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Donald Trump tried Saturday to invoke a law last used during World War II against Japanese residents to target a Venezuelan gang -- only to find his decision blocked by a judge.
The US president had issued an order to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan drug gang Tren de Aragua, arguing he had a right to declare them "alien enemies" under a wartime act.
But rights lawyers went to court and a federal judge ordered the administration not to deport anyone until he has more time to consider the legality of the order. &nbsp;
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is a wartime authority that allows a president to detain or deport citizens of an enemy nation, and has been invoked three times.
It was used in the War of 1812, World War I and -- most famously -- between 1942 and 1946 during World War II to intern around 120,000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans.
Now, Trump, who has promised supporters an aggressive drive to deport thousands of undocumented migrants, is targeting Tren de Aragua.
In a proclamation, the White House declared that the transnational criminal organization is closely linked to the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
"The result is a hybrid criminal state that is perpetrating an invasion of and predatory incursion into the United States," the presidential statement said.
<h2>'Extreme measure' </h2>
Trump said Tren de Aragua is "conducting irregular warfare against the territory of the United States both directly and at the direction, clandestine or otherwise, of the Maduro regime."
The statement gives Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi 60 days to enact the ruling making all Tren de Aragua gang members "subject to immediate apprehension, detention and removal."
The detention and expulsion order will apply to all Venezuelan Tren de Aragua members who are over 14 and not naturalized US citizens or lawful permanent residents.
"The Trump administration's intent to use a wartime authority for immigration enforcement is as unprecedented as it is lawless," said Lee Gelernt, of the American Civil Liberties Union.
"It may be the administration's most extreme measure yet, and that is saying a lot," said Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project and lead counsel.
The ACLU and an allied group, Democracy Forward, asked the US District Court in Washington to bar the deportations -- arguing that the 1798 act was not intended for use in peacetime.
Judge James Boasberg has yet to rule on the substance of the case, but on Saturday he ordered a 14-day halt to any deportation under the new order at least until he has done so.
The White House has until Monday to file a motion if they want to overturn the pause, and failing that the next hearing will be on March 21, the court ruling said.
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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. 
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WORLD | The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is a wartime authority that allows a president to detain or deport citizens of an enemy nation, and has been invoked three times.

Donald Trump tried Saturday to invoke a law last used during World War II against Japanese residents to target a Venezuelan gang -- only to find his decision blocked by a judge. The US president had issued an order to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan drug gang Tren de Aragua, arguing he had a right to declare them "alien enemies" under a wartime act. But rights lawyers went to court and a federal judge ordered the administration not to deport anyone until he has more time to consider the legality of the order. The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is a wartime authority that allows a president to detain or deport citizens of an enemy nation, and has been invoked three times. It was used in the War of 1812, World War I and -- most famously -- between 1942 and 1946 during World War II to intern around 120,000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans. Now, Trump, who has promised supporters an aggressive drive to deport thousands of undocumented migrants, is targeting Tren de Aragua. In a proclamation, the White House declared that the transnational criminal organization is closely linked to the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. "The result is a hybrid criminal state that is perpetrating an invasion of and predatory incursion into the United States," the presidential statement said. 'Extreme measure' Trump said Tren de Aragua is "conducting irregular warfare against the territory of the United States both directly and at the direction, clandestine or otherwise, of the Maduro regime." The statement gives Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi 60 days to enact the ruling making all Tren de Aragua gang members "subject to immediate apprehension, detention and removal." The detention and expulsion order will apply to all Venezuelan Tren de Aragua members who are over 14 and not naturalized US citizens or lawful permanent residents. "The Trump administration's intent to use a wartime authority for immigration enforcement is as unprecedented as it is lawless," said Lee Gelernt, of the American Civil Liberties Union. "It may be the administration's most extreme measure yet, and that is saying a lot," said Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project and lead counsel. The ACLU and an allied group, Democracy Forward, asked the US District Court in Washington to bar the deportations -- arguing that the 1798 act was not intended for use in peacetime. Judge James Boasberg has yet to rule on the substance of the case, but on Saturday he ordered a 14-day halt to any deportation under the new order at least until he has done so. The White House has until Monday to file a motion if they want to overturn the pause, and failing that the next hearing will be on March 21, the court ruling 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 targets Venezuela gang with Alien Enemies Act of 1798 - used in World War I

United States President Donald Trump said that he has ordered a "decisive" military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Iran-backed group said Sunday that US strikes had killed at least 31 people, including children. The group often targets shipping lanes in the Red Sea, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians.
The Houthi's Ansarollah media earlier claimed a death toll of nine, reporting strikes hitting the capital Sanaa as well as the northern Saada region.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sick-degenerates-trump-slams-fake-news-over-claim-putin-made-us-envoy-witkoff-wait-9-hours-8857093">&lsquo;Sick degenerates&rsquo;: Trump slams &lsquo;fake news&rsquo; over claim Putin made US envoy Witkoff wait 9 hours</a>
Trump said the US would deploy "overwhelming lethal force" against the group "until we have achieved our objective".&nbsp;
"They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He further stated that US personnel were carrying out aerial attacks on Houthi bases, leaders and missile defences "to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom."&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/grandpa-trump-helps-elon-musks-son-x-to-board-on-marine-force-one-8855842">'Grandpa' Trump helps Elon Musk's son X to board Marine Force One</a>
"No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World," Trump wrote.&nbsp;
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted images of fighters taking off from an aircraft carrier and a bomb demolishing a building compound.&nbsp;
CENTCOM said that "precision strikes" were launched to "defend American interests, deter enemies and restore freedom of navigation".&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-revive-his-travel-ban-43-nations-on-the-chopping-block-including-russia-and-iran-8856103">Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran</a>
<h2>Houthis vow 'response'</h2>
This is the first US strike against Houthis since Trump took office in January as Washington warned Iran to stop backing the group.
The Houthis vowed that the strikes "will not pass without response," claiming solidarity with the Palestinians. "Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation," the rebels' political bureau said in a statement on the rebel Al-Masirah TV station.
After halting their attacks when Gaza's ceasefire took effect in January, the Houthis announced on Tuesday that they would resume them until Israel lifted its blockade of aid to the shattered Palestinian territory.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-expels-south-african-ambassador-ebrahim-rasool-accuses-him-of-hating-america-and-trump-8855466">US expels South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, accuses him of hating America and Trump</a>
In his statement, Trump focused on previous Houthi attacks on merchant shipping. But did not reference the dispute over Israel.&nbsp;
"To all Huthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON'T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!" he said.
"Do NOT threaten the American People, their President... or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won't be nice about it!"&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

World | Learn about the US military's precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, their impact, and the reaction from Houthi's political bureau in Yemen.

United States President Donald Trump said that he has ordered a "decisive" military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Iran-backed group said Sunday that US strikes had killed at least 31 people, including children. The group often targets shipping lanes in the Red Sea, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians. The Houthi's Ansarollah media earlier claimed a death toll of nine, reporting strikes hitting the capital Sanaa as well as the northern Saada region. Also read: ‘Sick degenerates’: Trump slams ‘fake news’ over claim Putin made US envoy Witkoff wait 9 hours Trump said the US would deploy "overwhelming lethal force" against the group "until we have achieved our objective". "They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He further stated that US personnel were carrying out aerial attacks on Houthi bases, leaders and missile defences "to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom." Also read: 'Grandpa' Trump helps Elon Musk's son X to board Marine Force One "No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World," Trump wrote. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted images of fighters taking off from an aircraft carrier and a bomb demolishing a building compound. CENTCOM said that "precision strikes" were launched to "defend American interests, deter enemies and restore freedom of navigation". Also read: Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran Houthis vow 'response' This is the first US strike against Houthis since Trump took office in January as Washington warned Iran to stop backing the group. The Houthis vowed that the strikes "will not pass without response," claiming solidarity with the Palestinians. "Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation," the rebels' political bureau said in a statement on the rebel Al-Masirah TV station. After halting their attacks when Gaza's ceasefire took effect in January, the Houthis announced on Tuesday that they would resume them until Israel lifted its blockade of aid to the shattered Palestinian territory. Also read: US expels South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, accuses him of hating America and Trump In his statement, Trump focused on previous Houthi attacks on merchant shipping. But did not reference the dispute over Israel. "To all Huthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON'T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!" he said. "Do NOT threaten the American People, their President... or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won't be nice about it!" (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump's 'decisive' military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen kills 31

US President Donald Trump has criticised media outlets for allegedly spreading false claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin kept US special envoy Steve Witkoff waiting for over nine hours. Trump insisted that no such delay occurred.
Taking to Truth Social on Saturday (15 March), Trump accused the media of dishonesty, saying, "The Fake News, as usual, is at it again! Why can&rsquo;t they be honest, just for once? Last night I read that President Vladimir Putin of Russia kept my Highly Respected Ambassador and Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, waiting for over nine hours when, in fact, there was no wait whatsoever."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-revive-his-travel-ban-43-nations-on-the-chopping-block-including-russia-and-iran-8856103">Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran</a>
He acknowledged that other meetings with Russian representatives had taken place and lasted some time but described them as "very productive."
"From there, things went quickly and efficiently, and all signs seem to be, hopefully, very good! In conclusion, there was no nine-hour wait, or any wait at all! The only reason they made up that story is to try and DEMEAN, because they are sick degenerates, that have to start reporting the News correctly. This is why they have lost their ratings, their audience, and respect. Thank you for your attention to this matter and, GOD BLESS AMERICA!" he added.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-expels-south-african-ambassador-ebrahim-rasool-accuses-him-of-hating-america-and-trump-8855466">US expels South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, accuses him of hating America and Trump</a>
<h2>Trump condemns media, calls for action</h2>
A day earlier, on Friday (14 March), Trump took aim at major news networks during a speech at the Department of Justice, suggesting their reporting should be considered illegal and investigated.
&ldquo;I believe that CNN and MS-DNC, who literally write 97.6% bad about me, are political arms of the Democrat [sic] party and in my opinion, they&rsquo;re really corrupt and they&rsquo;re illegal, what they do is illegal,&rdquo; he claimed.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-is-lying-to-everyone-zelensky-demands-strong-pressure-on-russia-blasts-moscows-delaying-tactics-8856653">&lsquo;Putin is lying to everyone&rsquo;: Zelensky demands &lsquo;strong pressure&rsquo; on Russia, blasts Moscow&rsquo;s &lsquo;delaying tactics&rsquo;</a>
He went on to compare news organisations to political operatives, arguing that their actions should not be permitted.
&ldquo;These networks and these newspapers are really no different than a highly paid political operative,&rdquo; Trump said, labelling CNN and MSNBC as "corrupt."
&ldquo;And it has to stop, it has to be illegal, it&rsquo;s influencing judges and it&rsquo;s really changing law, and it just cannot be legal. I don&rsquo;t believe it&rsquo;s legal, and they do it in total coordination with each other,&rdquo; he added.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-coalition-of-the-willing-uk-keir-starmer-france-emmanuel-macron-nato-unite-to-push-russia-into-ceasefire-as-putin-stalls-8856438">'Will build Ukraine&rsquo;s own defences': UK, France, NATO unite to push Russia into ceasefire as Putin 'stalls'</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Taking to Truth Social on Saturday (15 March), Trump accused the media of dishonesty, saying, "The Fake News, as usual, is at it again! Why can’t they be honest, just for once?"

US President Donald Trump has criticised media outlets for allegedly spreading false claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin kept US special envoy Steve Witkoff waiting for over nine hours. Trump insisted that no such delay occurred. Taking to Truth Social on Saturday (15 March), Trump accused the media of dishonesty, saying, "The Fake News, as usual, is at it again! Why can’t they be honest, just for once? Last night I read that President Vladimir Putin of Russia kept my Highly Respected Ambassador and Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, waiting for over nine hours when, in fact, there was no wait whatsoever." Also read: Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran He acknowledged that other meetings with Russian representatives had taken place and lasted some time but described them as "very productive." "From there, things went quickly and efficiently, and all signs seem to be, hopefully, very good! In conclusion, there was no nine-hour wait, or any wait at all! The only reason they made up that story is to try and DEMEAN, because they are sick degenerates, that have to start reporting the News correctly. This is why they have lost their ratings, their audience, and respect. Thank you for your attention to this matter and, GOD BLESS AMERICA!" he added. Also read: US expels South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, accuses him of hating America and Trump Trump condemns media, calls for action A day earlier, on Friday (14 March), Trump took aim at major news networks during a speech at the Department of Justice, suggesting their reporting should be considered illegal and investigated. “I believe that CNN and MS-DNC, who literally write 97.6% bad about me, are political arms of the Democrat [sic] party and in my opinion, they’re really corrupt and they’re illegal, what they do is illegal,” he claimed. Also read: ‘Putin is lying to everyone’: Zelensky demands ‘strong pressure’ on Russia, blasts Moscow’s ‘delaying tactics’ He went on to compare news organisations to political operatives, arguing that their actions should not be permitted. “These networks and these newspapers are really no different than a highly paid political operative,” Trump said, labelling CNN and MSNBC as "corrupt." “And it has to stop, it has to be illegal, it’s influencing judges and it’s really changing law, and it just cannot be legal. I don’t believe it’s legal, and they do it in total coordination with each other,” he added. Also read: 'Will build Ukraine’s own defences': UK, France, NATO unite to push Russia into ceasefire as Putin 'stalls' (With inputs from agencies)

‘Sick degenerates’: Trump slams ‘fake news’ over claim Putin made US envoy Witkoff wait 9 hours

