<p>Heavy rainfall in the Indian state of Uttarakhand has triggered a massive landslide in the Chamoli district which resulted in the partial destruction of a crucial section of National Highway 7 leading to Badrinath, a key pilgrimage site in the country.&nbsp;The affected area near Chhinka village has left tourists stranded. The debris has also obstructed the route to the holy site of Badrinath.</p>

<p>Flash floods and landslides also hit the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh a few days ago. Massive landslides blocked the Mandi-Kullu national highway in Himachal Pradesh, which had left around 200 individuals, mainly tourists, stranded for hours&nbsp;in a 15-kilometre-long traffic jam.</p>

<h2><strong>Casualties&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>According to a report from news agency PTI, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 19 deaths, with 34 people sustaining injuries, and three individuals reported missing due to rain-related incidents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-court-declares-govts-plan-to-send-migrants-to-rwanda-unlawful-610088">British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful</a></p>

<p>In response to the situation, the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for areas in Uttarakhand, warning of the likelihood of very heavy rainfall.</p>

<h2><strong>Rainfall in Delhi</strong></h2>

<p>On 29 June, Delhi experienced showers, leading to a drop in the temperature. However, the rainfall also caused waterlogging in certain parts of the city. It has led to creating inconvenience for many residents.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today's Massive Landslide video on Badrinath National Highway <a href="https://t.co/NKZx3hSCV9">pic.twitter.com/NKZx3hSCV9</a></p>
— Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) <a href="https://twitter.com/shubhamtorres09/status/1674356113167499264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>This year, the monsoon season has exhibited a different pattern across various regions of the country. It has covered over 80 per cent of India, with noteworthy occurrences, such as the simultaneous arrival of monsoon in Delhi and Mumbai on June 25—a phenomenon that had not transpired in 62 years.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-man-jailed-for-smuggling-800-people-into-us-using-uber-610082">Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber</a></p>

<p>Typically, Kerala receives monsoon showers by June 1, followed by Mumbai on June 11, and Delhi by June 27. Media reports quoting Naresh Kumar, a senior scientist at the IMD said, "Monsoon is in its advanced stage and is active. We can see clouds over Kokan, Goa, Central India, as well as Northeastern states."</p>

<p>According to him, there is a probability of heavy rainfall in east and northeast India over the next five days.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Tarang shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year</strong></p>

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<p>"East and Northeast India is expected to receive heavy rainfall in the next five days, due to moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal," the IMD scientist said, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

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Heavy rainfall in the Indian state of Uttarakhand has triggered a massive landslide in the Chamoli district which resulted in the partial destruction of a crucial section of National Highway 7 leading to Badrinath, a key pilgrimage site in the country.

Heavy rainfall in the Indian state of Uttarakhand has triggered a massive landslide in the Chamoli district which resulted in the partial destruction of a crucial section of National Highway 7 leading to Badrinath, a key pilgrimage site in the country. The affected area near Chhinka village has left tourists stranded. The debris has also obstructed the route to the holy site of Badrinath. Flash floods and landslides also hit the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh a few days ago. Massive landslides blocked the Mandi-Kullu national highway in Himachal Pradesh, which had left around 200 individuals, mainly tourists, stranded for hours in a 15-kilometre-long traffic jam. Casualties According to a report from news agency PTI, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 19 deaths, with 34 people sustaining injuries, and three individuals reported missing due to rain-related incidents. Also Read | British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful In response to the situation, the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for areas in Uttarakhand, warning of the likelihood of very heavy rainfall. Rainfall in Delhi On 29 June, Delhi experienced showers, leading to a drop in the temperature. However, the rainfall also caused waterlogging in certain parts of the city. It has led to creating inconvenience for many residents. Today's Massive Landslide video on Badrinath National Highway pic.twitter.com/NKZx3hSCV9 — Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) June 29, 2023 × This year, the monsoon season has exhibited a different pattern across various regions of the country. It has covered over 80 per cent of India, with noteworthy occurrences, such as the simultaneous arrival of monsoon in Delhi and Mumbai on June 25—a phenomenon that had not transpired in 62 years. Also Read | Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber Typically, Kerala receives monsoon showers by June 1, followed by Mumbai on June 11, and Delhi by June 27. Media reports quoting Naresh Kumar, a senior scientist at the IMD said, "Monsoon is in its advanced stage and is active. We can see clouds over Kokan, Goa, Central India, as well as Northeastern states." According to him, there is a probability of heavy rainfall in east and northeast India over the next five days. Watch | Tarang shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year × "East and Northeast India is expected to receive heavy rainfall in the next five days, due to moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal," the IMD scientist said, reports 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 | Heavy rainfall triggers massive landslide in India's Uttarakhand, Badrinath highway blocked

<p>A three-man crew from Italy soared more than 50 miles (80 km) above the New Mexico desert on Thursday aboard a Virgin Galactic rocket plane, the company's first flight of paying customers to the edge of space since British billionaire Richard Branson founded the venture in 2004.</p>

<p>The two Italian air force officers and an aerospace engineer from the National Research Council of Italy made the brief suborbital ride with three Virgin Galactic crew members, two of whom piloted the vehicle, VSS Unity, once it was launched at high altitude from the belly of its twin-fuselage carrier plane.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-court-declares-govts-plan-to-send-migrants-to-rwanda-unlawful-610088">British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful</a></p>

<p>About 75 minutes after leaving the ground with its mothership, the Unity spaceplane safely glided back to its starting point on a runway at Spaceport America, a state-owned complex near the aptly named New Mexico town of Truth or Consequences. Virgin Galactic leases part of the facility.</p>

<p>The flight marked a long-delayed breakthrough for Virgin Galactic Holding Inc (SPCE.N), finally inaugurating commercial service after nearly 20 years fraught by development setbacks.</p>

<p>Branson founded the company with renowned aerospace mogul Burt Rutan in a venture that grew out of the 2004 Ansari X Prize competition won by Rutan's experimental spaceplane - forerunner of the SpaceShipTwo design of Unity.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-man-jailed-for-smuggling-800-people-into-us-using-uber-610082">Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber</a></p>

<p>Virgin becomes the latest commercial enterprise, along with Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin and fellow billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX, catering to wealthy customers willing to pay large sums of money to experience the exhilaration of supersonic rocket speed, microgravity and the spectacle of the Earth's curvature from space.</p>

<p>Italian science mission&nbsp;</p>

<p>The "Galactic 01" mission of the Italian team flying on Thursday, however, was billed as a scientific one, with the three men planning to collect biometric data, measure cognitive performance and record how certain liquids and solids mix in microgravity conditions.</p>

<p>For Italian Air Force Colonel Walter Villadei the flight was also part of his astronaut training for a future mission to the International Space Station.</p>

<p>Joining him on Thursday were two Italian colleagues - Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Landolfi, a physician and flight surgeon, and Pantaleone Carlucci, a research council member acting as flight engineer and payload specialist.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Tarang shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year</strong></p>

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<p>Rounding out the crew was their Virgin Galactic trainer, Colin Bennett, the company's lead "astronaut instructor," and Unity's two pilots, Michael Masucci and Nicola Pecile.</p>

<p>The gleaming white rocket plane was borne aloft at around 10:30 a.m. EDT (14300 GMT) attached to the underside of its transport jet, VMS Eve, as the carrier plane took off from Spaceport America near the New Mexico town of Truth or Consequences.</p>

<p>Reaching its launch-altitude point roughly 45,000 feet (8.5 miles/13.68 km) above the ground, Unity was then released from the mothership and fell away as the pilots ignited the vehicle's engine to send the rocket plane streaking in a near-vertical climb at about three times the speed of sound to the blackness of space.</p>

<p>Virgin Galactic said Unity topped out its flight at an altitude of nearly 52.9 miles (85.1 km).</p>

