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US billionaire Elon Musk owned social media giant X (formerly Twitter) has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government in the Karnataka High Court, alleging what it called unlawful content regulation and arbitrary censorship.&nbsp;
The social media platform challenged the Central government for the way it uses Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act (IT Act), claiming that the government authorities in India are bypassing proper legal procedures and setting up an illegal system to block content online.&nbsp;
It further alleged that the government is undermining free expression online.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-absolutely-refute-eu-rejects-meta-chief-zuckerbergs-censorship-claim-8602201">'We absolutely refute...': EU rejects Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg's censorship claim</a>
According to the IT Act, platforms like X can lose their legal protection, known as a safe harbour, if they do not remove or block content when told by government authorities.&nbsp;
However, Elon Musk's X argued that this section does not allow the government to block content, adding that they are misusing the provision, bypassing the structured legal process outlined in Section 69A.&nbsp;
It further claimed that this approach contradicts the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling in the Shreya Singhal case, which established that content can only be blocked through a proper judicial process or the legally defined route under Section 69A.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-will-not-tolerate-insult-of-maharana-pratap-men-deface-signboard-of-akbar-road-in-delhi-8872776">'India will not tolerate insult of Maharana Pratap': Men deface signboard of 'Akbar Road' in Delhi</a>
These online platforms can remove illegal content only when directed by either a court order or a government notification, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B), under Section 79(3)(b).&nbsp;
However, if a social media platform fails to comply within 36 hours, it might lose its safe harbour protection and could be held accountable under various laws, including the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The company has warned that this could lead to widespread censorship in India, stressing that these actions are hurting its business in the country.&nbsp;
Further, X feared that random blocking orders could damage its platform and user trust.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/was-mahatma-gandhi-responsible-for-the-partition-of-india-musks-grok-replies-x-users-question-8860733">'Was Gandhi responsible for India's Partition?' Musk's Grok AI replies X user's question saying...</a>
<h2>'Sahyog' a 'censorship portal'</h2>
The Indian government is also pushing X to join 'Sahyog', a portal run by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), designed to manage Section 79(3)(b) orders.
However, X has opposed joining Sahyog, describing it as a "Censorship Portal", saying that there is no legal basis for creating this system &nbsp;or for forcing companies to appoint special officers for it.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-want-to-kill-me-musk-claims-bad-people-want-to-assassinate-him-hurt-tesla-8869679">&lsquo;They want to kill me&rsquo;: Musk claims &lsquo;bad people&rsquo; want to assassinate him, &lsquo;hurt&rsquo; Tesla</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

World, India news: X claimed that the government authorities in India are bypassing proper legal procedures and setting up an illegal system to block content online.

US billionaire Elon Musk owned social media giant X (formerly Twitter) has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government in the Karnataka High Court, alleging what it called unlawful content regulation and arbitrary censorship. The social media platform challenged the Central government for the way it uses Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act (IT Act), claiming that the government authorities in India are bypassing proper legal procedures and setting up an illegal system to block content online. It further alleged that the government is undermining free expression online. Also read: 'We absolutely refute...': EU rejects Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg's censorship claim According to the IT Act, platforms like X can lose their legal protection, known as a safe harbour, if they do not remove or block content when told by government authorities. However, Elon Musk's X argued that this section does not allow the government to block content, adding that they are misusing the provision, bypassing the structured legal process outlined in Section 69A. It further claimed that this approach contradicts the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling in the Shreya Singhal case, which established that content can only be blocked through a proper judicial process or the legally defined route under Section 69A. Also read: 'India will not tolerate insult of Maharana Pratap': Men deface signboard of 'Akbar Road' in Delhi These online platforms can remove illegal content only when directed by either a court order or a government notification, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), under Section 79(3)(b). However, if a social media platform fails to comply within 36 hours, it might lose its safe harbour protection and could be held accountable under various laws, including the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The company has warned that this could lead to widespread censorship in India, stressing that these actions are hurting its business in the country. Further, X feared that random blocking orders could damage its platform and user trust. Also read: 'Was Gandhi responsible for India's Partition?' Musk's Grok AI replies X user's question saying... 'Sahyog' a 'censorship portal' The Indian government is also pushing X to join 'Sahyog', a portal run by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), designed to manage Section 79(3)(b) orders. However, X has opposed joining Sahyog, describing it as a "Censorship Portal", saying that there is no legal basis for creating this system or for forcing companies to appoint special officers for it. Also read: ‘They want to kill me’: Musk claims ‘bad people’ want to assassinate him, ‘hurt’ Tesla (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk's X sues Modi govt over alleged censorship, says India 'illegally blocking online content'

Russia and the US are set to hold another set of talks on Monday (March 24) or early next week, the Kremlin said on Thursday.&nbsp;
"It may not be Sunday itself, the nuances are being agreed upon. It could be the start, the very start, of next week," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
This comes days after US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone call that lasted for over two hours, discussing a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine.&nbsp;
Moreover, as the talks on Ukrainian peace are scheduled in Jeddah, Russia and the US are set to discuss the resumption of the Black Sea initiative and other aspects of a possible Ukrainian peace settlement.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-issues-invasion-guides-for-citizens-is-it-becaus-of-the-russian-threat-8873094">France issues 'invasion guides' for citizens. Is it becaus of the Russian threat?</a>
Meanwhile, the European leaders are set to meet in Brussels for Ukraine peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also arriving for the summit.&nbsp;
The 27 leaders of the European Union are gathering in Brussels for a summit with a remarkably busy agenda led by Russia's war on Ukraine.&nbsp;
Their agendas for the meeting are so extensive that heads of state and government might be forced to stay in the Belgian capital overnight and continue their discussions on Friday morning.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-putin-publicly-mock-trump-russian-president-kept-him-waiting-for-over-an-hour-say-report-8868988">Did Putin mock Trump'? Russian president kept him waiting for phone call for over an hour - Report</a>
<h2>Kremlin accuses Europe of planning 'militarisation'</h2>
Meanwhile, a Kremlin spokesperson accused Europe of failing to support Russian and US efforts to bring about what he called a &ldquo;peaceful settlement&rdquo; in Ukraine.
&ldquo;Europe has embarked on militarising itself and turned into a party of war,&rdquo; he told a daily press briefing.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-promises-zelensky-hell-bring-home-ukrainian-children-abducted-by-russiaironically-musks-cuts-make-it-harder-8871500">Trump promises Zelensky he'll bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia&mdash;Ironically, Musk's cuts make it harder</a>
&ldquo;Plans to militarise Europe which are obviously at odds with the Russian and US presidents&rsquo; intentions to look for ways to start the process of peaceful settlement.&rdquo;
Meanwhile, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stressed that Russia is and will be a permanent threat to the EU and Europe.&nbsp;
He further shed light on his conversation with Zelensky, saying that they really want to be a member of the EU, "they want to be one of us and that is why we have to help them, support them in their path to the membership as soon as possible, latest by 2030.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/vladimir-putin-showing-signs-of-mini-stroke-claims-his-former-speechwriter-is-the-russian-president-sick-8868431">Vladimir Putin showing signs of 'mini-stroke,' claims his former speechwriter. Is the Russian president sick?</a>
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

World: "It may not be Sunday itself, the nuances are being agreed upon. It could be the start, the very start, of next week," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Russia and the US are set to hold another set of talks on Monday (March 24) or early next week, the Kremlin said on Thursday. "It may not be Sunday itself, the nuances are being agreed upon. It could be the start, the very start, of next week," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. This comes days after US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone call that lasted for over two hours, discussing a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Moreover, as the talks on Ukrainian peace are scheduled in Jeddah, Russia and the US are set to discuss the resumption of the Black Sea initiative and other aspects of a possible Ukrainian peace settlement. Also read: France issues 'invasion guides' for citizens. Is it becaus of the Russian threat? Meanwhile, the European leaders are set to meet in Brussels for Ukraine peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also arriving for the summit. The 27 leaders of the European Union are gathering in Brussels for a summit with a remarkably busy agenda led by Russia's war on Ukraine. Their agendas for the meeting are so extensive that heads of state and government might be forced to stay in the Belgian capital overnight and continue their discussions on Friday morning. Also read: Did Putin mock Trump'? Russian president kept him waiting for phone call for over an hour - Report Kremlin accuses Europe of planning 'militarisation' Meanwhile, a Kremlin spokesperson accused Europe of failing to support Russian and US efforts to bring about what he called a “peaceful settlement” in Ukraine. “Europe has embarked on militarising itself and turned into a party of war,” he told a daily press briefing. Also read: Trump promises Zelensky he'll bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia—Ironically, Musk's cuts make it harder “Plans to militarise Europe which are obviously at odds with the Russian and US presidents’ intentions to look for ways to start the process of peaceful settlement.” Meanwhile, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stressed that Russia is and will be a permanent threat to the EU and Europe. He further shed light on his conversation with Zelensky, saying that they really want to be a member of the EU, "they want to be one of us and that is why we have to help them, support them in their path to the membership as soon as possible, latest by 2030.” Also read: Vladimir Putin showing signs of 'mini-stroke,' claims his former speechwriter. Is the Russian president sick? (With inputs from agencies)

Russia says will hold talks with US in Riyadh on Monday

The Himalayas are a mystical wonder. Scientists, astrophotographers, mountaineers and several others have been intrigued by their might for years. In 2022, something strange happened in the Himalayas that caught the attention of the world. A "red lightning" phenomenon was photographed from near a lake site in the southern Tibetan plateau.
There was no explanation for these "red sprites" back then. Now, a study has found that the red wonder that was seen in the Himalayas was linked to thunderstorms. It has been published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences.
The celestial wonder happened on the night of 19 May 2022. Two astrophotographers were near the Pumoyongcuo Lake in Tibet at the time and saw the "dancing red sprites" above the Himalayas. They captured the atmospheric phenomenon in their cameras. The lighting appeared like jellyfish and looked quite scary.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/lost-continent-discovered-under-antarctica-and-india-8872820" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Remnants of lost continent discovered under Antarctica and India prove something</a>
The photo went on to win in the Skyscapes category of the 2023 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition&nbsp;
<h2>Red flashes above Himalayas</h2>
The study notes that the vivid red flashes were formed by electrical discharges, resulting in their appearance above the thunderstorms. Besides the red sprites, 16 rare secondary jets were also spotted during the same event. The most wondrous appearance was made by the green airglow called "ghosts" at the base of the ionosphere, the first time it was recorded in Asia.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/have-astronauts-come-across-ufos-in-space-wife-of-former-astronaut-says-they-did-8869180" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Have astronauts come across UFOs in space? Wife of former astronaut claims they did</a>
&ldquo;Nearly half of these events involved dancing sprites, with an additional 16 uncommon secondary jets and at least four extremely rare green emissions called &lsquo;ghosts&rsquo; observed following the associated sprites,&rdquo; authors of the study said.
Scientists used the photos of the event to analyse their origin. Since there were no exact timestamps available, researchers synchronised video time using satellite trajectories and star field analysis. This helped them know precisely at what time the sprites occurred and then linked them to their parent lightning discharges.&nbsp;
They found that the sprites were triggered by a "high-peak current" positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within a massive convective system that spanned a cloud area of over 200,000sqkm.
The convective complex that triggered the parent lightning discharges stretched from the Ganges Plain to the southern foothills of the Tibetan Plateau, the study says.
The researchers think that the discovery shows that storms in the Himalayas can produce much more complex phenomena, just like the red sprites.&nbsp;

The celestial wonder happened on the night of 19 May 2022. Two astrophotographers saw the "dancing red sprites" above the Himalayas. World Trending

The Himalayas are a mystical wonder. Scientists, astrophotographers, mountaineers and several others have been intrigued by their might for years. In 2022, something strange happened in the Himalayas that caught the attention of the world. A "red lightning" phenomenon was photographed from near a lake site in the southern Tibetan plateau. There was no explanation for these "red sprites" back then. Now, a study has found that the red wonder that was seen in the Himalayas was linked to thunderstorms. It has been published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. The celestial wonder happened on the night of 19 May 2022. Two astrophotographers were near the Pumoyongcuo Lake in Tibet at the time and saw the "dancing red sprites" above the Himalayas. They captured the atmospheric phenomenon in their cameras. The lighting appeared like jellyfish and looked quite scary. Also Read: Remnants of lost continent discovered under Antarctica and India prove something The photo went on to win in the Skyscapes category of the 2023 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition Red flashes above Himalayas The study notes that the vivid red flashes were formed by electrical discharges, resulting in their appearance above the thunderstorms. Besides the red sprites, 16 rare secondary jets were also spotted during the same event. The most wondrous appearance was made by the green airglow called "ghosts" at the base of the ionosphere, the first time it was recorded in Asia. Also Read: Have astronauts come across UFOs in space? Wife of former astronaut claims they did “Nearly half of these events involved dancing sprites, with an additional 16 uncommon secondary jets and at least four extremely rare green emissions called ‘ghosts’ observed following the associated sprites,” authors of the study said. Scientists used the photos of the event to analyse their origin. Since there were no exact timestamps available, researchers synchronised video time using satellite trajectories and star field analysis. This helped them know precisely at what time the sprites occurred and then linked them to their parent lightning discharges. They found that the sprites were triggered by a "high-peak current" positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within a massive convective system that spanned a cloud area of over 200,000sqkm. The convective complex that triggered the parent lightning discharges stretched from the Ganges Plain to the southern foothills of the Tibetan Plateau, the study says. The researchers think that the discovery shows that storms in the Himalayas can produce much more complex phenomena, just like the red sprites.

Green 'ghosts' and 'red sprites': Scientists reveal what caused strange phenomenon in Himalayas

France will soon issue its citizens a survival guide that, among other things, features a section on how to survive an invasion or &ldquo;any other imminent threat&rdquo;.
<h2>Why is France issuing survival guides?</h2>
The dramatic move comes on the heels of Poland issuing a similar survival guide and the United Kingdom debating bringing back conscription, amid fears of Russian President Vladimir Putin's rising aggression.&nbsp;
France is yet to acknowledge if Russia was the reason for this guide, as it comes amid rising tensions in Europe. Instead, the government insists that it is not a direct response to Russia&rsquo;s invasion of Ukraine.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-considers-bringing-back-conscription-for-the-first-time-since-ww2-as-fears-of-putins-growing-aggression-mount-report-8852527">UK considers bringing back conscription for the first time since WW2, as fears of Putin's growing aggression mount - Report</a>
Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron had warned that Europe must be prepared to confront the &ldquo;Russian threat&rdquo;. However, Officials from the General Secretariat for Defence and National Security (SGDSN), which oversaw the survival guide&rsquo;s creation claim that it is simply meant to bolster France's resilience in the face of 'all types of crises'.&nbsp;
<h2>What will France&rsquo;s survival guides contain?</h2>
As per reports, France&rsquo;s survival manual has 20 pages and it is reportedly packed with 63 measures, including how to protect themselves and their families in case of an armed conflict, natural disasters, industrial accidents or even a nuclear leak.
Daily Mail reports that the survival manual suggests that people create a &ldquo;survival kit&rdquo; with some basic supplies like six litres of water, canned food, batteries, a torch, and basic medical supplies like paracetamol and bandages.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/race-for-security-not-for-war-poland-prepares-citizens-for-russian-aggression-with-survival-guides-warns-males-of-compulsory-military-training-8841460">'Race for security, not for war': Poland prepares citizens for Russian aggression with survival guides</a>
It will also offer advice on what to do in case of an imminent attack and will include guidance on how they can join local defence efforts or sign up for firefighting groups and reserve units.
The booklet is expected to be released before summer.
<h2>Poland prepares citizens for Russian aggression</h2>
The UK is not alone in preparing for Russian aggression. Poland will soon send to its citizens guides on how to survive future crises and &ldquo;hazardous situations&rdquo; as the nation, which borders the warring nations of Russia and Ukraine, faces the imminent threat of spillover violence.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/human-satan-michel-diab&atilde;o-takes-body-modifications-to-the-next-level-chops-off-fingers-to-create-claws-8872501">'Human Satan' Michel Diab&atilde;o takes body modifications to the next level, chops off fingers to create claws</a>
Amid growing fears of Russian aggression, the nation, as per reports, has also warned its male population that they would have to undergo military training.
The initiative mirrors similar moves by other European nations&mdash;Sweden has already distributed civilian preparedness brochures, while Finland runs an emergency readiness website.
(With inputs from agencies)

World news | France is set to release a survival guide for citizens to address potential crises, including invasions, amid the backdrop of rising tensions in Europe.

