<p>The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has appealed to people to “avoid contact" with a beluga whale so that the animal doesn't suffer any injuries accidentally or lose its life.</p>

<p>The whale, who has been given the nickname "Hvaldimir", received international fame in 2019 after someone spotted it wearing a specially made harness which had mounts for a camera. The discovery made experts believe that the whale is likely to have been trained by the Russian military.</p>

<p>Since 2019, the whale has “been travelling along the Norwegian coast” and stopping at some point along the way, as per the directorate, which further stated that Hvaldimir “tends to stay at farms where it has been able to catch fish, grazing on surplus feed.”</p>

<p>Hvaldimir is famous for following boats and playing with people on board. The whale, which is Norway's protected species, stays in inner Oslofjord, said the directorate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This “means that it has arrived in a very densely populated area, and the risk that the whale may be injured due to human contact has become significantly greater,” it further stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/norway-slams-sweden-for-accidently-dropping-its-research-rocket-586211">Norway slams Sweden for accidently dropping its research rocket</a></p>

<h2><strong>Whale suffered minor injuries, says fisheries director</strong></h2>

<p>Fisheries Director Frank Bakke-Jensen, in a statement on Wednesday, said that “so far there have only been minor incidents where the whale has suffered minor injuries, primarily from contact with boats.”</p>

<p>However, he appealed to people to maintain their distance, “even though the whale is tame and used to being around people.”</p>

<p>“We especially encourage people in boats to keep a good distance to avoid the whale being injured or, in the worst case, killed by boat traffic,” stated Bakke-Jensen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Considering the dangers, Bakke-Jensen was asked if the whale should be kept in captivity.</p>

<p>“We have always communicated that the whale in question is a free-living animal and we see no reason to capture it and put it behind barriers,” he stated.</p>

<p>However, now that the whale is “in a more vulnerable area and access to food may be limited, we will consider different measures. But it is too early to say anything concrete about that yet," added Bakke-Jensen.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Soldiers from France, Germany, UK and U.S. participating in Norway-led winter exercise</strong></p>

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<p>The movement&nbsp;of the whale will be monitored by the Directorate of Fisheries as it&nbsp;hopes it turns around after reaching the end of the Oslofjord.</p>

<p>In 2019, experts stated that Hvaldimir is a trained animal, and according to evidence, the animal has come from Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Marine biologist at Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries Jorgen Ree Wiig said that the harness appeared “specially made” and had “mounts for GoPro cameras on each side of it.”</p>

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The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has appealed to people to “avoid contact" with a beluga whale so that the animal doesn't suffer any injuries accidentally or lose its life.

The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has appealed to people to “avoid contact" with a beluga whale so that the animal doesn't suffer any injuries accidentally or lose its life. The whale, who has been given the nickname "Hvaldimir", received international fame in 2019 after someone spotted it wearing a specially made harness which had mounts for a camera. The discovery made experts believe that the whale is likely to have been trained by the Russian military. Since 2019, the whale has “been travelling along the Norwegian coast” and stopping at some point along the way, as per the directorate, which further stated that Hvaldimir “tends to stay at farms where it has been able to catch fish, grazing on surplus feed.” Hvaldimir is famous for following boats and playing with people on board. The whale, which is Norway's protected species, stays in inner Oslofjord, said the directorate. This “means that it has arrived in a very densely populated area, and the risk that the whale may be injured due to human contact has become significantly greater,” it further stated. ALSO READ | Norway slams Sweden for accidently dropping its research rocket Whale suffered minor injuries, says fisheries director Fisheries Director Frank Bakke-Jensen, in a statement on Wednesday, said that “so far there have only been minor incidents where the whale has suffered minor injuries, primarily from contact with boats.” However, he appealed to people to maintain their distance, “even though the whale is tame and used to being around people.” “We especially encourage people in boats to keep a good distance to avoid the whale being injured or, in the worst case, killed by boat traffic,” stated Bakke-Jensen. Considering the dangers, Bakke-Jensen was asked if the whale should be kept in captivity. “We have always communicated that the whale in question is a free-living animal and we see no reason to capture it and put it behind barriers,” he stated. However, now that the whale is “in a more vulnerable area and access to food may be limited, we will consider different measures. But it is too early to say anything concrete about that yet," added Bakke-Jensen. WATCH | Soldiers from France, Germany, UK and U.S. participating in Norway-led winter exercise The movement of the whale will be monitored by the Directorate of Fisheries as it hopes it turns around after reaching the end of the Oslofjord. In 2019, experts stated that Hvaldimir is a trained animal, and according to evidence, the animal has come from Russia. Marine biologist at Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries Jorgen Ree Wiig said that the harness appeared “specially made” and had “mounts for GoPro cameras on each side of it.” 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.

Norway asks people to keep distance from ‘spy’ whale to ensure animal’s safety

<p>Leader of Turkey’s ultranationalist Victory party Umit Ozdag extended his support to opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a step which he took against the party’s former presidential hopeful Sinan Ogan, who was endorsing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.</p>

<p>Ozdag held a joint press conference with Kilicdaroglu, in which he declared that the leaders have signed a memorandum of understanding&nbsp;which includes assurance to deport all refugees in Turkey in a year after coming to power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The leaders also agreed that the democratically elected Kurdish mayors will not be reinstated in Turkey’s south-east who were earlier replaced as part of a crackdown by the state on the leftwing leaders and especially those belonging to the Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP), which was a swipe at the Kurdish support which buoyed Kilicdaroglu through the first round.</p>

<p>“We reached a consensus with him. As the Victory party, we decided to support Kilicdaroglu in the second round,” he stated.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-election-erdogans-chance-of-winning-goes-up-as-sinan-ogan-pledges-support-595229">Turkey election: Erdogan's chance of winning goes up as Sinan Ogan&nbsp;pledges&nbsp;support</a></p>

<h2><strong>HDP party to hold a meeting to discuss response</strong></h2>

<p>The HDP party, whose leader Selahattin Demirtas had earlier endorsed Kilicdaroglu, stated that it would hold a meeting to decide how to respond.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The split endorsement came days before Kilicdaroglu and Erdogan are likely to face a runoff round in the presidential elections on May 28. Erdogan received more than 49.5 per cent of the vote in the first round, ahead of Kilicdaroglu 's 44.5 per cent.</p>