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led a virtual summit with Ukraine&rsquo;s allies to discuss security assurances in the event of a peace agreement. The meeting, attended by representatives from 26 nations, included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Downing Street.
Click on the headlines for more
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-is-lying-to-everyone-zelensky-demands-strong-pressure-on-russia-blasts-moscows-delaying-tactics-8856653">&lsquo;Putin is lying to everyone&rsquo;: Zelensky demands &lsquo;strong pressure&rsquo; on Russia, blasts Moscow&rsquo;s &lsquo;delaying tactics&rsquo;</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/24/77v6PB1lY4hjHCPjB5y0.jpg" alt=" Zelensky proposes 'all for all' POW swap as 'start' of ending war Photograph: (AFP) ">
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led a virtual summit with Ukraine&rsquo;s allies to discuss security assurances in the event of a peace agreement. The meeting, attended by representatives from 26 nations, included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Downing Street.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-gaza-9-killed-including-journalists-hamas-calls-attack-blatant-violation-of-ceasefire-8856513">Israel strikes Gaza: 9 killed, including journalists; Hamas calls attack 'blatant violation' of ceasefire</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/10/Xc2gjlvjO3a1tu3bNAWj.png" alt=" Israel strikes Gaza: 9 killed, including journalists; Hamas calls attack 'blatant violation' of ceasefire Photograph: (Reuters) ">
Gaza&rsquo;s civil defence agency has said that nine people, including several journalists, lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes on Saturday (March 15) in the northern town of Beit Lahia.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-records-cleanest-air-quality-in-3-years-aqi-at-satisfactory-level-for-first-time-in-2025-8856793">Delhi breathes cleanest air in 3 years; AQI at &lsquo;satisfactory&rsquo; level for first time in 2025</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/01/05/3tfxIV2Y5VSHkN2QwFCe.png" alt=" Delhi-NCR lifts GRAP measures as AQI improves Photograph: (ANI) ">
Indian national capital, Delhi saw cleanest air&nbsp;in years&nbsp;on Saturday (March 15), with the city recording an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 85, the lowest in three years for the January to mid-March period.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-want-a-stronger-position-zelensky-reveals-why-russia-is-stalling-a-ceasefire-8856724">'They want a stronger position': Zelensky reveals why Russia is stalling a ceasefire</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/03/97Xt3MMprc8N6mf5UFx0.png" alt=" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Photograph: (AFP) ">
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russia is attempting to strengthen its military position before agreeing to any ceasefire in Ukraine.
<a class="gh-card-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-revive-his-travel-ban-43-nations-on-the-chopping-block-including-russia-and-iran-8856103" aria-label="Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran">Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/01/1ZK43IPwmxjoGJjiU62P.png" alt=" US President Donald Trump Photograph: (Reuters) ">
US&nbsp;President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/donald-trump" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is reportedly preparing a new travel ban that could affect citizens from up to 43 countries, according to officials familiar with the matter, The New York Times reports.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-coalition-of-the-willing-uk-keir-starmer-france-emmanuel-macron-nato-unite-to-push-russia-into-ceasefire-as-putin-stalls-8856438">'Will build Ukraine&rsquo;s own defences': UK, France, NATO unite to push Russia into ceasefire as Putin 'stalls'</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/15/PiNqX4Cv9dz6vij4CfYZ.png" alt=" Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine, in central London on March 15, 2025. Photograph: (AFP) ">
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, took part in a virtual "coalition of the willing" meeting on Saturday (March 15). The leaders discussed ongoing support for Ukraine and the urgent need for Russia to commit to peace.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/major-storm-us-deadly-tornadoes-leave-at-least-14-dead-in-missouri-and-arkansas-8857034">Major storm in US: Deadly tornadoes leave at least 14 dead in Missouri and Arkansas</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/15/BO8mIuQZqRkNQFXRtPEt.png" alt=" This March 15, 2025, image released by the Missouri State Highway Patrol shows severe weather damage in Missouri. Photograph: (AFP) ">
At least 14 people have lost their lives, and many others have been injured after powerful tornadoes tore through the central United States, officials confirmed on Saturday.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/aamir-khans-rumoured-cameo-in-rajinikanths-coolie-confirmed-8855885">Aamir Khan's rumoured cameo in Rajinikanth's Coolie confirmed?</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/15/S3PUsuUyA7sqzTzXosYH.jpg" alt=" Aamir Khan's cameo in Coolie confirmed? Photograph: (WION Web Team) ">
One of the most anticipated films of the year,&nbsp;Coolie, marks Tamil superstar Rajinikanth&rsquo;s first collaboration with director Lokesh Kanagaraj. Since production began last year, rumours have circulated that Kanagaraj has been in talks with several Bollywood stars for cameo appearances.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/virat-kohli-hints-at-coming-out-of-t20i-retirement-but-only-on-one-condition-olympics-la28-cricket-8856635">Virat Kohli hints at coming out of T20I retirement but only on one condition</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/15/kdP0GlkPOjm6O7ECOwvc.jpg" alt=" Virat Kohli hints at coming out of T20I retirement but only on one condition Photograph: (Others) ">
Ace India batter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/virat-kohli" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;announced his T20I retirement shortly after India lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas. Joining him were two giants of Indian cricket, captain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rohit-sharma" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rohit Sharma</a>&nbsp;and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Although Rohit and Jadeja haven&rsquo;t looked back at this format, Kohli has hinted at making a shock comeback to playing T20Is on one condition.
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led a virtual summit with Ukraine’s allies to discuss security assurances in the event of a peace agreement. The meeting, attended by representatives from 26 nations, included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Downing Street. Click on the headlines for more ‘Putin is lying to everyone’: Zelensky demands ‘strong pressure’ on Russia, blasts Moscow’s ‘delaying tactics’ UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led a virtual summit with Ukraine’s allies to discuss security assurances in the event of a peace agreement. The meeting, attended by representatives from 26 nations, included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Downing Street. Israel strikes Gaza: 9 killed, including journalists; Hamas calls attack 'blatant violation' of ceasefire Gaza’s civil defence agency has said that nine people, including several journalists, lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes on Saturday (March 15) in the northern town of Beit Lahia. Delhi breathes cleanest air in 3 years; AQI at ‘satisfactory’ level for first time in 2025 Indian national capital, Delhi saw cleanest air in years on Saturday (March 15), with the city recording an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 85, the lowest in three years for the January to mid-March period. 'They want a stronger position': Zelensky reveals why Russia is stalling a ceasefire Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russia is attempting to strengthen its military position before agreeing to any ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing a new travel ban that could affect citizens from up to 43 countries, according to officials familiar with the matter, The New York Times reports. 'Will build Ukraine’s own defences': UK, France, NATO unite to push Russia into ceasefire as Putin 'stalls' Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, took part in a virtual "coalition of the willing" meeting on Saturday (March 15). The leaders discussed ongoing support for Ukraine and the urgent need for Russia to commit to peace. Major storm in US: Deadly tornadoes leave at least 14 dead in Missouri and Arkansas At least 14 people have lost their lives, and many others have been injured after powerful tornadoes tore through the central United States, officials confirmed on Saturday. Aamir Khan's rumoured cameo in Rajinikanth's Coolie confirmed? One of the most anticipated films of the year, Coolie, marks Tamil superstar Rajinikanth’s first collaboration with director Lokesh Kanagaraj. Since production began last year, rumours have circulated that Kanagaraj has been in talks with several Bollywood stars for cameo appearances. Virat Kohli hints at coming out of T20I retirement but only on one condition Ace India batter Virat Kohli announced his T20I retirement shortly after India lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas. Joining him were two giants of Indian cricket, captain Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Although Rohit and Jadeja haven’t looked back at this format, Kohli has hinted at making a shock comeback to playing T20Is on one condition.

Top 10 world news: Zelensky demands ‘strong pressure’ on Russia; Israel strikes Gaza, and more

At least 14 people have lost their lives, and many others have been injured after powerful tornadoes tore through the central United States, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 11 fatalities linked to the storm in a statement on X. In neighbouring Arkansas, authorities said three people had died as a result of the severe weather.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8ags9kc-ofgwyjiy-39cd8i9f">
Tornado Aftermath Update - March 15 - 10:30 am An additional storm victim injured in Ozark County passed away early this morning. Current confirmed reports are 11 deaths: ▪️ Three fatalities, Ozark County ▪️ One fatality, Butler County ▪️ Six fatalities, Wayne County ▪️ One&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/zyjYS6Stzl">pic.twitter.com/zyjYS6Stzl</a>
&mdash; MSHP General HQ (@MSHPTrooperGHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSHPTrooperGHQ/status/1900948752090673155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
State police detailed widespread destruction, including fallen trees, damaged power lines, and severe harm to both residential and commercial buildings. Some areas suffered extensive damage due to "tornadoes, thunderstorms and large hail."
In Missouri, six people were killed in Wayne County, while Ozark County saw three fatalities along with multiple injuries. Butler and Jefferson counties each recorded one death, according to officials.
Arkansas officials confirmed that three people had died, while 29 others sustained injuries during the storm.
More tornadoes were predicted to hit Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee on Saturday, increasing concerns over further destruction.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 11 fatalities linked to the storm in a statement on X. In neighbouring Arkansas, authorities said three people had died.

At least 14 people have lost their lives, and many others have been injured after powerful tornadoes tore through the central United States, officials confirmed on Saturday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 11 fatalities linked to the storm in a statement on X. In neighbouring Arkansas, authorities said three people had died as a result of the severe weather. Tornado Aftermath Update - March 15 - 10:30 am An additional storm victim injured in Ozark County passed away early this morning. Current confirmed reports are 11 deaths: ▪️ Three fatalities, Ozark County ▪️ One fatality, Butler County ▪️ Six fatalities, Wayne County ▪️ One… pic.twitter.com/zyjYS6Stzl — MSHP General HQ (@MSHPTrooperGHQ) March 15, 2025 State police detailed widespread destruction, including fallen trees, damaged power lines, and severe harm to both residential and commercial buildings. Some areas suffered extensive damage due to "tornadoes, thunderstorms and large hail." In Missouri, six people were killed in Wayne County, while Ozark County saw three fatalities along with multiple injuries. Butler and Jefferson counties each recorded one death, according to officials. Arkansas officials confirmed that three people had died, while 29 others sustained injuries during the storm. More tornadoes were predicted to hit Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee on Saturday, increasing concerns over further destruction. (With inputs from agencies)

Major storm in US: Deadly tornadoes leave at least 14 dead in Missouri and Arkansas

The US president Donald Trump was spotted with Elon Musk's four-year-old son, X &AElig; A-Xii on the White House's South Lawn on Friday (March 14). Trump helped X &AElig; A-Xii to walk up on the stairs onto the plane. In the video, Trump was departing for Joint Base Andrews on the Air Force One.
After this moment, he gave a speech at the Department of Justice. The video of the duo walking with each other went viral on the internet. One user taking to X wrote, "Donald Trump takes care of Lil X like a grandpa. Great duo!"
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Donald Trump takes care of Lil X like a grandpa 🥹🫶🏻🩶 Great duo! <a href="https://t.co/PEA3WJvJZJ">pic.twitter.com/PEA3WJvJZJ</a>
&mdash; Pauline 🚀 (@justpaulinelol) <a href="https://twitter.com/justpaulinelol/status/1900670920211263860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>

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

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Grandpa Trump and Lil X just strolling to Marine One earlier. Cool moment. <a href="https://t.co/hNGjs5b1vG">pic.twitter.com/hNGjs5b1vG</a>
&mdash; The Outlaw Patriot (@outlawpatriotva) <a href="https://twitter.com/outlawpatriotva/status/1900696495084708088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>

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

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
A video of Donald Trump and Elon Musk's son (X &AElig; A-XII) going to the Marine One helicopter went viral in the USA. <a href="https://t.co/uzYAXbCN63">pic.twitter.com/uzYAXbCN63</a>
&mdash; Abhimanyu Manjhi (@AbhimanyuManjh5) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbhimanyuManjh5/status/1900792897391521881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2025</a></blockquote>

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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>
<h2>Elon Musk Joins In</h2>
The president was accompied by X owner Elon Musk, a senior adviser to the president who leads the Department of Government Efficiency. They were going to Palm Beach, Florida where Trump is expected to spend the time at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ai-generated-holi-bash-pm-modi-donald-trump-musk-meloni-and-virat-kohli-come-together-for-a-festive-splash-8853720">'AI-Generated Holi Bash': PM Modi, Donald Trump, Musk, Meloni and Virat Kohli come together for a festive splash!</a>
Earlier, at the Joint Base Andrews, Trump was mistakenly hit on the face by the mike of a reporter, causing the moment to be recorded live and going viral.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Trending: Discover the viral moment when President Donald Trump babysat Elon Musk's son X Æ A-Xii as they boarded Marine Force One, sparking online buzz about 'Grandpa Trump.'

The US president Donald Trump was spotted with Elon Musk's four-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii on the White House's South Lawn on Friday (March 14). Trump helped X Æ A-Xii to walk up on the stairs onto the plane. In the video, Trump was departing for Joint Base Andrews on the Air Force One. After this moment, he gave a speech at the Department of Justice. The video of the duo walking with each other went viral on the internet. One user taking to X wrote, "Donald Trump takes care of Lil X like a grandpa. Great duo!" Donald Trump takes care of Lil X like a grandpa 🥹🫶🏻🩶 Great duo! pic.twitter.com/PEA3WJvJZJ — Pauline 🚀 (@justpaulinelol) March 14, 2025 Grandpa Trump and Lil X just strolling to Marine One earlier. Cool moment. pic.twitter.com/hNGjs5b1vG — The Outlaw Patriot (@outlawpatriotva) March 14, 2025 A video of Donald Trump and Elon Musk's son (X Æ A-XII) going to the Marine One helicopter went viral in the USA. pic.twitter.com/uzYAXbCN63 — Abhimanyu Manjhi (@AbhimanyuManjh5) March 15, 2025 Also read| Elon Musk's budget scraps organisation that helped find Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia Elon Musk Joins In The president was accompied by X owner Elon Musk, a senior adviser to the president who leads the Department of Government Efficiency. They were going to Palm Beach, Florida where Trump is expected to spend the time at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Also read| 'AI-Generated Holi Bash': PM Modi, Donald Trump, Musk, Meloni and Virat Kohli come together for a festive splash! Earlier, at the Joint Base Andrews, Trump was mistakenly hit on the face by the mike of a reporter, causing the moment to be recorded live and going viral. (With inputs from agencies)

'Grandpa' Trump helps Elon Musk's son X to board Marine Force One

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russia is attempting to strengthen its military position before agreeing to any ceasefire in Ukraine.
"They want a stronger position before the ceasefire," Zelensky stated during a press conference in Kyiv on Saturday. He further added, "I think the delaying of the process is exactly because of what I said. They want to improve their situation on the battlefield."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-is-lying-to-everyone-zelensky-demands-strong-pressure-on-russia-blasts-moscows-delaying-tactics-8856653" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;Putin is lying to everyone&rsquo;: Zelensky demands &lsquo;strong pressure&rsquo; on Russia, blasts Moscow&rsquo;s &lsquo;delaying tactics&rsquo;</a>
<h2>Zelensky appoints team of negotiators for possible peace talks</h2>
In a step towards possible peace negotiations, Zelensky has appointed an official delegation to represent Kyiv in any future talks aimed at ending the war, which has now lasted more than three years. According to a presidential decree issued on Saturday, his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, will lead the delegation. Other members include Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff Pavlo Palisa.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-coalition-of-the-willing-uk-keir-starmer-france-emmanuel-macron-nato-unite-to-push-russia-into-ceasefire-as-putin-stalls-8856438" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Will build Ukraine&rsquo;s own defences': UK, France, NATO unite to push Russia into ceasefire as Putin 'stalls'</a>
Earlier on Saturday, Zelensky joined a virtual meeting of the "coalition of the willing" alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The leaders discussed continued support for Ukraine and stressed the urgency of securing a commitment to peace from Russia. The meeting, attended by representatives from 26 nations, highlighted ongoing international efforts to support Ukraine, according to Downing Street.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-revive-his-travel-ban-43-nations-on-the-chopping-block-including-russia-and-iran-8856103">Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran</a>
Following the discussions, Zelensky shared his statement on the social media platform X, stressing the urgency of pressuring Russia into peace negotiations.
Zelensky said that achieving peace must start "unconditionally" and that if Russia refuses, "strong pressure must be applied until they do. Moscow understands one language."
He also talked about a US-backed ceasefire proposal, introduced on Tuesday, which calls for a 30-day halt to hostilities across air, sea, and land. "This is an American proposal &mdash; a full, unconditional ceasefire for 30 days. In that time, without killings, it would truly be possible to negotiate all aspects of a real peace," he explained.
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However, Zelensky accused Russia of obstructing peace efforts, saying, "A ceasefire could have already happened, but Russia is doing everything to prevent it."
(With inputs from agencies)