<p>At the apex of the flight, with the rocket shut down, the crew then experienced a few minutes of weightlessness before the craft shifted into re-entry mode and began its gliding descent back to Earth.</p>

<p>A Virgin Galactic webcast showed live footage of crew members strapped into their seats in flight suits and sunglasses as they neared the height of their voyage, then enjoying the thrill of microgravity as Villadei unveiled an Italian flag in the cabin.</p>

<p>Evolving business model&nbsp;</p>

<p>The flight came two years after Branson himself rode along with five other Virgin Galactic personnel for the first fully crewed test spaceflight of Unity in July 2021. At the time, the company was targeting regular commercial service to begin in 2022 following additional test flights.</p>

<p>But completion of the test program took longer than anticipated after federal regulators grounded Unity for 11 weeks while the company was under investigation for deviating from its assigned airspace on ascent during the July 2021 flight. A final crewed test flight to space was conducted with little fanfare five weeks ago.</p>

<p>The company had said before Thursday's launch that a successful flight would pave the way for Unity to fly again in early August, with monthly flights thereafter.</p>

<p>Virgin Galactic has said it has already booked a backlog of some 800 customers, charging most from $250,000 to $450,000 per seat, and envisions eventually building a large enough fleet to accommodate 400 flights annually.</p>

<p>Establishing a solid safety record is critical. An earlier prototype of the Virgin Galactic rocket plane crashed during a test flight over California's Mojave Desert in 2014, killing one pilot and seriously injuring another. Passengers are required to sign a pre-flight waiver acknowledging the risks and lack of government regulation over space tourism.</p>

<p>How high one goes to experience what is considered true spaceflight may also factor into the equation.</p>

<p>Bezos, whose astro-tourist venture Blue Origin has already flown several commercial passenger flights, has disparaged Virgin as falling short of the mark.</p>

<p>Unlike Unity, Bezos has said, Blue Origin's suborbital New Shepard rocketship tops the 62-mile-high-mark (100 km), called the Karman line, set by an international aeronautics body as defining the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and space.</p>

<p>NASA and the U.S. Air Force both define an astronaut as anyone who has flown 50 miles (80 km) high or more.</p>

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A three-man crew from Italy soared more than 50 miles (80 km) above the New Mexico desert on Thursday aboard a Virgin Galactic rocket plane, the company's first flight of paying customers to the edge of space since British billionaire Richard Branson founded the venture in 2004.

A three-man crew from Italy soared more than 50 miles (80 km) above the New Mexico desert on Thursday aboard a Virgin Galactic rocket plane, the company's first flight of paying customers to the edge of space since British billionaire Richard Branson founded the venture in 2004. The two Italian air force officers and an aerospace engineer from the National Research Council of Italy made the brief suborbital ride with three Virgin Galactic crew members, two of whom piloted the vehicle, VSS Unity, once it was launched at high altitude from the belly of its twin-fuselage carrier plane. Also Read | British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful About 75 minutes after leaving the ground with its mothership, the Unity spaceplane safely glided back to its starting point on a runway at Spaceport America, a state-owned complex near the aptly named New Mexico town of Truth or Consequences. Virgin Galactic leases part of the facility. The flight marked a long-delayed breakthrough for Virgin Galactic Holding Inc (SPCE.N), finally inaugurating commercial service after nearly 20 years fraught by development setbacks. Branson founded the company with renowned aerospace mogul Burt Rutan in a venture that grew out of the 2004 Ansari X Prize competition won by Rutan's experimental spaceplane - forerunner of the SpaceShipTwo design of Unity. Also Read | Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber Virgin becomes the latest commercial enterprise, along with Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin and fellow billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX, catering to wealthy customers willing to pay large sums of money to experience the exhilaration of supersonic rocket speed, microgravity and the spectacle of the Earth's curvature from space. Italian science mission The "Galactic 01" mission of the Italian team flying on Thursday, however, was billed as a scientific one, with the three men planning to collect biometric data, measure cognitive performance and record how certain liquids and solids mix in microgravity conditions. For Italian Air Force Colonel Walter Villadei the flight was also part of his astronaut training for a future mission to the International Space Station. Joining him on Thursday were two Italian colleagues - Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Landolfi, a physician and flight surgeon, and Pantaleone Carlucci, a research council member acting as flight engineer and payload specialist. Watch | Tarang shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year × Rounding out the crew was their Virgin Galactic trainer, Colin Bennett, the company's lead "astronaut instructor," and Unity's two pilots, Michael Masucci and Nicola Pecile. The gleaming white rocket plane was borne aloft at around 10:30 a.m. EDT (14300 GMT) attached to the underside of its transport jet, VMS Eve, as the carrier plane took off from Spaceport America near the New Mexico town of Truth or Consequences. Reaching its launch-altitude point roughly 45,000 feet (8.5 miles/13.68 km) above the ground, Unity was then released from the mothership and fell away as the pilots ignited the vehicle's engine to send the rocket plane streaking in a near-vertical climb at about three times the speed of sound to the blackness of space. Virgin Galactic said Unity topped out its flight at an altitude of nearly 52.9 miles (85.1 km). At the apex of the flight, with the rocket shut down, the crew then experienced a few minutes of weightlessness before the craft shifted into re-entry mode and began its gliding descent back to Earth. A Virgin Galactic webcast showed live footage of crew members strapped into their seats in flight suits and sunglasses as they neared the height of their voyage, then enjoying the thrill of microgravity as Villadei unveiled an Italian flag in the cabin. Evolving business model The flight came two years after Branson himself rode along with five other Virgin Galactic personnel for the first fully crewed test spaceflight of Unity in July 2021. At the time, the company was targeting regular commercial service to begin in 2022 following additional test flights. But completion of the test program took longer than anticipated after federal regulators grounded Unity for 11 weeks while the company was under investigation for deviating from its assigned airspace on ascent during the July 2021 flight. A final crewed test flight to space was conducted with little fanfare five weeks ago. The company had said before Thursday's launch that a successful flight would pave the way for Unity to fly again in early August, with monthly flights thereafter. Virgin Galactic has said it has already booked a backlog of some 800 customers, charging most from $250,000 to $450,000 per seat, and envisions eventually building a large enough fleet to accommodate 400 flights annually. Establishing a solid safety record is critical. An earlier prototype of the Virgin Galactic rocket plane crashed during a test flight over California's Mojave Desert in 2014, killing one pilot and seriously injuring another. Passengers are required to sign a pre-flight waiver acknowledging the risks and lack of government regulation over space tourism. How high one goes to experience what is considered true spaceflight may also factor into the equation. Bezos, whose astro-tourist venture Blue Origin has already flown several commercial passenger flights, has disparaged Virgin as falling short of the mark. Unlike Unity, Bezos has said, Blue Origin's suborbital New Shepard rocketship tops the 62-mile-high-mark (100 km), called the Karman line, set by an international aeronautics body as defining the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and space. NASA and the U.S. Air Force both define an astronaut as anyone who has flown 50 miles (80 km) high or more. 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. ×

Virgin Galactic completes first commercial rocket plane flight to space

<p>Wagner chief and founder of&nbsp;the private military company (PMC)&nbsp;Yevgeny Prigozhin declined to sign a contract with the Russian defence&nbsp;ministry which has led to the termination of the PMC's involvement in the "special military operation" in Ukraine, media reports said quoting&nbsp;State Duma's Defense Committee chairman Andrey Kartapolov.</p>

<p>Earlier, the Russian defence ministry had announced that all groups and units involved in combat tasks needed to sign a contract with the ministry.</p>

<p>While most complied, Prigozhin chose not to, resulting in the exclusion of PMC Wagner from the ongoing war in Ukraine. As a consequence, funding and supplies for the PMC were withheld, a matter of significant importance to Prigozhin for being able to continue to wage its war on the Ukrainian battlefield.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kartapolov explained that the attempted mutiny occurred due to a combination of factors. First and foremost was the issue of money, followed by Prigozhin's unreasonable and excessive ambitions, and finally, an agitated mental state. These factors collectively led to an act of high treason and betrayal against his fellow soldiers, he pointed out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-court-declares-govts-plan-to-send-migrants-to-rwanda-unlawful-610088">British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful</a></p>

