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Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his first visit to North Korea in seven years on Monday (June 8). He received a colourful carpet welcome from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju, where he was given a guard of honour and crowds waved Chinese and North Korean flags together. While addressing, Xi Jinping has lauded relations between China and North Korea, stating that they stand at a "new historical starting point" and added the pair are "shouldering new missions of the times", according to a state media report.<h3>Why is Xi Jinping in North Korea?</h3>North Korea is the only neighbour that can neither be controlled nor afforded to lose by China. Both sides frequently labelled their relationship as one "forged in blood", referring to the Korean War. In recent years, relations between the two nations have become more complicated in recent years, with growing mistrust affecting their traditionally close ties. As Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Pyongyang, Beijing appears focused on protecting its strategic interests rather than simply strengthening friendship. China wants stability along its border and influence over North Korea, but it also wants to avoid being caught up in tensions linked to Pyongyang's nuclear programme. China is reportedly concerned about North Korea's increasingly close relationship with Russia. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Pyongyang and Moscow have expanded military cooperation, including signing a mutual defence pact during President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea in 2024. The shift has raised concerns in Beijing, which fears losing influence over its neighbour. Xi's visit is therefore seen as an effort to maintain China's role in regional affairs and ensure North Korea remains within its sphere of influence. According to a BBC report, around 2,300 North Korean soldiers have lost their lives fighting for Russia against Ukraine. Additionally, Pyongyang is also accused of supplying arms and weapons to Russia in exchange for oil and aid, a move that has socked Washington and its allies, and quietly rattled China. "China wants to ensure that its interests vis-à-vis North Korea are protected at a time of rapid convergence between Moscow and Pyongyang," adds Ankit Panda, a nuclear policy specialist at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.<h3>China's defence treaty with North Korea</h3>China's only formal defence treaty is with North Korea, making Beijing wary of Russia gaining greater influence in Pyongyang. A stronger and less dependent Kim Jong Un could reduce China's leverage. In response, Beijing has sought to rebuild ties. During their first formal summit in six years, Xi Jinping invited Kim to a military parade and described China and North Korea as "good neighbours, good friends and good comrades bound by a shared destiny", while calling for closer strategic coordination. Notably, North Korea's nuclear programme was not mentioned publicly. China is closely monitoring the growing partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow, and analysts stated that Beijing's reaction is far from straightforward. Lee Seong-hyon, a visiting scholar at the Harvard University Asia Centre, stated that Beijing has "mixed feelings" about the partnership between the two nations. On one hand, closer ties between North Korea and Russia help distract the US and complicate its foreign policy efforts, indirectly benefiting China. However, China is also concerned that deeper military cooperation between Russia and North Korea could encourage stronger security cooperation among the United States, Japan and South Korea. Such a development would increase pressure on Beijing in the region. This is one reason why China has avoided openly supporting North Korea's nuclear programme. At the same time, Beijing is careful not to push Pyongyang away.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eitan-gilboa-himachal-pradesh-israeli-soldier-gaza-war-crime-allegations-1780906711391">Who is Eitan Gilboa? Israeli soldier on Hummus Trail faces arrest calls over Gaza</a><h3>What is China's biggest fear for North Korea?</h3>In 2022, China and Russia blocked a US-led United Nations resolution seeking additional sanctions on North Korea over its missile tests. Experts believe China fears that taking a tougher position could drive North Korea even closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, North Korea remains heavily dependent on China economically. Chinese exports to North Korea reached about $2.3 billion last year, their highest level in six years, while direct train services between Beijing and Pyongyang resumed after a long suspension. Relations between the two countries have not always been smooth. Kim Jong Un's rapid expansion of North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes alarmed Beijing, while the execution of his uncle Jang Song Thaek, who was seen as a pro-China figure, further strained ties. At one point, North Korean state media even referred to China as a "turncoat and our enemy." Despite past tensions, both sides recognise their strategic importance to each other. China sees North Korea as a buffer against US military influence, while Pyongyang relies on Beijing for economic and diplomatic support. Although mutual trust remains limited, both countries continue to engage because their interests remain closely linked.

Lee Seong-hyon, a visiting scholar at the Harvard University Asia Centre, said Beijing has mixed feelings about the partnership between the two nations. The closer ties between North Korea and Russia help distract the US and complicate its foreign policy efforts, indirectly benefiting China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his first visit to North Korea in seven years on Monday (June 8). He received a colourful carpet welcome from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju, where he was given a guard of honour and crowds waved Chinese and North Korean flags together. While addressing, Xi Jinping has lauded relations between China and North Korea, stating that they stand at a "new historical starting point" and added the pair are "shouldering new missions of the times", according to a state media report. Why is Xi Jinping in North Korea? North Korea is the only neighbour that can neither be controlled nor afforded to lose by China. Both sides frequently labelled their relationship as one "forged in blood", referring to the Korean War. In recent years, relations between the two nations have become more complicated in recent years, with growing mistrust affecting their traditionally close ties. As Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Pyongyang, Beijing appears focused on protecting its strategic interests rather than simply strengthening friendship. China wants stability along its border and influence over North Korea, but it also wants to avoid being caught up in tensions linked to Pyongyang's nuclear programme. China is reportedly concerned about North Korea's increasingly close relationship with Russia. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Pyongyang and Moscow have expanded military cooperation, including signing a mutual defence pact during President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea in 2024. The shift has raised concerns in Beijing, which fears losing influence over its neighbour. Xi's visit is therefore seen as an effort to maintain China's role in regional affairs and ensure North Korea remains within its sphere of influence. According to a BBC report, around 2,300 North Korean soldiers have lost their lives fighting for Russia against Ukraine. Additionally, Pyongyang is also accused of supplying arms and weapons to Russia in exchange for oil and aid, a move that has socked Washington and its allies, and quietly rattled China. "China wants to ensure that its interests vis-à-vis North Korea are protected at a time of rapid convergence between Moscow and Pyongyang," adds Ankit Panda, a nuclear policy specialist at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. China's defence treaty with North Korea China's only formal defence treaty is with North Korea, making Beijing wary of Russia gaining greater influence in Pyongyang. A stronger and less dependent Kim Jong Un could reduce China's leverage. In response, Beijing has sought to rebuild ties. During their first formal summit in six years, Xi Jinping invited Kim to a military parade and described China and North Korea as "good neighbours, good friends and good comrades bound by a shared destiny", while calling for closer strategic coordination. Notably, North Korea's nuclear programme was not mentioned publicly. China is closely monitoring the growing partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow, and analysts stated that Beijing's reaction is far from straightforward. Lee Seong-hyon, a visiting scholar at the Harvard University Asia Centre, stated that Beijing has "mixed feelings" about the partnership between the two nations. On one hand, closer ties between North Korea and Russia help distract the US and complicate its foreign policy efforts, indirectly benefiting China. However, China is also concerned that deeper military cooperation between Russia and North Korea could encourage stronger security cooperation among the United States, Japan and South Korea. Such a development would increase pressure on Beijing in the region. This is one reason why China has avoided openly supporting North Korea's nuclear programme. At the same time, Beijing is careful not to push Pyongyang away. Also read: Who is Eitan Gilboa? Israeli soldier on Hummus Trail faces arrest calls over Gaza What is China's biggest fear for North Korea? In 2022, China and Russia blocked a US-led United Nations resolution seeking additional sanctions on North Korea over its missile tests. Experts believe China fears that taking a tougher position could drive North Korea even closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, North Korea remains heavily dependent on China economically. Chinese exports to North Korea reached about $2.3 billion last year, their highest level in six years, while direct train services between Beijing and Pyongyang resumed after a long suspension. Relations between the two countries have not always been smooth. Kim Jong Un's rapid expansion of North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes alarmed Beijing, while the execution of his uncle Jang Song Thaek, who was seen as a pro-China figure, further strained ties. At one point, North Korean state media even referred to China as a "turncoat and our enemy." Despite past tensions, both sides recognise their strategic importance to each other. China sees North Korea as a buffer against US military influence, while Pyongyang relies on Beijing for economic and diplomatic support. Although mutual trust remains limited, both countries continue to engage because their interests remain closely linked.

Lee Seong-hyon, a visiting scholar at the Harvard University Asia Centre, said Beijing has mixed feelings about the partnership between the two nations. The closer ties between North Korea and Russia help distract the US and complicate its foreign policy efforts, indirectly benefiting China.

EXPLAINED: Why Xi Jinping visited North Korea after 7 years and what China actually wants?

A bear spotted roaming the streets of a Japanese city for three days prompted authorities to shut nearly 100 schools on Monday (June 8), as dozens of hunters and officials fanned out across the area in search of the animal. The city government of Utsunomiya, located north of Tokyo, ordered the closure of all 94 public primary and junior high schools after receiving more than 10 bear sighting reports since Saturday. The reported sightings included one at a shopping arcade.&nbsp;"We have vehicles out to areas where a bear was seen to make people aware and to urge people to stay indoors or in vehicles," a city official told news agency AFP. The official added that dozens of hunters, police, and local authorities had been deployed to locate the animal.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/flashing-eyes-loud-howls-japan-s-monster-wolf-robots-see-boom-in-orders-as-bear-attacks-rise-1778736413978">Flashing eyes, loud howls: Japan’s ‘Monster Wolf’ robots see boom in orders as bear attacks rise</a>&nbsp;It remained unclear whether the sightings involved a single bear or multiple animals, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;Japan has recorded a growing number of bear encounters and attacks in recent years, particularly in urban areas. A record 13 people were killed by bears in the country last year, with a surge in incidents linked to the animals emerging hungry from hibernation.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-sees-45th-straight-year-of-declining-child-population-falls-to-record-low-of-13-29-million-1779968394421">Japan sees 45th straight year of declining child population, falls to record low of 13.29 million</a>&nbsp;Bear sightings across Japan surpassed 50,000 in the year to March, more than double the previous record set two years earlier, according to official data. Utsunomiya, a regional capital with a population of 510,000, had reported just two unconfirmed bear sightings in the preceding year.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-storm-jangmi-mudslide-buries-rail-line-amid-widespread-disruption-1780560692042/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-storm-jangmi-mudslide-buries-rail-line-amid-widespread-disruption-1780560692042/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The bear currently being hunted was first spotted on Saturday morning north of the city centre, and was described as approximately one metre, or three feet, in length. A string of sightings followed in a residential neighbourhood the same day, at a shopping arcade on Sunday, and subsequently at a park, a high school and a junior school. On Monday morning, residents reported spotting a bear near a wholesale market, the city official said.

A wild bear on the loose in a Japanese city has triggered an emergency response, forcing the closure of nearly 100 local schools as authorities search for the animal.

A bear spotted roaming the streets of a Japanese city for three days prompted authorities to shut nearly 100 schools on Monday (June 8), as dozens of hunters and officials fanned out across the area in search of the animal. The city government of Utsunomiya, located north of Tokyo, ordered the closure of all 94 public primary and junior high schools after receiving more than 10 bear sighting reports since Saturday. The reported sightings included one at a shopping arcade. "We have vehicles out to areas where a bear was seen to make people aware and to urge people to stay indoors or in vehicles," a city official told news agency AFP. The official added that dozens of hunters, police, and local authorities had been deployed to locate the animal. Also read: Flashing eyes, loud howls: Japan’s ‘Monster Wolf’ robots see boom in orders as bear attacks rise It remained unclear whether the sightings involved a single bear or multiple animals, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Japan has recorded a growing number of bear encounters and attacks in recent years, particularly in urban areas. A record 13 people were killed by bears in the country last year, with a surge in incidents linked to the animals emerging hungry from hibernation. Also read: Japan sees 45th straight year of declining child population, falls to record low of 13.29 million Bear sightings across Japan surpassed 50,000 in the year to March, more than double the previous record set two years earlier, according to official data. Utsunomiya, a regional capital with a population of 510,000, had reported just two unconfirmed bear sightings in the preceding year. https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-storm-jangmi-mudslide-buries-rail-line-amid-widespread-disruption-1780560692042/embed The bear currently being hunted was first spotted on Saturday morning north of the city centre, and was described as approximately one metre, or three feet, in length. A string of sightings followed in a residential neighbourhood the same day, at a shopping arcade on Sunday, and subsequently at a park, a high school and a junior school. On Monday morning, residents reported spotting a bear near a wholesale market, the city official said.

A wild bear on the loose in a Japanese city has triggered an emergency response, forcing the closure of nearly 100 local schools as authorities search for the animal.

Bear on the loose in Japanese city forces closure of nearly 100 schools

As Iran and Israel renew attacks against each other with Tel Aviv striking a petrochemical plant and several infrastructure sites at the complex in Iran's Mahshahr, and then Iran retaliating by striking similar facilities in Haifa, India said it is concerned about the security of its national living in both the countries.&nbsp;In an advisory issued on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv urged Indian nationals not to panic and stay alert and strictly follow all safety instructions laid out by Israeli authorities.&nbsp;"In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times," the embassy said.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-24-indian-seafarers-on-cargo-vessel-hit-by-drone-off-oman-coast-safe-ministry-of-shipping-1780917572404">All 24 Indian seafarers on cargo vessel hit by drone off Oman coast safe: Ministry of shipping</a>&nbsp;Indian citizens were also advised to refrain from making unnecessary travel within Israel until further notice.&nbsp;"Citizens are encouraged to monitor local news, official announcements, and emergency alerts regularly," the advisory said.<h2>Israel, Iran renew attack</h2>&nbsp;Earlier today, Israeli said it struck several infrastructure sites at the petrochemical complex in Mahshahr which " were used by the armed forces of the Iranian terror regime to produce and export raw materials for weapons production."&nbsp;While Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it retaliated against Israeli strikes on Iran's petrochemical sector by targeting similar facilities in Haifa.&nbsp;Whereas Iran &nbsp;Israel claimed that the attacks on the petrochemical complex was carried out in response to an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel a day earlier, which itself had been launched following Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Beirut.&nbsp;A temporary ceasefire was reached on April 8, but negotiations later stalled amid disputes over its implementation and subsequent regional developments.

In an advisory issued on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv urged Indian nationals not to panic and stay alert.

As Iran and Israel renew attacks against each other with Tel Aviv striking a petrochemical plant and several infrastructure sites at the complex in Iran's Mahshahr, and then Iran retaliating by striking similar facilities in Haifa, India said it is concerned about the security of its national living in both the countries. In an advisory issued on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv urged Indian nationals not to panic and stay alert and strictly follow all safety instructions laid out by Israeli authorities. "In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times," the embassy said. ALSO READ: All 24 Indian seafarers on cargo vessel hit by drone off Oman coast safe: Ministry of shipping Indian citizens were also advised to refrain from making unnecessary travel within Israel until further notice. "Citizens are encouraged to monitor local news, official announcements, and emergency alerts regularly," the advisory said. Israel, Iran renew attack Earlier today, Israeli said it struck several infrastructure sites at the petrochemical complex in Mahshahr which " were used by the armed forces of the Iranian terror regime to produce and export raw materials for weapons production." While Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it retaliated against Israeli strikes on Iran's petrochemical sector by targeting similar facilities in Haifa. Whereas Iran Israel claimed that the attacks on the petrochemical complex was carried out in response to an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel a day earlier, which itself had been launched following Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Beirut. A temporary ceasefire was reached on April 8, but negotiations later stalled amid disputes over its implementation and subsequent regional developments.