World: "They (Russia) want a stronger position before the ceasefire," Ukrainian President Zelensky stated during a press conference in Kyiv on Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russia is attempting to strengthen its military position before agreeing to any ceasefire in Ukraine. "They want a stronger position before the ceasefire," Zelensky stated during a press conference in Kyiv on Saturday. He further added, "I think the delaying of the process is exactly because of what I said. They want to improve their situation on the battlefield." Also read: ‘Putin is lying to everyone’: Zelensky demands ‘strong pressure’ on Russia, blasts Moscow’s ‘delaying tactics’ Zelensky appoints team of negotiators for possible peace talks In a step towards possible peace negotiations, Zelensky has appointed an official delegation to represent Kyiv in any future talks aimed at ending the war, which has now lasted more than three years. According to a presidential decree issued on Saturday, his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, will lead the delegation. Other members include Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff Pavlo Palisa. Also read: 'Will build Ukraine’s own defences': UK, France, NATO unite to push Russia into ceasefire as Putin 'stalls' Earlier on Saturday, Zelensky joined a virtual meeting of the "coalition of the willing" alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The leaders discussed continued support for Ukraine and stressed the urgency of securing a commitment to peace from Russia. The meeting, attended by representatives from 26 nations, highlighted ongoing international efforts to support Ukraine, according to Downing Street. Also read: Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran Following the discussions, Zelensky shared his statement on the social media platform X, stressing the urgency of pressuring Russia into peace negotiations. Zelensky said that achieving peace must start "unconditionally" and that if Russia refuses, "strong pressure must be applied until they do. Moscow understands one language." He also talked about a US-backed ceasefire proposal, introduced on Tuesday, which calls for a 30-day halt to hostilities across air, sea, and land. "This is an American proposal — a full, unconditional ceasefire for 30 days. In that time, without killings, it would truly be possible to negotiate all aspects of a real peace," he explained. Also read: Elon Musk's budget scraps organisation that helped find Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia However, Zelensky accused Russia of obstructing peace efforts, saying, "A ceasefire could have already happened, but Russia is doing everything to prevent it." (With inputs from agencies)

'They want a stronger position': Zelensky reveals why Russia is stalling a ceasefire

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led a virtual summit with Ukraine&rsquo;s allies to discuss security assurances in the event of a peace agreement. The meeting, attended by representatives from 26 nations, included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Downing Street.
Following the discussions, Zelensky shared his statement on the social media platform X, stressing the urgency of pressuring Russia into peace negotiations.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-coalition-of-the-willing-uk-keir-starmer-france-emmanuel-macron-nato-unite-to-push-russia-into-ceasefire-as-putin-stalls-8856438">'Will build Ukraine&rsquo;s own defences': UK, France, NATO unite to push Russia into ceasefire as Putin 'stalls'</a>
<h2>Zelensky: &ldquo;Moscow understands one language&rdquo;</h2>
Zelensky said that achieving peace must start "unconditionally" and that if Russia refuses, "strong pressure must be applied until they do. Moscow understands one language."
He also talked about a US-backed ceasefire proposal, introduced on Tuesday, which calls for a 30-day halt to hostilities across air, sea, and land. "This is an American proposal &mdash; a full, unconditional ceasefire for 30 days. In that time, without killings, it would truly be possible to negotiate all aspects of a real peace," he explained.
However, Zelensky accused Russia of obstructing peace efforts, saying, "A ceasefire could have already happened, but Russia is doing everything to prevent it."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-calls-on-ukraine-army-to-surrender-in-kursk-region-after-trumps-strong-appeal-8854315">Putin calls on Ukraine army to 'surrender' in Kursk region after Trump's 'strong' appeal</a>
He also dismissed claims from Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, "Putin is lying to everyone about the situation on the ground, especially about what&rsquo;s happening in the Kursk region, where our Ukrainian forces continue their operations."
Zelensky said that Ukraine&rsquo;s forces had "stabilised the situation on the front in Donetsk region &mdash; specifically Pokrovsk," and argued that Putin was deliberately prolonging the conflict. 
"Putin is also lying about how a ceasefire is supposedly too complicated. In reality, everything can be controlled, and we have discussed this with the Americans. The truth is, Putin has already dragged out the war for nearly a week after the talks in Jeddah. And he will keep dragging it out," he said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-confirms-call-with-russian-president-putin-says-he-pleaded-with-russian-prez-to-spare-lives-8853917">&lsquo;Horrible, bloody war can finally end&rsquo;: Trump pleads with Putin to spare Ukrainian lives</a>
<h2>Calls for tougher sanctions and stronger defence</h2>
The Ukrainian leader urged European nations to take more decisive action against Russia, calling for sanctions to be reinforced rather than eased. "This includes sanctions against Russia that must not only be maintained but continuously strengthened," he said.
Zelensky also stressed the need for security guarantees to ensure long-term peace. "This is Russia&rsquo;s war &mdash; more than three years of full-scale fighting and destruction. To stop this, active pressure is needed, not just talks. Pressure on Russia. Strong measures are needed to take even the first steps toward ending the war. This includes sanctions against Russia that must not only be maintained but continuously strengthened. I ask you to take these steps and to work with your partners on this," he said. 
He suggested that European forces should be deployed on Ukrainian soil, with the United States providing additional support.
He further called for increased investment in defence production, both in Ukraine and across Europe, to speed up the manufacturing of critical military supplies. "It shouldn&rsquo;t take 3 to 5 years to produce ammunition when it&rsquo;s about your defence and security. Please, do it as soon as possible," he urged.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cannot-confirm-this-at-all-russia-shrugs-off-claims-it-sidelined-trumps-ukraine-envoy-from-ceasefire-talks-8853668">'Can't confirm this at&nbsp;all': Russia shrugs off claims about sidelining Trump&rsquo;s Ukraine envoy from&nbsp;ceasefire&nbsp;talks</a>
<h2>Ukraine&rsquo;s security tied to Europe&rsquo;s stability</h2>
Zelensky warned against considering Russia&rsquo;s stance when deciding the deployment of security forces, calling it "a very bad signal." He added, "The contingent must be stationed on Ukrainian soil. This is a security guarantee for Ukraine and a security guarantee for Europe."
"If Putin wants to bring some foreign contingent onto Russia&rsquo;s territory, that&rsquo;s his business. But it is not his business to decide anything about Ukraine&rsquo;s and Europe&rsquo;s security," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Zelensky said that achieving peace must start "unconditionally" and that if Russia refuses, "strong pressure must be applied until they do. Moscow understands one language."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led a virtual summit with Ukraine’s allies to discuss security assurances in the event of a peace agreement. The meeting, attended by representatives from 26 nations, included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Downing Street. Following the discussions, Zelensky shared his statement on the social media platform X, stressing the urgency of pressuring Russia into peace negotiations. Also read: 'Will build Ukraine’s own defences': UK, France, NATO unite to push Russia into ceasefire as Putin 'stalls' Zelensky: “Moscow understands one language” Zelensky said that achieving peace must start "unconditionally" and that if Russia refuses, "strong pressure must be applied until they do. Moscow understands one language." He also talked about a US-backed ceasefire proposal, introduced on Tuesday, which calls for a 30-day halt to hostilities across air, sea, and land. "This is an American proposal — a full, unconditional ceasefire for 30 days. In that time, without killings, it would truly be possible to negotiate all aspects of a real peace," he explained. However, Zelensky accused Russia of obstructing peace efforts, saying, "A ceasefire could have already happened, but Russia is doing everything to prevent it." Also read: Putin calls on Ukraine army to 'surrender' in Kursk region after Trump's 'strong' appeal He also dismissed claims from Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, "Putin is lying to everyone about the situation on the ground, especially about what’s happening in the Kursk region, where our Ukrainian forces continue their operations." Zelensky said that Ukraine’s forces had "stabilised the situation on the front in Donetsk region — specifically Pokrovsk," and argued that Putin was deliberately prolonging the conflict. "Putin is also lying about how a ceasefire is supposedly too complicated. In reality, everything can be controlled, and we have discussed this with the Americans. The truth is, Putin has already dragged out the war for nearly a week after the talks in Jeddah. And he will keep dragging it out," he said. Also read: ‘Horrible, bloody war can finally end’: Trump pleads with Putin to spare Ukrainian lives Calls for tougher sanctions and stronger defence The Ukrainian leader urged European nations to take more decisive action against Russia, calling for sanctions to be reinforced rather than eased. "This includes sanctions against Russia that must not only be maintained but continuously strengthened," he said. Zelensky also stressed the need for security guarantees to ensure long-term peace. "This is Russia’s war — more than three years of full-scale fighting and destruction. To stop this, active pressure is needed, not just talks. Pressure on Russia. Strong measures are needed to take even the first steps toward ending the war. This includes sanctions against Russia that must not only be maintained but continuously strengthened. I ask you to take these steps and to work with your partners on this," he said. He suggested that European forces should be deployed on Ukrainian soil, with the United States providing additional support. He further called for increased investment in defence production, both in Ukraine and across Europe, to speed up the manufacturing of critical military supplies. "It shouldn’t take 3 to 5 years to produce ammunition when it’s about your defence and security. Please, do it as soon as possible," he urged. Also read: 'Can't confirm this at all': Russia shrugs off claims about sidelining Trump’s Ukraine envoy from ceasefire talks Ukraine’s security tied to Europe’s stability Zelensky warned against considering Russia’s stance when deciding the deployment of security forces, calling it "a very bad signal." He added, "The contingent must be stationed on Ukrainian soil. This is a security guarantee for Ukraine and a security guarantee for Europe." "If Putin wants to bring some foreign contingent onto Russia’s territory, that’s his business. But it is not his business to decide anything about Ukraine’s and Europe’s security," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Putin is lying to everyone’: Zelensky demands ‘strong pressure’ on Russia, blasts Moscow’s ‘delaying tactics’

Gaza&rsquo;s civil defence agency has said that nine people, including several journalists, lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes on Saturday (March 15) in the northern town of Beit Lahia.
Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the civil defence, told AFP, "Nine martyrs have been transferred (to hospital), including several journalists and a number of workers from the Al-Khair Charitable Organisation, as a result of the occupation targeting a vehicle with a drone in the town of Beit Lahia, coinciding with artillery shelling on the same area."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-netanyahu-approach-3-african-nations-to-resettle-gazans-2-of-them-immediately-rebuffed-8854678">Trump's 'beautiful area' for Gazans? US, Israel eyeing three 'poor' African nations to resettle Palestinians</a>
The Israel Defense Forces (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-gaza-9-killed-including-journalists-hamas-calls-attack-blatant-violation-of-ceasefire-8856513">IDF</a>) released a statement saying they had targeted individuals operating a drone that posed a threat to their troops in Beit Lahia. "Earlier today, two terrorists were identified who were operating a drone that posed a threat to IDF forces in the Beit Lahia area. The IDF attacked the terrorists. Subsequently, several additional terrorists collected the drone operating equipment in the attack area and entered the vehicle. The IDF attacked the terrorists," the statement read.
Hamas has condemned the Israeli strikes, calling them a "blatant violation" of the truce agreement.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/manipulation-psychological-warfare-netanyahu-slams-hamas-for-rejecting-witkoff-proposal-8853836">'Manipulation, psychological warfare': Netanyahu slams Hamas for rejecting 'Witkoff proposal'</a>
"The occupation (Israel) has committed a horrific massacre in the northern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-respond-accordingly-white-house-accuses-hamas-of-making-very-bad-bet-on-gaza-talks-8854373">Gaza</a> Strip by targeting a group of journalists and humanitarian workers, in a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement.
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement saying they had targeted individuals operating a drone that posed a threat to their troops in Beit Lahia.

Gaza’s civil defence agency has said that nine people, including several journalists, lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes on Saturday (March 15) in the northern town of Beit Lahia. Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the civil defence, told AFP, "Nine martyrs have been transferred (to hospital), including several journalists and a number of workers from the Al-Khair Charitable Organisation, as a result of the occupation targeting a vehicle with a drone in the town of Beit Lahia, coinciding with artillery shelling on the same area." Also read: Trump's 'beautiful area' for Gazans? US, Israel eyeing three 'poor' African nations to resettle Palestinians The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement saying they had targeted individuals operating a drone that posed a threat to their troops in Beit Lahia. "Earlier today, two terrorists were identified who were operating a drone that posed a threat to IDF forces in the Beit Lahia area. The IDF attacked the terrorists. Subsequently, several additional terrorists collected the drone operating equipment in the attack area and entered the vehicle. The IDF attacked the terrorists," the statement read. Hamas has condemned the Israeli strikes, calling them a "blatant violation" of the truce agreement. Also read: 'Manipulation, psychological warfare': Netanyahu slams Hamas for rejecting 'Witkoff proposal' "The occupation (Israel) has committed a horrific massacre in the northern Gaza Strip by targeting a group of journalists and humanitarian workers, in a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel strikes Gaza: 9 killed, including journalists; Hamas calls attack 'blatant violation' of ceasefire

