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In 2024, U.S. fertility rates fell below 1.6 children per woman, mirroring trends in Western Europe, despite measures like in vitro fertilization access. Population grows due to births outnumbering deaths, signaling ongoing demographic shifts.

US Fertility Rates Drop to Historic Lows in 2024

The U.S. saw a dramatic fertility rate drop in 2024, with less than 1.6 children per woman. Despite federal incentives, the trend aligns with global patterns of delayed fertility, continuing while births still outpace deaths.

US Fertility Rates Reach Historic Lows

U.S. fertility rates reach historic lows in 2024, with fewer than 1.6 children per woman. Despite federal measures, experts indicate the decline follows global trends. The population continues growing, with births outpacing deaths.

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New York, Jul 24 (AP) - In 2024, the United States experienced a historic drop in fertility rates, reaching an unprecedented low of fewer than 1.6 children per woman, according to new federal data released on Thursday. This represents a stark contrast to previous decades when the U.S. was one of the few developed countries maintaining a replacement level fertility rate &mdash; around 2.1 children per woman. However, for nearly twenty years, this rate has been steadily declining as many women choose to delay having children or opt not to have them at all.
The latest figures align the U.S. with fertility trends seen in Western European countries, as reported by World Bank data. Concerned by this downward trend, the Trump administration undertook measures to counteract falling birth rates. Examples include issuing an executive order to broaden access and reduce costs for in vitro fertilization and promoting "baby bonuses" to incentivize childbirth.
However, Leslie Root, a fertility and population policy researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder, advises that there's no cause for alarm. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s part of a broader trend of delayed fertility. Despite this, the U.S. population continues to grow, with births outnumbering deaths,&rdquo; she noted.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled these fertility rate statistics alongside updated birth data for 2024. In the early 1960s, the fertility rate hovered around 3.5, sharply decreasing to 1.7 by 1976 after the Baby Boom era. It climbed back to 2.1 in 2007 but subsequently declined, excluding a slight increase in 2014. According to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, the rate was 1.621 in 2023 and marginally declined to 1.599 in 2024.
Birth rates are generally weakening across most age groups, which is unlikely to shift in the near term, according to Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina. Factors such as delayed marriages and concerns over financial stability, health insurance, and resources impact decisions about raising children. &ldquo;Uncertainty isn't conducive to having kids,&rdquo; she emphasized, explaining why birth rates remain low.
Addressing birth-promoting initiatives by the Trump administration, Guzzo pointed out that they fail to address broader issues like parental leave and affordable childcare. &ldquo;The measures they're enacting are largely symbolic and unlikely to make a meaningful impact for most Americans,&rdquo; she asserted.
Recent data from the CDC showed a 1% rise in the number of births last year compared to the previous year &mdash; approximately 33,000 more births &mdash; bringing the annual total to just over 3.6 million. However, earlier provisional data had reflected an increase in birth rates for women in their late 20s and 30s while the new report showed declines for women in their 20s and early 30s, and no change for women in their late 30s.
CDC officials explained this discrepancy as a result of recalculations due to changes in U.S. Census population estimates, which affected the birth rate calculations. Leslie Root found this plausible, noting that increased immigration expanded the proportion of women of childbearing age, offsetting minor increases in births within these age groups.&nbsp;
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(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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President Trump criticizes Fed Chair Powell, focusing on interest rates and renovation costs, raising concerns about potential impacts on Fed independence.

Trump to Visit Fed Amid Criticism of Powell's Leadership

Amid escalating tensions, Trump criticizes Fed Chair Powell's management of interest rates and renovation costs, inviting scrutiny over the Fed's independence ahead of a crucial Washington visit.

Trump Challenges Powell Over Federal Reserve Issues

President Trump plans to visit the Federal Reserve to address concerns over Fed Chair Powell, mostly due to interest rates and costly renovations. This visit highlights tensions and potential risks to Fed independence if Powell's dismissal is pursued.

Washington, Jul 24 (AP) &mdash; President Donald Trump is set to visit the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington this Thursday, a week following his suggestion that Fed Chair Jerome Powell's management of a large-scale renovation project at two of the Fed's buildings could justify his dismissal.
For several months, Trump has been expressing his dissatisfaction with Powell, due to the Fed maintaining the short-term interest rate under his leadership at 4.3 percent this year. This comes after the rate was cut three times the previous year. Powell maintains that the Federal Reserve aims to gauge the economic impact of Trump's extensive tariffs on imports, which he believes could trigger inflation.
Trump's frustration with Powell's cautious approach has intensified, prompting his insistence on the Fed to lower borrowing costs to boost economic growth and decrease the interest payments on federal debts.
The Federal Reserve has been undertaking renovations on its Washington headquarters as well as an adjacent building. The project's expenses have significantly increased to approximately USD 2.5 billion from an initial estimate of USD 1.9 billion. The reasons for the rise include underground construction activities and soaring building material costs following the inflation surge in 2021 and 2022.
In a response to a query last week, Trump stated that the extravagant renovation spending could indeed be a valid reason for dismissing Powell, saying, &ldquo;I think it is.&rdquo; He further commented, &ldquo;When you spend USD 2.5 billion on, really, a renovation, I think it's really disgraceful.&rdquo;
Ousting Powell could potentially jeopardize the independence of the Federal Reserve, a principle widely endorsed by economists and investors on Wall Street. (AP) GRS GRS
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(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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England defender Jess Carter confronts online racism with resilience as England faces Italy in the Women's European Championship semifinals. Team solidarity and global support highlight ongoing efforts against discrimination. UEFA addresses online abuse challenges.

