A Moroccan internet user has been sentenced to five years in prison for sharing posts criticising the king on social media for normalising ties with Israel, news agency AFP reports cited his lawyer as saying.

Said Boukioud, 48, "was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for Facebook posts denouncing normalisation with Israel in a way that could be interpreted as criticism of the king", El Hassan Essouni said, adding that he has appealed.

Foreign affairs are the prerogative of the monarch, King Mohammed VI, under the country's constitution.

Both countries, Morocco and Israel normalised relations in December 2020 within the confines of the US-backed Abraham Accords.

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<h2>No intention to offend the king</h2>

The lawyer said that the Casablanca court's verdict "is harsh and incomprehensible".

He further added that even though his client expressed disavowal of ties with Israel, he had no intention whatsoever to offend the king in doing so.

The posts that were shared on the social media site Facebook were dated from the end of the year 2020 when Boukioud was living and working in Qatar.

He "deleted the posts and closed his account when he learned he was being prosecuted in Morocco", the lawyer said. 
&nbsp; 
Boukioud was sentenced under Article 267-5 of the penal code which specifies a prison term of between six months and two years for anyone who vandalises the monarchy.

However, his sentence can be increased to five years if an offence is committed publicly, including by electronic means.

Human rights activists say the law hinders freedom of expression, and its wording "does not specify exactly what might constitute an attack" on the monarchy.

In a speech on Saturday marking the anniversary of his accession to the throne in 1999, the king reiterated "Morocco's unwavering stance in support of the just Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people".

(With inputs from agencies)

 
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A Moroccan internet user has been sentenced to five years in prison for sharing posts criticising the king on social media for normalising ties with Israel, news agency AFP reports cited his lawyer as saying.

A Moroccan internet user has been sentenced to five years in prison for sharing posts criticising the king on social media for normalising ties with Israel, news agency AFP reports cited his lawyer as saying. Said Boukioud, 48, "was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for Facebook posts denouncing normalisation with Israel in a way that could be interpreted as criticism of the king", El Hassan Essouni said, adding that he has appealed. Foreign affairs are the prerogative of the monarch, King Mohammed VI, under the country's constitution. Both countries, Morocco and Israel normalised relations in December 2020 within the confines of the US-backed Abraham Accords. Also read: Watch: Biden spotted chilling at Delaware beach as Trump’s legal woes aggravate No intention to offend the king The lawyer said that the Casablanca court's verdict "is harsh and incomprehensible". He further added that even though his client expressed disavowal of ties with Israel, he had no intention whatsoever to offend the king in doing so. The posts that were shared on the social media site Facebook were dated from the end of the year 2020 when Boukioud was living and working in Qatar. He "deleted the posts and closed his account when he learned he was being prosecuted in Morocco", the lawyer said. Boukioud was sentenced under Article 267-5 of the penal code which specifies a prison term of between six months and two years for anyone who vandalises the monarchy. However, his sentence can be increased to five years if an offence is committed publicly, including by electronic means. Human rights activists say the law hinders freedom of expression, and its wording "does not specify exactly what might constitute an attack" on the monarchy. In a speech on Saturday marking the anniversary of his accession to the throne in 1999, the king reiterated "Morocco's unwavering stance in support of the just Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people". (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.

Moroccan internet user sentenced to 5 years in prison for criticising the king on Facebook

The GST Council on Wednesday decided to levy a 28 per cent GST on online gaming and casinos on the face value of bets at entry level, even though three states -- Delhi, Goa and Sikkim -- expressed dissent.

The Centre will bring amendments to the Central GST law in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, following which states will pass the amendments in their respective assemblies to pave way for introduction of changes in law by October 1.

"The valuation may be done based on the amount paid or payable or deposited with the supplier by or on behalf of the player, excluding the amount entered into games bets out of winnings of previous games and bets and not on the total value of each bets placed. Entry (level) whatever they pay to get chips and not what they pay in each game," finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

Giving an example, she said if a bet is placed for say Rs 1,000, and the player wins Rs 300, then if the player again places a bet of Rs 1,300, then GST will not be levied on the winning amount. 
 
A review of the taxation of online gaming and casinos will be undertaken after 6 months or around April 2024 to see if any change in rules is required.

Briefing reporters after the 51st GST Council meeting here, Sitharaman said for the purpose of GST levy, the valuation of supply of online gaming and casinos will be done based on the amount paid or deposited with the supplier, excluding the winning amount in the bet.

Revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra said that offshore gaming platforms will have to register themselves with the GST authorities.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/another-cheetah-found-dead-in-indias-kuno-national-park-as-furious-foreign-experts-move-to-top-court-621646">Another cheetah found dead in India's Kuno National Park as furious foreign experts move top court</a>

In case they do not follow the law, the government will invoke the provisions of the Information Technology Act to block those sites, Malhotra added.

The GST Council -- the highest decision making body of the new indirect tax regime that comprises Union finance minister and representatives of all states -- discussed the language of amendments that will be needed to enabling taxing of online gaming and casinos.

"We will undertake amendments to CGST Act at the earliest, in this session itself. From October 1, it will be implemented," Sitharaman said.

Malhotra said the amendments will specifically define online gaming, online money gaming, virtual digital assets used to pay for online games, and supplier in case of online gaming. 
Asked about the impact on the ongoing legal cases in case of online gaming, Malhotra said the decision of the GST Council is only clarificatory in nature as online gaming was always an actionable claim in the nature of betting and gambling on which 28 per cent GST is leviable.

The Council had at its meeting last month decided to levy a 28 per cent GST on full face value of bets placed and Wednesday's meeting was to deliberate on the tax law changes that would be required to implement it.

Sitharaman said Delhi finance minister opposed 28 per cent tax on online gaming and wanted the matter to go back to group of ministers. Goa and Sikkim, whose revenues come from casinos, said 28 per cent GST should be levied on GGR (gross gaming revenue) or platform fees and not on face value.

Sitharaman, however, said other states, including Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, wanted the decision taken at the Council meeting last month to be implemented at the earliest.