France will soon issue its citizens a survival guide that, among other things, features a section on how to survive an invasion or “any other imminent threat”. Why is France issuing survival guides? The dramatic move comes on the heels of Poland issuing a similar survival guide and the United Kingdom debating bringing back conscription, amid fears of Russian President Vladimir Putin's rising aggression. France is yet to acknowledge if Russia was the reason for this guide, as it comes amid rising tensions in Europe. Instead, the government insists that it is not a direct response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Also read | UK considers bringing back conscription for the first time since WW2, as fears of Putin's growing aggression mount - Report Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron had warned that Europe must be prepared to confront the “Russian threat”. However, Officials from the General Secretariat for Defence and National Security (SGDSN), which oversaw the survival guide’s creation claim that it is simply meant to bolster France's resilience in the face of 'all types of crises'. What will France’s survival guides contain? As per reports, France’s survival manual has 20 pages and it is reportedly packed with 63 measures, including how to protect themselves and their families in case of an armed conflict, natural disasters, industrial accidents or even a nuclear leak. Daily Mail reports that the survival manual suggests that people create a “survival kit” with some basic supplies like six litres of water, canned food, batteries, a torch, and basic medical supplies like paracetamol and bandages. Also read | 'Race for security, not for war': Poland prepares citizens for Russian aggression with survival guides It will also offer advice on what to do in case of an imminent attack and will include guidance on how they can join local defence efforts or sign up for firefighting groups and reserve units. The booklet is expected to be released before summer. Poland prepares citizens for Russian aggression The UK is not alone in preparing for Russian aggression. Poland will soon send to its citizens guides on how to survive future crises and “hazardous situations” as the nation, which borders the warring nations of Russia and Ukraine, faces the imminent threat of spillover violence. Also read | 'Human Satan' Michel Diabão takes body modifications to the next level, chops off fingers to create claws Amid growing fears of Russian aggression, the nation, as per reports, has also warned its male population that they would have to undergo military training. The initiative mirrors similar moves by other European nations—Sweden has already distributed civilian preparedness brochures, while Finland runs an emergency readiness website. (With inputs from agencies)

France issues 'invasion guides' for citizens. Is it because of the Russian threat?

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Thursday (Mar 20), said that the deadly US strikes on the Houthi rebels in Yemen were a "crime that must be stopped".
"The attacks on the people of #Yemen and on Yemeni civilians is also a crime that must definitely be stopped," he said.
The Houthi rebels launched a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea, starting on October 7, 2023, following the outbreak of the Gaza war. These attacks continued until a ceasefire in January, with the Houthis claiming their actions were in solidarity with the Palestinians.
But last week, the Tehran-backed militant group threatened to renew attacks on Israeli shipping in retaliation to aid blockade in the besieged Palestinian enclave by Israel.
This triggered the first US strikes on Yemen since President Donald Trump took office in the month of January.
"This attack on the people of Yemen, on Yemeni civilians, is... a crime that must be stopped," Khamenei said in a video published on his website.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8hbxz0x-44xibb7o-96pi3t3k">
The attacks on the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yemen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Yemen</a> and on Yemeni civilians is also a crime that must definitely be stopped.
&mdash; Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) <a href="https://twitter.com/khamenei_ir/status/1902659338730148046?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
The US said that several top Houthi officials were killed in its strikes on Yemen, whereas the Houthi-run health ministry said the strikes claimed the lives of 53 people and injured approximately 100.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-x-sues-indian-govt-over-alleged-censorship-says-centre-illegally-blocking-online-content-8873329">Also read: Elon Musk's X sues Modi govt over alleged censorship, says India 'illegally blocking online content'</a>
<h2>Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Houthis, warns Iran to stop aid</h2>
Trump, on Wednesday (Mar 19), issued a stern warning to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, stating they "will be completely annihilated."&nbsp;
Trump further cautioned Tehran against continuing with its aid to the group amid an ongoing US military campaign against them. &nbsp;
"Reports are coming in that while Iran has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support to the Houthis, they are still sending large levels of Supplies. Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way, they lose, but this way they lose quickly.," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.&nbsp;
The US president further referenced reports that Iran "has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support" for the Houthis, though added, "they are still sending large levels of Supplies."&nbsp;
"Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse -- It's not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated!" his post continued.&nbsp;
The United States launched a series of heavy strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saturday and pledged to use "overwhelming lethal force" until the rebels cease their attacks, which have disrupted global commerce and posed a threat to American ships and interests.
(With inputs from agencies)

World news: The US said that several top Houthi officials were killed in its strikes on Yemen, whereas the Houthi-run health ministry said the strikes claimed the lives of 53 people and injured approximately 100.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Thursday (Mar 20), said that the deadly US strikes on the Houthi rebels in Yemen were a "crime that must be stopped". "The attacks on the people of #Yemen and on Yemeni civilians is also a crime that must definitely be stopped," he said. The Houthi rebels launched a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea, starting on October 7, 2023, following the outbreak of the Gaza war. These attacks continued until a ceasefire in January, with the Houthis claiming their actions were in solidarity with the Palestinians. But last week, the Tehran-backed militant group threatened to renew attacks on Israeli shipping in retaliation to aid blockade in the besieged Palestinian enclave by Israel. This triggered the first US strikes on Yemen since President Donald Trump took office in the month of January. "This attack on the people of Yemen, on Yemeni civilians, is... a crime that must be stopped," Khamenei said in a video published on his website. The attacks on the people of #Yemen and on Yemeni civilians is also a crime that must definitely be stopped. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2025 The US said that several top Houthi officials were killed in its strikes on Yemen, whereas the Houthi-run health ministry said the strikes claimed the lives of 53 people and injured approximately 100. Also read: Elon Musk's X sues Modi govt over alleged censorship, says India 'illegally blocking online content' Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Houthis, warns Iran to stop aid Trump, on Wednesday (Mar 19), issued a stern warning to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, stating they "will be completely annihilated." Trump further cautioned Tehran against continuing with its aid to the group amid an ongoing US military campaign against them. "Reports are coming in that while Iran has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support to the Houthis, they are still sending large levels of Supplies. Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way, they lose, but this way they lose quickly.," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. The US president further referenced reports that Iran "has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support" for the Houthis, though added, "they are still sending large levels of Supplies." "Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse -- It's not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated!" his post continued. The United States launched a series of heavy strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saturday and pledged to use "overwhelming lethal force" until the rebels cease their attacks, which have disrupted global commerce and posed a threat to American ships and interests. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran's Khamenei says US strikes on Yemen 'a crime that must be stopped'

Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 70 Palestinians across Gaza, reported Gaza health ministry officials on Thursday (Mar 20). As Israel resumed its bombing campaign on the Palestinian enclave, Medics said that Tel Aviv&rsquo;s strikes targeted several houses in northern and southern areas of the Gaza Strip.
<h2>Israel&rsquo;s &lsquo;last warning&rsquo;</h2>
The latest slate of strikes comes as Israel issued what it called a &ldquo;last warning&rdquo; for Palestinians to return hostages and throw Hamas from power.
Addressing the "residents of Gaza" Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz in a video said: "This is the last warning."
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-announces-targeted-ground-activities-issues-last-warning-to-gazans-8871356">Israel recaptures key area amid ground operations in central and southern Gaza Strip</a>
"Take the advice of the President of the United States. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open up for you -- including the possibility of leaving for other places in the world for those who want to."
Katz was referring to a warning US President Donald Trump made earlier this month: "To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"
Israel&rsquo;s latest attack has shattered the relative calm that was witnessed in Gaza since the ceasefire that went into force in mid-January.
However, early on Tuesday, Israel began bombing Gaza, killing hundreds of people, as per estimates by Hamas-run territory's health ministry.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-army-says-launched-targeted-ground-operations-in-gaza-8870775">Israel army says launched 'targeted ground operations' in Gaza</a>
On Wednesday (Mar 19), Israel announced that its forces have resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza.&nbsp;
As per a Reuters report citing an unnamed Gaza health official, since Tuesday Israeli strikes have killed over 510 Palestinians, over half of them women and children.
<h2>&lsquo;New and dangerous violation&rsquo;</h2>
Slamming Israel&rsquo;s ground operation and the incursion into the Netzarim Corridor, a "new and dangerous violation" of the two-month-old ceasefire agreement, Hamas called on mediators to "assume their responsibilities".
The Palestinian group is yet to make threats of retaliation. Talking to the news agency, a Hamas official said that while mediators have stepped up their efforts to placate the situation, &ldquo;no breakthrough has yet been made&rdquo;.
(With inputs from agencies)

World  | Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resumed, resulting in at least Palestinian casualties, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, as tensions escalate in the region.

Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 70 Palestinians across Gaza, reported Gaza health ministry officials on Thursday (Mar 20). As Israel resumed its bombing campaign on the Palestinian enclave, Medics said that Tel Aviv’s strikes targeted several houses in northern and southern areas of the Gaza Strip. Israel’s ‘last warning’ The latest slate of strikes comes as Israel issued what it called a “last warning” for Palestinians to return hostages and throw Hamas from power. Addressing the "residents of Gaza" Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz in a video said: "This is the last warning." Also read | Israel recaptures key area amid ground operations in central and southern Gaza Strip "Take the advice of the President of the United States. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open up for you -- including the possibility of leaving for other places in the world for those who want to." Katz was referring to a warning US President Donald Trump made earlier this month: "To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!" Israel’s latest attack has shattered the relative calm that was witnessed in Gaza since the ceasefire that went into force in mid-January. However, early on Tuesday, Israel began bombing Gaza, killing hundreds of people, as per estimates by Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Also read | Israel army says launched 'targeted ground operations' in Gaza On Wednesday (Mar 19), Israel announced that its forces have resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza. As per a Reuters report citing an unnamed Gaza health official, since Tuesday Israeli strikes have killed over 510 Palestinians, over half of them women and children. ‘New and dangerous violation’ Slamming Israel’s ground operation and the incursion into the Netzarim Corridor, a "new and dangerous violation" of the two-month-old ceasefire agreement, Hamas called on mediators to "assume their responsibilities". The Palestinian group is yet to make threats of retaliation. Talking to the news agency, a Hamas official said that while mediators have stepped up their efforts to placate the situation, “no breakthrough has yet been made”. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza Health Ministry reports 70 deaths as Israeli airstrikes resume with terrifying 'last warning'

Beauty is subjective. What one person finds ugly, another might find fascinating or even endearing. A case that has applied for the blobfish. They were once declared the world's ugliest animal, but now they have turned the tables by becoming New Zealand's fish-of-the-year champ for 2025. &nbsp;The blobfish dwell in the deep-sea fish and are known for their soft and gelatinous appearance. They thrive at depths of 600-1,200.&nbsp;
Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, a New Zealand-based organisation devoted to freshwater and marine education and conservation, conducted a fish-of-the-year contest in which 5,583 New Zealanders voted, up from 1,021 in 2024.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment-news/officer-on-duty-netizens-praise-kunchacko-bobans-investigation-thriller-after-netflix-debut-8872120">Officer on Duty: Netizens praise Kunchacko Boban's investigation thriller after Netflix debut</a>
The blobfish emerged victorious over orange roughy by nearly 300 votes in a close contest. The deep sea rivals were in a neck-to-neck dramatic fight. The official press release, which was published on March 17, revealed that the orange roughy had a strong start and maintained a healthy lead until halfway through the final week of campaigning.&nbsp;
However, everything changed when More FM threw their weight behind the blobfish. "We and the people of New Zealand had had enough of other fish getting all the headlines. The blobfish had been sitting patiently on the ocean floor, mouth open waiting for the next mollusc to come through to eat," said More FM Drive hosts Sarah and Flynny.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/world/why-are-americans-unhappy-this-is-the-reason-according-to-world-happiness-report-8872028">Why are Americans unhappy? THIS is the reason, according to World Happiness Report</a>
"He has been bullied his whole life and we thought, 'stuff this, it's time for the blobfish to have his moment in the sun', and what a glorious moment it is!" Flynny added.&nbsp;
The presser mentioned that swimmer-up (meaning the runner-up) orange roughy, also deep sea fish, weren't able to turn the tide despite gaining late endorsements from Forest &amp; Bird and Greenpeace Aotearoa.&nbsp;
"We have no problem with the blobfish winning. It's still a win for deep-sea ecosystems and raises awareness about the environmental impacts of destructive bottom trawling," spokesperson Aaron Packard.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jfk-files-cia-and-fbi-hid-information-from-kennedy-assassination-inquiries-8871989">JFK Files: CIA and FBI hid information from Kennedy assassination inquiries, historian says</a>
<h2>Fish of the Year contest&nbsp;</h2>
"More than ten thousand Kiwis visited the website to learn about freshwater and marine fish that call our waters home. We&rsquo;re absolutely thrilled New Zealanders have taken such an interest in our native fish, and the conservation challenges affecting them," said Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust Co-Director Kim Jones.&nbsp;
"We would like to thank the organisations who backed a fish, and to those that help fund this competition, &nbsp;particularly the Hauraki Gulf Forum and Lotteries New Zealand," Jones added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/end-of-the-world-trump-presses-supposed-nuclear-weapon-button-mid-interview-heres-what-happened-next-watch-video-8871921">'End of the world'?: Trump presses supposed 'nuclear weapon' button mid-interview. Here's what&nbsp;happened&nbsp;next. Watch video</a>
<h2>Fish of the Year 2025 - Top Ten Fish</h2>
Blobfish - 1286 votes Orange roughy - 1009 votes Longfin eel / Tuna - 646 votes Whale shark - 596 votes Big-bellied seahorse / Manaia - 386 votes Great white shark / Mangō taniwha - 344 votes Lamprey / Piharau - 312 votes Spine-tailed devil ray / Whai rahi - 284 votes Basking shark &nbsp;/ Reremai - 280 votes Blue cod / Rāwaru - 260 votes&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The presser mentioned that orange roughy, also deep sea fish, weren't able to turn the tide despite gaining late endorsements from Forest & Bird and Greenpeace Aotearoa

