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France's Henri B. Kagan and Japan's Kenso Soai have won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis,” according to the Nobel Committee. They have discovered how homochirality can surface spontaneously. A few molecules, including amino acids, exist as two mirror-image variants; however, organisms consist of only one.&nbsp;For several years, chemists struggled to understand and discover how this asymmetry could arise. In 1986, Kagan made a breakthrough after discovering a way to manipulate reactions to produce an excess of one mirror image. Soai came up with a design for a reaction having the potential to become homochiral in 1995 and, in 2003, achieved a reaction that formed only one mirror image. Their discoveries have been conclusive for pharmaceutical manufacturing.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mv-royad-mammadov-attack-indian-embassy-in-romania-steps-in-to-help-three-indian-nationals-rescued-from-black-sea-1791357856291">MV ROYAD MAMMADOV attack: Indian Embassy in Romania steps in to help three Indian nationals rescued from Black Sea</a><h3>Metal-organic frameworks</h3>Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi jointly won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for the development of metal-organic frameworks." These frameworks, known as MOFs, are ultra-porous crystalline structures that link metal ions with organic molecules. The breakthrough lets scientists trap and manipulate molecules, underpinning technologies such as carbon capture, green hydrogen storage, and harvesting drinking water from desert air.&nbsp;The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is one of the prizes established under the will of Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel, who made his fortune through inventions including dynamite. He specified that the prizes should go to those who had conferred the "greatest benefit to humankind" in five fields: physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace.&nbsp;Chemistry was included because of the central role it played in Nobel's own scientific and industrial work. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences chooses the chemistry laureates each year. The prize was first awarded in 1901, when Dutch chemist Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff became its inaugural recipient for his work on chemical dynamics and osmotic pressure.

Kagan and Soai have discovered how homochirality can surface spontaneously. A few molecules, including amino acids, exist as two mirror-image variants; however, organisms consist of only one.

France's Henri B. Kagan and Japan's Kenso Soai have won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis,” according to the Nobel Committee. They have discovered how homochirality can surface spontaneously. A few molecules, including amino acids, exist as two mirror-image variants; however, organisms consist of only one. For several years, chemists struggled to understand and discover how this asymmetry could arise. In 1986, Kagan made a breakthrough after discovering a way to manipulate reactions to produce an excess of one mirror image. Soai came up with a design for a reaction having the potential to become homochiral in 1995 and, in 2003, achieved a reaction that formed only one mirror image. Their discoveries have been conclusive for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Also read: MV ROYAD MAMMADOV attack: Indian Embassy in Romania steps in to help three Indian nationals rescued from Black Sea Metal-organic frameworks Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi jointly won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for the development of metal-organic frameworks." These frameworks, known as MOFs, are ultra-porous crystalline structures that link metal ions with organic molecules. The breakthrough lets scientists trap and manipulate molecules, underpinning technologies such as carbon capture, green hydrogen storage, and harvesting drinking water from desert air. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is one of the prizes established under the will of Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel, who made his fortune through inventions including dynamite. He specified that the prizes should go to those who had conferred the "greatest benefit to humankind" in five fields: physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. Chemistry was included because of the central role it played in Nobel's own scientific and industrial work. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences chooses the chemistry laureates each year. The prize was first awarded in 1901, when Dutch chemist Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff became its inaugural recipient for his work on chemical dynamics and osmotic pressure.

Kagan and Soai have discovered how homochirality can surface spontaneously. A few molecules, including amino acids, exist as two mirror-image variants; however, organisms consist of only one.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 goes to Kagan and Soai for work on 'molecular asymmetry'

Could the Flydubai incident cost Israel its place in the US Visa Waiver Programme? Israel is concerned that the United States could reassess its compliance with the Visa Waiver Program following security failures exposed by the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, according to a report by Israeli outlet Walla.Why? The concern centres on whether Israel received and properly reviewed information about the Omani co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain of FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Notably, the United States has not publicly indicated that it is taking action against Israel. A senior State Department official told Walla that the department does not comment in advance on possible actions as a general matter.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flydubai-co-pilot-s-alleged-photo-goes-viral-oman-air-had-reportedly-flagged-him-over-extremist-views-big-revelations-smit-machchhar-1791010820693">Flydubai co-pilot’s alleged photo goes viral; Oman Air had reportedly flagged him over extremist views - BIG revelations</a><h2>Why Israel's visa waiver status may be under scrutiny</h2>According to the Walla report, one of the requirements of Israel's participation in the US Visa Waiver Program is that Israeli authorities receive and review information concerning passengers and air crews arriving in the country. The Flydubai incident has raised questions over whether that process worked as intended.The concerns come amid mounting scrutiny of Israel's system for vetting foreign airline crews. The Times of Israel reported that the Transportation Ministry has said it does not conduct background checks on foreign pilots, while the ministry also said it did not have access to the crew list for the ill-fated flight.At the same time, Israeli authorities have said flydubai had been instructed to carry out the required checks on its crews. The Transportation Ministry said the airline had confirmed in writing that it had implemented restrictions on crew assignments for flights to Israel.<h2>US delegation reportedly heading to Israel</h2>The Times of Israel reported that a US delegation is expected to visit Israel to review its compliance with the security requirements attached to the Visa Waiver Program.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-hamam-al-hammami-omani-co-pilot-in-flydubai-cockpit-attack-was-already-flagged-over-security-concerns-smit-machchhar-1790992543064">Who is Hamam Al-Hammami? Omani co-pilot in Flydubai cockpit attack was already flagged over security concerns</a>The delegation was reportedly in the United Arab Emirates examining aviation security procedures before coming to Israel. The review would focus on whether Israel is meeting the conditions agreed upon when it joined the programme in 2023.Israel joined the US Visa Waiver Program in 2023, allowing eligible Israeli citizens to travel to the United States for short stays without obtaining a conventional visa, subject to approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA.<h2>How the flydubai attack exposed security gaps</h2>The attempted hijacking occurred on September 30 aboard Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Omani co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar using a cockpit axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The pilot and several Israeli passengers helped subdue him.The aircraft eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident prompted an investigation across several countries and renewed questions over how al-Hammami had been cleared to serve on a flight to Israel.Reports have said al-Hammami had previously been removed from flying duties in Oman amid concerns over extremist views. It remains under investigation whether he had any links to a wider terrorist organisation. This comes as Flydubai has reportedly sought permission to resume flights to Israel after its investigation into the incident. &nbsp;

Israel’s visa-free travel to the US could face fresh scrutiny after the Flydubai cockpit attack exposed questions over how foreign airline crews are vetted. A US delegation is reportedly expected to review whether Israel is meeting the security conditions of the programme.

Could the Flydubai incident cost Israel its place in the US Visa Waiver Programme? Israel is concerned that the United States could reassess its compliance with the Visa Waiver Program following security failures exposed by the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, according to a report by Israeli outlet Walla. Why? The concern centres on whether Israel received and properly reviewed information about the Omani co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain of FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Notably, the United States has not publicly indicated that it is taking action against Israel. A senior State Department official told Walla that the department does not comment in advance on possible actions as a general matter. Also read | Flydubai co-pilot’s alleged photo goes viral; Oman Air had reportedly flagged him over extremist views - BIG revelations Why Israel's visa waiver status may be under scrutiny According to the Walla report, one of the requirements of Israel's participation in the US Visa Waiver Program is that Israeli authorities receive and review information concerning passengers and air crews arriving in the country. The Flydubai incident has raised questions over whether that process worked as intended. The concerns come amid mounting scrutiny of Israel's system for vetting foreign airline crews. The Times of Israel reported that the Transportation Ministry has said it does not conduct background checks on foreign pilots, while the ministry also said it did not have access to the crew list for the ill-fated flight. At the same time, Israeli authorities have said flydubai had been instructed to carry out the required checks on its crews. The Transportation Ministry said the airline had confirmed in writing that it had implemented restrictions on crew assignments for flights to Israel. US delegation reportedly heading to Israel The Times of Israel reported that a US delegation is expected to visit Israel to review its compliance with the security requirements attached to the Visa Waiver Program. Also read | Who is Hamam Al-Hammami? Omani co-pilot in Flydubai cockpit attack was already flagged over security concerns The delegation was reportedly in the United Arab Emirates examining aviation security procedures before coming to Israel. The review would focus on whether Israel is meeting the conditions agreed upon when it joined the programme in 2023. Israel joined the US Visa Waiver Program in 2023, allowing eligible Israeli citizens to travel to the United States for short stays without obtaining a conventional visa, subject to approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA. How the flydubai attack exposed security gaps The attempted hijacking occurred on September 30 aboard Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Omani co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar using a cockpit axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The pilot and several Israeli passengers helped subdue him. The aircraft eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident prompted an investigation across several countries and renewed questions over how al-Hammami had been cleared to serve on a flight to Israel. Reports have said al-Hammami had previously been removed from flying duties in Oman amid concerns over extremist views. It remains under investigation whether he had any links to a wider terrorist organisation. This comes as Flydubai has reportedly sought permission to resume flights to Israel after its investigation into the incident.

Israel’s visa-free travel to the US could face fresh scrutiny after the Flydubai cockpit attack exposed questions over how foreign airline crews are vetted. A US delegation is reportedly expected to review whether Israel is meeting the security conditions of the programme.

Flydubai cockpit attack: Could Israel lose its US Visa Waiver status over security lapse?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leading a caretaker government ahead of the October 27 elections, with his nationalist coalition becoming the first Israeli government in over half a century to complete its full four-year term without collapse or dissolution. The only Israeli PM since Golda Meir to successfully see out a full parliamentary term in office, Netanyahu has steered the Jewish state through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history, which started with internal political instability and worsened with the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack, which cascaded into the Gaza war and the Iran-Israel-US conflict. The 25th Knesset completed its full scheduled duration and was dissolved on 17 July, &nbsp;the first time the Israeli parliament had completed its regular term on schedule since 1988. But will Netanyahu make a comeback as Israeli PM for the seventh term? What are the opinion polls and prediction markets saying?<h2>Gadi Eisenkot is the frontrunner in prediction markets</h2>Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who started his new centrist Zionist party Yashar just a year ago, &nbsp;is ahead of Netanyahu in the top prediction markets. Polymarket put Eisenkot at approximately 48 per cent, compared with 35–36 per cent for Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett is at nearly 10 per cent, while Avigdor Lieberman is at under 2 per cent. On Kalshi prediction market, the odds are in favour of Eizenkot at 49 per cent, while Netanyahu is at 34 per cent and Bennett at 8 per cent. A longer-term Kalshi market question on 'Who will succeed Netanyahu as Prime Minister of Israel' shows Eisenkot favoured higher, at around 60 per cent.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-ll-settle-score-with-everyone-involved-in-oct-7-attack-says-netanyahu-at-memorial-1791209583749">‘We’ll settle score with everyone involved in Oct. 7 attack,’ says Netanyahu at memorial</a><h2>Opinion polls paint a tighter picture</h2>In opinion polls, Yashar and Netanyahu's Likud are tied as the two largest parties, with both averaging 21–23 seats. Bennett's party averages 11 seats, Yair Golan's The Democrats 9–10, Lieberman's Yisrael Beytenu 8–9, and the right-wing Otzma Yehudit, led by firebrand Ben-Gvir, around 8. Recent polls by Kan, N12 and Channel 13 show Eisenkot leading or tied with Netanyahu, while Bennett trails Netanyahu more clearly.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/netanyahu-denounces-enemies-allies-in-un-speech-1790334334623/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/netanyahu-denounces-enemies-allies-in-un-speech-1790334334623/embed</a><h2>How is the Knesset going to look?</h2>The next government is also likely to be a coalition, given how the 120 seats in the Knesset are currently projected to be distributed. Netanyahu's outgoing coalition parties, which include Likud, Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit, Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), average 51–54 seats across recent aggregates. &nbsp;Only some right-leaning pollsters, such as Channel 14, have projected a majority for Likud and its allies. The Zionist opposition parties combined are in the low-to-mid 50s. Arab parties are averaging around 13 seats.But no bloc has consistently cleared the 61-seat threshold required to form a government. This indicates that once again, coalition arithmetic will kick in after the elections. Whether Netanyahu will still emerge as PM will depend on Likud's electoral performance as well as post-election negotiations. On that count, this is not Netanyahu's first rodeo.

Israel’s October 27 election pits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against top contender for premiership Gadi Eisenkot, with polls showing a tight race. Neither bloc appears near the 61-seat majority, making coalition arithmetic and post-election negotiations inevitable

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leading a caretaker government ahead of the October 27 elections, with his nationalist coalition becoming the first Israeli government in over half a century to complete its full four-year term without collapse or dissolution. The only Israeli PM since Golda Meir to successfully see out a full parliamentary term in office, Netanyahu has steered the Jewish state through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history, which started with internal political instability and worsened with the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack, which cascaded into the Gaza war and the Iran-Israel-US conflict. The 25th Knesset completed its full scheduled duration and was dissolved on 17 July, the first time the Israeli parliament had completed its regular term on schedule since 1988. But will Netanyahu make a comeback as Israeli PM for the seventh term? What are the opinion polls and prediction markets saying? Gadi Eisenkot is the frontrunner in prediction markets Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who started his new centrist Zionist party Yashar just a year ago, is ahead of Netanyahu in the top prediction markets. Polymarket put Eisenkot at approximately 48 per cent, compared with 35–36 per cent for Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett is at nearly 10 per cent, while Avigdor Lieberman is at under 2 per cent. On Kalshi prediction market, the odds are in favour of Eizenkot at 49 per cent, while Netanyahu is at 34 per cent and Bennett at 8 per cent. A longer-term Kalshi market question on 'Who will succeed Netanyahu as Prime Minister of Israel' shows Eisenkot favoured higher, at around 60 per cent. Also read: ‘We’ll settle score with everyone involved in Oct. 7 attack,’ says Netanyahu at memorial Opinion polls paint a tighter picture In opinion polls, Yashar and Netanyahu's Likud are tied as the two largest parties, with both averaging 21–23 seats. Bennett's party averages 11 seats, Yair Golan's The Democrats 9–10, Lieberman's Yisrael Beytenu 8–9, and the right-wing Otzma Yehudit, led by firebrand Ben-Gvir, around 8. Recent polls by Kan, N12 and Channel 13 show Eisenkot leading or tied with Netanyahu, while Bennett trails Netanyahu more clearly. https://www.wionews.com/videos/netanyahu-denounces-enemies-allies-in-un-speech-1790334334623/embed How is the Knesset going to look? The next government is also likely to be a coalition, given how the 120 seats in the Knesset are currently projected to be distributed. Netanyahu's outgoing coalition parties, which include Likud, Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit, Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), average 51–54 seats across recent aggregates. Only some right-leaning pollsters, such as Channel 14, have projected a majority for Likud and its allies. The Zionist opposition parties combined are in the low-to-mid 50s. Arab parties are averaging around 13 seats. But no bloc has consistently cleared the 61-seat threshold required to form a government. This indicates that once again, coalition arithmetic will kick in after the elections. Whether Netanyahu will still emerge as PM will depend on Likud's electoral performance as well as post-election negotiations. On that count, this is not Netanyahu's first rodeo.

