The British Broadcasting Corporation is facing controversy over allegations involving one of its presenters. The BBC's Chief has refused to disclose the identity of the staff member involved for five consecutive days.

Controversy surrounds BBC presenter over alleged payment for explicit images

<p>A presenter at the BBC has been suspended following allegations of paying a teenager a substantial amount of money in exchange for sexually explicit photographs, as reported by the Independent.</p>

<p>The broadcaster revealed that an initial complaint regarding the unidentified TV presenter was filed in May. However, the BBC stated that they received new allegations of a different nature on Thursday. As a result, the presenter has been temporarily removed from their position.</p>

<p>Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer engaged in urgent&nbsp;discussions on Sunday with the BBC's director general following allegations.</p>

<p>The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) described the claims as "deeply concerning" and had stressed on the need for the BBC to conduct a prompt and sensitive investigation.</p>

<h2><strong>Allegations and urgent action</strong></h2>

<p><em>The Sun</em> initially reported the allegations, including the teenager's family's complaint to the BBC in May.</p>

<p>As a publicly funded broadcaster, the DCMS emphasised the importance of urgent and thorough investigation, with the department expecting to be kept informed throughout the process. Secretary Frazer is scheduled to speak with Tim Davie, the head of the BBC, later on Sunday.</p>

<h2><strong>Disturbing details</strong></h2>

<p>The Sun on Sunday featured an interview with the teenager's mother, who claimed that her child had used the money received from the presenter to fuel a crack cocaine addiction.</p>

<p>The mother also alleged that the explicit photos were part of a video call with the presenter. The family approached <em>The Sun </em>after growing frustrated with the presenter's continued presence on air, asserting that they sought no payment for sharing their story.</p>

<p>For legal reasons, <em>The Sun</em> refrained from naming the presenter, and BBC News has likewise refrained from publicising the name.</p>

<p>Several BBC presenters, including Rylan Clark, Jeremy Vine, Nicky Campbell, and Gary Lineker, took to social media to deny their involvement in the allegations.</p>

<p>In the absence of formal suspension information, it remains unclear if any action has been taken against the accused presenter.</p>

<h2><strong>Concerns and demands for transparency</strong></h2>

<p>The BBC's handling of the complaints process has sparked concerns about the thoroughness of questioning and investigation procedures.</p>

<p>Critics argue that the broadcaster has not appropriately addressed the allegations since the family's initial complaint. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves urged the BBC to improve its processes, emphasising the need for greater clarity regarding the situation and steps taken to rectify it.</p>

<p>Conservative minister Victoria Atkins echoed the seriousness of the claims and called for swift action while ensuring adherence to established procedures.</p>

<p>The focus of this matter is the well-being of the young person involved, who is likely experiencing a range of emotions, reported the BBC.</p>

<p>The BBC's press office stated that they treat all allegations seriously and have established procedures to address them proactively. They actively seek further information and attempt to contact those who come forward. If no response is received, it may limit progress, but the investigation does not cease, as per the BBC.</p>

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A presenter at the BBC has been suspended following allegations of paying a teenager a substantial amount of money in exchange for sexually explicit photographs, as reported by the Independent.

