<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has lost public support as per a poll which showed that the party is likely to lose more than a third of its seats if it goes into an election currently and won't be able to get a majority along with his hard-right coalition partners.</p>

<p>As the country continues to flare up over the government's controversial plan to tighten control over the Supreme Court which has been paused amid the escalating tension with the Palestinians, the poll carried out by Channel 13 News showed that more than two-thirds of the country's voters were unhappy with Netanyahu’s performance in office.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/israel-hits-southern-syria-after-six-rockets-launched-at-golan-heights-explosions-heard-near-damascus-580568">Israeli fighter jets hit military compound in Syria in response to rocket strikes</a></p>

<p>The poll indicated that Netanyahu’s Likud party would be able to clinch victory over 20 seats in the 120-member parliament of the country, which is a fall from the 32 seats he won last November.</p>

<p>The poll also stated that his religious-nationalist coalition would not be able to get a majority with 46 seats, which is a fall from 64.</p>

<p>If the elections are held in the current scenario, Benny Gantz's Blue and White party would emerge victorious with 29 seats, followed by Yair Lapid’s centrist party which would clinch victory over 21 seats, as per the survey conducted by Camil Fuchs.</p>

<p>When the people were asked about the performance of Netanyahu as prime minister, 71 per cent of the 699 respondents called it “not good” and 20 per cent agreed that it was “good”, reported Channel 13 News.</p>

<p>The survey was dismissed by the Likud party’s Boaz Bismuth.</p>

<p>“There was an amazing and very, very reliable poll on November 1, I still rely on it,” he said while speaking to Army Radio on Monday, as he referred to the last national election held which ended the political deadlock which was seen five elections in less than four years.</p>

<p>The government led by Netanyahu had pledged to overhaul the judicial system, however, the legislation was paused to allow for compromise discussions with the opposition political parties after weeks of nationwide protests.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Israel: Funeral held at Kfar Etzion for 2 sisters killed in shootout in West Bank</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-funeral-held-at-kfar-etzion-for-2-sisters-killed-in-shootout-in-west-bank-580958/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The supporters of the government's plan stated that the change will help restore the balance between the different branches of the government. However, the critics stated that the plan will only weaken the courts and unbridled power will be handed to the government.</p>

<p>The protests have been taking place amid escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians in which more than 250 Palestinians and around 42 Israelis and foreigners have lost their lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has lost public support as per a poll which showed that the party is likely to lose more than a third of its seats if it goes into an election currently and won't be able to get a majority along with his hard-right coalition partners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has lost public support as per a poll which showed that the party is likely to lose more than a third of its seats if it goes into an election currently and won't be able to get a majority along with his hard-right coalition partners. As the country continues to flare up over the government's controversial plan to tighten control over the Supreme Court which has been paused amid the escalating tension with the Palestinians, the poll carried out by Channel 13 News showed that more than two-thirds of the country's voters were unhappy with Netanyahu’s performance in office. ALSO READ | Israeli fighter jets hit military compound in Syria in response to rocket strikes The poll indicated that Netanyahu’s Likud party would be able to clinch victory over 20 seats in the 120-member parliament of the country, which is a fall from the 32 seats he won last November. The poll also stated that his religious-nationalist coalition would not be able to get a majority with 46 seats, which is a fall from 64. If the elections are held in the current scenario, Benny Gantz's Blue and White party would emerge victorious with 29 seats, followed by Yair Lapid’s centrist party which would clinch victory over 21 seats, as per the survey conducted by Camil Fuchs. When the people were asked about the performance of Netanyahu as prime minister, 71 per cent of the 699 respondents called it “not good” and 20 per cent agreed that it was “good”, reported Channel 13 News. The survey was dismissed by the Likud party’s Boaz Bismuth. “There was an amazing and very, very reliable poll on November 1, I still rely on it,” he said while speaking to Army Radio on Monday, as he referred to the last national election held which ended the political deadlock which was seen five elections in less than four years. The government led by Netanyahu had pledged to overhaul the judicial system, however, the legislation was paused to allow for compromise discussions with the opposition political parties after weeks of nationwide protests. WATCH | Israel: Funeral held at Kfar Etzion for 2 sisters killed in shootout in West Bank The supporters of the government's plan stated that the change will help restore the balance between the different branches of the government. However, the critics stated that the plan will only weaken the courts and unbridled power will be handed to the government. The protests have been taking place amid escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians in which more than 250 Palestinians and around 42 Israelis and foreigners have lost their lives. (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

Netanyahu’s Likud party likely to lose more than a third of its seats, predicts poll

<p>China announced the completion of military drills around Taiwan on Monday, after carrying them out for three days, stating that the integrated military capabilities were tested by them under actual combat conditions as they practised precision strikes and “sealed off” the island that is viewed by Beijing as its own.</p>

<p>The drills, dubbed as "Joint Sword", were announced by Beijing on Saturday, after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen landed back in Taipei following his meeting with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.</p>

<p>The use of force was never renounced by China to bring Taiwan, which is democratically governed, under the control of Beijing. The claims of China have been strongly disputed by Taiwan's government and the latter also denounced the drills.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-urges-restraint-as-china-deploys-8-warships-58-jets-around-taiwan-on-second-day-of-drills-580598">China simulates precision strikes against Taiwan on Day 2 of drills; US urges restraint</a></p>

<p>The Chinese military stated that it had "successfully completed" the exercises and "comprehensively tested" the capabilities of various units amid actual combat conditions.</p>

<p>"The troops in the theatre are ready to fight all the time and can fight at any time, resolutely crushing any form of Taiwan independence separatism and foreign interference," said the Eastern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army, in a statement.</p>

<p>Earlier on Monday, Chinese state television said that drills were staged by the aircraft, which included the nuclear-capable H-6 bombers armed with live missiles and warships, to "form a multi-directional island-encompassing blockade situation".</p>

<p>The Eastern Theatre Command stated that the Shandong aircraft carrier also participated in combat patrols, and the fighters were seen taking off from its deck.</p>

<p>Since last week, Taiwan was tracking the Shandong in the Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p>A map was published by Taiwan's defence ministry on Monday of the Chinese air force activities that took place in the last 24 hours which showed four carrier-based Chinese J-15 fighters were operating over the Pacific Ocean to the east of Taiwan.</p>

<p>The defence ministry said that on the last day, 12 Chinese warships and 91 military jets were spotted around Taiwan, and the drills were being conducted by the Shandong carrier group in the Western Pacific.</p>

<p>Extending its support to China's military drills, the Kremlin on Monday stated that Beijing had a "sovereign right" to respond to what was called "provocative acts" by Moscow.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | China Military Exercises | Taiwan: 59 Chinese planes detected today</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-military-exercises-taiwan-59-chinese-planes-detected-today-580952/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"We have witnessed multiple acts that were provocative in their character towards the Chinese People's Republic," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "China has the sovereign right to respond to these provocative acts, including with military manoeuvres, in strict accordance with international law,” he added.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the United States which has continuously appealed to China to show restraint sent the USS Milius guided-missile destroyer on Monday through South China Sea's contested part.</p>

<p>"This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea," said the US Navy in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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China announced the completion of military drills around Taiwan on Monday, after carrying them out for three days, stating that the integrated military capabilities were tested by them under actual combat conditions as they practised precision strikes and “sealed off” the island that is viewed by Beijing as its own.