Israel’s October 27 election pits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against top contender for premiership Gadi Eisenkot, with polls showing a tight race. Neither bloc appears near the 61-seat majority, making coalition arithmetic and post-election negotiations inevitable

Will Netanyahu lose premiership? How prediction markets and opinion poll numbers stack up ahead of Israeli elections

Not so long ago, the term 'brain drain' referred to the loss of skilled manpower from developing nations like India to foreign countries such as the US. Today, comparable levels of emigration are taking place from India to a larger number of nations. But the term 'brain drain' is not heard as much as it was in the past, in media or academic circles. The migration of skilled labour, such as software engineers and doctors, could be considered a kind of export. Celebrating the material success of the Indian diaspora is one way of looking at this. But it belies a potential crisis and raises the question: Is India unable to retain its talent within the country?<h2>India has the world's largest emigrant population</h2>Recently, economist and former Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Djoomart Otorbaev wrote that India is not merely exporting software, pharmaceuticals, and services. It is exporting something consequential: human beings. While China became the world's workshop, India is increasingly becoming the world's labour pool. That observation is accurate, going by global as well as Indian government data. The number of India-born people living abroad was estimated at 18.5 million in 2024 by the United Nations, which is roughly 6 per cent of all international migrants. It is a near-tripling from 6.5 million in 1990.India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) data shows a much bigger number of 34.36 million as of January 2025, which includes 17.18 million Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and 17.18 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Of this total, the US hosts 5.69 million, the UAE 3.90 million and Canada 3.61 million. These are mission-compiled estimates, and the totals have varied between various parliamentary replies.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indians-now-australia-s-top-migrant-group-surpasses-uk-s-population-more-details-inside-1777533766737">Indians now Australia’s top migrant group, surpasses UK's population: More details inside</a><h2>Voting with their feet: The number of Indians giving up their citizenship is growing</h2>In migration studies, the term 'voting with their feet' refers to people leaving their home country for better opportunities, driven by 'push and pull' factors — relatively poor conditions at home and better living standards, opportunities and attractive currency exchange rates abroad. One of the clearest signs of this is a permanent exit: the renunciation of citizenship. India does not allow dual nationality, though people of Indian origin can apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which provides certain rights but is not equivalent to Indian citizenship. Between 2011 and 2024, according to MEA data, 2.09 million Indians gave up their citizenship.When taken annually, these renunciations ranged between 121,000 and 144,000 in the 2011- 2019 period. Then came a sudden jump to 225,620 in 2022, followed by 216,219 in 2023 and 206,378 in 2024. Nearly 900,000 people left the citizenship rolls in the five years to 2024 alone.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/how-are-migration-and-urbanisation-leaving-millions-of-elderly-parents-without-care-1783593293480">How are migration and urbanisation leaving millions of elderly parents without care</a><h2>Rich nations are taking the cream of the crop from India</h2>Much of this migration is a combination of the pre-selection of the best talent by foreign firms and nations, something Otorbaev referred to as 'filtering the pool', and the self-selection of destination countries by migrants themselves. In spite of growing rhetoric against Indian migration to the US, Indian-born workers received 283,400 of 399,400 approved US H-1B petitions, which is 71 per cent of the total pool, in 2024-25. For the US, as well as several other countries, India was the leading source of international students, with more than 363,000 enrolled in the US in 2024-25 alone, according to Migration Policy Institute data. Many of them go on to find jobs in the nations where they studied.This migration is increasingly including Europe, Scandinavia and Oceania, besides traditional destinations such as the US, UK and Canada. The other stream is lower- and mid-skilled workers who move towards the Gulf, where taking citizenship is not possible in most cases. Government data showed that the UAE and the US each hosted 17 per cent of India's emigrants in 2024, while Gulf countries accounted for around half of all Indian migrants.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-work-visa-options-top-countries-opening-work-visas-for-indians-1758778533092/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-work-visa-options-top-countries-opening-work-visas-for-indians-1758778533092/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>The good side: India's rise to the top of remittance-receiving nations helps its foreign currency reserves</h2>India has been the world's largest remittance recipient since 2008, with remittances standing at around $137.7 billion in 2024. This is more than double the amount flowing to the next-ranked country, Mexico, which received around $67 billion, much of it from 'near-far' migration into the US.Indian remittances are around 3.5 per cent of its GDP and have been growing at nearly 14 per cent annually in the last few years. These inflows add to India's foreign currency reserves, helping it pay bills and balance its currency during difficult periods such as the current conflict in West Asia.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/home-not-a-hotel-australia-vows-biggest-immigration-cut-in-history-what-it-means-for-indians-1791274843735">'Home, not a hotel': Australia vows 'biggest immigration cut' in history - What it means for Indians</a><h2>What the migration reveals: The job situation for youth in India</h2>The story of migration cannot be read without considering the 'push factor': a lack of employment opportunities for skilled labour in India for young and able-bodied workforce, and the anticipation of unemployment at the student stage itself for many individuals. As a result, many are planning their studies abroad, often taking bank loans, with the intention of finding a job in the destination countries and possibly settling there.<h2>The lack of enough productive jobs for available labour in the country</h2>Youth unemployment, for those aged between 15 and 29, is estimated to be nearly 10 per cent, and that is problematic for a nation with the 'demographic dividend' of a young, employable population.The data is worse for urban youth, where unemployment is averaging around 13 per cent.This essentially means India is at a crossroads when it comes to balancing unemployment and emigration. The benefits of India's education system — much of it subsidised by the government — are not being transferred back to the nation due to permanent or long-term emigration. This is the classic ‘brain drain’ problem.In short, richer economies take advantage of the benefits of Indians' relatively cheaper education. This is starting to look very much like the 'brain drain' of the 1980s and 1990s. But the counterargument is the benefits of remittances.&nbsp;The world, as Otorbaev put it, is competing for Indian talent. But can India compete to keep its own talent at home?. Ultimately, it is about the cost-benefit analysis of retaining skilled workforce at home versus getting their inward remittances from abroad. And the balance might tilt.

India's skilled labour migration is expanding beyond traditional destinations. When placed against youth unemployment and talent retention issues, it amounts to a brain drain. Record remittances are the silver lining, but the balance might tilt.

Not so long ago, the term 'brain drain' referred to the loss of skilled manpower from developing nations like India to foreign countries such as the US. Today, comparable levels of emigration are taking place from India to a larger number of nations. But the term 'brain drain' is not heard as much as it was in the past, in media or academic circles. The migration of skilled labour, such as software engineers and doctors, could be considered a kind of export. Celebrating the material success of the Indian diaspora is one way of looking at this. But it belies a potential crisis and raises the question: Is India unable to retain its talent within the country? India has the world's largest emigrant population Recently, economist and former Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Djoomart Otorbaev wrote that India is not merely exporting software, pharmaceuticals, and services. It is exporting something consequential: human beings. While China became the world's workshop, India is increasingly becoming the world's labour pool. That observation is accurate, going by global as well as Indian government data. The number of India-born people living abroad was estimated at 18.5 million in 2024 by the United Nations, which is roughly 6 per cent of all international migrants. It is a near-tripling from 6.5 million in 1990. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) data shows a much bigger number of 34.36 million as of January 2025, which includes 17.18 million Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and 17.18 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Of this total, the US hosts 5.69 million, the UAE 3.90 million and Canada 3.61 million. These are mission-compiled estimates, and the totals have varied between various parliamentary replies. Also read: Indians now Australia’s top migrant group, surpasses UK's population: More details inside Voting with their feet: The number of Indians giving up their citizenship is growing In migration studies, the term 'voting with their feet' refers to people leaving their home country for better opportunities, driven by 'push and pull' factors — relatively poor conditions at home and better living standards, opportunities and attractive currency exchange rates abroad. One of the clearest signs of this is a permanent exit: the renunciation of citizenship. India does not allow dual nationality, though people of Indian origin can apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which provides certain rights but is not equivalent to Indian citizenship. Between 2011 and 2024, according to MEA data, 2.09 million Indians gave up their citizenship. When taken annually, these renunciations ranged between 121,000 and 144,000 in the 2011- 2019 period. Then came a sudden jump to 225,620 in 2022, followed by 216,219 in 2023 and 206,378 in 2024. Nearly 900,000 people left the citizenship rolls in the five years to 2024 alone. Also read: How are migration and urbanisation leaving millions of elderly parents without care Rich nations are taking the cream of the crop from India Much of this migration is a combination of the pre-selection of the best talent by foreign firms and nations, something Otorbaev referred to as 'filtering the pool', and the self-selection of destination countries by migrants themselves. In spite of growing rhetoric against Indian migration to the US, Indian-born workers received 283,400 of 399,400 approved US H-1B petitions, which is 71 per cent of the total pool, in 2024-25. For the US, as well as several other countries, India was the leading source of international students, with more than 363,000 enrolled in the US in 2024-25 alone, according to Migration Policy Institute data. Many of them go on to find jobs in the nations where they studied. This migration is increasingly including Europe, Scandinavia and Oceania, besides traditional destinations such as the US, UK and Canada. The other stream is lower- and mid-skilled workers who move towards the Gulf, where taking citizenship is not possible in most cases. Government data showed that the UAE and the US each hosted 17 per cent of India's emigrants in 2024, while Gulf countries accounted for around half of all Indian migrants. https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-work-visa-options-top-countries-opening-work-visas-for-indians-1758778533092/embed The good side: India's rise to the top of remittance-receiving nations helps its foreign currency reserves India has been the world's largest remittance recipient since 2008, with remittances standing at around $137.7 billion in 2024. This is more than double the amount flowing to the next-ranked country, Mexico, which received around $67 billion, much of it from 'near-far' migration into the US. Indian remittances are around 3.5 per cent of its GDP and have been growing at nearly 14 per cent annually in the last few years. These inflows add to India's foreign currency reserves, helping it pay bills and balance its currency during difficult periods such as the current conflict in West Asia. Also read: 'Home, not a hotel': Australia vows 'biggest immigration cut' in history - What it means for Indians What the migration reveals: The job situation for youth in India The story of migration cannot be read without considering the 'push factor': a lack of employment opportunities for skilled labour in India for young and able-bodied workforce, and the anticipation of unemployment at the student stage itself for many individuals. As a result, many are planning their studies abroad, often taking bank loans, with the intention of finding a job in the destination countries and possibly settling there. The lack of enough productive jobs for available labour in the country Youth unemployment, for those aged between 15 and 29, is estimated to be nearly 10 per cent, and that is problematic for a nation with the 'demographic dividend' of a young, employable population. The data is worse for urban youth, where unemployment is averaging around 13 per cent. This essentially means India is at a crossroads when it comes to balancing unemployment and emigration. The benefits of India's education system — much of it subsidised by the government — are not being transferred back to the nation due to permanent or long-term emigration. This is the classic ‘brain drain’ problem. In short, richer economies take advantage of the benefits of Indians' relatively cheaper education. This is starting to look very much like the 'brain drain' of the 1980s and 1990s. But the counterargument is the benefits of remittances. The world, as Otorbaev put it, is competing for Indian talent. But can India compete to keep its own talent at home?. Ultimately, it is about the cost-benefit analysis of retaining skilled workforce at home versus getting their inward remittances from abroad. And the balance might tilt.

India's skilled labour migration is expanding beyond traditional destinations. When placed against youth unemployment and talent retention issues, it amounts to a brain drain. Record remittances are the silver lining, but the balance might tilt.

Are Indians 'voting with their feet?' Skilled labour emigration grows, but no one's crying 'brain drain'

The three Indian nationals rescued from the commercial vessel MV ROYAD MAMMADOV after an attack in the Black Sea are safe and receiving necessary assistance, the Indian Embassy in Romania said. The embassy said its representative met the three Indians following their rescue by Romanian authorities. Two of them are currently staying at a hotel, while the third is undergoing treatment at the County Hospital in Constanța. All three are in stable condition. The incident reportedly killed two foreign seafarers and injured several crew members.<h2>Indian Embassy coordinates assistance</h2>The Indian Embassy said it is working with Romanian authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the sailors' welfare and facilitate their return from Romania. “Two are presently accommodated at a hotel, while the third person is undergoing treatment at the County Hospital in Constanța. All three are in stable condition,” the embassy said in a post on X.The mission said essential items, including mobile phones, were arranged for the rescued sailors through the local agent of the shipping company. Indian food was also arranged through a local Indian restaurant.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-reaffirms-viksit-bharat-resolve-says-we-will-do-it-as-he-marks-25-years-in-government-1791351970176">PM Modi reaffirms ‘Viksit Bharat’ resolve, says ‘we will do it’ as he marks 25 years in government</a>An embassy representative met local police officials, the shipping company's agent and the doctors treating the injured crew members to coordinate further assistance.Indian Ambassador to Romania Manoj Mohapatra also spoke with the three Indian nationals receiving treatment at Constanța County Hospital. The embassy said the hospital's chief physician confirmed that they were in good health and receiving necessary medical care.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">All three Indian nationals are safe. We have spoken to them. One of them has been injured and is receiving medical attention. We are in close touch with the hospital authorities. 

We are extending all possible support for the welfare and wellbeing of the Indian crew members.

@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar @PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts&mdash; India in Romania (@eoiromania) <a href="https://x.com/eoiromania/status/2107176940813922534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Embassy representative today visited the three Indian nationals rescued yesterday from MV ROYAD MAMMADOV in the Black Sea. Two are presently accommodated at a hotel, while the third person is undergoing treatment at the County Hospital in Constanța. All three are in stable condition.

The Embassy assured them of all necessary assistance and support for their safe and early departure from Romania. Essential items, including mobile phones, were facilitated through the shipping company’s local agent, while Indian food was arranged through a local Indian restaurant.

