The Hindu festival of Diwali is likely to be a school holiday in New York City. According to a report by the Times of India on Sunday (June 18), the New York state legislature passed a bill last week to make Diwali a school holiday in the city before it was adjourned.

The Hindu festival of Diwali is likely to be a school holiday in New York City. According to a report by the Times of India on Sunday (June 18), the New York state legislature passed a bill last week to make Diwali a school holiday in the city before it was adjourned. Both the New York Senate and the Assembly voted in favour of the bill before they ended their session on June 10, the report said. The bill will now go to Governor Kathy Hochul who is expected to sign it to make it a law. Two earlier attempts to pass the bill in 2021 and 2022 had failed. Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, who introduced the bill, said it fulfilled the dream of the South Asian community when she passed her bill (A.7769) to designate Diwali as a public school holiday in New York City, the Times of India report added. Diwali has not been declared a national holiday in the United States yet. Last month, US Congresswoman Grace Meng introduced a bill in Congress to declare Diwali a federal holiday. If passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden, the Diwali Day Act would make the festival the 12th federally recognised holiday in the US, the report further said. This year Diwali will be celebrated on November 12. Pennsylvania declares Diwali an official holiday In April, the US state of Pennsylvania declared Diwali an official holiday. The announcement was made by Senator Nikil Saval on Twitter. "The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter," Senator Saval tweeted on April 26. The legislation to make Diwali an official holiday was introduced by Saval and Senator Greg Rothman. In a statement, Senator Rothman said, "Recognising Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity." “Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, including many residents of the 34th Senatorial District,” the statement added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New York City likely to make Diwali a school holiday: Report

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is in Beijing, addressed a press conference on Monday (June 19) following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is in Beijing, addressed a press conference on Monday (June 19) following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the conference, Blinken said that the US and China both want to stabilise ties. "In every meeting, I stressed that direct engagement and sustained communication at senior levels is the best way to responsibly manage differences and ensure that competition does not veer into conflict," Blinken told reporters. "I heard the same from my Chinese counterparts. We both agree on the need to stabilise our relationship," he added. Blinken said the US was clear-eyed about the challenges posed by China, adding, "We have no illusions about the challenges of managing this relationship. There are many issues on which we profoundly -- even vehemently -- disagree." He also raised concerns with Beijing on Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. US does not support independence of Taiwan: Blinken The US secretary of state repeated that Washington did not support the independence of Taiwan and stood by its stance of maintaining the status quo. "At the same time, we and many others have deep concerns about some of the provocative actions that China has taken in recent years going back to 2016," Blinken told reporters. During the meeting between Blinken and Xi, the Chinese president urged the US not to "hurt China's legitimate rights and interests", a sign towards potential flashpoints such as Taiwan. Also read | US-China ties: Blinken, Qin hold ‘candid,’ ‘constructive’ talks, agree to meet again in Washington Meanwhile, amid the ongoing Russian offensive in Ukraine, Antony Blinken told reporters that China renewed promises not to send lethal arms to Russia. "We -- and other countries -- have received assurances from China that it is not and will not provide lethal assistance to Russia for use in Ukraine," he said. Xi meets Blinken, says US & China made progress on many issues Before Blinken's press conference, he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Blinken became the first US secretary of state to meet the Chinese President since 2018. President Xi told Blinken he hoped that the American diplomat's visit to China would stabilise ties between Beijing and Washington. Xi also said that US and China made progress on many issues. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US, China want to stabilise relationship, says Blinken after meeting Xi

The United States recorded three mass shootings on Saturday (June 17), leaving three dead and injuring at least 38 others. The first shooting occurred in central Pennsylvania while the second shooting occurred near Washington State during an electronic dance music festival. And the third shooting occurred in Illinois.&nbsp;

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is set to face trial, where he will be tried on charges of "extremism" that carry the potential of keeping him imprisoned for several decades. The trial will start on Monday and will be conducted in the maximum-security IK-6 penal colony in Melekhovo.&nbsp;

And as the war in Ukraine rages on, classified German defence ministry documents stated that Ukrainian saboteurs may have been involved in the destruction of the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-mass-shootings-in-a-day-rock-us-three-killed-many-injured-605863">Three mass shootings in a day rock US, three killed, at least 38 shot</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/19/360459-shooting.jpeg?imwidth=1920" />