<p>Ogan, who fought elections on a far-right explicitly anti-refugee platform, received just more than five&nbsp;per cent of the vote in the first phase and announced his support for Erdogan this week.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Turkey Elections: The final twist in the tale is yet to come - Who will Sinan Ogan support? | WION</strong></p>

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<p>“We believe that our decision will be the right decision for our country and nation,” he stated. “I declare that we will support Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the candidate of the People’s Alliance, in the second round of the elections," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ogan was backed by the Victory party but at the time the statement issued by the leader did not represent the views of the party.</p>

<p>Throughout his campaign, Kilicdaroglu has stated that he would expel all refugees “within two years” of coming to power in Turkey. Speaking to the Guardian about if he intended to square the promise with the desire to become part of the European Union, Kilicdaroglu replied, “We do not think of this as racism. When we come to power, we will sit and talk with the legitimate administration in Syria and find a solution to this problem.”</p>

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Leader of Turkey’s ultranationalist Victory party Umit Ozdag extended his support to opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a step which he took against the party’s former presidential hopeful Sinan Ogan, who was endorsing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Leader of Turkey’s ultranationalist Victory party Umit Ozdag extended his support to opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a step which he took against the party’s former presidential hopeful Sinan Ogan, who was endorsing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ozdag held a joint press conference with Kilicdaroglu, in which he declared that the leaders have signed a memorandum of understanding which includes assurance to deport all refugees in Turkey in a year after coming to power. The leaders also agreed that the democratically elected Kurdish mayors will not be reinstated in Turkey’s south-east who were earlier replaced as part of a crackdown by the state on the leftwing leaders and especially those belonging to the Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP), which was a swipe at the Kurdish support which buoyed Kilicdaroglu through the first round. “We reached a consensus with him. As the Victory party, we decided to support Kilicdaroglu in the second round,” he stated. ALSO READ | Turkey election: Erdogan's chance of winning goes up as Sinan Ogan pledges support HDP party to hold a meeting to discuss response The HDP party, whose leader Selahattin Demirtas had earlier endorsed Kilicdaroglu, stated that it would hold a meeting to decide how to respond. The split endorsement came days before Kilicdaroglu and Erdogan are likely to face a runoff round in the presidential elections on May 28. Erdogan received more than 49.5 per cent of the vote in the first round, ahead of Kilicdaroglu 's 44.5 per cent. Ogan, who fought elections on a far-right explicitly anti-refugee platform, received just more than five per cent of the vote in the first phase and announced his support for Erdogan this week. WATCH | Turkey Elections: The final twist in the tale is yet to come - Who will Sinan Ogan support? | WION “We believe that our decision will be the right decision for our country and nation,” he stated. “I declare that we will support Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the candidate of the People’s Alliance, in the second round of the elections," he added. Ogan was backed by the Victory party but at the time the statement issued by the leader did not represent the views of the party. Throughout his campaign, Kilicdaroglu has stated that he would expel all refugees “within two years” of coming to power in Turkey. Speaking to the Guardian about if he intended to square the promise with the desire to become part of the European Union, Kilicdaroglu replied, “We do not think of this as racism. When we come to power, we will sit and talk with the legitimate administration in Syria and find a solution to this problem.” You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Turkey: Ultranationalist leader supports Kemal Kilicdaroglu in race for the presidency

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<p>A large ship was refloated by tugboats after it was stranded in Egypt's Suez Canal, informed shipping agent Leth Agencies on Thursday after which the flows of container ships resumed to normal in one of the world's busiest waterways.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ship was identified by Leth as the 190 metres (623 foot) Xin Hai Tong 23, a bulk carrier.</p>

<p>"The Suez Canal Authority has successfully refloated M/V XIN HAI TONG 23 at 0740hrs (0440 GMT). The northbound convoy will enter at 0930hrs," stated Leth Agencies, in a tweet.</p>

<p>The canal authorities, in a statement, said that they got the information about an engine malfunction and hence, the tugboats were deployed to successfully refloat the ship. They added that the process was delayed briefly because of the failure of the winch of the ship.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The authority stated that "shipping activity in both directions would return to normal as soon as the towing process is finished, as a precautionary measure".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-russia-working-on-new-trade-route-with-india-to-bypass-western-sanctions-report-551631">Iran, Russia working on new trade route with India to bypass Western sanctions: Report</a></p>

<h2><strong>Ship gets grounded in Suez Canal</strong></h2>

<p>In a previous tweet, Leth had informed that the ship was grounded in the Suez Canal at 4 a.m. local time, disrupting at least two convoys of ships.</p>

<p>“M/V XIN HAI TONG 23 has grounded in the Suez Canal at KM 159/0400 hrs,” says Leth Agencies in a tweet, adding it was “leaving behind 4 vessels from the early convoy in addition to the ordinary group which was planned to enter Suez Canal at about 0600 hrs”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Marine Traffic ship tracker and Refinitiv data, the ship, which was sailing under the Hong Kong flag, as “not under command” near the canal's southern end, positioned itself at an angle next to the eastern side of the canal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the tracker, three Egyptian tugboats were seen surrounding the vessel.</p>

<p>The ship had started sailing from Saudi Arabia's Duba port. The ship is owned by Xiang B12 HK International Ship Lease and Tosco Keymax International Ship Management is managing it.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Iran-Russia railroad agreement seeks to take on Suez Canal</strong></p>

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<p>A similar incident occurred in 2021 when a big container ship "Ever Given" was stuck in the Suez Canal amid strong winds which led to a jam and traffic was halted in the two directions for six days. The jam in Suez Canal had disrupted global trade.</p>

<p>Last year, an oil tanker was refloated by tug boats after it was briefly stranded in the canal because of a technical fault with the ship's rudder. The container ship's breakdown in the canal had caused minor delays in March.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A large ship was refloated by tugboats after it was stranded in Egypt's Suez Canal, informed shipping agent Leth Agencies on Thursday after which the flows of container ships resumed to normal in one of the world's busiest waterways.