A presenter at the BBC has been suspended following allegations of paying a teenager a substantial amount of money in exchange for sexually explicit photographs, as reported by the Independent. The broadcaster revealed that an initial complaint regarding the unidentified TV presenter was filed in May. However, the BBC stated that they received new allegations of a different nature on Thursday. As a result, the presenter has been temporarily removed from their position. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer engaged in urgent discussions on Sunday with the BBC's director general following allegations. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) described the claims as "deeply concerning" and had stressed on the need for the BBC to conduct a prompt and sensitive investigation. Allegations and urgent action The Sun initially reported the allegations, including the teenager's family's complaint to the BBC in May. As a publicly funded broadcaster, the DCMS emphasised the importance of urgent and thorough investigation, with the department expecting to be kept informed throughout the process. Secretary Frazer is scheduled to speak with Tim Davie, the head of the BBC, later on Sunday. Disturbing details The Sun on Sunday featured an interview with the teenager's mother, who claimed that her child had used the money received from the presenter to fuel a crack cocaine addiction. The mother also alleged that the explicit photos were part of a video call with the presenter. The family approached The Sun after growing frustrated with the presenter's continued presence on air, asserting that they sought no payment for sharing their story. For legal reasons, The Sun refrained from naming the presenter, and BBC News has likewise refrained from publicising the name. Several BBC presenters, including Rylan Clark, Jeremy Vine, Nicky Campbell, and Gary Lineker, took to social media to deny their involvement in the allegations. In the absence of formal suspension information, it remains unclear if any action has been taken against the accused presenter. Concerns and demands for transparency The BBC's handling of the complaints process has sparked concerns about the thoroughness of questioning and investigation procedures. Critics argue that the broadcaster has not appropriately addressed the allegations since the family's initial complaint. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves urged the BBC to improve its processes, emphasising the need for greater clarity regarding the situation and steps taken to rectify it. Conservative minister Victoria Atkins echoed the seriousness of the claims and called for swift action while ensuring adherence to established procedures. The focus of this matter is the well-being of the young person involved, who is likely experiencing a range of emotions, reported the BBC. The BBC's press office stated that they treat all allegations seriously and have established procedures to address them proactively. They actively seek further information and attempt to contact those who come forward. If no response is received, it may limit progress, but the investigation does not cease, as per the BBC. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

BBC presenter suspended over explicit images scandal

<p>Wimbledon Tournament organisers have issued a warning, stating that the quiet room, a secluded space near Court 12, designated for prayer and meditation should not be used by couples seeking sex, media reports said. As per witnesses, the quiet room has been reportedly misused for personal enjoyment by couples, causing dismay among visitors. Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, emphasised the significance of the quiet room, referring to it as a "sanctuary" and urged individuals to respect its intended purpose while speaking on the first day of the tournament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/discovery-of-cocaine-in-white-house-library-prompts-secret-service-investigation-611984">Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation</a></p>

<p>Bolton reiterated that the space should be used for prayer, meditation, and even breastfeeding. But she underscored the need for proper usage of the quiet room. “It’s a really important space. So, we will be retaining it and we’ll be making sure that people are using it the right way."</p>

<p>“If people need space to go to pray, it’s the quiet space for that. There is an opportunity to breastfeed in there. But, we are looking for it to be used in the right way.”</p>

<h2><strong>Previous incidents of misuse</strong></h2>

<p>During the previous year's tournament, spectators witnessed couples emerging from the rooms behind court 12 with "sheepish" expressions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Witnesses described encounters involving individuals, leaving no doubt about the sexual activities taking place inside the quiet room. Reports of "sounds of intimacy" coming from the rooms also surfaced, raising concerns about the misuse of the designated quiet space.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-military-is-completing-mission-in-west-bank-says-pm-netanyahu-death-toll-in-jenin-rises-to-11-611977">Israeli military is ‘completing mission’ in West Bank, says PM Netanyahu; death toll in Jenin rises to 11</a></p>

<p>The incident prompted comparisons to the "mile high club" associated with intimate encounters on airplanes, leading to the tongue-in-cheek term "Wimbledon high club."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The official access guide for Wimbledon in 2023 describes the quiet room, located in the Southern Village, as a serene sanctuary where guests can engage in prayer, meditation, or simply be present in the moment. The guide emphasises the peaceful nature of the space and its intended use.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Gravitas: Russia says Ukraine attacked Moscow with 5 drones</strong></p>

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<p>In Wimbledon, the courts are assigned numbers, with the lower numbers indicating greater significance for the matches held on them. The tournament consists of 18 grass courts specifically designated for the Championships, as well as 20 additional grass courts for practice.</p>

<p>Additionally, there are eight American Clay courts available for use. Notably, Centre Court and Court 1 are equipped with retractable roofs, allowing matches to continue even in unfavorable weather conditions.</p>

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Wimbledon Tournament organisers have issued a warning, stating that the quiet room, a secluded space near Court 12, designated for prayer and meditation should not be used by couples seeking sex, media reports said.

