<p>Multiple couples took&nbsp;wedding vows at a marriage bureau right across the New York courtroom where&nbsp;former US President Donald Trump made a historic appearance on April 4, days after he was criminally charged for allegedly making hush money payments to adult star <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-seas-for-donald-trump-why-he-is-in-trouble-and-whats-the-case-about-578933">Stormy Daniels</a>, in the run-up to 2016 presidential polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During Trump's decades-long record as a Republican real estate business magnate, the New York city has witnessed former US president cultivating a reputation as a 'wedding crasher', surprising couples tying the knot at his golf courses with spontaneous speeches on his personal grievances and more.</p>

<p>On April 4, Trump's courtroom appearance lived up to his 'wedding crasher' reputation as it overshadowed the weddings taking place at a marriage bureau across the street where the Supreme Court of the state of New York is located.</p>

<p>Trump was in Manhattan to answer charges related to a hush-money payment to adult&nbsp;star Stormy Daniels, and crowds of protesters, reporters and curious tourists thronged the streets as would-be newlyweds waited for their turn to get hitched.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Former US President Donald Trump arrested on criminal charges</strong></p>

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<p>"I didn't realise it was happening right here," Peter Don, 30, told <em>NBC News</em> as he prepared to declare "I do" at the New York City Marriage Bureau to Monique Beckford Khalia. "It's funny, but it's not going to ruin our day."</p>

<p>"This is our day," added 25-year-old Khalia.</p>

<p>Dominic Lamarco and his spouse had also picked the day of Trump&nbsp;some time in advance and could not have anticipated the spectacle that would play out around them.</p>

<p>Lamarco told <em>NBC News</em> that Trump being formally charged on their wedding day only made the occasion "more joyful."</p>

<p>The&nbsp;videos and anecdotes of Trump's off-the-cuff speeches at weddings at his residence in Florida have continued to go viral since he left office in 2021.</p>

<p>Trump's own marriages have been described as 'Trump society events' by journalist-author Maggie Haberman in her 2022 book, 'Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America'. In January 2005, when he married his current wife Melania Klauss, among the attendees were Bill and&nbsp;Hillary Clinton. "The wedding marked a new phase for Trump’s public life," Haberman writes while referring to the Trump-Melania wedding coming in the wake of the success of <em>The Apprentice, </em>a reality TV series Trump hosted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"People on the street embraced him. He was mobbed. All of a sudden, there was none of the old mocking, the old <em>New York Post</em> image of him with the wives and the parties."</p>

<p>Donald Trump has been accused of 'repeatedly and fraudulently' falsifying New York business records to 'conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election', according to statement of facts related to hush money payments case made public by Supreme Court of the state of New York.</p>

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Multiple couples took wedding vows at a marriage bureau right across the New York courtroom where former US President Donald Trump made a historic appearance on April 4, days after he was criminally charged for allegedly making hush money payments to adult star Stormy Daniels, in the run-up to 2016 presidential polls.

Multiple couples took wedding vows at a marriage bureau right across the New York courtroom where former US President Donald Trump made a historic appearance on April 4, days after he was criminally charged for allegedly making hush money payments to adult star Stormy Daniels, in the run-up to 2016 presidential polls. During Trump's decades-long record as a Republican real estate business magnate, the New York city has witnessed former US president cultivating a reputation as a 'wedding crasher', surprising couples tying the knot at his golf courses with spontaneous speeches on his personal grievances and more. On April 4, Trump's courtroom appearance lived up to his 'wedding crasher' reputation as it overshadowed the weddings taking place at a marriage bureau across the street where the Supreme Court of the state of New York is located. Trump was in Manhattan to answer charges related to a hush-money payment to adult star Stormy Daniels, and crowds of protesters, reporters and curious tourists thronged the streets as would-be newlyweds waited for their turn to get hitched. ALSO WATCH | Former US President Donald Trump arrested on criminal charges × "I didn't realise it was happening right here," Peter Don, 30, told NBC News as he prepared to declare "I do" at the New York City Marriage Bureau to Monique Beckford Khalia. "It's funny, but it's not going to ruin our day." "This is our day," added 25-year-old Khalia. Dominic Lamarco and his spouse had also picked the day of Trump some time in advance and could not have anticipated the spectacle that would play out around them. Lamarco told NBC News that Trump being formally charged on their wedding day only made the occasion "more joyful." The videos and anecdotes of Trump's off-the-cuff speeches at weddings at his residence in Florida have continued to go viral since he left office in 2021. Trump's own marriages have been described as 'Trump society events' by journalist-author Maggie Haberman in her 2022 book, 'Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America'. In January 2005, when he married his current wife Melania Klauss, among the attendees were Bill and Hillary Clinton. "The wedding marked a new phase for Trump’s public life," Haberman writes while referring to the Trump-Melania wedding coming in the wake of the success of The Apprentice, a reality TV series Trump hosted. "People on the street embraced him. He was mobbed. All of a sudden, there was none of the old mocking, the old New York Post image of him with the wives and the parties." Donald Trump has been accused of 'repeatedly and fraudulently' falsifying New York business records to 'conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election', according to statement of facts related to hush money payments case made public by Supreme Court of the state of New York. 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.

'Wedding crasher' Donald Trump's courtroom appearance overshadows New York weddings

<p>The UK government has announced its latest plan to better protect England's water supplies amid long-running accusations that privatised water firms have been pumping raw sewage into rivers and onto seashores, often polluting the potable sources of water.</p>

<h2><strong>What is Rishi Sunak's 'Plan for Water'?</strong></h2>

<p>The plan is aimed at cleaning Britain's sources of potable water and ensuring a "plentiful supply for the future". It follows months of criticism over the release of untreated wastewater into Britain's waterways. Last year, it led to the closure of some beaches at the height of one of the hottest seasons witnessed by people in the UK. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government is faced with multiple newspaper campaigns and rising public anger over the issue.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/eating-drinking-and-breathing-for-years-scientists-find-microplastics-everywhere-493992">Eating, drinking and breathing for years: Scientists find microplastics everywhere</a></strong></p>

<p>Under the plan, the government will seek more investment from water companies and firm commitments to protect natural waters alongside stronger regulation. The government will also&nbsp;ban wet wipes containing plastic which often block sewers when flushed down the toilet.</p>

<h2><b>UK's 'Plan for Water': Political tussle follows</b></h2>

<p>While announcing the new plan in a speech in London, the UK Environment Secretary Therese Coffey vowed to "coordinate community by community on how to tackle pollution from every source".</p>

<p>"There will be nowhere to hide for those who continue to pollute our rivers, with support for those who want to do the right thing," she said.</p>

<p>In many parts of Britain, the sewage system installed belongs to the centuries-old Victorian era.&nbsp;Coffey cautioned that there would be no quick fix to re-plumb the entire sewage system.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Plastic wet wipes ban planned in England | WION Climate Tracker</strong></p>

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<p>"Achieving the gold standard for ecological status would mean taking us back to the natural state of our rivers from the year 1840," she said.</p>

<p>"That is neither practical nor desirable in many circumstances."</p>

<p>The principal opposition&nbsp;Labour party has accused&nbsp;the government of lacking new measures to tackle years of water pollution.</p>

<p>"This announcement is nothing more than a shuffling of the deck chairs and a reheating of old, failed measures that simply give the green light for sewage dumping to continue for decades to come," said Jim McMahon, Labour environment spokesman.</p>

<p>"This is the third sham of a Tory water plan since the summer. There's nothing in it that tells us how, if or when they will end the Tory sewage scandal."</p>

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The UK government has announced its latest plan to better protect England's water supplies amid long-running accusations that privatised water firms have been pumping raw sewage into rivers and onto seashores, often polluting the potable sources of water.