England's Jess Carter Faces Racism but Stands Strong for Semifinals

Faced with racism, England's Jess Carter stands strong for the Women's European Championship semifinal. Global support from teams and UEFA initiatives strive to combat online abuse, emphasizing team unity and resilience in sports.

Jess Carter Overcomes Racism for Euro Semifinal

England&rsquo;s Jess Carter faces racist abuse but stands resilient for the semifinals against Italy, highlighting unity within the team. Support from players and teams globally emerges, condemning discrimination. UEFA works to combat abuse while challenges persist.

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Geneva, July 22 (AP) &ndash;&nbsp;
England's national football team is working with police authorities after defender Jess Carter revealed she had been subjected to racist abuse during Euro 2025. In a statement released on Sunday, the Lionesses announced they would no longer take a knee before matches, stating that "it is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism."
Carter, 27, shared that she had been receiving racial abuse since the start of the tournament and has now decided to step back from social media. The Football Association has condemned the abuse, calling it a hate crime, and confirmed it is cooperating with police to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
England, the defending champions, will face Italy on Tuesday, following Carter's revelation of the abuse, which has been reported to the police. Wiegman stated, "She's ready to perform and to compete, which speaks volumes about her resilience and the unity of the team," during a press briefing at the Geneva stadium on Monday.
Wiegman further remarked, "It's truly disheartening that we need to focus on this matter. The situation is utterly ridiculous, and such acts are repulsive, transcending the realm of football." England had a challenging start in their quarterfinal against Sweden in Zurich, trailing by two goals in the first half-hour. However, they managed a dramatic comeback, eventually winning through a chaotic penalty shootout. Carter is not alone in experiencing such vile attacks, Wiegman noted, emphasizing that the team is poised to deliver a "message to the world."
England midfielder Georgia Stanway highlighted that the team's collective support for Carter has served to strengthen their bond. "It's probably brought us together as a team," she said. Carter has also received backing from the Italian side, with defender Cecilia Salvai expressing her hope for Carter to play the game at full capacity. "She isn't the first victim of such abuse, and we stand in complete solidarity with her," Salvai stated in translated remarks.
Italian coach Andrea Soncin condemned the abuse and expressed his team's readiness to join England in any joint demonstration during Tuesday's match. "We bear a significant responsibility in conveying positive messages," he said. Stanway also disclosed that discussions surrounding Carter's situation have led some players to consider stepping away from social media due to frustration.
The tournament organizer UEFA, along with FIFA and the International Olympic Committee, have exerted efforts to safeguard athletes by working with online platforms to monitor and report abusive posts. Nonetheless, UEFA acknowledged last week that these tactics have limited success due to the regulatory policies imposed by social networks. "Despite the challenging circumstances, Jess is incredibly strong," Wiegman remarked. "Both she and the team felt it was necessary to confront the issue instead of ignoring it."
The 27-year-old Carter, with 49 caps for England, arrived at Euro 2025 on the heels of her club Gotham FC's triumph in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. She is supported by her teammates at Gotham, including her partner Ann-Katrin Berger, whose performance as goalkeeper was pivotal in Germany's victory over France in their quarterfinal. Germany is set to clash with tournament favorites Spain in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Zurich. The final will take place on Sunday in Basel. AP
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(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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In Qingdao, India and China hold constructive talks to enhance relations, resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and ensure future diplomatic stability, stressing positive changes.

Rajnath meets Chinese counterpart; stresses avoiding new complexities in ties

India and China engage in high-level dialogues to foster better relations. Discussion emphasizes avoiding new challenges, resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and stabilizing ties through constructive diplomacy.

India and China engage in positive dialogue, focusing on maintaining momentum and avoiding new challenges. The meeting highlights resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and reinforces commitments to peaceful resolutions.

Qingdao, Jun 27 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Admiral Don Jun that India and China should maintain the positive momentum in the bilateral ties and avoid adding new complexities.
Singh held "constructive" talks with Don on the sidelines of a conclave of defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in this Chinese port city on Thursday evening.
The Indian defence minister's visit to China came amid efforts by both New Delhi and Beijing to reset their ties following an understanding last October to end the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
"Held talks with Admiral Don Jun, the Defence Minister of China, on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao. We had a constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on issues about bilateral relations," Singh said in a social media post on Friday.
"Expressed my happiness on the restarting of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a gap of nearly six years," he said.
"It is incumbent on both sides to maintain this positive momentum and avoid adding new complexities in the bilateral relationship," he added.
Singh also presented Don a Madhubani painting called 'Tree of Life' that symbolised wisdom and vitality, officials said.
Madhubani art painting has its origin in the Mithila region of Bihar. This painting is a symbol of wisdom and vitality.
According to a Chinese readout, Singh said in the meeting with Don that India does not seek conflict or confrontation with China, and is willing to properly handle differences, enhance communication and promote mutual trust for the steady development of bilateral relations.
Singh's visit to Qingdao coincided with the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet. It is taking place after a gap of nearly five years.
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was suspended initially in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently because of the military standoff between the two sides on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in China&rsquo;s Tibet Autonomous Region holds religious significance to Hindus as well as Jains and Buddhists.
The military standoff in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020, and a deadly clash at the Galwan Valley in June that year resulted in a severe downturn in ties between the two neighbours.
The face-off effectively ended following completion of the disengagement process from the last two friction points of Demchok and Depsang under an agreement finalised on October 21 last year.
In December last, NSA Doval visited Beijing and held talks with Wang under the framework of Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the boundary dispute.
The decision to revive the SR mechanism and other such dialogue formats was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23, 2024.
The Modi-Xi meeting came two days after India and China firmed up a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok.
Doval visited China this week as well to attend a conclave of top security officials of the SCO.

