Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Alberta's premier Danielle Smith on Tuesday (February 7) to discuss the shared aspirations and concerns over pending legislation aimed at helping Canadian workers adapt to the global move to increase reliance on renewable energy. The meeting, however, began with an awkward handshake.&nbsp;

A video tweeted by Global News showed the meeting beginning with Prime Minister Trudeau reaching down to shake hands with Danielle Smith. Both leaders were seen raising their hands but at the last moment, a hesitant Smith decided to keep her hand down. This prompted Trudeau to take her hand and hold it in place with his thumb atop as they smiled for the cameras.&nbsp;

However, this is not the first time Justin Trudeau has had awkward handshakes. In 2017, Trudeau had dodged then-United States president Donald Trump's forceful handshake by putting a hand on Trump's shoulder to brace himself, according to a report by The Guardian.&nbsp;

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WATCH: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shared an awkward handshake during a frosty sit down ahead of a health-care summit with Canadian premiers. 
 
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And in 2016, the Canadian prime minister attempted to shake hands with then-US President Barack Obama and then-Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, by awkwardly crossing his arms over and grabbing Peña Nieto’s wrong hand, the report added.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Tuesday's short meeting between Justin Trudeau and Danielle Smith comes as she is in Ottawa with other premiers for a major announcement on healthcare funding. Smith has been one of the most vocal critics of Trudeau and his government's policies.&nbsp;

Recently, Smith passed a controversial legislation, the Alberta Sovereignty Act,&nbsp;which would give her government the power to instruct provincial agencies to ignore federal law, the report also said.&nbsp;

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Alberta's premier Danielle Smith on Tuesday (February 7) to discuss the shared aspirations and concerns over pending legislation aimed at helping Canadian workers adapt to the global move to increase reliance on renewable energy.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Alberta's premier Danielle Smith on Tuesday (February 7) to discuss the shared aspirations and concerns over pending legislation aimed at helping Canadian workers adapt to the global move to increase reliance on renewable energy. The meeting, however, began with an awkward handshake. A video tweeted by Global News showed the meeting beginning with Prime Minister Trudeau reaching down to shake hands with Danielle Smith. Both leaders were seen raising their hands but at the last moment, a hesitant Smith decided to keep her hand down. This prompted Trudeau to take her hand and hold it in place with his thumb atop as they smiled for the cameras. However, this is not the first time Justin Trudeau has had awkward handshakes. In 2017, Trudeau had dodged then-United States president Donald Trump's forceful handshake by putting a hand on Trump's shoulder to brace himself, according to a report by The Guardian. WATCH: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shared an awkward handshake during a frosty sit down ahead of a health-care summit with Canadian premiers. Read more: https://t.co/w2K985CZnx pic.twitter.com/ufl1T5LQB0 — Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) February 7, 2023 × And in 2016, the Canadian prime minister attempted to shake hands with then-US President Barack Obama and then-Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, by awkwardly crossing his arms over and grabbing Peña Nieto’s wrong hand, the report added. Meanwhile, Tuesday's short meeting between Justin Trudeau and Danielle Smith comes as she is in Ottawa with other premiers for a major announcement on healthcare funding. Smith has been one of the most vocal critics of Trudeau and his government's policies. Recently, Smith passed a controversial legislation, the Alberta Sovereignty Act, which would give her government the power to instruct provincial agencies to ignore federal law, the report also 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.

WATCH | Canada PM Trudeau meets Alberta premier with an awkward handshake

A team of three codebreakers have found and deciphered the long-lost secret letters of 16th-century monarch Mary, the Queen of Scots. The codebreakers belonged to the DECRYPT project, an international, cross-disciplinary team scouring the world's archives to find coded historical documents to decipher, a report by news agency AFP on Wednesday (February 8) said. The codebreakers were trawling through the digitised archive of France's national library when they stumbled over enciphered documents labelled as being from Italy in the first half of the 16th century. They found 57 letters of Mary containing about 50,000 never-before-seen words.

"If someone wanted to look for Mary Stuart material in the BnF (France's national library), that's the last place they would go," French computer scientist and cryptographer George Lasry told AFP. Lasry said deciphering the code "was like peeling an onion" for the team which included German music professor Norbert Biermann and Japanese physicist Satoshi Tomokiyo.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-man-admits-to-injure-queen-elizabeth-ii-in-2021-says-report-558561">UK man admits ‘threatening to kill’ Queen Elizabeth II, to be sentenced on March 31</a>

Mary Stuart, a Catholic, had written these letters from 1578 to 1584 while she was jailed in England because of the perceived threat she posed to Queen Elizabeth I, her Protestant cousin. In 1587, Mary was beheaded after she was found guilty of plotting to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I.&nbsp;

The team of codebreakers discovered that the text (of the letters) was not in Italian, but in French. The text also used feminine forms, indicating a woman. Phrases such as "my liberty" and "my son" suggested it was an imprisoned mother.

Then came the word "Walsingham"- which meant Francis Walsingham- who was Queen Elizabeth I's principal secretary and spymaster. George Lasry told AFP that some historians believed it was Walsingham who later entrapped Mary in 1586 into supporting the foiled plot to assassinate Elizabeth I.&nbsp;

Lasry added that out of the 57 letters found, eight were already in Britain's archives as Walsingham had a spy in the French embassy from mid-1583.&nbsp;

AFP reported that the majority of Mary's letters were addressed to the French ambassador to England Michel de Castelnau Mauvissiere. Lasry further told the news agency that the Queen of Scots was "too smart" to mention any assassination plot in the unearthed letters.&nbsp;

Instead, these letters showed Mary diplomatically pleading her case, complaining of illness and expressing distress when her son, King James VI of Scotland, was abducted.

Meanwhile, historians praised the code-breaking and historical research of the team. In a statement, &nbsp;British historian John Guy who wrote a biography on Mary Stuart, said, "This discovery is a literary and historical sensation. Fabulous! This is the most important new find on Mary, Queen of Scots for 100 years."

