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<p>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called up his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and discussed the arrest of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich who was arrested by Russia‘s FSB security service last week in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg.</p>

<p>Blinken took to his Twitter account to share the update. He informed that alongside Gershkovich, Washington also batted for the release of US citizen Paul Whelan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today to convey our grave concern over Russia’s unacceptable detention of a U.S. citizen journalist. I called for his release and for the release of wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan," tweeted Blinken.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today to convey our grave concern over Russia’s unacceptable detention of a U.S. citizen journalist. I called for his release and for the release of wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan.</p>
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1642536147166412800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Russian foreign ministry also confirmed the phone call stating the American side initiated the dialogue, according to a Telegram post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ministry later released a statement saying Lavron told Washington&nbsp;it was&nbsp;'unacceptable' that the issue was being politicised.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Blinken’s attention was drawn to the need to respect the decisions of the Russian authorities, taken in accordance with the law and international obligations of the Russian Federation. It was emphasised that it is unacceptable for officials in Washington and the Western media to whip up a stir with the clear intention of giving this case a political coloring.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/biden-asks-russia-to-let-evan-gershkovich-go-577830"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Biden asks Russia to let Evan Gershkovich go</strong></a></p>

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<p>Gershkovich's arrest on espionage charges has sparked another row between Washington and Moscow. According to Moscow, the journalist&nbsp;was arrested for allegedly acting at the behest of the US to collect “information constituting a state secret about the activities of an enterprise of the Russian military-industrial complex".&nbsp;</p>

<p>US officials claimed Gershkovich's driver had dropped him off at a restaurant and two hours later his phone had been turned off. According to reports,&nbsp;Gershkovich was covering a story in&nbsp;Yekaterinburg when&nbsp;Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB, successor to the Soviet KGB, picked&nbsp;and detained him.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Brittney Griner, the US basketball player who was freed from Russia last year also urged President Joe Biden to use every measure possible to bring back Gershkovich.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Griner, alongside her wife Cherelle took to Instagram to share the message, saying their hearts were filled with 'great concern' for the enslaved journalist.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Our hearts are filled with great concern for Evan Gershkovitch and his family since Evan's detainment in Russia. We must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home," read the message.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Every American who is taken is ours to fight for and every American returned is a win for us all. That is why we call on all of our supporters to both celebrate the wins and encourage the administration to continue to use every tool possible to bring Evan and all wrongfully detained Americans home."&nbsp;</p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-live-massive-shelling-kills-six-in-ukrainian-city-injures-eight-578264"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine LIVE | 'Massive shelling' kills six in Ukrainian city, injures eight</strong></a></p>

<p>Griner was arrested last year, one week before the Russia-Ukraine war broke out. She was caught with vape cartridges containing cannabis oil and sentenced to nine years in a penal colony.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After a sustained movement, her freedom was secured but Washington had to exchange&nbsp;Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer who was behind the bars for 14 years in cases related to&nbsp;arms trafficking, money laundering and conspiracy&nbsp;to kill Americans.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-basketball-star-brittney-griner-on-her-way-home-confirms-joe-biden-541338"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;Brittany Griner freed for Russian arms dealer in mediation led by UAE president, Saudi crown prince</strong></a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</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>


US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called up his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and discussed the arrest of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich who was arrested by Russia‘s FSB security service last week in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called up his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and discussed the arrest of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich who was arrested by Russia‘s FSB security service last week in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. Blinken took to his Twitter account to share the update. He informed that alongside Gershkovich, Washington also batted for the release of US citizen Paul Whelan. "I spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today to convey our grave concern over Russia’s unacceptable detention of a U.S. citizen journalist. I called for his release and for the release of wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan," tweeted Blinken. I spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today to convey our grave concern over Russia’s unacceptable detention of a U.S. citizen journalist. I called for his release and for the release of wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan. — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 2, 2023 × The Russian foreign ministry also confirmed the phone call stating the American side initiated the dialogue, according to a Telegram post. The ministry later released a statement saying Lavron told Washington it was 'unacceptable' that the issue was being politicised. “Blinken’s attention was drawn to the need to respect the decisions of the Russian authorities, taken in accordance with the law and international obligations of the Russian Federation. It was emphasised that it is unacceptable for officials in Washington and the Western media to whip up a stir with the clear intention of giving this case a political coloring.” WATCH | Biden asks Russia to let Evan Gershkovich go × Gershkovich's arrest on espionage charges has sparked another row between Washington and Moscow. According to Moscow, the journalist was arrested for allegedly acting at the behest of the US to collect “information constituting a state secret about the activities of an enterprise of the Russian military-industrial complex". US officials claimed Gershkovich's driver had dropped him off at a restaurant and two hours later his phone had been turned off. According to reports, Gershkovich was covering a story in Yekaterinburg when Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB, successor to the Soviet KGB, picked and detained him. Meanwhile, Brittney Griner, the US basketball player who was freed from Russia last year also urged President Joe Biden to use every measure possible to bring back Gershkovich. Griner, alongside her wife Cherelle took to Instagram to share the message, saying their hearts were filled with 'great concern' for the enslaved journalist. "Our hearts are filled with great concern for Evan Gershkovitch and his family since Evan's detainment in Russia. We must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home," read the message. "Every American who is taken is ours to fight for and every American returned is a win for us all. That is why we call on all of our supporters to both celebrate the wins and encourage the administration to continue to use every tool possible to bring Evan and all wrongfully detained Americans home." View this post on Instagram A post shared by BG (@brittneyyevettegriner) × ALSO READ | Russia-Ukraine LIVE | 'Massive shelling' kills six in Ukrainian city, injures eight Griner was arrested last year, one week before the Russia-Ukraine war broke out. She was caught with vape cartridges containing cannabis oil and sentenced to nine years in a penal colony. After a sustained movement, her freedom was secured but Washington had to exchange Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer who was behind the bars for 14 years in cases related to arms trafficking, money laundering and conspiracy to kill Americans. ALSO READ | Brittany Griner freed for Russian arms dealer in mediation led by UAE president, Saudi crown prince (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Blinken speaks with Lavrov, demands ‘immediate’ release of US journalist Gershkovich

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<p>A day after being discharged from the hospital, Pope Francis addressed thousands of faithful at Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square. The head of the Roman Catholic church wore his customary long white coat while presiding over the mass.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Pope thanked those who prayed for him during the illness saying,&nbsp;"I thank you for your participation and also for your prayers, which intensified during these past days. Thank you!"</p>

