<p>Turning the tables, former US president Donald Trump is now countersuing journalist E. Jean Carroll for defamation, alleging she falsely accused him of rape after a grand jury did not agree with her allegation that the former president raped her but found that he sexually abused her.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previously, Carroll claimed that Trump had raped her at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York, in the spring of 1996.&nbsp;Although the jury reached a unanimous decision&nbsp;regarding the defamation and sexual abuse, it&nbsp;did not agree with Carroll’s allegation that the former president raped her.</p>

<p>Consequently, Trump filed a new case and is now seeking a retraction as well as unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. According to the former president's claims, Tuesday's filing relates to comments made by Carroll on CNN after an earlier court verdict.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Quizzed about what was going through her mind when the jury said they were not convinced that Trump raped her, Carroll said, “Well, I just immediately (said) in my own head, ‘Oh, yes, he did. Oh yes, he did.’”</p>

<p>Carroll added that when she shook hands with Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina, she told him, “He did it. And you know it.”</p>

<p>After the filing of the case, a lawyer representing Carroll said the case was&nbsp;"nothing more than his [Trump's] latest effort to delay accountability" for the verdict on 9 May.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-verdict-is-for-all-women-e-jean-carroll-after-jury-holds-trump-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-her-591074"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;'This verdict is for all women': E. Jean Carroll after jury holds Trump guilty of sexually abusing her</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Date set for a second defamation trial</strong></h2>

<p>The Republican leader filing the lawsuit comes over a fortnight after a federal court in New York&nbsp;set the date for a second defamation trial against him.</p>

<p>Notably, Carroll, who received&nbsp;$5 million in compensatory and punitive damages last month, filed another case after Trump's tirade against her at a CNN town hall.&nbsp;A day after a nine-member jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming the Elle magazine writer, he called her a 'whack job'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that Carroll was telling a "made-up story" and that he didn't know her, which according to Carroll's lawyers, comes under the category of further "defamatory statements".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Trump’s defamatory statements post-verdict show the depth of his malice toward Carroll since it is hard to imagine defamatory conduct that could possibly be more motivated by hatred, ill will, or spite," the complaint reads.</p>

<p>"This conduct supports a very substantial punitive damages award in Carroll’s favor both to punish Trump, to deter him from engaging in further defamation, and to deter others from doing the same," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-sexually-abused-writer-e-jean-carroll-us-jury-rules-590929"><strong>ATCH |&nbsp;Donald Trump sexually abused writer E Jean Carroll, US jury rules</strong></a></p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-verdict-is-for-all-women-e-jean-carroll-after-jury-holds-trump-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-her-591074#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></p>

<p>The trial will begin on 15 January 2024 and Carroll is seeking at least $10 million in damages this time. The timing is critical as 2024 is when the US goes into presidential polls and Trump's election campaign might be in full swing by then.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Turning the tables, former US president Donald Trump is now countersuing journalist E. Jean Carroll for defamation, alleging she falsely accused him of rape after a grand jury did not agree with her allegation that the former president raped her but found that he sexually abused her.

Turning the tables, former US president Donald Trump is now countersuing journalist E. Jean Carroll for defamation, alleging she falsely accused him of rape after a grand jury did not agree with her allegation that the former president raped her but found that he sexually abused her. Previously, Carroll claimed that Trump had raped her at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York, in the spring of 1996. Although the jury reached a unanimous decision regarding the defamation and sexual abuse, it did not agree with Carroll’s allegation that the former president raped her. Consequently, Trump filed a new case and is now seeking a retraction as well as unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. According to the former president's claims, Tuesday's filing relates to comments made by Carroll on CNN after an earlier court verdict. Quizzed about what was going through her mind when the jury said they were not convinced that Trump raped her, Carroll said, “Well, I just immediately (said) in my own head, ‘Oh, yes, he did. Oh yes, he did.’” Carroll added that when she shook hands with Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina, she told him, “He did it. And you know it.” After the filing of the case, a lawyer representing Carroll said the case was "nothing more than his [Trump's] latest effort to delay accountability" for the verdict on 9 May. Also read | 'This verdict is for all women': E. Jean Carroll after jury holds Trump guilty of sexually abusing her Date set for a second defamation trial The Republican leader filing the lawsuit comes over a fortnight after a federal court in New York set the date for a second defamation trial against him. Notably, Carroll, who received $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages last month, filed another case after Trump's tirade against her at a CNN town hall. A day after a nine-member jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming the Elle magazine writer, he called her a 'whack job'. He added that Carroll was telling a "made-up story" and that he didn't know her, which according to Carroll's lawyers, comes under the category of further "defamatory statements". "Trump’s defamatory statements post-verdict show the depth of his malice toward Carroll since it is hard to imagine defamatory conduct that could possibly be more motivated by hatred, ill will, or spite," the complaint reads. "This conduct supports a very substantial punitive damages award in Carroll’s favor both to punish Trump, to deter him from engaging in further defamation, and to deter others from doing the same," it added. ATCH | Donald Trump sexually abused writer E Jean Carroll, US jury rules × The trial will begin on 15 January 2024 and Carroll is seeking at least $10 million in damages this time. The timing is critical as 2024 is when the US goes into presidential polls and Trump's election campaign might be in full swing by then. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Donald Trump turns the tables, countersues E. Jean Carroll for false rape allegations

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<p>Twitter boss Elon Musk takes small doses of the psychedelic drug ketamine to treat depression and full doses while attending parties, a report in <em>The Wall Street Journal</em> has claimed. The publication made the claims citing individuals close to the billionaire who have seen him consume the drug.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The account of Musk’s drug use comes from people who witnessed him use ketamine and others with direct knowledge of his use," noted the newspaper, adding that executives at venture-capital firm Founders Fund, known for its investments in SpaceX and Facebook, have thrown parties that include psychedelics.</p>

<p>Ketamine has hallucinogenic effects and can only be legally administered by a medical professional in the US. However, it is sold as a white powder, dissolved in liquid or in pill form in the grey markets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During a Twitter conversation regarding depression, Elon Musk also hinted at taking small doses of ketamine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Depression is overdiagonised in the US, but for some people it really is a brain chemistry issue,” said Musk, before adding, “But zombifying people with SSRIs for sure happens way too much. From what I’ve seen with friends, ketamine taken occasionally is a better option."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Depression is overdiagnosed in the US, but for some people it really is a brain chemistry issue.<br />
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But zombifying people with SSRIs for sure happens way too much. From what I’ve seen with friends, ketamine taken occasionally is a better option.</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1673567124768317440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Musk has always been open about the use of psychedelics. Earlier this year, under his leadership, Twitter modified its regulations, allowing cannabis companies to advertise their products on the platform freely.</p>

