<p>Italian bodybuilder and actor Franco Columbu's native town of Ollolai, located in the mountainous Barbagia region of Sardinia is using his connection to Arnold Schwarzenegger to increase the population level and 'revitalise' the town.&nbsp;</p>

<p>10 American professionals are moving to the small town, paying a token rent of &nbsp;€1 (86p) a month, under the project named Work from Ollolai, launched by the local council in collaboration with the Sa Mata association.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Columbu, whom Schwarzenegger called his “best friend", moved to the US state of California in the late 1960s after spending his initial years in the rural town. The shepherd-turned-boxer then went on to win Mr Europe and Mr Universe titles. He met Schwarzenegger in the mid-60s and the duo instantly forged a brotherly relationship that became a lifetime bond.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/action-stars-never-retire-says-arnold-schwarzenegger-on-bruce-willis-retirement-597733"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;'Action stars never retire' says Arnold Schwarzenegger on Bruce Willis’ retirement</strong></a></p>

<p>Columbu appeared alongside Schwarzenegger in <em>The Terminator</em>, the <em>Running Man</em> and <em>Conan the Barbarian</em>. He died in hospital in his native Sardinia in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Afterwards, the actor and former governor of California penned a heartfelt Instagram tribute wherein he said his life was “more fun, more colourful, and more complete” thanks to Columbu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“From the minute we met in Munich, you were my partner in crime. We pushed each other, we competed with each other, and we laughed at every moment along the way," wrote&nbsp;Schwarzenegger.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I’d left my family, my country, my whole life behind. So when I asked Joe Weider to bring you to train with me, it was because I knew I wasn’t the same without my best friend. I could thrive without money, without my parents, but I couldn’t thrive without you.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/arnold-schwarzenegger-repairs-potholes-on-los-angeles-says-you-have-to-do-it-yourself-581961"><strong>WATCH | Arnold Schwarzenegger repairs potholes on Los Angeles, says, 'you have to do it yourself'</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Other nationalities may be invited later</strong></h2>

<p>According to Francesco Columbu, mayor of Ollolai, the motive behind the new initiative is to revitalise the town.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Revitalising the town, improving the life of inhabitants and curbing depopulation are our objectives. We believe ours is a nice place to live and work remotely, offering a lifestyle made up of nature, tranquillity, healthy food and traditions," said the mayor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The first group of American professionals will live and work alongside roughly 1,300 people that reside in the town. Americans were purely picked due to the town's link to the country. If the initial project is successful, other nationalities will be eligible as well and a website for the applications will be established.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Italy's population crisis&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Notably, Italy has been facing a population crisis in recent times. A report presented by National Statistics Bureau ISTAT in April stated that the birth rate in the European country touched a historic low in 2022 with less than seven newborns for every 1,000 inhabitants. The population shrank by 179,000 to 58.85 million, added the agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-may-cease-to-exist-warns-pm-fumio-kishida-aide-as-birthrate-plummets-to-record-levels-569234" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Japan may cease to exist, warns PM Fumio Kishida aide as birthrate plummets to record levels</strong></a></p>

<p>The Italian population has been on a downward slope since 2008 but it was for the first time that the number sunk below the 400,000 mark. Italy recorded only 392,600 births in 2022, down from 400,249 recorded in the previous year.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Italian bodybuilder and actor Franco Columbu's native town of Ollolai, located in the mountainous Barbagia region of Sardinia is using his connection to Arnold Schwarzenegger to increase the population level and 'revitalise' the town.

Italian bodybuilder and actor Franco Columbu's native town of Ollolai, located in the mountainous Barbagia region of Sardinia is using his connection to Arnold Schwarzenegger to increase the population level and 'revitalise' the town. 10 American professionals are moving to the small town, paying a token rent of €1 (86p) a month, under the project named Work from Ollolai, launched by the local council in collaboration with the Sa Mata association. Columbu, whom Schwarzenegger called his “best friend", moved to the US state of California in the late 1960s after spending his initial years in the rural town. The shepherd-turned-boxer then went on to win Mr Europe and Mr Universe titles. He met Schwarzenegger in the mid-60s and the duo instantly forged a brotherly relationship that became a lifetime bond. Also read | 'Action stars never retire' says Arnold Schwarzenegger on Bruce Willis’ retirement Columbu appeared alongside Schwarzenegger in The Terminator, the Running Man and Conan the Barbarian. He died in hospital in his native Sardinia in 2019. Afterwards, the actor and former governor of California penned a heartfelt Instagram tribute wherein he said his life was “more fun, more colourful, and more complete” thanks to Columbu. “From the minute we met in Munich, you were my partner in crime. We pushed each other, we competed with each other, and we laughed at every moment along the way," wrote Schwarzenegger. “I’d left my family, my country, my whole life behind. So when I asked Joe Weider to bring you to train with me, it was because I knew I wasn’t the same without my best friend. I could thrive without money, without my parents, but I couldn’t thrive without you.” WATCH | Arnold Schwarzenegger repairs potholes on Los Angeles, says, 'you have to do it yourself' × Other nationalities may be invited later According to Francesco Columbu, mayor of Ollolai, the motive behind the new initiative is to revitalise the town. “Revitalising the town, improving the life of inhabitants and curbing depopulation are our objectives. We believe ours is a nice place to live and work remotely, offering a lifestyle made up of nature, tranquillity, healthy food and traditions," said the mayor. The first group of American professionals will live and work alongside roughly 1,300 people that reside in the town. Americans were purely picked due to the town's link to the country. If the initial project is successful, other nationalities will be eligible as well and a website for the applications will be established. Italy's population crisis Notably, Italy has been facing a population crisis in recent times. A report presented by National Statistics Bureau ISTAT in April stated that the birth rate in the European country touched a historic low in 2022 with less than seven newborns for every 1,000 inhabitants. The population shrank by 179,000 to 58.85 million, added the agency. Also read | Japan may cease to exist, warns PM Fumio Kishida aide as birthrate plummets to record levels The Italian population has been on a downward slope since 2008 but it was for the first time that the number sunk below the 400,000 mark. Italy recorded only 392,600 births in 2022, down from 400,249 recorded in the previous year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

This Italian town is using its Arnold Schwarzenegger link to give population a boost

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<p>Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has said a conflict with the United States would be an "unbearable disaster" for the world. Li made the comment during the Shangri-La security summit in Singapore over the weekend, adding that Beijing seeks dialogue over confrontation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"China and the US have different systems and are different in many other ways," said Li who was giving his first major speech since taking on the role.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"However, this should not keep the two sides from seeking common ground and common interests to grow bilateral ties and deepen cooperation," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is undeniable that a severe conflict or confrontation between China and the US will be an unbearable disaster for the world."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Thaw in U.S-China relationship? Spotlight on Beijing's state-led development, calls to rethink ties</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thaw-in-us-china-relationship-spotlight-on-beijings-state-led-development-calls-to-rethink-ties-597045/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>Beijing blames Washington&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The statement by Li comes after he declined an invitation to meet with his US counterpart Llyod Austin, along the sidelines of Asia’s top security summit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Beijing shot down the plans and blamed the US for the recent escalation in tension. It said Washington should “earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and security interests and concerns, immediately correct the wrongdoing, show sincerity, and create the necessary atmosphere and conditions for dialogue and communication between the two militaries".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Austin termed the cancellation of the meeting as 'unfortunate', adding that without dialogue, any small incident could "spiral out of control".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You've heard me talk a number of times about the importance of countries with large, with significant capabilities, being able to talk to each other so you can manage crises and prevent things from spiralling out of control unnecessarily," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We would hope that they would alter their actions, but since they haven't yet, I'm concerned about at some point having an incident that could very, very quickly spiral out of control."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-chief-calls-cancellation-of-talks-with-chinese-counterpart-unfortunate-599005"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;US defence secretary terms cancellation of talks with Chinese counterpart as ‘unfortunate’</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Tensions rise between the two nations</strong></h2>