Iran declares its military will dictate the response to recent US strikes on its nuclear facilities, seen as damaging to diplomatic relations.

Iran says its military will decide timing, nature and scale of its response to US attacks

Iran asserts its military will lead response to US actions on nuclear sites, calling US moves a diplomatic breach. Tensions rise at the UN.

Iran says its military will decide 'timing, nature and scale' of its response to US attacks

Iran will decide its response to US military actions on its nuclear sites, amid accusations that diplomacy has been disregarded.

Iran has said that the US "decided to destroy diplomacy" with its strikes on the country's nuclear programme and that the Iranian military will decide the "timing, nature and scale of Iran's proportionate response".
 Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani on Sunday told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that it called after US strikes on three of its nuclear facilities that "Iran had repeatedly warned the warmongering US regime to refrain from stumbling into this quagmire".
The US "decided to destroy diplomacy" with its strikes on Iran's nuclear sites and the Iranian military will decide the "timing, nature and scale of Iran's proportionate response", he said.
"We will take all measures necessary," the envoy told the meeting.
Iravani accused Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of succeeding in getting US President Donald Trump to do the West's "dirty work" and hijack US foreign policy, "dragging the United States into yet another costly and baseless war."
He called US and Israeli aggression against Iran "a clear and flagrant breach of international law".
Iravani said that as Iran's foreign minister held talks this week with several European counterparts, "the United States decided to destroy that diplomacy."
"What conclusion can be drawn from this situation?," he asked. "From the perspective of Western countries, Iran must 'return to the negotiating table'. But, as Iran's foreign minister mentioned, 'how can Iran return to something it never left -- let alone'."
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Countries urgently evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran amidst escalating conflict, facing disrupted airspace and resorting to land routes for safety.

Foreigners evacuated by air, land and sea as Israel-Iran conflict worsens

Global efforts to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran highlight escalating tensions, with disrupted airspace complicating travel and prompting land routes.

Evacuations in Israel-Iran Crisis

Intense Israel-Iran conflict prompts global evacuations through ground routes amid sky restrictions.

Countries are evacuating their nationals from Israel and Iran by air, land and sea as conflict rages between the bitter rivals.
Days of attacks and reprisals by the two enemies have shuttered airspace across the Middle East, severely disrupting commercial flights and leaving people unable to get in or out of the region easily.
Some governments are using land borders to get their citizens out by road to countries where airports remain open. &nbsp; Thousands of foreigners have already left since the conflict started last week when Israel launched surprise missile strikes on Iran.
 Bulgaria &nbsp; Bulgaria has moved all its diplomats from Tehran to the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, the Balkan country's prime minister said Thursday.&nbsp; We are not closing the embassy, ??but moving it to Baku until the danger passes, said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.
A group of 89 Bulgarians was evacuated from Israel by plane to Sofia, along with 59 nationals from Slovenia, the US, Belgium, Albania, Kosovo and Romania.
They left from the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh, where they had been transferred by bus across the border from Israel.
He said the government had urged all Bulgarians willing to join the convoy to do so. They set off in 11 vehicles on Wednesday morning.
There were alternatives. They could travel via Turkey, but eventually we decided that they should go via Azerbaijan, Zhelyazkov added.
 China &nbsp; China said it has evacuated more than 1,600 nationals from Iran and several hundred others from Israel.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing would continue to do its utmost to assist in the safe transfer and evacuation of Chinese citizens.
Aell Huang, who was in the Iranian city of Isfahan, said he didn't feel safe during the conflict. I heard explosions from time to time. Civilians got hurt too. I got more prepared mentally once I saw the embassy's warning.
He and some friends hired a car and headed to Azerbaijan, waiting at border control for almost 12 hours, where he saw as many as 60 other Chinese nationals.&nbsp;
The Chinese Embassy said it would organise group evacuations by bus from Israel starting Friday.
A notice posted on the embassy's WeChat social media account said citizens would be taken out through the Taba border crossing to Egypt. It asked them to register online and said they would be notified of the evacuation time.
People carrying Chinese, Hong Kong, and Macao passports were eligible, the notice said.
 European Union &nbsp; The European Union has helped evacuate some 400 people from Israel via Jordan and Egypt as part of its efforts to coordinate an emergency response within the 27-nation bloc.&nbsp; Member states coordinate the list and we co-finance these flights up to 75 per cent of the transport costs, European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova told a regular press conference in Brussels on Wednesday.
Hrncirova said the E.U. was fielding requests by Slovakia, Lithuania, Greece, and Poland for assistance with Middle East evacuations.
 France &nbsp; French Foreign Minister Jean-Nol Barrot said Thursday it was helping nationals who want to leave Iran and Israel to do so through neighboring countries where commercial flights were still available.
Barrot said people in Iran could travel to Armenia and Turkey without a visa. Those unable to reach the border on their own would be transported by convoy by the end of the week so they could take commercial flights to France.
French nationals wanting to leave Israel can go via Jordan and Egypt. From Friday morning, some buses will carry passengers from the Israeli border to Amman and Sharm el-Sheikh airports.
Germany &nbsp; Germany flew 171 people out of Amman on a special flight on Wednesday. A further 174 people returned on Thursday and another flight is planned this weekend.
Passenger Daniel Halav, who was stuck in Tel Aviv, said he had never been so glad to be home after landing in Frankfurt, the German news agency dpa reported.
But, he said, we had to take care of ourselves of how we got to Amman. From my point of view, we were left a bit alone there.
 The German Foreign Ministry said officials had decided against organizing convoys to get people to Amman, arguing this move could have created a security risk and that those wishing to leave were scattered across Israel.