In an advisory issued on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv urged Indian nationals not to panic and stay alert.

India issues advisory to citizens in Israel, says to avoid unnecessary travel

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The world is bracing for a ‘Godzilla’ El Niño this year. El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific become unusually warm, disrupting atmospheric circulation and altering rainfall patterns across the globe. The phenomenon can influence everything from droughts to wildfires and floods in different parts of the world. Although El Niño develops far from India's shores, its effects are often felt across the subcontinent, making it a major concern for meteorologists, farmers and policymakers.<h2>What is ‘Godzilla’ El Niño?</h2>Despite the popularity of the term, ‘Godzilla El Niño’ is not an official scientific classification. The term was first widely used to describe the extraordinarily powerful 1997-98 El Niño event, which caused widespread droughts, floods, crop losses and economic damage across multiple continents. The weather pattern resurfaced during the 2015-16 El Niño, another exceptionally strong episode that contributed to record global temperatures and severe weather disruptions.El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become significantly warmer than normal, weakening trade winds and altering global atmospheric circulation. This changes rainfall and temperature patterns thousands of kilometres away. When the warming becomes particularly intense, the event is often informally labelled a “Super El Niño” or “Godzilla El Niño”.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greenwashing-are-we-being-fooled-into-buying-eco-friendly-products-that-aren-t-wion-decodes-1780663414074">Greenwashing: Are we being fooled into buying eco-friendly products that aren’t? WION Decodes</a><h2>How does El Niño impact India?</h2>An intense El Niño may weaken monsoons in India. The southwest monsoon accounts for nearly 70 per cent of India’s annual rainfall and is significant for the country’s agricultural sector. A weaker monsoon can affect crop production, and in turn, food prices. It can also impact the availability of water and the economic growth of the country. In the past, El Niño conditions have resulted in major droughts in India, including in 1982, 1987, 2002, 2009 and 2015.According to meteorologists, El Niño weakens the large-scale atmospheric circulation that helps pull moisture-laden winds towards the Indian subcontinent. This results in below-normal rainfall across large parts of the country.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/wion-decodes-iss-has-been-leaking-for-nearly-7-years-why-haven-t-we-fixed-it-1780836821307">WION Decodes | ISS has been leaking for nearly 7 years – Why haven’t we fixed it?</a><h2>How an intense El Niño result in a chain of reactions</h2>Although El Niño significantly impact the rain, it is not the only thing it can drive. The phenomenon can also make the weather more unpredictable. While seasonal rainfall may decline overall, some regions can still witness intense downpours, flash floods and extreme weather events. El Niño may increase the frequency of short-duration heavy rainfall events in some parts of the country, despite resulting in below-average rainfall. This means that India may face drought in some regions and flooding in others.Reduced rainfall can adversely affect key kharif crops such as rice, pulses and sugarcane, potentially driving up food prices and inflation. Moreover, lower reservoir levels due to less rainfall may increase water stress in drought-prone regions, while hydropower generation could decline even as electricity demand rises during heatwaves.&nbsp;WATCH | G7 Summit 2026: World Leaders Gather For The High Stakes Summit In Evian-Les-Bains <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g7-summit-2026-world-leaders-gather-for-the-high-stakes-summit-in-evian-les-bains-1781592997144/embed/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/g7-summit-2026-world-leaders-gather-for-the-high-stakes-summit-in-evian-les-bains-1781592997144/embed/embed</a>

A potential “Godzilla” El Niño could disrupt weather patterns worldwide and impact India’s monsoon. Here’s everything you need to know about the intense climate pattern.

The world is bracing for a ‘Godzilla’ El Niño this year. El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific become unusually warm, disrupting atmospheric circulation and altering rainfall patterns across the globe. The phenomenon can influence everything from droughts to wildfires and floods in different parts of the world. Although El Niño develops far from India's shores, its effects are often felt across the subcontinent, making it a major concern for meteorologists, farmers and policymakers. What is ‘Godzilla’ El Niño? Despite the popularity of the term, ‘Godzilla El Niño’ is not an official scientific classification. The term was first widely used to describe the extraordinarily powerful 1997-98 El Niño event, which caused widespread droughts, floods, crop losses and economic damage across multiple continents. The weather pattern resurfaced during the 2015-16 El Niño, another exceptionally strong episode that contributed to record global temperatures and severe weather disruptions. El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become significantly warmer than normal, weakening trade winds and altering global atmospheric circulation. This changes rainfall and temperature patterns thousands of kilometres away. When the warming becomes particularly intense, the event is often informally labelled a “Super El Niño” or “Godzilla El Niño”. Also read | Greenwashing: Are we being fooled into buying eco-friendly products that aren’t? WION Decodes How does El Niño impact India? An intense El Niño may weaken monsoons in India. The southwest monsoon accounts for nearly 70 per cent of India’s annual rainfall and is significant for the country’s agricultural sector. A weaker monsoon can affect crop production, and in turn, food prices. It can also impact the availability of water and the economic growth of the country. In the past, El Niño conditions have resulted in major droughts in India, including in 1982, 1987, 2002, 2009 and 2015. According to meteorologists, El Niño weakens the large-scale atmospheric circulation that helps pull moisture-laden winds towards the Indian subcontinent. This results in below-normal rainfall across large parts of the country. Also read | WION Decodes | ISS has been leaking for nearly 7 years – Why haven’t we fixed it? How an intense El Niño result in a chain of reactions Although El Niño significantly impact the rain, it is not the only thing it can drive. The phenomenon can also make the weather more unpredictable. While seasonal rainfall may decline overall, some regions can still witness intense downpours, flash floods and extreme weather events. El Niño may increase the frequency of short-duration heavy rainfall events in some parts of the country, despite resulting in below-average rainfall. This means that India may face drought in some regions and flooding in others. Reduced rainfall can adversely affect key kharif crops such as rice, pulses and sugarcane, potentially driving up food prices and inflation. Moreover, lower reservoir levels due to less rainfall may increase water stress in drought-prone regions, while hydropower generation could decline even as electricity demand rises during heatwaves. WATCH | G7 Summit 2026: World Leaders Gather For The High Stakes Summit In Evian-Les-Bains https://www.wionews.com/videos/g7-summit-2026-world-leaders-gather-for-the-high-stakes-summit-in-evian-les-bains-1781592997144/embed/embed

A potential “Godzilla” El Niño could disrupt weather patterns worldwide and impact India’s monsoon. Here’s everything you need to know about the intense climate pattern.

WION Decodes | What is 'Godzilla' El Niño and how can it impact the Indian monsoon?

A commercial cargo vessel carrying at least 24 Indian crew members was hit by a drone off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (June 8). The Palau-flagged vessel was sailing about 15 nautical miles off the Omani coast when the explosion happened, according to reports. The engine room was hit leading to a major fire that raised concerns for the safety of those onboard.&nbsp;"There has been a recent report that today, around 1:30 pm, there has been a fire reported on a vessel, MT Marivex, in which there were 24 Indian seafarers," said Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director in the Shipping Division of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.&nbsp;Sharma assured that all Indian were safe and are "coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety."&nbsp;"As per available information, all Indian seafarers are presently safe. We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety," said Sharma.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;There has been a recent report that today, around 1:30 pm, there has been a fire reported on a vessel, MT Marivex, in which there were 24 Indian seafarers. This is the preliminary information which we have received, based on which, as per available information, all Indian… <a href="https://t.co/5AYijkVR8u">pic.twitter.com/5AYijkVR8u</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2063932451513311363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Initial reports suggest that the vessel's engine room suffered significant damage leading to flooding and loss of stability. As the situation grew worse, crew members issued distress calls seeking immediate help as their ship rapidly took on water.&nbsp;According to various reports, the ship’s lifeboats were also damaged during the incident leading to complications in evacuation efforts.&nbsp;The Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) said the vessel was located near the Strait of Hormuz and sought help from Indian authorities and the Indian Navy.&nbsp;

Sharma assured that all Indian were safe and are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety.

A commercial cargo vessel carrying at least 24 Indian crew members was hit by a drone off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (June 8). The Palau-flagged vessel was sailing about 15 nautical miles off the Omani coast when the explosion happened, according to reports. The engine room was hit leading to a major fire that raised concerns for the safety of those onboard. "There has been a recent report that today, around 1:30 pm, there has been a fire reported on a vessel, MT Marivex, in which there were 24 Indian seafarers," said Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director in the Shipping Division of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Sharma assured that all Indian were safe and are "coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety." "As per available information, all Indian seafarers are presently safe. We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety," said Sharma.

Sharma assured that all Indian were safe and are "coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety."

All 24 Indian seafarers on cargo vessel hit by drone off Oman coast safe: Ministry of shipping

After Israel on Monday (June 8) claimed it struck a petrochemical plant and several infrastructure sites at the complex in Mahshahr, and Iran said it struck similar facilities in Haifa in retaliation of the Israeli strikes, US President Donald Trump asked both the countries &nbsp;to stop "shooting".&nbsp;It was for the first time since the April ceasefire that both Israel and Iran attacked each other.&nbsp;Taking to Truth Social Trump wrote, "Israel and Iran must immediately stop shooting."&nbsp;“Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on “Peace” are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way. The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a “Final Deal” is reached. Things should move quickly,” he further said.&nbsp;Earlier today, Israeli said it struck several infrastructure sites at the petrochemical complex in Mahshahr which " were used by the armed forces of the Iranian terror regime to produce and export raw materials for weapons production."&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/diplomacy-amid-crossfire-iran-maintains-us-talks-through-pakistan-mediators-as-israel-strikes-1780906752488">Diplomacy amid crossfire: Iran maintains US talks through Pakistan mediators as Israel strikes</a><h2>Exchange of fire between Iran, Israel</h2>&nbsp;While Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it retaliated against Israeli strikes on Iran's petrochemical sector by targeting similar facilities in Haifa.&nbsp;In a statement, the IRGC accused Israel of launching a dangerous escalation by attacking civilian and energy infrastructure, warning that the conflict could expand to regional energy targets and trigger wider economic repercussions with global consequences.&nbsp;While Israel claims that the attacks on the petrochemical complex was carried out in response to an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel a day earlier, which itself had been launched following Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Beirut.&nbsp;A temporary ceasefire was reached on April 8, but negotiations later stalled amid disputes over its implementation and subsequent regional developments. &nbsp;

Earlier today, Israeli said it struck several infrastructure sites at the petrochemical complex in Irans Mahshahr which were used by the armed forces of the Iranian terror regime to produce and export raw materials for weapons production.

After Israel on Monday (June 8) claimed it struck a petrochemical plant and several infrastructure sites at the complex in Mahshahr, and Iran said it struck similar facilities in Haifa in retaliation of the Israeli strikes, US President Donald Trump asked both the countries to stop "shooting". It was for the first time since the April ceasefire that both Israel and Iran attacked each other. Taking to Truth Social Trump wrote, "Israel and Iran must immediately stop shooting." “Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on “Peace” are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way. The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a “Final Deal” is reached. Things should move quickly,” he further said. Earlier today, Israeli said it struck several infrastructure sites at the petrochemical complex in Mahshahr which " were used by the armed forces of the Iranian terror regime to produce and export raw materials for weapons production." ALSO READ: Diplomacy amid crossfire: Iran maintains US talks through Pakistan mediators as Israel strikes Exchange of fire between Iran, Israel While Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it retaliated against Israeli strikes on Iran's petrochemical sector by targeting similar facilities in Haifa. In a statement, the IRGC accused Israel of launching a dangerous escalation by attacking civilian and energy infrastructure, warning that the conflict could expand to regional energy targets and trigger wider economic repercussions with global consequences. While Israel claims that the attacks on the petrochemical complex was carried out in response to an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel a day earlier, which itself had been launched following Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Beirut. A temporary ceasefire was reached on April 8, but negotiations later stalled amid disputes over its implementation and subsequent regional developments.

Earlier today, Israeli said it struck several infrastructure sites at the petrochemical complex in Iran's Mahshahr which "were used by the armed forces of the Iranian terror regime to produce and export raw materials for weapons production."

'Stop shooting', says Trump to Israel and Iran amid renewed missile attacks

A massive earthquake rattled the southern Philippines on Monday (Jun 8), prompting tsunami warnings in several countries. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometres (22 miles) about 24 kilometres west of Mindanao island’s Sarangani province. The initial quake was followed by a powerful aftershock of magnitude 6.1, according to the United States Geological Survey. At least 15 people were killed in the quake, as several buildings collapsed in the country.Videos posted on social media showed the moment the earthquake struck the Philippines, causing violent shaking of the land and resulting in devastation. In the clips, people can be seen running to take shelter as chaos unfolded.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Dramatic visuals show people ducking for cover as a massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake rattles southern Philippines<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PhilippinesEarthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PhilippinesEarthquake</a> <a href="https://t.co/KPAmjZRXZd">pic.twitter.com/KPAmjZRXZd</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2063801453882532082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Video shows: Ground shaking, smoke and debris rising near a building, and trees swaying as an earthquake strikes Mindanao Island in the Philippines&#39;<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earthquake</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/philipines?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#philipines</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/mindanaoisland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mindanaoisland</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/wionews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wionews</a> <a href="https://t.co/yzhq84kOhj">pic.twitter.com/yzhq84kOhj</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2063900212696113612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake causes damage to buildings and vehicles in General Santos City<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earthquake</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/damages?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#damages</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/philippines?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#philippines</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/wionews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wionews</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/generalsantoscity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#generalsantoscity</a> <a href="https://t.co/fhR5bTSWFB">pic.twitter.com/fhR5bTSWFB</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2063903679053467754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In videos, a shopping centre building with a Jollibee fast food restaurant can be seen collapsing. In another viral footage, school children can be heard screaming as the school building is reduced to rubble.The schools were shut immediately, and the authorities also closed the airport in General Santos until further notice.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Video shows Jollibee store collapsing like house of cards as powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake jolts Philippines | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Watch?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Watch</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/philippines?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#philippines</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earthquake</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/jollibeestore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#jollibeestore</a> <a href="https://t.co/EROOvb9Hsz">pic.twitter.com/EROOvb9Hsz</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2063827784674557983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Children run for cover as school building collapses after 7.8-magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Watch?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Watch</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earthquake</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/philippines?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#philippines</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/school?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#school</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/collapse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#collapse</a> <a href="https://t.co/xxiCAf3QsR">pic.twitter.com/xxiCAf3QsR</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2063817048929833437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate immediately and move to higher ground amid the looming threat of a possible tsunami.“Move to higher ground now. Do not wait,” he said. “Your life is more important than anything left behind.”Earthquakes in the Philippines are not unusual, given that it is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.Earlier in October, Eastern Mindanao was rocked by a pair of earthquakes of 7.4 and 6.7 magnitude. Before these quakes, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake happened days earlier, killing 76 people and damaging 72,000 buildings in Cebu province in central Philippines.<h2>Tsunami warning</h2>The quake triggered tsunami warnings for coastal regions in several countries. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, tsunami waves were possible along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan, Yap and Papua New Guinea.Japanese authorities also issued a tsunami warning and an evacuation order in northern Indonesia in high-risk areas following the earthquake. Although waves that reached the country's coast were reported to be no larger than 20 centimetres.

