A day after Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, emerged as his challenger for the final round of France’s presidential election in less than two weeks, President Emmanuel Macron immediately set about Monday to build the “dam.”

Dams are the mainstream French voters who, time and again, have put political differences aside in the second round and voted for anyone but a Le Pen in a so-called “Republican front” to deny the far right the presidency.

But after Sunday’s first round, when 32% of French voters supported candidates on the extreme right — a record — the dam may be more precarious than ever.

Macron, widely criticized for a listless campaign, moved quickly Monday to shore it up, directly challenging Le Pen and her party, the National Rally, in the economically depressed north where she dominated Sunday.

In Denain, a city won by Le Pen, Macron spoke of the worries of the youth in Denain and other social issues. He tried to remind voters of the extremist roots of Le Pen’s party, referring to it by its old name, the National Front.

At a campaign stop of her own in a rural area, Yonne, Le Pen said that the dam was a dishonest strategy to win an election, adding that “it’s a way to save yourself when you don’t deserve it.’’

In a triumphant speech against the majestic backdrop of the Louvre Museum five years ago, Macron had launched his presidency by pledging to unite the French so that there would be “no reason at all to vote for the extremes.’’

But in addition to Le Pen’s second-place finish, with 23% of the vote, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leftist veteran, won 22% of Sunday’s votes to finish a strong third.

Mélenchon’s supporters — split in their attitudes toward Macron and Le Pen — could now help determine the election’s final outcome April 24.

After five years of Macron, who trounced Le Pen in the 2017 runoff, the far-right leader emerged stronger than ever. She has softened her image in a successful process of “undemonizing’’ and focused relentlessly on ordinary voters’ economic hardship.

In Yonne, Le Pen hammered away at the themes that carried her through to the second round. Meeting with a cereal farmer, she spoke of how rising prices of fuel and fertilizers following the war in Ukraine would raise the cost of staples at supermarkets and hurt the most vulnerable.

The far right’s record performance Sunday resulted from a combination of factors, including Le Pen’s own efforts to revamp her image, a successful cultural battle waged by conservative forces in recent years and a series of Islamic militant attacks in France since 2015.

But critics say that it also reflected Macron’s continued strategy of triangulating France’s electoral landscape. While Macron was regarded as a center-left candidate five years ago, he shifted rightward during his presidency, sensing that his main challenge would come from Le Pen.

That shift was embodied by a series of laws toughening France’s stance on immigration, empowering the police and combating Islamic militant extremism. Many working French also felt that his economic policies unfairly favored the rich and have left them more adrift.

If Macron’s intention was to defuse Le Pen’s appeal by stripping her of her core issues, critics say the approach backfired by ushering the talking points of the far right deeper into the mainstream political debate.

Then, Le Pen also shifted her message to pocketbook issues that have now resonated even more broadly as energy prices spike because of the war in Ukraine.

Sacha Houlié, a lawmaker and a spokesperson for Macron’s campaign, said that the president was aiming to strengthen the dam strategy. He acknowledged that there have been “some mistakes” and “blunders,” noting that some government ministers had picked up themes and expressions promoted by the far right.

But Houlié denied that Macron had normalized far-right ideas, saying his government had mainly tried to respond to people’s growing concerns on crime and immigration.

“We cannot sweep the dust under the carpet,” he said, referring to the issues.

But many, especially Mélenchon’s supporters of the left, feel so betrayed that Macron may have a harder time in this next election persuading them to join his call for unity by building a dam against Le Pen, whom the president has called a danger to democracy.

Alexis Lévrier, a historian who has written about Macron’s relations with the news media, said that as Macron tried to reshape French politics around a strict divide between his mainstream movement and Le Pen, he “contributed to the rise in power of the far right.”

Unwittingly, “he’s a pyromaniac firefighter,” Lévrier said.

A resident of Guyancourt — a well-off, left-leaning city southwest of Paris where Mélenchon came in first Sunday — Stéphanie Noury said that, in 2017, she gave Macron her vote as part of a dam against the far right. But this time, she planned to stay home for the final round.

“Macron played into the hands of the extreme right,’’ said Noury, 55, a human resources manager who voted Sunday for Mélenchon. “He told himself that he would always win against the extreme right.’’

Compared to 2017, Le Pen’s share of the first-round vote went up by a couple of percentage points despite the direct challenge of a new rival, far-right TV pundit Éric Zemmour, who urged his supporters to vote for Le Pen in the upcoming showdown.

On Sunday, Le Pen, Zemmour and a third far-right candidate, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, together got 32% of the vote. In 2017, Le Pen and Dupont-Aignan collected 26% in the first round.

Voters first formed a dam against the extreme right in 2002 when Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, shocked the political establishment by making it into a runoff against Jacques Chirac. Another dam helped defeat Marine Le Pen in 2017.

To gain credibility on the right, in 2019, Macron gave his first long interview on the sensitive issues of immigration and Islam to Valeurs Actuelles, a magazine that straddles the right and far right.

“By talking to us, Emmanuel Macron came to seek some legitimacy on these subjects, from right-wing people who felt he was doing nothing,” said Geoffroy Lejeune, the publication’s editor. “He knows that by doing this, he’s sending a big signal.”

Aurélien Taché, a lawmaker once allied with Macron, said the president was elected in 2017 thanks to voters who put aside their political differences and united against Le Pen.

He said Macron should have taken those votes — mainly from the left — into account in his policies afterward.

“He did not consider them,” he said, adding that Macron instead worked to “set up this cleavage’’ between him and Le Pen, leading to a “high-risk rematch.”