The Embassy representative also met with the local police authorities, shipping company’s agent and treating medical doctors to coordinate further assistance. The Embassy remains in close contact with the concerned authorities and continues to extend all necessary support.&mdash; India in Romania (@eoiromania) <a href="https://x.com/eoiromania/status/2107542904977990123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>India condemns attack on commercial vessel</h2>India on Tuesday condemned the attack on MV ROYAD MAMMADOV, expressing concern over the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers operating in international waters.The Ministry of External Affairs said two foreign seafarers were killed and several crew members, including three Indians, were injured in the incident. “The injured have been rescued by Romanian authorities and are receiving medical attention. The three Indian nationals, who were part of the crew of the ship, are safe,” the MEA said.New Delhi thanked Romanian authorities for their swift response and for ensuring the safety of the affected seafarers.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ai-used-to-fabricate-evidence-of-molestation-at-anti-cec-protest-delhi-police-arrest-man-over-fake-acp-vivek-bhagat-poster-1791342744693">AI used to fabricate ‘evidence’ of molestation at anti-CEC protest? Delhi Police arrest man over fake ACP Vivek Bhagat CCTV video</a><h2>India calls for dialogue and diplomacy</h2>The MEA said attacks targeting commercial shipping and seafarers pose risks to global commerce and the welfare of people around the world. “The targeting of traffic in international waterways is severely undermining global commerce and the welfare of people across the world. We continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to bring an end to the ongoing conflicts,” the ministry said.India also highlighted its role in the 25-nation Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, launched by India and Liberia during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.The coalition aims to promote the safety and security of merchant crews and commercial shipping against targeted attacks.<h2>Jaishankar flags risks to seafarers</h2>External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also raised concerns over attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers during his address to the UN General Assembly last week.He called for immediate restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf region, stressing the need to protect civilian crews and ensure uninterrupted energy supplies and global trade.The Indian Embassy in Romania said it remains in close contact with relevant authorities as investigations continue and further details about the attack are established.

Three Indian nationals rescued after the attack on commercial vessel MV ROYAD MAMMADOV in the Black Sea are safe and stable, the Indian Embassy in Romania said. India has condemned the attack, which killed two foreign seafarers, and called for dialogue and diplomacy.


The three Indian nationals rescued from the commercial vessel MV ROYAD MAMMADOV after an attack in the Black Sea are safe and receiving necessary assistance, the Indian Embassy in Romania said. The embassy said its representative met the three Indians following their rescue by Romanian authorities. Two of them are currently staying at a hotel, while the third is undergoing treatment at the County Hospital in Constanța. All three are in stable condition. The incident reportedly killed two foreign seafarers and injured several crew members. Indian Embassy coordinates assistance The Indian Embassy said it is working with Romanian authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the sailors' welfare and facilitate their return from Romania. “Two are presently accommodated at a hotel, while the third person is undergoing treatment at the County Hospital in Constanța. All three are in stable condition,” the embassy said in a post on X. The mission said essential items, including mobile phones, were arranged for the rescued sailors through the local agent of the shipping company. Indian food was also arranged through a local Indian restaurant. Also read | PM Modi reaffirms ‘Viksit Bharat’ resolve, says ‘we will do it’ as he marks 25 years in government An embassy representative met local police officials, the shipping company's agent and the doctors treating the injured crew members to coordinate further assistance. Indian Ambassador to Romania Manoj Mohapatra also spoke with the three Indian nationals receiving treatment at Constanța County Hospital. The embassy said the hospital's chief physician confirmed that they were in good health and receiving necessary medical care.

Three Indian nationals rescued after the attack on commercial vessel MV ROYAD MAMMADOV in the Black Sea are safe and stable, the Indian Embassy in Romania said. India has condemned the attack, which killed two foreign seafarers, and called for dialogue and diplomacy.

MV ROYAD MAMMADOV attack: Indian Embassy in Romania steps in to help three Indian nationals rescued from Black Sea

The United States Mission in Nigeria has offered its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those killed in the Nigerian Air Force crash in Ondo State. In a post on its official X account on Tuesday, the mission said Washington stands with Nigerians and remains committed to the two countries' security partnership.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The aircraft, an ATR 42 designated NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area on Monday. NAF's Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said no survivor had been found.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga. In a message to Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and the service's personnel, the President described the moment as painful for the Armed Forces and the nation, and said the sacrifice of those lost would not be forgotten.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tinubu said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him, and that he had directed the Air Force to begin a thorough investigation immediately, to establish the cause and prevent a recurrence. He also commended the Air Force for activating search and rescue at once, and praised first responders and the Ondo State Government for their support. Aneke separately ordered a comprehensive inquiry, and NAF urged the public to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the bereaved families.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-marks-third-anniversary-of-october-7-hamas-attack-amid-new-gaza-strikes-1791346569801"> Israel marks third anniversary of October 7 Hamas attack amid new Gaza strikes</a>&nbsp;A register has been opened at Air Force Headquarters in Abuja for senior officials, diplomats, security chiefs and other well-wishers. NAF has also released the names of those on board.&nbsp; The Defence Headquarters said military personnel and some relatives were on the flight. &nbsp;Various reports indicated that the aircraft came down in a swampy creek, which complicated rescue efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;However, The official casualty figures differ. NAF's statement counted 25 people, five crew and 20 passengers, while The presidency's earlier statement referred to 25 passengers and seven crew members. According to sahara reporters, The 20 passengers were identified as Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye; Flying Officer IM Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F; Master Warrant Officer Matini BA; Warrant Officer Nuhu FS; Flight Sergeant James RB; and Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI.&nbsp;&nbsp;Others were Sergeant Ani AE; Sergeant Izibenikien SI; Sergeant Alafuka C; Sergeant Mbadugha AN; Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC; Lance Corporal Eledan GE; Mrs Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.&nbsp;&nbsp;While The five crew members killed in the crash were identified as Squadron Leader MI Aburime, the flight captain; ; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, aircraft technician and &nbsp;Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, &nbsp;co-pilot, who got married in an elaborate ceremony in Abuja two weeks before the accident.&nbsp;

President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga. 

The United States Mission in Nigeria has offered its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those killed in the Nigerian Air Force crash in Ondo State. In a post on its official X account on Tuesday, the mission said Washington stands with Nigerians and remains committed to the two countries' security partnership. The aircraft, an ATR 42 designated NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area on Monday. NAF's Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said no survivor had been found. President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga. In a message to Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and the service's personnel, the President described the moment as painful for the Armed Forces and the nation, and said the sacrifice of those lost would not be forgotten. Tinubu said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him, and that he had directed the Air Force to begin a thorough investigation immediately, to establish the cause and prevent a recurrence. He also commended the Air Force for activating search and rescue at once, and praised first responders and the Ondo State Government for their support. Aneke separately ordered a comprehensive inquiry, and NAF urged the public to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the bereaved families. Also read: Israel marks third anniversary of October 7 Hamas attack amid new Gaza strikes A register has been opened at Air Force Headquarters in Abuja for senior officials, diplomats, security chiefs and other well-wishers. NAF has also released the names of those on board. The Defence Headquarters said military personnel and some relatives were on the flight. Various reports indicated that the aircraft came down in a swampy creek, which complicated rescue efforts. However, The official casualty figures differ. NAF's statement counted 25 people, five crew and 20 passengers, while The presidency's earlier statement referred to 25 passengers and seven crew members. According to sahara reporters, The 20 passengers were identified as Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye; Flying Officer IM Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F; Master Warrant Officer Matini BA; Warrant Officer Nuhu FS; Flight Sergeant James RB; and Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI. Others were Sergeant Ani AE; Sergeant Izibenikien SI; Sergeant Alafuka C; Sergeant Mbadugha AN; Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC; Lance Corporal Eledan GE; Mrs Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola. While The five crew members killed in the crash were identified as Squadron Leader MI Aburime, the flight captain; ; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, aircraft technician and Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, co-pilot, who got married in an elaborate ceremony in Abuja two weeks before the accident.

President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.&nbsp;

US mourns with Nigeria as Tinubu declares three days of national mourning over Ondo air crash

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack across border on Israel. The attack resulted in the killing of 1,221 people, according to official Israeli figures. Three years on, the photographs from that morning remain difficult to look at. They also remain difficult to forget.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack across border on Israel. The attack resulted in the killing of 1,221 people, according to official Israeli figures. Three years on, the photographs from that morning remain difficult to look at. They also remain difficult to forget.

October 7, three years later: Haunting images that captured the horror of the Hamas attack on Israel

Israel marked the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Wednesday and carried out new strikes in Gaza, with Palestinian officials reporting two dead. Additionally, dozens of Israeli occupiers surrounded homes of Palestinians in separate attacks across the occupied West Bank on Oct 6, and four died. Reports said that elsewhere in the Hebron area, Israeli occupiers attacked Palestinian homes and opened fire in Beit Ummar. No injuries or arrests were reported. Mourners observed a moment of silence at the site of the Nova music festival, which Hamas infiltrated on October 7, 2023 through cars and paragliders, family members bowed their heads at 6:29 am (0329 GMT), surrounded by portraits of victims with flowers placed underneath.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/captain-smit-machchhar-helped-stop-mega-terrorist-attack-israel-envoy-azar-says-hits-out-at-disinformation-campaigns-followed-flydubai-attack-1791308572548">Capt Smit Machchhar helped 'stop mega terror attack', Israel envoy Azar says</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, the commemorative events will be held under heightened security measures, three weeks from Israel's general elections and one week after a foiled attack on a Tel Aviv-bound passenger plane. Israel's defence minister said that he had put the military on high alert "in light of intelligence regarding Hamas's intentions to attempt to carry out attacks" against troops in Gaza on the anniversary. State memorial ceremonies were held &nbsp;during which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no Hamas rule in Gaza and vowed to continue targeting anyone who was involved in the October 7 attack or who held hostages.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-almost-shot-down-flydubai-flight-fearing-9-11-style-attack-1791280718453">Israel was ready to shoot down FlyDubai flight fearing 9/11-style attack: Report</a>&nbsp;In Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire declared last October, with hundreds of thousands still forced to live in tents and temporary structures. The political future and reconstruction of the war-shattered territory also remains largely stalled in practice. Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,430 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry.&nbsp;French President Emmanuel Macron also marked the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks in a post on X. Macron said the attacks by Hamas had claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people, including 51 French nationals. He said France continued to share the grief of Israel and bereaved families three years after the attacks. "Three years later, we do not forget the names or the faces," Macron said, naming Maya, Ohad and Valentin among those remembered. Macron also reaffirmed France's commitment to combating antisemitism and terrorism "everywhere and always", while working for peace and the security of all.&nbsp;

Israel marked the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks with memorial events across the country as new Israeli strikes in Gaza killed two Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials. Security was heightened amid warnings of possible attacks

Israel marked the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Wednesday and carried out new strikes in Gaza, with Palestinian officials reporting two dead. Additionally, dozens of Israeli occupiers surrounded homes of Palestinians in separate attacks across the occupied West Bank on Oct 6, and four died. Reports said that elsewhere in the Hebron area, Israeli occupiers attacked Palestinian homes and opened fire in Beit Ummar. No injuries or arrests were reported. Mourners observed a moment of silence at the site of the Nova music festival, which Hamas infiltrated on October 7, 2023 through cars and paragliders, family members bowed their heads at 6:29 am (0329 GMT), surrounded by portraits of victims with flowers placed underneath. Also Read: Capt Smit Machchhar helped 'stop mega terror attack', Israel envoy Azar says Meanwhile, the commemorative events will be held under heightened security measures, three weeks from Israel's general elections and one week after a foiled attack on a Tel Aviv-bound passenger plane. Israel's defence minister said that he had put the military on high alert "in light of intelligence regarding Hamas's intentions to attempt to carry out attacks" against troops in Gaza on the anniversary. State memorial ceremonies were held during which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no Hamas rule in Gaza and vowed to continue targeting anyone who was involved in the October 7 attack or who held hostages. Also Read: Israel was ready to shoot down FlyDubai flight fearing 9/11-style attack: Report In Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire declared last October, with hundreds of thousands still forced to live in tents and temporary structures. The political future and reconstruction of the war-shattered territory also remains largely stalled in practice. Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,430 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. French President Emmanuel Macron also marked the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks in a post on X. Macron said the attacks by Hamas had claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people, including 51 French nationals. He said France continued to share the grief of Israel and bereaved families three years after the attacks. "Three years later, we do not forget the names or the faces," Macron said, naming Maya, Ohad and Valentin among those remembered. Macron also reaffirmed France's commitment to combating antisemitism and terrorism "everywhere and always", while working for peace and the security of all.

Israel marked the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks with memorial events across the country as new Israeli strikes in Gaza killed two Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials. Security was heightened amid warnings of possible attacks

Israel marks third anniversary of October 7 Hamas attack amid new Gaza strikes

Google has been accused of misusing its dominance to impose excessive commissions on app developers, as a mass consumer lawsuit worth more than £1 billion ($1.33 billion) ​started in London on Tuesday (October 7). The claim is brought on behalf of about ‌20 million consumers who bought apps using Google's Play Store, or paid for in-app purchases and subscriptions between 2015 and this July. It marks the latest case in Britain against Big ​Tech. Lawyers for consumer advocate Liz Coll, who is leading the action, stated that ​Google abused its dominant position by charging commissions of up ⁠to 30 per cent on Play Store app purchases, in-app purchases and subscriptions. They argue that app developers passed these excessive commissions on to consumers. As an example, they point to Google's own YouTube Premium: when it was sold through Apple's App Store, Google chose to pass on the commission it was charged.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-breaks-silence-on-possible-pneumonic-plague-in-russia-seeks-clarity-on-second-reported-death-1791344075932">WHO breaks silence on possible pneumonic plague in Russia, seeks clarity on second reported death</a><h3>Competition from Apple's App Store</h3>However, Alphabet, Google's ​parent company, is fighting the lawsuit. A spokesperson stated that the company has ignored the ​degree of choice the Android platform gives consumers and that it charges "some of the lowest fees ‌in ⁠the market". The tech giant's lawyers argued that the Play Store experienced strong competitive constraints both on the developer and consumer sides from Apple's App Store and other alternative platforms. The trial at London's Competition Appeal Tribunal follows similar cases against Apple and Sony over their App Store and PlayStation Store, both of which involved commissions of up to 30 per cent. Coll's claim also comes after years of regulatory scrutiny and litigation over Google's app store practices, including a long-running dispute with "Fortnite" maker Epic Games, whose London lawsuit was due to be heard alongside hers. In March, Google and Epic reached a worldwide settlement under which Google said it would expand billing options and cut developer fees. Last month, Google also paid £260 million to settle another lawsuit, brought on behalf of app developers, without admitting liability or wrongdoing.