Wimbledon Tournament organisers have issued a warning, stating that the quiet room, a secluded space near Court 12, designated for prayer and meditation should not be used by couples seeking sex, media reports said. As per witnesses, the quiet room has been reportedly misused for personal enjoyment by couples, causing dismay among visitors. Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, emphasised the significance of the quiet room, referring to it as a "sanctuary" and urged individuals to respect its intended purpose while speaking on the first day of the tournament. Also Read | Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation Bolton reiterated that the space should be used for prayer, meditation, and even breastfeeding. But she underscored the need for proper usage of the quiet room. “It’s a really important space. So, we will be retaining it and we’ll be making sure that people are using it the right way." “If people need space to go to pray, it’s the quiet space for that. There is an opportunity to breastfeed in there. But, we are looking for it to be used in the right way.” Previous incidents of misuse During the previous year's tournament, spectators witnessed couples emerging from the rooms behind court 12 with "sheepish" expressions. Witnesses described encounters involving individuals, leaving no doubt about the sexual activities taking place inside the quiet room. Reports of "sounds of intimacy" coming from the rooms also surfaced, raising concerns about the misuse of the designated quiet space. Also Read | Israeli military is ‘completing mission’ in West Bank, says PM Netanyahu; death toll in Jenin rises to 11 The incident prompted comparisons to the "mile high club" associated with intimate encounters on airplanes, leading to the tongue-in-cheek term "Wimbledon high club." The official access guide for Wimbledon in 2023 describes the quiet room, located in the Southern Village, as a serene sanctuary where guests can engage in prayer, meditation, or simply be present in the moment. The guide emphasises the peaceful nature of the space and its intended use. WATCH | Gravitas: Russia says Ukraine attacked Moscow with 5 drones × In Wimbledon, the courts are assigned numbers, with the lower numbers indicating greater significance for the matches held on them. The tournament consists of 18 grass courts specifically designated for the Championships, as well as 20 additional grass courts for practice. Additionally, there are eight American Clay courts available for use. Notably, Centre Court and Court 1 are equipped with retractable roofs, allowing matches to continue even in unfavorable weather conditions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Wimbledon officials warn against use of quiet room for sex. Know about the controversy

<p>A researcher from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chao Shao, has made claims about the origins of the coronavirus and has linked them to plans for developing a highly contagious virus as a bioweapon.</p>

<p>In an exclusive interview&nbsp;with Jennifer Zeng, a member of the International Press Association, who provides first-hand information and unique insights about China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the researcher Chao Shao revealed that his colleagues were given four variants of the virus to determine which one would spread most effectively, the ANI report said.&nbsp;He referred to the coronavirus as a "bioweapon."</p>

<p>Chao Shao shared an anecdote about his colleague, Shan Chao, who confessed that their superior provided them with four <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/fraudsters-make-off-with-200-billion-from-covid-relief-programs-says-us-watchdog-609559">coronavirus</a> strains for testing. Their task was to identify the strain with the greatest ability to infect various species, including humans. These revelations highlight the alleged intention to create a highly contagious virus.</p>

<h2><strong>Suspicious activities during the 2019 military world games</strong></h2>

<p>During the 2019 Military World Games held in Wuhan, several of Chao Shao's colleagues mysteriously disappeared. It was later revealed that they were sent to hotels accommodating athletes from different countries to "check the health or hygiene conditions." Chao Shao became suspicious, as such tasks did not require virologists. He suspected their involvement in spreading the virus intentionally.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;&nbsp;WHO warns Covid 'has not gone away'</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Unusual assignments in Xinjiang</strong></h2>

<p>Chao Shao disclosed another concerning assignment in April 2020 when he was sent to Xinjiang to assess the health status of Uyghurs detained in re-education camps. Expressing scepticism, he questioned the need for a virologist to conduct health checks, suggesting alternative motives. His implication raises suspicions of either virus dissemination or observation of its impact on humans.</p>

<p>Chao Shao's revelations spanned from March to April 2020, providing a glimpse into the broader picture surrounding the origins of coronavirus. These startling claims shed light on potential activities that could have contributed to the pandemic's outbreak.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-chinese-scientist-says-dont-rule-out-covid-lab-leak-theory-598433">Top Chinese scientist says don't rule out Covid lab leak theory</a></p>

<h2><strong>US intelligence unable to confirm lab-related infections</strong></h2>