“There have been, on a whole range of topics, very strong concessions made to the far right,” Taché said, also citing tougher immigration rules and the application of a stricter version of French secularism, called laïcité.

But Taché, who quit Macron’s party in 2020 over the president’s shift to the right, was especially critical of the government’s landmark law against separatism, which has been criticized inside and outside France, including by the U.S. envoy on international religious freedom.

The law amounted to “making Islam and Muslims invisible,” Taché said.

Some academics, political opponents and Muslim organizations have also criticized the law as discriminating against French Muslims by leading to the widespread closing of mosques, Muslim associations and schools.

That resentment may now also complicate Macron’s dam-building effort.

To be reelected, for instance, he will have to persuade voters in places likes Trappes, a working-class city with a large Muslim population southwest of Paris, to join the dam against Le Pen.

A longtime stronghold of Mélenchon supporters, Trappes strongly backed Macron in the 2017 runoff. But comments by voters Sunday suggested that the dam might not be as effective this time.

Frédéric Renan, 47, a computer programmer, said he would abstain or cast a blank vote in a showdown between Macron and Le Pen.

“Macron opened the door to the extreme right,’’ Renan said, adding that the president’s economic policies hurt the poor and fueled the rise of the far right.

“I don’t see how voting for Macron is a vote in a dam against the extreme right,” he said. “Some people will say that not participating in the dam against the extreme right is irresponsible, that the threat of the extreme right is greater than what Emmanuel Macron proposes, but I’m not convinced.’’

A day after Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, emerged as his challenger for the final round of France’s presidential election in less than two weeks, President Emmanuel Macron immediately set about Monday to build the “dam.

A day after Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, emerged as his challenger for the final round of France’s presidential election in less than two weeks, President Emmanuel Macron immediately set about Monday to build the “dam.” Dams are the mainstream French voters who, time and again, have put political differences aside in the second round and voted for anyone but a Le Pen in a so-called “Republican front” to deny the far right the presidency. But after Sunday’s first round, when 32% of French voters supported candidates on the extreme right — a record — the dam may be more precarious than ever. Macron, widely criticized for a listless campaign, moved quickly Monday to shore it up, directly challenging Le Pen and her party, the National Rally, in the economically depressed north where she dominated Sunday. In Denain, a city won by Le Pen, Macron spoke of the worries of the youth in Denain and other social issues. He tried to remind voters of the extremist roots of Le Pen’s party, referring to it by its old name, the National Front. At a campaign stop of her own in a rural area, Yonne, Le Pen said that the dam was a dishonest strategy to win an election, adding that “it’s a way to save yourself when you don’t deserve it.’’ In a triumphant speech against the majestic backdrop of the Louvre Museum five years ago, Macron had launched his presidency by pledging to unite the French so that there would be “no reason at all to vote for the extremes.’’ But in addition to Le Pen’s second-place finish, with 23% of the vote, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leftist veteran, won 22% of Sunday’s votes to finish a strong third. Mélenchon’s supporters — split in their attitudes toward Macron and Le Pen — could now help determine the election’s final outcome April 24. After five years of Macron, who trounced Le Pen in the 2017 runoff, the far-right leader emerged stronger than ever. She has softened her image in a successful process of “undemonizing’’ and focused relentlessly on ordinary voters’ economic hardship. In Yonne, Le Pen hammered away at the themes that carried her through to the second round. Meeting with a cereal farmer, she spoke of how rising prices of fuel and fertilizers following the war in Ukraine would raise the cost of staples at supermarkets and hurt the most vulnerable. The far right’s record performance Sunday resulted from a combination of factors, including Le Pen’s own efforts to revamp her image, a successful cultural battle waged by conservative forces in recent years and a series of Islamic militant attacks in France since 2015. But critics say that it also reflected Macron’s continued strategy of triangulating France’s electoral landscape. While Macron was regarded as a center-left candidate five years ago, he shifted rightward during his presidency, sensing that his main challenge would come from Le Pen. That shift was embodied by a series of laws toughening France’s stance on immigration, empowering the police and combating Islamic militant extremism. Many working French also felt that his economic policies unfairly favored the rich and have left them more adrift. If Macron’s intention was to defuse Le Pen’s appeal by stripping her of her core issues, critics say the approach backfired by ushering the talking points of the far right deeper into the mainstream political debate. Then, Le Pen also shifted her message to pocketbook issues that have now resonated even more broadly as energy prices spike because of the war in Ukraine. Sacha Houlié, a lawmaker and a spokesperson for Macron’s campaign, said that the president was aiming to strengthen the dam strategy. He acknowledged that there have been “some mistakes” and “blunders,” noting that some government ministers had picked up themes and expressions promoted by the far right. But Houlié denied that Macron had normalized far-right ideas, saying his government had mainly tried to respond to people’s growing concerns on crime and immigration. “We cannot sweep the dust under the carpet,” he said, referring to the issues. But many, especially Mélenchon’s supporters of the left, feel so betrayed that Macron may have a harder time in this next election persuading them to join his call for unity by building a dam against Le Pen, whom the president has called a danger to democracy. Alexis Lévrier, a historian who has written about Macron’s relations with the news media, said that as Macron tried to reshape French politics around a strict divide between his mainstream movement and Le Pen, he “contributed to the rise in power of the far right.” Unwittingly, “he’s a pyromaniac firefighter,” Lévrier said. A resident of Guyancourt — a well-off, left-leaning city southwest of Paris where Mélenchon came in first Sunday — Stéphanie Noury said that, in 2017, she gave Macron her vote as part of a dam against the far right. But this time, she planned to stay home for the final round. “Macron played into the hands of the extreme right,’’ said Noury, 55, a human resources manager who voted Sunday for Mélenchon. “He told himself that he would always win against the extreme right.’’ Compared to 2017, Le Pen’s share of the first-round vote went up by a couple of percentage points despite the direct challenge of a new rival, far-right TV pundit Éric Zemmour, who urged his supporters to vote for Le Pen in the upcoming showdown. On Sunday, Le Pen, Zemmour and a third far-right candidate, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, together got 32% of the vote. In 2017, Le Pen and Dupont-Aignan collected 26% in the first round. Voters first formed a dam against the extreme right in 2002 when Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, shocked the political establishment by making it into a runoff against Jacques Chirac. Another dam helped defeat Marine Le Pen in 2017. To gain credibility on the right, in 2019, Macron gave his first long interview on the sensitive issues of immigration and Islam to Valeurs Actuelles, a magazine that straddles the right and far right. “By talking to us, Emmanuel Macron came to seek some legitimacy on these subjects, from right-wing people who felt he was doing nothing,” said Geoffroy Lejeune, the publication’s editor. “He knows that by doing this, he’s sending a big signal.” Aurélien Taché, a lawmaker once allied with Macron, said the president was elected in 2017 thanks to voters who put aside their political differences and united against Le Pen. He said Macron should have taken those votes — mainly from the left — into account in his policies afterward. “He did not consider them,” he said, adding that Macron instead worked to “set up this cleavage’’ between him and Le Pen, leading to a “high-risk rematch.” “There have been, on a whole range of topics, very strong concessions made to the far right,” Taché said, also citing tougher immigration rules and the application of a stricter version of French secularism, called laïcité. But Taché, who quit Macron’s party in 2020 over the president’s shift to the right, was especially critical of the government’s landmark law against separatism, which has been criticized inside and outside France, including by the U.S. envoy on international religious freedom. The law amounted to “making Islam and Muslims invisible,” Taché said. Some academics, political opponents and Muslim organizations have also criticized the law as discriminating against French Muslims by leading to the widespread closing of mosques, Muslim associations and schools. That resentment may now also complicate Macron’s dam-building effort. To be reelected, for instance, he will have to persuade voters in places likes Trappes, a working-class city with a large Muslim population southwest of Paris, to join the dam against Le Pen. A longtime stronghold of Mélenchon supporters, Trappes strongly backed Macron in the 2017 runoff. But comments by voters Sunday suggested that the dam might not be as effective this time. Frédéric Renan, 47, a computer programmer, said he would abstain or cast a blank vote in a showdown between Macron and Le Pen. “Macron opened the door to the extreme right,’’ Renan said, adding that the president’s economic policies hurt the poor and fueled the rise of the far right. “I don’t see how voting for Macron is a vote in a dam against the extreme right,” he said. “Some people will say that not participating in the dam against the extreme right is irresponsible, that the threat of the extreme right is greater than what Emmanuel Macron proposes, but I’m not convinced.’’

