatever was expected from our side, now it's Indian decision, Indian govt to decide."

In response to reports about Pakistan supplying Israel with 155mm shells, the ambassador unequivocally dismissed such claims, stating, "This did not happen."

Israel's ambassador to India Naor Gilon has expressed Israel's interest in bringing more Indian workers to the country through government-to-government programmes.

Israel's ambassador to India Naor Gilon has expressed Israel's interest in bringing more Indian workers to the country through government-to-government programmes. The focus areas for recruitment, he said, would include caregiving, construction workers, and agriculture. Speaking to the media, the ambassador said, "When are our foreign minister was here, he signed a framework agreement with Dr S Jaishankar, to bring workers from India to Israel, and also to provide structure to those who are already working there, through the government-to-government framework.” Gilon highlighted the existing protocols in the caregiver and construction sectors signed under the broader agreement between the Indian and Israeli governments, stating, "These two are already there signed, construction was signed two weeks ago by me, together with my counterpart in MEA. Starting to bring people via this protocol, and maybe we will do protocol on agriculture, these are the three sectors where we need the most now" Gilon underlined the significance of long-term government-to-government agreements as the primary mechanism for sending workers, with the recruitment process entrusted to the Indian government. In light of what he referred to as an "emergency," Israel has temporarily allowed its private sector a "limited quota" for foreign workers, including 5,000 in agriculture and 10,000 in construction over three months. The ambassador explained, "In the long-term, we see government-to-government agreements with different countries, including India, as the main tool to send people, and all recruitment processes in India, are handled by the Indian government." The ambassador praised India's response to the October 7 terror attack by Hamas, describing it as "remarkable" and one of the "strongest reactions." He particularly commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unwavering stance against terrorism, stating, "PM Modi came out clear and adamant against terrorism." While acknowledging India's abstention from the UNGA resolution by Arab countries, he noted that India voted in favour of the Canadian amendments. Also read | French authorities arrest Romanian guru of controversial yoga sect Discussing Israel's recent ban on the Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, Gilon deemed it a "nice gesture," considering the 15th anniversary of the Mumbai 26/11 attacks. Also read | Ukraine spy chief’s wife poisoned with ‘heavy metals’ in suspected assassination attempt He emphasised Israel's determination in fighting terrorism, asserting, "When it comes to fighting terrorism, we are very determined... It's the right thing to do." 6 Israeli citizens were killed in the Mumbai terror attack. Regarding the request for India to ban Hamas, Gilon clarified, "we filed the information needed... did whatever was expected from our side, now it's Indian decision, Indian govt to decide." In response to reports about Pakistan supplying Israel with 155mm shells, the ambassador unequivocally dismissed such claims, stating, "This did not happen."

Planning to get more Indians to work in Israel, says envoy Naor Gilon

American model Gigi Hadid has stirred controversy due to her recent comment on the Israel-Hamas war. The model who is half Palestinian has been vocal about her opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The 28-year-old has attracted a lot of backlash after she accused Israel of “organ harvesting.” Hadid shared a reel on her Instagram story which claims “health officials admitted that Israeli authorities had harvested the organs of dead Palestinians for years without their consent."

Israel-Hamas war: Gigi Hadid accuses Israel of 'abduction, rape and torture', sparks controversy

Pakistan top court to hear Afghan refugee case

The man accused of shooting and injuring three university students of Palestinian descent in the US city of Burlington, Vermont over the weekend pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges on Monday (Nov 27).

The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Jason J Eaton, was arrested on Sunday, a day after the attack and appeared in court in Burlington where the judge had also ordered him to remain held without bond.

The shooting, which took place on a street near the University of Vermont, is being seen as a suspected “hate-motivated crime” by the police.

<h2>About the condition of victims</h2>

The three friends were identified in court documents as Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Aliahmad and Kinnan Abdalhamid, all aged 20. They all remain&nbsp;under medical care&nbsp;with gunshot wounds to the spine, chest and buttocks, respectively.&nbsp;

Two are in stable condition while the third sustained more serious injuries, as per officials.&nbsp;

The court documents also said two out of the three who were shot recounted they were wearing keffiyehs – the traditional black and white Palestinian scarf – and one of them said that they were talking in a mix of English and Arabic when the gunman confronted them.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-three-students-of-palestinian-descent-shot-in-suspected-hate-crime-police-investigate-663175">US: Suspect arrested for shooting 3 students of Palestinian descent in possible 'hate-motivated crime'</a>

The victims told the police that they were shot while strolling about a block from the house of Awartani’s grandmother, following an afternoon at a bowling alley, according to a police affidavit filed in support of the charges, reported Reuters.

All three live in different cities but were staying with Awartani and his relatives in Burlington for Thanksgiving. The police said that all three are of Palestinian descent with two of them being US citizens and the third a legal American resident.&nbsp;

All three were graduates of the Ramallah Friends School, a private Quaker school in the occupied West Bank and were now attending universities in the northeast US, their families said.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened in court?</h2>

Eaton appeared for his arraignment in Chittenden County Criminal Court in Burlington via a video feed from the county jail where he has been detained since his arrest.&nbsp;

He was charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder which is punishable by a prison sentence of 20 years to life if convicted.&nbsp;

The 48-year-old was seen dressed in an orange jumpsuit at his three-minute arraignment after he was taken into custody by an agent of the US &nbsp;Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The law enforcement official was greeted by the suspect, who held his hands out with palms upturned and said to the officer, “I’ve been waiting for you,” according to the police affidavit.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-joe-biden-horrified-by-shooting-rampage-that-killed-us-palestinian-students-says-white-house-663549">President Joe Biden 'horrified' by shooting rampage that killed US Palestinian students, says White House</a>

The police also found a handgun, ammunition matching the rounds found at the crime scene, a .22-caliber rifle and two shotguns after searching the 48-year-old’s apartment.&nbsp;

The Department of Justice is assisting local authorities in the investigation, said US Attorney General Merrick Garland. “No person and no community in this country should have to live in fear of lethal violence,” said Garland.&nbsp;

The White House said President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill were “horrified” by the shooting in Vermont.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The man accused of shooting and injuring three university students of Palestinian descent in the US city of Burlington, Vermont over the weekend pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges on Monday (Nov 27).

