<p>The de-dollarisation, the movement to reduce other countries' reliance on the greenback, among the emerging economies of the BRICS economic group is yet to reach a 'common currency' breakthrough. The de-dollarisation movement, however, is currently morphing into a growing number of countries ditching the dollar&nbsp;and choosing to trade in their own currencies instead.</p>

<p>But despite an official clarification, the Russian embassy in Kenya said in a tweet, "The BRICS countries are planning to introduce a new trading currency, which will be backed by gold."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this week, however, the New Development Bank, a financial institution created by the BRICS bloc, said in an official statement that it doesn’t have any immediate plans for a common currency.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/brics-common-currency-soon-india-china-step-up-to-counter-us-dollars-dominance-578660">BRICS common currency soon? India, China step up to counter US dollar's dominance</a></strong></p>

<p>Instead, the members of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – are pushing to conduct more bilateral trade in local currencies. they aren’t ready to challenge the global dominance of the dollar.</p>

<p>"The development of anything alternative is more a medium&nbsp;to long-term ambition," Leslie Maasdorp, Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the New Development Bank, told Bloomberg. "There is no suggestion right now to create a BRICS currency."</p>

<p>Prior to the BRICS virtual summit, India's foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar said that "there is no idea of a BRICS currency."</p>

<p>"Currencies will remain a national issue for a long time to come," Jaishankar added.</p>

<p>The bloc, which was formed in 2009, has been striving to gain more clout globally as a way of counterbalancing the dominance the US and its traditional allies have in multilateral financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Still, even the Chinese Renminbi "is a very long way from becoming a reserve currency," Maasdorp said.</p>

<h2><strong>BRICS Bank's focus on expanding its financial clout</strong></h2>

<p>According to reports, a key part of the Shanghai-based New Development Bank is to expand its financial clout with a focus on $50 billion in subscribed capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The intention has always been to create a global bank anchored in emerging markets,” Maasdorp said.</p>

<p>He further said that the bank aims to direct 40 per cent of lending to climate-related projects.</p>

<h2><strong>New BRICS members</strong></h2>

<p>A total of 19 countries, with 13 formal requests and approximately 5 or 6 informal queries, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/key-brics-meet-this-week-to-discuss-expansion-611155">have approached</a> BRICS leaders for becoming full members of the BRICS forum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an interview with WION, South Africa's foreign minister Naledi Pandor, disclosed that a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Algeria, Argentina, Mexico, and Nigeria, have expressed keen interest in joining BRICS.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The recent BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Cape Town saw several African countries, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE attend the "Friends of BRICS" gathering.</p>

<p>The upcoming BRICS summit in South Africa is expected to see multiple inclusions, possibly of Saudi Arabia and Iran, into a crucial multilateral grouping, significantly elevating its economic heft and simultaneous geopolitical clout.</p>

<h2><strong>Brazil's Lula chief supporter of common BRICS currency</strong></h2>

<p>Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vocally challenged the supremacy of the US dollar in recent months.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Recently, in a show of support from a fellow BRICS partner, Brazil's President Lula, while standing alongside his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, challenged the US dollar's role as the world's primary reserve currency for global trade.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Brazilian President Lula da Silva wants a BRICS currency</strong></p>

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<p>Ramaphosa, while seconding Lula's comment, said that the "issue of currency" would be discussed at the upcoming meeting of BRICS countries later this year, which South Africa is scheduled to host in August.</p>

<h2><strong>Russia’s interest in a common BRICS currency</strong></h2>

<p>Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Moscow has ramped up its efforts to promote de-dollarisation. Immediately after President Vladimir Putin announced 'special military operations' against Ukraine, Washington froze half of Russia's foreign currency reserves and banned its biggest banks from the SWIFT international payments system.</p>

<p>Since February 2022, Russia has been pushing for de-dollarisation in consonance with China and nations deemed neutral in the wake of the ongoing Ukraine war.</p>

<p>Alexander Babakov, the deputy chairman of Russian parliament, the State Duma, while speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum event in New Delhi, India, in April 203 had said that the plan is to initially transition to using domestic currencies in transactions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following this, the introduction and circulation of a digital or an alternative form of currency could be explored.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Brazil, Russia, India and China established BRIC in 2009 and the bloc became BRICS a year later when South Africa was admitted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If it expands to include other "emerging nations with persistent surpluses," a globally fairer, multi-currency global system could emerge, O’Neill said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bloc&nbsp;represents about 26.7 per cent of the world's land surface and 41.5 per cent of the global population.<br />
<br />
The BRICS countries hold a substantial 16 per cent share in world trade and over the years, they have played a vital role as engines of global economic growth.</p>

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The de-dollarisation, the movement to reduce other countries' reliance on the greenback, among the emerging economies of the BRICS economic group is yet to reach a 'common currency' breakthrough.

The de-dollarisation, the movement to reduce other countries' reliance on the greenback, among the emerging economies of the BRICS economic group is yet to reach a 'common currency' breakthrough. The de-dollarisation movement, however, is currently morphing into a growing number of countries ditching the dollar and choosing to trade in their own currencies instead. But despite an official clarification, the Russian embassy in Kenya said in a tweet, "The BRICS countries are planning to introduce a new trading currency, which will be backed by gold." Earlier this week, however, the New Development Bank, a financial institution created by the BRICS bloc, said in an official statement that it doesn’t have any immediate plans for a common currency. Also read | BRICS common currency soon? India, China step up to counter US dollar's dominance Instead, the members of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – are pushing to conduct more bilateral trade in local currencies. they aren’t ready to challenge the global dominance of the dollar. "The development of anything alternative is more a medium to long-term ambition," Leslie Maasdorp, Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the New Development Bank, told Bloomberg. "There is no suggestion right now to create a BRICS currency." Prior to the BRICS virtual summit, India's foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar said that "there is no idea of a BRICS currency." "Currencies will remain a national issue for a long time to come," Jaishankar added. The bloc, which was formed in 2009, has been striving to gain more clout globally as a way of counterbalancing the dominance the US and its traditional allies have in multilateral financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Still, even the Chinese Renminbi "is a very long way from becoming a reserve currency," Maasdorp said. BRICS Bank's focus on expanding its financial clout According to reports, a key part of the Shanghai-based New Development Bank is to expand its financial clout with a focus on $50 billion in subscribed capital. “The intention has always been to create a global bank anchored in emerging markets,” Maasdorp said. He further said that the bank aims to direct 40 per cent of lending to climate-related projects. New BRICS members A total of 19 countries, with 13 formal requests and approximately 5 or 6 informal queries, have approached BRICS leaders for becoming full members of the BRICS forum. In an interview with WION, South Africa's foreign minister Naledi Pandor, disclosed that a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Algeria, Argentina, Mexico, and Nigeria, have expressed keen interest in joining BRICS. The recent BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Cape Town saw several African countries, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE attend the "Friends of BRICS" gathering. The upcoming BRICS summit in South Africa is expected to see multiple inclusions, possibly of Saudi Arabia and Iran, into a crucial multilateral grouping, significantly elevating its economic heft and simultaneous geopolitical clout. Brazil's Lula chief supporter of common BRICS currency Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vocally challenged the supremacy of the US dollar in recent months. Recently, in a show of support from a fellow BRICS partner, Brazil's President Lula, while standing alongside his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, challenged the US dollar's role as the world's primary reserve currency for global trade. Also watch | Brazilian President Lula da Silva wants a BRICS currency × Ramaphosa, while seconding Lula's comment, said that the "issue of currency" would be discussed at the upcoming meeting of BRICS countries later this year, which South Africa is scheduled to host in August. Russia’s interest in a common BRICS currency Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Moscow has ramped up its efforts to promote de-dollarisation. Immediately after President Vladimir Putin announced 'special military operations' against Ukraine, Washington froze half of Russia's foreign currency reserves and banned its biggest banks from the SWIFT international payments system. Since February 2022, Russia has been pushing for de-dollarisation in consonance with China and nations deemed neutral in the wake of the ongoing Ukraine war. Alexander Babakov, the deputy chairman of Russian parliament, the State Duma, while speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum event in New Delhi, India, in April 203 had said that the plan is to initially transition to using domestic currencies in transactions. Following this, the introduction and circulation of a digital or an alternative form of currency could be explored. Brazil, Russia, India and China established BRIC in 2009 and the bloc became BRICS a year later when South Africa was admitted. If it expands to include other "emerging nations with persistent surpluses," a globally fairer, multi-currency global system could emerge, O’Neill said. The bloc represents about 26.7 per cent of the world's land surface and 41.5 per cent of the global population. The BRICS countries hold a substantial 16 per cent share in world trade and over the years, they have played a vital role as engines of global economic growth. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Spotlight on potential BRICS currency as pushback against US dollar grows