Macron sets out to build a 'Dam' against Le Pen. Can it hold?

Amid tensions over North Korea's potential nuclear weapon test, reports, citing a US official, have emerged that the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group is operating in waters off the Korean peninsula.&nbsp;

South Korean media also reported that the ships were deployed. Media outlet Arirang reported quoting sources that the ship is currently in international waters east of South Korea's Ulsan City.&nbsp;

On the other hand, the news agency Reuters mentioned that the official said the group is in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, for exercises with Japanese forces to reassure allies and partners in the region.&nbsp;

The move comes as recently, the US State Department's top North Korea envoy said that Pyongyang could be planning its first nuclear weapon test in nearly five years for its April 15 holiday.&nbsp;

Important to note that this is the first time since 2017 that a carrier group has deployed to the waters between South Korea and Japan.&nbsp;

That year the USS Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt and Nimitz, and their multi-ship strike groups, deployed in a show of force over North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons tests.&nbsp;

South Korea's Yonhap news agency cited unnamed informed sources who said the USS Abraham Lincoln would be operating in the area for three to five days.&nbsp;

Arirang report added that the defence ministry confirmed that it is currently in the international waters near the country but did not give further details.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia poised to take Mariupol, where is military aid pledged by US, NATO?

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Amid tensions over North Korea's potential nuclear weapon test, reports, citing a US official, have emerged that the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group is operating in waters off the Korean peninsula.

Amid tensions over North Korea's potential nuclear weapon test, reports, citing a US official, have emerged that the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group is operating in waters off the Korean peninsula. South Korean media also reported that the ships were deployed. Media outlet Arirang reported quoting sources that the ship is currently in international waters east of South Korea's Ulsan City. On the other hand, the news agency Reuters mentioned that the official said the group is in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, for exercises with Japanese forces to reassure allies and partners in the region. The move comes as recently, the US State Department's top North Korea envoy said that Pyongyang could be planning its first nuclear weapon test in nearly five years for its April 15 holiday. Important to note that this is the first time since 2017 that a carrier group has deployed to the waters between South Korea and Japan. That year the USS Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt and Nimitz, and their multi-ship strike groups, deployed in a show of force over North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons tests. South Korea's Yonhap news agency cited unnamed informed sources who said the USS Abraham Lincoln would be operating in the area for three to five days. Arirang report added that the defence ministry confirmed that it is currently in the international waters near the country but did not give further details. WATCH | Russia poised to take Mariupol, where is military aid pledged by US, NATO? × (With inputs from agencies)

