<p>President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;asked Congress for $33&nbsp;billion&nbsp;to&nbsp;support&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;- a dramatic escalation of US&nbsp;funding for the&nbsp;war&nbsp;with Russia - and the Ukrainian president pleaded with lawmakers to give the request a swift&nbsp;approval.</p>

<p>The funding request includes over $20&nbsp;billion&nbsp;for weapons, ammunition and other military assistance, as well as $8.5&nbsp;billion&nbsp;in direct economic assistance to the Ukrainian government and $3&nbsp;billion&nbsp;in humanitarian aid. It is intended to cover the&nbsp;war&nbsp;effort's needs through September, the end of the fiscal year.</p>

<p>"We need this bill to&nbsp;support&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;in its fight for freedom,"&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;said at the White House after signing the request on Thursday. "The cost of this fight - it's not cheap - but caving to aggression is going to be more costly."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-rockets-strike-kyiv-during-un-chief-antonio-guterres-visit-474784">Russian rockets strike Kyiv during UN chief Antonio Guterres' visit</a></strong></p>

<p>The United States has ruled out sending its own or NATO forces to&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;but Washington and its European allies have supplied weapons to Kyiv such as drones, Howitzer heavy artillery, anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles.</p>

<p>Ukrainian president Volodymyr&nbsp;Zelensky&nbsp;hailed what he called "a very important step" by the United States.</p>

<p>"I am thankful to the American people and personally to President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;for it. I hope that Congress will&nbsp;quickly approve this request for help to our state," he said in a late night video address.</p>

<p>Biden's proposal would also let US&nbsp;officials seize more Russian oligarchs' assets, give the cash from those seizures to&nbsp;Ukraine, and further criminalize sanctions dodging, the White House said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Russia energy giant Gazprom lands record high profit of $29 billion in 2021</strong></p>

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<p>That would include letting the Justice Department use the strict US&nbsp;racketeering law once deployed against the mafia, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, to build cases against people who evade sanctions.</p>

<p>Biden&nbsp;also&nbsp;wants&nbsp;to give prosecutors more time to build such cases by extending the statute of limitations on money laundering prosecutions to 10 years, instead of five. He would also make it a criminal act to hold money knowingly taken from corrupt dealings with Russia, according to a summary of the legislative proposals.</p>

<p>The measures are part of U.S. efforts to isolate and punish Russia for its Feb. 24 invasion of&nbsp;Ukraine, as well as to help Kyiv recover from a&nbsp;war&nbsp;that has reduced cities to rubble and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad.</p>

<p>Biden&nbsp;has already asked for record peacetime sums to fund Pentagon research and development, and efforts to counter perceived threats from countries including Russia.</p>

<p>The full package represents a fifth of pre-war&nbsp;Ukrainian annual economic output, and the $20&nbsp;billion&nbsp;US&nbsp;military assistance alone is about a third of what the Russian military spent overall last year, before the&nbsp;war&nbsp;began.</p>

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<p>A package would include food security assistance, economic stimulus for&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and funding to use the Cold&nbsp;War-era Defense Production Act to expand domestic production of key minerals in short supply due to the&nbsp;war.</p>

<p>But the funding measure may face issues on Capitol Hill.&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;asked for $22.5&nbsp;billion&nbsp;in money for the COVID-19 response in March and Democrats with narrow control of the Senate and House of Representatives may push to have that passed at the same time as the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;measure.</p>

<p>While lawmakers are broadly&nbsp;supportive of spending on&nbsp;Ukraine, Republican congressional aides said on Thursday that efforts to combine the&nbsp;war&nbsp;funding with the pandemic response could make it difficult to pass.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-rockets-strike-kyiv-during-un-chief-antonio-guterres-visit-474784">Russian rockets strike Kyiv during UN chief Antonio Guterres' visit</a></strong></p>

<p>"I don't care how they do it,"&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;said. "They can do it separately or together, but we need them both."</p>

<p>U.S. military aid to&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;has topped $3&nbsp;billion&nbsp;since Russia launched what it calls a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine&nbsp;and protect it from fascists. Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext.</p>

<p>The United States and its European allies have frozen $30&nbsp;billion&nbsp;of assets held by wealthy individuals with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including yachts, helicopters, real estate and art, the&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;administration has said.</p>


President Joe Biden asked Congress for $33 billion to support Ukraine - a dramatic escalation of US funding for the war with Russia - and the Ukrainian president pleaded with lawmakers to give the request a swift approval.

President Joe Biden asked Congress for $33 billion to support Ukraine - a dramatic escalation of US funding for the war with Russia - and the Ukrainian president pleaded with lawmakers to give the request a swift approval. The funding request includes over $20 billion for weapons, ammunition and other military assistance, as well as $8.5 billion in direct economic assistance to the Ukrainian government and $3 billion in humanitarian aid. It is intended to cover the war effort's needs through September, the end of the fiscal year. "We need this bill to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom," Biden said at the White House after signing the request on Thursday. "The cost of this fight - it's not cheap - but caving to aggression is going to be more costly." Also read | Russian rockets strike Kyiv during UN chief Antonio Guterres' visit The United States has ruled out sending its own or NATO forces to Ukraine but Washington and its European allies have supplied weapons to Kyiv such as drones, Howitzer heavy artillery, anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky hailed what he called "a very important step" by the United States. "I am thankful to the American people and personally to President Biden for it. I hope that Congress will quickly approve this request for help to our state," he said in a late night video address. Biden's proposal would also let US officials seize more Russian oligarchs' assets, give the cash from those seizures to Ukraine, and further criminalize sanctions dodging, the White House said. Watch | Russia energy giant Gazprom lands record high profit of $29 billion in 2021 That would include letting the Justice Department use the strict US racketeering law once deployed against the mafia, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, to build cases against people who evade sanctions. Biden also wants to give prosecutors more time to build such cases by extending the statute of limitations on money laundering prosecutions to 10 years, instead of five. He would also make it a criminal act to hold money knowingly taken from corrupt dealings with Russia, according to a summary of the legislative proposals. The measures are part of U.S. efforts to isolate and punish Russia for its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, as well as to help Kyiv recover from a war that has reduced cities to rubble and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad. Biden has already asked for record peacetime sums to fund Pentagon research and development, and efforts to counter perceived threats from countries including Russia. The full package represents a fifth of pre-war Ukrainian annual economic output, and the $20 billion US military assistance alone is about a third of what the Russian military spent overall last year, before the war began. WATCH WION LIVE HERE A package would include food security assistance, economic stimulus for Ukraine and funding to use the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to expand domestic production of key minerals in short supply due to the war. But the funding measure may face issues on Capitol Hill. Biden asked for $22.5 billion in money for the COVID-19 response in March and Democrats with narrow control of the Senate and House of Representatives may push to have that passed at the same time as the Ukraine measure. While lawmakers are broadly supportive of spending on Ukraine, Republican congressional aides said on Thursday that efforts to combine the war funding with the pandemic response could make it difficult to pass. Also read | Russian rockets strike Kyiv during UN chief Antonio Guterres' visit "I don't care how they do it," Biden said. "They can do it separately or together, but we need them both." U.S. military aid to Ukraine has topped $3 billion since Russia launched what it calls a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext. The United States and its European allies have frozen $30 billion of assets held by wealthy individuals with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including yachts, helicopters, real estate and art, the Biden administration has said.

