The United Kingdom (UK) government's funding worth £ 27 million for Mandarin teaching at branches of Chinese state-linked Confucius Institutes will be stopped. According to a report by the Guardian late Monday, (April 24) the step is expected to be announced by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly later on Tuesday. The report added that the funding would stop but the branches would not be closed.&nbsp;

In July last year, Rishi Sunak, who was then a contender for the prime minister's post, pledged to close the Confucius Institutes in the UK. These institutes promote the teaching of the Chinese language and culture in foreign countries.&nbsp;

And Tuesday's expected decision comes as research showed that a secretive visa scheme had been used to fast-track Chinese government-vetted staff to come to the UK to promote the values of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at these institutes.

The UK has 30 branches of the Confucius Institutes in total. On Monday, a report by UK-China Transparency, a charity, said that each institute is based in a British university and is a partnership between that British university, a Chinese entity (usually a university), and the Chinese government.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-wont-happen-overnight-sunak-appears-defeatist-on-small-boats-channel-crossings-582456">'It won't happen overnight...': UK PM Rishi Sunak appears defeatist on illegal migrants issue</a>

"Its staff typically include administrative staff from the UK, Chinese language teachers from China, a ‘British co-director' recruited by the British university, and a ‘Chinese co-director' recruited by the Chinese partner entity but based in the British university at the Confucius Institute," the report said, adding the purpose of such institutes is to advance the CCP's interest in British higher education and society more broadly.&nbsp;

The report also found that Chinese people applying to teach at the institutes were vetted by Beijing for their political characteristics, ethnicity and ability to comply with CCP's guidelines for foreign affairs. These guidelines require staff to enforce the CCP's values.&nbsp;

The Guardian report, meanwhile, said that Home Office believed that Confucius staff were subject to UK's employment law. However, British universities said in a survey they were not the employer of the staff at the institutes.

On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly would say that a cold war with China would be a betrayal of the security interests of the UK. He would also insist that the UK must engage with China on issues such as health and climate emergency.

The British foreign secretary is also expected to say will be unflinchingly realistic about China’s authoritarianism, The Guardian reported.&nbsp;

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The United Kingdom (UK) government's funding worth £ 27 million for Mandarin teaching at branches of Chinese state-linked Confucius Institutes will be stopped. According to a report by the Guardian late Monday, (April 24) the step is expected to be announced by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly later on Tuesday.

The United Kingdom (UK) government's funding worth £ 27 million for Mandarin teaching at branches of Chinese state-linked Confucius Institutes will be stopped. According to a report by the Guardian late Monday, (April 24) the step is expected to be announced by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly later on Tuesday. The report added that the funding would stop but the branches would not be closed. In July last year, Rishi Sunak, who was then a contender for the prime minister's post, pledged to close the Confucius Institutes in the UK. These institutes promote the teaching of the Chinese language and culture in foreign countries. And Tuesday's expected decision comes as research showed that a secretive visa scheme had been used to fast-track Chinese government-vetted staff to come to the UK to promote the values of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at these institutes. The UK has 30 branches of the Confucius Institutes in total. On Monday, a report by UK-China Transparency, a charity, said that each institute is based in a British university and is a partnership between that British university, a Chinese entity (usually a university), and the Chinese government. ALSO READ | 'It won't happen overnight...': UK PM Rishi Sunak appears defeatist on illegal migrants issue "Its staff typically include administrative staff from the UK, Chinese language teachers from China, a ‘British co-director' recruited by the British university, and a ‘Chinese co-director' recruited by the Chinese partner entity but based in the British university at the Confucius Institute," the report said, adding the purpose of such institutes is to advance the CCP's interest in British higher education and society more broadly. The report also found that Chinese people applying to teach at the institutes were vetted by Beijing for their political characteristics, ethnicity and ability to comply with CCP's guidelines for foreign affairs. These guidelines require staff to enforce the CCP's values. The Guardian report, meanwhile, said that Home Office believed that Confucius staff were subject to UK's employment law. However, British universities said in a survey they were not the employer of the staff at the institutes. On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly would say that a cold war with China would be a betrayal of the security interests of the UK. He would also insist that the UK must engage with China on issues such as health and climate emergency. The British foreign secretary is also expected to say will be unflinchingly realistic about China’s authoritarianism, The Guardian reported. 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.

UK expected to stop funding for Mandarin teaching at Confucius Institutes: Reports

Street fighting between the forces of two rival generals eased in parts of Sudan's capital city Khartoum late Friday (April 21), following calls for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire.