<p>"Going forward, certified advertisers may feature packaged cannabis products in ad creative," the company stated in a press release. Previously, the companies could not show any product in their ads nor could they promote their sale. However, they could link the ads to their websites.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Twitter allows cannabis companies to advertise, its rivals such as Meta and Google have prohibited such ads.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-merges-twitter-with-x-corp-581535"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Elon Musk merges Twitter with X Corp</strong></a></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-merges-twitter-with-x-corp-581535/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/musk-unveils-plan-for-creators-to-make-money-on-twitter-says-platform-will-not-keep-any-money-582530#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></p>

<h2><strong>Musk and his 420 connection</strong></h2>

<p>Recreational marijuana is already legal in several US states and Twitter owner Musk has been one of the most 420-friendly (420 is the specific time in the afternoon of April 20 when pot smokers annually celebrate the drug) entrepreneurs in the business. Musk in various interviews has batted for the use of psychedelics to open human consciousness.&nbsp;He appeared on the "Joe Rogan Podcast" and quickly became a 'meme template' after smoking a joint on the show.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2018, Musk said he was mulling a buyout of Tesla for $420 per share. However, during a court testimony later, Musk clarified that his price offer wasn't meant to be a marijuana reference.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>“420 was not chosen because of a joke; it was chosen because there was a 20 per cent premium over the stock price," said Musk, adding, "There is some, I think, karma around 420. I should question whether that is good or bad karma at this point."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-testifies-in-second-day-of-tesla-tweet-trial-says-buying-share-at-420-was-no-joke-555339"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;Elon Musk testifies in second day of Tesla tweet trial; says buying share at $420 was no joke</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Increasing trend of drugs consumption&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Across Silicon Valley, the hub for tech advancements in the US and the world, there has been an increasing trend of using psychedelics to expand horizons, enhance lives and produce business breakthroughs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The movement isn’t a medical experiment or a related investment opportunity, but a practice that has become for many a routine part of doing business," the report added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from Musk, the publication claimed that Google co-founder Sergey Brin also takes magic mushroom, another hallucinogenic product, intended to open consciousness.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Twitter boss Elon Musk takes small doses of the psychedelic drug ketamine to treat depression and full doses while attending parties, a report in The Wall Street Journal has claimed.

Twitter boss Elon Musk takes small doses of the psychedelic drug ketamine to treat depression and full doses while attending parties, a report in The Wall Street Journal has claimed. The publication made the claims citing individuals close to the billionaire who have seen him consume the drug. "The account of Musk’s drug use comes from people who witnessed him use ketamine and others with direct knowledge of his use," noted the newspaper, adding that executives at venture-capital firm Founders Fund, known for its investments in SpaceX and Facebook, have thrown parties that include psychedelics. Ketamine has hallucinogenic effects and can only be legally administered by a medical professional in the US. However, it is sold as a white powder, dissolved in liquid or in pill form in the grey markets. During a Twitter conversation regarding depression, Elon Musk also hinted at taking small doses of ketamine. “Depression is overdiagonised in the US, but for some people it really is a brain chemistry issue,” said Musk, before adding, “But zombifying people with SSRIs for sure happens way too much. From what I’ve seen with friends, ketamine taken occasionally is a better option." Depression is overdiagnosed in the US, but for some people it really is a brain chemistry issue. But zombifying people with SSRIs for sure happens way too much. From what I’ve seen with friends, ketamine taken occasionally is a better option. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 27, 2023 × Musk has always been open about the use of psychedelics. Earlier this year, under his leadership, Twitter modified its regulations, allowing cannabis companies to advertise their products on the platform freely. "Going forward, certified advertisers may feature packaged cannabis products in ad creative," the company stated in a press release. Previously, the companies could not show any product in their ads nor could they promote their sale. However, they could link the ads to their websites. While Twitter allows cannabis companies to advertise, its rivals such as Meta and Google have prohibited such ads. WATCH | Elon Musk merges Twitter with X Corp × Musk and his 420 connection Recreational marijuana is already legal in several US states and Twitter owner Musk has been one of the most 420-friendly (420 is the specific time in the afternoon of April 20 when pot smokers annually celebrate the drug) entrepreneurs in the business. Musk in various interviews has batted for the use of psychedelics to open human consciousness. He appeared on the "Joe Rogan Podcast" and quickly became a 'meme template' after smoking a joint on the show. In 2018, Musk said he was mulling a buyout of Tesla for $420 per share. However, during a court testimony later, Musk clarified that his price offer wasn't meant to be a marijuana reference. “420 was not chosen because of a joke; it was chosen because there was a 20 per cent premium over the stock price," said Musk, adding, "There is some, I think, karma around 420. I should question whether that is good or bad karma at this point." ALSO READ | Elon Musk testifies in second day of Tesla tweet trial; says buying share at $420 was no joke Increasing trend of drugs consumption Across Silicon Valley, the hub for tech advancements in the US and the world, there has been an increasing trend of using psychedelics to expand horizons, enhance lives and produce business breakthroughs. "The movement isn’t a medical experiment or a related investment opportunity, but a practice that has become for many a routine part of doing business," the report added. Apart from Musk, the publication claimed that Google co-founder Sergey Brin also takes magic mushroom, another hallucinogenic product, intended to open consciousness. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Elon Musk takes ketamine for depression and parties? This report makes shocking claim

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<p>A British man on vacation with his family in Jamaica has died after attempting to sweep the entire roster of 21 cocktails featured on a bar's menu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The man, identified as 53-year-old Timothy Southern, hailed from Kingston and was staying at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean in Saint Ann. He had finished 12 of the menu's various cocktails before returning to his hotel room. However, when family members arrived at the scene, Southern was already choking and could not be resuscitated back to life.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Southern embarks upon the challenge&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Notably, before attempting to gulp the 21 cocktails, Southern had been drinking brandy and beer throughout the morning. It was only after he met two Canadian women celebrating a birthday that he embarked upon the challenge. The women reportedly told home they were trying to complete the 21-cocktail challenge before midnight as part of the birthday festivities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“He was on his back choking. I put him in the recovery position and screamed for an ambulance. He was making a gurgling sound. As soon as he was in the recovery position, he vomited. I was shouting his name with no response,”</p>

<p>“When the nurse arrived, I said had an ambulance been called and she said ‘no.’ I thought she would take over. But that was not the case. I noticed he was starting to lose temperature. I checked his pulse and couldn’t find it,”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-inflation-at-10-year-high-says-report-pm-rishi-sunak-claims-economy-is-looking-up-wion-593673"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;UK inflation at 10-year-high, says report; PM Rishi Sunak claims economy is looking up | WION</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>GoFundMe page started</strong></h2>

<p>After the incident, the family set up a GoFundMe page to bring Southern back to the UK as his bank did not cover the insurance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"After doing some digging to find information about his insurance we have found out that he's not actually covered by his bank (as he had originally thought). This leaves us with an impossibly large amount of money to find in order to bring him home and pay for his funeral." read the GoFundMe page.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-influencer-dies-after-gulping-copious-amounts-of-liquor-on-livestream-597395" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | China: Influencer dies after gulping copious amounts of liquor on&nbsp;</strong></a>live stream</p>

<p>"We're hoping by doing this we could try to raise as much money as we can to get him home so that we, as a family, get to say our goodbyes. Anything that is left over from the funds we raise will go to the MIND charity."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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A British man on vacation with his family in Jamaica has died after attempting to sweep the entire roster of 21 cocktails featured on a bar's menu. The man, identified as 53-year-old Timothy Southern, hailed from Kingston and was staying at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean in Saint Ann.