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The GST Council on Wednesday decided to levy a 28 per cent GST on online gaming and casinos on the face value of bets at entry level, even though three states -- Delhi, Goa and Sikkim -- expressed dissent.

The GST Council on Wednesday decided to levy a 28 per cent GST on online gaming and casinos on the face value of bets at entry level, even though three states -- Delhi, Goa and Sikkim -- expressed dissent. The Centre will bring amendments to the Central GST law in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, following which states will pass the amendments in their respective assemblies to pave way for introduction of changes in law by October 1. "The valuation may be done based on the amount paid or payable or deposited with the supplier by or on behalf of the player, excluding the amount entered into games bets out of winnings of previous games and bets and not on the total value of each bets placed. Entry (level) whatever they pay to get chips and not what they pay in each game," finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Giving an example, she said if a bet is placed for say Rs 1,000, and the player wins Rs 300, then if the player again places a bet of Rs 1,300, then GST will not be levied on the winning amount. A review of the taxation of online gaming and casinos will be undertaken after 6 months or around April 2024 to see if any change in rules is required. Briefing reporters after the 51st GST Council meeting here, Sitharaman said for the purpose of GST levy, the valuation of supply of online gaming and casinos will be done based on the amount paid or deposited with the supplier, excluding the winning amount in the bet. Revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra said that offshore gaming platforms will have to register themselves with the GST authorities. Also read: Another cheetah found dead in India's Kuno National Park as furious foreign experts move top court In case they do not follow the law, the government will invoke the provisions of the Information Technology Act to block those sites, Malhotra added. The GST Council -- the highest decision making body of the new indirect tax regime that comprises Union finance minister and representatives of all states -- discussed the language of amendments that will be needed to enabling taxing of online gaming and casinos. "We will undertake amendments to CGST Act at the earliest, in this session itself. From October 1, it will be implemented," Sitharaman said. Malhotra said the amendments will specifically define online gaming, online money gaming, virtual digital assets used to pay for online games, and supplier in case of online gaming. Asked about the impact on the ongoing legal cases in case of online gaming, Malhotra said the decision of the GST Council is only clarificatory in nature as online gaming was always an actionable claim in the nature of betting and gambling on which 28 per cent GST is leviable. The Council had at its meeting last month decided to levy a 28 per cent GST on full face value of bets placed and Wednesday's meeting was to deliberate on the tax law changes that would be required to implement it. Sitharaman said Delhi finance minister opposed 28 per cent tax on online gaming and wanted the matter to go back to group of ministers. Goa and Sikkim, whose revenues come from casinos, said 28 per cent GST should be levied on GGR (gross gaming revenue) or platform fees and not on face value. Sitharaman, however, said other states, including Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, wanted the decision taken at the Council meeting last month to be implemented at the earliest. 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.

India: 28 per cent GST on online gaming to stay; will be reviewed after 6 months of roll-out

A Muslim preacher in Indonesia was arrested on blasphemy and hate speech charges post his controversial Islamic boarding school incited protests after women were given permission to preach and pray beside men, the police released a statement saying on Wednesday.

The Al-Zaytun boarding school, located in West Java, which is the Muslim-majority nation's most populous province, has faced severe backlash from conservative groups that have condemned it for practising a version of Islam which is very different from the teachings of the Quran and incompatible with the holy book.

Indonesia's Islamic Clerical Council said some of Al-Zaytun's practices were a "wrong interpretation of the Quran". Earlier, in the month of June, it said it was probing the school for "misguided religious practices".

The head of the school, Panji Gumilang, aged 77, was detained early on Wednesday after being interrogated, national police spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan told reporters.

"Investigators took legal action... and he is detained in the criminal investigation agency's detention facility for 20 days," he said.

As per the charges, Gumilang faces five-year imprisonment for blasphemy, six for spreading hate speech and 10 on the charge of spreading fake news and deliberately causing chaos in public.

The school scintillated unrest in conservative circles and demonstrations outside its compound when social media footage in late April showed women praying in the same row as men.

Generally, women are expected to pray behind men in traditional Islamic prayer.

Another practice of the school that ignited controversy was allowing the women to give a sermon in Friday prayers. This task is typically reserved for men in traditional Islamic teaching.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-urges-europe-to-find-courageous-courses-of-peace-for-ukraine-as-he-arrives-in-portugal-621709">Pope Francis urges Europe to find 'courageous courses of peace' for Ukraine as he arrives in Portugal</a>

<h2>School accused of ties to Darul Islam</h2>

The school, which opened in the year 1999, is home to approximately 5,000 students and is also accused of ties to Darul Islam, a group that fought for an Islamic state in Indonesia in the 1950s and 1960s and survived a military defeat.

Previously, thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside the school several times since the month of June to call for its closure.

Andreas Harsono of Human Rights Watch said the Al-Zaytun case was the latest example of discrimination against minority views.

"If a Muslim cleric is accused of committing blasphemy against Islam for promoting women's rights, something must be terribly wrong with both Indonesia's blasphemy law and the mainstream (clerical) groups," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Muslim preacher in Indonesia was arrested on blasphemy and hate speech charges post his controversial Islamic boarding school incited protests after women were given permission to preach and pray beside men, the police released a statement saying on Wednesday.