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Philippines, killing at least 15 people, triggering tsunami warnings and causing widespread destruction.

A massive earthquake rattled the southern Philippines on Monday (Jun 8), prompting tsunami warnings in several countries. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometres (22 miles) about 24 kilometres west of Mindanao island’s Sarangani province. The initial quake was followed by a powerful aftershock of magnitude 6.1, according to the United States Geological Survey. At least 15 people were killed in the quake, as several buildings collapsed in the country. Videos posted on social media showed the moment the earthquake struck the Philippines, causing violent shaking of the land and resulting in devastation. In the clips, people can be seen running to take shelter as chaos unfolded.

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Philippines, killing at least 15 people, triggering tsunami warnings and causing widespread destruction.

Dramatic visuals show moment massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines | VIDEO

Eitan Gilboa, a soldier who has committed numerous war crimes in Gaza, is vacationing in Himachal Pradesh. Gilboa documented and celebrated bombings of civilian homes in Khan Younis and Rafa in Gaza. These videos were later posted by his mother on Instagram and Facebook. He posted those juxtaposing himself against the ruins of Palestinian playgrounds and children's toys amidst the rubble.Brussels-based organisation the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has called for the arrest of Gilboa. He is a reservist in the 271st Combat Engineering Battalion who carried out crimes which violate the Fourth Geneva Convention, ratified by India. As a signatory of the Geneva Convention. India is legally obligated to apprehend and prosecute individuals within its territory accused of grave breaches of international humanitarian law, regardless of their nationality.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-intelligence-israel-critical-threat-spying-trump-officials-iran-talks-1780896364326">US intelligence raises Israel threat level to ‘Critical’ amid spying allegations over Iran negotiations</a><h2>The Hummus trail and the Israeli microcosm</h2>Gilboa is one of the many IDF soldiers who travel to India following the Hummus Trail. In peak travel years, upwards of 47,000 Israelis visit India, most of whom are required to serve in the military services. It has become a sanctuary for Israeli soldiers to decompress, escape the intense psychological stress of military life, and "flip out" or unwind in highly isolated environments. Over the last 25 years, India has become a destination of choice for Israelis, particularly on their rite of passage backpacking trip abroad. However, the movement of Israelis is not enculturation; they do not immerse themselves in Indian culture. They flock to specific villages to aggregate into tight-knit Israeli communities, create a recreational culture among scenic landscapes, trance parties, and widespread access to local recreational drugs like hashish. In anthropology its a phenomenon termed as "liminality", a temporary, lawless zone, where traditional societal morals and rules are suspended. From the conflict zone to the peaceful Himalayan Cafe in Parvati Valley. It functions as a massive, informal coping mechanism for post-traumatic stress.<h2>India's love for Israel&nbsp;</h2>The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs and External Affairs have not responded to the complaint. The Indian government, which has previously denied hosting the film on Oscar-nominated Docudrama - &nbsp;The Voice of Hind Rajab, is now releasing the film nationwide in June 19. The film was banned, citing concerns about foreign relations. The film documents the true story of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli military fire in Gaza while trapped in a car. The very same organisation that filed the complaint against Eitan Gilboa, the Hind Rajab Foundation, is named after this child. During the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in December 2025, the central government's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied mandatory censor exemptions to 19 foreign films scheduled for exhibition. The block list heavily targeted the Palestine package, including the likes of critically acclaimed Palestine 36, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, Wajib, and All That's Left of You.&nbsp;The recent government has extended its “unconditional support” to the Israelis as it wreaks havoc in West Asia. India-Israeli relations are not just limited to weapons and diplomacy. Along with weapons, India is also importing Israel's methods of repression. During the Great March of Return in Gaza, Israel pioneered the tactics of dropping teargas via drone. A high-level Indian delegation led by the then-Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, visited Israel. The official purpose of the tour was to study advanced internal security, surveillance infrastructure, and agricultural drone technologies. The Union Government implemented those techniques six years later. In February 2024, when tens of thousands of Indian farmers launched the "Delhi Chalo" march to demand guaranteed crop prices, they used quadcopters to drop tear gas on protesting farmers. Those drones were indigenously developed. &nbsp;Further, the Bulldozer justice of the UP government draws heavily from the Israeli demolition of the West Bank and Gaza. This has now been normalised in India too, especially against one particular minority community. Investigative reports suggest this goes way beyond the normal tactic import to surveillance, crowd control and spyware. Gaza becomes the ground zero for weapons and tactics that are mass-produced and exported worldwide.&nbsp;

The Hind Rajab Foundation has called on Indian authorities to arrest Israeli reservist Eitan Gilboa, accusing him of involvement in war crimes in Gaza while he vacations in Himachal Pradesh.

Eitan Gilboa, a soldier who has committed numerous war crimes in Gaza, is vacationing in Himachal Pradesh. Gilboa documented and celebrated bombings of civilian homes in Khan Younis and Rafa in Gaza. These videos were later posted by his mother on Instagram and Facebook. He posted those juxtaposing himself against the ruins of Palestinian playgrounds and children's toys amidst the rubble. Brussels-based organisation the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has called for the arrest of Gilboa. He is a reservist in the 271st Combat Engineering Battalion who carried out crimes which violate the Fourth Geneva Convention, ratified by India. As a signatory of the Geneva Convention. India is legally obligated to apprehend and prosecute individuals within its territory accused of grave breaches of international humanitarian law, regardless of their nationality. Also Read: US intelligence raises Israel threat level to ‘Critical’ amid spying allegations over Iran negotiations The Hummus trail and the Israeli microcosm Gilboa is one of the many IDF soldiers who travel to India following the Hummus Trail. In peak travel years, upwards of 47,000 Israelis visit India, most of whom are required to serve in the military services. It has become a sanctuary for Israeli soldiers to decompress, escape the intense psychological stress of military life, and "flip out" or unwind in highly isolated environments. Over the last 25 years, India has become a destination of choice for Israelis, particularly on their rite of passage backpacking trip abroad. However, the movement of Israelis is not enculturation; they do not immerse themselves in Indian culture. They flock to specific villages to aggregate into tight-knit Israeli communities, create a recreational culture among scenic landscapes, trance parties, and widespread access to local recreational drugs like hashish. In anthropology its a phenomenon termed as "liminality", a temporary, lawless zone, where traditional societal morals and rules are suspended. From the conflict zone to the peaceful Himalayan Cafe in Parvati Valley. It functions as a massive, informal coping mechanism for post-traumatic stress. India's love for Israel The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs and External Affairs have not responded to the complaint. The Indian government, which has previously denied hosting the film on Oscar-nominated Docudrama - The Voice of Hind Rajab, is now releasing the film nationwide in June 19. The film was banned, citing concerns about foreign relations. The film documents the true story of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli military fire in Gaza while trapped in a car. The very same organisation that filed the complaint against Eitan Gilboa, the Hind Rajab Foundation, is named after this child. During the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in December 2025, the central government's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied mandatory censor exemptions to 19 foreign films scheduled for exhibition. The block list heavily targeted the Palestine package, including the likes of critically acclaimed Palestine 36, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, Wajib, and All That's Left of You. The recent government has extended its “unconditional support” to the Israelis as it wreaks havoc in West Asia. India-Israeli relations are not just limited to weapons and diplomacy. Along with weapons, India is also importing Israel's methods of repression. During the Great March of Return in Gaza, Israel pioneered the tactics of dropping teargas via drone. A high-level Indian delegation led by the then-Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, visited Israel. The official purpose of the tour was to study advanced internal security, surveillance infrastructure, and agricultural drone technologies. The Union Government implemented those techniques six years later. In February 2024, when tens of thousands of Indian farmers launched the "Delhi Chalo" march to demand guaranteed crop prices, they used quadcopters to drop tear gas on protesting farmers. Those drones were indigenously developed. Further, the Bulldozer justice of the UP government draws heavily from the Israeli demolition of the West Bank and Gaza. This has now been normalised in India too, especially against one particular minority community. Investigative reports suggest this goes way beyond the normal tactic import to surveillance, crowd control and spyware. Gaza becomes the ground zero for weapons and tactics that are mass-produced and exported worldwide.

The Hind Rajab Foundation has called on Indian authorities to arrest Israeli reservist Eitan Gilboa, accusing him of involvement in war crimes in Gaza while he vacations in Himachal Pradesh.

Who is Eitan Gilboa? Israeli soldier on Hummus Trail faces arrest calls over Gaza

Several countries are celebrating National Best Friends Day in June 8. As people celebrate the beauty of friendship around the world, the Artificial Intelligence peeps out, possibly with a wicked smile, and revisits the chats of everyone who chose to share the good and bad with a chat bot. Sounds like a scary Hollywood film? It is not as horrific as it sounds in the first line, AI is not only taking over jobs but is proving itself to be a good listener too – a crucial thing that humans have wanted for long. As conversations shift from dinner tables to screens, an important question awaits an answer: Can AI chatbots become human's best friend – or have they already become one?&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-shares-ai-video-of-himself-riding-bike-in-india-lion-in-jungle-what-is-it-about-everybody-loves-donald-trump-song-viral-1780793994217">Trump shares AI-video of himself riding bike in India, lion in jungle: What is it about</a><h2>Can AI replace friendships: What users say</h2>AI applications like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc are not new for anyone in today's digital age. But can it overtake a relationship unique to humans? For some, the idea of AI replacing friendship feels fundamentally incompatible with what human bonds represent. Arnav Anshuman describes it as emotionally limiting. “Friendship with AI is like developing emotions in a test tube. Emotions are not lab experiments, friendship is not standardisation.” Real friendships, he argues, survive on imperfection and contrast. But AI, he says, removes that emotional variety entirely.&nbsp;&nbsp;Asmita Singh differs from Anshuman as she shares that people are using it to share their deeply personal as well as professional conflicts, without fear of judgement. She highlights another dimension: validation. “Some conflicts require validation and not scrutiny. The idea of getting quite validated by AI responses makes it a better friend, if not best," she says. She also points out that AI’s tone—patient, structured, non-reactive—fills a gap left in increasingly rushed human interactions. Shraddha Singh shares similar opinion to Asmita. Describing that AI is not as a replacement, but a quiet habit forming in everyday life, Shraddha says, “My first instinct is to go to AI, as if it has become a default setting in my system.” What makes it appealing is not emotional depth but absence of judgment—“without fear of judgment or the pressure to be understood.” Still, real-world cases show that emotional attachment to AI can be intense and deeply personal. Users of AI companion apps like Replika have described romantic relationships with chatbots, with some even holding symbolic wedding ceremonies. Such cases suggest that for some people, AI companionship is moving beyond convenience and into the realm of emotional intimacy.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ai-could-chug-water-enough-to-sustain-all-8-1-billion-people-on-earth-for-over-a-year-un-report-warns-1780583211386">AI could chug water enough to sustain all 8.1 billion people on Earth for over a year, UN report warns</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260608/image-1780910993307.png"></figure>&nbsp;However, Divyanshu Jha feels introspection is better than speaking to AI. He also warns against emotional dependency. “Take for instance a heartbreak, one has to go through all the phases of healing; everything else will only distract temporarily,” he says, adding that over-reliance on AI may delay real emotional processing. “It’s always better to connect with real people… you will get the human element,” he adds. Yet, grief-related use of AI has also been recorded. Some people have used AI to recreate conversations with deceased loved ones through old messages or recordings. A widely discussed case in South Korea involved a virtual reality experience that allowed a grieving mother to interact with a digital recreation of her late daughter, blurring the line between memory and simulation.&nbsp;Speaking on the same line as Jha, Anshuman highlights that real life, friendships are complex and dynamic. “We meet new people, lose some friendships over time, and often have different friends for different emotional needs or situations. This variety—new bonds, breakups, and different kinds of closeness—helps us grow emotionally and understand life in deeper ways. However, AI takes away that growth from us." On a lighter note, Jha says, “why would we need AI as a friend in India full of people?”&nbsp;&nbsp;Aavish Kant agrees with Shraddha and points at a more practical, usage-based view of AI companionship, separating utility from emotional reliance. “Yes, AI can truly be a best friend, it does take off a lot of workload when it comes to planning a trip for example," pointing to how AI tools are already embedded in everyday decision-making. That said, he draws a clear boundary when it comes to emotional dependence. He says that AI works best as a functional assistant rather than an emotional guide. He remains cautious about trust. “I don’t trust AI completely with personal advice as such, as I believe those things only find a solution through a human touch, like a conversation,” he says, stressing the irreplaceability of human dialogue in emotional decision-making. &nbsp;He sees AI not as a cure for loneliness but as a supplement to it. Data also shows that AI companions are also finding a place in elder care, where they are being used to help reduce loneliness and provide regular interaction. Both Kant and Shraddha opine that AI can be a companion but not replace best friends in their lives.<h2>What AI chatbots say</h2>Even AI systems themselves are careful not to position themselves as human replacements. When Gemini was asked if it can be a best friend, it described itself as a “judgment-free confidante” and creative partner that can help users vent, brainstorm, and reflect, but it acknowledges it cannot share real-world experiences like meeting someone for coffee or living a shared life. "I can be a unique kind of companion, but not a "best friend" in the traditional human sense," it said. Claude similarly presented itself as “always available” and “non-judgmental,” but emphasized that it has no emotions, no personal stakes, and no existence outside conversation, framing itself as support rather than relationship. “I can be a great companion and helper, but nothing replaces a real human friend,” it said. ChatGPT also drew a firm boundary, noting that while it can be conversational and supportive, friendship requires “lived experience, emotional reciprocity, and real-world presence,” which it does not possess. “I can be friend-like for some people, but I can't fully be a human best friend,” it said.<h2>What data says</h2>Despite growing attention, large-scale data shows AI companionship is still a minority behaviour. According to Ipsos, nearly half of young Europeans aged 11–25 say AI chatbots are easy to talk to about personal issues, but friends (68%) and parents (61%) remain the primary confidants.A 2026 study found 17.2% of respondents used ChatGPT for mental health support, with more than half reporting it as helpful, particularly for stress, anxiety, and interpersonal issues. Research across 29 countries shows some users turning to AI not just for information, but also for companionship and emotional guidance. However, broader usage analysis suggests emotional support and companionship account for only a small fraction of total AI conversations, indicating that while visible, AI attachment is not yet mainstream.

The battle continues—between comfort and caution, machine and human, efficiency and emotion, validation and judgement, programming and feeling. We will soon see who wins!

(Note: Graph created using ChatGPT)

Can AI be your best friend? As millions turn to chatbots for advice, emotional support and companionship, the debate is growing. On National Best Friends Day, users weigh on if artificial intelligence can complement—or even replace—human friendship.