Street fighting between the forces of two rival generals eased in parts of Sudan's capital city Khartoum late Friday (April 21), following calls for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire. The army announced that it agreed to a ceasefire for three days" to "enable citizens to celebrate Eid al-Fitr and allow the flow of humanitarian services." The conflict in Sudan has been going on since last weekend after two previously allied leaders of Sudan's ruling council began a violent power struggle. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 413 people have been killed and 3,551 wounded in the fighting. Here are the top updates on the unrest: > A report by the news agency Reuters early Saturday said artillery fire continued in Khartoum late Friday but it was less intense than earlier in the day. This was the latest blow to international attempts to end the conflict. > Soldiers and paramilitary fought fierce street battles in densely populated districts of Khartoum, with witnesses reporting blasts near the army headquarters. > The army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said separately they agreed to a three-day truce to enable citizens to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. However, on Friday evening, the army accused the RSF of violating the truce by indiscriminately bombing the airport and presidential palace. > Many countries including the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Japan and South Korea announced they were making preparations or attempting to remove their personnel from Sudan. > US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said that American citizens in Sudan should not expect a US-government coordinated evacuation, adding they should make their arrangements to stay safe. ALSO READ | RSF fighters agree to 72-hour ceasefire for Eid; thousands flee from Sudan to Chad > The State Department also said that one US citizen was killed in Sudan and did not elaborate further, Reuters reported. > As many as 413 people have been killed and 3,551 wounded, since the beginning of the conflict between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the RSF. > However, the actual death toll might be higher with many wounded unable to reach hospitals, a report by the news agency AFP on Saturday said. Analysts warned that the conflict could affect countries across the region. > The International Committee of the Red Cross urged "immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access", saying it was a "legal obligation under international humanitarian law". > The conflict has also caused a shortage in supplies of food and water. The UN humanitarian office said that several Sudanese people are running out of food, water, and power, including in the capital Khartoum. (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 unrest: Fighting eases in parts of Khartoum; over 400 killed| Top points

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Saturday (April 22) held bilateral talks with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo amid the Philippines staging its largest-ever military exercises with the United States.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Saturday (April 22) held bilateral talks with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo amid the Philippines staging its largest-ever military exercises with the United States. The two countries are holding joint military exercises, with nearly 18,000 troops taking part in live-fire and combat drills until April 28. At the start of the bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Gang, Enrique Manalo said that the Philippines' differences with China in the South China Sea were not the total of relations between the two countries. "These differences should not prevent us from seeking ways of managing them effectively, especially with respect to the enjoyment of rights of Filipinos, especially fishermen," Manalo said, the news agency Reuters reported. ALSO READ | Beijing slams US over 'illegal' intrusion of American warship in South China Sea Qin Gang, meanwhile, said on Saturday that China was ready to work with the Philippines to implement a consensus between the two countries and properly resolve differences. Later in the day, the Chinese foreign minister will meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. A day before Gang arrived in Manila, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the foreign minister's visit was aimed at enhancing mutual trust and properly handling differences with the Philippines. Overlapping claims in the South China Sea have been a sticking point in the relations between Beijing and Manila. China has claimed sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, deploying hundreds of vessels there to patrol the waters and occupy reefs. China also ignored a 2016 international tribunal ruling that its claims had no legal basis. Richard Heydarian, a Philippine foreign analyst, told the news agency AFP that Qin Gang's visit (to the Philippines) was "timely and extremely important" given the current state of relations between the two nations. "We're really confronting a total crisis in Philippine-China relations. The question is what is China going to offer the Philippines? Is it sticks or is it carrots? If it's carrots, will it be enough in terms of changing Marcos' ideas?" Heydarian said. (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.

Chinese FM holds bilateral talks with Philippine counterpart amid Philippines-US war games

The United States Supreme Court on Friday (April 21) preserved access to a widely used abortion but warned of a long fight ahead as the legal challenge to the medication goes on. Friday's order allowed the abortion pill mifepristone to remain available with no new restrictions. Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and former chief executive officer (CEO) of Twitter, launched Bluesky on Android. The goal of Bluesky is to create an open and decentralized social media protocol that is not controlled by any single entity. And in Colombia, the death toll due to an explosion at a mine in Cucunuba climbed to seven with the discovery of four more bodies.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-in-a-split-decision-preserves-abortion-drug-access-584958">US Supreme Court preserves abortion drug access amid legal battle</a>

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The US Supreme Court on April 21, preserved the access to a commonly used abortion pill, marking a significant moment of respite for abortion rights in the country. The court has ruled that the drug can remain available until a different&nbsp;appealed case in the matter reaches its conclusion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/jack-dorseys-twitter-alternative-bluesky-makes-debut-on-android-584966">Jack Dorsey's Twitter alternative Bluesky makes debut on Android</a>

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Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and former Twitter CEO launched Bluesky, a social media platform that provides an alternative to the microblogging platform, on Android.&nbsp;The goal of Bluesky is to create an open and decentralized social media protocol that is not controlled by any single entity.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-death-toll-in-coal-mine-blast-rises-to-seven-584964">Colombia: Death toll in coal mine blast rises to seven</a>

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The death toll due to an explosion in a coal mine in Colombia rose to seven on Friday (April 21) with the discovery of four more bodies, according to Alvaro Farfan, the head of the firefighting department in the central Cundinamarca region. The explosion occurred through the mine overnight Wednesday into Thursday in Cucunuba municipality.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/alphabet-ceo-sundar-pichai-earned-hundreds-of-millions-in-2022-584962">Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai earned hundreds of millions in 2022</a>

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Alphabet Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai's pay package in 2023 soared to $226 million in 2022. This came as a triennial stock valued at $218 million was awarded to Pichai.

WATCH |&nbsp;G7 nations mulling near-total ban on exports to Russia

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The United States Supreme Court on Friday (April 21) preserved access to a widely used abortion but warned of a long fight ahead as the legal challenge to the medication goes on.

