<p>Heavy rains in New Zealand's northern and central regions eased after four days. The near-constant downpour has already forced hundreds of people from their homes. There were 100 new evacuations overnight.</p>

<p>Nelson, the city in the South Island of the country is the worst affected due to the rain. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated over the week. The lashing from rain has rendered some of the homes uninhabitable. In the North Island, towns have been cut off due to roads and homes being submerged under water.</p>

<p>"Things going forward look quite different from this past week," the Metservice weather forecaster said in a Twitter post. "Most of the rainfall activity is still mainly in the west, but with much lower accumulations."</p>

<p>Earlier, it had said warnings and watch alerts were lifted after rain eased in northern and central areas.</p>

<p>On Saturday, more evacuations took place in Nelson. Kieran McAnulty, the emergency minister thanked those who assisted in the rescue effort. However, McAnulty added that area's recovery would be &nbsp;a "long and difficult" process.<br />
"States of emergency remain ... in Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough and West Coast," he said on Twitter.</p>

<p>There were about 100 new evacuations overnight, the New Zealand Herald said.</p>

<p>In the Tasman district neighbouring Nelson, a total of 508 homes had been evacuated, emergency authorities said, and the figure could grow.</p>

<p>"That looks set to increase even more," Nelson Tasman civil defence officials said on Facebook.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Heavy rains in New Zealand's northern and central regions eased after four days. The near-constant downpour has already forced hundreds of people from their homes.

Heavy rains in New Zealand's northern and central regions eased after four days. The near-constant downpour has already forced hundreds of people from their homes. There were 100 new evacuations overnight. Nelson, the city in the South Island of the country is the worst affected due to the rain. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated over the week. The lashing from rain has rendered some of the homes uninhabitable. In the North Island, towns have been cut off due to roads and homes being submerged under water. "Things going forward look quite different from this past week," the Metservice weather forecaster said in a Twitter post. "Most of the rainfall activity is still mainly in the west, but with much lower accumulations." Earlier, it had said warnings and watch alerts were lifted after rain eased in northern and central areas. On Saturday, more evacuations took place in Nelson. Kieran McAnulty, the emergency minister thanked those who assisted in the rescue effort. However, McAnulty added that area's recovery would be a "long and difficult" process. "States of emergency remain ... in Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough and West Coast," he said on Twitter. There were about 100 new evacuations overnight, the New Zealand Herald said. In the Tasman district neighbouring Nelson, a total of 508 homes had been evacuated, emergency authorities said, and the figure could grow. "That looks set to increase even more," Nelson Tasman civil defence officials said on Facebook. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

New Zealand: Downpour eases after forcing hundreds from homes

<p>A member of Islamic State cell known as "The Beatles" was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the killings of US journalists and aid worker in Syria. The sentence was handed to El Shafee Elsheikh (34), the IS member by judge TS Ellis. The life imprisonment sentence is without parole. The judge called Elsheikh's behaviour "horrific, barbaric, brutal and of course criminal."</p>

<p>Elsheikh, a British citizen, was part of an Islamic State cell nicknamed "The Beatles" because of the&nbsp;English accent of its members. The cell beheaded American hostages in areas of the Middle East controlled by the militant group. He was found guilty on four counts of hostage-taking and four counts of conspiracy after a two-week trial.</p>

<p>The victims' relatives and friends sat in the front rows of the courtroom and were visibly shaken during the course of the hearing as tears rolled down their eyes and they consoled each other. Elsheikh was sentenced to eight concurrent life sentences.</p>

<p>At the peak of its power from 2014-2017, Islamic State ruled over millions of people and claimed responsibility for or inspired attacks in dozens of cities around the world.</p>

<p>Its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared a caliphate over a quarter of Iraq and Syria in 2014, before he was killed in a raid by US special forces in Syria in 2019 as the group's rule collapsed.</p>

<p>Elsheikh, who was born in Sudan and raised in London, was accused of conspiring to kill four American hostages: James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.</p>

<p>Foley and Sotloff were journalists and Kassig was an aid worker. All of them were killed in videotaped beheadings. Mueller was raped repeatedly by al-Baghdadi before her death in Syria, US officials have said.</p>

<p>The deaths of Foley, Sotloff and Kassig were confirmed in 2014; Mueller's death was confirmed in early 2015.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A member of Islamic State cell known as "The Beatles" was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the killings of US journalists and aid worker in Syria.

A member of Islamic State cell known as "The Beatles" was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the killings of US journalists and aid worker in Syria. The sentence was handed to El Shafee Elsheikh (34), the IS member by judge TS Ellis. The life imprisonment sentence is without parole. The judge called Elsheikh's behaviour "horrific, barbaric, brutal and of course criminal." Elsheikh, a British citizen, was part of an Islamic State cell nicknamed "The Beatles" because of the English accent of its members. The cell beheaded American hostages in areas of the Middle East controlled by the militant group. He was found guilty on four counts of hostage-taking and four counts of conspiracy after a two-week trial. The victims' relatives and friends sat in the front rows of the courtroom and were visibly shaken during the course of the hearing as tears rolled down their eyes and they consoled each other. Elsheikh was sentenced to eight concurrent life sentences. At the peak of its power from 2014-2017, Islamic State ruled over millions of people and claimed responsibility for or inspired attacks in dozens of cities around the world. Its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared a caliphate over a quarter of Iraq and Syria in 2014, before he was killed in a raid by US special forces in Syria in 2019 as the group's rule collapsed. Elsheikh, who was born in Sudan and raised in London, was accused of conspiring to kill four American hostages: James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller. Foley and Sotloff were journalists and Kassig was an aid worker. All of them were killed in videotaped beheadings. Mueller was raped repeatedly by al-Baghdadi before her death in Syria, US officials have said. The deaths of Foley, Sotloff and Kassig were confirmed in 2014; Mueller's death was confirmed in early 2015. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Islamic State 'Beatles' cell member gets life sentence for killing US hostages