Amid tensions with North, US aircraft carrier deploys off Korean peninsula

A large part of the world's population has received the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, either one or two; some even have been inoculated with the booster shots. More than 10 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered globally as of March 2022.&nbsp;

Some people have experienced the side effects of the Covid vaccines, usually mild and self-limiting. Fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, diarrhoea and pain at the injection site are some of the common symptoms experienced by most people.&nbsp;

However, a recent <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(22)00059-5/fulltext">report</a> published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine concluded that some people have experienced severe heart inflammation. It has been described as a rare risk associated with COVID-19 vaccines.&nbsp;

Researchers from National University Hospital, Singapore examined international databases to understand the&nbsp;incidence of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination and compare this with non-COVID-19 vaccination as well.&nbsp;

Experts have noted that Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). The inflammation can reduce the heart's ability to pump and cause rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).&nbsp;

It has also been understood that the term&nbsp;pericarditis&nbsp;refers to inflammation of the pericardium and&nbsp;myocarditis and both can occur together in clinical practice.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/reversal-of-time-scientists-de-age-human-skin-cells-by-30-years-in-trial-469278">Reversal of time? Scientists de-age human skin cells by 30 years in trial</a>

The study mentioned&nbsp;that the "overall risk of myopericarditis after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is low". However, younger males have an increased incidence of myopericarditis, particularly after receiving mRNA vaccines.&nbsp;

Part of the study read, "Nevertheless, the risks of such rare adverse events should be balanced against the risks of COVID-19 infection (including myopericarditis)."&nbsp;

The study was based on a sample size of more than 400M vaccine doses and the overall incidence of myocarditis from 22 studies was 33·3 cases per million vaccine doses.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/an-ai-approach-that-can-accurately-predict-when-will-one-gave-a-cardiac-arrest-says-study-469349">An AI approach that can accurately predict when will one have a cardiac arrest. Find out more!</a>

The study noted that it did not differ significantly between people who received COVID-19 vaccines and those who received non-COVID-19 vaccines.&nbsp;

As rates of myocarditiss were higher in smallpox shots as compared to coronavirus jabs. Whereas it is about the same as in influenza, measles, mumps and rubella and polio vaccines.&nbsp;

"Our research suggests that the overall risk of myopericarditis appears to be no different for this newly approved group of vaccines against Covid- 19, compared to vaccines against other diseases,"&nbsp;said Dr. Kollengode Ramanathan, a cardiac intensivist at the Hospital.&nbsp;

"The risk of such rare events should be balanced against the risk of myopericarditis from infection and these findings should bolster public confidence in the safety of Covid-19 vaccinations,"&nbsp;Ramanathan added.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Fight heat wave with these 7 items in your diet

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"The occurrence of myopericarditis following non-Covid-19 vaccination could suggest that myopericarditis is a side effect of the inflammatory processes induced by any vaccination and is not unique to the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins in Covid-19 vaccines or infection,"&nbsp;said Dr Jyoti Somani, an infectious diseases specialist at the Hospital.&nbsp;

"This also highlights that the risks of such infrequent adverse events should be offset by the benefits of vaccination, which include a lower risk of infection, hospitalisation, severe disease, and death from Covid-19,"&nbsp;she added.&nbsp;

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Another study published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001064">Circulation</a>&nbsp;stated that found that 54 out of nearly 57,000 adults were hospitalised due to acute myocarditis after COVID-19.&nbsp;

The study, "SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Associated Cardiovascular Manifestations and Complications in Children and Young Adults: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association" focused on people in the US and Europe hospitalised with COVID-19 from February 2020 until April 2021.&nbsp;

A large part of the world's population has received the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, either one or two; some even have been inoculated with the booster shots.

A large part of the world's population has received the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, either one or two; some even have been inoculated with the booster shots. More than 10 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered globally as of March 2022. Some people have experienced the side effects of the Covid vaccines, usually mild and self-limiting. Fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, diarrhoea and pain at the injection site are some of the common symptoms experienced by most people. However, a recent report published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine concluded that some people have experienced severe heart inflammation. It has been described as a rare risk associated with COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers from National University Hospital, Singapore examined international databases to understand the incidence of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination and compare this with non-COVID-19 vaccination as well. Experts have noted that Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). The inflammation can reduce the heart's ability to pump and cause rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). It has also been understood that the term pericarditis refers to inflammation of the pericardium and myocarditis and both can occur together in clinical practice. ALSO READ | Reversal of time? Scientists de-age human skin cells by 30 years in trial The study mentioned that the "overall risk of myopericarditis after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is low". However, younger males have an increased incidence of myopericarditis, particularly after receiving mRNA vaccines. Part of the study read, "Nevertheless, the risks of such rare adverse events should be balanced against the risks of COVID-19 infection (including myopericarditis)." The study was based on a sample size of more than 400M vaccine doses and the overall incidence of myocarditis from 22 studies was 33·3 cases per million vaccine doses. ALSO READ | An AI approach that can accurately predict when will one have a cardiac arrest. Find out more! The study noted that it did not differ significantly between people who received COVID-19 vaccines and those who received non-COVID-19 vaccines. As rates of myocarditiss were higher in smallpox shots as compared to coronavirus jabs. Whereas it is about the same as in influenza, measles, mumps and rubella and polio vaccines. "Our research suggests that the overall risk of myopericarditis appears to be no different for this newly approved group of vaccines against Covid- 19, compared to vaccines against other diseases," said Dr. Kollengode Ramanathan, a cardiac intensivist at the Hospital. "The risk of such rare events should be balanced against the risk of myopericarditis from infection and these findings should bolster public confidence in the safety of Covid-19 vaccinations," Ramanathan added. WATCH | Fight heat wave with these 7 items in your diet × "The occurrence of myopericarditis following non-Covid-19 vaccination could suggest that myopericarditis is a side effect of the inflammatory processes induced by any vaccination and is not unique to the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins in Covid-19 vaccines or infection," said Dr Jyoti Somani, an infectious diseases specialist at the Hospital. "This also highlights that the risks of such infrequent adverse events should be offset by the benefits of vaccination, which include a lower risk of infection, hospitalisation, severe disease, and death from Covid-19," she added. Another study published in the journal Circulation stated that found that 54 out of nearly 57,000 adults were hospitalised due to acute myocarditis after COVID-19. The study, "SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Associated Cardiovascular Manifestations and Complications in Children and Young Adults: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association" focused on people in the US and Europe hospitalised with COVID-19 from February 2020 until April 2021.