The UK government has announced its latest plan to better protect England's water supplies amid long-running accusations that privatised water firms have been pumping raw sewage into rivers and onto seashores, often polluting the potable sources of water. What is Rishi Sunak's 'Plan for Water'? The plan is aimed at cleaning Britain's sources of potable water and ensuring a "plentiful supply for the future". It follows months of criticism over the release of untreated wastewater into Britain's waterways. Last year, it led to the closure of some beaches at the height of one of the hottest seasons witnessed by people in the UK. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government is faced with multiple newspaper campaigns and rising public anger over the issue. ALSO READ | Eating, drinking and breathing for years: Scientists find microplastics everywhere Under the plan, the government will seek more investment from water companies and firm commitments to protect natural waters alongside stronger regulation. The government will also ban wet wipes containing plastic which often block sewers when flushed down the toilet. UK's 'Plan for Water': Political tussle follows While announcing the new plan in a speech in London, the UK Environment Secretary Therese Coffey vowed to "coordinate community by community on how to tackle pollution from every source". "There will be nowhere to hide for those who continue to pollute our rivers, with support for those who want to do the right thing," she said. In many parts of Britain, the sewage system installed belongs to the centuries-old Victorian era. Coffey cautioned that there would be no quick fix to re-plumb the entire sewage system. ALSO WATCH | Plastic wet wipes ban planned in England | WION Climate Tracker × "Achieving the gold standard for ecological status would mean taking us back to the natural state of our rivers from the year 1840," she said. "That is neither practical nor desirable in many circumstances." The principal opposition Labour party has accused the government of lacking new measures to tackle years of water pollution. "This announcement is nothing more than a shuffling of the deck chairs and a reheating of old, failed measures that simply give the green light for sewage dumping to continue for decades to come," said Jim McMahon, Labour environment spokesman. "This is the third sham of a Tory water plan since the summer. There's nothing in it that tells us how, if or when they will end the Tory sewage scandal." 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.

Rishi Sunak's 'Plan for Water' to ban plastic wet wipes in Britain

<p>Donald Trump now holds the&nbsp;distinction of being the only former US President to face criminal charges over alleged hush money payments worth $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels. The Statement of Facts released by a New York court&nbsp;says that Trump "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential elections".</p>

<p>Trump is accused of paying Daniels through a shell company in lieu of her staying mum about their affair, which by official accounts, was at its prime in 2006.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The aforementioned revelations became public after Trump appeared at a New York courtroom days after he was indicted in the hush money payments row.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-seas-for-donald-trump-why-he-is-in-trouble-and-whats-the-case-about-578933">Explained | Stormy seas for Donald Trump: Why he is in trouble and what's the case about</a></strong></p>

<p>Trump is now facing the due procedure of law in the United States which his supporters deem as a "Democrat smear campaign". Even now Trump is seen as a Republican front-runner for the 2024 US presidential elections. But at his zenith, Trump's faith in being unreachable by the court of law was even more unshakable.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the reality TV series&nbsp;<em>The Apprentice</em>,<em>&nbsp;</em>which Trump hosted, in one particular exchange with American pop personality Howard Stern, the former US president reportedly engaged in "the kind of proudly sexist banter that Trump used as a bonding ritual with other men".</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Donald Trump walks into New York courthouse to be arrested</strong></p>

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<p>According to journalist Maggie Haberman's book <i>Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America,</i>&nbsp;Trump talked with Stern about how much he loved sex, the number of partners he had at a single time, the way he liked to wander backstage at his beauty pageants while the contestants were getting dressed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You see these incredible looking women, and so, I sort of get away with things like that," Trump is quoted to have said of his behaviour at the pageants, in the ninth chapter of Haberman's book, titled <em>Asphalt Survivor</em>.&nbsp;</p>

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Donald Trump now holds the distinction of being the only former US President to face criminal charges over alleged hush money payments worth $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Donald Trump now holds the distinction of being the only former US President to face criminal charges over alleged hush money payments worth $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels. The Statement of Facts released by a New York court says that Trump "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential elections". Trump is accused of paying Daniels through a shell company in lieu of her staying mum about their affair, which by official accounts, was at its prime in 2006. The aforementioned revelations became public after Trump appeared at a New York courtroom days after he was indicted in the hush money payments row. ALSO READ | Explained | Stormy seas for Donald Trump: Why he is in trouble and what's the case about Trump is now facing the due procedure of law in the United States which his supporters deem as a "Democrat smear campaign". Even now Trump is seen as a Republican front-runner for the 2024 US presidential elections. But at his zenith, Trump's faith in being unreachable by the court of law was even more unshakable. During the reality TV series The Apprentice, which Trump hosted, in one particular exchange with American pop personality Howard Stern, the former US president reportedly engaged in "the kind of proudly sexist banter that Trump used as a bonding ritual with other men". ALSO WATCH | Donald Trump walks into New York courthouse to be arrested × According to journalist Maggie Haberman's book Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America, Trump talked with Stern about how much he loved sex, the number of partners he had at a single time, the way he liked to wander backstage at his beauty pageants while the contestants were getting dressed. "You see these incredible looking women, and so, I sort of get away with things like that," Trump is quoted to have said of his behaviour at the pageants, in the ninth chapter of Haberman's book, titled Asphalt Survivor. 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.

'I sort of get away with things like that': When Trump claimed he was too powerful to be caught

<p>For Chicago mayoral elections 2023, the numbers are in and the verdict is out. Brandon Johnson, the Cook County Commissioner is the new Chicago mayor. Brandon Johnson defeated Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas to become the mayor of what is often depicted as an architecturally superior US city in the Illinois state. He managed to garner endorsements from the likes of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, which finally gave him the winning push to be the new Chicago mayor.</p>

<p>Johnson has a bachelor's degree in human services, Youth Development Programming, and Management and a master's degree in teaching from Aurora University.</p>

<h2><strong>Brandon Johnson new Chicago Mayor: How tables turned?</strong></h2>

<p>Johnson’s win to confirm his designation as Chicago Mayor comes a little over a month after he finished second in the first round of the mayoral polls. Having announced his candidacy in late October with support from Chicago Teachers Union, Johnson kept on garnering more support in the subsequent&nbsp;weeks.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lori-lightfoot-loses-re-election-bid-for-chicago-mayor-567132">Chicago Mayor Election Results 2023: Lori Lightfoot loses re-election bid</a></strong></p>

<p>He received little over 20 per cent votes in the first-round of the mayoral election but support from city progressives pushed him to victory in the final runoff. He benefited from support from the city's labour union as well.</p>

<p>Johnson stood above incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García in the first round of the mayoral election. Congressman Jesús endorsed him in the runoff.</p>