A British man on vacation with his family in Jamaica has died after attempting to sweep the entire roster of 21 cocktails featured on a bar's menu. The man, identified as 53-year-old Timothy Southern, hailed from Kingston and was staying at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean in Saint Ann. He had finished 12 of the menu's various cocktails before returning to his hotel room. However, when family members arrived at the scene, Southern was already choking and could not be resuscitated back to life. Southern embarks upon the challenge Notably, before attempting to gulp the 21 cocktails, Southern had been drinking brandy and beer throughout the morning. It was only after he met two Canadian women celebrating a birthday that he embarked upon the challenge. The women reportedly told home they were trying to complete the 21-cocktail challenge before midnight as part of the birthday festivities. “He was on his back choking. I put him in the recovery position and screamed for an ambulance. He was making a gurgling sound. As soon as he was in the recovery position, he vomited. I was shouting his name with no response,” “When the nurse arrived, I said had an ambulance been called and she said ‘no.’ I thought she would take over. But that was not the case. I noticed he was starting to lose temperature. I checked his pulse and couldn’t find it,” WATCH | UK inflation at 10-year-high, says report; PM Rishi Sunak claims economy is looking up | WION GoFundMe page started After the incident, the family set up a GoFundMe page to bring Southern back to the UK as his bank did not cover the insurance. "After doing some digging to find information about his insurance we have found out that he's not actually covered by his bank (as he had originally thought). This leaves us with an impossibly large amount of money to find in order to bring him home and pay for his funeral." read the GoFundMe page. Also read | China: Influencer dies after gulping copious amounts of liquor on live stream "We're hoping by doing this we could try to raise as much money as we can to get him home so that we, as a family, get to say our goodbyes. Anything that is left over from the funds we raise will go to the MIND charity." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

British man dies after attempting to gulp all 21 cocktails on bar menu in Jamaica

<p>British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has come under controversy yet again after it was revealed that he has been using pens with erasable ink during his tenure at 10, Downing Street. The discovery made by <em>The Guardian</em> raises fresh security concerns over the secrecy of the documents and other important records that Sunak may have signed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The publication noted that the prime minister is regularly seen using the&nbsp;disposable "Pilot V" fountain pens during his&nbsp;time as chancellor and prime minister. He has been photographed making cabinet notes, working on government papers and signing official letters in the UK and at international summits using the same pen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The pen, which sells for&nbsp;£4.75, carries an "erasable ink" logo. The company markets the pen as&nbsp;“ideal for those learning to write with ink because if you make a mistake, the ink erases using standard ink eradicators”.</p>

<p>This raises concerns as his hand-written notes and other documents where he has used the ink can be erased.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | UK MPs publish Partygate report&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-mps-publish-partygate-report-english-latest-news-604768/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/partygate-scandal-5-key-takeaways-from-committee-report-accusing-boris-johnson-on-lockdown-parties-604914#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></p>

<h2><strong>Pen provided by the civil service: Downing Street</strong></h2>

<p>Sunak's office, however, maintains that the PM has never used the 'erasing' feature of the pen, nor would he do so ever.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is a pen provided by and used widely by the civil service. The prime minister has never used the erase function and nor would he," Sunak's press secretary was quoted as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Sunak's opponents took the opportunity to target him and said the PM was accountable for his actions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“When trust in politicians is at an all-time low, the PM signing official documents in erasable ink could push it through the floor and into the basement," said Tom Brake, a former Liberal Democrat MP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Erasable ink, lost mobile phones and disappearing WhatsApp messages all add to a picture of a cavalier attitude towards ensuring government is accountable for its actions.”</p>

<h2><strong>What if?</strong></h2>

<p>Experts are wary that official Covid inquiry papers that could put Sunak's party members in jeopardy, might be fudged by removing the PM's scribbled notes or signatures.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/partygate-scandal-5-key-takeaways-from-committee-report-accusing-boris-johnson-on-lockdown-parties-604914"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;'Partygate scandal': 5 key takeaways from committee report accusing Boris Johnson of lockdown parties</strong></a></p>

<p>The Tory government is already having a torrid time cleaning up the 'Partygate' mess of former PM Boris Johnson. The recent reports of the Sunak administration planning to go to court to try and block the official Covid inquiry from gaining access to government WhatsApp messages have further raised&nbsp;eyebrows. Add the pen controversy and Sunak has invited more attention to his government.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has come under controversy yet again after it was revealed that he has been using pens with erasable ink during his tenure at 10, Downing Street.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has come under controversy yet again after it was revealed that he has been using pens with erasable ink during his tenure at 10, Downing Street. The discovery made by The Guardian raises fresh security concerns over the secrecy of the documents and other important records that Sunak may have signed. The publication noted that the prime minister is regularly seen using the disposable "Pilot V" fountain pens during his time as chancellor and prime minister. He has been photographed making cabinet notes, working on government papers and signing official letters in the UK and at international summits using the same pen. The pen, which sells for £4.75, carries an "erasable ink" logo. The company markets the pen as “ideal for those learning to write with ink because if you make a mistake, the ink erases using standard ink eradicators”. This raises concerns as his hand-written notes and other documents where he has used the ink can be erased. Watch | UK MPs publish Partygate report × Pen provided by the civil service: Downing Street Sunak's office, however, maintains that the PM has never used the 'erasing' feature of the pen, nor would he do so ever. “This is a pen provided by and used widely by the civil service. The prime minister has never used the erase function and nor would he," Sunak's press secretary was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, Sunak's opponents took the opportunity to target him and said the PM was accountable for his actions. “When trust in politicians is at an all-time low, the PM signing official documents in erasable ink could push it through the floor and into the basement," said Tom Brake, a former Liberal Democrat MP. “Erasable ink, lost mobile phones and disappearing WhatsApp messages all add to a picture of a cavalier attitude towards ensuring government is accountable for its actions.” What if? Experts are wary that official Covid inquiry papers that could put Sunak's party members in jeopardy, might be fudged by removing the PM's scribbled notes or signatures. Also read | 'Partygate scandal': 5 key takeaways from committee report accusing Boris Johnson of lockdown parties The Tory government is already having a torrid time cleaning up the 'Partygate' mess of former PM Boris Johnson. The recent reports of the Sunak administration planning to go to court to try and block the official Covid inquiry from gaining access to government WhatsApp messages have further raised eyebrows. Add the pen controversy and Sunak has invited more attention to his government. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