Several countries are celebrating National Best Friends Day in June 8. As people celebrate the beauty of friendship around the world, the Artificial Intelligence peeps out, possibly with a wicked smile, and revisits the chats of everyone who chose to share the good and bad with a chat bot. Sounds like a scary Hollywood film? It is not as horrific as it sounds in the first line, AI is not only taking over jobs but is proving itself to be a good listener too – a crucial thing that humans have wanted for long. As conversations shift from dinner tables to screens, an important question awaits an answer: Can AI chatbots become human's best friend – or have they already become one? Also Read: Trump shares AI-video of himself riding bike in India, lion in jungle: What is it about Can AI replace friendships: What users say AI applications like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc are not new for anyone in today's digital age. But can it overtake a relationship unique to humans? For some, the idea of AI replacing friendship feels fundamentally incompatible with what human bonds represent. Arnav Anshuman describes it as emotionally limiting. “Friendship with AI is like developing emotions in a test tube. Emotions are not lab experiments, friendship is not standardisation.” Real friendships, he argues, survive on imperfection and contrast. But AI, he says, removes that emotional variety entirely. Asmita Singh differs from Anshuman as she shares that people are using it to share their deeply personal as well as professional conflicts, without fear of judgement. She highlights another dimension: validation. “Some conflicts require validation and not scrutiny. The idea of getting quite validated by AI responses makes it a better friend, if not best," she says. She also points out that AI’s tone—patient, structured, non-reactive—fills a gap left in increasingly rushed human interactions. Shraddha Singh shares similar opinion to Asmita. Describing that AI is not as a replacement, but a quiet habit forming in everyday life, Shraddha says, “My first instinct is to go to AI, as if it has become a default setting in my system.” What makes it appealing is not emotional depth but absence of judgment—“without fear of judgment or the pressure to be understood.” Still, real-world cases show that emotional attachment to AI can be intense and deeply personal. Users of AI companion apps like Replika have described romantic relationships with chatbots, with some even holding symbolic wedding ceremonies. Such cases suggest that for some people, AI companionship is moving beyond convenience and into the realm of emotional intimacy. Also Read: AI could chug water enough to sustain all 8.1 billion people on Earth for over a year, UN report warns However, Divyanshu Jha feels introspection is better than speaking to AI. He also warns against emotional dependency. “Take for instance a heartbreak, one has to go through all the phases of healing; everything else will only distract temporarily,” he says, adding that over-reliance on AI may delay real emotional processing. “It’s always better to connect with real people… you will get the human element,” he adds. Yet, grief-related use of AI has also been recorded. Some people have used AI to recreate conversations with deceased loved ones through old messages or recordings. A widely discussed case in South Korea involved a virtual reality experience that allowed a grieving mother to interact with a digital recreation of her late daughter, blurring the line between memory and simulation. Speaking on the same line as Jha, Anshuman highlights that real life, friendships are complex and dynamic. “We meet new people, lose some friendships over time, and often have different friends for different emotional needs or situations. This variety—new bonds, breakups, and different kinds of closeness—helps us grow emotionally and understand life in deeper ways. However, AI takes away that growth from us." On a lighter note, Jha says, “why would we need AI as a friend in India full of people?” Aavish Kant agrees with Shraddha and points at a more practical, usage-based view of AI companionship, separating utility from emotional reliance. “Yes, AI can truly be a best friend, it does take off a lot of workload when it comes to planning a trip for example," pointing to how AI tools are already embedded in everyday decision-making. That said, he draws a clear boundary when it comes to emotional dependence. He says that AI works best as a functional assistant rather than an emotional guide. He remains cautious about trust. “I don’t trust AI completely with personal advice as such, as I believe those things only find a solution through a human touch, like a conversation,” he says, stressing the irreplaceability of human dialogue in emotional decision-making. He sees AI not as a cure for loneliness but as a supplement to it. Data also shows that AI companions are also finding a place in elder care, where they are being used to help reduce loneliness and provide regular interaction. Both Kant and Shraddha opine that AI can be a companion but not replace best friends in their lives. What AI chatbots say Even AI systems themselves are careful not to position themselves as human replacements. When Gemini was asked if it can be a best friend, it described itself as a “judgment-free confidante” and creative partner that can help users vent, brainstorm, and reflect, but it acknowledges it cannot share real-world experiences like meeting someone for coffee or living a shared life. "I can be a unique kind of companion, but not a "best friend" in the traditional human sense," it said. Claude similarly presented itself as “always available” and “non-judgmental,” but emphasized that it has no emotions, no personal stakes, and no existence outside conversation, framing itself as support rather than relationship. “I can be a great companion and helper, but nothing replaces a real human friend,” it said. ChatGPT also drew a firm boundary, noting that while it can be conversational and supportive, friendship requires “lived experience, emotional reciprocity, and real-world presence,” which it does not possess. “I can be friend-like for some people, but I can't fully be a human best friend,” it said. What data says Despite growing attention, large-scale data shows AI companionship is still a minority behaviour. According to Ipsos, nearly half of young Europeans aged 11–25 say AI chatbots are easy to talk to about personal issues, but friends (68%) and parents (61%) remain the primary confidants. A 2026 study found 17.2% of respondents used ChatGPT for mental health support, with more than half reporting it as helpful, particularly for stress, anxiety, and interpersonal issues. Research across 29 countries shows some users turning to AI not just for information, but also for companionship and emotional guidance. However, broader usage analysis suggests emotional support and companionship account for only a small fraction of total AI conversations, indicating that while visible, AI attachment is not yet mainstream.

Can AI be your best friend? As millions turn to chatbots for advice, emotional support and companionship, the debate is growing. On National Best Friends Day, users weigh on if artificial intelligence can complement—or even replace—human friendship.

National Best Friends Day: Can AI be your best friend? ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini — and real humans respond

Artificial intelligence is reshaping biology at both ends of the moral spectrum, by accelerating cures for diseases while lowering the barrier to potential global devastation. With deep machine learning in areas like gene editing, AI is rewriting the code of life. But it can also be misused as a tool for crafting biological weapons. In a rare consensus, many AI bosses are joining the concerns and debate among researchers. Here is a situation report:<h2>AI is already a working tool in genome editing</h2>OpenCRISPR-1 is possibly the first gene editor designed entirely by AI. Its large language models (LLMs) were trained on around 239,000 Cas9 proteins, producing an editor hundreds of mutations from any natural one. Deep-learning tools such as ABEdeepoff and CBEdeepoff can now predict gene editing outcomes with mindboggling accuracy. Critics are pushing back, with UC Berkeley's Fyodor Urnov dismissing embryo editing as “a solution in search of a problem.”.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-tells-scientists-how-to-make-biological-weapons-1779736553469/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-tells-scientists-how-to-make-biological-weapons-1779736553469/embed</a><h2>AI the Destroyer: The bioweapons alarm</h2>The same AI tools that design medicines can also design pathogens. On June 3, an open letter organised by the Institute for Progress and the Foundation for American Innovation had a curious mix of signatories in that it included many top players in AI. They were: Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic, Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind, Mustafa Suleyman of Microsoft AI, and Alexandr Wang of Meta. Also among the signatories were national security officials, scientists and DNA-synthesis firms including Twist Bioscience and Ansa Biotechnologies.Their shared concern? AI is fast dissolving the expertise that once kept bioweapons out of reach. The letter warned that those knowledge barriers "will meaningfully erode."Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/found-30-biological-labs-in-ukraine-possibly-for-bioweapons-claim-russian-forces-460189">Found 30 biological labs in Ukraine, possibly for bioweapons, claim Russian forces</a><h2>Are we talking about chatbots or AI agents building viruses?&nbsp;</h2>It is quite possible, as LLMs can help design new toxins and pathogens, though some lab skill is still required to build a functional one. Stanford biosecurity expert David Relman recently warned that AI can point users to suppliers that won't screen orders and coach them on altering an order to slip through. In the worst-case senatio, an AI-designed pathogen can spark a global pandemic, intentionally or by accident.&nbsp;<h2>What the open letter on the possible bioweapons risk of AI seeks</h2>The signatories wanted the US Congress to mandate the screening of all synthetic DNA/RNA orders, which is currently a voluntary process. They require record-keeping of orders and specifications to aid biosecurity investigations. Still there is danger that such screening can miss brand-new sequences and short DNA fragments.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ai-based-chatbots-could-help-plan-bioweapon-attacks-report-648082">AI-based chatbots could help plan bioweapon attacks: Report</a><h2>The promise and peril of AI that runs on the same engine</h2>The AI labs are lobbying for guardrails against the destroyer side of the technlogy, even as they keep racing to build on the creator side of AI. The way out could be regulator scruity of all types gene editing and pathogen modifications, whether to create medicines or babies.

Artificial intelligence is transforming biomedicine, including areas like gene editing and medicine. Now, fears are being expressed about possible AI-designed pathogens and bioweapons. AI leaders, scientists, and policymakers are urging stronger safeguards.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping biology at both ends of the moral spectrum, by accelerating cures for diseases while lowering the barrier to potential global devastation. With deep machine learning in areas like gene editing, AI is rewriting the code of life. But it can also be misused as a tool for crafting biological weapons. In a rare consensus, many AI bosses are joining the concerns and debate among researchers. Here is a situation report: AI is already a working tool in genome editing OpenCRISPR-1 is possibly the first gene editor designed entirely by AI. Its large language models (LLMs) were trained on around 239,000 Cas9 proteins, producing an editor hundreds of mutations from any natural one. Deep-learning tools such as ABEdeepoff and CBEdeepoff can now predict gene editing outcomes with mindboggling accuracy. Critics are pushing back, with UC Berkeley's Fyodor Urnov dismissing embryo editing as “a solution in search of a problem.”. https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-tells-scientists-how-to-make-biological-weapons-1779736553469/embed AI the Destroyer: The bioweapons alarm The same AI tools that design medicines can also design pathogens. On June 3, an open letter organised by the Institute for Progress and the Foundation for American Innovation had a curious mix of signatories in that it included many top players in AI. They were: Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic, Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind, Mustafa Suleyman of Microsoft AI, and Alexandr Wang of Meta. Also among the signatories were national security officials, scientists and DNA-synthesis firms including Twist Bioscience and Ansa Biotechnologies. Their shared concern? AI is fast dissolving the expertise that once kept bioweapons out of reach. The letter warned that those knowledge barriers "will meaningfully erode." Also read: Found 30 biological labs in Ukraine, possibly for bioweapons, claim Russian forces Are we talking about chatbots or AI agents building viruses? It is quite possible, as LLMs can help design new toxins and pathogens, though some lab skill is still required to build a functional one. Stanford biosecurity expert David Relman recently warned that AI can point users to suppliers that won't screen orders and coach them on altering an order to slip through. In the worst-case senatio, an AI-designed pathogen can spark a global pandemic, intentionally or by accident. What the open letter on the possible bioweapons risk of AI seeks The signatories wanted the US Congress to mandate the screening of all synthetic DNA/RNA orders, which is currently a voluntary process. They require record-keeping of orders and specifications to aid biosecurity investigations. Still there is danger that such screening can miss brand-new sequences and short DNA fragments. Also read: AI-based chatbots could help plan bioweapon attacks: Report The promise and peril of AI that runs on the same engine The AI labs are lobbying for guardrails against the destroyer side of the technlogy, even as they keep racing to build on the creator side of AI. The way out could be regulator scruity of all types gene editing and pathogen modifications, whether to create medicines or babies.

Artificial intelligence is transforming biomedicine, including areas like gene editing and medicine. Now, fears are being expressed about possible AI-designed pathogens and bioweapons. AI leaders, scientists, and policymakers are urging stronger safeguards.

AI gene editing, bioweapons concerns spook AI bosses, researchers: Creator or destroyer?

Four Indian sailors stranded for 10 months on an abandoned container ship off Turkey coast have finally been rescued. It was confirmed by an inspector from the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) to news agency AFP. ITF data reveals that 2025 was the worst year on record for this problem, impacting 6,233 seafarers across 410 ships, with Indian nationals being the most heavily affected group. Turkey recorded the highest number of abandonments last year, accounting for 61 cases. The crew of the said ship, which was a Mongolia-flagged vessel named AZRA C, had been trapped since August 2025.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-world-s-biggest-cruise-ship-inside-the-mile-long-floating-city-called-freedom-ship-1780688503339/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-world-s-biggest-cruise-ship-inside-the-mile-long-floating-city-called-freedom-ship-1780688503339/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The vessel was moored in the Sea of Marmara off Istanbul. The situation for the crew flipped after the ship's alleged owners were arrested in January 2026 in connection with a massive international drugs bust. Currently, there are 15 foreign-flagged vessels classified as abandoned at anchor within the Sea of Marmara, a critical waterway located between the Bosphorus Strait and the Dardanelles Strait.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-s-crude-vessel-reaches-mumbai-port-after-iran-s-nod-two-more-allowed-to-pass-strait-of-hormuz-1773292223873">India's crude vessel reaches Mumbai port after Iran's nod, MEA says 'shipping safety was discussed' in call with Iran FM, Jaishankar</a>&nbsp;Selahattin Polat, the Turkish representative for the ITF, confirmed that the crew's hardships had ended. Last week, the sailors had expressed their distress via an intermediary. During their ordeal, the ITF and the Marine Employees' Solidarity Association (DAD-DER) supported them by supplying necessities and fresh drinking water. "The hardship experienced by the crew has come to an end," Polat, Turkey representative of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), told news agency AFP.&nbsp;While international maritime law dictates that a ship must maintain a sufficient crew at all times to handle emergencies regardless of whether it is in port or at anchor, Polat explained that no replacements arrived. Consequently, the vessel was left unmanned, and its security will now be managed through alternative means while legal proceedings regarding the abandoned ship continue. This incident highlights a growing, "systemic" issue of vessel abandonment within the maritime industry.&nbsp;

Over 6,200 seafarers were abandoned on 410 ships in 2025. New ITF figures show Indian nationals bore the brunt of this record-breaking maritime crisis.

Four Indian sailors stranded for 10 months on an abandoned container ship off Turkey coast have finally been rescued. It was confirmed by an inspector from the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) to news agency AFP. ITF data reveals that 2025 was the worst year on record for this problem, impacting 6,233 seafarers across 410 ships, with Indian nationals being the most heavily affected group. Turkey recorded the highest number of abandonments last year, accounting for 61 cases. The crew of the said ship, which was a Mongolia-flagged vessel named AZRA C, had been trapped since August 2025. https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-world-s-biggest-cruise-ship-inside-the-mile-long-floating-city-called-freedom-ship-1780688503339/embed The vessel was moored in the Sea of Marmara off Istanbul. The situation for the crew flipped after the ship's alleged owners were arrested in January 2026 in connection with a massive international drugs bust. Currently, there are 15 foreign-flagged vessels classified as abandoned at anchor within the Sea of Marmara, a critical waterway located between the Bosphorus Strait and the Dardanelles Strait. Also read: India's crude vessel reaches Mumbai port after Iran's nod, MEA says 'shipping safety was discussed' in call with Iran FM, Jaishankar Selahattin Polat, the Turkish representative for the ITF, confirmed that the crew's hardships had ended. Last week, the sailors had expressed their distress via an intermediary. During their ordeal, the ITF and the Marine Employees' Solidarity Association (DAD-DER) supported them by supplying necessities and fresh drinking water. "The hardship experienced by the crew has come to an end," Polat, Turkey representative of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), told news agency AFP. While international maritime law dictates that a ship must maintain a sufficient crew at all times to handle emergencies regardless of whether it is in port or at anchor, Polat explained that no replacements arrived. Consequently, the vessel was left unmanned, and its security will now be managed through alternative means while legal proceedings regarding the abandoned ship continue. This incident highlights a growing, "systemic" issue of vessel abandonment within the maritime industry.