The man accused of shooting and injuring three university students of Palestinian descent in the US city of Burlington, Vermont over the weekend pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges on Monday (Nov 27). The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Jason J Eaton, was arrested on Sunday, a day after the attack and appeared in court in Burlington where the judge had also ordered him to remain held without bond. The shooting, which took place on a street near the University of Vermont, is being seen as a suspected “hate-motivated crime” by the police. About the condition of victims The three friends were identified in court documents as Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Aliahmad and Kinnan Abdalhamid, all aged 20. They all remain under medical care with gunshot wounds to the spine, chest and buttocks, respectively. Two are in stable condition while the third sustained more serious injuries, as per officials. The court documents also said two out of the three who were shot recounted they were wearing keffiyehs – the traditional black and white Palestinian scarf – and one of them said that they were talking in a mix of English and Arabic when the gunman confronted them. ALSO READ | US: Suspect arrested for shooting 3 students of Palestinian descent in possible 'hate-motivated crime' The victims told the police that they were shot while strolling about a block from the house of Awartani’s grandmother, following an afternoon at a bowling alley, according to a police affidavit filed in support of the charges, reported Reuters. All three live in different cities but were staying with Awartani and his relatives in Burlington for Thanksgiving. The police said that all three are of Palestinian descent with two of them being US citizens and the third a legal American resident. All three were graduates of the Ramallah Friends School, a private Quaker school in the occupied West Bank and were now attending universities in the northeast US, their families said. What happened in court? Eaton appeared for his arraignment in Chittenden County Criminal Court in Burlington via a video feed from the county jail where he has been detained since his arrest. He was charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder which is punishable by a prison sentence of 20 years to life if convicted. The 48-year-old was seen dressed in an orange jumpsuit at his three-minute arraignment after he was taken into custody by an agent of the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The law enforcement official was greeted by the suspect, who held his hands out with palms upturned and said to the officer, “I’ve been waiting for you,” according to the police affidavit. ALSO READ | President Joe Biden 'horrified' by shooting rampage that killed US Palestinian students, says White House The police also found a handgun, ammunition matching the rounds found at the crime scene, a .22-caliber rifle and two shotguns after searching the 48-year-old’s apartment. The Department of Justice is assisting local authorities in the investigation, said US Attorney General Merrick Garland. “No person and no community in this country should have to live in fear of lethal violence,” said Garland. The White House said President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill were “horrified” by the shooting in Vermont. (With inputs from agencies)

Suspect charged for shooting 3 students of Palestinian descent in Vermont, pleads not guilty

United States President Joe Biden's son Hunter is willing to testify in the House Oversight Committee's inquiry into his actions on Dec 13, CNN reported on Tuesday (Nov 28).

United States President Joe Biden's son Hunter is willing to testify in the House Oversight Committee's inquiry into his actions on Dec 13, CNN reported on Tuesday (Nov 28). In a letter sent to the committee, Hunter's lawyers said he would only testify if done publicly. “We have seen you use closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort the facts and misinform the public. We therefore propose opening the door. If, as you claim, your efforts are important and involve issues that Americans should know about, then let the light shine on these proceedings,” the letter said, CNN reported. An offer to testify at a public hearing does not guarantee it will happen. Federal courts have upheld the authority of House committees to subpoena private people and entities. 'Hunter trying to play by his own rules' House Oversight Chair James Comer rejected the idea that a public hearing should replace Hunter's scheduled deposition but agreed that he should have the opportunity to testify publicly at some point. “Hunter Biden is trying to play by his own rules instead of following the rules required of everyone else. That won’t stand with House Republicans. Our lawfully issued subpoena to Hunter Biden requires him to appear for a deposition on December 13,” Comer told CNN. “We expect full cooperation with our subpoena for a deposition but also agree that Hunter Biden should have the opportunity to testify in a public setting at a future date,” he added. We are glad that Hunter Biden has decided to cooperate and we look forward to hearing from him in a deposition on December 13 and subsequently at a public hearing. — Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) November 28, 2023 × House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, who also issued the president's son a subpoena, said in a post on X, "We are glad that Hunter Biden has decided to cooperate and we look forward to hearing from him in a deposition on December 13 and subsequently at a public hearing." Earlier in November, the committee subpoenaed Hunter and his brother James. This was the first time that the panel directly subpoenaed members of the Biden family. The committee also subpoenaed an assistant lawyer working on Hunter’s criminal case after whistleblowers with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) alleged political interference in the case. (With inputs from agencies)

Hunter Biden willing to testify in House Oversight Committee's inquiry into his actions: Report

The Hamas-run Health Ministry on Tuesday warned of the possible outbreak of a major epidemic wave in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing Israeli airstrikes and siege on the Palestinian enclave.

WHO warns Gaza over rising diseases, says 'Gaza's hospitals need urgent repair' | World News | WION

After a fatal incident in Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the role that cryptocurrency plays in supporting terrorists and extremist organizations has come under closer examination. Israel claims to have confiscated cryptocurrency accounts connected to Hamas. Lawmakers in the United States have called on the government to take action against Hamas and its affiliates' use of cryptocurrency.