Another historian, Steven Reid from the University of Glasgow said this was the largest discovery of new Marian evidence in the modern era. Reid added the discovery would likely alter existing biographies of Mary's life, and the cypher could help produce more accurate versions of her other coded letters.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A team of three codebreakers have found and deciphered the long-lost secret letters of 16th-century monarch Mary, the Queen of Scots. The codebreakers belonged to the DECRYPT project, an international, cross-disciplinary team scouring the world's archives to find coded historical documents to decipher, a report by news agency AFP on Wednesday (February 8) said.

A team of three codebreakers have found and deciphered the long-lost secret letters of 16th-century monarch Mary, the Queen of Scots. The codebreakers belonged to the DECRYPT project, an international, cross-disciplinary team scouring the world's archives to find coded historical documents to decipher, a report by news agency AFP on Wednesday (February 8) said. The codebreakers were trawling through the digitised archive of France's national library when they stumbled over enciphered documents labelled as being from Italy in the first half of the 16th century. They found 57 letters of Mary containing about 50,000 never-before-seen words. "If someone wanted to look for Mary Stuart material in the BnF (France's national library), that's the last place they would go," French computer scientist and cryptographer George Lasry told AFP. Lasry said deciphering the code "was like peeling an onion" for the team which included German music professor Norbert Biermann and Japanese physicist Satoshi Tomokiyo. ALSO READ | UK man admits ‘threatening to kill’ Queen Elizabeth II, to be sentenced on March 31 Mary Stuart, a Catholic, had written these letters from 1578 to 1584 while she was jailed in England because of the perceived threat she posed to Queen Elizabeth I, her Protestant cousin. In 1587, Mary was beheaded after she was found guilty of plotting to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I. The team of codebreakers discovered that the text (of the letters) was not in Italian, but in French. The text also used feminine forms, indicating a woman. Phrases such as "my liberty" and "my son" suggested it was an imprisoned mother. Then came the word "Walsingham"- which meant Francis Walsingham- who was Queen Elizabeth I's principal secretary and spymaster. George Lasry told AFP that some historians believed it was Walsingham who later entrapped Mary in 1586 into supporting the foiled plot to assassinate Elizabeth I. Lasry added that out of the 57 letters found, eight were already in Britain's archives as Walsingham had a spy in the French embassy from mid-1583. AFP reported that the majority of Mary's letters were addressed to the French ambassador to England Michel de Castelnau Mauvissiere. Lasry further told the news agency that the Queen of Scots was "too smart" to mention any assassination plot in the unearthed letters. Instead, these letters showed Mary diplomatically pleading her case, complaining of illness and expressing distress when her son, King James VI of Scotland, was abducted. Meanwhile, historians praised the code-breaking and historical research of the team. In a statement, British historian John Guy who wrote a biography on Mary Stuart, said, "This discovery is a literary and historical sensation. Fabulous! This is the most important new find on Mary, Queen of Scots for 100 years." Another historian, Steven Reid from the University of Glasgow said this was the largest discovery of new Marian evidence in the modern era. Reid added the discovery would likely alter existing biographies of Mary's life, and the cypher could help produce more accurate versions of her other coded letters. (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.

Three codebreakers find, decipher lost letters of the Queen of Scots: Report

The United States has warned Ukraine over its exports to Russia including chemicals and microchips which could boost Moscow's offensive in Ukraine. &nbsp;US Treasury's top sanctions official Brian Nelson visited Turkish government and private sector officials on Thursday (February 2) and Friday (February 3) to urge more cooperation in disrupting the flow of such goods. As the anti-government protests in Peru continue, the United Nations refugee agency said that seven Haitian migrants died while trying to leave Peru. And the US administration shot down the giant Chinese spy balloon near the east coast that was said to have been spying on sensitive military sites across the country.

Click on the headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-warns-turkey-on-exports-to-russia-that-could-boost-its-war-in-ukraine-558892">US warns Turkey over exports to Russia that could boost its war in Ukraine</a>

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US Treasury's top sanctions official Brian Nelson said&nbsp;the marked rise over the past year in non-essential Turkish exports or re-exports to Russia made the Turkish private sector particularly vulnerable to reputational and sanctions risks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-agency-says-seven-haitian-migrants-died-this-year-while-waiting-to-leave-peru-558887">UN agency says seven Haitian migrants died this year while waiting to leave Peru</a>

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The United Nations refugee agency said on Saturday (February 4) that seven Haitian migrants died in the Andean highlands of Peru as their efforts to cross into Bolivia were stymied by anti-government protests which have been going on since early December 2022.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-shoots-down-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-beijing-reacts-558889">US shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon, Beijing reacts</a>

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The US has shot down the giant Chinese spy balloon near the east coast that was said to have been spying on sensitive military sites across the country. The Department of Defense confirmed in a statement that the US fighter jets brought down the balloon over US territorial waters.

WATCH | Arctic blast sweeps through parts of Northeast US

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The United States has warned Ukraine over its exports to Russia including chemicals and microchips which could boost Moscow's offensive in Ukraine. US Treasury's top sanctions official Brian Nelson visited Turkish government and private sector officials on Thursday (February 2) and Friday (February 3) to urge more cooperation in disrupting the flow of such goods.