China announced the completion of military drills around Taiwan on Monday, after carrying them out for three days, stating that the integrated military capabilities were tested by them under actual combat conditions as they practised precision strikes and “sealed off” the island that is viewed by Beijing as its own. The drills, dubbed as "Joint Sword", were announced by Beijing on Saturday, after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen landed back in Taipei following his meeting with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles. The use of force was never renounced by China to bring Taiwan, which is democratically governed, under the control of Beijing. The claims of China have been strongly disputed by Taiwan's government and the latter also denounced the drills. ALSO READ | China simulates precision strikes against Taiwan on Day 2 of drills; US urges restraint The Chinese military stated that it had "successfully completed" the exercises and "comprehensively tested" the capabilities of various units amid actual combat conditions. "The troops in the theatre are ready to fight all the time and can fight at any time, resolutely crushing any form of Taiwan independence separatism and foreign interference," said the Eastern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army, in a statement. Earlier on Monday, Chinese state television said that drills were staged by the aircraft, which included the nuclear-capable H-6 bombers armed with live missiles and warships, to "form a multi-directional island-encompassing blockade situation". The Eastern Theatre Command stated that the Shandong aircraft carrier also participated in combat patrols, and the fighters were seen taking off from its deck. Since last week, Taiwan was tracking the Shandong in the Pacific Ocean. A map was published by Taiwan's defence ministry on Monday of the Chinese air force activities that took place in the last 24 hours which showed four carrier-based Chinese J-15 fighters were operating over the Pacific Ocean to the east of Taiwan. The defence ministry said that on the last day, 12 Chinese warships and 91 military jets were spotted around Taiwan, and the drills were being conducted by the Shandong carrier group in the Western Pacific. Extending its support to China's military drills, the Kremlin on Monday stated that Beijing had a "sovereign right" to respond to what was called "provocative acts" by Moscow. WATCH | China Military Exercises | Taiwan: 59 Chinese planes detected today "We have witnessed multiple acts that were provocative in their character towards the Chinese People's Republic," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "China has the sovereign right to respond to these provocative acts, including with military manoeuvres, in strict accordance with international law,” he added. Meanwhile, the United States which has continuously appealed to China to show restraint sent the USS Milius guided-missile destroyer on Monday through South China Sea's contested part. "This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea," said the US Navy in a statement. (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

China ends military drills around Taiwan which simulated 'sealing off' the island

<p>Twitter owner Elon Musk started following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. In the list of 195 people Musk follows, PM Modi's name appeared on Monday.</p>

<p>The screenshot of the list shared on the microblogging platform soon gained traction. Around 134.3 million people follow Musk, which makes him the most followed person on Twitter.</p>

<p><img alt="screenshot" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="079e92ae-381d-4eac-9aef-e3775358d28e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-04-10T174215.103.png" /></p>

<p>The feat was achieved by him in late March as he surpassed former US President Barack Obama.</p>

<p>With more than 87.7 million followers, PM Modi is one of the most followed political leaders on Twitter. The news about the update in the list of Musk's followers was shared on Twitter by "Elon Alerts", which constantly monitors the activity of the account owned by the Tesla chief.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Elon Musk is now following Narendra Modi (<a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>)</p>
— ELON ALERTS (@elon_alerts) <a href="https://twitter.com/elon_alerts/status/1645299269195247618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The recent development sparked a new debate on Twitter as some users hoped that this was a sign of the arrival of Tesla in India.</p>

<p>"What made Elon Musk to follow Narendra Modi of India? Can we expect a factory there $TSLA. Let's see," quizzed one user while reacting to the news.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What made Elon Musk to follow Narendra Modi of India⁉️<br />
<br />
Can we expect a factory there <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a><br />
<br />
Let’s see <a href="https://t.co/3SRwS2FuJH">https://t.co/3SRwS2FuJH</a> <a href="https://t.co/QXTSQhLfa2">pic.twitter.com/QXTSQhLfa2</a></p>
— Technosmith (@itechnosmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/itechnosmith/status/1645323647614066688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Previously, Musk had stated that electric cars will not be manufactured by Tesla in India unless it is permitted to first sell and service them locally.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/matt-taibbi-and-elon-musk-split-what-is-the-substack-twitter-rivalry-580584">Matt Taibbi and Elon Musk split. What is the Substack-Twitter rivalry?</a></p>

<p>Indian Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, on the other hand, had stated that the government will only allow Tesla to sell cars in India if it is manufacturing electric vehicles in the country.</p>

<p>Few users stated that efforts are being made by PM Modi to make India a better country.</p>

<p>"Thanks Elon Musk! As our PM Modiji is taking efforts to make our country better, prosperous, progressive &amp; improve people' lives, Elon Musk is also striving for making world sane, wokism free, assuring good society &amp; better future life for today's children. Wish both best wishes!" commented a user.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Elon Musk loses world's richest crown after Tesla shares fall 50% | World Business News | WION</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-loses-worlds-richest-crown-after-tesla-shares-fall-50-world-business-news-wion-579672/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>As per a report published by the Guinness World Records Twitter has 450 million monthly active users approximately, which reflects that 30 per cent of total Twitter users are following Musk.</p>

<p>In October 2022, Musk took charge of Twitter. At that time, he had around 110 million users. In five months, the following increased to 133 million.</p>

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Twitter owner Elon Musk started following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. In the list of 195 people Musk follows, PM Modi's name appeared on Monday.

Twitter owner Elon Musk started following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. In the list of 195 people Musk follows, PM Modi's name appeared on Monday. The screenshot of the list shared on the microblogging platform soon gained traction. Around 134.3 million people follow Musk, which makes him the most followed person on Twitter. The feat was achieved by him in late March as he surpassed former US President Barack Obama. With more than 87.7 million followers, PM Modi is one of the most followed political leaders on Twitter. The news about the update in the list of Musk's followers was shared on Twitter by "Elon Alerts", which constantly monitors the activity of the account owned by the Tesla chief. Elon Musk is now following Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) — ELON ALERTS (@elon_alerts) April 10, 2023 × The recent development sparked a new debate on Twitter as some users hoped that this was a sign of the arrival of Tesla in India. "What made Elon Musk to follow Narendra Modi of India? Can we expect a factory there $TSLA. Let's see," quizzed one user while reacting to the news. What made Elon Musk to follow Narendra Modi of India⁉️ Can we expect a factory there $TSLA Let’s see https://t.co/3SRwS2FuJH pic.twitter.com/QXTSQhLfa2 — Technosmith (@itechnosmith) April 10, 2023 × Previously, Musk had stated that electric cars will not be manufactured by Tesla in India unless it is permitted to first sell and service them locally. ALSO READ | Matt Taibbi and Elon Musk split. What is the Substack-Twitter rivalry? Indian Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, on the other hand, had stated that the government will only allow Tesla to sell cars in India if it is manufacturing electric vehicles in the country. Few users stated that efforts are being made by PM Modi to make India a better country. "Thanks Elon Musk! As our PM Modiji is taking efforts to make our country better, prosperous, progressive & improve people' lives, Elon Musk is also striving for making world sane, wokism free, assuring good society & better future life for today's children. Wish both best wishes!" commented a user. WATCH | Elon Musk loses world's richest crown after Tesla shares fall 50% | World Business News | WION As per a report published by the Guinness World Records Twitter has 450 million monthly active users approximately, which reflects that 30 per cent of total Twitter users are following Musk. In October 2022, Musk took charge of Twitter. At that time, he had around 110 million users. In five months, the following increased to 133 million. 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

Elon Musk starts following Narendra Modi on Twitter, users wonder if Tesla's India days lie ahead

<p>A technical glitch was reported by some users of Google Pay on the internet according to which $10 to $1,000 (around ₹80,000) was credited to their bank accounts.</p>

<p>However, after the error was identified by the UPI platform, a lot of payments were reversed.</p>

<p>In cases where the extra amount was utilised by the users or the UPI was unable to rectify the error, the company stated that they will not debit the money.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-search-to-soon-incorporate-ai-chat-says-sundar-pichai-580100">Google search to soon incorporate AI chat, says Sundar Pichai</a></p>

<p>A Twitter user, Mishaal Rahman, explained how he was credited $46 from Google Pay, which the company later reversed. Rahman said that he received a notification from Google which stated that the amount was deposited in his account for ‘dogfooding’.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Uhhh, Google Pay seems to just be randomly giving users free money right now.<br />
<br />
I just opened Google Pay and saw that I have $46 in "rewards" that I got "for dogfooding the Google Pay Remittance experience."<br />
<br />
What. <a href="https://t.co/Epe08Tpsk2">pic.twitter.com/Epe08Tpsk2</a></p>
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) <a href="https://twitter.com/MishaalRahman/status/1643430482598674432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The term is referred to staff workers who test the company's new features before they are announced to the public. Rahman wrote “Google Pay seems to just be randomly giving users free money right now. I just opened Google Pay and saw that I have $46 in "rewards" that I got "for dogfooding the Google Pay Remittance experience".”</p>