A Muslim preacher in Indonesia was arrested on blasphemy and hate speech charges post his controversial Islamic boarding school incited protests after women were given permission to preach and pray beside men, the police released a statement saying on Wednesday. The Al-Zaytun boarding school, located in West Java, which is the Muslim-majority nation's most populous province, has faced severe backlash from conservative groups that have condemned it for practising a version of Islam which is very different from the teachings of the Quran and incompatible with the holy book. Indonesia's Islamic Clerical Council said some of Al-Zaytun's practices were a "wrong interpretation of the Quran". Earlier, in the month of June, it said it was probing the school for "misguided religious practices". The head of the school, Panji Gumilang, aged 77, was detained early on Wednesday after being interrogated, national police spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan told reporters. "Investigators took legal action... and he is detained in the criminal investigation agency's detention facility for 20 days," he said. As per the charges, Gumilang faces five-year imprisonment for blasphemy, six for spreading hate speech and 10 on the charge of spreading fake news and deliberately causing chaos in public. The school scintillated unrest in conservative circles and demonstrations outside its compound when social media footage in late April showed women praying in the same row as men. Generally, women are expected to pray behind men in traditional Islamic prayer. Another practice of the school that ignited controversy was allowing the women to give a sermon in Friday prayers. This task is typically reserved for men in traditional Islamic teaching. Also read: Pope Francis urges Europe to find 'courageous courses of peace' for Ukraine as he arrives in Portugal School accused of ties to Darul Islam The school, which opened in the year 1999, is home to approximately 5,000 students and is also accused of ties to Darul Islam, a group that fought for an Islamic state in Indonesia in the 1950s and 1960s and survived a military defeat. Previously, thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside the school several times since the month of June to call for its closure. Andreas Harsono of Human Rights Watch said the Al-Zaytun case was the latest example of discrimination against minority views. "If a Muslim cleric is accused of committing blasphemy against Islam for promoting women's rights, something must be terribly wrong with both Indonesia's blasphemy law and the mainstream (clerical) groups," he said. (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.

Indonesia arrests Muslim preacher on charges including blasphemy and hate speech

To what extent can you go to surprise the love of your life?&nbsp;

Serving major husband goals, a farmer from Kansas, USA, came up with a unique idea to surprise his wife Renee on their 50th wedding anniversary which falls on August 10.&nbsp;

Taking note of his wife's love for sunflowers, Lee Wilson decided to plant 80 acres of Mrs Wilson's favourite flower. He cultivated nearly 1.2 million sunflowers in his field, with approximately 15,000 flowers per acre in a heartwarming tribute to his love.&nbsp;

While talking about his grand gesture and the inception of the adorable idea to mark the momentous occasion, Lee said as he contemplated over thoughtful gifts to get his spouse, Renee, that could truly express his love for her, he recalled, "She always liked sunflowers, so, we planted her 80 acres of sunflowers."

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Lee said that he began planting the flowers with the help of his son in the month of May and the two managed to keep it a secret making sure it turns out to be a beautiful surprise for Renee.

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After first setting her eyes on the beautiful field of flowers, Renee said that she was deeply touched by the gesture and that this was the best anniversary present.&nbsp;

"It made me feel very special. It couldn't have been a more perfect anniversary gift than a field of sunflowers," she said, her eyes sparkling with emotion.

As per KAKE-TV reports, the two are high school sweethearts and had their first date at a roller skating party. “We met in high school. She couldn’t date until she was 16, and I called her on her 16th birthday and that’s when we started dating,” Lee said.

The sunflower field has begun to attract visitors, tourists from all corners of Kansas who come to capture picturesque moments amidst the breathtakingly beautiful flowers. 
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To what extent can you go to surprise the love of your life? Serving major husband goals, a farmer from Kansas, USA, came up with a unique idea to surprise his wife Renee on their 50th wedding anniversary which falls on August 10.

To what extent can you go to surprise the love of your life? Serving major husband goals, a farmer from Kansas, USA, came up with a unique idea to surprise his wife Renee on their 50th wedding anniversary which falls on August 10. Taking note of his wife's love for sunflowers, Lee Wilson decided to plant 80 acres of Mrs Wilson's favourite flower. He cultivated nearly 1.2 million sunflowers in his field, with approximately 15,000 flowers per acre in a heartwarming tribute to his love. While talking about his grand gesture and the inception of the adorable idea to mark the momentous occasion, Lee said as he contemplated over thoughtful gifts to get his spouse, Renee, that could truly express his love for her, he recalled, "She always liked sunflowers, so, we planted her 80 acres of sunflowers." × Lee said that he began planting the flowers with the help of his son in the month of May and the two managed to keep it a secret making sure it turns out to be a beautiful surprise for Renee. Also read: Beyond the stars: What is NASA's protocol for astronauts who die in space? After first setting her eyes on the beautiful field of flowers, Renee said that she was deeply touched by the gesture and that this was the best anniversary present. "It made me feel very special. It couldn't have been a more perfect anniversary gift than a field of sunflowers," she said, her eyes sparkling with emotion. As per KAKE-TV reports, the two are high school sweethearts and had their first date at a roller skating party. “We met in high school. She couldn’t date until she was 16, and I called her on her 16th birthday and that’s when we started dating,” Lee said. The sunflower field has begun to attract visitors, tourists from all corners of Kansas who come to capture picturesque moments amidst the breathtakingly beautiful flowers. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | US farmer plants around 1.2 million sunflowers to surprise wife on 50th wedding anniversary

Pope Francis, who is on a five-day visit to Portugal for a major Catholic youth event, on Wednesday, urged Europe to find "courageous courses of peace" to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Pope has constantly been advocating for peace in Ukraine and has repeatedly called for the warring nations to follow the diplomatic channels. He has strived to play a mediating role, though he has been denounced for not condemning Russia for the war.

"We are sailing amid storms on the ocean of history, and we sense the need for courageous courses of peace," he said in an address to officials and diplomats at Lisbon's riverside Belem Cultural Centre.

"With a deep love for Europe, and in the spirit of dialogue that distinguishes this continent, we might ask her: 'Where are you sailing, if you are not showing the world paths of peace, creative ways for bringing an end to the war in Ukraine'?"

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hezbollah-chief-urges-for-halt-to-deadly-clashes-at-palestinian-camp-in-lebanon-621525">Hezbollah chief urges for halt to deadly clashes at Palestinian camp in Lebanon</a>

<h2>Pope arrives in Portugal&nbsp;</h2>

Francis is on a five-day visit to Portugal, from August 2 to 6. During his visit, he will attend the World Youth Day global gathering which is a week-long celebration including religious, cultural and festive events and is held every three years in a different city. According to the Vatican, about 330,000 young people have registered and many more might attend. Meanwhile, Portuguese officials estimate that more than one million people are expected to take part.