Is cryptocurrency helping fund terrorism?

The world’s first transatlantic powered by 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) took off on Tuesday (Nov 28) from London and is currently en route to New York. The flight operated by Virgin Atlantic, dubbed Flight100, marked the first step in a potential low-carbon option as the world continues to grapple with the impact of climate change and is looking for ways in which it can lower the release of Earth-warming gases.&nbsp;

The large passenger powered by only alternative fuels operated by a Virgin Boeing 787 and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines plans to show that SAF is a safe replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel compatible with today’s engines, airframes and fuel infrastructure.

The flight took off from London’s Heathrow Airport at 1149 GMT and is scheduled to arrive at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at 1940 GMT.

The maiden flight also comes days ahead of the beginning of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uae-using-cop28-summit-platform-to-strike-deals-with-oil-companies-report-663564">COP28 climate talks</a> in Dubai which are expected to&nbsp;focus on the future role of fossil fuels, and whether countries should commit to phasing out the use of carbon emitting&nbsp;coal, oil and gas.

<h2>What is SAF?</h2>

The so-called SAF is typically made from renewable biomass and waste resources but is said to have the potential to deliver the performance of petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its carbon footprint. SAF can be made from a variety of sources, including crops and household waste.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sea-ice-around-antarctica-recedes-to-historically-low-levels-scientists-636821">Sea ice around Antarctica recedes to historically low levels: Scientists</a>

The SAF for Flight100 is made from a “unique duel blend” which includes 88 per cent of HEFA and 12 per cent of SAK, the former is said to be made from waste fats, while the latter is rest from the wastes of corn production in the United States, said Virgin Atlantic.&nbsp;

The fuel used by Flight100 also includes a small amount of synthetic aromatic kerosene made from waste corn, said the company. While the SAF is not unheard of since it is used in jet engines as part of a blend with traditional kerosene, this is the first time that a flight will only run on this type of fuel.&nbsp;

<h2>About Flight100&nbsp;</h2>

The one-of-a-kind flight is not carrying any paying passengers or cargo but includes passengers like Virgin Atlantic’s billionaire founder Richard Branson, its chief executive Shai Weiss, and United Kingdom’s Transport Minister Mark Harper.&nbsp;

“The world will always assume something can’t be done, until you do it. The spirit of innovation is getting out there and trying to prove that we can do things better for everyone’s benefit,” said Branson, in a statement ahead of the take-off.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Virgin Atlantic’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flight100?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flight100</a> took to the skies today. The world’s first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) transatlantic flight by a commercial airline ✈ <a href="https://t.co/u75pv9hMbb">https://t.co/u75pv9hMbb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VirginAtlantic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@virginatlantic</a> <a href="https://t.co/LJQNfxpwiT">pic.twitter.com/LJQNfxpwiT</a>
— Virgin (@Virgin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Virgin/status/1729475869544997089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-at-london-museum-to-study-dust-from-bennu-asteroid-and-unveil-secrets-663827">Scientists at London Museum to study dust from Bennu asteroid and unveil secrets</a>

Boeing 787 has been filled with 50 tonnes of SAF and will become the first time a commercial airline has flown long haul on 100 per cent “green fuel”. The Flight100’s departure follows the Gulfstream G600 business jet’s successful transatlantic crossing using the same fuel last week.

The milestone also comes after successful ground tests and analyses conducted as well as following the approval by the UK regulator the Civil Aviation Authority earlier this month.&nbsp;

The Virgin Atlantic-led, partly government funded, project involves a number of major companies including Rolls-Royce, Boeing and energy giant BP.

The consortium also includes Imperial College London, the University of Sheffield, ICF, and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). Researchers from Imperial and Sheffield will be leading the scientific work to assess the climate effects of the Flight100.

<h2>How much difference does SAF make?</h2>

As countries across the world have sought to decarbonise in the upcoming decade the aviation industry is relying on SAF as the most effective tool available to help bring its net emissions down to zero.&nbsp;

The aviation industry is arguably one of the most difficult to decarbonise and accounts for around three per cent of emissions which contribute to human-induced climate change as a result of carbon dioxide and non-carbon dioxide emissions.&nbsp;

The use of SAF is not going to stop planes from emitting carbon, but the industry says the “lifecycle emissions” of these fuels can be up to 70 per cent lower compared to fossil-based jet fuel over its lifecycle.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-finds-that-medias-climate-crisis-coverage-sparks-fear-and-favours-avoidance-585451">Study finds that media's climate crisis coverage sparks fear and favours avoidance</a>

But while SAF is key to reducing those emissions it comes at a cost which is about three to five times higher than regular jet fuel right now and accounts for less than 0.1 per cent of total global jet fuel in use today.&nbsp;

The planes releasing carbon dioxide also release particulate matter (PM) which causes contrails which are said to contribute significantly to climate change since they trap heat causing a greenhouse effect – particularly those that persist at night.&nbsp;

Therefore, researchers believe that we can reduce the aviation industry’s contribution to global warming by taking steps like using SAF altering flight altitude and flying during the daytime.&nbsp;

Researchers who are leading the scientific work, ahead of the take-off on Tuesday, measured particulate matter (PM) emitted by a smaller-scale aircraft engine and found that SAF reduces the emissions of PM.&nbsp;

As per the Imperial College in London the researchers will also reportedly analyse the effect of using SAF after the flight with on-board flight data, weather data and satellite imagery to estimate the amount of particulate matter released and track any contrails formed by the flight.