<p>The US Department of Defense on Friday (August 19) made an announcement of USD 775 million package of defence equipment and ammunition for Ukraine. The package includes various types of missiles, artillery as well as mine-clearing systems.</p>

<p>The package also includes precision-guided missiles for the Himars system&nbsp;that has enabled Ukraine to strike Russian command centres and ammunition&nbsp;depots far behind the front lines. The package also includes anti-armour weapons.</p>

<p>Scan Eagle surveillance drones, high-speed anti-radiation missiles and 105 mm howitzers have also been included in the package.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Russia deploys Hypersonic Missiles to Kaliningrad region as Ukraine nears six-month mark</strong></p>

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<p>"We want to make sure that Ukraine has a steady stream of ammunition to meet its needs, and that's what we're doing with this package," a senior US defence official told reporters.</p>

<p>The official said Ukraine's forces have made good use of the now 19 packages of arms the United States has provided since Moscow invaded on February 24, helping them blunt the advance of Russian forces.</p>

<p>"You are seeing a complete and total lack of progress by the Russians on the battlefield," the official said, speaking to reporters on grounds of anonymity.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-antonio-guterres-asks-russian-occupied-nuclear-plant-not-be-cut-off-from-ukraines-grid-508463">UN chief Antonio Guterres says Russia-occupied nuclear plant not be cut off from Ukraine's grid</a></strong></p>

<p>"You are seeing the Russians still paying a high price with Ukrainian attacks, especially using that Himars system," the official said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They are incurring these costs and are not able to advance."</p>

<p>The official conceded that Ukraine has not been able to recapture significant territory in the east and south, but said that new package of arms will help fortify Ukrainian positions. The official noted that &nbsp;it was very important to be able to "sustain the successes that we've seen from the Ukrainians on the battlefield."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The US Department of Defense on Friday (August 19) made an announcement of USD 775 million package of defence equipment and ammunition for Ukraine. The package includes various types of missiles, artillery as well as mine-clearing systems.

The US Department of Defense on Friday (August 19) made an announcement of USD 775 million package of defence equipment and ammunition for Ukraine. The package includes various types of missiles, artillery as well as mine-clearing systems. The package also includes precision-guided missiles for the Himars system that has enabled Ukraine to strike Russian command centres and ammunition depots far behind the front lines. The package also includes anti-armour weapons. Scan Eagle surveillance drones, high-speed anti-radiation missiles and 105 mm howitzers have also been included in the package. Watch | Russia deploys Hypersonic Missiles to Kaliningrad region as Ukraine nears six-month mark × "We want to make sure that Ukraine has a steady stream of ammunition to meet its needs, and that's what we're doing with this package," a senior US defence official told reporters. The official said Ukraine's forces have made good use of the now 19 packages of arms the United States has provided since Moscow invaded on February 24, helping them blunt the advance of Russian forces. "You are seeing a complete and total lack of progress by the Russians on the battlefield," the official said, speaking to reporters on grounds of anonymity. Also Read | UN chief Antonio Guterres says Russia-occupied nuclear plant not be cut off from Ukraine's grid "You are seeing the Russians still paying a high price with Ukrainian attacks, especially using that Himars system," the official said. "They are incurring these costs and are not able to advance." The official conceded that Ukraine has not been able to recapture significant territory in the east and south, but said that new package of arms will help fortify Ukrainian positions. The official noted that it was very important to be able to "sustain the successes that we've seen from the Ukrainians on the battlefield." (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US announces fresh arms package worth USD 775 million for Ukraine

<p>Chengdu, provincial capital of China's Sichuan province, has decided to dim outdoor advertisements, subway lightings and building signs to save energy amid a record heatwave. The temperature has crossed 40 degrees Celsius mark (104 Fahrenheit) this week. This has resulted in a massive demand for air conditioning. This in turn is drying up reservoirs. The province relies on dams for most of its electricity demand.</p>

<p>These steps taken to save power have started affecting factories. A joint venture with Japanese car giant Toyota has been forced to stop work. Millions of residents in Dazhou city are facing power cuts.</p>

<p>"Hot and muggy weather has caused the city's electricity supply for production and daily life to be pushed to its limit," Chengdu's urban management authorities said in a notice on social media Thursday.</p>

<p>The statement said that Chengdu was facing 'most severe situation'&nbsp;and that outdoor landscape illumination and advertisements have been ordered to be switched off.</p>

<p>The Chengdu metro said in a video on China's Twitter-like platform Weibo that it would also turn off advertisement lights and "optimise" the temperature in stations to save energy.</p>

<p>Photos were shared on Weibo of dimmed lights on metro platforms, in malls and on walkways. Commuters could be seen walking in partial darkness.</p>

<p>The searing heat is also drying up the critical Yangtze River, with water flow on its main trunk about 50 percent lower than the average over the last five years, state media outlet China News Service reported Thursday.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Chengdu, provincial capital of China's Sichuan province, has decided to dim outdoor advertisements, subway lightings and building signs to save energy amid a record heatwave.