A large ship was refloated by tugboats after it was stranded in Egypt's Suez Canal, informed shipping agent Leth Agencies on Thursday after which the flows of container ships resumed to normal in one of the world's busiest waterways. The ship was identified by Leth as the 190 metres (623 foot) Xin Hai Tong 23, a bulk carrier. "The Suez Canal Authority has successfully refloated M/V XIN HAI TONG 23 at 0740hrs (0440 GMT). The northbound convoy will enter at 0930hrs," stated Leth Agencies, in a tweet. The canal authorities, in a statement, said that they got the information about an engine malfunction and hence, the tugboats were deployed to successfully refloat the ship. They added that the process was delayed briefly because of the failure of the winch of the ship. The authority stated that "shipping activity in both directions would return to normal as soon as the towing process is finished, as a precautionary measure". ALSO READ | Iran, Russia working on new trade route with India to bypass Western sanctions: Report Ship gets grounded in Suez Canal In a previous tweet, Leth had informed that the ship was grounded in the Suez Canal at 4 a.m. local time, disrupting at least two convoys of ships. “M/V XIN HAI TONG 23 has grounded in the Suez Canal at KM 159/0400 hrs,” says Leth Agencies in a tweet, adding it was “leaving behind 4 vessels from the early convoy in addition to the ordinary group which was planned to enter Suez Canal at about 0600 hrs”. According to the Marine Traffic ship tracker and Refinitiv data, the ship, which was sailing under the Hong Kong flag, as “not under command” near the canal's southern end, positioned itself at an angle next to the eastern side of the canal. In the tracker, three Egyptian tugboats were seen surrounding the vessel. The ship had started sailing from Saudi Arabia's Duba port. The ship is owned by Xiang B12 HK International Ship Lease and Tosco Keymax International Ship Management is managing it. WATCH | Iran-Russia railroad agreement seeks to take on Suez Canal A similar incident occurred in 2021 when a big container ship "Ever Given" was stuck in the Suez Canal amid strong winds which led to a jam and traffic was halted in the two directions for six days. The jam in Suez Canal had disrupted global trade. Last year, an oil tanker was refloated by tug boats after it was briefly stranded in the canal because of a technical fault with the ship's rudder. The container ship's breakdown in the canal had caused minor delays in March. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ship gets briefly stuck in Egypt’s Suez Canal after engine malfunction, refloated successfully

<p>A video of a massive scuffle between passengers at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago went viral after it was shared on the social media platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Around a dozen people were seen involved in the fight which started after a "verbal dispute while deplaning" on Monday, stated the police, according to Fox32.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fight started between flight passengers in the airport's baggage claim area during which a 24-year-old woman was punched by two others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A verbal tiff that started in-flight really took off upon landing, with a 24-year-old woman finding herself on the receiving end of a two-pronged attack," stated Chicago Police Department as per the Fox News Digital.</p>

<p>The police stated that the men have been arrested.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The men were identified by the authorities as 20-year-old Tembra Hicks and 18-year-old Christopher Hampton. The police charged the men arrested with one misdemeanour count of battery.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/international-air-india-flight-returns-to-delhi-due-to-serious-unruly-passenger-on-board-580891">International Air India flight returns to Delhi due to 'serious unruly' passenger on board</a></p>

<h2><strong>Regular women or&nbsp;professional wrestlers?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The video of the fight, which is being shared widely on social media platforms, shows a physical altercation taking place between many people in the lower level of Terminal 3.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Brawl at Chicago O’Hare airport this morning <a href="https://t.co/fsH6n3yABd">pic.twitter.com/fsH6n3yABd</a></p>
— Mr Bogus (@Mr_Bogus0007) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mr_Bogus0007/status/1661053731973087253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>One passenger can be seen pouncing on another, while a man wearing a green t-shirt is seen lunging on the opponent and using a spear to hit him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A group of women are seen fighting and pulling each other's hair on the floor, like any professional wrestler.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the women disentangled themselves, one woman became target of a surprise attack from behind by another female, who wielded a mystery weapon.</p>

<p>Passers-by were also caught in the ugly fight as someone yelled "Hey, hey, bro!" while another man punched the head of the fallen woman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the passengers fought, bystanders were seen shouting &nbsp;"Where’s security?" and "Stop!" The scuffle ended after Hampton and Hicks were cuffed by the police.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Two Go First flight passengers left stranded at Surat airport after 5-hour flight delay</strong></p>

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<p>A statement was released by the Chicago Department of Aviation in which it stated, "Safety and security are always the top priorities of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA). We work closely with all of our federal partners present at O'Hare and Midway International Airports and the Chicago Police Department to ensure that everyone is safe when they are in our facilities."</p>

<p>Earlier this month, a pregnant woman had unleashed a spirited attack on one of the employees of Spirit Airlines at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The woman, Que Maria Scott, was charged with disorderly conduct after the outburst, which occurred after she drank too much and was denied boarding, according to media reports.&nbsp;<br />
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A video of a massive scuffle between passengers at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago went viral after it was shared on the social media platform. Around a dozen people were seen involved in the fight which started after a "verbal dispute while deplaning" on Monday, stated the police, according to Fox32.