Last month, the head of the International Airlines Group (IAG) said the risk of the aviation industry not meeting the European Union mandate for SAF availability in 2025 is higher than 90 per cent.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-are-the-key-issues-in-the-upcoming-cop28-summit-in-uae-663469">Explained | What are the key issues in the upcoming COP28 summit in UAE?</a>

Similarly, a report by Reuters citing analysts said that the 2030 target looks challenging given SAF’s small volumes and its high cost.

<h2>‘Greenwashing’</h2>

While many have hailed the maiden flight as a success story that, according to the UK’s transport minister, could inspire the “next generation of solutions” others, like environmental advocacy group Stay Grounded have described it as a “greenwashing distraction.”

“(Fuel substitutes) are nowhere close to being scalable in the necessary timeframe to avoid climate collapse. What is urgently needed is to reduce the burning of fossil jet fuels, which means reducing flights wherever possible,” said Magdalena Heuwieser, who represents the network, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The world’s first transatlantic powered by 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) took off on Tuesday (Nov 28) from London and is currently en route to New York.

The world’s first transatlantic powered by 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) took off on Tuesday (Nov 28) from London and is currently en route to New York. The flight operated by Virgin Atlantic, dubbed Flight100, marked the first step in a potential low-carbon option as the world continues to grapple with the impact of climate change and is looking for ways in which it can lower the release of Earth-warming gases. The large passenger powered by only alternative fuels operated by a Virgin Boeing 787 and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines plans to show that SAF is a safe replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel compatible with today’s engines, airframes and fuel infrastructure. The flight took off from London’s Heathrow Airport at 1149 GMT and is scheduled to arrive at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at 1940 GMT. The maiden flight also comes days ahead of the beginning of COP28 climate talks in Dubai which are expected to focus on the future role of fossil fuels, and whether countries should commit to phasing out the use of carbon emitting coal, oil and gas. What is SAF? The so-called SAF is typically made from renewable biomass and waste resources but is said to have the potential to deliver the performance of petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its carbon footprint. SAF can be made from a variety of sources, including crops and household waste. ALSO READ | Sea ice around Antarctica recedes to historically low levels: Scientists The SAF for Flight100 is made from a “unique duel blend” which includes 88 per cent of HEFA and 12 per cent of SAK, the former is said to be made from waste fats, while the latter is rest from the wastes of corn production in the United States, said Virgin Atlantic. The fuel used by Flight100 also includes a small amount of synthetic aromatic kerosene made from waste corn, said the company. While the SAF is not unheard of since it is used in jet engines as part of a blend with traditional kerosene, this is the first time that a flight will only run on this type of fuel. About Flight100 The one-of-a-kind flight is not carrying any paying passengers or cargo but includes passengers like Virgin Atlantic’s billionaire founder Richard Branson, its chief executive Shai Weiss, and United Kingdom’s Transport Minister Mark Harper. “The world will always assume something can’t be done, until you do it. The spirit of innovation is getting out there and trying to prove that we can do things better for everyone’s benefit,” said Branson, in a statement ahead of the take-off. Virgin Atlantic’s #Flight100 took to the skies today. The world’s first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) transatlantic flight by a commercial airline ✈ https://t.co/u75pv9hMbb @virginatlantic pic.twitter.com/LJQNfxpwiT — Virgin (@Virgin) November 28, 2023 × ALSO READ | Scientists at London Museum to study dust from Bennu asteroid and unveil secrets Boeing 787 has been filled with 50 tonnes of SAF and will become the first time a commercial airline has flown long haul on 100 per cent “green fuel”. The Flight100’s departure follows the Gulfstream G600 business jet’s successful transatlantic crossing using the same fuel last week. The milestone also comes after successful ground tests and analyses conducted as well as following the approval by the UK regulator the Civil Aviation Authority earlier this month. The Virgin Atlantic-led, partly government funded, project involves a number of major companies including Rolls-Royce, Boeing and energy giant BP. The consortium also includes Imperial College London, the University of Sheffield, ICF, and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). Researchers from Imperial and Sheffield will be leading the scientific work to assess the climate effects of the Flight100. How much difference does SAF make? As countries across the world have sought to decarbonise in the upcoming decade the aviation industry is relying on SAF as the most effective tool available to help bring its net emissions down to zero. The aviation industry is arguably one of the most difficult to decarbonise and accounts for around three per cent of emissions which contribute to human-induced climate change as a result of carbon dioxide and non-carbon dioxide emissions. The use of SAF is not going to stop planes from emitting carbon, but the industry says the “lifecycle emissions” of these fuels can be up to 70 per cent lower compared to fossil-based jet fuel over its lifecycle. ALSO READ | Study finds that media's climate crisis coverage sparks fear and favours avoidance But while SAF is key to reducing those emissions it comes at a cost which is about three to five times higher than regular jet fuel right now and accounts for less than 0.1 per cent of total global jet fuel in use today. The planes releasing carbon dioxide also release particulate matter (PM) which causes contrails which are said to contribute significantly to climate change since they trap heat causing a greenhouse effect – particularly those that persist at night. Therefore, researchers believe that we can reduce the aviation industry’s contribution to global warming by taking steps like using SAF altering flight altitude and flying during the daytime. Researchers who are leading the scientific work, ahead of the take-off on Tuesday, measured particulate matter (PM) emitted by a smaller-scale aircraft engine and found that SAF reduces the emissions of PM. As per the Imperial College in London the researchers will also reportedly analyse the effect of using SAF after the flight with on-board flight data, weather data and satellite imagery to estimate the amount of particulate matter released and track any contrails formed by the flight. Last month, the head of the International Airlines Group (IAG) said the risk of the aviation industry not meeting the European Union mandate for SAF availability in 2025 is higher than 90 per cent. ALSO READ | Explained | What are the key issues in the upcoming COP28 summit in UAE? Similarly, a report by Reuters citing analysts said that the 2030 target looks challenging given SAF’s small volumes and its high cost. ‘Greenwashing’ While many have hailed the maiden flight as a success story that, according to the UK’s transport minister, could inspire the “next generation of solutions” others, like environmental advocacy group Stay Grounded have described it as a “greenwashing distraction.” “(Fuel substitutes) are nowhere close to being scalable in the necessary timeframe to avoid climate collapse. What is urgently needed is to reduce the burning of fossil jet fuels, which means reducing flights wherever possible,” said Magdalena Heuwieser, who represents the network, as quoted by Reuters. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | World’s 1st transatlantic flight using 100% green fuels takes off. All you need to know