It was a bloody Saturday for the United States as it recorded three mass shootings in a day, leaving three dead, and at least 38 injured.&nbsp;The first shooting occurred in central Pennsylvania on Saturday morning where two state troopers were shot, one fatally, in a multi-scene shootout with a man who initially fired bullets into state police vehicles outside police barracks, reported CNN on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-faces-decades-in-prison-for-rehabilitating-nazi-ideology-and-other-crimes-605858">Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny faces decades in prison for 'rehabilitating Nazi ideology' and other crimes</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/19/360454-new-wion.png?imwidth=1920" />

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is set to face trial, where he will be tried on charges of "extremism" that carry the potential of keeping him imprisoned for several decades.&nbsp;The trial starts Monday. It will be conducted in the maximum-security IK-6 penal colony in Melekhovo, located approximately 250 kilometres (155 miles) east of Moscow, where Navalny is currently incarcerated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-saboteurs-may-have-destroyed-togliatti-odessa-ammonia-pipeline-reports-605867">Ukrainian saboteurs may have destroyed Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline: Reports</a>

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Ukrainian saboteurs may have been involved in the destruction of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline that was subjected to intense shelling earlier this month, according to classified German defence ministry documents accessed by The Bild.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delhi-police-fbi-bust-call-centre-scam-which-conned-us-citizens-of-20-million-605848">Delhi Police, FBI bust call centre scam which conned US citizens of $20 million</a>

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A joint operation by Delhi Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Interpol busted a call centre gang operating from India which scammed US citizens out of $20 million by impersonating a high-ranking officer from the US Drugs Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to Delhi Police. The team arrested six individuals.

Watch | Blinken in Beijing: Antony Blinken likely to meet President Xi

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The United States recorded three mass shootings on Saturday (June 17), leaving three dead and injuring at least 38 others. The first shooting occurred in central Pennsylvania while the second shooting occurred near Washington State during an electronic dance music festival.

The United States recorded three mass shootings on Saturday (June 17), leaving three dead and injuring at least 38 others. The first shooting occurred in central Pennsylvania while the second shooting occurred near Washington State during an electronic dance music festival. And the third shooting occurred in Illinois. Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is set to face trial, where he will be tried on charges of "extremism" that carry the potential of keeping him imprisoned for several decades. The trial will start on Monday and will be conducted in the maximum-security IK-6 penal colony in Melekhovo. And as the war in Ukraine rages on, classified German defence ministry documents stated that Ukrainian saboteurs may have been involved in the destruction of the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline. Click on the headlines to read more: Three mass shootings in a day rock US, three killed, at least 38 shot It was a bloody Saturday for the United States as it recorded three mass shootings in a day, leaving three dead, and at least 38 injured. The first shooting occurred in central Pennsylvania on Saturday morning where two state troopers were shot, one fatally, in a multi-scene shootout with a man who initially fired bullets into state police vehicles outside police barracks, reported CNN on Sunday. Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny faces decades in prison for 'rehabilitating Nazi ideology' and other crimes Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is set to face trial, where he will be tried on charges of "extremism" that carry the potential of keeping him imprisoned for several decades. The trial starts Monday. It will be conducted in the maximum-security IK-6 penal colony in Melekhovo, located approximately 250 kilometres (155 miles) east of Moscow, where Navalny is currently incarcerated. Ukrainian saboteurs may have destroyed Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline: Reports Ukrainian saboteurs may have been involved in the destruction of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline that was subjected to intense shelling earlier this month, according to classified German defence ministry documents accessed by The Bild. Delhi Police, FBI bust call centre scam which conned US citizens of $20 million A joint operation by Delhi Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Interpol busted a call centre gang operating from India which scammed US citizens out of $20 million by impersonating a high-ranking officer from the US Drugs Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to Delhi Police. The team arrested six individuals. Watch | Blinken in Beijing: Antony Blinken likely to meet President Xi ×

Morning brief: US records 3 mass shootings in a day, Navalny faces decades in prison, and more

Sudan's warring sides, the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), agreed to a new 72-hour ceasefire from Sunday (June 18), as fighting intensified with deadly air strikes in the capital city of Khartoum and an exodus of wounded from Darfur over the border into Chad.