Beauty is subjective. What one person finds ugly, another might find fascinating or even endearing. A case that has applied for the blobfish. They were once declared the world's ugliest animal, but now they have turned the tables by becoming New Zealand's fish-of-the-year champ for 2025. The blobfish dwell in the deep-sea fish and are known for their soft and gelatinous appearance. They thrive at depths of 600-1,200. Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, a New Zealand-based organisation devoted to freshwater and marine education and conservation, conducted a fish-of-the-year contest in which 5,583 New Zealanders voted, up from 1,021 in 2024. Also read: Officer on Duty: Netizens praise Kunchacko Boban's investigation thriller after Netflix debut The blobfish emerged victorious over orange roughy by nearly 300 votes in a close contest. The deep sea rivals were in a neck-to-neck dramatic fight. The official press release, which was published on March 17, revealed that the orange roughy had a strong start and maintained a healthy lead until halfway through the final week of campaigning. However, everything changed when More FM threw their weight behind the blobfish. "We and the people of New Zealand had had enough of other fish getting all the headlines. The blobfish had been sitting patiently on the ocean floor, mouth open waiting for the next mollusc to come through to eat," said More FM Drive hosts Sarah and Flynny. Also read: Why are Americans unhappy? THIS is the reason, according to World Happiness Report "He has been bullied his whole life and we thought, 'stuff this, it's time for the blobfish to have his moment in the sun', and what a glorious moment it is!" Flynny added. The presser mentioned that swimmer-up (meaning the runner-up) orange roughy, also deep sea fish, weren't able to turn the tide despite gaining late endorsements from Forest & Bird and Greenpeace Aotearoa. "We have no problem with the blobfish winning. It's still a win for deep-sea ecosystems and raises awareness about the environmental impacts of destructive bottom trawling," spokesperson Aaron Packard. Also read: JFK Files: CIA and FBI hid information from Kennedy assassination inquiries, historian says Fish of the Year contest "More than ten thousand Kiwis visited the website to learn about freshwater and marine fish that call our waters home. We’re absolutely thrilled New Zealanders have taken such an interest in our native fish, and the conservation challenges affecting them," said Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust Co-Director Kim Jones. "We would like to thank the organisations who backed a fish, and to those that help fund this competition, particularly the Hauraki Gulf Forum and Lotteries New Zealand," Jones added. Also read: 'End of the world'?: Trump presses supposed 'nuclear weapon' button mid-interview. Here's what happened next. Watch video Fish of the Year 2025 - Top Ten Fish Blobfish - 1286 votes Orange roughy - 1009 votes Longfin eel / Tuna - 646 votes Whale shark - 596 votes Big-bellied seahorse / Manaia - 386 votes Great white shark / Mangō taniwha - 344 votes Lamprey / Piharau - 312 votes Spine-tailed devil ray / Whai rahi - 284 votes Basking shark / Reremai - 280 votes Blue cod / Rāwaru - 260 votes (With inputs from agencies)

Blob is beautiful! Once labelled world's ugliest animal, blobfish become New Zealand's fish-of-the-year

Estimates suggest that the current human population stands at 8.2 billion people. However, a researcher says that this number might be wrong and is not an accurate count of the human population on Earth. He reached the conclusion after studying 300 rural dam projects across 35 countries and says that the numbers do not properly account for people living in rural areas.&nbsp;
Josias L&aacute;ng-Ritter&mdash;a postdoctoral researcher at Aalto University in Finland and lead author of the study says that the difference might be huge. "The actual population living in rural areas is much higher than the global population data indicates," he said.
His study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
Citing his study, Josias L&aacute;ng-Ritter says, "Depending on the dataset, rural populations have been underestimated by between 53 per cent to 84 per cent over the period studied."
The results are remarkable, as these datasets have been used in thousands of studies and extensively support decision-making, yet their accuracy has not been systematically evaluated.&rdquo;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/happiest-countries-in-the-world-2025-finland-on-top-israel-at-number-8-guess-where-india-is-ranked-8871454" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Happiest Countries in the World 2025: Finland on top, Israel at number 8; guess where India is ranked</a>
<h2>Dam data hints at improper count of human population</h2>
To evaluate the accuracy of population data, he used his background in water resource management. Gathering different kinds of population data from rural dam projects of 35 countries, L&aacute;ng-Ritter matched them with other population totals calculated by organizations like WorldPop, GWP, GRUMP, LandScan, and GHS-POP (which were also analyzed in this study).
He says this system is reliable because when dams are built, people from the area are relocated. They are counted precisely "because dam companies pay compensation to those affected."
"Unlike global population datasets, such local impact statements provide comprehensive, on-the-ground population counts that are not skewed by administrative boundaries. We then combined these with spatial information from satellite imagery," he said in a statement.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/world/why-are-americans-unhappy-this-is-the-reason-according-to-world-happiness-report-8872028" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Why are Americans unhappy? THIS is the reason, according to World Happiness Report</a>
As per the study, the problem with correctly counting the number of people in rural areas stems from a lack of resources and challenges in travelling to these places. When the rural population is misrepresented, it creates a problem of properly dividing resources.
Meanwhile, several experts do not agree with L&aacute;ng-Ritter, especially not such a wide gap between the numbers. &ldquo;If we really are undercounting by that massive amount, it&rsquo;s a massive news story and goes against all the years of thousands of other datasets," Stuart Gietel-Basten from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology told New Scientist said.

How many people are there on Earth? Official estimates suggest 8.2 billion, but a new study says there might be millions or even billions more of us here. World Trending

Estimates suggest that the current human population stands at 8.2 billion people. However, a researcher says that this number might be wrong and is not an accurate count of the human population on Earth. He reached the conclusion after studying 300 rural dam projects across 35 countries and says that the numbers do not properly account for people living in rural areas. Josias Láng-Ritter—a postdoctoral researcher at Aalto University in Finland and lead author of the study says that the difference might be huge. "The actual population living in rural areas is much higher than the global population data indicates," he said. His study was published in the journal Nature Communications. Citing his study, Josias Láng-Ritter says, "Depending on the dataset, rural populations have been underestimated by between 53 per cent to 84 per cent over the period studied." The results are remarkable, as these datasets have been used in thousands of studies and extensively support decision-making, yet their accuracy has not been systematically evaluated.” Also Read: Happiest Countries in the World 2025: Finland on top, Israel at number 8; guess where India is ranked Dam data hints at improper count of human population To evaluate the accuracy of population data, he used his background in water resource management. Gathering different kinds of population data from rural dam projects of 35 countries, Láng-Ritter matched them with other population totals calculated by organizations like WorldPop, GWP, GRUMP, LandScan, and GHS-POP (which were also analyzed in this study). He says this system is reliable because when dams are built, people from the area are relocated. They are counted precisely "because dam companies pay compensation to those affected." "Unlike global population datasets, such local impact statements provide comprehensive, on-the-ground population counts that are not skewed by administrative boundaries. We then combined these with spatial information from satellite imagery," he said in a statement. Also Read: Why are Americans unhappy? THIS is the reason, according to World Happiness Report As per the study, the problem with correctly counting the number of people in rural areas stems from a lack of resources and challenges in travelling to these places. When the rural population is misrepresented, it creates a problem of properly dividing resources. Meanwhile, several experts do not agree with Láng-Ritter, especially not such a wide gap between the numbers. “If we really are undercounting by that massive amount, it’s a massive news story and goes against all the years of thousands of other datasets," Stuart Gietel-Basten from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology told New Scientist said.

Are there really 8.2 billion people on Earth? Study suggests there is a huge miscalculation

The United States got its lowest ranking ever in the World Happiness Report 2025. According to the United Nations-sponsored report published on Thursday (March 20), the US is ranked 24th in the list due to one main reason: the growth in the number of Americans eating their meals alone.&nbsp; Finland ranked first as the world&rsquo;s happiest country for the eighth straight year in the World Happiness Report due to its big lakes and smooth welfare system, which lift people's mood.&nbsp;
For the first time, Mexico ranked 6th, and Costa Rica ranked 10th in the list, coming within the top 10. Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest country of the world due to its humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban's takeover in 2020.
Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-appoints-13-year-old-dj-daniel-as-united-states-secret-service-agent-8795358">Who is DJ Daniel? Trump appoints 13-year-old cancer survivor as United States Secret Service agent.</a>
The United States is positioned in 24th place, its lowest rank since the first report was launched in 2012 when it had recorded its highest showing at number 11.&ldquo;The number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53 per cent over the past two decades,&rdquo; the report said.
It highlighted that shared meal time is connected with well-being. Another reason contributing to America's fall in the rankings was &ldquo;the growth in political polarisation and votes against 'the system'.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>Details of the report</h2>
The report said, &ldquo;The increasing number of people who eat alone is one reason for declining well-being in the United States.&rdquo;
In the year 2023, around one in four Americans surveyed said they ate all their meals alone.
It also observed that the United States was one of few developed countries to see a growth in suicide or substance abuse at a time when those deaths are less in other countries.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-as-trump-pulls-a-chair-for-netanyahu-netizens-ask-whos-president-of-united-states-8693346">Watch: As Trump pulls a chair for Netanyahu, netizens ask 'Who's president of United States?'</a>
The report surveyed people worldwide in 2022-2024, before US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s return to the White House. Among the 10 happiest, Nordic countries shone bright, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden following Finland in the list.
The happiness positions are derived on a three-year average of individuals&rsquo; self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, generosity, freedom, and political corruption.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Discover why the US ranks 24th in the World Happiness Report, with a focus on the rise of Americans eating alone and its impact on national well-being.

The United States got its lowest ranking ever in the World Happiness Report 2025. According to the United Nations-sponsored report published on Thursday (March 20), the US is ranked 24th in the list due to one main reason: the growth in the number of Americans eating their meals alone. Finland ranked first as the world’s happiest country for the eighth straight year in the World Happiness Report due to its big lakes and smooth welfare system, which lift people's mood. For the first time, Mexico ranked 6th, and Costa Rica ranked 10th in the list, coming within the top 10. Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest country of the world due to its humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban's takeover in 2020. Also read |Who is DJ Daniel? Trump appoints 13-year-old cancer survivor as United States Secret Service agent. The United States is positioned in 24th place, its lowest rank since the first report was launched in 2012 when it had recorded its highest showing at number 11.“The number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53 per cent over the past two decades,” the report said. It highlighted that shared meal time is connected with well-being. Another reason contributing to America's fall in the rankings was “the growth in political polarisation and votes against 'the system'.” Details of the report The report said, “The increasing number of people who eat alone is one reason for declining well-being in the United States.” In the year 2023, around one in four Americans surveyed said they ate all their meals alone. It also observed that the United States was one of few developed countries to see a growth in suicide or substance abuse at a time when those deaths are less in other countries. Also read | Watch: As Trump pulls a chair for Netanyahu, netizens ask 'Who's president of United States?' The report surveyed people worldwide in 2022-2024, before US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Among the 10 happiest, Nordic countries shone bright, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden following Finland in the list. The happiness positions are derived on a three-year average of individuals’ self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, generosity, freedom, and political corruption. (With inputs from agencies)

Why are Americans unhappy? THIS is the reason, according to World Happiness Report

<div>The newly released JFK Files have created a lot of noise even though experts did not initially believe that the fresh trove of documents would reveal anything that hasn't been known till now. People are hoping to know more about 35th US President John F Kennedy's assassination following the latest release.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Despite what others are saying, according to FBI expert and Dallas-based historian Farris Rookstool III, the papers have exposed intelligence failures that led to the tragic incident on 22 November 1963. A probe revealed that Lee Harvey Oswald, a Marine veteran and self-described Marxist, was the one who pulled the trigger.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Rookstool says that an analysis of the&nbsp; 80,000 documents shows that US intelligence agencies were not on the same page on several things. At the time, the CIA was believed to be at loggerheads with the Kennedy administration. He further said that the FBI and the CIA discussed efforts to hide certain information from the inquiries that followed to probe Kennedy's assassination, according to CBS News.</div>
<div></div>
<div>The fresh documents show that even though Oswald's movements were under the scanner, the CIA and FBI disagreed on the threat he posed.&nbsp;</div>
<div></div>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jfk-files-released-when-jfk-jr-called-biden-a-traitor-8868249" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">JFK Files: When JFK Jr called ex-president Joe Biden a 'traitor'. 'Dear Sen. Biden: You are...'</a>
<div></div>
<div>The documents also show that key intelligence reports weren't shared with the Warren Commission, a body set up to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Rookstool said.</div>
<div></div>
<h2>Why were Oswald's movements ignored?&nbsp;</h2>
<div></div>
<div>Rookstool said that the FBI failed to note Oswald's foreign connections, according to the publication. Pointing to the information available in the JFK Files, Rookstool said that they clearly show that Oswald visited the Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City before the assassination.&nbsp;</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jfk-assassination-files-cia-secret-bases-revealed-is-your-city-in-the-list-new-delhi-kolkata-8870027" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">JFK Assassination Files: CIA secret bases 'revealed', is your city in the list? New Delhi is...</a></div>
<div></div>
<div>They also missed out on circling in on Oswald's movements and his communications with some foreign entities. Rookstool further says that the papers point to the fact that there were numerous cover-ups following the assassination, making the killing a controversial topic with several people having different views to date.</div>
<div></div>
<h2>What Americans think about Kennedy's assassination</h2>
<div></div>
<div>Notably, many Americans still think that Oswald did not act alone. However, he was the only one found guilty of the assassination.&nbsp;</div>
<div></div>
<div><video width="300" height="150" controls="controls">
<source src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/what-do-newly-released-jfk-files-reveal-8869424"></video></div>
<div></div>
<div>"While these documents do not offer a definitive 'smoking gun,' they clarify longstanding questions about Oswald's activities, intelligence failures, and the broader geopolitical context of the assassination," Rookstool wrote in a statement.&nbsp;</div>
<div></div>
<div>"While these documents do not conclusively prove a conspiracy, they highlight intelligence failures, bureaucratic missteps, and the continued complexity surrounding JFK's assassination," he added.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Many Americans still believe that something bigger was going on behind the scenes that has not been revealed.</div>

An FBI expert says there were major intelligence failures before Kennedy's assassination. He says FBI and CIA also hid information from probe commissions. World trending

The newly released JFK Files have created a lot of noise even though experts did not initially believe that the fresh trove of documents would reveal anything that hasn't been known till now. People are hoping to know more about 35th US President John F Kennedy's assassination following the latest release. Despite what others are saying, according to FBI expert and Dallas-based historian Farris Rookstool III, the papers have exposed intelligence failures that led to the tragic incident on 22 November 1963. A probe revealed that Lee Harvey Oswald, a Marine veteran and self-described Marxist, was the one who pulled the trigger. Rookstool says that an analysis of the 80,000 documents shows that US intelligence agencies were not on the same page on several things. At the time, the CIA was believed to be at loggerheads with the Kennedy administration. He further said that the FBI and the CIA discussed efforts to hide certain information from the inquiries that followed to probe Kennedy's assassination, according to CBS News. The fresh documents show that even though Oswald's movements were under the scanner, the CIA and FBI disagreed on the threat he posed. Also Read: JFK Files: When JFK Jr called ex-president Joe Biden a 'traitor'. 'Dear Sen. Biden: You are...' The documents also show that key intelligence reports weren't shared with the Warren Commission, a body set up to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Rookstool said. Why were Oswald's movements ignored? Rookstool said that the FBI failed to note Oswald's foreign connections, according to the publication. Pointing to the information available in the JFK Files, Rookstool said that they clearly show that Oswald visited the Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City before the assassination. Also Read: JFK Assassination Files: CIA secret bases 'revealed', is your city in the list? New Delhi is... They also missed out on circling in on Oswald's movements and his communications with some foreign entities. Rookstool further says that the papers point to the fact that there were numerous cover-ups following the assassination, making the killing a controversial topic with several people having different views to date. What Americans think about Kennedy's assassination Notably, many Americans still think that Oswald did not act alone. However, he was the only one found guilty of the assassination. "While these documents do not offer a definitive 'smoking gun,' they clarify longstanding questions about Oswald's activities, intelligence failures, and the broader geopolitical context of the assassination," Rookstool wrote in a statement. "While these documents do not conclusively prove a conspiracy, they highlight intelligence failures, bureaucratic missteps, and the continued complexity surrounding JFK's assassination," he added. Many Americans still believe that something bigger was going on behind the scenes that has not been revealed.