On Monday, Prime Minister Antonio Costa called it “the biggest international event” Portugal has ever hosted.&nbsp;

This will be the first event&nbsp;in Portugal since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and&nbsp;the 86-year-old Pope’s first trip since his intestinal surgery last month.

Francis was greeted with a standing ovation as he arrived on the stage in a wheelchair to deliver a speech which was centred around Portuguese literature and music.

Pope Francis, who is also the very first Latin American pope, said he hoped this year's event would serve as an "impulse towards universal openness" for Europe.

"For the world needs Europe, the true Europe. It needs Europe's role as a bridge and peacemaker in its eastern part, in the Mediterranean, in Africa and in the Middle East," he said.&nbsp;

"We are transforming great reserves of life into dumping grounds of plastic," he said. "How can we claim to believe in young people, if we do not give them healthy spaces in which to build the future?"

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pope Francis, who is on a five-day visit to Portugal for a major Catholic youth event, on Wednesday, urged Europe to find "courageous courses of peace" to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Pope Francis, who is on a five-day visit to Portugal for a major Catholic youth event, on Wednesday, urged Europe to find "courageous courses of peace" to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Pope has constantly been advocating for peace in Ukraine and has repeatedly called for the warring nations to follow the diplomatic channels. He has strived to play a mediating role, though he has been denounced for not condemning Russia for the war. "We are sailing amid storms on the ocean of history, and we sense the need for courageous courses of peace," he said in an address to officials and diplomats at Lisbon's riverside Belem Cultural Centre. "With a deep love for Europe, and in the spirit of dialogue that distinguishes this continent, we might ask her: 'Where are you sailing, if you are not showing the world paths of peace, creative ways for bringing an end to the war in Ukraine'?" Also read: Hezbollah chief urges for halt to deadly clashes at Palestinian camp in Lebanon Pope arrives in Portugal Francis is on a five-day visit to Portugal, from August 2 to 6. During his visit, he will attend the World Youth Day global gathering which is a week-long celebration including religious, cultural and festive events and is held every three years in a different city. According to the Vatican, about 330,000 young people have registered and many more might attend. Meanwhile, Portuguese officials estimate that more than one million people are expected to take part. On Monday, Prime Minister Antonio Costa called it “the biggest international event” Portugal has ever hosted. This will be the first event in Portugal since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 86-year-old Pope’s first trip since his intestinal surgery last month. Francis was greeted with a standing ovation as he arrived on the stage in a wheelchair to deliver a speech which was centred around Portuguese literature and music. Pope Francis, who is also the very first Latin American pope, said he hoped this year's event would serve as an "impulse towards universal openness" for Europe. "For the world needs Europe, the true Europe. It needs Europe's role as a bridge and peacemaker in its eastern part, in the Mediterranean, in Africa and in the Middle East," he said. "We are transforming great reserves of life into dumping grounds of plastic," he said. "How can we claim to believe in young people, if we do not give them healthy spaces in which to build the future?" (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.

Pope Francis urges Europe to find 'courageous courses of peace' for Ukraine as he arrives in Portugal

Thailand's progressive party Pheu Thai released a statement on Wednesday saying that it will nominate a real estate tycoon to become the prime minister after the reformist party that won the general election was excluded from a coalition trying to form the next government

The country has been in political limbo since the May 14 election after it was won by the Move Forward party with the support of young voters who were tired of rule by military-linked governments, closely followed by the populist Pheu Thai.

Pheu Thai, the party formed by former telecom&nbsp;tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, said it would nominate Srettha Thavisin for prime minister in a parliamentary vote that was scheduled on Friday.&nbsp;

It said that the Move Forward Party was now no longer a part of the efforts in forming a government. Even after winning majority seats in the elections, the party faced opposition from pro-military parties and members of the military-appointed upper house Senate, which was startled by its reform agenda.

Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew announced that MFP was dumped from the coalition.

"The formation of the new government will not include MFP," he told reporters.

"Pheu Thai will work to get enough votes, MFP will be in opposition, and we will work in a new dimension that is beneficial to the people."

"Pheu Thai has supported Move Forward to our fullest ability," he said further describing his party's decision to ditch its ally and take the lead in forming a government.

Earlier, Move Forward's attempt to get its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, voted in as prime minister was rejected by conservatives twice.

Rangsiman Rome, a Move Forward lawmaker, told reporters he was shocked by Pheu Thai's decision to leave their alliance.

"I thought we were married. Today ... it's like a divorce," Rangsiman said near Pheu Thai's headquarters, where more than 100 people gathered to protest against the sidelining of Move Forward.

"You betrayed the people," some protesters shouted, referring to Pheu Thai.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-receives-heaviest-rainfall-since-records-began-140-years-ago-621546">Beijing receives heaviest rainfall since records began 140 years ago</a>

Pheu Thai's nominee for prime minister, Srettha, has very little political experience. He co-founded Bangkok-listed Sansiri, one of Thailand's largest real estate developers.

As per news agency Reuters reports, members of a new alliance that will seek to form the next government would be revealed on Thursday.

Pheu Thai's attempt in forming a government comes as Thaksin is all set to return to Thailand after almost spending 15 years in self-exile.

<h2>Thai court suspends Pita</h2>

Pita Limjaroenrat, the prime ministerial candidate in Thailand, was temporarily suspended from parliament on Wednesday (July 19) by a Constitutional Court.

The move came after a case against him was accepted alleging he was unqualified to run in the May 14 election.&nbsp;

The suspension was announced when Pita was returning to parliament for another day of deliberation on whether he could become prime minister after his initial effort failed by 51 votes last week.&nbsp;

The court released a statement saying that Pita has 15 days to respond.