<h2><strong>Brandon Johnson new Chicago Mayor: Support from unions was crucial</strong></h2>

<p>In 2018, Johnson started off as an elected official after defeating former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin in the Democratic primary. He ran unopposed in the general election that year following which he was sworn-in as Cook County Commissioner in December 2018.</p>

<p>Johnson repeatedly invoked his own background as a public school teacher while putting himself against the then-Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was the chief sponsor of the Just Housing Ordinance, which amended the county's housing ordinance by prohibiting potential landlords or property owners from asking about or considering prospective tenants' or homebuyers' criminal history.</p>

<p>Johnson's name was first floated as a potential mayoral candidate during a 2019 strike. He however, dismissed it as mere rumours.</p>

<h2><strong>Brandon Johnson: About new Chicago Mayor’s career and family</strong></h2>

<p>Raised as a foster child by pastor parents, Johnson grew up with nine siblings. He was a volunteer at his father's church, where he led the youth group and drove a church van. He married Stacie, whom he met at a religious event, at the age of 22.</p>

<p>According to Johnson's website, he began his career as a public school teacher at Jenner Academy in the Cabrini-Green neighbourhood of Chicago. He then taught at Westinghouse College Prep on the West Side of the city.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;6 dead, over 30 wounded in shooting at Chicago during July 4 parade</strong></p>

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<p>Johnson was also endorsed by the United Working Families and Service Employees International Union Local 73.</p>

<p>Johnson is an Austin resident, and lives with his wife and three children.</p>

<h2><strong>Brandon Johnson new Chicago mayor: Policies and objectives</strong></h2>

<p>Johnson has positioned himself to the political left. He advocates for less fares on public transport. He has also stood for a real estate transfer tax on the sale of multi-million dollar homes.</p>

<p>According to his website, Johnson hopes to re-open the city's mental health clinics. He has campaigned for increased investment in all year-round youth employment.</p>

<p>On Johnson's campaign website, he expresses his opposition to raising property taxes while supporting an efficiency review of the city government to identify areas in which spending is higher than deemed necessary.</p>

<p>In a policy of "tax fairness", Johnson proposes a "Big Business Head Tax" on large companies who perform 50 per cent or more of their work in Chicago. He has also called for instituting a $98 million jet fuel tax on airlines.</p>

<p>Rideshare Living Wage ordinance is another notable policy objective put forward by Johnson. It is aimed to protect gig workers including the rideshare and delivery app drivers.</p>

<p>On transportation, Johnson proposes reduced or eliminated fare for some on the CTA while expanding access and reliability to the system. To help with safety issues, Johnson proposes to have mental health professionals and housing advocates ready to provide resources to those dealing with a crisis while using public transit.</p>

<p>He has also advocated for a wide expansion of the city's bicycle lane and pedestrian walkway system.</p>

<p>Johnson's campaign advocates for expanded service in evening hours and greater resources from mental health professionals and housing advocates.</p>

<p>Johnson has been criticised for indicating support in the past for "defunding the police".&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Brandon Johnson: Who all have endorsed the new Chicago Mayor</strong></h2>

<p>Within Chicago, Johnson won endorsements from two fellow first-round candidates, State Rep. Kam Buckner and Congressman Chuy Garcia. Additionally he won endorsements from City Council members Andre Vasquez, Michael Rodriguez and Jason Ervin.</p>

<p>Nationally, Johnson's platform attracted endorsements from Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. He also garnered support from Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Jim Clyburn and Martin Luther King III.</p>

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For Chicago mayoral elections 2023, the numbers are in and the verdict is out. Brandon Johnson, the Cook County Commissioner is the new Chicago mayor. Brandon Johnson defeated Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas to become the mayor of what is often depicted as an architecturally superior US city in the Illinois state.

For Chicago mayoral elections 2023, the numbers are in and the verdict is out. Brandon Johnson, the Cook County Commissioner is the new Chicago mayor. Brandon Johnson defeated Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas to become the mayor of what is often depicted as an architecturally superior US city in the Illinois state. He managed to garner endorsements from the likes of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, which finally gave him the winning push to be the new Chicago mayor. Johnson has a bachelor's degree in human services, Youth Development Programming, and Management and a master's degree in teaching from Aurora University. Brandon Johnson new Chicago Mayor: How tables turned? Johnson’s win to confirm his designation as Chicago Mayor comes a little over a month after he finished second in the first round of the mayoral polls. Having announced his candidacy in late October with support from Chicago Teachers Union, Johnson kept on garnering more support in the subsequent weeks. ALSO READ | Chicago Mayor Election Results 2023: Lori Lightfoot loses re-election bid He received little over 20 per cent votes in the first-round of the mayoral election but support from city progressives pushed him to victory in the final runoff. He benefited from support from the city's labour union as well. Johnson stood above incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García in the first round of the mayoral election. Congressman Jesús endorsed him in the runoff. Brandon Johnson new Chicago Mayor: Support from unions was crucial In 2018, Johnson started off as an elected official after defeating former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin in the Democratic primary. He ran unopposed in the general election that year following which he was sworn-in as Cook County Commissioner in December 2018. Johnson repeatedly invoked his own background as a public school teacher while putting himself against the then-Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot. He was the chief sponsor of the Just Housing Ordinance, which amended the county's housing ordinance by prohibiting potential landlords or property owners from asking about or considering prospective tenants' or homebuyers' criminal history. Johnson's name was first floated as a potential mayoral candidate during a 2019 strike. He however, dismissed it as mere rumours. Brandon Johnson: About new Chicago Mayor’s career and family Raised as a foster child by pastor parents, Johnson grew up with nine siblings. He was a volunteer at his father's church, where he led the youth group and drove a church van. He married Stacie, whom he met at a religious event, at the age of 22. According to Johnson's website, he began his career as a public school teacher at Jenner Academy in the Cabrini-Green neighbourhood of Chicago. He then taught at Westinghouse College Prep on the West Side of the city. ALSO WATCH | 6 dead, over 30 wounded in shooting at Chicago during July 4 parade × Johnson was also endorsed by the United Working Families and Service Employees International Union Local 73. Johnson is an Austin resident, and lives with his wife and three children. Brandon Johnson new Chicago mayor: Policies and objectives Johnson has positioned himself to the political left. He advocates for less fares on public transport. He has also stood for a real estate transfer tax on the sale of multi-million dollar homes. According to his website, Johnson hopes to re-open the city's mental health clinics. He has campaigned for increased investment in all year-round youth employment. On Johnson's campaign website, he expresses his opposition to raising property taxes while supporting an efficiency review of the city government to identify areas in which spending is higher than deemed necessary. In a policy of "tax fairness", Johnson proposes a "Big Business Head Tax" on large companies who perform 50 per cent or more of their work in Chicago. He has also called for instituting a $98 million jet fuel tax on airlines. Rideshare Living Wage ordinance is another notable policy objective put forward by Johnson. It is aimed to protect gig workers including the rideshare and delivery app drivers. On transportation, Johnson proposes reduced or eliminated fare for some on the CTA while expanding access and reliability to the system. To help with safety issues, Johnson proposes to have mental health professionals and housing advocates ready to provide resources to those dealing with a crisis while using public transit. He has also advocated for a wide expansion of the city's bicycle lane and pedestrian walkway system. Johnson's campaign advocates for expanded service in evening hours and greater resources from mental health professionals and housing advocates. Johnson has been criticised for indicating support in the past for "defunding the police". Brandon Johnson: Who all have endorsed the new Chicago Mayor Within Chicago, Johnson won endorsements from two fellow first-round candidates, State Rep. Kam Buckner and Congressman Chuy Garcia. Additionally he won endorsements from City Council members Andre Vasquez, Michael Rodriguez and Jason Ervin. Nationally, Johnson's platform attracted endorsements from Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. He also garnered support from Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Jim Clyburn and Martin Luther King III. 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 | Who is Brandon Johnson, the new Chicago Mayor endorsed by Bernie Sanders?