<p>A recently released declassified report from US intelligence agencies failed to definitively confirm whether researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, who fell ill in 2019, were infected with the COVID-19 causing coronavirus. The report also mentioned research conducted by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/prominent-chinese-financial-journalist-banned-from-social-media-for-speaking-about-economic-woes-unemployment-609275">Chinese</a> People's Liberation Army at the lab, but it did not establish a direct link between their work and the pandemic.</p>

<p>The release of the intelligence report does little to settle the contentious debate surrounding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. With partisan clashes and ongoing investigations, the question of how the pandemic started remains a topic of heated discussion. Chao Shao's claims, while significant, require further scrutiny and investigation to establish the full truth about the origins and intentions behind the virus's creation.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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A researcher from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chao Shao, has made claims about the origins of the coronavirus and has linked them to plans for developing a highly contagious virus as a bioweapon.

A researcher from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chao Shao, has made claims about the origins of the coronavirus and has linked them to plans for developing a highly contagious virus as a bioweapon. In an exclusive interview with Jennifer Zeng, a member of the International Press Association, who provides first-hand information and unique insights about China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the researcher Chao Shao revealed that his colleagues were given four variants of the virus to determine which one would spread most effectively, the ANI report said. He referred to the coronavirus as a "bioweapon." Chao Shao shared an anecdote about his colleague, Shan Chao, who confessed that their superior provided them with four coronavirus strains for testing. Their task was to identify the strain with the greatest ability to infect various species, including humans. These revelations highlight the alleged intention to create a highly contagious virus. Suspicious activities during the 2019 military world games During the 2019 Military World Games held in Wuhan, several of Chao Shao's colleagues mysteriously disappeared. It was later revealed that they were sent to hotels accommodating athletes from different countries to "check the health or hygiene conditions." Chao Shao became suspicious, as such tasks did not require virologists. He suspected their involvement in spreading the virus intentionally. Also watch | WHO warns Covid 'has not gone away' Unusual assignments in Xinjiang Chao Shao disclosed another concerning assignment in April 2020 when he was sent to Xinjiang to assess the health status of Uyghurs detained in re-education camps. Expressing scepticism, he questioned the need for a virologist to conduct health checks, suggesting alternative motives. His implication raises suspicions of either virus dissemination or observation of its impact on humans. Chao Shao's revelations spanned from March to April 2020, providing a glimpse into the broader picture surrounding the origins of coronavirus. These startling claims shed light on potential activities that could have contributed to the pandemic's outbreak. Also read | Top Chinese scientist says don't rule out Covid lab leak theory US intelligence unable to confirm lab-related infections A recently released declassified report from US intelligence agencies failed to definitively confirm whether researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, who fell ill in 2019, were infected with the COVID-19 causing coronavirus. The report also mentioned research conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army at the lab, but it did not establish a direct link between their work and the pandemic. The release of the intelligence report does little to settle the contentious debate surrounding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. With partisan clashes and ongoing investigations, the question of how the pandemic started remains a topic of heated discussion. Chao Shao's claims, while significant, require further scrutiny and investigation to establish the full truth about the origins and intentions behind the virus's creation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

COVID-19 was engineered as ‘bioweapon’ to purposely infect people, claims Wuhan researcher

<p>Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again stirred&nbsp;a new controversy. A video of the Pakistan leader who is in France to attend the two-day New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris is going viral on Twitter. Here's why it is causing a controversy on social media.</p>

<h2><strong>Here's what happened</strong></h2>

<p>Following his arrival in France, a video shared by his office has sparked a row on social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-village-mourns-24-feared-dead-in-greek-migrant-tragedy-607006">Pakistan village mourns 24 feared dead in Greek migrant boat tragedy</a></strong></p>

<p>In the video which is being widely shared by people on Twitter and other platforms, Sharif can be seen taking an umbrella away from a woman protocol officer who came to receive him in rain.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Watch the video here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif insisted on holding the umbrella himself when a protocol officer received him at a summit hosted by the French president on Thursday. But his “good gesture” left the woman officer walking in the rain. ☔️ <a href="https://t.co/8R50EvHy3j">pic.twitter.com/8R50EvHy3j</a></p>
— Baker Atyani (@atyanibaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/atyanibaker/status/1671807239437398017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Why is this a big deal?</strong></h2>