<p>According to Christian customs, Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem in the time leading up to his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday. It is one of the longest services on the Church's calendar as the Pope managed to get through it, despite his voice sounding hoarse, due to the bronchitis infection.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He read a 15-minute long speech and sermonised about love and compassion to the followers gathered.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Brothers and sisters, a love like this, embracing us totally and to the very end, can turn our stony hearts into hearts of flesh, and make them capable of mercy, tenderness, and compassion", said&nbsp;Pope Francis. He explained that Christ, in his abandonment, "stirs us to seek him and to love him and those who are themselves abandoned".</p>

<p>The upcoming Holy Week is expected to be busy for Pope as he partakes in numerous appointments as well as other shindigs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, the Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Wednesday after reportedly experiencing respiratory issues after his weekly public audience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Vatican, Pope France received antibiotics intravenously for his condition, reported Associated Press. While leaving the hospital, the Pope quipped, "I'm still alive" much to the amusement of reporters.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pope-francis-presides-over-palm-sunday-mass-in-vatican-city-after-hospital-stay-578227" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | Pope Francis presides over Palm Sunday Mass in Vatican City after hospital stay</strong></a></p>

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<p>Pope on multiple occasions has hinted that he may step down, akin to his predecessor Benedict XVI due to poor health.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I don’t think I can continue doing trips with the same rhythm as before. I think that at my age and with this limitation I have to preserve (my strength) a bit in order to be able to serve the Church, or decide to step aside," he was quoted as saying last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/im-still-alive-pope-francis-discharged-from-hospital-post-bronchitis-treatment-577980" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | ‘I’m still alive,’ quips Pope Francis after discharge from hospital post bronchitis treatment</strong></a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</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>


A day after being discharged from the hospital, Pope Francis addressed thousands of faithful at Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square. The head of the Roman Catholic church wore his customary long white coat while presiding over the mass.

A day after being discharged from the hospital, Pope Francis addressed thousands of faithful at Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square. The head of the Roman Catholic church wore his customary long white coat while presiding over the mass. The Pope thanked those who prayed for him during the illness saying, "I thank you for your participation and also for your prayers, which intensified during these past days. Thank you!" According to Christian customs, Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem in the time leading up to his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday. It is one of the longest services on the Church's calendar as the Pope managed to get through it, despite his voice sounding hoarse, due to the bronchitis infection. He read a 15-minute long speech and sermonised about love and compassion to the followers gathered. "Brothers and sisters, a love like this, embracing us totally and to the very end, can turn our stony hearts into hearts of flesh, and make them capable of mercy, tenderness, and compassion", said Pope Francis. He explained that Christ, in his abandonment, "stirs us to seek him and to love him and those who are themselves abandoned". The upcoming Holy Week is expected to be busy for Pope as he partakes in numerous appointments as well as other shindigs. Notably, the Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Wednesday after reportedly experiencing respiratory issues after his weekly public audience. According to the Vatican, Pope France received antibiotics intravenously for his condition, reported Associated Press. While leaving the hospital, the Pope quipped, "I'm still alive" much to the amusement of reporters. WATCH | Pope Francis presides over Palm Sunday Mass in Vatican City after hospital stay × Pope on multiple occasions has hinted that he may step down, akin to his predecessor Benedict XVI due to poor health. “I don’t think I can continue doing trips with the same rhythm as before. I think that at my age and with this limitation I have to preserve (my strength) a bit in order to be able to serve the Church, or decide to step aside," he was quoted as saying last year. ALSO READ | ‘I’m still alive,’ quips Pope Francis after discharge from hospital post bronchitis treatment (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'I thank you': Pope Francis presides over Palm Sunday mass, a day after being discharged from hospital

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<p>Israel is moving ahead with the plans to establish the 'national guard' that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been pushing. The ministers on Sunday voted in favour of a budget cut across ministries that may&nbsp;fund the creation of the security division.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Israeli media, the proposal received opposition from several ministers in the cabinet but in the end, most voted in favour. Most estimates suggest that the government may have to make cuts of almost $280 million to be able to fund the national guard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ultranationalist leader Ben-Gvir has been demanding the creation of the force with 2,000 service members that will be directly answerable to him. The text of the resolution states that national guard will be tasked with tackling terrorism, 'nationalist crime' and 'restoring governance where needed'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The Israel National Guard will be used as a special force to deal with different emergency situations, nationalist crimes, the fight against terrorism and strengthening governance in regions where it is required,” reads the proposed legislation.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ben-gvir-visits-al-aqsa-mosque-in-jerusalem-enraging-palestinians-jordan-condemns-move-548979" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | Ben-Gvir visits Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, enraging Palestinians, Jordan condemns move</strong></a></p>

<p>Ben-Gvir received an impetus for his plans after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backtracked on his judicial overhaul legislation. As Netanyahu was pressing pause on the plan, Ben-Gvir and his party, an important part of the national coalition, threatened to walk out of the alliance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was only after Netanyahu promised he will put Gvir's resolution in for a vote that the far-right leader eased on his position.</p>

<p>Naysayers of the resolution believe that the creation of a national guard under the rule of Ben-Gvir will severely undermine the authority of the police. On Sunday, Israel's police commissioner Kobi Shabtai wrote a letter to Ben-Gvir, stating that the national guard could 'harm citizens' personal security' and cause 'heavy damage to the country's internal security systems'.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-israeli-minister-ben-gvir-visits-volatile-jerusalem-holy-site-549106"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;WION Dispatch: Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir visits volatile Jerusalem holy site</strong></a></p>

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<p>Israel Security Agency also known as Shin Bet cast aspersions over the plan as well. Ronen Bar, the director of the agency expressed his displeasure saying "it is not possible for two police forces to operate at the same location in the field".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Similarly,&nbsp;Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has claimed that there will be significant legal difficulties in the establishment of the new security agency.&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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Israel is moving ahead with the plans to establish the 'national guard' that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been pushing. The ministers on Sunday voted in favour of a budget cut across ministries that may fund the creation of the security division.