<p>In the tweets that followed, Rahman guided other Twitter users to the ‘deals’ tab to check if such 'rewards' were also received by them. A screenshot of the email sent by Google acknowledging the technical glitch and informing the users that the issue has been resolved was also shared by Rahman.</p>

<p>“You received this email because an unintended cash credit was deposited to your Google Pay account…where possible, the credit has been reversed. If we were not able to reverse the credit, the money is yours to keep. No further action is necessary," the email read.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Gravitas: Google loses anti-trust battle in India</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-google-loses-anti-trust-battle-in-india-554600/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>A link to a subreddit was also shared by him where a bunch of users shared screenshots which showed that they had also received extra money from Google. One user claimed that nearly ₹88,000 was credited to their account by mistake.</p>

<p>“I chatted Google as soon as it started rolling in for me. They advised they were aware and that the issue would be resolved in 24-48 hours. Appears to be a big mishap on their part,” wrote another user on Reddit.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Noice</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1644394882851536915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Reacting to the news report, Twitter CEO Elon Musk wrote, "Noice."</p>

<main>
<section>
<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for 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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<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>
</section>
</main>


A technical glitch was reported by some users of Google Pay on the internet according to which $10 to $1,000 (around ₹80,000) was credited to their bank accounts.

A technical glitch was reported by some users of Google Pay on the internet according to which $10 to $1,000 (around ₹80,000) was credited to their bank accounts. However, after the error was identified by the UPI platform, a lot of payments were reversed. In cases where the extra amount was utilised by the users or the UPI was unable to rectify the error, the company stated that they will not debit the money. ALSO READ | Google search to soon incorporate AI chat, says Sundar Pichai A Twitter user, Mishaal Rahman, explained how he was credited $46 from Google Pay, which the company later reversed. Rahman said that he received a notification from Google which stated that the amount was deposited in his account for ‘dogfooding’. Uhhh, Google Pay seems to just be randomly giving users free money right now. I just opened Google Pay and saw that I have $46 in "rewards" that I got "for dogfooding the Google Pay Remittance experience." What. pic.twitter.com/Epe08Tpsk2 — Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) April 5, 2023 × The term is referred to staff workers who test the company's new features before they are announced to the public. Rahman wrote “Google Pay seems to just be randomly giving users free money right now. I just opened Google Pay and saw that I have $46 in "rewards" that I got "for dogfooding the Google Pay Remittance experience".” In the tweets that followed, Rahman guided other Twitter users to the ‘deals’ tab to check if such 'rewards' were also received by them. A screenshot of the email sent by Google acknowledging the technical glitch and informing the users that the issue has been resolved was also shared by Rahman. “You received this email because an unintended cash credit was deposited to your Google Pay account…where possible, the credit has been reversed. If we were not able to reverse the credit, the money is yours to keep. No further action is necessary," the email read. WATCH | Gravitas: Google loses anti-trust battle in India A link to a subreddit was also shared by him where a bunch of users shared screenshots which showed that they had also received extra money from Google. One user claimed that nearly ₹88,000 was credited to their account by mistake. “I chatted Google as soon as it started rolling in for me. They advised they were aware and that the issue would be resolved in 24-48 hours. Appears to be a big mishap on their part,” wrote another user on Reddit. Noice — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 7, 2023 × Reacting to the news report, Twitter CEO Elon Musk wrote, "Noice." 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

Google Pay accidentally credits $1,072 to few accounts, Musk reacts 'Noice'

<p>India's digital public infrastructure, one of the biggest success stories of the country, has got a thumbs up from the International Monetary Fund.</p>

<p>While praising India's digital public infrastructure, a recent paper by the IMF noted that the country's digital journey has "lessons for other countries embarking on their own digital transformation."</p>

<p>India's digital public infrastructure, which includes the Aadhar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) -- in other words, digital payments -- and Digilocker (an online storage platform), collectively come under the 'India Stack'.</p>

<p>Together they enable online, paperless, cashless, and privacy-respecting digital access to a variety of public and private services, the paper noted.</p>

<p>The IMF paper, titled 'Stacking up the benefits: lessons from India's digital journey', argued that India's digital infrastructure helped the people during the pandemic.</p>

<p>"India was able to quickly provide support to an impressive share of poor households during the pandemic. In the first months of the pandemic about 87 per cent of poor households received at least one benefit," the paper said.</p>

<p>Thanks to the robust digital infrastructure across India, the Indian government could save an estimated 1.1 per cent of the GDP in expenditure up to March 2021.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-china-to-account-of-half-of-global-growth-in-2023-as-imf-chief-warns-of-sharp-slowdown-579969">India, China to account for half of global growth in 2023, as IMF chief warns of ‘sharp slowdown’</a></p>

<p>The paper particularly noted how the government pushed for financial inclusion through the Jan Dhan scheme, which provided low-cost zero-balance accounts to millions of poor Indians by linking their accounts to Aadhar.</p>

<p>Under this initiative, 462.5 million bank accounts were opened in both urban and rural areas, as of August 2022.</p>

<p>In addition, 'India Stack' has digitised and simplified Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, which has lowered costs. Banks that use e-KYC lowered their cost of compliance from $12 to 6 cents, the IMF paper said.</p>

<p>And it is not just the banking and finance sector that has benefited from India's digital transformation.</p>

<p>India's digital infrastructure helped overcome logistical challenges during the Covid-19 vaccination process.</p>

<p>"Using a digital backbone allowed India to scale its vaccine delivery quickly and overcome challenges such as large-scale internal migration. The technology underlying CoWIN has been deployed in Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Jamaica to help facilitate their vaccination programmes," the paper noted.</p>

<p>A large part of India's digital infrastructure is centred around digital payments via UPI.</p>

<p>As UPI is interoperable, which means it can be used across multiple platforms, even private players like PhonePe, Google and PayTm have integrated their payment systems with it.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | IMF Chief: World to grow at 3% for 5 years</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/imf-chief-world-to-grow-at-3-for-5-years-580048/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Digital payments now account for 68 per cent of all payment transactions by volume. Roughly 4.5 million individuals and companies have benefited from easier access to financial services through UPI, the paper noted.</p>

<p>Digitalisation has also supported the formalisation of the Indian economy, where a large section of the population works in the informal sector, the paper added.</p>

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India's digital public infrastructure, one of the biggest success stories of the country, has got a thumbs up from the International Monetary Fund. While praising India's digital public infrastructure, a recent paper by the IMF noted that the country's digital journey has "lessons for other countries embarking on their own digital transformation.

India's digital public infrastructure, one of the biggest success stories of the country, has got a thumbs up from the International Monetary Fund. While praising India's digital public infrastructure, a recent paper by the IMF noted that the country's digital journey has "lessons for other countries embarking on their own digital transformation." India's digital public infrastructure, which includes the Aadhar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) -- in other words, digital payments -- and Digilocker (an online storage platform), collectively come under the 'India Stack'. Together they enable online, paperless, cashless, and privacy-respecting digital access to a variety of public and private services, the paper noted. The IMF paper, titled 'Stacking up the benefits: lessons from India's digital journey', argued that India's digital infrastructure helped the people during the pandemic. "India was able to quickly provide support to an impressive share of poor households during the pandemic. In the first months of the pandemic about 87 per cent of poor households received at least one benefit," the paper said. Thanks to the robust digital infrastructure across India, the Indian government could save an estimated 1.1 per cent of the GDP in expenditure up to March 2021. ALSO READ | India, China to account for half of global growth in 2023, as IMF chief warns of ‘sharp slowdown’ The paper particularly noted how the government pushed for financial inclusion through the Jan Dhan scheme, which provided low-cost zero-balance accounts to millions of poor Indians by linking their accounts to Aadhar. Under this initiative, 462.5 million bank accounts were opened in both urban and rural areas, as of August 2022. In addition, 'India Stack' has digitised and simplified Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, which has lowered costs. Banks that use e-KYC lowered their cost of compliance from $12 to 6 cents, the IMF paper said. And it is not just the banking and finance sector that has benefited from India's digital transformation. India's digital infrastructure helped overcome logistical challenges during the Covid-19 vaccination process. "Using a digital backbone allowed India to scale its vaccine delivery quickly and overcome challenges such as large-scale internal migration. The technology underlying CoWIN has been deployed in Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Jamaica to help facilitate their vaccination programmes," the paper noted. A large part of India's digital infrastructure is centred around digital payments via UPI. As UPI is interoperable, which means it can be used across multiple platforms, even private players like PhonePe, Google and PayTm have integrated their payment systems with it. WATCH | IMF Chief: World to grow at 3% for 5 years Digital payments now account for 68 per cent of all payment transactions by volume. Roughly 4.5 million individuals and companies have benefited from easier access to financial services through UPI, the paper noted. Digitalisation has also supported the formalisation of the Indian economy, where a large section of the population works in the informal sector, the paper added. 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