Lawyers for consumer advocate Liz Coll, who is leading the action, stated that ​Google abused its dominant position by charging commissions of up ⁠to 30 per cent on Play Store app purchases, in-app purchases and subscriptions.

Google has been accused of misusing its dominance to impose excessive commissions on app developers, as a mass consumer lawsuit worth more than £1 billion ($1.33 billion) started in London on Tuesday (October 7). The claim is brought on behalf of about ‌20 million consumers who bought apps using Google's Play Store, or paid for in-app purchases and subscriptions between 2015 and this July. It marks the latest case in Britain against Big Tech. Lawyers for consumer advocate Liz Coll, who is leading the action, stated that Google abused its dominant position by charging commissions of up ⁠to 30 per cent on Play Store app purchases, in-app purchases and subscriptions. They argue that app developers passed these excessive commissions on to consumers. As an example, they point to Google's own YouTube Premium: when it was sold through Apple's App Store, Google chose to pass on the commission it was charged. Also read: WHO breaks silence on possible pneumonic plague in Russia, seeks clarity on second reported death Competition from Apple's App Store However, Alphabet, Google's parent company, is fighting the lawsuit. A spokesperson stated that the company has ignored the degree of choice the Android platform gives consumers and that it charges "some of the lowest fees ‌in ⁠the market". The tech giant's lawyers argued that the Play Store experienced strong competitive constraints both on the developer and consumer sides from Apple's App Store and other alternative platforms. The trial at London's Competition Appeal Tribunal follows similar cases against Apple and Sony over their App Store and PlayStation Store, both of which involved commissions of up to 30 per cent. Coll's claim also comes after years of regulatory scrutiny and litigation over Google's app store practices, including a long-running dispute with "Fortnite" maker Epic Games, whose London lawsuit was due to be heard alongside hers. In March, Google and Epic reached a worldwide settlement under which Google said it would expand billing options and cut developer fees. Last month, Google also paid £260 million to settle another lawsuit, brought on behalf of app developers, without admitting liability or wrongdoing.

Lawyers for consumer advocate Liz Coll, who is leading the action, stated that ​Google abused its dominant position by charging commissions of up ⁠to 30 per cent on Play Store app purchases, in-app purchases and subscriptions.

Big Tech case: Google faces £1 billion consumer lawsuit in UK over play store fees

Latest News Today Live Updates: Delhi Police has registered an FIR after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs allegedly entered the Akashvani Bhavan premises during Tuesday's protest over electoral roll revisions and demands for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. The leaders were detained and later released, according to police.US President Donald Trump has reiterated his claims over US control of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the American naval presence an effective blockade against Iran. Oil prices rose as concerns over attacks on shipping resurfaced.Indian PM Narendra Modi has marked 25 years as head of government, while Union ministers and chief ministers extended greetings. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi described his retirement from international football as the saddest day of his career after Argentina's win over Benin.

Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several others over their alleged forcible entry into the Akashvani Bhavan premises during an INDIA bloc protest on Tuesday. Delhi Police registered the FIR after receiving a complaint stating that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other MPs and people, entered the Akashvani Bhavan premises during Opposition protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Delhi Police file FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka

France's Henri B. Kagan and Japan's Kenso Soai have won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis,” according to the Nobel Committee. They have discovered how homochirality can surface spontaneously. A few molecules, including amino acids, exist as two mirror-image variants; however, organisms consist of only one.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 goes to Kagan and Soai 

Japan will provide $10m in emergency aid to Yemen and Djibouti in response to Yemen’s worsening humanitarian situation as the war’s effects spill over into neighbouring countries.

Japan gives $10m in emergency aid to Yemen and Djibouti

This morning’s targeting of Riyadh is the third such attack in less than a month. There was a similar assault in mid-September and another attempted strike at the end of the month. The Saudi-led coalition said at the time it intercepted those Houthi missiles.

Houthi forces target Saudi capital for 3rd time in less than a month

Iran has failed to take advantage of “multiple opportunities” to reach an agreement with the United States on its nuclear programme, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says.

Iran has lost ‘complete control’ of Hormuz Strait, says US’s Rubio

When Indian captain Smit Machchhar suffered severe injuries after being attacked by co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, a dentist travelling on the flydubai flight came to rescue. The Georgian doctor has been identified as Shota Masuev. He reportedly spent 45 minutes treating the pilot using T-shirts and ice packs, and constantly monitored Machchhar to keep him alive until the plane landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Speaking to ABC News, Musaev recalled the medical emergency and his efforts to keep the injured pilot alive as the plane continued its journey with more than 170 passengers on board.

‘Lips were blue, pulse dropped too low’: Dentist recalls race to save flydubai Indian pilot 

Rubio in Athens: The U.S. and Greece are launching a new security program to boost counterterrorism information-sharing, as Rubio calls Greece a “true and strong” NATO ally and a source of stability amid conflicts involving Iran, Yemen and Russia.

US State Secretary Marco Rubio in Athens

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="ja" dir="ltr"&gt;本日、モディ首相（@narendramodi）の首長在職25周年に際し、心からお祝い申し上げます。 インドの社会と国家の発展に長年尽力され、2001年以降は首長として長きにわたり卓越した政治的リーダーシップを発揮されてきたこと、インドの発展と国際社会における地位向上を成し遂げられていることに、深い敬意を表します。 また、本年7月の私のインド訪問の際には、大変温かいおもてなしをいただき、改めて感謝申し上げます。 インドの食文化や音楽に触れながら、日印の「特別戦略的グローバル・パートナーシップ」を新たな段階へと導くための施策について、モディ首相と具体的な意見交換を行うことができ、実り多き滞在となりました。 来年は「日印国交樹立75周年」を迎えます。 「自由で開かれたインド太平洋（FOIP）」の実現のため、戦略的方向性を共有する日印で、パートナーシップを更に前に進めるべく、モディ首相と一層連携していきます。 प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी के सरकार के प्रमुख के तौर पर 25 वर्ष की अवधि पूरे होने पर मैं अपनी शुभकामनाएँ व्यक्त करना चाहती हूँ। भारत के समाज और राष्ट्र के विकास को साकार करने के लिए वे वर्षों से प्रयास करते आए हैं और सन् 2001 से अपने उत्कृष्ट राजनीतिक नेतृत्व से सरकार के प्रमुख के पद संभालते आए हैं। उन्होंने भारत के विकास को गति देने के साथ ही अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भी भारत की प्रतिष्ठा को नई ऊंचाइयों तक पहुंचाया। इन सारी उपलब्धियों के लिए, मैं एक साथी राजनीतिज्ञ के रूप में सम्मान भावना व्यक्त करती हूँ। मैं फिर से प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी का आभार व्यक्त करना चाहती हूँ कि इस जुलाई में मेरी भारत यात्रा के दौरान मुझे उनका बेहद गर्मजोशी भरा स्वागत मिला। भारत की खाद्य संस्कृति और संगीत का अनुभव करते हुए, मुझे जापान-भारत की &amp;quot;विशेष रणनीतिक और वैश्विक साझेदारी&amp;quot; को अगले स्तर तक ले जाने के लिए उनके साथ ठोस कदमों पर विचार-विमर्श करने का शुभ अवसर प्राप्त हुआ। मेरी भारत यात्रा बहुत ही फलदायी रही। अगले वर्ष जापान-भारत राजनयिक संबंधों की स्थापना की 75वीं वर्षगाँठ है। मुक्त एवं खुले हिन्द-प्रशांत क्षेत्र (FOIP) को साकार करने हेतु मैं प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी के साथ मिलकर काम करना चाहती हूँ ताकि रणनीतिक दिशा को साझा करने वाले जापान तथा भारत मिलकर हमारी साझेदारी को और आगे बढ़ाया जा सके।&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) &lt;a href="https://x.com/takaichi_sanae/status/2107645666839412817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;October 7, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

'For many years, you have dedicated yourself to the development of Indian society': Japan PM Sanae Takaichi hails PM Modi

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Message from His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the 25th Anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Head of Government in Gujarat and the Republic of India. @officialABAT | @narendramodi https://t.co/7AsH0ba97m&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) &lt;a href="https://x.com/NGRPresident/status/2107583337233895525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;October 6, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Nigeria congratulates PM Modi on the 25th anniversary 

A spokesman for the Russian transport ministry told state-run TASS news agency that the Indian crew members, who came under attack by drone boats off Russia's Black Sea coast have been rescued

23 Indian crew rescued after drone boat attack on tanker near Sochi

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Warm congratulations to Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri @narendramodi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government. Best wishes for continued success in advancing India’s prosperity and strengthening the enduring Nepal-India friendship. https://t.co/0ZPKVvb6IY&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Nepal Embassy, India (@EONIndia) &lt;a href="https://x.com/EONIndia/status/2107734445688344796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;October 7, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Nepal embassy congratulates PM Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;To Prime Minister @narendramodi, An avatar of our times https://t.co/84RDOEfELm&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Tshering Tobgay (@tsheringtobgay) &lt;a href="https://x.com/tsheringtobgay/status/2107715602249048274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;October 7, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay calls PM Modi ‘an avatar of our times’

The Saudi-led coalition said that it intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthis at Saudi Arabia, as government forces backed by the kingdom battled to retake territory seized by the group in a lightning offensive.

Saudi military says it intercepted ballistic missile that was fired by Houthis towards Riyadh

The Supreme Court has agreed to examine an application seeking recall of the September 23 split verdict on challenges to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. The plea comes amid an apprehension of bias against Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, who was part of the bench that delivered the split verdict, after it emerged that his son is standing counsel for the Election Commission of India before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. &nbsp;Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan mentioned the application before a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. The counsel said an interlocutory application (IA) was filed seeking recall of the judgment delivered by a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma. “We will examine and then take a call,” CJI Surya Kant said.

CEC Act row: SC agrees to examine plea seeking recall of split verdict

From Bhuj earthquake to Chandrayaan and Covid,PM Modi enlisted several events as defining moment of his long work-life. Addressing the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha’, PM Modi said that the 2001 Bhuj earthquake taught him to remain steadfast during reconstruction, and the Chandrayaan mission taught him how to rise after failure. He also added that the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic made him understand the importance of the nation's collective consciousness. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-2001-bhuj-earthquake-to-covid-19-pm-modi-lists-lessons-he-learnt-in-25-years-of-service-says-people-are-god-1791354349910">READ MORE</a>

From 2001 Bhuj earthquake to Covid-19, PM Modi lists lessons he learnt in 25 years of service; says 'people are God'

Addressing the ‘Seva Jyoti’ programme at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, PM Modi reflected on his journey, noted the lessons he learnt and renewed his resolve for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’ In his speech, PM Modi also hailed Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and batted for ‘Made in India’ planes. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-envisions-made-in-india-planes-says-world-is-already-talking-about-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-1791355625540">READ MORE</a>

PM Modi envisions 'Made-in-India' planes, says world is already talking about Indian pilot Smit Machchhar

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (Oct 07) reaffirmed his commitment to building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 as he marked 25 years as head of government. “We will do it,” he declared as he reflected on 25 years of continuous service. Addressing the ‘Seva Jyoti’ programme at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, Modi expressed gratitude to the people, experiences and circumstances that he said had shaped his journey in public life. “Today, when I look back, only a feeling of gratitude emerges. I am grateful to every person and every incident that has taught me something or the other,” Modi said.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-reaffirms-viksit-bharat-resolve-says-we-will-do-it-as-he-marks-25-years-in-government-1791351970176">Read more here</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn3.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20261007/image-1791352387947.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;imwidth=800&amp;imheight=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="PM Modi reaffirms ‘Viksit Bharat’ resolve, says ‘we will do it’ as he marks 25 years in government"></figure>

PM Modi reaffirms ‘Viksit Bharat’ resolve, says ‘we will do it’ as he marks 25 years in government

The United States is seeking more information from Russia on the reported plague death of a laboratory technician, a State Department spokesperson said Tuesday."We have officially requested additional information from the Russian government," the spokesperson said, adding that Washington was “in official communication with other countries around the world to share information.”

US seeking more information from Russia on plague reports

Asian markets broadly declined on Wednesday as investors reacted to renewed concerns over shipping and energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Wellington and Taipei were in the red. The market retreat came after the Nasdaq and S&amp;P 500 hit records in the US, helped by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence stocks and gains in Nvidia.

Global markets slide as Hormuz tensions weigh on investors

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho paid tribute to Messi following his final Argentina appearance, praising his career, World Cup triumph and dedication to the national team. “A pleasure and what joy to have been part of your story from the very first day, brother!” Ronaldinho wrote, adding that Messi's name was “etched in the history of your country, of the whole world”.

Messi receives emotional tribute from Ronaldinho

Lionel Messi described his retirement from international football as the “saddest day of my career” after playing his final game for Argentina in a 3-0 victory over Benin. Messi scored one goal and provided two assists in the match. Reflecting on more than two decades with Argentina, he said representing the national team had been a huge source of pride and that leaving was deeply painful.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Messi calls Argentina retirement the 'saddest day' of his career

Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Wednesday raised the country's real GDP growth projection for the current financial year 2026-27 by 40 basis points to 7.1 per cent, citing the strength of economic activity despite global headwinds. Announcing the outcome of the RBI Monetary Policy Committee meeting, Malhotra said geopolitical tensions, elevated international commodity prices, additional frictions in global trade and tightening global financial conditions could weigh on India's growth outlook. "Taking all these factors into consideration, real GDP growth for this year is projected at 7.1 percent, with Q2 at 7.2 percent, Q3 at 6.9, and Q4 at 6.8 percent," Malhotra said. He said the 40 basis points upward revision reflected the strength of economic activity despite the significant global challenges. The RBI Governor said India's real GDP growth stood at 7.8 per cent in Q1, supported by resilient private consumption and strong investment activity, which recorded almost a 12 per cent increase. The contribution of net exports also remained positive. "We exhibited resilience amidst global headwinds, as evident from real GDP growth of 7.8 per cent in Q1," Malhotra said. &nbsp;

RBI raises FY27 GDP growth forecast by 40 bps to 7.1%, says India resilience amidst global headwinds

Delhi Police have arrested a 24-year-old man for allegedly creating and circulating AI-generated content that falsely portrayed ACP Vivek Bhagat sexually assaulting a woman during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar. The accused, identified as Nadeem Ahmed of Palwal, Haryana, allegedly presented the manipulated material as genuine CCTV footage from the protest site.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ai-used-to-fabricate-evidence-of-molestation-at-anti-cec-protest-delhi-police-arrest-man-over-fake-acp-vivek-bhagat-poster-1791342744693">All you need to know here</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn3.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20261007/image-1791345445639.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;imwidth=800&amp;imheight=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="AI used to fabricate ‘evidence’ of molestation at anti-CEC protest? Delhi Police arrest man over fake ACP Vivek Bhagat CCTV video"></figure>

AI used to fabricate ‘evidence’ of molestation at anti-CEC protest? Delhi Police arrest man over fake ACP Vivek Bhagat CCTV video

Rajya Sabha MP Kartikeya Sharma has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the Ashok Chakra for FlyDubai pilot Captain Smit Machchar, citing his alleged bravery during the September 30 cockpit attack aboard flight FZ1073. Machchar was critically injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with an axe and attempted to hijack the aircraft. Despite his injuries, the pilot managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the attacker. The aircraft was later diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all 180 occupants disembarking safely.