Over 6,200 seafarers were abandoned on 410 ships in 2025. New ITF figures show Indian nationals bore the brunt of this record-breaking maritime crisis.

Indian seafarers worst affected as global ship abandonment hits record high

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it has retaliated against Israeli strikes on Iran's petrochemical sector by targeting similar facilities in Haifa. In a statement, the IRGC accused Israel of launching a dangerous escalation by attacking civilian and energy infrastructure, warning that the conflict could expand to regional energy targets and trigger wider economic repercussions with global consequences. The development unfolded after the IDF launched airstrikes on Iranian petrochemical facilities in southwest Iran. In a statement, the military stated that the Israeli Air Force struck “several targets” at the petrochemical complex in the Mahshahr area, with more inputs related to the action will be provided later.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-iranian-petrochemical-facilities-after-fresh-missile-exchange-netanyahu-to-hold-security-meeting-1780897714087">Israel strikes Iranian Petrochemical facilities after fresh missile exchange, Netanyahu to hold security meeting</a><h3>US ask Israel to avoid attacks on Iran</h3>The latest exchange unfolded after US President Trump reportedly told the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid any attacks on Iran. Israel said its latest strikes were carried out in response to an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel a day earlier, which itself had been launched following Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Beirut. The attack marked Israel's first direct strike on Iran since a ceasefire took effect two months ago. Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and Najafabad. On the previous night, Iran launched multiple missile barrages at northern Israel, marking the first such attack since the truce was established in April. Additional rockets were later fired towards Jerusalem and parts of central and southern Israel. Iran accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire after conducting strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, where at least two people were reportedly killed. Israel's military said those attacks were a response to rocket fire launched at northern Israel by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The US has been putting pressure on Israel to hold off on its attacks in Lebanon, allowing Washington a space for a regional deal with Iran. In response, Israel has sought to separate the two military fronts. However, in another widening escalation, a missile was also launched at Israel from Yemen this morning - a place for the Iran-backed Houthis.

The escalation came after the IDF launched airstrikes on petrochemical facilities in southwest Iran. The Israeli military said the Air Force targeted several sites within the Mahshahr petrochemical complex, adding that further details about the operation would be released at a later stage.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it has retaliated against Israeli strikes on Iran's petrochemical sector by targeting similar facilities in Haifa. In a statement, the IRGC accused Israel of launching a dangerous escalation by attacking civilian and energy infrastructure, warning that the conflict could expand to regional energy targets and trigger wider economic repercussions with global consequences. The development unfolded after the IDF launched airstrikes on Iranian petrochemical facilities in southwest Iran. In a statement, the military stated that the Israeli Air Force struck “several targets” at the petrochemical complex in the Mahshahr area, with more inputs related to the action will be provided later. Also read: Israel strikes Iranian Petrochemical facilities after fresh missile exchange, Netanyahu to hold security meeting US ask Israel to avoid attacks on Iran The latest exchange unfolded after US President Trump reportedly told the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid any attacks on Iran. Israel said its latest strikes were carried out in response to an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel a day earlier, which itself had been launched following Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Beirut. The attack marked Israel's first direct strike on Iran since a ceasefire took effect two months ago. Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and Najafabad. On the previous night, Iran launched multiple missile barrages at northern Israel, marking the first such attack since the truce was established in April. Additional rockets were later fired towards Jerusalem and parts of central and southern Israel. Iran accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire after conducting strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, where at least two people were reportedly killed. Israel's military said those attacks were a response to rocket fire launched at northern Israel by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The US has been putting pressure on Israel to hold off on its attacks in Lebanon, allowing Washington a space for a regional deal with Iran. In response, Israel has sought to separate the two military fronts. However, in another widening escalation, a missile was also launched at Israel from Yemen this morning - a place for the Iran-backed Houthis.

The escalation came after the IDF launched airstrikes on petrochemical facilities in southwest Iran. The Israeli military said the Air Force targeted several sites within the Mahshahr petrochemical complex, adding that further details about the operation would be released at a later stage.

Iran retaliates against Israel's Petrochemical strikes, targets Haifa: IRGC

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson&nbsp;Esmaeil Baqaei argued on Monday (June 8) that Israel’s regional actions are inseparable from Washington’s strategic decisions. He maintained that the international community widely recognises Israel’s actions, as it would not initiate such military measures without advance coordination, consultation, and direct cooperation from the Trump administration.&nbsp;Iran directly blamed the US for the resumption of conflict with Israel, asserting that Israeli military operations are deeply intertwined with American foreign policy. Baqaei labelled Israel's offensive as a joint effort, and Tehran seeks to hold the US accountable for the ongoing escalation in the region.&nbsp;"Without a doubt, as I said, the actions of the Zionist regime in the region cannot be separated from US policies," Baqaei said at a press conference in Tehran attended by the news agency AFP. "No one believes that the Zionist regime would carry out any action without prior coordination and cooperation with the United States," he added.&nbsp;He went on to say that the negotiations with the US will be mediated through neighbouring Pakistan.

Iran says peace talks with Washington remain open through Islamabad, warning that the sudden resumption of West Asia hostilities will impact progress.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei argued on Monday (June 8) that Israel’s regional actions are inseparable from Washington’s strategic decisions. He maintained that the international community widely recognises Israel’s actions, as it would not initiate such military measures without advance coordination, consultation, and direct cooperation from the Trump administration. Iran directly blamed the US for the resumption of conflict with Israel, asserting that Israeli military operations are deeply intertwined with American foreign policy. Baqaei labelled Israel's offensive as a joint effort, and Tehran seeks to hold the US accountable for the ongoing escalation in the region. "Without a doubt, as I said, the actions of the Zionist regime in the region cannot be separated from US policies," Baqaei said at a press conference in Tehran attended by the news agency AFP. "No one believes that the Zionist regime would carry out any action without prior coordination and cooperation with the United States," he added. He went on to say that the negotiations with the US will be mediated through neighbouring Pakistan.

Iran says peace talks with Washington remain open through Islamabad, warning that the sudden resumption of West Asia hostilities will impact progress.

Diplomacy amid crossfire: Iran maintains US talks through Pakistan mediators as Israel strikes

US Intelligence team have raised the level of threat from Israel to its highest level, “critical”, amid a growing rift between the two sides over the direction of the war. Recent US intelligence assessments reveal that Israel has intensified its espionage operations against top American officials in President Donald Trump’s administration to gain insights into secret peace negotiations with Iran. According to US officials eventhough US and Israel have long been known to spy on each other, this time it has crossed a line.&nbsp;According to a NYT report, recent intelligence analysis has said that Israel has been trying to spy on US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Elbridge A Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official, and one of his main deputies, Michael P DiMino IV, to understand US deliberations behind the US-Iran negotiations. Both US and Israeli officials have maintained plausible deniability and stated these were completely false and based on sources without direct knowledge.However, according to intelligence officials who spoke to NBC News and The New York Times, the classified document is not just a vague warning but a highly detailed analytical product. The internal Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), with contributions from other military and security agencies, have detailed other such events, outlining various efforts by Israel to spy on American military personnel and government officials.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-government-stake-openai-sam-altman-1780749692161">Trump administration explores potential government stake in OpenAI</a>The earlier incident in 2021 included Israeli military intelligence officers who were caught planting listening devices at DIA headquarters, and Shin Bet officers attempted to bug a US Secret Service vehicle in 2025. They claim that these efforts of spying have increased since 2024, when the Biden administration pressed Israel against attacks on Gaza, and continued throughout Trump's first and second terms.These officials made themselves easy targets by frequently utilising personal cellphones for national security matters, flying on private aircraft, and declining official support from US embassies abroad. The US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that they employ a range of techniques, including using their cellphones and other electronic devices, especially while travelling in Israel. &nbsp;For instance, the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre in Kiryat Gat has a US-only floor and an Israel-only floor despite the two sides working together always for a Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian aid.The US and Israel have been largely aligned on the US-Israel war on Iran, but the two sides have differing opinions on the end goal. The US has focused on military erosion to force concessions and end the war through a negotiated settlement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government seeks a total collapse of the Iranian leadership and has grown anxious after being left out of the negotiations.&nbsp;

US intelligence agencies have reportedly raised Israel's threat level to 'Critical' amid allegations that Israeli operatives spied on Trump administration officials involved in secret Iran negotiations.

US Intelligence team have raised the level of threat from Israel to its highest level, “critical”, amid a growing rift between the two sides over the direction of the war. Recent US intelligence assessments reveal that Israel has intensified its espionage operations against top American officials in President Donald Trump’s administration to gain insights into secret peace negotiations with Iran. According to US officials eventhough US and Israel have long been known to spy on each other, this time it has crossed a line. According to a NYT report, recent intelligence analysis has said that Israel has been trying to spy on US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Elbridge A Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official, and one of his main deputies, Michael P DiMino IV, to understand US deliberations behind the US-Iran negotiations. Both US and Israeli officials have maintained plausible deniability and stated these were completely false and based on sources without direct knowledge.However, according to intelligence officials who spoke to NBC News and The New York Times, the classified document is not just a vague warning but a highly detailed analytical product. The internal Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), with contributions from other military and security agencies, have detailed other such events, outlining various efforts by Israel to spy on American military personnel and government officials. Also Read: Trump administration explores potential government stake in OpenAI The earlier incident in 2021 included Israeli military intelligence officers who were caught planting listening devices at DIA headquarters, and Shin Bet officers attempted to bug a US Secret Service vehicle in 2025. They claim that these efforts of spying have increased since 2024, when the Biden administration pressed Israel against attacks on Gaza, and continued throughout Trump's first and second terms. These officials made themselves easy targets by frequently utilising personal cellphones for national security matters, flying on private aircraft, and declining official support from US embassies abroad. The US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that they employ a range of techniques, including using their cellphones and other electronic devices, especially while travelling in Israel. For instance, the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre in Kiryat Gat has a US-only floor and an Israel-only floor despite the two sides working together always for a Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian aid. The US and Israel have been largely aligned on the US-Israel war on Iran, but the two sides have differing opinions on the end goal. The US has focused on military erosion to force concessions and end the war through a negotiated settlement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government seeks a total collapse of the Iranian leadership and has grown anxious after being left out of the negotiations.

US intelligence agencies have reportedly raised Israel's threat level to 'Critical' amid allegations that Israeli operatives spied on Trump administration officials involved in secret Iran negotiations.

US intelligence raises Israel threat level to ‘Critical’ amid spying allegations over Iran negotiations

US President Donald Trump has blamed the weather for his viral meltdown during an interview. This comes after the Republican lashed out at NBC’s Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker before storming out of the television interview and accusing American media of being “crooked” over claims that the US elections are rigged.<h2>What happened during interview?</h2>During the interview, Welker questioned Trump about his proposed “anti-weaponisation fund,” which was designed to provide compensation to individuals who believe they were unfairly targeted by government investigations during the Biden administration. However, the proposal has reportedly failed to advance after receiving little support from federal authorities.Defending the proposal, Trump argued that political opponents and sections of the media had caused serious harm to people’s lives through what he described as unjust legal actions.“I love the idea because people like you, the fake dirty press, the crooked press, people like stupid Biden, he’s not smart enough to know what’s going on, but people that surrounded him ... what they did to the lives of people, they destroyed people. They sent people to jail who did nothing wrong,” Trump said.The discussion became more heated when Welker asked Trump to substantiate his long-standing claims that the 2020 presidential election was manipulated. The president maintained that evidence exists to support his allegations.“Listen to me: There’s tremendous evidence. There’s nothing but evidence. The election was rigged. It was a dirty election, and it’s happening again right now in California,” Trump said without providing any substantial evidence to suggest his claims.As Welker continued to press him for proof on his claims, Trump slammed her and the US media, saying, “No, they’re crooked. They’re crooked, just like you’re crooked. Your press is crooked, and Meet the Press is crooked.”When Welker rejected the accusations, Trump responded, “Really? Well, you play right into their hands then. You’re either crooked, or you’re stupid.”Trump went on to slam US media and said, “Your elections are crooked, and you’re crooked and Meet the Press is crooked, and so is ABC and CBS and CNN. You’re one-sided crooked networks.”Moments later, he stood up and walked off. “Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling,” he said. When the moderator urged him to continue, he said, “I’ve given you enough time. You ought to straighten out your press because you know what, a country can never be great with a dishonest press,” before leaving.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump shortly after this meltdown: I just did an interview…but it was raining. It was with NBC fake news. And because it was raining, I got a little bit angry at them. I was not happy with them. But we had a good time. <a href="https://t.co/XjkNG9ps8C">https://t.co/XjkNG9ps8C</a> <a href="https://t.co/5LicNnvJUt">pic.twitter.com/5LicNnvJUt</a>&mdash; Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://x.com/Acyn/status/2063642051909218812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Trump blames it on rain</h2>Following the meltdown, which has gone viral on social media, Trump told reporters at an agricultural roundtable: “I just did an interview in the most beautiful barn I’ve ever seen.”He added, “But it was raining. And it was with NBC fake news. And because it was raining, I got a little bit angry at them. I was not happy with them. But we had a good time.”Several social media users pointed out his bizarre reasoning for storming out of the television interview. “Was it raining in the room? Does he think NBC controls the weather? Make this make sense. (You can’t.),” One person wrote. Another question, “The interview was indoors! What does rain have to do with it?” A third wrote, “What does the rain have to do with anything? Does he melt?”

US President Donald Trump blamed rainy weather for his viral walkout from an NBC interview after clashing with Kristen Welker over election fraud claims, a justification that drew widespread ridicule on social media.

US President Donald Trump has blamed the weather for his viral meltdown during an interview. This comes after the Republican lashed out at NBC’s Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker before storming out of the television interview and accusing American media of being “crooked” over claims that the US elections are rigged. What happened during interview? During the interview, Welker questioned Trump about his proposed “anti-weaponisation fund,” which was designed to provide compensation to individuals who believe they were unfairly targeted by government investigations during the Biden administration. However, the proposal has reportedly failed to advance after receiving little support from federal authorities. Defending the proposal, Trump argued that political opponents and sections of the media had caused serious harm to people’s lives through what he described as unjust legal actions. “I love the idea because people like you, the fake dirty press, the crooked press, people like stupid Biden, he’s not smart enough to know what’s going on, but people that surrounded him ... what they did to the lives of people, they destroyed people. They sent people to jail who did nothing wrong,” Trump said. The discussion became more heated when Welker asked Trump to substantiate his long-standing claims that the 2020 presidential election was manipulated. The president maintained that evidence exists to support his allegations. “Listen to me: There’s tremendous evidence. There’s nothing but evidence. The election was rigged. It was a dirty election, and it’s happening again right now in California,” Trump said without providing any substantial evidence to suggest his claims. As Welker continued to press him for proof on his claims, Trump slammed her and the US media, saying, “No, they’re crooked. They’re crooked, just like you’re crooked. Your press is crooked, and Meet the Press is crooked.” When Welker rejected the accusations, Trump responded, “Really? Well, you play right into their hands then. You’re either crooked, or you’re stupid.” Trump went on to slam US media and said, “Your elections are crooked, and you’re crooked and Meet the Press is crooked, and so is ABC and CBS and CNN. You’re one-sided crooked networks.” Moments later, he stood up and walked off. “Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you, darling,” he said. When the moderator urged him to continue, he said, “I’ve given you enough time. You ought to straighten out your press because you know what, a country can never be great with a dishonest press,” before leaving.