<p>Both China and US have been at each other's case over myriad issues, ranging from Taiwan to territorial disputes in the South China Sea to US President's heavy-handedness on semiconductor chip exports to Beiji.ng.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the recent flare-up in relations came last week when the US military alleged that the Chinese navy carried out “unsafe manoeuvres” near a US destroyer transiting the sensitive Taiwan Strait.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previously, the two nations locked horns when a Chinese plane “flew directly in front of and within 400 feet of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the US aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence".&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a declassified video footage, a fighter plane could be seen crossing in front of the American aircraft which appears to be shaking due to the resulting turbulence.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has said a conflict with the United States would be an "unbearable disaster" for the world. Li made the comment during the Shangri-La security summit in Singapore over the weekend, adding that Beijing seeks dialogue over confrontation.

Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has said a conflict with the United States would be an "unbearable disaster" for the world. Li made the comment during the Shangri-La security summit in Singapore over the weekend, adding that Beijing seeks dialogue over confrontation. "China and the US have different systems and are different in many other ways," said Li who was giving his first major speech since taking on the role. "However, this should not keep the two sides from seeking common ground and common interests to grow bilateral ties and deepen cooperation," he said. "It is undeniable that a severe conflict or confrontation between China and the US will be an unbearable disaster for the world." WATCH | Thaw in U.S-China relationship? Spotlight on Beijing's state-led development, calls to rethink ties Beijing blames Washington The statement by Li comes after he declined an invitation to meet with his US counterpart Llyod Austin, along the sidelines of Asia’s top security summit. Beijing shot down the plans and blamed the US for the recent escalation in tension. It said Washington should “earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and security interests and concerns, immediately correct the wrongdoing, show sincerity, and create the necessary atmosphere and conditions for dialogue and communication between the two militaries". Austin termed the cancellation of the meeting as 'unfortunate', adding that without dialogue, any small incident could "spiral out of control". "You've heard me talk a number of times about the importance of countries with large, with significant capabilities, being able to talk to each other so you can manage crises and prevent things from spiralling out of control unnecessarily," he said. "We would hope that they would alter their actions, but since they haven't yet, I'm concerned about at some point having an incident that could very, very quickly spiral out of control." Also read | US defence secretary terms cancellation of talks with Chinese counterpart as ‘unfortunate’ Tensions rise between the two nations Both China and US have been at each other's case over myriad issues, ranging from Taiwan to territorial disputes in the South China Sea to US President's heavy-handedness on semiconductor chip exports to Beiji.ng. However, the recent flare-up in relations came last week when the US military alleged that the Chinese navy carried out “unsafe manoeuvres” near a US destroyer transiting the sensitive Taiwan Strait. Previously, the two nations locked horns when a Chinese plane “flew directly in front of and within 400 feet of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the US aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence". In a declassified video footage, a fighter plane could be seen crossing in front of the American aircraft which appears to be shaking due to the resulting turbulence. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Chinese defence minister says war with US would be 'unbearable disaster', seeks dialogue

<p>Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President&nbsp;Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, a close aide of former prime minister Imran Khan was sent on 14-day judicial remand by a Lahore district court on Sunday. The decision came a couple of days after he was arrested&nbsp;outside his residence&nbsp;in a case pertaining to illegal recruitment in the Punjab Assembly.</p>

<p>The court, however, rejected the demand of the&nbsp;Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) which had sought a 14-day physical remand of Elahi. According to ACE, during his tenure, Elahi recruited&nbsp;12 Grade-17 officers in the Punjab Assembly against merit.</p>

<p>“He got changed the results of these candidates belonging to Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin. We have collected evidence and also arrested Secretary Punjab Assembly Rai Mumtaz Hussain in this regard,” an ACE spokesperson was quoted as saying by <em>Dawn</em>.</p>

<p>After his arrest, Elahi had urged his party members to "stand firm" and said this "difficult" time will eventually pass.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are with the truth and the right. I say to the PTI that you have to keep standing firm [and] definitely not back off," said Elahi, adding, “Stand absolutely firm. This time shall too pass."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-tehreek-e-insaf-president-chaudhry-pervez-elahi-arrested-599301"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf President Chaudhry Pervez Elahi arrested</strong></a></p>

<p>Moonis Elahi, son of Pervez Elahi, took to Twitter and said his father will stay with the party, despite the rumours suggesting otherwise.</p>

<p>"A series of crackdowns began in January and at that time, my father told me that even if he is arrested, we must stand with Imran Khan," he tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Three days ago, my parents reiterated the same thing. Now it is being said that my father has been arrested in false cases. We are with PTI and will remain with the party."</p>

<h2><strong>Pakistan establishment plotting Elahi's downfall?</strong></h2>

<p>Though Elahi has been arrested in a graft case, PTI leaders are of the view that it is in connection to the May 9 protests which rocked the country. Ever since Imran Khan's supporters caused riots and anarchy after his arrest in the Al-Qadir case, the Pakistani establishment of ISI, the army and the government has been coming after PTI.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-imran-khans-party-president-pervaiz-elahi-arrested-from-lahore-home-599892"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan: Imran Khan's party president Pervaiz Elahi arrested from Lahore home</strong></a></p>

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<p>Hordes of prominent PTI leaders have jumped the ship while others have been lured with the prospect of ditching Imran and having the establishment by their side.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Qureshi to quit PTI?</h2>

<p>Mahmood Moulvi, one of the PTI defectors that recently met Vice Chairman&nbsp;Shah Mehmood Qureshi in prison said the outcome of the meeting would be visible soon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Our meeting with Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the jail was encouraging and its results would be revealed within two days," Moulvi said during an interview on Geo News' programme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports suggest that Qureshi might be looking to resign from PTI, despite Imran naming him as one of his replacements. Political experts are of the view that by breaking up the top hierarchy of PTI, the establishment is looking to assert dominance and close Imran's chapter in Pakistan's politics for good.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, a close aide of former prime minister Imran Khan was sent on 14-day judicial remand by a Lahore district court on Sunday.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, a close aide of former prime minister Imran Khan was sent on 14-day judicial remand by a Lahore district court on Sunday. The decision came a couple of days after he was arrested outside his residence in a case pertaining to illegal recruitment in the Punjab Assembly. The court, however, rejected the demand of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) which had sought a 14-day physical remand of Elahi. According to ACE, during his tenure, Elahi recruited 12 Grade-17 officers in the Punjab Assembly against merit. “He got changed the results of these candidates belonging to Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin. We have collected evidence and also arrested Secretary Punjab Assembly Rai Mumtaz Hussain in this regard,” an ACE spokesperson was quoted as saying by Dawn. After his arrest, Elahi had urged his party members to "stand firm" and said this "difficult" time will eventually pass. "We are with the truth and the right. I say to the PTI that you have to keep standing firm [and] definitely not back off," said Elahi, adding, “Stand absolutely firm. This time shall too pass." Also read | Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf President Chaudhry Pervez Elahi arrested Moonis Elahi, son of Pervez Elahi, took to Twitter and said his father will stay with the party, despite the rumours suggesting otherwise. "A series of crackdowns began in January and at that time, my father told me that even if he is arrested, we must stand with Imran Khan," he tweeted. "Three days ago, my parents reiterated the same thing. Now it is being said that my father has been arrested in false cases. We are with PTI and will remain with the party." Pakistan establishment plotting Elahi's downfall? Though Elahi has been arrested in a graft case, PTI leaders are of the view that it is in connection to the May 9 protests which rocked the country. Ever since Imran Khan's supporters caused riots and anarchy after his arrest in the Al-Qadir case, the Pakistani establishment of ISI, the army and the government has been coming after PTI. WATCH | Pakistan: Imran Khan's party president Pervaiz Elahi arrested from Lahore home × Hordes of prominent PTI leaders have jumped the ship while others have been lured with the prospect of ditching Imran and having the establishment by their side. Qureshi to quit PTI? Mahmood Moulvi, one of the PTI defectors that recently met Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in prison said the outcome of the meeting would be visible soon. "Our meeting with Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the jail was encouraging and its results would be revealed within two days," Moulvi said during an interview on Geo News' programme. Reports suggest that Qureshi might be looking to resign from PTI, despite Imran naming him as one of his replacements. Political experts are of the view that by breaking up the top hierarchy of PTI, the establishment is looking to assert dominance and close Imran's chapter in Pakistan's politics for good. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