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, took part in a virtual "coalition of the willing" meeting on Saturday (March 15). The leaders discussed ongoing support for Ukraine and the urgent need for Russia to commit to peace.
<h2>Starmer condemns Russia&rsquo;s attacks</h2>
During the meeting, Starmer denounced Russia&rsquo;s continued aggression, calling its actions in Ukraine &ldquo;barbaric.&rdquo; He said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin was genuinely committed to peace, he should agree to an immediate ceasefire.
"President Zelensky, who&rsquo;s with us this morning, has shown once again that Ukraine is the party of peace, because he has agreed to and committed to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire," Starmer said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-calls-on-ukraine-army-to-surrender-in-kursk-region-after-trumps-strong-appeal-8854315">Putin calls on Ukraine army to 'surrender' in Kursk region after Trump's 'strong' appeal</a>
He further added, "Now what we see, and this is centrepiece for our discussions today, is that Putin is the one trying to delay. In a sense, and you will know this, if Putin is serious about peace, it&rsquo;s very simple, he has to stop his barbaric attacks on Ukraine and agree to a ceasefire."
<h2>Call for stronger measures against Russia</h2>
Following the meeting, Starmer released a statement reaffirming the coalition&rsquo;s commitment to supporting Ukraine in the long term. He stressed the importance of security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and ensure lasting peace.
"We underlined our unwavering commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, both now and long into the future," he said.
The leaders welcomed the progress made in recent negotiations, particularly the breakthrough achieved in Jeddah, where President Zelensky accepted the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. However, they insisted that Russia must now demonstrate its willingness to end hostilities by agreeing to the ceasefire on equal terms.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ending-war-would-leave-putin-with-nothing-zelensky-urges-us-to-use-strength-of-america-to-convince-russia-8854181">'Ending war would leave Putin with nothing': Zelensky urges US to use 'strength of America' to convince Russia</a>
"The Kremlin&rsquo;s dithering and delay over President Trump&rsquo;s ceasefire proposal, and Russia&rsquo;s continued barbaric attacks on Ukraine, run entirely counter to President Putin&rsquo;s stated desire for peace," Starmer said.
<h2>Strengthening Ukraine&rsquo;s defence</h2>
The coalition also discussed plans to bolster Ukraine&rsquo;s security, ensuring that it can defend itself against future threats. Military planners are set to meet in the UK this week to develop strategies for supporting Ukraine&rsquo;s armed forces.
"We will build up Ukraine&rsquo;s own defences and armed forces, and be ready to deploy as a &lsquo;coalition of the willing&rsquo; in the event of a peace deal, to help secure Ukraine on the land, at sea and in the sky," Starmer added.
To enforce any potential ceasefire, leaders stressed the need for strong monitoring mechanisms to detect and call out violations. If Russia refuses to accept the ceasefire, Starmer said, the coalition would escalate its efforts to strengthen Ukraine while weakening Russia&rsquo;s war capabilities.
"We agreed that in the case that President Putin refused to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, we would need to increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine, weaken Russia&rsquo;s war machine and ratchet up pressure on President Putin to convince him to come to the negotiating table," he said.
<h2>Sanctions and military aid</h2>
In addition to military support, Starmer outlined plans to tighten economic sanctions against Russia and explore legal avenues to ensure Moscow pays for the destruction caused in Ukraine.
"We will accelerate our military support, tighten our sanctions on Russia&rsquo;s revenues and continue to explore all lawful routes to ensure that Russia pays for the damage it has done to Ukraine," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: During the meeting, Starmer denounced Russia’s continued aggression, calling its actions in Ukraine “barbaric.” He said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin was genuinely committed to peace, he should agree to an immediate ceasefire.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, took part in a virtual "coalition of the willing" meeting on Saturday (March 15). The leaders discussed ongoing support for Ukraine and the urgent need for Russia to commit to peace. Starmer condemns Russia’s attacks During the meeting, Starmer denounced Russia’s continued aggression, calling its actions in Ukraine “barbaric.” He said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin was genuinely committed to peace, he should agree to an immediate ceasefire. "President Zelensky, who’s with us this morning, has shown once again that Ukraine is the party of peace, because he has agreed to and committed to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire," Starmer said. Also read: Putin calls on Ukraine army to 'surrender' in Kursk region after Trump's 'strong' appeal He further added, "Now what we see, and this is centrepiece for our discussions today, is that Putin is the one trying to delay. In a sense, and you will know this, if Putin is serious about peace, it’s very simple, he has to stop his barbaric attacks on Ukraine and agree to a ceasefire." Call for stronger measures against Russia Following the meeting, Starmer released a statement reaffirming the coalition’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in the long term. He stressed the importance of security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and ensure lasting peace. "We underlined our unwavering commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, both now and long into the future," he said. The leaders welcomed the progress made in recent negotiations, particularly the breakthrough achieved in Jeddah, where President Zelensky accepted the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. However, they insisted that Russia must now demonstrate its willingness to end hostilities by agreeing to the ceasefire on equal terms. Also read: 'Ending war would leave Putin with nothing': Zelensky urges US to use 'strength of America' to convince Russia "The Kremlin’s dithering and delay over President Trump’s ceasefire proposal, and Russia’s continued barbaric attacks on Ukraine, run entirely counter to President Putin’s stated desire for peace," Starmer said. Strengthening Ukraine’s defence The coalition also discussed plans to bolster Ukraine’s security, ensuring that it can defend itself against future threats. Military planners are set to meet in the UK this week to develop strategies for supporting Ukraine’s armed forces. "We will build up Ukraine’s own defences and armed forces, and be ready to deploy as a ‘coalition of the willing’ in the event of a peace deal, to help secure Ukraine on the land, at sea and in the sky," Starmer added. To enforce any potential ceasefire, leaders stressed the need for strong monitoring mechanisms to detect and call out violations. If Russia refuses to accept the ceasefire, Starmer said, the coalition would escalate its efforts to strengthen Ukraine while weakening Russia’s war capabilities. "We agreed that in the case that President Putin refused to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, we would need to increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine, weaken Russia’s war machine and ratchet up pressure on President Putin to convince him to come to the negotiating table," he said. Sanctions and military aid In addition to military support, Starmer outlined plans to tighten economic sanctions against Russia and explore legal avenues to ensure Moscow pays for the destruction caused in Ukraine. "We will accelerate our military support, tighten our sanctions on Russia’s revenues and continue to explore all lawful routes to ensure that Russia pays for the damage it has done to Ukraine," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Will build Ukraine’s own defences':  UK, France, NATO unite to push Russia into ceasefire as Putin 'stalls'

An emotional moment of a circus elephant Magda greiving desperatly and trying to wake her deceased friend Jenny has gone viral on social media platforms. Jenny and Magda shared an unforgetable bond for over 25 years in occupied&nbsp;Crimea.
They both were retired from the circus in 2021&nbsp;after staging a fight in front of terrified children and parents during a performance in Kazan, Russia.The duo had been enjoying retirement until this week Jenny died.&nbsp;
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>
Magda gave her last attempt to wake her friend and was not ready to say the final goodbye. After failing in her efforts, Magda hugged Jenny and stayed beside her to say goodbye.&nbsp;
Local media reports said that Magda stayed around Jenny for several hours and rufused veterinarians to come near her friend. In the video, Magda showed grief and love for her friend who collapsed and passed away. Jenny passed away due to illness.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
😢💔 An elephant mourns her deceased friend In occupied Crimea, the famous elephant Jenny passed away due to illness. Her companion, Magda, refused to let people approach for hours, hugging Jenny and staying by her side for a long time. <a href="https://t.co/nY5FRJueHp">pic.twitter.com/nY5FRJueHp</a>
&mdash; Based &amp; Viral (@ViralBased) <a href="https://twitter.com/ViralBased/status/1900685399011586289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>

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

<h2>Internet reacts</h2>
One social media user reacting to the video, wrote, "😭RIP🙏... After seeing such incidents, we die bit by bit inside...!!!" Another user wrote, " Poor animals."
Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-10-world-news-mark-carney-sworn-in-as-canadas-new-pm-zelensky-urges-us-to-convince-russia-and-more-8854295">Top 10 world news: Mark Carney sworn in as Canada&rsquo;s new PM; Zelensky urges US to convince Russia, and more</a>
While a third person wrote, "Animals in general are more compassionate, trustworthy, faithful and principled than most humans." 
"Circuses, sea world, etc. They all need to be banned," wrote a fourth.
The news channel, Baza, shared their view on the elephants saying, "Magda and Jenny always stuck together and lived amicably." Elephants are among the most sensible animals, known for showcasing their emotional behaviour of remembrance.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Trending: Witness the heart-wrenching moment as Magda, a grieving circus elephant, mourns her longtime companion Jenny in occupied Crimea, refusing to let anyone approach.

An emotional moment of a circus elephant Magda greiving desperatly and trying to wake her deceased friend Jenny has gone viral on social media platforms. Jenny and Magda shared an unforgetable bond for over 25 years in occupied Crimea. They both were retired from the circus in 2021 after staging a fight in front of terrified children and parents during a performance in Kazan, Russia.The duo had been enjoying retirement until this week Jenny died. Also read |Elon Musk's budget scraps organisation that helped find Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia Magda gave her last attempt to wake her friend and was not ready to say the final goodbye. After failing in her efforts, Magda hugged Jenny and stayed beside her to say goodbye. Local media reports said that Magda stayed around Jenny for several hours and rufused veterinarians to come near her friend. In the video, Magda showed grief and love for her friend who collapsed and passed away. Jenny passed away due to illness. 😢💔 An elephant mourns her deceased friend In occupied Crimea, the famous elephant Jenny passed away due to illness. Her companion, Magda, refused to let people approach for hours, hugging Jenny and staying by her side for a long time. pic.twitter.com/nY5FRJueHp — Based & Viral (@ViralBased) March 14, 2025 Internet reacts One social media user reacting to the video, wrote, "😭RIP🙏... After seeing such incidents, we die bit by bit inside...!!!" Another user wrote, " Poor animals." Also read |Top 10 world news: Mark Carney sworn in as Canada’s new PM; Zelensky urges US to convince Russia, and more While a third person wrote, "Animals in general are more compassionate, trustworthy, faithful and principled than most humans." "Circuses, sea world, etc. They all need to be banned," wrote a fourth. The news channel, Baza, shared their view on the elephants saying, "Magda and Jenny always stuck together and lived amicably." Elephants are among the most sensible animals, known for showcasing their emotional behaviour of remembrance. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH| Circus elephant mourns for her deceased partner, refuses to leave

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/donald-trump" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> is reportedly preparing a new travel ban that could affect citizens from up to 43 countries, according to officials familiar with the matter, The New York Times reports.
During his previous tenure, Trump issued three executive orders that came to be known as the "Muslim ban," as they primarily targeted Muslim-majority nations, including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. However, after taking office in January 2021, President Joe Biden revoked these restrictions.
Trump&rsquo;s initial travel bans faced legal challenges, ultimately reaching the Supreme Court. In June 2018, the court ruled in favour of the administration, allowing travel restrictions on citizens from seven countries, five of which had Muslim-majority populations.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-expels-south-african-ambassador-ebrahim-rasool-accuses-him-of-hating-america-and-trump-8855466">US expels South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, accuses him of hating America and Trump</a>
Despite the legal battles, Trump remained committed to expanding the restrictions. Reports in 2020 indicated he was considering broadening the ban to cover more nations. Now, it appears that goal is closer to being realised, with a draft list of 43 affected countries obtained by The New York Times.
<h2>The draft proposal</h2>
According to officials, a preliminary list developed by diplomatic and security personnel outlines three levels of restrictions.
<h2>Red List: Total travel ban</h2>
Eleven countries are reportedly on a "red list," meaning their citizens would be entirely prohibited from entering the U.S. These countries include:
Afghanistan
Bhutan
Cuba
Iran
Libya
North Korea
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Venezuela
Yemen
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the list was compiled by the U.S. State Department weeks ago and is subject to revision before reaching the White House.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-spied-they-lied-but-they-failed-trump-says-biden-turned-doj-into-department-of-injustice-8855032">'They Spied, They Lied, But They Failed': Trump says Biden turned DOJ into 'Department of Injustice'</a>
<h2>Orange List: Limited travel access</h2>
A second category, the "orange list," includes ten countries whose citizens would face severe travel restrictions. While affluent business travellers might still be permitted entry, those applying for immigrant or tourist visas would be barred. Additionally, citizens from these countries would be required to attend in-person visa interviews. The countries on this list include:
Belarus
Eritrea
Haiti
Laos
Myanmar
Pakistan
Russia
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Turkmenistan
<h2>Yellow List: Countries under review</h2>
A third category, the "yellow list," consists of 22 countries that would be given 60 days to address security concerns before facing stricter measures. These issues may involve deficiencies in information-sharing with U.S. authorities, inadequate passport security, or policies allowing individuals from banned countries to purchase citizenship. The countries on this list include:
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chad
Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo
Dominica
Equatorial Guinea
Gambia
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
S&atilde;o Tom&eacute; and Pr&iacute;ncipe
Vanuatu
Zimbabwe
<h2>Uncertainty over visa holders and green cards</h2>
It remains unclear whether individuals with existing visas would be exempt from the proposed ban or if their visas would be revoked. Additionally, there is no confirmation on whether current green card holders, who have already been granted lawful permanent residency, would be affected.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-trump-dies-mysteriously-internet-goes-crazy-after-reporter-smacks-mic-into-trumps-face-8854772">'If Trump dies mysteriously...': Internet goes crazy after reporter smacks mic into US president's face</a>
In a related case, Trump&rsquo;s administration recently cancelled the green card of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student of Palestinian descent, citing his leadership in campus protests against Israel&rsquo;s military actions in Gaza. The government deemed the protests antisemitic, sparking legal disputes over the decision.
<h2>New and unexpected additions</h2>
Some countries listed in the draft proposal had already been subject to Trump&rsquo;s earlier travel bans. However, others, such as Bhutan, are new additions, raising questions about the criteria used. Bhutan, a Buddhist and Hindu-majority nation situated between China and India, has never been subject to similar U.S. travel restrictions.
Russia&rsquo;s inclusion also stands out, given Trump&rsquo;s efforts to strengthen ties with Moscow. 
Upon returning to office, Trump issued an executive order on 20 January mandating the State Department to assess which countries had inadequate security measures or screening processes. The department was given 60 days to produce a report for the White House, meaning it is expected to be finalised soon.
Trump has defended the proposed travel restrictions as necessary for national security, saying they are intended to "protect American citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes."
During his first presidency, courts blocked two earlier versions of Trump&rsquo;s travel ban, though a revised version, banning citizens from eight countries, six of which were Muslim-majority, was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: During his previous tenure, Trump issued three executive orders that came to be known as the "Muslim ban," as they primarily targeted Muslim-majority nations, including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria.