<p>Elon Musk's Twitter has been accused of illegally laying off contract workers without notice, in the sixth lawsuit the social media company is facing for allegedly violating labour laws at San Francisco federal court. The lawsuit stems from a series of cost-cutting methods brought about by Twitter soon after billionaire business magnate Elon Musk took over as the company's new owner.</p>

<p>The proposed class action claims that Twitter in November last year laid off several workers employed by staffing firm TEKsystems Inc. without the 60-day advance notice mandated by United States&nbsp;and California law.</p>

<p>Other cases pending against Twitter include lawsuits accusing the social media company of targeting female workers during&nbsp;layoffs and discriminating against employees with disabilities. Twitter has denied any wrongdoing.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-layoffs-impact-at-least-50-of-employees-reassures-content-moderation-amid-speculations-531333">Twitter layoffs impact at least 50% of employees, reassures content moderation amid speculations</a></strong></p>

<p>Twitter laid off about 3,700 employees, translating to about half its workforce in November 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Musk paid $44 billion to acquire the social media platform. After Musk's takeover of the platform, hundreds more employees subsequently resigned.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Elon Musk takes U-turn on layoffs at Twitter, to cut 50 more jobs | WION Pulse | English News</strong></p>

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<p>Shannon Liss-Riordan, who represents the plaintiffs in all of the cases, told Reuters in an email: "While Elon Musk seems to think he's saving the company money by avoiding these obligations, we plan to show him that not meeting his responsibilities can be a lot more costly."</p>

<p>Liss-Riordan said she also has filed complaints in private arbitration on behalf of more than 1,700 former Twitter employees and contractors who signed agreements to arbitrate legal disputes. She claimed that workers employed by TEKsystems did not sign arbitration agreements.</p>

<p>Liss-Riordan also represents workers who have filed complaints against Twitter with a US&nbsp;labour board claiming they were fired for criticising the company, attempting to organise a strike and other conduct protected by the US federal labour law.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Elon Musk's Twitter has been accused of illegally laying off contract workers without notice, in the sixth lawsuit the social media company is facing for allegedly violating labour laws at San Francisco federal court.

Elon Musk's Twitter has been accused of illegally laying off contract workers without notice, in the sixth lawsuit the social media company is facing for allegedly violating labour laws at San Francisco federal court. The lawsuit stems from a series of cost-cutting methods brought about by Twitter soon after billionaire business magnate Elon Musk took over as the company's new owner. The proposed class action claims that Twitter in November last year laid off several workers employed by staffing firm TEKsystems Inc. without the 60-day advance notice mandated by United States and California law. Other cases pending against Twitter include lawsuits accusing the social media company of targeting female workers during layoffs and discriminating against employees with disabilities. Twitter has denied any wrongdoing. ALSO READ | Twitter layoffs impact at least 50% of employees, reassures content moderation amid speculations Twitter laid off about 3,700 employees, translating to about half its workforce in November 2023. Musk paid $44 billion to acquire the social media platform. After Musk's takeover of the platform, hundreds more employees subsequently resigned. ALSO WATCH | Elon Musk takes U-turn on layoffs at Twitter, to cut 50 more jobs | WION Pulse | English News × Shannon Liss-Riordan, who represents the plaintiffs in all of the cases, told Reuters in an email: "While Elon Musk seems to think he's saving the company money by avoiding these obligations, we plan to show him that not meeting his responsibilities can be a lot more costly." Liss-Riordan said she also has filed complaints in private arbitration on behalf of more than 1,700 former Twitter employees and contractors who signed agreements to arbitrate legal disputes. She claimed that workers employed by TEKsystems did not sign arbitration agreements. Liss-Riordan also represents workers who have filed complaints against Twitter with a US labour board claiming they were fired for criticising the company, attempting to organise a strike and other conduct protected by the US federal labour law. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Lawsuit after lawsuit! Elon Musk's Twitter accused of illegal layoffs

<p>Researchers in Britain are developing a testosterone hormone patch aimed at helping women combat menopause-related symptoms. If successful, this would be a world first breakthrough that could help women have access to a hormone which is widely available to men.</p>

<p>The patch is being developed to help boost the libido of women with symptoms of menopause, according to news reports.</p>

<p>The testosterone production in women drops drastically post-menopause. This causes issues such as loss of libido, impaired focus, tiredness and headaches.</p>

<p>There are a number of testosterone replacement therapies available to men around the world. But a few that are available to women are in the form of creams and gels, which are tough to dose properly and can rub off on clothing, surfaces and materials.</p>

<h2><strong>Testosterone patches for women: Who is making it?</strong></h2>

<p>The testosterone patches for women are being developed by British company Medherant, founded by David Haddleton, a chemist at England’s University of Warwick.</p>

<p>The company reportedly plans to start clinical trials after testing the patch’s effect on libido in the coming months.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/data-lab-a-wake-up-call-one-woman-dies-every-2-minutes-in-pregnancy-childbirth-un-566606">Data Lab | A wake-up call: One woman dies every 2 minutes in pregnancy, childbirth: UN</a></strong></p>

<p>If the trials are successful and the patch is approved by regulators, it could be the first and only testosterone replacement patch available to women worldwide.</p>

<p><b>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;'Women of childbearing age shouldn't drink': WHO</b></p>

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<p>Haddleton said the impact of the patch on women’s wellbeing could be "huge,"&nbsp;adding that they could potentially "remove needless misery from women’s daily lives."</p>

<p>The company has raised $3.7 million (£3 million) to fund its trials testing the patch.</p>

<h2><strong>Testosterone patches for women: Why is it important?</strong></h2>

<p>Women around the world are often prescribed the products approved for men "off-label". The lack of a product with specific formulation for women has often been felt. The product-under-testing reportedly aims to fill this exact gap.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Researchers in Britain are developing a testosterone hormone patch aimed at helping women combat menopause-related symptoms. If successful, this would be a world first breakthrough that could help women have access to a hormone which is widely available to men.