Israel is moving ahead with the plans to establish the 'national guard' that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been pushing. The ministers on Sunday voted in favour of a budget cut across ministries that may fund the creation of the security division. According to Israeli media, the proposal received opposition from several ministers in the cabinet but in the end, most voted in favour. Most estimates suggest that the government may have to make cuts of almost $280 million to be able to fund the national guard. Ultranationalist leader Ben-Gvir has been demanding the creation of the force with 2,000 service members that will be directly answerable to him. The text of the resolution states that national guard will be tasked with tackling terrorism, 'nationalist crime' and 'restoring governance where needed'. “The Israel National Guard will be used as a special force to deal with different emergency situations, nationalist crimes, the fight against terrorism and strengthening governance in regions where it is required,” reads the proposed legislation. ALSO READ | Ben-Gvir visits Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, enraging Palestinians, Jordan condemns move Ben-Gvir received an impetus for his plans after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backtracked on his judicial overhaul legislation. As Netanyahu was pressing pause on the plan, Ben-Gvir and his party, an important part of the national coalition, threatened to walk out of the alliance. It was only after Netanyahu promised he will put Gvir's resolution in for a vote that the far-right leader eased on his position. Naysayers of the resolution believe that the creation of a national guard under the rule of Ben-Gvir will severely undermine the authority of the police. On Sunday, Israel's police commissioner Kobi Shabtai wrote a letter to Ben-Gvir, stating that the national guard could 'harm citizens' personal security' and cause 'heavy damage to the country's internal security systems'. WATCH | WION Dispatch: Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir visits volatile Jerusalem holy site × Israel Security Agency also known as Shin Bet cast aspersions over the plan as well. Ronen Bar, the director of the agency expressed his displeasure saying "it is not possible for two police forces to operate at the same location in the field". Similarly, Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has claimed that there will be significant legal difficulties in the establishment of the new security agency. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Israeli cabinet approves budget cut for ministries, may pave way for Ben-Gvir's national guard

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<p>The hastily arranged alliance of Credit Suisse and UBS could trigger a loss of 36,000 jobs across the world, according to German media. The management brought in to wade through the stormy waters of the merger may be looking to cut between 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the workforce, meaning somewhere between 25,000 to 36,000 could end up losing their jobs, reported SonntagsZeitung.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UBS and Credit Suisse employ 72,000 and 50,000 people worldwide respectively. Switzerland, the base of Credit Suisse, may alone see a cut of 11,000 jobs. Meanwhile, jobs in the US could also be at severe risk, the publication stated.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The release of the report comes in the same week when UBS announced it was bringing its former chief executive Sergio Ermotti to handle the absorption of troubled rival Credit Suisse.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-you-should-be-worried-if-credit-suisse-collapses-574164" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | Why you should be worried if Credit Suisse collapses</strong></a></p>

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<p>Apart from thousands losing their jobs, investors have also lost billions. Reportedly, over $17.3 billion worth of bonds issued by Credit Suisse bank have become worthless after UBS came in with the takeover bid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Under the takeover deal, UBS will be writing down the bank's additional tier 1 (AT1) bonds to increase core capital.</p>

<p>“The extraordinary government support will trigger a complete write-down of the nominal value of all AT1 shares of Credit Suisse in the amount of around 16 billion [Swiss francs],” said Swiss regulator FINMA.</p>

<p>The AT1 bonds were primarily created for the failing banks to absorb losses, thereby reducing the chances of a taxpayer-funded bailout. Because of the higher risks, the AT1 bonds provided a greater yield than most other bonds and they became a quick favourite of institutional investors.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/over-17-billion-worth-of-bonds-become-zero-after-credit-suisse-takeover-by-ubs-574224" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | Over $17 billion worth of bonds become zero after Credit Suisse takeover by UBS</strong></a></p>

<p>After reports came in that Credit Suisse had collapsed, the Swiss government stepped up and arranged a takeover by the UBS Group for $3.25 billion. The takeover was aimed at preventing economic turmoil from spreading throughout the country and beyond.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong><br />
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The hastily arranged alliance of Credit Suisse and UBS could trigger a loss of 36,000 jobs across the world, according to German media. The management brought in to wade through the stormy waters of the merger may be looking to cut between 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the workforce, meaning somewhere between 25,000 to 36,000 could end up losing their jobs, reported SonntagsZeitung.

The hastily arranged alliance of Credit Suisse and UBS could trigger a loss of 36,000 jobs across the world, according to German media. The management brought in to wade through the stormy waters of the merger may be looking to cut between 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the workforce, meaning somewhere between 25,000 to 36,000 could end up losing their jobs, reported SonntagsZeitung. UBS and Credit Suisse employ 72,000 and 50,000 people worldwide respectively. Switzerland, the base of Credit Suisse, may alone see a cut of 11,000 jobs. Meanwhile, jobs in the US could also be at severe risk, the publication stated. The release of the report comes in the same week when UBS announced it was bringing its former chief executive Sergio Ermotti to handle the absorption of troubled rival Credit Suisse. WATCH | Why you should be worried if Credit Suisse collapses Apart from thousands losing their jobs, investors have also lost billions. Reportedly, over $17.3 billion worth of bonds issued by Credit Suisse bank have become worthless after UBS came in with the takeover bid. Under the takeover deal, UBS will be writing down the bank's additional tier 1 (AT1) bonds to increase core capital. “The extraordinary government support will trigger a complete write-down of the nominal value of all AT1 shares of Credit Suisse in the amount of around 16 billion [Swiss francs],” said Swiss regulator FINMA. The AT1 bonds were primarily created for the failing banks to absorb losses, thereby reducing the chances of a taxpayer-funded bailout. Because of the higher risks, the AT1 bonds provided a greater yield than most other bonds and they became a quick favourite of institutional investors. ALSO READ | Over $17 billion worth of bonds become zero after Credit Suisse takeover by UBS After reports came in that Credit Suisse had collapsed, the Swiss government stepped up and arranged a takeover by the UBS Group for $3.25 billion. The takeover was aimed at preventing economic turmoil from spreading throughout the country and beyond. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Hastily arranged marriage of UBS-Credit Suisse could lead to loss of 36,000 jobs: Report

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<p>In what comes as a bizarre incident, a nine-foot alligator has been arrested in the southeastern US state of Florida after it was found loitering on the streets of Tampa Bay. The incident transpired on Wednesday near the Raymond James Stadium where the NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers play.</p>

<p>The Tampa Police Department took to its YouTube account to share a video of the bodycam footage of the officers. The department titled the video' See You Later, Alligator...' with a cheeky description that read, "No alligators (or officers) were injured in this “jaw-dropping” video".&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to The New York Post report, when the officers approached the alligator and poked it with a baton, the slithery creature started whipping its tail aggressively.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Tape his front legs together … like behind his back, like you’re handcuffing him," one of the officers can be heard saying in the video. “Then you’re gonna do the same thing with his back legs.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/florida-woman-killed-by-alligator-another-alligator-with-mouth-taped-shut-rescued-564121" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | Florida woman killed by alligator; another alligator with mouth taped shut rescued in Florida</strong></a></p>

<p>It took a collective effort from the officers to tame the alligator whose massive size surprised many. Two officers held the reptile down while one wrapped the rope around the gator's mouth. To completely neutralise the creature, its eyes were covered with a towel, mouth taped shut and front and hind legs tied together.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, the gator was later handed to&nbsp;Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) to find a more suitable home.</p>

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<p>It was an unusual sight as police department officers are not often seen capturing amphibious reptiles.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-scientists-race-to-save-one-of-worlds-rarest-crocodiles-513525"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker | Scientists race to save one of world's rarest crocodiles</strong></a></p>

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<p>“I’ve seen the deputies deal with them. Tampa police, not so much, so I was really surprised and happy when I just showed up and saw they were putting me out of a job. And they did a great job. So I guess there’s some good ol’ boys on the TPD, they had that thing taken care of for me," said Phil Walters, an alligator trapper employed with FFWCC was quoted as saying by local media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to various estimates, Florida has over 1.3 million alligators and their population has led authorities to establish a statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to capture the troublemaker gators.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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In what comes as a bizarre incident, a nine-foot alligator has been arrested in the southeastern US state of Florida after it was found loitering on the streets of Tampa Bay.