PTI president and Imran Khan loyalist Pervez Elahi sent to 14-day judicial remand

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<p>Ex-parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi has continued his attacks on the ruling BJP government in India during his USA visit. On Sunday, the Congress leader hit out at the BJP over the recent Odisha triple-train accident saying the saffron party always looks back and passes the blame.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You ask them (BJP) anything, they will look back and pass the blame. Ask them why the train accident (in Odisha) took place, and they (BJP) will say Congress did this 50 years ago," said Gandhi while addressing the Indian diaspora in New York.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Their immediate response is&nbsp;<em>peeche dekho</em>&nbsp;(look in history)."</p>

<p>Gandhi cited an example of a previous train accident that occurred during Congress' tenure and said the then minister (without naming him/her) resigned from the post.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I remember a train accident when the Congress was in power. The Congress did not get up and say 'Now it is the fault of the British that the train has crashed'. The Congress minister said 'It's my responsibility and I'm resigning'. So this is the problem we have back home, we make excuses and we are not accepting the reality we are faced with,"</p>

<p>The Congress leader who was ripped off his parliamentarian tag by an Indian court, trained his guns on PM Modi and said he was attempting to drive India forward by looking in the rear-view mirror.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is trying to drive the car...the Indian car and he looks in the rear-view mirror. Then he does not understand why this car is crashing, not moving forward. And it's the same idea with the BJP, with the RSS. All of them. You listen to the ministers, you listen to the prime minister. You will never find them talking about the future. They only talk about the past."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/odisha-train-tragedy-railway-minister-root-cause-of-the-incident-identified-600427" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | Odisha Train Tragedy | Railway Minister: Root cause of the incident identified</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>What happened in Odisha?</strong></h2>

<p>A collision between two passenger trains and a goods train in the eastern Indian state of Odisha's Balasore over the weekend resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 275 individuals, with approximately 900 others sustaining injuries.</p>

<p>The Howrah Superfast Express derailed and became entangled with the Coromandel Express, South Eastern Railway authorities said. A goods train too was part of the massive collision, making it one of the deadliest train accidents India has ever witnessed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to media reports citing sources, the Indian Railways is investigating the possibility of a signalling error as the prima facie cause of the train derailment.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/odisha-train-crash-survivors-recount-horror-restoration-work-begins-as-modi-lauds-humane-reaction-of-locals-600256"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Odisha train crash: Survivors recount horror; restoration work begins as PM lauds locals’ courage, compassion</strong></a></p>

<p>PM Modi visited the accident site and vowed to find the guilty parties and take stringent punishment against them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's a painful incident. Govt will leave no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured. It's a serious incident, instructions issued for probe from every angle. Those found guilty will be punished stringently. Railway is working towards track restoration. I met the injured victims," said PM Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Ex-parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi has continued his attacks on the ruling BJP government in India during his USA visit. On Sunday, the Congress leader hit out at the BJP over the recent Odisha triple-train accident saying the saffron party always looks back and passes the blame.

Ex-parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi has continued his attacks on the ruling BJP government in India during his USA visit. On Sunday, the Congress leader hit out at the BJP over the recent Odisha triple-train accident saying the saffron party always looks back and passes the blame. "You ask them (BJP) anything, they will look back and pass the blame. Ask them why the train accident (in Odisha) took place, and they (BJP) will say Congress did this 50 years ago," said Gandhi while addressing the Indian diaspora in New York. "Their immediate response is peeche dekho (look in history)." Gandhi cited an example of a previous train accident that occurred during Congress' tenure and said the then minister (without naming him/her) resigned from the post. "I remember a train accident when the Congress was in power. The Congress did not get up and say 'Now it is the fault of the British that the train has crashed'. The Congress minister said 'It's my responsibility and I'm resigning'. So this is the problem we have back home, we make excuses and we are not accepting the reality we are faced with," The Congress leader who was ripped off his parliamentarian tag by an Indian court, trained his guns on PM Modi and said he was attempting to drive India forward by looking in the rear-view mirror. "He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is trying to drive the car...the Indian car and he looks in the rear-view mirror. Then he does not understand why this car is crashing, not moving forward. And it's the same idea with the BJP, with the RSS. All of them. You listen to the ministers, you listen to the prime minister. You will never find them talking about the future. They only talk about the past." WATCH | Odisha Train Tragedy | Railway Minister: Root cause of the incident identified × What happened in Odisha? A collision between two passenger trains and a goods train in the eastern Indian state of Odisha's Balasore over the weekend resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 275 individuals, with approximately 900 others sustaining injuries. The Howrah Superfast Express derailed and became entangled with the Coromandel Express, South Eastern Railway authorities said. A goods train too was part of the massive collision, making it one of the deadliest train accidents India has ever witnessed. According to media reports citing sources, the Indian Railways is investigating the possibility of a signalling error as the prima facie cause of the train derailment. Also read | Odisha train crash: Survivors recount horror; restoration work begins as PM lauds locals’ courage, compassion PM Modi visited the accident site and vowed to find the guilty parties and take stringent punishment against them. "It's a painful incident. Govt will leave no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured. It's a serious incident, instructions issued for probe from every angle. Those found guilty will be punished stringently. Railway is working towards track restoration. I met the injured victims," said PM Modi. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Rahul Gandhi in US: Congress leader attacks PM Modi, BJP and RSS over Odisha train tragedy

<p>US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, currently on a two-day visit to India, met his&nbsp;counterpart Rajnath Singh on Monday. The two held&nbsp;talks on strengthening&nbsp;bilateral defence cooperation as well as security of the Indo-Pacific region and the China threat in New Delhi's neighbourhood.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During a joint presser after the meeting, Austin was quizzed regarding Chinese misadventure around the Line of Actual Control (LAC).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I don't want to get into speculation...a number of things can always happen. I&nbsp;want to make sure we do everything we can to ensure things don't happen. And part of that is to communicate with each other and prevent any incidents from escalating out of control," said Austin.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>India-China relations continue to deteriorate&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Since 2020, the relationship between India and China has remained frosty, primarily due to Beijing's incursion along the border areas. Though China has attempted to intrude into Indian territories for years, it was the Galwan Valley standoff in 2020 that really deteriorated the relations.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/general-electric-deal-china-pakistan-dominate-rajnath-austin-delhi-talks-600785"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;General Electric deal, China, Pakistan dominate Rajnath-Austin Delhi talks</strong></a></p>