<p>The United States is struggling to know what is going on in the corridors of power in Moscow and Kyiv as the vast intelligence network faces its most significant test in recent history, according to a cover story by Newsweek magazine, titled 'CIA's blind spot about Ukraine war'.</p>

<p>While the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been described as 'successful in discreetly playing its part... in moving mountains of information and material in dealing with a diverse set of other countries', the Newsweek report added that all the experts and officials that the publication spoke with&nbsp;'did not dispute' that the CIA 'has had to struggle' in its main task of knowing 'what's going on in the minds of the leaders of Russia and Ukraine'.</p>

<h2><strong>CIA has boots on ground in Ukraine: Report</strong></h2>

<p>A senior intelligence official has been cited as replying to the question of the publication's journalist: "Is the CIA on the ground inside Ukraine?" by saying,&nbsp;"Yes, but it's also not nefarious."</p>

<h2><strong>US is not at war with Russia, but there is a catch</strong></h2>

<p>Intelligence experts cited by Newsweek say that the war in Ukraine is unique since Ukraine is not a US ally but is still being helped by Washington in its war efforts against Russia. Thereby, the publication added, that much of what Washington does to aid Ukraine is kept secret.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-secret-diplomatic-thaw-cia-chief-makes-trip-to-bejing-last-month-599833">A secret diplomatic thaw? CIA chief makes trip to Beijing</a></strong></p>

<p>'And much of what is normally in the realm of the US military is being carried out by the Agency [CIA],' the publication added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's a tricky balancing act: the CIA being very active in the war, while not contradicting the Biden administration's central pledge, which is that there are no American boots on the ground," a second senior intelligence official was anonymously quoted as saying by Newsweek.</p>

<h2><strong>What is the CIA's blind spot?</strong></h2>

<p>The agency has an ample presence in Kyiv and Moscow. Yet it has been unable to prevent an attack on the Nord Stream pipeline and a recent drone <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-moment-when-alleged-ukrainian-drone-was-shot-down-over-putins-kremlin-residence-588572">attack on the Kremlin</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US intelligence CIA was aware months before Nord Stream blasts, says report</strong></p>

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<p>These moments of reckoning during the ongoing war have raised questions on CIA's intelligence responsibilities: 'knowing enough of what the Ukrainians are planning to both influence them and to adhere to their secret agreement with Moscow.'</p>

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The United States is struggling to know what is going on in the corridors of power in Moscow and Kyiv as the vast intelligence network faces its most significant test in recent history, according to a cover story by Newsweek magazine, titled 'CIA's blind spot about Ukraine war'.

The United States is struggling to know what is going on in the corridors of power in Moscow and Kyiv as the vast intelligence network faces its most significant test in recent history, according to a cover story by Newsweek magazine, titled 'CIA's blind spot about Ukraine war'. While the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been described as 'successful in discreetly playing its part... in moving mountains of information and material in dealing with a diverse set of other countries', the Newsweek report added that all the experts and officials that the publication spoke with 'did not dispute' that the CIA 'has had to struggle' in its main task of knowing 'what's going on in the minds of the leaders of Russia and Ukraine'. CIA has boots on ground in Ukraine: Report A senior intelligence official has been cited as replying to the question of the publication's journalist: "Is the CIA on the ground inside Ukraine?" by saying, "Yes, but it's also not nefarious." US is not at war with Russia, but there is a catch Intelligence experts cited by Newsweek say that the war in Ukraine is unique since Ukraine is not a US ally but is still being helped by Washington in its war efforts against Russia. Thereby, the publication added, that much of what Washington does to aid Ukraine is kept secret. Also read | A secret diplomatic thaw? CIA chief makes trip to Beijing 'And much of what is normally in the realm of the US military is being carried out by the Agency [CIA],' the publication added. "It's a tricky balancing act: the CIA being very active in the war, while not contradicting the Biden administration's central pledge, which is that there are no American boots on the ground," a second senior intelligence official was anonymously quoted as saying by Newsweek. What is the CIA's blind spot? The agency has an ample presence in Kyiv and Moscow. Yet it has been unable to prevent an attack on the Nord Stream pipeline and a recent drone attack on the Kremlin. Also watch | US intelligence CIA was aware months before Nord Stream blasts, says report × These moments of reckoning during the ongoing war have raised questions on CIA's intelligence responsibilities: 'knowing enough of what the Ukrainians are planning to both influence them and to adhere to their secret agreement with Moscow.' WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US is aiding Kyiv's war effort through CIA's presence in Ukraine: Report

<p>Astronomers watched in awe as a supermassive blackhole began to consume its surrounding matter, emerging as a standout transient "switching on" event about 10 billion light-years away from earth.</p>

<p>Transients refer to celestial events or entities that undergo rapid changes in terms of the intensity of light.&nbsp;<br />
The particular phenomenon generated by this voracious black hole, named J221951, ranks among the most dazzling transients ever documented, according to a Space.com story.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The location of the black hole aligns with the center of a previously observed galaxy, precisely where a supermassive black hole would typically reside.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/images-of-black-hole-shows-fast-moving-jet-leaving-from-edge-586567">Images of black hole show fast-moving jet leaving from edge</a></strong></p>

<p>However, astronomers are yet to ascertain the precise cause behind the transient event observed in J221951.</p>

<p>"Our understanding of the different things that supermassive black holes can do has greatly expanded in recent years, with discoveries of stars being torn apart and accreting black holes with hugely variable luminosities," team member and University of Belfast astronomer Matt Nicholl, said in a statement. "J221951 is one of the most extreme examples yet of a black hole taking us by surprise."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Scientists reveal the sound of a super massive black hole</strong></p>

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<p>Presently, the nature of the material being devoured by the supermassive black hole remains unknown.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, reports say that it is possible that J221951 represents a star that has ventured too close to the black hole, ultimately being torn apart by the immense gravitational forces in a process known as spaghettification.</p>

<p>The spaghettification of a star is not the sole mechanism that could account for the luminous transient event associated with the black hole in question.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another possibility of such an event is that J221951 stems from the nucleus at the core of a galaxy transitioning from a dormant to an active state.</p>

<p>"Continued monitoring of J221951 to work out the total energy release might allow us to work out whether this is a tidal disruption of a star by a fast-spinning black hole or a new kind of AGN switch on," Nicholl added, while referring to Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) – the bright areas at the heart of galaxies that blast out enough light to drown out the combined light of every star in the rest of that galaxy.&nbsp;</p>

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Astronomers watched in awe as a supermassive blackhole began to consume its surrounding matter, emerging as a standout transient "switching on" event about 10 billion light-years away from earth.