US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing a new travel ban that could affect citizens from up to 43 countries, according to officials familiar with the matter, The New York Times reports. During his previous tenure, Trump issued three executive orders that came to be known as the "Muslim ban," as they primarily targeted Muslim-majority nations, including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. However, after taking office in January 2021, President Joe Biden revoked these restrictions. Trump’s initial travel bans faced legal challenges, ultimately reaching the Supreme Court. In June 2018, the court ruled in favour of the administration, allowing travel restrictions on citizens from seven countries, five of which had Muslim-majority populations. Also read: US expels South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, accuses him of hating America and Trump Despite the legal battles, Trump remained committed to expanding the restrictions. Reports in 2020 indicated he was considering broadening the ban to cover more nations. Now, it appears that goal is closer to being realised, with a draft list of 43 affected countries obtained by The New York Times. The draft proposal According to officials, a preliminary list developed by diplomatic and security personnel outlines three levels of restrictions. Red List: Total travel ban Eleven countries are reportedly on a "red list," meaning their citizens would be entirely prohibited from entering the U.S. These countries include: Afghanistan Bhutan Cuba Iran Libya North Korea Somalia Sudan Syria Venezuela Yemen The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the list was compiled by the U.S. State Department weeks ago and is subject to revision before reaching the White House. Also read: 'They Spied, They Lied, But They Failed': Trump says Biden turned DOJ into 'Department of Injustice' Orange List: Limited travel access A second category, the "orange list," includes ten countries whose citizens would face severe travel restrictions. While affluent business travellers might still be permitted entry, those applying for immigrant or tourist visas would be barred. Additionally, citizens from these countries would be required to attend in-person visa interviews. The countries on this list include: Belarus Eritrea Haiti Laos Myanmar Pakistan Russia Sierra Leone South Sudan Turkmenistan Yellow List: Countries under review A third category, the "yellow list," consists of 22 countries that would be given 60 days to address security concerns before facing stricter measures. These issues may involve deficiencies in information-sharing with U.S. authorities, inadequate passport security, or policies allowing individuals from banned countries to purchase citizenship. The countries on this list include: Angola Antigua and Barbuda Benin Burkina Faso Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Chad Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo Dominica Equatorial Guinea Gambia Liberia Malawi Mali Mauritania St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia São Tomé and Príncipe Vanuatu Zimbabwe Uncertainty over visa holders and green cards It remains unclear whether individuals with existing visas would be exempt from the proposed ban or if their visas would be revoked. Additionally, there is no confirmation on whether current green card holders, who have already been granted lawful permanent residency, would be affected. Also read: 'If Trump dies mysteriously...': Internet goes crazy after reporter smacks mic into US president's face In a related case, Trump’s administration recently cancelled the green card of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student of Palestinian descent, citing his leadership in campus protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The government deemed the protests antisemitic, sparking legal disputes over the decision. New and unexpected additions Some countries listed in the draft proposal had already been subject to Trump’s earlier travel bans. However, others, such as Bhutan, are new additions, raising questions about the criteria used. Bhutan, a Buddhist and Hindu-majority nation situated between China and India, has never been subject to similar U.S. travel restrictions. Russia’s inclusion also stands out, given Trump’s efforts to strengthen ties with Moscow. Upon returning to office, Trump issued an executive order on 20 January mandating the State Department to assess which countries had inadequate security measures or screening processes. The department was given 60 days to produce a report for the White House, meaning it is expected to be finalised soon. Trump has defended the proposed travel restrictions as necessary for national security, saying they are intended to "protect American citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes." During his first presidency, courts blocked two earlier versions of Trump’s travel ban, though a revised version, banning citizens from eight countries, six of which were Muslim-majority, was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran

A 108-year-old Japanese woman is the &ldquo;world&rsquo;s oldest female barber&rdquo; and was recently inducted into Guinness World Records. She has been in the profession for 94 years. Shitsui Hakoishi operates her barbershop in Nakagawa, Tochigi Prefecture, and was honoured with the recognition on March 5.&nbsp;
Hakoishi left her hometown and came to Tokyo in 1931. She started as an apprentice at a small salon and got her barber&rsquo;s licence at the age of 20. From her began her inspirational journey where she saw several hardships but never bowed down.
After getting married, she opened her own barbershop in 1939. However, she lost her husband and her shop in an air raid during World War II. Years later, in 1953, she returned to Nakagawa and established another barbershop. To date, she enjoys a loyal clientele and has no plans to pack up anytime soon.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meet-japans-18-year-old-prince-hisahito-8776954" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Meet Japan&rsquo;s 18-year-old prince Hisahito</a>
Her story led her to be picked as a torch-bearer for the Tokyo Olympics. She worked hard to be able to fulfil her commitment and walked more than 1,000 steps every day carrying a pole of the same weight as the torch, SCMP reported.
<h3>World's oldest female barber Hakoishi's secret to long life</h3>
Hakoishi says she eats a light diel and does routine exercises to maintain her health. Each morning she does strolling, shoulder movements, and leg stretches. She further attributes her longevity to a life mantra dolled by her mother - "Hold no grudges, feel no jealousy, and engage in no quarrels."
She says achieving a Guinness World Record has been her goal for a long time. At the ceremony, she was accompanied by her two kids. Her son also has a barber&rsquo;s licence and has also written a book on his mother's life. Meanwhile, her daughter, who has cerebral palsy, dedicated her time to working for individuals with disabilities.
People on social media are amazed by Hakoishi's resilience and willpower. A few noted how it is important to have a purpose in life which has not only kept her going in life, but also helped her remain healthy enough to walk and communicate.
&nbsp;

A 108-year-old Japanese woman is the “world’s oldest female barber”.  She has been in the profession for 94 years and faced several hardships in life. World Trending

A 108-year-old Japanese woman is the “world’s oldest female barber” and was recently inducted into Guinness World Records. She has been in the profession for 94 years. Shitsui Hakoishi operates her barbershop in Nakagawa, Tochigi Prefecture, and was honoured with the recognition on March 5. Hakoishi left her hometown and came to Tokyo in 1931. She started as an apprentice at a small salon and got her barber’s licence at the age of 20. From her began her inspirational journey where she saw several hardships but never bowed down. After getting married, she opened her own barbershop in 1939. However, she lost her husband and her shop in an air raid during World War II. Years later, in 1953, she returned to Nakagawa and established another barbershop. To date, she enjoys a loyal clientele and has no plans to pack up anytime soon. Also Read: Meet Japan’s 18-year-old prince Hisahito Her story led her to be picked as a torch-bearer for the Tokyo Olympics. She worked hard to be able to fulfil her commitment and walked more than 1,000 steps every day carrying a pole of the same weight as the torch, SCMP reported. World's oldest female barber Hakoishi's secret to long life Hakoishi says she eats a light diel and does routine exercises to maintain her health. Each morning she does strolling, shoulder movements, and leg stretches. She further attributes her longevity to a life mantra dolled by her mother - "Hold no grudges, feel no jealousy, and engage in no quarrels." She says achieving a Guinness World Record has been her goal for a long time. At the ceremony, she was accompanied by her two kids. Her son also has a barber’s licence and has also written a book on his mother's life. Meanwhile, her daughter, who has cerebral palsy, dedicated her time to working for individuals with disabilities. People on social media are amazed by Hakoishi's resilience and willpower. A few noted how it is important to have a purpose in life which has not only kept her going in life, but also helped her remain healthy enough to walk and communicate.

World’s oldest female barber's life mantra - 'No grudges, no jealousy...'

Elon Musk, US President Donald Trump's DOGE chief, has scrapped a task force which helped find hundreds of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
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.
<h2>What is HRL?</h2>
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.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-confirms-call-with-russian-president-putin-says-he-pleaded-with-russian-prez-to-spare-lives-8853917">&lsquo;Horrible, bloody war can finally end&rsquo;: Trump pleads with Putin to spare Ukrainian lives</a>
"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."
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;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/surrender-or-die-putin-issues-chilling-ultimatum-to-ukrainian-troops-as-zelensky-exposes-russian-presidents-real-ukraine-war-plan-8852256">Putin gives ultimatum to Ukrainian troops to 'surrender or die'; Zelensky exposes Russian president's 'real' war plan</a>
As per the Ukrainian government, nearly 20,000 children have been abducted by Putin's forces since the invasion in 2022.
Campaigners, as per The Telegraph, have been indoctrinated to Russian customs and have been brainwashed into turning against their home country, Ukraine. Upon arriving in Russia, these children were allegedly put into a network of camps and foster homes, where they were subjected to "re-education" programmes specifically designed to strip them of Ukrainian identity. Many of them were subsequently placed into Russian families.
The Bring Kids Back UA aka The Save Children UA initiative was set up by Zelensky in 2023 to help reunite "abducted" Ukrainian children with their families. As per a Mirror UK report, 1,243 children have been repatriated. Campaigners have pointed out that there are thousands of Ukrainian children still separated from their families and have urged the US to include repatriation of children in future peace deals.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Learn about the crucial role HRL played in collaboration with Ukraine's Bring Kids Back UA campaign, working tirelessly to reunite displaced children with their families.

Elon Musk, US President Donald Trump's DOGE chief, has scrapped a task force which helped find hundreds of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. 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. What is HRL? 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. Also read | ‘Horrible, bloody war can finally end’: Trump pleads with Putin to spare Ukrainian lives "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." 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. Also read | Putin gives ultimatum to Ukrainian troops to 'surrender or die'; Zelensky exposes Russian president's 'real' war plan As per the Ukrainian government, nearly 20,000 children have been abducted by Putin's forces since the invasion in 2022. Campaigners, as per The Telegraph, have been indoctrinated to Russian customs and have been brainwashed into turning against their home country, Ukraine. Upon arriving in Russia, these children were allegedly put into a network of camps and foster homes, where they were subjected to "re-education" programmes specifically designed to strip them of Ukrainian identity. Many of them were subsequently placed into Russian families. The Bring Kids Back UA aka The Save Children UA initiative was set up by Zelensky in 2023 to help reunite "abducted" Ukrainian children with their families. As per a Mirror UK report, 1,243 children have been repatriated. Campaigners have pointed out that there are thousands of Ukrainian children still separated from their families and have urged the US to include repatriation of children in future peace deals. (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk's budget scraps organisation that helped find Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia

The US decision to expel South Africa's ambassador was "regrettable," the office of the South African president said Saturday, after Washington's top diplomat accused the envoy of hating America and President Donald Trump.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, was "no longer welcome" in the United States.
Rasool is "a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS," Rubio posted on X, referring to Trump by his White House X account handle.
"We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA."
South Africa's presidency said in a statement it had "noted the regrettable expulsion" and urged "all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement with the matter."
"South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America," the presidency said.
The expulsion of the ambassador -- a very rare move by the United States -- is the latest development in rising tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
Trump in February froze US aid to South Africa, citing a law in the country that he alleges allows land to be seized from white farmers.
<h2>Rising tensions</h2>
Last week, Trump further fuelled tensions, saying South Africa's farmers were welcome to settle in the United States after repeating his accusations that the government was "confiscating" land from white people.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that "any Farmer (with family!) from South Africa, seeking to flee that country for reasons of safety, will be invited into the United States of America with a rapid pathway to Citizenship."
One of Trump's closest allies is South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has accused South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government of having "openly racist ownership laws."
Land ownership is a contentious issue in South Africa, with most farmland still owned by white people three decades after the end of apartheid and the government under pressure to implement reforms.
During a G20 event in South Africa last month, Ramaphosa said he had a "wonderful" call with Trump soon after the US leader took office in January.
But relations later "seemed to go a little bit off the rails," he said.
In his X post, Rubio linked to an article from the conservative news outlet Breitbart, which addressed Rasool's remarks via livestream to a foreign policy seminar on Friday.
"He said that white supremacism was motivating Trump's 'disrespect' for the 'current hegemonic order' of the world," Breitbart reported, adding that Rasool noted that Trump's Make America Great Again movement "was a white supremacist response to growing demographic diversity in the United States."
Rasool, an anti-apartheid campaigner in his youth, has expressed anger toward the Israeli government for its war in Gaza.&nbsp;
In February in an interview with news site Zeteo, he said what South Africans experienced during apartheid rule "is on steroids in Palestine."
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.

The US has expelled South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, citing accusations of anti-American sentiment and disdain for President Trump, escalating diplomatic tensions.

The US decision to expel South Africa's ambassador was "regrettable," the office of the South African president said Saturday, after Washington's top diplomat accused the envoy of hating America and President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, was "no longer welcome" in the United States. Rasool is "a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS," Rubio posted on X, referring to Trump by his White House X account handle. "We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA." South Africa's presidency said in a statement it had "noted the regrettable expulsion" and urged "all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement with the matter." "South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America," the presidency said. The expulsion of the ambassador -- a very rare move by the United States -- is the latest development in rising tensions between Washington and Pretoria. Trump in February froze US aid to South Africa, citing a law in the country that he alleges allows land to be seized from white farmers. Rising tensions Last week, Trump further fuelled tensions, saying South Africa's farmers were welcome to settle in the United States after repeating his accusations that the government was "confiscating" land from white people. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that "any Farmer (with family!) from South Africa, seeking to flee that country for reasons of safety, will be invited into the United States of America with a rapid pathway to Citizenship." One of Trump's closest allies is South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has accused South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government of having "openly racist ownership laws." Land ownership is a contentious issue in South Africa, with most farmland still owned by white people three decades after the end of apartheid and the government under pressure to implement reforms. During a G20 event in South Africa last month, Ramaphosa said he had a "wonderful" call with Trump soon after the US leader took office in January. But relations later "seemed to go a little bit off the rails," he said. In his X post, Rubio linked to an article from the conservative news outlet Breitbart, which addressed Rasool's remarks via livestream to a foreign policy seminar on Friday. "He said that white supremacism was motivating Trump's 'disrespect' for the 'current hegemonic order' of the world," Breitbart reported, adding that Rasool noted that Trump's Make America Great Again movement "was a white supremacist response to growing demographic diversity in the United States." Rasool, an anti-apartheid campaigner in his youth, has expressed anger toward the Israeli government for its war in Gaza. In February in an interview with news site Zeteo, he said what South Africans experienced during apartheid rule "is on steroids in Palestine." 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.

US expels South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, accuses him of hating America and Trump

Antarctica is hiding mountains and canyons under its ice sheet, a new map of the landscape underneath has revealed. Assembled by a team of international scientists led by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), it is the most detailed map of a region that lies below the ice of Antarctica.
Bedmap3 has been created using survey data spanning a whopping six decades, all acquired not just by high-tech instruments like satellites, but also by dog-drawn sledges.
The map has been published in the journal Scientific Data.
What the map shows is Antarctica without its 27 million cubic km of ice, revealing the location of its tallest mountains and even some of its deepest canyons. The map of Antarctica also changes the previous belief of where the thickest overlying ice is on the continent. As per previous data, this site was Astrolabe Basin, in Ad&eacute;lie Land.&nbsp;
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However, as per new calculations, the thickest overlying ice is in an unnamed canyon at 76.052&deg;S, 118.378&deg;E in Wilkes Land. The ice here is 4,757 metres thick, or to put it in context, more than 15 times the height of the Shard, the UK's tallest skyscraper.
Scientists say the new map will help them learn more about Antarctica and how it might change owing to a warming climate since the scientists can now study interactions between the ice sheet and the bed.
Dr. Hamish Pritchard, a glaciologist at BAS and lead author on the study says it is like "pouring syrup over a rock cake&mdash;all the lumps, all the bumps, will determine where the syrup goes and how fast."
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He says, it is the same with Antarctica also, "some ridges will hold up the flowing ice; the hollows and smooth bits are where that ice could accelerate."
<h2>First Bedmap was made in 2001</h2>
This is the third such map of Antarctica, with the first one coming in 2001. Bedmap3 is more refined than the previous two maps as it includes more than double the number of previous data points (82 million), rendered on a 500 m grid spacing.
More information has been gathered about East Antarctica including around the South Pole, along the Antarctic Peninsula and West Antarctic coastlines, and in the Transantarctic Mountains. The map also shows a better view of the deep valleys and huge rocky mountains cutting through the ice.&nbsp;
<h2>More details map of Antarctica</h2>
It also offers a better view of the height and shape of the ice sheet and the thickness of the floating ice shelves. The places where ice at the edge of the continent meets the ocean and begins to float are also well represented.
Peter Fretwell, mapping specialist and co-author at BAS, says, "In general, it's become clear the Antarctic Ice Sheet is thicker than we originally realized and has a larger volume of ice that is grounded on a rock bed sitting below sea level."