JFK Files: CIA and FBI hid information, clashed over 'assassin Oswald', historian says

Disclaimer: Some readers may find the story disturbing. Discretion is advised. Nicholas Prosper, a 19-year-old in the UK who killed his mother, brother and sister and went on to carry out a mass school shooting before being arrested, has been sentenced to jail for 49 years, without the possibility of parole.
Prosper had pleaded guilty in February to killing his mother Juliana Falcon, 48, sister Giselle Prosper, 13, and brother Kyle Prosper, 16, at the family's home in Luton, Bedfordshire, on September 13 last year.&nbsp;
Prosper, who also stabbed his brother over 100 times, was not given a life sentence due to his age at the time of the crime - he was 18 - and his guilty plea.
&ldquo;Your ambition was notoriety. You wanted to be known posthumously as the world&rsquo;s most famous school shooter of the 21st century,&rdquo; said Luton Crown Court Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb addressing Prosper, who had initially refused to attend the court to hear the verdict on Wednesday (Mar 19).
She noted how there were several &ldquo;recurrent themes&rdquo; in his case similar to other mass shootings, such as sexual interest in children, withdrawal into an online world, a lack of empathy and a &ldquo;uniform&rdquo; for the killings, which he planned to carry out on a Friday the 13th. The date choice was deliberate given the superstitions attached to it.
&nbsp;
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2003_ARJUN_MURDER_730AM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2003_ARJUN_MURDER_730AM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=62&amp;tags=UK, Teen, World News, WION" title="UK teen gets 49 years for killing family &amp; planning massacre" id="PL_iframe_block-m8gy5dtg-0sgm22cj-8af6615p"></iframe>
<h2>Who is Nicholas Prosper, the 'quiet, geeky' teen killer?</h2>
Prosper wanted to become famous for shooting a classroom of children aged just four and five at his old primary school, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School. His former teachers had recalled him to be a 'quiet, geeky boy'.
After killing his family members around 5 am on the fateful day, he left a novel How To Kill Your Family beside their bodies.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Horrible, horrible, horribly horrific. Have little words to describe how a young man can have such a (psychopathic) mind set to want to do this to anyone let about his own family. Thankfully his plans to kill class full of children at a school was and will never be realised.⛓️
&mdash; ☝🏾𝕋ℍ𝕀𝕊👇🏾BLACK KiDS MATTER UK (@BLMKiDSUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLMKiDSUK/status/1902104528792776770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Planned murder</h2>
Prosper killed his family after a long physical struggle with them.
His mother and siblings tried their best to fight for their lives, leading to neighbours calling the emergency number.
He was arrested with his pocket full of blood and the knife that he used to attack his brother.
Prosper had managed to hide a gun with 33 cartridges in a bush nearby, and was about to execute his second plan of massacring 30 children in St Joseph's Catholic Primary School when its gates opened.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/extreme-violence-on-social-media-fuelling-the-rise-of-0-to-100-killers-8767238">'Loners and...': '0 to 100 killers' watch extremely tortuous videos before plotting murders</a>
Later, he admitted to investigators that he had plotted to quietly kill his family while they were asleep, before carrying out his second plan of shooting 30 children in his former primary school.&nbsp;
About his family, he told the investigators that "he had a good life with them... but he just wanted to do this to be famous".
Before committing the triple murder, Prosper shared a video of himself discussing characters from Telltale's The Walking Dead series.
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Nicholas Prosper reportedly uploaded this disturbing video must hours before allegedly committing a triple murder involving three of his family members. In the video, he bizarrely discusses characters from Telltale's The Walking Dead series. The bodies of Juliana Prosper, 48,&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/NoWRjTMBzk">pic.twitter.com/NoWRjTMBzk</a>
&mdash; Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) <a href="https://twitter.com/Morbidful/status/1836373900189446623?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2024</a></blockquote>

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<h2>Prosper's guilty plea</h2>
On February 24, Prosper was found guilty of three counts of murder, the first one of buying a firearm without a certificate, the second of possessing a firearm with intent to harm life, and the third one of having an article with a blade.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-to-soon-get-covered-by-toxic-gas-clouds-again-amid-volcanic-eruptions-report-753322">United Kingdom to soon get covered by toxic gas clouds again amid volcanic eruptions: Report</a>
Prosecutor Timothy Cray KC, had earlier told the court: "The killing of his family was to be the first step in an even more shocking mass killing."
He further added, "That same Friday morning, he had planned to kill at least 30 of the youngest pupils and two of their teachers at St Joseph&rsquo;s Catholic Primary School in Luton. He had been preparing these killings for months. His planning was cold, deliberate, and without sympathy or emotion towards the actual victims or potential victims." (With inputs from agencies)

World: Trending: Discover the chilling story of Nicholas Prosper, a 19-year-old who brutally killed his family in Luton, aiming for popularity through a planned school massacre.

Disclaimer: Some readers may find the story disturbing. Discretion is advised. Nicholas Prosper, a 19-year-old in the UK who killed his mother, brother and sister and went on to carry out a mass school shooting before being arrested, has been sentenced to jail for 49 years, without the possibility of parole. Prosper had pleaded guilty in February to killing his mother Juliana Falcon, 48, sister Giselle Prosper, 13, and brother Kyle Prosper, 16, at the family's home in Luton, Bedfordshire, on September 13 last year. Prosper, who also stabbed his brother over 100 times, was not given a life sentence due to his age at the time of the crime - he was 18 - and his guilty plea. “Your ambition was notoriety. You wanted to be known posthumously as the world’s most famous school shooter of the 21st century,” said Luton Crown Court Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb addressing Prosper, who had initially refused to attend the court to hear the verdict on Wednesday (Mar 19). She noted how there were several “recurrent themes” in his case similar to other mass shootings, such as sexual interest in children, withdrawal into an online world, a lack of empathy and a “uniform” for the killings, which he planned to carry out on a Friday the 13th. The date choice was deliberate given the superstitions attached to it. Who is Nicholas Prosper, the 'quiet, geeky' teen killer? Prosper wanted to become famous for shooting a classroom of children aged just four and five at his old primary school, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School. His former teachers had recalled him to be a 'quiet, geeky boy'. After killing his family members around 5 am on the fateful day, he left a novel How To Kill Your Family beside their bodies. Horrible, horrible, horribly horrific. Have little words to describe how a young man can have such a (psychopathic) mind set to want to do this to anyone let about his own family. Thankfully his plans to kill class full of children at a school was and will never be realised.⛓️ — ☝🏾𝕋ℍ𝕀𝕊👇🏾BLACK KiDS MATTER UK (@BLMKiDSUK) March 18, 2025 Planned murder Prosper killed his family after a long physical struggle with them. His mother and siblings tried their best to fight for their lives, leading to neighbours calling the emergency number. He was arrested with his pocket full of blood and the knife that he used to attack his brother. Prosper had managed to hide a gun with 33 cartridges in a bush nearby, and was about to execute his second plan of massacring 30 children in St Joseph's Catholic Primary School when its gates opened. Also read | 'Loners and...': '0 to 100 killers' watch extremely tortuous videos before plotting murders Later, he admitted to investigators that he had plotted to quietly kill his family while they were asleep, before carrying out his second plan of shooting 30 children in his former primary school. About his family, he told the investigators that "he had a good life with them... but he just wanted to do this to be famous". Before committing the triple murder, Prosper shared a video of himself discussing characters from Telltale's The Walking Dead series. Nicholas Prosper reportedly uploaded this disturbing video must hours before allegedly committing a triple murder involving three of his family members. In the video, he bizarrely discusses characters from Telltale's The Walking Dead series. The bodies of Juliana Prosper, 48,… pic.twitter.com/NoWRjTMBzk — Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) September 18, 2024 Prosper's guilty plea On February 24, Prosper was found guilty of three counts of murder, the first one of buying a firearm without a certificate, the second of possessing a firearm with intent to harm life, and the third one of having an article with a blade. Also read | United Kingdom to soon get covered by toxic gas clouds again amid volcanic eruptions: Report Prosecutor Timothy Cray KC, had earlier told the court: "The killing of his family was to be the first step in an even more shocking mass killing." He further added, "That same Friday morning, he had planned to kill at least 30 of the youngest pupils and two of their teachers at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Luton. He had been preparing these killings for months. His planning was cold, deliberate, and without sympathy or emotion towards the actual victims or potential victims." (With inputs from agencies)

TRIGGER WARNING : Who is Nicholas Prosper, jailed for 49 years for killing mother, brother, sister?

Indian researcher Badar Khan Suri has been detained in the US by immigration officers and faces deportation. This comes amid the crackdown on immigrants by US President Donald Trump. Suri, who was teaching and studying at Georgetown University, was arrested from his residence in Virginia on Monday night (Mar 17).
Suri was arrested by masked agents who said they were from the Department of Homeland Security; his lawsuit mentioned that he was told the government had revoked his visa. According to Suri's court papers, he has no criminal record. The postdoctoral fellow's lawyer, Hassan Ahmad, in his petition, highlighted that Suri's wife, Mapheze Saleh, who has Palestinian lineage, is the reason for the arrest. As reported by news outlet Politico, Ahmad argued, 'the government suspects that he and his wife oppose US foreign policy toward Israel.' Earlier, Saleh was accused of having alleged &ldquo;ties with Hamas&rdquo;.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-set-to-sign-order-to-dismantle-us-department-of-education-report-8871534">Trump set to sign order to dismantle US Education Department: Report</a>
Tricia McLaughlin,&nbsp; Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, confirmed that Suri was 'a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.'
In her statement on X, McLaughlin added, "Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas. The Secretary of State issued a determination on March 15, 2025, that Suri&rsquo;s activities and presence in the United States rendered him deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i),"
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Suri was a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas. The Secretary of State issued a&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/gU02gLAlX1">https://t.co/gU02gLAlX1</a>
&mdash; Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) <a href="https://twitter.com/TriciaOhio/status/1902524674291966261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
Georgetown University released a statement: &ldquo;Dr Khan Suri is an Indian national who was duly granted a visa to enter the United States to continue his doctoral research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are not aware of him engaging in any illegal activity, and we have not received a reason for his detention."
"We support our community members' rights to free and open inquiry, deliberation and debate, even if the underlying ideas may be difficult, controversial or objectionable. We expect the legal system to adjudicate this case fairly,&rdquo; it added.

Indian researcher Badar Khan Suri has been detained in the US by immigration officers and faces deportation. This comes amid the crackdown on immigrants by US President Donald Trump. World

Indian researcher Badar Khan Suri has been detained in the US by immigration officers and faces deportation. This comes amid the crackdown on immigrants by US President Donald Trump. Suri, who was teaching and studying at Georgetown University, was arrested from his residence in Virginia on Monday night (Mar 17). Suri was arrested by masked agents who said they were from the Department of Homeland Security; his lawsuit mentioned that he was told the government had revoked his visa. According to Suri's court papers, he has no criminal record. The postdoctoral fellow's lawyer, Hassan Ahmad, in his petition, highlighted that Suri's wife, Mapheze Saleh, who has Palestinian lineage, is the reason for the arrest. As reported by news outlet Politico, Ahmad argued, 'the government suspects that he and his wife oppose US foreign policy toward Israel.' Earlier, Saleh was accused of having alleged “ties with Hamas”. Also read: Trump set to sign order to dismantle US Education Department: Report Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, confirmed that Suri was 'a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.' In her statement on X, McLaughlin added, "Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas. The Secretary of State issued a determination on March 15, 2025, that Suri’s activities and presence in the United States rendered him deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i)," Suri was a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas. The Secretary of State issued a… https://t.co/gU02gLAlX1 — Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) March 20, 2025 Georgetown University released a statement: “Dr Khan Suri is an Indian national who was duly granted a visa to enter the United States to continue his doctoral research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are not aware of him engaging in any illegal activity, and we have not received a reason for his detention." "We support our community members' rights to free and open inquiry, deliberation and debate, even if the underlying ideas may be difficult, controversial or objectionable. We expect the legal system to adjudicate this case fairly,” it added.

India researcher legally living in US faces deportation for allegedly 'spreading Hamas propaganda'

Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly made US President Donald Trump wait for an hour for the phone call, after which they eventually agreed on a limited ceasefire in Ukraine, according to a report.&nbsp;
Just before the call with Trump on Tuesday (Mar 18), Putin was at an annual event with businessmen in Moscow. The call was arranged between 4 PM and 6 PM Russian time. &nbsp;
After some time, the host of the event reminded Putin that he was getting late for the call with the US president, said the report.
Putin was captured staring and smirking, according to the report.&nbsp;
Eventually, he reached late at the Kremlin for the call.
This alleged 'delay tactic' incident went viral on social media.
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Making leaders wait is an old Putin power play. But, this is a pretty brutal. Putin is publicly mocking Trump. <a href="https://t.co/FK1ahLbxQI">https://t.co/FK1ahLbxQI</a>
&mdash; Brett Bruen (@BrettBruen) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettBruen/status/1901992757012357127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2025</a></blockquote>

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Also, read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/vladimir-putin-showing-signs-of-mini-stroke-claims-his-former-speechwriter-is-the-russian-president-sick-8868431">Vladimir Putin showing signs of 'mini-stroke,' claims his former speechwriter. Is the Russian president sick?</a>
The two presidents ultimately talked for more than an hour over phone.
Putin rejected a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine that the US president and his team had asked for, according to a Bloomberg report. Still, he agreed to limit the attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Also, read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-federal-judge-suspends-ban-on-transgender-people-in-military-says-trump-ban-soaked-in-animus-8867641">US federal judge suspends ban on transgender people in the military, says Trump ban 'soaked in animus'</a>
<h2>Internet reaction: Deliberate power move by Putin?</h2>
The footage is creating quite a buzz on social media, with many commenting it was a deliberate &ldquo;power move&rdquo; of Putin. One user wrote, "Putin also has a Masters in theatrics. He is from an old Soviet school. Brutal indeed!"
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Putin also has a Masters in theatrics . He is from old Soviet school . Brutal indeed !
&mdash; News &amp; Views (@Shalimartowns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shalimartowns/status/1902228771811553357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2025</a></blockquote>

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&ldquo;Making leaders wait is an old Putin power play. But this is pretty brutal,&rdquo; another X user commented.
Some called it a psychological warfare. &ldquo;This is KGB-level psychological warfare&mdash;Putin knows Trump is desperate for his approval, so he makes him wait like an obedient lapdog,&rdquo; wrote one X user.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING TRUMP: PUTIN JUST HUMILIATED TRUMP&mdash;LEFT HIM WAITING LIKE A DOG 🚨 While speaking to a room full of Russian oligarchs, Putin was asked if he&rsquo;d be late to meet Trump. He just laughed. This is KGB-level psychological warfare&mdash;Putin knows Trump is desperate for his&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/hbKHYN4fyX">pic.twitter.com/hbKHYN4fyX</a>
&mdash; Mario 🇺🇸🇵🇱🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@PawlowskiMario) <a href="https://twitter.com/PawlowskiMario/status/1902014933727850781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2025</a></blockquote>

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World: Trending: Discover the buzz as Russian President Putin allegedly keeps Trump waiting over an hour, sparking rumors of a classic power play, making headlines worldwide.

Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly made US President Donald Trump wait for an hour for the phone call, after which they eventually agreed on a limited ceasefire in Ukraine, according to a report. Just before the call with Trump on Tuesday (Mar 18), Putin was at an annual event with businessmen in Moscow. The call was arranged between 4 PM and 6 PM Russian time. After some time, the host of the event reminded Putin that he was getting late for the call with the US president, said the report. Putin was captured staring and smirking, according to the report. Eventually, he reached late at the Kremlin for the call. This alleged 'delay tactic' incident went viral on social media. Making leaders wait is an old Putin power play. But, this is a pretty brutal. Putin is publicly mocking Trump. https://t.co/FK1ahLbxQI — Brett Bruen (@BrettBruen) March 18, 2025 Also, read | Vladimir Putin showing signs of 'mini-stroke,' claims his former speechwriter. Is the Russian president sick? The two presidents ultimately talked for more than an hour over phone. Putin rejected a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine that the US president and his team had asked for, according to a Bloomberg report. Still, he agreed to limit the attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Also, read | US federal judge suspends ban on transgender people in the military, says Trump ban 'soaked in animus' Internet reaction: Deliberate power move by Putin? The footage is creating quite a buzz on social media, with many commenting it was a deliberate “power move” of Putin. One user wrote, "Putin also has a Masters in theatrics. He is from an old Soviet school. Brutal indeed!" Putin also has a Masters in theatrics . He is from old Soviet school . Brutal indeed ! — News & Views (@Shalimartowns) March 19, 2025 “Making leaders wait is an old Putin power play. But this is pretty brutal,” another X user commented. Some called it a psychological warfare. “This is KGB-level psychological warfare—Putin knows Trump is desperate for his approval, so he makes him wait like an obedient lapdog,” wrote one X user. BREAKING TRUMP: PUTIN JUST HUMILIATED TRUMP—LEFT HIM WAITING LIKE A DOG 🚨 While speaking to a room full of Russian oligarchs, Putin was asked if he’d be late to meet Trump. He just laughed. This is KGB-level psychological warfare—Putin knows Trump is desperate for his… pic.twitter.com/hbKHYN4fyX — Mario 🇺🇸🇵🇱🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@PawlowskiMario) March 18, 2025

Did Putin mock Trump'? Russian president kept him waiting for phone call for over an hour - Report

A seven-year-old girl in the US suffered severe burns and was in coma after she decided to follow a TikTok toy challenge where a&nbsp;fidget toy exploded in her face.&nbsp;Scarlett Selby of Missourie was seriously injured after a NeeDoh cube burst in her face.
NeeDoh cube is a common spongy toy.
The horrific accident happened when Selby tried to follow a viral TikTok trend that included freezing and heating the toy.
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Scarlett Selby, age 7, wanted to do the Tik Tok challenge where kids freeze a NeeDoh toy and then microwave it to make it easier to play with. When Scarlett pulled the cube out of the microwave, it exploded and the hot liquid melted into her face and chest. <a href="https://t.co/iPxyeilLNx">pic.twitter.com/iPxyeilLNx</a>
&mdash; Te-Erika (@Te_Erika) <a href="https://twitter.com/Te_Erika/status/1902078143592284610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2025</a></blockquote>

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<h2>TikTok Challenge</h2>
Selby. She saw a viral video of Tikkors changing the shape of NeeDoh cubes by heating and then freezing it, said a report on The New York Post.
Following the toy trend, she put the toy in the microwave. However, when she removed it, the cube exploded, spreading her face and chest with a blistering hot substance and leading to a coma.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-as-trump-pulls-a-chair-for-netanyahu-netizens-ask-whos-president-of-united-states-8693346">Watch: As Trump pulls a chair for Netanyahu, netizens ask 'Who's president of United States?'</a>
Her father, Josh Selby was shocked by her horrific scream. "It all happened so quickly. I heard her scream, and it was like a blood-curdling scream."&nbsp;
He took his daughter to the hospital, frantically trying to remove the hot substance from her face and body. In the hospital, doctors placed her in a medically induced coma.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-appoints-13-year-old-dj-daniel-as-united-states-secret-service-agent-8795358">Who is DJ Daniel? Trump appoints 13-year-old cancer survivor as United States Secret Service agent</a>.&nbsp;
Social media users reacted with horror, anger and frustration.&nbsp;
One user put the blame on the girl's mother, writing, "What a wonderful mom to let her kid put toys inside a microwave. Learn some parenting Mom."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
What a wonderful mom to let her kid put toys inside a microwave. Learn some parenting Mom 😤
&mdash; Joseph Jones (@JohnStitch500) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnStitch500/status/1902173882963894695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2025</a></blockquote>

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World: Trending: A 7-year-old girl named Scarlett Selby from Missouri is in coma after a TikTok toy challenge involving a NeeDoh cube went tragically wrong, causing severe burns.

A seven-year-old girl in the US suffered severe burns and was in coma after she decided to follow a TikTok toy challenge where a fidget toy exploded in her face. Scarlett Selby of Missourie was seriously injured after a NeeDoh cube burst in her face. NeeDoh cube is a common spongy toy. The horrific accident happened when Selby tried to follow a viral TikTok trend that included freezing and heating the toy. Scarlett Selby, age 7, wanted to do the Tik Tok challenge where kids freeze a NeeDoh toy and then microwave it to make it easier to play with. When Scarlett pulled the cube out of the microwave, it exploded and the hot liquid melted into her face and chest. pic.twitter.com/iPxyeilLNx — Te-Erika (@Te_Erika) March 18, 2025 TikTok Challenge Selby. She saw a viral video of Tikkors changing the shape of NeeDoh cubes by heating and then freezing it, said a report on The New York Post. Following the toy trend, she put the toy in the microwave. However, when she removed it, the cube exploded, spreading her face and chest with a blistering hot substance and leading to a coma. Also read | Watch: As Trump pulls a chair for Netanyahu, netizens ask 'Who's president of United States?' Her father, Josh Selby was shocked by her horrific scream. "It all happened so quickly. I heard her scream, and it was like a blood-curdling scream." He took his daughter to the hospital, frantically trying to remove the hot substance from her face and body. In the hospital, doctors placed her in a medically induced coma. Also read | Who is DJ Daniel? Trump appoints 13-year-old cancer survivor as United States Secret Service agent. Social media users reacted with horror, anger and frustration. One user put the blame on the girl's mother, writing, "What a wonderful mom to let her kid put toys inside a microwave. Learn some parenting Mom." What a wonderful mom to let her kid put toys inside a microwave. Learn some parenting Mom 😤 — Joseph Jones (@JohnStitch500) March 19, 2025

Scarlett Selby: 7-year-old US girl  in coma after viral TikTok challenge goes wrong

The JFK Files were released by the Trump administration on Tuesday (March 18) and with it were leaked the Social Security number numbers of several American citizens. Reports suggest that the unredacted files contain the data of dozens of congressional employees from the late 1970s.
Several experts had raised concerns about releasing the remaining JFK files saying that it puts the private data of several people who are still alive at risk of being exposed. This seems to have been the case since the Social Security numbers and other private data of more than 200 former congressional staffers are now out. The earlier releases of the JFK Files had kept a lot of information secret citing national security concerns.
However, now these details are out and people are not happy about them.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jfk-files-released-when-jfk-jr-called-biden-a-traitor-8868249" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">JFK Files: When JFK Jr called ex-president Joe Biden a 'traitor'. 'Dear Sen. Biden: You are...'</a>
Former Trump campaign lawyer Joseph diGenova is one of those whose information has been leaked. "It's absolutely outrageous. It's sloppy, unprofessional," the 80-year-old told The Washington Post. "It not only means identity theft, but I've had threats against me," said diGenova. He said that in the past he had to "report real threats against me to the FBI. There are dangerous nuts out there."
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/1903_ARJUN_JFK_230PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1903_ARJUN_JFK_230PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=156&amp;tags=John F Kennedy, US, World News, WION" title="What do newly released JFK files reveal?" id="PL_iframe_block-m8gv1937-29oiyffh-i1h0utfp"></iframe>
William A. Harnage, a 71-year-old former staffer is enraged at his details being a part of the released files. &ldquo;I consider it almost criminal,&rdquo; Harnage told the New York Times. &ldquo;It is not good,&rdquo; he said about the leak, adding that he was strongly opposed to President Trump. &ldquo;But it is probably not the worst that they&rsquo;re doing.&rdquo;
Judy K. Barga, speaking to The Times, said she was surprised to learn that her details were released as part of the JFK files. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have any idea of what in the world I could possibly do,&rdquo; she said.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jfk-files-was-cia-running-covert-assassination-programs-8868586" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">JFK Files: Was CIA running a covert 'assassination' project? Here's what the documents say</a>
However, the 80-year-old has no issues with the Trump administration, but agreed that the leak was &ldquo;not good for anybody.&rdquo; &nbsp;&ldquo;I am very happy with our current administration."
<h2>JFK Files released information on CIA</h2>
President Donald Trump had passed an executive order for the release of the complete files on JFK's assassination. Details about the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) running a so-called 'Black Ops and Assassination Programs' at one point were part of the papers.
Under a programme called Project ZRRIFLE, the CIA ran secret operations that included assassinations. Shirion Collective, a surveillance network, revealed details of the project citing the JFK Files, saying these operations were active during JFK&rsquo;s presidency.
<h2>When JFK Jr called Joe Biden a traitor</h2>
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr, or JFK Jr, the son of 35th US President John F Kennedy, once called former president Joe Biden a "traitor", according to the JFK Files.
It mentions a letter by JFK Jr. where he wrote, "Dear Sen. Biden: You are a traitor..."&nbsp;
The document reads, "Accompanying handwritten /hand printed letter dated 8/26/94, beginning 'Dear Sen. Biden: You are a traitor...' and bearing the signature 'John F. Kennedy Jr'."

Several experts had raised concerns about releasing the remaining JFK files saying that it puts the private data of several people at risk. World Trending

The JFK Files were released by the Trump administration on Tuesday (March 18) and with it were leaked the Social Security number numbers of several American citizens. Reports suggest that the unredacted files contain the data of dozens of congressional employees from the late 1970s. Several experts had raised concerns about releasing the remaining JFK files saying that it puts the private data of several people who are still alive at risk of being exposed. This seems to have been the case since the Social Security numbers and other private data of more than 200 former congressional staffers are now out. The earlier releases of the JFK Files had kept a lot of information secret citing national security concerns. However, now these details are out and people are not happy about them. Also Read: JFK Files: When JFK Jr called ex-president Joe Biden a 'traitor'. 'Dear Sen. Biden: You are...' Former Trump campaign lawyer Joseph diGenova is one of those whose information has been leaked. "It's absolutely outrageous. It's sloppy, unprofessional," the 80-year-old told The Washington Post. "It not only means identity theft, but I've had threats against me," said diGenova. He said that in the past he had to "report real threats against me to the FBI. There are dangerous nuts out there." William A. Harnage, a 71-year-old former staffer is enraged at his details being a part of the released files. “I consider it almost criminal,” Harnage told the New York Times. “It is not good,” he said about the leak, adding that he was strongly opposed to President Trump. “But it is probably not the worst that they’re doing.” Judy K. Barga, speaking to The Times, said she was surprised to learn that her details were released as part of the JFK files. “I don’t have any idea of what in the world I could possibly do,” she said. Also Read: JFK Files: Was CIA running a covert 'assassination' project? Here's what the documents say However, the 80-year-old has no issues with the Trump administration, but agreed that the leak was “not good for anybody.” “I am very happy with our current administration." JFK Files released information on CIA President Donald Trump had passed an executive order for the release of the complete files on JFK's assassination. Details about the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) running a so-called 'Black Ops and Assassination Programs' at one point were part of the papers. Under a programme called Project ZRRIFLE, the CIA ran secret operations that included assassinations. Shirion Collective, a surveillance network, revealed details of the project citing the JFK Files, saying these operations were active during JFK’s presidency. When JFK Jr called Joe Biden a traitor John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr, or JFK Jr, the son of 35th US President John F Kennedy, once called former president Joe Biden a "traitor", according to the JFK Files. It mentions a letter by JFK Jr. where he wrote, "Dear Sen. Biden: You are a traitor..." The document reads, "Accompanying handwritten /hand printed letter dated 8/26/94, beginning 'Dear Sen. Biden: You are a traitor...' and bearing the signature 'John F. Kennedy Jr'."

JFK Files fallout: Social Security numbers leaked. 'There are dangerous nuts out there...'

Finland once again topped the World Happiness Report's rankings. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, which has faced humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban regained control in 2020, once again ranked as the unhappiest country in the world.&nbsp;A country's national happiness is determined by measuring its GDP, social support, income, health, freedom, generosity and the absence of corruption. The report was released on Thursday (Mar 20).&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kim-soo-hyun-releases-new-statement-amid-kim-sae-ron-dating-controversy-8871588">Kim Soo Hyun releases new statement amid Kim Sae Ron dating controversy</a>
The United States is at No. 24 as it has earned its lowest ranking yet in the 2025 report. Surprisingly, Israel is at eighth position despite the ongoing war against Hamas and other disturbances faced by the countrymen. India is at 118th place.&nbsp;
This year, the report has focused on the impact of caring and sharing on people's happiness. The authors have investigated both of these effects: the benefits to the recipients of caring behaviour and the benefits to those who care for others. &nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/did-jk-rowling-just-take-a-massive-dig-at-harry-potter-stars-daniel-radcliffe-emma-watson-and-rupert-grint-with-this-post-8871503">Did JK Rowling just take a massive dig at Harry Potter stars with this post?</a>
Nordic countries once again lead the happiness rankings. Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden are still the top four and in the same order.
Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and editor of the World Happiness Report, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, said as quoted by Reuters that among the factors that contributed to people's well-being was GDP per capita, wealth distribution, a welfare state that provides psychological stability and a healthy life expectancy.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-set-to-sign-order-to-dismantle-us-department-of-education-report-8871534">Trump set to sign order to dismantle US Education Department: Report</a>
De Neve also said the report, which this year focused on the theme of &ldquo;caring and sharing&rdquo;, found that sharing meals with others was strongly linked with wellbeing across all global regions.
De Neve said the report also showed a general increase in anxiety, worry and stress around the world.&nbsp;
<h2>World&rsquo;s 20 happiest countries in 2025</h2>
1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Sweden
5. Netherlands
6. Costa Rica
7. Norway
8. Israel
9. Luxembourg
10. Mexico
11. Australia
12. New Zealand
13. Switzerland
14. Belgium
15. Ireland
16. Lithuania
17. Austria
18. Canada
19. Slovenia
20. Czech Republic
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-promises-zelensky-hell-bring-home-ukrainian-children-abducted-by-russiaironically-musks-cuts-make-it-harder-8871500">Trump promises Zelensky he'll bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia&mdash;Ironically, Musk's cuts make it harder</a>
John Helliwell, a founding editor of the World Happiness Report, said as quoted by CNN, "People's fellow citizens are better than they think they are, and to realize that will make you happier, of course, but it&rsquo;,l also change the way you think about your neighbors."&nbsp;
&ldquo;And so you&rsquo;re more inclined to think of a stranger in the street as simply a friend you haven&rsquo;t met and not somebody who poses a threat to you,&rdquo; added Helliwell, who is an economics professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia.&nbsp;
The annual World Happiness Report is based on data from US market research company Gallup, analysed by a global team now led by the University of Oxford. It was launched in 2012 to support the United Nations' sustainable development goals.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

World | The annual World Happiness Report is based on data from US market research company Gallup, analysed by a global team now led by the University of Oxford

Finland once again topped the World Happiness Report's rankings. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, which has faced humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban regained control in 2020, once again ranked as the unhappiest country in the world. A country's national happiness is determined by measuring its GDP, social support, income, health, freedom, generosity and the absence of corruption. The report was released on Thursday (Mar 20). Also read: Kim Soo Hyun releases new statement amid Kim Sae Ron dating controversy The United States is at No. 24 as it has earned its lowest ranking yet in the 2025 report. Surprisingly, Israel is at eighth position despite the ongoing war against Hamas and other disturbances faced by the countrymen. India is at 118th place. This year, the report has focused on the impact of caring and sharing on people's happiness. The authors have investigated both of these effects: the benefits to the recipients of caring behaviour and the benefits to those who care for others. Also read: Did JK Rowling just take a massive dig at Harry Potter stars with this post? Nordic countries once again lead the happiness rankings. Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden are still the top four and in the same order. Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and editor of the World Happiness Report, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, said as quoted by Reuters that among the factors that contributed to people's well-being was GDP per capita, wealth distribution, a welfare state that provides psychological stability and a healthy life expectancy. Also read: Trump set to sign order to dismantle US Education Department: Report De Neve also said the report, which this year focused on the theme of “caring and sharing”, found that sharing meals with others was strongly linked with wellbeing across all global regions. De Neve said the report also showed a general increase in anxiety, worry and stress around the world. World’s 20 happiest countries in 2025 1. Finland 2. Denmark 3. Iceland 4. Sweden 5. Netherlands 6. Costa Rica 7. Norway 8. Israel 9. Luxembourg 10. Mexico 11. Australia 12. New Zealand 13. Switzerland 14. Belgium 15. Ireland 16. Lithuania 17. Austria 18. Canada 19. Slovenia 20. Czech Republic Also read: Trump promises Zelensky he'll bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia—Ironically, Musk's cuts make it harder John Helliwell, a founding editor of the World Happiness Report, said as quoted by CNN, "People's fellow citizens are better than they think they are, and to realize that will make you happier, of course, but it’,l also change the way you think about your neighbors." “And so you’re more inclined to think of a stranger in the street as simply a friend you haven’t met and not somebody who poses a threat to you,” added Helliwell, who is an economics professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia. The annual World Happiness Report is based on data from US market research company Gallup, analysed by a global team now led by the University of Oxford. It was launched in 2012 to support the United Nations' sustainable development goals. (With inputs from agencies)