In what comes as a bizarre incident, a nine-foot alligator has been arrested in the southeastern US state of Florida after it was found loitering on the streets of Tampa Bay. The incident transpired on Wednesday near the Raymond James Stadium where the NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers play. The Tampa Police Department took to its YouTube account to share a video of the bodycam footage of the officers. The department titled the video' See You Later, Alligator...' with a cheeky description that read, "No alligators (or officers) were injured in this “jaw-dropping” video". According to The New York Post report, when the officers approached the alligator and poked it with a baton, the slithery creature started whipping its tail aggressively. “Tape his front legs together … like behind his back, like you’re handcuffing him," one of the officers can be heard saying in the video. “Then you’re gonna do the same thing with his back legs.” ALSO READ | Florida woman killed by alligator; another alligator with mouth taped shut rescued in Florida It took a collective effort from the officers to tame the alligator whose massive size surprised many. Two officers held the reptile down while one wrapped the rope around the gator's mouth. To completely neutralise the creature, its eyes were covered with a towel, mouth taped shut and front and hind legs tied together. According to reports, the gator was later handed to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) to find a more suitable home. × It was an unusual sight as police department officers are not often seen capturing amphibious reptiles. WATCH | WION Climate Tracker | Scientists race to save one of world's rarest crocodiles × “I’ve seen the deputies deal with them. Tampa police, not so much, so I was really surprised and happy when I just showed up and saw they were putting me out of a job. And they did a great job. So I guess there’s some good ol’ boys on the TPD, they had that thing taken care of for me," said Phil Walters, an alligator trapper employed with FFWCC was quoted as saying by local media. According to various estimates, Florida has over 1.3 million alligators and their population has led authorities to establish a statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to capture the troublemaker gators. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Hands where we can see them': Cops arrest 9-foot alligator loitering in the streets of Tampa Bay, Florida

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<p>The British government is set to spend over $9.8 million (£8 million) supplying free portraits of King Charles III to public council offices, courts, schools, police forces, fire and rescue services. The scheme has been unveiled to celebrate the reign of the new king who took charge after the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Cabinet Office justified the decision to spend the money on the exercise saying the posters would serve as a 'visible reminder' to the public about the splendour of their new king.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have entered a new reign in our history. Now, as we unite in preparing for the splendour of the King's Coronation, these new portraits will serve as a visible reminder in buildings up and down the country of the nation's ultimate public servant," said Oliver Dowden, Cabinet Office minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scheme will kick in after the king's coronation is scheduled to take place later this year. After the official posters are released by Buckingham Palace, the eligible public authorities will be offered the opportunity to request the free framed portrait.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-video-shows-rishi-sunak-in-a-moving-car-without-his-seat-belt-on-554561"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;WION Dispatch: Video shows Rishi Sunak in a moving car without his seat belt on</strong></a></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-video-shows-rishi-sunak-in-a-moving-car-without-his-seat-belt-on-554561/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The move to spend&nbsp;'extravagant' sums of money on the posters attracted instant backlash with anti-monarchist groups opening up a front.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“At a time when a majority of local councils are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, to spend even £1 on this nonsense would be £1 too much,” said Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchist group Republic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Surely if anyone really wants an official portrait he can stump up the cost. The government has lost the plot if they think people want their money spent on pictures of Charles.”</p>

<p>Ordinary Britons are currently facing one of the worst cost-of-living-crisis. The annual rate of inflation reached 11.1 per cent in October 2022, a 41-year high, before easing down. However, since January, it has been on another upswing with the rate standing at 10.4 per cent in February.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In recent months, the Tories have come under heavy scrutiny for their use of the taxpayers' money. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been one of the worst offenders with his spending becoming the subject of routine controversy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A government report published on Friday stated that Sunak spent as much as $617,249 (£500,000) in under a fortnight on private jet trips last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The numbers were released by the cabinet office and detailed that Sunak spent £108,000 on a jet to travel to and from the COP27 summit in Egypt last year. A week later, the 10, Downing Street resident jetted off to the southeast Asian country of Indonesia to attend the G20 summit in Bali. The total cost of the round trip came about to £340,000.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-rishi-sunak-splurged-over-600000-on-private-jets-in-less-than-a-fortnight-577952" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | UK PM Rishi Sunak splurged over $600,000 on private jets in less than a fortnight</strong></a></p>

<p>Recently, it was reported that Sunak got the local electricity grid upgraded for his $4,80,000 (£400,000) private heating swimming pool in the North Yorkshire home.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Labour Party earlier this year announced it was launching a campaign&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sunak-co-accused-of-splurging-taxpayers-money-labour-releases-a-damning-dossier-561397" target="_blank">targetting&nbsp;</a>the Conservatives for indiscriminate spending of taxpayers' money on luxury travel and hotels.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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The British government is set to spend over $9.8 million (£8 million) supplying free portraits of King Charles III to public council offices, courts, schools, police forces, fire and rescue services.