<p>Both countries have held more than a dozen rounds of military talks but to no avail. In 2021, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its annual report stated that China's attempt to change the status quo had impacted the bilateral relationship.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In March, US media reports claimed that Washington&nbsp;provided intel to India&nbsp;to thwart the Chinese threat along the border last year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The reports claimed that the US government, for the first time, provided real-time insights to their Indian counterparts. The details helped India neutralise the incursion attempts by the PLA troops in Northeastern India's Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang Sector.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"India was able to repel a Chinese military incursion in contested border territory in the high Himalayas late last year due to unprecedented intelligence-sharing with the US military," read one of the reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Eric Garcetti on India-US relations and PM Modi's June visit to the US</strong></p>

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<p><strong>No NATO in Indo-Pacific</strong></p>

<p>During the same presser, Austin was probed if the US was attempting to establish NATO&nbsp;forces in the region, to which he gave a definitive answer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are absolutely not trying to establish a NATO in the Indo-Pacific. We continue to work with like-minded countries to ensure that the region remains free and open so that commerce can prosper and ideas can continue to be exchanged," said Austin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"India and US share the same vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. We want to make sure that we do everything we can to ensure that things don't happen," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong><br />
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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, currently on a two-day visit to India, met his counterpart Rajnath Singh on Monday. The two held talks on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation as well as security of the Indo-Pacific region and the China threat in New Delhi's neighbourhood.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, currently on a two-day visit to India, met his counterpart Rajnath Singh on Monday. The two held talks on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation as well as security of the Indo-Pacific region and the China threat in New Delhi's neighbourhood. During a joint presser after the meeting, Austin was quizzed regarding Chinese misadventure around the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "I don't want to get into speculation...a number of things can always happen. I want to make sure we do everything we can to ensure things don't happen. And part of that is to communicate with each other and prevent any incidents from escalating out of control," said Austin. India-China relations continue to deteriorate Since 2020, the relationship between India and China has remained frosty, primarily due to Beijing's incursion along the border areas. Though China has attempted to intrude into Indian territories for years, it was the Galwan Valley standoff in 2020 that really deteriorated the relations. Also read | General Electric deal, China, Pakistan dominate Rajnath-Austin Delhi talks Both countries have held more than a dozen rounds of military talks but to no avail. In 2021, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its annual report stated that China's attempt to change the status quo had impacted the bilateral relationship. In March, US media reports claimed that Washington provided intel to India to thwart the Chinese threat along the border last year. The reports claimed that the US government, for the first time, provided real-time insights to their Indian counterparts. The details helped India neutralise the incursion attempts by the PLA troops in Northeastern India's Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang Sector. "India was able to repel a Chinese military incursion in contested border territory in the high Himalayas late last year due to unprecedented intelligence-sharing with the US military," read one of the reports. Also watch | Eric Garcetti on India-US relations and PM Modi's June visit to the US × No NATO in Indo-Pacific During the same presser, Austin was probed if the US was attempting to establish NATO forces in the region, to which he gave a definitive answer. "We are absolutely not trying to establish a NATO in the Indo-Pacific. We continue to work with like-minded countries to ensure that the region remains free and open so that commerce can prosper and ideas can continue to be exchanged," said Austin. "India and US share the same vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. We want to make sure that we do everything we can to ensure that things don't happen," he added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'I don't want to speculate...': US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Chinese misadventure along LAC

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuid7AqztrygjiFt" /><meta charset="utf-8" />Dreaded gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has been convicted in a 32-year-old murder case and awarded life imprisonment. A Varanasi court in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh found him guilty of the murder of Awadesh Rai on Monday (June 5).&nbsp;The court had reserved its judgement after hearing a final round of arguments from both sides on May 19.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The jailed mafia don who has been a five-time MLA was charged with the murder of Rai, a Congress leader in 1991. Awadhesh was the brother of former MLA Ajai Rai and he was shot outside the latter's house in Varanasi.</p>

<p>After the killing, Ajay Rai lodged an FIR against Ansari, naming him in the complaint. Bheem Singhm former MLA late Abdul Kalam, Rakesh Nyayik and two others were also named in the FIR.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Today, we have won after a 32-year-long battle. We welcome the verdict of the court...If any incident happens with me, its responsibility will be on the BJP government," said Rai after the verdict was announced.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Today, we have won after a 32-year-long battle. We welcome the verdict of the court...If any incident happens with me, its responsibility will be on the BJP govt: Ajay Rai, Congress leader &amp; brother of Awadhesh Rai on life imprisonment for jailed gangster Mukhtar Ansari <a href="https://t.co/gqBWzYvMRo">pic.twitter.com/gqBWzYvMRo</a></p>
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<p>Interestingly, after the case was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department&nbsp;(CID),&nbsp;it was found during one of the hearings that the case diary had disappeared. Afterwards, the entire case was heard on the basis of photocopies, making it the first such instance when a verdict has been pronounced based on duplicate papers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-atiq-ahmed-killing-a-shot-in-the-arm-for-rule-of-law-extrajudicial-killings-in-india-583473"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas | Atiq Ahmed killing: A shot in the arm for rule of law? | Extrajudicial killings in India</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Second conviction for Ansari</strong></h2>

<p>This is the second conviction that Ansari has received in as many months. In April, he was convicted by a Ghazipur court in a Gangster Act case filed after the kidnapping and murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Krishnanand Rai.</p>

<p>Ansari, produced virtually before a special court for MP/MLA, was also fined Rs 500,000 (approx. US $6116) and handed a 10-year prison sentence.</p>

<p>Mukhtar Ansari's elder brother and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Member of Parliament (MP) Afzal Ansari, too, was convicted in the case and was sentenced to four years in prison and fined Rs 100,000 (US$1,223 approx.)</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-gangster-turned-politician-mukhtar-ansari-jailed-for-10-years-in-murder-case-587277" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Indian mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari jailed for 10 years in 2007 Gangster Act case</strong></a></p>

<p>Ansari, who has 61 cases registered against him, has been in jail since 2005 after he surrendered in a communal riot case in Mau district in which seven people died. He contested from the Mau Sadar constituency seat five times—twice as a BSP candidate and thrice as an Independent—and won comfortably.</p>

<p>In the last assembly election, Ansari stepped down and fielded his elder son Abbas from the same Mau Sadar seat on the ticket of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), which had allied with the Samajwadi Party for the polls.</p>

<p>At his prominence, Ansari commanded a reign of fear in the entire state. Politicians in the state, as well as the public, feared him.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Dreaded gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has been convicted in a 32-year-old murder case and awarded life imprisonment. A Varanasi court in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh found him guilty of the murder of Awadesh Rai on Monday (June 5).