Happiest Countries in the World 2025: Finland on top, Israel at number 8; guess where India is ranked

Israel has intensified its military operations in Gaza, launching targeted ground offensives in the central and southern regions.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has vowed to help Ukraine recover children abducted by Russia, but ironically his ally Elon Musk&rsquo;s recent funding cuts to a crucial task force may hinder those efforts.
Elsewhere, Canada has strongly condemned China for executing four of its citizens, calling the move "inconsistent with human dignity."
In the world of entertainment, JK Rowling has stirred controversy with a cryptic social media post that appears to mock Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.&nbsp;
Click on the headlines for more
<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-announces-targeted-ground-activities-issues-last-warning-to-gazans-8871356" aria-label="Israel recaptures key area amid ground operations in central and southern Gaza Strip">Israel recaptures key area amid ground operations in central and southern Gaza Strip</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x0/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/20/ZeW5YwlaBmbm141uPWWG.png" alt=" Palestinians inspect the rubble after it was destroyed in an Israeli strike in al-Sabra neighbourhood in Gaza City on March 19, 2025. Photograph: (AFP) " style="width: 1280px;">
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday launched "targeted ground activities&rdquo; in the central and southern Gaza Strip, which are reportedly aimed at expanding the buffer zone. The military said that it partially recaptured a key area in the territory. &nbsp;
<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-promises-zelensky-hell-bring-home-ukrainian-children-abducted-by-russiaironically-musks-cuts-make-it-harder-8871500" aria-label="Trump promises Zelensky he'll bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia&mdash;Ironically, Musk's cuts make it harder">Trump promises Zelensky he'll bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia&mdash;Ironically, Musk's cuts make it harder</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/20/KLKrHA7NeVrsGhUemHEy.png" alt=" This combination of files pictures shows US President Donald Trump on the phone in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on June 27, 2017 and a handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on February 12, 2025, showing Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking during a phone call with the US president while sitting at his office in Kyiv. Photograph: (AFP) ">
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Mar 19) promised to bring back home thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Trump&rsquo;s promise is not without irony, given that his close ally Elon Musk&rsquo;s DOGE has scrapped a task force which helped find hundreds of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-slams-chinas-executions-of-four-of-its-citizens-says-action-inconsistent-with-human-dignity-8871424" aria-label="Canada Slams China's executions of four of its citizens, says action 'inconsistent with human dignity'">Canada Slams China's executions of four of its citizens, says action 'inconsistent with human dignity'</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/20/IMmEuecxKKG0hTvUHyEb.png" alt=" File photo: Canadian Foreign Minister M&eacute;lanie Joly speaks during the G7 meeting of foreign ministers in La Malbaie, Quebec, on March 14, 2025. Photograph: (AFP) ">
Canada on Wednesday (Mar 19) condemned China for executing four of its citizens in recent weeks, despite pleas of leniency from Ottawa.
<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/did-jk-rowling-just-take-a-massive-dig-at-harry-potter-stars-daniel-radcliffe-emma-watson-and-rupert-grint-with-this-post-8871503" aria-label="Did JK Rowling just take a massive dig at Harry Potter stars with this post?">Did JK Rowling just take a massive dig at Harry Potter stars with this post?</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/20/NYXqmeP8DUvOLrXStnez.jpg" alt=" JK Rowling and Harry Potter stars Photograph: (X) ">
Harry Potter author JK Rowling ruffled a few feathers as she took a dig at film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. When asked who she thought among actors/actresses who ruined a film for her, she wrote, "Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible," alongside three laughing emojis.&nbsp;
Watch | UK teen gets 49 years for killing family &amp; planning massacre
&nbsp;
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2003_ARJUN_MURDER_730AM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2003_ARJUN_MURDER_730AM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=62&amp;tags=UK, Teen, World News, WION" title="UK teen gets 49 years for killing family &amp; planning massacre" id="PL_iframe_block-m8gtx3wc-gx3nc4ii-ah4ysoa5"></iframe>

Stay ahead of the day's events with WION's morning news brief, providing a quick yet comprehensive overview of the most important news from around the world.

Israel has intensified its military operations in Gaza, launching targeted ground offensives in the central and southern regions. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has vowed to help Ukraine recover children abducted by Russia, but ironically his ally Elon Musk’s recent funding cuts to a crucial task force may hinder those efforts. Elsewhere, Canada has strongly condemned China for executing four of its citizens, calling the move "inconsistent with human dignity." In the world of entertainment, JK Rowling has stirred controversy with a cryptic social media post that appears to mock Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Click on the headlines for more Israel recaptures key area amid ground operations in central and southern Gaza Strip The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday launched "targeted ground activities” in the central and southern Gaza Strip, which are reportedly aimed at expanding the buffer zone. The military said that it partially recaptured a key area in the territory. Trump promises Zelensky he'll bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia—Ironically, Musk's cuts make it harder US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Mar 19) promised to bring back home thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Trump’s promise is not without irony, given that his close ally Elon Musk’s DOGE has scrapped a task force which helped find hundreds of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Canada Slams China's executions of four of its citizens, says action 'inconsistent with human dignity' Canada on Wednesday (Mar 19) condemned China for executing four of its citizens in recent weeks, despite pleas of leniency from Ottawa. Did JK Rowling just take a massive dig at Harry Potter stars with this post? Harry Potter author JK Rowling ruffled a few feathers as she took a dig at film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. When asked who she thought among actors/actresses who ruined a film for her, she wrote, "Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible," alongside three laughing emojis. Watch | UK teen gets 49 years for killing family & planning massacre

Morning News Brief: Israel recaptures key areas in Gaza; Trump vows to help bring back Ukrainian kids abducted by Russia, and more

US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an order Thursday aiming to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a long-held goal of American conservatives.
The order, which several media outlets on Wednesday reported would be signed during a White House ceremony, comes as efforts are already underway in the department to drastically downsize its staffing and slash funding.
Trump's education secretary, former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, issued a memo shortly after her swearing in on March 3 saying the agency would be beginning its "final mission."
The next week, she moved to halve the department's staff.
Trump, 78, promised to decentralize education as he campaigned for a return to the White House, saying he would devolve the department's powers to state governments, as desired for decades by many Republicans.
Traditionally, the federal government has had a limited role in education in the United States, with only about 13 percent of funding for primary and secondary schools coming from federal coffers, the rest being funded by states and local communities.
But federal funding is invaluable for low-income schools and students with special needs. And the federal government has been essential in enforcing key civil rights protections for students.
The order directs McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate" the department's closure, according to a copy seen by Politico, which reported several Republican governors would be attending the ceremony.
Several key programs are to be spared, such as those providing grants to university students and funding for low-income schools across the country, multiple outlets reported.
Such an order has been widely expected after a circulating draft was obtained by media outlets shortly after McMahon took over.
By law, the Education Department, created in 1979, cannot be shuttered without the approval of Congress and Republicans do not have the votes to push that through.
However, as with other federal agencies under Trump's second administration, the department is likely to see further cuts to programs and employees, which could significantly cripple its work.
The moves are being spearheaded by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), whose rapid actions have met pushback in courts for possibly exceeding executive authority.
A similar move to dismantle the US Agency for International Development was halted on Monday by a federal judge, who said the push likely violated the Constitution.
McMahon, after she ordered the halving of her staff, told Fox News it was a step toward fulfilling Trump's demand that she "put herself out of a job."
"His directive to me, clearly, is to shut down the Department of Education, which we know we'll have to work with Congress, you know, to get that accomplished," she said.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

President Trump plans to sign an order dismantling the US Department of Education, fulfilling a conservative goal to decentralize education to state governments.

US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an order Thursday aiming to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a long-held goal of American conservatives. The order, which several media outlets on Wednesday reported would be signed during a White House ceremony, comes as efforts are already underway in the department to drastically downsize its staffing and slash funding. Trump's education secretary, former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, issued a memo shortly after her swearing in on March 3 saying the agency would be beginning its "final mission." The next week, she moved to halve the department's staff. Trump, 78, promised to decentralize education as he campaigned for a return to the White House, saying he would devolve the department's powers to state governments, as desired for decades by many Republicans. Traditionally, the federal government has had a limited role in education in the United States, with only about 13 percent of funding for primary and secondary schools coming from federal coffers, the rest being funded by states and local communities. But federal funding is invaluable for low-income schools and students with special needs. And the federal government has been essential in enforcing key civil rights protections for students. The order directs McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate" the department's closure, according to a copy seen by Politico, which reported several Republican governors would be attending the ceremony. Several key programs are to be spared, such as those providing grants to university students and funding for low-income schools across the country, multiple outlets reported. Such an order has been widely expected after a circulating draft was obtained by media outlets shortly after McMahon took over. By law, the Education Department, created in 1979, cannot be shuttered without the approval of Congress and Republicans do not have the votes to push that through. However, as with other federal agencies under Trump's second administration, the department is likely to see further cuts to programs and employees, which could significantly cripple its work. The moves are being spearheaded by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), whose rapid actions have met pushback in courts for possibly exceeding executive authority. A similar move to dismantle the US Agency for International Development was halted on Monday by a federal judge, who said the push likely violated the Constitution. McMahon, after she ordered the halving of her staff, told Fox News it was a step toward fulfilling Trump's demand that she "put herself out of a job." "His directive to me, clearly, is to shut down the Department of Education, which we know we'll have to work with Congress, you know, to get that accomplished," she said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Trump set to sign order to dismantle US Education Department: Report

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Mar 19) promised to bring back home thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Trump&rsquo;s promise is not without irony, given that his close ally Elon Musk&rsquo;s DOGE has scrapped a task force which helped find hundreds of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
<h2>What did Trump say?</h2>
Talking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over a call, Trump, among other things, discussed abducted children. This discussion comes a week after the US President had similar talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over the abduction of Ukrainian children.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-budget-scraps-organisation-that-helped-find-ukrainian-children-kidnapped-by-russia-8855671">Elon Musk's budget scraps organisation that helped find Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia</a>
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's national security advisor, Mike Waltz, in a joint statement, said that the US president asked Zelensky "about the children who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, including the ones that had been abducted."&nbsp;
"President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home," they added.
<h2>Musk's budget cuts scrap organisation that helped bring back Ukrainian children</h2>
As per reports, the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) is the latest organisation to fall prey to Musk and DOGE's (Department of Government Efficiency) cost-cutting measures.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-align-russia-ukraine-on-their-requests-trump-zelensky-hold-phone-call-to-discuss-putins-call-8870704">'Ukraine agrees to limited energy, infrastructure ceasefire' after Zelensky's 'frank conversation' with Trump</a>
The HRL is a Yale University-based organisation that estimated that more than 20,000 Ukrainian children were kidnapped by the Russians since the 2022 invasion.
"Researchers at the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) were notified recently that government funding for their work on the war in Ukraine has been discontinued," said a Yale spokesperson.
"HRL investigates and addresses humanitarian crises worldwide, using data and analysis from open-source and remote sensing."
Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-not-expected-to-participate-in-riyadh-us-russia-talks-says-zelenskys-aide-8870758">Ukraine not expected to participate in Riyadh, US, Russia talks, says Zelensky&rsquo;s aide</a>
Working with Bring Kids Back UA, a campaign launched by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, the HRL has located hundreds of children who were unlawfully brought to Russia.&nbsp;
As per the Ukrainian government, nearly 20,000 children have been abducted by Putin's forces since the invasion in 2022.
(With inputs from agencies)

World news | Explore the irony in Trump's promise as Musk's cost-cutting measures dismantle a crucial task force that aided in locating abducted Ukrainian children.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Mar 19) promised to bring back home thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Trump’s promise is not without irony, given that his close ally Elon Musk’s DOGE has scrapped a task force which helped find hundreds of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. What did Trump say? Talking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over a call, Trump, among other things, discussed abducted children. This discussion comes a week after the US President had similar talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over the abduction of Ukrainian children. Also read | Elon Musk's budget scraps organisation that helped find Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's national security advisor, Mike Waltz, in a joint statement, said that the US president asked Zelensky "about the children who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, including the ones that had been abducted." "President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home," they added. Musk's budget cuts scrap organisation that helped bring back Ukrainian children As per reports, the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) is the latest organisation to fall prey to Musk and DOGE's (Department of Government Efficiency) cost-cutting measures. Also read | 'Ukraine agrees to limited energy, infrastructure ceasefire' after Zelensky's 'frank conversation' with Trump The HRL is a Yale University-based organisation that estimated that more than 20,000 Ukrainian children were kidnapped by the Russians since the 2022 invasion. "Researchers at the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) were notified recently that government funding for their work on the war in Ukraine has been discontinued," said a Yale spokesperson. "HRL investigates and addresses humanitarian crises worldwide, using data and analysis from open-source and remote sensing." Also read |Ukraine not expected to participate in Riyadh, US, Russia talks, says Zelensky’s aide Working with Bring Kids Back UA, a campaign launched by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, the HRL has located hundreds of children who were unlawfully brought to Russia. As per the Ukrainian government, nearly 20,000 children have been abducted by Putin's forces since the invasion in 2022. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump promises Zelensky he'll bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia—Ironically, Musk's cuts make it harder

Donald Trump has his plans ready for the Kennedy Center where he reportedly intends to make several structural and stylistic changes. According to the New York Times, the president, during the first meeting of the centre&rsquo;s board of directors on Monday (March 17), talked about the "tremendous despair" the centre was in and that he would seek funds from Congress to &ldquo;bring it back.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The Times obtained an audio recording of the meeting where he made some personal remarks about the Kennedy Center, the changes it needs and the kind of shows it should be hosting. A person who was present at the meeting confirmed that it was authentic.
Trump talked about his vision for the centre and said that he intends to bring back several Broadway shows that have attracted a lot of audiences to the Kennedy Center.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-houthis-to-be-annihilated-warns-iran-to-stop-aid-8870943" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Houthis, warns Iran to stop aid</a>
The US president, and the chairman of the centre, spoke eloquently about the time he attended Andrew Lloyd Webber&rsquo;s "Cats".&nbsp;
<h2>Trump recalls seeing 'Cats' at the Kennedy Center</h2>
He attended the show decades ago and reminisced that he was there with "somebody I should not have been there with". He recalled how he was treated as a "young star for whatever reason". Seated in the fourth row, Trump says he was first taken aback by seeing all those "bodies" lying onstage. Trump said he wanted to leave, but then he "noticed those bodies were gorgeous".
Also Read: <a title="Post View" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heres-why-donald-trump-didnt-invite-sunita-williams-to-white-house-8870155" target="_blank" rel="dofollow noopener">Here's why Donald Trump didn't invite Sunita Williams to White House</a>
"They had silk tights on, and they were all ballerinas and women from Broadway. And men.&rdquo; About the men, he added: &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t find those particular bodies as attractive to be honest."&nbsp;
About the kind of shows that would be hosted, one of the participants said that the change at the centre &ldquo;opens us up for a whole bunch of more options as well as a lot more money" after a board member enquired about new musicals that were not &ldquo;totally woke."
<h2>He wants to stop celebrating "radical left lunatics"</h2>
Trump also raised the topic of artists honoured at the centre, saying that the centre had been celebrating &ldquo;radical left lunatics&rdquo;. Notably, during his first term, several of those honoured criticised Trump, so the president at the time boycotted the ceremonies.
He instead suggested honouring people from fields like sports, politics, and business, and honouring Luciano Pavarotti, Elvis Presley, and Babe Ruth posthumously.
<h2>Trump wants to host the ceremony</h2>
He even wants to host the annual Kennedy Center Honors, but clarified, "Believe me, I don&rsquo;t want to do it, I don&rsquo;t want to do it. I have enough publicity.&rdquo; &nbsp;
Calling the previous hosts "terrible", Trump said, "They&rsquo;ll say, &lsquo;Trump wants to be the host.&rsquo; I don&rsquo;t want to. But I want this thing to be successful." He also called himself &ldquo;the king of ratings.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Trump also has grand plans for the building itself. He wants to cover the "I-beams with some incredible stone&mdash;probably marble." Marble and granite columns are a signature feature of Trump's buildings.