The British government is set to spend over $9.8 million (£8 million) supplying free portraits of King Charles III to public council offices, courts, schools, police forces, fire and rescue services. The scheme has been unveiled to celebrate the reign of the new king who took charge after the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year. The Cabinet Office justified the decision to spend the money on the exercise saying the posters would serve as a 'visible reminder' to the public about the splendour of their new king. "We have entered a new reign in our history. Now, as we unite in preparing for the splendour of the King's Coronation, these new portraits will serve as a visible reminder in buildings up and down the country of the nation's ultimate public servant," said Oliver Dowden, Cabinet Office minister. The scheme will kick in after the king's coronation is scheduled to take place later this year. After the official posters are released by Buckingham Palace, the eligible public authorities will be offered the opportunity to request the free framed portrait. WATCH | WION Dispatch: Video shows Rishi Sunak in a moving car without his seat belt on The move to spend 'extravagant' sums of money on the posters attracted instant backlash with anti-monarchist groups opening up a front. “At a time when a majority of local councils are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, to spend even £1 on this nonsense would be £1 too much,” said Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchist group Republic. “Surely if anyone really wants an official portrait he can stump up the cost. The government has lost the plot if they think people want their money spent on pictures of Charles.” Ordinary Britons are currently facing one of the worst cost-of-living-crisis. The annual rate of inflation reached 11.1 per cent in October 2022, a 41-year high, before easing down. However, since January, it has been on another upswing with the rate standing at 10.4 per cent in February. In recent months, the Tories have come under heavy scrutiny for their use of the taxpayers' money. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been one of the worst offenders with his spending becoming the subject of routine controversy. A government report published on Friday stated that Sunak spent as much as $617,249 (£500,000) in under a fortnight on private jet trips last year. The numbers were released by the cabinet office and detailed that Sunak spent £108,000 on a jet to travel to and from the COP27 summit in Egypt last year. A week later, the 10, Downing Street resident jetted off to the southeast Asian country of Indonesia to attend the G20 summit in Bali. The total cost of the round trip came about to £340,000. ALSO READ | UK PM Rishi Sunak splurged over $600,000 on private jets in less than a fortnight Recently, it was reported that Sunak got the local electricity grid upgraded for his $4,80,000 (£400,000) private heating swimming pool in the North Yorkshire home. The Labour Party earlier this year announced it was launching a campaign targetting the Conservatives for indiscriminate spending of taxpayers' money on luxury travel and hotels. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Wasteful’, say Britons as Tories plan to spend $9.8 million on free portraits of King Charles III

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<p>Former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan's grandson on Friday apologised for the Gwangju massacre committed in the 1980s to crush the pro-democracy protests. The 27-year-old Chun Woo-won met with the families of the bereaved at the May 18 Memorial Culture Centre in the southern city of Gwangju — the epicentre of the uprising and conveyed his apologies by bowing in front of them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the first instance when a member of the family has publicly apologised for the actions of Chun Doo-hwan. The move by New York-based Chun has attracted widespread media coverage with many hailing it as both symbolic and significant.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I give my sincere apologies. I am sorry. As a family member, I acknowledge that my grandfather Chun Doo-hwan was a sinner and slaughterer who committed such a great crime," said Chun.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The citizens of Gwangju, who overcame fear in the midst of military dictatorship and stood against it with courage are heroes and truly the light and salt of our country."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-history-of-the-korean-conflict-531311"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: History of the Korean Conflict</strong></a></p>

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<p>Chun admitted that he was indoctrinated with an inaccurate and distorted version of history by his family since childhood.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Out of fear of suffering consequential damage, my family and I had looked away from the hideous crime we had committed."</p>

<p>To this day, Chun Doo-hwan is known as the "Butcher of Gwangju" but he died without apologising for his barbaric actions. In a 2017 memoir, he denied any direct involvement in the suppression of the uprising whilst denouncing a priest who claimed that helicopter gunships had opened fire on civilians.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Though the official toll for the dead or missing stands around 200 — activists believe that the number could be three times as high.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-south-korean-dictator-chun-guilty-of-defamation-over-massacre-346410" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | Former South Korean dictator Chun guilty of defamation over massacre</strong></a></p>

<p>Chun was one of the most ruthless dictators to have ever ruled over the Korean country. Throughout the 1980s, he ruled with an iron fist while&nbsp;brutally repressing opponents until mass demonstrations forced him to accept democracy.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><br />
<strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan's grandson on Friday apologised for the Gwangju massacre committed in the 1980s to crush the pro-democracy protests. The 27-year-old Chun Woo-won met with the families of the bereaved at the May 18 Memorial Culture Centre in the southern city of Gwangju — the epicentre of the uprising and conveyed his apologies by bowing in front of them.

Former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan's grandson on Friday apologised for the Gwangju massacre committed in the 1980s to crush the pro-democracy protests. The 27-year-old Chun Woo-won met with the families of the bereaved at the May 18 Memorial Culture Centre in the southern city of Gwangju — the epicentre of the uprising and conveyed his apologies by bowing in front of them. This is the first instance when a member of the family has publicly apologised for the actions of Chun Doo-hwan. The move by New York-based Chun has attracted widespread media coverage with many hailing it as both symbolic and significant. "I give my sincere apologies. I am sorry. As a family member, I acknowledge that my grandfather Chun Doo-hwan was a sinner and slaughterer who committed such a great crime," said Chun. "The citizens of Gwangju, who overcame fear in the midst of military dictatorship and stood against it with courage are heroes and truly the light and salt of our country." WATCH | Gravitas: History of the Korean Conflict × Chun admitted that he was indoctrinated with an inaccurate and distorted version of history by his family since childhood. "Out of fear of suffering consequential damage, my family and I had looked away from the hideous crime we had committed." To this day, Chun Doo-hwan is known as the "Butcher of Gwangju" but he died without apologising for his barbaric actions. In a 2017 memoir, he denied any direct involvement in the suppression of the uprising whilst denouncing a priest who claimed that helicopter gunships had opened fire on civilians. Though the official toll for the dead or missing stands around 200 — activists believe that the number could be three times as high. ALSO READ | Former South Korean dictator Chun guilty of defamation over massacre Chun was one of the most ruthless dictators to have ever ruled over the Korean country. Throughout the 1980s, he ruled with an iron fist while brutally repressing opponents until mass demonstrations forced him to accept democracy. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘He was a sinner’: South Korean dictator’s grandson apologises for 1980 Gwangju crackdown

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<p>US President Joe Biden made another gaffe during one of his public speeches while visiting the tornado-hit town of Rolling Fork in the northeastern state of Mississippi. Delivering a speech while addressing the community, Biden repeatedly referred to the town as ‘Rolling Stone’.<br />
<br />
Rolling Stone is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture, while&nbsp;The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962 and still counted among the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era.<br />
<br />
"We're not just here for today, I'm determined that we're going to leave nothing behind. We're going to get it done for you," said Biden in the speech, before adding, "I'm making sure you got a place to sleep, food to eat, helping you rebuild your lives in Rolling Stone."</p>

<p>Having committed the blunder once, Biden, seemingly unaware, repeated the gaffe and said, "The town of Rolling Stone will be back, and we'll be with you every step of the way."</p>