Israel-Hamas War: Tearful reunions of families and hostages

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with his Greek counterpart scheduled to take place on Tuesday (November 28) over the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, triggering a diplomatic row between the two nations.&nbsp;

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his disappointment over the last-minute cancellation of a bilateral meeting in London set to discuss their long-running dispute over the Parthenon Marbles. While speaking to reporters, Mitsotakis said that he was "deeply disappointed by the abrupt cancellation" of the meeting and he also rejected an alternative meeting with the deputy prime minister.&nbsp;

In a brief statement, the Greek leader said: "I would like to express my displeasure at the British Prime Minister's cancellation of our meeting just a few hours before it was due to take place."&nbsp;

He further told reporters on Monday evening that "those who firmly believe in the correctness and justice of their positions are never hesitant to engage in constructive argumentation and debate". The Greek PM added: "Greece and Britain share longstanding ties of friendship, and the scope of our bilateral relations is extensive."&nbsp;

"Our positions on the matter of the Parthenon Sculptures are well-known. I had anticipated engaging in a discussion with my British counterpart on this issue, as well as addressing significant global challenges such as the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, the climate crisis, and migration," Mitsotakis added.&nbsp;

A Downing Street spokesperson said that the "UK-Greece relationship is hugely important", without referring to the marbles issue.&nbsp;

As quoted by the news agency AFP, the spokesperson cited joint work within NATO and "tackling shared challenges like illegal migration" and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. "The deputy prime minister was available to meet with the Greek PM to discuss these important issues," the spokesperson added.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/neanderthals-were-able-to-produce-human-like-speech-claims-study-662800">How did Neanderthals speak? Study points to human-like speech</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Cancellation of the meeting&nbsp;</h2>

The scheduled meeting was cancelled a day after Mitsotakis told BBC that the marbles should be returned. He compared the Parthenon Sculptures to the Mona Lisa painting, as he said that to have some of the artefacts in London's British Museum and the rest in Athens was like cutting the portrait by&nbsp;Leonardo da Vinci in half. He said it was not a question of ownership but "reunification".&nbsp;

"We have not made as much progress as I would like in the negotiations. I'm a patient man and we've waited for hundreds of years, and I will persist in these discussions," Mitsotakis told BBC during a programme.&nbsp;

"This is not in my mind an ownership question, this is a reunification argument – where can you best appreciate what is essentially one monument?" he added.&nbsp;

"It's as if I told you that you would cut the Mona Lisa in half, and you will have half of it at the Louvre and half of it at the British Museum, do you think your viewers would appreciate the beauty of the painting in such a way? Well, this is exactly what happened with the Parthenon sculptures," the Greek PM further added.&nbsp;

"We feel that the sculptures belong to Greece and that they were essentially stolen. I think the answer is very clear. They do look better in the Acropolis Museum, a state-of-the-art museum that was built for that purpose," Mitsotakis said.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/unique-lost-city-deep-in-the-ocean-is-a-marvel-but-it-now-faces-mining-threats-660251">Unique 'Lost City' deep in the ocean is a marvel, but it now faces mining threats</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Sculptures of the Parthenon&nbsp;</h2>

The sculptures were taken from the Parthenon temple at the Acropolis in Greece in the early 19th century by the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, then ruling Greece, Thomas Bruce, the Earl of Elgin. For a very long time, Athens has campaigned for their return. The main sculptural decorations of the Parthenon include the Chryselephantine statue of Athena, the East and West pediments, the metopes of the peristyle, and the continuous frieze of the cellar. The sculptures were exhibited on the exterior of the temple.&nbsp;

As defined by AncientGreece.org, the pediments of the Parthenon were decorated with elaborate marble statues dedicated to mythological aspects of Athena. The report stated that the huge sculptures were arranged in dynamic compositions in order to fill the confined triangular spaces. However, the sculptures of the pediments (aetomata) were reported to be damaged severely when the Parthenon was converted to a Christian church.&nbsp;

Notably, Athens claims that the marble was stolen, however, Britain denies it. The issue remains to be discussed with an aim to arrive at a consensus and has been a source of contention between the countries for decades.&nbsp;

The Acropolis Museum was built by Greece in 2009 to keep the historic sculptures that remained in the country, along with other artefacts. The Greeks wanted the rest of the sculptures&nbsp;to complete the collection.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mummies-of-children-about-1000-year-old-unearthed-in-peru-661887">Mummies of children from at least 1,000 years ago unearthed near residential area in Peru</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Conflict within UK&nbsp;</h2>