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchar recommended for Ashok Chakra

Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years as head of government, recalling his journey from Gujarat Chief Minister to Prime Minister. Shah highlighted what he described as Modi's governance and development initiatives, including welfare schemes, manufacturing, digital payments, startups, semiconductor production, defence and renewable energy. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Amit Shah congratulates PM Modi on completing 25 years of public service

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked 25 years since he first took the oath as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001. Modi offered prayers at the Shri Vinayaka Mandir in New Delhi's Sarojini Nagar and renewed his commitment to serving the country. The Union Cabinet passed a resolution congratulating Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government. Several ministers and Chief Ministers also extended greetings.

PM Modi marks 25 years as head of government

Oil prices rose as concerns about Middle East supplies resurfaced following reports of increased attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose above $101 a barrel in early Asian trade.

Oil rises as Hormuz fears return

US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran will come to an end but warned that the outcome could depend on whether Tehran chooses what he described as the "nice way" or the "not-so-nice way".&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-iran-military-us-hormuz-blockade-latest-warning-us-blockade-hormuz-1791338243077">Here's what he said</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn3.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20261007/image-1791338296655.jpg?rect=(0,65,1070,801)&amp;imwidth=800&amp;imheight=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="Trump says Iran ‘decimated’, warns war could end the ‘nice way’ or ‘not-so-nice way’"></figure>

Trump says Iran ‘decimated’, warns war could end the ‘nice way’ or ‘not-so-nice way’

Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that the Strait of Hormuz "belongs to the United States Navy and the United States", describing the US naval presence as an effective blockade against Iran. He also said the US was doing extremely well in Iran and claimed the country's military had been severely weakened.

Trump says Strait of Hormuz 'belongs' to US

Delhi Police registered an FIR in connection with the alleged unauthorised entry of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs into the Akashvani Bhavan premises during Tuesday's protest against the Election Commission. Police said around 260 people, including 10 MPs, were detained and later released.

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi detained; Delhi Police files FIR

Latest News Today Live Updates: FIR has been filed against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra after the INDIA bloc anti-CEC protest. Trump escalates his Hormuz claims as oil rises, while Messi bids farewell to Argentina. Stay connected to WION News for all LIVE updates.

Latest News Today Live Updates: Delhi Police has registered an FIR after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs allegedly entered the Akashvani Bhavan premises during Tuesday's protest over electoral roll revisions and demands for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. The leaders were detained and later released, according to police. US President Donald Trump has reiterated his claims over US control of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the American naval presence an effective blockade against Iran. Oil prices rose as concerns over attacks on shipping resurfaced. Indian PM Narendra Modi has marked 25 years as head of government, while Union ministers and chief ministers extended greetings. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi described his retirement from international football as the saddest day of his career after Argentina's win over Benin.

Latest News Today Live Updates: FIR has been filed against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra after the INDIA bloc anti-CEC protest. Trump escalates his Hormuz claims as oil rises, while Messi bids farewell to Argentina. Stay connected to WION News for all LIVE updates.

LIVE Updates | Latest India and World News Today: PM Modi completes 25 years in elected office, Rubio in Greece, and more

US Vice President JD Vance has made clear that Iran must carry out a “meaningful” cut in its nuclear enrichment capacity for war to end. Vance said that Washington will agree to halt the seven-month war with Iran only when Tehran ensures that they have actually cut nuclear enrichment. &nbsp;Speaking to Reuters, Vance said the United States remains open to a negotiated settlement but will insist on concrete steps from Iran rather than mere assurances about future nuclear limits. In recent weeks, the two sides have exchanged proposals aimed at ending the war but nothing conclusive has been decided. Vance also rejected reports about critical munitions shortages. &nbsp;“If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel?” Vance said. “If you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, don’t build highly enriched fuel. That’s a very basic threshold issue.” “I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity,” he added.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/100-victory-claims-200-days-of-war-is-trump-s-iran-gamble-turning-into-a-midterm-nightmare-us-midterms-2026-1790843647554"> 100 victory claims, 200+ days of war: Is Trump's Iran gamble turning into a midterm nightmare?</a> Questioning the leadership in Iran, Vance said that Washington still lacks clarity on who holds ultimate decision-making power in Tehran. “One of the things we picked up on is it’s not totally clear how their country makes decisions,” he said. However, Iran pushed back against that characterisation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei insisted American officials are fully aware of their Iranian counterparts and understand how decisions are taken in Tehran.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/us-iran-war-trump-jokes-about-iran-bombing-us-cities-1791270318460">US-Iran War: Trump jokes about Iran bombing US cities</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran will come to an end but warned that the outcome could depend on whether Tehran chooses what he described as the "nice way" or the "not-so-nice way". Speaking at Sparrows Point in Maryland on Tuesday (Oct 6), Trump once again claimed Iran's military had been severely weakened and said the US was in a strong position as the conflict continues. "We're doing extremely well in the Islamic Republic of Iran, very well. They have no military. It's shot; the whole place is shot," Trump said. He described Iran as the former "bully of the Middle East" and said Washington now needed to "finish up". "It's only a question of which way do we want to do it, the nice way or the not-so-nice way? And pretty soon you'll find out," Trump said.

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington will require Iran to make a “meaningful” cut to its nuclear enrichment capacity before agreeing to halt the seven-month war. Vance said verbal assurances will not be enough, while Tehran rejected US claims about its decision-making process.

US Vice President JD Vance has made clear that Iran must carry out a “meaningful” cut in its nuclear enrichment capacity for war to end. Vance said that Washington will agree to halt the seven-month war with Iran only when Tehran ensures that they have actually cut nuclear enrichment. Speaking to Reuters, Vance said the United States remains open to a negotiated settlement but will insist on concrete steps from Iran rather than mere assurances about future nuclear limits. In recent weeks, the two sides have exchanged proposals aimed at ending the war but nothing conclusive has been decided. Vance also rejected reports about critical munitions shortages. “If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel?” Vance said. “If you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, don’t build highly enriched fuel. That’s a very basic threshold issue.” “I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity,” he added. Also Read: 100 victory claims, 200+ days of war: Is Trump's Iran gamble turning into a midterm nightmare? Questioning the leadership in Iran, Vance said that Washington still lacks clarity on who holds ultimate decision-making power in Tehran. “One of the things we picked up on is it’s not totally clear how their country makes decisions,” he said. However, Iran pushed back against that characterisation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei insisted American officials are fully aware of their Iranian counterparts and understand how decisions are taken in Tehran. Also Read: US-Iran War: Trump jokes about Iran bombing US cities Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran will come to an end but warned that the outcome could depend on whether Tehran chooses what he described as the "nice way" or the "not-so-nice way". Speaking at Sparrows Point in Maryland on Tuesday (Oct 6), Trump once again claimed Iran's military had been severely weakened and said the US was in a strong position as the conflict continues. "We're doing extremely well in the Islamic Republic of Iran, very well. They have no military. It's shot; the whole place is shot," Trump said. He described Iran as the former "bully of the Middle East" and said Washington now needed to "finish up". "It's only a question of which way do we want to do it, the nice way or the not-so-nice way? And pretty soon you'll find out," Trump said.

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington will require Iran to make a “meaningful” cut to its nuclear enrichment capacity before agreeing to halt the seven-month war. Vance said verbal assurances will not be enough, while Tehran rejected US claims about its decision-making process.

'If you don’t want a nuclear weapon...': JD Vance sets 'meaningful' enrichment cut as condition for ending seven-month Iran war

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday (Oct 6) said that it has been following up on the reported death of the laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute in Russia. Quoting Russian health authorities, WHO said that Russia confirmed that no case of plague had recently been registered in Irkutsk oblast. This comes even as on Oct 6, local media reports claimed that a second person died at the Irkutsk District Hospital in Siberia and had symptoms similar to the lab worker Darya Shipilova who died on Oct 2.&nbsp; WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a statement on X, said that the UN health agency has been tracking the developments since initial media reports emerged. "In response to WHO’s verification request under the International Health Regulations, the Russian health authorities ," Tedros said in the statement. According to WHO, Russian authorities said an epidemiological investigation had been conducted, preventive and control measures implemented, and identified contacts placed under medical observation and tested. They also reported that no high-threat pathogens had been detected among the contacts and that medical observation of all identified contacts had been completed. WHO said it has remained in contact with Russian health authorities and offered technical support while requesting further information to establish the cause of the severe pneumonia and identify the pathogen that prompted the public health measures. The agency also sought clarification on media reports of a second employee who was said to have pneumonia of undetermined cause. "WHO has remained in contact with the Russian health authorities and has offered technical support. WHO has requested further information to clarify the cause of the severe pneumonia, the pathogen that prompted the public health measures, and media reports of a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined cause," the statement added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mask-mandate-quarantine-plague-scare-in-russia-triggers-emergency-measures-but-officials-downplay-concerns-1791252816867">Mask mandate, quarantine: Plague scare in Russia triggers emergency measures but officials downplay concerns</a><h2>What happened?</h2>A 28-year-old female employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East, identified as Darya Shipilova, was hospitalized last Tuesday with symptoms of severe pneumonia and died on Thursday. Reports indicate she may have been accidentally exposed to pneumonic plague via a broken test tube. The federal health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor officially classified the cause of death as "pneumonia of unknown origin." Initially, Irkutsk officials described the illness as a "particularly dangerous infection," but later jumped into action as the news triggered massive scare.&nbsp;<h2>Russia downplays plague rumours</h2>However, Russia has downplayed the rumours with its federal public health agency and consumer protection watchdog saying that lab worker was diagnosed with “pneumonia of unknown etiology" and laboratory analysis of material from the patient did not reveal any microorganisms associated with her work handling dangerous pathogens. Additionally, the institute’s special commission and Rospotrebnadzor concluded that no emergency or security breach had occurred and no other infectious disease complaints had been registered among institute employees over the preceding 10 days.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rospotrebnadzor also said all close contacts were placed under medical observation with daily laboratory testing, which detected two cases of Covid-19 and two cases of rhinovirus, but no other infections. Irkutsk region Governor Igor Kobzev said in a video published Monday that family members and close relatives under quarantine could be discharged next week. The Kremlin referred all questions about the issue to Rospotrebnadzor.

The WHO said it is following developments after the death of a laboratory worker at Russia’s Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute, while Russian authorities reported no recent plague cases. The agency has sought further information after reports of a second person with severe pneumonia.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday (Oct 6) said that it has been following up on the reported death of the laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute in Russia. Quoting Russian health authorities, WHO said that Russia confirmed that no case of plague had recently been registered in Irkutsk oblast. This comes even as on Oct 6, local media reports claimed that a second person died at the Irkutsk District Hospital in Siberia and had symptoms similar to the lab worker Darya Shipilova who died on Oct 2. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a statement on X, said that the UN health agency has been tracking the developments since initial media reports emerged. "In response to WHO’s verification request under the International Health Regulations, the Russian health authorities ," Tedros said in the statement. According to WHO, Russian authorities said an epidemiological investigation had been conducted, preventive and control measures implemented, and identified contacts placed under medical observation and tested. They also reported that no high-threat pathogens had been detected among the contacts and that medical observation of all identified contacts had been completed. WHO said it has remained in contact with Russian health authorities and offered technical support while requesting further information to establish the cause of the severe pneumonia and identify the pathogen that prompted the public health measures. The agency also sought clarification on media reports of a second employee who was said to have pneumonia of undetermined cause. "WHO has remained in contact with the Russian health authorities and has offered technical support. WHO has requested further information to clarify the cause of the severe pneumonia, the pathogen that prompted the public health measures, and media reports of a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined cause," the statement added. Also Read: Mask mandate, quarantine: Plague scare in Russia triggers emergency measures but officials downplay concerns What happened? A 28-year-old female employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East, identified as Darya Shipilova, was hospitalized last Tuesday with symptoms of severe pneumonia and died on Thursday. Reports indicate she may have been accidentally exposed to pneumonic plague via a broken test tube. The federal health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor officially classified the cause of death as "pneumonia of unknown origin." Initially, Irkutsk officials described the illness as a "particularly dangerous infection," but later jumped into action as the news triggered massive scare. Russia downplays plague rumours However, Russia has downplayed the rumours with its federal public health agency and consumer protection watchdog saying that lab worker was diagnosed with “pneumonia of unknown etiology" and laboratory analysis of material from the patient did not reveal any microorganisms associated with her work handling dangerous pathogens. Additionally, the institute’s special commission and Rospotrebnadzor concluded that no emergency or security breach had occurred and no other infectious disease complaints had been registered among institute employees over the preceding 10 days. Rospotrebnadzor also said all close contacts were placed under medical observation with daily laboratory testing, which detected two cases of Covid-19 and two cases of rhinovirus, but no other infections. Irkutsk region Governor Igor Kobzev said in a video published Monday that family members and close relatives under quarantine could be discharged next week. The Kremlin referred all questions about the issue to Rospotrebnadzor.

The WHO said it is following developments after the death of a laboratory worker at Russia’s Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute, while Russian authorities reported no recent plague cases. The agency has sought further information after reports of a second person with severe pneumonia.