Biden seeks $33 billion war chest to support Ukraine, Zelensky wants quick approval

<p>Apple&nbsp;Inc on Thursday forecast bigger problems as COVID-19 lockdowns snarl production and demand in China, the war in Ukraine dents sales and growth slows in services, which the iPhone maker sees as its engine for expansion.</p>

<p>Shares were down 2.2 per cent&nbsp;in late trade after executives laid out their glum outlook on a conference call. The news outweighed record profit and sales for&nbsp;Apple's fiscal second quarter, which ended in March.</p>

<p>Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri warned in an interview that the war in Ukraine, which led&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;to stop sales in Russia, would cut sales more deeply in the fiscal third quarter.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-just-released-ios154-update-with-37-new-emojis-and-netizens-are-not-pleased-471948">Apple just released iOS15.4 update with 37 new emojis, and netizens are not pleased</a></strong></p>

<p>He told analysts on the call that supply-chain issues would hurt sales in the quarter by $4 billion to $8 billion, "substantially larger" than the hit in the second quarter.</p>

<p>Supply problems were focused on a corridor in Shanghai, China and reflected covid&nbsp;disruptions and chip shortages, he added. The pandemic was also affecting demand in China, he said.</p>

<p>Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said that almost all of the Chinese factories doing final assembly of&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;products had restarted after recent covid&nbsp;shutdowns, but the company is not forecasting when the chips shortage, mostly affecting older products, would end.</p>

<p>Cook said he hoped covid&nbsp;issues would be "transitory" and "get better over time."</p>

<p>At least one analyst said the outlook lacked clarity.</p>

<p>"We were all looking for just better guidance on what is really going on over there (China) ... and that didn't come out," said Louis Navellier, chief investment officer for Navellier &amp; Associates.</p>

<p>Kim Caughey Forrest, Chief Investment Officer at Bokeh Capital Partners, said that ongoing demand remained a big question, despite&nbsp;Apple's management of supply chain in the March quarter.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;How netizens are reacting to Apple's 'pregnant man' emoji | Tech It Out</strong></p>

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<p>Indeed, other high-profile tech companies also raised concerns. Amazon on Thursday posted a disappointing outlook as it was swamped by higher costs, sending its shares down 9 per cent&nbsp;after the close, and Intel Corp forecast a bleak quarter based on supply chain issues, and its stock fell 4 per cent.</p>

<p>Both companies, along with&nbsp;Apple, are part of the broader Nasdaq index, which has fallen nearly 19% this year as rising inflation drives investors elsewhere.</p>

<p><strong>March quarter strength&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Apple's overall fiscal second-quarter revenue was $97.3 billion, up 8.6 per cent&nbsp;from last year and higher than analysts' average estimate of $93.89 billion, according to Refinitiv data.</p>

<p>Worldwide phone sales revenue was $50.6 billion, a 5.5 per cent&nbsp;increase from a year ago, and services sales rose 17 per cent&nbsp;to $19.8 billion, both ahead of analyst average forecasts.</p>

<p>However, Maestri said that services growth would decelerate from the March quarter, while remaining in double-digits. He cited several factors, including more unfavorable currency exchange rates.</p>

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<p>Total profit was $25 billion, or $1.52 per share and easily topped analysts' expectations of $23.2 billion and $1.43.</p>

<p>Apple&nbsp;also raised its dividend 5 per cent&nbsp;to $0.23 per share and the board approved a buyback for an added $90 billion in shares.</p>

<p>Investors have been bracing for drops in consumer spending on tech gadgets and services as the war in Ukraine and other factors drive up the cost of oil, food and other staples.</p>

<p>Cook shrugged off an analyst question on inflation and consumers.</p>

<p>"We're monitoring that closely. But right now, our main focus, frankly speaking, is on the supply side," he said.</p>

<p>Asked about rising inflation, Maestri said demand, particularly for iPhones, had been higher than the company had anticipated at the start of the quarter. But he noted inflation was affecting expenses.</p>

<p>The pandemic, including the shift to hybrid work, has benefited other businesses.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-is-internally-testing-new-models-of-macbook-series-report-471251">Apple is internally testing new models of MacBook series: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>Apple&nbsp;said iPad sales fell 2 per cent&nbsp;to $7.65 billion due to supply-chain constraints, while revenue from Mac computers, also facing supply-chain issues, rose 14.7 per cent&nbsp;to $10.4 billion.</p>

<p>Sales of wearables, home speakers and accessories rose 12 per cent&nbsp;to $8.8 billion, and was the only unit to miss Wall Street targets. Maestri said Watch and AirPods sold well, and attributed the miss to seasonal variability in demand for other accessories.</p>

<p>Apple&nbsp;said it now has 825 million paying subscribers across its at least seven subscription offerings, up by 40 million from 785 million last quarter. Its growth comes as rivals such as Netflix Inc report subscriber losses.</p>


Apple Inc on Thursday forecast bigger problems as COVID-19 lockdowns snarl production and demand in China, the war in Ukraine dents sales and growth slows in services, which the iPhone maker sees as its engine for expansion.