Sudan's warring sides, the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), agreed to a new 72-hour ceasefire from Sunday (June 18), as fighting intensified with deadly air strikes in the capital city of Khartoum and an exodus of wounded from Darfur over the border into Chad. According to a statement from Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America announce the agreement of representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a ceasefire throughout Sudan for a period of 72 hours." The ceasefire would take place from 6 am (0400 GMT), the mediators said. "The two sides agreed that during the ceasefire period, they would refrain from movements and attacks, the use of warplanes or drones, artillery bombardment, reinforcement of positions, resupply of forces, or refrain from attempting to achieve military gains," they added. Watch | Sudan's eighth attempt at ceasefire begins × The mediators also said that the Sudanese army and the RSF agreed to allow the freedom of movement and the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Sudan. Air strikes kill 17 in Khartoum The conflict in Sudan has been going on since April 15 with multiple truces agreed and broken. On Saturday, 17 civilians including five children were killed in air strikes in Khartoum, the news agency AFP reported citing a citizens' support committee. Earlier, Khartoum residents reported air strikes around Yarmouk, which is home to a weapons manufacturing and arms depot complex where the RSF claimed "full control" in early June. And on Friday, deputy army chief Yasser Atta warned civilians to keep away from houses where the RSF were located because the army "will attack them at any time". Previously, a 24-hour ceasefire from June 10-11 provided Khartoum's residents with some relief from air strikes and artillery exchanges that ravaged neighbourhoods across the capital city. However, fighting resumed within 10 minutes of the ceasefire ending. An influx of injured people in Chad's hospitals On Saturday, medics in Chad said that they were overwhelmed by hundreds of wounded people fleeing Sudan's Darfur region. "We are overwhelmed in the operating theatre. We urgently need more beds and more staff," said Seybou Diarra, a physician and project coordinator in Adre, Chad, for the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity, AFP reported. In a statement, the MSF said that as violence raged in West Darfur, wounded people were coming in waves to the hospital in Adre. Over 600 patients, most with gunshot wounds, arrived at the facility over three days -- more than half of them on Friday, the statement added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sudan conflict: Warring sides agree to new truce after days of intense fighting

Chinese President Xi Jinping told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (June 19) that he hoped the American diplomat's visit to China would stabilise ties between Beijing and Washington.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (June 19) that he hoped the American diplomat's visit to China would stabilise ties between Beijing and Washington. Xi, who met Blinken in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, said, "I hope that through this visit, Mr Secretary, you will make more positive contributions to stabilizing China-US relations," the news agency Reuters reported. Following the meeting, Xi also said that US and China made progress on many issues. "The Chinese side has made our position clear and the two sides have agreed to follow through the common understandings President Biden and I had reached in Bali," the Chinese president told Blinken. Blinken first US Secretary of State to meet Xi since 2018 Antony Blinken became the first US Secretary of State to meet the Chinese president since 2018. This 10-hour meeting comes after Blinken held extensive discussions with China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Monday, and foreign minister Qin Gang on Sunday. Also read | US-China ties: Blinken, Qin hold ‘candid,’ ‘constructive’ talks, agree to meet again in Washington During over three hours of talks with Blinken, Wang described the US-China relationship as being at a low point and said the reason for this was Washington's wrong perception of Beijing. "We must take a responsible attitude toward the people, history and the world, and reverse the downward spiral of US-China relations," Wang said during his meeting with the US Secretary of State, according to a statement released by China's foreign ministry. The top Chinese diplomat urged the US to stop speculating on threats from China, abandon its "suppression" of China's scientific and technological development, and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs. During the meeting with Chinese foreign minister Gang, Blinken stressed "the need to reduce the risk of misperception and miscalculation." Blinken's visit to pave way for more bilateral meetings Though American officials had been playing down the prospect of a major breakthrough in talks during Blinken's China visit, they expected that the visit would pave the way for more bilateral meetings in coming months, including possible trips by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The concerns of the officials came following a security call between Blinken and Gang, where the Chinese foreign minister urged the US to stop meddling in China's affairs and harming its security. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Hope Blinken's China visit would stabilise ties between Beijing, Washington: Chinese prez Xi

Former Pakistan prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)&nbsp;chairperson Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi's pre-arrest bail in the Al-Qadir Trust case has been approved until July 4. The bail was&nbsp;approved by the accountability court on Monday (June 19). Earlier, Khan's bail in the case was extended till Monday against surety bonds of Rs 500,000 (Pakistan Rupee) ($1742).