British PM Rishi Sunak found using pen with erasable ink to sign official documents, make notes

<p>The trend of big tech companies laying off employees is far from being over. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google on Tuesday announced fresh round of firings at&nbsp;mapping app Waze as it merges the app's advertising system with Google Ads technology.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We have decided to transition Waze’s ads monetization to be managed by the Global Business Organization (GBO), similar to Google Maps.&nbsp;Unfortunately, this will result in a reduction of Waze Ads monetisation-focused roles in sales, marketing, operations and analytics,"&nbsp; wrote&nbsp;Chris Phillips, who oversees Google’s maps division called Geo, in an email to the employees.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Decisions like these are incredibly difficult.&nbsp;Each one of these Wazers contributed to Waze’s success and culture, and I want to express my gratitude and respect for what they have achieved,"</p>

<p>The search engine giant acquired Waze for $1.3 billion in 2013. The Waze unit had more than 500 employees as of Tuesday but it remains unclear how many survived the fallout.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/googles-sundar-pichai-hints-at-more-layoffs-582070"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Google's Sundar Pichai hints at more layoffs</strong></a></p>

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<p>Waze also seemingly confirmed the firings in a statement.&nbsp;"In order to create a better, more seamless long-term experience for Waze advertisers, we've begun transitioning Waze's existing advertising system to Google Ads technology. As part of this update, we've reduced those roles focused on Waze Ads monetisation and are providing employees with mobility resources and severance options in accordance with local requirements," said Caroline Bourdeau, Waze’s head of PR.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, the Waze app, which has roughly 1140 million active users, employs a crowdsourcing technique that allows it to determine the fastest driving route from one location to another. However, since last year, Google has been working towards assimilating Waze with its own Geo unit. The group also includes products like Google Maps, Google Earth and Street View.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Google fires 12,000 employees</strong></h2>

<p>After a bumper hiring spree in the aftermath of the pandemic, the tech giants have been cutting back on the workforce. In January, Alphabet announced it was laying off 12,000 employees, or six per cent of its workforce.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The indications were given by Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai last year when he said he was attempting to make the company 20 per cent more efficient.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We want to make sure as a company, when you have fewer resources than before, you are prioritizing all the right things to be working on and your employees are really productive that they can actually have impact on the things they’re working on so that’s what we are spending our time on,” said Pichai.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-will-slow-down-hiring-amid-recession-fears-says-sundar-pichai-in-a-memo-to-staff-496998" target="_blank">&nbsp;Google to slow down hiring, says Sundar Pichai in a memo to staff</a></strong></p>

<p>“Across everything we do, we can be slower to make decisions. You look at it end-to-end and figure out how to make the company 20 per cent more productive.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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The trend of big tech companies laying off employees is far from being over. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google on Tuesday announced fresh round of firings at mapping app Waze as it merges the app's advertising system with Google Ads technology.

The trend of big tech companies laying off employees is far from being over. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google on Tuesday announced fresh round of firings at mapping app Waze as it merges the app's advertising system with Google Ads technology. “We have decided to transition Waze’s ads monetization to be managed by the Global Business Organization (GBO), similar to Google Maps. Unfortunately, this will result in a reduction of Waze Ads monetisation-focused roles in sales, marketing, operations and analytics," wrote Chris Phillips, who oversees Google’s maps division called Geo, in an email to the employees. “Decisions like these are incredibly difficult. Each one of these Wazers contributed to Waze’s success and culture, and I want to express my gratitude and respect for what they have achieved," The search engine giant acquired Waze for $1.3 billion in 2013. The Waze unit had more than 500 employees as of Tuesday but it remains unclear how many survived the fallout. WATCH | Google's Sundar Pichai hints at more layoffs × Waze also seemingly confirmed the firings in a statement. "In order to create a better, more seamless long-term experience for Waze advertisers, we've begun transitioning Waze's existing advertising system to Google Ads technology. As part of this update, we've reduced those roles focused on Waze Ads monetisation and are providing employees with mobility resources and severance options in accordance with local requirements," said Caroline Bourdeau, Waze’s head of PR. Notably, the Waze app, which has roughly 1140 million active users, employs a crowdsourcing technique that allows it to determine the fastest driving route from one location to another. However, since last year, Google has been working towards assimilating Waze with its own Geo unit. The group also includes products like Google Maps, Google Earth and Street View. Google fires 12,000 employees After a bumper hiring spree in the aftermath of the pandemic, the tech giants have been cutting back on the workforce. In January, Alphabet announced it was laying off 12,000 employees, or six per cent of its workforce. The indications were given by Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai last year when he said he was attempting to make the company 20 per cent more efficient. “We want to make sure as a company, when you have fewer resources than before, you are prioritizing all the right things to be working on and your employees are really productive that they can actually have impact on the things they’re working on so that’s what we are spending our time on,” said Pichai. Also read: Google to slow down hiring, says Sundar Pichai in a memo to staff “Across everything we do, we can be slower to make decisions. You look at it end-to-end and figure out how to make the company 20 per cent more productive.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Firing season continues: Google lays off employees at its mapping app Waze

No doubt who takes the numero uno position in the list. Cavill as Superman kickstarted the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and it closed with his eventual firing. 

Reeve is the only actor to this date to have four solo Superman movies to his name. His cultural impact on nearly every Superman iteration has been immense.

The majority of the Gen Z would have had their first taste of Superman in the animated series, with Tim Daly voicing the character phenomenally.

Tyler Hoechin's version of the character in Superman & Lois has kept the Arrowverse fans entertained. While the show's future remains uncertain, Hoechlin continues to be a fan favourite for his faithful rendition of the beloved character. 

Apart from playing the role of the titular Kryptonian, Routh has played multiple DC characters. He appeared in the Arrowverse as Dr Raymond Carson "Ray" Palmer, aka, The Atom.