Astronomers watched in awe as a supermassive blackhole began to consume its surrounding matter, emerging as a standout transient "switching on" event about 10 billion light-years away from earth. Transients refer to celestial events or entities that undergo rapid changes in terms of the intensity of light. The particular phenomenon generated by this voracious black hole, named J221951, ranks among the most dazzling transients ever documented, according to a Space.com story. The location of the black hole aligns with the center of a previously observed galaxy, precisely where a supermassive black hole would typically reside. Also read | Images of black hole show fast-moving jet leaving from edge However, astronomers are yet to ascertain the precise cause behind the transient event observed in J221951. "Our understanding of the different things that supermassive black holes can do has greatly expanded in recent years, with discoveries of stars being torn apart and accreting black holes with hugely variable luminosities," team member and University of Belfast astronomer Matt Nicholl, said in a statement. "J221951 is one of the most extreme examples yet of a black hole taking us by surprise." Also watch | Gravitas: Scientists reveal the sound of a super massive black hole × Presently, the nature of the material being devoured by the supermassive black hole remains unknown. However, reports say that it is possible that J221951 represents a star that has ventured too close to the black hole, ultimately being torn apart by the immense gravitational forces in a process known as spaghettification. The spaghettification of a star is not the sole mechanism that could account for the luminous transient event associated with the black hole in question. Another possibility of such an event is that J221951 stems from the nucleus at the core of a galaxy transitioning from a dormant to an active state. "Continued monitoring of J221951 to work out the total energy release might allow us to work out whether this is a tidal disruption of a star by a fast-spinning black hole or a new kind of AGN switch on," Nicholl added, while referring to Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) – the bright areas at the heart of galaxies that blast out enough light to drown out the combined light of every star in the rest of that galaxy. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Blackhole caught gobbling up celestial matter leaving astronomers in awe

<p>In a major setback to Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, a court denied the stay on conviction in a defamation case made towards a remark deemed defamatory by the petitioner, which had led to the suspension of the Congress leader as a lawmaker.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gujarat High Court upheld a&nbsp;Sessions Court's order. This means the ruling that Rahul Gandhi cannot&nbsp;&nbsp;contest elections or seek revocation of the suspension of his status as a Member of Parliament (MP), remains valid.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-rahul-gandhi-the-indian-opposition-leader-disqualified-from-parliament-575302">Explained: Who is Rahul Gandhi, the Indian opposition leader disqualified from parliament?</a></strong></p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi&nbsp;can now appeal against the High Court order in Supreme Court.</p>

<p>Gujarat High Court said the trial court's conviction order is proper, and there is no need to interfere with that order.</p>

<p>The court further noted that at least 10 criminal cases are pending against Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<h2><strong>Rahul Gandhi and Monsoon session of Indian parliament</strong></h2>

<p>In the wake of the legal setback, Rahul Gandhi will not be able to make it back to the Indian parliament, that will convene for its monsoon session starting July 20.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If the Supreme Court also rejects Rahul's request, he will not be able to contest 2024 General election as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Gujarat High Court cited Rahul Gandhi's remarks on controversial Indian freedom fighter&nbsp;Vinayak Damodar&nbsp;Savarkar at Cambridge in its order.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi will be the first opposition leader to visit violence-hit Manipur</strong></p>

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<p>"It is needed to have purity in politics...A complaint has been filed against (Rahul Gandhi) by the grandson of Veer Savarkar in Pune Court after Gandhi used terms against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge," said the High Court.</p>

<p>"Refusal to stay conviction would not in any way result in injustice to the applicant. There are no reasonable grounds to stay conviction. The conviction is just, proper and legal."</p>

<h2><strong>Modi remark case: Will Rahul Gandhi go to jail?</strong></h2>

<p>But Rahul Gandhi, the suspended Member of Parliament from Wayanad in South India's Kerala state,&nbsp;will not go to jail. This is because his two-year sentence was put on hold by a court previously.</p>

<h2><strong>Modi remark: What was it?</strong></h2>

<p>While campaigning in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi at a rally had said:&nbsp;"How come all thieves have the common surname Modi?"&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi had filed the case over this statement made by Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>The former Congress party chief&nbsp;was sentenced to prison for two years on March 23 for the speech deemed defamatory by the court.</p>

<p>The Congress leader was disqualified soon after as a member of parliament.</p>

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In a major setback to Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, a court denied the stay on conviction in a defamation case made towards a remark deemed defamatory by the petitioner, which had led to the suspension of the Congress leader as a lawmaker.

In a major setback to Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, a court denied the stay on conviction in a defamation case made towards a remark deemed defamatory by the petitioner, which had led to the suspension of the Congress leader as a lawmaker. Gujarat High Court upheld a Sessions Court's order. This means the ruling that Rahul Gandhi cannot contest elections or seek revocation of the suspension of his status as a Member of Parliament (MP), remains valid. Also read | Explained: Who is Rahul Gandhi, the Indian opposition leader disqualified from parliament? Rahul Gandhi can now appeal against the High Court order in Supreme Court. Gujarat High Court said the trial court's conviction order is proper, and there is no need to interfere with that order. The court further noted that at least 10 criminal cases are pending against Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi and Monsoon session of Indian parliament In the wake of the legal setback, Rahul Gandhi will not be able to make it back to the Indian parliament, that will convene for its monsoon session starting July 20. If the Supreme Court also rejects Rahul's request, he will not be able to contest 2024 General election as well. The Gujarat High Court cited Rahul Gandhi's remarks on controversial Indian freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar at Cambridge in its order. Also watch | Rahul Gandhi will be the first opposition leader to visit violence-hit Manipur × "It is needed to have purity in politics...A complaint has been filed against (Rahul Gandhi) by the grandson of Veer Savarkar in Pune Court after Gandhi used terms against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge," said the High Court. "Refusal to stay conviction would not in any way result in injustice to the applicant. There are no reasonable grounds to stay conviction. The conviction is just, proper and legal." Modi remark case: Will Rahul Gandhi go to jail? But Rahul Gandhi, the suspended Member of Parliament from Wayanad in South India's Kerala state, will not go to jail. This is because his two-year sentence was put on hold by a court previously. Modi remark: What was it? While campaigning in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi at a rally had said: "How come all thieves have the common surname Modi?" BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi had filed the case over this statement made by Rahul Gandhi. The former Congress party chief was sentenced to prison for two years on March 23 for the speech deemed defamatory by the court. The Congress leader was disqualified soon after as a member of parliament. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Modi surname remark case: Gujarat High Court dismisses Rahul Gandhi's plea for stay

<p>The Biden administration approved supply of&nbsp;cluster munitions to Ukraine, the lethal weapons whose alleged use by Russia during the initial days of the war in Ukraine was described by the White House as constituting a war crime. The move is set to push the US apart from top NATO allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany and France who are signatories to an international treaty against the use of cluster munitions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The international treaty – United Nations Convention on Cluster Munitions – signed in 2008 prohibits the use, stockpiling, or transfer of such weapons.</p>

<p>According to a report in the New York Times, a meeting last week of top national security officials, including&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken, recommended that the US must provide Ukraine with such weapons.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-are-vacuum-and-cluster-bombs-and-is-russia-using-them-against-ukraine-458638">What are ‘vacuum’ and cluster bombs and is Russia using them against Ukraine?</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, early on during the war when asked about Russia's use of cluster munitions, the White House said, "We have seen the reports. If proven true, it could potentially constitute a war crime."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Will the US provide Ukraine with the 'controversial' cluster bomb?</strong></p>