What is myocarditis? A rare complication of COVID-19 and non-Covid vaccinations

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed after the country's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak asked him to probe into his own affairs and questions over transparency over his family's financial affairs.

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed after the country's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak asked him to probe into his own affairs and questions over transparency over his family's financial affairs. Sunak is facing criticism over his wife's "non-dom" tax status, which let her escape UK taxes on income earned abroad. Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy, daughter of Indian billionaire NR Narayana Murthy, is apparently able to save millions of pounds in tax on dividends, which are collected from her family's IT business. Amid rising backlash, Sunak wrote a letter to UK PM Johnson and requested that the government's adviser on ministerial standards, Christopher Geidt, assess his declarations of interest since he first became a minister in 2018. The contents of the letter were disclosed late on Sunday. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Johnson said on Monday (April 11) that the PM has agreed to his request. "The prime minister has agreed to the request from the chancellor for Lord Geidt to undertake this work," the spokeswoman said as quoted by the news agency Reuters, adding that the PM had full confidence in Sunak. "The prime minister is confident that all the appropriate declarations were followed," the spoked woman added. What is non-domicile status? The country of domicile means the country where a person permanently resides in. If we talk about British law, those with non-domiciled status are not liable to pay taxes on income earned abroad. A person's domicile is usually the country which their father considered his permanent home when the person was born, although this can change if the person plans to permanently live in Britain. WATCH | Tax arrangements of UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak's family under scrutiny ×

UK PM Boris Johnson agrees after Rishi Sunak requested review of his own financial declarations

Former United States President Donald Trump is the "most honest human being God has ever created", he himself said it when he spoke at a rally in Selma, North Carolina on Saturday evening (April 9).&nbsp;

A burst of laughter followed after Trump's "the most honest&nbsp;human being" remarks at a rally. He quoted one of his friends as saying, "'You know, you've been investigated years and years, millions and millions of pages of documents, they found nothing. You are the cleanest on Earth when you think about it.'"&nbsp;

Trump then said, "I've got to be the cleanest sheriff. I think I'm the most honest&nbsp;human being, perhaps, that God ever created."&nbsp;

Amid multiple investigations, including his alleged involvement in the US Capitol attacks, Trump's remarks went viral on social media.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-boris-johnsons-visit-us-says-joe-biden-doesnt-currently-have-any-plans-to-travel-to-ukraine-470275">After Boris Johnson's visit, US says Joe Biden 'doesn't currently have any plans' to travel to Ukraine</a>

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Trump: I’ve gotta be the cleanest— I think I’m the most honest human being perhaps that god ever created <a href="https://t.co/D98itzA6vi">pic.twitter.com/D98itzA6vi</a>
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Recently, Trump defended his conduct during the US Capitol assault in an incendiary interview published last week, saying he did not regret summoning his rioting supporters to Washington.&nbsp;

He told The Washington Post he would have accompanied his ultra-loyal followers as they marched on the complex on January 6 last year, but was stopped by his security detail.&nbsp;

He offered no contrition for whipping up the crowd with bogus claims that victory was stolen from him through widespread fraud -- although he was clear in his condemnation of the violence that ensued.&nbsp;

"Secret Service said I couldn't go. I would have gone there in a minute," he said, in the wide-ranging interview, adding that it was the largest crowd he had ever spoken to.&nbsp;

On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol last year in an effort to halt the peaceful transfer of power after Joe Biden won a decisive victory in 2020, described by the government as one of the most secure elections in US history.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Blood The dark side of Electric Vehicles

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former United States President Donald Trump is the "most honest human being God has ever created", he himself said it when he spoke at a rally in Selma, North Carolina on Saturday evening (April 9).