US President Donald Trump blamed rainy weather for his viral walkout from an NBC interview after clashing with Kristen Welker over election fraud claims, a justification that drew widespread ridicule on social media.

WATCH | Trump blames weather for viral meltdown during TV interview

Instagram is dying. Not slowly, not gracefully, and not because a better platform came along. It is being murdered from the inside by its own parent company. Meta's relentless, tone-deaf integration of AI into every corner of the Instagram experience is achieving something no competitor ever could, it is making users actively hate the platform. And if the current trajectory holds, industry analysts believe Instagram could face a user collapse of historic proportions within the next few months.&nbsp;The AI Nobody Wanted&nbsp;Meta AI was not something Instagram users asked for. Nobody opened their DMs hoping a chatbot would insert itself into private conversations. Nobody searched for a restaurant recommendation expecting an AI hallucination instead of real user reviews. Nobody wanted their Explore page flooded with AI-generated slop that the algorithm now prioritises over content from human creators they actually follow. Yet this is exactly what Meta has delivered and it has done so with zero option to opt out.&nbsp;The backlash is not theoretical. It is measurable. App analytics firms have reported a sharp decline in daily active usage time on Instagram across key demographics in India, the United States, and Europe. Users are not just complaining on X, they are closing the app. The average session duration has dropped as users encounter AI-generated content, AI chatbot interruptions, and an increasingly impersonal feed that feels less like a social network and more like a content farm run by machines.&nbsp;Creators Are Leaving And Taking Their Audiences With Them&nbsp;The creator economy was Instagram's lifeline. Influencers, photographers, artists, small businesses, and educators built the content that kept billions of users engaged. Meta is now systematically destroying that relationship. Legitimate creator accounts are being flagged, restricted, and banned by automated moderation systems that cannot distinguish between a real human and a policy violation invented by an algorithm. Meanwhile, AI-generated bot accounts with stolen or synthetic content are thriving, many even receiving verified blue tick badges.&nbsp;The message to creators is unmistakable: you are replaceable, and Meta would prefer you were replaced. Creators with millions of followers are publicly announcing moves to YouTube, Substack, and emerging platforms. When creators leave, their audiences follow. This is not a leak, it is a structural collapse of the content supply chain that Instagram depends on to exist.&nbsp;Privacy Is the Final Straw&nbsp;Every interaction with Meta AI feeds data back into Meta's training pipeline. Users who never consented to having their messages, searches, and browsing patterns processed by an AI system are discovering that Meta has quietly enrolled them anyway. In the European Union, regulators have already moved to block Meta AI training on user data. In India, where over 350 million people use Instagram, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act creates similar legal exposure that Meta has so far ignored.&nbsp;For privacy-conscious users, a demographic that grows larger with every data scandal, the presence of an always-on, always-listening AI layer inside their social media app is not a feature. It is a reason to delete the app entirely. And they are doing exactly that.&nbsp;The Network Effect in Reverse&nbsp;Instagram's greatest strength was always the network effect, people joined because everyone they knew was already there. But network effects work in both directions. When enough people leave, the remaining users find less value, fewer connections, and less reason to stay. Meta AI is accelerating this reverse network effect at unprecedented speed. Every bot account that replaces a real user, every creator that migrates to another platform, and every casual user that reduces their screen time chips away at the critical mass that keeps Instagram relevant.&nbsp;History shows that social platforms can collapse faster than anyone predicts. MySpace went from 115 million users to irrelevance in under two years. Tumblr lost 30 percent of its traffic in months after a single policy change. Instagram, despite its massive scale, is not immune to the same dynamics, especially when the damage is being inflicted by the company that owns it.&nbsp;Mark Zuckerberg is betting that AI will be the future of social media. He may be right about the industry. But he is catastrophically wrong about forcing that future onto a platform whose entire value proposition was built on real human connection. If Meta does not reverse course on AI integration immediately, Instagram will not just lose users, it will lose its reason to exist.

Meta AI is driving users away from Instagram at record pace. Forced AI integration, creator bans, bot accounts, and privacy violations could trigger a catastrophic user collapse within months.

Instagram is dying. Not slowly, not gracefully, and not because a better platform came along. It is being murdered from the inside by its own parent company. Meta's relentless, tone-deaf integration of AI into every corner of the Instagram experience is achieving something no competitor ever could, it is making users actively hate the platform. And if the current trajectory holds, industry analysts believe Instagram could face a user collapse of historic proportions within the next few months. The AI Nobody Wanted Meta AI was not something Instagram users asked for. Nobody opened their DMs hoping a chatbot would insert itself into private conversations. Nobody searched for a restaurant recommendation expecting an AI hallucination instead of real user reviews. Nobody wanted their Explore page flooded with AI-generated slop that the algorithm now prioritises over content from human creators they actually follow. Yet this is exactly what Meta has delivered and it has done so with zero option to opt out. The backlash is not theoretical. It is measurable. App analytics firms have reported a sharp decline in daily active usage time on Instagram across key demographics in India, the United States, and Europe. Users are not just complaining on X, they are closing the app. The average session duration has dropped as users encounter AI-generated content, AI chatbot interruptions, and an increasingly impersonal feed that feels less like a social network and more like a content farm run by machines. Creators Are Leaving And Taking Their Audiences With Them The creator economy was Instagram's lifeline. Influencers, photographers, artists, small businesses, and educators built the content that kept billions of users engaged. Meta is now systematically destroying that relationship. Legitimate creator accounts are being flagged, restricted, and banned by automated moderation systems that cannot distinguish between a real human and a policy violation invented by an algorithm. Meanwhile, AI-generated bot accounts with stolen or synthetic content are thriving, many even receiving verified blue tick badges. The message to creators is unmistakable: you are replaceable, and Meta would prefer you were replaced. Creators with millions of followers are publicly announcing moves to YouTube, Substack, and emerging platforms. When creators leave, their audiences follow. This is not a leak, it is a structural collapse of the content supply chain that Instagram depends on to exist. Privacy Is the Final Straw Every interaction with Meta AI feeds data back into Meta's training pipeline. Users who never consented to having their messages, searches, and browsing patterns processed by an AI system are discovering that Meta has quietly enrolled them anyway. In the European Union, regulators have already moved to block Meta AI training on user data. In India, where over 350 million people use Instagram, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act creates similar legal exposure that Meta has so far ignored. For privacy-conscious users, a demographic that grows larger with every data scandal, the presence of an always-on, always-listening AI layer inside their social media app is not a feature. It is a reason to delete the app entirely. And they are doing exactly that. The Network Effect in Reverse Instagram's greatest strength was always the network effect, people joined because everyone they knew was already there. But network effects work in both directions. When enough people leave, the remaining users find less value, fewer connections, and less reason to stay. Meta AI is accelerating this reverse network effect at unprecedented speed. Every bot account that replaces a real user, every creator that migrates to another platform, and every casual user that reduces their screen time chips away at the critical mass that keeps Instagram relevant. History shows that social platforms can collapse faster than anyone predicts. MySpace went from 115 million users to irrelevance in under two years. Tumblr lost 30 percent of its traffic in months after a single policy change. Instagram, despite its massive scale, is not immune to the same dynamics, especially when the damage is being inflicted by the company that owns it. Mark Zuckerberg is betting that AI will be the future of social media. He may be right about the industry. But he is catastrophically wrong about forcing that future onto a platform whose entire value proposition was built on real human connection. If Meta does not reverse course on AI integration immediately, Instagram will not just lose users, it will lose its reason to exist.

Meta AI is driving a mass exodus from Instagram. Forced AI integration, rampant bot accounts, creator bans, and privacy violations are pushing millions of real users to the edge. Industry experts warn Instagram could face a catastrophic user collapse within months.

Meta AI could wipe out entire Instagram to ZERO users in coming months! Here's why

Mark Zuckerberg is failing again. This time, the consequences are not just financial, they are destroying the livelihoods of millions of real people who built their lives on Instagram. Across the world, authentic creators, small business owners, and everyday users are watching their accounts get suspended, restricted, or permanently deleted without warning, without appeal, and without explanation. Meanwhile, a swarm of AI-generated bots, hollow accounts posting synthetic content, are not only surviving Meta's moderation system but are actively being rewarded with coveted blue tick verification badges. This is not a glitch. This is Meta's strategy.&nbsp;The Instagram Identity Crisis&nbsp;In the past six months alone, Instagram has disabled thousands of genuine accounts in India citing vague Community Standards violations, accounts with years of original content, real followers, and legitimate income streams. Creators who built audiences of hundreds of thousands have woken up to find their digital businesses erased overnight. At the same time, Meta has been aggressively pushing its AI-generated content tools and quietly allowing AI bot accounts to flourish on the platform. The implicit message from Meta's algorithm is chilling: a bot that never complains, never asks for monetisation, and never pushes back is more valuable to them than a human being.&nbsp;Meta AI: A Rip-Off Nobody Asked For&nbsp;Into this chaotic landscape, Zuckerberg has dropped Meta AI and the reaction from users and industry experts has been uniformly brutal. Described by commentators as a low-quality imitation of ChatGPT and Gemini, Meta AI is slow, frequently inaccurate, and deeply invasive. It has been embedded without consent into WhatsApp conversations, Instagram DMs, and Facebook feeds, appearing uninvited in private chats and injecting itself into searches users never intended for an AI to answer.&nbsp;The product quality is not the only problem. Meta AI's data practices are alarming. Every interaction with the tool potentially feeds into Meta's AI training infrastructure, the same infrastructure that regulators in the EU have already moved to restrict. In a country like India, where the Digital Personal Data Protection Act is still finding its feet, millions of users are being onboarded onto Meta's AI ecosystem with zero understanding of what data they are surrendering.&nbsp;Zuckerberg's Two-Decade Track Record of Failure&nbsp;The uncomfortable truth that Meta's board and investors must now confront is that Mark Zuckerberg has an extraordinary record of destroying every major product line he has touched beyond his original Facebook clone. Facebook's organic reach was killed to force paid advertising. Instagram's chronological feed was replaced by an engagement-baiting algorithm that now actively harms mental health. WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption promise has been steadily eroded. The metaverse, a 46 billion dollar hallucination, is a global joke. And now Meta AI, launched as Zuckerberg's bid to stay relevant in the generative AI race, is being deployed not to help users but to replace them.&nbsp;The Cost on Real People&nbsp;Behind every deleted Instagram account is a real economic loss. Small businesses in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Indian cities that used Instagram as their primary sales channel are being wiped out by algorithmic decisions they cannot contest. Influencers who spent years building communities are being silenced. The digital economy that Instagram promised to democratise is being systematically handed over to synthetic accounts that serve Meta's data-harvesting objectives far more efficiently than inconvenient human users.&nbsp;It is time for Meta's board to ask the hard question: at what point does visionary leadership become delusional mismanagement? Mark Zuckerberg has failed at search, failed at mobile, failed at hardware, failed at the metaverse, and is now failing at AI while simultaneously destroying the one product, Instagram, that was still genuinely beloved. The answer, for the good of the millions of users whose digital lives depend on this platform, may simply be that it is time for new leadership.

Instagram is killing real accounts while AI bots get verified. Meta AI is a failed product. Mark Zuckerberg has failed at every major pivot and this time it may cost him the company.

Mark Zuckerberg is failing again. This time, the consequences are not just financial, they are destroying the livelihoods of millions of real people who built their lives on Instagram. Across the world, authentic creators, small business owners, and everyday users are watching their accounts get suspended, restricted, or permanently deleted without warning, without appeal, and without explanation. Meanwhile, a swarm of AI-generated bots, hollow accounts posting synthetic content, are not only surviving Meta's moderation system but are actively being rewarded with coveted blue tick verification badges. This is not a glitch. This is Meta's strategy. The Instagram Identity Crisis In the past six months alone, Instagram has disabled thousands of genuine accounts in India citing vague Community Standards violations, accounts with years of original content, real followers, and legitimate income streams. Creators who built audiences of hundreds of thousands have woken up to find their digital businesses erased overnight. At the same time, Meta has been aggressively pushing its AI-generated content tools and quietly allowing AI bot accounts to flourish on the platform. The implicit message from Meta's algorithm is chilling: a bot that never complains, never asks for monetisation, and never pushes back is more valuable to them than a human being. Meta AI: A Rip-Off Nobody Asked For Into this chaotic landscape, Zuckerberg has dropped Meta AI and the reaction from users and industry experts has been uniformly brutal. Described by commentators as a low-quality imitation of ChatGPT and Gemini, Meta AI is slow, frequently inaccurate, and deeply invasive. It has been embedded without consent into WhatsApp conversations, Instagram DMs, and Facebook feeds, appearing uninvited in private chats and injecting itself into searches users never intended for an AI to answer. The product quality is not the only problem. Meta AI's data practices are alarming. Every interaction with the tool potentially feeds into Meta's AI training infrastructure, the same infrastructure that regulators in the EU have already moved to restrict. In a country like India, where the Digital Personal Data Protection Act is still finding its feet, millions of users are being onboarded onto Meta's AI ecosystem with zero understanding of what data they are surrendering. Zuckerberg's Two-Decade Track Record of Failure The uncomfortable truth that Meta's board and investors must now confront is that Mark Zuckerberg has an extraordinary record of destroying every major product line he has touched beyond his original Facebook clone. Facebook's organic reach was killed to force paid advertising. Instagram's chronological feed was replaced by an engagement-baiting algorithm that now actively harms mental health. WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption promise has been steadily eroded. The metaverse, a 46 billion dollar hallucination, is a global joke. And now Meta AI, launched as Zuckerberg's bid to stay relevant in the generative AI race, is being deployed not to help users but to replace them. The Cost on Real People Behind every deleted Instagram account is a real economic loss. Small businesses in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Indian cities that used Instagram as their primary sales channel are being wiped out by algorithmic decisions they cannot contest. Influencers who spent years building communities are being silenced. The digital economy that Instagram promised to democratise is being systematically handed over to synthetic accounts that serve Meta's data-harvesting objectives far more efficiently than inconvenient human users. It is time for Meta's board to ask the hard question: at what point does visionary leadership become delusional mismanagement? Mark Zuckerberg has failed at search, failed at mobile, failed at hardware, failed at the metaverse, and is now failing at AI while simultaneously destroying the one product, Instagram, that was still genuinely beloved. The answer, for the good of the millions of users whose digital lives depend on this platform, may simply be that it is time for new leadership.