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<p>On Thursday, Human Rights Watch published a report that flagged the use of cluster munitions in Ukraine.</p>

<p>"Cluster munitions used by Russia and Ukraine are currently claiming civilian lives and will continue to do so for many years. Both sides should cease using these indiscriminate weapons immediately and refrain from seeking further supplies," Mary Wareham, the organisation's acting arms director, wrote in the report.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Zelensky’s call for lethal weapons</strong></h2>

<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been exerting consistent pressure on US President Joe Biden, asserting that these munitions, which disperse small but lethal bomblets, are necessary to eliminate Russian forces entrenched in trenches and impeding Ukraine's counteroffensive to take the territory captured by Russia during the ongoing war as it is&nbsp;on the verge of completing 500 days.</p>

<h2><strong>United Nations Convention on Cluster Munitions</strong></h2>

<p>Over 100 nations have signed the United Nations Convention on Cluster Munitions that prohibits the use of cluster munitions, which unleash smaller bombs scattering across the targeted area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These weapons, designed to detonate upon impact with the ground, have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, often affecting children who come across unexploded parts of weapons long after conflicts have ended.</p>

<p>The United States, Russia, Ukraine and India have not joined the treaty, contending that there are circumstances where these weapons may be necessary, despite the potential for significant harm to civilians.</p>

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The Biden administration approved supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine, the lethal weapons whose alleged use by Russia during the initial days of the war in Ukraine was described by the White House as constituting a war crime.

The Biden administration approved supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine, the lethal weapons whose alleged use by Russia during the initial days of the war in Ukraine was described by the White House as constituting a war crime. The move is set to push the US apart from top NATO allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany and France who are signatories to an international treaty against the use of cluster munitions. The international treaty – United Nations Convention on Cluster Munitions – signed in 2008 prohibits the use, stockpiling, or transfer of such weapons. According to a report in the New York Times, a meeting last week of top national security officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, recommended that the US must provide Ukraine with such weapons. Also read | What are ‘vacuum’ and cluster bombs and is Russia using them against Ukraine? Meanwhile, early on during the war when asked about Russia's use of cluster munitions, the White House said, "We have seen the reports. If proven true, it could potentially constitute a war crime." Also watch | Gravitas: Will the US provide Ukraine with the 'controversial' cluster bomb? × On Thursday, Human Rights Watch published a report that flagged the use of cluster munitions in Ukraine. "Cluster munitions used by Russia and Ukraine are currently claiming civilian lives and will continue to do so for many years. Both sides should cease using these indiscriminate weapons immediately and refrain from seeking further supplies," Mary Wareham, the organisation's acting arms director, wrote in the report. Zelensky’s call for lethal weapons Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been exerting consistent pressure on US President Joe Biden, asserting that these munitions, which disperse small but lethal bomblets, are necessary to eliminate Russian forces entrenched in trenches and impeding Ukraine's counteroffensive to take the territory captured by Russia during the ongoing war as it is on the verge of completing 500 days. United Nations Convention on Cluster Munitions Over 100 nations have signed the United Nations Convention on Cluster Munitions that prohibits the use of cluster munitions, which unleash smaller bombs scattering across the targeted area. These weapons, designed to detonate upon impact with the ground, have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, often affecting children who come across unexploded parts of weapons long after conflicts have ended. The United States, Russia, Ukraine and India have not joined the treaty, contending that there are circumstances where these weapons may be necessary, despite the potential for significant harm to civilians. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

White House to give lethal weapons to Ukraine that it once flagged for ‘war crimes’

<p>A white powder found in a work area of the West Wing of the White House is confirmed to be cocaine. The question of who brought cocaine into the White House and how it entered what is often deemed as one of the most-secured spots on the planet has made people curious.</p>

<p>The White House press secretary has said that all staffers would be tested if needed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The West Wing houses the Oval Office and also the offices of some of the top aides to the president and support staff. According to a report in CBS News, the substance was found in a zip-close bag near an entrance where visitors are directed to leave their phones.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-drugs-entered-restricted-area-of-white-house-five-key-points-612208">How drugs entered restricted area of White House? Five key points</a></strong></p>

<p>Now a former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino has reacted to the incident and said that there is no chance that anybody other than a family member could have brought that cocaine into the White House.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;'Cocaine' discovered in White House by Secret Service agents, evacuations follow | Details</strong></p>

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<p>"There’s absolutely ZERO chance anyone other than a family member brought that cocaine inside the White House complex. No chance that would make it past the mag/security checkpoints. Family bypasses those," former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino wrote on Twitter.</p>

<p>Earlier, during a routine press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that President Biden was informed of the incident and asserted that the area where the cocaine was discovered is "heavily travelled" by visitors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"When it comes to visitors to the West Wing, they come for many reasons, obviously we do have West Wing tours that occur here on campus," she said, adding tours took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US Secret Service is currently leading a review of how the cocaine got into the West Wing, law enforcement officials told the media.</p>

<h2><strong>White House cocaine row: Trump, DeSantis react</strong></h2>

<p>Immediately after the discovery of cocaine prompted an evacuation of the White House, the chatter on and off the internet pointed the fingers of suspicions at Hunter Biden, one of the sons of US President Joe Biden.</p>

<p>Former US President and Republican front-runner for the 2024 US elections Donald Trump launched an all-out attack against the cocaine row.</p>

<p>"Does anybody really believe that the COCAINE found in the West Wing of the White House, very close to the Oval Office, is for the use of anyone other than Hunter &amp; Joe Biden," Donald Trump posted on Truth Social.</p>

<p>"But watch, the Fake News Media will soon start saying that the amount found was 'very small', and it wasn’t really COCAINE, but rather common ground up Aspirin, and&nbsp;the story will vanish," added Trump in his angry tirade on the matter.</p>

<p>Republican 2024 presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis also took a dig at the discovery of cocaine in the White House and told Outkick host Tomi Lahren: &nbsp;"I have long believed, I think a lot of us have believed, that the Biden administration has been blowing it on a lot of fronts. But I guess it’s a little bit more literal than even I had thought."</p>

<p>Hunter Biden has opened up about his struggles with drug addiction in his memoir <em>Beautiful Things</em>, stating that at one point of time in his life, he was "smoking crack every 15 minutes".</p>

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A white powder found in a work area of the West Wing of the White House is confirmed to be cocaine. The question of who brought cocaine into the White House and how it entered what is often deemed as one of the most-secured spots on the planet has made people curious.