The United States Supreme Court on Friday (April 21) preserved access to a widely used abortion but warned of a long fight ahead as the legal challenge to the medication goes on. Friday's order allowed the abortion pill mifepristone to remain available with no new restrictions. Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and former chief executive officer (CEO) of Twitter, launched Bluesky on Android. The goal of Bluesky is to create an open and decentralized social media protocol that is not controlled by any single entity. And in Colombia, the death toll due to an explosion at a mine in Cucunuba climbed to seven with the discovery of four more bodies. Click on the headlines to read more US Supreme Court preserves abortion drug access amid legal battle The US Supreme Court on April 21, preserved the access to a commonly used abortion pill, marking a significant moment of respite for abortion rights in the country. The court has ruled that the drug can remain available until a different appealed case in the matter reaches its conclusion. Jack Dorsey's Twitter alternative Bluesky makes debut on Android Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and former Twitter CEO launched Bluesky, a social media platform that provides an alternative to the microblogging platform, on Android. The goal of Bluesky is to create an open and decentralized social media protocol that is not controlled by any single entity. Colombia: Death toll in coal mine blast rises to seven The death toll due to an explosion in a coal mine in Colombia rose to seven on Friday (April 21) with the discovery of four more bodies, according to Alvaro Farfan, the head of the firefighting department in the central Cundinamarca region. The explosion occurred through the mine overnight Wednesday into Thursday in Cucunuba municipality. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai earned hundreds of millions in 2022 Alphabet Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai's pay package in 2023 soared to $226 million in 2022. This came as a triennial stock valued at $218 million was awarded to Pichai. WATCH | G7 nations mulling near-total ban on exports to Russia × 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.

Morning brief: US SC preserves abortion drug access, Jack Dorsey's Bluesky makes Android debut, & more

Strong activity was reported from the Rincon de La Vieja Volcano in the northern province of Guanacaste, in Costa Rica on Friday (April 21). Citing a statement from the CNE Costa Rica (the National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Care), a report by the Tico Times newspaper said a volcanic cloud was released, reaching up to 7,500 metres in the air. Materials from the volcano's lagoon were expelled to the northern side of the cone and reached surrounding rivers. The report said that the explosion occurred on Friday afternoon. &nbsp;

The CNE is currently monitoring the situation. In a series of tweets, it said early Saturday advised people not to go near the Pénjamo, Azúl and Azufrada rivers. The agency also said information was being collected about the activity of the volcano, adding there was no impact on people and infrastructure.&nbsp;

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Además, recordamos NO realizar ingresos ilegales al coloso. Esto es una práctica muy peligrosa y más cuando se observa caída de material por la ladera.
— CNE Costa Rica (@CNECostaRica) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNECostaRica/status/1649542255168954368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Tourists and locals should remain informed about the current situation and follow guidelines given by the authorities to remain safe in the event of a volcanic eruption, the Tico Times report said.&nbsp;

Costa Rica has experienced many volcanic eruptions in the past from other active volcanoes such as Arenal and Turrialba.

Meanwhile, Colombia, another Latin American country, reported increased volcanic activity at the Nevado del Ruiz volcano. A report by the news agency Reuters late Friday said Colombian Geological Service (SGC) has reported a significant increase in seismic activity associated with rock fracturing within Nevado del Ruiz since March.

Emergency officials are on standby for a possible uptake in activity at the volcano. Despite the threat, many residents have refused to evacuate from their homes.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Strong activity was reported from the Rincon de La Vieja Volcano in the northern province of Guanacaste, in Costa Rica on Friday (April 21). Citing a statement from the CNE Costa Rica (the National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Care), a report by the Tico Times newspaper said a volcanic cloud was released, reaching up to 7,500 metres in the air.

Strong activity was reported from the Rincon de La Vieja Volcano in the northern province of Guanacaste, in Costa Rica on Friday (April 21). Citing a statement from the CNE Costa Rica (the National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Care), a report by the Tico Times newspaper said a volcanic cloud was released, reaching up to 7,500 metres in the air. Materials from the volcano's lagoon were expelled to the northern side of the cone and reached surrounding rivers. The report said that the explosion occurred on Friday afternoon. The CNE is currently monitoring the situation. In a series of tweets, it said early Saturday advised people not to go near the Pénjamo, Azúl and Azufrada rivers. The agency also said information was being collected about the activity of the volcano, adding there was no impact on people and infrastructure. Además, recordamos NO realizar ingresos ilegales al coloso. Esto es una práctica muy peligrosa y más cuando se observa caída de material por la ladera. — CNE Costa Rica (@CNECostaRica) April 21, 2023 × Tourists and locals should remain informed about the current situation and follow guidelines given by the authorities to remain safe in the event of a volcanic eruption, the Tico Times report said. Costa Rica has experienced many volcanic eruptions in the past from other active volcanoes such as Arenal and Turrialba. Meanwhile, Colombia, another Latin American country, reported increased volcanic activity at the Nevado del Ruiz volcano. A report by the news agency Reuters late Friday said Colombian Geological Service (SGC) has reported a significant increase in seismic activity associated with rock fracturing within Nevado del Ruiz since March. Emergency officials are on standby for a possible uptake in activity at the volcano. Despite the threat, many residents have refused to evacuate from their homes. (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.