WHO breaks silence on possible pneumonic plague in Russia, seeks clarity on second reported death

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged his “invariable support” for Russian President Vladimir Putin and described Moscow’s war against Ukraine as a “sacred war of justice”, Pyongyang’s state media reported on Wednesday (Oct 07). Kim made the remarks in a birthday letter to Putin, in which he also vowed to strengthen ties between North Korea and Russia. The letter underlines the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries, which has expanded significantly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.<h2>Kim hails Russia’s ‘sacred war’</h2>According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim said he was pleased to have a “good friendship” with Putin and expressed a desire to “open up a new chapter” in bilateral relations. “I reaffirm my invariable support for you and the Russian Federation,” Kim said, according to KCNA.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-spies-left-faeces-in-finnish-mp-s-toilet-bizarre-home-intrusions-spark-intimidation-fears-1791258344095">'Russian spies,' faeces and Finnish MPs? Bizarre home intrusions spark intimidation fears</a> He added that he was “firmly convinced that the Russian people's sacred war of justice” would end in victory.Kim also described the strengthening of the Russia-North Korea partnership as a steadfast policy of his government. The two countries signed a mutual defence pact in June 2024, providing the framework for expanded military cooperation.<h2>North Korean troops in Russia</h2>North Korea has emerged as an important military partner for Moscow during the Ukraine war. Western and South Korean officials estimate that Pyongyang has sent around 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russian forces since late 2024.South Korea's National Intelligence Service estimated in February 2026 that around 6,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in combat. A UK assessment similarly estimated that North Korean forces had suffered more than 6,000 casualties in fighting in Russia's Kursk region.In return for its military assistance, Pyongyang is believed to have received economic support and military technology from Moscow, according to South Korean intelligence assessments.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-is-plotting-something-bad-russia-may-launch-accidental-strikes-on-nato-countries-supporting-ukraine-britain-poland-pm-warns-1789697149962">Putin 'is plotting something bad': Russia may launch 'accidental' strikes on NATO countries supporting Ukraine, Poland PM warns</a><h2>Seoul-Kyiv ties face new strain</h2>Kim's message comes as relations between South Korea and Ukraine have become strained over the public disclosure of two captured North Korean soldiers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the two prisoners had been transferred to South Korea, prompting Seoul to protest the disclosure. South Korean officials said the transfer had been intended to remain confidential, while Kyiv has denied that there was a prior confidentiality agreement.South Korea has provided humanitarian and other non-lethal assistance to Ukraine but has maintained restrictions on supplying lethal weapons to countries engaged in war. Zelensky has also warned that Russia could receive additional North Korean troops. Recent South Korean assessments have indicated continued preparations in North Korea for possible further deployments.&nbsp; &nbsp;

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged “invariable support” for Vladimir Putin and called Russia’s war in Ukraine a “sacred war of justice”. Here's what he said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged his “invariable support” for Russian President Vladimir Putin and described Moscow’s war against Ukraine as a “sacred war of justice”, Pyongyang’s state media reported on Wednesday (Oct 07). Kim made the remarks in a birthday letter to Putin, in which he also vowed to strengthen ties between North Korea and Russia. The letter underlines the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries, which has expanded significantly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Kim hails Russia’s ‘sacred war’ According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim said he was pleased to have a “good friendship” with Putin and expressed a desire to “open up a new chapter” in bilateral relations. “I reaffirm my invariable support for you and the Russian Federation,” Kim said, according to KCNA. Also read | 'Russian spies,' faeces and Finnish MPs? Bizarre home intrusions spark intimidation fears He added that he was “firmly convinced that the Russian people's sacred war of justice” would end in victory. Kim also described the strengthening of the Russia-North Korea partnership as a steadfast policy of his government. The two countries signed a mutual defence pact in June 2024, providing the framework for expanded military cooperation. North Korean troops in Russia North Korea has emerged as an important military partner for Moscow during the Ukraine war. Western and South Korean officials estimate that Pyongyang has sent around 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russian forces since late 2024. South Korea's National Intelligence Service estimated in February 2026 that around 6,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in combat. A UK assessment similarly estimated that North Korean forces had suffered more than 6,000 casualties in fighting in Russia's Kursk region. In return for its military assistance, Pyongyang is believed to have received economic support and military technology from Moscow, according to South Korean intelligence assessments. Also read | Putin 'is plotting something bad': Russia may launch 'accidental' strikes on NATO countries supporting Ukraine, Poland PM warns Seoul-Kyiv ties face new strain Kim's message comes as relations between South Korea and Ukraine have become strained over the public disclosure of two captured North Korean soldiers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the two prisoners had been transferred to South Korea, prompting Seoul to protest the disclosure. South Korean officials said the transfer had been intended to remain confidential, while Kyiv has denied that there was a prior confidentiality agreement. South Korea has provided humanitarian and other non-lethal assistance to Ukraine but has maintained restrictions on supplying lethal weapons to countries engaged in war. Zelensky has also warned that Russia could receive additional North Korean troops. Recent South Korean assessments have indicated continued preparations in North Korea for possible further deployments.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged “invariable support” for Vladimir Putin and called Russia’s war in Ukraine a “sacred war of justice”. Here's what he said.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un pledges ‘invariable support’ for Putin in birthday letter, calls Russia’s war against Ukraine ‘sacred’

A second person has reportedly died of plague in Russia, according to local media reports. Unconfirmed reports emerging Wednesday morning from the country suggest that the person died at the Irkutsk District Hospital in Siberia and had symptoms similar to those of lab worker Darya Shipilova, the first reported victim. The Moscow Times reported that the 29-year-old contracted the infection after accidentally breaking a test tube containing live bacteria.&nbsp;More than 200 people were under quarantine after Shipilova's death. Reports claim that the lab worker died of the fatal plague strain, Pneumonic plague. However, Russia has maintained that she died of a form of pneumonia and not plague. Putin is being accused of covering up the outbreak and the scale of the emergency.<h2>What WHO said about the plague scare in Russia</h2>Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) says the possible case of pneumonic plague presents a "very low" risk outside the country. The health agency said it was in contact with Russian authorities after the lab worker's death. Shipilova worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East. After she started showing symptoms, she was admitted to the hospital, where she passed away.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-will-speak-to-putin-very-soon-over-suspected-plague-death-who-chief-urges-transparency-from-russia-1791325904292">Trump says he will speak to Putin 'very soon’ over suspected plague death</a>&nbsp;Russian health officials said on Tuesday that the woman's contacts are being traced. A full range of preventive measures had been carried out, and people who could have come in contact with her were tested and are being monitored. "Test results showed no presence of dangerous infectious disease pathogens in any of the contacts," a note from Russian authorities stated, as per The Associated Press.&nbsp;“Based on available data, laboratory test results, and health status, medical monitoring for 100% of the contacts has now been concluded,” it said. “The epidemiological situation is stable and remains under monitoring.”<h2>Neighbouring countries tighten borders</h2>Russia's neighbouring countries have started taking precautions. Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have tightened their border health controls amid reports that Russia was witnessing an outbreak of the pneumonic plague. Russia is reportedly quelling all reports of the plague, with some claiming that the plague reports are disappearing across national media.&nbsp;According to Independent Russian outlet The Insider, the federal television channel REN TV deleted all five of its publications about the plague. Moscow's Channel 5 broadcaster and a nationally distributed daily newspaper, Kommersant, also allegedly removed all reports. The Baikalsk administration near the Mongolian border urged its residents not to travel to the Shelekhov district in a Telegram post on October 3. The post was deleted two hours later.&nbsp;"Due to unofficial information about a confirmed case of plague in a person in the city of Shelekhov, we ask you to limit visits to Shelekhov and nearby settlements until the circumstances surrounding this threat are clarified," the Baykalsk city administration's post read. &nbsp;

Russia plague outbreak: Two people have reportedly succumbed to the infection in the country, with local media reports claiming a second person died at the Irkutsk District Hospital in Siberia. Meanwhile, the WHO said it is monitoring the situation.

A second person has reportedly died of plague in Russia, according to local media reports. Unconfirmed reports emerging Wednesday morning from the country suggest that the person died at the Irkutsk District Hospital in Siberia and had symptoms similar to those of lab worker Darya Shipilova, the first reported victim. The Moscow Times reported that the 29-year-old contracted the infection after accidentally breaking a test tube containing live bacteria. More than 200 people were under quarantine after Shipilova's death. Reports claim that the lab worker died of the fatal plague strain, Pneumonic plague. However, Russia has maintained that she died of a form of pneumonia and not plague. Putin is being accused of covering up the outbreak and the scale of the emergency. What WHO said about the plague scare in Russia Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) says the possible case of pneumonic plague presents a "very low" risk outside the country. The health agency said it was in contact with Russian authorities after the lab worker's death. Shipilova worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East. After she started showing symptoms, she was admitted to the hospital, where she passed away. Also Read: Trump says he will speak to Putin 'very soon’ over suspected plague death Russian health officials said on Tuesday that the woman's contacts are being traced. A full range of preventive measures had been carried out, and people who could have come in contact with her were tested and are being monitored. "Test results showed no presence of dangerous infectious disease pathogens in any of the contacts," a note from Russian authorities stated, as per The Associated Press. “Based on available data, laboratory test results, and health status, medical monitoring for 100% of the contacts has now been concluded,” it said. “The epidemiological situation is stable and remains under monitoring.” Neighbouring countries tighten borders Russia's neighbouring countries have started taking precautions. Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have tightened their border health controls amid reports that Russia was witnessing an outbreak of the pneumonic plague. Russia is reportedly quelling all reports of the plague, with some claiming that the plague reports are disappearing across national media. According to Independent Russian outlet The Insider, the federal television channel REN TV deleted all five of its publications about the plague. Moscow's Channel 5 broadcaster and a nationally distributed daily newspaper, Kommersant, also allegedly removed all reports. The Baikalsk administration near the Mongolian border urged its residents not to travel to the Shelekhov district in a Telegram post on October 3. The post was deleted two hours later. "Due to unofficial information about a confirmed case of plague in a person in the city of Shelekhov, we ask you to limit visits to Shelekhov and nearby settlements until the circumstances surrounding this threat are clarified," the Baykalsk city administration's post read.

Russia plague outbreak: Two people have reportedly succumbed to the infection in the country, with local media reports claiming a second person died at the Irkutsk District Hospital in Siberia. Meanwhile, the WHO said it is monitoring the situation.

Russia plague scare: Second person succumbs to infection, reports claim

Banjul – Behind every missing migrant is a family searching for answers. The Gambia is now taking concrete steps to make sure those families are not left in the dark.From 30 September to 2 October, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad (MoFA) held a three-day training to strengthen the country's response to migrant deaths and disappearances.It brought together 23 members of the National Task Force on Missing Migrants (NTFMM), the national coordination body set up by MoFA with IOM's technical support. Gambian diplomatic officials responsible for assisting citizens in Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta, Morocco and Mauritania also took part.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghanaian-fashion-icon-nana-akua-addo-injury-videos-trigger-domestic-violence-allegations-1791315047836">Ghanaian fashion icon Nana Akua Addo injury videos trigger domestic violence allegations</a>Participants explored practical ways to prevent migrant deaths and disappearances, search for and identify missing migrants, manage cases, and support families seeking information. The sessions also looked at migration dynamics, vulnerabilities and protection risks facing Gambians along key routes. Drawing on international good practices, they discussed route-based responses.According to IOM's Missing Migrants Project, at least 408 Gambians have gone missing along migration routes since 2014. The real figure is likely much higher, because incidents, especially at sea, are hard to document.The Western African Atlantic Route is of particular concern. In December 2025, the Jinack maritime incident claimed more than 25 lives and left about 100 people missing.According to the Government of The Gambia, strengthening this national response is both a matter of coordination and of ensuring that families are not left without answers. "Every missing migrant represents a human tragedy that extends beyond borders and deeply affects families and communities," said Ndumbeh Saho, Director of Diaspora and Migration at MoFA. She called the training an important milestone toward a coordinated and sustainable framework that upholds the dignity and rights of those affected.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-navy-moves-to-boost-oil-security-tackle-crude-theft-and-infrastructure-threats-1790368800433">Nigeria Navy moves to boost oil security, tackle crude theft and infrastructure threats</a>Sibgha Ajaz, IOM The Gambia Officer-in-Charge said that behind every missing migrant is a family coping with uncertainty and hoping for closure. Preventing disappearances and supporting families, she said, is "both a humanitarian responsibility and a collective commitment."The training also supports the operationalisation of the NTFMM. By clarifying roles and responsibilities across government institutions, the initiative aims to ensure cases get followed up more effectively, and families get better access to information about their loved ones' fate and whereabouts.The work builds on The Gambia's leadership in regional and international efforts, including its co-chairmanship of the Rabat Process Network of National Focal Points on Missing Migrants. &nbsp;

Families of missing migrants are often left with uncertainty and few answers. Now, The Gambia is strengthening its national response to migrant deaths and disappearances, as official figures show at least 408 Gambians have gone missing along migration routes since 2014.

Banjul – Behind every missing migrant is a family searching for answers. The Gambia is now taking concrete steps to make sure those families are not left in the dark. From 30 September to 2 October, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad (MoFA) held a three-day training to strengthen the country's response to migrant deaths and disappearances. It brought together 23 members of the National Task Force on Missing Migrants (NTFMM), the national coordination body set up by MoFA with IOM's technical support. Gambian diplomatic officials responsible for assisting citizens in Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta, Morocco and Mauritania also took part. Also read | Ghanaian fashion icon Nana Akua Addo injury videos trigger domestic violence allegations Participants explored practical ways to prevent migrant deaths and disappearances, search for and identify missing migrants, manage cases, and support families seeking information. The sessions also looked at migration dynamics, vulnerabilities and protection risks facing Gambians along key routes. Drawing on international good practices, they discussed route-based responses. According to IOM's Missing Migrants Project, at least 408 Gambians have gone missing along migration routes since 2014. The real figure is likely much higher, because incidents, especially at sea, are hard to document. The Western African Atlantic Route is of particular concern. In December 2025, the Jinack maritime incident claimed more than 25 lives and left about 100 people missing. According to the Government of The Gambia, strengthening this national response is both a matter of coordination and of ensuring that families are not left without answers. "Every missing migrant represents a human tragedy that extends beyond borders and deeply affects families and communities," said Ndumbeh Saho, Director of Diaspora and Migration at MoFA. She called the training an important milestone toward a coordinated and sustainable framework that upholds the dignity and rights of those affected. Also read | Nigeria Navy moves to boost oil security, tackle crude theft and infrastructure threats Sibgha Ajaz, IOM The Gambia Officer-in-Charge said that behind every missing migrant is a family coping with uncertainty and hoping for closure. Preventing disappearances and supporting families, she said, is "both a humanitarian responsibility and a collective commitment." The training also supports the operationalisation of the NTFMM. By clarifying roles and responsibilities across government institutions, the initiative aims to ensure cases get followed up more effectively, and families get better access to information about their loved ones' fate and whereabouts. The work builds on The Gambia's leadership in regional and international efforts, including its co-chairmanship of the Rabat Process Network of National Focal Points on Missing Migrants.