A white powder found in a work area of the West Wing of the White House is confirmed to be cocaine. The question of who brought cocaine into the White House and how it entered what is often deemed as one of the most-secured spots on the planet has made people curious. The White House press secretary has said that all staffers would be tested if needed. The West Wing houses the Oval Office and also the offices of some of the top aides to the president and support staff. According to a report in CBS News, the substance was found in a zip-close bag near an entrance where visitors are directed to leave their phones. Also read | How drugs entered restricted area of White House? Five key points Now a former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino has reacted to the incident and said that there is no chance that anybody other than a family member could have brought that cocaine into the White House. Also watch | 'Cocaine' discovered in White House by Secret Service agents, evacuations follow | Details × "There’s absolutely ZERO chance anyone other than a family member brought that cocaine inside the White House complex. No chance that would make it past the mag/security checkpoints. Family bypasses those," former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino wrote on Twitter. Earlier, during a routine press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that President Biden was informed of the incident and asserted that the area where the cocaine was discovered is "heavily travelled" by visitors. "When it comes to visitors to the West Wing, they come for many reasons, obviously we do have West Wing tours that occur here on campus," she said, adding tours took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The US Secret Service is currently leading a review of how the cocaine got into the West Wing, law enforcement officials told the media. White House cocaine row: Trump, DeSantis react Immediately after the discovery of cocaine prompted an evacuation of the White House, the chatter on and off the internet pointed the fingers of suspicions at Hunter Biden, one of the sons of US President Joe Biden. Former US President and Republican front-runner for the 2024 US elections Donald Trump launched an all-out attack against the cocaine row. "Does anybody really believe that the COCAINE found in the West Wing of the White House, very close to the Oval Office, is for the use of anyone other than Hunter & Joe Biden," Donald Trump posted on Truth Social. "But watch, the Fake News Media will soon start saying that the amount found was 'very small', and it wasn’t really COCAINE, but rather common ground up Aspirin, and the story will vanish," added Trump in his angry tirade on the matter. Republican 2024 presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis also took a dig at the discovery of cocaine in the White House and told Outkick host Tomi Lahren: "I have long believed, I think a lot of us have believed, that the Biden administration has been blowing it on a lot of fronts. But I guess it’s a little bit more literal than even I had thought." Hunter Biden has opened up about his struggles with drug addiction in his memoir Beautiful Things, stating that at one point of time in his life, he was "smoking crack every 15 minutes". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

White House staffers could be drug-tested amid spotlight on Hunter Biden over 'cocaine' row

<p>Wagner mercenary group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who launched a rebellion against the Russian military last month, remains in Russia despite Moscow's deal with Minsk to move him to Belarus, the president of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said on Thursday.</p>

<p>"As far as Prigozhin is concerned, he is in Saint Petersburg. He is not in Belarus," Lukashenko told reporters from foreign media outlets at a press conference.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-xi-jinping-personally-warn-vladimir-putin-against-nuclear-attack-in-ukraine-612226">Did Xi Jinping personally warn Vladimir Putin against nuclear attack in Ukraine?</a></strong></p>

<p>On June 27, Lukashenko announced that Yevgeny Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus as part of a deal that resolved the mutiny crisis.</p>

<p>But on Thursday, Lukashenko stated on Thursday that Prigozhin was now in St Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, or might have even moved to Moscow.</p>

<h2><strong>On Wagner troops moving to Belarus</strong></h2>

<p>Lukashenko also mentioned that the issue of relocating Wagner units to Belarus remained unresolved, dependent on decisions made by Russia and Wagner.</p>

<p>"We will determine whether they will be present in Belarus or not, and in what numbers, in the near future," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>Lukashenko's remarks highlight the significant uncertainties surrounding the terms and implementation of the deal that ended the mutiny.</p>

<h2><strong>Spotlight on anti-Prigozhin campaign in Moscow</strong></h2>

<p>On Wednesday, Russian state TV launched a strong criticism of Prigozhin and confirmed that investigations into the events were still ongoing.</p>

<p>Lukashenko also disclosed his plans to meet Putin in the near future and discuss the Prigozhin situation with him. He&nbsp;assured that Prigozhin was "absolutely free" and that Putin would not "eliminate him."</p>

<p>Lukashenko further reiterated that the offer to station Wagner fighters in Belarus, which had raised concerns among neighbouring NATO countries, remains still on the table.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Why Putin is trusting Lukashenko?</strong></p>

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<p>"We are not establishing camps. We have offered them several former military camps from Soviet times, including one near Osipovichi. If they agree. However, Wagner has a different deployment plan, and I won't disclose it," Lukashenko informed reporters.</p>

<p>Addressing the West, Lukashenko stated, "We have no intention of using nuclear weapons to attack anyone. If you do not provoke us, nuclear weapons will not be a concern. However, if you engage in aggression, our response will be immediate. The targets have been identified."</p>

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Wagner mercenary group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who launched a rebellion against the Russian military last month, remains in Russia despite Moscow's deal with Minsk to move him to Belarus, the president of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said on Thursday.

Wagner mercenary group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who launched a rebellion against the Russian military last month, remains in Russia despite Moscow's deal with Minsk to move him to Belarus, the president of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said on Thursday. "As far as Prigozhin is concerned, he is in Saint Petersburg. He is not in Belarus," Lukashenko told reporters from foreign media outlets at a press conference. Also read | Did Xi Jinping personally warn Vladimir Putin against nuclear attack in Ukraine? On June 27, Lukashenko announced that Yevgeny Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus as part of a deal that resolved the mutiny crisis. But on Thursday, Lukashenko stated on Thursday that Prigozhin was now in St Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, or might have even moved to Moscow. On Wagner troops moving to Belarus Lukashenko also mentioned that the issue of relocating Wagner units to Belarus remained unresolved, dependent on decisions made by Russia and Wagner. "We will determine whether they will be present in Belarus or not, and in what numbers, in the near future," he added. What does it mean? Lukashenko's remarks highlight the significant uncertainties surrounding the terms and implementation of the deal that ended the mutiny. Spotlight on anti-Prigozhin campaign in Moscow On Wednesday, Russian state TV launched a strong criticism of Prigozhin and confirmed that investigations into the events were still ongoing. Lukashenko also disclosed his plans to meet Putin in the near future and discuss the Prigozhin situation with him. He assured that Prigozhin was "absolutely free" and that Putin would not "eliminate him." Lukashenko further reiterated that the offer to station Wagner fighters in Belarus, which had raised concerns among neighbouring NATO countries, remains still on the table. WATCH | Why Putin is trusting Lukashenko? × "We are not establishing camps. We have offered them several former military camps from Soviet times, including one near Osipovichi. If they agree. However, Wagner has a different deployment plan, and I won't disclose it," Lukashenko informed reporters. Addressing the West, Lukashenko stated, "We have no intention of using nuclear weapons to attack anyone. If you do not provoke us, nuclear weapons will not be a concern. However, if you engage in aggression, our response will be immediate. The targets have been identified." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Where is Wagner chief Prigozhin? Lukashenko says not in Belarus

<p>The dawn of Instagram-linked Threads is being seen as threatening the social media heft created, moderated and expanded by the blue bird of Twitter that for years, has tweeted its way into 'global town square' of news, events, moments and opinions consisting of hundreds of millions worldwide.&nbsp;</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Mark Zuckerberg-owned Meta Platforms Inc. launched Threads app on smartphone application stores on July 5. Threads is available to download for both Android and iOS users, and already, millions across the globe have tried it out on their smartphones.</p>

<p>Threads has been described as a platform "where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what'll be trending tomorrow."</p>

<h2><strong>Threads App launch: Initial reception</strong></h2>

<p>Threads was the top global trend on Twitter on July 6. On Threads &nbsp;— well &nbsp;— there appears to be no way to configure real-time global trends either on iOS or Android versions of the application. Many loyal Twitter users accused Mark Zuckerberg of copying Twitter’s micro-blogging features while others wondered if their migration to the Threads was a casual check-in or a permanent social media refuge.</p>

<h2><strong>Threads App: What makes it Twitter like?</strong></h2>

<p>At its core, Threads — like Twitter — is a microblogging social media platform. One section of the thread can have as many as 500 characters against Twitter's 280 (for unverified users). Apart from sharing links and photos, one can share videos of up to 5 minutes in length (against Twitter's 2:20 minutes for unverified users).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/zuckerberg-launches-twitter-copycat-threads-app-to-outfox-elon-musk-at-microblogging-game-612460">Zuckerberg launches Twitter copycat Threads app to outfox Elon Musk at microblogging game</a></strong></p>