Costa Rica: Emergency agency reports strong activity from Rincon de La Vieja volcano

The death toll due to an explosion in a coal mine in Colombia rose to seven on Friday (April 21) with the discovery of four more bodies, according to Alvaro Farfan, the head of the firefighting department in the central Cundinamarca region. The explosion occurred through the mine overnight Wednesday into Thursday in Cucunuba municipality. According to a report by the news agency AFP early Saturday, authorities said that they suspected pockets of gas trapped in the mine detonated.

Initially, rescue teams found three bodies, and four workers were reported to be missing. But on Friday, the four workers were found dead and the total number of deaths rose to seven. On social media, videos showed billowing from a sinkhole while people dressed in civilian clothes approached carefully.&nbsp;

Colombia, which is Latin America's largest coal producer, has reported frequent mining incidents in the past, particularly in illegal mines in Cundinamarca and other parts of the country's centre and northeast.

This explosion in the Cucunuba municipality comes more than a month after an explosion was reported on March 14 in several adjoining coal mines in a rural area of Sutatausa. Twenty-one miners died in the explosion. This was one of the worst tragedies in Colombia in recent years, AFP reported.&nbsp;

According to the national mining agency, there were 117 accidents at mines in Colombia last year killing 146 people. And the deadliest accident was in 2010 when 73 people were killed in a mine explosion in the country's northwest.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The death toll due to an explosion in a coal mine in Colombia rose to seven on Friday (April 21) with the discovery of four more bodies, according to Alvaro Farfan, the head of the firefighting department in the central Cundinamarca region.

The death toll due to an explosion in a coal mine in Colombia rose to seven on Friday (April 21) with the discovery of four more bodies, according to Alvaro Farfan, the head of the firefighting department in the central Cundinamarca region. The explosion occurred through the mine overnight Wednesday into Thursday in Cucunuba municipality. According to a report by the news agency AFP early Saturday, authorities said that they suspected pockets of gas trapped in the mine detonated. Initially, rescue teams found three bodies, and four workers were reported to be missing. But on Friday, the four workers were found dead and the total number of deaths rose to seven. On social media, videos showed billowing from a sinkhole while people dressed in civilian clothes approached carefully. Colombia, which is Latin America's largest coal producer, has reported frequent mining incidents in the past, particularly in illegal mines in Cundinamarca and other parts of the country's centre and northeast. This explosion in the Cucunuba municipality comes more than a month after an explosion was reported on March 14 in several adjoining coal mines in a rural area of Sutatausa. Twenty-one miners died in the explosion. This was one of the worst tragedies in Colombia in recent years, AFP reported. According to the national mining agency, there were 117 accidents at mines in Colombia last year killing 146 people. And the deadliest accident was in 2010 when 73 people were killed in a mine explosion in the country's northwest. (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.

Colombia: Death toll in coal mine blast rises to seven

Twitter boss Elon Musk admitted that he is paying for some prominent Twitter accounts to retain their blue ticks after the social media giant removed the blue checkmark verification from social media accounts that had not paid a monthly fee to keep it. Numerous high-profile accounts including celebrities, politicians, and others lost their blue verification checkmark.

Twitter also dropped the government-funded labels which imply government involvement in editorial content, from the accounts of various global media organisations including&nbsp;US-based National Public Radio (NPR), British Broadcasting Corp, and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

On Friday (April 21), Musk said that he was paying for the Twitter accounts of Canadian actor William Shatner, author Stephen King and basketball legend LeBron James.&nbsp;

In a tweet, Twitter Daily News said that some celebrities were offered a complimentary blue tick on behalf of Musk, to which he replied, "I’m paying for a few personally." 
"Just Shatner, LeBron and King," he then said in a reply to a tweet by Pop Base.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/explained-a-twitter-without-blue-ticks-heres-how-you-see-if-an-account-is-real-584827">Explained: A Twitter without blue ticks. Here’s how to see if an account is real</a>

The three celebrities have been critics of the blue tick fees and have previously complained about the move on Twitter.&nbsp;

Last month, LeBron James tweeted that he was not paying for the blue tick. "Welp guess my blue will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5," James tweeted on March 31.&nbsp;

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Welp guess my blue ✔️ will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5. 🤷🏾‍♂️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1641836984195743749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2023</a></blockquote>
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And according to a report by the Verge on Thursday, a Twitter employee mailed the basketball star to extend a complimentary subscription to Twitter Blue on behalf of Elon Musk.&nbsp;

Author Stephen King, meanwhile,&nbsp;was baffled that he was a Twitter Blue subscriber.&nbsp;

"My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t. My Twitter account says I’ve given a phone number. I haven’t," King tweeted on Friday to which Elon Musk said, "You’re welcome namaste."

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You’re welcome namaste 🙏
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1649181726395052039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Under the original blue-check system, Twitter had roughly 400,000 verified users. And in the past, these checks meant that Twitter had verified that users were who they said they were.

But the removal of the verification mark public agencies and other organisations around the world scrambling to figure out a way to show that they are trustworthy and avoid impersonators. Several agencies are awaiting more clarity from Twitter in this matter.&nbsp;

According to a report by the news agency Associated Press on Friday, the removal of the verification remark has raised concerns that Twitter could lose its status as a platform for getting accurate, up-to-date information from authentic sources, including in emergencies.