Apple Inc on Thursday forecast bigger problems as COVID-19 lockdowns snarl production and demand in China, the war in Ukraine dents sales and growth slows in services, which the iPhone maker sees as its engine for expansion. Shares were down 2.2 per cent in late trade after executives laid out their glum outlook on a conference call. The news outweighed record profit and sales for Apple's fiscal second quarter, which ended in March. Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri warned in an interview that the war in Ukraine, which led Apple to stop sales in Russia, would cut sales more deeply in the fiscal third quarter. Also read | Apple just released iOS15.4 update with 37 new emojis, and netizens are not pleased He told analysts on the call that supply-chain issues would hurt sales in the quarter by $4 billion to $8 billion, "substantially larger" than the hit in the second quarter. Supply problems were focused on a corridor in Shanghai, China and reflected covid disruptions and chip shortages, he added. The pandemic was also affecting demand in China, he said. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said that almost all of the Chinese factories doing final assembly of Apple products had restarted after recent covid shutdowns, but the company is not forecasting when the chips shortage, mostly affecting older products, would end. Cook said he hoped covid issues would be "transitory" and "get better over time." At least one analyst said the outlook lacked clarity. "We were all looking for just better guidance on what is really going on over there (China) ... and that didn't come out," said Louis Navellier, chief investment officer for Navellier & Associates. Kim Caughey Forrest, Chief Investment Officer at Bokeh Capital Partners, said that ongoing demand remained a big question, despite Apple's management of supply chain in the March quarter. Watch | How netizens are reacting to Apple's 'pregnant man' emoji | Tech It Out Indeed, other high-profile tech companies also raised concerns. Amazon on Thursday posted a disappointing outlook as it was swamped by higher costs, sending its shares down 9 per cent after the close, and Intel Corp forecast a bleak quarter based on supply chain issues, and its stock fell 4 per cent. Both companies, along with Apple, are part of the broader Nasdaq index, which has fallen nearly 19% this year as rising inflation drives investors elsewhere. March quarter strength Apple's overall fiscal second-quarter revenue was $97.3 billion, up 8.6 per cent from last year and higher than analysts' average estimate of $93.89 billion, according to Refinitiv data. Worldwide phone sales revenue was $50.6 billion, a 5.5 per cent increase from a year ago, and services sales rose 17 per cent to $19.8 billion, both ahead of analyst average forecasts. However, Maestri said that services growth would decelerate from the March quarter, while remaining in double-digits. He cited several factors, including more unfavorable currency exchange rates. WATCH WION LIVE HERE Total profit was $25 billion, or $1.52 per share and easily topped analysts' expectations of $23.2 billion and $1.43. Apple also raised its dividend 5 per cent to $0.23 per share and the board approved a buyback for an added $90 billion in shares. Investors have been bracing for drops in consumer spending on tech gadgets and services as the war in Ukraine and other factors drive up the cost of oil, food and other staples. Cook shrugged off an analyst question on inflation and consumers. "We're monitoring that closely. But right now, our main focus, frankly speaking, is on the supply side," he said. Asked about rising inflation, Maestri said demand, particularly for iPhones, had been higher than the company had anticipated at the start of the quarter. But he noted inflation was affecting expenses. The pandemic, including the shift to hybrid work, has benefited other businesses. Also read | Apple is internally testing new models of MacBook series: Report Apple said iPad sales fell 2 per cent to $7.65 billion due to supply-chain constraints, while revenue from Mac computers, also facing supply-chain issues, rose 14.7 per cent to $10.4 billion. Sales of wearables, home speakers and accessories rose 12 per cent to $8.8 billion, and was the only unit to miss Wall Street targets. Maestri said Watch and AirPods sold well, and attributed the miss to seasonal variability in demand for other accessories. Apple said it now has 825 million paying subscribers across its at least seven subscription offerings, up by 40 million from 785 million last quarter. Its growth comes as rivals such as Netflix Inc report subscriber losses.

Apple sees bigger supply problems after strong start to year

<p>The&nbsp;British&nbsp;Virgin&nbsp;Islands' premier and chief port official were arrested Thursday at a Miami-area airport on charges of conspiring to traffic cocaine, the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) said.</p>

<p>DEA agents at the Miami-Opa-locka Executive Airport took Premier Andrew Fahie and BVI Port Authority managing director Oleanvine Maynard into custody after they allegedly agreed to accept money from undercover agents posing as Mexican drug traffickers, the local Miami Herald newspaper reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-russians-exert-intense-fire-us-delivers-more-than-half-howitzers-to-ukraine-train-its-officers-474641">As Russians 'exert intense fire', US delivers 'more than half' howitzers to Ukraine, train its officers</a></strong></p>

<p>Fahie and Maynard were to inspect a plane carrying $700,000 that they would receive in exchange for facilitating cocaine shipments through their Caribbean territory, reported the Herald, citing US authorities.</p>

<p>The officials' arrests "should send a clear message," said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Report: US left $7 billion of military gear in Afghanistan</strong></p>

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<p>John Rankin, the&nbsp;British&nbsp;Virgin&nbsp;Islands' governor, said that the arrest was a "US operation led by the DEA."</p>

<p>"As this concerns the arrest of a&nbsp;British&nbsp;citizen, the US government has informed the UK government of this arrest, as part of the usual process followed when a&nbsp;British&nbsp;citizen is arrested abroad," he added.</p>

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<p>Rankin additionally stipulated that the arrest had nothing to do with the current&nbsp;British&nbsp;investigation into corruption in the Fahie government.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;British&nbsp;Virgin&nbsp;Islands is home to some 35,000 people and is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, a status that gives it partial autonomy.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-to-indian-pm-modi-other-quad-leaders-in-tokyo-in-may-474491">US President Joe Biden to meet Indian PM Modi, other Quad leaders in Tokyo in May</a></strong></p>

<p>"I realize this will be shocking news for people in the territory. And I would call for calm at this time," said Rankin, who as governor was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on recommendation of the&nbsp;British&nbsp;government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He noted that the deputy premier will become acting premier in the meantime.</p>


The British Virgin Islands' premier and chief port official were arrested Thursday at a Miami-area airport on charges of conspiring to traffic cocaine, the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) said.