Former United States President Donald Trump is the "most honest human being God has ever created", he himself said it when he spoke at a rally in Selma, North Carolina on Saturday evening (April 9). A burst of laughter followed after Trump's "the most honest human being" remarks at a rally. He quoted one of his friends as saying, "'You know, you've been investigated years and years, millions and millions of pages of documents, they found nothing. You are the cleanest on Earth when you think about it.'" Trump then said, "I've got to be the cleanest sheriff. I think I'm the most honest human being, perhaps, that God ever created." Amid multiple investigations, including his alleged involvement in the US Capitol attacks, Trump's remarks went viral on social media. ALSO READ | After Boris Johnson's visit, US says Joe Biden 'doesn't currently have any plans' to travel to Ukraine Trump: I’ve gotta be the cleanest— I think I’m the most honest human being perhaps that god ever created pic.twitter.com/D98itzA6vi — Acyn (@Acyn) April 10, 2022 × Recently, Trump defended his conduct during the US Capitol assault in an incendiary interview published last week, saying he did not regret summoning his rioting supporters to Washington. He told The Washington Post he would have accompanied his ultra-loyal followers as they marched on the complex on January 6 last year, but was stopped by his security detail. He offered no contrition for whipping up the crowd with bogus claims that victory was stolen from him through widespread fraud -- although he was clear in his condemnation of the violence that ensued. "Secret Service said I couldn't go. I would have gone there in a minute," he said, in the wide-ranging interview, adding that it was the largest crowd he had ever spoken to. On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol last year in an effort to halt the peaceful transfer of power after Joe Biden won a decisive victory in 2020, described by the government as one of the most secure elections in US history. WATCH | Gravitas Plus: Blood The dark side of Electric Vehicles × (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Donald Trump is the 'most honest human being perhaps God has ever created'. Guess who said it

Last month, SoftBank Group withdrew from a US$34 billion project in Indonesia. After the withdrawal, Indonesia is looking to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, crowdfunding for the capital city in Borneo, reported by South China Morning Post last week.&nbsp;

SoftBank's exit was revealed by Luhut Pandjaitan, the Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs. The reports by SCMP mentioned that he cited a "decline in the share price" and Saudi Arabia's withdrawal of funds from the company's venture capital arm Vision Fund 2 as reasons.&nbsp;

But on the contrary, the company's board director Ken Miyauchi in a statement said: "Return of investment, whether from timing or the amount of ROI itself, is the main reason why we were backing out from the project."&nbsp;

The report mentioned that Luhut, who is the right hand of the country's President Joko Widodo, is putting in efforts to seek funds from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;

"When I visited Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman asked to get into [the capital development project]. We are still discussing how big [Saudi Arabia’s] investments will be. We are continuing to have virtual meetings with his team," Luhut told reporters as quoted by SCMP.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;A story of hope: Rare Sumatran rhino born in Indonesia

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(With inputs from agencies)

Last month, SoftBank Group withdrew from a US$34 billion project in Indonesia. After the withdrawal, Indonesia is looking to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, crowdfunding for the capital city in Borneo, reported by South China Morning Post last week.

Last month, SoftBank Group withdrew from a US$34 billion project in Indonesia. After the withdrawal, Indonesia is looking to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, crowdfunding for the capital city in Borneo, reported by South China Morning Post last week. SoftBank's exit was revealed by Luhut Pandjaitan, the Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs. The reports by SCMP mentioned that he cited a "decline in the share price" and Saudi Arabia's withdrawal of funds from the company's venture capital arm Vision Fund 2 as reasons. But on the contrary, the company's board director Ken Miyauchi in a statement said: "Return of investment, whether from timing or the amount of ROI itself, is the main reason why we were backing out from the project." The report mentioned that Luhut, who is the right hand of the country's President Joko Widodo, is putting in efforts to seek funds from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. "When I visited Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman asked to get into [the capital development project]. We are still discussing how big [Saudi Arabia’s] investments will be. We are continuing to have virtual meetings with his team," Luhut told reporters as quoted by SCMP. Watch | A story of hope: Rare Sumatran rhino born in Indonesia (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia to seek funds from Saudi Arabia, UAE and crowdfunding after SoftBank's withdrawal

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden held virtual talks on Monday (April 11) and discussed a range of issues. However, the main topic remained the Russia and Ukraine war.&nbsp;

PM Modi said, "Today, our interaction is being held at a time when the situation in Ukraine is a matter of concern. A few weeks back, over 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine, most of them were young students."&nbsp;

Calling for the de-escalation of the Russia-Ukraine situation and progressing toward a path of peace, PM Modi said, "I have spoken with Presidents of both Ukraine and Russia over the telephone, several times. I not only appealed to them for peace but also suggested President Putin hold direct talks with the Ukrainian President."&nbsp;

PM Modi also said that India has sent medicines and other relief materials to Ukraine and other neighbouring nations. Further, on the demand of Ukraine, the Indian government is sending another consignment of medicines soon.&nbsp;

PM Modi also said that detailed discussions over the Russia-Ukraine conflict were held in the Indian Parliament, where the reports of killing innocent citizens in Bucha city were immediately condemned. He said that India had supported an impartial probe.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, US President said, "I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak to you virtually today and with two of your ministers and your ambassador."

"We take same concerns about the global challenges we faced during Covid-19, advancing health securities and tracking economic crisis," Biden added.&nbsp;

The Biden-Modi&nbsp;meeting will precede a meeting between US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US&nbsp;Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, the White House said.&nbsp;

Biden told&nbsp;Modi&nbsp;he is looking forward to seeing him in Japan "on about the 24th of May."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;India-US 2+2 ministerial meeting: Focus on improving bilateral ties and&nbsp;cooperation in Asia

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&nbsp;