Chengdu, provincial capital of China's Sichuan province, has decided to dim outdoor advertisements, subway lightings and building signs to save energy amid a record heatwave. The temperature has crossed 40 degrees Celsius mark (104 Fahrenheit) this week. This has resulted in a massive demand for air conditioning. This in turn is drying up reservoirs. The province relies on dams for most of its electricity demand. These steps taken to save power have started affecting factories. A joint venture with Japanese car giant Toyota has been forced to stop work. Millions of residents in Dazhou city are facing power cuts. "Hot and muggy weather has caused the city's electricity supply for production and daily life to be pushed to its limit," Chengdu's urban management authorities said in a notice on social media Thursday. The statement said that Chengdu was facing 'most severe situation' and that outdoor landscape illumination and advertisements have been ordered to be switched off. The Chengdu metro said in a video on China's Twitter-like platform Weibo that it would also turn off advertisement lights and "optimise" the temperature in stations to save energy. Photos were shared on Weibo of dimmed lights on metro platforms, in malls and on walkways. Commuters could be seen walking in partial darkness. The searing heat is also drying up the critical Yangtze River, with water flow on its main trunk about 50 percent lower than the average over the last five years, state media outlet China News Service reported Thursday. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Chinese city dims lights to save power amid heatwave

<p>An Indonesian man jailed for his role in the deadly 2002 Bali bombings could be released on parole in days after his sentence was reduced, a law official said on Friday, news that shocked those impacted by the attack at home and abroad.</p>

<p>Umar Patek, a member of the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah, was jailed for 20 years in 2012 after he was found guilty of mixing bombs that ripped through two Bali nightclubs a decade earlier, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians.</p>

<p>Patek, who was also convicted for his role in deadly church bombings in 2000, was this week granted the latest of several small reductions to his sentence as part of remissions regularly given to inmates to mark Indonesia's Aug. 17 independence day.</p>

<p>The bomber is now eligible for parole this month because he has served two-thirds of his sentence, said Zaeroji, head of the law and human rights office in East Java where Patek is jailed.</p>

<p>The matter has been passed to the justice ministry for final approval, added Zaeroji, who goes by one name. The ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.</p>

<p><strong>VICTIMS' PAIN</strong></p>

<p>"I hope the government, especially President Joko Widodo, will please suspend this decision," Thiolina F Marpaung, a victim of the attack, told Reuters from her home in Bali's capital Denpasar.</p>

<p>"Because for us, the survivors, while our tears have dried the pain inside our bodies, our body parts, persist," she added, showing a burn mark on her arm she suffered while passing by the nightclub when the bombs went off 20 years ago.</p>

<p>The decision has also sparked criticism in Australia, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Patek's release would have a devastating impact on the victims' families.</p>

<p>"They have a system whereby when anniversaries occur, quite often sentences are reduced and commuted for people," Albanese told reporters in Queensland.</p>

<p>"But when it comes to someone who's committed such a heinous crime... then we have a very strong view," he said, adding his government would raise the issue with Indonesia.</p>

<p>On the run for nine years, there had been a $1 million dollar bounty on Patek's head before he was finally apprehended in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011, in the same town where Osama bin Laden was killed several months after his arrest.</p>

<p>Bali bombing mastermind Hambali, also known as Encep Nurjaman, is currently being detained at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and has been awaiting trial since 2006.</p>

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An Indonesian man jailed for his role in the deadly 2002 Bali bombings could be released on parole in days after his sentence was reduced, a law official said on Friday, news that shocked those impacted by the attack at home and abroad.

An Indonesian man jailed for his role in the deadly 2002 Bali bombings could be released on parole in days after his sentence was reduced, a law official said on Friday, news that shocked those impacted by the attack at home and abroad. Umar Patek, a member of the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah, was jailed for 20 years in 2012 after he was found guilty of mixing bombs that ripped through two Bali nightclubs a decade earlier, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians. Patek, who was also convicted for his role in deadly church bombings in 2000, was this week granted the latest of several small reductions to his sentence as part of remissions regularly given to inmates to mark Indonesia's Aug. 17 independence day. The bomber is now eligible for parole this month because he has served two-thirds of his sentence, said Zaeroji, head of the law and human rights office in East Java where Patek is jailed. The matter has been passed to the justice ministry for final approval, added Zaeroji, who goes by one name. The ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. VICTIMS' PAIN "I hope the government, especially President Joko Widodo, will please suspend this decision," Thiolina F Marpaung, a victim of the attack, told Reuters from her home in Bali's capital Denpasar. "Because for us, the survivors, while our tears have dried the pain inside our bodies, our body parts, persist," she added, showing a burn mark on her arm she suffered while passing by the nightclub when the bombs went off 20 years ago. The decision has also sparked criticism in Australia, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Patek's release would have a devastating impact on the victims' families. "They have a system whereby when anniversaries occur, quite often sentences are reduced and commuted for people," Albanese told reporters in Queensland. "But when it comes to someone who's committed such a heinous crime... then we have a very strong view," he said, adding his government would raise the issue with Indonesia. On the run for nine years, there had been a $1 million dollar bounty on Patek's head before he was finally apprehended in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011, in the same town where Osama bin Laden was killed several months after his arrest. Bali bombing mastermind Hambali, also known as Encep Nurjaman, is currently being detained at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and has been awaiting trial since 2006. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Bali bomber could be released in days, law official says