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Twitter boss Elon Musk admitted that he is paying for some prominent Twitter accounts to retain their blue ticks after the social media giant removed the blue checkmark verification from social media accounts that had not paid a monthly fee to keep it.

Twitter boss Elon Musk admitted that he is paying for some prominent Twitter accounts to retain their blue ticks after the social media giant removed the blue checkmark verification from social media accounts that had not paid a monthly fee to keep it. Numerous high-profile accounts including celebrities, politicians, and others lost their blue verification checkmark. Twitter also dropped the government-funded labels which imply government involvement in editorial content, from the accounts of various global media organisations including US-based National Public Radio (NPR), British Broadcasting Corp, and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). On Friday (April 21), Musk said that he was paying for the Twitter accounts of Canadian actor William Shatner, author Stephen King and basketball legend LeBron James. In a tweet, Twitter Daily News said that some celebrities were offered a complimentary blue tick on behalf of Musk, to which he replied, "I’m paying for a few personally." "Just Shatner, LeBron and King," he then said in a reply to a tweet by Pop Base. ALSO READ | Explained: A Twitter without blue ticks. Here’s how to see if an account is real The three celebrities have been critics of the blue tick fees and have previously complained about the move on Twitter. Last month, LeBron James tweeted that he was not paying for the blue tick. "Welp guess my blue will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5," James tweeted on March 31. Welp guess my blue ✔️ will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5. 🤷🏾‍♂️ — LeBron James (@KingJames) March 31, 2023 × And according to a report by the Verge on Thursday, a Twitter employee mailed the basketball star to extend a complimentary subscription to Twitter Blue on behalf of Elon Musk. Author Stephen King, meanwhile, was baffled that he was a Twitter Blue subscriber. "My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t. My Twitter account says I’ve given a phone number. I haven’t," King tweeted on Friday to which Elon Musk said, "You’re welcome namaste." You’re welcome namaste 🙏 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2023 × Under the original blue-check system, Twitter had roughly 400,000 verified users. And in the past, these checks meant that Twitter had verified that users were who they said they were. But the removal of the verification mark public agencies and other organisations around the world scrambling to figure out a way to show that they are trustworthy and avoid impersonators. Several agencies are awaiting more clarity from Twitter in this matter. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press on Friday, the removal of the verification remark has raised concerns that Twitter could lose its status as a platform for getting accurate, up-to-date information from authentic sources, including in emergencies. 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.

Elon Musk pays for few celebrities to retain their Twitter blue ticks

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice President Fawad Chaudhry on Friday (April 21) criticised Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's decision to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in India next month. Taking to Twitter, Hussain said Bhutto's visit to India was equivalent to stabbing the Kashmiris in the back. Hussain added that seeking ties with India while burying the Kashmir issue was part of a foreign agenda.&nbsp;

He further said that the PTI never opposed the support relation with India and other countries, but relationships should be based on equality and fundamental issues must be resolved.

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بلاول بھٹو کا ہندوستان کا دورہ کشمیریوں کی جدوجہد کی پیٹھ میں خنجر گھونپنے کے مترادف ہے ،کشمیر کے معاملے کو دفن کر کے ہندوستان سے تعلقات بنانا اس انٹرنیشنل ایجنڈے کا حصہ ہےجس کے تحت اس حکومت کو پاکستان پر مسلط کیا گیا، بھارت سمیت دیگر ممالک سے تعلقات کے حامی ہیں لیکن کسی طور بھی…
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1649329728044830720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The PTI leader's tweet comes a day after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto said that his participation in SCO in India's Goa reflected Pakistan's commitment to the charter of the SCO and should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/visit-should-not-be-pakistan-fm-bilawal-bhutto-on-attending-sco-meet-in-india-584855">'Visit should not be...': Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India</a>

"We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bhutto said during a program on Dunya News on Thursday.&nbsp;

Sharing Pakistan`s past experience at the SCO summit in Uzbekistan, Bilawal said the country did not hold any bilateral talks in the past as well.

Bhutto would be the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years. The previous visit was in 2011 by then-foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar.&nbsp;

In January, India extended an invitation to him along with all other member states of the SCO to attend the meeting.

On Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Bhutto was attending the meeting at the invitation of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar.&nbsp;

Addressing a press conference, Baloch said, "Our participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to the SCO charter and process and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities."

Relations between India and Pakistan have been fraught for years regarding the issue of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.&nbsp;

Kamran Yousaf, a senior political analyst in Pakistan, said that Bilawal Bhutto's upcoming India visit would be seen as an ice-breaking move, the news agency IANS reported on Thursday.&nbsp;