The United States has warned Ukraine over its exports to Russia including chemicals and microchips which could boost Moscow's offensive in Ukraine. US Treasury's top sanctions official Brian Nelson visited Turkish government and private sector officials on Thursday (February 2) and Friday (February 3) to urge more cooperation in disrupting the flow of such goods. As the anti-government protests in Peru continue, the United Nations refugee agency said that seven Haitian migrants died while trying to leave Peru. And the US administration shot down the giant Chinese spy balloon near the east coast that was said to have been spying on sensitive military sites across the country. Click on the headlines to read more US warns Turkey over exports to Russia that could boost its war in Ukraine US Treasury's top sanctions official Brian Nelson said the marked rise over the past year in non-essential Turkish exports or re-exports to Russia made the Turkish private sector particularly vulnerable to reputational and sanctions risks. UN agency says seven Haitian migrants died this year while waiting to leave Peru The United Nations refugee agency said on Saturday (February 4) that seven Haitian migrants died in the Andean highlands of Peru as their efforts to cross into Bolivia were stymied by anti-government protests which have been going on since early December 2022. US shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon, Beijing reacts The US has shot down the giant Chinese spy balloon near the east coast that was said to have been spying on sensitive military sites across the country. The Department of Defense confirmed in a statement that the US fighter jets brought down the balloon over US territorial waters. WATCH | Arctic blast sweeps through parts of Northeast US × WATCH | Deadly protests rage across Peru amid political turmoil ×

Morning news brief: US warns Turkey over exports to Russia, and more

Anti-government protests in Israel against the controversial legal reforms continued for the fifth week on Saturday (February 4) with thousands of demonstrators, braving the rain, swarming Tel Aviv's Kaplan Street, with signs criticising the establishment.

Anti-government protests in Israel against the controversial legal reforms continued for the fifth week on Saturday (February 4) with thousands of demonstrators, braving the rain, swarming Tel Aviv's Kaplan Street, with signs criticising the establishment. One of the signs labelled the government as a "threat to world peace," while another said "Save Israel's democracy from Netanyahu," news agency AFP reported early Sunday. On Saturday, protests were held in 20 cities across Israel and tens of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv alone, as per local media. However, the official turnout figures are not out yet. ALSO READ | At least 13 Palestinians injured in Israeli military raids at Jericho camp Speaking to AFP, Dania Shwartz, 44, from Ramat Gan said that protesters were "reclaiming" the Israeli flag. "If you look around there are a lot of Israeli flags and for many years the Israeli flag was a symbol of the right (wing)," Shwartz said. "We are patriots and we want this country to keep existing. The Israeli flag belongs to all of us, this is not a question of being right or left," she added. The 44-year-old, a member of the LGBTQ community, expressed concerns that the new government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would try to pass laws that would affect her children. "For example, the Noam party wants to delegitimise families like ours and it's very scary," Shwartz further told the news agency, referring to one of the government's coalition partners which is known for its anti-gay stance. The judicial reforms by the current government would enable the parliament to overrule any Supreme Court decision with a simple majority of 61 lawmakers in the 120-seat body. These proposed reforms would also change the system through which judges are appointed, giving politicians more control. Protesters, meanwhile, pointed out that the reforms would threaten democratic checks and balances on ministers by the courts. They also accused Netanyahu of trying to escape a legal case against him, the news agency Reuters reported. Ex-PM Yair Lapid joins protests Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid took part in the demonstrations in Hafia where he said that protesters "came to save their country, and we came to protest with them. We will save our country because we are unwilling to live in an undemocratic country." Prime Minister Netanyahu has condemned the protests by saying they are a refusal by opposition leaders to accept the results of the election held in November last year. (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.

'Save Israel's democracy from Netanyahu': Anti-govt protests continue for fifth week

US-based advisory firm Innisfree M&amp;A Incorporated sued&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;on Friday in New York State Supreme Court, seeking about $1.9 million for what it says are unpaid bills after it advised the social media company on its acquisition by Elon Musk last year.&nbsp;"As of December 23, 2022,&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;remains in default of its obligations to Innisfree under the Agreement in an amount of not less than $1,902,788.03," the lawsuit said.&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;and a lawyer for Innisfree did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Musk in October closed the $44 billion deal announced in April and took&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;private.

Last month, Britain's Crown Estate, an independent commercial business that manages the property portfolio belonging to the monarchy, said that it had begun court proceedings against&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;over alleged unpaid rent for its London headquarters.

Advertising spending on&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;Inc dropped by 71% in December, data from an advertising research firm showed, as top advertisers slashed their spending on the social-media platform after Musk's takeover.

The banks providing $13 billion in financing last year for the Tesla chief executive's acquisition of&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;abandoned plans to sell the debt to investors because of uncertainty around the social media company's fortunes and losses, Reuters reported last month.

Twitter&nbsp;made its first interest payment on a loan that banks provided to help finance Musk's purchase of the social media company last year, Reuters reported last month.&nbsp;

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US-based advisory firm Innisfree M&A Incorporated sued Twitter on Friday in New York State Supreme Court, seeking about $1.9 million for what it says are unpaid bills after it advised the social media company on its acquisition by Elon Musk last year.

US-based advisory firm Innisfree M&A Incorporated sued Twitter on Friday in New York State Supreme Court, seeking about $1.9 million for what it says are unpaid bills after it advised the social media company on its acquisition by Elon Musk last year. "As of December 23, 2022, Twitter remains in default of its obligations to Innisfree under the Agreement in an amount of not less than $1,902,788.03," the lawsuit said. Twitter and a lawyer for Innisfree did not immediately respond to request for comment. Musk in October closed the $44 billion deal announced in April and took Twitter private. Last month, Britain's Crown Estate, an independent commercial business that manages the property portfolio belonging to the monarchy, said that it had begun court proceedings against Twitter over alleged unpaid rent for its London headquarters. Advertising spending on Twitter Inc dropped by 71% in December, data from an advertising research firm showed, as top advertisers slashed their spending on the social-media platform after Musk's takeover. The banks providing $13 billion in financing last year for the Tesla chief executive's acquisition of Twitter abandoned plans to sell the debt to investors because of uncertainty around the social media company's fortunes and losses, Reuters reported last month. Twitter made its first interest payment on a loan that banks provided to help finance Musk's purchase of the social media company last year, Reuters reported last month. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Advisory firm Innisfree sues Musk's Twitter for $1.9 million in unpaid bills

The Narendra Modi government blocked 232 apps with Chinese links. An official familiar with developments told the news agency PTI on Sunday (February 5) that these apps were blocked for gambling and unauthorised loan service. "The order to block 138 apps that were involved in betting, gambling and money laundering was issued last evening. Separately, an order to block 94 apps engaged in unauthorised loan service has also been issued. These apps were being operated from offshore entities, including Chinese. They were posing a threat to the economic stability of the country," the official said.&nbsp;

The names of these apps have not been revealed yet.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Union home ministry of India&nbsp;recommended the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), and the latter initiated the process as per communication. The decision was taken after confirming that these apps attracted Section-69 of the IT Act as they contained material which was prejudicial to the country's integrity and sovereignty, news agency ANI reported earlier on Sunday.&nbsp;

The action behind the decision was based on multiple complaints of extortion and harassment of common people who had availed loans of small amounts through the mobile apps. These apps were the brainchild of Chinese nationals who hired Indians and made them directors in operations.