IMF paper hails India's public digital infrastructure

<p>“What's past is prologue.” - William Shakespeare, <em>The Tempest</em>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The memories of the first time I ever read about the Mughals and their architectural marvels are still afresh. I did not encounter their mention in my History book, but rather in my Hindi school textbook when I was in class third. It was about a grandfather taking his grandson to the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, and narrating the story of the mausoleum's construction during the train journey. For years, the Taj Mahal and Red Fort have been some of the postcard pictures that one finds tagging along with the image of India. Indeed, other architectural marvels also define the incredible nation, but these Mughal architectures remain the face of the country.</p>

<p>However, with the recent deletion of chapters in NCERT textbooks, question marks seem to have to been placed at their very existence. The issue has given birth to another debate in the country – should the history of the Mughal empire be included in the school curriculum or can a kingdom which existed for 300 years be removed&nbsp;from its pages?</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-no-mughal-history-in-class-12-cbse-up-board-syllabus-578910">India: No Mughal history in Class 12 NCERT textbooks, top official denies reports</a></p>

<h2><strong>Why read about Akbar? What can a conqueror teach?</strong></h2>

<p>Akbar, the greatest sun of the Mughal empire, ruled the sub-continent for almost 50 years. In those years, the Indian sub-continent boasted of diversity in religion, language, culture and ethnicity, just the way it boasts of today. But why should we read about Akbar? What would we gain from it?</p>

<p>If we look into Akbar's reign, we will find a Muslim emperor who not only accepted diversity but also ensured that it was reflected in his government. Hindus, especially Rajputs, were not only incorporated into the imperial service but were bestowed with positions of privilege.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ignoring the criticism and bickering of Muslimn ulemas, he nonchalantly continued to promote Rajputs and adopt policies that favoured Hindus like "the abolition of 'jizya' and pilgrimage tax on non-Muslim citizens, prohibition on slaughtering of peacocks and cows, patronisation of Hindu and Jain temples and banning of the sale of meat on particular weekdays." The freedom of practising their religion that he gave to his Hindu wives was one of its kind, unheard of before.</p>

<p>The idea of 'Sulh-i-kul' (universal peace and tolerance) he propagated finds its relevance even in the present time when we witness intolerance and hatred towards different religions and beliefs. Today, in a world which seems fractured along religious lines, should we turn a blind eye towards a monarch who promoted religious harmony in the sixteenth century?</p>

<h2><strong>Queens of the Mughal harem -&nbsp;the most powerful&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Try to turn a few pages, and you will be left surprised to see the power that the women of the Mughal harem exercised within the Mughal empire. The Mughal harem, which comprised powerful matriarchs, fiery milk mothers and influential wives and daughters – gives us some great examples of women empowerment. In days when women writers were a rare sight, Emperor Humayun's sister Gulbadan Begum became the first woman biographer to have documented the Mughal royal court and even the secretive seraglio.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the matriarchs were known to influence the decisions of emperors and run the empire from behind their jaali screens (latticed screens). The power that Akbar's foster mother Maham Anga enjoyed during the initial years of the emperor's reign is very well-known and has been marked as the 'petticoat era' in history.</p>

<p>The women of the Mughal empire were not only actively involved in politics but were also skilled merchants who traded goods overseas. A very interesting anecdote narrates how the visit of East India Company's William Hawkins and William Finch in 1607 ended in a tragedy after Hawkins mistakenly ruined a bid for indigo purchase in Bayana which was made by Maryam-uz-Zamani, mother of Emperor Jahangir and thus, became subject to his wrath.</p>

<p>"What the Hindustani traders know and what Finch failed to sufficiently acknowledge, is that Harkha Bai, now Maryam-uz-Zamani and queen mother of the empire, is a prodigiously wealthy woman with her own ship, who controls her finances and trades under her own name," writes Ira Mukhoty in her book <em>Daughters of the Sun</em>. The skills that the women of the Mughal era honed are stories to be inspired from and appreciated.</p>

<h2><strong>Postcard presence</strong></h2>

<p>The architectural marvels constructed during the Mughal reign have today become postcard pictures of what represents India, and hence, they cannot be ignored. Taj Mahal tops the list of such magnificent monuments which command a place for themselves in the pages of history. Red Fort, the place from where the prime minister of India addresses the nation on Independence Day, reminds us of the Mughal emperors who ruled the country. Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was commissioned by a Mughal queen, demands the acknowledgement of the presence of Mughal rulers in the past.</p>

<p>The whole Chandni Chowk, earlier known as Shahjahanabad, narrates the days when Shah Jahan built the city for generations to come. Can such enormous and clearly visible history be ignored? What should the future generations be told when they ask who built&nbsp;the ramparts of New Delhi's Red Fort?</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | ChatGPT catches CBSE attention; India's National Exam Board adds ChatGPT in list of unfair means</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chatgpt-catches-cbse-attention-indias-national-exam-board-adds-chatgpt-in-list-of-unfair-means-561196/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>Mughal bias</strong></h2>

<p>But why do we read Mughals at such great length and why don't we study about the Mauryas, Guptas, Cholas and even the Ahoms? The books have&nbsp;always taught&nbsp;about the major kingdoms of India and the curriculum covered Mauryas, Cholas, Chalukyas and even Rashtrakuta.</p>

<p>However, what we fail to understand is how the Mughals documented themselves at great lengths. Emperors Babur and Jahangir emerged as biographers, while others appointed historians to their courts to record their reigns. Moreover, we have many paintings and architecture that belong to the Mughal kingdom, which further enhances the scope of the study.</p>

<p>History belongs to all – the conqueror and the conquered. It cannot be taught in a biased way nor can it be overlooked. Even the emperors who were cruel or atrocious deserve a mention in history, even if it is for their bad deeds. Students deserve to learn and know and their questions cannot go unanswered.</p>

<p>So, everyone who has been debating whether Mughals must be taught or not, must think what they would say if their children ask "Who build the ramparts of New Delhi's Red Fort?"</p>

<p>P.S. Red Fort's ramparts were not built by Shah Jahan, it was later constructed by Aurangzeb.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)</em></p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for 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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“What's past is prologue.” - William Shakespeare, The Tempest The memories of the first time I ever read about the Mughals and their architectural marvels are still afresh.