Top 5 Superman Actors Ranked

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<p>A Florida couple that sued Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, the company that operated the fateful Titan submersible, has announced they are dropping the lawsuit. Rush was among the five men who died aboard Titan after the vehicle imploded catastrophically&nbsp;due to immense pressure deep underwater.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Marc and Sharon Hagle sued Rush in 2018 after he refused to refund them over $210,000. According to the court documents, the couple had spent the said money on the expedition, supposed to happen in June 2018, to view the Titanic wreckage. However, after last week's tragedy, the couple took the humanitarian route.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Like most around the world, we have watched the coverage of the OceanGate Titan capsule with great concern and an enormous amount of sadness and compassion for the families of those who lost their lives. We honour their zest for life, as well as their commitment to the exploration of our oceans," the couple said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As has been reported, we have been involved in a legal dispute with Stockton Rush, CEO/Founder of OceanGate. In light of these tragic events, we have informed our attorneys to withdraw all legal actions against Stockton,” they said, adding that "honour, respect and dignity" were far more important than money.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hagle's were one of the early adopters of the technology. They paid a $20,000 deposit to participate in the expedition dive when the sub was named 'Cyclops 2'. However, the dive never took place. In 2018, the couple received new contracts requiring them to pay the full amount for the expedition, totalling nearly $200,000. It was during this time that the expedition's name was changed to "Titan".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tributes-pour-in-for-men-killed-in-catastrophic-implosion-of-titan-submersible-607753" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Tributes pour in for men killed in ‘catastrophic implosion’ of Titan submersible</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>What next for OceanGate?</strong></h2>

<p>While the Hagles&nbsp;have withdrawn the lawsuit, the troubles seemingly do not end for OceanGate. It is unclear what remains of the company in the absence of its CEO. According to reports, OceanGate has closed its headquarters in Everett, Washington State. The leasing agent informed the media that the company was closing indefinitely.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities are trying to ascertain if the case warrants a criminal investigation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Such an investigation will proceed only if our examination of the circumstances indicate criminal, federal or provincial laws may possibly have been broken,” said Superintendent Kent Osmond, Royal Canadian Mounted Police.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/titan-submersible-found-in-pieces-after-imploding-in-north-atlantic-607683"><b>WATCH |&nbsp;Titan Submersible found in pieces after imploding in North Atlantic</b></a></p>

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<p>Apart from Stockton,&nbsp;British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman were killed in the accident.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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A Florida couple that sued Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, the company that operated the fateful Titan submersible, has announced they are dropping the lawsuit.

A Florida couple that sued Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, the company that operated the fateful Titan submersible, has announced they are dropping the lawsuit. Rush was among the five men who died aboard Titan after the vehicle imploded catastrophically due to immense pressure deep underwater. Marc and Sharon Hagle sued Rush in 2018 after he refused to refund them over $210,000. According to the court documents, the couple had spent the said money on the expedition, supposed to happen in June 2018, to view the Titanic wreckage. However, after last week's tragedy, the couple took the humanitarian route. “Like most around the world, we have watched the coverage of the OceanGate Titan capsule with great concern and an enormous amount of sadness and compassion for the families of those who lost their lives. We honour their zest for life, as well as their commitment to the exploration of our oceans," the couple said in a statement. "As has been reported, we have been involved in a legal dispute with Stockton Rush, CEO/Founder of OceanGate. In light of these tragic events, we have informed our attorneys to withdraw all legal actions against Stockton,” they said, adding that "honour, respect and dignity" were far more important than money. Hagle's were one of the early adopters of the technology. They paid a $20,000 deposit to participate in the expedition dive when the sub was named 'Cyclops 2'. However, the dive never took place. In 2018, the couple received new contracts requiring them to pay the full amount for the expedition, totalling nearly $200,000. It was during this time that the expedition's name was changed to "Titan". Also read | Tributes pour in for men killed in ‘catastrophic implosion’ of Titan submersible What next for OceanGate? While the Hagles have withdrawn the lawsuit, the troubles seemingly do not end for OceanGate. It is unclear what remains of the company in the absence of its CEO. According to reports, OceanGate has closed its headquarters in Everett, Washington State. The leasing agent informed the media that the company was closing indefinitely. Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities are trying to ascertain if the case warrants a criminal investigation. “Such an investigation will proceed only if our examination of the circumstances indicate criminal, federal or provincial laws may possibly have been broken,” said Superintendent Kent Osmond, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. WATCH | Titan Submersible found in pieces after imploding in North Atlantic × Apart from Stockton, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman were killed in the accident. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'In light of...': Florida couple drops lawsuit against Titan sub owner after 'catastrophic implosion'

<p>In a chilling incident, a man, armed with a sharp machete, chased down and attacked a 19-year-old college student in Pune, a city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The incident could have taken a deadly turn, akin to the one reported in the capital city of&nbsp;Delhi a few weeks back, if it wasn't for the alertness of the locals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident took place around 10 am in the morning near&nbsp;Perugate police chowki, the CCTV footage of which has gone viral on social media platforms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The video clip shows the girl sitting on the pillion seat of a scooter with her friend when they are&nbsp;stopped by a man carrying a bag. As the girl's friend gets off the vehicle to confront the accused, the latter takes out the weapon from his bag and starts attacking the man, managing to slash him twice before chasing after the woman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The girl,&nbsp;dressed in a salwar and suit with a bag on her back, assessed the danger quickly and ran for her life before the bystanders got involved and kept the attacker at bay. Eventually, the locals swarmed the attacker and held him until the police arrived.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This morning, the youth approached the woman who was riding with a friend on a two-wheeler. As the man tried to talk to her, the woman refused to engage in a conversation. Angered by this, the accused whipped out a sharp weapon and attacked her," news agency PTI quoted the DCP of Pune Police as saying.</p>

<p>“The victim's male friend intervened and resisted the attacker and she managed to escape. The attacker chased her but was stopped by people in the vicinity."</p>

<p><em><strong>(Disclaimer: The video footage might be disturbing for some. Please proceed at your own caution)</strong></em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">THIS IS HUGE: Thanks for your efforts, Pune residents - Set the example for Delhi Sakshi Case.<br />
<br />
A Pune man attempted to kiII a female after an attack because of one-sided love, but locals intervened, caught the attacker, and saved the girl, Salute!🔥👏 <a href="https://t.co/WO0W04cVr1">pic.twitter.com/WO0W04cVr1</a></p>
— ADV. ASHUTOSH J. DUBEY 🇮🇳 (@AdvAshutoshBJP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdvAshutoshBJP/status/1673655676562817025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A girl persuing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MPSC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MPSC</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pune?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pune</a> was attached by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/koyta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#koyta</a> gang in city's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SadashivPeth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SadashivPeth</a> area. Was saved due to persistence of resident.<br />
<br />
This incident took place in the vicinity of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SPCollege?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SPCollege</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/viralvideo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#viralvideo</a> <a href="https://t.co/DP2BddkKzq">pic.twitter.com/DP2BddkKzq</a></p>
— Priya Pandey (@priyapandey1999) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyapandey1999/status/1673613299823390721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The accused has been identified as 22-year-old Shantanu Laxman Jadhav, a resident of Mulshi. Both the accused and the victim were former classmates.&nbsp;</p>

<article id="article_ContentWrap">
<p id="8">According to the victim’s mother, the man who attacked the woman had been harassing her daughter.</p>

<p id="9">“We had also complained to the man’s father, despite this he tried to kill our daughter today," said the mother.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/delhi-murder-case-20-yr-old-accused-sahil-arrested-murder-weapon-yet-to-be-recovered-598732"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Delhi murder case: 20-yr-old accused Sahil arrested, murder weapon yet to be recovered</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Stabbing incident in Delhi</strong></h2>