<p>A New Zealand city devastated by flooding will take years to recover, the mayor said on Friday, as hundreds more homes were evacuated.</p>

<p>The Pacific nation has been lashed by wild weather with the Nelson-Tasman district on the South Island bearing the brunt after 75 centimetres (29 inches) of rain reportedly fell over three days.</p>

<p>Several streets in the city of Nelson were flooded after the local river, the Maitai, burst its banks. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese said the damage to roads and the city's infrastructure will "take years, not months" to repair.</p>

<p><strong>WION Climate Tracker: Torrential rains hit New Zealand again; mudslide, floods force evacuation</strong></p>

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<p>She added that it was "critical" Nelson's residents conserve water as the city's supply was disrupted by a landslide that damaged the main line from the local reservoir.</p>

<p>On a visit to witness the damage, New Zealand's Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty pledged $200,000 ($125,000) of aid and confirmed more than 400 homes have now been evacuated in Nelson, where a state of emergency remains in place.</p>

<p>He added that flooding and landslides have made 60 homes potentially uninhabitable.</p>

<p>McAnulty told reporters one of the most striking things he saw was a street on a housing development "where the road had just been washed out, (leaving) a crater deeper than I am tall".</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-families-evacuated-after-floods-hit-new-zealands-south-island-507935">Hundreds of families evacuated after floods hit New Zealand's South Island</a></strong></p>

<p>Nelson resident Paul Maskell said a neighbour alerted him to the rising water on his street.</p>

<p>"By the time I got back, it was a foot deep in water with boulders running down the road. It was surreal," he told the New Zealand Herald.</p>

<p>An elderly resident recovering after an operation had to be winched to safety by firefighters late Thursday night, after his home was threatened by flooding.</p>

<p>New Zealand's South Island was bracing for another lashing of heavy rain, but other regions did not escape the extreme weather.</p>

<p>The nearby city of New Plymouth endured it's wettest August day since records began with 10 centimetres falling in 12 hours.</p>

<p>"More than a metre of rain has fallen causing significant flows down all rivers," said Taranaki Civil Defence controller Todd Velvin with flooding, road closures and fallen trees creating problems.</p>

<p>Kaitaia, a town near the top of North Island, was cut off by flooding and landslides, and around 400 homes were left without power in the far north.</p>

<p>Experts say climate change driven by human activity is boosting the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts and flooding.</p>

<p>Daniel Kingston, senior geography lecturer at the University of Otago, attributed the heavy rain to an "atmospheric river" -- a narrow band of water vapour high in the atmosphere over New Zealand.</p>

<p>"It's safe to say that with respect to the influence of climate change, it is more than likely playing a role," Kingston told AFP.</p>

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A New Zealand city devastated by flooding will take years to recover, the mayor said on Friday, as hundreds more homes were evacuated. The Pacific nation has been lashed by wild weather with the Nelson-Tasman district on the South Island bearing the brunt after 75 centimetres (29 inches) of rain reportedly fell over three days.

A New Zealand city devastated by flooding will take years to recover, the mayor said on Friday, as hundreds more homes were evacuated. The Pacific nation has been lashed by wild weather with the Nelson-Tasman district on the South Island bearing the brunt after 75 centimetres (29 inches) of rain reportedly fell over three days. Several streets in the city of Nelson were flooded after the local river, the Maitai, burst its banks. Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese said the damage to roads and the city's infrastructure will "take years, not months" to repair. WION Climate Tracker: Torrential rains hit New Zealand again; mudslide, floods force evacuation × She added that it was "critical" Nelson's residents conserve water as the city's supply was disrupted by a landslide that damaged the main line from the local reservoir. On a visit to witness the damage, New Zealand's Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty pledged $200,000 ($125,000) of aid and confirmed more than 400 homes have now been evacuated in Nelson, where a state of emergency remains in place. He added that flooding and landslides have made 60 homes potentially uninhabitable. McAnulty told reporters one of the most striking things he saw was a street on a housing development "where the road had just been washed out, (leaving) a crater deeper than I am tall". Also Read | Hundreds of families evacuated after floods hit New Zealand's South Island Nelson resident Paul Maskell said a neighbour alerted him to the rising water on his street. "By the time I got back, it was a foot deep in water with boulders running down the road. It was surreal," he told the New Zealand Herald. An elderly resident recovering after an operation had to be winched to safety by firefighters late Thursday night, after his home was threatened by flooding. New Zealand's South Island was bracing for another lashing of heavy rain, but other regions did not escape the extreme weather. The nearby city of New Plymouth endured it's wettest August day since records began with 10 centimetres falling in 12 hours. "More than a metre of rain has fallen causing significant flows down all rivers," said Taranaki Civil Defence controller Todd Velvin with flooding, road closures and fallen trees creating problems. Kaitaia, a town near the top of North Island, was cut off by flooding and landslides, and around 400 homes were left without power in the far north. Experts say climate change driven by human activity is boosting the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts and flooding. Daniel Kingston, senior geography lecturer at the University of Otago, attributed the heavy rain to an "atmospheric river" -- a narrow band of water vapour high in the atmosphere over New Zealand. "It's safe to say that with respect to the influence of climate change, it is more than likely playing a role," Kingston told AFP. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