The report said that desperate people were lured into taking loans and then the interest was jacked up to 3,000 per cent annually. When debtors were unable to pay the interest, let alone the principal amount, people representing these apps started harassing them. The representatives started sending them (debtors) lewd messages and threatened to release their morphed photos and shaming by sending them to their contacts.&nbsp;

The matter came to light after reports of suicides in some states, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The state governments of Telangana, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh as well as central intelligence agencies asked the Union home ministry to take action against these apps, the ANI report said citing sources. Based on these inputs, the ministry started analysing 28 Chinese loan lending apps six months back. But, it found out that 94 apps were available on e-stores and others were working through third-party links.&nbsp;

Many apps were not available for download on smartphones. However, sources told ANI the betting apps and games were being downloaded through independent links or websites.

Earlier, India's information and broadcasting ministry issued an advisory which stated that since betting and gambling was illegal in most parts of the country, advertisements of these betting platforms, as well as their surrogates, were also illegal under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2019, Cable TV Network Regulation Act 1995 and the IT Rules, 2021. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Narendra Modi government blocked 232 apps with Chinese links. An official familiar with developments told the news agency PTI on Sunday (February 5) that these apps were blocked for gambling and unauthorised loan service.

The Narendra Modi government blocked 232 apps with Chinese links. An official familiar with developments told the news agency PTI on Sunday (February 5) that these apps were blocked for gambling and unauthorised loan service. "The order to block 138 apps that were involved in betting, gambling and money laundering was issued last evening. Separately, an order to block 94 apps engaged in unauthorised loan service has also been issued. These apps were being operated from offshore entities, including Chinese. They were posing a threat to the economic stability of the country," the official said. The names of these apps have not been revealed yet. Earlier, the Union home ministry of India recommended the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), and the latter initiated the process as per communication. The decision was taken after confirming that these apps attracted Section-69 of the IT Act as they contained material which was prejudicial to the country's integrity and sovereignty, news agency ANI reported earlier on Sunday. The action behind the decision was based on multiple complaints of extortion and harassment of common people who had availed loans of small amounts through the mobile apps. These apps were the brainchild of Chinese nationals who hired Indians and made them directors in operations. The report said that desperate people were lured into taking loans and then the interest was jacked up to 3,000 per cent annually. When debtors were unable to pay the interest, let alone the principal amount, people representing these apps started harassing them. The representatives started sending them (debtors) lewd messages and threatened to release their morphed photos and shaming by sending them to their contacts. The matter came to light after reports of suicides in some states, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The state governments of Telangana, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh as well as central intelligence agencies asked the Union home ministry to take action against these apps, the ANI report said citing sources. Based on these inputs, the ministry started analysing 28 Chinese loan lending apps six months back. But, it found out that 94 apps were available on e-stores and others were working through third-party links. Many apps were not available for download on smartphones. However, sources told ANI the betting apps and games were being downloaded through independent links or websites. Earlier, India's information and broadcasting ministry issued an advisory which stated that since betting and gambling was illegal in most parts of the country, advertisements of these betting platforms, as well as their surrogates, were also illegal under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2019, Cable TV Network Regulation Act 1995 and the IT Rules, 2021. (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.

Indian govt blocks more than 230 betting, loan apps linked to China: Report

The United Nations refugee agency said on Saturday (February 4) that seven Haitian migrants died in the Andean highlands of Peru as their efforts to cross into Bolivia were stymied by anti-government protests which have been going on since early December 2022. Speaking to the news agency AFP, Iris Bano Romero, a spokesperson for the refugee agency, said that six deaths, including that of a minor, occurred in Desaguadero town, news agency AFP reported. Romero added the seventh death occurred in the town of Juli.&nbsp;

Apart from these seven deaths, two other people were hospitalised with pneumonia since Thursday with one of them in critical condition, the UN official said. Romero further said that blockades erected due to the political crisis in Peru made life difficult for both locals and migrants, making it hard to obtain basics like food and fuel, or to pay for rent and other services.

Forty-eight people have been killed so far in the anti-government demonstrations in Peru. On Friday (February 3), the congressional committee blocked another bill to advance general elections to this year, which President Dina Boluarte hoped would quell the ongoing unrest.

Speaking to reporters, Alejandro Cavero, a right-wing member of Congress who sought to halt the bill, said that he raised parliamentary objections in a meeting of the Constitutional Committee before the bill could even be debated.

"The regulations of Congress clearly stipulate that a matter that has already been shelved cannot be discussed again in the committee until the next legislative session," Cavero, a member of the committee said.&nbsp;

A day later, a Roman Catholic Cardinal voiced dismay that Congress declined to advance elections to defuse the unrest. "It hurts our souls that they have (not acted on) a proposal to move up elections," Cardinal Pedro Barreto said on Saturday (February 4).&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United Nations refugee agency said on Saturday (February 4) that seven Haitian migrants died in the Andean highlands of Peru as their efforts to cross into Bolivia were stymied by anti-government protests which have been going on since early December 2022.