<p>In May, a 20-year-old man identified as Sahil was arrested&nbsp;after he was caught on CCTV&nbsp;stabbing to death a 16-year-old girl in Delhi.</p>

<p>In the video, Sahil could be seen stabbing the girl more than 20 times as people walked past him, refusing to stop him from committing the crime. After multiple stabbings, Sahil picked up a big boulder nearby and used it to crush the poor girl's head.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-man-stabs-minor-girl-more-than-20-times-smashes-her-head-with-stone-slab-597843"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Delhi: Man stabs minor girl more than 20 times, smashes her 'lifeless' body with stone slab</strong></a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
</article>


In a chilling incident, a man, armed with a sharp machete, chased down and attacked a 19-year-old college student in Pune, a city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

In a chilling incident, a man, armed with a sharp machete, chased down and attacked a 19-year-old college student in Pune, a city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The incident could have taken a deadly turn, akin to the one reported in the capital city of Delhi a few weeks back, if it wasn't for the alertness of the locals. The incident took place around 10 am in the morning near Perugate police chowki, the CCTV footage of which has gone viral on social media platforms. The video clip shows the girl sitting on the pillion seat of a scooter with her friend when they are stopped by a man carrying a bag. As the girl's friend gets off the vehicle to confront the accused, the latter takes out the weapon from his bag and starts attacking the man, managing to slash him twice before chasing after the woman. The girl, dressed in a salwar and suit with a bag on her back, assessed the danger quickly and ran for her life before the bystanders got involved and kept the attacker at bay. Eventually, the locals swarmed the attacker and held him until the police arrived. "This morning, the youth approached the woman who was riding with a friend on a two-wheeler. As the man tried to talk to her, the woman refused to engage in a conversation. Angered by this, the accused whipped out a sharp weapon and attacked her," news agency PTI quoted the DCP of Pune Police as saying. “The victim's male friend intervened and resisted the attacker and she managed to escape. The attacker chased her but was stopped by people in the vicinity." (Disclaimer: The video footage might be disturbing for some. Please proceed at your own caution) THIS IS HUGE: Thanks for your efforts, Pune residents - Set the example for Delhi Sakshi Case. A Pune man attempted to kiII a female after an attack because of one-sided love, but locals intervened, caught the attacker, and saved the girl, Salute!🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/WO0W04cVr1 — ADV. ASHUTOSH J. DUBEY 🇮🇳 (@AdvAshutoshBJP) June 27, 2023 × A girl persuing #MPSC in #pune was attached by #koyta gang in city's #SadashivPeth area. Was saved due to persistence of resident. This incident took place in the vicinity of #SPCollege#viralvideo pic.twitter.com/DP2BddkKzq — Priya Pandey (@priyapandey1999) June 27, 2023 × The accused has been identified as 22-year-old Shantanu Laxman Jadhav, a resident of Mulshi. Both the accused and the victim were former classmates. According to the victim’s mother, the man who attacked the woman had been harassing her daughter. “We had also complained to the man’s father, despite this he tried to kill our daughter today," said the mother. WATCH | Delhi murder case: 20-yr-old accused Sahil arrested, murder weapon yet to be recovered × Stabbing incident in Delhi In May, a 20-year-old man identified as Sahil was arrested after he was caught on CCTV stabbing to death a 16-year-old girl in Delhi. In the video, Sahil could be seen stabbing the girl more than 20 times as people walked past him, refusing to stop him from committing the crime. After multiple stabbings, Sahil picked up a big boulder nearby and used it to crush the poor girl's head. Also read | Delhi: Man stabs minor girl more than 20 times, smashes her 'lifeless' body with stone slab (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Video | Man wielding machete attacks teenager in India's Pune city

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<p>Six days after a massive blast destroyed a 17th-century building in France, injuring 58, a body was found in the rubble on Tuesday. Emergency services, looking for a missing woman after the blast, stumbled upon the body, an AFP report stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The missing person was a teacher at the Paris American Academy fashion school on the city's touristy Left Bank. French media reports claimed that she had been teaching at the academy for 20 years and was on the third floor of the building when the blast took place.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from the woman, Peter Carman, the head of the academy, is among the worst hurt in the accident. Carman had reportedly rushed to cut off the power supply when the&nbsp;smell of gas spread through the building.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, the search operation of the destroyed building was briefly halted over the weekend, while a neighbouring building, which was on the verge of collapse, was stabilised.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/paris-building-fire-ten-killed-30-injured-195406"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Paris building fire: Ten killed, 30 injured</strong></a></p>

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<p>According to the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the incident happened on Rue Saint-Jacques in the fifth arrondissement, close to the Jardin Du Luxembourg and Sorbonne University, just before 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Wednesday (June 21).</p>

<p>“We heard an incredible, very loud explosion at around 5 pm, we felt the force of it. We thought this isn’t a storm, this is serious. We heard the fire services. I went out to see if I could help. But it’s all shut-off," a local pharmacist and witness to the accident was quoted as saying by The Guardian.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>French media reports, citing nearby residents, reported a loud explosion preceding the fire. Meanwhile, French prosecutors said the cause of the fire still remains unknown. They are investigating whether the blast was the result of a failure to observe safety norms or not.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Not the first instance&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Notably, this wasn't the first instance of a building collapsing after an explosion in France. In April this year, a similar incident was reported in the port city of Marseille. A five-floor building, located in an old quarter in the centre of France’s second-largest city collapsed after midnight.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/building-collapses-after-explosion-in-marseille-several-feared-trapped-in-rubble-580720" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Building collapses after explosion in Marseille, 10 remain missing&nbsp;</strong></a></p>

<p>Several witnesses have said there was a suspicious smell of gas which could have caused the explosion. The accident once again highlighted the city's housing standards with shoddy structures housing thousands while several building codes remain violated.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Six days after a massive blast destroyed a 17th-century building in France, injuring 58, a body was found in the rubble on Tuesday. Emergency services, looking for a missing woman after the blast, stumbled upon the body, an AFP report stated.