A video of a massive scuffle between passengers at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago went viral after it was shared on the social media platform. Around a dozen people were seen involved in the fight which started after a "verbal dispute while deplaning" on Monday, stated the police, according to Fox32. The fight started between flight passengers in the airport's baggage claim area during which a 24-year-old woman was punched by two others. "A verbal tiff that started in-flight really took off upon landing, with a 24-year-old woman finding herself on the receiving end of a two-pronged attack," stated Chicago Police Department as per the Fox News Digital. The police stated that the men have been arrested. The men were identified by the authorities as 20-year-old Tembra Hicks and 18-year-old Christopher Hampton. The police charged the men arrested with one misdemeanour count of battery. ALSO READ | International Air India flight returns to Delhi due to 'serious unruly' passenger on board Regular women or professional wrestlers? The video of the fight, which is being shared widely on social media platforms, shows a physical altercation taking place between many people in the lower level of Terminal 3. Brawl at Chicago O’Hare airport this morning pic.twitter.com/fsH6n3yABd — Mr Bogus (@Mr_Bogus0007) May 23, 2023 × One passenger can be seen pouncing on another, while a man wearing a green t-shirt is seen lunging on the opponent and using a spear to hit him. A group of women are seen fighting and pulling each other's hair on the floor, like any professional wrestler. After the women disentangled themselves, one woman became target of a surprise attack from behind by another female, who wielded a mystery weapon. Passers-by were also caught in the ugly fight as someone yelled "Hey, hey, bro!" while another man punched the head of the fallen woman. As the passengers fought, bystanders were seen shouting "Where’s security?" and "Stop!" The scuffle ended after Hampton and Hicks were cuffed by the police. WATCH | Two Go First flight passengers left stranded at Surat airport after 5-hour flight delay A statement was released by the Chicago Department of Aviation in which it stated, "Safety and security are always the top priorities of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA). We work closely with all of our federal partners present at O'Hare and Midway International Airports and the Chicago Police Department to ensure that everyone is safe when they are in our facilities." Earlier this month, a pregnant woman had unleashed a spirited attack on one of the employees of Spirit Airlines at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The woman, Que Maria Scott, was charged with disorderly conduct after the outburst, which occurred after she drank too much and was denied boarding, according to media reports. 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 | Video of massive scuffle at Chicago airport goes viral, two arrested

<p>The construction of a satellite launching station in North Korea has hit a “new level of urgency" as it is reported to be preparation for a launch, stated a US-based think tank in a report, which cited commercial satellite imagery.</p>

<p>North Korea said that its first military spy satellite has been completed and leader Kim Jong Un has given approval for final preparations to launch it and successfully place it in orbit, without announcing a date.</p>

<p>On Monday, commercial satellite imagery showed that construction of a new launch pad is progressing steadily in a coastal area east of North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station and going forward at a "remarkable pace", stated 38 North, a Washington-based programme which monitors North Korea, in its report on Thursday.</p>

<p>"While the key components of the Sohae complex have been undergoing modernisation and expansion over the past year, this uptick in activity suggests a new level of urgency in making the site ready to accommodate satellite launches," the report stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-south-korea-announce-new-north-korea-sanctions-on-it-workers-595993">US, South Korea announce new North Korea sanctions on IT workers</a></p>

<h2><strong>Features of the new launch pad</strong></h2>

<p>The new launch pad is likely to feature a &nbsp;rail-mounted assembly structure which is likely to be used for lifting a rocket into place, a tunnel for funnelling flames away and lighting towers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If the launch pad will be used to service liquid-fuelled rockets, then the structure will most likely need additional infrastructure, added the report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the main launch pad of Sohae, crews appear to have made modifications to the gantry tower, while they continue to work on a storage for fuel and oxidizer.</p>

<p>A new area, from where VIPs are likely to observe launches has also been reportedly completed, stated 38 North.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Analysts stated that the military satellite will be part of the efforts of the nuclear-armed state to enhance surveillance technology, which includes drones as well as improve its ability to hit targets during conflicts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several attempts have been made by North Korea to launch "earth observation" satellites among which two have been placed successfully in orbit, the last one happening in 2016.</p>

<p>International observers stated that the satellite appeared to be under control, however, there was lingering debate over whether any transmissions were sent by them.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;North Korea's first spy missile gets final nod from Kim Jong-Un</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>South Korea gears up for launch of space rocket</strong></h2>

<p>South Korea is set to launch its homegrown Nuri space rocket on Thursday after it was cancelled earlier because of technical glitches, stated the science ministry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The engineers have modified the control programme, and we finally confirmed through repeated tests that it works stably," said Deputy Science Minister Oh Tae-seok at a press briefing, adding that vehicle itself did not have any problems.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The construction of a satellite launching station in North Korea has hit a “new level of urgency" as it is reported to be preparation for a launch, stated a US-based think tank in a report, which cited commercial satellite imagery.

The construction of a satellite launching station in North Korea has hit a “new level of urgency" as it is reported to be preparation for a launch, stated a US-based think tank in a report, which cited commercial satellite imagery. North Korea said that its first military spy satellite has been completed and leader Kim Jong Un has given approval for final preparations to launch it and successfully place it in orbit, without announcing a date. On Monday, commercial satellite imagery showed that construction of a new launch pad is progressing steadily in a coastal area east of North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station and going forward at a "remarkable pace", stated 38 North, a Washington-based programme which monitors North Korea, in its report on Thursday. "While the key components of the Sohae complex have been undergoing modernisation and expansion over the past year, this uptick in activity suggests a new level of urgency in making the site ready to accommodate satellite launches," the report stated. ALSO READ | US, South Korea announce new North Korea sanctions on IT workers Features of the new launch pad The new launch pad is likely to feature a rail-mounted assembly structure which is likely to be used for lifting a rocket into place, a tunnel for funnelling flames away and lighting towers. If the launch pad will be used to service liquid-fuelled rockets, then the structure will most likely need additional infrastructure, added the report. At the main launch pad of Sohae, crews appear to have made modifications to the gantry tower, while they continue to work on a storage for fuel and oxidizer. A new area, from where VIPs are likely to observe launches has also been reportedly completed, stated 38 North. Analysts stated that the military satellite will be part of the efforts of the nuclear-armed state to enhance surveillance technology, which includes drones as well as improve its ability to hit targets during conflicts. Several attempts have been made by North Korea to launch "earth observation" satellites among which two have been placed successfully in orbit, the last one happening in 2016. International observers stated that the satellite appeared to be under control, however, there was lingering debate over whether any transmissions were sent by them. WATCH | North Korea's first spy missile gets final nod from Kim Jong-Un South Korea gears up for launch of space rocket South Korea is set to launch its homegrown Nuri space rocket on Thursday after it was cancelled earlier because of technical glitches, stated the science ministry. "The engineers have modified the control programme, and we finally confirmed through repeated tests that it works stably," said Deputy Science Minister Oh Tae-seok at a press briefing, adding that vehicle itself did not have any problems. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Construction at North Korea’s satellite launch pad hits ‘new urgency’: Report