UK-based media reports said that Mitsotakis had said that he would raise the issue with Sunak during the now-cancelled meeting on Tuesday.&nbsp;His remarks came after he met with the Labour leader Keir Starmer. As reported by The Financial Times, Starmer said he would not block a "mutually acceptable" loan deal between both countries for the sculptures. An important point - Starmer represents the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, where the British Museum is located.&nbsp;

Earlier this year in March, Sunak ruled out any change to a law that stops the British Museum from handing the marble back to Greece permanently. Sunak's spokesman said earlier Monday that the UK has "no plans" to facilitate their return to Athens.&nbsp;

However, it can happen as the legislation won't deny a loan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with his Greek counterpart scheduled to take place on Tuesday (November 28) over the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, triggering a diplomatic row between the two nations.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with his Greek counterpart scheduled to take place on Tuesday (November 28) over the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, triggering a diplomatic row between the two nations. Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his disappointment over the last-minute cancellation of a bilateral meeting in London set to discuss their long-running dispute over the Parthenon Marbles. While speaking to reporters, Mitsotakis said that he was "deeply disappointed by the abrupt cancellation" of the meeting and he also rejected an alternative meeting with the deputy prime minister. In a brief statement, the Greek leader said: "I would like to express my displeasure at the British Prime Minister's cancellation of our meeting just a few hours before it was due to take place." He further told reporters on Monday evening that "those who firmly believe in the correctness and justice of their positions are never hesitant to engage in constructive argumentation and debate". The Greek PM added: "Greece and Britain share longstanding ties of friendship, and the scope of our bilateral relations is extensive." "Our positions on the matter of the Parthenon Sculptures are well-known. I had anticipated engaging in a discussion with my British counterpart on this issue, as well as addressing significant global challenges such as the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, the climate crisis, and migration," Mitsotakis added. A Downing Street spokesperson said that the "UK-Greece relationship is hugely important", without referring to the marbles issue. As quoted by the news agency AFP, the spokesperson cited joint work within NATO and "tackling shared challenges like illegal migration" and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. "The deputy prime minister was available to meet with the Greek PM to discuss these important issues," the spokesperson added. Also read: How did Neanderthals speak? Study points to human-like speech Cancellation of the meeting The scheduled meeting was cancelled a day after Mitsotakis told BBC that the marbles should be returned. He compared the Parthenon Sculptures to the Mona Lisa painting, as he said that to have some of the artefacts in London's British Museum and the rest in Athens was like cutting the portrait by Leonardo da Vinci in half. He said it was not a question of ownership but "reunification". "We have not made as much progress as I would like in the negotiations. I'm a patient man and we've waited for hundreds of years, and I will persist in these discussions," Mitsotakis told BBC during a programme. "This is not in my mind an ownership question, this is a reunification argument – where can you best appreciate what is essentially one monument?" he added. "It's as if I told you that you would cut the Mona Lisa in half, and you will have half of it at the Louvre and half of it at the British Museum, do you think your viewers would appreciate the beauty of the painting in such a way? Well, this is exactly what happened with the Parthenon sculptures," the Greek PM further added. "We feel that the sculptures belong to Greece and that they were essentially stolen. I think the answer is very clear. They do look better in the Acropolis Museum, a state-of-the-art museum that was built for that purpose," Mitsotakis said. Also read: Unique 'Lost City' deep in the ocean is a marvel, but it now faces mining threats Sculptures of the Parthenon The sculptures were taken from the Parthenon temple at the Acropolis in Greece in the early 19th century by the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, then ruling Greece, Thomas Bruce, the Earl of Elgin. For a very long time, Athens has campaigned for their return. The main sculptural decorations of the Parthenon include the Chryselephantine statue of Athena, the East and West pediments, the metopes of the peristyle, and the continuous frieze of the cellar. The sculptures were exhibited on the exterior of the temple. As defined by AncientGreece.org, the pediments of the Parthenon were decorated with elaborate marble statues dedicated to mythological aspects of Athena. The report stated that the huge sculptures were arranged in dynamic compositions in order to fill the confined triangular spaces. However, the sculptures of the pediments (aetomata) were reported to be damaged severely when the Parthenon was converted to a Christian church. Notably, Athens claims that the marble was stolen, however, Britain denies it. The issue remains to be discussed with an aim to arrive at a consensus and has been a source of contention between the countries for decades. The Acropolis Museum was built by Greece in 2009 to keep the historic sculptures that remained in the country, along with other artefacts. The Greeks wanted the rest of the sculptures to complete the collection. Also read: Mummies of children from at least 1,000 years ago unearthed near residential area in Peru Conflict within UK UK-based media reports said that Mitsotakis had said that he would raise the issue with Sunak during the now-cancelled meeting on Tuesday. His remarks came after he met with the Labour leader Keir Starmer. As reported by The Financial Times, Starmer said he would not block a "mutually acceptable" loan deal between both countries for the sculptures. An important point - Starmer represents the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, where the British Museum is located. Earlier this year in March, Sunak ruled out any change to a law that stops the British Museum from handing the marble back to Greece permanently. Sunak's spokesman said earlier Monday that the UK has "no plans" to facilitate their return to Athens. However, it can happen as the legislation won't deny a loan. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained: The Parthenon Sculptures row between United Kingdom and Greece

The United Nations chief urges world leaders to take decisive action to tackle ever-worsening climate change when they gather at the COP28 summit in Dubai starting this week. "We are trapped in a deadly cycle," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says. "The solutions are well known."