“What's past is prologue.” - William Shakespeare, The Tempest The memories of the first time I ever read about the Mughals and their architectural marvels are still afresh. I did not encounter their mention in my History book, but rather in my Hindi school textbook when I was in class third. It was about a grandfather taking his grandson to the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, and narrating the story of the mausoleum's construction during the train journey. For years, the Taj Mahal and Red Fort have been some of the postcard pictures that one finds tagging along with the image of India. Indeed, other architectural marvels also define the incredible nation, but these Mughal architectures remain the face of the country. However, with the recent deletion of chapters in NCERT textbooks, question marks seem to have to been placed at their very existence. The issue has given birth to another debate in the country – should the history of the Mughal empire be included in the school curriculum or can a kingdom which existed for 300 years be removed from its pages? ALSO READ | India: No Mughal history in Class 12 NCERT textbooks, top official denies reports Why read about Akbar? What can a conqueror teach? Akbar, the greatest sun of the Mughal empire, ruled the sub-continent for almost 50 years. In those years, the Indian sub-continent boasted of diversity in religion, language, culture and ethnicity, just the way it boasts of today. But why should we read about Akbar? What would we gain from it? If we look into Akbar's reign, we will find a Muslim emperor who not only accepted diversity but also ensured that it was reflected in his government. Hindus, especially Rajputs, were not only incorporated into the imperial service but were bestowed with positions of privilege. Ignoring the criticism and bickering of Muslimn ulemas, he nonchalantly continued to promote Rajputs and adopt policies that favoured Hindus like "the abolition of 'jizya' and pilgrimage tax on non-Muslim citizens, prohibition on slaughtering of peacocks and cows, patronisation of Hindu and Jain temples and banning of the sale of meat on particular weekdays." The freedom of practising their religion that he gave to his Hindu wives was one of its kind, unheard of before. The idea of 'Sulh-i-kul' (universal peace and tolerance) he propagated finds its relevance even in the present time when we witness intolerance and hatred towards different religions and beliefs. Today, in a world which seems fractured along religious lines, should we turn a blind eye towards a monarch who promoted religious harmony in the sixteenth century? Queens of the Mughal harem - the most powerful Try to turn a few pages, and you will be left surprised to see the power that the women of the Mughal harem exercised within the Mughal empire. The Mughal harem, which comprised powerful matriarchs, fiery milk mothers and influential wives and daughters – gives us some great examples of women empowerment. In days when women writers were a rare sight, Emperor Humayun's sister Gulbadan Begum became the first woman biographer to have documented the Mughal royal court and even the secretive seraglio. Meanwhile, the matriarchs were known to influence the decisions of emperors and run the empire from behind their jaali screens (latticed screens). The power that Akbar's foster mother Maham Anga enjoyed during the initial years of the emperor's reign is very well-known and has been marked as the 'petticoat era' in history. The women of the Mughal empire were not only actively involved in politics but were also skilled merchants who traded goods overseas. A very interesting anecdote narrates how the visit of East India Company's William Hawkins and William Finch in 1607 ended in a tragedy after Hawkins mistakenly ruined a bid for indigo purchase in Bayana which was made by Maryam-uz-Zamani, mother of Emperor Jahangir and thus, became subject to his wrath. "What the Hindustani traders know and what Finch failed to sufficiently acknowledge, is that Harkha Bai, now Maryam-uz-Zamani and queen mother of the empire, is a prodigiously wealthy woman with her own ship, who controls her finances and trades under her own name," writes Ira Mukhoty in her book Daughters of the Sun. The skills that the women of the Mughal era honed are stories to be inspired from and appreciated. Postcard presence The architectural marvels constructed during the Mughal reign have today become postcard pictures of what represents India, and hence, they cannot be ignored. Taj Mahal tops the list of such magnificent monuments which command a place for themselves in the pages of history. Red Fort, the place from where the prime minister of India addresses the nation on Independence Day, reminds us of the Mughal emperors who ruled the country. Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was commissioned by a Mughal queen, demands the acknowledgement of the presence of Mughal rulers in the past. The whole Chandni Chowk, earlier known as Shahjahanabad, narrates the days when Shah Jahan built the city for generations to come. Can such enormous and clearly visible history be ignored? What should the future generations be told when they ask who built the ramparts of New Delhi's Red Fort? WATCH | ChatGPT catches CBSE attention; India's National Exam Board adds ChatGPT in list of unfair means Mughal bias But why do we read Mughals at such great length and why don't we study about the Mauryas, Guptas, Cholas and even the Ahoms? The books have always taught about the major kingdoms of India and the curriculum covered Mauryas, Cholas, Chalukyas and even Rashtrakuta. However, what we fail to understand is how the Mughals documented themselves at great lengths. Emperors Babur and Jahangir emerged as biographers, while others appointed historians to their courts to record their reigns. Moreover, we have many paintings and architecture that belong to the Mughal kingdom, which further enhances the scope of the study. History belongs to all – the conqueror and the conquered. It cannot be taught in a biased way nor can it be overlooked. Even the emperors who were cruel or atrocious deserve a mention in history, even if it is for their bad deeds. Students deserve to learn and know and their questions cannot go unanswered. So, everyone who has been debating whether Mughals must be taught or not, must think what they would say if their children ask "Who build the ramparts of New Delhi's Red Fort?" P.S. Red Fort's ramparts were not built by Shah Jahan, it was later constructed by Aurangzeb. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) 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

Here's why Mughal history should "NOT" be taught in school textbooks

<p>India is recording a steep increase in COVID-19 cases every day with 6,050 fresh cases reported on Friday, marking a 13 per cent increase from 5,335 cases that were recorded on Thursday.</p>

<p>The abrupt increase in India's Covid graph is due to the spread of Omicron variant XBB.1.16, according to the experts. Covid subvariant XBB.1.16 is being closely monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO).</p>

<p>On March 22, the Covid subvariant XBB.1.16 was added by WHO to its list of variants.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-new-covid-cases-cross-5000-mark-in-last-24-hours-a-20-pc-increase-from-yesterday-579650">India: New Covid cases cross 5,000 mark in last 24 hours, highest in 195 days</a></p>

<p>"In India, XBB.1.16 has replaced the other variants that are in circulation. So this is one to watch," stated WHO's COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove during a media conference.</p>

<p>Symptoms of Covid subvariant XBB.1.16 include a fever that gradually increases and continues for 1-2 days, headaches, bodily soreness, abdominal discomfort and sore throat.</p>

<p>As of now, XBB.1.16 has not been seen causing any severe health issues to patients. However, people with respiratory conditions and underlying health concerns are advised to use extreme caution.</p>

<p>According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's circular, patients suffering from COVID-19 must remain in home isolation.</p>

<p>For those infected with the virus, hand hygiene, symptomatic management (hydration, antipyretics, antitussive), physical distancing and indoor mask use are some of the must-dos. Furthermore, the patients must continuously monitor their oxygen saturation and temperature.</p>

<p>Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) Director Dr SK Sarin, while speaking to NDTV, said that traces of the XBB.1.16 variant have been found in at least 98 per cent of the samples taken from COVID-19 patients in New Delhi.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Chinese Government scientists claim infamous Wuhan market may NOT be source of Covid pandemic</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-government-scientists-claim-infamous-wuhan-market-may-not-be-source-of-covid-pandemic-579796/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>He added that the XBB.1.16 variant is not very lethal, however, it is quickly spreading.</p>

<p>"Despite the rise in infections, deaths have been low. Cough and cold are among the common symptoms found in patients infected with the XBB.1.16 variant," he stated.</p>

<p>Dr Sarin further advised people who are overweight or with comorbidities to take proper precautions so that they do not catch the virus. He further advised that those who have not yet taken their booster dosage must get the jab.</p>

<p>"Those who have been infected with the virus may face lung, heart, kidney and brain may face complications for a long time," he said.</p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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India is recording a steep increase in COVID-19 cases every day with 6,050 fresh cases reported on Friday, marking a 13 per cent increase from 5,335 cases that were recorded on Thursday.