What lies below Antarctica's ice sheet? Mountains, canyons and a lot more have been revealed by Bedmap3, a map of the underbelly of Antarctica. World Trending Science & Tech

Antarctica is hiding mountains and canyons under its ice sheet, a new map of the landscape underneath has revealed. Assembled by a team of international scientists led by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), it is the most detailed map of a region that lies below the ice of Antarctica. Bedmap3 has been created using survey data spanning a whopping six decades, all acquired not just by high-tech instruments like satellites, but also by dog-drawn sledges. The map has been published in the journal Scientific Data. What the map shows is Antarctica without its 27 million cubic km of ice, revealing the location of its tallest mountains and even some of its deepest canyons. The map of Antarctica also changes the previous belief of where the thickest overlying ice is on the continent. As per previous data, this site was Astrolabe Basin, in Adélie Land. Also Read: What are the strongest signs of ancient life on Mars, scientists discuss However, as per new calculations, the thickest overlying ice is in an unnamed canyon at 76.052°S, 118.378°E in Wilkes Land. The ice here is 4,757 metres thick, or to put it in context, more than 15 times the height of the Shard, the UK's tallest skyscraper. Scientists say the new map will help them learn more about Antarctica and how it might change owing to a warming climate since the scientists can now study interactions between the ice sheet and the bed. Dr. Hamish Pritchard, a glaciologist at BAS and lead author on the study says it is like "pouring syrup over a rock cake—all the lumps, all the bumps, will determine where the syrup goes and how fast." Also Read: 'Death sentence for star formation', yet Andromeda XXXV survived. How? He says, it is the same with Antarctica also, "some ridges will hold up the flowing ice; the hollows and smooth bits are where that ice could accelerate." First Bedmap was made in 2001 This is the third such map of Antarctica, with the first one coming in 2001. Bedmap3 is more refined than the previous two maps as it includes more than double the number of previous data points (82 million), rendered on a 500 m grid spacing. More information has been gathered about East Antarctica including around the South Pole, along the Antarctic Peninsula and West Antarctic coastlines, and in the Transantarctic Mountains. The map also shows a better view of the deep valleys and huge rocky mountains cutting through the ice. More details map of Antarctica It also offers a better view of the height and shape of the ice sheet and the thickness of the floating ice shelves. The places where ice at the edge of the continent meets the ocean and begins to float are also well represented. Peter Fretwell, mapping specialist and co-author at BAS, says, "In general, it's become clear the Antarctic Ice Sheet is thicker than we originally realized and has a larger volume of ice that is grounded on a rock bed sitting below sea level."

What lies below the Antarctica ice sheet? Rocky mountains, canyons and...

Facebook's parent company Meta is seeking to silence one of its former employees who has made scandalous allegations, including that of sexual harassment, in a tell-all book. The tech giant has obtained a temporary ban to stop her from promoting her memoir titled "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed and Lost Idealism" or bad-mouthing Mark Zuckerberg's Meta.
<h2>What's in the memoir</h2>
Sarah Wynn-Williams, who, as per Meta communications director Andy Stone, was fired for "poor performance and toxic behaviour," in her tell-all memoir has alleged multiple instances of sexual harassment.&nbsp;
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Wynn-Williams, who worked at the tech titan from 2011 to 2017, has made claims of sexual harassment against longtime company executive Joel Kaplan, a US President Donald Trump ally and a prominent Republican.
She has also alleged that Meta executive Sheryl Sandberg once instructed her 26-year-old-assistant and Wynn-William to "come to bed" during a 12-hour flight on a private jet.
Wynn-William further accuses Joel Kaplan, an ex-boyfriend of Sandberg's, who served as Facebook's vice president of US policy and eventually became vice president of global policy, of grinding up against her during a work event. She also claims that when she delivered her second child, a complicated birth that left her bleeding and nearly killed her, Kaplan insisted on weekly videoconferences during her maternity leave. Sarah claims that when she told Kaplan she needed another surgery as she was still bleeding, the Meta executive repeatedly pressed her to tell him "where are you bleeding from?".
The former Meta employee also claims that Facebook sought to appease the hardline Chinese government censors, all to enter the lucrative China market.
"The suggestion was that as part of the negotiations for the company to enter into China, the data of users in Hong Kong could be put in play," she claimed in an interview with NPR.
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<h2>Meta's attempts to silence Sarah Wynn-Williams</h2>
The tech giant, as per AFP, has contended that Sarah's memoir violates a non-disparagement contract signed by her when she worked with the company's global affairs team.
Meta's request has been granted by an arbitration court, and Sarah Wynn-Williams is now barred from promoting the book or making derogatory statements about the company. She will also have to retract previous critical comments she has made about the company or its executives.
The order, however, does nothing to stop Macmillan Publishers from distributing copies of the memoir.
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Touting the court's ruling, Meta communications director Andy Stone said in a post on X,"This ruling affirms that Sarah Wynn-Williams' false and defamatory book should never have been published."
"It's no secret we were interested in China; we explore lots of ideas," Stone said, adding, "You know what didn't happen? We didn't start offering our services in China."
(With inputs from agencies)

Trending | SCIENCE & TECH | World | Meta has secured a court order to prevent a former employee from promoting a memoir alleging sexual harassment within the company.

Facebook's parent company Meta is seeking to silence one of its former employees who has made scandalous allegations, including that of sexual harassment, in a tell-all book. The tech giant has obtained a temporary ban to stop her from promoting her memoir titled "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed and Lost Idealism" or bad-mouthing Mark Zuckerberg's Meta. What's in the memoir Sarah Wynn-Williams, who, as per Meta communications director Andy Stone, was fired for "poor performance and toxic behaviour," in her tell-all memoir has alleged multiple instances of sexual harassment. Also read | Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party' Wynn-Williams, who worked at the tech titan from 2011 to 2017, has made claims of sexual harassment against longtime company executive Joel Kaplan, a US President Donald Trump ally and a prominent Republican. She has also alleged that Meta executive Sheryl Sandberg once instructed her 26-year-old-assistant and Wynn-William to "come to bed" during a 12-hour flight on a private jet. Wynn-William further accuses Joel Kaplan, an ex-boyfriend of Sandberg's, who served as Facebook's vice president of US policy and eventually became vice president of global policy, of grinding up against her during a work event. She also claims that when she delivered her second child, a complicated birth that left her bleeding and nearly killed her, Kaplan insisted on weekly videoconferences during her maternity leave. Sarah claims that when she told Kaplan she needed another surgery as she was still bleeding, the Meta executive repeatedly pressed her to tell him "where are you bleeding from?". The former Meta employee also claims that Facebook sought to appease the hardline Chinese government censors, all to enter the lucrative China market. "The suggestion was that as part of the negotiations for the company to enter into China, the data of users in Hong Kong could be put in play," she claimed in an interview with NPR. Also read | Indian scholar Ranjani Srinivasan self-deports after Trump admin revokes visa for allegedly 'supporting' Hamas Meta's attempts to silence Sarah Wynn-Williams The tech giant, as per AFP, has contended that Sarah's memoir violates a non-disparagement contract signed by her when she worked with the company's global affairs team. Meta's request has been granted by an arbitration court, and Sarah Wynn-Williams is now barred from promoting the book or making derogatory statements about the company. She will also have to retract previous critical comments she has made about the company or its executives. The order, however, does nothing to stop Macmillan Publishers from distributing copies of the memoir. Also read | 'Stranded' NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to return to Earth soon; SpaceX's swap team launches to ISS Touting the court's ruling, Meta communications director Andy Stone said in a post on X,"This ruling affirms that Sarah Wynn-Williams' false and defamatory book should never have been published." "It's no secret we were interested in China; we explore lots of ideas," Stone said, adding, "You know what didn't happen? We didn't start offering our services in China." (With inputs from agencies)

'Come to bed': Mark Zuckerberg's Meta tries to silence former employee, obtains court order barring THIS tell-all memoir

Iran is using an app called 'Nazer' to track women without the "mandatory" headscarves in public. Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran reported on Friday (March 14). The organisation had previously said that Iran's theocracy was the reason behind "physical violence" post Mahsa Amini death.&nbsp;
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The United Nations (UN) released a report saying that Iran is deploying "aerial drone surveillance" to monitor women.&nbsp;
At Tehran's Amirkabir University, authorities have deployed facial recognition cameras and software to find out who is not wearing the hijab.
"Users may add the location, date, time and the licence plate number of the vehicle in which the alleged mandatory hijab infraction occurred, which then 'flags' the vehicle online, alerting the police," the fact-finding mission reprted.
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Women who refused to accept the radical laws of the country and deny covering themselves get arrested, beaten and even raped in custody.
"Two-and-a-half years after the protests began in September 2022, women and girls in Iran continue to face systematic discrimination, in law and in practice, that permeates all aspects of their lives, particularly with respect to the enforcement of the mandatory hijab," the report said.&nbsp;
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"The state is increasingly reliant on state-sponsored vigilantism in an apparent effort to enlist businesses and private individuals in hijab compliance, portraying it as a civic responsibility," it added.&nbsp;
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(With inputs from agencies)

WORLD | The United Nations (UN) released a report saying that Iran is relying upon electronic surveillance as it is deploying "aerial drone surveillance" to monitor women.

Iran is using an app called 'Nazer' to track women without the "mandatory" headscarves in public. Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran reported on Friday (March 14). The organisation had previously said that Iran's theocracy was the reason behind "physical violence" post Mahsa Amini death. Also read: WATCH | Clothing brand’s ad featuring Eiffel Tower in hijab sparks debate in France The United Nations (UN) released a report saying that Iran is deploying "aerial drone surveillance" to monitor women. At Tehran's Amirkabir University, authorities have deployed facial recognition cameras and software to find out who is not wearing the hijab. "Users may add the location, date, time and the licence plate number of the vehicle in which the alleged mandatory hijab infraction occurred, which then 'flags' the vehicle online, alerting the police," the fact-finding mission reprted. Also read: Iran’s Khamenei dubs women as ‘delicate flowers’ amid growing calls to amend hijab bill Women who refused to accept the radical laws of the country and deny covering themselves get arrested, beaten and even raped in custody. "Two-and-a-half years after the protests began in September 2022, women and girls in Iran continue to face systematic discrimination, in law and in practice, that permeates all aspects of their lives, particularly with respect to the enforcement of the mandatory hijab," the report said. Also read: Iran lawmakers call for amendments in strict hijab bill: Report "The state is increasingly reliant on state-sponsored vigilantism in an apparent effort to enlist businesses and private individuals in hijab compliance, portraying it as a civic responsibility," it added. Also read: Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi gives online concert without hijab (With inputs from agencies)

Iran using app called 'Nazer' to spot women without hijab

A 42-year-old transgender woman has quite the hate for Elon Musk it seems as she is accused of hurling Molotov cocktails at Tesla cars at a dealership in Loveland, Northern Colorado. The police said that Lucy Grace Nelson, also known as Justin Thomas Nelson, vandalised the dealership and vehicles several times and painted &ldquo;offensive and hateful" graffiti on them.
The New York Post has now reported that Nelson apparently suffers from an "emotional problem" and lives with her mother. She calls herself &ldquo;baby&rdquo; online. Nelson was arrested during a similar attempt to damage the cars on Feb 24 and was found in possession of incendiary devices and &ldquo;materials attributed to vandalism,&rdquo; the police said.
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Listed as a female on her driver's license, Nelson was slapped with a federal charge of malicious destruction, and later released on a $100,000 cash bond.
<h2>Nelson took aim at Musk</h2>
Nelson once took aim at Tesla CEO Elon Musk and wrote &ldquo;f**k Musk&rdquo; with red paint on the front windows of the establishment. In another incident, the suspect spray-painted &ldquo;Nazi&rdquo; on a company sign.
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The publication quoted Nelson's father as saying that she "changed his name to Lucy a few years ago" and they last spoke in January. Claiborne &ldquo;Jerry&rdquo; Nelson, who is 82 years old, added, "He&rsquo;s in his early 40s but has been living with his mother who has been taking care of him. He has emotional problems. He hasn&rsquo;t been able to keep a job."
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Claiborne added that Nelson doesn't have any history of being radical, although their entire family has supported Democrats, so &ldquo;we have good reason not to like our president. [Nelson&rsquo;s] not for the president or Elon Musk."
<h2>Suspect called herself "baby"</h2>
Detailing Nelson's social media history, the Port reported that she refers to herself as "Baby", with one post reading, "baby got her first bra&hellip;behold the power of socks". In another post she can be seen wearing a purple dress which is captioned "baby got her first dress."
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In another photo, Nelson can be seen burning a Nazi flag and has documented the transition from male to female.&nbsp;
The police have raised serious concerns about Nelson's actions causing major damage. &ldquo;I know that there&rsquo;s been some rumours that it was just fireworks and bottle rockets and that is not the case. That is not true,&rdquo; Chris Padgett, a spokesperson for the Loveland Police Department, told Nexstar&rsquo;s KDVR.
&ldquo;The devices that were discovered had potential for serious damage.&rdquo;
According to the arrest affidavit, explosive devices made from empty liquor bottles were thrown at at least four Tesla cars at the dealership worth a combined $220,000.

Trans woman attacks Tesla dealership: Nelson apparently suffers from an "emotional problem" and lives with her mother. She calls herself “baby” online. World Trending

A 42-year-old transgender woman has quite the hate for Elon Musk it seems as she is accused of hurling Molotov cocktails at Tesla cars at a dealership in Loveland, Northern Colorado. The police said that Lucy Grace Nelson, also known as Justin Thomas Nelson, vandalised the dealership and vehicles several times and painted “offensive and hateful" graffiti on them. The New York Post has now reported that Nelson apparently suffers from an "emotional problem" and lives with her mother. She calls herself “baby” online. Nelson was arrested during a similar attempt to damage the cars on Feb 24 and was found in possession of incendiary devices and “materials attributed to vandalism,” the police said. Also Read: 'Great cars': Netanyahu to buy electric cars from Elon Musk's Tesla for Israeli officials Listed as a female on her driver's license, Nelson was slapped with a federal charge of malicious destruction, and later released on a $100,000 cash bond. Nelson took aim at Musk Nelson once took aim at Tesla CEO Elon Musk and wrote “f**k Musk” with red paint on the front windows of the establishment. In another incident, the suspect spray-painted “Nazi” on a company sign. Also Read: ‘Safest, state-of-the-art, affordable’: Did Elon Musk hand Trump a ‘Tesla ad’ script amid stock plunge? The publication quoted Nelson's father as saying that she "changed his name to Lucy a few years ago" and they last spoke in January. Claiborne “Jerry” Nelson, who is 82 years old, added, "He’s in his early 40s but has been living with his mother who has been taking care of him. He has emotional problems. He hasn’t been able to keep a job." Also Read: WATCH: Trump buys new Tesla, says didn't ask Musk for discount; 'Get in, patriots' Claiborne added that Nelson doesn't have any history of being radical, although their entire family has supported Democrats, so “we have good reason not to like our president. [Nelson’s] not for the president or Elon Musk." Suspect called herself "baby" Detailing Nelson's social media history, the Port reported that she refers to herself as "Baby", with one post reading, "baby got her first bra…behold the power of socks". In another post she can be seen wearing a purple dress which is captioned "baby got her first dress." Also Read: Elon Musk’s trans daughter claims he used sex-selective IVF, calls it ‘monetary transaction’ In another photo, Nelson can be seen burning a Nazi flag and has documented the transition from male to female. The police have raised serious concerns about Nelson's actions causing major damage. “I know that there’s been some rumours that it was just fireworks and bottle rockets and that is not the case. That is not true,” Chris Padgett, a spokesperson for the Loveland Police Department, told Nexstar’s KDVR. “The devices that were discovered had potential for serious damage.” According to the arrest affidavit, explosive devices made from empty liquor bottles were thrown at at least four Tesla cars at the dealership worth a combined $220,000.