The bail also comes days after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) summoned Bushra Bibi in the case. Initially, Bibi was summoned by the NAB's Combined Investigation Team (CIT) as a witness, being a trustee of the Al-Qadir University Trust, on June 7. However, she sought a day's extension with her husband. The CIT then directed her to appear before the investigators on June 13.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Al-Qadir Trust case?</h2>

The case alleges that Khan and Bibi obtained land worth billions of rupees for their trust from a major property tycoon in Pakistan to build an educational institute. According to a report by Al-Jazeera last month, the NAB alleged that the previous PTI government under Khan's leadership struck a deal with property tycoon Malik Riaz that caused a loss of over $239 million to the national exchequer.&nbsp;

In 2019,&nbsp;Riaz agreed to hand over assets, including properties worth $239 million, to United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency in a probe&nbsp;related to “dirty money".

In May this year, Imran Khan was arrested in the case but was later granted bail. The NAB had said that the former prime minister was arrested for the crime of corruption in the trust.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Interior Minister&nbsp;Rana Sanaullah Khan, meanwhile, tweeted that Khan did not appear in the case despite notices.&nbsp;

Imran Khan is currently facing over 150 cases registered against him since being ousted&nbsp;in April last year. He was granted bail till Monday in eight cases registered against him. Out of these eight cases, Khan's bail was confirmed in five and the former prime minister got pre-arrest bail in three cases, including the Al-Qadir Trust case.&nbsp;

On Sunday, Khan said the ruling government still planned to detain him to quash his momentum ahead of the elections which are due by October.&nbsp;"They believe that people will sit as silent spectators when they put me in jail," he said.&nbsp;

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Former Pakistan prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi's pre-arrest bail in the Al-Qadir Trust case has been approved until July 4.

Former Pakistan prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi's pre-arrest bail in the Al-Qadir Trust case has been approved until July 4. The bail was approved by the accountability court on Monday (June 19). Earlier, Khan's bail in the case was extended till Monday against surety bonds of Rs 500,000 (Pakistan Rupee) ($1742). The bail also comes days after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) summoned Bushra Bibi in the case. Initially, Bibi was summoned by the NAB's Combined Investigation Team (CIT) as a witness, being a trustee of the Al-Qadir University Trust, on June 7. However, she sought a day's extension with her husband. The CIT then directed her to appear before the investigators on June 13. What is the Al-Qadir Trust case? The case alleges that Khan and Bibi obtained land worth billions of rupees for their trust from a major property tycoon in Pakistan to build an educational institute. According to a report by Al-Jazeera last month, the NAB alleged that the previous PTI government under Khan's leadership struck a deal with property tycoon Malik Riaz that caused a loss of over $239 million to the national exchequer. In 2019, Riaz agreed to hand over assets, including properties worth $239 million, to United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency in a probe related to “dirty money". In May this year, Imran Khan was arrested in the case but was later granted bail. The NAB had said that the former prime minister was arrested for the crime of corruption in the trust. Pakistan's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, meanwhile, tweeted that Khan did not appear in the case despite notices. Imran Khan is currently facing over 150 cases registered against him since being ousted in April last year. He was granted bail till Monday in eight cases registered against him. Out of these eight cases, Khan's bail was confirmed in five and the former prime minister got pre-arrest bail in three cases, including the Al-Qadir Trust case. On Sunday, Khan said the ruling government still planned to detain him to quash his momentum ahead of the elections which are due by October. "They believe that people will sit as silent spectators when they put me in jail," he said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Al-Qadir Trust case: Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan, wife's pre-arrest bail approved until July 4