UN chief urges world leaders to take decisive action against global warming

Egypt and Qatar Monday succeeded in temporarily extending the ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas forces in Gaza. The extension, as per a social media post by a Qatar official, is for two days — in addition to the previous four days. Meanwhile, 11 more Israeli hostages were released by Hamas the same day, in exchange for 33 Palestinian prisoners. In other news, Indian PM&nbsp;Narendra Modi on Monday said that the government and all the agencies together are leaving no stone unturned to evacuate the workers trapped in the Uttarakhand tunnel for the last two weeks and that people should pray for them to get out safely and as soon as possible.

Click on the headlines to read more.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-frees-33-palestinian-prisoners-in-exchange-of-11-hostages-after-extension-of-truce-663590">Israel frees 33 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 11 hostages after extension of truce</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/11/28/395849-succession-2023-11-28t070348019.jpg?imwidth=1920" />Eleven&nbsp;hostages&nbsp;taken captive by Hamas during the Oct 7 onslaught&nbsp;were released on Monday (Nov 27) under the truce deal signed by both Israel and the Palestinian militant group.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttarakhand-tunnel-rescue-live-vertical-drilling-of-36-meters-completed-say-officials-663572">Uttarakhand tunnel rescue LIVE | '5-6 metres to go...': Micro tunelling expert Chris Cooper</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/11/28/395851-the-battle-for-kyiv-2023-11-28t075854682.jpg?imwidth=1920" />Rat-hole mining experts have been brought in to assist in the rescue efforts for 41 workers trapped inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel. Track live updates on WION's website.​​​​​​

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/riyadh-covertly-working-on-plans-to-artificially-boost-oil-demand-globally-report-663609">Riyadh covertly working on plans to artificially boost oil demand globally: Report</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/11/28/395860-untitled-design-19.jpg?imwidth=1920" />As rich countries transition to green energy and abandon West Asia’s treasure trove, Saudi Arabia is allegedly working on a plan to artificially boost oil demand in poorer nations, especially those in Africa, an undercover investigation has revealed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinas-sinopec-cleared-to-build-45-billion-refinery-at-sri-lankas-hambantota-port-663606">China's Sinopec cleared to build $4.5 billion refinery at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/11/28/395858-the-battle-for-kyiv-2023-11-28t085622273.jpg?imwidth=1920" />In a significant move, the Sri Lankan Cabinet has provided the green light for China's energy giant, Sinopec, to establish a new petroleum refinery plant at the strategic Hambantota port.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Pneumonia Cases: Bizarre uptick in pneumonia cases among kids in netherlands

According to research conducted by the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), located in Utrecht, about 25 miles south of Amsterdam, 80 out of every 100,000 children in the age range of 5 to 14 had pneumonia last week.

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Egypt and Qatar Monday succeeded in temporarily extending the ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas forces in Gaza. The extension, as per a social media post by a Qatar official, is for two days — in addition to the previous four days.

Egypt and Qatar Monday succeeded in temporarily extending the ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas forces in Gaza. The extension, as per a social media post by a Qatar official, is for two days — in addition to the previous four days. Meanwhile, 11 more Israeli hostages were released by Hamas the same day, in exchange for 33 Palestinian prisoners. In other news, Indian PM Narendra Modi on Monday said that the government and all the agencies together are leaving no stone unturned to evacuate the workers trapped in the Uttarakhand tunnel for the last two weeks and that people should pray for them to get out safely and as soon as possible. Click on the headlines to read more. Israel frees 33 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 11 hostages after extension of truce Eleven hostages taken captive by Hamas during the Oct 7 onslaught were released on Monday (Nov 27) under the truce deal signed by both Israel and the Palestinian militant group. Uttarakhand tunnel rescue LIVE | '5-6 metres to go...': Micro tunelling expert Chris Cooper Rat-hole mining experts have been brought in to assist in the rescue efforts for 41 workers trapped inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel. Track live updates on WION's website. Riyadh covertly working on plans to artificially boost oil demand globally: Report As rich countries transition to green energy and abandon West Asia’s treasure trove, Saudi Arabia is allegedly working on a plan to artificially boost oil demand in poorer nations, especially those in Africa, an undercover investigation has revealed. China's Sinopec cleared to build $4.5 billion refinery at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port In a significant move, the Sri Lankan Cabinet has provided the green light for China's energy giant, Sinopec, to establish a new petroleum refinery plant at the strategic Hambantota port. Watch: Pneumonia Cases: Bizarre uptick in pneumonia cases among kids in netherlands According to research conducted by the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), located in Utrecht, about 25 miles south of Amsterdam, 80 out of every 100,000 children in the age range of 5 to 14 had pneumonia last week. ×

Morning brief: Israel-Hamas truce extended, latest from Uttarakhand tunnel rescue, and more

As rich countries transition to green energy and abandon West Asia’s treasure trove, Saudi Arabia is allegedly working on a plan to artificially boost oil demand in poorer nations, especially those in Africa, an undercover investigation has revealed.

The investigation has been carried out by the Centre for Climate Reporting and Channel 4 News, a British TV channel.

It revealed that Riyadh aspires to drive up the use of fossil fuel-powered cars, buses and planes in Africa and elsewhere, under its so-called oil demand sustainability programme (ODSP).

<h2>What is Saudi Arabia’s ODSP?</h2>

The biggest aim of ODSP is to “artificially stimulate demand in some key markets,” according to Saudi officials cited by an undercover Channel 4 News reporter.

To achieve this goal, Saudi Arabia plans to boost the development of supersonic air travel, which will use three times more fuel than conventional planes. It also plans to join hands with carmakers to produce cheap engines en masse to make cars more affordable, thus making fossil fuel more lucrative for the poor.