Trump wants to bring back musicals like Cats to the Kennedy Center. A leaked audio clip from the meeting revealed this and his other plans for the place. World Trending

Donald Trump has his plans ready for the Kennedy Center where he reportedly intends to make several structural and stylistic changes. According to the New York Times, the president, during the first meeting of the centre’s board of directors on Monday (March 17), talked about the "tremendous despair" the centre was in and that he would seek funds from Congress to “bring it back.” The Times obtained an audio recording of the meeting where he made some personal remarks about the Kennedy Center, the changes it needs and the kind of shows it should be hosting. A person who was present at the meeting confirmed that it was authentic. Trump talked about his vision for the centre and said that he intends to bring back several Broadway shows that have attracted a lot of audiences to the Kennedy Center. Also Read: Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Houthis, warns Iran to stop aid The US president, and the chairman of the centre, spoke eloquently about the time he attended Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "Cats". Trump recalls seeing 'Cats' at the Kennedy Center He attended the show decades ago and reminisced that he was there with "somebody I should not have been there with". He recalled how he was treated as a "young star for whatever reason". Seated in the fourth row, Trump says he was first taken aback by seeing all those "bodies" lying onstage. Trump said he wanted to leave, but then he "noticed those bodies were gorgeous". Also Read: Here's why Donald Trump didn't invite Sunita Williams to White House "They had silk tights on, and they were all ballerinas and women from Broadway. And men.” About the men, he added: “I didn’t find those particular bodies as attractive to be honest." About the kind of shows that would be hosted, one of the participants said that the change at the centre “opens us up for a whole bunch of more options as well as a lot more money" after a board member enquired about new musicals that were not “totally woke." He wants to stop celebrating "radical left lunatics" Trump also raised the topic of artists honoured at the centre, saying that the centre had been celebrating “radical left lunatics”. Notably, during his first term, several of those honoured criticised Trump, so the president at the time boycotted the ceremonies. He instead suggested honouring people from fields like sports, politics, and business, and honouring Luciano Pavarotti, Elvis Presley, and Babe Ruth posthumously. Trump wants to host the ceremony He even wants to host the annual Kennedy Center Honors, but clarified, "Believe me, I don’t want to do it, I don’t want to do it. I have enough publicity.” Calling the previous hosts "terrible", Trump said, "They’ll say, ‘Trump wants to be the host.’ I don’t want to. But I want this thing to be successful." He also called himself “the king of ratings.” Trump also has grand plans for the building itself. He wants to cover the "I-beams with some incredible stone—probably marble." Marble and granite columns are a signature feature of Trump's buildings.

'Gorgeous women, men not so attractive': Trump recalls watching Cats at Kennedy Center in leaked audio

Canada on Wednesday (Mar 19) condemned China for executing four of its citizens in recent weeks, despite pleas of leniency from Ottawa.
Slamming Beijing, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said: "We strongly condemn the executions that did happen against Canadians in China".
<h2>Canada slams China</h2>
Slamming China, Canadian foreign minister Joly said the executions were "irreversible and inconsistent with basic human dignity".
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-legacy-justin-trudeau-jeered-and-booed-as-he-leaves-parliament-for-last-time-as-canada-pm-watch-video-8852731">'No Legacy': Justin Trudeau jeered and booed as he leaves parliament for last time as Canada PM | Watch video</a>
Joly revealed that she and former prime minister Justin Trudeau had asked Beijing for leniency in recent months, to no avail.
Charlotte MacLeod, spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, said the nation "repeatedly called for clemency for these individuals at the senior-most levels."
She also said that Canada "remains steadfast in its opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases, everywhere."
"We continue to provide consular assistance to the victims' families," she added.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-mark-carney-canadas-new-pm-tasked-with-handling-the-crisis-called-trump-8854192">Who is Mark Carney? Canada&rsquo;s new PM tasked with handling the 'crisis'&nbsp;called&nbsp;Trump</a>
<h2>China defends executions</h2>
Joly told the press that she was unable to discuss details of the case due to request by the affected families.&nbsp;
However, China, while defending the executions, indicated that the Canadian citizens were convicted over drug offences.&nbsp;
In a statement to the Globe and Mail newspaper, the Chinese embassy said that "Drug-related crime is a severe crime recognized worldwide as extremely harmful to the society".
"China always imposes severe penalties on drug-related crimes and maintains a 'zero tolerance' attitude towards the drug problem," it added.
The Chinese mission also said that the executed Canadians were granted a fair trial and due process.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ban-pornhub-in-us-canadas-nuclear-weapon-against-trumps-trade-war-8857598">'Ban Pornhub in US': Canada's 'nuclear weapon' against Trump's trade war</a>
"The facts of the crimes committed by the Canadian nationals involved in the cases are clear, and the evidence is solid and sufficient. The Chinese judicial authorities have handled the cases in strict accordance with the law, and have fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the Canadian nationals concerned," it said in a statement.
The Chinese embassy also called on Canada to "We urge the Canadian side to respect the rule of law and China&rsquo;s judicial sovereignty" and "stop making irresponsible remarks".
(With inputs from agencies)

World news | Canada condemns China's execution of 4 citizens, with Foreign Minister Melanie Joly denouncing the actions as irreversible and violating basic human dignity.

Canada on Wednesday (Mar 19) condemned China for executing four of its citizens in recent weeks, despite pleas of leniency from Ottawa. Slamming Beijing, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said: "We strongly condemn the executions that did happen against Canadians in China". Canada slams China Slamming China, Canadian foreign minister Joly said the executions were "irreversible and inconsistent with basic human dignity". Also read | 'No Legacy': Justin Trudeau jeered and booed as he leaves parliament for last time as Canada PM | Watch video Joly revealed that she and former prime minister Justin Trudeau had asked Beijing for leniency in recent months, to no avail. Charlotte MacLeod, spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, said the nation "repeatedly called for clemency for these individuals at the senior-most levels." She also said that Canada "remains steadfast in its opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases, everywhere." "We continue to provide consular assistance to the victims' families," she added. Also read | Who is Mark Carney? Canada’s new PM tasked with handling the 'crisis' called Trump China defends executions Joly told the press that she was unable to discuss details of the case due to request by the affected families. However, China, while defending the executions, indicated that the Canadian citizens were convicted over drug offences. In a statement to the Globe and Mail newspaper, the Chinese embassy said that "Drug-related crime is a severe crime recognized worldwide as extremely harmful to the society". "China always imposes severe penalties on drug-related crimes and maintains a 'zero tolerance' attitude towards the drug problem," it added. The Chinese mission also said that the executed Canadians were granted a fair trial and due process. Also read | 'Ban Pornhub in US': Canada's 'nuclear weapon' against Trump's trade war "The facts of the crimes committed by the Canadian nationals involved in the cases are clear, and the evidence is solid and sufficient. The Chinese judicial authorities have handled the cases in strict accordance with the law, and have fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the Canadian nationals concerned," it said in a statement. The Chinese embassy also called on Canada to "We urge the Canadian side to respect the rule of law and China’s judicial sovereignty" and "stop making irresponsible remarks". (With inputs from agencies)

Canada slams China's executions of four of its citizens, says action 'inconsistent with human dignity'

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday launched "targeted ground activities&rdquo; in the central and southern Gaza Strip, which are reportedly aimed at expanding the buffer zone. The military said that it partially recaptured a key area in the territory. &nbsp;
The military said it had "begun targeted ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip to expand the security perimeter and create a partial buffer between the north and south".
&ldquo;As part of the ground activities, the troops expanded their control further to the center of the Netzarim Corridor,&rdquo; the military said. The corridor bisects Gaza as the troops of the 252nd Division entered the Netzarim Corridor area, capturing around half of it, up to the Salah a-Din road.
The IDF also said that it deployed the Golani Brigade to the southern part of the Gaza border, with the aim of preparing itself for future actions in the Strip.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-defence-of-ukraine-us-to-continue-sharing-intelligence-with-kyiv-as-talks-move-beyond-minerals-deal-8871103">'In defence of Ukraine': US to continue sharing intelligence with Kyiv as talks move beyond minerals deal</a>
Palestinian militant group Hamas said the ground operation and the incursion into the Netzarim Corridor were a "new and dangerous violation" of the two-month-old ceasefire agreement. In a statement, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the deal calling on mediators to "assume their responsibilities."&nbsp;
The operations were launched a day after conducting an aerial bombardment on the Strip that shattered the two-month-old ceasefire with Hamas.
<h2>Panic among Gazans&nbsp;</h2>
IDF earlier urged Gazans to evacuate areas near the border as long lines of fleeing civilians filled the roads of Gaza on Wednesday.&nbsp;
People are fearing for their lives as families with young children fled northern Gaza for areas further south.&nbsp;
Fred Oola, who is a senior medical officer at the Red Cross field hospital in Rafah, said the renewed strikes had shattered the relative calm of the past two months.&nbsp;
"Now, we can feel the panic in the air... and we can see the pain and devastation in the faces of those we are helping," he said in a statement.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/gal-gadot-receives-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame-as-pro-palestine-and-pro-israel-protesters-delay-ceremony-8868022">Gal Gadot receives star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame as pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters delay ceremony</a>
<h2>Israel's message to Gazans&nbsp;</h2>
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz addressed the "residents of Gaza", ruled by Hamas since 2007, saying in a video statement: "This is the last warning."
"Take the advice of the president of the United States. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open up for you -- including the possibility of leaving for other places in the world for those who want to," he added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-air-defences-intercept-houthi-ballistic-missile-sirens-heard-in-several-regions-8867272">Israel air defences intercept Houthi ballistic missile, sirens heard in several regions</a>
Katz referred to a warning earlier this month by US President Donald Trump, who said: "To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"
Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war, 58 are still held by Gaza militants, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/concerned-at-the-situation-in-gaza-india-on-israeli-strikes-in-gaza-8870706">'Concerned at the situation in Gaza': India on Israeli strikes</a>&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.
&nbsp;

World | The IDF also said that it deployed the Golani Brigade to the southern part of the Gaza border, with the aim of preparing itself for future actions in the Strip

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday launched "targeted ground activities” in the central and southern Gaza Strip, which are reportedly aimed at expanding the buffer zone. The military said that it partially recaptured a key area in the territory. The military said it had "begun targeted ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip to expand the security perimeter and create a partial buffer between the north and south". “As part of the ground activities, the troops expanded their control further to the center of the Netzarim Corridor,” the military said. The corridor bisects Gaza as the troops of the 252nd Division entered the Netzarim Corridor area, capturing around half of it, up to the Salah a-Din road. The IDF also said that it deployed the Golani Brigade to the southern part of the Gaza border, with the aim of preparing itself for future actions in the Strip. Also read: 'In defence of Ukraine': US to continue sharing intelligence with Kyiv as talks move beyond minerals deal Palestinian militant group Hamas said the ground operation and the incursion into the Netzarim Corridor were a "new and dangerous violation" of the two-month-old ceasefire agreement. In a statement, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the deal calling on mediators to "assume their responsibilities." The operations were launched a day after conducting an aerial bombardment on the Strip that shattered the two-month-old ceasefire with Hamas. Panic among Gazans IDF earlier urged Gazans to evacuate areas near the border as long lines of fleeing civilians filled the roads of Gaza on Wednesday. People are fearing for their lives as families with young children fled northern Gaza for areas further south. Fred Oola, who is a senior medical officer at the Red Cross field hospital in Rafah, said the renewed strikes had shattered the relative calm of the past two months. "Now, we can feel the panic in the air... and we can see the pain and devastation in the faces of those we are helping," he said in a statement. Also read: Gal Gadot receives star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame as pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters delay ceremony Israel's message to Gazans Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz addressed the "residents of Gaza", ruled by Hamas since 2007, saying in a video statement: "This is the last warning." "Take the advice of the president of the United States. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open up for you -- including the possibility of leaving for other places in the world for those who want to," he added. Also read: Israel air defences intercept Houthi ballistic missile, sirens heard in several regions Katz referred to a warning earlier this month by US President Donald Trump, who said: "To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!" Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war, 58 are still held by Gaza militants, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Also read: 'Concerned at the situation in Gaza': India on Israeli strikes (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Israel recaptures key area amid ground operations in central and southern Gaza Strip

White House on Wednesday (Mar 19) confirmed that US &ldquo;intelligence sharing in terms of defence of Ukraine will continue to be shared.&rdquo; This comes following an hour-long &ldquo;fantastic phone conversation&rdquo; between the two leaders.
The conversation between the two nations has moved &ldquo;beyond the economic minerals deal&rdquo; with a focus on &ldquo;partial ceasefire, and we are moving towards a full ceasefire and a longstanding peace in this conflict,&rdquo; said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Referring to earlier discussion between the two leaders, Leavitt said, &ldquo;The Ukrainian president, at the time, wasn&rsquo;t talking about a greater peace deal. We are now at that place where we are talking about that.&rdquo; she said.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-align-russia-ukraine-on-their-requests-trump-zelensky-hold-phone-call-to-discuss-putins-call-8870704">'Ukraine agrees to limited energy, infrastructure ceasefire': Zelensky says after 'frank conversation' with Trump</a>
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve moved beyond just the economic minerals deal framework, and we&rsquo;re looking at a lasting ceasefire, right now a partial ceasefire. But again, the president is sending his highly skilled, intelligent and experienced team to Saudi Arabia later this week to creating peace in this conflict, and I would just reiterate one more time, we have been closer to peace than we are today,&rdquo; she said.
<h2>&lsquo;Working together for lasting peace&rsquo;</h2>
Leavitt said that Trump &ldquo;fully briefed&rdquo; Zelensky on his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that &ldquo;They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defence staffs as the battlefield situation evolved.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-not-expected-to-participate-in-riyadh-us-russia-talks-says-zelenskys-aide-8870758">Ukraine not expected to participate in Riyadh, US, Russia talks, says Zelensky&rsquo;s aide</a>
&ldquo;The leaders agreed Ukraine and America will continue working together to bring about a real end to the war and that lasting peace under President Trump&rsquo;s leadership can be achieved,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;
Leavitt said that Zelensky thanked Trump for the US support, especially the Javelin missiles, which the US president provided in his efforts towards peace.
The White House spokesperson said that the US was finding &ldquo;what was available, particularly in Europe&rdquo;, when asked for additional air defence systems by Zelensky to protect Ukrainian civilians.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-houthis-to-be-annihilated-warns-iran-to-stop-aid-8870943">Trump threatens Houthis to be 'annihilated,' warns Iran to stop aid</a>
The two leaders also agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy, she said.
<h2>&lsquo;The first step&rsquo;</h2>
The White House said that technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia soon to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire, which could be the first step &ldquo;toward the full end of the war and ensuring security.&rdquo; &ldquo;President Zelenskyy was grateful for the President&rsquo;s leadership in this effort, and reiterated his willingness to adopt a full ceasefire,&rdquo; Leavitt said.
&ldquo;President Trump also discussed Ukraine&rsquo;s electrical supply and nuclear power plants. He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure,&rdquo; she added.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-zelensky-hold-phone-call-after-russia-attacks-kyiv-with-drones-live-updates-8870513">'Very much on track': Trump praises 'good' phone call with Zelensky that lasted for almost an hour</a>
The White House spokesperson added that Zelensky thanked Trump for continuing to push humanitarian concerns, including the exchange of prisoners of war.&nbsp;
President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children, who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, could return home.
&ldquo;They agreed all parties must continue the effort to make a ceasefire work,&rdquo; she added.
&ldquo;The presidents instructed their advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible,&rdquo; Leavitt said, adding that they &ldquo;emphasized that in furthering the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

World | Leavitt said that Zelensky thanked Trump for the US support, especially the Javelin missiles, which the US president provided in his efforts towards peace.