<p><br />
Upon Shehbaz Sharif's landing and the subsequent arrival at Palais Brogniart to attend the summit, it was raining in Paris.</p>

<p>To receive the Pakistani Prime Minister, a lady protocol officer was waiting for him with an umbrella. Once Sharif exited the car, the two started walking towards the venue.</p>

<p>They can then be seen having a word, following which the Pakistani leader takes the umbrella from the female protocol officer and paces ahead with it. The female officer follows the Pakistan PM, walking in the rain just a few steps behind him.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-new-sc-bench-to-hear-pleas-against-military-trial-of-civilians-after-senior-judge-recuses-himself-607271">Pakistan: New SC bench formed to hear pleas against military trial of civilians after senior judges' concerns</a></strong></p>

<p>Now, the video has sparked a debate. While some people are calling it a "good gesture", others are calling the behaviour an "embarrassment", yet others have labelled Sharif's conduct as "impolite".</p>

<p>However, many have also jumped to his defence. One user posted a screenshot from the video and wrote, "There are many others so she could have used another female officer's umbrella 🤷".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There are many others so she could have used another female officer's umbrella 🤷 <a href="https://t.co/mECnFff9yQ">pic.twitter.com/mECnFff9yQ</a></p>
— Halima (@HalimaS01) <a href="https://twitter.com/HalimaS01/status/1671854291769004032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Another wrote: "Good intentions and good deeds can also have bad outcomes. Sad, but such is the life."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Good intentions and good deeds can also have bad outcomes. Sad, but such is the life.</p>
— BIKKI JHA (@BIKKIJHA13) <a href="https://twitter.com/BIKKIJHA13/status/1671935313864970241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Yet another user pointed out that Sharif may have taken the umbrella from the officer "because last time in Iran when someone else held the umbrella for him - Pakistani Twitter had a severe meltdown."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Because last time in Iran when someone else held the umbrella for him - Pakistani Twitter had a severe meltdown</p>
— عمر (@OZK_Speaks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OZK_Speaks/status/1672039377558728711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>"We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella. He is such a great man," said another.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella.<br />
He is such a great man.</p>
— MUHAMMAD ANWER KHAN (@MUHAMMADANWERKH) <a href="https://twitter.com/MUHAMMADANWERKH/status/1671906640520704001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Why is Shehbaz Sharif in France?</strong></h2>

<p>Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is visiting Paris to attend the two-day summit, on the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.</p>

<p>As per an Radio Pakistan report, the Pakistani PM earlier met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in a last-ditch effort to get a much-needed loan to aid Pakistan through its financial troubles.</p>