<p>"Everyone began to carry out this decision, an absolutely correct one. Everyone except Mr Prigozhin," Kartapolov said, adding, "Then he was told that in this case, PMC Wagner would not take part in the special military operation. In other words, there will be no funding or supplies. Mr. Prigozhin this is an important thing, if not the main one."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over the armed revolt by Wagner,&nbsp;Kartapolov said, "It came down to this: in the first place there was money; second, some stupid and exorbitant ambitions; and thirdly, an agitated state of mind. All of this combined evolved into an attempt at high treason and the deception of his comrades-in-arms."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What was Russian defence ministry's directive?&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>On June 10, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a directive aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of volunteer units within the combined group of forces.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-man-jailed-for-smuggling-800-people-into-us-using-uber-610082">Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber</a></p>

<p>Russian Defence Minister Sergei&nbsp;Shoigu signed an order outlining the procedure for organising the routine activities of these volunteer groups.</p>

<p>According to the directive, volunteers are required to sign contracts with the defence ministry by July 1, thereby obtaining legal status and ensuring standardised approaches to supplies and task execution.</p>

<h2><strong>Attempted military mutiny</strong></h2>

<p>On the evening of June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed on his Telegram channel that his units had been attacked by Russia's military leadership.</p>

<p>However, the Russian defence ministry refuted these allegations and termed them false. Some PMC Wagner units who supported Prigozhin started heading towards Rostov-on-Don and Moscow.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Tarang shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year</strong></p>

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<p>The Federal Security Service (FSB) initiated legal proceedings against them for inciting armed mutiny. Later, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address, labelled the actions of PMC Wagner as treason.</p>

<h2><strong>Negotiations&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Following discussions between Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Prigozhin's convoys turned back and returned to their field camps.&nbsp;Lukashenko disclosed that he had proposed the use of an abandoned military garrison in Belarus as a field camp for PMC Wagner.</p>

<p>He assured Prigozhin of complete security and pledged to facilitate the relocation of PMC forces to Belarus.</p>

<p>The Kremlin later announced that PMC personnel would not face prosecution for their participation in the mutiny. The FSB terminated the criminal proceedings related to the attempted armed mutiny.</p>

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Wagner chief and founder of the private military company (PMC) Yevgeny Prigozhin declined to sign a contract with the Russian defence ministry which has led to the termination of the PMC's involvement in the "special military operation" in Ukraine, media reports said quoting State Duma's Defense Committee chairman Andrey Kartapolov.

Wagner chief and founder of the private military company (PMC) Yevgeny Prigozhin declined to sign a contract with the Russian defence ministry which has led to the termination of the PMC's involvement in the "special military operation" in Ukraine, media reports said quoting State Duma's Defense Committee chairman Andrey Kartapolov. Earlier, the Russian defence ministry had announced that all groups and units involved in combat tasks needed to sign a contract with the ministry. While most complied, Prigozhin chose not to, resulting in the exclusion of PMC Wagner from the ongoing war in Ukraine. As a consequence, funding and supplies for the PMC were withheld, a matter of significant importance to Prigozhin for being able to continue to wage its war on the Ukrainian battlefield. Kartapolov explained that the attempted mutiny occurred due to a combination of factors. First and foremost was the issue of money, followed by Prigozhin's unreasonable and excessive ambitions, and finally, an agitated mental state. These factors collectively led to an act of high treason and betrayal against his fellow soldiers, he pointed out. Also Read | British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful "Everyone began to carry out this decision, an absolutely correct one. Everyone except Mr Prigozhin," Kartapolov said, adding, "Then he was told that in this case, PMC Wagner would not take part in the special military operation. In other words, there will be no funding or supplies. Mr. Prigozhin this is an important thing, if not the main one." Over the armed revolt by Wagner, Kartapolov said, "It came down to this: in the first place there was money; second, some stupid and exorbitant ambitions; and thirdly, an agitated state of mind. All of this combined evolved into an attempt at high treason and the deception of his comrades-in-arms." What was Russian defence ministry's directive? On June 10, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a directive aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of volunteer units within the combined group of forces. Also Read | Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu signed an order outlining the procedure for organising the routine activities of these volunteer groups. According to the directive, volunteers are required to sign contracts with the defence ministry by July 1, thereby obtaining legal status and ensuring standardised approaches to supplies and task execution. Attempted military mutiny On the evening of June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed on his Telegram channel that his units had been attacked by Russia's military leadership. However, the Russian defence ministry refuted these allegations and termed them false. Some PMC Wagner units who supported Prigozhin started heading towards Rostov-on-Don and Moscow. Watch | Tarang shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year × The Federal Security Service (FSB) initiated legal proceedings against them for inciting armed mutiny. Later, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address, labelled the actions of PMC Wagner as treason. Negotiations Following discussions between Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Prigozhin's convoys turned back and returned to their field camps. Lukashenko disclosed that he had proposed the use of an abandoned military garrison in Belarus as a field camp for PMC Wagner. He assured Prigozhin of complete security and pledged to facilitate the relocation of PMC forces to Belarus. The Kremlin later announced that PMC personnel would not face prosecution for their participation in the mutiny. The FSB terminated the criminal proceedings related to the attempted armed mutiny. 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. ×

Wagner's participation in Ukraine war ends as Prigozhin refuses to sign Russian defense ministry contract

<p>Former UK ministers Nadine Dorries and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg have faced strong criticism from a committee in the House of Commons for attempting to obstruct an investigation against former prime minister Boris Johnson in relation to the Partygate scandal. The committee found that Johnson had misled the parliament regarding Covid breaches at 10 Downing Street, which ultimately ended in his resignation as an MP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report accuses Johnson's allies of launching "vociferous attacks" against the committee. Other Conservative Party members, including Dame Priti Patel and Lord Zac Goldsmith, were also criticised for attacking the committee.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The Privileges Committee, a cross-party group, expressed concerns about the security implications of the&nbsp;"unprecedented and co-ordinated pressure" exerted on its members through social media and television comments, media reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The committee singled out Dorries, Rees-Mogg, and Goldsmith for their particularly vehement attacks, noting that two of them used their own television shows to voice their criticisms.&nbsp;</p>

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<h2><strong>Debate around freedom of speech&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The report emphasised the importance of free speech in parliamentary democracy but condemned the interference by politicians in disciplinary proceedings as unacceptable.</p>

<p>It warned that such behaviour could discourage future committee members from serving due to fears of similar attacks, the reports said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The controversy has sparked a debate regarding the balance between freedom of expression and the ability of MPs to examine the conduct of their colleagues without facing personal attacks on their integrity.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Tarang Shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year</strong></p>

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<p>The report suggests that MPs should exercise responsibility in their criticisms to maintain the committee's effectiveness.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Johnson announced his resignation as an MP shortly before the committee released its initial findings, dismissing the investigation as a "kangaroo court."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The year-long inquiry concluded that Johnson deliberately made misleading statements in the&nbsp;parliament about parties at Downing Street during lockdown.</p>

<p>It recommended a 90-day suspension for Johnson, which would have likely triggered a by-election in his constituency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The cross-party privileges committee consists of seven members, four of whom are Tory MPs, two are from the Labour Party, and one represents the Scottish National Party.</p>

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Former UK ministers Nadine Dorries and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg have faced strong criticism from a committee in the House of Commons for attempting to obstruct an investigation against former prime minister Boris Johnson in relation to the Partygate scandal.