"It will be symbolically significant. Though it may not bring any dramatic changes in bilateral relationships," Yousaf added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice President Fawad Chaudhry on Friday (April 21) criticised Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's decision to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in India next month.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice President Fawad Chaudhry on Friday (April 21) criticised Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's decision to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in India next month. Taking to Twitter, Hussain said Bhutto's visit to India was equivalent to stabbing the Kashmiris in the back. Hussain added that seeking ties with India while burying the Kashmir issue was part of a foreign agenda. He further said that the PTI never opposed the support relation with India and other countries, but relationships should be based on equality and fundamental issues must be resolved. بلاول بھٹو کا ہندوستان کا دورہ کشمیریوں کی جدوجہد کی پیٹھ میں خنجر گھونپنے کے مترادف ہے ،کشمیر کے معاملے کو دفن کر کے ہندوستان سے تعلقات بنانا اس انٹرنیشنل ایجنڈے کا حصہ ہےجس کے تحت اس حکومت کو پاکستان پر مسلط کیا گیا، بھارت سمیت دیگر ممالک سے تعلقات کے حامی ہیں لیکن کسی طور بھی… — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 21, 2023 × The PTI leader's tweet comes a day after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto said that his participation in SCO in India's Goa reflected Pakistan's commitment to the charter of the SCO and should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties. ALSO READ | 'Visit should not be...': Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India "We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bhutto said during a program on Dunya News on Thursday. Sharing Pakistan`s past experience at the SCO summit in Uzbekistan, Bilawal said the country did not hold any bilateral talks in the past as well. Bhutto would be the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years. The previous visit was in 2011 by then-foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar. In January, India extended an invitation to him along with all other member states of the SCO to attend the meeting. On Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Bhutto was attending the meeting at the invitation of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. Addressing a press conference, Baloch said, "Our participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to the SCO charter and process and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities." Relations between India and Pakistan have been fraught for years regarding the issue of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. Kamran Yousaf, a senior political analyst in Pakistan, said that Bilawal Bhutto's upcoming India visit would be seen as an ice-breaking move, the news agency IANS reported on Thursday. "It will be symbolically significant. Though it may not bring any dramatic changes in bilateral relationships," Yousaf 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.

Pakistan: PTI vice president criticises Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's visit to India

Sons of the notorious Mexican drug lord El Chapo fed their victims, dead or alive to pet tigers, American media reported on Thursday (April 20) citing an indictment recently released by the United States Justice Department. The indictment accuses El Chapo's Sinaloa cartel of the massive influx of fentanyl into the US over the past approximately eight years, and for the accompanying violence and deaths that have afflicted communities on both sides of the border.&nbsp;

With El Chapo currently in jail serving a life sentence, the Sinaloa cartel is led, in part by, Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, and imprisoned Ovidio Guzman Lopez- the sons of the drug lord. Collectively, the sons are known as the Chapitos or little Chapos.&nbsp;

The Justice Department's indictment said that to protect and further the cartel's fentanyl trafficking operation, the Chapitos relied on sicarios (armed) enforces, as well as corruption and bribe payments to ensure loyalty to the cartel and protection.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-charges-el-chapo-sons-chinese-businessmen-amid-crackdown-on-fentanyl-network-582579">US charges El Chapo sons, Chinese businessmen amid crackdown on fentanyl network</a>

"The Chapitos' sicarios comprise a security apparatus built to commit acts of violence in order to protect the Chapitos' operation and its leaders, territory, labs, trafficking routes and money."

The indictment highlighted that the cartel's sicarios regularly used military-grade weapons to perpetrate violence including murder, torture, and kidnapping. They have shot and killed Mexican government officials, tortured rival drug traffickers, including through electrocution, and even fed some of their victims to tigers belonging to Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar.&nbsp;

El Chapo's sons also used their security apparatus to demolish unsupportive businesses, capture contested territory, intimidate civilians, and attack law enforcement. "This relentless violence led to rampant bloodshed and taken the lives of untold people in Mexico and the United States," the indictment added.&nbsp;

These revelations by the Justice Department come after El Chapo's sons were among 28 charged in a fentanyl investigation conducted by the US.&nbsp;

The Justice Department had said that the four sons, especially Ovidio, "pioneered" the flood of fentanyl into the US since about 2014, earning millions for the northern Mexico-based operation.

EL Chapo's sons have previously been charged in US drug cases, and Washington is already seeking the extradition from Mexico of Ovidio, after his arrest there in January.

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Sons of the notorious Mexican drug lord El Chapo fed their victims, dead or alive to pet tigers, American media reported on Thursday (April 20) citing an indictment recently released by the United States Justice Department.

Sons of the notorious Mexican drug lord El Chapo fed their victims, dead or alive to pet tigers, American media reported on Thursday (April 20) citing an indictment recently released by the United States Justice Department. The indictment accuses El Chapo's Sinaloa cartel of the massive influx of fentanyl into the US over the past approximately eight years, and for the accompanying violence and deaths that have afflicted communities on both sides of the border. With El Chapo currently in jail serving a life sentence, the Sinaloa cartel is led, in part by, Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, and imprisoned Ovidio Guzman Lopez- the sons of the drug lord. Collectively, the sons are known as the Chapitos or little Chapos. The Justice Department's indictment said that to protect and further the cartel's fentanyl trafficking operation, the Chapitos relied on sicarios (armed) enforces, as well as corruption and bribe payments to ensure loyalty to the cartel and protection. ALSO READ | US charges El Chapo sons, Chinese businessmen amid crackdown on fentanyl network "The Chapitos' sicarios comprise a security apparatus built to commit acts of violence in order to protect the Chapitos' operation and its leaders, territory, labs, trafficking routes and money." The indictment highlighted that the cartel's sicarios regularly used military-grade weapons to perpetrate violence including murder, torture, and kidnapping. They have shot and killed Mexican government officials, tortured rival drug traffickers, including through electrocution, and even fed some of their victims to tigers belonging to Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar. El Chapo's sons also used their security apparatus to demolish unsupportive businesses, capture contested territory, intimidate civilians, and attack law enforcement. "This relentless violence led to rampant bloodshed and taken the lives of untold people in Mexico and the United States," the indictment added. These revelations by the Justice Department come after El Chapo's sons were among 28 charged in a fentanyl investigation conducted by the US. The Justice Department had said that the four sons, especially Ovidio, "pioneered" the flood of fentanyl into the US since about 2014, earning millions for the northern Mexico-based operation. EL Chapo's sons have previously been charged in US drug cases, and Washington is already seeking the extradition from Mexico of Ovidio, after his arrest there in January. 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.