New Zealand flood recovery estimated to take 'years'

<p>Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, has been captured in a video dancing intimately with a man, reports Euronews. The video, which reportedly shows Marin in what appears to be a club, is being shared on social media. It is the second video that purportedly shows the politician partying. Marin (36) drew criticism earlier this week for a&nbsp;video that showed her dancing in a party. There have been allegations that she was under influence of&nbsp;drugs when she was recorded in the first video. The latest video is likely to further sharpen criticism from political quarters.</p>

<p>"A new video has emerged of Prime Minister Sanna Marin dancing closely with a man who isn't her husband, a day after leaked images showed her partying with friends. While Marin has faced backlash, the response to the videos at home and abroad has been broadly positive," tweeted Euronews.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🇫🇮 A new video has emerged of Prime Minister Sanna Marin dancing closely with a man who isn't her husband, a day after leaked images showed her partying with friends.<br />
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While Marin has faced backlash, the response to the videos at home and abroad has been broadly positive. <a href="https://t.co/ZIadtxzuPD">pic.twitter.com/ZIadtxzuPD</a></p>
— euronews (@euronews) <a href="https://twitter.com/euronews/status/1560631606083080192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>In her reaction to the first leaked video, Marin denied allegations that she had consumed drugs. On Friday (August 19), she said that she had taken a drug test. She said she had never used illegal drugs. She also said that she did not see anyone consuming drugs at the party</p>

<p>"I consider these accusations to be very serious and, though I consider the demand for a drug test unjust, for my own legal protection and to clear up any doubts, I have taken a drug test today, the results of which will come in about a week," Marin told a news conference.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-finland-pm-sanna-marin-faces-backlash-after-wild-party-video-gets-leaked-508125">Finland PM Sanna Marin faces backlash after wild party video goes viral</a></strong></p>

<p>In 2019, Sanna Marin became world's youngest serving government leader.</p>

<p>While many have praised Marin for combining her demanding job with an active private life, others have questioned her decision to allow herself to be filmed even when promised that the videos would not be made public.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, has been captured in a video dancing intimately with a man, reports Euronews. The video, which reportedly shows Marin in what appears to be a club, is being shared on social media.

Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, has been captured in a video dancing intimately with a man, reports Euronews. The video, which reportedly shows Marin in what appears to be a club, is being shared on social media. It is the second video that purportedly shows the politician partying. Marin (36) drew criticism earlier this week for a video that showed her dancing in a party. There have been allegations that she was under influence of drugs when she was recorded in the first video. The latest video is likely to further sharpen criticism from political quarters. "A new video has emerged of Prime Minister Sanna Marin dancing closely with a man who isn't her husband, a day after leaked images showed her partying with friends. While Marin has faced backlash, the response to the videos at home and abroad has been broadly positive," tweeted Euronews. 🇫🇮 A new video has emerged of Prime Minister Sanna Marin dancing closely with a man who isn't her husband, a day after leaked images showed her partying with friends. While Marin has faced backlash, the response to the videos at home and abroad has been broadly positive. pic.twitter.com/ZIadtxzuPD — euronews (@euronews) August 19, 2022 × In her reaction to the first leaked video, Marin denied allegations that she had consumed drugs. On Friday (August 19), she said that she had taken a drug test. She said she had never used illegal drugs. She also said that she did not see anyone consuming drugs at the party "I consider these accusations to be very serious and, though I consider the demand for a drug test unjust, for my own legal protection and to clear up any doubts, I have taken a drug test today, the results of which will come in about a week," Marin told a news conference. Watch: Finland PM Sanna Marin faces backlash after wild party video goes viral In 2019, Sanna Marin became world's youngest serving government leader. While many have praised Marin for combining her demanding job with an active private life, others have questioned her decision to allow herself to be filmed even when promised that the videos would not be made public. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

In new leaked video, Finland PM Sanna Marin seen dancing intimately with a man: Report

<p>Supreme Court of India on Thursday (August 18) was told by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that India's Central Board of Direct Taxes had accused makers of the medicine Dolo of giving about 120 million USD (Rs 1000 crore Indian rupees) worth of freebies to doctors to make them prescribe 650 mg dosage of the drug. Dolo is an anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic medicine&nbsp;that had become extremely popular in India&nbsp;during Covid pandemic and was prescribed by most doctors for treating symptoms of the coronavirus infection.</p>

<p>A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna was told by senior advocate Sanjay Parikh and advocate Aparna Bhat, appearing for petitioner 'Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association of India', that the market price of any tablet up to 500mg is regulated under price control mechanism of the government, but the price of drug above 500mg can be fixed by manufacturer pharma company.</p>

<p>The advocates told the court that the company tried to ensure higher profit margin by offering freebies to doctors to prescribe Dolo-650 tablets.</p>

<p>Parikh added that it is an "irrational dose combination" and said that he would like to bring more such facts to the knowledge of the court after a response is filed by the Centre.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-has-banned-the-vlc-media-player-is-there-a-chinese-connection-508324">India has banned the VLC Media Player. Is there a Chinese connection?</a></strong></p>

<p>Justice Chandrachud said, "What you are saying is music to my ears. This is exactly the drug that I had when I had COVID recently. This is a serious issue and we will look into it."</p>

<p>The bench asked Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj to file his response to the plea in ten days and gave one week time thereafter to Parikh to file his rejoinder.</p>