The United Nations refugee agency said on Saturday (February 4) that seven Haitian migrants died in the Andean highlands of Peru as their efforts to cross into Bolivia were stymied by anti-government protests which have been going on since early December 2022. Speaking to the news agency AFP, Iris Bano Romero, a spokesperson for the refugee agency, said that six deaths, including that of a minor, occurred in Desaguadero town, news agency AFP reported. Romero added the seventh death occurred in the town of Juli. Apart from these seven deaths, two other people were hospitalised with pneumonia since Thursday with one of them in critical condition, the UN official said. Romero further said that blockades erected due to the political crisis in Peru made life difficult for both locals and migrants, making it hard to obtain basics like food and fuel, or to pay for rent and other services. Forty-eight people have been killed so far in the anti-government demonstrations in Peru. On Friday (February 3), the congressional committee blocked another bill to advance general elections to this year, which President Dina Boluarte hoped would quell the ongoing unrest. Speaking to reporters, Alejandro Cavero, a right-wing member of Congress who sought to halt the bill, said that he raised parliamentary objections in a meeting of the Constitutional Committee before the bill could even be debated. "The regulations of Congress clearly stipulate that a matter that has already been shelved cannot be discussed again in the committee until the next legislative session," Cavero, a member of the committee said. A day later, a Roman Catholic Cardinal voiced dismay that Congress declined to advance elections to defuse the unrest. "It hurts our souls that they have (not acted on) a proposal to move up elections," Cardinal Pedro Barreto said on Saturday (February 4). (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.

UN agency says seven Haitian migrants died while waiting to leave Peru, blames protests

China is militarily aiding Russia's offensive in Ukraine which will soon complete its one year. A report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Saturday (February 4) said that China is providing the technology that the Russian military needs for its ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine despite sanctions and export controls imposed by the West.

China is militarily aiding Russia's offensive in Ukraine which will soon complete its one year. A report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Saturday (February 4) said that China is providing the technology that the Russian military needs for its ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine despite sanctions and export controls imposed by the West. According to Russian customs data reviewed by the WSJ, Chinese state-owned defence companies have been shipping navigation equipment, jamming technology and fighter-jet parts to sanctioned Russian government-owned defence companies. Citing records provided by C4ADS in July last year, the report said that China sent tens of thousands of shipments of dual-use goods—products that have both commercial and military applications to the Russian military. China's support to Russia while it wages the war on Ukraine was supposed to be on the agenda for discussion during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing. However, Blinken postponed his trip due to the US and China locking horns over a suspected Chinese spy balloon seen flying over American skies, which was shot down on Sunday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, said that Russia had enough technological potential to ensure its security and carry out its offensive (in Ukraine), adding, this potential was constantly being improved. Moscow relies heavily on imports for dual-use technology The WSJ report on Saturday pointed out that while Russia can produce most of its basic military requirements domestically, it relies heavily on imports for dual-use technology. Officials from Western countries earlier said that their economic pressures on Russia would cripple its war machine by targeting such exports including computer chips, infrared cameras and radar equipment. However, customs and corporate records show that Moscow is still able to import that technology through countries that haven’t joined American led-efforts to cut it (Russia) off from global markets, the report said, adding that many of the export-controlled products are still flowing through countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey. ALSO READ | US warns Turkey over exports to Russia that could boost its war in Ukraine The journal by C4ADS also showed that Chinese companies, both state-owned and private, have been the dominant exporters of dual-use goods. Naomi Garcia, an analyst at C4ADS, said that despite international scrutiny and sanctions protocols, reliable global trade showed that Chinese state-owned defence companies continued to send military-applicable parts to sanctioned Russian defence companies. Garcia added that these Russian companies had been recorded using such parts directly in the war in Ukraine. What do the records show? As per the customs records, Poly Technologies, a Chinese state-owned defence company, shipped navigation equipment to Russian military export firm JSC Rosoboronexport for M-17 military transport helicopters on August 31 last year. Earlier that month, another Chinese company Nanan Baofeng Electronic supplied a telescoping antenna for the RB-531BE military vehicle to Rosoboronexport—through an Uzbek state-owned defence firm. On October 24, 2022, another Chinese company AVIC International Holding Corp shipped $1.2 million worth of parts for Su-35 jet fighters to AO Kret, which is a subsidiary of Russian state-owned defence giant Rostec. Wang Shaofeng, general manager of Fujian Baofeng Electronics Co., told the WSJ that a third party might be illegally using his company's name and that it does not include "Nanan". Shaofeng added that his company does not produce telescoping antennas and also does not have a record of shipping to any Uzbek state-owned defence firm. The allegation is baseless, says Beijing Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the US, told the WSJ that the allegation of Beijing providing military aid to Russia has no factual basis, adding it is purely speculative and deliberately hyped up. 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.

Ukraine war: China providing military assistance to Russia for its offensive, says report

The United States has warned Turkey over its exports, including chemicals and microchips, to Russia&nbsp;which could boost Moscow's offensive in Ukraine which is nearing completion of one year. A report by the news agency Reuters on Saturday (February 4) said that US Treasury's top sanctions official Brian Nelson visited Turkish government and private sector officials on Thursday and Friday to urge more cooperation in disrupting the flow of such goods.

Nelson met with the Banks Association of Turkey to discuss the implementation of international sanctions on Russia for its war against Ukraine.

According to a statement issued by the US Treasury Department on Friday, he said, "We find ourselves in a particularly difficult moment—nearly one year from the start of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine; reckoning with economic inequities; facing mounting costs from global corruption, which corrodes societies and capitals around the world; and grappling with evolving threats like those from rogue states and terrorist groups."

Nelson said the marked rise over the past year in non-essential Turkish exports or re-exports to Russia made the Turkish private sector particularly vulnerable to reputational and sanctions risks. "Moscow is seeking to use increasing economic ties, which are not transparent, to exploit other jurisdictions and counter international sanctions," he added.&nbsp;

Nelson said that in engaging with Russian-sanctioned entities, Turkish businesses and banks could put themselves at risk of sanctions and a potential loss of access to G7 markets and correspondent relationships.&nbsp;

The top sanctions official further warned that Turkish businesses and banks should take extra precautions to avoid transactions related to potential dual-use technology transfers that could be used by the Russian military-industrial complex, according to Friday's statement.&nbsp;

Since the beginning of the Russian offensive in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Turkey has maintained good ties with both countries. Brian Nelson's visit to Turkey is the latest by senior US officials aiming to ramp up pressure on Ankara to ensure enforcement of American curbs on Moscow. Nelson also urged Turkish bankers to carry out enhanced due diligence on Russian-related transactions and highlighted that Russian oligarchs continue to buy property and dock yachts in Turkey.