A complaint was filed by the Election Commission against the Move Forward Party (MFP) leader condemning him for violating election laws for allegedly holding shares in a media company.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Thailand's progressive party Pheu Thai released a statement on Wednesday saying that it will nominate a real estate tycoon to become the prime minister after the reformist party that won the general election was excluded from a coalition trying to form the next government The country has been in political limbo since the May 14 election after it was won by the Move Forward party with the support of young voters who were tired of rule by military-linked governments, closely followed by the populist Pheu Thai.

Thailand's progressive party Pheu Thai released a statement on Wednesday saying that it will nominate a real estate tycoon to become the prime minister after the reformist party that won the general election was excluded from a coalition trying to form the next government The country has been in political limbo since the May 14 election after it was won by the Move Forward party with the support of young voters who were tired of rule by military-linked governments, closely followed by the populist Pheu Thai. Pheu Thai, the party formed by former telecom tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, said it would nominate Srettha Thavisin for prime minister in a parliamentary vote that was scheduled on Friday. It said that the Move Forward Party was now no longer a part of the efforts in forming a government. Even after winning majority seats in the elections, the party faced opposition from pro-military parties and members of the military-appointed upper house Senate, which was startled by its reform agenda. Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew announced that MFP was dumped from the coalition. "The formation of the new government will not include MFP," he told reporters. "Pheu Thai will work to get enough votes, MFP will be in opposition, and we will work in a new dimension that is beneficial to the people." "Pheu Thai has supported Move Forward to our fullest ability," he said further describing his party's decision to ditch its ally and take the lead in forming a government. Earlier, Move Forward's attempt to get its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, voted in as prime minister was rejected by conservatives twice. Rangsiman Rome, a Move Forward lawmaker, told reporters he was shocked by Pheu Thai's decision to leave their alliance. "I thought we were married. Today ... it's like a divorce," Rangsiman said near Pheu Thai's headquarters, where more than 100 people gathered to protest against the sidelining of Move Forward. "You betrayed the people," some protesters shouted, referring to Pheu Thai. Also read: Beijing receives heaviest rainfall since records began 140 years ago Pheu Thai's nominee for prime minister, Srettha, has very little political experience. He co-founded Bangkok-listed Sansiri, one of Thailand's largest real estate developers. As per news agency Reuters reports, members of a new alliance that will seek to form the next government would be revealed on Thursday. Pheu Thai's attempt in forming a government comes as Thaksin is all set to return to Thailand after almost spending 15 years in self-exile. Thai court suspends Pita Pita Limjaroenrat, the prime ministerial candidate in Thailand, was temporarily suspended from parliament on Wednesday (July 19) by a Constitutional Court. The move came after a case against him was accepted alleging he was unqualified to run in the May 14 election. The suspension was announced when Pita was returning to parliament for another day of deliberation on whether he could become prime minister after his initial effort failed by 51 votes last week. The court released a statement saying that Pita has 15 days to respond. A complaint was filed by the Election Commission against the Move Forward Party (MFP) leader condemning him for violating election laws for allegedly holding shares in a media company. (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.

Thailand: Pheu Thai to dump election winner Move Forward Party, form new coalition

Jaan Roose, an Estonian slackline athlete, achieved an extraordinary feat by walking on a slackline tied between the Iconic Towers in Lusail Marina, Qatar for 150m (492ft).

The 2.5cm thick rope, made of strong fabric, was suspended 185m above ground.

The remarkable feat is titled 'Sparkline'.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-rare-brain-eating-amoeba-haunts-us-kills-georgia-resident-621100"> Explained | Rare 'brain-eating amoeba' haunts US, kills Georgia resident&nbsp;</a>

The 'Sparkline' walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan’s highest urban walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 metres on a line just 2.5cm wide, Reuters news agency reported.

The viral video has attracted comments appreciating Roose for his "balancing skills and pure control."

"This is the coolest thing ever," said one social media user.

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&nbsp;

Roose, who is an international athlete, has previously performed such daredevil acts all over the world which includes one between two mountains in Kazakhstan and another over lions and elephants in Kenya.

"Now after crossing the distance between iconic towers, I feel fantastic actually. After so much work, working at night trying to find the perfect moment during the day with less wind with no sun to set it up and to finally find a moment to walk it and get to the other side, it feels great," Reuters quoted him as saying.

This event was part of an enthralling calendar of international events in Qatar.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Jaan Roose, an Estonian slackline athlete, achieved an extraordinary feat by walking on a slackline tied between the Iconic Towers in Lusail Marina, Qatar for 150m (492ft).

Jaan Roose, an Estonian slackline athlete, achieved an extraordinary feat by walking on a slackline tied between the Iconic Towers in Lusail Marina, Qatar for 150m (492ft). The 2.5cm thick rope, made of strong fabric, was suspended 185m above ground. The remarkable feat is titled 'Sparkline'. Also read: Explained | Rare 'brain-eating amoeba' haunts US, kills Georgia resident The 'Sparkline' walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan’s highest urban walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 metres on a line just 2.5cm wide, Reuters news agency reported. The viral video has attracted comments appreciating Roose for his "balancing skills and pure control." "This is the coolest thing ever," said one social media user. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Red Bull (@redbull) × Roose, who is an international athlete, has previously performed such daredevil acts all over the world which includes one between two mountains in Kazakhstan and another over lions and elephants in Kenya. "Now after crossing the distance between iconic towers, I feel fantastic actually. After so much work, working at night trying to find the perfect moment during the day with less wind with no sun to set it up and to finally find a moment to walk it and get to the other side, it feels great," Reuters quoted him as saying. This event was part of an enthralling calendar of international events in Qatar. (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.

WATCH | Jaan Roose sets new world record, completes world’s longest single-building slackline

A new study suggests that one alcoholic drink a day can increase systolic blood pressure.

“We found no beneficial effects in adults who drank a low level of alcohol compared to those who did not drink alcohol,” said senior study author Dr Marco Vinceti, a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, in a statement.

The study discovered that the negative impact of alcohol has continued to rise over the years for systolic blood pressure even for men and women who consumed very little alcohol every day.