<p>You can like, repost or quote threads or send them to your Threads followers — most of whom could be your Instagram followers if you choose to sign in through Instagram. While a thread can be made on Twitter as well, on Threads — as the name suggests — opining or sending out information, memes or anything Insta-worthy/tweet-worthy in the form of threads remains the central pitch of the platform towards its potential users.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Threads: All about Meta's new app</strong></p>

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<p>Like Twitter, a user on the Threads app has the option to keep their Threads private or public.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Twitter owner Elon Musk even seconded a tweet that posted an image that described copy-paste attributes of a keyboard to suggest that 'the new Meta app' has been entirely copied and pasted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="qme">😂</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1676783253766676483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>To put it simply, Threads is Instagram morphed as Twitter with micro-blogging attributes.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Threads app: Advantages for Meta</h2>

<p>Instagram has more than 2 billion monthly active users. Since users can log in to Threads using their Instagram credentials and follow the same accounts they follow on Instagram, it makes an easy addition to the existing social media habits for Instagram's couple of billion monthly active users.</p>

<p>This means that Meta just needs one-fourth of its Instagram users to join Threads to rival Twitter's user base.</p>

<p>Responding to a question on whether Threads can become bigger than Twitter, Zuckerberg said, "It will take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn't nailed it. Hopefully, we will."</p>

<p>Analysts have predicted a kickoff buzz among the advertisers to cash in on the initial momentum of growing Threads users.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Investors can't help but be a little excited about the prospect that Meta really has a 'Twitter-Killer' poised to launch on the app store," Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at investment platform firm AJ Bell, was quoted as saying by Reuters.</p>

<h2><strong>Threads App: Disadvantages for Meta</strong></h2>

<p>Mark Zuckerberg’s Threads pitch of pushing it as a platform that has “the best parts of Instagram” towards “a new experience” makes it an uneasy appeal for Twitter’s loyal user base.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The missing line in the ruling of Meta's Threads page is that a person conventionally does not follow the same set of people on Twitter as they do&nbsp;on Instagram. So while Meta's strategy of giving its user an option to follow its Instagram followers on Threads while signing up for it can quickly expand its user base, keeping those many users consistently active would be a challenge for Threads if it is to outfox Twitter in the microblogging game.</p>

<p>Minus the minority of brands, influencers and celebrities — for a vast majority of users — the social media space on Twitter represents a culture of consumption of news and information related to precise trends and world events in real-time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To keep track of that, users follow journalists, news platforms, celebrities, leaders, icons and brands to get a sense of what's happening in the world against what is happening in the lives of people they know in day-to-day life. While Instagram is a more visual platform, Twitter remains a nearly homogenous news-oriented platform.&nbsp;</p>

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The dawn of Instagram-linked Threads is being seen as threatening the social media heft created, moderated and expanded by the blue bird of Twitter that for years, has tweeted its way into 'global town square' of news, events, moments and opinions consisting of hundreds of millions worldwide.

The dawn of Instagram-linked Threads is being seen as threatening the social media heft created, moderated and expanded by the blue bird of Twitter that for years, has tweeted its way into 'global town square' of news, events, moments and opinions consisting of hundreds of millions worldwide. Mark Zuckerberg-owned Meta Platforms Inc. launched Threads app on smartphone application stores on July 5. Threads is available to download for both Android and iOS users, and already, millions across the globe have tried it out on their smartphones. Threads has been described as a platform "where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what'll be trending tomorrow." Threads App launch: Initial reception Threads was the top global trend on Twitter on July 6. On Threads — well — there appears to be no way to configure real-time global trends either on iOS or Android versions of the application. Many loyal Twitter users accused Mark Zuckerberg of copying Twitter’s micro-blogging features while others wondered if their migration to the Threads was a casual check-in or a permanent social media refuge. Threads App: What makes it Twitter like? At its core, Threads — like Twitter — is a microblogging social media platform. One section of the thread can have as many as 500 characters against Twitter's 280 (for unverified users). Apart from sharing links and photos, one can share videos of up to 5 minutes in length (against Twitter's 2:20 minutes for unverified users). Also read | Zuckerberg launches Twitter copycat Threads app to outfox Elon Musk at microblogging game You can like, repost or quote threads or send them to your Threads followers — most of whom could be your Instagram followers if you choose to sign in through Instagram. While a thread can be made on Twitter as well, on Threads — as the name suggests — opining or sending out information, memes or anything Insta-worthy/tweet-worthy in the form of threads remains the central pitch of the platform towards its potential users. Also watch | Gravitas: Threads: All about Meta's new app × Like Twitter, a user on the Threads app has the option to keep their Threads private or public. Meanwhile, Twitter owner Elon Musk even seconded a tweet that posted an image that described copy-paste attributes of a keyboard to suggest that 'the new Meta app' has been entirely copied and pasted. 😂 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2023 × To put it simply, Threads is Instagram morphed as Twitter with micro-blogging attributes. Threads app: Advantages for Meta Instagram has more than 2 billion monthly active users. Since users can log in to Threads using their Instagram credentials and follow the same accounts they follow on Instagram, it makes an easy addition to the existing social media habits for Instagram's couple of billion monthly active users. This means that Meta just needs one-fourth of its Instagram users to join Threads to rival Twitter's user base. Responding to a question on whether Threads can become bigger than Twitter, Zuckerberg said, "It will take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn't nailed it. Hopefully, we will." Analysts have predicted a kickoff buzz among the advertisers to cash in on the initial momentum of growing Threads users. "Investors can't help but be a little excited about the prospect that Meta really has a 'Twitter-Killer' poised to launch on the app store," Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at investment platform firm AJ Bell, was quoted as saying by Reuters. Threads App: Disadvantages for Meta Mark Zuckerberg’s Threads pitch of pushing it as a platform that has “the best parts of Instagram” towards “a new experience” makes it an uneasy appeal for Twitter’s loyal user base. The missing line in the ruling of Meta's Threads page is that a person conventionally does not follow the same set of people on Twitter as they do on Instagram. So while Meta's strategy of giving its user an option to follow its Instagram followers on Threads while signing up for it can quickly expand its user base, keeping those many users consistently active would be a challenge for Threads if it is to outfox Twitter in the microblogging game. Minus the minority of brands, influencers and celebrities — for a vast majority of users — the social media space on Twitter represents a culture of consumption of news and information related to precise trends and world events in real-time. To keep track of that, users follow journalists, news platforms, celebrities, leaders, icons and brands to get a sense of what's happening in the world against what is happening in the lives of people they know in day-to-day life. While Instagram is a more visual platform, Twitter remains a nearly homogenous news-oriented platform. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Threat of Threads? How Meta's version of Twitter is not new at all

Top Moments When Phil Dunphy of Modern Family Became Greatest Sitcom Dad

That Modern Family's Phil Dunphy is the greatest sitcom dad is an agreed fact — free speech absolutists notwithstanding. Actor Ty Burrell won two of the six Emmy Awards he was nominated for throughout the show's run.
Here are the top moments when Phil proved his unabashed greatness at being the greatest dad to Haley, Luke and Alex in Modern Family.

Yes! Claire was right. Haley Dunphy going to college was a miracle. A miracle brought about by Phil's-osophy, as next slide would let you know.

When Phil and Claire dropped Haley off to college, Phil gave her Phil's-osophy. Haley read Phil's words of parental wisdom later: "Never be afraid to reach for the stars because even if you fall, you'll always be wearing a parentchute."

Claire was afraid Luke was turning like Phil. But didn't those moments of Luke act like Phil gave us the best Modern Family moments? And the greatest fatherhood lessons?