<p>NASA's spacecraft Juno has found in its recent probe that the lightning in Jupiter is very similar to that of Earth. The brownish ammonia clouds that cover Jupitar are similar to the clouds that blanket Earth in their composition. Both are made of water.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And the way lightning is generally within clouds on Earth, &nbsp;a similar eerie sight was spotted by multiple spacecraft which visited the largest planet of the solar system, including Juno.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The data collected by Juno is giving fresh information on the similar processes through which lightning occurs on Jupiter and Earth, even though the two planets have dramatic differences between the two planets, as per scientists.</p>

<p>"Lightning is an electric discharge which is initiated inside thunderclouds. The ice and water particles inside the cloud get charged by collisions and form layers of particles with the charge of the same polarity," stated planetary scientist Ivana Kolmasova of the Czech Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Prague, who is also the lead author of the study which was published in the journal Nature Communications this week.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-spot-jupiters-12-new-moons-in-latest-discovery-making-it-the-planet-with-highest-number-of-moons-558779">Astronomers spot 12 new moons of Jupiter, taking total to 92, surpassing Saturn in lunar tally</a></p>

<p>"By this process, a huge electric field is established and the discharge can be initiated. This explanation is somewhat simplified because scientists are still not completely sure what is exactly happening inside thunderclouds," Kolmasova further explained.</p>

<p>The occurrence of lightning on Jupiter was confirmed after telltale radio emissions at audible frequencies were recorded by NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1979 after it ventured through the solar system.</p>

<h2><strong>Lightning in planets of solar system</strong></h2>

<p>Lightning has been observed on other gas planets of the solar system - Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Scientists have some evidence of lightning in the clouds of the planet Venus, however, it is still an issue of debate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Various studies have detailed similarities in the lightning processes on Earth and Jupiter. For instance, &nbsp;lightning rates on both planets are similar although the distribution of lightning on the giant planet differs from that of Earth.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: "Juice" mission to study Jupiter's icy moons</strong></p>

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<p>"On Earth, the tropical regions are the most active ones. The majority of Jovian lightning occurs in mid-latitudes and also in polar regions. We have nearly no lightning activity close to the poles on the Earth. It means that conditions for the formation of Jovian and terrestrial thunderclouds are probably very different," stated Kolmasova.</p>

<p>"There were some attempts to compare the power of lightning based on optical measurements and it was concluded that lightning on Jupiter might be comparable with the strongest terrestrial lightning," he added while emphasising that more analysis is planned.</p>

<p>Jupiter is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium along with traces of other gases. &nbsp;</p>

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NASA's spacecraft Juno has found in its recent probe that the lightning in Jupiter is very similar to that of Earth. The brownish ammonia clouds that cover Jupitar are similar to the clouds that blanket Earth in their composition.

NASA's spacecraft Juno has found in its recent probe that the lightning in Jupiter is very similar to that of Earth. The brownish ammonia clouds that cover Jupitar are similar to the clouds that blanket Earth in their composition. Both are made of water. And the way lightning is generally within clouds on Earth, a similar eerie sight was spotted by multiple spacecraft which visited the largest planet of the solar system, including Juno. The data collected by Juno is giving fresh information on the similar processes through which lightning occurs on Jupiter and Earth, even though the two planets have dramatic differences between the two planets, as per scientists. "Lightning is an electric discharge which is initiated inside thunderclouds. The ice and water particles inside the cloud get charged by collisions and form layers of particles with the charge of the same polarity," stated planetary scientist Ivana Kolmasova of the Czech Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Prague, who is also the lead author of the study which was published in the journal Nature Communications this week. ALSO READ | Astronomers spot 12 new moons of Jupiter, taking total to 92, surpassing Saturn in lunar tally "By this process, a huge electric field is established and the discharge can be initiated. This explanation is somewhat simplified because scientists are still not completely sure what is exactly happening inside thunderclouds," Kolmasova further explained. The occurrence of lightning on Jupiter was confirmed after telltale radio emissions at audible frequencies were recorded by NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1979 after it ventured through the solar system. Lightning in planets of solar system Lightning has been observed on other gas planets of the solar system - Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Scientists have some evidence of lightning in the clouds of the planet Venus, however, it is still an issue of debate. Various studies have detailed similarities in the lightning processes on Earth and Jupiter. For instance, lightning rates on both planets are similar although the distribution of lightning on the giant planet differs from that of Earth. WATCH | Gravitas: "Juice" mission to study Jupiter's icy moons "On Earth, the tropical regions are the most active ones. The majority of Jovian lightning occurs in mid-latitudes and also in polar regions. We have nearly no lightning activity close to the poles on the Earth. It means that conditions for the formation of Jovian and terrestrial thunderclouds are probably very different," stated Kolmasova. "There were some attempts to compare the power of lightning based on optical measurements and it was concluded that lightning on Jupiter might be comparable with the strongest terrestrial lightning," he added while emphasising that more analysis is planned. Jupiter is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium along with traces of other gases. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

NASA spacecraft discovers how Jupiter's lightning shares similarity with Earth's

<p>Swiss watchmaker stated that their 164 rainbow-coloured watches, worth a total of US$14,000, were seized by the Malaysian authorities from its Pride collection.</p>

<p>People from the LGBTQ community face discrimination in Malaysia where homosexuality remains forbidden and people caught engaging in sodomy can face imprisonment as well as corporal punishment, although the law is rarely enforced.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The authorities raided 11 shopping malls which had Swatch outlets across Malaysia, including the ones present in the capital Kuala Lumpur, on May 13-14, stated the company said. Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek said, “We strongly contest that our collection of watches using rainbow colours and having a message of peace and love could be harmful. This has nothing political."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Will replenish the stock, says Swatch's marketing manager</strong></h2>

<p>Marketing manager for Swatch Malaysia Sarah Kok said, “As per instruction from Switzerland HQ, we will still replenish the stock and display them on-shelf. We wonder how the home ministry's enforcement unit will confiscate the many beautiful natural rainbows that are showing up thousand times a year in the sky of Malaysia."</p>