The British Virgin Islands' premier and chief port official were arrested Thursday at a Miami-area airport on charges of conspiring to traffic cocaine, the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) said. DEA agents at the Miami-Opa-locka Executive Airport took Premier Andrew Fahie and BVI Port Authority managing director Oleanvine Maynard into custody after they allegedly agreed to accept money from undercover agents posing as Mexican drug traffickers, the local Miami Herald newspaper reported. Also read | As Russians 'exert intense fire', US delivers 'more than half' howitzers to Ukraine, train its officers Fahie and Maynard were to inspect a plane carrying $700,000 that they would receive in exchange for facilitating cocaine shipments through their Caribbean territory, reported the Herald, citing US authorities. The officials' arrests "should send a clear message," said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, in a statement. Watch | Report: US left $7 billion of military gear in Afghanistan John Rankin, the British Virgin Islands' governor, said that the arrest was a "US operation led by the DEA." "As this concerns the arrest of a British citizen, the US government has informed the UK government of this arrest, as part of the usual process followed when a British citizen is arrested abroad," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE Rankin additionally stipulated that the arrest had nothing to do with the current British investigation into corruption in the Fahie government. The British Virgin Islands is home to some 35,000 people and is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, a status that gives it partial autonomy. Also read | US President Joe Biden to meet Indian PM Modi, other Quad leaders in Tokyo in May "I realize this will be shocking news for people in the territory. And I would call for calm at this time," said Rankin, who as governor was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on recommendation of the British government. He noted that the deputy premier will become acting premier in the meantime.

British Virgin Islands premier arrested in US drug sting

<p>South Korean police in capital Seoul said &nbsp;on Friday (April 29) that two citizens of the country have been arrested for allegedly stealing military secrets for a suspected North Korean agent. The duo include a serving captain in South Korea's army. The North Korean agent is suspected to have made payments in cryptocurrency in exchange for military secrets.</p>

<p>Nuclear armed North Korea is still technically at war with its southern neighbour. North Kora is known to operate an army of thousands of well-trained hackers who have attacked firms, institutions and researchers in South Korea and elsewhere.</p>

<p>However, this is the first case in which a South Korean civilian and an active military person have been caught trying to steal military secrets for a North Korean agent.</p>

<p>One of them is a 29-year-old army captain who allegedly passed login information for South Korea's Joint Command &amp; Control System -- a crucial military-run internal communications network -- to the suspected Pyongyang spy, Seoul authorities said.</p>

<p>The civilian is a 38-year-old businessman who runs virtual asset management firm. He is accused of giving the army captain a wristwatch that had a secret camera.</p>

<p>"The two men have been arrested on charges of violating the national security law," an official at the Korean National Police Agency told AFP Friday.</p>

<p>Seoul police said the arrested businessman first met the Pyongyang spy in an online community about cryptocurrency around six years ago, and the trio had communicated only via secure messaging service Telegram.</p>

<p>Both were paid in cryptocurrency, the police said. The army captain received about 48 million won ($37,789) from the North Korean agent, while the 38-year-old businessman got around $600,000.</p>

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<p>"We will strictly respond to security criminals in accordance to laws and principles," Seoul's prosecution office said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


South Korean police in capital Seoul said on Friday (April 29) that two citizens of the country have been arrested for allegedly stealing military secrets for a suspected North Korean agent.

South Korean police in capital Seoul said on Friday (April 29) that two citizens of the country have been arrested for allegedly stealing military secrets for a suspected North Korean agent. The duo include a serving captain in South Korea's army. The North Korean agent is suspected to have made payments in cryptocurrency in exchange for military secrets. Nuclear armed North Korea is still technically at war with its southern neighbour. North Kora is known to operate an army of thousands of well-trained hackers who have attacked firms, institutions and researchers in South Korea and elsewhere. However, this is the first case in which a South Korean civilian and an active military person have been caught trying to steal military secrets for a North Korean agent. One of them is a 29-year-old army captain who allegedly passed login information for South Korea's Joint Command & Control System -- a crucial military-run internal communications network -- to the suspected Pyongyang spy, Seoul authorities said. The civilian is a 38-year-old businessman who runs virtual asset management firm. He is accused of giving the army captain a wristwatch that had a secret camera. "The two men have been arrested on charges of violating the national security law," an official at the Korean National Police Agency told AFP Friday. Seoul police said the arrested businessman first met the Pyongyang spy in an online community about cryptocurrency around six years ago, and the trio had communicated only via secure messaging service Telegram. Both were paid in cryptocurrency, the police said. The army captain received about 48 million won ($37,789) from the North Korean agent, while the 38-year-old businessman got around $600,000. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × "We will strictly respond to security criminals in accordance to laws and principles," Seoul's prosecution office said in a statement.

Two South Koreans, including army man, arrested for spying for North Korea

<p>Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday (by local time) arrived in Saudi Arabia. This is Erdogan's first visit to Saudi Arabia after Saudi-critic Jamal Khashoggi killing in Turkey. Erdogan is hoping to start a new chapter in relations between the two countries. There have been intense efforts to repair relations.</p>

<p>Turkish presidency said that Erdogan met King Salma in an official ceremony in the city of Jeddah.</p>

<p>Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, attended the ceremony before having a one-on-one meeting with Erdogan, Ankara's communication office said on Twitter.</p>

<p>Erdogan's office says that his visit to Saudi Arabia has been at the invitation of the Saudi king. The visit marks the culmination of a months-long drive to mend ties that included dropping a trial over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018.</p>

<p>Analysts and officials say Saudi funding could help Turkey alleviate its economic woes, including soaring inflation, ahead of tough elections for Erdogan next year.</p>

<p>Bilateral relations were badly strained after Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by a Saudi hit squad at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in 2018. At the time, Erdogan accused the "highest levels" of the Saudi government of giving the orders, but Ankara has since markedly softened its tone.</p>