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden held virtual talks on Monday (April 11) and discussed a range of issues. However, the main topic remained the Russia and Ukraine war.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden held virtual talks on Monday (April 11) and discussed a range of issues. However, the main topic remained the Russia and Ukraine war. PM Modi said, "Today, our interaction is being held at a time when the situation in Ukraine is a matter of concern. A few weeks back, over 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine, most of them were young students." Calling for the de-escalation of the Russia-Ukraine situation and progressing toward a path of peace, PM Modi said, "I have spoken with Presidents of both Ukraine and Russia over the telephone, several times. I not only appealed to them for peace but also suggested President Putin hold direct talks with the Ukrainian President." PM Modi also said that India has sent medicines and other relief materials to Ukraine and other neighbouring nations. Further, on the demand of Ukraine, the Indian government is sending another consignment of medicines soon. PM Modi also said that detailed discussions over the Russia-Ukraine conflict were held in the Indian Parliament, where the reports of killing innocent citizens in Bucha city were immediately condemned. He said that India had supported an impartial probe. Meanwhile, US President said, "I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak to you virtually today and with two of your ministers and your ambassador." "We take same concerns about the global challenges we faced during Covid-19, advancing health securities and tracking economic crisis," Biden added. The Biden-Modi meeting will precede a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, the White House said. Biden told Modi he is looking forward to seeing him in Japan "on about the 24th of May." WATCH | India-US 2+2 ministerial meeting: Focus on improving bilateral ties and cooperation in Asia ×

Narendra Modi and Joe Biden hold virtual talks, discuss Russia-Ukraine war and other issues

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Shehbaz Sharif, who has taken oath as the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday (April 11).&nbsp;

Taking to his Twitter handle, PM Modi wrote, "Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan."&nbsp;

"India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people," PM Modi added.&nbsp;

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Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1513556114855501829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Shehbaz Sharif takes oath as the newly-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan.&nbsp;

In his maiden address as PM, Shehbaz Sharif talked about a range of issues, including Kashmir, He said that he wants good relations with India, but it can't be achieved without the resolution of the Kashmir issue.&nbsp;

He raised the issue of abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and claimed that people in Pakistan will provide them with "diplomatic and moral support" besides raising the matter at every international forum.&nbsp;

Shehbaz also asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come forward to address the Kashmir issue so that the two countries could concentrate on tackling poverty, unemployment, shortage of medicines and other issues on the two sides of the border.&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Shehbaz Sharif, who has taken oath as the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday (April 11). Taking to his Twitter handle, PM Modi wrote, "Congratulations to H.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Shehbaz Sharif, who has taken oath as the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday (April 11). Taking to his Twitter handle, PM Modi wrote, "Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan." "India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people," PM Modi added. Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 11, 2022 × Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Shehbaz Sharif takes oath as the newly-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. In his maiden address as PM, Shehbaz Sharif talked about a range of issues, including Kashmir, He said that he wants good relations with India, but it can't be achieved without the resolution of the Kashmir issue. He raised the issue of abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and claimed that people in Pakistan will provide them with "diplomatic and moral support" besides raising the matter at every international forum. Shehbaz also asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come forward to address the Kashmir issue so that the two countries could concentrate on tackling poverty, unemployment, shortage of medicines and other issues on the two sides of the border.

'India desires peace and stability': PM Modi congratulates newly elected Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan's parliament chose Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister of the country on Monday (April 11) after a political crisis in the South Asian nation resulted in the ouster of his predecessor Imran Khan.

Pakistan's parliament chose Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister of the country on Monday (April 11) after a political crisis in the South Asian nation resulted in the ouster of his predecessor Imran Khan. In his inaugural speech, new PM Shehbaz Sharif raised a range of issues, here are the key points. On the "threat letter" Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan quite a few times mentioned the involvement of a "foreign conspiracy" to oust him from power. Addressing the same, Shehbaz said the letter came on March 7, but decisions to bring a no-trust motion were made way before that. He said, "So, if (what the previous government claimed) is a lie, then the matter should be disclosed transparently before the public." Shehbaz Sharif further said that the parliament's security committee would be given a briefing on the "threat letter" to the members of the committee in presence of the armed forces personnel and bureaucrats, the Inter-Services Intelligence chief, foreign secretary, and the ambassador who wrote it. "If there's an iota of evidence that we were backed by foreign conspirators ... Then with you Mr speaker and God as my witness, I will not think for another second and resign from the office of the prime minister," Shehbaz said. ALSO READ | Man with 'corruption cases' of billions of rupees: Imran Khan on Shehbaz Sharif On Pakistan-China ties During his address, Shehbaz also lauded China for its support to Pakistan on the world stage and said the friendship between the two countries will remain intact. He said, "There should be no doubt that China and Pakistan are time tested friends and nobody can separate us, it will last till the judgement day. I assure that CPEC will go onwards at Pakistan's speed. Thankful to President Xi Jinping." On Pakistan-US ties During his address, Shehbaz Sharif weighed in on Pakistan and US relations. He said, "Pakistan has historic relations with the US. There were hiccups. Some confusion some ups and downs." ALSO READ | PTI members resign from Pak parliament with its chief Imran Khan saying not to elect Shehbaaz Sharif On Pakistan-India ties and Kashmir issue PM Shehbaz Sharif also said that he wants good relations with India, but it can't be achieved without the resolution of the Kashmir issue. He raised the issue of abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and claimed that people in Pakistan will provide them with "diplomatic and moral support" besides raising the matter at every international forum. Shehbaz also asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come forward to address the Kashmir issue so that the two countries could concentrate on tackling poverty, unemployment, shortage of medicines and other issues on the two sides of the border.