<p>A summons notice was sent against one Swatch outlet, in which the law enforcement unit of Malaysia's home affairs ministry stated "22 Swatch watches with LGBT elements" were confiscated, AFP reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/target-holds-emergency-meeting-over-lgbtq-merchandise-relocates-pride-displays-report-595764">Target holds ‘emergency’ meeting, relocates LGBTQ merchandise from June Pride month displays: Report</a></p>

<p>As per the notice, the authorities seized the watch on the basis of the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984 which has been condemned by the critics as draconian. Often, the law is used to ensure that content does not undermine or offend race relations.</p>

<p>A ministry official, defending the seizing of watches, said that the items letters “LGBT” and had six colours and not seven in a rainbow.</p>

<p>Unsettling level of intolerance: LGBTQ-rights group</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Malaysian LGBTQ-rights advocacy group JEJAKA posted a statement on Twitter which condemned the raid and stated that it revealed “a deeply unsettling level of intolerance”.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Uganda passes most extreme anti-LGBTQ laws, US fumes</strong></p>

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<p>Malaysia's Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution, speaking to the Associated Press news agency, said that a full report on the incident is awaited and that he will comment on the matter only after going through it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In October 2022, an LGBTQ-friendly Halloween party in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown was raided by the police and 20 Muslim men were arrested for cross-dressing.</p>

<p>The six-colour pride flag has been the most famous LGBT symbol across the world.</p>

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Swiss watchmaker stated that their 164 rainbow-coloured watches, worth a total of US$14,000, were seized by the Malaysian authorities from its Pride collection. People from the LGBTQ community face discrimination in Malaysia where homosexuality remains forbidden and people caught engaging in sodomy can face imprisonment as well as corporal punishment, although the law is rarely enforced.

Swiss watchmaker stated that their 164 rainbow-coloured watches, worth a total of US$14,000, were seized by the Malaysian authorities from its Pride collection. People from the LGBTQ community face discrimination in Malaysia where homosexuality remains forbidden and people caught engaging in sodomy can face imprisonment as well as corporal punishment, although the law is rarely enforced. The authorities raided 11 shopping malls which had Swatch outlets across Malaysia, including the ones present in the capital Kuala Lumpur, on May 13-14, stated the company said. Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek said, “We strongly contest that our collection of watches using rainbow colours and having a message of peace and love could be harmful. This has nothing political." Will replenish the stock, says Swatch's marketing manager Marketing manager for Swatch Malaysia Sarah Kok said, “As per instruction from Switzerland HQ, we will still replenish the stock and display them on-shelf. We wonder how the home ministry's enforcement unit will confiscate the many beautiful natural rainbows that are showing up thousand times a year in the sky of Malaysia." A summons notice was sent against one Swatch outlet, in which the law enforcement unit of Malaysia's home affairs ministry stated "22 Swatch watches with LGBT elements" were confiscated, AFP reported. ALSO READ | Target holds ‘emergency’ meeting, relocates LGBTQ merchandise from June Pride month displays: Report As per the notice, the authorities seized the watch on the basis of the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984 which has been condemned by the critics as draconian. Often, the law is used to ensure that content does not undermine or offend race relations. A ministry official, defending the seizing of watches, said that the items letters “LGBT” and had six colours and not seven in a rainbow. Unsettling level of intolerance: LGBTQ-rights group Meanwhile, the Malaysian LGBTQ-rights advocacy group JEJAKA posted a statement on Twitter which condemned the raid and stated that it revealed “a deeply unsettling level of intolerance”. WATCH | Uganda passes most extreme anti-LGBTQ laws, US fumes Malaysia's Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution, speaking to the Associated Press news agency, said that a full report on the incident is awaited and that he will comment on the matter only after going through it. In October 2022, an LGBTQ-friendly Halloween party in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown was raided by the police and 20 Muslim men were arrested for cross-dressing. The six-colour pride flag has been the most famous LGBT symbol across the world. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Malaysian authorities confiscate ‘LGBT’ rainbow-coloured Swatch watches

<p>The government in the Indian state of Odisha imposed a ban on the use of cannabis at all shrines of the Hindu Lord Shiva across the state on Tuesday, officials said. The step has been taken ahead of the Kanwar Yatra which takes place in monsoon months.</p>

<p>In a letter sent to all superintendents of police and district collectors, the director of the Odia Language Literature and Culture department Dilip Routray directed the officials to adopt necessary measures to ban the use of cannabis at the temples of Lord Shiva.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The directive was issued by the state government after an appeal was made by social activist Padmashri Baba Balia on stopping the use of cannabis at all shrines of Lord Shiva.</p>

<p>“I had written a letter to the government requesting a ban on Ganja at Shiva shrines. Cannabis can be offered as an offering at the shrine but should not be distributed among devotees for consumption. The ban will curb health hazards among the youth,” Baba Balia stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/indian-origin-man-missing-after-reaching-mount-everest-summit-family-asks-for-help-594683">&nbsp;Indian-origin man missing after reaching Mount Everest summit, family asks for help</a></p>

<h2><strong>Cannabis - an integral part of&nbsp;religious celebrations </strong></h2>

<p>It is believed that cannabis is a favourite substance of Lord Shiva and hence, has been an integral part of religious celebrations that take place on Shravan Purnima and Shivaratri when devotees are seen smoking cannabis (musky-flavoured dried flowers of the cannabis plant) and consuming bhang ( a drink made from ground leaves and flowers from the female cannabis plant, spices and milk).</p>

<p>Chief servitor of the Akhandalamani temple of Aradi in Bhadrak district Bijay Kumar Das said that he was upset by the imposed ban imposed. At Akhandalamani temple, every day bhang is mixed with the holy prasad. “Bhang is used during the ‘Gharsana’ ritual of our temple and this is a century-old tradition. However, we will hold discussions with the officials if we can still use a small portion,” Das said.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;India a bright spot &amp; shines amid global gloom, its GDP crossed $3.5 tn in 2022: Moody's</strong></p>

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<p>Meanwhile, In Lingaraj Temple located Bhubaneswar, a senior priest stated that no devotee has been encouraged to offer bhang at the shrine. “Some devotees may be offering on their own. I feel the government should not have waded into matters of religion,” the priest added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Odisha, bhang is available legally, however, cannabis remains illegal according to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, of 1985.</p>

<p>A household sample survey, conducted between December 2017 and October 2018, found that 4.9 lakh people need help for problems related to cannabis in the state.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The government in the Indian state of Odisha imposed a ban on the use of cannabis at all shrines of the Hindu Lord Shiva across the state on Tuesday, officials said.