Dreaded gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has been convicted in a 32-year-old murder case and awarded life imprisonment. A Varanasi court in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh found him guilty of the murder of Awadesh Rai on Monday (June 5). The court had reserved its judgement after hearing a final round of arguments from both sides on May 19. The jailed mafia don who has been a five-time MLA was charged with the murder of Rai, a Congress leader in 1991. Awadhesh was the brother of former MLA Ajai Rai and he was shot outside the latter's house in Varanasi. After the killing, Ajay Rai lodged an FIR against Ansari, naming him in the complaint. Bheem Singhm former MLA late Abdul Kalam, Rakesh Nyayik and two others were also named in the FIR. "Today, we have won after a 32-year-long battle. We welcome the verdict of the court...If any incident happens with me, its responsibility will be on the BJP government," said Rai after the verdict was announced. #WATCH | Today, we have won after a 32-year-long battle. We welcome the verdict of the court...If any incident happens with me, its responsibility will be on the BJP govt: Ajay Rai, Congress leader & brother of Awadhesh Rai on life imprisonment for jailed gangster Mukhtar Ansari pic.twitter.com/gqBWzYvMRo — ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2023 × Interestingly, after the case was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), it was found during one of the hearings that the case diary had disappeared. Afterwards, the entire case was heard on the basis of photocopies, making it the first such instance when a verdict has been pronounced based on duplicate papers. WATCH | Gravitas | Atiq Ahmed killing: A shot in the arm for rule of law? | Extrajudicial killings in India × Second conviction for Ansari This is the second conviction that Ansari has received in as many months. In April, he was convicted by a Ghazipur court in a Gangster Act case filed after the kidnapping and murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Krishnanand Rai. Ansari, produced virtually before a special court for MP/MLA, was also fined Rs 500,000 (approx. US $6116) and handed a 10-year prison sentence. Mukhtar Ansari's elder brother and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Member of Parliament (MP) Afzal Ansari, too, was convicted in the case and was sentenced to four years in prison and fined Rs 100,000 (US$1,223 approx.) Also read | Indian mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari jailed for 10 years in 2007 Gangster Act case Ansari, who has 61 cases registered against him, has been in jail since 2005 after he surrendered in a communal riot case in Mau district in which seven people died. He contested from the Mau Sadar constituency seat five times—twice as a BSP candidate and thrice as an Independent—and won comfortably. In the last assembly election, Ansari stepped down and fielded his elder son Abbas from the same Mau Sadar seat on the ticket of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), which had allied with the Samajwadi Party for the polls. At his prominence, Ansari commanded a reign of fear in the entire state. Politicians in the state, as well as the public, feared him. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Indian mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari awarded life imprisonment in Awadhesh Rai murder case

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<p>A British national named Mark Andrews lost his life after plunging more than 400 metres down from a mountaintop in Trentino, Italy, on Saturday.</p>

<p>Andrews, an experienced base jumper, was killed instantly upon the impact. He was wearing his wingsuit as well as a parachute. However, it remains unclear if he was able to deploy the chute in time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Originally from Redruth in Cornwall, Andrews, a veteran with over 600 jumps to his resume, had been living in Bucharest, Romania, with his wife. He went to the spot of the jump on his own but it was another base jumper that rang the emergency services after witnessing the incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Afterwards, a mountain rescue helicopter was pressed into service to recover the body which was later flown to a nearby hospital as Andrews' family awaits its repatriation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/a-43-year-old-british-man-dies-due-to-xylazine-drug-in-the-uk-596234" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | A 43-year-old British man dies due to Xylazine drug in the UK</strong></a></p>

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<p>According to Andrews' friends in base jumping, he had been a relative latecomer to the sport. However, despite being late into the game, he managed to quickly earn the admiration of the community with his 'fearless' approach.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He came to base jumping quite late. He's only been doing it since 2014 but he packed a lot into those nine years," one of the base jumpers that knew Andrews was quoted as saying by DailyMail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He was fearless and will be missed. He was a regular in Italy at various base-jumping events but had also base-jumped all over the world off bridges and skyscrapers."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/research-claims-fatal-heart-attacks-more-common-on-a-monday-600726"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Research claims fatal heart attacks more common on a Monday</strong></a></p>

<p>The tragic fall of Andrews came in the exact same spot where another British base jumper died on the same day last year. On June 2, 2022, Dylan Morris Roberts died after hitting a rock on his descent as the parachute failed to open.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to experts, the area where the incident took place is considered one of the most dangerous spots to base jump. Only experts are recommended to perform the extremely tricky manoeuvre. There are rock and tree ledges in the first 400 metres before the 1500 metres straight down descent which can become difficult to negotiate.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is BASE jumping?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>BASE jumping is basically skydiving but without the airplane. Thrill seekers in this sport leap from fixed objects and use a parachute to descend to the ground. Since Buildings, Antennas, Spans (bridges), and Earth (cliffs, for example) are the most commonly used jumping points, the sport received its acronym, B.A.S.E, which is more commonly called BASE.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite the adrenaline rush, the extreme sport is high in danger and according to reports, more than 400 people have been killed in the last 20 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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A British national named Mark Andrews lost his life after plunging more than 400 metres down from a mountaintop in Trentino, Italy, on Saturday. Andrews, an experienced base jumper, was killed instantly upon the impact.

A British national named Mark Andrews lost his life after plunging more than 400 metres down from a mountaintop in Trentino, Italy, on Saturday. Andrews, an experienced base jumper, was killed instantly upon the impact. He was wearing his wingsuit as well as a parachute. However, it remains unclear if he was able to deploy the chute in time. Originally from Redruth in Cornwall, Andrews, a veteran with over 600 jumps to his resume, had been living in Bucharest, Romania, with his wife. He went to the spot of the jump on his own but it was another base jumper that rang the emergency services after witnessing the incident. Afterwards, a mountain rescue helicopter was pressed into service to recover the body which was later flown to a nearby hospital as Andrews' family awaits its repatriation. WATCH | A 43-year-old British man dies due to Xylazine drug in the UK × According to Andrews' friends in base jumping, he had been a relative latecomer to the sport. However, despite being late into the game, he managed to quickly earn the admiration of the community with his 'fearless' approach. "He came to base jumping quite late. He's only been doing it since 2014 but he packed a lot into those nine years," one of the base jumpers that knew Andrews was quoted as saying by DailyMail. "He was fearless and will be missed. He was a regular in Italy at various base-jumping events but had also base-jumped all over the world off bridges and skyscrapers." Also read | Research claims fatal heart attacks more common on a Monday The tragic fall of Andrews came in the exact same spot where another British base jumper died on the same day last year. On June 2, 2022, Dylan Morris Roberts died after hitting a rock on his descent as the parachute failed to open. According to experts, the area where the incident took place is considered one of the most dangerous spots to base jump. Only experts are recommended to perform the extremely tricky manoeuvre. There are rock and tree ledges in the first 400 metres before the 1500 metres straight down descent which can become difficult to negotiate. What is BASE jumping? BASE jumping is basically skydiving but without the airplane. Thrill seekers in this sport leap from fixed objects and use a parachute to descend to the ground. Since Buildings, Antennas, Spans (bridges), and Earth (cliffs, for example) are the most commonly used jumping points, the sport received its acronym, B.A.S.E, which is more commonly called BASE. Despite the adrenaline rush, the extreme sport is high in danger and according to reports, more than 400 people have been killed in the last 20 years. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

British base jumper dies after plunging off 400m high cliff wearing wingsuit

184* by Chris Lynn & Gautam Gambhir (KKR) vs Gujarat Lions

Michael Schumacher: 155

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<p>Months of back-and-forth and drama over whether the US will raise the debt ceiling or not are seemingly coming to an end. The US House of Representatives as well as the Senate voted in favour of raising the debt ceiling. After receiving what was largely a bipartisan approval, the&nbsp;legislation is now headed to US President Joe Biden. It is expected that the bill would be approved before the June 5 deadline, also known as the 'X-date'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But what is the language of the deal? What are the compromises made by both parties and most importantly, what is the debt limit and how did the US come so close to plunging the entire globe into an economic crisis with the spillover effect?&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is the debt limit?</strong></h2>