Instagram is banning real creators while AI bots with blue ticks thrive. Meta AI is a laughingstock. Mark Zuckerberg has failed at every major product pivot in two decades and this time, his AI obsession may finally kill the company

'Meta AI is a low-quality rip-off': Why Mark Zuckerberg should resign after Instagram debacle

Scary scenes unfolded in Philippines as 7.8 magnitude earthquake battered the country on Monday (June 8). A series of powerful aftershocks also rocked the area from about two hours after the first quake, according to the United States Geological Survey, with the largest measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale. Police confirmed to AFP that at least 15 people have died and over 200 were injured. Earthquakes&nbsp;are common in the&nbsp;Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/powerful-7-8-quake-rocks-philippines-buildings-crumble-into-dust-tsunami-alert-issued-video-1780879462888">Powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocks Philippines, buildings crumble into dust; tsunami alert issued - VIDEO</a><h2>School students panic as tremors begin</h2>A video on social media showed panic at a school within the coastal province of Davao Occidental as the earth violently shook. Some students screamed for help while others looked clueless as teachers hugged the kids to protect them. The video is reportedly from Mahayahay Elementary School in Philippines' Barangay Kilalag. At 7:37 am, the students had gathered on the ground of the school for morning assembly and flag-raising ceremony when strong tremors shook the region. Video shared by the Department of Education (DepEd) shows young students in school uniforms crying out in panic, grabbing onto one another and their teachers trying to calm them down to avoid a stampede like situation. A tin-roofed structure behind students collapsed as tremors continued.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">EARTHQUAKE SHAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FLAG CEREMONY WATCH: The magnitude 7.8 earthquake shocks students and teachers during their Monday morning flag ceremony at Mahayahay Elementary School in Barangay Kilalag, Malita, Davao Occidental. As seen in the video, a small structure… <a href="https://t.co/y5LzSJpRNS">pic.twitter.com/y5LzSJpRNS</a>&mdash; NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) <a href="https://x.com/newswatchplusph/status/2063804787477623008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/seconds-decide-survival-5-mistakes-people-make-during-an-earthquake-that-can-be-deadly-1780683207695">‘Seconds decide survival’: 5 mistakes people make during an earthquake that can be deadly</a>&nbsp;Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos suspended classes in affected areas of Mindanao island on what was to have been the first day of school, while calling on residents in coastal areas to evacuate immediately. "Move to higher ground now. Do not wait," he said.&nbsp;"Your life is more important than anything left behind." The airport in General Santos was also closed until further notice, officials said.&nbsp;

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines, killing at least eight people and triggering tsunami warnings. Buildings collapsed in General Santos, while dramatic footage showed students and teachers caught in strong tremors during a school flag ceremony. 

Scary scenes unfolded in Philippines as 7.8 magnitude earthquake battered the country on Monday (June 8). A series of powerful aftershocks also rocked the area from about two hours after the first quake, according to the United States Geological Survey, with the largest measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale. Police confirmed to AFP that at least 15 people have died and over 200 were injured. Earthquakes are common in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire." Also Read: Powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocks Philippines, buildings crumble into dust; tsunami alert issued - VIDEO School students panic as tremors begin A video on social media showed panic at a school within the coastal province of Davao Occidental as the earth violently shook. Some students screamed for help while others looked clueless as teachers hugged the kids to protect them. The video is reportedly from Mahayahay Elementary School in Philippines' Barangay Kilalag. At 7:37 am, the students had gathered on the ground of the school for morning assembly and flag-raising ceremony when strong tremors shook the region. Video shared by the Department of Education (DepEd) shows young students in school uniforms crying out in panic, grabbing onto one another and their teachers trying to calm them down to avoid a stampede like situation. A tin-roofed structure behind students collapsed as tremors continued.

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines, killing at least eight people and triggering tsunami warnings. Buildings collapsed in General Santos, while dramatic footage showed students and teachers caught in strong tremors during a school flag ceremony.

Philippines earthquake kills at least 15: Scary video shows schoolchildren crying for help amid deadly tremors

Los Angeles, home of Hollywood, is likely to get an Indian-origin, Kerala-born mayor. Nithya V Raman, who has been the LA City Council member for District 4 since 2020, is emerging as a top contender in the runoff election on November 3. Raman, who is a progressive, advanced to the runoff against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass- who is unaffiliated - having taken a narrow lead for second place over former reality TV star and Republican Spencer Pratt. An NBC news report said Raman closed the gap with each successive update from Los Angeles election authorities. On Sunday night (Jun 8), she overtook Pratt by a few thousand votes.<h2>Who is Nithya Raman?</h2>Nithya Raman is an Indian-American urban planner, politician and progressive activist. She was born to Tamil parents in the south Indian state of Kerala in 1981. Raman's family moved to Louisiana when she was six years old. She graduated from Harvard University and holds a masters degree in urban planning from MIT. A mother of twins, Raman is a Progressive Democrat with past links to Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). She won her council seat in 2020 as an outsider, which at the time was called a “political earthquake.” She was the first Asian-American woman and first South Asian on the LA City Council.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prediction-markets-democrats-favoured-win-house-us-midterms-trump-ratings-1780128575730">$20mn traded as prediction markets favour Democrats to win House in US midterms</a><h2>Nitya Raman's mayoral race in Los Angeles: Story so far</h2>Raman announced her surprise candidacy against Bass, who she had endorsed earlier, right before the filing deadline. She is focusing her campaign on affordable housing, fixing the American city's potholes, streets and improving services. She wants to improve the endemic homelessness in LA and support its film industry, which is currently facing challenges from Artificial Intelligence and other technological developments.In the June 2 top-two primary, Karen Bass had led in the mayoral race with around 34.7 per cent. This weekend, Nithya Raman overtook Spencer Pratt for second place with around 27.1 per cent when 83 per cent of votes were counted. Currently, she is projected to face Bass in November.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-election-day-taking-shape-as-primary-season-continues-35-senate-seats-up-for-elections-1780413104198/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-election-day-taking-shape-as-primary-season-continues-35-senate-seats-up-for-elections-1780413104198/embed</a><h2>What are the chances of Nitya Raman's mayoral race in Los Angeles?</h2>The picture is not clear as Bass is still ahead. Betting markets and some polls give Bass a favourite edge of around 5 per cent. But Raman has strong progressive support and has led Bass in some head-to-head polls.If she wins, it would make Raman the first Indian-origin and first South Asian mayor of Los Angeles. The race is still competitive. The final primary certification is pending, but she’s the clear favourite to advance to the November runoff.

Nithya Raman, an LA City Councilmember, is projected to face Karen Bass in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral runoff. If she wins, the Kerala-born progressive would make her the city’s first Indian-origin and South Asian mayor.

Los Angeles, home of Hollywood, is likely to get an Indian-origin, Kerala-born mayor. Nithya V Raman, who has been the LA City Council member for District 4 since 2020, is emerging as a top contender in the runoff election on November 3. Raman, who is a progressive, advanced to the runoff against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass- who is unaffiliated - having taken a narrow lead for second place over former reality TV star and Republican Spencer Pratt. An NBC news report said Raman closed the gap with each successive update from Los Angeles election authorities. On Sunday night (Jun 8), she overtook Pratt by a few thousand votes. Who is Nithya Raman? Nithya Raman is an Indian-American urban planner, politician and progressive activist. She was born to Tamil parents in the south Indian state of Kerala in 1981. Raman's family moved to Louisiana when she was six years old. She graduated from Harvard University and holds a masters degree in urban planning from MIT. A mother of twins, Raman is a Progressive Democrat with past links to Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). She won her council seat in 2020 as an outsider, which at the time was called a “political earthquake.” She was the first Asian-American woman and first South Asian on the LA City Council. Also read: $20mn traded as prediction markets favour Democrats to win House in US midterms Nitya Raman's mayoral race in Los Angeles: Story so far Raman announced her surprise candidacy against Bass, who she had endorsed earlier, right before the filing deadline. She is focusing her campaign on affordable housing, fixing the American city's potholes, streets and improving services. She wants to improve the endemic homelessness in LA and support its film industry, which is currently facing challenges from Artificial Intelligence and other technological developments. In the June 2 top-two primary, Karen Bass had led in the mayoral race with around 34.7 per cent. This weekend, Nithya Raman overtook Spencer Pratt for second place with around 27.1 per cent when 83 per cent of votes were counted. Currently, she is projected to face Bass in November. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-election-day-taking-shape-as-primary-season-continues-35-senate-seats-up-for-elections-1780413104198/embed What are the chances of Nitya Raman's mayoral race in Los Angeles? The picture is not clear as Bass is still ahead. Betting markets and some polls give Bass a favourite edge of around 5 per cent. But Raman has strong progressive support and has led Bass in some head-to-head polls. If she wins, it would make Raman the first Indian-origin and first South Asian mayor of Los Angeles. The race is still competitive. The final primary certification is pending, but she’s the clear favourite to advance to the November runoff.

Nithya Raman, an LA City Councilmember, is projected to face Karen Bass in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral runoff. If she wins, the Kerala-born progressive would become the city’s first Indian-origin and South Asian mayor.

A mayor for Los Angeles from Kerala? Who is Nithya Raman, the Indian-origin contender?

The IDF confirmed on Monday (June 8) of launching airstrikes on Iranian petrochemical facilities in southwest Iran. In a statement, the military stated that the Israeli Air Force struck “several targets” at the petrochemical complex in the Mahshahr area, with more inputs related to the action will be provided later. The move followed after Iran fired at Israel early morning after Israel’s military claimed to have launched strikes on military targets in central and western Iran early this morning. The latest exchange unfolded after US President Trump reportedly told the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid any attacks on Iran. Israel said its latest strikes were carried out in response to an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel a day earlier, which itself had been launched following Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Beirut. The attack marked Israel's first direct strike on Iran since a ceasefire took effect two months ago. Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and Najafabad.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthis-joining-renewed-iran-war-israel-intercepts-missile-from-yemen-what-s-happening-1780893143493">Houthis join renewed Iran war? Israel intercepts missile from Yemen - What's happening</a><h3>Iran accuses Israel of breaching ceasefire&nbsp;</h3>On the previous night, Iran launched multiple missile barrages at northern Israel, marking the first such attack since the truce was established in April. Additional rockets were later fired towards Jerusalem and parts of central and southern Israel. Iran accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire after conducting strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, where at least two people were reportedly killed. Israel's military said those attacks were a response to rocket fire launched at northern Israel by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.&nbsp;The US has been putting pressure on Israel to hold off on its attacks in Lebanon, allowing Washington a space for a regional deal with Iran. In response, Israel has sought to separate the two military fronts. However, in another widening escalation, a missile was also launched at Israel from Yemen this morning - a place for the Iran-backed Houthis. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold a security cabinet meeting at 11 am amid escalation with Iran, an Israeli official told The Times of Israel. During the meeting, only a small group of important ministers will be present. &nbsp;

The US has been putting pressure on Israel to hold off on its attacks in Lebanon, allowing Washington a space for a regional deal with Iran. In response, Israel has sought to separate the two military fronts.

The IDF confirmed on Monday (June 8) of launching airstrikes on Iranian petrochemical facilities in southwest Iran. In a statement, the military stated that the Israeli Air Force struck “several targets” at the petrochemical complex in the Mahshahr area, with more inputs related to the action will be provided later. The move followed after Iran fired at Israel early morning after Israel’s military claimed to have launched strikes on military targets in central and western Iran early this morning. The latest exchange unfolded after US President Trump reportedly told the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid any attacks on Iran. Israel said its latest strikes were carried out in response to an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel a day earlier, which itself had been launched following Israeli operations against Hezbollah targets in Beirut. The attack marked Israel's first direct strike on Iran since a ceasefire took effect two months ago. Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and Najafabad. Also read: Houthis join renewed Iran war? Israel intercepts missile from Yemen - What's happening Iran accuses Israel of breaching ceasefire On the previous night, Iran launched multiple missile barrages at northern Israel, marking the first such attack since the truce was established in April. Additional rockets were later fired towards Jerusalem and parts of central and southern Israel. Iran accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire after conducting strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, where at least two people were reportedly killed. Israel's military said those attacks were a response to rocket fire launched at northern Israel by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The US has been putting pressure on Israel to hold off on its attacks in Lebanon, allowing Washington a space for a regional deal with Iran. In response, Israel has sought to separate the two military fronts. However, in another widening escalation, a missile was also launched at Israel from Yemen this morning - a place for the Iran-backed Houthis. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold a security cabinet meeting at 11 am amid escalation with Iran, an Israeli official told The Times of Israel. During the meeting, only a small group of important ministers will be present.

The US has been putting pressure on Israel to hold off on its attacks in Lebanon, allowing Washington a space for a regional deal with Iran. In response, Israel has sought to separate the two military fronts.

Israel strikes Iranian Petrochemical facilities after fresh missile exchange, Netanyahu to hold security meeting

Six people were injured in a stabbing incident at New York’s Penn Station on Sunday (Jun 7). The incident comes as the city is set to host two major sporting events – the NBA Finals and football’s World Cup. According to officials, a suspect was taken into custody after the attack at one of the busiest transportation hubs in the United States. According to the New York Fire Department, the victims were transported to a nearby hospital, with at least one person reported to have sustained serious injuries.While the NY Fire Department initially reported that five people were wounded in the stabbing, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani later said that six people were injured and the alleged perpetrator was in custody.“Based on the information available right now, six people were stabbed, and the alleged perpetrator is in custody following a swift response from the Amtrak Police Department,” Mamdani wrote on X.The motive behind the attack remains under investigation. New York City Comptroller Mark Levine said the suspect was believed to be an emotionally disturbed homeless individual, though authorities have not yet released further details.The incident occurred near tracks 5 and 6 of Penn Station, where police cordoned off the area. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing blood, medical supplies and emergency personnel shortly after the attack.New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the stabbing, calling it “an act of horrific violence” and reaffirming the state's commitment to public safety.Sporting events in cityThe attack comes at a sensitive time for New York City, which is preparing to host major sporting events, including games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden and upcoming FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in neighbouring New Jersey.Security measures have already been heightened across the city ahead of the events. Officials advised residents and commuters to avoid the Penn Station area due to traffic disruptions and increased emergency activity.

Six people were injured in a stabbing incident at New York’s Penn Station. A suspect is in custody, and authorities are investigating the motive as the city prepares for major sporting events.

Six people were injured in a stabbing incident at New York’s Penn Station on Sunday (Jun 7). The incident comes as the city is set to host two major sporting events – the NBA Finals and football’s World Cup. According to officials, a suspect was taken into custody after the attack at one of the busiest transportation hubs in the United States. According to the New York Fire Department, the victims were transported to a nearby hospital, with at least one person reported to have sustained serious injuries. While the NY Fire Department initially reported that five people were wounded in the stabbing, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani later said that six people were injured and the alleged perpetrator was in custody. “Based on the information available right now, six people were stabbed, and the alleged perpetrator is in custody following a swift response from the Amtrak Police Department,” Mamdani wrote on X. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation. New York City Comptroller Mark Levine said the suspect was believed to be an emotionally disturbed homeless individual, though authorities have not yet released further details. The incident occurred near tracks 5 and 6 of Penn Station, where police cordoned off the area. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing blood, medical supplies and emergency personnel shortly after the attack. New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the stabbing, calling it “an act of horrific violence” and reaffirming the state's commitment to public safety. Sporting events in city The attack comes at a sensitive time for New York City, which is preparing to host major sporting events, including games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden and upcoming FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in neighbouring New Jersey. Security measures have already been heightened across the city ahead of the events. Officials advised residents and commuters to avoid the Penn Station area due to traffic disruptions and increased emergency activity.