As per the study published in the journal Hypertension on Monday, small amounts of alcohol also raised the lower or diastolic blood pressure reading, but only in men.

“Both systolic and diastolic readings contribute to (cardiovascular) risk and go hand in hand, but of the two, systolic blood pressure is definitely the most important risk factor in adults,” said study co-author Dr Paul Whelton, chair in global public health at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans and president of the World Hypertension League.

As per the American Heart Association, a normal systolic reading is typically 120 mm Hg or below but tends to rise as you grow older since the blood vessels weaken and narrow with age.

A normal diastolic reading is below 80 mm Hg but begins to descend with age as the arteries toughen which leads to an upsurge in pulse rate.

“Alcohol is certainly not the sole driver of increases in blood pressure; however, our findings confirm it contributes in a meaningful way,” CNN quoted Vinceti, an adjunct professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Boston University’s School of Public Health as saying. “Limiting alcohol intake is advised, and avoiding it is even better.”

“However, this review found relatively low levels of alcohol impacted blood pressure,” CNN quoted Dr Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, who was not involved with the research, as saying. “So, to me, this is yet another study showing there may not be any safe amount of alcohol.”

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-rare-brain-eating-amoeba-haunts-us-kills-georgia-resident-621100">Explained | Rare 'brain-eating amoeba' haunts US, kills Georgia resident</a>

<h2>Potential risk with increase in consumption of alcohol</h2>

The study analysed data from seven studies conducted in Japan, South Korea and the United States between the years 1997 and 2021.

The participants, who were adults from the age of 20 to about 70, were asked about their alcohol intake.

Then the researchers used the statistics to determine how the amounts of alcohol consumed by various people affected their blood pressure over time.&nbsp;

“We were somewhat surprised to see that consuming an already-low level of alcohol was also linked to higher blood pressure changes over time compared to no consumption — although far less than the blood pressure increase seen in heavy drinkers,” Vinceti said.

The systolic blood pressure of people who consumed an average of 48 grams of alcohol per day, rose nearly 5 mm Hg over the same time frame as compared to the nondrinkers.

“That would certainly move you from pre-hypertensive to hypertensive, just as eating an excessive amount of sodium, too few fruits and vegetables and not getting enough physical activity will push you in the wrong direction,” Tulane’s Whelton said.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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A new study suggests that one alcoholic drink a day can increase systolic blood pressure. “We found no beneficial effects in adults who drank a low level of alcohol compared to those who did not drink alcohol,” said senior study author Dr Marco Vinceti, a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, in a statement.

A new study suggests that one alcoholic drink a day can increase systolic blood pressure. “We found no beneficial effects in adults who drank a low level of alcohol compared to those who did not drink alcohol,” said senior study author Dr Marco Vinceti, a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, in a statement. The study discovered that the negative impact of alcohol has continued to rise over the years for systolic blood pressure even for men and women who consumed very little alcohol every day. As per the study published in the journal Hypertension on Monday, small amounts of alcohol also raised the lower or diastolic blood pressure reading, but only in men. “Both systolic and diastolic readings contribute to (cardiovascular) risk and go hand in hand, but of the two, systolic blood pressure is definitely the most important risk factor in adults,” said study co-author Dr Paul Whelton, chair in global public health at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans and president of the World Hypertension League. As per the American Heart Association, a normal systolic reading is typically 120 mm Hg or below but tends to rise as you grow older since the blood vessels weaken and narrow with age. A normal diastolic reading is below 80 mm Hg but begins to descend with age as the arteries toughen which leads to an upsurge in pulse rate. “Alcohol is certainly not the sole driver of increases in blood pressure; however, our findings confirm it contributes in a meaningful way,” CNN quoted Vinceti, an adjunct professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Boston University’s School of Public Health as saying. “Limiting alcohol intake is advised, and avoiding it is even better.” “However, this review found relatively low levels of alcohol impacted blood pressure,” CNN quoted Dr Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, who was not involved with the research, as saying. “So, to me, this is yet another study showing there may not be any safe amount of alcohol.” Also read: Explained | Rare 'brain-eating amoeba' haunts US, kills Georgia resident Potential risk with increase in consumption of alcohol The study analysed data from seven studies conducted in Japan, South Korea and the United States between the years 1997 and 2021. The participants, who were adults from the age of 20 to about 70, were asked about their alcohol intake. Then the researchers used the statistics to determine how the amounts of alcohol consumed by various people affected their blood pressure over time. “We were somewhat surprised to see that consuming an already-low level of alcohol was also linked to higher blood pressure changes over time compared to no consumption — although far less than the blood pressure increase seen in heavy drinkers,” Vinceti said. The systolic blood pressure of people who consumed an average of 48 grams of alcohol per day, rose nearly 5 mm Hg over the same time frame as compared to the nondrinkers. “That would certainly move you from pre-hypertensive to hypertensive, just as eating an excessive amount of sodium, too few fruits and vegetables and not getting enough physical activity will push you in the wrong direction,” Tulane’s Whelton said. (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.

Even one alcoholic drink a day can raise blood pressure, says study

Taylor Swift’s Infamous Celebrity Feuds

Taylor Swift's hit track 'Bad Blood' was about her feud with pop star Katy Perry. Their friendship ended after Swift accused Perry of stealing backup dancers from her Red Tour.


Taylor got into a feud with Kanye West after the latter interrupted the pop star's speech during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. As Swift accepted the award for Best Female Video, the rapper remarked that Beyoncé should have won.


In the year 2019, reports emerged that Braun had purchased Swift's former record label, Big Machine Records along with all the rights to her songs. This was when the songstress accused him of “incessant manipulative bullying".


Swift claimed that after her feud with Scooter, Bieber shared a post on Instagram that seemed to poke fun at the pop star's tussle with Scooter and Kanye.


Taylor Swift said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the year 2008 that Joe Jonas dumped her over a 25-second phone call.

In the year 2015, Nicki Minaj took to Twitter and posted a series of tweets after she wasn't nominated for the MTV Video Music Awards. Her rant made Swift feel as if she was shading her since 'Bad Blood' made it to the nominations.