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has been severely criticised for his remarks on Pakistani expatriates in the National Assembly. In a statement last week, the Association of Physicians of Pakistani-Descent of North America (APPNA) said that Defence Minister Asif used "condescending and degraded language" when referring to the Pakistani diaspora in the United States and Canada.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has been severely criticised for his remarks on Pakistani expatriates in the National Assembly. In a statement last week, the Association of Physicians of Pakistani-Descent of North America (APPNA) said that Defence Minister Asif used "condescending and degraded language" when referring to the Pakistani diaspora in the United States and Canada. Addressing the National Assembly last Wednesday (June 14), Asif said, "English speakers sitting outside of Pakistan are saying that remittance will be stopped… remittances are sent by Gulf countries. Someone is living in Canada, someone in America… these are shameless people, they come back to bury the bodies and then go back," The Tribune reported on Saturday (June 17). Asif's remarks unfortunate & unacceptable: APPNA Hitting back, the APPNA said in a statement that Asif's remarks "were glaringly contemptuous of Pakistanis in North America and Europe." "Derogatory comments about more than three million overseas Pakistanis by a sitting minister of the Pakistan government holding a very important portfolio of Defence is unfortunate and unacceptable." Also read | Al-Qadir Trust case: Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan, wife's pre-arrest bail approved until July 4 The APPNA pointed out that the Pakistani diaspora living in the Western world, in general, and North America in particular, "has forever nothing but the welfare of Pakistan on its mind". APPNA condemns disparaging remarks of Khwaja Mohammad Asif, Pakistan Minister for Defense about overseas Pakistanis, demands apology. Requests Honorable Prime Minister @cmshehbaz to reconsider Mr. Asif’s position in the cabinet. pic.twitter.com/yMvu2ygsQU — Assoc. of Pakistani Physicians of North America (@APPNA) June 15, 2023 × The association also said that the services of overseas Pakistanis, regardless of whether they carried single or dual nationality, always brought a good name to Pakistan. "Mr Asif may have his political differences with some overseas Pakistanis, but that does not give him any right to disparage the whole community. Even responding to political opponents should be with political arguments and not with hateful rhetoric," the statement added. The APPNA hoped that the defence minister's remarks did not reflect the stance of Islamabad. The association further said it felt sorry for some members of the National Assembly who encouraged Asif's remarks with desk thumping. PTI leader hits out at Asif: 'Remarks utterly ill-informed' Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar hit out at Defence Minister Asif over his remarks on Pakistani expatriates. Taking to Twitter, Umar said on Saturday that Asif's remarks were shameful and utterly ill-informed. Khwaja asif comments about Pakistani's living in western countries is both shameful and utterly ill informed. In first 11 months of this fiscal year almost $ 10.5 billion remittances have been recieved from north America, Europe and Australia. This is 42% of total remittances.… — Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) June 17, 2023 × "In the first 11 months of this fiscal year, almost $ 10.5 billion in remittances have been received from North America, Europe and Australia. This is 42% of total remittances. State bank total reserves right now are about $4 billion," Umar tweeted. "So if these English-speaking Pakistanis as Asif calls them, had not sent these remittances, Pakistan would have defaulted by now," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan defence minister severely criticised for remarks on Pak expatriates

A soldier of the Indian Army was injured in unprovoked firing in violence-hit Manipur's capital city Imphal, the army said on Monday (June 19). The soldier sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated to a military hospital and is stable.