Before his visit, Reuters reported that Turkey's largest ground-service provider, Havas, told Russian and Belarusian airlines that it may stop providing parts, fuel and other services to their US-origin aircraft, in line with bans imposed by Western countries. And in September last year, five Turkish banks suspended the use of the Russian Mir payment. This came after the US Treasury targeted the head of the system's operator with new sanctions and warned those helping Russia against skirting them. 
&nbsp; 
(With inputs form agencies)

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The United States has warned Turkey over its exports, including chemicals and microchips, to Russia which could boost Moscow's offensive in Ukraine which is nearing completion of one year.

The United States has warned Turkey over its exports, including chemicals and microchips, to Russia which could boost Moscow's offensive in Ukraine which is nearing completion of one year. A report by the news agency Reuters on Saturday (February 4) said that US Treasury's top sanctions official Brian Nelson visited Turkish government and private sector officials on Thursday and Friday to urge more cooperation in disrupting the flow of such goods. Nelson met with the Banks Association of Turkey to discuss the implementation of international sanctions on Russia for its war against Ukraine. According to a statement issued by the US Treasury Department on Friday, he said, "We find ourselves in a particularly difficult moment—nearly one year from the start of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine; reckoning with economic inequities; facing mounting costs from global corruption, which corrodes societies and capitals around the world; and grappling with evolving threats like those from rogue states and terrorist groups." Nelson said the marked rise over the past year in non-essential Turkish exports or re-exports to Russia made the Turkish private sector particularly vulnerable to reputational and sanctions risks. "Moscow is seeking to use increasing economic ties, which are not transparent, to exploit other jurisdictions and counter international sanctions," he added. Nelson said that in engaging with Russian-sanctioned entities, Turkish businesses and banks could put themselves at risk of sanctions and a potential loss of access to G7 markets and correspondent relationships. The top sanctions official further warned that Turkish businesses and banks should take extra precautions to avoid transactions related to potential dual-use technology transfers that could be used by the Russian military-industrial complex, according to Friday's statement. Since the beginning of the Russian offensive in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Turkey has maintained good ties with both countries. Brian Nelson's visit to Turkey is the latest by senior US officials aiming to ramp up pressure on Ankara to ensure enforcement of American curbs on Moscow. Nelson also urged Turkish bankers to carry out enhanced due diligence on Russian-related transactions and highlighted that Russian oligarchs continue to buy property and dock yachts in Turkey. Before his visit, Reuters reported that Turkey's largest ground-service provider, Havas, told Russian and Belarusian airlines that it may stop providing parts, fuel and other services to their US-origin aircraft, in line with bans imposed by Western countries. And in September last year, five Turkish banks suspended the use of the Russian Mir payment. This came after the US Treasury targeted the head of the system's operator with new sanctions and warned those helping Russia against skirting them. (With inputs form 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 warns Turkey over exports to Russia that could boost its war in Ukraine

Twenty-three people have died so far in forest fires in Chile which broke out on Wednesday (February 1) after a devastating heatwave.&nbsp;"We want to mourn the passing of 23 persons," Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve said on Saturday night (February 5), adding that 979 people have been injured in the fires.&nbsp;Monsalve said 232 wildfires were still active on Saturday, including 16 that began earlier in the day.

Authorities said on Friday that Chile has declared a state of disaster in several central-southern regions, including Nuble and Biobio. The declaration allows extra resources to be made available to combat an emergency, a report by the news agency AFP said.&nbsp;

Mauricio Tapia, the head of the Senaprad national disaster agency, said, “We have to announce that there are 13 deaths in total, 11 in the Santa Juana municipality.” On the other hand, Chile's Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela said that two crew members of a helicopter that was fighting the fires died in a crash Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

"I am very sad about the helicopter crash which killed the pilot and a mechanic who were working to fight the fire," Valenzuela said. Mauricio Tapia later said that the pilot was Bolivian and the mechanic Chilean.&nbsp;

The total death toll also includes at least four civilians and a firefighter previously reported killed, AFP reported. More than 100 homes have been affected and 47,000 hectares of forest were destroyed in the fire. Around 2,300 firefighters and 75 aircraft are working to extinguish the flames.&nbsp;

Interior Minister Carolina Toha said on Friday the aforementioned four civilians had died in the Biobio region, adding two were killed when fires engulfed the road they were travelling on while the other two died in a car accident, presumably while trying to escape the inferno. Authorities later said the firefighter was also killed

Apart from Nuble and Biobio, fires have also affected Maule and La Araucania regions. Nuble has been put on red alert, alongside seven municipalities in Biobio.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Twenty-three people have died so far in forest fires in Chile which broke out on Wednesday (February 1) after a devastating heatwave. "We want to mourn the passing of 23 persons," Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve said on Saturday night (February 5), adding that 979 people have been injured in the fires.