India is recording a steep increase in COVID-19 cases every day with 6,050 fresh cases reported on Friday, marking a 13 per cent increase from 5,335 cases that were recorded on Thursday. The abrupt increase in India's Covid graph is due to the spread of Omicron variant XBB.1.16, according to the experts. Covid subvariant XBB.1.16 is being closely monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO). On March 22, the Covid subvariant XBB.1.16 was added by WHO to its list of variants. ALSO READ | India: New Covid cases cross 5,000 mark in last 24 hours, highest in 195 days "In India, XBB.1.16 has replaced the other variants that are in circulation. So this is one to watch," stated WHO's COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove during a media conference. Symptoms of Covid subvariant XBB.1.16 include a fever that gradually increases and continues for 1-2 days, headaches, bodily soreness, abdominal discomfort and sore throat. As of now, XBB.1.16 has not been seen causing any severe health issues to patients. However, people with respiratory conditions and underlying health concerns are advised to use extreme caution. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's circular, patients suffering from COVID-19 must remain in home isolation. For those infected with the virus, hand hygiene, symptomatic management (hydration, antipyretics, antitussive), physical distancing and indoor mask use are some of the must-dos. Furthermore, the patients must continuously monitor their oxygen saturation and temperature. Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) Director Dr SK Sarin, while speaking to NDTV, said that traces of the XBB.1.16 variant have been found in at least 98 per cent of the samples taken from COVID-19 patients in New Delhi. WATCH | Chinese Government scientists claim infamous Wuhan market may NOT be source of Covid pandemic He added that the XBB.1.16 variant is not very lethal, however, it is quickly spreading. "Despite the rise in infections, deaths have been low. Cough and cold are among the common symptoms found in patients infected with the XBB.1.16 variant," he stated. Dr Sarin further advised people who are overweight or with comorbidities to take proper precautions so that they do not catch the virus. He further advised that those who have not yet taken their booster dosage must get the jab. "Those who have been infected with the virus may face lung, heart, kidney and brain may face complications for a long time," he said. (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: Covid variant XBB1.16 leads to spike in cases. Know its symptoms and precautions

<p>UK's data watchdog fined TikTok £12.7 million ($15.84 million) for not protecting children’s privacy. According to its data, TikTok permitted around 1.4 million UK children, who were below the age of 13, to use the social platform in 2020.</p>

<p>As per an investigation carried out by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO),&nbsp; data of children below the age of 13 was used by the video-sharing site without parental consent.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/australia-to-ban-tiktok-on-government-devices-over-security-concerns-report-578689">Australia to ban TikTok on government devices: Reports</a></p>

<p>TikTok said it had "invested heavily" to prevent under-13s from accessing the site.</p>

<p>The ICO said that many people were able to get access to the site even after TikTok had set 13 as the minimum age for creating an account.</p>

<p>It stated that the data of children may have been used for tracking and profiling them, and potentially exposing them to inappropriate or harmful content.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Information Commissioner John Edwards said, "There are laws in place to make sure our children are as safe in the digital world as they are in the physical world. TikTok did not abide by those laws.”</p>

<p>"As a consequence, an estimated one million under-13s were inappropriately granted access to the platform, with TikTok collecting and using their personal data. TikTok should have known better. TikTok should have done better. Our £12.7m fine reflects the serious impact their failures may have had,” he added.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | TikTok hit with $15.9 million fine in UK: Global crackdown on Chinese app</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tiktok-hit-with-159-million-fine-in-uk-global-crackdown-on-chinese-app-579261/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Later speaking to BBC News, he said that TikTok had "taken no steps" to get parental consent.</p>

<p>"When you sign up you can be targeted for advertising, you can be profiled, your data contributes to an algorithm which feeds content. If you've been looking at content which is not appropriate for your age, that can get more and more extreme. It can be quite harmful for people who are not old enough to fully appreciate the implications and to make appropriate choices,” he stated.</p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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UK's data watchdog fined TikTok £12.7 million ($15.84 million) for not protecting children’s privacy. According to its data, TikTok permitted around 1.4 million UK children, who were below the age of 13, to use the social platform in 2020.

UK's data watchdog fined TikTok £12.7 million ($15.84 million) for not protecting children’s privacy. According to its data, TikTok permitted around 1.4 million UK children, who were below the age of 13, to use the social platform in 2020. As per an investigation carried out by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), data of children below the age of 13 was used by the video-sharing site without parental consent. ALSO READ | Australia to ban TikTok on government devices: Reports TikTok said it had "invested heavily" to prevent under-13s from accessing the site. The ICO said that many people were able to get access to the site even after TikTok had set 13 as the minimum age for creating an account. It stated that the data of children may have been used for tracking and profiling them, and potentially exposing them to inappropriate or harmful content. Information Commissioner John Edwards said, "There are laws in place to make sure our children are as safe in the digital world as they are in the physical world. TikTok did not abide by those laws.” "As a consequence, an estimated one million under-13s were inappropriately granted access to the platform, with TikTok collecting and using their personal data. TikTok should have known better. TikTok should have done better. Our £12.7m fine reflects the serious impact their failures may have had,” he added. WATCH | TikTok hit with $15.9 million fine in UK: Global crackdown on Chinese app Later speaking to BBC News, he said that TikTok had "taken no steps" to get parental consent. "When you sign up you can be targeted for advertising, you can be profiled, your data contributes to an algorithm which feeds content. If you've been looking at content which is not appropriate for your age, that can get more and more extreme. It can be quite harmful for people who are not old enough to fully appreciate the implications and to make appropriate choices,” he stated. (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

UK's watchdog fines TikTok $15.84mn for misusing children's data

<p>US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was accepting luxury travel trips offered by a billionaire Republican for years, as per a report published on Thursday. The gifts included private jet flights across countries and yachting in New Zealand.</p>

<p>Court's longest-serving justice and a staunch conservative, Thomas went on one vacation to Indonesia that alone cost around $500,000, which was paid by real estate tycoon Harlan Crow, revealed a report by ProPublica, a&nbsp;non-profit news outlet.</p>

<p>The investigation of ProPublica was based on reviews of photographs, interviews and other documents, and the&nbsp;legal reform action group Fix the Court after seeing the details said that "the Supreme Court is the least accountable part of our government."</p>

<p>"Nothing is going to change without a wholesale, lawmaker-led reimagining of its responsibilities when it comes to basic measures of oversight," said the group's director Gabe Roth, in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-conservatives-cast-doubt-over-biden-student-loan-plan-567107">US Supreme Court conservatives cast doubt over Biden student loan plan</a></p>

<p>The 74-year-old judge also accompanied Crow, whose relation with the justice was called "unusual and ethically sensitive" by the New York Times in 2011, for a vacation to an all-male wilderness resort located in California and to properties in New York and Texas in the last two decades.</p>

<p>Speaking to ProPublica, Crow said that the gifts he gave to Thomas were "no different from the hospitality we have extended to our many other dear friends," and no pending cases were ever discussed by the two.</p>

<h2><strong>Thomas releases statement</strong></h2>

<p>After the controversy snowballed, Thomas released a statement explaining his failure to disclose the trips. He said Crow and his wife Kathy were 'dearest friends' and that they had joined Crow on family trips for years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Early in my tenure at the Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable,"&nbsp;said Thomas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines."</p>

<h2><strong>Judge's behaviour inconsistent with ethical standards</strong></h2>

<p>ProPublica claimed that Crow gave more than $10 million to Republican political groups in donations, which included half a million dollars given to a conservative lobbying group that was founded by Ginni Thomas, wife of Thomas.</p>

<p>The involvement of Ginni Thomas in United States politics has attracted more scrutiny after reports suggested that she was involved in the efforts made by Donald Trump to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election's results.</p>

<p>In 1991, Justice Thomas was nominated for the court after he went through a confirmation process in which he faced an accusation of sexual harassment made by a former aide.</p>

<p>Last year, he joined the majority of judges who gave the historic ruling and overturned the national right to abortion. He also claimed that a conservative-dominated court must examine its rulings on same-sex marriage and contraception.</p>

<p>Responding to Thursday's report, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said that Thomas's "behaviour is simply inconsistent with the ethical standards the American people expect of any public servant, let alone a Justice on the Supreme Court."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | U.S. weapons sales to get stricter human rights review under Biden</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-weapons-sales-to-get-stricter-human-rights-review-under-biden-565591/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, "I'm not going to comment from here. There are other bodies of government who should be dealing with this."</p>

<p>The media platform also shared a clip from a documentary in which Thomas claimed that he enjoyed driving around America's rural corners more than travelling to different nations.</p>

<p>"I don't have any problem with going to Europe, but I prefer the United States. I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that. I'd come from regular stock and I prefer that,” he was heard saying in the clip.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was accepting luxury travel trips offered by a billionaire Republican for years, as per a report published on Thursday. The gifts included private jet flights across countries and yachting in New Zealand.