From 'threat letter' to China ties to Kashmir issue: Key points from Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's address

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to Kyiv on Saturday and meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came as a surprise to the world. After his visit, many speculated that other leaders might also visit the war-torn nation.&nbsp;

After Johnson's visit, all eyes were on US President Joe Biden, but dismissing the speculations, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday (April 10) that Biden has "no plans" to visit Ukraine.&nbsp;

"President Biden doesn't currently have any plans to travel to Kyiv. But I will tell you he sits in the Oval Office and in the Situation Room on a daily basis, organising and coordinating the world when it comes to the delivery of weapons," Sullivan told NBC.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-claims-it-destroyed-s-300-anti-aircraft-missile-systems-given-to-ukraine-by-eu-nation-470257">Russia claims it destroyed S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems given to Ukraine by EU nation</a>

Sullivan further added that the Ukrainian foreign minister said that the United States "is at the centre of the effort to deliver from other countries and organising and coordinating the world to take actions like the one last week to kick Russia out of the Human Rights Council."&nbsp;

Sullivan added, "So President Biden will stay focused on that and make sure that he is showing his support and solidarity to the Ukrainian people through those kinds of decisive actions."&nbsp;

Johnson's visit was not announced as it was revealed to the world when the photos of the British PM walking on the streets of the Ukrainian capital were published.&nbsp;

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The prime minister has travelled to Ukraine to meet President Zelensky in person, in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dolphins-bring-joy-to-ukrainian-children-fleeing-war-in-kherson-470266">Dolphins bring joy to Ukrainian children fleeing war in Kherson</a>

WATCH&nbsp;|&nbsp;Putin appoints new General to lead Ukraine war. Is Kremlin changing its strategy?

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&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to Kyiv on Saturday and meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came as a surprise to the world. After his visit, many speculated that other leaders might also visit the war-torn nation.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to Kyiv on Saturday and meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came as a surprise to the world. After his visit, many speculated that other leaders might also visit the war-torn nation. After Johnson's visit, all eyes were on US President Joe Biden, but dismissing the speculations, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday (April 10) that Biden has "no plans" to visit Ukraine. "President Biden doesn't currently have any plans to travel to Kyiv. But I will tell you he sits in the Oval Office and in the Situation Room on a daily basis, organising and coordinating the world when it comes to the delivery of weapons," Sullivan told NBC. ALSO READ | Russia claims it destroyed S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems given to Ukraine by EU nation Sullivan further added that the Ukrainian foreign minister said that the United States "is at the centre of the effort to deliver from other countries and organising and coordinating the world to take actions like the one last week to kick Russia out of the Human Rights Council." Sullivan added, "So President Biden will stay focused on that and make sure that he is showing his support and solidarity to the Ukrainian people through those kinds of decisive actions." Johnson's visit was not announced as it was revealed to the world when the photos of the British PM walking on the streets of the Ukrainian capital were published. A Downing Street spokesman said: "The prime minister has travelled to Ukraine to meet President Zelensky in person, in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people." ALSO READ | Dolphins bring joy to Ukrainian children fleeing war in Kherson WATCH | Putin appoints new General to lead Ukraine war. Is Kremlin changing its strategy? ×

After Boris Johnson's visit, US says Joe Biden 'doesn't currently have any plans' to travel to Ukraine

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and other members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resigned from the National Assembly before the session on the process of electing a new prime minister began on Monday (April 11).

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and other members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resigned from the National Assembly before the session on the process of electing a new prime minister began on Monday (April 11). The leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif is all set to become the new prime minister of a nation of 220 million people. While announcing that he will not participate in the process of electing a new PM, Imran Khan urged the nation to not choose Sharif, the leader of the united opposition. Khan also labelled Shehbaz Sharif as an ''extremely corrupt'' man. As tweeted by the official handle of the PTI party, Khan said, "The man who has 16 billion and 8 billion rupees of corruption cases, whoever selects and elects the Prime Minister cannot be a bigger insult to the country. We are resigning from the National Assembly." ALSO READ | PTI members resign from Pak parliament with its chief Imran Khan saying not to elect Shehbaaz Sharif جس آدمی پر 16 ارب اور 8 ارب روپے کے کرپشن کیسز ہیں،اسے جو بھی وزیراعظم سلیکٹ اور الیکٹ کرتا ہے اس سے بڑی ملک کی توہین نہیں ہو سکتی۔ہم قومی اسمبلی سے استعفے دے رہے ہیں، عمران خان#امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/hzQf7y1fDe — PTI (@PTIofficial) April 11, 2022 × Meanwhile, a Pakistani court on Monday deferred until April 27 the indictment of joint Opposition's prime ministerial candidate Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in a high-profile money laundering case. The court also extended their pre-arrest bail till the same day. The move has allowed the PML-N president to become the new prime minister. As reported by India-based PTI news agency quoting a court official, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) special court on Monday accepted Shehbaz's application seeking exemption from personal appearance in court in the money laundering proceedings for one day. Shehbaz and his sons - Hamza and Suleman - were booked by FIA in November 2020 under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act. Suleman is absconding and residing in the UK. The FIA investigation has detected 28 benami accounts, allegedly of the Shehbaz family, through which an amount to the tune of PKR 14 billion was laundered from 2008 to 2018. The FIA examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions and the amount was kept in "hidden accounts" and given to Shehbaz in his personal capacity. WATCH | Shehbaz Sharif set to be elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan × (With inputs from agencies)

Man with 'corruption cases' of billions of rupees: Imran Khan on Shehbaz Sharif

The challenge of dethroning Imran Khan was just the beginning for Shehbaz Sharif. If voted to be the new premier, Shehbaz will be staring at a list of challenges to be tackled urgently that were left behind by the Khan Government

Challenges ahead for Shehbaz Sharif, can he bring stability to Pakistan?

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