<p>The matter has been listed on September 29, 2022 for further hearing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A counsel sought permission from the court to file an intervention on behalf of the pharma companies, which the court allowed saying it would like to hear them also on the issue.</p>

<p>Supreme Court of India, on March 11, had agreed to examine a plea that sought direction to Indian government for formulating a Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices with a view to curb unethical practices of pharma companies and to ensure an effective monitoring mechanism, transparency, accountability as well as consequences for violations.</p>

<p>Parikh, the advocate appearing on behalf of the NGO, said that this was an important public interest issue. He made a reference to a recent judgment by the Supreme Court which had said that bribe-giver and bribe-taker both were at fault.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Supreme Court of India on Thursday (August 18) was told by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that India's Central Board of Direct Taxes had accused makers of the medicine Dolo of giving about 120 million USD (Rs 1000 crore Indian rupees) worth of freebies to doctors to make them prescribe 650 mg dosage of the drug.

Supreme Court of India on Thursday (August 18) was told by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that India's Central Board of Direct Taxes had accused makers of the medicine Dolo of giving about 120 million USD (Rs 1000 crore Indian rupees) worth of freebies to doctors to make them prescribe 650 mg dosage of the drug. Dolo is an anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic medicine that had become extremely popular in India during Covid pandemic and was prescribed by most doctors for treating symptoms of the coronavirus infection. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna was told by senior advocate Sanjay Parikh and advocate Aparna Bhat, appearing for petitioner 'Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Association of India', that the market price of any tablet up to 500mg is regulated under price control mechanism of the government, but the price of drug above 500mg can be fixed by manufacturer pharma company. The advocates told the court that the company tried to ensure higher profit margin by offering freebies to doctors to prescribe Dolo-650 tablets. Parikh added that it is an "irrational dose combination" and said that he would like to bring more such facts to the knowledge of the court after a response is filed by the Centre. Also Read | India has banned the VLC Media Player. Is there a Chinese connection? Justice Chandrachud said, "What you are saying is music to my ears. This is exactly the drug that I had when I had COVID recently. This is a serious issue and we will look into it." The bench asked Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj to file his response to the plea in ten days and gave one week time thereafter to Parikh to file his rejoinder. The matter has been listed on September 29, 2022 for further hearing. A counsel sought permission from the court to file an intervention on behalf of the pharma companies, which the court allowed saying it would like to hear them also on the issue. Supreme Court of India, on March 11, had agreed to examine a plea that sought direction to Indian government for formulating a Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices with a view to curb unethical practices of pharma companies and to ensure an effective monitoring mechanism, transparency, accountability as well as consequences for violations. Parikh, the advocate appearing on behalf of the NGO, said that this was an important public interest issue. He made a reference to a recent judgment by the Supreme Court which had said that bribe-giver and bribe-taker both were at fault. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Dolo-650 tablet makers gave millions to Indian doctors for prescription, Supreme Court told

<p>A Brazillian drug lord was arrested by police while he was watching a football match. Official statement from police in Rio De Jeneiro said that the police arrested Marco Aurelio dos Santos Rocha (nicknamed Foka) while he was watching a football match in Brazil's Maracana stadium. The Copa do Brasil match was being played between clubs Fluminense and Fortaleza. The arrest was made on Wednesday (August 17).</p>

<p>When he was arrested, the drug lord was clad in a number 13 Fluminense jersey with&nbsp;'Foka' printed on it.</p>

<p>The police statement said that Foka is the alleged leader of a drug trafficking racket operated from the favela complex in Rio de Janeiro. Foka is a wanted fugitive with two arrest warrants against him. According to officials, he is also responsible for two killings.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-has-banned-the-vlc-media-player-is-there-a-chinese-connection-508324">India has banned the VLC Media Player. Is there a Chinese connection?</a></strong></p>

<p>The game Foka was watching in the stadium resulted in a draw. Each team scored 2 goals. In spite of the draw, Fluminense advanced to the semifinals of Copa de Brasil tournament. They will meet the Corinthians.</p>

<p>South American countries have presence of huge drug cartels. These organised syndicates have money and muscle power and often have political influence. Police and security forces over the decades, have found it tough to control operations of these drug cartels.</p>

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A Brazillian drug lord was arrested by police while he was watching a football match. Official statement from police in Rio De Jeneiro said that the police arrested Marco Aurelio dos Santos Rocha (nicknamed Foka) while he was watching a football match in Brazil's Maracana stadium.

A Brazillian drug lord was arrested by police while he was watching a football match. Official statement from police in Rio De Jeneiro said that the police arrested Marco Aurelio dos Santos Rocha (nicknamed Foka) while he was watching a football match in Brazil's Maracana stadium. The Copa do Brasil match was being played between clubs Fluminense and Fortaleza. The arrest was made on Wednesday (August 17). When he was arrested, the drug lord was clad in a number 13 Fluminense jersey with 'Foka' printed on it. The police statement said that Foka is the alleged leader of a drug trafficking racket operated from the favela complex in Rio de Janeiro. Foka is a wanted fugitive with two arrest warrants against him. According to officials, he is also responsible for two killings. Also Read | India has banned the VLC Media Player. Is there a Chinese connection? The game Foka was watching in the stadium resulted in a draw. Each team scored 2 goals. In spite of the draw, Fluminense advanced to the semifinals of Copa de Brasil tournament. They will meet the Corinthians. South American countries have presence of huge drug cartels. These organised syndicates have money and muscle power and often have political influence. Police and security forces over the decades, have found it tough to control operations of these drug cartels. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Brazil drug lord arrested while watching football match in stadium