Six days after a massive blast destroyed a 17th-century building in France, injuring 58, a body was found in the rubble on Tuesday. Emergency services, looking for a missing woman after the blast, stumbled upon the body, an AFP report stated. The missing person was a teacher at the Paris American Academy fashion school on the city's touristy Left Bank. French media reports claimed that she had been teaching at the academy for 20 years and was on the third floor of the building when the blast took place. Apart from the woman, Peter Carman, the head of the academy, is among the worst hurt in the accident. Carman had reportedly rushed to cut off the power supply when the smell of gas spread through the building. Notably, the search operation of the destroyed building was briefly halted over the weekend, while a neighbouring building, which was on the verge of collapse, was stabilised. WATCH | Paris building fire: Ten killed, 30 injured × According to the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the incident happened on Rue Saint-Jacques in the fifth arrondissement, close to the Jardin Du Luxembourg and Sorbonne University, just before 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Wednesday (June 21). “We heard an incredible, very loud explosion at around 5 pm, we felt the force of it. We thought this isn’t a storm, this is serious. We heard the fire services. I went out to see if I could help. But it’s all shut-off," a local pharmacist and witness to the accident was quoted as saying by The Guardian. French media reports, citing nearby residents, reported a loud explosion preceding the fire. Meanwhile, French prosecutors said the cause of the fire still remains unknown. They are investigating whether the blast was the result of a failure to observe safety norms or not. Not the first instance Notably, this wasn't the first instance of a building collapsing after an explosion in France. In April this year, a similar incident was reported in the port city of Marseille. A five-floor building, located in an old quarter in the centre of France’s second-largest city collapsed after midnight. Also read | Building collapses after explosion in Marseille, 10 remain missing Several witnesses have said there was a suspicious smell of gas which could have caused the explosion. The accident once again highlighted the city's housing standards with shoddy structures housing thousands while several building codes remain violated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Woman's body found in rubble six days after Paris building blast

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<p>Nearly two months after approving abortion pill use in the country, Japan is set to permit the sale of emergency contraceptives without prescription on a trial basis. The move means Japan will likely join dozens of other countries where the morning-after pill is conveniently available over-the-counter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A ministry panel on Monday approved the sale of the pill through March at pharmacies that have trained pharmacists, private rooms and can be available on weekends, nights and holidays, according to Japanese media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The trial sale idea of abortion pills had received strong public support. After the health ministry panel invited the public to submit comments on the issue, more than 90 per cent of the 46,312 respondents, replied in favour of the move.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The current rules dictated that women, including victims of sexual assault, had to go to a hospital or clinic to obtain a prescription for the emergency contraceptive. However, since the pill is best effective within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, the bureaucratic hassle proved to be an impediment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the morning-after-pills are considered 95 per cent effective if taken within 24 hours, but that figure plummets to 85 per cent within 25 to 48 hours and 58 per cent within 49 to 72 hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japans-first-abortion-pill-mifepristone-allows-abortion-up-to-9-weeks-world-news-wion-587417"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Japan's first abortion pill 'Mifepristone' allows abortion up to 9 weeks | World News | WION</strong></a></p>

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<p>Before the abortion pill was made legal, a surgical procedure was the only option for a woman to undergo an abortion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, the government, in 2017, had mulled a similar proposition of approving the sale of emergency contraceptive pills without a prescription. However, it stopped short of giving the green light with the critics arguing that it will incentivise irresponsible use of the drug.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Japan takes decisive calls&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Over the last few months, the Japanese government has been clocking in radical changes to protect women's sexual and reproductive rights.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this month, the Japanese parliament passed laws that redefine rape and raise the age of consent. The new definition of rape includes "non-consensual sexual intercourse" which is a stark contrast to the archaic definition of "forcible sexual intercourse".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-alters-its-definition-of-rape-after-passing-landmark-bill-in-parliament-605128" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Japan alters definition of rape after passing landmark bill in parliament</strong></a></p>

<p>Additionally, the legal window for reporting rape has been raised to 15 years from 10 years, to give survivors more time to come forward. The age of consent has been raised from 13, among the world's lowest, to 16 years old.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Nearly two months after approving abortion pill use in the country, Japan is set to permit the sale of emergency contraceptives without prescription on a trial basis.

Nearly two months after approving abortion pill use in the country, Japan is set to permit the sale of emergency contraceptives without prescription on a trial basis. The move means Japan will likely join dozens of other countries where the morning-after pill is conveniently available over-the-counter. A ministry panel on Monday approved the sale of the pill through March at pharmacies that have trained pharmacists, private rooms and can be available on weekends, nights and holidays, according to Japanese media. The trial sale idea of abortion pills had received strong public support. After the health ministry panel invited the public to submit comments on the issue, more than 90 per cent of the 46,312 respondents, replied in favour of the move. The current rules dictated that women, including victims of sexual assault, had to go to a hospital or clinic to obtain a prescription for the emergency contraceptive. However, since the pill is best effective within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, the bureaucratic hassle proved to be an impediment. According to the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the morning-after-pills are considered 95 per cent effective if taken within 24 hours, but that figure plummets to 85 per cent within 25 to 48 hours and 58 per cent within 49 to 72 hours. WATCH | Japan's first abortion pill 'Mifepristone' allows abortion up to 9 weeks | World News | WION × Before the abortion pill was made legal, a surgical procedure was the only option for a woman to undergo an abortion. Notably, the government, in 2017, had mulled a similar proposition of approving the sale of emergency contraceptive pills without a prescription. However, it stopped short of giving the green light with the critics arguing that it will incentivise irresponsible use of the drug. Japan takes decisive calls Over the last few months, the Japanese government has been clocking in radical changes to protect women's sexual and reproductive rights. Earlier this month, the Japanese parliament passed laws that redefine rape and raise the age of consent. The new definition of rape includes "non-consensual sexual intercourse" which is a stark contrast to the archaic definition of "forcible sexual intercourse". Also read | Japan alters definition of rape after passing landmark bill in parliament Additionally, the legal window for reporting rape has been raised to 15 years from 10 years, to give survivors more time to come forward. The age of consent has been raised from 13, among the world's lowest, to 16 years old. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Japan: Trial sales of over-the-counter emergency contraceptives approved

<p>Sales of new U.S. single-family homes surged to the highest level in nearly 1-1/2 years in May, benefiting from a dearth of previously owned homes available for sale.<br />
New home sales jumped 12.2 per cent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 763,000 units last month, the highest level since February 2022, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>April's sales pace was revised down to 680,000 units from<br />
the previously reported 683,000. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast new home sales, which account for a small share of U.S. home sales, slipping to a rate of 675,000 units.</p>

<p>Sales shot up 20 per cent on a year-on-year basis in May. New home sales are counted at the signing of a contract, making them a leading indicator of the housing market. They, however, can be volatile on a month-to-month basis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The housing market has likely found a floor and could be even improving. Data last week showed homebuilder confidence rising into positive territory in June for the first time in 11 months. Housing starts surged in May as supply remains tight, while home resales edged up.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Economists say the signs of revival in the housing market suggested the Federal Reserve would need to keep raising interest rates. The housing market has been the biggest causality of the US central bank's fastest rate hiking cycle since the 1980s. The Fed, which has raised its policy rate by 500 basis points since March 2022, has signalled two more rate increases this year to cool demand in the overall economy.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/is-trouble-brewing-in-the-us-housing-markets-565042"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Is trouble brewing in the US housing markets?</strong></a></p>

<p>The increase in sales last month was despite mortgage rates resuming their upward trend. The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage was higher in May relative to April, rising to 6.57 per cent by the last week of the month, according to data from mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac. New home sales posted double-digit growth in the Northeast, South and West. They rose 4.1 per cent in the Midwest.</p>

<p>The median new house price in May was $416,300, a 7.6 per cent drop from a year ago. There were 428,000 new homes on the market at the end of last month, down from 432,000 in April. At May's sales pace, it would take 6.7 months to clear the supply of houses on the market, down from 7.6 months in April.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Sales of new U.S. single-family homes surged to the highest level in nearly 1-1/2 years in May, benefiting from a dearth of previously owned homes available for sale.