Watch:&nbsp;Saudi Arabia's non-oil economy shows resilience in October | World Business Watch

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“The Saudi government is like a drug dealer trying to get Africa hooked on its harmful product,” Mohamed Adow, the director of the think tank Power Shift Africa, was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

“The rest of the world is weaning itself off dirty and polluting fossil fuels and Saudi Arabia is getting desperate for more customers and is turning its sights on Africa. It’s repulsive,” he added.

<h2>ODSP’s official version</h2>

The Saudi government sells ODSP as a scheme to “remove barriers” to energy and transport in poorer countries and “increase sustainability”, for example by providing gas cooking stoves to replace wood burning.

Its stated objective, according to an Arabic site, is to “sustain and develop the demand for hydrocarbons as a competitive source of energy, by raising its economic and environmental efficiency, while ensuring that the transition in the energy mix [is] sustainable for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-other-arab-nations-block-proposal-to-cut-all-ties-with-israel-report-658093">Also read:&nbsp;Saudi Arabia, other Arab nations block proposal to cut all ties with Israel: Report</a>

Saudi Arabia still maintains said it is committed to the Paris Agreement’s climate goals to restrict global heating to well below 2C while aiming for a 1.5C rise at most.

The revelation about Saudi Arabia comes just days ahead of the COP28 Summit slated to be held this Thursday (Nov 30) in the UAE.

(With inputs from agencies)

As rich countries transition to green energy and abandon West Asia’s treasure trove, Saudi Arabia is allegedly working on a plan to artificially boost oil demand in poorer nations, especially those in Africa, an undercover investigation has revealed.

As rich countries transition to green energy and abandon West Asia’s treasure trove, Saudi Arabia is allegedly working on a plan to artificially boost oil demand in poorer nations, especially those in Africa, an undercover investigation has revealed. The investigation has been carried out by the Centre for Climate Reporting and Channel 4 News, a British TV channel. It revealed that Riyadh aspires to drive up the use of fossil fuel-powered cars, buses and planes in Africa and elsewhere, under its so-called oil demand sustainability programme (ODSP). What is Saudi Arabia’s ODSP? The biggest aim of ODSP is to “artificially stimulate demand in some key markets,” according to Saudi officials cited by an undercover Channel 4 News reporter. To achieve this goal, Saudi Arabia plans to boost the development of supersonic air travel, which will use three times more fuel than conventional planes. It also plans to join hands with carmakers to produce cheap engines en masse to make cars more affordable, thus making fossil fuel more lucrative for the poor. Watch: Saudi Arabia's non-oil economy shows resilience in October | World Business Watch × “The Saudi government is like a drug dealer trying to get Africa hooked on its harmful product,” Mohamed Adow, the director of the think tank Power Shift Africa, was quoted as saying by The Guardian. “The rest of the world is weaning itself off dirty and polluting fossil fuels and Saudi Arabia is getting desperate for more customers and is turning its sights on Africa. It’s repulsive,” he added. ODSP’s official version The Saudi government sells ODSP as a scheme to “remove barriers” to energy and transport in poorer countries and “increase sustainability”, for example by providing gas cooking stoves to replace wood burning. Its stated objective, according to an Arabic site, is to “sustain and develop the demand for hydrocarbons as a competitive source of energy, by raising its economic and environmental efficiency, while ensuring that the transition in the energy mix [is] sustainable for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. Also read: Saudi Arabia, other Arab nations block proposal to cut all ties with Israel: Report Saudi Arabia still maintains said it is committed to the Paris Agreement’s climate goals to restrict global heating to well below 2C while aiming for a 1.5C rise at most. The revelation about Saudi Arabia comes just days ahead of the COP28 Summit slated to be held this Thursday (Nov 30) in the UAE. (With inputs from agencies)

Riyadh covertly working on plans to artificially boost oil demand globally: Report

A man in Nottingham on Tuesday (Nov 28) admitted to killing three people and attempting to murder three others in a spate of attacks in the city in June. According to a report by the news agency AFP, Valdo Calocane, 32, pleaded not guilty to murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.

A man in Nottingham on Tuesday (Nov 28) admitted to killing three people and attempting to murder three others in a spate of attacks in the city in June. According to a report by the news agency AFP, Valdo Calocane, 32, pleaded not guilty to murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Calocane's lawyer Peter Joyce said his client "does not dispute the physical facts of the prosecution's case". However, Joyce told the Nottingham Crown Court that he was suffering from "extreme" mental illness at the time. The case was adjourned until January 16 next year, after the prosecution requested more time to decide if the pleas were acceptable, AFP reported. The June attacks On June 13, two 19-year-old students at Nottingham University - Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber - and a school caretaker Ian Coates aged 65 were stabbed to death in early morning attacks. Three pedestrians in the city centre were also injured after they were mowed down by a van allegedly stolen from Coates. The attacks resulted in the police locking down the entire city. Calcone, a former student of engineering at the university, was arrested when he abandoned the vehicle and approached officers with a knife. On June 16, the 32-year-old man was charged with three counts of murder. “These charges are a significant development and arise as a result of our thorough investigation into these horrific incidents that occurred in our city,” Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Kate Meynell said. In a statement, Nottingham University said that it was devastated that the attacker was its former student.

Nottingham attacks: Man admits killing three people, attempting to murder three others

Recent allegations of Indian involvement in the death of a Khalistani activist have triggered a diplomatic showdown between India and Canada. India's firm stance against all forms of terrorism and its expectation of Western support has set the stage for a prolonged standoff. This dispute has the potential to strain relations further, and it highlights the complexities of addressing terrorism on a global scale. Vikram Chandra tells you more.

Nijjar's Killing : 'Conspiracy to kill sikh separtist Pannun thwarted' , says the White House

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