<p>Pakistan government is planning to arrest people behind 'negative propaganda' over Lasbela helicopter crash, said Pakistani news outlet Geo News. Mentioning unnamed sources 'privy to the investigation', Geo News said that arrests will be made after investigation into the alleged social media campaign. The news report also claimed that 'Indian accounts' were also involved in this alleged campaign.</p>

<p>A Pakistan Army helicopter had gone missing on August 1 in Pakistani province of Balochistan. It was announced a day later that that the helicopter had crashed. Officers of Pakistani army were killed in this crash.</p>

<p>Geo News, citing unnamed sources, said that post the crash, a campaign was launched by workers of a political party and 'Indian social media accounts'. The news report claims that at least 17 Indian accounts were linked to the campaign.</p>

<p>An investigation has been launched into the crash by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). As per reports in Pakistani media, a joint investigation team headed by Additional Director General Cyber crimes Muhammad Jafar was carrying out the probe.</p>

<p>The team reportedly includes &nbsp;Director Operations Waqar Chauhan, Additional Director Ayaz, and Assistant Director Imran Haider.</p>

<p>Following the crash, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had termed the social media campaign "horrifying"</p>

<p>"The social media campaign belittling and ridiculing the sacrifices of our martyrs was horrifying," he wrote in a message on Twitter.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The social media campaign belittling &amp; ridiculing the sacrifices of our martyrs was horrifying. This is what self-righteous political narratives do: they poison the minds of the youth &amp; weaponise hate speech. Which way are we headed?<br />
<br />
The moment calls for a deep reflection.</p>
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1556212225374916609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan government is planning to arrest people behind 'negative propaganda' over Lasbela helicopter crash, said Pakistani news outlet Geo News. Mentioning unnamed sources 'privy to the investigation', Geo News said that arrests will be made after investigation into the alleged social media campaign.

Pakistan government is planning to arrest people behind 'negative propaganda' over Lasbela helicopter crash, said Pakistani news outlet Geo News. Mentioning unnamed sources 'privy to the investigation', Geo News said that arrests will be made after investigation into the alleged social media campaign. The news report also claimed that 'Indian accounts' were also involved in this alleged campaign. A Pakistan Army helicopter had gone missing on August 1 in Pakistani province of Balochistan. It was announced a day later that that the helicopter had crashed. Officers of Pakistani army were killed in this crash. Geo News, citing unnamed sources, said that post the crash, a campaign was launched by workers of a political party and 'Indian social media accounts'. The news report claims that at least 17 Indian accounts were linked to the campaign. An investigation has been launched into the crash by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). As per reports in Pakistani media, a joint investigation team headed by Additional Director General Cyber crimes Muhammad Jafar was carrying out the probe. The team reportedly includes Director Operations Waqar Chauhan, Additional Director Ayaz, and Assistant Director Imran Haider. Following the crash, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had termed the social media campaign "horrifying" "The social media campaign belittling and ridiculing the sacrifices of our martyrs was horrifying," he wrote in a message on Twitter. The social media campaign belittling & ridiculing the sacrifices of our martyrs was horrifying. This is what self-righteous political narratives do: they poison the minds of the youth & weaponise hate speech. Which way are we headed? The moment calls for a deep reflection. — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 7, 2022 × You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Balochistan crash: Pakistan to arrest those behind social media 'propaganda', says report

<p>Anas Mallick, the WION correspondent who has reported extensively from Pakistan, Afghanistan and beyond, had gone missing in Afghanistan. He was picked up by the ruling Taliban in Kabul and beaten up mercilessly. WION worked with relevant authorities to secure his release. The ordeal for him lasted for nearly 24 hours.</p>

<p><strong>Video | WION correspondent abducted by the Taliban</strong></p>

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<p>News outlets in India as well as abroad took note of Mallick's disappearance. Here's a snapshot of the coverage.</p>

<p>"Fellow journalist Mona Khan was one of the first persons to share the news of Mallick’s disappearance Thursday night, in a tweet. She mentioned that his phones were not reachable and no information about him was available with the Pakistan embassy in Kabul, which had begun conducting preliminary inquiries with the Taliban government," reported the Print, an Indian news outlet.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/handcuffed-blindfolded-and-physically-assaulted-what-happened-to-wions-anas-mallick-in-kabul-504095">'Handcuffed, blindfolded and physically assaulted': What happened to WION's Anas Mallick in Kabul?</a></strong></p>

<p>"The Foreign Office on Friday said that it was "so glad" that Pakistani journalist Anas Mallick was "safely back in Kabul" after he reportedly went missing in the Afghan capital a day earlier," reported The Dawn, a Pakistani news outlet.</p>

<p>"Following Mallick's disappearance, journalists and activists expressed concern&nbsp;and asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and other officials to ensure his safe release," reported Pakistan's Geo TV.</p>

<p>After being released, Anas Mallick recalled his ordeal, what he went through when he was in the custody of Taliban.</p>

<p>"I arrived in Kabul the day before, on the 3rd of August, to cover the one year anniversary (the Taliban takeover of Kabul) and how Afghanistan is now. Coincidentally, the killing of Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri also happened," he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/wion-correspondent-safe-leaves-afghanistan-after-reporting-from-the-ground-on-zawahiri-killing-504065">WION correspondent who went missing in Afghanistan is safe, recalls his ordeal</a></strong></p>