Researchers in Britain are developing a testosterone hormone patch aimed at helping women combat menopause-related symptoms. If successful, this would be a world first breakthrough that could help women have access to a hormone which is widely available to men. The patch is being developed to help boost the libido of women with symptoms of menopause, according to news reports. The testosterone production in women drops drastically post-menopause. This causes issues such as loss of libido, impaired focus, tiredness and headaches. There are a number of testosterone replacement therapies available to men around the world. But a few that are available to women are in the form of creams and gels, which are tough to dose properly and can rub off on clothing, surfaces and materials. Testosterone patches for women: Who is making it? The testosterone patches for women are being developed by British company Medherant, founded by David Haddleton, a chemist at England’s University of Warwick. The company reportedly plans to start clinical trials after testing the patch’s effect on libido in the coming months. ALSO READ | Data Lab | A wake-up call: One woman dies every 2 minutes in pregnancy, childbirth: UN If the trials are successful and the patch is approved by regulators, it could be the first and only testosterone replacement patch available to women worldwide. ALSO WATCH | 'Women of childbearing age shouldn't drink': WHO × Haddleton said the impact of the patch on women’s wellbeing could be "huge," adding that they could potentially "remove needless misery from women’s daily lives." The company has raised $3.7 million (£3 million) to fund its trials testing the patch. Testosterone patches for women: Why is it important? Women around the world are often prescribed the products approved for men "off-label". The lack of a product with specific formulation for women has often been felt. The product-under-testing reportedly aims to fill this exact gap. 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.

Scientists close to developing testosterone patches to help women combat menopause-related issues

<p>Christina Koch has been named the mission specialist of NASA's Artemis III mission, whose success will designate her as the first woman to walk on the Moon. In the annals of recorded human history, Koch may potentially have a pre-fixture of herself whose walk down the lunar surface will leap across the gender barriers over five decades after a human first walked on the Moon. That first walk has often been criticised for being exclusionary because the phrase which came to define its success had men of one race becoming synonymous with humankind: 'One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.'</p>

<p>But as a leap for humankind in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-moon-landing-sites-for-artemis-iii-mission-what-are-they-508583">2025</a>, NASA's Artemis-III will put the first woman (Christina Koch) and the first person of colour Victor Glover) on the Moon.&nbsp;<img alt="Christina Koch with Victor Glover, who will be the first man of colour on Moon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d8e2834-6535-4fea-a39e-8be6b972152f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2817%29_39.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>Christina Koch with Victor Glover, who will be the first man of colour on Moon | @Astro_Christina/Twitter</em></p>

<p>A NASA astronaut of the Class of 2013, Koch was born in Michigan and raised in North Carolina. She graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, and then enrolled at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, from which she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees, in electrical engineering and physics (2001), and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering (2002). In December 2020, Koch was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sciences degree from her alma mater, North Carolina State University.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-nasa-to-unveil-artemis-2-astronauts-heres-all-about-the-moon-mission-578664">Explained: NASA unveils Artemis 2 astronauts. Here's all about the moon mission</a></strong></p>

<p>Christina is also one of the two women-ever to have completed an all-female spacewalk along with another astronaut Jessica Meir in October 2019.</p>

<p>"Men’s physiology, perspectives, values, measurements, comfort and ambitions have mostly been the default template for designing major human endeavours," Mae Jemison, a former NASA astronaut, and the first African-American woman in space wrote in TIME magazine in a joint profile of Koch and Meir.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years</strong></p>

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<p>Christina Koch has spent 328 consecutive days in microgravity in 2019 and 2020, setting the record for the longest duration in space for a woman during a single mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During that time, she worked on hundreds of experiments, including studies of protein crystals and plants in space. She participated in a number of studies to support future exploration missions, including research into how the human body adjusts to weightlessness, isolation, radiation, and the stress of long-duration spaceflight, according to a NASA statement.</p>

<p>Koch has also served as station chief of the American Samoa Observatory and has contributed to the development of instruments used to study radiation particles for the Juno mission and the Van Allen Probe.</p>

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Christina Koch has been named the mission specialist of NASA's Artemis III mission, whose success will designate her as the first woman to walk on the Moon. In the annals of recorded human history, Koch may potentially have a pre-fixture of herself whose walk down the lunar surface will leap across the gender barriers over five decades after a human first walked on the Moon.

Christina Koch has been named the mission specialist of NASA's Artemis III mission, whose success will designate her as the first woman to walk on the Moon. In the annals of recorded human history, Koch may potentially have a pre-fixture of herself whose walk down the lunar surface will leap across the gender barriers over five decades after a human first walked on the Moon. That first walk has often been criticised for being exclusionary because the phrase which came to define its success had men of one race becoming synonymous with humankind: 'One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.' But as a leap for humankind in 2025, NASA's Artemis-III will put the first woman (Christina Koch) and the first person of colour Victor Glover) on the Moon. Christina Koch with Victor Glover, who will be the first man of colour on Moon | @Astro_Christina/Twitter A NASA astronaut of the Class of 2013, Koch was born in Michigan and raised in North Carolina. She graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, and then enrolled at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, from which she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees, in electrical engineering and physics (2001), and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering (2002). In December 2020, Koch was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sciences degree from her alma mater, North Carolina State University. ALSO READ | Explained: NASA unveils Artemis 2 astronauts. Here's all about the moon mission Christina is also one of the two women-ever to have completed an all-female spacewalk along with another astronaut Jessica Meir in October 2019. "Men’s physiology, perspectives, values, measurements, comfort and ambitions have mostly been the default template for designing major human endeavours," Mae Jemison, a former NASA astronaut, and the first African-American woman in space wrote in TIME magazine in a joint profile of Koch and Meir. ALSO WATCH | Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years × Christina Koch has spent 328 consecutive days in microgravity in 2019 and 2020, setting the record for the longest duration in space for a woman during a single mission. During that time, she worked on hundreds of experiments, including studies of protein crystals and plants in space. She participated in a number of studies to support future exploration missions, including research into how the human body adjusts to weightlessness, isolation, radiation, and the stress of long-duration spaceflight, according to a NASA statement. Koch has also served as station chief of the American Samoa Observatory and has contributed to the development of instruments used to study radiation particles for the Juno mission and the Van Allen Probe. 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.

Who is Christina Koch? NASA astronaut set for womankind's giant leap

<p>Apple has followed South Korea's homegrown smartphone giant Samsung's footsteps in bringing-in a K-pop factor into its promotional strategies to align with entertainment-related gravitation of the South Korean people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The company enlisted a K-pop girl band NewJeans to promote its fifth store in capital Seoul's posh Gangnam district.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last week, Apple reportedly set up a pop-up studio inside the new store. Visitors could listen to an exclusive spatial audio recording of NewJeans' song 'OMG', which approaches 360-degree sound by modulating the music to the movement of a device.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Cupertino, California-based giant is stepping up its efforts to enhance its market footprint in Southeast Asian nations. Last month, the company launched its Apple Pay service in South Korea. The company has plans to set up its retail outlets in India, and is reportedly hiring workforce for its first Apple store in Malaysia.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Apple's iPhone exports from India surpass $2.5 billion</strong></p>

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<p>Apple now has a retail team of nearly 800 on the ground in South Korea, according to Patrick Schuerpf, director of Apple’s retail business in Asia, Bloomberg reported.</p>

<p>Local reports in Korean media suggest that Apple may soon open its sixth store in Seoul, following which the company will have more of its stores in the South Korean capital than Tokyo.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-supplier-snubs-china-as-talks-move-for-second-india-factory-575629">Apple supplier Pegatron veers away from China, in talks to open second unit in India</a></strong></p>

<p>Apple’s use of the K-pop band NewJeans, which is backed by Hybe Co.’s label ADOR, is a strategy similar to that of Samsung.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Samsung has a BTS edition smartphone. Similar strategies have been opted by Hyundai as well as luxury brands Chanel and Dior.&nbsp;Such artist collaborations often go viral online and fuel demand from loyal fans.</p>

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Apple has followed South Korea's homegrown smartphone giant Samsung's footsteps in bringing-in a K-pop factor into its promotional strategies to align with entertainment-related gravitation of the South Korean people.