In crucial G7 talks, PM Modi and PM Carney pledge to restore India-Canada relations, focusing on diplomacy and sectoral growth.

G7 Summit: India, Canada to restore High Commissioners soon, agree to improve bilateral relations

At the G7 Summit, PM Modi and PM Carney embarked on key discussions to revive India-Canada relations, exploring diplomacy and technological collaboration.

PM Modi-Canadian PM Talks at G7 Summit

PM Modi and PM Carney engaged in vital talks at the G7 Summit, focusing on strengthening India-Canada relations through diplomatic and sectoral cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral discussion with his Canadian counterpart on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis.
Foreign Secretary Misri said that the meeting discussed the importance of the India-Canada relationship, which is based on "shared values, democracy and the rule of law, people-to-people contact and many other commonalities."
Misri informed that the Prime Ministers agreed to take "calibrated steps" to restore the stability to the India-Canada relationship. "The first of these steps that was agreed on was to restore High Commissioners to each other's capitals at an early date. Other diplomatic steps will follow in due course," he said.
 PM Modi and PM Carney also agreed to resume senior and working-level mechanisms and discussions in a host of areas related to trade, people-to-people contact and connectivity - all of them intended to bring greater momentum to the relationship.
"The two leaders discussed potential collaboration on various issues related to clean energy, clean technology, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, food security, critical minerals and supply chains," Misri added.
 &lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;PM &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;@narendramodi&lt;/a&gt; met with PM &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/MarkJCarney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;@MarkJCarney&lt;/a&gt; of Canada on the sidelines of the &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G7?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#G7&lt;/a&gt; Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;They had a productive discussion on the way forward for 🇮🇳-🇨🇦 bilateral ties. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;🎥 Listen to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri speak on the understanding reached. &lt;a href="https://t.co/hKqXrTcOIn"&gt;pic.twitter.com/hKqXrTcOIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1935128638522806648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;June 18, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
In view of the trade negotiations between the two countries that are currently paused, the two leaders also decided to instruct their officials to take it up at an early date, Misri said in a video statement, adding that the two leaders agreed to stay in touch and meet once again at the earliest possible opportunity.
The relations of India and Canada witnessed their relationship in 2023 after then-PM Justin Trudeau had accused India of killing pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Both countries had recalled their high commissioners and diplomats following the accusation.
PM Modi's meeting with Carney
PM Modi said that both leaders look forward to advancing ties in different areas such as trade, space, and critical minerals.
"Had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Complimented him and the Canadian Government for successfully hosting the G7 Summit," PM Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after meeting with Carney.
"India and Canada are connected by a strong belief in democracy, freedom and rule of law. PM Carney and I look forward to working closely to add momentum to the India-Canada friendship. Areas like trade, energy, space, clean energy, critical minerals, fertilisers and more offer immense potential in this regard," he added.
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Complimented him and the Canadian Government for successfully hosting the G7 Summit. India and Canada are connected by a strong belief in democracy, freedom and rule of law. PM Carney and I look forward to working closely&hellip; &lt;a href="https://t.co/QyadmnThwH"&gt;pic.twitter.com/QyadmnThwH&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1935096461743825334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;June 17, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
Canadian PM Carney highlighted the importance of improving bilateral relations with India and confirmed that new High Commissioners will be appointed soon.
"I think today's meeting was important, but I would describe it as foundational, a necessary first step: an exchange of views-frank, open exchange of views around law enforcement and transnational repression, as two examples-an agreement to provide the necessary foundations to begin rebuilding a relationship based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and trust. We will move to appoint High Commissioners again," Carney told reporters.

A South Korean Navy P-3 patrol aircraft crashed near Pohang military base. Eyewitnesses report smoke, with firefighters dispatched to the scene. Details on causes and crew conditions are pending.

South Korea Navy plane with four people on board crashes in mountains

A South Korean Navy P-3 aircraft crashed near Pohang, causing significant concern. Emergency responders are tackling a resultant fire, and official details on the accident's cause and crew status remain undisclosed.

A South Korean Navy P-3 plane crashed by Pohang, seen with smoke plumes. Firefighters battle ensuing fires. Details on causes and crew conditions remain pending.

A South Korean navy patrol plane, with four people on board, crashed near a military base in the southern city of Pohang, according to reports. Eyewitnesses reported spotting a large plume of smoke rising from the mountains at the crash site.
The South Korean navy has confirmed that it was a P-3 aircraft that crashed on Thursday afternoon. The crash took place at 1:50 pm local time, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Emergency workers are currently battling a fire at the crash site, suspected to have been caused by the impact of the plane hitting the ground. The navy is yet to determine the cause of the accident and confirm the number of casualties.
 This accident comes months after a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed in South Korea, killing all 175 passengers on board and four of six crew members.
The Jeju Air 089590.KS jet belly-landed at Muan International Airport and crashed into an embankment, going up in flames. It was one of the worst aviation disasters in the country's history.

India dismisses China's attempt to rename Arunachal Pradesh locations, highlighting its sovereignty over the region.

India rejects China's 'preposterous' attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh

India dismisses China's renaming of Arunachal Pradesh locales, reinforcing its undisputed sovereignty over the territory.