White House on Wednesday (Mar 19) confirmed that US “intelligence sharing in terms of defence of Ukraine will continue to be shared.” This comes following an hour-long “fantastic phone conversation” between the two leaders. The conversation between the two nations has moved “beyond the economic minerals deal” with a focus on “partial ceasefire, and we are moving towards a full ceasefire and a longstanding peace in this conflict,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Referring to earlier discussion between the two leaders, Leavitt said, “The Ukrainian president, at the time, wasn’t talking about a greater peace deal. We are now at that place where we are talking about that.” she said. Also read | 'Ukraine agrees to limited energy, infrastructure ceasefire': Zelensky says after 'frank conversation' with Trump “We’ve moved beyond just the economic minerals deal framework, and we’re looking at a lasting ceasefire, right now a partial ceasefire. But again, the president is sending his highly skilled, intelligent and experienced team to Saudi Arabia later this week to creating peace in this conflict, and I would just reiterate one more time, we have been closer to peace than we are today,” she said. ‘Working together for lasting peace’ Leavitt said that Trump “fully briefed” Zelensky on his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that “They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defence staffs as the battlefield situation evolved.” Also read | Ukraine not expected to participate in Riyadh, US, Russia talks, says Zelensky’s aide “The leaders agreed Ukraine and America will continue working together to bring about a real end to the war and that lasting peace under President Trump’s leadership can be achieved,” she said. Leavitt said that Zelensky thanked Trump for the US support, especially the Javelin missiles, which the US president provided in his efforts towards peace. The White House spokesperson said that the US was finding “what was available, particularly in Europe”, when asked for additional air defence systems by Zelensky to protect Ukrainian civilians. Also read | Trump threatens Houthis to be 'annihilated,' warns Iran to stop aid The two leaders also agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy, she said. ‘The first step’ The White House said that technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia soon to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire, which could be the first step “toward the full end of the war and ensuring security.” “President Zelenskyy was grateful for the President’s leadership in this effort, and reiterated his willingness to adopt a full ceasefire,” Leavitt said. “President Trump also discussed Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power plants. He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure,” she added. Also read | 'Very much on track': Trump praises 'good' phone call with Zelensky that lasted for almost an hour The White House spokesperson added that Zelensky thanked Trump for continuing to push humanitarian concerns, including the exchange of prisoners of war. President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children, who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, could return home. “They agreed all parties must continue the effort to make a ceasefire work,” she added. “The presidents instructed their advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible,” Leavitt said, adding that they “emphasized that in furthering the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security.” (With inputs from agencies)

'In defence of Ukraine': US to continue sharing intelligence with Kyiv as talks move beyond minerals deal

After holding a phone call with Donald Trump for almost an hour, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the US president shared details of his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;
He reiterated that one of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes in energy and other civilian infrastructure.&nbsp;
"I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. Our teams discussed this step in Jeddah," Zelensky said in a post on X.
He added that Ukraine also accepted the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire on the frontline.&nbsp;
Zelensky further thanked Trump for a good and productive start towards a ceasefire.&nbsp;
"We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace," he said.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11&mdash;this meeting of the teams significantly helped&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/JFBd5EeIkg">pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg</a>
&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1902412196304531701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What did Trump say about the call?&nbsp;</h2>
Trump briefed Zelensky of Putin's call in order to bring both Russia and Ukraine on same page in terms of their requests and needs.&nbsp;
The US president said the call with Zelensky was "very good", adding that "We are very much on track."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-not-expected-to-participate-in-riyadh-us-russia-talks-says-zelenskys-aide-8870758">Ukraine not expected to participate in Riyadh US-Russia talks, says Zelensky&rsquo;s aide</a>
"Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs," Trump said on Truth Social.&nbsp;
<iframe width="600" height="" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114189841352600682/embed" class="truthsocial-embed" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>

He further said that US State Secretary Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz will give an accurate description of the points discussed during the call.&nbsp;
"We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed. That Statement will be put out shortly," he added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-align-russia-ukraine-on-their-requests-trump-zelensky-hold-phone-call-to-discuss-putins-call-8870704">'Ukraine agrees to limited energy, infrastructure ceasefire': Zelensky says after 'frank conversation' with Trump</a>
<h2>What else they discussed?&nbsp;</h2>
Zelensky said that he updated Trump on the battlefield situation and the consequences of Russian strikes.
"We spoke about the situation in the Kursk region, touched on the issue of the release of POWs, and the return of Ukrainian children who were taken by Russian forces. We also discussed the state of Ukraine&rsquo;s air defense and the possibility of strengthening it to protect lives," said Zelensky.
He stressed that Ukrainians want peace, which is why Kyiv accepted the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire.
The Ukrainian president further highlighted the importance of President Trump&rsquo;s concept of peace through strength. "We agreed to maintain constant contact, including at the highest level and through our teams."
<h2>Ukraine, American officials to meet in Saudi</h2>
Zelensky confirmed that the Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace.&nbsp;
"We instructed our advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible," he said, adding, "We noted the positive work of our advisors and representatives&mdash;Rubio, Waltz, Kellogg, Yermak, Sybiha, Umerov, and Palisa."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-align-russia-ukraine-on-their-requests-trump-zelensky-hold-phone-call-to-discuss-putins-call-8870704">'To align Russia, Ukraine on their requests': Trump, Zelensky hold phone call to discuss Putin's call</a>
<h2>Russia again attacks Ukraine&nbsp;</h2>
As Trump, Zelensky were holding call to discuss ceasefire, Russia attacked Ukrainian rail infrastructure in Dnipro, making it the second attack of the day, according to Ukraine's state railway company.
In a post on Telegram, the company Ukrzaliznytsya said four workers were injured, two seriously.
The attack was preceded by a missile, it added.&nbsp;Earlier, Ukrzaliznytsya reported that a&nbsp;drone attack was carried out, affecting electricity on part of the railway infrastructure.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-exchange-372-pows-in-prisoner-swap-russian-defence-ministry-8870378">Russia and Ukraine swap 372 POWs in latest exchange, defence ministry confirms</a>
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

World: US President Donald Trump briefed Zelensky of Putin's call in order to bring both Russia and Ukraine on same page in terms of their requests and needs.

After holding a phone call with Donald Trump for almost an hour, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the US president shared details of his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He reiterated that one of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes in energy and other civilian infrastructure. "I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. Our teams discussed this step in Jeddah," Zelensky said in a post on X. He added that Ukraine also accepted the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire on the frontline. Zelensky further thanked Trump for a good and productive start towards a ceasefire. "We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace," he said. I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11—this meeting of the teams significantly helped… pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025 What did Trump say about the call? Trump briefed Zelensky of Putin's call in order to bring both Russia and Ukraine on same page in terms of their requests and needs. The US president said the call with Zelensky was "very good", adding that "We are very much on track." Also read: Ukraine not expected to participate in Riyadh US-Russia talks, says Zelensky’s aide "Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs," Trump said on Truth Social. He further said that US State Secretary Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz will give an accurate description of the points discussed during the call. "We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed. That Statement will be put out shortly," he added. Also read: 'Ukraine agrees to limited energy, infrastructure ceasefire': Zelensky says after 'frank conversation' with Trump What else they discussed? Zelensky said that he updated Trump on the battlefield situation and the consequences of Russian strikes. "We spoke about the situation in the Kursk region, touched on the issue of the release of POWs, and the return of Ukrainian children who were taken by Russian forces. We also discussed the state of Ukraine’s air defense and the possibility of strengthening it to protect lives," said Zelensky. He stressed that Ukrainians want peace, which is why Kyiv accepted the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire. The Ukrainian president further highlighted the importance of President Trump’s concept of peace through strength. "We agreed to maintain constant contact, including at the highest level and through our teams." Ukraine, American officials to meet in Saudi Zelensky confirmed that the Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace. "We instructed our advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible," he said, adding, "We noted the positive work of our advisors and representatives—Rubio, Waltz, Kellogg, Yermak, Sybiha, Umerov, and Palisa." Also read: 'To align Russia, Ukraine on their requests': Trump, Zelensky hold phone call to discuss Putin's call Russia again attacks Ukraine As Trump, Zelensky were holding call to discuss ceasefire, Russia attacked Ukrainian rail infrastructure in Dnipro, making it the second attack of the day, according to Ukraine's state railway company. In a post on Telegram, the company Ukrzaliznytsya said four workers were injured, two seriously. The attack was preceded by a missile, it added. Earlier, Ukrzaliznytsya reported that a drone attack was carried out, affecting electricity on part of the railway infrastructure. Also read: Russia and Ukraine swap 372 POWs in latest exchange, defence ministry confirms (With inputs from agencies)

'Ukraine agrees to limited energy, infrastructure ceasefire' after Zelensky's 'frank conversation' with Trump

US President Donald Trump, on Wednesday (Mar 19), issued a stern warning to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, stating they "will be completely annihilated."&nbsp;
Trump further cautioned Tehran against continuing with its aid to the group amid an ongoing US military campaign against them. &nbsp;
"Reports are coming in that while Iran has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support to the Houthis, they are still sending large levels of Supplies. Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way they lose, but this way they lose quickly.," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.&nbsp;
The US president further referenced reports that Iran "has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support" for the Houthis, though added, "they are still sending large levels of Supplies."&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-and-trump-trust-each-other-want-to-normalise-ties-kremlin-8869590">Also read: Russia, US set to decide on dates for future talks, Kremlin says Putin and Trump want to normalise ties</a>
"Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse -- It's not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated!" his post continued.&nbsp;
<iframe width="600" height="" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114190034933659125/embed" class="truthsocial-embed" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>

The United States launched a series of heavy strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saturday and pledged to use "overwhelming lethal force" until the rebels cease their attacks, which have disrupted global commerce and posed a threat to American ships and interests.
<h2>Houthi media reports new US strikes on Yemen</h2>
The US military campaign against Yemen's Houthi rebels continued on Wednesday, with multiple US strikes reported in rebel-held areas, including the capital city of Sanaa.
The Houthi's Al-Masirah TV, "an American attack targeted the capital Sanaa... and the area of the town of Saada" in the north, later adding that strikes had also hit the district of Al-Sawadiya, southeast of Sanaa.
(With inputs from agencies)

World news: "Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way they lose, but this way they lose quickly," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

US President Donald Trump, on Wednesday (Mar 19), issued a stern warning to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, stating they "will be completely annihilated." Trump further cautioned Tehran against continuing with its aid to the group amid an ongoing US military campaign against them. "Reports are coming in that while Iran has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support to the Houthis, they are still sending large levels of Supplies. Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way they lose, but this way they lose quickly.," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. The US president further referenced reports that Iran "has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support" for the Houthis, though added, "they are still sending large levels of Supplies." Also read: Russia, US set to decide on dates for future talks, Kremlin says Putin and Trump want to normalise ties "Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse -- It's not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated!" his post continued. The United States launched a series of heavy strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saturday and pledged to use "overwhelming lethal force" until the rebels cease their attacks, which have disrupted global commerce and posed a threat to American ships and interests. Houthi media reports new US strikes on Yemen The US military campaign against Yemen's Houthi rebels continued on Wednesday, with multiple US strikes reported in rebel-held areas, including the capital city of Sanaa. The Houthi's Al-Masirah TV, "an American attack targeted the capital Sanaa... and the area of the town of Saada" in the north, later adding that strikes had also hit the district of Al-Sawadiya, southeast of Sanaa. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Houthis, warns Iran to stop aid

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Mar 19) held a phone call to discuss Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which happened a day earlier.
In other news, Israel's military launched "targeted ground operations" in central and southern Gaza.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 372 soldiers in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates.
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US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Mar 19) held a phone call to discuss Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which happened a day earlier. In other news, Israel's military launched "targeted ground operations" in central and southern Gaza. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 372 soldiers in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates. Click on the headlines for more 'To align Russia, Ukraine on their requests': Trump, Zelensky hold phone call to discuss Putin's call US President Donald Trump held a telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (March 19), which lasted for about an hour. The two leaders discussed Trump's yesterday call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Israel army says launched 'targeted ground operations' in Gaza Israel's military said Wednesday that it had launched "targeted ground operations" in Gaza after conducting a series of air strikes on a scale not seen since a ceasefire began in January. Russia and Ukraine swap 372 POWs in latest exchange, defence ministry confirms Russia and Ukraine successfully exchanged 372 soldiers in a prisoner swap brokered by the United Arab Emirates, said the Russian defence ministry's on Wednesday (Mar 19). Did US State Department 'ignore' a grave warning that could have saved JFK? Here's what the document reveals As US President Donald Trump's administration released the final set of JFK files on Tuesday (March 18), it came to light that the State Department was allegedly warned about assassin Lee Harvey Oswald's plan to assassinate John F Kennedy months before the incident. Ukraine not expected to participate in Riyadh US-Russia talks, says Zelensky’s aide Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's aide Mykhailo Podolyak, on Wednesday (Mar 19), said that talks scheduled for Sunday in Saudi Arabia will be a bilateral affair between the US and Russia, with no plans for Ukraine's participation. 'Existential problem': Philippines plans to procure more missiles from India after BrahMos amid China threat Philippines Army chief Romeo Saturnino Brawner Jr on Wednesday (March 19) said that the country is exploring more platforms including missile systems, fighter aircraft and ships after getting BrahMos missiles from India as China is currently an "existential problem" for them. ‘They want to kill me’: Musk claims ‘bad people’ want to assassinate him, ‘hurt’ Tesla The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has publicly addressed the alleged conspiracy to assassinate him and destroy his electric vehicle company, Tesla. What’s next for Sunita Williams on Earth after nine-month stay in Space? NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore finally came back to Earth on March 18 after their extended nine-month stay on the Internation Space Station (ISS). What’s next for Williams and her fellow astronauts? Did Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava influence the violence in Nagpur? Fans of the actor defend film on social media Vicky Kaushal and his latest film Chhaava is being blamed for the recent riots in Nagpur. Communal violence broke out in the city in Maharashtra on March 17 due to protests against Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. Curfew has been imposed and the alleged mastermind has been arrested. On Tuesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the situation was being tackled. He also mentioned how the recent Bollywood blockbuster Chhaava reignited people's emotions against the Mughal emperor. Exclusive | IPL 2025: 'Hopefully, I can be half the player he was’ – Delhi Capitals' Tristan Stubbs on praise from AB de Villiers In the high-stakes world of T20 cricket, young talents emerge from the shadows, leaving fans and pundits in awe. One such rising star is Tristan Stubbs, the South African all-rounder who has been making waves with his explosive batting and confident gameplay. As he gears up for the upcoming Indian Premier League season, expectations are high, and the excitement surrounding his performances continues to grow.

Top 10 world news: Trump and Zelensky hold phone call; Israel launches 'ground operation' in Gaza, and more

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