<p>A debt limit is the amount of money that the US government can borrow to meet its financial obligations, such as social security, military salaries and Medicare benefits payments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress, earlier this year, extended the statutory debt limit to $31.4 trillion. However, the weak economic fundamentals and overflowing expenditures meant that the US reached precariously close to breaching the limit. Consequently, Congress was engaged in a fierce tussle to raise the limit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prior to achieving a breakthrough, even the White House conceded that an actual breach of the US debt ceiling was likely to cause severe damage to the economy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If the US government were to default on its obligations - whether to creditors, contractors, or citizens - the economy would quickly shift into reverse, with the depth of the losses a function of how long the breach lasted," said the White House in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-votes-to-avert-default-passes-debt-ceiling-bill-598957" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | US House passes debt ceiling deal to prevent default, bill heads to Senate for nod before June 5 deadline</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>What is the text of the bill?</strong></h2>

<p>The deal ensures that USA's borrowing cap is extended till January 2025, which means that&nbsp;it will be a non-issue, at least during the hotly contested US presidential elections&nbsp;scheduled in 2024.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Overall, the Congressional Budget Office projected that the bill would reduce budget deficits by about $1.5 trillion over the next decade.</p>

<h2><strong>Non-defence spending capped</strong></h2>

<p>The bill has capped spending in non-defence areas, such as<strong>&nbsp;</strong>public education and transportation in 2024, before increasing it by one per cent in 2025. According to a CNN report, non-defence discretionary spending for fiscal 2024 will be approximately $704 billion, of which $121 billion would be for veterans' medical care.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances or environmental hazards will receive support under the PACT Act. Though Biden sought $20.3 billion for the toxic exposure fund in his budget, the bill brings it down to nearly $15 billion for fiscal year 2024.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republican-senators-fist-bump-after-tanking-a-healthcare-bill-for-military-veterans-502061"><strong>WATCH: Republican senators fist-bump after tanking a healthcare bill for military veterans</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Covid-related fundings rescinded</strong></h2>

<p>According to House GOP lawmakers, the deal ensures that $28 billion in unobligated funds from COVID-19 relief packages, approved by Congress, is rescinded. However, $5 billion in funding would be retained to focus on the development of COVID-19 vaccines and funding for other vaccines and treatments for the uninsured, as well as the Indian Health Service.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-house-passes-debt-ceiling-deal-bill-heads-to-senate-for-nod-before-june-5-deadline-598960"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;US House passes debt ceiling deal, bill heads to Senate for nod before June 5 deadline</strong></a></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>IRS money</strong></h2>

<p>One of the biggest demands of Republicans was to cut down the money allotted to IRS last year by the Democrats to crack down on tax fraud. The bill language states that $1.4 billion in funding has been rescinded. Moreover, over the next two years, $20 billion will be taken away from the IRS and used for funding other non-defence programmes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some experts, however, are of the view that the change would increase deficits by $900 million because fewer IRS officers mean less revenue coming into the Treasury.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Environmental projects&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>For the first time in nearly four decades, a single lead agency has been designated to develop and schedule environmental reviews in hopes that it will streamline the lengthy regulatory process. The biggest beneficiary has been the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline project, brought forward by Senators&nbsp;Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito. Under the bill, all outstanding permit requests&nbsp;concerning the project have been approved.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Student loans</strong></h2>

<p>Republicans wanting to stop the Biden administration from waiving $10,000 to $20,000 in debt for nearly all student borrowers could not get their way in the bill. Biden, however, agreed to put an end to the pause on student loan repayment. The true test of Biden's resolve regarding the policy will be tested in the Supreme Court where a decision is expected before the end of June.</p>

<p>GOP lawmakers could not get their way to repeal many of the clean energy tax credits Democrats passed in party-line votes last year to boost the production and consumption of clean energy.</p>

<h2><strong>So what's next for the US?</strong></h2>

<p>Congress must ensure that the approved deal reaches President Biden's desk before June 5. After Bidens signs it, the limit is raised and it is business as usual before the cycle repeats in roughly two years' time.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Months of back-and-forth and drama over whether the US will raise the debt ceiling or not are seemingly coming to an end. The US House of Representatives as well as the Senate voted in favour of raising the debt ceiling.

Months of back-and-forth and drama over whether the US will raise the debt ceiling or not are seemingly coming to an end. The US House of Representatives as well as the Senate voted in favour of raising the debt ceiling. After receiving what was largely a bipartisan approval, the legislation is now headed to US President Joe Biden. It is expected that the bill would be approved before the June 5 deadline, also known as the 'X-date'. But what is the language of the deal? What are the compromises made by both parties and most importantly, what is the debt limit and how did the US come so close to plunging the entire globe into an economic crisis with the spillover effect? What is the debt limit? A debt limit is the amount of money that the US government can borrow to meet its financial obligations, such as social security, military salaries and Medicare benefits payments. Congress, earlier this year, extended the statutory debt limit to $31.4 trillion. However, the weak economic fundamentals and overflowing expenditures meant that the US reached precariously close to breaching the limit. Consequently, Congress was engaged in a fierce tussle to raise the limit. Prior to achieving a breakthrough, even the White House conceded that an actual breach of the US debt ceiling was likely to cause severe damage to the economy. "If the US government were to default on its obligations - whether to creditors, contractors, or citizens - the economy would quickly shift into reverse, with the depth of the losses a function of how long the breach lasted," said the White House in a statement. Also read | US House passes debt ceiling deal to prevent default, bill heads to Senate for nod before June 5 deadline What is the text of the bill? The deal ensures that USA's borrowing cap is extended till January 2025, which means that it will be a non-issue, at least during the hotly contested US presidential elections scheduled in 2024. Overall, the Congressional Budget Office projected that the bill would reduce budget deficits by about $1.5 trillion over the next decade. Non-defence spending capped The bill has capped spending in non-defence areas, such as public education and transportation in 2024, before increasing it by one per cent in 2025. According to a CNN report, non-defence discretionary spending for fiscal 2024 will be approximately $704 billion, of which $121 billion would be for veterans' medical care. Notably, veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances or environmental hazards will receive support under the PACT Act. Though Biden sought $20.3 billion for the toxic exposure fund in his budget, the bill brings it down to nearly $15 billion for fiscal year 2024. WATCH: Republican senators fist-bump after tanking a healthcare bill for military veterans Covid-related fundings rescinded According to House GOP lawmakers, the deal ensures that $28 billion in unobligated funds from COVID-19 relief packages, approved by Congress, is rescinded. However, $5 billion in funding would be retained to focus on the development of COVID-19 vaccines and funding for other vaccines and treatments for the uninsured, as well as the Indian Health Service. WATCH | US House passes debt ceiling deal, bill heads to Senate for nod before June 5 deadline × IRS money One of the biggest demands of Republicans was to cut down the money allotted to IRS last year by the Democrats to crack down on tax fraud. The bill language states that $1.4 billion in funding has been rescinded. Moreover, over the next two years, $20 billion will be taken away from the IRS and used for funding other non-defence programmes. Some experts, however, are of the view that the change would increase deficits by $900 million because fewer IRS officers mean less revenue coming into the Treasury. Environmental projects For the first time in nearly four decades, a single lead agency has been designated to develop and schedule environmental reviews in hopes that it will streamline the lengthy regulatory process. The biggest beneficiary has been the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline project, brought forward by Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito. Under the bill, all outstanding permit requests concerning the project have been approved. Student loans Republicans wanting to stop the Biden administration from waiving $10,000 to $20,000 in debt for nearly all student borrowers could not get their way in the bill. Biden, however, agreed to put an end to the pause on student loan repayment. The true test of Biden's resolve regarding the policy will be tested in the Supreme Court where a decision is expected before the end of June. GOP lawmakers could not get their way to repeal many of the clean energy tax credits Democrats passed in party-line votes last year to boost the production and consumption of clean energy. So what's next for the US? Congress must ensure that the approved deal reaches President Biden's desk before June 5. After Bidens signs it, the limit is raised and it is business as usual before the cycle repeats in roughly two years' time. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: What is in the debt ceiling bill passed by US Congress?