<p>It was only towards the end of his speech that the president, known to make&nbsp;frequent gaffes, realised his mistake and said, “What did I say, I said Rolling Fork. Rolling Stone. I got my mind going here.”&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Biden, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi:<br />
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"The town of Rolling Stone will be back" <a href="https://t.co/oUlIFKP3Xd">pic.twitter.com/oUlIFKP3Xd</a></p>
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1641878658750074887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The small town of Rolling Fork was hit by a devastating EF4 tornado last Saturday, killing at least 25 people, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Winds up to 200 mph lashed the town which has a population of around 2,000, mostly comprising of the Black community.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/devasting-tornadoes-wreak-havoc-in-west-georgia-and-mississippi-576229" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | Devasting tornadoes wreak havoc in West Georgia and Mississippi</strong></a></p>

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<p>Images of destruction released by news networks showed complete structures reduced to debris and automobiles toppled onto their sides.</p>

<p>“The west part of Rolling Fork is a residential area, and just a number of houses over there have been completely destroyed. Highway 61, where most of our businesses are, all of the businesses on 61 have been completely destroyed," Fred Miller, former Rolling Fork mayor was quoted as saying by FOX Weather.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Friday, barely a week after the Mississippi tornado, twisters ravaged Little Rock city in the US state of Arkansas, injuring about 24 people so far.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Akin to the tornado that hit Rolling Fork, the one in Little Rock also tore through residential areas causing destruction on an unimaginable scale.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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US President Joe Biden made another gaffe during one of his public speeches while visiting the tornado-hit town of Rolling Fork in the northeastern state of Mississippi.

US President Joe Biden made another gaffe during one of his public speeches while visiting the tornado-hit town of Rolling Fork in the northeastern state of Mississippi. Delivering a speech while addressing the community, Biden repeatedly referred to the town as ‘Rolling Stone’. Rolling Stone is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture, while The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962 and still counted among the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. "We're not just here for today, I'm determined that we're going to leave nothing behind. We're going to get it done for you," said Biden in the speech, before adding, "I'm making sure you got a place to sleep, food to eat, helping you rebuild your lives in Rolling Stone." Having committed the blunder once, Biden, seemingly unaware, repeated the gaffe and said, "The town of Rolling Stone will be back, and we'll be with you every step of the way." It was only towards the end of his speech that the president, known to make frequent gaffes, realised his mistake and said, “What did I say, I said Rolling Fork. Rolling Stone. I got my mind going here.” Biden, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi: "The town of Rolling Stone will be back" pic.twitter.com/oUlIFKP3Xd — RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 31, 2023 × The small town of Rolling Fork was hit by a devastating EF4 tornado last Saturday, killing at least 25 people, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Winds up to 200 mph lashed the town which has a population of around 2,000, mostly comprising of the Black community. WATCH | Devasting tornadoes wreak havoc in West Georgia and Mississippi × Images of destruction released by news networks showed complete structures reduced to debris and automobiles toppled onto their sides. “The west part of Rolling Fork is a residential area, and just a number of houses over there have been completely destroyed. Highway 61, where most of our businesses are, all of the businesses on 61 have been completely destroyed," Fred Miller, former Rolling Fork mayor was quoted as saying by FOX Weather. On Friday, barely a week after the Mississippi tornado, twisters ravaged Little Rock city in the US state of Arkansas, injuring about 24 people so far. Akin to the tornado that hit Rolling Fork, the one in Little Rock also tore through residential areas causing destruction on an unimaginable scale. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

WATCH | Biden’s howler: Calls tornado-hit Mississippi town Rolling Stone instead of Rolling Fork

<p>The French parliament's lower chamber recently passed a bill that aims to ban influencers from promoting cosmetic surgery on social media while making it mandatory for them to label the images when filters or photoshop has&nbsp;been used. The National Assembly voted on the cross-party bill that will now move to the Senate where it is expected to be adopted without much opposition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Aurélien Taché, a member of the French Green Party&nbsp;introduced the bill draft, last year in November. After&nbsp;Taché's statements that influencers promoted scams due to lack of consequences, the French government also took a keen interest in the issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Arthur Delaporte and Stéphane Vojetta, members of President&nbsp;Emmanuel Macron’s party, brought the revised iteration of the draft that will ultimately be turned into legislation, according to a report by TechCrunch.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the advent of social media and beauty influencers,&nbsp;kids, teens as well as adults are often made to believe that a person is expected to look a certain way. Trying to reach such ridiculous standards often breeds body dysmorphia which can cause severe physical and mental health issues.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/de-influencing-the-new-viral-trend-558645">WATCH |&nbsp;De-influencing: The new viral trend</a></strong></p>

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<p>The French government is aiming to nip the issue in the bud by making sure that influencers disclose if they are using a filter or if any part of their body/face has been photoshopped. The disclosure has to be visible all the time on all forms of media i.e., photos and videos.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to&nbsp;French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, failure to comply with the strict regulations could result in two years of jail and&nbsp;$32,515 (€30,000) in fines. Moreover, convicted influencers will not be allowed to use social media to continue their career.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Le Maire cleared that it was not an attempt by the French government to stigmatise an industry, albeit, a way to protect both them and the consumers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Influencers must be subject to the same rules as those that apply to traditional media,” he said, adding the internet "is not the Wild West".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/social-media-influencers-told-not-to-use-misleading-beauty-filters-361150"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong></a><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-human-rights-court-hears-climate-cases-against-france-switzerland-577054">Social media influencers told not to use 'misleading' beauty filters</a></strong></p>

<p>Under the bill, the work of child influencers will also be closely monitored. The language of the bill states that minors under 16 will have to obtain state approval to work on the platforms. Additionally, 90 per cent of the money they earn through commercial activities will be frozen until they turn 18 to avoid any abuse, the French media reported.&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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The French parliament's lower chamber recently passed a bill that aims to ban influencers from promoting cosmetic surgery on social media while making it mandatory for them to label the images when filters or photoshop has been used.