Trans woman who spray-painted 'f**k Musk' on Tesla dealership has 'emotional problems'

US President Donald Trump, in a rare address at the Department of Justice headquarters on Friday (March 14), alleged that his "predecessors" turned the Department of Justice into the "Department of Injustice". He said that his appointees would &ldquo;expel&rdquo; the &ldquo;corrupt forces&rdquo; from their ranks and produce a &ldquo;legendary&rdquo; public accounting of misdeeds.&nbsp;
"I stand before you today to declare that those days are over and they are never going to come back,&rdquo; Trump said.&nbsp;
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&ldquo;As the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred,&rdquo; Trump said while reportedly citing all the criminal cases showed to him in the department.&nbsp;
"We will expel the rogue actors and corrupt forces from our government, we will expose and very much expose their egregious crimes and severe misconduct of which was levels - you&rsquo;ve never seen anything like it. It&rsquo;s going to be legendary," the US president added.&nbsp;
Trump, taking a dig at the former president Joe Biden, said that a "corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations".&nbsp;
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"They weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try to thwart the will of the American people,&rdquo; Trump added.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
🔥🔥🔥 Trump gives remarks at DoJ: "Our predecessors turned the Department of Justice into the Department of injustice. But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over &mdash; and they are never going to come back." <a href="https://t.co/EzPC1NMdgH">pic.twitter.com/EzPC1NMdgH</a>
&mdash; ӨGM&Lambda; (@fatherofogham) <a href="https://twitter.com/fatherofogham/status/1900646410225156271?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>

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

Trump's Friday address was the first presidential speech at the Justice Department since 2015.&nbsp;
<h2>'Did everything within their power'</h2>
Trump further alleged that the Biden administration "spied" on his election campaign.&nbsp;
&ldquo;They spied on my campaign, launched one hoax and disinformation operation after another, broke the law on a colossal scale, persecuted my family, staff and supporters, raided my home Mar-a-Lago, and did everything within their power to prevent me from becoming the president of the United States," he said.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-netanyahu-approach-3-african-nations-to-resettle-gazans-2-of-them-immediately-rebuffed-8854678">Trump's 'beautiful area' for Gazans? US, Israel eyeing three 'poor' African nations to resettle Palestinians</a>
But &ldquo;in the end the thugs failed and the truth won," said Trump.&nbsp;
<h2>'I would have rather been found guilty'</h2>
The US president also mocked Biden over the investigation against him for mishandling classified documents. The case was not prosecuted as special counsel Robert Hur determined jury wouldn&rsquo;t convict him on the grounds of him being elderly and suffering from poor memory.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-blasts-illegal-media-in-fiery-doj-speech-slams-outlets-critical-of-him-political-arms-of-the-democrat-party-8854702">Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party'</a>
&ldquo;I would have rather been found guilty,&rdquo; Trump laughed on Biden's mental state.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

WORLD | He said that his appointees would “expel” the “corrupt forces” from their ranks and produce a “legendary” public accounting of misdeeds.

US President Donald Trump, in a rare address at the Department of Justice headquarters on Friday (March 14), alleged that his "predecessors" turned the Department of Justice into the "Department of Injustice". He said that his appointees would “expel” the “corrupt forces” from their ranks and produce a “legendary” public accounting of misdeeds. "I stand before you today to declare that those days are over and they are never going to come back,” Trump said. Also read: Indian scholar Ranjani Srinivasan self-deports after Trump admin revokes visa for allegedly 'supporting' Hamas “As the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred,” Trump said while reportedly citing all the criminal cases showed to him in the department. "We will expel the rogue actors and corrupt forces from our government, we will expose and very much expose their egregious crimes and severe misconduct of which was levels - you’ve never seen anything like it. It’s going to be legendary," the US president added. Trump, taking a dig at the former president Joe Biden, said that a "corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations". Also read: 'If Trump dies mysteriously...': Internet goes crazy after reporter smacks mic into US president's face "They weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try to thwart the will of the American people,” Trump added. 🔥🔥🔥 Trump gives remarks at DoJ: "Our predecessors turned the Department of Justice into the Department of injustice. But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over — and they are never going to come back." pic.twitter.com/EzPC1NMdgH — ӨGMΛ (@fatherofogham) March 14, 2025 Trump's Friday address was the first presidential speech at the Justice Department since 2015. 'Did everything within their power' Trump further alleged that the Biden administration "spied" on his election campaign. “They spied on my campaign, launched one hoax and disinformation operation after another, broke the law on a colossal scale, persecuted my family, staff and supporters, raided my home Mar-a-Lago, and did everything within their power to prevent me from becoming the president of the United States," he said. Also read: Trump's 'beautiful area' for Gazans? US, Israel eyeing three 'poor' African nations to resettle Palestinians But “in the end the thugs failed and the truth won," said Trump. 'I would have rather been found guilty' The US president also mocked Biden over the investigation against him for mishandling classified documents. The case was not prosecuted as special counsel Robert Hur determined jury wouldn’t convict him on the grounds of him being elderly and suffering from poor memory. Also read: Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party' “I would have rather been found guilty,” Trump laughed on Biden's mental state. (With inputs from agencies)

'They Spied, They Lied, But They Failed': Trump says Biden turned DOJ into 'Department of Injustice'

Abu Khadija - the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world" has been killed.&nbsp;
Abu Khadija, also known as Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi was killed by the Iraqi security forces, with the support of the US-led coalition, Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani informed on Friday (March 14).&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m89q68k0-2czevba9-9xan5vz2">
CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Chief of Global Operations Who Also Served as ISIS #2 On March 13, U.S. Central Command forces, in cooperation with Iraqi Intelligence and Security Forces, conducted a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, that killed the Global ISIS #2 leader,&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/rWeEoUY7Lw">pic.twitter.com/rWeEoUY7Lw</a>
&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1900737395915440260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-trump-dies-mysteriously-internet-goes-crazy-after-reporter-smacks-mic-into-trumps-face-8854772">'If Trump dies mysteriously...': Internet goes crazy after reporter smacks mic into US president's face</a>
US President Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social and said the notorious ISIS chief was killed along with another unidentified member of the terror organisation.&nbsp;
"Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters," Trump said in the post.&nbsp;
"His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!" the US president added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-targets-45-universities-ivy-league-schools-in-crackdown-over-alleged-discrimination-against-white-students-dei-practices-8854745">Trump targets 45 universities, Ivy League schools in crackdown over 'discrimination' against white students</a>
<figure class="image"><img alt="ISIS" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/644x230/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/15/bAoy6otMPd0OBJXDnzhR.JPG" style="width: 644px;">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m89q52wf-gm8akq8q-4pofpjyx">
يواصل العراقيون انتصاراتهم المبهرة على قوى الظلام والإرهاب، حيث تمكن أبطال جهاز المخابرات الوطني العراقي، بإسناد وتنسيق من قيادة العمليات المشتركة وقوات التحالف الدولي، من قتل الإرهابي عبد الله مكي مصلح الرفيعي المكنى (أبو خديجة) الذي يشغل منصب ما يسمّى (نائب الخليفة وهو الذي&hellip;
&mdash; محمد شياع السوداني (@mohamedshia) <a href="https://twitter.com/mohamedshia/status/1900537600219455676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-government-shutdown-senae-democrat-leader-schumer-defies-party-to-back-trumps-funding-bill-8854601">US government shutdown; Senate Democrat leader Schumer defies party to back Trump's funding bill</a>
<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-targets-45-universities-ivy-league-schools-in-crackdown-over-alleged-discrimination-against-white-students-dei-practices-8854745"></a>The fall, rise, and fall of ISIS</h2>
The former ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate over at least a quarter of Iraq and Syria. In 2019, he was killed by US special forces in Syria after which the terror group collapsed.&nbsp;
But in July 2024, the US Central Command claimed that ISIS is trying to rebuild itself after several years of diminished capabilities.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-blasts-illegal-media-in-fiery-doj-speech-slams-outlets-critical-of-him-political-arms-of-the-democrat-party-8854702">Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party'</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

WORLD | Abu Khadija - the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world" has been killed.

Abu Khadija - the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world" has been killed. Abu Khadija, also known as Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi was killed by the Iraqi security forces, with the support of the US-led coalition, Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani informed on Friday (March 14). CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Chief of Global Operations Who Also Served as ISIS #2 On March 13, U.S. Central Command forces, in cooperation with Iraqi Intelligence and Security Forces, conducted a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, that killed the Global ISIS #2 leader,… pic.twitter.com/rWeEoUY7Lw — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2025 Also read: 'If Trump dies mysteriously...': Internet goes crazy after reporter smacks mic into US president's face US President Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social and said the notorious ISIS chief was killed along with another unidentified member of the terror organisation. "Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters," Trump said in the post. "His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!" the US president added. Also read: Trump targets 45 universities, Ivy League schools in crackdown over 'discrimination' against white students يواصل العراقيون انتصاراتهم المبهرة على قوى الظلام والإرهاب، حيث تمكن أبطال جهاز المخابرات الوطني العراقي، بإسناد وتنسيق من قيادة العمليات المشتركة وقوات التحالف الدولي، من قتل الإرهابي عبد الله مكي مصلح الرفيعي المكنى (أبو خديجة) الذي يشغل منصب ما يسمّى (نائب الخليفة وهو الذي… — محمد شياع السوداني (@mohamedshia) March 14, 2025 Also read: US government shutdown; Senate Democrat leader Schumer defies party to back Trump's funding bill The fall, rise, and fall of ISIS The former ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate over at least a quarter of Iraq and Syria. In 2019, he was killed by US special forces in Syria after which the terror group collapsed. But in July 2024, the US Central Command claimed that ISIS is trying to rebuild itself after several years of diminished capabilities. Also read: Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party' (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH | 'Most dangerous terrorist in the world': ISIS chief Abu Khadija killed by US-Iraq forces

After more than nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, the two 'stranded' NASA astronauts, are finally nearing their long-awaited return&mdash;thanks to the successful launch of a replacement crew on Friday (Mar 14).&nbsp;&nbsp;
US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 14) launched a scathing attack on the press and his political adversaries, turning a speech at the Department of Justice (DOJ) into a grievance-laden tirade.
The United States and Israel are planning to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Africa as they reportedly reached out to at least three East African governments to discuss if they can use African territories for the same.&nbsp;
Click on the headlines to read more
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/stranded-nasa-astronauts-sunita-williams-butch-wilmore-to-return-to-earth-soon-after-nine-months-in-space-on-iss-long-awaited-return-from-iss-begins-with-crew-10-launch-8854593">'Stranded' NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to return to Earth soon; SpaceX's swap team launches to ISS</a><img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/01/30/1dbmjyYDtlkqvh9e7Six.png" alt=" NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Photograph: (AFP, Reuters) ">
After more than nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, the two 'stranded' NASA astronauts, are finally nearing their long-awaited return&mdash;thanks to the successful launch of a replacement crew on Friday (Mar 14). &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-blasts-illegal-media-in-fiery-doj-speech-slams-outlets-critical-of-him-political-arms-of-the-democrat-party-8854702">Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party'</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x0/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/15/RkIwvg92iFk7aMch7PP3.png" alt=" US President Donald Trump speaks at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, on March 14, 2025. Photograph: (AFP) " style="width: 1280px;">
US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 14) launched a scathing attack on the press and his political adversaries, turning a speech at the Department of Justice (DOJ) into a grievance-laden tirade.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-netanyahu-approach-3-african-nations-to-resettle-gazans-2-of-them-immediately-rebuffed-8854678">Trump's 'beautiful area' for Gazans? US, Israel eyeing three 'poor' African nations to resettle Palestinians</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/15/dP7Xnlgiea29SbondU21.png" alt=" A report by the Associate Press (AP) claimed that American and Israeli officials told about Donald Trump's postwar plan to resettle Gazans.&nbsp; Photograph: (Reuters ) ">
The United States and Israel are planning to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Africa as they reportedly reached out to at least three East African governments to discuss if they can use African territories for the same.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/all-50-pakistan-cricketers-overlooked-in-the-hundred-draft-heres-why-8854794">All 50 Pakistan cricketers overlooked in The Hundred Draft &ndash; Here's why</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/01/08/dL088yEPBuqPDNKKO52K.png" alt=" Pakistan players celebrate after fall of a wicket Photograph: (AFP) ">The recently concluded The Hundred Draft saw a complete snub of Pakistani players, with all 50 cricketers, including big names like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/naseem-shah" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naseem Shah</a>, Saim Ayub, and Shadab Khan, going unsold.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/there-is-no-case-trump-slams-hush-money-trial-after-avoiding-jail-time-vows-to-appeal-unlawful-witch-hunt-8608726" rel="dofollow noopener"></a>
&nbsp;
WATCH: Russia-Ukraine war: Macron, Starmer urges Russia to stop delaying ceasefire process
<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/1503_ARJUN_RUSSIA_730AM_GUEST/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1503_ARJUN_RUSSIA_730AM_GUEST.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=213&amp;tags=Russia, Kyiv, Ukraine, Putin, Zelenskyy, War" title="Russia-Ukraine war: Macron, Starmer urges Russia to stop delaying ceasefire process" id="PL_iframe_block-m89pe2gt-2tbc3vnf-9l88scpo"></iframe>

Good morning! Start your day with WION's morning news brief.