Jailed Mexican drug lord El Chapo's sons killed victims by feeding them to pet tigers, US indictment shows

A special agent of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking whistleblower protection to disclose details about what the agent alleges is the mishandling of a criminal investigation into United States President Joe Biden's son Hunter. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press on Thursday (April 20), the IRS special agent's lawyer Mark Lytle sent a letter to the members of Congress which said that his client has information about a "failure to mitigate clear conflicts of interest in the ultimate deposition" of the investigation related to Hunter Biden's taxes and whether he made a false statement in connection with a gun purchase.&nbsp;

Lytle said in the letter that despite serious risks of retaliation, "my client is offering to provide you with information necessary to exercise your constitutional oversight function and wishes to make the disclosures in a nonpartisan manner to the leadership of the relevant committees on both sides of the political aisle.”

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hunter-bidens-laptop-scandal-us-presidents-son-sues-repairman-for-leaking-data-to-political-enemies-573296">Hunter Biden's laptop scandal: US president's son sues repairman for leaking data to 'political enemies'</a>

The letter added that the supervisory special agent previously disclosed the information they are seeking to share with Congress internally with the IRS and a watchdog for the Justice Department, the Associated Press reported.&nbsp;

Lytle said that his client can contradict sworn testimony to lawmakers by a senior political appointee who has not been identified yet.&nbsp;

The lawyer also said that the agent wants to disclose examples of preferential treatment and politics improperly infecting decisions and protocols which would be normally followed by career law enforcement professionals in similar circumstances if the subject were not politically connected.&nbsp;

Since 2018, Hunter Biden's taxes and foreign business work have been under federal investigation by a federal grand jury in Delaware. However, no charges have been filed so far.&nbsp;

Also, Hunter's membership on the board of a Ukrainian energy company and his efforts to strike deals in China have raised questions by Republicans about whether he traded on his father Joe Biden's public service.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-twitter-executive-says-he-faced-homophobic-and-anti-semitic-abuse-over-hunter-biden-story-560240">Former Twitter executive says he faced ‘homophobic and anti-semitic’ abuse over Hunter Biden story</a>

Joe Biden said he never spoke to his son about foreign business, and also there have been no indications that the federal investigation involves the president.&nbsp;

A day after lawyer Mark Lytle sent the letter, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that President Biden respects the rule of law and the independence of the Department of Justice. Neither the Justice Department nor Hunter Biden's legal team had an immediate comment on Wednesday's development.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A special agent of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking whistleblower protection to disclose details about what the agent alleges is the mishandling of a criminal investigation into United States President Joe Biden's son Hunter.

A special agent of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking whistleblower protection to disclose details about what the agent alleges is the mishandling of a criminal investigation into United States President Joe Biden's son Hunter. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press on Thursday (April 20), the IRS special agent's lawyer Mark Lytle sent a letter to the members of Congress which said that his client has information about a "failure to mitigate clear conflicts of interest in the ultimate deposition" of the investigation related to Hunter Biden's taxes and whether he made a false statement in connection with a gun purchase. Lytle said in the letter that despite serious risks of retaliation, "my client is offering to provide you with information necessary to exercise your constitutional oversight function and wishes to make the disclosures in a nonpartisan manner to the leadership of the relevant committees on both sides of the political aisle.” ALSO READ | Hunter Biden's laptop scandal: US president's son sues repairman for leaking data to 'political enemies' The letter added that the supervisory special agent previously disclosed the information they are seeking to share with Congress internally with the IRS and a watchdog for the Justice Department, the Associated Press reported. Lytle said that his client can contradict sworn testimony to lawmakers by a senior political appointee who has not been identified yet. The lawyer also said that the agent wants to disclose examples of preferential treatment and politics improperly infecting decisions and protocols which would be normally followed by career law enforcement professionals in similar circumstances if the subject were not politically connected. Since 2018, Hunter Biden's taxes and foreign business work have been under federal investigation by a federal grand jury in Delaware. However, no charges have been filed so far. Also, Hunter's membership on the board of a Ukrainian energy company and his efforts to strike deals in China have raised questions by Republicans about whether he traded on his father Joe Biden's public service. ALSO READ | Former Twitter executive says he faced ‘homophobic and anti-semitic’ abuse over Hunter Biden story Joe Biden said he never spoke to his son about foreign business, and also there have been no indications that the federal investigation involves the president. A day after lawyer Mark Lytle sent the letter, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that President Biden respects the rule of law and the independence of the Department of Justice. Neither the Justice Department nor Hunter Biden's legal team had an immediate comment on Wednesday's development. (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.