 Walking the walk and not talking the talk

When Phil walks on wire with Luke watching, he sets an example of walking the walk by challenging yourself and not just preaching his heart out to his kids.

https://images1.wionews.com/video/wion/Food Instagram Reel in Green Cream Elegant Labels Style (2)-1688606839411.mp4

Moments of emotionally expressive fatherhood

On Manny's birthday, Phil was sad that his children were growing up so fast and begins crying. Sensing Phil's sadness, the girls — Haley and Alex — begin to cry. A darn emotional moment.

Turning Alex's anxieties into her confidence

The uber anxious Alex Dunphy had her insecurities turned into confidence when Phil stood as his cheerleader to say: "I knew you could do it."


Here are the seven times when Phil proved his unabashed greatness at being the greatest dad to Haley, Luke and Alex in Modern Family.

<p>An Indian-origin store clerk, 36, was shot dead during what is being cited as an armed robbery in the US state of Georgia, Press Trust of India reported while citing local media reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Two juveniles have been arrested in connection with the murder.</p>

<h2><strong>Where did the incident occur?</strong></h2>

<p>The incident occurred in the city of Wrens, Georgia, about 130 miles southeast of Atlanta where Mandeep Singh worked as a clerk at a convenience store.</p>

<p>Last week, the Augusta Chronicle newspaper reported that Singh was struck twice by gunfire on June 28 and was pronounced dead at the scene.</p>

<p>The assailants were identified as two 15-year-olds.</p>

<h2><strong>Who was Mandeep Singh?</strong></h2>

<p>According to PTI, Singh was a resident of Augusta city. He was employed at the store for less than a month, as confirmed by Wrens Police Chief John Maynard.</p>

<p>The police chief said&nbsp;in an official statement that the incident initially appeared to be an armed robbery, and during the course of the incident, shots were fired resulting in the death of the clerk.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-months-into-2023-and-9800-killed-in-gun-violence-in-us-576618">Three months into 2023 and 9,800 killed in gun violence in US</a></strong></p>

<p>The juveniles involved in the crime were not wearing masks nor attempting to conceal their identities, which subsequently resulted in&nbsp;their identification and consequent arrest.</p>

<p>Singh's body was transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab after being confirmed by the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gun violence: A common occurrence in US</strong></p>

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<p>Chief Maynard said that they are pursuing other leads to determine the motive behind the crime.</p>

<h2><strong>What about Mandeep Singh's family?</strong></h2>

<p>Mandeep Singh was the sole breadwinner of his family. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to support Singh's family. The fundraiser&nbsp;appeals for donations to assist the family with ongoing living costs.</p>

<p>According to the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, nearly 1,700 Georgians died by gun violence in 2019, an average of more than four people every day. Suicides were 56 per cent of the gun deaths and homicides were 41 per cent.</p>

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An Indian-origin store clerk, 36, was shot dead during what is being cited as an armed robbery in the US state of Georgia, Press Trust of India reported while citing local media reports.

An Indian-origin store clerk, 36, was shot dead during what is being cited as an armed robbery in the US state of Georgia, Press Trust of India reported while citing local media reports. Two juveniles have been arrested in connection with the murder. Where did the incident occur? The incident occurred in the city of Wrens, Georgia, about 130 miles southeast of Atlanta where Mandeep Singh worked as a clerk at a convenience store. Last week, the Augusta Chronicle newspaper reported that Singh was struck twice by gunfire on June 28 and was pronounced dead at the scene. The assailants were identified as two 15-year-olds. Who was Mandeep Singh? According to PTI, Singh was a resident of Augusta city. He was employed at the store for less than a month, as confirmed by Wrens Police Chief John Maynard. The police chief said in an official statement that the incident initially appeared to be an armed robbery, and during the course of the incident, shots were fired resulting in the death of the clerk. Also read | Three months into 2023 and 9,800 killed in gun violence in US The juveniles involved in the crime were not wearing masks nor attempting to conceal their identities, which subsequently resulted in their identification and consequent arrest. Singh's body was transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab after being confirmed by the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. Also watch | Gun violence: A common occurrence in US × Chief Maynard said that they are pursuing other leads to determine the motive behind the crime. What about Mandeep Singh's family? Mandeep Singh was the sole breadwinner of his family. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to support Singh's family. The fundraiser appeals for donations to assist the family with ongoing living costs. According to the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, nearly 1,700 Georgians died by gun violence in 2019, an average of more than four people every day. Suicides were 56 per cent of the gun deaths and homicides were 41 per cent. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US gun violence: Indian-origin man shot dead in Georgia, two juveniles arrested

<p>On the evening of 4th of July, gun violence rocked New York City as a series of shootings resulted in two deaths and left 11 people injured.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Among the victims of Wednesday's tragic shootings were an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old man, both fatally shot on Morris Avenue in The Bronx locality.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
In New York City, the level-four mobilisation plan was activated after five shootings were reported from the Bronx locality alone.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US: 4 dead at Independence Day celebrations at Louisiana; gun violence reaches new highs</strong></p>

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<p>In the level-four mobilisation plan, one patrol car is deployed in each of the city's 77 precincts to the borough, meaning an intensified police presence.<br />
<br />
Mayor Eric Adams arrived at the scene to support the ongoing police investigation, New York Post reported.</p>

<h2><strong>New York 4th of July shooting: Series of violence</strong></h2>

<p>The wave of violence commenced around 12:40 AM when a 34-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to his leg in the Throggs Neck area of The Bronx. Despite his injuries, he managed to reach Westchester Square Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.</p>

<p>Approximately 20 minutes later, a 36-year-old man was shot in the leg and buttocks in the same neighbourhood. Initially, he sought medical assistance at Montefiore Medical Center but was subsequently transferred to Jacobi Medical Center, also in stable condition, New York Post reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-one-dead-several-wounded-after-domestic-dispute-turns-into-shooting-episode-at-maryland-home-603248">US: 3 dead, several wounded after domestic dispute turns into shooting episode at Maryland home</a></strong></p>

<p>In Brownsville, Brooklyn, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a 20-year-old girl sustained a gunshot wound at the intersection of Bristol Street and Livonia Avenue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She was transported to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, where her condition was reported as stable. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation.</p>

<h2><strong>Have there been any arrests for the shooting spree?</strong></h2>

<p>No. There have been no arrests in the series of shootings so far.</p>

<h2><strong>New York state gun laws</strong></h2>

<p>The residents of New York do not need permits to keep rifles or shotguns in New York.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
In general, New York residents also do not need permits to possess rifles or shotguns in New York, as long as the rifle barrel is at least 16 inches long or the shotgun barrel is at least 18 inches long, according to the gun laws in&nbsp;the state.</p>

<p>Only people with criminal&nbsp;convictions and those who have been certified mentally incompetent are not allowed to possess rifles or shotguns.</p>

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On the evening of 4th of July, gun violence rocked New York City as a series of shootings resulted in two deaths and left 11 people injured. Among the victims of Wednesday's tragic shootings were an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old man, both fatally shot on Morris Avenue in The Bronx locality.