After more than nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, the two 'stranded' NASA astronauts, are finally nearing their long-awaited return—thanks to the successful launch of a replacement crew on Friday (Mar 14). US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 14) launched a scathing attack on the press and his political adversaries, turning a speech at the Department of Justice (DOJ) into a grievance-laden tirade. The United States and Israel are planning to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Africa as they reportedly reached out to at least three East African governments to discuss if they can use African territories for the same. Click on the headlines to read more 'Stranded' NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to return to Earth soon; SpaceX's swap team launches to ISS After more than nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, the two 'stranded' NASA astronauts, are finally nearing their long-awaited return—thanks to the successful launch of a replacement crew on Friday (Mar 14). Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party' US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 14) launched a scathing attack on the press and his political adversaries, turning a speech at the Department of Justice (DOJ) into a grievance-laden tirade. Trump's 'beautiful area' for Gazans? US, Israel eyeing three 'poor' African nations to resettle Palestinians The United States and Israel are planning to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Africa as they reportedly reached out to at least three East African governments to discuss if they can use African territories for the same. All 50 Pakistan cricketers overlooked in The Hundred Draft – Here's why The recently concluded The Hundred Draft saw a complete snub of Pakistani players, with all 50 cricketers, including big names like Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Shadab Khan, going unsold. WATCH: Russia-Ukraine war: Macron, Starmer urges Russia to stop delaying ceasefire process

Morning news brief: Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to return to Earth soon; Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, and more

US President Donald Trump was seen side eying a reporter after she shoved the microphone into his face while interviewing him on Friday (March 14). The US President was answering another female reporter at Joint Base Andrews when a female reporter accidently bumped the mic into his face.&nbsp;
Trump took a few seconds to comprehend the situation then was seen staring at the reporter with side eyes.&nbsp;
"Did you see that?" Trump asked the other reporters present there.&nbsp;
&nbsp;"She made television tonight, she just became a big story tonight, right?" he added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-targets-45-universities-ivy-league-schools-in-crackdown-over-alleged-discrimination-against-white-students-dei-practices-8854745">Trump targets 45 universities, Ivy League schools in crackdown over 'discrimination' against white students</a>
Trump was seen not very happy with the reporter while she was asking questions around Gaza.&nbsp;
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<h2>'If Trump dies mysteriously...'</h2>
As the video was shared on the social media platform X, the internet just blasted.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-netanyahu-approach-3-african-nations-to-resettle-gazans-2-of-them-immediately-rebuffed-8854678">Trump's 'beautiful area' for Gazans? US, Israel eyeing three 'poor' African nations to resettle Palestinians</a>
Netizens shared their mixed reactions, some laughed it off while others criticised the reporter. One internet user said that she did not even apologise to Trump after the incident.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, another X user alleged that there could have been a "deadly substance like anthrax or fentanyl on that microphone" and this isn&rsquo;t something to be taken "lightly".&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-blasts-illegal-media-in-fiery-doj-speech-slams-outlets-critical-of-him-political-arms-of-the-democrat-party-8854702">Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party'</a>
&ldquo;If Trump dies mysteriously in the next few hours, I'm blaming that microphone person," wrote one.
"That was intentional. GET HIM CHECKED OUT NOW!!! Find that damn boom operator and TEST THAT MIC!!!" another wrote.
Another said that Trump's facial expressions are hilarious.&nbsp;
"I love that he didn't even seem to say anything right away, just gave "the look"," they added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-calls-on-ukraine-army-to-surrender-in-kursk-region-after-trumps-strong-appeal-8854315">Putin calls on Ukraine army to 'surrender' in Kursk region after Trump's 'strong' appeal</a>

WORLD | TRENDING | The US President was answering another female reporter at Joint Base Andrews when a female reporter accidently bumped the mic into his face.

US President Donald Trump was seen side eying a reporter after she shoved the microphone into his face while interviewing him on Friday (March 14). The US President was answering another female reporter at Joint Base Andrews when a female reporter accidently bumped the mic into his face. Trump took a few seconds to comprehend the situation then was seen staring at the reporter with side eyes. "Did you see that?" Trump asked the other reporters present there. "She made television tonight, she just became a big story tonight, right?" he added. Also read: Trump targets 45 universities, Ivy League schools in crackdown over 'discrimination' against white students Trump was seen not very happy with the reporter while she was asking questions around Gaza. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WION (@wionews) 'If Trump dies mysteriously...' As the video was shared on the social media platform X, the internet just blasted. Also read: Trump's 'beautiful area' for Gazans? US, Israel eyeing three 'poor' African nations to resettle Palestinians Netizens shared their mixed reactions, some laughed it off while others criticised the reporter. One internet user said that she did not even apologise to Trump after the incident. Meanwhile, another X user alleged that there could have been a "deadly substance like anthrax or fentanyl on that microphone" and this isn’t something to be taken "lightly". Also read: Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party' “If Trump dies mysteriously in the next few hours, I'm blaming that microphone person," wrote one. "That was intentional. GET HIM CHECKED OUT NOW!!! Find that damn boom operator and TEST THAT MIC!!!" another wrote. Another said that Trump's facial expressions are hilarious. "I love that he didn't even seem to say anything right away, just gave "the look"," they added. Also read: Putin calls on Ukraine army to 'surrender' in Kursk region after Trump's 'strong' appeal

'If Trump dies mysteriously...': Internet goes crazy after reporter smacks mic into US president's face

The US Department of Education opened an investigation on Friday into dozens of universities over diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that President Donald Trump alleges discriminate against white students.
"The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.
"Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin," McMahon said.
The 45 universities being investigated for "allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices" include prestigious Ivy League schools Cornell and Yale and other leading academic institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago and the University of California-Berkeley.
The Department of Education said the schools may have violated the 1964 Civil Rights Act by partnering with The PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps members of minority groups obtain doctoral degrees.
The PhD Project "purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a PhD and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants," it said.
In addition to the probe into the 45 universities, the Department of Education said it had opened an investigation into another seven schools over "alleged impermissible race-based scholarships and race-based segregation."
The Department of Education sent a letter to schools around the country last month stating that it "will no longer tolerate the overt and covert racial discrimination that has become widespread in this Nation's educational institutions."
"The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent," it said.
The Department of Education, earlier this week, said it had opened an investigation into 60 colleges and universities for alleged "anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination."
The Trump administration cut $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University last week, accusing it of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment as protesters rallied against Israel's offensive in Gaza.
Columbia and other US campuses were rocked by student protests against Israel's war in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The demonstrations ignited accusations of anti-Semitism.
In one of his first moves after taking office, Trump ended diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government that are intended to redress historical inequality but that he claims disadvantage white people, particularly men.
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.

World | The Trump administration targets top universities, including Ivy League schools, in a crackdown over DEI practices, alleging discrimination against white students.

The US Department of Education opened an investigation on Friday into dozens of universities over diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that President Donald Trump alleges discriminate against white students. "The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. "Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin," McMahon said. The 45 universities being investigated for "allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices" include prestigious Ivy League schools Cornell and Yale and other leading academic institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago and the University of California-Berkeley. The Department of Education said the schools may have violated the 1964 Civil Rights Act by partnering with The PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps members of minority groups obtain doctoral degrees. The PhD Project "purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a PhD and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants," it said. In addition to the probe into the 45 universities, the Department of Education said it had opened an investigation into another seven schools over "alleged impermissible race-based scholarships and race-based segregation." The Department of Education sent a letter to schools around the country last month stating that it "will no longer tolerate the overt and covert racial discrimination that has become widespread in this Nation's educational institutions." "The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent," it said. The Department of Education, earlier this week, said it had opened an investigation into 60 colleges and universities for alleged "anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination." The Trump administration cut $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University last week, accusing it of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment as protesters rallied against Israel's offensive in Gaza. Columbia and other US campuses were rocked by student protests against Israel's war in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The demonstrations ignited accusations of anti-Semitism. In one of his first moves after taking office, Trump ended diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government that are intended to redress historical inequality but that he claims disadvantage white people, particularly men. 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 targets 45 universities, Ivy League schools in crackdown over 'discrimination' against white students

The United States and Israel are planning to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Africa as they reportedly reached out to at least three East African governments to discuss if they can use African territories for the same.&nbsp;
A report by the Associate Press (AP) claimed that American and Israeli officials told about Donald Trump's postwar plan to resettle Gazans.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-respond-accordingly-white-house-accuses-hamas-of-making-very-bad-bet-on-gaza-talks-8854373">'Will respond accordingly': White House accuses Hamas of making 'very bad bet' on Gaza talks</a>
The two nations contacted Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland, AP claimed. As all the three regions are poor and somewhat wracked by violence, the reported move raises questions on the US President's statement that he is planning to resettle Gazans in a "beautiful area".&nbsp;
Sudan officials said they have rejected the discussion with Trump, but Somalia and Somaliland told AP that they were not contacted by either of the countries (US, Israel).&nbsp;
&ldquo;This suggestion was immediately rebuffed,&rdquo; said one Sudanese official. &ldquo;No one opened this matter again," they added.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-israel-circus-known-as-un-human-rights-council-netanyahu-rejects-un-finding-on-gaza-genocidal-acts-8851221">'Anti-Israel circus known as UN Human Rights Council': Netanyahu rejects UN finding on Gaza 'genocidal acts'</a>
Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said his country would categorically reject "any proposal or initiative, from any party, that would undermine the Palestinian people&rsquo;s right to live peacefully on their ancestral land", Reuters reported.&nbsp;
<h2>A 'bold decision'&nbsp;</h2>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-for-the-first-time-accepts-reasonable-suspicion-over-idfs-use-of-palestinians-as-human-shields-in-gaza-israeli-soldiers-gaza-war-israel-hamas-war-8848669">Israel, for the first time, 'accepts' use of Palestinians as human shields in Gaza, probe on: Report</a>
After Trump presented the idea of mass transfer of Palestinians in the White House last month, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed it a "bold decision". Since then, the decision has sparked outrage and criticism from various nations. Rights groups have said forcing or pressuring the Palestinians to leave could be a potential war crime.
Despite, the White House says Trump "stands by his vision".&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beaten-spit-on-held-in-one-sq-metre-cell-israeli-hostages-painful-ordeal-reveals-they-knew-when-gaza-truce-failed-8847768">'Beaten, spat on, held in a sq metre cell': Hostage's painful ordeal reveals 'he knew' when Gaza truce failed</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

WORLD | A report by the Associate Press (AP) claimed that American and Israeli officials told about Donald Trump's postwar plan to resettle Gazans.

The United States and Israel are planning to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Africa as they reportedly reached out to at least three East African governments to discuss if they can use African territories for the same. A report by the Associate Press (AP) claimed that American and Israeli officials told about Donald Trump's postwar plan to resettle Gazans. Also read: 'Will respond accordingly': White House accuses Hamas of making 'very bad bet' on Gaza talks The two nations contacted Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland, AP claimed. As all the three regions are poor and somewhat wracked by violence, the reported move raises questions on the US President's statement that he is planning to resettle Gazans in a "beautiful area". Sudan officials said they have rejected the discussion with Trump, but Somalia and Somaliland told AP that they were not contacted by either of the countries (US, Israel). “This suggestion was immediately rebuffed,” said one Sudanese official. “No one opened this matter again," they added. Also read: 'Anti-Israel circus known as UN Human Rights Council': Netanyahu rejects UN finding on Gaza 'genocidal acts' Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said his country would categorically reject "any proposal or initiative, from any party, that would undermine the Palestinian people’s right to live peacefully on their ancestral land", Reuters reported. A 'bold decision' Also read: Israel, for the first time, 'accepts' use of Palestinians as human shields in Gaza, probe on: Report After Trump presented the idea of mass transfer of Palestinians in the White House last month, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed it a "bold decision". Since then, the decision has sparked outrage and criticism from various nations. Rights groups have said forcing or pressuring the Palestinians to leave could be a potential war crime. Despite, the White House says Trump "stands by his vision". Also read: 'Beaten, spat on, held in a sq metre cell': Hostage's painful ordeal reveals 'he knew' when Gaza truce failed (With inputs from agencies)

Trump's 'beautiful area' for Gazans? US, Israel eyeing three 'poor' African nations to resettle Palestinians

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 14) launched a scathing attack on the press and his political adversaries, turning a speech at the Department of Justice (DOJ) into a grievance-laden tirade.
Using the speech which was meant to discuss law and order, Trump&mdash;now the first convicted felon to hold the White House&mdash;railed against perceived injustices, accusing his predecessor Joe Biden of "weaponising" the department against him. But his harshest words were reserved for the media, especially those US outlets that cover him critically and which he claimed were "corrupt".
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-government-shutdown-senae-democrat-leader-schumer-defies-party-to-back-trumps-funding-bill-8854601">US government shutdown; Senate Democrat leader Schumer defies party to back Trump's funding bill</a>
<h2>'It has to be illegal'</h2>
Speaking before an audience of prosecutors and law enforcement officers, Trump lashed out at major news outlets, singling out CNN, MSNBC, and unnamed newspapers for their critical coverage.&nbsp;
He claimed that they "literally write 97.6 percent bad about me" and said that "it has to stop. It has to be illegal."
He went further, calling them "political arms of the Democrat party," and branding their coverage "corrupt" and "illegal."
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/surrender-or-die-putin-issues-chilling-ultimatum-to-ukrainian-troops-as-zelensky-exposes-russian-presidents-real-ukraine-war-plan-8852256">Putin gives ultimatum to Ukrainian troops to 'surrender or die'; Zelensky exposes Russian president's 'real' war plan</a>
"In my opinion, they're really corrupt and they're illegal. What they do is illegal," he said.
He alleged that media is "influencing judges and it's really changing law, and it just cannot be legal. I don't believe it's legal. And they do it in total coordination with each other".
<h2>'Fake news' and political pressure</h2>
Attacking the media has been a hallmark of Trump's political career, dating back to his first election in 2016. He has frequently labelled journalists as "enemies of the people" and dismissed reports critical of him as "fake news."
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-calls-on-ukraine-army-to-surrender-in-kursk-region-after-trumps-strong-appeal-8854315">Putin calls on Ukraine army to 'surrender' in Kursk region after Trump's 'strong' appeal</a>
Since beginning his second term in January, he has moved swiftly to sideline mainstream outlets like The Associated Press while granting increased access to far-right media organisations. The Associated Press was blocked from accessing White House events, including the vital Donald Trump-Indian PM Narendra Modi joint press conference in February 2025. This happened after the news agency failed to comply with Trump's order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
(With inputs from agencies)

Trending | World | In a fiery DOJ speech, Trump slammed major media outlets like CNN and MSNBC, labeling them as political arms of the Democrat party, accusing them of corruption.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 14) launched a scathing attack on the press and his political adversaries, turning a speech at the Department of Justice (DOJ) into a grievance-laden tirade. Using the speech which was meant to discuss law and order, Trump—now the first convicted felon to hold the White House—railed against perceived injustices, accusing his predecessor Joe Biden of "weaponising" the department against him. But his harshest words were reserved for the media, especially those US outlets that cover him critically and which he claimed were "corrupt". Also read | US government shutdown; Senate Democrat leader Schumer defies party to back Trump's funding bill 'It has to be illegal' Speaking before an audience of prosecutors and law enforcement officers, Trump lashed out at major news outlets, singling out CNN, MSNBC, and unnamed newspapers for their critical coverage. He claimed that they "literally write 97.6 percent bad about me" and said that "it has to stop. It has to be illegal." He went further, calling them "political arms of the Democrat party," and branding their coverage "corrupt" and "illegal." Also read | Putin gives ultimatum to Ukrainian troops to 'surrender or die'; Zelensky exposes Russian president's 'real' war plan "In my opinion, they're really corrupt and they're illegal. What they do is illegal," he said. He alleged that media is "influencing judges and it's really changing law, and it just cannot be legal. I don't believe it's legal. And they do it in total coordination with each other". 'Fake news' and political pressure Attacking the media has been a hallmark of Trump's political career, dating back to his first election in 2016. He has frequently labelled journalists as "enemies of the people" and dismissed reports critical of him as "fake news." Also read | Putin calls on Ukraine army to 'surrender' in Kursk region after Trump's 'strong' appeal Since beginning his second term in January, he has moved swiftly to sideline mainstream outlets like The Associated Press while granting increased access to far-right media organisations. The Associated Press was blocked from accessing White House events, including the vital Donald Trump-Indian PM Narendra Modi joint press conference in February 2025. This happened after the news agency failed to comply with Trump's order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump blasts 'illegal' media in fiery speech, labels outlets critical of him 'political arms of Democrat party'

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