In the year 2015, Miley Cyrus threw shade at the singer in an interview with The New York Times.

Here's the list of Taylor Swift’s infamous celebrity feuds

Teachers in England's largest education union, the NEU, have agreed on accepting a government pay offer on Monday, giving a boost to Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's efforts to put an end to disruptive public-sector strikes.

The strikes by the National Education Union this year have forced the British school to shut down on a number of occasions.&nbsp;

On Monday, the union released a statement saying that the teachers have voted to put an end to the industrial action and accept the 6.5 per cent&nbsp;pay rise announced on July 13 by the prime minister.

"Members have spoken very clearly and in great numbers," Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the NEU, said, describing the deal as the "highest pay award for over thirty years".

"The Government should be in no doubt that we will hold its feet to the fire on delivering for teachers and support staff on workload and funding," they added.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quran-set-alight-outside-swedish-parliament-report-621067">Fresh incident of Quran burning outside Swedish Parliament: Report</a>

Earlier this month, the education unions had said that they would cancel further planned strikes and also suggested the teachers and other union members vote to accept the government's pay offer.

The NEU represents more than 450,000 teachers, lecturers, education support staff and leaders. It released a statement saying that around 86% of its teacher members who voted, chose to accept the offer and end industrial action in an electronic ballot, with a voting turnout of 60 per cent.

"This is good news for teachers, good news for parents and most of all, good news for students," Britain's education minister Gillian Keegan said in a post on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

Three other British education unions also said that they would put forth the government's offer to their members.

The UK has been facing a wave of industrial turmoil in years, including by railway workers, as pay offers fail to keep up with high inflation.

Sunak's pay offer still faces opposition from healthcare workers, whose walkouts have disrupted an already burdened state-run health system with thousands of cancelled appointments.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Teachers in England's largest education union, the NEU, have agreed on accepting a government pay offer on Monday, giving a boost to Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's efforts to put an end to disruptive public-sector strikes.

Teachers in England's largest education union, the NEU, have agreed on accepting a government pay offer on Monday, giving a boost to Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's efforts to put an end to disruptive public-sector strikes. The strikes by the National Education Union this year have forced the British school to shut down on a number of occasions. On Monday, the union released a statement saying that the teachers have voted to put an end to the industrial action and accept the 6.5 per cent pay rise announced on July 13 by the prime minister. "Members have spoken very clearly and in great numbers," Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the NEU, said, describing the deal as the "highest pay award for over thirty years". "The Government should be in no doubt that we will hold its feet to the fire on delivering for teachers and support staff on workload and funding," they added. Also read: Fresh incident of Quran burning outside Swedish Parliament: Report Earlier this month, the education unions had said that they would cancel further planned strikes and also suggested the teachers and other union members vote to accept the government's pay offer. The NEU represents more than 450,000 teachers, lecturers, education support staff and leaders. It released a statement saying that around 86% of its teacher members who voted, chose to accept the offer and end industrial action in an electronic ballot, with a voting turnout of 60 per cent. "This is good news for teachers, good news for parents and most of all, good news for students," Britain's education minister Gillian Keegan said in a post on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. Three other British education unions also said that they would put forth the government's offer to their members. The UK has been facing a wave of industrial turmoil in years, including by railway workers, as pay offers fail to keep up with high inflation. Sunak's pay offer still faces opposition from healthcare workers, whose walkouts have disrupted an already burdened state-run health system with thousands of cancelled appointments. (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.

Teachers in England accept government's offer of 6.5% pay rise, to end strikes

Following India's ban on the export&nbsp;of non-basmati white rice, the country's rice exporters have been receiving requests from buyers to advance shipments of basmati rice, news agency Reuters reported citing industry officials.

Earlier this month, India, which is the world's biggest exporter of rice, imposed a ban on the export&nbsp;of non-basmati white rice after retail rice prices escalated by 3% in a month after late but heavy monsoon rains caused consequential damage to crops.

"Buyers are requesting early shipments because they fear that the government might put restrictions on exports of basmati rice as well," said Atul Garg, managing director at GRM Overseas, a leading exporter of basmati rice.

He said that the buyers sign long-term contracts with the certainty of delivering a specific quantity every month. Regardless, some of the buyers are now requesting to dispatch in the month of August what was supposed to be sent in the month of September and October.

In 2022/23, India exported around 4.5 million metric tons of basmati rice,&nbsp;with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the United States among the top buyers.

India has banned non-basmati white rice for export, which is mainly purchased by Senegal, Benin, Togo, Bangladesh, and Cote d'Ivoire.

India, previously, has never banned the export&nbsp;of basmati rice but did impose export taxes in the year 2008.

"We are assuring buyers that there is no possibility of a ban on basmati rice exports but some buyers are afraid due to the government's recent decisions," said another exporter based in New Delhi.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-4-killed-after-rpf-constable-opens-fire-in-moving-train-620885">India: 4 killed as Railway Protection Force constable opens fire in moving train</a>

<h2>US stores limit rice purchases as export ban triggers panic buying&nbsp;</h2>

Earlier this week, in response to India's announcement of a ban on the export of non-basmati rice, a surge in panic buying of rice was witnessed in departmental stores across the United States.

The escalating demand has led to many stores imposing restrictions on the number of rice bags customers can purchase, resulting in reports of empty shelves.

To manage the situation and ensure fair distribution, numerous stores have put up notices limiting customers to purchasing only one rice bag per family.

However, concerns have arisen regarding hoarding, with fears that some individuals may stockpile rice and attempt to sell it at significantly higher prices through online forums.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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Following India's ban on the export of non-basmati white rice, the country's rice exporters have been receiving requests from buyers to advance shipments of basmati rice, news agency Reuters reported citing industry officials.