Former UK ministers Nadine Dorries and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg have faced strong criticism from a committee in the House of Commons for attempting to obstruct an investigation against former prime minister Boris Johnson in relation to the Partygate scandal. The committee found that Johnson had misled the parliament regarding Covid breaches at 10 Downing Street, which ultimately ended in his resignation as an MP. The report accuses Johnson's allies of launching "vociferous attacks" against the committee. Other Conservative Party members, including Dame Priti Patel and Lord Zac Goldsmith, were also criticised for attacking the committee. Also Read | British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful The Privileges Committee, a cross-party group, expressed concerns about the security implications of the "unprecedented and co-ordinated pressure" exerted on its members through social media and television comments, media reports said. The committee singled out Dorries, Rees-Mogg, and Goldsmith for their particularly vehement attacks, noting that two of them used their own television shows to voice their criticisms. Also Read | Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber Debate around freedom of speech The report emphasised the importance of free speech in parliamentary democracy but condemned the interference by politicians in disciplinary proceedings as unacceptable. It warned that such behaviour could discourage future committee members from serving due to fears of similar attacks, the reports said. The controversy has sparked a debate regarding the balance between freedom of expression and the ability of MPs to examine the conduct of their colleagues without facing personal attacks on their integrity. Watch | Tarang Shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year × The report suggests that MPs should exercise responsibility in their criticisms to maintain the committee's effectiveness. Johnson announced his resignation as an MP shortly before the committee released its initial findings, dismissing the investigation as a "kangaroo court." The year-long inquiry concluded that Johnson deliberately made misleading statements in the parliament about parties at Downing Street during lockdown. It recommended a 90-day suspension for Johnson, which would have likely triggered a by-election in his constituency. The cross-party privileges committee consists of seven members, four of whom are Tory MPs, two are from the Labour Party, and one represents the Scottish National Party. 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. ×

Partygate scandal: Ex-ministers Nadine Dorries, Jacob Rees-Mogg accused of interfering with probe

<p>A recent report by former senior judge Sir John Mitting strongly criticised the use of undercover policing tactics employed by the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) from the 1960s onwards, media reports said. SDS was an undercover unit of Greater London's Metropolitan Police Service and came into being in 1968 following the nod given by then-British Prime Minister Harold Wilson's government. It was set up by the government at the time so that it is able to infiltrate British left-wing protest groups.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is important to know that Justice Mitting is a retired judge of the High Court of England and Wales and has been chairing the undercover policing inquiry&nbsp;which was set up in 2015, since 2017. He was appointed after the former Chair Sir Christopher Pitchford stepped down because of ill health, as per media reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>John argued that the unit should have been disbanded early on, as the majority of the groups infiltrated posed no real threat.</p>

<p>The report sheds light on various tactics employed by the SDS. It ranged from forming sexual relationships and adopting the identities of deceased children for cover. These actions had severe consequences for the individuals involved and their lives were profoundly impacted, the judge pointed out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-court-declares-govts-plan-to-send-migrants-to-rwanda-unlawful-610088">British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful</a></p>

<p>Sir John asserted that had the public been aware of the methods used by the SDS, there would have been immediate pressure to put an end to their activities. He further stated that the practice of assuming the identities of deceased children should have been looked upon by Metropolitan Police officers and Home Office officials,&nbsp;both of which authorised and funded the unit</p>

<p>Officers from the SDS were deployed within targeted groups for extended periods, with some assuming positions of authority. They extensively documented personal details about individuals, including their relationships and family lives.</p>

<p>The undercover policing inquiry began hearing evidence in 2020 and has incurred costs exceeding £64 million ($80mn) thus far. The final report is currently scheduled for 2026.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-man-jailed-for-smuggling-800-people-into-us-using-uber-610082">Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber</a></p>

<h2><strong>Testimonies in&nbsp;undercover policing tactics inquiry&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Although the undercover policing inquiry covers a span of over 50 years, this initial report primarily focuses on the period from 1968 to 1982. Testimonies from those who were spied on during this time, including political activists like Lord Hain, trade unionists, and women deceived into relationships, were considered as evidence.</p>

<p>The judge leading the inquiry revealed that both institutions, Metropolitan Police and the Home Office, regard SDS as potentially embarrassing.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Intelligence gathered by SDS officers was shared with Scotland Yard and MI5, and while the stated aim of the unit was to maintain public order in London, the groups targeted were not involved in terrorism or serious criminal activities.</p>

<h2><strong>SDS infiltration of left-wing groups not due to political bias: Judge&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In conclusion, Sir John said that the SDS's failure to infiltrate right-wing groups was not due to political bias. He said that the decision by those in charge was because the right-wing groups were already adequately covered. The judge said that the authorities were more concerned about the higher risk of violence.</p>

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A recent report by former senior judge Sir John Mitting strongly criticised the use of undercover policing tactics employed by the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) from the 1960s onwards, media reports said.

A recent report by former senior judge Sir John Mitting strongly criticised the use of undercover policing tactics employed by the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) from the 1960s onwards, media reports said. SDS was an undercover unit of Greater London's Metropolitan Police Service and came into being in 1968 following the nod given by then-British Prime Minister Harold Wilson's government. It was set up by the government at the time so that it is able to infiltrate British left-wing protest groups. It is important to know that Justice Mitting is a retired judge of the High Court of England and Wales and has been chairing the undercover policing inquiry which was set up in 2015, since 2017. He was appointed after the former Chair Sir Christopher Pitchford stepped down because of ill health, as per media reports. John argued that the unit should have been disbanded early on, as the majority of the groups infiltrated posed no real threat. The report sheds light on various tactics employed by the SDS. It ranged from forming sexual relationships and adopting the identities of deceased children for cover. These actions had severe consequences for the individuals involved and their lives were profoundly impacted, the judge pointed out. Also Read | British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful Sir John asserted that had the public been aware of the methods used by the SDS, there would have been immediate pressure to put an end to their activities. He further stated that the practice of assuming the identities of deceased children should have been looked upon by Metropolitan Police officers and Home Office officials, both of which authorised and funded the unit Officers from the SDS were deployed within targeted groups for extended periods, with some assuming positions of authority. They extensively documented personal details about individuals, including their relationships and family lives. The undercover policing inquiry began hearing evidence in 2020 and has incurred costs exceeding £64 million ($80mn) thus far. The final report is currently scheduled for 2026. Also Read | Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber Testimonies in undercover policing tactics inquiry Although the undercover policing inquiry covers a span of over 50 years, this initial report primarily focuses on the period from 1968 to 1982. Testimonies from those who were spied on during this time, including political activists like Lord Hain, trade unionists, and women deceived into relationships, were considered as evidence. The judge leading the inquiry revealed that both institutions, Metropolitan Police and the Home Office, regard SDS as potentially embarrassing. Watch | Tarang shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year × Intelligence gathered by SDS officers was shared with Scotland Yard and MI5, and while the stated aim of the unit was to maintain public order in London, the groups targeted were not involved in terrorism or serious criminal activities. SDS infiltration of left-wing groups not due to political bias: Judge In conclusion, Sir John said that the SDS's failure to infiltrate right-wing groups was not due to political bias. He said that the decision by those in charge was because the right-wing groups were already adequately covered. The judge said that the authorities were more concerned about the higher risk of violence. 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: Report condemns undercover policing tactics, calls for disbandment

<p>Vitamin D supplements have the potential to decrease the risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, in older individuals, according to a recent study, media reports said. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and as the population ages and chronic diseases become more prevalent, the number of cardiovascular events is expected to rise.</p>

<p>Previous observational studies have consistently demonstrated a connection between vitamin D levels and CVD risk. However, previous randomised controlled trials failed to find evidence that supplements could prevent cardiovascular events, potentially due to variations in trial design.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-court-declares-govts-plan-to-send-migrants-to-rwanda-unlawful-610088">British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful</a></p>

<p>Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the body, essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. In the UK, government advice suggests that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter seasons.</p>

<p>A recent randomised controlled trial involving over 21,000 individuals aged 60 and above suggests that vitamin D supplements may indeed reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.</p>