<p>The South Asian nation has also asked the United Stes to play a role in reviving the stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, reported IANS. However, the US is reportedly more interested in finding out what Paksitan will do to cope with the economic challenges, in case the IMF funding falls through.<br />
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Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again stirred a new controversy. A video of the Pakistan leader who is in France to attend the two-day New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris is going viral on Twitter.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again stirred a new controversy. A video of the Pakistan leader who is in France to attend the two-day New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris is going viral on Twitter. Here's why it is causing a controversy on social media. Here's what happened Following his arrival in France, a video shared by his office has sparked a row on social media. Also read | Pakistan village mourns 24 feared dead in Greek migrant boat tragedy In the video which is being widely shared by people on Twitter and other platforms, Sharif can be seen taking an umbrella away from a woman protocol officer who came to receive him in rain. Watch the video here: PM of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif insisted on holding the umbrella himself when a protocol officer received him at a summit hosted by the French president on Thursday. But his “good gesture” left the woman officer walking in the rain. ☔️ pic.twitter.com/8R50EvHy3j — Baker Atyani (@atyanibaker) June 22, 2023 × Why is this a big deal? Upon Shehbaz Sharif's landing and the subsequent arrival at Palais Brogniart to attend the summit, it was raining in Paris. To receive the Pakistani Prime Minister, a lady protocol officer was waiting for him with an umbrella. Once Sharif exited the car, the two started walking towards the venue. They can then be seen having a word, following which the Pakistani leader takes the umbrella from the female protocol officer and paces ahead with it. The female officer follows the Pakistan PM, walking in the rain just a few steps behind him. Also read | Pakistan: New SC bench formed to hear pleas against military trial of civilians after senior judges' concerns Now, the video has sparked a debate. While some people are calling it a "good gesture", others are calling the behaviour an "embarrassment", yet others have labelled Sharif's conduct as "impolite". However, many have also jumped to his defence. One user posted a screenshot from the video and wrote, "There are many others so she could have used another female officer's umbrella 🤷". There are many others so she could have used another female officer's umbrella 🤷 pic.twitter.com/mECnFff9yQ — Halima (@HalimaS01) June 22, 2023 × Another wrote: "Good intentions and good deeds can also have bad outcomes. Sad, but such is the life." Good intentions and good deeds can also have bad outcomes. Sad, but such is the life. — BIKKI JHA (@BIKKIJHA13) June 22, 2023 × Yet another user pointed out that Sharif may have taken the umbrella from the officer "because last time in Iran when someone else held the umbrella for him - Pakistani Twitter had a severe meltdown." Because last time in Iran when someone else held the umbrella for him - Pakistani Twitter had a severe meltdown — عمر (@OZK_Speaks) June 23, 2023 × "We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella. He is such a great man," said another. We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella. He is such a great man. — MUHAMMAD ANWER KHAN (@MUHAMMADANWERKH) June 22, 2023 × Why is Shehbaz Sharif in France? Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is visiting Paris to attend the two-day summit, on the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. As per an Radio Pakistan report, the Pakistani PM earlier met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in a last-ditch effort to get a much-needed loan to aid Pakistan through its financial troubles. The South Asian nation has also asked the United Stes to play a role in reviving the stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, reported IANS. However, the US is reportedly more interested in finding out what Paksitan will do to cope with the economic challenges, in case the IMF funding falls through. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif takes away umbrella from woman, leaving her to walk behind in rain. Watch!

<p>A group of 33 academicians, who were part of the development committee of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks, have expressed concerns about the significant changes made to the original texts. They have requested the council to remove their names from the current textbooks. This request follows the recent dissociation of two former NCERT advisors, Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar, from the revised political science textbooks.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roger-payne-biologist-who-discovered-whales-could-sing-passes-away-at-88-604714">Roger Payne, biologist who discovered whales could sing, passes away at 88</a></p>

<p>In a letter addressed to the NCERT director Dinesh Prasad Saklani, the 33 political scientists, who were members of the textbook development committee in 2006-07, expressed dissatisfaction with the recent rationalisation exercise conducted by NCERT. They stated that these changes have undermined their collective effort and raised concerns about the lack of transparency and academic contestation in the decision-making process.</p>

<p>“NCERT is now making changes to the textbooks. These involve deletions of sentences and removal of some sections (even chapters) considered unacceptable with emphasis given to others considered desirable. The decision of who decides what is unacceptable and what is desirable has been kept rather opaque, violating the core principles of transparency and contestation that, we believe, underlies academic knowledge production.” read the letter.</p>

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<p>The academicians found it difficult to associate their names with the revised textbooks, as the substantive revisions have allegedly transformed them into different books. They emphasised that these revisions have “jeopardised their creative collective effort” of the original texts, making it challenging for them to claim ownership of the revised versions.</p>

<p>“Since there are several substantive revisions of the original texts, making them thereby different books, we find it difficult to claim that these are the books we produced and to associate our names with them,” the academicians added.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | UK MPs publish Partygate report | English Latest news</strong></p>

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<p>The signatories of the letter include notable figures such as Pratap Bhanu Mehta, former vice-chancellor of Ashoka University, Radhika Menon from Delhi University, Nivedita Menon from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Kanti Prasad Bajpai, Vice-Dean of the National University Singapore, and Rajeev Bhargava, former professor at JNU.</p>

<p>Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar had previously written to NCERT, accusing the rationalisation exercise of mutilating the textbooks beyond recognition and rendering them academically dysfunctional.</p>

<p>The controversy surrounding the removal of various topics from the syllabus in 2022, including references to the theory of evolution, the Cold War, the industrial revolution, the 2002 Gujarat riots, the contribution of agriculture to the Indian economy, the Mughal courts, and challenges to democracy, further fueled their concerns.</p>