Sales of new U.S. single-family homes surged to the highest level in nearly 1-1/2 years in May, benefiting from a dearth of previously owned homes available for sale. New home sales jumped 12.2 per cent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 763,000 units last month, the highest level since February 2022, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday. April's sales pace was revised down to 680,000 units from the previously reported 683,000. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast new home sales, which account for a small share of U.S. home sales, slipping to a rate of 675,000 units. Sales shot up 20 per cent on a year-on-year basis in May. New home sales are counted at the signing of a contract, making them a leading indicator of the housing market. They, however, can be volatile on a month-to-month basis. The housing market has likely found a floor and could be even improving. Data last week showed homebuilder confidence rising into positive territory in June for the first time in 11 months. Housing starts surged in May as supply remains tight, while home resales edged up. Economists say the signs of revival in the housing market suggested the Federal Reserve would need to keep raising interest rates. The housing market has been the biggest causality of the US central bank's fastest rate hiking cycle since the 1980s. The Fed, which has raised its policy rate by 500 basis points since March 2022, has signalled two more rate increases this year to cool demand in the overall economy. Also read | Is trouble brewing in the US housing markets? The increase in sales last month was despite mortgage rates resuming their upward trend. The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage was higher in May relative to April, rising to 6.57 per cent by the last week of the month, according to data from mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac. New home sales posted double-digit growth in the Northeast, South and West. They rose 4.1 per cent in the Midwest. The median new house price in May was $416,300, a 7.6 per cent drop from a year ago. There were 428,000 new homes on the market at the end of last month, down from 432,000 in April. At May's sales pace, it would take 6.7 months to clear the supply of houses on the market, down from 7.6 months in April. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US new home sales jump in May; median house price falls

<p>Japanese automaker Nissan's shareholders on Tuesday re-elected their chief executive and other board nominees, days after reports emerged of a major fissure within the top hierarchy of the company&nbsp;and allegations of corporate surveillance.</p>

<p>At the first annual meeting since reaching a&nbsp;new deal with alliance partner Renault,&nbsp;Chief Executive Makoto Uchida and 10 other nominees of the board received the full support of the shareholders.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The surveillance controversy&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Uchida receiving the long rope comes despite allegations of him carrying out surveillance against his deputy, Ashwani Gupta surfaced in April, earlier this year. Reportedly, Hari Nada, a senior adviser at Nissan wrote a letter to the&nbsp;independent directors on the Japanese automaker's board, revealing the surveillance saga.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the letter, Nada said Uchida carried out surveillance over a long period in an attempt&nbsp;to acquire leverage to remove an executive and board member that he regarded as an obstacle to reaching a new deal with alliance partner Renault. Last week, the company formally launched an investigation into the matter, according to a Reuters report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gupta attended the Tuesday meeting which, incidentally was his last day at the company. His departure was announced last week and the company did not name a new COO to replace him while unveiling the executive line-up.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nissan-vs-former-ceo-a-billion-dollar-lawsuit-607276"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Nissan vs former CEO: A billion-dollar lawsuit</strong></a></p>

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<p>Despite the events leading up to the meeting, no question regarding surveillance accusations was posed by the shareholders to the top Nissan executives. Only Gupta was asked about his time at the company, to which he preferred to give no answer.&nbsp;Uchida stepped in and said&nbsp;the executive had contributed greatly to projects starting with the formulation of a mid-term plan.</p>

<p>According to reports, Gupta had reservations about the new deal with Renault, the final terms of which are yet to be announced.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Nissan's troubles&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier this month, former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn&nbsp;filed a lawsuit in Lebanon against Nissan,&nbsp;demanding over $1 billion.&nbsp;In the lawsuit,&nbsp;Ghosn claimed that Nissan fabricated the charges against him, leading to his arrest and prosecution.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/former-nissan-chairman-sues-automaker-over-his-ouster-report-606878"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Former Nissan chairman sues automaker over his ouster: Report</strong></a></p>

<p>Ghosn, the former chairman and chief executive of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, was arrested in 2018 on suspicion of financial misconduct before he was sacked by the automaker's board in a unanimous decision. In 2019, he jumped bail and escaped from Japan hidden in an audio-equipment box. He then landed in Beirut where he remains an international fugitive.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Japanese automaker Nissan's shareholders on Tuesday re-elected their chief executive and other board nominees, days after reports emerged of a major fissure within the top hierarchy of the company and allegations of corporate surveillance.

Japanese automaker Nissan's shareholders on Tuesday re-elected their chief executive and other board nominees, days after reports emerged of a major fissure within the top hierarchy of the company and allegations of corporate surveillance. At the first annual meeting since reaching a new deal with alliance partner Renault, Chief Executive Makoto Uchida and 10 other nominees of the board received the full support of the shareholders. The surveillance controversy Uchida receiving the long rope comes despite allegations of him carrying out surveillance against his deputy, Ashwani Gupta surfaced in April, earlier this year. Reportedly, Hari Nada, a senior adviser at Nissan wrote a letter to the independent directors on the Japanese automaker's board, revealing the surveillance saga. In the letter, Nada said Uchida carried out surveillance over a long period in an attempt to acquire leverage to remove an executive and board member that he regarded as an obstacle to reaching a new deal with alliance partner Renault. Last week, the company formally launched an investigation into the matter, according to a Reuters report. Gupta attended the Tuesday meeting which, incidentally was his last day at the company. His departure was announced last week and the company did not name a new COO to replace him while unveiling the executive line-up. WATCH | Nissan vs former CEO: A billion-dollar lawsuit × Despite the events leading up to the meeting, no question regarding surveillance accusations was posed by the shareholders to the top Nissan executives. Only Gupta was asked about his time at the company, to which he preferred to give no answer. Uchida stepped in and said the executive had contributed greatly to projects starting with the formulation of a mid-term plan. According to reports, Gupta had reservations about the new deal with Renault, the final terms of which are yet to be announced. Nissan's troubles Earlier this month, former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn filed a lawsuit in Lebanon against Nissan, demanding over $1 billion. In the lawsuit, Ghosn claimed that Nissan fabricated the charges against him, leading to his arrest and prosecution. Also read | Former Nissan chairman sues automaker over his ouster: Report Ghosn, the former chairman and chief executive of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, was arrested in 2018 on suspicion of financial misconduct before he was sacked by the automaker's board in a unanimous decision. In 2019, he jumped bail and escaped from Japan hidden in an audio-equipment box. He then landed in Beirut where he remains an international fugitive. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nissan boss Uchida, board members receive shareholders backing despite surveillance allegations

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