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<p>The study, published in The BMJ, emphasised that the absolute risk difference was small but highlighted its significance as the largest trial of its kind to date.</p>

<p>“These findings indicate that vitamin D supplementation might reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events,” the Australian authors said, as per a Guardian report.</p>

<p>More trials were needed, but the authors said it suggested previous thinking that vitamin D supplements do not alter CVD risk was “premature”.</p>

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<p>The researchers stressed the need for further evaluation based on these findings. However, they stated that vitamin D supplementation might decrease the incidence of major cardiovascular events, challenging the previously held belief that vitamin D supplements do not affect CVD risk.</p>

<h2><strong>What was the trial?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The trial, conducted by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland as part of its population health programme, spanned from 2014 to 2020 and involved 21,315 Australians aged 60 to 84.</p>

<p>The participants were randomly assigned to receive either a vitamin D supplement or a placebo orally at the beginning of each month for up to five years.</p>

<p>During the trial, 1,336 individuals experienced a major cardiovascular event, with 6.6 per cent in the placebo group and six&nbsp;per cent in the vitamin D group.</p>

<p>The vitamin D group exhibited a nine&nbsp;per cent lower rate of major cardiovascular events compared to the placebo group, corresponding to 5.8 fewer events per 1,000 participants. The rate of heart attacks was 19 per cent&nbsp;lower in the vitamin D group, while no difference in stroke risk was observed between the two groups.</p>

<p>The researchers estimated that 172 individuals would need to take monthly vitamin D supplements to prevent one major cardiovascular event. Although the trial had its limitations, the researchers highlighted its large scale, high retention, and adherence rates, as well as comprehensive data on cardiovascular events and mortality outcomes.</p>

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Vitamin D supplements have the potential to decrease the risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, in older individuals, according to a recent study, media reports said.

Vitamin D supplements have the potential to decrease the risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, in older individuals, according to a recent study, media reports said. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and as the population ages and chronic diseases become more prevalent, the number of cardiovascular events is expected to rise. Previous observational studies have consistently demonstrated a connection between vitamin D levels and CVD risk. However, previous randomised controlled trials failed to find evidence that supplements could prevent cardiovascular events, potentially due to variations in trial design. Also Read | British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the body, essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. In the UK, government advice suggests that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter seasons. A recent randomised controlled trial involving over 21,000 individuals aged 60 and above suggests that vitamin D supplements may indeed reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. Also Read | Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber The study, published in The BMJ, emphasised that the absolute risk difference was small but highlighted its significance as the largest trial of its kind to date. “These findings indicate that vitamin D supplementation might reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events,” the Australian authors said, as per a Guardian report. More trials were needed, but the authors said it suggested previous thinking that vitamin D supplements do not alter CVD risk was “premature”. Watch | Tarang shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year × The researchers stressed the need for further evaluation based on these findings. However, they stated that vitamin D supplementation might decrease the incidence of major cardiovascular events, challenging the previously held belief that vitamin D supplements do not affect CVD risk. What was the trial? The trial, conducted by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland as part of its population health programme, spanned from 2014 to 2020 and involved 21,315 Australians aged 60 to 84. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either a vitamin D supplement or a placebo orally at the beginning of each month for up to five years. During the trial, 1,336 individuals experienced a major cardiovascular event, with 6.6 per cent in the placebo group and six per cent in the vitamin D group. The vitamin D group exhibited a nine per cent lower rate of major cardiovascular events compared to the placebo group, corresponding to 5.8 fewer events per 1,000 participants. The rate of heart attacks was 19 per cent lower in the vitamin D group, while no difference in stroke risk was observed between the two groups. The researchers estimated that 172 individuals would need to take monthly vitamin D supplements to prevent one major cardiovascular event. Although the trial had its limitations, the researchers highlighted its large scale, high retention, and adherence rates, as well as comprehensive data on cardiovascular events and mortality outcomes. 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. ×

Vitamin D supplements may reduce risk of heart attacks: Study

<p>Europe's Euclid space telescope is scheduled to blast off Saturday on the first-ever mission aiming to shed light on two of the universe's greatest mysteries: dark energy and dark matter.</p>

<p>The launch is planned from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 11:11 am local time (1511 GMT) on a Falcon 9 rocket of the US company SpaceX.</p>

<p>The European Space Agency was forced to turn to the rival firm of billionaire Elon Musk to launch the mission after Russia pulled its Soyuz rockets in response to sanctions over the war in Ukraine.</p>

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<p>After a month-long journey through space, Euclid will join its fellow space telescope James Webb at a stable hovering spot around 1.5 million kilometres (more than 930,000 miles) from Earth called the second Lagrangian Point.</p>

<p>From there, Euclid will chart the largest-ever map of the universe, encompassing up to two billion galaxies across more than a third of the sky.</p>

<p>By capturing light that has taken 10 billion years to reach Earth, the map will also offer a new view of the 13.8-billion-year-old universe's history.</p>

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<p>Scientists hope to use this information to address what the Euclid project manager Giuseppe Racca calls a "cosmic embarrassment": that 95 percent of the universe remains unknown to humanity.</p>

<p>Around 70 percent is thought to be dark energy, the name given to the unknown force that is causing the universe to expand at an accelerated rate.</p>

<p>And 25 percent is dark matter, thought to bind the universe together and make up around 80 percent of its mass.</p>

<p>'Dark detective'</p>

<p>Euclid consortium member Guadalupe Canas told a press conference that the two-tonne space telescope was a "dark detective" which can reveal more about both elements.</p>

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<p>Euclid, which is 4.7 metres (15 feet) tall and 3.5 metres (11 feet) wide, will use two scientific instruments to map the sky.</p>

<p>Its visible light camera will let it measure the shape of galaxies, while its near infrared spectrometer and photometer will allow it to measure how far away they are.</p>

<p>So how will Euclid try to spot things that cannot be seen? By searching for their absence.</p>

<p>The light coming from billions of light years away is slightly distorted by the mass of visible and dark matter along the way, a phenomenon known as weak gravitational lensing.</p>

<p>"By subtracting the visible matter, we can calculate the presence of the dark matter which is in between," Racca told AFP.</p>

<p>While this may not reveal the true nature of dark matter, scientists hope it will throw up new clues that will help track it down in the future.</p>

<p>For dark energy, French astrophysicist David Elbaz compared the expansion of the universe to blowing up a balloon with lines drawn on it.</p>

<p>By "seeing how fast it inflates," scientists hope to measure the breath -- or dark energy -- making it expand.</p>

<p>'Goldmine'</p>

<p>A major difference between Euclid and other space telescopes is its wide field of view, which takes in an area equivalent to two full moons.</p>

<p>Project scientist Rene Laureijs said that this wider view means Euclid will be able to "surf the sky and find exotic objects" like black holes that the Webb telescope can then investigate in greater detail.</p>

<p>Beyond dark energy and matter, Euclid's map of the universe is expected to be a "goldmine for the whole field of astronomy," said Yannick Mellier, head of the Euclid consortium.</p>

<p>Scientists hope that Euclid's data will help them learn more about the evolution of galaxies, black holes and more.</p>

<p>The first images are expected once scientific operations start in October, with major data releases planned for 2025, 2027 and 2030.</p>

<p>The 1.4-billion-euro ($1.5-billion) mission is intended to run until 2029, but could last a little longer if all goes well.</p>

<p>The launch comes as Europe finds itself with few ways to independently send its missions into space, due to Russia ending cooperation last year and long delays to the next-generation Ariane 6 rocket.</p>

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Europe's Euclid space telescope is scheduled to blast off Saturday on the first-ever mission aiming to shed light on two of the universe's greatest mysteries: dark energy and dark matter.