<p>National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the governing body of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) - India's prominent digital payment network - has announced it touched a record high of Rs 14.3 trillion in terms of value and&nbsp;9.41 billion in volume&nbsp;in May.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The numbers are a significant uptick from April when the platform recorded 8.89 billion transactions worth Rs 14.07 trillion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Data released by the NPCI&nbsp;showed that approximately Rs 3.96 trillion&nbsp;worth of transactions took place in the final 10 days of May.</p>

<p>“Celebrating a milestone moment! We've crossed a phenomenal 9 billion transactions on UPI in the month of May’23, &amp; it's all thanks to you, India! Together, we are shaping the future of payments. Let's continue this journey of growth and innovation!” NPCI tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to several estimates, UPI is projected to account for 90 per cent of the digital payments over the next five years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/upi-to-take-over-90-of-retail-digital-payments-in-india-597688"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;UPI to take over 90% of retail digital payments in India</strong></a></p>

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<p>A recent report by&nbsp;PwC India titled 'The Indian Payments Handbook – 2022-27', has projected that&nbsp;UPI will achieve a groundbreaking milestone of 1 billion daily transactions by 2026-27. In the&nbsp;2022-23, UPI accounted for 75 per cent of the total transaction volume, signifying a massive shift towards digital payments.</p>

<p>With a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50 per cent, the total number of online transactions is projected to surge from 103 billion in FY 2022-23 to 411 billion in FY 2026-27.</p>

<p>UPI transactions, in particular,&nbsp;are expected to experience a substantial rise from 83.71 billion in 2022-23 to a staggering 379 billion transactions by 2026-27.</p>

<h2><strong>UPI's introduction in India</strong></h2>

<p>It was in 2016 that NPCI introduced the revolutionary UPI system. PhonePe and PayTM were some of the first platforms to integrate UPI into its system. A year later, several competitors followed the suit and since then, UPI has transformed into a behemoth that even foreign nations are looking to get their hands on.</p>

<p>Singapore and Bhutan have already adopted UPI, with a few more countries waiting to join the bandwagon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the biggest USPs of UPI is its open architecture which allows seamless integration. Users can link their bank accounts directly and initiate transactions effortlessly.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-upi-transactions-to-cost-from-april-know-what-it-means-for-you-576840"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;India: UPI transactions to cost from April. Know what it means for you</strong></a></p>

<p>This interoperability eliminated the need for multiple payment apps, making UPI an attractive choice for consumers and businesses.</p>

<p>In a&nbsp;bid to further boost digital payments, India's central bank recently allowed RuPay credit cards to be linked to UPI. This was to enable customers to link their credit cards and pay via UPI.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the governing body of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) - India's prominent digital payment network - has announced it touched a record high of Rs 14.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the governing body of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) - India's prominent digital payment network - has announced it touched a record high of Rs 14.3 trillion in terms of value and 9.41 billion in volume in May. The numbers are a significant uptick from April when the platform recorded 8.89 billion transactions worth Rs 14.07 trillion. Data released by the NPCI showed that approximately Rs 3.96 trillion worth of transactions took place in the final 10 days of May. “Celebrating a milestone moment! We've crossed a phenomenal 9 billion transactions on UPI in the month of May’23, & it's all thanks to you, India! Together, we are shaping the future of payments. Let's continue this journey of growth and innovation!” NPCI tweeted. According to several estimates, UPI is projected to account for 90 per cent of the digital payments over the next five years. WATCH | UPI to take over 90% of retail digital payments in India × A recent report by PwC India titled 'The Indian Payments Handbook – 2022-27', has projected that UPI will achieve a groundbreaking milestone of 1 billion daily transactions by 2026-27. In the 2022-23, UPI accounted for 75 per cent of the total transaction volume, signifying a massive shift towards digital payments. With a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50 per cent, the total number of online transactions is projected to surge from 103 billion in FY 2022-23 to 411 billion in FY 2026-27. UPI transactions, in particular, are expected to experience a substantial rise from 83.71 billion in 2022-23 to a staggering 379 billion transactions by 2026-27. UPI's introduction in India It was in 2016 that NPCI introduced the revolutionary UPI system. PhonePe and PayTM were some of the first platforms to integrate UPI into its system. A year later, several competitors followed the suit and since then, UPI has transformed into a behemoth that even foreign nations are looking to get their hands on. Singapore and Bhutan have already adopted UPI, with a few more countries waiting to join the bandwagon. One of the biggest USPs of UPI is its open architecture which allows seamless integration. Users can link their bank accounts directly and initiate transactions effortlessly. Also read | India: UPI transactions to cost from April. Know what it means for you This interoperability eliminated the need for multiple payment apps, making UPI an attractive choice for consumers and businesses. In a bid to further boost digital payments, India's central bank recently allowed RuPay credit cards to be linked to UPI. This was to enable customers to link their credit cards and pay via UPI. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UPI records 9 billion transactions in May worth Rs 14.3 trillion

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<p>The long-expected duel between Republican presidential nomination hopefuls Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis has gone into overdrive&nbsp;a little more than a week after the latter announced his candidature. The former president during a campaign pitstop in Iowa called out DeSantis for not taking questions from the public.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Addressing 200-odd members of a conservative club, Trump said they could ask him questions - an offer that his rival DeSantis did not provide to the audience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“A lot of politicians don’t take questions. They give a speech,” said Trump amid a sea of supporters wearing the red “Make America Great Again” hats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump's attacks continued as he pushed back against DeSantis’ argument that it will take two terms in the White House to implement an agenda.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“When he says eight years, every time I hear it I wince, because I say if it takes eight years to turn this around, then you don’t want him, you don’t want him as your president,” said Trump</p>

<p>“It’ll take me six months to have it totally the way it was, we’ll have it fast.”</p>

<h2><strong>DeSantis quizzed about no Q&amp;As</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, DeSantis, when confronted&nbsp;by&nbsp;a reporter about why he didn't engage the audience in a Q&amp;A session, gave a frustrated answer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“People are coming up to me, talking to me. What are you talking about? Are you blind?” he said. “Are you blind? People are coming up to me, talking to me whatever they want to talk to me about.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/desantis-signals-start-of-slugfest-with-donald-trump-rivalry-intensifies-599474" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | DeSantis signals start of slugfest with Donald Trump | Rivalry intensifies</strong></a></p>

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<p>However, a similar sentiment was not echoed by the attendees who said they were disappointed by DeSantis for not taking questions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is New Hampshire. The reality here is the vast majority of political people in New Hampshire, we do our due diligence. We want to know where these people stand. And a lot of that is hearing from them and then asking them questions," Alan Glassman, treasurer of the state GOP was quoted as saying by the AP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I’m just hoping that next time the governor does show up here, he’ll actually be doing some more interaction with the people,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, DeSantis managed to return some of the favour to Trump by asking what the former president had done in his previous stint in the White House.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Anyone who says they can slay the deep state in six months should be asked, ‘Why didn’t you do that when you had four years?’”&nbsp;</p>

<p>DeSantis launched his 2024 presidential campaign last week, vowing to lead Americans into a new era of success and fight for their freedoms. Within the GOP, despite Trump's larger-than-life image, DeSantis remains the best hope for anti-Trump forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-ron-desantis-all-you-need-to-know-about-republican-leader-seeking-prez-nomination-595578" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | Who is Ron DeSantis? All you need to know about Republican leader who joined White House race</strong></a></p>

<p>Trump has previously attacked the Florida governor by calling him 'meatball Ron', 'Ron DeSanctimonious' whilst implying that DeSantis may be hit with sexual assault allegations from both men and women.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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The long-expected duel between Republican presidential nomination hopefuls Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis has gone into overdrive a little more than a week after the latter announced his candidature.