Apple has followed South Korea's homegrown smartphone giant Samsung's footsteps in bringing-in a K-pop factor into its promotional strategies to align with entertainment-related gravitation of the South Korean people. The company enlisted a K-pop girl band NewJeans to promote its fifth store in capital Seoul's posh Gangnam district. Last week, Apple reportedly set up a pop-up studio inside the new store. Visitors could listen to an exclusive spatial audio recording of NewJeans' song 'OMG', which approaches 360-degree sound by modulating the music to the movement of a device. The Cupertino, California-based giant is stepping up its efforts to enhance its market footprint in Southeast Asian nations. Last month, the company launched its Apple Pay service in South Korea. The company has plans to set up its retail outlets in India, and is reportedly hiring workforce for its first Apple store in Malaysia. ALSO WATCH | Apple's iPhone exports from India surpass $2.5 billion × Apple now has a retail team of nearly 800 on the ground in South Korea, according to Patrick Schuerpf, director of Apple’s retail business in Asia, Bloomberg reported. Local reports in Korean media suggest that Apple may soon open its sixth store in Seoul, following which the company will have more of its stores in the South Korean capital than Tokyo. ALSO READ | Apple supplier Pegatron veers away from China, in talks to open second unit in India Apple’s use of the K-pop band NewJeans, which is backed by Hybe Co.’s label ADOR, is a strategy similar to that of Samsung. Samsung has a BTS edition smartphone. Similar strategies have been opted by Hyundai as well as luxury brands Chanel and Dior. Such artist collaborations often go viral online and fuel demand from loyal fans. 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.

Apple's 'OMG' moment in South Korea is peppered by K-Pop

<p>Nearly 1.5 million Japanese people of working age are keeping a solitary living, that is they are living as social loners. The revelations related to the reclusive sense of being of young Japanese people came in a government survey and showed increasingly thinning demographic realities of Japan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People who avoid social contact are called Hikikomori in Japan. Hikikomori account for 2 per cent of people aged 15-62, the survey found.</p>

<h2><strong>Relationship issues, career woes: Why Japanese are choosing social isolation?</strong></h2>

<p>The government survey said that large number of Hikikomori started stepping back from mainstream society due to relationship issues and after losing or leaving their jobs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A fifth of the surveyed people said that their self-isolation&nbsp;sense of being came from changes in lifestyle due to Covid pandemic.</p>

<p>The cabinet office surveyed 30,000 people between the ages of 10 and 69 across Japan last November. The poll found that just over a fifth of respondents aged 15-39 had been socially isolated from six months to less than a year. More than 20 per cent said they had experienced problems with interpersonal relationships, while just over 18 per cent cited the pandemic.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-naked-hermit-who-spent-around-30-years-on-tropical-island-alone-returns-for-final-farewell-493161">Japan’s ‘naked hermit’ who spent around 30 years on tropical island alone returns for final farewell</a></strong></p>

<p>Among people in the 40-64 age range, 44.5 per cent said their behaviour had been triggered by leaving their jobs, followed by 20.6 per cent who cited the pandemic.</p>

<p>Recognising the challenge of increasing social isolation among youngsters, some local authorities have stepped up.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Japan represents the epitome of honesty</strong></p>

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<p>Edogawa, a ward in Tokyo, said that it will hold metaverse socialising events from June to give hikikomori the opportunity to meet people via their avatars.</p>

<p>The ward is reportedly home to more than 9,000 people, including students who have stopped attending classes, some of whom describe themselves as hikikomori.</p>

<p>"We don’t think everything will be solved just because we offer a metaverse. It’ll probably be helpful for some people," the ward’s mayor, Takeshi Saito, told the Mainichi Shimbun. "We are targeting those who can’t leave their rooms and haven’t been interacting with other people. We want to help them take a step forward."</p>

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Nearly 1.5 million Japanese people of working age are keeping a solitary living, that is they are living as social loners. The revelations related to the reclusive sense of being of young Japanese people came in a government survey and showed increasingly thinning demographic realities of Japan.

Nearly 1.5 million Japanese people of working age are keeping a solitary living, that is they are living as social loners. The revelations related to the reclusive sense of being of young Japanese people came in a government survey and showed increasingly thinning demographic realities of Japan. People who avoid social contact are called Hikikomori in Japan. Hikikomori account for 2 per cent of people aged 15-62, the survey found. Relationship issues, career woes: Why Japanese are choosing social isolation? The government survey said that large number of Hikikomori started stepping back from mainstream society due to relationship issues and after losing or leaving their jobs. A fifth of the surveyed people said that their self-isolation sense of being came from changes in lifestyle due to Covid pandemic. The cabinet office surveyed 30,000 people between the ages of 10 and 69 across Japan last November. The poll found that just over a fifth of respondents aged 15-39 had been socially isolated from six months to less than a year. More than 20 per cent said they had experienced problems with interpersonal relationships, while just over 18 per cent cited the pandemic. ALSO READ | Japan’s ‘naked hermit’ who spent around 30 years on tropical island alone returns for final farewell Among people in the 40-64 age range, 44.5 per cent said their behaviour had been triggered by leaving their jobs, followed by 20.6 per cent who cited the pandemic. Recognising the challenge of increasing social isolation among youngsters, some local authorities have stepped up. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Japan represents the epitome of honesty × Edogawa, a ward in Tokyo, said that it will hold metaverse socialising events from June to give hikikomori the opportunity to meet people via their avatars. The ward is reportedly home to more than 9,000 people, including students who have stopped attending classes, some of whom describe themselves as hikikomori. "We don’t think everything will be solved just because we offer a metaverse. It’ll probably be helpful for some people," the ward’s mayor, Takeshi Saito, told the Mainichi Shimbun. "We are targeting those who can’t leave their rooms and haven’t been interacting with other people. We want to help them take a step forward." 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.