The French parliament's lower chamber recently passed a bill that aims to ban influencers from promoting cosmetic surgery on social media while making it mandatory for them to label the images when filters or photoshop has been used. The National Assembly voted on the cross-party bill that will now move to the Senate where it is expected to be adopted without much opposition. Aurélien Taché, a member of the French Green Party introduced the bill draft, last year in November. After Taché's statements that influencers promoted scams due to lack of consequences, the French government also took a keen interest in the issue. Arthur Delaporte and Stéphane Vojetta, members of President Emmanuel Macron’s party, brought the revised iteration of the draft that will ultimately be turned into legislation, according to a report by TechCrunch. With the advent of social media and beauty influencers, kids, teens as well as adults are often made to believe that a person is expected to look a certain way. Trying to reach such ridiculous standards often breeds body dysmorphia which can cause severe physical and mental health issues. WATCH | De-influencing: The new viral trend × The French government is aiming to nip the issue in the bud by making sure that influencers disclose if they are using a filter or if any part of their body/face has been photoshopped. The disclosure has to be visible all the time on all forms of media i.e., photos and videos. According to French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, failure to comply with the strict regulations could result in two years of jail and $32,515 (€30,000) in fines. Moreover, convicted influencers will not be allowed to use social media to continue their career. Le Maire cleared that it was not an attempt by the French government to stigmatise an industry, albeit, a way to protect both them and the consumers. “Influencers must be subject to the same rules as those that apply to traditional media,” he said, adding the internet "is not the Wild West". ALSO READ | Social media influencers told not to use 'misleading' beauty filters Under the bill, the work of child influencers will also be closely monitored. The language of the bill states that minors under 16 will have to obtain state approval to work on the platforms. Additionally, 90 per cent of the money they earn through commercial activities will be frozen until they turn 18 to avoid any abuse, the French media reported. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

New French bill requires influencers to disclose use of filters, photoshop; bans plastic surgery promotion

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<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen might be in for a promotion. Multiple reports have stated that she is in the running to become the new head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and could take over the position&nbsp;as early as October this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's current secretary-general is expected to see out his term, after having served in the position for almost nine years,&nbsp;extending the job on three different occasions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, there is no formal election process for the new NATO head. The 30-member alliance privately chooses the new leader by consensus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite her credentials as the EU chief, von der Leyen will have a tough road if she is to succeed Stoltenberg. According to British media, the Rishi Sunak government is expected to veto von der Leyen's chances, citing her poor record as in charge of Germany's armed forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scandals-haunt-european-parliament-president-of-european-commission-under-radar-551820" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | Scandals haunt European Parliament, President of European Commission under radar</strong></a></p>

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<p>The EU boss has also been under heavy scrutiny for the scandals that have plagued the bloc. She is under probe for the massive, multi-billion euro coronavirus vaccine contract that was signed at the height of the pandemic. She reportedly had a text exchange with Pfizer's Chief Executive Albert Bourla before the contract was signed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Consequently, Sunak is pushing his Defence Secretary Ben Wallace as the prime candidate for the job. If Wallace manages to pip von der Leyen, he will become the first British secretary-general of NATO in over 20 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Similarly, German media has projected Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as the second alternative alongside Wallace for the job.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-covid-committee-might-quiz-von-der-leyen-over-pfizer-vaccine-contract-551787" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | EU Covid committee might quiz von der Leyen about Pfizer vaccine contract</strong></a></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland are also in the running for the post. The latter, however, may not go the distance as she failed to meet NATO's target of spending two per cent of the GDP on defence.&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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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen might be in for a promotion. Multiple reports have stated that she is in the running to become the new head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and could take over the position as early as October this year.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen might be in for a promotion. Multiple reports have stated that she is in the running to become the new head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and could take over the position as early as October this year. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's current secretary-general is expected to see out his term, after having served in the position for almost nine years, extending the job on three different occasions. Notably, there is no formal election process for the new NATO head. The 30-member alliance privately chooses the new leader by consensus. Despite her credentials as the EU chief, von der Leyen will have a tough road if she is to succeed Stoltenberg. According to British media, the Rishi Sunak government is expected to veto von der Leyen's chances, citing her poor record as in charge of Germany's armed forces. WATCH | Scandals haunt European Parliament, President of European Commission under radar × The EU boss has also been under heavy scrutiny for the scandals that have plagued the bloc. She is under probe for the massive, multi-billion euro coronavirus vaccine contract that was signed at the height of the pandemic. She reportedly had a text exchange with Pfizer's Chief Executive Albert Bourla before the contract was signed. Consequently, Sunak is pushing his Defence Secretary Ben Wallace as the prime candidate for the job. If Wallace manages to pip von der Leyen, he will become the first British secretary-general of NATO in over 20 years. Similarly, German media has projected Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as the second alternative alongside Wallace for the job. ALSO READ | EU Covid committee might quiz von der Leyen about Pfizer vaccine contract Meanwhile, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland are also in the running for the post. The latter, however, may not go the distance as she failed to meet NATO's target of spending two per cent of the GDP on defence. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EU boss Ursula von der Leyen in running to be new NATO chief: Reports

<p>The extermination of minorities in Pakistan is continuing, and&nbsp;on the rise. On Friday, unidentified gunmen killed a Sikh shopkeeper in Peshawar area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. The victim, identified as Dayal Singh, was sitting in his shop in the Dir Colony market of Peshawar when the assailants entered his shop and fired shots indiscriminately before leaving.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Singh was reportedly shot twice in the head, leading to his instant death. The police recovered 30 bore bullet shells from the site of the crime. He is survived by his wife and three children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A statement issued by the city police said SSP operations Haroon-ur-Rasheed met the victim's relatives and informed them that CCTV footage of the incident had been obtained and a probe was launched.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to local media reports, Singh thought to be in his 40s, belonged to the tiny Pashtun Sikh community which has witnessed its fourth targetted killing in the last two years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-minorities-in-pakistan-continue-to-suffer-from-forced-conversions-marriages-369801"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;How minorities in Pakistan continue to suffer from forced conversions, marriages</strong></a></p>

<p>Last year in May, two Sikh community members were gunned down by extremists in Peshawar. Ranjeet Singh, 38, and Guljeet Singh, 42, the two victims were operating their spice shops in Battathal Bazaar when the miscreants came and open fired.</p>

<p>Prior to that, it was the killing of Sardar Satnam Singh, a prominent member of the Sikh community and a famous doctor that shocked the minorities of the predominantly Islamic country.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-plight-of-christian-girls-in-pakistan-318935"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: The plight of Christian girls in Pakistan</strong></a></p>

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<p>Satnam Singh was shot dead outside his clinic in September 2021. The modus-operandi was similar as unknown assailants converged outside his apothecary in Peshawar’s Charadda Road area and fired multiple shots.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan, a hardcore Islamic country, has been known for its sketchy record in upholding the rights of minorities. Last month, the neighbouring country of India slammed Islamabad at the&nbsp;United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) saying 'no religious minority can freely live or practice' their religion there.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/family-of-converted-sikh-girl-in-pakistan-says-wants-to-leave-the-country-322319"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;Family of 'converted' Sikh girl in Pakistan says wants to leave the country</strong></a></p>

<p>Apart from Hindus, Christians, Sikh and Balochs,&nbsp;the Ahmadiya community continues to face persecution, simply because the members practice their faith.&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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The extermination of minorities in Pakistan is continuing, and on the rise. On Friday, unidentified gunmen killed a Sikh shopkeeper in Peshawar area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province.