The government in the Indian state of Odisha imposed a ban on the use of cannabis at all shrines of the Hindu Lord Shiva across the state on Tuesday, officials said. The step has been taken ahead of the Kanwar Yatra which takes place in monsoon months. In a letter sent to all superintendents of police and district collectors, the director of the Odia Language Literature and Culture department Dilip Routray directed the officials to adopt necessary measures to ban the use of cannabis at the temples of Lord Shiva. The directive was issued by the state government after an appeal was made by social activist Padmashri Baba Balia on stopping the use of cannabis at all shrines of Lord Shiva. “I had written a letter to the government requesting a ban on Ganja at Shiva shrines. Cannabis can be offered as an offering at the shrine but should not be distributed among devotees for consumption. The ban will curb health hazards among the youth,” Baba Balia stated. ALSO READ | Indian-origin man missing after reaching Mount Everest summit, family asks for help Cannabis - an integral part of religious celebrations It is believed that cannabis is a favourite substance of Lord Shiva and hence, has been an integral part of religious celebrations that take place on Shravan Purnima and Shivaratri when devotees are seen smoking cannabis (musky-flavoured dried flowers of the cannabis plant) and consuming bhang ( a drink made from ground leaves and flowers from the female cannabis plant, spices and milk). Chief servitor of the Akhandalamani temple of Aradi in Bhadrak district Bijay Kumar Das said that he was upset by the imposed ban imposed. At Akhandalamani temple, every day bhang is mixed with the holy prasad. “Bhang is used during the ‘Gharsana’ ritual of our temple and this is a century-old tradition. However, we will hold discussions with the officials if we can still use a small portion,” Das said. WATCH | India a bright spot & shines amid global gloom, its GDP crossed $3.5 tn in 2022: Moody's Meanwhile, In Lingaraj Temple located Bhubaneswar, a senior priest stated that no devotee has been encouraged to offer bhang at the shrine. “Some devotees may be offering on their own. I feel the government should not have waded into matters of religion,” the priest added. In Odisha, bhang is available legally, however, cannabis remains illegal according to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, of 1985. A household sample survey, conducted between December 2017 and October 2018, found that 4.9 lakh people need help for problems related to cannabis in the state. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India: Odisha govt prohibits use of cannabis at Lord Shiva shrines

<p>A 13-year-old girl in Melbourne lost her life while trying to attempt a social media trend called "chroming". The family members of the teenager have called for action to stop any more such deaths.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Esra Haynes took part in the social media trend chroming. Chroming involves people inhaling substances like petrol, metallic paints, &nbsp;chemicals from aerosol cans and solvents to experience a quick high.</p>

<h2>How did Esra Haynes die?</h2>

<p><br />
The incident took place when the teenager had gone for a sleepover on March 31, as reported by News.com.au.<br />
<br />
A deodorant may have been used by Esra, according to reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The girl suffered a cardiac arrest. She was put on life support for eight days. Doctors&nbsp; said her brain "was damaged beyond repair”. After this, her family took the tough decision of turning off life support machines.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The parents of the teenager, Paul and Andrea Haynes, and her older siblings Imogen, Seth and Charlie “cuddled her until the end”, reported the Australian media outlet.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/australian-teen-wears-six-layers-of-clothes-to-avoid-baggage-fees-gets-caught-and-fined-594678">Australian teen wears six layers of clothes to avoid baggage fees, gets caught and fined</a></p>

<h2><strong>Increasing cases of “chroming”</strong></h2>

<p>This is not the first time Australian teenagers have fallen victim to “chroming”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2019, two 16-year-old boys were killed after they participated in the trend. Another teenage girl had lost her life after she suffered brain damage due to chroming.</p>

<p>After the death of Esra, the Victorian Education Department stated that efforts are being made to provide children with more knowledge about chroming as well as its deadly side effects.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Parents speak out against chroming trend</h2>

<p>The parents of the deceased teenager are aiming to increase awareness about such dangerous social media trends.</p>

<p>They stated that they were unaware of “chroming” until they received a call which informed them that their daughter has been rushed to hospital.</p>

<p>The parents are appealing to children and teenagers to avoid repeating the same mistakes which were made by their daughter.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Australia first to open foreign universities campuses in India: Manpreet Vohra</strong></p>

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<p>“We want to help other children not fall into the silly trap of doing this silly thing. It’s unquestionable that this will be our crusade,” Paul Haynes said while speaking to the Herald Sun.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“No matter how much you lead a horse to water, anyone can drag them away. It’s not something she would have done on her own,” he added.</p>

<p>The parents have further appealed for making cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR a compulsory lesson in schools, and also demanded the deodorant formula be made less toxic and more safer. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The American Addiction Centres stated chroming is more popular among younger people who don't have access to other drugs.</p>

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A 13-year-old girl in Melbourne lost her life while trying to attempt a social media trend called "chroming". The family members of the teenager have called for action to stop any more such deaths.