Families of missing migrants are often left with uncertainty and few answers. Now, The Gambia is strengthening its national response to migrant deaths and disappearances, as official figures show at least 408 Gambians have gone missing along migration routes since 2014.

408 migrating Gambians missing since 2014: Government moves to give families answers

US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran will come to an end but warned that the outcome could depend on whether Tehran chooses what he described as the "nice way" or the "not-so-nice way". Speaking at Sparrows Point in Maryland on Tuesday (Oct 6), Trump once again claimed Iran's military had been severely weakened and said the US was in a strong position as the conflict continues. "We're doing extremely well in the Islamic Republic of Iran, very well. They have no military. It's shot; the whole place is shot," Trump said. He described Iran as the former "bully of the Middle East" and said Washington now needed to "finish up". "It's only a question of which way do we want to do it, the nice way or the not-so-nice way? And pretty soon you'll find out," Trump said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-iran-may-be-involved-in-flydubai-cockpit-attack-vows-to-hit-very-hard-if-link-found-1790912849893">Trump claims Iran may be involved in Flydubai cockpit attack, vows to 'hit very hard' if link found</a><h2>Trump claims US blockade has halted Iranian maritime traffic</h2>Trump also pointed to the US military presence around the Strait of Hormuz, describing the operation as a "wall of steel" rather than a blockade. "When I see the wall of steel, which is what it is, that we've done, they call it a blockade, I call it the wall of steel," Trump said. He claimed that no ship had reached Iran and that only vessels permitted by the US were being allowed through. Trump also said the US Navy was ensuring Iran would not obtain a nuclear weapon. "Our Navy is leading the way in ensuring that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," he said, adding that this was already a "fait accompli". The comments come days after Trump said Washington faced a choice over Iran between the "easy way" and the "hard way". He had also said that Iran had been "decimated".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-tennessee-for-murderer-christa-pike-s-failed-lethal-injection-execution-should-be-easy-to-do-1790906336229">Trump slams Tennessee for murderer Christa Pike’s failed lethal injection execution: ‘Should be easy to do’</a><h2>Trump announces new US shipyard project</h2>Trump made the remarks while announcing a major expansion of America's maritime industrial base at Sparrows Point. Anduril Industries is investing $3.7 billion to build a new high-tech shipyard at the Maryland site, while the US Navy has committed up to $2.9 billion through a contract tied to production outcomes. The combined investment is worth up to $6.6 billion.The facility, known as Arsenal-2, will manufacture critical components for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, including torpedo tubes.&nbsp;US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described the project as the largest US shipyard since World War II. Trump, meanwhile, said the investment would help ensure the US remains the world's leading naval power. "America is going to remain the undisputed naval superpower of the world," he said. The new facility is expected to begin production in 2030 and is part of the administration's broader effort to expand US shipbuilding capacity and address bottlenecks in submarine production. It is expected to create more than 3,100 permanent jobs and support more than 14,000 jobs directly and indirectly.

Trump has warned that the Iran war will end either the "nice way" or the "not-so-nice way", claiming Tehran's military has been severely weakened. Speaking in Maryland, he also defended the US operation around the Strait of Hormuz and announced a $6.6 billion shipyard project.

US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran will come to an end but warned that the outcome could depend on whether Tehran chooses what he described as the "nice way" or the "not-so-nice way". Speaking at Sparrows Point in Maryland on Tuesday (Oct 6), Trump once again claimed Iran's military had been severely weakened and said the US was in a strong position as the conflict continues. "We're doing extremely well in the Islamic Republic of Iran, very well. They have no military. It's shot; the whole place is shot," Trump said. He described Iran as the former "bully of the Middle East" and said Washington now needed to "finish up". "It's only a question of which way do we want to do it, the nice way or the not-so-nice way? And pretty soon you'll find out," Trump said. Also read | Trump claims Iran may be involved in Flydubai cockpit attack, vows to 'hit very hard' if link found Trump claims US blockade has halted Iranian maritime traffic Trump also pointed to the US military presence around the Strait of Hormuz, describing the operation as a "wall of steel" rather than a blockade. "When I see the wall of steel, which is what it is, that we've done, they call it a blockade, I call it the wall of steel," Trump said. He claimed that no ship had reached Iran and that only vessels permitted by the US were being allowed through. Trump also said the US Navy was ensuring Iran would not obtain a nuclear weapon. "Our Navy is leading the way in ensuring that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," he said, adding that this was already a "fait accompli". The comments come days after Trump said Washington faced a choice over Iran between the "easy way" and the "hard way". He had also said that Iran had been "decimated". Also read | Trump slams Tennessee for murderer Christa Pike’s failed lethal injection execution: ‘Should be easy to do’ Trump announces new US shipyard project Trump made the remarks while announcing a major expansion of America's maritime industrial base at Sparrows Point. Anduril Industries is investing $3.7 billion to build a new high-tech shipyard at the Maryland site, while the US Navy has committed up to $2.9 billion through a contract tied to production outcomes. The combined investment is worth up to $6.6 billion. The facility, known as Arsenal-2, will manufacture critical components for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, including torpedo tubes. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described the project as the largest US shipyard since World War II. Trump, meanwhile, said the investment would help ensure the US remains the world's leading naval power. "America is going to remain the undisputed naval superpower of the world," he said. The new facility is expected to begin production in 2030 and is part of the administration's broader effort to expand US shipbuilding capacity and address bottlenecks in submarine production. It is expected to create more than 3,100 permanent jobs and support more than 14,000 jobs directly and indirectly.

Trump has warned that the Iran war will end either the "nice way" or the "not-so-nice way", claiming Tehran's military has been severely weakened. Speaking in Maryland, he also defended the US operation around the Strait of Hormuz and announced a $6.6 billion shipyard project.

US Midterms 2026: Explore 10 states that could determine control of Congress and test Donald Trump’s political influence, from Ohio and Texas to Alaska and Kentucky

The 2026 US midterms could reshape Donald Trump’s second term. Here are 10 states where Democrats are challenging Republican Senate seats and could change the balance of power in Congress

US midterms 2026: 10 states that could decide Trump’s political future

Captain Smit Machchhar survived a mid-air attack on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight after an Israeli dentist spent about 45 minutes treating severe bleeding from the pilot’s head and hand, according to the dentist’s account to ABC News. Machchhar was injured after co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, allegedly stabbed him in what was described as an attempt to crash the aircraft carrying more than 170 passengers. Machchhar has since been praised as a ‘hero’ by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is recovering at a hospital in the United Arab Emirates. The Indian Embassy in the UAE said on Tuesday that he continues to make steady progress and is regaining his health.<h2>Dentist helps injured pilot</h2>Dr Shuta Musaev, a Georgian dentist living in Israel, said he moved toward the cockpit after hearing screams. He helped restrain the alleged attacker before turning his attention to the badly injured pilot. "I think, how (can) I help this situation for all (the passengers for all plane. How I can help?" he said. “And I see one pilot on the floor, with...blood.” Another passenger, Yaniv Hayun, reportedly pulled the suspect away from the cockpit, took control of the aircraft and stabilised its flight before a third pilot assumed control.&nbsp;Once the attacker had been overpowered, Musaev focused on Machchhar, who had suffered serious wounds to his head, neck and hands. Speaking to The National from Holon, south of Tel Aviv, Musaev said, “There was heavy bleeding from his head and left hand.” He initially used T-shirts to apply pressure to the wounds, but the bleeding continued. "I asked the stewards for ice," he said. "He had very, very deep cuts and we needed many ice packets. But every time I opened the T-shirt to check the bleeding, it would bleed more. So I pressed not very hard and with ice. All through the 45 minutes, I kept the pressure on," Musaev said.&nbsp;He also tried to keep the captain conscious by talking to him throughout the ordeal. "I told him, 'Please don't sleep, we need you.' I asked how many children he had, their names. I kept telling him, 'Don't be afraid, you will go back to your family, we are landing soon,'" he added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-citizen-charged-over-funding-advising-tumbler-ridge-shooter-likely-to-be-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-1791330045483">US citizen charged over funding, advising Tumbler Ridge shooter, likely to be sentenced to life imprisonment</a><h2>‘I don’t want to die here’</h2>According to Musaev, Machchhar told him his name and age, said he lived in Dubai and was originally from India. The injured pilot also asked for help with the pain. "Everything will be good," Musaev said he told him. “He said to me, 'Help me, please. Help me, please. I don't want to die here.'” Musaev added, "He was cut badly and would say, 'I'm feeling hot on my hands.' I kept telling him that he would be OK."&nbsp;The dentist said Machchhar remained on the cockpit floor as the situation became increasingly critical. At one point, Musaev noticed that the aircraft was descending and made what he described as one last push to open the cockpit door. As the captain’s condition deteriorated, Musaev said he raised his feet in an attempt to help restore his pulse."At one time, his pulse was too low, so I put his feet up and the pulse came back," he said. "When I saw his lips were blue, I told the steward, 'We need to land quickly. He doesn't have much more time'."<h2>Dentist refused painkillers</h2>Videos circulating online showed Machchhar asking for painkillers. Musaev said he instead gave the captain small amounts of water and declined to administer medication because of the severity of the bleeding. "He was lying on his back and I hesitated to lift him because I didn't want re-bleeding. It was dangerous to move him or give him medicines. The stewards wanted to give him medicine but I didn't agree."&nbsp;Musaev said he repeatedly monitored whether Machchhar could speak, whether he remained awake, his pulse and the colour of his lips. He also said a small group of passengers continued searching the aircraft for possible additional attackers until the plane landed in Saudi Arabia. Once the aircraft was safely on the ground, Musaev handed Machchhar over to medical professionals. "Good luck, my friend. Everything will be good," he told the captain. Musaev said that he and his wife experienced post-traumatic stress in the days following the incident.<h3>‘Smit saved our lives’</h3>Reflecting on what happened aboard the aircraft, Musaev credited Machchhar with helping save the lives of those on board. “Smit saved our lives. Smit is a hero and I thank him for everything he did to save my family and all the passengers. It's karma, he saved our lives, and we saved his life.”&nbsp;

Captain Smit Machchhar survived an alleged mid-air stabbing on a flydubai flight after an Israeli dentist treated his severe bleeding for 45 minutes

Captain Smit Machchhar survived a mid-air attack on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight after an Israeli dentist spent about 45 minutes treating severe bleeding from the pilot’s head and hand, according to the dentist’s account to ABC News. Machchhar was injured after co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, allegedly stabbed him in what was described as an attempt to crash the aircraft carrying more than 170 passengers. Machchhar has since been praised as a ‘hero’ by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is recovering at a hospital in the United Arab Emirates. The Indian Embassy in the UAE said on Tuesday that he continues to make steady progress and is regaining his health. Dentist helps injured pilot Dr Shuta Musaev, a Georgian dentist living in Israel, said he moved toward the cockpit after hearing screams. He helped restrain the alleged attacker before turning his attention to the badly injured pilot. "I think, how (can) I help this situation for all (the passengers for all plane. How I can help?" he said. “And I see one pilot on the floor, with...blood.” Another passenger, Yaniv Hayun, reportedly pulled the suspect away from the cockpit, took control of the aircraft and stabilised its flight before a third pilot assumed control. Once the attacker had been overpowered, Musaev focused on Machchhar, who had suffered serious wounds to his head, neck and hands. Speaking to The National from Holon, south of Tel Aviv, Musaev said, “There was heavy bleeding from his head and left hand.” He initially used T-shirts to apply pressure to the wounds, but the bleeding continued. "I asked the stewards for ice," he said. "He had very, very deep cuts and we needed many ice packets. But every time I opened the T-shirt to check the bleeding, it would bleed more. So I pressed not very hard and with ice. All through the 45 minutes, I kept the pressure on," Musaev said. He also tried to keep the captain conscious by talking to him throughout the ordeal. "I told him, 'Please don't sleep, we need you.' I asked how many children he had, their names. I kept telling him, 'Don't be afraid, you will go back to your family, we are landing soon,'" he added. Also Read: US citizen charged over funding, advising Tumbler Ridge shooter, likely to be sentenced to life imprisonment ‘I don’t want to die here’ According to Musaev, Machchhar told him his name and age, said he lived in Dubai and was originally from India. The injured pilot also asked for help with the pain. "Everything will be good," Musaev said he told him. “He said to me, 'Help me, please. Help me, please. I don't want to die here.'” Musaev added, "He was cut badly and would say, 'I'm feeling hot on my hands.' I kept telling him that he would be OK." The dentist said Machchhar remained on the cockpit floor as the situation became increasingly critical. At one point, Musaev noticed that the aircraft was descending and made what he described as one last push to open the cockpit door. As the captain’s condition deteriorated, Musaev said he raised his feet in an attempt to help restore his pulse. "At one time, his pulse was too low, so I put his feet up and the pulse came back," he said. "When I saw his lips were blue, I told the steward, 'We need to land quickly. He doesn't have much more time'." Dentist refused painkillers Videos circulating online showed Machchhar asking for painkillers. Musaev said he instead gave the captain small amounts of water and declined to administer medication because of the severity of the bleeding. "He was lying on his back and I hesitated to lift him because I didn't want re-bleeding. It was dangerous to move him or give him medicines. The stewards wanted to give him medicine but I didn't agree." Musaev said he repeatedly monitored whether Machchhar could speak, whether he remained awake, his pulse and the colour of his lips. He also said a small group of passengers continued searching the aircraft for possible additional attackers until the plane landed in Saudi Arabia. Once the aircraft was safely on the ground, Musaev handed Machchhar over to medical professionals. "Good luck, my friend. Everything will be good," he told the captain. Musaev said that he and his wife experienced post-traumatic stress in the days following the incident. ‘Smit saved our lives’ Reflecting on what happened aboard the aircraft, Musaev credited Machchhar with helping save the lives of those on board. “Smit saved our lives. Smit is a hero and I thank him for everything he did to save my family and all the passengers. It's karma, he saved our lives, and we saved his life.”