Europe's Euclid space telescope is scheduled to blast off Saturday on the first-ever mission aiming to shed light on two of the universe's greatest mysteries: dark energy and dark matter. The launch is planned from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 11:11 am local time (1511 GMT) on a Falcon 9 rocket of the US company SpaceX. The European Space Agency was forced to turn to the rival firm of billionaire Elon Musk to launch the mission after Russia pulled its Soyuz rockets in response to sanctions over the war in Ukraine. Also Read | British court declares govt’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda unlawful After a month-long journey through space, Euclid will join its fellow space telescope James Webb at a stable hovering spot around 1.5 million kilometres (more than 930,000 miles) from Earth called the second Lagrangian Point. From there, Euclid will chart the largest-ever map of the universe, encompassing up to two billion galaxies across more than a third of the sky. By capturing light that has taken 10 billion years to reach Earth, the map will also offer a new view of the 13.8-billion-year-old universe's history. Also Read | Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber Scientists hope to use this information to address what the Euclid project manager Giuseppe Racca calls a "cosmic embarrassment": that 95 percent of the universe remains unknown to humanity. Around 70 percent is thought to be dark energy, the name given to the unknown force that is causing the universe to expand at an accelerated rate. And 25 percent is dark matter, thought to bind the universe together and make up around 80 percent of its mass. 'Dark detective' Euclid consortium member Guadalupe Canas told a press conference that the two-tonne space telescope was a "dark detective" which can reveal more about both elements. Watch | Tarang shakti, India's largest multilateral air exercise to be held this year × Euclid, which is 4.7 metres (15 feet) tall and 3.5 metres (11 feet) wide, will use two scientific instruments to map the sky. Its visible light camera will let it measure the shape of galaxies, while its near infrared spectrometer and photometer will allow it to measure how far away they are. So how will Euclid try to spot things that cannot be seen? By searching for their absence. The light coming from billions of light years away is slightly distorted by the mass of visible and dark matter along the way, a phenomenon known as weak gravitational lensing. "By subtracting the visible matter, we can calculate the presence of the dark matter which is in between," Racca told AFP. While this may not reveal the true nature of dark matter, scientists hope it will throw up new clues that will help track it down in the future. For dark energy, French astrophysicist David Elbaz compared the expansion of the universe to blowing up a balloon with lines drawn on it. By "seeing how fast it inflates," scientists hope to measure the breath -- or dark energy -- making it expand. 'Goldmine' A major difference between Euclid and other space telescopes is its wide field of view, which takes in an area equivalent to two full moons. Project scientist Rene Laureijs said that this wider view means Euclid will be able to "surf the sky and find exotic objects" like black holes that the Webb telescope can then investigate in greater detail. Beyond dark energy and matter, Euclid's map of the universe is expected to be a "goldmine for the whole field of astronomy," said Yannick Mellier, head of the Euclid consortium. Scientists hope that Euclid's data will help them learn more about the evolution of galaxies, black holes and more. The first images are expected once scientific operations start in October, with major data releases planned for 2025, 2027 and 2030. The 1.4-billion-euro ($1.5-billion) mission is intended to run until 2029, but could last a little longer if all goes well. The launch comes as Europe finds itself with few ways to independently send its missions into space, due to Russia ending cooperation last year and long delays to the next-generation Ariane 6 rocket. 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. ×

Europe's space telescope to target universe's dark mysteries

<p>Politicians are no strangers to blunders, but US President Joe Biden seems to have developed a knack for them, with his latest verbal mishap involving a mix-up of historic proportions. In an astonishing slip of the tongue, Biden found himself referring to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as the Iraq war, distinct events separated by more than a decade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While departing the White House Wednesday, Biden was asked on the South Lawn by reporters how weakened Putin was in the aftermath of this weekend's aborted uprising by the Russian mercenary group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-dhruv-advanced-light-helicopter-safety-flaws-addressed-says-report-609658">India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report</a></p>

<p>Biden responded with uncertainty, stating, "It's hard to tell really" and mistakenly referred to Ukraine as Iraq. "He's clearly losing the war in Iraq. He's losing the war at home and has become a bit of a pariah around the world," Biden said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The president's gaffe occurred as he was going to Chicago to deliver a speech on his administration's economic policies, commonly referred to as "Bidenomics." According to the Daily Mail, Biden was even carrying a notecard labeled "Daily News Summary" on the Wagner mutiny during the time of his gaffe but still seemed to manage the gaffe.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Previous blunder</strong></h2>

<p>This blunder marks the second instance within a short period, as Biden had made a similar mistake during a fundraiser in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Tuesday night where he once again mentioned Iraq when referring to the war in Ukraine. Biden's latest gaffe overshadowed his intended message regarding the situation in Ukraine and Putin's "pariah" status.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Now US President Biden says Putin " is clearly losing the war in Iraq” <a href="https://t.co/Uer17ipfMf">pic.twitter.com/Uer17ipfMf</a></p>
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghUpdates/status/1674069570355699713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>President Joe Biden, who is 80 years old, is aiming to surpass his own previous record as the oldest individual to assume the presidential office, a record he set back in 2021.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts</strong></p>

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<p>During his address at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Biden made humorous remarks on his old age.&nbsp;"Look, I get that age is a completely reasonable issue," he said adding "You might think I don't like Rupert Murdoch. That's simply not true. How can I dislike a guy who makes me look like Harry Styles?"</p>

<p>"Call me old, I call it being seasoned. You say I am ancient, I say I'm wise," he added.&nbsp;</p>

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Politicians are no strangers to blunders, but US President Joe Biden seems to have developed a knack for them, with his latest verbal mishap involving a mix-up of historic proportions.

Politicians are no strangers to blunders, but US President Joe Biden seems to have developed a knack for them, with his latest verbal mishap involving a mix-up of historic proportions. In an astonishing slip of the tongue, Biden found himself referring to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as the Iraq war, distinct events separated by more than a decade. While departing the White House Wednesday, Biden was asked on the South Lawn by reporters how weakened Putin was in the aftermath of this weekend's aborted uprising by the Russian mercenary group. Also Read | India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report Biden responded with uncertainty, stating, "It's hard to tell really" and mistakenly referred to Ukraine as Iraq. "He's clearly losing the war in Iraq. He's losing the war at home and has become a bit of a pariah around the world," Biden said. The president's gaffe occurred as he was going to Chicago to deliver a speech on his administration's economic policies, commonly referred to as "Bidenomics." According to the Daily Mail, Biden was even carrying a notecard labeled "Daily News Summary" on the Wagner mutiny during the time of his gaffe but still seemed to manage the gaffe. Previous blunder This blunder marks the second instance within a short period, as Biden had made a similar mistake during a fundraiser in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Tuesday night where he once again mentioned Iraq when referring to the war in Ukraine. Biden's latest gaffe overshadowed his intended message regarding the situation in Ukraine and Putin's "pariah" status. Now US President Biden says Putin " is clearly losing the war in Iraq” pic.twitter.com/Uer17ipfMf — Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) June 28, 2023 × Also Read | Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque President Joe Biden, who is 80 years old, is aiming to surpass his own previous record as the oldest individual to assume the presidential office, a record he set back in 2021. Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts × During his address at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Biden made humorous remarks on his old age. "Look, I get that age is a completely reasonable issue," he said adding "You might think I don't like Rupert Murdoch. That's simply not true. How can I dislike a guy who makes me look like Harry Styles?" "Call me old, I call it being seasoned. You say I am ancient, I say I'm wise," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

WATCH | Ukraine-Iraq mix-up is US President Joe Biden's latest faux pas

Top 9 Drug Lord Shows: Gripping Tales of Power, Crime, and Intrigue 

The TV series centres around a notorious drug kingpin as he endeavours to leave his criminal past behind. Despite his accomplishments in the illicit underworld, he strives to transition into a lawful existence as the owner of a nightclub. 

Narcos: Mexico is a gripping TV series that delves into the captivating world of Mexican drug cartels and their rise to power in the 1980s. 