A soldier of the Indian Army was injured in unprovoked firing in violence-hit Manipur's capital city Imphal, the army said on Monday (June 19). The soldier sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated to a military hospital and is stable. Taking to Twitter, the Spear Corps said the soldier was injured after armed miscreants resorted to unprovoked firing from Kanto Sabal towards Chingmang village during the night of June 18-19. The ethnic violence in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur started on May 3 when tribal groups, including the Kuki community, clashed with the ethnic majority of Meitei people, a non-tribal group, over economic benefits and quotas given to the tribes. More than 100 people have died in the clashes so far. Also read | Manipur violence: Union ministers' house set on fire by arsonists On Sunday, the army carried out a flag march in the violence-affected area in the Imphal valley, the news agency ANI reported. And a day back, authorities in the Imphal East district decided to relax curfew hours from 5 am to 5 pm on Sunday to facilitate the public to buy essential items including medicines and food. 𝘼𝙧𝙢𝙮 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙄𝙣𝙟𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙐𝙣𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩 Armed miscreants resorted to unprovoked firing from Kanto Sabal towards Chingmang village during night of 18/19 June. Army Columns resorted to controlled retaliatory fire… pic.twitter.com/KFtF7jWnwu — SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) June 19, 2023 × The areas where the curfew was relaxed included the Hatta crossing to the RDS crossing, the Imphal River from Sanjenthong to Minuthong, Minuthong to Hatta crossing and the RDS crossing to Sanjethong. Cong again targets PM Modi over Manipur violence The opposition party Congress on Sunday again questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the violence in Manipur and slammed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over its divisive ideology and polarising activities. This comes after the RSS appealed for peace in Manipur, and ensure the safety of human lives and permanent peace in the state. Also read | Manipur: Minor boy and two women, including his mother, charred to death in ambulance Taking to Twitter, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The RSS has FINALLY issued a public appeal for peace and harmony in Manipur after 45 days of unending violence. The RSS’ well-known duplicity is in full display as its divisive ideology and polarising activities is changing the very nature of a diverse NorthEast, of which Manipur is one tragic example." Hitting out at PM Modi, Ramesh said, "But what of its much-celebrated former Pracharak, who now controls the administrative machinery at the Centre and in the state? Has he outsourced the public appeal to the organisation that moulded him? When will Mr Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, say something, do something on Manipur? Is he only a Prachar Mantri and not Pradhan Mantri?" Should allow all-party delegation to visit Manipur: Kharge Also on Sunday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asked the central government to allow an all-party delegation to visit Manipur. Taking to Twitter, Kharge said the Modi government did not consider Manipur as part of India. "Your government is asleep at the wheel while the state burns. Follow the Raj dharma. Act firm on all elements that disturb the peace. Restore normalcy by taking citizen groups in confidence. Allow an all-party delegation to visit the state," Kharge tweeted. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Manipur violence: Indian Army soldier injured in firing in Imphal west

Pro-cannabis protesters demonstrated in&nbsp;Sao&nbsp;Paulo&nbsp;on Saturday (June 17) to demand the decriminalisation of the plant.

During the protest, attendees held signs defending the use of marijuana and smoked on the street.

Amongst the main demands was the de-stigmatisation of medicinal marijuana, said Angela Boin, member of Maesconhas - a word play with the words marijuana and mothers in Portuguese.

Currently, Brazil allows the sale and production of cannabis products, but companies must import the key ingredients.

Next year, the country’s Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) is expected to rule on whether companies and farmers can plant cannabis.

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Pro-cannabis protesters demonstrated in Sao Paulo on Saturday (June 17) to demand the decriminalisation of the plant. During the protest, attendees held signs defending the use of marijuana and smoked on the street.

Pro-cannabis protesters demonstrated in Sao Paulo on Saturday (June 17) to demand the decriminalisation of the plant. During the protest, attendees held signs defending the use of marijuana and smoked on the street. Amongst the main demands was the de-stigmatisation of medicinal marijuana, said Angela Boin, member of Maesconhas - a word play with the words marijuana and mothers in Portuguese. Currently, Brazil allows the sale and production of cannabis products, but companies must import the key ingredients. Next year, the country’s Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) is expected to rule on whether companies and farmers can plant cannabis. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Brazilians protest to demand cannabis decriminalisation

Taiwan expects that broadband satellite Internet service service by United Kingdom (UK)-based OneWeb would cover the entire island by the end of this year. Speaking to the Central news agency on Saturday (June 17), Taiwan's Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang said the satellite service expansion would provide more options for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to Taiwan, adding OneWeb services were only available in the northern part.

Taiwan expects that broadband satellite Internet service service by United Kingdom (UK)-based OneWeb would cover the entire island by the end of this year. Speaking to the Central news agency on Saturday (June 17), Taiwan's Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang said the satellite service expansion would provide more options for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to Taiwan, adding OneWeb services were only available in the northern part. OneWeb is “very willing” to work with Taiwan to bolster the island’s communication infrastructure, Tang said. Tang's rare trip to London The minister's remarks come after she made a rare trip to London, visiting the headquarters of OneWeb and meeting with British ministers. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Tang met British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat on Wednesday. A source told Reuters that the meeting between the two ministers was about mutual security interests. Tugendhat, who was sanctioned by China two years ago for speaking out about alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang, is not a full cabinet minister but attends cabinet meetings in his role as security minister. And Tang's visit to the UK comes a year after Taiwan's top trade negotiator John Deng visited the country. Taiwan's disaster response plan On Saturday, Tang told the Central news agency that OneWeb was very willing to work with Taiwan to bolster the island’s communication infrastructure. Taiwan's disaster response plan calls for the establishment of 700 satellite receivers placed all over the island, the news agency Bloomberg reported. Some of the receivers would be fixed, others mobile, and they would have to be configured to receive communications from multiple constellations of satellites in LEO and Medium Earth Orbit. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taiwan expects broadband satellite internet cover by UK by year end: Report