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar survived alleged mid-air stabbing after a dentist treated his severe injuries for 45 minutes during the flight

'Please don't sleep. We need you': Dentist reveals how he saved Captain Smit Machchhar in Flydubai flight attack

A 30-year-old US citizen has been arrested and charged in connection with the February mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, Canada, in one of the country’s deadliest such attacks. US prosecutors in Washington state announced on Tuesday that James Cody Bryant faces a charge of conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country.&nbsp;The killings were carried out by Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old transgender woman who first killed her mother and brother at the family home before shooting six more people at an elementary school in the small British Columbia mining community. According to a statement from the US Attorney’s Office, Van Rootselaar and Bryant had been communicating through Discord since August 2025.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-drone-strike-sets-oil-tanker-ablaze-off-russia-s-sochi-23-indian-crew-rescued-1791327690873">Ukraine drone strike sets oil tanker ablaze off Russia's Sochi, 23 Indian crew rescued</a>&nbsp;Prosecutors allege that Van Rootselaar told Bryant about her plans to kill multiple people. “Bryant agreed to record and broadcast Van Rootselaar's live stream of the murders,” the statement said, adding that the livestream was cut off only seconds after it appeared. US authorities further allege that Bryant actively assisted Van Rootselaar in preparing for the attack. “Bryant provided tactical advice on how to increase the carnage and what firearms to use; Bryant sent money to Van Rootselaar to purchase various items the shooter wanted in connection with the school attack,” the statement further continued.&nbsp;According to federal prosecutors, Bryant had multiple opportunities to alert law enforcement about Van Rootselaar’s plans but allegedly failed to do so. If convicted, Bryant could face a sentence of life imprisonment, according to the US Attorney. Van Rootselaar died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as police entered the elementary school.&nbsp;Earlier, the Canadian province of British Columbia has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in a US federal court, alleging that the company failed to alert authorities about concerning interactions on ChatGPT before the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting. The lawsuit, filed follows an earlier apology from OpenAI over its failure to notify law enforcement about the ChatGPT account linked to Jessie Van Rootselaar before the 18-year-old killed eight people, including six children, in February 2026.

US citizen James Cody Bryant is charged over the Tumbler Ridge school shooting in Canada, accused of advising the shooter and funding attack supplies

A 30-year-old US citizen has been arrested and charged in connection with the February mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, Canada, in one of the country’s deadliest such attacks. US prosecutors in Washington state announced on Tuesday that James Cody Bryant faces a charge of conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country. The killings were carried out by Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old transgender woman who first killed her mother and brother at the family home before shooting six more people at an elementary school in the small British Columbia mining community. According to a statement from the US Attorney’s Office, Van Rootselaar and Bryant had been communicating through Discord since August 2025. Also Read: Ukraine drone strike sets oil tanker ablaze off Russia's Sochi, 23 Indian crew rescued Prosecutors allege that Van Rootselaar told Bryant about her plans to kill multiple people. “Bryant agreed to record and broadcast Van Rootselaar's live stream of the murders,” the statement said, adding that the livestream was cut off only seconds after it appeared. US authorities further allege that Bryant actively assisted Van Rootselaar in preparing for the attack. “Bryant provided tactical advice on how to increase the carnage and what firearms to use; Bryant sent money to Van Rootselaar to purchase various items the shooter wanted in connection with the school attack,” the statement further continued. According to federal prosecutors, Bryant had multiple opportunities to alert law enforcement about Van Rootselaar’s plans but allegedly failed to do so. If convicted, Bryant could face a sentence of life imprisonment, according to the US Attorney. Van Rootselaar died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as police entered the elementary school. Earlier, the Canadian province of British Columbia has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in a US federal court, alleging that the company failed to alert authorities about concerning interactions on ChatGPT before the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting. The lawsuit, filed follows an earlier apology from OpenAI over its failure to notify law enforcement about the ChatGPT account linked to Jessie Van Rootselaar before the 18-year-old killed eight people, including six children, in February 2026.

A US man has been charged over an alleged role in the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, accused of advising the shooter and sending money

US citizen charged over funding, advising Tumbler Ridge shooter, likely to be sentenced to life imprisonment

Ukraine attacked an oil tanker off Russia’s southern coast on Tuesday (October 6) evening, setting the vessel ablaze and sending a huge cloud of black smoke over parts of the resort city of Sochi. The incident comes as Russia and Ukraine continue to target commercial shipping and energy infrastructure around the Black Sea, more than four years after the conflict started. In recent days, Russian strikes have hit grain vessels carrying Ukrainian cargo near the coast of EU member Romania.&nbsp;Russia’s Transport Ministry said a Liberian-flagged tanker had been targeted by naval drones, adding that crude oil is burning openly in the waters of the Black Sea. The intensity of the fire prevented firefighters from directly tackling the blaze, according to the ministry. All 23 crew members, who were Indian nationals, were rescued.&nbsp;Footage and images shared widely on social media showed large orange flames burning offshore near Sochi, while a thick column of dark smoke rose into the sky. Sochi authorities restricted access to parts of the coastline and beaches as emergency services responded to the incident, the city’s mayor said on social media.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-will-speak-to-putin-very-soon-over-suspected-plague-death-who-chief-urges-transparency-from-russia-1791325904292">Trump says he will speak to Putin 'very soon’ over suspected plague death; WHO chief urges transparency from Russia</a><h2>Ukraine targets Russian oil infrastructure</h2>Ukraine has repeatedly defended strikes against Russia’s oil infrastructure as retaliation for Moscow’s continued attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns. Both Moscow and Kyiv have signalled that attacks could intensify as the war continues. Russia has recently expanded strikes against strategic infrastructure in Kyiv, including key bridges, while daytime drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital have caused major disruption and traffic congestion. Ukrainian strikes against energy facilities and oil infrastructure in southern Russia have previously led to oil spills, beach closures and reports of toxic black rain.

Ukraine strikes an oil tanker near Russia’s Sochi, triggering a massive fire and black smoke as 23 Indian crew members are rescued from the vessel

Ukraine attacked an oil tanker off Russia’s southern coast on Tuesday (October 6) evening, setting the vessel ablaze and sending a huge cloud of black smoke over parts of the resort city of Sochi. The incident comes as Russia and Ukraine continue to target commercial shipping and energy infrastructure around the Black Sea, more than four years after the conflict started. In recent days, Russian strikes have hit grain vessels carrying Ukrainian cargo near the coast of EU member Romania. Russia’s Transport Ministry said a Liberian-flagged tanker had been targeted by naval drones, adding that crude oil is burning openly in the waters of the Black Sea. The intensity of the fire prevented firefighters from directly tackling the blaze, according to the ministry. All 23 crew members, who were Indian nationals, were rescued. Footage and images shared widely on social media showed large orange flames burning offshore near Sochi, while a thick column of dark smoke rose into the sky. Sochi authorities restricted access to parts of the coastline and beaches as emergency services responded to the incident, the city’s mayor said on social media. Also Read: Trump says he will speak to Putin 'very soon’ over suspected plague death; WHO chief urges transparency from Russia Ukraine targets Russian oil infrastructure Ukraine has repeatedly defended strikes against Russia’s oil infrastructure as retaliation for Moscow’s continued attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns. Both Moscow and Kyiv have signalled that attacks could intensify as the war continues. Russia has recently expanded strikes against strategic infrastructure in Kyiv, including key bridges, while daytime drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital have caused major disruption and traffic congestion. Ukrainian strikes against energy facilities and oil infrastructure in southern Russia have previously led to oil spills, beach closures and reports of toxic black rain.

Ukraine strikes an oil tanker near Sochi, sparking a huge fire as all 23 Indian crew members are rescued and Black Sea tensions escalate

Ukraine drone strike sets oil tanker ablaze off Russia's Sochi, 23 Indian crew rescued

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘very soon’ over reports surrounding the death of a laboratory technician in Russia, as Washington called on Moscow to provide greater transparency about the incident. Russian authorities have denied that special anti-plague measures were imposed and have played down reports of a suspected incident at an anti-plague institute in Siberia’s Irkutsk region last week.&nbsp;Washington, however, has expressed growing concern. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Moscow to disclose more information about the case so that other countries could assess the situation and respond appropriately. "We encourage Russia to be transparent and share more information with the world so that all of us could react accordingly and appropriately," Rubio said during a visit to Iceland.&nbsp;“Depending on what we learn about it, we would learn how to respond.” Trump later confirmed that he planned to discuss the matter with Putin. "I have a call scheduled, yes," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked whether he had already spoken with Putin about the issue. He said the conversation would take place ‘very soon’.<h2>US presses Russia for information</h2>The Wall Street Journal reported that the US State Department had sent Moscow a confidential diplomatic communication, known as a demarche, warning that failing to provide details about the incident could conflict with Russia’s international health obligations. The reports emerged after the death of 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, a laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute.&nbsp;Also Read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/against-all-odds-christa-pike-awake-and-speaking-after-tennessee-failed-execution-say-lawyers-1791325125699">Against all odds': Christa Pike awake and speaking after Tennessee failed execution, say lawyers</a><h2>Cause of death remains unclear</h2>Russian outlet People of Baikal reported on Friday that Shipilova may have contracted pneumonic plague after a test tube broke. Other reports suggested that her death could have been connected to a laboratory accident. The outlet also reported that as many as 200 people who may have come into contact with Shipilova were placed under quarantine. Russian authorities have rejected claims that the cause of death was confirmed as plague. Health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor also denied information circulating online that special measures had been introduced.&nbsp;"We wish to clarify that the document and information in question do not originate from official sources and are untrue," it said on Telegram. Officials said postmortem testing did not detect plague. Irkutsk Regional Governor Igor Kobzev said Monday that an inspection by Rospotrebnadzor determined that Shipilova had died from pneumonia, although the exact cause remained 'undetermined'. "No microorganisms linked to the young woman's professional work were found in her biological samples," he said, adding that no other employees at the institute had sought medical treatment since her death.<h2>WHO assesses risk</h2>The World Health Organization said an update it received from Russia on Tuesday stressed that no case of this dangerous disease has been recorded in the city of Irkutsk. According to the WHO, Russia has launched an epidemiological investigation into a "case of community-acquired pneumonia" involving an employee of the Irkutsk institute. Authorities have identified people who had contact with the employee and arranged medical monitoring and laboratory testing.&nbsp;"Test results showed no presence of dangerous infectious disease pathogens in any of the contacts," the update said, according to the WHO. The UN health agency said the available information indicated a moderate to low risk for Irkutsk. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said the organisation was continuing to monitor the situation closely.<h2>What is pneumonic plague?</h2>Plague is a bacterial infection that can occur in several forms. Pneumonic plague is the most contagious form and can spread through respiratory transmission, while bubonic plague is generally associated with infected fleas. According to the WHO, pneumonic plague can cause severe lung disease and can be fatal if treatment is not started promptly. Trump had said Monday that the United States was prepared to assist Russia if necessary.&nbsp;In an apparent response, Russia’s health watchdog said Tuesday that Moscow was also willing to help Washington deal with infectious disease outbreaks in the United States. The agency pointed to what it described as a significantly worsened measles situation in three US states, as well as a fatal case of plague reported in New Mexico in June.&nbsp;Measles infections have risen in the United States during the Trump administration, under which Robert F. Kennedy Jr serves as health secretary and has faced scrutiny over his views on vaccines. Meanwhile, an international conference focusing on plague and other infectious diseases is scheduled to take place in Irkutsk on October 21 and 22. Organisers said the event was unrelated to the recent death of an employee of the anti-plague institute.

Trump says he will speak with Putin over a suspected plague death in Russia as Marco Rubio urges Moscow to provide transparency about the incident

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘very soon’ over reports surrounding the death of a laboratory technician in Russia, as Washington called on Moscow to provide greater transparency about the incident. Russian authorities have denied that special anti-plague measures were imposed and have played down reports of a suspected incident at an anti-plague institute in Siberia’s Irkutsk region last week. Washington, however, has expressed growing concern. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Moscow to disclose more information about the case so that other countries could assess the situation and respond appropriately. "We encourage Russia to be transparent and share more information with the world so that all of us could react accordingly and appropriately," Rubio said during a visit to Iceland. “Depending on what we learn about it, we would learn how to respond.” Trump later confirmed that he planned to discuss the matter with Putin. "I have a call scheduled, yes," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked whether he had already spoken with Putin about the issue. He said the conversation would take place ‘very soon’. US presses Russia for information The Wall Street Journal reported that the US State Department had sent Moscow a confidential diplomatic communication, known as a demarche, warning that failing to provide details about the incident could conflict with Russia’s international health obligations. The reports emerged after the death of 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, a laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. Also Read: 'Against all odds': Christa Pike awake and speaking after Tennessee failed execution, say lawyers Cause of death remains unclear Russian outlet People of Baikal reported on Friday that Shipilova may have contracted pneumonic plague after a test tube broke. Other reports suggested that her death could have been connected to a laboratory accident. The outlet also reported that as many as 200 people who may have come into contact with Shipilova were placed under quarantine. Russian authorities have rejected claims that the cause of death was confirmed as plague. Health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor also denied information circulating online that special measures had been introduced. "We wish to clarify that the document and information in question do not originate from official sources and are untrue," it said on Telegram. Officials said postmortem testing did not detect plague. Irkutsk Regional Governor Igor Kobzev said Monday that an inspection by Rospotrebnadzor determined that Shipilova had died from pneumonia, although the exact cause remained 'undetermined'. "No microorganisms linked to the young woman's professional work were found in her biological samples," he said, adding that no other employees at the institute had sought medical treatment since her death. WHO assesses risk The World Health Organization said an update it received from Russia on Tuesday stressed that no case of this dangerous disease has been recorded in the city of Irkutsk. According to the WHO, Russia has launched an epidemiological investigation into a "case of community-acquired pneumonia" involving an employee of the Irkutsk institute. Authorities have identified people who had contact with the employee and arranged medical monitoring and laboratory testing. "Test results showed no presence of dangerous infectious disease pathogens in any of the contacts," the update said, according to the WHO. The UN health agency said the available information indicated a moderate to low risk for Irkutsk. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said the organisation was continuing to monitor the situation closely. What is pneumonic plague? Plague is a bacterial infection that can occur in several forms. Pneumonic plague is the most contagious form and can spread through respiratory transmission, while bubonic plague is generally associated with infected fleas. According to the WHO, pneumonic plague can cause severe lung disease and can be fatal if treatment is not started promptly. Trump had said Monday that the United States was prepared to assist Russia if necessary. In an apparent response, Russia’s health watchdog said Tuesday that Moscow was also willing to help Washington deal with infectious disease outbreaks in the United States. The agency pointed to what it described as a significantly worsened measles situation in three US states, as well as a fatal case of plague reported in New Mexico in June. Measles infections have risen in the United States during the Trump administration, under which Robert F. Kennedy Jr serves as health secretary and has faced scrutiny over his views on vaccines. Meanwhile, an international conference focusing on plague and other infectious diseases is scheduled to take place in Irkutsk on October 21 and 22. Organisers said the event was unrelated to the recent death of an employee of the anti-plague institute.

Trump plans to speak with Putin over a suspected plague death in Russia as WHO urges Moscow to share more information about the case

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