<p>In response, NCERT stated that the council has the right to make changes based on copyright ownership and rejected the possibility of any member withdrawing their association. NCERT clarified that textbook development committees were dissolved once the textbooks were published, and the copyright remained with NCERT, independent of the committee.</p>

<p>The 33 academicians sought clarification on the issue of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), accepting that NCERT has the IPR on the textbooks. However, they argued that while NCERT could publish the original texts as many times as it wished, it was not at liberty to make substantive changes, minor or major, and still attribute the revised texts to the same contributors and chief advisors.</p>

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A group of 33 academicians, who were part of the development committee of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks, have expressed concerns about the significant changes made to the original texts.

A group of 33 academicians, who were part of the development committee of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks, have expressed concerns about the significant changes made to the original texts. They have requested the council to remove their names from the current textbooks. This request follows the recent dissociation of two former NCERT advisors, Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar, from the revised political science textbooks. Also Read | Roger Payne, biologist who discovered whales could sing, passes away at 88 In a letter addressed to the NCERT director Dinesh Prasad Saklani, the 33 political scientists, who were members of the textbook development committee in 2006-07, expressed dissatisfaction with the recent rationalisation exercise conducted by NCERT. They stated that these changes have undermined their collective effort and raised concerns about the lack of transparency and academic contestation in the decision-making process. “NCERT is now making changes to the textbooks. These involve deletions of sentences and removal of some sections (even chapters) considered unacceptable with emphasis given to others considered desirable. The decision of who decides what is unacceptable and what is desirable has been kept rather opaque, violating the core principles of transparency and contestation that, we believe, underlies academic knowledge production.” read the letter. Also Read | At least 26 including six children killed in fresh fighting between army and resistance fighters The academicians found it difficult to associate their names with the revised textbooks, as the substantive revisions have allegedly transformed them into different books. They emphasised that these revisions have “jeopardised their creative collective effort” of the original texts, making it challenging for them to claim ownership of the revised versions. “Since there are several substantive revisions of the original texts, making them thereby different books, we find it difficult to claim that these are the books we produced and to associate our names with them,” the academicians added. Watch | UK MPs publish Partygate report | English Latest news × The signatories of the letter include notable figures such as Pratap Bhanu Mehta, former vice-chancellor of Ashoka University, Radhika Menon from Delhi University, Nivedita Menon from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Kanti Prasad Bajpai, Vice-Dean of the National University Singapore, and Rajeev Bhargava, former professor at JNU. Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar had previously written to NCERT, accusing the rationalisation exercise of mutilating the textbooks beyond recognition and rendering them academically dysfunctional. The controversy surrounding the removal of various topics from the syllabus in 2022, including references to the theory of evolution, the Cold War, the industrial revolution, the 2002 Gujarat riots, the contribution of agriculture to the Indian economy, the Mughal courts, and challenges to democracy, further fueled their concerns. In response, NCERT stated that the council has the right to make changes based on copyright ownership and rejected the possibility of any member withdrawing their association. NCERT clarified that textbook development committees were dissolved once the textbooks were published, and the copyright remained with NCERT, independent of the committee. The 33 academicians sought clarification on the issue of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), accepting that NCERT has the IPR on the textbooks. However, they argued that while NCERT could publish the original texts as many times as it wished, it was not at liberty to make substantive changes, minor or major, and still attribute the revised texts to the same contributors and chief advisors. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

India: 33 academicians demand removal of names from 'rationalised' NCERT textbooks

<p>Kashmir Valley woke up to a new controversy this morning after several female students were seen protesting outside their college in Srinagar. Many female students alleged that they were denied entry into the school premises&nbsp;for wearing Hijab.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The female students of the Vishwa Bharti Womens College in the Rainawari area of Srinagar were at the centre of the controversy which within no time took a political turn. From political leaders to religious clerics, the controversy snowballed and was condemned by one and all.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''Why should we take off the abaya? I don't love this school more than my God that I will take off this abaya. I will never take my abaya off, there are so many boys in the college and there is so much immorality going on which is invisible to their eyes and asking us to take off the abaya. Who is she to tell us to take the abaya off? She is asking us if we have to wear an abaya rather than go to a Darsgah (Religious School). Don't the girls who wear abayas get the same education as everyone else?'' said a girl student.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-anti-gay-protests-in-los-angeles-after-school-votes-on-recognizing-june-as-pride-month-602146">Anti-gay protests in Los Angeles after school votes on recognizing June as Pride month</a></p>