Hunter Biden tax probe: IRS agent alleges investigation is being mishandled, seeks whistleblower protection

Space X's Starship, the world's biggest rocket, exploded during its first test flight on Thursday (April 20). The rocket exploded just minutes after launching from the Gulf Coast Starbase facility in south Texas.

Space X's Starship, the world's biggest rocket, exploded during its first test flight on Thursday (April 20). The rocket exploded just minutes after launching from the Gulf Coast Starbase facility in south Texas. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, webcast viewers were awaiting the expected upper-stage Starship's separation from the lower-stage Super Heavy rocket when the combined vehicle began flipping end over end. The explosion followed moments later, leaving a trail of smoke and falling debris. Reuters tweeted a video of the explosion. The rocket reached a peak altitude of nearly 32 kilometres before the explosion. The fiery disintegration of the rocket was also captured on a live event on Facebook. ALSO READ | Elon Musk loses billions in net worth after Starship explosion, Tesla's underperformance Despite the failure of the test flight, SpaceX declared it a success with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk congratulating his team on an "exciting" test of the next-generation spacecraft designed to send astronauts to the Moon, Mars and beyond. The first test of SpaceX's Starship, the most powerful launch system ever built, ends in a fiery explosion https://t.co/nprwQOTMRW pic.twitter.com/kxX6ho0Bqs — Reuters (@Reuters) April 20, 2023 × "Congrats SpaceX team on an exciting test launch of Starship! Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months," Musk tweeted. Ahead of the test flight, Musk had warned that technical issues were likely and sought to play down expectations for the inaugural flight. SpaceX, meanwhile, said in a statement, "With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and we learned a tremendous amount about the vehicle and ground systems today that will help us improve on future flights of Starship." Starship consists of a 164-foot (50-meter) tall crew vehicle that sits atop a 230-foot tall first-stage Super Heavy booster rocket. In February, SpaceX had conducted a successful test firing of the 33 massive Raptor engines on the booster in Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy rocket was being flown together for the first time, the news agency AFP reported. The launch was scheduled for Monday but was postponed to Thursday due to a frozen pressure valve on the first-stage booster. (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.

WATCH | Moment when SpaceX's Starship rocket exploded after liftoff

House Republicans on Thursday (April 20) passed a bill that would bar federally supported schools and colleges from allowing transgender athletes whose biological sex assigned at birth was male to compete on girls' or women's sports teams.

House Republicans on Thursday (April 20) passed a bill that would bar federally supported schools and colleges from allowing transgender athletes whose biological sex assigned at birth was male to compete on girls' or women's sports teams. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press on Friday, the bill, which was approved by a 219-203 party-line vote is unlikely to advance further because the Democratic-led Senate will not support it and the White House said US President Joe Biden would veto it. The House's decision comes as at least 20 other American states including North Carolina imposed similar restrictions on transgender athletes at the K-12 or collegiate level. On Thursday, the supporters (of the bill) said that the legislation was necessary to ensure competitive fairness. They framed the vote as supporting female athletes disadvantaged by having to compete against those whose gender identity did not match their sex assigned at birth. Opponents, meanwhile, criticised the bill as ostracising an already vulnerable group merely for political gain, the Associated Press report said. The bill would amend the landmark civil rights legislation, known as Title IX, passed over 50 years back. It would prohibit the recipients of federal money from permitting a person “whose sex is male” to participate in programmes designated for girls or women. Republican Greg Steube of Florida, the bill's sponsor, on Thursday, highlighted the case of Emma Weyant, a resident of his district. Weyant was a member of the 2020 US Olympic Swimming team who finished second in the NCAA women’s 500-yeard freestyle championship held in 2022. She was defeated by Lia Thomas, who earlier competed on the University of Pennsylvania men’s swimming team before joining the women’s team. Steube said the integrity of women's sports must be protected. US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, welcoming the bill, said that it was a great day for America, a great day for girls and women and for fairness in sports. Democrats criticise bill The Democrats criticised Thursday's bill by saying it did nothing to address the severe inequities in the resources dedicated to men’s and women’s sports. On Thursday, Democrat Pramila Jayapal, who has a transgender daughter, said Republicans were cruelly scapegoating transgender children to score political points. Jayapal added that three-quarters of transgender students reported having experienced harassment or discrimination at school and many have considered suicide. “These bills tell some of the most vulnerable children in our country that they do not belong. Shame on you," Jaypal said. Another Democrat Mark Pocan pointed out that most people in the US don’t know anyone who is transgender and that can create fear for politicians to exploit. Pocan mentioned the stance of Utah's Governor Spencer Cox who last year vetoed a bill banning transgender students from playing girls' sports. “I struggle to understand so much of it and the science is conflicting. When in doubt, however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy and compassion.” Mark Pocan highlighted on Thursday that at the time of the veto in Utah, there were four transgender players out of 85,000 competing in high school sports, with only one competing in girls' sports. “There’s your raging national problem. What’s the Republicans' response to this nonexistent issue? Hurt kids for being kids," he further said. (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.

US House approves transgender athlete ban for girls and women's teams

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