Drug Lords is a documentary-style TV series that delves into the lives and operations of some of the most notorious drug lords. Each episode focuses on a different drug lord or drug trafficking organisation. 


El Chapo is a TV series based on the life and exploits of Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, one of the most notorious and powerful drug lords in history. The show presents a fictionalised account of his rise to power and his criminal empire. 


Top Boy TV show follows the lives of individuals involved in the underground drug trade in East London. The series explores the dynamics and challenges faced by both drug dealers and residents of the community. 


Weeds is a popular TV show that revolves around the life of a suburban widow who turns to selling marijuana to support her family after her husband’s unexpected death. 


It is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in India and has consistently been the most preferred choice for Indian students in STEM fields such as Computer Science.

Queen of the South is a compelling TV show based on the novel La Reina del Sur. It follows the journey of a woman who becomes deeply involved in the world of drug trafficking as she seeks to avenge her boyfriend’s murder. 

Breaking Bad TV show is about the transformation of a high school chemistry teacher, Walter White, into a notorious meth manufacturer. The series delves into the dark underbelly of the drug trade and explores moral complexities. 

Top 9 Drug Lord Shows: Gripping Tales of Power, Crime, and Intrigue

<p>Artificial intelligence is already making its presence felt across various sectors with many fearing that the tech may replace jobs making human intelligence irrelevant. A new survey now unravels how AI can play a dominant role in the hiring process in companies rendering the jobs of hiring managers meaningless and increasing the chances of making them unemployed.&nbsp;According to a recent survey by Resume Builder, currently, only 10 per cent&nbsp;of companies use AI interviews, but 43 per cent plan to incorporate them into their hiring practices by next year or are already using them.</p>

<p>The rise of AI chatbots in the form of interviewers has sparked interest among companies, with a significant number planning to incorporate AI interviews into their hiring practices but while there is optimism about improving efficiency, some companies are cautious about relying solely on AI for candidate selection.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-dhruv-advanced-light-helicopter-safety-flaws-addressed-says-report-609658">India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report</a></p>

<p>Many companies are increasingly accepting AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Bard for conducting interviews with job candidates.</p>

<h2><strong>Benefits and concerns of AI interviews</strong></h2>

<p>Of the companies that are either using or planning to implement AI interviews, around two-thirds believe that it will improve hiring efficiency. Over half of them expect AI to eventually replace human hiring managers.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-police-allow-quran-burning-protest-outside-stockholms-main-mosque-609615">Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque</a></p>

<p>However, despite these expectations, companies are not ready to completely hand over the reins to robots. Approximately 80 per cent of the respondents stated that AI interviews are more likely to screen out qualified candidates. Only 15 per cent mentioned that AI would be used to make candidate decisions without any human input, as per reports.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Risks and challenges of AI Interviews</strong></h2>

<p>The challenges of potential bias and the unfamiliarity of candidates with AI interviews highlight the need for careful consideration and evaluation of these tools to ensure fair and effective hiring processes.</p>

<p>Stacie Haller, Chief Career Advisor at Resume Builder, acknowledged that AI tools can be biased, and managers need to be aware of these risks.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts</strong></p>

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<p>The new AI tools being introduced are more advanced versions of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which also screens out candidates, Haller told FOX Business adding, the use of chatbot technology for interviews can be unsettling for job candidates.</p>

<p>Haller explains that most candidates today are not accustomed to interviewing with a bot, as it is a different experience than having a conversation with another human.</p>

<h2><strong>Impact on candidate selection and hiring process</strong></h2>

<p>In the survey, many managers agreed that AI interviews are likely to eliminate candidates that may not be filtered out by a human or an ATS. However, they also mentioned that AI interviews are used in an effort to expedite the hiring process.</p>

<p>Haller raises concerns about whether this approach will truly achieve the goal of hiring the best candidates for the position or if it will result in eliminating great candidates while advancing unqualified candidates, leading to higher turnover rates.</p>

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Artificial intelligence is already making its presence felt across various sectors with many fearing that the tech may replace jobs making human intelligence irrelevant.

Artificial intelligence is already making its presence felt across various sectors with many fearing that the tech may replace jobs making human intelligence irrelevant. A new survey now unravels how AI can play a dominant role in the hiring process in companies rendering the jobs of hiring managers meaningless and increasing the chances of making them unemployed. According to a recent survey by Resume Builder, currently, only 10 per cent of companies use AI interviews, but 43 per cent plan to incorporate them into their hiring practices by next year or are already using them. The rise of AI chatbots in the form of interviewers has sparked interest among companies, with a significant number planning to incorporate AI interviews into their hiring practices but while there is optimism about improving efficiency, some companies are cautious about relying solely on AI for candidate selection. Also Read | India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report Many companies are increasingly accepting AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Bard for conducting interviews with job candidates. Benefits and concerns of AI interviews Of the companies that are either using or planning to implement AI interviews, around two-thirds believe that it will improve hiring efficiency. Over half of them expect AI to eventually replace human hiring managers. Also Read | Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque However, despite these expectations, companies are not ready to completely hand over the reins to robots. Approximately 80 per cent of the respondents stated that AI interviews are more likely to screen out qualified candidates. Only 15 per cent mentioned that AI would be used to make candidate decisions without any human input, as per reports. Risks and challenges of AI Interviews The challenges of potential bias and the unfamiliarity of candidates with AI interviews highlight the need for careful consideration and evaluation of these tools to ensure fair and effective hiring processes. Stacie Haller, Chief Career Advisor at Resume Builder, acknowledged that AI tools can be biased, and managers need to be aware of these risks. Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts × The new AI tools being introduced are more advanced versions of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which also screens out candidates, Haller told FOX Business adding, the use of chatbot technology for interviews can be unsettling for job candidates. Haller explains that most candidates today are not accustomed to interviewing with a bot, as it is a different experience than having a conversation with another human. Impact on candidate selection and hiring process In the survey, many managers agreed that AI interviews are likely to eliminate candidates that may not be filtered out by a human or an ATS. However, they also mentioned that AI interviews are used in an effort to expedite the hiring process. Haller raises concerns about whether this approach will truly achieve the goal of hiring the best candidates for the position or if it will result in eliminating great candidates while advancing unqualified candidates, leading to higher turnover rates. 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. ×

Survey reveals 43% companies set to use AI for hiring interviews by next year

<p>A recent study has exposed the alarming consequences of climate change with the findings suggesting that as the planet heats up it will result in extreme precipitation with snowfall turning into rain in high-altitude regions, a phenomenon which will in turn increase the risk of landslides and floods, media reports said.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The study was published in the journal Nature and reveals how mountain regions will experience more intense rainfall than previously anticipated in earlier research. This heightened precipitation poses greater risks, such as floods, landslides, and soil erosion, in comparison to the risk of snowfall.</p>

<h2><strong>Climate change impact&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>While scientists have studied the overall increase in extreme precipitation due to climate change, the study breaks down the proportion of extreme precipitation that falls as snow versus rain. The distinction is crucial because rain tends to have more adverse effects on human lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-dhruv-advanced-light-helicopter-safety-flaws-addressed-says-report-609658">India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report</a></p>

<p>The study, led by Mohammed Ombadi, an environmental data scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the US state of California, found that for every one degree Celsius increase in global temperature, higher elevations can expect a 15 percent rise in extreme rainfall.</p>

<p>This increase is nearly double what climate scientists had previously estimated for both rain and snow combined. It specifically applies to regions above approximately 2,000 meters or 6,500 feet in elevation, as per media reports.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Implications for human populations</strong></h2>

<p>Approximately one-quarter of the global population resides in mountain regions or directly downstream from them. While landslides mainly affect local areas, floods have more widespread impacts on people downstream.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-police-allow-quran-burning-protest-outside-stockholms-main-mosque-609615">Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque</a></p>

<p>Additionally, soil erosion can undermine agricultural lands, natural ecosystems, and exacerbate the risks of floods and landslides. These threats add to the challenges posed by melting glaciers in the same mountain ranges and river valleys.</p>

<h2><strong>Analysing historical data and climate projections</strong></h2>

<p>Dr. Ombadi and his colleagues analysed historical data from 1950 to 2019, along with climate change projections till 21st century. They focused on temperate and Arctic regions in the Northern Hemisphere, as data from the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere were limited. Their modeling of various global warming scenarios revealed a consistent increase in extreme rainfall for each degree of warming.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The impact of elevation on rainfall increase</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers discovered that the higher the elevation, the greater the increase in extreme rainfall. Unlike the relationship between rising temperatures and precipitation, this change wasn't linear.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts</strong></p>

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<p>They observed a larger increase in rainfall as they analysed higher elevations. Additionally, different mountain ranges in the Northern Hemisphere exhibited slight variations in the risk of extreme rainfall, which researchers are still working to understand.</p>

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A recent study has exposed the alarming consequences of climate change with the findings suggesting that as the planet heats up it will result in extreme precipitation with snowfall turning into rain in high-altitude regions, a phenomenon which will in turn increase the risk of landslides and floods, media reports said.