Following India's ban on the export of non-basmati white rice, the country's rice exporters have been receiving requests from buyers to advance shipments of basmati rice, news agency Reuters reported citing industry officials. Earlier this month, India, which is the world's biggest exporter of rice, imposed a ban on the export of non-basmati white rice after retail rice prices escalated by 3% in a month after late but heavy monsoon rains caused consequential damage to crops. "Buyers are requesting early shipments because they fear that the government might put restrictions on exports of basmati rice as well," said Atul Garg, managing director at GRM Overseas, a leading exporter of basmati rice. He said that the buyers sign long-term contracts with the certainty of delivering a specific quantity every month. Regardless, some of the buyers are now requesting to dispatch in the month of August what was supposed to be sent in the month of September and October. In 2022/23, India exported around 4.5 million metric tons of basmati rice, with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the United States among the top buyers. India has banned non-basmati white rice for export, which is mainly purchased by Senegal, Benin, Togo, Bangladesh, and Cote d'Ivoire. India, previously, has never banned the export of basmati rice but did impose export taxes in the year 2008. "We are assuring buyers that there is no possibility of a ban on basmati rice exports but some buyers are afraid due to the government's recent decisions," said another exporter based in New Delhi. Also read: India: 4 killed as Railway Protection Force constable opens fire in moving train US stores limit rice purchases as export ban triggers panic buying Earlier this week, in response to India's announcement of a ban on the export of non-basmati rice, a surge in panic buying of rice was witnessed in departmental stores across the United States. The escalating demand has led to many stores imposing restrictions on the number of rice bags customers can purchase, resulting in reports of empty shelves. To manage the situation and ensure fair distribution, numerous stores have put up notices limiting customers to purchasing only one rice bag per family. However, concerns have arisen regarding hoarding, with fears that some individuals may stockpile rice and attempt to sell it at significantly higher prices through online forums. (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.

Indian rice exporters receiving requests for early shipments of basmati rice: Report

An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to nine years in prison by a United Kingdom court after he was found guilty of attacking one of his neighbours brutally with a wooden pole.&nbsp;

As per news agency PTI, Bedfordshire Police, which conducted the probe, said that the convicted, Rishi Casseeram, aged 35, left the victim with multiple serious facial fractures as well as substantial bruising to his back.&nbsp;

The incident took place in the month of June this year when Casseeram was arrested at his flat in Luton, eastern England, and sentenced for the crime at Luton Crown Court earlier this month.

“This was an extraordinarily violent attack that left behind a truly shocking crime scene,” said Detective Sergeant Bill Haigh from Bedfordshire Police.

“The victim, in this case, will have to live with the impact of Casseeram's actions for the rest of his life. Violent thugs like Casseeram have no place on the streets of Bedfordshire. I am glad we have been able to put him behind bars for a considerable period of time,” he said.

The court heard that a few days prior to the attack, Casseeram and the victim got into a verbal fight. On June 25, 2022, the victim returned home and saw Casseeram coming towards him in his flat and before he could shut the door, the assailant forcibly got inside his house.

Surgeons who treated the victim said his wounds were consistent with being attacked with a blunt instrument like a baseball bat, said the police.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dismembered-remains-of-missing-cryptocurrency-influencer-fernando-perez-algaba-found-in-suitcase-620426">Dismembered remains of missing cryptocurrency influencer Fernando Pérez Algaba found in suitcase</a>

The victim told police officers: “I can't believe this. He just kept hitting me.”&nbsp;

Further probe by police officers revealed more shocking details about Casseeram. The police said that the convicted attacker had punched another of his neighbours in the face the day before.&nbsp;

In court, he tried to claim that someone else had attacked the victim in a grave assault. He further tried to assert that he was acting in self-defence during the other incident. However, a jury found Casseeram guilty of foisting distressing bodily harm (GBH) on purpose and attack in December last year.

At Luton Crown Court on July 21, Casseeram was sentenced to eight years in prison for the GBH and a further year in jail for the assault.

The judge called Casseeram a "dangerous" offender, who must serve a further four years on licence or monitoring.

(With inputs from agencies)

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An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to nine years in prison by a United Kingdom court after he was found guilty of attacking one of his neighbours brutally with a wooden pole.

An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to nine years in prison by a United Kingdom court after he was found guilty of attacking one of his neighbours brutally with a wooden pole. As per news agency PTI, Bedfordshire Police, which conducted the probe, said that the convicted, Rishi Casseeram, aged 35, left the victim with multiple serious facial fractures as well as substantial bruising to his back. The incident took place in the month of June this year when Casseeram was arrested at his flat in Luton, eastern England, and sentenced for the crime at Luton Crown Court earlier this month. “This was an extraordinarily violent attack that left behind a truly shocking crime scene,” said Detective Sergeant Bill Haigh from Bedfordshire Police. “The victim, in this case, will have to live with the impact of Casseeram's actions for the rest of his life. Violent thugs like Casseeram have no place on the streets of Bedfordshire. I am glad we have been able to put him behind bars for a considerable period of time,” he said. The court heard that a few days prior to the attack, Casseeram and the victim got into a verbal fight. On June 25, 2022, the victim returned home and saw Casseeram coming towards him in his flat and before he could shut the door, the assailant forcibly got inside his house. Surgeons who treated the victim said his wounds were consistent with being attacked with a blunt instrument like a baseball bat, said the police. Also read: Dismembered remains of missing cryptocurrency influencer Fernando Pérez Algaba found in suitcase The victim told police officers: “I can't believe this. He just kept hitting me.” Further probe by police officers revealed more shocking details about Casseeram. The police said that the convicted attacker had punched another of his neighbours in the face the day before. In court, he tried to claim that someone else had attacked the victim in a grave assault. He further tried to assert that he was acting in self-defence during the other incident. However, a jury found Casseeram guilty of foisting distressing bodily harm (GBH) on purpose and attack in December last year. At Luton Crown Court on July 21, Casseeram was sentenced to eight years in prison for the GBH and a further year in jail for the assault. The judge called Casseeram a "dangerous" offender, who must serve a further four years on licence or monitoring. (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.

UK: Indian-origin man sentenced to 9 years in prison for brutal attack on neighbour with wooden pole

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