US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was accepting luxury travel trips offered by a billionaire Republican for years, as per a report published on Thursday. The gifts included private jet flights across countries and yachting in New Zealand. Court's longest-serving justice and a staunch conservative, Thomas went on one vacation to Indonesia that alone cost around $500,000, which was paid by real estate tycoon Harlan Crow, revealed a report by ProPublica, a non-profit news outlet. The investigation of ProPublica was based on reviews of photographs, interviews and other documents, and the legal reform action group Fix the Court after seeing the details said that "the Supreme Court is the least accountable part of our government." "Nothing is going to change without a wholesale, lawmaker-led reimagining of its responsibilities when it comes to basic measures of oversight," said the group's director Gabe Roth, in a statement. ALSO READ | US Supreme Court conservatives cast doubt over Biden student loan plan The 74-year-old judge also accompanied Crow, whose relation with the justice was called "unusual and ethically sensitive" by the New York Times in 2011, for a vacation to an all-male wilderness resort located in California and to properties in New York and Texas in the last two decades. Speaking to ProPublica, Crow said that the gifts he gave to Thomas were "no different from the hospitality we have extended to our many other dear friends," and no pending cases were ever discussed by the two. Thomas releases statement After the controversy snowballed, Thomas released a statement explaining his failure to disclose the trips. He said Crow and his wife Kathy were 'dearest friends' and that they had joined Crow on family trips for years. "Early in my tenure at the Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable," said Thomas. "I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines." Judge's behaviour inconsistent with ethical standards ProPublica claimed that Crow gave more than $10 million to Republican political groups in donations, which included half a million dollars given to a conservative lobbying group that was founded by Ginni Thomas, wife of Thomas. The involvement of Ginni Thomas in United States politics has attracted more scrutiny after reports suggested that she was involved in the efforts made by Donald Trump to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election's results. In 1991, Justice Thomas was nominated for the court after he went through a confirmation process in which he faced an accusation of sexual harassment made by a former aide. Last year, he joined the majority of judges who gave the historic ruling and overturned the national right to abortion. He also claimed that a conservative-dominated court must examine its rulings on same-sex marriage and contraception. Responding to Thursday's report, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said that Thomas's "behaviour is simply inconsistent with the ethical standards the American people expect of any public servant, let alone a Justice on the Supreme Court." WATCH | U.S. weapons sales to get stricter human rights review under Biden Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, "I'm not going to comment from here. There are other bodies of government who should be dealing with this." The media platform also shared a clip from a documentary in which Thomas claimed that he enjoyed driving around America's rural corners more than travelling to different nations. "I don't have any problem with going to Europe, but I prefer the United States. I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that. I'd come from regular stock and I prefer that,” he was heard saying in the clip. (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

US judge Clarence Thomas accepted luxury travel trips from billionaire Republican: Report

<p>The Swedish prosecutor, who was carrying the Nord Stream sabotage attack's investigation, said the “clear main scenario” was that there was the involvement of a state-sponsored group, as he expressed his doubt over theories that suggested an independent group's involvement in the pipeline blasts.</p>

<p>Mats Ljungqvist, speaking to Reuters on Thursday, said that although theoretically there is a possibility of a non-state-backed plot, the kind of explosive used in the blasts ruled out a “large portion of actors.”</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unsc-rejects-russian-resolution-demanding-probe-into-nord-stream-blast-576420">UNSC rejects Russian resolution demanding probe into Nord Stream blast</a></p>

<p>As per a report by United Nations, the three underwater explosions that destroyed the gas link between Germany, Russia and the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm on September 26, 2022, had the power of several hundred kilograms of explosives.</p>

<p>Traces of explosives found by Swedish investigators on various objects were examined by them but they have not named the type used. According to the estimate of analysts, the blasts were powered by the equivalent of 300-350 kg of Semtex or 400-500 kg of TNT. Semtex is a plastic explosive which is generally used in commercial blasting.</p>

<p>German Institute for International and Security Affairs security specialist Goran Swistek said, “That is a huge amount of explosives and not something you could pilfer from a building site or something that a trader on the black market would have sitting in their garage.”</p>

<p>Dismissing the theories around the Nord Stream pipeline blasts, the prosecutor called all the speculations "politically motivated". “The incident has obviously become an open arena for different influence attempts,” said Ljungqvist.</p>

<p>“These speculations do not have an impact on the ongoing investigation, which is grounded in facts and the information which has emerged from analyses, crime scene investigations and collaboration with authorities in Sweden and other countries,” he added.</p>

<p>Swistek said that the comments of the prosecutor suggested that his scepticism of the usage of a 15-metre yacht for carrying out the sabotage attack was shared by the investigators.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | The Nord stream mystery deepens, here's a special report</strong></p>

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<p>“With that amount of explosives, it is hard to conceive how they could have used only a yacht – which is not to say the yacht didn’t play some sort of supporting role,” he stated.</p>

<p>“We are working unconditionally, turning over every stone and leaving nothing to chance. Our hope is to be able to confirm who has committed this crime but it should be noted that it likely will be difficult given the circumstances,” Ljungqvist said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The Swedish prosecutor, who was carrying the Nord Stream sabotage attack's investigation, said the “clear main scenario” was that there was the involvement of a state-sponsored group, as he expressed his doubt over theories that suggested an independent group's involvement in the pipeline blasts.

The Swedish prosecutor, who was carrying the Nord Stream sabotage attack's investigation, said the “clear main scenario” was that there was the involvement of a state-sponsored group, as he expressed his doubt over theories that suggested an independent group's involvement in the pipeline blasts. Mats Ljungqvist, speaking to Reuters on Thursday, said that although theoretically there is a possibility of a non-state-backed plot, the kind of explosive used in the blasts ruled out a “large portion of actors.” ALSO READ | UNSC rejects Russian resolution demanding probe into Nord Stream blast As per a report by United Nations, the three underwater explosions that destroyed the gas link between Germany, Russia and the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm on September 26, 2022, had the power of several hundred kilograms of explosives. Traces of explosives found by Swedish investigators on various objects were examined by them but they have not named the type used. According to the estimate of analysts, the blasts were powered by the equivalent of 300-350 kg of Semtex or 400-500 kg of TNT. Semtex is a plastic explosive which is generally used in commercial blasting. German Institute for International and Security Affairs security specialist Goran Swistek said, “That is a huge amount of explosives and not something you could pilfer from a building site or something that a trader on the black market would have sitting in their garage.” Dismissing the theories around the Nord Stream pipeline blasts, the prosecutor called all the speculations "politically motivated". “The incident has obviously become an open arena for different influence attempts,” said Ljungqvist. “These speculations do not have an impact on the ongoing investigation, which is grounded in facts and the information which has emerged from analyses, crime scene investigations and collaboration with authorities in Sweden and other countries,” he added. Swistek said that the comments of the prosecutor suggested that his scepticism of the usage of a 15-metre yacht for carrying out the sabotage attack was shared by the investigators. WATCH | The Nord stream mystery deepens, here's a special report “With that amount of explosives, it is hard to conceive how they could have used only a yacht – which is not to say the yacht didn’t play some sort of supporting role,” he stated. “We are working unconditionally, turning over every stone and leaving nothing to chance. Our hope is to be able to confirm who has committed this crime but it should be noted that it likely will be difficult given the circumstances,” Ljungqvist said. (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

State actor still main suspect behind Nord Stream sabotage, says investigator

<p>Pakistan's Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik said that the government cannot provide 24x7 gas supply throughout the country, reported The News International as the issue of load-shedding has become a daily problem amid the deteriorating economic crisis.</p>

<p>"We cannot provide gas 24 hours as our reserves have dropped," he stated, further adding the officials would ensure that the gas load-shedding ends during ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’.</p>

<p>Malik further said that he will be visiting Karachi soon to resolve the issue of gas supply which people are facing. "The gas bill of the rich and poor has been separated; rich people will have to pay more now," said the minister.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-refuses-to-provide-interest-free-loans-to-pakistan-demands-reforms-574585">Saudi Arabia refuses to provide interest-free loans to Pakistan, demands reforms</a></p>