Twenty-three people have died so far in forest fires in Chile which broke out on Wednesday (February 1) after a devastating heatwave. "We want to mourn the passing of 23 persons," Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve said on Saturday night (February 5), adding that 979 people have been injured in the fires. Monsalve said 232 wildfires were still active on Saturday, including 16 that began earlier in the day. Authorities said on Friday that Chile has declared a state of disaster in several central-southern regions, including Nuble and Biobio. The declaration allows extra resources to be made available to combat an emergency, a report by the news agency AFP said. Mauricio Tapia, the head of the Senaprad national disaster agency, said, “We have to announce that there are 13 deaths in total, 11 in the Santa Juana municipality.” On the other hand, Chile's Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela said that two crew members of a helicopter that was fighting the fires died in a crash Friday afternoon. "I am very sad about the helicopter crash which killed the pilot and a mechanic who were working to fight the fire," Valenzuela said. Mauricio Tapia later said that the pilot was Bolivian and the mechanic Chilean. The total death toll also includes at least four civilians and a firefighter previously reported killed, AFP reported. More than 100 homes have been affected and 47,000 hectares of forest were destroyed in the fire. Around 2,300 firefighters and 75 aircraft are working to extinguish the flames. Interior Minister Carolina Toha said on Friday the aforementioned four civilians had died in the Biobio region, adding two were killed when fires engulfed the road they were travelling on while the other two died in a car accident, presumably while trying to escape the inferno. Authorities later said the firefighter was also killed Apart from Nuble and Biobio, fires have also affected Maule and La Araucania regions. Nuble has been put on red alert, alongside seven municipalities in Biobio. (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.

Chile: 23 dead in forest fires so far, govt declares state of disaster

General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, the former President of Pakistan, passed away at a hospital in Dubai on Sunday (February 5) morning at the age of 79 following a prolonged illness. Speaking to the news agency Reuters, Shazia Siraj, spokesperson for Pakistan's consulate in Dubai and embassy in Abu Dhabi, said "I can confirm that he passed away this morning." Pakistan's military expressed condolences on his death.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/paks-former-prez-and-army-chief-pervez-musharraf-passes-away-in-dubai-reports-558902">Pakistan’s former military ruler General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf dies in Dubai after long illness</a>

Musharraf, who got elected as Pakistan's 10th president through a referendum in 2002 after a seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1999, attempted to usher in socially liberal values in the country and economic growth.&nbsp;

Here are 10 things to know about him:&nbsp;

1. Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943, in New Delhi, India. He was four years old when his parents joined the mass exodus to the newly created state of Pakistan. Musharraf's father served in Pakistan's foreign ministry while his mother was a teacher. &nbsp;

2. Musharraf was 18 when he enlisted in the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), passing out as an army officer. He went on to lead an elite commando unit before rising to become the country's army chief in 1998. He was the architect of the Kargil infiltration that brought India and Pakistan to war in 1999.&nbsp;

3. Pervez Musharraf had seized power by ousting then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who tried to sack him for greenlighting the operation to invade Indian-held areas of Kashmir. During his early years after grabbing power via a coup, Musharraf made some reformist efforts, pushing through legislation to protect the rights of women and allowing private news channels to operate for the first time, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

4. Less than three years after the Kargil war, Musharraf shocked the world during a&nbsp;regional summit in 2002&nbsp;when he suddenly moved towards then-Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to shake hands and offered to talk peace.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explosion-at-pakistans-quetta-leaves-many-injured-casualties-feared-558917">Explosion at Pakistan’s Quetta leaves many injured, casualties feared</a>

5. Musharraf became one of the important allies of the United States after the September 11, 2001 attacks. He allowed American security forces to operate armed drones from secret bases on Pakistani soil which killed thousands and ordered domestic troops into the country’s lawless tribal areas along the Afghanistan frontier. This helped legitimise Musharraf's rule overseas but also plunged Islamabad into a war against local extremist militant groups.

6. According to World Bank data, under Musharraf's rule, foreign investment in Pakistan flourished and saw annual economic growth touched 7.5% — which remains the highest in nearly 30 years.&nbsp;

7. The later years of Musharraf's presidency were overshadowed, by his increasingly authoritarian rule. In 2006, Musharraf ordered military action that killed a tribal head from the province of Balochistan. In 2007, over 100 students who called for the imposition of Sharia law were killed after Musharraf shunned negotiations and ordered troops to storm a mosque in Islamabad. This led to the birth of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has since killed tens of thousands of civilians.&nbsp;

8. Also in 2007, opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated which led to nationwide violence. Reuters reported that Musharraf's efforts to strong-arm the judiciary led to protests and he postponed elections and declared a state of emergency in Pakistan.&nbsp;

9. In 2008, when Pakistan's first democratic elections in 11 years were held, Musharraf's party – Pakistan Muslim League (Q) lost and he resigned from the presidency as he faced impeachment by parliament and fled to London.

10. He came back to Pakistan in 2013 to run for a seat in Parliament but was immediately disqualified. He was allowed to leave for Dubai in 2016.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, the former President of Pakistan, passed away at a hospital in Dubai on Sunday (February 5) morning at the age of 79 following a prolonged illness.