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto on Saturday (June 17) threatened to oppose the federal budget if the promised funds for flood-hit areas of Sindh were not released.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto on Saturday (June 17) threatened to oppose the federal budget if the promised funds for flood-hit areas of Sindh were not released. Addressing a gathering in Khwazakhela, Bhutto, the chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), said that he did not have any doubt in the sincerity of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but some people in the cabinet were reluctant to release the required funds for flood-hit people, The News reported. "We will not support the budget if our grievances are not addressed,” Bhutto added. The Foreign Minister also said that if the Muslim League wanted the PPP to vote for this budget, then it was not possible without allocating funds for flood reconstruction. PPP sends high-level committee to PM complaining about budget “We encourage our allies to prepare themselves and contest the elections, so that the next government finds solutions to problems faced by the people,” Bhutto said, adding the PPP sent a high-level committee to Prime Minister Sharif and his team, complaining that the budget contained little of PPP’s input. “We have approached our allies to make them understand that it is imperative that we look after the flood victims in our budget. We have no doubts over the intentions of the PM, as he witnessed the destruction with his own eyes, Bhutto said. "However, we would like to ask the PM to take up the matter with his team and hold those hindering this process accountable. We hope that the finance minister Ishaq Dar and his team will address our concerns and work towards resolving them,” the foreign minister added. Pak unveils budget amid ongoing economic crisis On June 9, Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar unveiled a $51 billion budget for 2023-24 amid the ongoing economic crisis. "There are general elections in the country soon, but despite that the next fiscal-year budget is prepared as a responsible budget instead of an election budget," Finance Minister Dar said while presenting the budget to the National Assembly. Dar added the budget was based on the GDP growth of 3.5 per cent, although the World Bank projected a less-ambitious two per cent growth in a report issued earlier this week. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan: Bilawal Bhutto threatens to oppose federal budget. Here's why

Residents in France's western region on Saturday (June 18) counted the cost after being hit by a rare earthquake that left dozens of homes damaged. The earthquake of 5.

Residents in France's western region on Saturday (June 18) counted the cost after being hit by a rare earthquake that left dozens of homes damaged. The earthquake of 5.8 magnitude hit large parts of western France on Friday evening with the seismology bureau BCSF calling it "very strong" amid reports of damage to buildings. Seismologists said the quake was the most significant in the region since 1972. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Saturday, cracks appeared in several homes in the Charente-Maritime department just north of Bordeaux, while churches were damaged and inhabitants left in urgent need of resettlement. In La Laigne, many homes were left cracked with stones, tiles on the ground, and tiles looked as though they could tumble at any moment. Local fire service chief Didier Marcaillou told AFP that 135 buildings were affected in La Laigne, and 170 people needed to be relocated. 'I thought it was a plane crash' Cecile Apperce, a baker in the town, was at her bakery's counter on Friday when the earthquake struck. "I thought it was a plane crash, I went outside, everyone was screaming." "The crockery, the cups, the wine, everything crashed down," said Patricia Chardonne, who was in her 200-year-old house at the time. Her husband Pascal said, "All the walls have shifted. We have to relocate but don't know where to go." A queue of 50 people had already formed outside the town hall seeking help. There were no fatalities in Friday's earthquake even though tremors were felt as far as Rennes in Brittany in the north and two aftershocks were recorded on Saturday. 'An unusual earthquake': PM Borne During a visit to northern France, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said that Friday's earthquake was unusual and expressed solidarity with people who may have been worried. "We will obviously ensure that everyone has access to rehousing," Prime Minister Borne added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France counts cost after rare earthquake shakes country's western region

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