<p>In a policy reversal, Turkey this month halted and transferred its own trial of the Saudi suspects in the killing to Saudi Arabia in a move condemned by human rights groups.</p>

<p>Erdogan, while speaking with reporters before departing for Jeddah that the visit was "the manifestation of our common will" to improve ties a</p>

<p>He added it would be mutually beneficial to boost cooperation in areas including health, energy, food security, defence industry, and finance.</p>

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<p>"With common efforts, I believe we will carry our ties even beyond where they were in the past," he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday (by local time) arrived in Saudi Arabia. This is Erdogan's first visit to Saudi Arabia after Saudi-critic Jamal Khashoggi killing in Turkey.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday (by local time) arrived in Saudi Arabia. This is Erdogan's first visit to Saudi Arabia after Saudi-critic Jamal Khashoggi killing in Turkey. Erdogan is hoping to start a new chapter in relations between the two countries. There have been intense efforts to repair relations. Turkish presidency said that Erdogan met King Salma in an official ceremony in the city of Jeddah. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, attended the ceremony before having a one-on-one meeting with Erdogan, Ankara's communication office said on Twitter. Erdogan's office says that his visit to Saudi Arabia has been at the invitation of the Saudi king. The visit marks the culmination of a months-long drive to mend ties that included dropping a trial over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018. Analysts and officials say Saudi funding could help Turkey alleviate its economic woes, including soaring inflation, ahead of tough elections for Erdogan next year. Bilateral relations were badly strained after Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by a Saudi hit squad at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in 2018. At the time, Erdogan accused the "highest levels" of the Saudi government of giving the orders, but Ankara has since markedly softened its tone. In a policy reversal, Turkey this month halted and transferred its own trial of the Saudi suspects in the killing to Saudi Arabia in a move condemned by human rights groups. Erdogan, while speaking with reporters before departing for Jeddah that the visit was "the manifestation of our common will" to improve ties a He added it would be mutually beneficial to boost cooperation in areas including health, energy, food security, defence industry, and finance. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × "With common efforts, I believe we will carry our ties even beyond where they were in the past," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkish President Erdogan visits Saudi Arabia hoping for new chapter in ties

<p>In a positive sign, India is reportedly working towards making food labelling mandatory. The step may make companies that manufacture packaged food describe the nutrition data with greater clarity and less ambiguity. This in turn may help millions of Indians who suffer from obesity.</p>

<p>India is a country of more than a billion people out of which about 135 million suffer from obesity.</p>

<p>While there is not a concrete announcement from Indian government on this yet, based on international norms, the government has an option of opting for a star system in which healthier foods will get more stars. Another option is to make use of a colour scheme with some colours indicating healthier foods while others signalling the 'not-so-healthy' aspect of a particular packaged food product.</p>

<p><strong>Gravitas: India may soon make food labelling mandatory</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>When such a decision comes into effect, brands may find it tough to hide information about their products possibly having too much sugar or too much salt and so on. It may also make it hard for them to hide true information about ingredients by making use of convoluted or cryptic wording on the packages.</p>

<p>Reports suggest that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has been put in charge of the plan.</p>

<p>India will not be the first country making such rules stricter. At least seven countries have announced plans to have food labels on products. Chile, Israel, Peru, Uruguay and Mexico are some of them.</p>

<p>Italy has what is called a 'traffic light approach'. Food items are colour coded. Food with a green packaging is healthy and that in red packaging is deemed unhealthy.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>In a country like India which has a 'sweet tooth', sweets or Mithai is consumed during almost every festival. Will just labelling the food product will be enough to deter the average Indian buyer? This may surely be a challenge.</p>


In a positive sign, India is reportedly working towards making food labelling mandatory. The step may make companies that manufacture packaged food describe the nutrition data with greater clarity and less ambiguity.

In a positive sign, India is reportedly working towards making food labelling mandatory. The step may make companies that manufacture packaged food describe the nutrition data with greater clarity and less ambiguity. This in turn may help millions of Indians who suffer from obesity. India is a country of more than a billion people out of which about 135 million suffer from obesity. While there is not a concrete announcement from Indian government on this yet, based on international norms, the government has an option of opting for a star system in which healthier foods will get more stars. Another option is to make use of a colour scheme with some colours indicating healthier foods while others signalling the 'not-so-healthy' aspect of a particular packaged food product. Gravitas: India may soon make food labelling mandatory × When such a decision comes into effect, brands may find it tough to hide information about their products possibly having too much sugar or too much salt and so on. It may also make it hard for them to hide true information about ingredients by making use of convoluted or cryptic wording on the packages. Reports suggest that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has been put in charge of the plan. India will not be the first country making such rules stricter. At least seven countries have announced plans to have food labels on products. Chile, Israel, Peru, Uruguay and Mexico are some of them. Italy has what is called a 'traffic light approach'. Food items are colour coded. Food with a green packaging is healthy and that in red packaging is deemed unhealthy. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × In a country like India which has a 'sweet tooth', sweets or Mithai is consumed during almost every festival. Will just labelling the food product will be enough to deter the average Indian buyer? This may surely be a challenge.

To ensure healthy eating, India may make food labelling mandatory

<p>Canadian lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously voted to call Russian attacks in Ukraine a "genocide". Members of the parliament said that there was "ample evidence of systemic and massive war crimes against humanity" being committed by Moscow.</p>

<p>The motion in Canada's House of Commons' said war crimes by Russia include mass atrocities, systematic instances of willful killing of Ukrainian civilians, the desecration of corpses, forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, torture, physical harm, mental harm, and rape.</p>

<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said earlier this month that it was "absolutely right" for more and more people to describe Russia`s actions in Ukraine as genocide. His words came just a day after US President Joe Biden made the same accusation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Gravitas: Russia stops exporting gas to Poland &amp; Bulgaria</strong></p>

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<p>Biden had said earlier in April that the Ukraine invasion amounted to genocide but had added that lawyers internationally would have to decide whether or not the invasion met the criteria for genocide.</p>

<p>Russia has been denying accusations of genocide. It terms its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation". Russia has claimed that the special military operation was necessary as the US was using Ukraine to threaten Russia. Russia makes a counter-claim that Ukraine has carried out genocide of Russian-speaking people. Ukraine dismisses this charge.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-calls-russian-move-to-cut-gas-a-blackmail-474482">EU calls Russian move to cut gas a 'blackmail'</a></strong></p>

<p>Canada is among a number of countries to have imposed sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine on February&nbsp;24. On Wednesday, it imposed further sanctions on 203 individuals whom it says are complicit in Russia`s attempted annexation of certain areas of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>Late on Wednesday, Canada also updated its travel advice for Moldova, citing the risk of armed conflict in Transnistria, a breakaway Russian-occupied part of Moldova in the west.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Canadian lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously voted to call Russian attacks in Ukraine a "genocide". Members of the parliament said that there was "ample evidence of systemic and massive war crimes against humanity" being committed by Moscow.