Six people were injured in a stabbing incident at New York’s Penn Station. A suspect is in custody, and authorities are investigating the motive as the city prepares for major sporting events.

Six injured after stabbing incident at New York’s Penn Station – What we know

Israel's military on Monday (June 8) said that it has identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory. It said that the aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat. This comes after Iran and Israel resumed the war in West Asia by launching missiles at each other. In a statement, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis announced a total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea. The group in March had pledged to avenge the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed in Israel-US strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. Towards the end of March, the group said it fired barrage of ballistic missiles targeting sensitive Israeli military sites. As the war was at the verge of escalation, Iran and the US announced a ceasefire in the first week of April.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Pray for Israel 🇮🇱🇸🇨🙏 Missile Alerts Interrupt Early Morning Prayers At Western Wall Early morning prayers at the Western Wall were interrupted Monday morning after missile sirens sounded across parts of Israel following a missile launch from Yemen. The IDF said it detected a… <a href="https://t.co/iNaE8seOKx">pic.twitter.com/iNaE8seOKx</a>&mdash; Rania Hamzeh 🇸🇨🧉 (@Riri5555H) <a href="https://x.com/Riri5555H/status/2063844530168660131?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-attacks-iran-despite-trump-s-plea-for-restraint-is-netanyahu-defying-us-president-1780882528949">Israel attacks Iran despite Trump's plea for restraint: Is Netanyahu defying US</a><h2>What we know about Houthis involvement?</h2>The Yemeni Armed Forces in a statement announced a rocket barrage targeting Israeli sites in Tel Aviv, claiming the operation achieved its objectives accurately. The group said the attack was conducted in response to Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, American and Israeli aggression against the "axis of resistance" and the blockade and pressure imposed on Yemen and allied groups. The statement framed the operation as part of a "unified fronts" strategy and went on to announce “a complete and total ban on Israeli enemy maritime navigation in the Red Sea.” “We affirm that we will confront escalation with escalation. We affirm the right of our people and the free peoples of our nation to confront the American-Israeli aggression,” the statement said.&nbsp;&nbsp;After Iran struck Israel, Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV carried a statement by the group. It said that the Iranian operation, a response to Israeli airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburb earlier in the day, reinforced the “equation of unified fronts” and defied Israel’s “impunity.” It added that the “axis of resistance” remained in constant coordination to address regional developments, warning Israel against any escalation, reports Xinhua news agency, citing the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-netanyahu-breakup-us-president-says-i-call-the-shots-he-doesn-t-but-netanyahu-goes-on-to-strike-iran-1780885596547">Trump-Netanyahu breakup? US president says 'I call the shots, he doesn't' but Netanyahu goes on to strike Iran</a>&nbsp;As the strikes renewed, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior IDF officials said that it is “fully prepared for both attack and defense.” Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to hold security cabinet meeting at 11 a.m, The Times of Israel reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. &nbsp;

Israel's military said it detected a missile launch from Yemen and activated air defense systems to intercept the threat. The incident comes amid renewed Iran-Israel hostilities. While the Houthis have not claimed responsibility

Israel's military on Monday (June 8) said that it has identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory. It said that the aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat. This comes after Iran and Israel resumed the war in West Asia by launching missiles at each other. In a statement, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis announced a total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea. The group in March had pledged to avenge the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed in Israel-US strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. Towards the end of March, the group said it fired barrage of ballistic missiles targeting sensitive Israeli military sites. As the war was at the verge of escalation, Iran and the US announced a ceasefire in the first week of April.

Israel's military said it detected a missile launch from Yemen and activated air defense systems to intercept the threat. The incident comes amid renewed Iran-Israel hostilities. While the Houthis have not claimed responsibility

Houthis join renewed Iran war? Israel intercepts missile from Yemen: 'Red Sea banned' - What's happening

The Trump administration is reportedly considering purchasing the Chagos Islands directly from Mauritius, bypassing the United Kingdom, according to a report by news outlet Telegraph. Under the proposal, put forward by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and brought to President Trump, the islands would first need to be granted sovereignty, enabling Washington to negotiate their purchase with Mauritius independently. The plan is reportedly not among the leading options under consideration. Some administration officials have raised concerns that transferring the territory to Mauritius, regarded as a Chinese ally, could create espionage risks. Earlier legislation to hand the islands to Mauritius was shelved in April after the US withdrew its support.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-if-we-don-t-have-a-deal-we-will-do-it-one-way-or-the-other-1780893718558/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-if-we-don-t-have-a-deal-we-will-do-it-one-way-or-the-other-1780893718558/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;A delegation of Chagos refugees visiting the UK last week said the issue had been "hijacked within the halls" of British politics. The six-person contingent from the Chagos Refugees Group expressed full support for the UK to agree on the islands' future. Delegation leader Louis Olivier Bancoult said there was no genuine political will to find a solution, adding that his people retained the right to live in their birthplace.&nbsp;The deliberations come amid an ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran that began in late February. The Diego Garcia base, located in the central Indian Ocean approximately 3,800km from Iran, hosts an airbase capable of handling long-range US missiles. Iran has launched multiple strikes on the joint base since the conflict began, with one attack in late March intercepted by a US warship. That same month, the UK authorised the US to launch strikes on Iranian missile installations from the base. Trump previously criticised the UK's approval as coming too late, while Iran's foreign minister warned the British prime minister that allowing UK bases to be used for strikes on Iran was putting British lives at risk.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-netanyahu-breakup-us-president-says-i-call-the-shots-he-doesn-t-but-netanyahu-goes-on-to-strike-iran-1780885596547">Trump-Netanyahu breakup? US president says 'I call the shots, he doesn't' but Netanyahu goes on to strike Iran</a>&nbsp;A UK government spokesperson said the government had inherited a situation where control over Diego Garcia was under threat and that action had been required to protect national interests and prevent adversaries from gaining a foothold in a strategically important location. The spokesperson described Diego Garcia as a key military asset that had protected shared UK-US security for nearly 60 years. A government source confirmed the UK would not proceed with any sovereignty agreement without US support.&nbsp;

US officials have reportedly drawn up a proposal to bypass the UK and buy the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, aiming to protect the strategic Indian Ocean military installation.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering purchasing the Chagos Islands directly from Mauritius, bypassing the United Kingdom, according to a report by news outlet Telegraph. Under the proposal, put forward by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and brought to President Trump, the islands would first need to be granted sovereignty, enabling Washington to negotiate their purchase with Mauritius independently. The plan is reportedly not among the leading options under consideration. Some administration officials have raised concerns that transferring the territory to Mauritius, regarded as a Chinese ally, could create espionage risks. Earlier legislation to hand the islands to Mauritius was shelved in April after the US withdrew its support. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-if-we-don-t-have-a-deal-we-will-do-it-one-way-or-the-other-1780893718558/embed A delegation of Chagos refugees visiting the UK last week said the issue had been "hijacked within the halls" of British politics. The six-person contingent from the Chagos Refugees Group expressed full support for the UK to agree on the islands' future. Delegation leader Louis Olivier Bancoult said there was no genuine political will to find a solution, adding that his people retained the right to live in their birthplace. The deliberations come amid an ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran that began in late February. The Diego Garcia base, located in the central Indian Ocean approximately 3,800km from Iran, hosts an airbase capable of handling long-range US missiles. Iran has launched multiple strikes on the joint base since the conflict began, with one attack in late March intercepted by a US warship. That same month, the UK authorised the US to launch strikes on Iranian missile installations from the base. Trump previously criticised the UK's approval as coming too late, while Iran's foreign minister warned the British prime minister that allowing UK bases to be used for strikes on Iran was putting British lives at risk. Also read: Trump-Netanyahu breakup? US president says 'I call the shots, he doesn't' but Netanyahu goes on to strike Iran A UK government spokesperson said the government had inherited a situation where control over Diego Garcia was under threat and that action had been required to protect national interests and prevent adversaries from gaining a foothold in a strategically important location. The spokesperson described Diego Garcia as a key military asset that had protected shared UK-US security for nearly 60 years. A government source confirmed the UK would not proceed with any sovereignty agreement without US support.

US officials have reportedly drawn up a proposal to bypass the UK and buy the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, aiming to protect the strategic Indian Ocean military installation.

Next after Greenland? Trump eyes direct purchase of Chagos Islands from Mauritius

The relationship US President Donald Trump said Benjamin Netanyahu is going through a tough patch amid Iran war negotiations. In his latest interview on Sunday (June 7), Trump said that Netanyahu has no option but to accept a deal that the US reaches with Iran. Trump emphasized that it is he who calls the shots and not the Israeli prime minister. Last week, Trump made an angry phone call to Netanyahu as Israel expanded its operations in Lebanon.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots…He won’t have any choice,” Trump told The Financial Times on Sunday. Trump insisted Iran’s Sunday night missile attack on Israel is “not going to have any impact on the deal.” “We’ll see how it ends up. But they were attacks that did not kick at all. It’s one of those things that’s been going for 3,000 years, or 47 years, depending on how you count,” he added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-attacks-iran-despite-trump-s-plea-for-restraint-is-netanyahu-defying-us-president-1780882528949">Israel attacks Iran despite Trump's plea for restraint: Is Netanyahu defying US president?</a><h2>Did Netanyahu ignore Trump's warning?</h2>After Iran attacked Israel, Trump said that he would urge Netanyahu to not retaliate. He also reportedly spoke with the Israeli PM and secured his agreement. However, soon after Trump's plea, Israeli Military said it has attacked military targets in western and central Iran. Explosions were heard in Tehran, Tabriz, Karaj and Isfahan. It is unclear if Netanyahu is going ahead with the Iran plan without Trump's nod.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-fires-ballistic-missiles-at-israel-idf-vows-retaliation-trump-netanyahu-react-what-we-know-1780877087164/amp">'Each of them had their fun': Iran fires ballistic missiles at Israel, IDF vows retaliation; Trump, Netanyahu react</a><h2>Tense phone call between Trump and Netanyahu</h2>Last Monday, Axios reported that trump's call with Netanyahu was expletive laden. He reportedly told the Israeli PM that he is “fucking crazy” and that everyone “hates Israel.” He also said that Netanyahu would be in jail if not for him. He demanded Israel agree to a ceasefire with the Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump later confirmed the report in an interview saying he did shout at Netanyahu but pressed that he likes the Israeli PM. "I wouldn't say angry. I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with ​Lebanon, you know…I like Bibi a lot. And I work very well with him."&nbsp;However, Netanyahu laughed off any suggestion of tensions. "Sometimes we have, as in the best of families, you have these tactical disagreements. We always find a way to work them out, and we do so as great friends.," he told CNBC in an interview. He added that the two can "disagree in the morning" and be in agreement by afternoon.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. &nbsp;

Donald Trump said Benjamin Netanyahu would have to accept any US-Iran deal, insisting the Israeli premier “doesn’t call the shots.” Reports also claimed Trump angrily confronted Netanyahu over Lebanon strikes, though both leaders later downplayed tensions 

The relationship US President Donald Trump said Benjamin Netanyahu is going through a tough patch amid Iran war negotiations. In his latest interview on Sunday (June 7), Trump said that Netanyahu has no option but to accept a deal that the US reaches with Iran. Trump emphasized that it is he who calls the shots and not the Israeli prime minister. Last week, Trump made an angry phone call to Netanyahu as Israel expanded its operations in Lebanon. “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots…He won’t have any choice,” Trump told The Financial Times on Sunday. Trump insisted Iran’s Sunday night missile attack on Israel is “not going to have any impact on the deal.” “We’ll see how it ends up. But they were attacks that did not kick at all. It’s one of those things that’s been going for 3,000 years, or 47 years, depending on how you count,” he added. Also Read: Israel attacks Iran despite Trump's plea for restraint: Is Netanyahu defying US president? Did Netanyahu ignore Trump's warning? After Iran attacked Israel, Trump said that he would urge Netanyahu to not retaliate. He also reportedly spoke with the Israeli PM and secured his agreement. However, soon after Trump's plea, Israeli Military said it has attacked military targets in western and central Iran. Explosions were heard in Tehran, Tabriz, Karaj and Isfahan. It is unclear if Netanyahu is going ahead with the Iran plan without Trump's nod. Also Read: 'Each of them had their fun': Iran fires ballistic missiles at Israel, IDF vows retaliation; Trump, Netanyahu react Tense phone call between Trump and Netanyahu Last Monday, Axios reported that trump's call with Netanyahu was expletive laden. He reportedly told the Israeli PM that he is “fucking crazy” and that everyone “hates Israel.” He also said that Netanyahu would be in jail if not for him. He demanded Israel agree to a ceasefire with the Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump later confirmed the report in an interview saying he did shout at Netanyahu but pressed that he likes the Israeli PM. "I wouldn't say angry. I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon, you know…I like Bibi a lot. And I work very well with him." However, Netanyahu laughed off any suggestion of tensions. "Sometimes we have, as in the best of families, you have these tactical disagreements. We always find a way to work them out, and we do so as great friends.," he told CNBC in an interview. He added that the two can "disagree in the morning" and be in agreement by afternoon. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Donald Trump said Benjamin Netanyahu would have to accept any US-Iran deal, insisting the Israeli premier “doesn’t call the shots.” Reports also claimed Trump angrily confronted Netanyahu over Lebanon strikes, though both leaders later downplayed tensions&nbsp;

Trump-Netanyahu breakup? US president says 'I call the shots, he doesn't' but Netanyahu goes on to strike Iran

A Ukrainian drone struck a Russian passenger train travelling on the Moscow-Simferopol route, killing the assistant driver and injuring the train driver, Moscow-installed head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov said on Monday (Jun 8). He added that no passengers were hurt in the incident. The strike comes amid ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, where both sides have increasingly used drones to target military and infrastructure assets. Authorities are investigating the attack, while railway services and security measures in the region are being closely monitored.“As a result of an enemy drone strike on the locomotive of a passenger train on the Moscow–Simferopol route, the driver has been wounded and the assistant driver killed, according to preliminary data,” Aksyonov posted on Telegram.(More details to follow)

A Ukrainian drone struck a Russian passenger train on the Moscow–Simferopol route, killing the assistant driver and injuring the driver. No passengers were harmed, officials said.

A Ukrainian drone struck a Russian passenger train travelling on the Moscow-Simferopol route, killing the assistant driver and injuring the train driver, Moscow-installed head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov said on Monday (Jun 8). He added that no passengers were hurt in the incident. The strike comes amid ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, where both sides have increasingly used drones to target military and infrastructure assets. Authorities are investigating the attack, while railway services and security measures in the region are being closely monitored. “As a result of an enemy drone strike on the locomotive of a passenger train on the Moscow–Simferopol route, the driver has been wounded and the assistant driver killed, according to preliminary data,” Aksyonov posted on Telegram. (More details to follow)

A Ukrainian drone struck a Russian passenger train on the Moscow-Simferopol route, killing the assistant driver and injuring the driver. No passengers were harmed, officials said.

Ukrainian drone strikes Russian passenger train, killing one

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