India rejects China's 'preposterous' attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh

The Indian government on Wednesday firmly rejected China's latest move to rename some locations in Arunachal Pradesh, calling it a futile and baseless attempt to assert territorial claims.
In a strongly worded statement, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral and inalienable part of India, dismissing Beijing&rsquo;s actions as &ldquo;vain and preposterous.&rdquo;
&ldquo;We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically,&rdquo; the MEA said.
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Our response to media queries on renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh by China (May 14, 2025)&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;🔗 &lt;a href="https://t.co/5XtzF8ImUJ"&gt;https://t.co/5XtzF8ImUJ&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://t.co/1edyuqRpog"&gt;pic.twitter.com/1edyuqRpog&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1922498298658578837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 14, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
The ministry further stressed that &ldquo;creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality&rdquo; of India&rsquo;s sovereignty over the northeastern state, which has long been a flashpoint in India-China relations.
The MEA reaction came in response to Beijing announcing Chinese names for some places in Arunachal Pradesh, which the neighbouring country claims as the southern part of Tibet.

A listeria outbreak in the U.S. linked to Fresh leads to 10 illnesses. FDA investigates and recalls ready-to-eat products. Public urged to discard affected items.

 At least 10 people sickened in US listeria outbreak linked to prepared foods

The recent listeria outbreak in the U.S. has caused at least 10 illnesses, leading to a voluntary recall of Fresh's ready-to-eat products. The FDA, along with other authorities, is investigating the situation to safeguard public health and address food safety concerns.

Listeria Outbreak Sparks U.S. Food Recall

Listeria outbreak linked to Fresh products prompts recall in U.S. At least 10 illnesses reported. FDA and local authorities investigate.

SAN FERNANDO, Calif. (AP) &mdash; At least 10 people in the U.S. have been sickened in a listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat food products, and a producer is voluntarily recalling several products, federal officials said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Saturday that federal, state and local officials are investigating the outbreak linked to foods produced by Fresh &amp; Ready Foods LLC of San Fernando, California. The FDA says the 10 people who fell ill were in California and Nevada, and required hospitalization.
The agency said the products were sold in Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington at locations including retailers and food service points of sale, including hospitals, hotels, convenience stores, airports and by airlines.
Listeria symptoms usually start within two weeks of eating contaminated food. Mild cases can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea, while more severe symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
Federal officials said they started investigating the recent outbreak last year but didn&rsquo;t have enough evidence to identify a source of the infections. They said the investigation was reopened in April when FDA investigators found listeria in samples collected from Fresh &amp; Ready Foods that matched the strain from the outbreak.
&nbsp;
Fresh &amp; Ready Foods said in a news release that it took immediate corrective actions, including removing equipment to address the issue.
The FDA found that six of the 10 people who got sick had been hospitalized before becoming ill with listeria. The FDA found that items made by Fresh &amp; Ready Foods had been served in at least three of the health care facilities where the patients had been previously treated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the test samples from sick patients were collected from December 2023 to September 2024.
Fresh &amp; Ready voluntarily recalled several products, which can be identified by &ldquo;use by&rdquo; dates ranging from April 22 to May 19 of this year under the brand names Fresh &amp; Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away.

The UNSC meets to discuss escalating India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam attack. Greece leads efforts for diplomatic dialogue amid international concern.

UNSC Addresses India-Pakistan Tensions Post-Attack

UNSC to hold ‘closed consultations’ on India-Pakistan tension over Pahalgam attack today

The UNSC discusses rising India-Pakistan tension post-Pahalgam attack amid international focus on diplomatic solutions.

Amid the rising tensions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, the UN Security Council on Monday will hold closed consultations on the situation between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan, rattled with India's punitive measures, had sought an emergency meeting on the issue, news agency PTI reported. Islamabad is a non-permanent member of the 15-nation UNSC, over which Greece is presiding for May.
Islamabad reportedly "requested closed consultations" on the tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, and the Greek Presidency scheduled the same for the afternoon of May 5.
The UN Security Council has five veto-wielding members, namely China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. The other 10 non-permanent members are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia.
Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, died in the Pahalgam terror attack. India has taken several punitive actions against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, cancellation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals and a ban on all imports from Islamabad. Last week, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN and President of UNSC for May, said he thinks that if a request came for a meeting to discuss the Indo-Pak situation then it should take place "because, as we said, maybe it's also an opportunity to have views expressed and this might help to diffuse a bit of tension".
&ldquo;We are in close contact...but this is something which might happen, I would say, sooner rather than later. We will see, we are preparing,&rdquo; Sekeris had said. The Greek Ambassador had said that the issue of India being a victim of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan "is very pertinent".
"As I said before, as a position of principle, we strongly condemn any act of terrorism, and this is what we did" on the "heinous attack" that took place in Kashmir, he added.
He noted that while the UNSC condemns terrorism in all its forms, it is also concerned about the mounting tensions in the region. "Two very big countries. Of course, India is far more bigger (than Pakistan)", Sekeris said. Jaishankar speaks to UNSC members External affairs minister S Jaishankar had spoken to all the Council members over the weeks following the Pahalgam attack, excluding China and Pakistan.
Jaishankar emphasised bringing to justice the perpetrators, backers and planners of the terror attack in these calls. The EAM also had a "good conversation" with his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, and discussed the Pahalgam attack. Jaishankar had said that India welcomed Greece's stance on cross-border terrorism, adding that "our Strategic Partnership reflects the depth of our ties". In addition, Jaishankar also spoke with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UK foreign secretary David Lammy, French foreign minister Jean-No&euml;l Barrot.
UN urges India, Pak to exercise 'maximum restraint' Just days after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, the United Nations urged India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restrain" to prevent further escalation. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric had condemned the terrorist attack and said that issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbours should be resolved peacefully via "meaningful mutual engagement".
Last week, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called S Jaishankar and Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif separately and condemned the Pahalgam attack.