<p>Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier directed the officials to ensure that people get uninterrupted supply of gas, stating that the officials will supervise the process and they will not tolerate any negligence, said the report.</p>

<p>The minister gave the statement as the suspension of supplies to industries and power plants was announced by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) last week amid low supply of gas.</p>

<p>SSGC stated that there has been a decrease in the volume of gas in pipelines due to reduced supply. Reacting to the statement of SSGC, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) called for immediate action by the government over the gas supply shortage which people in Karachi are facing.</p>

<p>Without gas, industries cannot function and will be forced to stop production, said KCCI.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Gravitas Plus: Pakistan's Economic Crisis Explained</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-pakistans-economic-crisis-explained-568585/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"It's highly unfair to have such an attitude towards Karachi's business community which, despite facing so many odds and challenges, contributes around 54 per cent in terms of exports and more than 68 per cent in terms of revenue," said KCCI president Muhammad Tariq Yousuf.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, India revised the pricing mechanism for natural gas produced in bulk amounts by state-run explorers — 10% of India’s monthly average import price of crude oil with a floor of $4 per unit and a cap of $6.5.</p>

<p>The step will effectively cut down the price of piped natural gas (PNG) which is supplied to kitchens and compressed natural gas (CNG) which is used in automobiles by around 11 per cent from Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Pakistan's Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik said that the government cannot provide 24x7 gas supply throughout the country, reported The News International as the issue of load-shedding has become a daily problem amid the deteriorating economic crisis.

Pakistan's Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik said that the government cannot provide 24x7 gas supply throughout the country, reported The News International as the issue of load-shedding has become a daily problem amid the deteriorating economic crisis. "We cannot provide gas 24 hours as our reserves have dropped," he stated, further adding the officials would ensure that the gas load-shedding ends during ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’. Malik further said that he will be visiting Karachi soon to resolve the issue of gas supply which people are facing. "The gas bill of the rich and poor has been separated; rich people will have to pay more now," said the minister. ALSO READ | Saudi Arabia refuses to provide interest-free loans to Pakistan, demands reforms Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier directed the officials to ensure that people get uninterrupted supply of gas, stating that the officials will supervise the process and they will not tolerate any negligence, said the report. The minister gave the statement as the suspension of supplies to industries and power plants was announced by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) last week amid low supply of gas. SSGC stated that there has been a decrease in the volume of gas in pipelines due to reduced supply. Reacting to the statement of SSGC, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) called for immediate action by the government over the gas supply shortage which people in Karachi are facing. Without gas, industries cannot function and will be forced to stop production, said KCCI. WATCH | Gravitas Plus: Pakistan's Economic Crisis Explained "It's highly unfair to have such an attitude towards Karachi's business community which, despite facing so many odds and challenges, contributes around 54 per cent in terms of exports and more than 68 per cent in terms of revenue," said KCCI president Muhammad Tariq Yousuf. Meanwhile, India revised the pricing mechanism for natural gas produced in bulk amounts by state-run explorers — 10% of India’s monthly average import price of crude oil with a floor of $4 per unit and a cap of $6.5. The step will effectively cut down the price of piped natural gas (PNG) which is supplied to kitchens and compressed natural gas (CNG) which is used in automobiles by around 11 per cent from Saturday. (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 cannot supply gas 24/7 across country, rich have to pay more now: Petroleum minister

<p>The judge, who presided over Donald Trump's arraignment, and his family have received multiple threats in form of calls, emails and letters following the former president's historic arrest in New York, as per media reports.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Trump pleaded not guilty in the Manhattan court to the 34 felony counts against him related to the hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels.</p>

<p>NBC as well as other media houses reported that Judge Juan Merchan along with his family has been receiving “dozens” of threats.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/never-though-this-could-happen-in-america-donald-trumps-first-remarks-following-arraignment-579220">Never thought this could happen in America: Donald Trump's first remarks following arraignment</a></p>

<p>The report stated that the threats, similar to the ones directed towards Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg and other officials, were received in the form of emails, letters and calls.</p>

<p>New York police enhanced security around Merchan and the court and started providing “extra security to all affected staff members”, stated NBC. The biographies of employees working at Bragg’s office have been pulled out from the website of the district attorney.</p>

<p>The New York Daily News, in its report, also claimed that Merchan and his family received threats and quoted a source telling them that “the content of the calls, emails and letters was … harassing and defamatory, with most of the trolls calling from out of state”.</p>

<p>New York office of court administration's spokesperson Lucian Chalfen told the paper, “We continue to evaluate and re-evaluate security concerns and potential threats. We have maintained an increased security presence in and around courthouses and throughout the judiciary and will adjust protocols as necessary.”</p>

<p>Meanwhile, retired conservative judge and former vice-president Mike Pence's adviser, who received national prominence after he gave testimony to the House January 6 committee, J Michael Luttig warned that Trump may receive a gag order over the attacks made by him on Judge Merchan.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Donald Trump to surrender for arraignment on criminal charges in Manhattan</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-to-surrender-for-arraignment-on-criminal-charges-in-manhattan-579132/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“There is no court that would want to impose a gag order on a president of the United States. But if the former president forces the Manhattan criminal court, the court will have no choice,” Luttig said.</p>

<p>Manhattan district attorney's former rackets bureau chief Mike Scotto said, “A gag order is used to protect the defendant’s rights to a fair trial and also the government’s rights to a fair trial, so that the potential jurors don’t learn anything about the case that they’re not going to learn in court.”</p>

<p>During the court proceedings, Merchan had warned Trump to “refrain from making statements that are likely to incite violence and civil unrest”. He had also said to Trump's lawyer, “I don’t share your view that certain language is justified by frustration.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The judge, who presided over Donald Trump's arraignment, and his family have received multiple threats in form of calls, emails and letters following the former president's historic arrest in New York, as per media reports.

The judge, who presided over Donald Trump's arraignment, and his family have received multiple threats in form of calls, emails and letters following the former president's historic arrest in New York, as per media reports. On Tuesday, Trump pleaded not guilty in the Manhattan court to the 34 felony counts against him related to the hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels. NBC as well as other media houses reported that Judge Juan Merchan along with his family has been receiving “dozens” of threats. ALSO READ | Never thought this could happen in America: Donald Trump's first remarks following arraignment The report stated that the threats, similar to the ones directed towards Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg and other officials, were received in the form of emails, letters and calls. New York police enhanced security around Merchan and the court and started providing “extra security to all affected staff members”, stated NBC. The biographies of employees working at Bragg’s office have been pulled out from the website of the district attorney. The New York Daily News, in its report, also claimed that Merchan and his family received threats and quoted a source telling them that “the content of the calls, emails and letters was … harassing and defamatory, with most of the trolls calling from out of state”. New York office of court administration's spokesperson Lucian Chalfen told the paper, “We continue to evaluate and re-evaluate security concerns and potential threats. We have maintained an increased security presence in and around courthouses and throughout the judiciary and will adjust protocols as necessary.” Meanwhile, retired conservative judge and former vice-president Mike Pence's adviser, who received national prominence after he gave testimony to the House January 6 committee, J Michael Luttig warned that Trump may receive a gag order over the attacks made by him on Judge Merchan. WATCH | Donald Trump to surrender for arraignment on criminal charges in Manhattan “There is no court that would want to impose a gag order on a president of the United States. But if the former president forces the Manhattan criminal court, the court will have no choice,” Luttig said. Manhattan district attorney's former rackets bureau chief Mike Scotto said, “A gag order is used to protect the defendant’s rights to a fair trial and also the government’s rights to a fair trial, so that the potential jurors don’t learn anything about the case that they’re not going to learn in court.” During the court proceedings, Merchan had warned Trump to “refrain from making statements that are likely to incite violence and civil unrest”. He had also said to Trump's lawyer, “I don’t share your view that certain language is justified by frustration.” (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

Judge, who presided over Trump's arraignment, receives multiple threats

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