The long-expected duel between Republican presidential nomination hopefuls Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis has gone into overdrive a little more than a week after the latter announced his candidature. The former president during a campaign pitstop in Iowa called out DeSantis for not taking questions from the public. Addressing 200-odd members of a conservative club, Trump said they could ask him questions - an offer that his rival DeSantis did not provide to the audience. “A lot of politicians don’t take questions. They give a speech,” said Trump amid a sea of supporters wearing the red “Make America Great Again” hats. Trump's attacks continued as he pushed back against DeSantis’ argument that it will take two terms in the White House to implement an agenda. “When he says eight years, every time I hear it I wince, because I say if it takes eight years to turn this around, then you don’t want him, you don’t want him as your president,” said Trump “It’ll take me six months to have it totally the way it was, we’ll have it fast.” DeSantis quizzed about no Q&As Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, DeSantis, when confronted by a reporter about why he didn't engage the audience in a Q&A session, gave a frustrated answer. “People are coming up to me, talking to me. What are you talking about? Are you blind?” he said. “Are you blind? People are coming up to me, talking to me whatever they want to talk to me about.” WATCH | DeSantis signals start of slugfest with Donald Trump | Rivalry intensifies × However, a similar sentiment was not echoed by the attendees who said they were disappointed by DeSantis for not taking questions. “This is New Hampshire. The reality here is the vast majority of political people in New Hampshire, we do our due diligence. We want to know where these people stand. And a lot of that is hearing from them and then asking them questions," Alan Glassman, treasurer of the state GOP was quoted as saying by the AP. “I’m just hoping that next time the governor does show up here, he’ll actually be doing some more interaction with the people,” he added. However, DeSantis managed to return some of the favour to Trump by asking what the former president had done in his previous stint in the White House. "Anyone who says they can slay the deep state in six months should be asked, ‘Why didn’t you do that when you had four years?’” DeSantis launched his 2024 presidential campaign last week, vowing to lead Americans into a new era of success and fight for their freedoms. Within the GOP, despite Trump's larger-than-life image, DeSantis remains the best hope for anti-Trump forces. ALSO READ | Who is Ron DeSantis? All you need to know about Republican leader who joined White House race Trump has previously attacked the Florida governor by calling him 'meatball Ron', 'Ron DeSanctimonious' whilst implying that DeSantis may be hit with sexual assault allegations from both men and women. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

War of words intensifies between Trump, DeSantis as they hit the trail

<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed media reports claiming that South Africa was considering to shift the BRICS summit venue to another country amid an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Lavrov said he does not read British newspapers - seemingly the origin of the story claiming the relocation of the BRICS summit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As far as I understand, such news could have been published only in some yellow British newspaper, and I don’t read British newspapers," said Lavrov during a&nbsp;press conference on the outcome of the meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Russian Deputy&nbsp;Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said such reports should not be trusted and that they were part of a deliberate misinformation campaign.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Unnamed sources for the claims</strong></h2>

<p>Notably, a Bloomberg report titled 'Putin arrest warrant prompts South Africa to weigh moving BRICS summit', citing unnamed sources made the claim.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The government is considering asking China to host the meeting of heads of state, or alternatively neighbouring Mozambique, the people said, asking not to be identified because discussions about the matter are private and no decision has been taken yet," read the report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Putin is wanted by the ICC for war crimes in relation to the Ukrainian invasion. With the BRICS summit taking place in South Africa and the country being a member of ICC, the Western world is pressuring Pretoria to arrest Putin once he lands in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-wont-arrest-vladimir-putin-to-provide-diplomatic-immunity-during-brics-event-598357"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;South Africa won’t arrest Vladimir Putin, to provide diplomatic immunity during BRICS event</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>'South Africa will not arrest Putin</strong>'</h2>

<p>However, the African nation has granted immunity to all participants, including Putin, and other Russian officials, at BRICS-related events to be held in the country. These United Nations Convention grants immunity from personal arrest or detention.</p>

<p>“This is a standard conferment of immunities that we do for all international conferences and summits held in South Africa irrespective of the level of participation,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperations said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>International Court warrant against Putin; South Africa due to host BRICS summit</strong></h2>

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<p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Russia will participate in the BRICS summit at an “appropriate level”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Russia will take part in this summit at a proper level," he said, while responding to a question about whether Putin will participate in the summit in South Africa, the state-run Tass news agency reported.</p>

<p>"Russia attributes great importance to the development of this integration format," the Kremlin spokesman added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers is taking place in Cape Town on June 1-2, and the association’s summit is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, between August 22 and 24.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed media reports claiming that South Africa was considering to shift the BRICS summit venue to another country amid an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed media reports claiming that South Africa was considering to shift the BRICS summit venue to another country amid an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Lavrov said he does not read British newspapers - seemingly the origin of the story claiming the relocation of the BRICS summit. "As far as I understand, such news could have been published only in some yellow British newspaper, and I don’t read British newspapers," said Lavrov during a press conference on the outcome of the meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said such reports should not be trusted and that they were part of a deliberate misinformation campaign. Unnamed sources for the claims Notably, a Bloomberg report titled 'Putin arrest warrant prompts South Africa to weigh moving BRICS summit', citing unnamed sources made the claim. "The government is considering asking China to host the meeting of heads of state, or alternatively neighbouring Mozambique, the people said, asking not to be identified because discussions about the matter are private and no decision has been taken yet," read the report. Putin is wanted by the ICC for war crimes in relation to the Ukrainian invasion. With the BRICS summit taking place in South Africa and the country being a member of ICC, the Western world is pressuring Pretoria to arrest Putin once he lands in the country. Also read | South Africa won’t arrest Vladimir Putin, to provide diplomatic immunity during BRICS event 'South Africa will not arrest Putin' However, the African nation has granted immunity to all participants, including Putin, and other Russian officials, at BRICS-related events to be held in the country. These United Nations Convention grants immunity from personal arrest or detention. “This is a standard conferment of immunities that we do for all international conferences and summits held in South Africa irrespective of the level of participation,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperations said in a statement. International Court warrant against Putin; South Africa due to host BRICS summit Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Russia will participate in the BRICS summit at an “appropriate level”. "Russia will take part in this summit at a proper level," he said, while responding to a question about whether Putin will participate in the summit in South Africa, the state-run Tass news agency reported. "Russia attributes great importance to the development of this integration format," the Kremlin spokesman added. The meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers is taking place in Cape Town on June 1-2, and the association’s summit is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, between August 22 and 24. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Don’t read British newspapers...': Lavrov dismisses reports about BRICS summit being moved

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