Canadian lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously voted to call Russian attacks in Ukraine a "genocide". Members of the parliament said that there was "ample evidence of systemic and massive war crimes against humanity" being committed by Moscow. The motion in Canada's House of Commons' said war crimes by Russia include mass atrocities, systematic instances of willful killing of Ukrainian civilians, the desecration of corpses, forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, torture, physical harm, mental harm, and rape. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said earlier this month that it was "absolutely right" for more and more people to describe Russia`s actions in Ukraine as genocide. His words came just a day after US President Joe Biden made the same accusation. Gravitas: Russia stops exporting gas to Poland & Bulgaria × Biden had said earlier in April that the Ukraine invasion amounted to genocide but had added that lawyers internationally would have to decide whether or not the invasion met the criteria for genocide. Russia has been denying accusations of genocide. It terms its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation". Russia has claimed that the special military operation was necessary as the US was using Ukraine to threaten Russia. Russia makes a counter-claim that Ukraine has carried out genocide of Russian-speaking people. Ukraine dismisses this charge. Also Read | EU calls Russian move to cut gas a 'blackmail' Canada is among a number of countries to have imposed sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine on February 24. On Wednesday, it imposed further sanctions on 203 individuals whom it says are complicit in Russia`s attempted annexation of certain areas of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × Late on Wednesday, Canada also updated its travel advice for Moldova, citing the risk of armed conflict in Transnistria, a breakaway Russian-occupied part of Moldova in the west. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine Conflict: Canadian House of Commons unanimously declares Russian acts 'genocide'

<p>The European Commission has termed Russian move to cut gas supply to European countries a 'blackmail'. On Wednesday, Russia cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria for refusing to pay in roubles. Gas prices soared on fears that more states could be hit, notably Germany, Europe's biggest economy, which last year bought more than half its gas from Russia.</p>

<p>President Vladimir Putin's demand for payment in roubles is designed to soften the effect of Western sanctions that include freezing hundreds of billions of dollars of Russian assets. Russia's top lawmaker said other "unfriendly" countries might also be cut off.</p>

<p>Though the EU has now accused Moscow of blackmail, the bloc issued an advisory to EU countries last week. The advisory mentioned options by which EU buyers may continue payments for gas without breach of sanctions. Uniper, Germany's main importer, said it could pay without violations.</p>

<p><strong>Gravitas: Russia stops exporting gas to Poland &amp; Bulgaria</strong></p>

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<p>However, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said on Wednesday that Brussels was still advising companies to stick to the terms of their contracts, which usually specify payment in euros or dollars, and avoid paying in roubles.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-response-to-outside-intervention-will-be-lightning-fast-putin-on-ukraine-war-474481">Russia's response to outside intervention will be lightning fast: Putin on Ukraine war</a></strong></p>

<p>At a meeting on Wednesday, member state ambassadors asked the Commission for clearer guidance, four EU diplomats said.</p>

<p><b>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</b></p>

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<p>Gazprom, the state-controlled energy giant that supplies Europe with about 40% of its gas needs, said transit via Poland and Bulgaria - whose pipelines supply Germany, Hungary and Serbia - would be cut if fuel was siphoned off illegally.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


The European Commission has termed Russian move to cut gas supply to European countries a 'blackmail'. On Wednesday, Russia cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria for refusing to pay in roubles.

The European Commission has termed Russian move to cut gas supply to European countries a 'blackmail'. On Wednesday, Russia cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria for refusing to pay in roubles. Gas prices soared on fears that more states could be hit, notably Germany, Europe's biggest economy, which last year bought more than half its gas from Russia. President Vladimir Putin's demand for payment in roubles is designed to soften the effect of Western sanctions that include freezing hundreds of billions of dollars of Russian assets. Russia's top lawmaker said other "unfriendly" countries might also be cut off. Though the EU has now accused Moscow of blackmail, the bloc issued an advisory to EU countries last week. The advisory mentioned options by which EU buyers may continue payments for gas without breach of sanctions. Uniper, Germany's main importer, said it could pay without violations. Gravitas: Russia stops exporting gas to Poland & Bulgaria × However, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said on Wednesday that Brussels was still advising companies to stick to the terms of their contracts, which usually specify payment in euros or dollars, and avoid paying in roubles. Also Read | Russia's response to outside intervention will be lightning fast: Putin on Ukraine war At a meeting on Wednesday, member state ambassadors asked the Commission for clearer guidance, four EU diplomats said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × Gazprom, the state-controlled energy giant that supplies Europe with about 40% of its gas needs, said transit via Poland and Bulgaria - whose pipelines supply Germany, Hungary and Serbia - would be cut if fuel was siphoned off illegally. (With inputs from agencies)

EU calls Russian move to cut gas a 'blackmail'

<p>Poland's climate minister said on Thursday that the European Union (EU) should penalise countries that use roubles to pay for Russian gas. The assertion came after Russia's decision to cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland as these countries refused to pay in roubles.</p>

<p>EU member states appear split on how they can keep paying for gas without breaching European sanctions imposed over Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. Many nations in Europe remain heavily reliant on Russian energy imports.</p>

<p><strong>Gravitas: Russia stops exporting gas to Poland &amp; Bulgaria</strong></p>