Japan's loneliness crisis has nearly 1.5 million social loners

<p>The dominance of US dollar in global trade is facing a significant challenge as emerging global economies, such as China and India, step forward to trade in their own currencies. Besides, countries either seen as aligned or neutral by the West in terms of the ongoing Russian offensive in Ukraine, are increasingly banding together to focus on mutual global finance.</p>

<h2><strong>BRICS currency to challenge US dollar's dominance?</strong></h2>

<p>The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries are reportedly exploring the creation of a common currency for trade amongst themselves. A new financial arrangement, seen with a potential to translate into a common BRICS currency, could be announced as soon as in August 2023 at the forthcoming BRICS summit in South Africa.</p>

<p>While speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum event in New Delhi, India, last week, Alexander Babakov, the deputy chairman of Russian parliament the State Duma, 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. The potential introduction of a common BRICS currency is significant given the bilateral differences between India and China due to ongoing military standoff along the Line of Actual Control between the two Asian giants.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Babakov pointed out that the BRICS leaders summit will reveal a preparedness to implement this particular initiative, with work on the project ongoing, Russian news agency Sputnik reported.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: India pushes for trade in rupee</strong></p>

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<p>"The US dollar plays a far too dominant role in global finance," Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. chief economist who coined the acronym BRIC, wrote in a paper published in the Global Policy journal last month.</p>

<p>"Whenever the Federal Reserve Board has embarked on periods of monetary tightening, or the opposite, loosening, the consequences on the value of the dollar and the knock-on effects have been dramatic."</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>

<h2><strong>India, China march forward to internationalise their currencies</strong></h2>

<p>India has been making consistent efforts to replace the dollar with rupee as global reserve currency. New Delhi is offering countries facing dollar shortage to settle their trade payments in Indian rupee. The country aims to “disaster proof” countries in its immediate neighbourhood and the one with which it shares significant trade volumes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rupee-and-taka-to-replace-dollar-as-currency-of-exchange-between-india-bangladesh-568558">Rupee and Taka to replace Dollar as currency of exchange between India, Bangladesh</a></strong></p>

<p>China set up its own commodity exchange in Shanghai – the Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE) in 2018 for oil deliveries from countries such as Iran, Venezuela and Russia. The contracts traded in INE are solely in the Chinese renminbi.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-to-use-indian-rupee-for-international-trade-543895">Sri Lanka to use Indian rupee for international trade, more countries aim to follow</a></strong></p>

<p>A potential deal between China and Saudi Arabia to settle trade transactions in renminbi may further push back the US dollar from the oil territory.</p>

<h2><strong>Why uproar against the US dollar's dominance in global trade?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This is because the US dollar, almost hegemonically, is a dominant force in global finance. This can be best illustrated by the US dollar's status in global oil trading. Most of the trade is denominated in the US dollars even when neither the barrels of crude (in terms of country of origin) nor the parties trading it have anything to do with it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Basel, Switzerland-based Bank for International Settlements, approximately half of global trade is invoiced in US dollars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This disproportionately large reliance on the US dollar is in spite of the United States accounting for just over a 10th of global trade.</p>

<p>The dollar’s dominance in global trade means the burden of dollar-denominated debt for other nations rises and falls with the exchange rate. This destabilises the economies of the countries with US monetary policy often playing a defining role than its own domestic decisions.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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The dominance of US dollar in global trade is facing a significant challenge as emerging global economies, such as China and India, step forward to trade in their own currencies.

The dominance of US dollar in global trade is facing a significant challenge as emerging global economies, such as China and India, step forward to trade in their own currencies. Besides, countries either seen as aligned or neutral by the West in terms of the ongoing Russian offensive in Ukraine, are increasingly banding together to focus on mutual global finance. BRICS currency to challenge US dollar's dominance? The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries are reportedly exploring the creation of a common currency for trade amongst themselves. A new financial arrangement, seen with a potential to translate into a common BRICS currency, could be announced as soon as in August 2023 at the forthcoming BRICS summit in South Africa. While speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum event in New Delhi, India, last week, Alexander Babakov, the deputy chairman of Russian parliament the State Duma, 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. The potential introduction of a common BRICS currency is significant given the bilateral differences between India and China due to ongoing military standoff along the Line of Actual Control between the two Asian giants. Babakov pointed out that the BRICS leaders summit will reveal a preparedness to implement this particular initiative, with work on the project ongoing, Russian news agency Sputnik reported. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: India pushes for trade in rupee × "The US dollar plays a far too dominant role in global finance," Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. chief economist who coined the acronym BRIC, wrote in a paper published in the Global Policy journal last month. "Whenever the Federal Reserve Board has embarked on periods of monetary tightening, or the opposite, loosening, the consequences on the value of the dollar and the knock-on effects have been dramatic." 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. India, China march forward to internationalise their currencies India has been making consistent efforts to replace the dollar with rupee as global reserve currency. New Delhi is offering countries facing dollar shortage to settle their trade payments in Indian rupee. The country aims to “disaster proof” countries in its immediate neighbourhood and the one with which it shares significant trade volumes. ALSO READ | Rupee and Taka to replace Dollar as currency of exchange between India, Bangladesh China set up its own commodity exchange in Shanghai – the Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE) in 2018 for oil deliveries from countries such as Iran, Venezuela and Russia. The contracts traded in INE are solely in the Chinese renminbi. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka to use Indian rupee for international trade, more countries aim to follow A potential deal between China and Saudi Arabia to settle trade transactions in renminbi may further push back the US dollar from the oil territory. Why uproar against the US dollar's dominance in global trade? This is because the US dollar, almost hegemonically, is a dominant force in global finance. This can be best illustrated by the US dollar's status in global oil trading. Most of the trade is denominated in the US dollars even when neither the barrels of crude (in terms of country of origin) nor the parties trading it have anything to do with it. According to Basel, Switzerland-based Bank for International Settlements, approximately half of global trade is invoiced in US dollars. This disproportionately large reliance on the US dollar is in spite of the United States accounting for just over a 10th of global trade. The dollar’s dominance in global trade means the burden of dollar-denominated debt for other nations rises and falls with the exchange rate. This destabilises the economies of the countries with US monetary policy often playing a defining role than its own domestic decisions. 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.

BRICS common currency soon? India, China step up to counter US dollar's dominance

<p>Twitter's fanciful blue ticks for legacy verified accounts remain intact despite Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk's announcement that the social media platform will begin winding down such ticks from April 1. Before billionaire business magnate Elon Musk took over Twitter, the social media platform used to selectively ascribe blue ticks to individuals and businesses of perceived significance after due verification. Such accounts were called legacy verified accounts.</p>

<p>Soon after Musk's takeover, the legacy verification process was replaced by Twitter Blue, a paid subscription service that anybody can subscribe for a price.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Musk has called the legacy blue ticks for verified profiles as 'corrupt' and 'nonsensical' in the past. On April 24, Twitter verified said in a tweet, "On April 1st, we will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks."</p>

<p>On December 22, 2022, while replying to a tweet describing legacy verified accounts as 'ruthless', Musk had teased the winding down of blue ticks for legacy Twitter accounts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"In a few months, we will remove all legacy blue checks. The way in which they were given out was corrupt and nonsensical," Musk had said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Twitter says it will remove all unpaid blue ticks from April 1</strong></p>

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<p>Twitter Blue offers the blue checkmark next to the users' profile name beside other features. In India, Twitter Blue costs ₹900 per month on iOS and Android devices and ₹650 on the web. Users can also buy an annual plan that comes with a 12 per cent discount. In other countries, the localised pricing for Twitter Blue starts at $8/month or $84/year.</p>

<h2><strong>Twitter legacy blue tick overhaul: New York Times' account no more a verified one</strong></h2>

<p>So far, Twitter has only removed the gold "verified" marker from the New York Times' account.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nyt-loses-twitter-verification-as-musk-launches-scathing-attack-on-publication-578382">NYT loses Twitter verification as Musk launches scathing attack on publication</a></strong></p>

<p>The CEO also bashed the news organisation as spreading "propaganda". In the morning, Musk targeted NYT in several tweets, saying, "The real tragedy of @NYTimes is that their propaganda isn't even interesting" and calling its main feed the "equivalent of diarrhoea" and "unreadable".&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the launch of the Twitter Blue subscription service, the organisations would have to pay a monthly fee of $1,000 (Rs 82,410) in the United States and $50 (Rs 4,120) for each extra affiliated account to keep the gold tick.</p>

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Twitter's fanciful blue ticks for legacy verified accounts remain intact despite Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk's announcement that the social media platform will begin winding down such ticks from April 1.