General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, the former President of Pakistan, passed away at a hospital in Dubai on Sunday (February 5) morning at the age of 79 following a prolonged illness. Speaking to the news agency Reuters, Shazia Siraj, spokesperson for Pakistan's consulate in Dubai and embassy in Abu Dhabi, said "I can confirm that he passed away this morning." Pakistan's military expressed condolences on his death. ALSO READ | Pakistan’s former military ruler General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf dies in Dubai after long illness Musharraf, who got elected as Pakistan's 10th president through a referendum in 2002 after a seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1999, attempted to usher in socially liberal values in the country and economic growth. Here are 10 things to know about him: 1. Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943, in New Delhi, India. He was four years old when his parents joined the mass exodus to the newly created state of Pakistan. Musharraf's father served in Pakistan's foreign ministry while his mother was a teacher. 2. Musharraf was 18 when he enlisted in the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), passing out as an army officer. He went on to lead an elite commando unit before rising to become the country's army chief in 1998. He was the architect of the Kargil infiltration that brought India and Pakistan to war in 1999. 3. Pervez Musharraf had seized power by ousting then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who tried to sack him for greenlighting the operation to invade Indian-held areas of Kashmir. During his early years after grabbing power via a coup, Musharraf made some reformist efforts, pushing through legislation to protect the rights of women and allowing private news channels to operate for the first time, Reuters reported. 4. Less than three years after the Kargil war, Musharraf shocked the world during a regional summit in 2002 when he suddenly moved towards then-Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to shake hands and offered to talk peace. ALSO READ | Explosion at Pakistan’s Quetta leaves many injured, casualties feared 5. Musharraf became one of the important allies of the United States after the September 11, 2001 attacks. He allowed American security forces to operate armed drones from secret bases on Pakistani soil which killed thousands and ordered domestic troops into the country’s lawless tribal areas along the Afghanistan frontier. This helped legitimise Musharraf's rule overseas but also plunged Islamabad into a war against local extremist militant groups. 6. According to World Bank data, under Musharraf's rule, foreign investment in Pakistan flourished and saw annual economic growth touched 7.5% — which remains the highest in nearly 30 years. 7. The later years of Musharraf's presidency were overshadowed, by his increasingly authoritarian rule. In 2006, Musharraf ordered military action that killed a tribal head from the province of Balochistan. In 2007, over 100 students who called for the imposition of Sharia law were killed after Musharraf shunned negotiations and ordered troops to storm a mosque in Islamabad. This led to the birth of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has since killed tens of thousands of civilians. 8. Also in 2007, opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated which led to nationwide violence. Reuters reported that Musharraf's efforts to strong-arm the judiciary led to protests and he postponed elections and declared a state of emergency in Pakistan. 9. In 2008, when Pakistan's first democratic elections in 11 years were held, Musharraf's party – Pakistan Muslim League (Q) lost and he resigned from the presidency as he faced impeachment by parliament and fled to London. 10. He came back to Pakistan in 2013 to run for a seat in Parliament but was immediately disqualified. He was allowed to leave for Dubai in 2016. (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.

Pervez Musharraf: Pakistan’s last military dictator and architect of the Kargil War

A Spanish high court ruled in favour of a man who was fined for walking naked through the streets of Aldaia town in the region of Valencia, and later tried to attend a court hearing in the&nbsp; buff. Releasing a statement, the high court said it struck down an appeal against a lower court's decision earlier to annul fines handed out by Valencia's regional government to 29-year-old &nbsp;Alejandro Colomar for being naked in the streets of Aldaia, news agency Reuters reported on Friday (February 3).&nbsp;

The court, however, acknowledged a "legal vacuum" in Spanish law concerning public nudity.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-food-delivery-app-glovo-fined-62-million-for-violating-labour-laws-555679">Spain: Food delivery app Glovo fined $62 million for violating labour laws</a>

It pointed out that no local law in town prohibited nudism and nor could Colomar's nudity be considered to fall within a law that prohibits "acts of obscene exhibitionism". The court said in the ruling that Colomar "limited himself to remaining or circulating naked at different times in two different streets of Aldaia", adding his behaviour did not imply an "alteration of citizen security, tranquility or public order."&nbsp;

Speaking to the news agency Reuters on Friday (February 3), Colomar said he began stripping off in public in 2020 and has received more support than insults when walking about naked. Colomar said he started appearing naked in public after an argument with a woman when he took off his shirt while exercising. The 29-year-old added that he understood she could not do the same, but blamed society for it and started going nude.

“The fine does not make any sense, I was accused of obscene exhibitionism, which according to the dictionary has a sexual intention and has nothing to do with what I was doing. What I was accused of, having children there, in case there was a sexual intention was to go to jail, not a fine. But it had no relation to what I was doing,” he said.&nbsp;

On Friday, Colomar was filmed arriving at the court wearing just a pair of hiking boots before being ordered to put more clothes on to enter the building. During the hearing, he argued that the fines infringed on his right to ideological freedom.&nbsp;

Public nudity in Spain has been legal since 1988. The Reuters report said that anyone can walk naked down a street without being arrested.&nbsp;

However, some regions such as Valladolid and Barcelona have introduced their laws to regulate nudism, especially away from the beach. Last year, Cadiz city reversed a law that prohibited nudism on its urban beaches.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Spanish high court ruled in favour of a man who was fined for walking naked through the streets of Aldaia town in the region of Valencia, and later tried to attend a court hearing in the buff.

A Spanish high court ruled in favour of a man who was fined for walking naked through the streets of Aldaia town in the region of Valencia, and later tried to attend a court hearing in the buff. Releasing a statement, the high court said it struck down an appeal against a lower court's decision earlier to annul fines handed out by Valencia's regional government to 29-year-old Alejandro Colomar for being naked in the streets of Aldaia, news agency Reuters reported on Friday (February 3). The court, however, acknowledged a "legal vacuum" in Spanish law concerning public nudity. ALSO READ | Spain: Food delivery app Glovo fined $62 million for violating labour laws It pointed out that no local law in town prohibited nudism and nor could Colomar's nudity be considered to fall within a law that prohibits "acts of obscene exhibitionism". The court said in the ruling that Colomar "limited himself to remaining or circulating naked at different times in two different streets of Aldaia", adding his behaviour did not imply an "alteration of citizen security, tranquility or public order." Speaking to the news agency Reuters on Friday (February 3), Colomar said he began stripping off in public in 2020 and has received more support than insults when walking about naked. Colomar said he started appearing naked in public after an argument with a woman when he took off his shirt while exercising. The 29-year-old added that he understood she could not do the same, but blamed society for it and started going nude. “The fine does not make any sense, I was accused of obscene exhibitionism, which according to the dictionary has a sexual intention and has nothing to do with what I was doing. What I was accused of, having children there, in case there was a sexual intention was to go to jail, not a fine. But it had no relation to what I was doing,” he said. On Friday, Colomar was filmed arriving at the court wearing just a pair of hiking boots before being ordered to put more clothes on to enter the building. During the hearing, he argued that the fines infringed on his right to ideological freedom. Public nudity in Spain has been legal since 1988. The Reuters report said that anyone can walk naked down a street without being arrested. However, some regions such as Valladolid and Barcelona have introduced their laws to regulate nudism, especially away from the beach. Last year, Cadiz city reversed a law that prohibited nudism on its urban beaches. (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.

Spain: Court backs man’s right to walk naked in streets of Aldaia town

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