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<p>Poland is one of the EU's staunchest proponents of punitive sanctions against Russia. It said that the bloc should ban purchases of Russian gas altogether.</p>

<p>"Today what is missing is full sanctions on gas, that would solve the problem with Gazprom, the problem with following sanctions 100%. We expect these sanctions," Anna Moskwa told private broadcaster Polsat News late on Wednesday.</p>

<p>"The main EU member states resisting tougher gas sanctions on Russia are Austria, Germany and Hungary," she added.</p>

<p>"We are counting on there being consequences for these countries (which pay in roubles) and that as a result they will cease paying in roubles."</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-calls-russian-move-to-cut-gas-a-blackmail-474482">EU calls Russian move to cut gas a 'blackmail'</a></strong></p>

<p>She did not elaborate what kind of consequences Poland wanted to see.</p>

<p>Russia's new gas payments system, involving opening accounts at Gazprombank where payments in euros or dollars would be converted to roubles, offers wiggle room that could see some countries continue to buy Russian gas, fraying the bloc's united front against Moscow.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>German power utility Uniper told the newspaper Rheinische Post on Thursday that it would transfer payments for Russian gas to a Russian bank and no longer to a Europe-based bank.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Poland's climate minister said on Thursday that the European Union (EU) should penalise countries that use roubles to pay for Russian gas. The assertion came after Russia's decision to cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland as these countries refused to pay in roubles.

Poland's climate minister said on Thursday that the European Union (EU) should penalise countries that use roubles to pay for Russian gas. The assertion came after Russia's decision to cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland as these countries refused to pay in roubles. EU member states appear split on how they can keep paying for gas without breaching European sanctions imposed over Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. Many nations in Europe remain heavily reliant on Russian energy imports. Gravitas: Russia stops exporting gas to Poland & Bulgaria × Poland is one of the EU's staunchest proponents of punitive sanctions against Russia. It said that the bloc should ban purchases of Russian gas altogether. "Today what is missing is full sanctions on gas, that would solve the problem with Gazprom, the problem with following sanctions 100%. We expect these sanctions," Anna Moskwa told private broadcaster Polsat News late on Wednesday. "The main EU member states resisting tougher gas sanctions on Russia are Austria, Germany and Hungary," she added. "We are counting on there being consequences for these countries (which pay in roubles) and that as a result they will cease paying in roubles." Also Read | EU calls Russian move to cut gas a 'blackmail' She did not elaborate what kind of consequences Poland wanted to see. Russia's new gas payments system, involving opening accounts at Gazprombank where payments in euros or dollars would be converted to roubles, offers wiggle room that could see some countries continue to buy Russian gas, fraying the bloc's united front against Moscow. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × German power utility Uniper told the newspaper Rheinische Post on Thursday that it would transfer payments for Russian gas to a Russian bank and no longer to a Europe-based bank. (With inputs from agencies)

Countries paying for Russian gas in roubles should be punished: Poland

<p>Some schools and public spaces in Chinese capital Beijing were closed on Thursday as moof the Chinese capital's 22 million residents turned up for more mass COVID-19 testing aimed at averting a Shanghai-like lockdown.</p>

<p>Most citizens in Shanghai have been one month into stressful home isolation. They struggled to meet basic needs. The situation improved as number of new cases declined further</p>

<p>Fears were growing, however, that China would be trapped in a whack-a-mole game in coming months, lifting lockdowns in some places, while imposing others elsewhere, causing severe economic damage and exasperating its population.</p>

<p>As Beijing rolled out three rounds of mass testing this week across most of the city, it locked down a number of residential compounds, offices and a university.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-guangzhou-city-orders-flight-cancellation-mass-testing-after-suspected-covid-19-case-474576">China's Guangzhou city orders flight cancellation, mass testing after suspected COVID-19 case</a></strong></p>

<p>Some schools, entertainment venues and tourist sites were also shut. Universal Studios in Beijing said it would require visitors from Friday to show negative test results before they could enter the theme park.</p>

<p>Andrew Ward, 36, a Canadian living in one of Beijing's narrow lanes of courtyard houses known as hutongs, was sent to quarantine in a hotel on Thursday even though his test results were negative.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, people in hazmat suits tested Ward at home after he was identified as a close contact of a COVID case.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>"I'm a little bit annoyed, because I spent all that money and time stockpiling food for being locked down at home," said Ward, who works at an international school.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Some schools and public spaces in Chinese capital Beijing were closed on Thursday as moof the Chinese capital's 22 million residents turned up for more mass COVID-19 testing aimed at averting a Shanghai-like lockdown.

Some schools and public spaces in Chinese capital Beijing were closed on Thursday as moof the Chinese capital's 22 million residents turned up for more mass COVID-19 testing aimed at averting a Shanghai-like lockdown. Most citizens in Shanghai have been one month into stressful home isolation. They struggled to meet basic needs. The situation improved as number of new cases declined further Fears were growing, however, that China would be trapped in a whack-a-mole game in coming months, lifting lockdowns in some places, while imposing others elsewhere, causing severe economic damage and exasperating its population. As Beijing rolled out three rounds of mass testing this week across most of the city, it locked down a number of residential compounds, offices and a university. Also Read | China's Guangzhou city orders flight cancellation, mass testing after suspected COVID-19 case Some schools, entertainment venues and tourist sites were also shut. Universal Studios in Beijing said it would require visitors from Friday to show negative test results before they could enter the theme park. Andrew Ward, 36, a Canadian living in one of Beijing's narrow lanes of courtyard houses known as hutongs, was sent to quarantine in a hotel on Thursday even though his test results were negative. On Wednesday, people in hazmat suits tested Ward at home after he was identified as a close contact of a COVID case. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × "I'm a little bit annoyed, because I spent all that money and time stockpiling food for being locked down at home," said Ward, who works at an international school. (With inputs from agencies)

Beijing steps up Covid screening to avoid Shanghai-like fate

<p>Just days after criticising social media giant Twitter of being pro-left, billionaire Elon Musk has said that in order to gain trust, Twitter must be 'politically neutral'. He further said that being politically neutral meant upsetting the far right and the far left equally.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally," he tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1519415674111672325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Elon Musk is in the process of acquiring Twitter. He has made an offer of USD 44 billion. Twitter has already made an agreement with Musk but the acquisition process is likely to take six months.</p>