On the evening of 4th of July, gun violence rocked New York City as a series of shootings resulted in two deaths and left 11 people injured. Among the victims of Wednesday's tragic shootings were an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old man, both fatally shot on Morris Avenue in The Bronx locality. In New York City, the level-four mobilisation plan was activated after five shootings were reported from the Bronx locality alone. Also watch | US: 4 dead at Independence Day celebrations at Louisiana; gun violence reaches new highs × In the level-four mobilisation plan, one patrol car is deployed in each of the city's 77 precincts to the borough, meaning an intensified police presence. Mayor Eric Adams arrived at the scene to support the ongoing police investigation, New York Post reported. New York 4th of July shooting: Series of violence The wave of violence commenced around 12:40 AM when a 34-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to his leg in the Throggs Neck area of The Bronx. Despite his injuries, he managed to reach Westchester Square Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Approximately 20 minutes later, a 36-year-old man was shot in the leg and buttocks in the same neighbourhood. Initially, he sought medical assistance at Montefiore Medical Center but was subsequently transferred to Jacobi Medical Center, also in stable condition, New York Post reported. Also read | US: 3 dead, several wounded after domestic dispute turns into shooting episode at Maryland home In Brownsville, Brooklyn, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a 20-year-old girl sustained a gunshot wound at the intersection of Bristol Street and Livonia Avenue. She was transported to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, where her condition was reported as stable. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation. Have there been any arrests for the shooting spree? No. There have been no arrests in the series of shootings so far. New York state gun laws The residents of New York do not need permits to keep rifles or shotguns in New York. In general, New York residents also do not need permits to possess rifles or shotguns in New York, as long as the rifle barrel is at least 16 inches long or the shotgun barrel is at least 18 inches long, according to the gun laws in the state. Only people with criminal convictions and those who have been certified mentally incompetent are not allowed to possess rifles or shotguns. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New York rocked by series of shooting incidents on 4th of July; 2 killed, 11 injured

<p>The Threads is now live and users across the world have started downloading another social media offering of Mark Zuckerberg's Metaverse. The Instagram-linked social media platform is being dubbed as 'Twitter killer', as it is expected to deliver a blow to Elon Musk-owned microblogging platform amid intensifying rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Threads App: How to use&nbsp;Instagram-linked Twitter like platform?</strong></h2>

<p>Users can download Threads App from Google or Apple play stores. It's available for both Android and iOS users. One can log in to Threads using Instagram credentials and surf through the dawn of Threads. A user has the option to keep their Threads private or public and can link through their Instagram and follow the same set of accounts to start with.</p>

<h2>How Threads App is different from Twitter?</h2>

<p>From preliminary surfing of the Threads, it appears that one Thread on the Threads app can have as many as 500 characters, unlike Twitter's 280 characters. While a thread can be made on Twitter as well, it is not the central part of the platform's appeal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, Threads App's primary interface is&nbsp;— as the name suggests&nbsp;— is based on making threads.</p>

<h2><strong>Threaders are threading on Threads but Zuckerberg reacts with a TWEET</strong></h2>

<p>Instagram users worldwide are beginning to acquaint themselves with Threads. But Mark Zuckerberg has chosen to react on Twitter. Zuckerberg posted his first tweet in eleven years in a veiled jibe at Twitter owner Elon Musk. Meta founder appears to poke fun at Musk as Threads launched since his newly launched social media service may be the most potent threat to Twitter as yet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/MbMxUWiQgp">pic.twitter.com/MbMxUWiQgp</a></p>
— Mark Zuckerberg (@finkd) <a href="https://twitter.com/finkd/status/1676747594460962817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Shortly after, Zuckerberg took to Threads to state that the platform has over five million people signing up within few hours of its launch.</p>

<p>"Just passed 5 million sign ups in the first four hours..." Zuckerberg said on his official Threads account hours after its launch.</p>

<h2><b>Threads is launched: What it means for Twitter?</b></h2>

<p>Since users are able to log in to the Threads using their Instagram credentials and follow the same accounts, it makes an easy addition to existing habits for Instagram's more than 2 billion monthly active users.</p>

<p>"Investors can't help but be a little excited about the prospect that Meta really has a 'Twitter-Killer' poised to launch on the app store," said Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at investment platform firm AJ Bell, was quoted as saying by Reuters.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-rival-metas-threads-app-will-not-launch-in-eu-heres-why-612446">Twitter rival, Meta's Threads app, will not launch in EU. Here's why</a></strong></p>

<p>Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion last October. However, its value has declined over&nbsp;an exodus of advertisers amid deepening content moderation controversies.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the&nbsp;record doesn't exactly speak alright for&nbsp;Meta as it has suffered multiple failures launching standalone copycat apps in the past, such as&nbsp;its Lasso app aimed at competing with short video rival TikTok.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Threads: All about Meta's new app</strong></p>

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<p>According to Jasmine Enberg, principal analyst at Insider Intelligence, a&nbsp;potential strike against Threads is that the news-oriented culture on Twitter is different from that on Instagram, a more visual platform.</p>

<p>"The main use cases for Twitter still remain keeping up with news and world events," Enberg told Reuters. "I find it hard to imagine that the most avid loyal Twitter users who go to Twitter for that type of culture will defect and go immediately to Threads."</p>

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The Threads is now live and users across the world have started downloading another social media offering of Mark Zuckerberg's Metaverse. The Instagram-linked social media platform is being dubbed as 'Twitter killer', as it is expected to deliver a blow to Elon Musk-owned microblogging platform amid intensifying rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk.

The Threads is now live and users across the world have started downloading another social media offering of Mark Zuckerberg's Metaverse. The Instagram-linked social media platform is being dubbed as 'Twitter killer', as it is expected to deliver a blow to Elon Musk-owned microblogging platform amid intensifying rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk. Threads App: How to use Instagram-linked Twitter like platform? Users can download Threads App from Google or Apple play stores. It's available for both Android and iOS users. One can log in to Threads using Instagram credentials and surf through the dawn of Threads. A user has the option to keep their Threads private or public and can link through their Instagram and follow the same set of accounts to start with. How Threads App is different from Twitter? From preliminary surfing of the Threads, it appears that one Thread on the Threads app can have as many as 500 characters, unlike Twitter's 280 characters. While a thread can be made on Twitter as well, it is not the central part of the platform's appeal. On the other hand, Threads App's primary interface is — as the name suggests — is based on making threads. Threaders are threading on Threads but Zuckerberg reacts with a TWEET Instagram users worldwide are beginning to acquaint themselves with Threads. But Mark Zuckerberg has chosen to react on Twitter. Zuckerberg posted his first tweet in eleven years in a veiled jibe at Twitter owner Elon Musk. Meta founder appears to poke fun at Musk as Threads launched since his newly launched social media service may be the most potent threat to Twitter as yet. pic.twitter.com/MbMxUWiQgp — Mark Zuckerberg (@finkd) July 6, 2023 × Shortly after, Zuckerberg took to Threads to state that the platform has over five million people signing up within few hours of its launch. "Just passed 5 million sign ups in the first four hours..." Zuckerberg said on his official Threads account hours after its launch. Threads is launched: What it means for Twitter? Since users are able to log in to the Threads using their Instagram credentials and follow the same accounts, it makes an easy addition to existing habits for Instagram's more than 2 billion monthly active users. "Investors can't help but be a little excited about the prospect that Meta really has a 'Twitter-Killer' poised to launch on the app store," said Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at investment platform firm AJ Bell, was quoted as saying by Reuters. Also read | Twitter rival, Meta's Threads app, will not launch in EU. Here's why Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion last October. However, its value has declined over an exodus of advertisers amid deepening content moderation controversies. Meanwhile, the record doesn't exactly speak alright for Meta as it has suffered multiple failures launching standalone copycat apps in the past, such as its Lasso app aimed at competing with short video rival TikTok. Also watch | Gravitas: Threads: All about Meta's new app × According to Jasmine Enberg, principal analyst at Insider Intelligence, a potential strike against Threads is that the news-oriented culture on Twitter is different from that on Instagram, a more visual platform. "The main use cases for Twitter still remain keeping up with news and world events," Enberg told Reuters. "I find it hard to imagine that the most avid loyal Twitter users who go to Twitter for that type of culture will defect and go immediately to Threads." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Zuckerberg launches Twitter copycat Threads app to outfox Elon Musk at microblogging game

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