A recent study has exposed the alarming consequences of climate change with the findings suggesting that as the planet heats up it will result in extreme precipitation with snowfall turning into rain in high-altitude regions, a phenomenon which will in turn increase the risk of landslides and floods, media reports said. The study was published in the journal Nature and reveals how mountain regions will experience more intense rainfall than previously anticipated in earlier research. This heightened precipitation poses greater risks, such as floods, landslides, and soil erosion, in comparison to the risk of snowfall. Climate change impact While scientists have studied the overall increase in extreme precipitation due to climate change, the study breaks down the proportion of extreme precipitation that falls as snow versus rain. The distinction is crucial because rain tends to have more adverse effects on human lives. Also Read | India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report The study, led by Mohammed Ombadi, an environmental data scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the US state of California, found that for every one degree Celsius increase in global temperature, higher elevations can expect a 15 percent rise in extreme rainfall. This increase is nearly double what climate scientists had previously estimated for both rain and snow combined. It specifically applies to regions above approximately 2,000 meters or 6,500 feet in elevation, as per media reports. Implications for human populations Approximately one-quarter of the global population resides in mountain regions or directly downstream from them. While landslides mainly affect local areas, floods have more widespread impacts on people downstream. Also Read | Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque Additionally, soil erosion can undermine agricultural lands, natural ecosystems, and exacerbate the risks of floods and landslides. These threats add to the challenges posed by melting glaciers in the same mountain ranges and river valleys. Analysing historical data and climate projections Dr. Ombadi and his colleagues analysed historical data from 1950 to 2019, along with climate change projections till 21st century. They focused on temperate and Arctic regions in the Northern Hemisphere, as data from the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere were limited. Their modeling of various global warming scenarios revealed a consistent increase in extreme rainfall for each degree of warming. The impact of elevation on rainfall increase The researchers discovered that the higher the elevation, the greater the increase in extreme rainfall. Unlike the relationship between rising temperatures and precipitation, this change wasn't linear. Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts × They observed a larger increase in rainfall as they analysed higher elevations. Additionally, different mountain ranges in the Northern Hemisphere exhibited slight variations in the risk of extreme rainfall, which researchers are still working to understand. 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. ×

Climate change to turn snow into extreme rainfalls in high-altitude regions, risk of landslides: Study

<p>Researchers at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences have discovered that biting flies are strongly drawn to blue objects because they mistake the colour for potential hosts they can feed on.&nbsp;This finding could have significant implications for controlling diseases transmitted by flies, such as sleeping sickness, by enhancing the effectiveness of traps.</p>

<p>Dr. Roger Santer, the lead researcher, explained that entomological field studies have long observed flies' attraction to the colour blue, leading to the creation of traps in that particular hue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-dhruv-advanced-light-helicopter-safety-flaws-addressed-says-report-609658">India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report</a></p>

<p>However, the reason why biting flies are particularly attracted to blue has puzzled scientists. Previous theories suggested that flies were drawn to blue due to its resemblance to shady areas or animals, but these had not been conclusively proven.</p>

<h2><strong>Artificial neural networks shed light</strong></h2>

<p>To address the question, the research team developed artificial neural networks that mimicked the visual processing in the fly's brain, specifically those of tsetse, stable, and horse flies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-police-allow-quran-burning-protest-outside-stockholms-main-mosque-609615">Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque</a></p>

<p>The networks were trained to distinguish animals from leaf backgrounds and shaded from unshaded surfaces using the responses of the fly's five types of photoreceptor cells.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They were then tested to classify blue flytraps.</p>

<h2><strong>Surprising results</strong></h2>

<p>Published in the Proceedings of Royal Society B, the peer-reviewed study's results challenged the theory that flies perceive blue as shade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The neural networks successfully detected shade through brightness, without misclassifying blue objects as shade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, when it came to recognising animals, the networks compared the responses of blue and green-sensitive photoreceptors and frequently mistook blue traps for animals.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts</strong></p>

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<p>This led the researchers to conclude that blue objects, including traps, resemble potential hosts to flies.</p>

<h2><strong>Implications for disease control</strong></h2>

<p>Dr. Santer said that understanding the mechanisms behind flies' attraction to colored traps could lead to improved trap designs that more efficiently catch flies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is of utmost importance since different species of biting flies spread diseases among humans and animals. Fly control plays a crucial role in disease control efforts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Diseases like human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), which is fatal without treatment and prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and the globally destructive stable fly could benefit from this research.</p>

<h2><strong>Field experiments support findings</strong></h2>

<p>Field experiments have further supported the team's conclusions. Tsetse flies captured in blue traps tend to show signs of not having recently fed, indicating their active search for hosts.</p>

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Researchers at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences have discovered that biting flies are strongly drawn to blue objects because they mistake the colour for potential hosts they can feed on.

Researchers at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences have discovered that biting flies are strongly drawn to blue objects because they mistake the colour for potential hosts they can feed on. This finding could have significant implications for controlling diseases transmitted by flies, such as sleeping sickness, by enhancing the effectiveness of traps. Dr. Roger Santer, the lead researcher, explained that entomological field studies have long observed flies' attraction to the colour blue, leading to the creation of traps in that particular hue. Also Read | India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report However, the reason why biting flies are particularly attracted to blue has puzzled scientists. Previous theories suggested that flies were drawn to blue due to its resemblance to shady areas or animals, but these had not been conclusively proven. Artificial neural networks shed light To address the question, the research team developed artificial neural networks that mimicked the visual processing in the fly's brain, specifically those of tsetse, stable, and horse flies. Also Read | Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque The networks were trained to distinguish animals from leaf backgrounds and shaded from unshaded surfaces using the responses of the fly's five types of photoreceptor cells. They were then tested to classify blue flytraps. Surprising results Published in the Proceedings of Royal Society B, the peer-reviewed study's results challenged the theory that flies perceive blue as shade. The neural networks successfully detected shade through brightness, without misclassifying blue objects as shade. However, when it came to recognising animals, the networks compared the responses of blue and green-sensitive photoreceptors and frequently mistook blue traps for animals. Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts × This led the researchers to conclude that blue objects, including traps, resemble potential hosts to flies. Implications for disease control Dr. Santer said that understanding the mechanisms behind flies' attraction to colored traps could lead to improved trap designs that more efficiently catch flies. This is of utmost importance since different species of biting flies spread diseases among humans and animals. Fly control plays a crucial role in disease control efforts. Diseases like human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), which is fatal without treatment and prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and the globally destructive stable fly could benefit from this research. Field experiments support findings Field experiments have further supported the team's conclusions. Tsetse flies captured in blue traps tend to show signs of not having recently fed, indicating their active search for hosts. 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. ×

Why biting flies are attracted to blue objects? Unraveling the mystery

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Zee News Rajasthan

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