A tragic SUV attack at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival resulted in 11 deaths. Kai-Ji Adam Lo was arrested on-site. The community mourns as investigations continue.

Who is Kai-Ji Adam Lo: Lapu Lapu Day festival suspect? 

In Vancouver, an SUV driven by Kai-Ji Adam Lo tolled 11 lives during the Lapu Lapu festival. The community is devastated, and the incident remains under investigation.

Vancouver Tragedy: SUV Driver Arrested

In a tragic event at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival, a black SUV driven by Kai-Ji Adam Lo killed 11 and injured dozens. The community reels from the tragedy as emergency services respond.

The man accused of driving through a crowd at a Vancouver block party on Saturday, killing at least 11 people, has been identified as 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo.
He was arrested at the scene and faces eight counts of second-degree murder so far, with more charges expected.
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Victims Include Children and Elderly 
The devastating attack resulted in the deaths of victims ranging in age from 5 to 65 years old. Dozens more were injured.
The youngest known victim was just five years old.
Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai called it "the darkest day in our city&rsquo;s history."
Who is Kai-Ji Adam Lo? 
Lo, of Vancouver, was arrested at the scene by authorities. He was known to law enforcement and mental health care professionals before the tragedy, Vancouver police said, according to the New York Post.
Lo reportedly has a history of mental health issues. However, investigators do not think the deadly attack was terror-related.
How the Attack Happened?
The incident took place around 8:00 PM as the Lapu Lapu Day festival was wrapping up.
Festival organizers had already removed barriers blocking the street, and crowds were still gathered when the black SUV raced down Fraser Street.
Witnesses reported hearing the vehicle rev its engine before it barreled into the crowd.
One festival-goer compared the scene to &ldquo;a bowling ball hitting pins.&rdquo;
Heavy Police Presence and Support Services Following the tragedy, police cordoned off the area around Fraser Street and East 43rd Street.
First responders treated the injured at the scene. A 24-hour assistance centre has been set up at Douglas Park Community Centre for those seeking missing family members or support.
Eyewitness Accounts Eyewitnesses described chaos as the SUV struck dozens of people.
Social media videos showed a young man in a black hoodie detained near a chain-link fence, surrounded by bystanders and a security guard. The suspect was heard apologizing before being taken into police custody.
What is Lapu Lapu festival? 
The Lapu Lapu Day festival celebrates Filipino hero Datu Lapu-Lapu, known for defeating Spanish forces in the Battle of Mactan in 1521. Thousands from Vancouver&rsquo;s Filipino community had gathered for the event when the attack occurred.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sparks controversy by suggesting the nation's involvement in Western 'dirty work' and denies Lashkar-e-Taiba's presence, amid criticism and escalating India-Pakistan tensions.

Pak defence min admits to funding, training terrorists

Pakistan's Khawaja Asif suggests involvement in Western 'dirty work,' denies Lashkar-e-Taiba presence amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, sparking criticism and debate.

Pakistan&rsquo;s Defence Minister claimed that Pakistan is doing &ldquo;dirty work&rdquo; for the West when asked about the accusation that the country is supporting a terrorist organisation.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has admitted to funding and backing terrorist groups, as per an ANI report.
In a video clip that has now gone viral, Pakistan's defence minister is in conversation with Sky News's Yalda Hakim, when she asks him, "But you do admit, you do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations?
Khwaja Asif in his reply says, "We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades... and the west, including Britain...That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan's track record was unimpeachable."
Pakistan's Defence Minister has also, in the interview, warned of an "all-out war" possible with India.
Asif's statement lays bare the fact that Pakistan, for many years, has been harbouring these terror groups, ANI said.
Earlier, India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri had said that in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out.
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&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;This is just extraordinary&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Pakistan&amp;#39;s Defence Minister admits to sponsoring terrorism in a TV interview&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&amp;quot;We have been doing this dirty work for the US and the West for 3 decades&amp;quot; &lt;a href="https://t.co/ZBk3T43jzS"&gt;pic.twitter.com/ZBk3T43jzS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/MattooShashank/status/1915633871938351121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 25, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
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It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.
Following the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides.
India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the country that the terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination. The Prime Minister asserted that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror.

Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium, linked to the PNB fraud. Anticipated to seek bail, Choksi and Nirav Modi's scandal defrauded the bank of Rs 13,500 crore.

Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium

Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi has been nabbed in Belgium for the PNB fraud case. Authorities acted on arrest warrants from Mumbai court. Choksi, and Nirav Modi, are accused of defrauding PNB in 2018.

Mehul Choksi, accused in the PNB fraud, was arrested in Belgium. Choksi is anticipated to request bail. He and his nephew defrauded PNB of Rs 13,500 crore in 2018.

Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been arrested by the police in Belgium, sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) confirmed on Monday.
The 65-year-old was reportedly arrested on Saturday and is currently in jail.
The police referred to two open-ended arrest warrants issued against Choksi by a Mumbai court while placing him under arrest, Economic Times reported.
These were dated May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021. He is expected to seek bail and an immediate release, citing ill health and other reasons.
Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, who is awaiting extradition from London, are wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the bank of more than Rs 13,500 crore in 2018. The PNB - the country's second largest bank - had filed a criminal complaint against several entities, including Choksi, Modi and the managing director of his firm, Gitanjali Gems.
They allegedly used letters of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) by bribing officials of the bank's Brady House branch in Mumbai.
Choksi and Modi fled India in January 2018, weeks before the scam in the PNB surfaced.&nbsp;
According to reports, Choksi has been living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a citizen of Belgium, after obtaining a 'residency card' in the country.
A citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, he reportedly left the island nation for cancer treatment and was planning to move to Switzerland.
In 2021, he had gone missing from Antigua but was later found on another Caribbean island nation - Dominica. In December 2024, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told parliament that properties worth Rs 2,565.90 crore had been restored or sold off to pay back the debts of wanted individuals like Choksi.

An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 struck Taiwan early Wednesday, triggering alarms in Taipei. Initial reports confirmed no damage. Positioned on the Ring of Fire, Taiwan is experienced in handling frequent seismic activities.

Strong quake shakes Taiwan

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook Taiwan on Wednesday, with initial reports indicating no damage. Located on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' the island's preparedness includes frequent earthquake drills and swift alert systems.

Strong quake shakes Taiwan, though no damage immediately reported

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan early Wednesday, felt in Taipei. No damage was reported. Positioned on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' Taiwan is no stranger to quakes, prompting robust preparedness measures.

An earthquake struck Taiwan early Wednesday, activating alarms across the capital, though initial reports indicated no damage.
The tremor registered at a magnitude of 5.8 according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, with a brief shake felt in Taipei.
However, the U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at a magnitude of 5.0, pinpointing its location approximately 21 kilometers (12 miles) south-southeast of Yilan along the island's northeast coast.
It was situated 69 kilometers (43 miles) beneath the surface. While deeper earthquakes like this one are typically felt over broader areas, they usually inflict less damage compared to shallower ones.
Positioned on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a path of seismic activity encircling the ocean from Chile to New Zealand, Taiwan frequently experiences earthquakes.
The island's most devastating modern earthquake occurred in 1999&mdash;a magnitude 7.7 event that claimed 2,415 lives, caused widespread destruction, and prompted significant enhancements in building regulations, emergency response coordination, and public education on earthquake preparedness.
Earthquake drills are regularly conducted in schools and workplaces, and mobile devices receive alerts following the detection of strong quakes.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has resulted in over 1,700 deaths. Damaged infrastructure and ongoing civil conflict have hindered relief efforts.

Myanmar Earthquake: 1,700 Dead, Rescue Challenges

The severe earthquake in Myanmar has led to over 1,700 casualties. With ongoing rescue operations, damaged infrastructure hampers aid distribution amid persistent civil unrest.

Myanmar Earthquake: Massive Devastation

Myanmar's 7.7 magnitude earthquake claims over 1,700 lives, causes infrastructure damage, and disrupts relief efforts.

The death toll from the earthquake that hit Myanmar has risen to more than 1,700 as more bodies have been pulled from the rubble, the country&rsquo;s military-led government said Monday.
Government spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun told state-run MRTV that another 3,400 have been injured and more than 300 were missing.
He did not provide more specific figures. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit at midday Friday, causing widespread damage, including in the capital Naypitaw and the second largest city, Mandalay.
The earthquake, whose epicenter was near Mandalay, brought down scores of buildings and damaged other infrastructure like the city&rsquo;s airport. Relief efforts have been hampered by buckled roads, downed bridges, spotty communications and the challenges of operating in a country engaged in a civil war.
In neighboring Thailand, the quake rocked much of the country and killed at least 18 people, many at a construction site in Bangkok where a partially built high-rise collapsed.

President Trump warns Iran of possible bombing and sanctions if the nuclear deal isn't accepted. Iran rejects direct talks but opens the door for indirect negotiations. Tensions rise as the US seeks to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Trump-threatens-iran-with-bombing-tariffs-if-nuclear-deal-not-reached

US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened Iran with "possible bombing" as well as the imposition of secondary tariffs on the Islamic Republic if they do not comply with the nuclear deal proposed by the US.

Trump's Bomb Warning to Iran Over Nuclear Deal

Trump warns of bombing if Iran rejects US nuclear deal within weeks. Iran open to indirect talks.

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, threatening "possible bombing" and the imposition of secondary tariffs if the nation fails to agree to a nuclear deal proposed by the US. During an interview with NBC News, Trump indicated that Iran has a couple of weeks to comply, otherwise facing severe consequences. "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing like they've never seen before," Trump asserted, emphasizing the potential for secondary tariffs if progress isn't made. Despite the tough rhetoric, Trump added a hopeful note, suggesting he prefers a peaceful resolution and envisages a "great, long, and successful life" for Iran, should they accept the agreement. "I would prefer a deal to the alternative, which everyone knows would not be pretty," he remarked. In contrast, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that Iran has rejected the prospect of direct talks with the US, though leaving the door open for indirect negotiations, as reported by Politico. The tension between the two nations has escalated since Trump resumed office, largely due to his administration's stance against Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. Trump's prior term saw the US's withdrawal from a collective 2015 nuclear agreement, which also involved several major world powers, citing non-compliance by Tehran.

PM Modi criticizes global organizations like the UN amid current conflicts, urging for reform and cooperation. He stresses on India's push for UNSC reform to reflect modern realities.

Modi Critiques UN Effectiveness Amid Global Conflicts

PM Modi highlights UN's inefficacy amid global tensions, urging reforms for modern relevance. He stresses India's UNSC campaign and global cooperation post-pandemic.

PM Modi Slams UN, International Organisations On Podcast

Indian PM Modi critiques the UN's effectiveness amid conflicts, highlighting post-pandemic disunity and suggesting global cooperation over expansionism.