The extermination of minorities in Pakistan is continuing, and on the rise. On Friday, unidentified gunmen killed a Sikh shopkeeper in Peshawar area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. The victim, identified as Dayal Singh, was sitting in his shop in the Dir Colony market of Peshawar when the assailants entered his shop and fired shots indiscriminately before leaving. Singh was reportedly shot twice in the head, leading to his instant death. The police recovered 30 bore bullet shells from the site of the crime. He is survived by his wife and three children. A statement issued by the city police said SSP operations Haroon-ur-Rasheed met the victim's relatives and informed them that CCTV footage of the incident had been obtained and a probe was launched. According to local media reports, Singh thought to be in his 40s, belonged to the tiny Pashtun Sikh community which has witnessed its fourth targetted killing in the last two years. ALSO READ | How minorities in Pakistan continue to suffer from forced conversions, marriages Last year in May, two Sikh community members were gunned down by extremists in Peshawar. Ranjeet Singh, 38, and Guljeet Singh, 42, the two victims were operating their spice shops in Battathal Bazaar when the miscreants came and open fired. Prior to that, it was the killing of Sardar Satnam Singh, a prominent member of the Sikh community and a famous doctor that shocked the minorities of the predominantly Islamic country. WATCH | Gravitas: The plight of Christian girls in Pakistan × Satnam Singh was shot dead outside his clinic in September 2021. The modus-operandi was similar as unknown assailants converged outside his apothecary in Peshawar’s Charadda Road area and fired multiple shots. Pakistan, a hardcore Islamic country, has been known for its sketchy record in upholding the rights of minorities. Last month, the neighbouring country of India slammed Islamabad at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) saying 'no religious minority can freely live or practice' their religion there. ALSO READ | Family of 'converted' Sikh girl in Pakistan says wants to leave the country Apart from Hindus, Christians, Sikh and Balochs, the Ahmadiya community continues to face persecution, simply because the members practice their faith. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Minorities hell': Sikh shopkeeper shot dead in Pakistan in another targetted killing

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<p>The US state of Georgia and its House of Representatives recently passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry,&nbsp;becoming the first American state to bring forth such a measure.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The resolution, introduced by Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones from Forsyth County in the suburbs of Atlanta, stated that Hinduism is one of the world's largest and oldest religions, having over 1.2 billion followers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Hinduphobia, as described by the Understanding Hinduphobia Initiative, is "a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviours towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred."</p>

<p>The resolution attempted to build upon a report by Rutgers University published last year that stated that there had been a noticeable increase in anti-Hindu disinformation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hindu-temples-attacked-in-texas-and-melbourne-hate-crime-suspected-554694" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | Hindu temples attacked in Texas and Melbourne, hate crime suspected</strong></a></p>

<p>"In July 2022, a report released by Rutgers University titled "Anti-Hindu Disinformation: A Case Study of Hinduphobia on Social Media" detailed how hate messages in social media translate into real life threats for people of the Hindu faith," read the resolution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the Rutgers report, it was noted that "white supremacist and 4chan genocidal Pepe memes about Hindus" were "being shared prolifically within extremist Islamist web networks on messaging service Telegram and elsewhere."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-fumes-after-hindu-temple-in-canada-gets-defaced-562185" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | Indian PM Modi raises temple vandalism in Australia with PM Albanese during bilateral talks</strong></a></p>

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<p>The resolution added that Hinduphobia and its related instances were being ‘exacerbated’ by some in academia who supported dismantling of Hinduism whilst propagating the belief that the sacred texts and cultural practices within the religion were based on violence and oppression.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The recent spate of attacks on Hindu temples across the world have raised serious question marks over the safety of Hindus. From Canada to Australia, numerous incidents of vandalism of Hindu temples have been recorded since the beginning of the year.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-fumes-after-hindu-temple-in-canada-gets-defaced-562185" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | India fumes after Hindu temple in Canada gets defaced</strong></a></p>

<p>According to the Hindu advocacy group Coalition of Hindus of North America&nbsp;(CoHNA), Forsyth County&nbsp;is home to one of the largest Hindu and Indian-American diaspora communities in the state.</p>

<p>“We urged for their help in combating such bigotry which advances hatred and creates the idea that Hindus and people of Indian-origin need special laws and monitoring due to allegations around some inherent propensity to discriminate,” said&nbsp;CoHNA&nbsp;General Secretary Shobha Swamy</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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The US state of Georgia and its House of Representatives recently passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, becoming the first American state to bring forth such a measure.

The US state of Georgia and its House of Representatives recently passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, becoming the first American state to bring forth such a measure. The resolution, introduced by Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones from Forsyth County in the suburbs of Atlanta, stated that Hinduism is one of the world's largest and oldest religions, having over 1.2 billion followers. "Hinduphobia, as described by the Understanding Hinduphobia Initiative, is "a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviours towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred." The resolution attempted to build upon a report by Rutgers University published last year that stated that there had been a noticeable increase in anti-Hindu disinformation. ALSO READ | Hindu temples attacked in Texas and Melbourne, hate crime suspected "In July 2022, a report released by Rutgers University titled "Anti-Hindu Disinformation: A Case Study of Hinduphobia on Social Media" detailed how hate messages in social media translate into real life threats for people of the Hindu faith," read the resolution. In the Rutgers report, it was noted that "white supremacist and 4chan genocidal Pepe memes about Hindus" were "being shared prolifically within extremist Islamist web networks on messaging service Telegram and elsewhere." WATCH | Indian PM Modi raises temple vandalism in Australia with PM Albanese during bilateral talks × The resolution added that Hinduphobia and its related instances were being ‘exacerbated’ by some in academia who supported dismantling of Hinduism whilst propagating the belief that the sacred texts and cultural practices within the religion were based on violence and oppression. The recent spate of attacks on Hindu temples across the world have raised serious question marks over the safety of Hindus. From Canada to Australia, numerous incidents of vandalism of Hindu temples have been recorded since the beginning of the year. ALSO READ | India fumes after Hindu temple in Canada gets defaced According to the Hindu advocacy group Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), Forsyth County is home to one of the largest Hindu and Indian-American diaspora communities in the state. “We urged for their help in combating such bigotry which advances hatred and creates the idea that Hindus and people of Indian-origin need special laws and monitoring due to allegations around some inherent propensity to discriminate,” said CoHNA General Secretary Shobha Swamy (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Georgia becomes first American state to condemn Hinduphobia, passes resolution

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