Twitter's fanciful blue ticks for legacy verified accounts remain intact despite Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk's announcement that the social media platform will begin winding down such ticks from April 1. Before billionaire business magnate Elon Musk took over Twitter, the social media platform used to selectively ascribe blue ticks to individuals and businesses of perceived significance after due verification. Such accounts were called legacy verified accounts. Soon after Musk's takeover, the legacy verification process was replaced by Twitter Blue, a paid subscription service that anybody can subscribe for a price. Musk has called the legacy blue ticks for verified profiles as 'corrupt' and 'nonsensical' in the past. On April 24, Twitter verified said in a tweet, "On April 1st, we will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks." On December 22, 2022, while replying to a tweet describing legacy verified accounts as 'ruthless', Musk had teased the winding down of blue ticks for legacy Twitter accounts. "In a few months, we will remove all legacy blue checks. The way in which they were given out was corrupt and nonsensical," Musk had said. ALSO WATCH | Twitter says it will remove all unpaid blue ticks from April 1 × Twitter Blue offers the blue checkmark next to the users' profile name beside other features. In India, Twitter Blue costs ₹900 per month on iOS and Android devices and ₹650 on the web. Users can also buy an annual plan that comes with a 12 per cent discount. In other countries, the localised pricing for Twitter Blue starts at $8/month or $84/year. Twitter legacy blue tick overhaul: New York Times' account no more a verified one So far, Twitter has only removed the gold "verified" marker from the New York Times' account. ALSO READ | NYT loses Twitter verification as Musk launches scathing attack on publication The CEO also bashed the news organisation as spreading "propaganda". In the morning, Musk targeted NYT in several tweets, saying, "The real tragedy of @NYTimes is that their propaganda isn't even interesting" and calling its main feed the "equivalent of diarrhoea" and "unreadable". After the launch of the Twitter Blue subscription service, the organisations would have to pay a monthly fee of $1,000 (Rs 82,410) in the United States and $50 (Rs 4,120) for each extra affiliated account to keep the gold tick. 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.

Twitter's 'nonsensical' legacy blue ticks up and running even after April 1 deadline

<p>An 83-year-old woman in Malaysia had to pay for a pufferfish delicacy with her life, while her husband continues to be under treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The incident reportedly took place in Johor province, whose territory begins about 280 km southeast of Kuala Lumpur.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The couple's daughter, Ng Ai Lee told a Malaysian media outlet that her father purchased the puffer fish from a local shop.</p>

<p>"My parents have been buying fish from the same fishmonger for many years, so my father did not think twice about it," Ng AI Lee was quoted as saying by the New York Post.</p>

<p>"He would not have knowingly bought something so deadly to eat and put their lives in danger," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The couple's daughter further said that she is prepared for the worst as far as her father's critical condition goes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I am prepared for the worst because the doctor told us that even if he is able to pull through the ordeal, he might not be the same any more, due to his old age," she added.</p>

<h2><strong>Malaysia pufferfish death: What happened?</strong></h2>

<p>According to Johor's health and unity committee chairman, Ling Tian Soon, shortly after the couple cleaned and cooked the fish for lunch, the woman, identified as Lim Siew Guan, started experiencing shivering sensations and breathing difficulties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her husband also began displaying similar symptoms about an hour later, it was reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The couple's son then rushed his parents to the hospital. But soon, his mother was pronounced dead by medical professionals.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/horrific-millions-of-dead-rotten-fish-wash-ashore-river-near-australian-town-573555">'Horrific': Millions of dead, rotten fish wash ashore river near Australian town</a></strong></p>

<p>"The 'cause of death' is given as 'food poisoning with neurological manifestation resulting in respiratory failure with cardiac dysrhythmia possibly due to ciguatera toxin or tetrodotoxin ingestion,' from the pufferfish," Ling Tian Soon said in an official statement.</p>

<p>The official added that no such cases of pufferfish consumption-related casualties were reported in Johor.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Millions of fish found floating in river in Australia</strong></p>

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<p>As a matter of precaution, all fish sold on that date was taken by the District Health Office (PDK) for analysis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The local administration urged people to be careful in choosing food especially if it has risks.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Pufferfish: Health risks</strong></h2>

<p>According to the US Food and Drug Administration, pufferfish, which is a popular Japanese delicacy, may contain the potent and deadly toxins tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin. These cannot be&nbsp;destroyed even by cooking or freezing.</p>

<p>Conventionally, only highly qualified chefs, who have been trained in how to remove these toxins, are allowed to serve the fish.&nbsp;</p>

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An 83-year-old woman in Malaysia had to pay for a pufferfish delicacy with her life, while her husband continues to be under treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

An 83-year-old woman in Malaysia had to pay for a pufferfish delicacy with her life, while her husband continues to be under treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The incident reportedly took place in Johor province, whose territory begins about 280 km southeast of Kuala Lumpur. The couple's daughter, Ng Ai Lee told a Malaysian media outlet that her father purchased the puffer fish from a local shop. "My parents have been buying fish from the same fishmonger for many years, so my father did not think twice about it," Ng AI Lee was quoted as saying by the New York Post. "He would not have knowingly bought something so deadly to eat and put their lives in danger," she added. The couple's daughter further said that she is prepared for the worst as far as her father's critical condition goes. "I am prepared for the worst because the doctor told us that even if he is able to pull through the ordeal, he might not be the same any more, due to his old age," she added. Malaysia pufferfish death: What happened? According to Johor's health and unity committee chairman, Ling Tian Soon, shortly after the couple cleaned and cooked the fish for lunch, the woman, identified as Lim Siew Guan, started experiencing shivering sensations and breathing difficulties. Her husband also began displaying similar symptoms about an hour later, it was reported. The couple's son then rushed his parents to the hospital. But soon, his mother was pronounced dead by medical professionals. ALSO READ | 'Horrific': Millions of dead, rotten fish wash ashore river near Australian town "The 'cause of death' is given as 'food poisoning with neurological manifestation resulting in respiratory failure with cardiac dysrhythmia possibly due to ciguatera toxin or tetrodotoxin ingestion,' from the pufferfish," Ling Tian Soon said in an official statement. The official added that no such cases of pufferfish consumption-related casualties were reported in Johor. ALSO WATCH | Millions of fish found floating in river in Australia × As a matter of precaution, all fish sold on that date was taken by the District Health Office (PDK) for analysis. The local administration urged people to be careful in choosing food especially if it has risks. Pufferfish: Health risks According to the US Food and Drug Administration, pufferfish, which is a popular Japanese delicacy, may contain the potent and deadly toxins tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin. These cannot be destroyed even by cooking or freezing. Conventionally, only highly qualified chefs, who have been trained in how to remove these toxins, are allowed to serve the fish. 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.

Malaysian woman dies, husband critical after consuming toxic pufferfish delicacy

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