During a podcast interview with American scientist Lex Fridman, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the effectiveness of international organizations, such as the United Nations, in addressing current global conflicts, pointing to ongoing Middle East wars and tensions between China and the US.
PM Modi expressed concerns about the increasing irrelevance of these institutions due to a lack of reform, stating that they are unable to enforce laws or curb the actions of those disregarding rules.
Reflecting on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, PM Modi highlighted how it exposed vulnerabilities across nations, despite their advancements and progress. He lamented that instead of fostering global unity, the pandemic was followed by increased disunity and uncertainty on the world stage, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts.
Emphasizing the need to shift from conflict to cooperation, PM Modi advocated for a development-focused approach, highlighting that in a world as interconnected and interdependent as ours, expansionism is not viable.
He urged nations to support one another and expressed hope for alleviating global conflicts. In the past, at the UN's 'Summit of the Future', PM Modi emphasized the necessity of reform in the United Nations to maintain its relevance, urging that global actions must align with global ambitions. India has long campaigned for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), arguing that the current structure, established in 1945, no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical realities.
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India served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in 2021-22, and while the council's permanent members&mdash;Russia, the UK, China, France, and the US&mdash;hold veto power, the US, UK, and France have shown support for India joining as a permanent member.

Japan's government confirmed the scrambling of fighter jets after Russian bombers flew over international waters in the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk. 

Japan scrambles jets as Russian bombers fly over high seas

Japan's government confirmed the scrambling of fighter jets after Russian bombers flew over international waters in the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk.&nbsp;

Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian bombers flew over international waters around the country, Tokyo's top government spokesman said Friday.
"We confirmed that Russian military bombers and fighter jets flew over the high seas of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan yesterday, and we scrambled Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets" in response, Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.
"It is difficult to say clearly what the purpose of the flight was... but the Russian military has been active on an ongoing basis in areas surrounding Japan," he said.
Tokyo has raised the issue with Moscow in the past through diplomatic routes, including regarding a Russian fighter jet's intrusion into territorial airspace in September, which Russia denied according to media reports.
"We will continue to monitor (the situation) closely and do our best to take measures in patrolling and responding to airspace incursions," Hayashi said.
Russia's defence ministry said on Telegram Thursday that two long-range bombers flew over international waters in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.
The Russian ministry also released a video of two Tupolev-95 aircraft escorted by Russian fighter jets conducting what it called a regular flight over more than eight hours.
"All flights by Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft are carried out in strict compliance with international rules on the use of airspace," it said in a statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready for talks with US President Donald Trump regarding the Ukraine conflict but is waiting for signals from Washington.

Putin ready to talk to Trump, waiting for 'signals', Kremlin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready for talks with US President Donald Trump regarding the Ukraine conflict but is waiting for signals from Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to talk to US counterpart Donald Trump but is waiting for signals from Washington first, the Kremlin said on Friday, fuelling expectations the two would be in contact.
The Ukraine conflict has plunged relations between the two nuclear powers to their lowest levels since the Cold War, with Trump repeatedly promising to end the fighting with a "deal".
He told reporters on Thursday he would meet Putin "immediately", and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wanted to negotiate.
"Putin is ready. We are waiting for signals," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of Trump's overtures.
Peskov said that he could not comment further on a possible meeting between the leaders, saying it was "hard to read coffee grounds" to predict the future.
Trump has threatened Russia with tougher economic sanctions if it does not agree to end its nearly three-year offensive.
"If they don't settle this war soon, like almost immediately, I'm going to put massive tariffs on Russia, and massive taxes, and also big sanctions," the Republican said during a Fox News interview on Thursday.
The Kremlin rejected Trump's claim that the conflict in Ukraine could be ended by lowering the price of oil used to fund Moscow's budget, saying: "This conflict does not depend on oil prices."
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Trump had said that he would ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower oil prices, saying: "If the price came down, the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately."
Peskov said the conflict was instead based on "threats to Russia's national security", "threats to Russians" living in Ukraine and "the lack of desire and complete refusal of Americans and Europeans to listen to Russia's concerns".
 - Three dead near Kyiv -
Neither side has shown signs of de-escalating hostilities since Trump's inauguration on Monday.
Russian aerial attacks near Kyiv killed three people and wounded several others, Ukrainian officials said Friday, while Ukraine fired 120 drones at at least 12 Russian regions, including the capital Moscow.
The Kremlin has launched drone or missile attacks at Kyiv almost every day since sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022, ostensibly targeting military and energy facilities.
"Three people were killed in an enemy attack in the Kyiv region," the emergency services said in a statement on social media.
It said fragments of a drone had struck a 10-storey residential building after the head of the region said a private home had also been hit.
Black smoke billowed from a residential building damaged in the strike as rescue workers hauled out the bodies of the victims, official images from the scene showed.
In Russia, the Ukrainian military said it launched an overnight drone attack striking an oil refinery, power station facilities and an electronics plant.
State media reported that a microelectronics factory had halted work after six Ukrainian drones damaged production and storage facilities in the Bryansk region.
Moscow and Kyiv are both vying to gain the upper hand ahead of possible negotiations in the early days of Trump's administration.
Prior to his inauguration, Trump vowed to end the Ukraine conflict immediately upon taking office, raising concerns in Ukraine it would be forced to make major territorial concessions to Russia.
Moscow has been advancing on the battlefield for months, closing in on the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.
On Friday, Russia said its forces captured the village of Tymofiivka about 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of the key industrial hub.

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