<p>Elon Musk, already a prolific tweeter, has made news for almost all of his tweets after he made his plans to buy Twitter public.</p>

<p>He also made a tweet on how Truth Social, a social media platform launched by former US President Donald Trump, was doing better than Twitter and TikTok on the App Store. Donald Trump was booted from Twitter after January 6, 2021 Capitol Hill violence.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-twitter-takeover-elon-musk-wants-to-add-cocaine-to-coca-cola-474530">After Twitter takeover, Elon Musk wants to add cocaine to Coca-Cola</a></strong></p>

<p>However, Musk's tweets have resulted in backlash against Twitter's employees as well. Prominent among them is Vijaya Gadde.</p>

<p>Gadde is 'Legal, Policy and Trust Lead' at Twitter. She has made announcement of permanent suspension of Donald Trump's Twitter account in 2021.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>After Elon Musk's latest tweet disapproving Gadde, she was at receiving end of massive trolling that had racist overtones.</p>


Just days after criticising social media giant Twitter of being pro-left, billionaire Elon Musk has said that in order to gain trust, Twitter must be 'politically neutral'.

Just days after criticising social media giant Twitter of being pro-left, billionaire Elon Musk has said that in order to gain trust, Twitter must be 'politically neutral'. He further said that being politically neutral meant upsetting the far right and the far left equally. "For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally," he tweeted. For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 27, 2022 × Elon Musk is in the process of acquiring Twitter. He has made an offer of USD 44 billion. Twitter has already made an agreement with Musk but the acquisition process is likely to take six months. Elon Musk, already a prolific tweeter, has made news for almost all of his tweets after he made his plans to buy Twitter public. He also made a tweet on how Truth Social, a social media platform launched by former US President Donald Trump, was doing better than Twitter and TikTok on the App Store. Donald Trump was booted from Twitter after January 6, 2021 Capitol Hill violence. Also Read | After Twitter takeover, Elon Musk wants to add cocaine to Coca-Cola However, Musk's tweets have resulted in backlash against Twitter's employees as well. Prominent among them is Vijaya Gadde. Gadde is 'Legal, Policy and Trust Lead' at Twitter. She has made announcement of permanent suspension of Donald Trump's Twitter account in 2021. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × After Elon Musk's latest tweet disapproving Gadde, she was at receiving end of massive trolling that had racist overtones.

Elon Musk: For Twitter to gain trust, it must be politically neutral

<p>Investors are carefully weighing the possibility of billionaire Elon Musk backtracking from his declared plans of buying social media giant Twitter. The speculation sent Twitter's shares tumbling on Wednsday (April 27).</p>

<p>Traders are reportedly wary of possibility that Elon Musk may not have enough money sitting around to put together funds for his USD 21 billion cash contribution in the USD 44 billion offer to take over Twitter. There is speculation that Musk may decide against selling some of his Tesla shares to come up with the amount.</p>

<p>Elon Musk has backtracked after making mega announcements in the past. He declined to take up a seat on Twitter's board at the last minute earlier this month. In 2018, Musk had declared that he would take Tesla private. He even said that he had "funding secured" for USD 72 billion deal. But he didn't move ahead with the offer.</p>

<p>If Musk decides to walk away from Twitter acquisition, he will have to pay USD 1 billion breakup fee. But this amount is a very very tiny sliver of Musk's wealth (USD 240 billion as estimated by Forbes).</p>

<p>"There's a lot of headline risk over the next six months that it takes to complete the deal," said Chris Pultz, portfolio manager for merger arbitrage at Kellner Capital. Pultz was quoted by Reuters.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-twitter-takeover-elon-musk-wants-to-add-cocaine-to-coca-cola-474530">After Twitter takeover, Elon Musk wants to add cocaine to Coca-Cola</a></strong></p>

<p>Musk could calm some of the market jitters by providing more details on the source of his equity financing or bring in partners to help split the check. This, however, could introduce new risks to the deal based on the identity of these partners, some fund managers said.</p>

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<p>Roy Behren, managing member of Westchester Capital Management, which has $5.4 billion of assets under management, said the $1 billion deal termination fee was not high enough to make Musk think twice about walking away from the deal.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Investors are carefully weighing the possibility of billionaire Elon Musk backtracking from his declared plans of buying social media giant Twitter. The speculation sent Twitter's shares tumbling on Wednsday (April 27).

Investors are carefully weighing the possibility of billionaire Elon Musk backtracking from his declared plans of buying social media giant Twitter. The speculation sent Twitter's shares tumbling on Wednsday (April 27). Traders are reportedly wary of possibility that Elon Musk may not have enough money sitting around to put together funds for his USD 21 billion cash contribution in the USD 44 billion offer to take over Twitter. There is speculation that Musk may decide against selling some of his Tesla shares to come up with the amount. Elon Musk has backtracked after making mega announcements in the past. He declined to take up a seat on Twitter's board at the last minute earlier this month. In 2018, Musk had declared that he would take Tesla private. He even said that he had "funding secured" for USD 72 billion deal. But he didn't move ahead with the offer. If Musk decides to walk away from Twitter acquisition, he will have to pay USD 1 billion breakup fee. But this amount is a very very tiny sliver of Musk's wealth (USD 240 billion as estimated by Forbes). "There's a lot of headline risk over the next six months that it takes to complete the deal," said Chris Pultz, portfolio manager for merger arbitrage at Kellner Capital. Pultz was quoted by Reuters. Also Read | After Twitter takeover, Elon Musk wants to add cocaine to Coca-Cola Musk could calm some of the market jitters by providing more details on the source of his equity financing or bring in partners to help split the check. This, however, could introduce new risks to the deal based on the identity of these partners, some fund managers said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × Roy Behren, managing member of Westchester Capital Management, which has $5.4 billion of assets under management, said the $1 billion deal termination fee was not high enough to make Musk think twice about walking away from the deal. (With inputs from agencies)

Will Elon Musk take U-turn from offer to buy Twitter?

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Manas Joshi

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