A 13-year-old girl in Melbourne lost her life while trying to attempt a social media trend called "chroming". The family members of the teenager have called for action to stop any more such deaths. Esra Haynes took part in the social media trend chroming. Chroming involves people inhaling substances like petrol, metallic paints, chemicals from aerosol cans and solvents to experience a quick high. How did Esra Haynes die? The incident took place when the teenager had gone for a sleepover on March 31, as reported by News.com.au. A deodorant may have been used by Esra, according to reports. The girl suffered a cardiac arrest. She was put on life support for eight days. Doctors said her brain "was damaged beyond repair”. After this, her family took the tough decision of turning off life support machines. The parents of the teenager, Paul and Andrea Haynes, and her older siblings Imogen, Seth and Charlie “cuddled her until the end”, reported the Australian media outlet. ALSO READ | Australian teen wears six layers of clothes to avoid baggage fees, gets caught and fined Increasing cases of “chroming” This is not the first time Australian teenagers have fallen victim to “chroming”. In 2019, two 16-year-old boys were killed after they participated in the trend. Another teenage girl had lost her life after she suffered brain damage due to chroming. After the death of Esra, the Victorian Education Department stated that efforts are being made to provide children with more knowledge about chroming as well as its deadly side effects. Parents speak out against chroming trend The parents of the deceased teenager are aiming to increase awareness about such dangerous social media trends. They stated that they were unaware of “chroming” until they received a call which informed them that their daughter has been rushed to hospital. The parents are appealing to children and teenagers to avoid repeating the same mistakes which were made by their daughter. WATCH | Australia first to open foreign universities campuses in India: Manpreet Vohra “We want to help other children not fall into the silly trap of doing this silly thing. It’s unquestionable that this will be our crusade,” Paul Haynes said while speaking to the Herald Sun. “No matter how much you lead a horse to water, anyone can drag them away. It’s not something she would have done on her own,” he added. The parents have further appealed for making cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR a compulsory lesson in schools, and also demanded the deodorant formula be made less toxic and more safer. The American Addiction Centres stated chroming is more popular among younger people who don't have access to other drugs. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Australia: Viral social media trend ‘chroming’ kills 13-year-old girl

<p>Pakistan's former human rights minister and former prime minister Imran Khan's close aide Shireen Mazari on Tuesday resigned from the party and she announced her shocking retirement from active politics after she was arrested by the police over the recent violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;72-year-old Mazari made the announcement after she was released following her fourth arrest since May 12 when she was picked up by the police from her residence and sent to jail. Mazari had served as the minister for human rights from 2018 to 2022, under the government of Imran Khan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking at a press conference, &nbsp;she criticised the violence that broke out after Khan was arrested on May 9, adding that a similar undertaking was given by her in the Islamabad High Court.</p>

<p>"Not only the May 9 and 10 violence, but I’ve always condemned every kind of violence especially against state institutions and symbols like the General Headquarters, Supreme Court and Parliament,” she stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mazari then announced that she has resigned from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and is also quitting active politics, saying that the arrest had an adverse effect on her health as well as the family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"From today, I’m not part of PTI or any active party because first [for me are] my family, my mother and kids,” she stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khans-close-aide-shah-mahmood-qureshi-arrested-minutes-after-release-from-jail-595827">&nbsp;Imran Khan's close aide Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrested minutes after release from jail</a></p>

<h2><strong>'Big political loss'&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In the last few days, several PTI leaders have resigned from the party after facing the heat of legal processes, however, those leaders did not share the same stature as that of liberal-minded Mazari.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mazari's resignation is being seen as a big political loss to the political party.</p>

<p>Civil society, which included journalists, expressed disappointment at her decision and Geo News anchor Hamid Mir called her retirement a "huge loss" for the country's human rights activism and democracy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Political analyst Mosharraf Zaidi stated the development was “an absolute disgrace for the government, the military and the country at large".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;In Pakistan, PTI leaders re-arrested minutes after release ordered by Islamabad High Court | WION</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/in-pakistan-pti-leaders-re-arrested-minutes-after-release-ordered-by-islamabad-high-court-wion-595846/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The police arrested Mazari for the fourth time on Monday after the authorities were directed by the Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi bench to set her free if she was not needed in any other case.</p>

<p>Speaking to the media after the court order, her daughter Imaan Mazari-Hazir said that “the government should think and not destroy homes like this”.</p>

<p>Mazari-Hazir also slammed Khan, saying that "it is a pity that party chief Imran Khan has forgotten the workers and leadership".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for&nbsp;wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

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Pakistan's former human rights minister and former prime minister Imran Khan's close aide Shireen Mazari on Tuesday resigned from the party and she announced her shocking retirement from active politics after she was arrested by the police over the recent violence.

Pakistan's former human rights minister and former prime minister Imran Khan's close aide Shireen Mazari on Tuesday resigned from the party and she announced her shocking retirement from active politics after she was arrested by the police over the recent violence. 72-year-old Mazari made the announcement after she was released following her fourth arrest since May 12 when she was picked up by the police from her residence and sent to jail. Mazari had served as the minister for human rights from 2018 to 2022, under the government of Imran Khan. Speaking at a press conference, she criticised the violence that broke out after Khan was arrested on May 9, adding that a similar undertaking was given by her in the Islamabad High Court. "Not only the May 9 and 10 violence, but I’ve always condemned every kind of violence especially against state institutions and symbols like the General Headquarters, Supreme Court and Parliament,” she stated. Mazari then announced that she has resigned from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and is also quitting active politics, saying that the arrest had an adverse effect on her health as well as the family. "From today, I’m not part of PTI or any active party because first [for me are] my family, my mother and kids,” she stated. ALSO READ | Imran Khan's close aide Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrested minutes after release from jail 'Big political loss' In the last few days, several PTI leaders have resigned from the party after facing the heat of legal processes, however, those leaders did not share the same stature as that of liberal-minded Mazari. Mazari's resignation is being seen as a big political loss to the political party. Civil society, which included journalists, expressed disappointment at her decision and Geo News anchor Hamid Mir called her retirement a "huge loss" for the country's human rights activism and democracy. Political analyst Mosharraf Zaidi stated the development was “an absolute disgrace for the government, the military and the country at large". WATCH | In Pakistan, PTI leaders re-arrested minutes after release ordered by Islamabad High Court | WION The police arrested Mazari for the fourth time on Monday after the authorities were directed by the Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi bench to set her free if she was not needed in any other case. Speaking to the media after the court order, her daughter Imaan Mazari-Hazir said that “the government should think and not destroy homes like this”. Mazari-Hazir also slammed Khan, saying that "it is a pity that party chief Imran Khan has forgotten the workers and leadership". (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan: Imran Khan receives another shock after close aide Shireen Mazari quits party

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