<p>Mallick had all the accreditation&nbsp;and credentials required to report from Kabul. Even then, he was dragged out of car by the Taliban and his phone was taken away. Things took a serious turn as he and his crew were beaten up mercilessly.</p>

<p>Things became serious as he was handcuffed, blindfolded and interrogated by the Taliban.</p>

<p>WION alerted concerned authorities and was in touch with Pakistan government officials also. Mallick was released in the morning of August 5.</p>

<p>You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>

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Anas Mallick, the WION correspondent who has reported extensively from Pakistan, Afghanistan and beyond, had gone missing in Afghanistan. He was picked up by the ruling Taliban in Kabul and beaten up mercilessly.

Anas Mallick, the WION correspondent who has reported extensively from Pakistan, Afghanistan and beyond, had gone missing in Afghanistan. He was picked up by the ruling Taliban in Kabul and beaten up mercilessly. WION worked with relevant authorities to secure his release. The ordeal for him lasted for nearly 24 hours. Video | WION correspondent abducted by the Taliban × News outlets in India as well as abroad took note of Mallick's disappearance. Here's a snapshot of the coverage. "Fellow journalist Mona Khan was one of the first persons to share the news of Mallick’s disappearance Thursday night, in a tweet. She mentioned that his phones were not reachable and no information about him was available with the Pakistan embassy in Kabul, which had begun conducting preliminary inquiries with the Taliban government," reported the Print, an Indian news outlet. Also Read | 'Handcuffed, blindfolded and physically assaulted': What happened to WION's Anas Mallick in Kabul? "The Foreign Office on Friday said that it was "so glad" that Pakistani journalist Anas Mallick was "safely back in Kabul" after he reportedly went missing in the Afghan capital a day earlier," reported The Dawn, a Pakistani news outlet. "Following Mallick's disappearance, journalists and activists expressed concern and asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and other officials to ensure his safe release," reported Pakistan's Geo TV. After being released, Anas Mallick recalled his ordeal, what he went through when he was in the custody of Taliban. "I arrived in Kabul the day before, on the 3rd of August, to cover the one year anniversary (the Taliban takeover of Kabul) and how Afghanistan is now. Coincidentally, the killing of Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri also happened," he said. Also Read | WION correspondent who went missing in Afghanistan is safe, recalls his ordeal Mallick had all the accreditation and credentials required to report from Kabul. Even then, he was dragged out of car by the Taliban and his phone was taken away. Things took a serious turn as he and his crew were beaten up mercilessly. Things became serious as he was handcuffed, blindfolded and interrogated by the Taliban. WION alerted concerned authorities and was in touch with Pakistan government officials also. Mallick was released in the morning of August 5. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Abduction of WION reporter Anas Mallick by Taliban: How world media covered it

<p>Science is never static, it evolved as new tools and techniques become available and old knowledge is updated with new based on obesrvations, tests and study. Change is of course the only constant and the adage fits perfectly to all sciences.</p>

<p>A new study has added to the discussion of when exactly did humans arrived to North America.</p>

<p>It is generally considered that first native Americans arrived in North America in 10,000 BC. These people are thought to have crossed the 'alnd bridge' that previously connected Siberia (Russia) and Alaska (North America).</p>

<p>However, new findings put forth an assertion that North America was populated by humans tens of thousands of years before the previously accepted date of their arrival.</p>

<p>Analysis of mammoth bones suggests that humans were present in North America in 37,000 BC.</p>

<p>Now how did the scientists arrive at this conclusion? They found a bone of a female mammoth that lived 37,000 years ago. And they found injuries on the bone that could only have made by butchering by ancient humans.</p>

<p>“I think it’s a rock-solid radiocarbon date,” said paleontologist Timothy Rowe, a professor at the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas in Austin. “Skeptics will put everything under the microscope, but I think we checked every box.”</p>

<p>Rowe is the lead author of the study on these bones. The study has been published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.</p>

<p>He was quoted by NBC.</p>

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Science is never static, it evolved as new tools and techniques become available and old knowledge is updated with new based on obesrvations, tests and study. Change is of course the only constant and the adage fits perfectly to all sciences.

Science is never static, it evolved as new tools and techniques become available and old knowledge is updated with new based on obesrvations, tests and study. Change is of course the only constant and the adage fits perfectly to all sciences. A new study has added to the discussion of when exactly did humans arrived to North America. It is generally considered that first native Americans arrived in North America in 10,000 BC. These people are thought to have crossed the 'alnd bridge' that previously connected Siberia (Russia) and Alaska (North America). However, new findings put forth an assertion that North America was populated by humans tens of thousands of years before the previously accepted date of their arrival. Analysis of mammoth bones suggests that humans were present in North America in 37,000 BC. Now how did the scientists arrive at this conclusion? They found a bone of a female mammoth that lived 37,000 years ago. And they found injuries on the bone that could only have made by butchering by ancient humans. “I think it’s a rock-solid radiocarbon date,” said paleontologist Timothy Rowe, a professor at the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas in Austin. “Skeptics will put everything under the microscope, but I think we checked every box.” Rowe is the lead author of the study on these bones. The study has been published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. He was quoted by NBC. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

When did first humans reach America? Mammoth bones add to the debate

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Manas Joshi

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