<p>However, the school administration has stated that there has been some miscommunication on the issue as the students were asked to wear the cover as per recommended norms. The school authorities said that the students are wearing multicoloured abaya and this is not as per the uniform of the college.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Even though the school has its own dress code, and some girls also wear ‘abaya’, they have never been stopped. Yesterday, I informed teachers to ask those students not to wear abayas on the school premises, but they can come in 'abayas' until they reach the school premises in order to maintain decorum. There is no higher authority involved in it but I&nbsp;believe a proper dress code which is being followed shall be followed here as well. We will announce a proper colour and pattern of ‘Abaya’ for all those students who want to come to school wearing the same.&nbsp;We are not allowing colourful Abayas to be followed in the institution,'' said the InCharge principal of the school, Memroz Shafi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The political leadership in the Kashmir Valley has criticised the move as well. The former chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that diktats&nbsp;like these won't be tolerated.</p>

<p>''They want to change Gandhi's India into Godse's India. Jammu Kashmir has become a laboratory for them, and every experimentation is being done from here. What had started in Karnataka is now being implemented in Kashmir as well. We will not accept this, and it will have severe reactions and repercussions. It's a personal choice to wear what we want, and you cannot force us to change that. They are attacking our religion and our religious leaders, the NIA calling summoning our religious leaders is an example. We won't tolerate all this. They have dispossessed us and now they are attacking our religion,'' said Mehbooba Mufti.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Grand Mufti of Kashmir Valley Mufti Nasir Ul Islam has said the institution was only for women and has now recently been converted into a co-education institute, so the female students should be allowed to wear a burqa and abaya as their choice to protect their modesty.&nbsp;</p>

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Kashmir Valley woke up to a new controversy this morning after several female students were seen protesting outside their college in Srinagar. Many female students alleged that they were denied entry into the school premises for wearing Hijab.

Kashmir Valley woke up to a new controversy this morning after several female students were seen protesting outside their college in Srinagar. Many female students alleged that they were denied entry into the school premises for wearing Hijab. Also Read | AI 'nuclear weapon of software': WION speaks to DeepAI founder Kevin Baragona The female students of the Vishwa Bharti Womens College in the Rainawari area of Srinagar were at the centre of the controversy which within no time took a political turn. From political leaders to religious clerics, the controversy snowballed and was condemned by one and all. ''Why should we take off the abaya? I don't love this school more than my God that I will take off this abaya. I will never take my abaya off, there are so many boys in the college and there is so much immorality going on which is invisible to their eyes and asking us to take off the abaya. Who is she to tell us to take the abaya off? She is asking us if we have to wear an abaya rather than go to a Darsgah (Religious School). Don't the girls who wear abayas get the same education as everyone else?'' said a girl student. Also Read | Anti-gay protests in Los Angeles after school votes on recognizing June as Pride month However, the school administration has stated that there has been some miscommunication on the issue as the students were asked to wear the cover as per recommended norms. The school authorities said that the students are wearing multicoloured abaya and this is not as per the uniform of the college. "Even though the school has its own dress code, and some girls also wear ‘abaya’, they have never been stopped. Yesterday, I informed teachers to ask those students not to wear abayas on the school premises, but they can come in 'abayas' until they reach the school premises in order to maintain decorum. There is no higher authority involved in it but I believe a proper dress code which is being followed shall be followed here as well. We will announce a proper colour and pattern of ‘Abaya’ for all those students who want to come to school wearing the same. We are not allowing colourful Abayas to be followed in the institution,'' said the InCharge principal of the school, Memroz Shafi. Watch | CNN Chairman and CEO Chris Licht quits × The political leadership in the Kashmir Valley has criticised the move as well. The former chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that diktats like these won't be tolerated. ''They want to change Gandhi's India into Godse's India. Jammu Kashmir has become a laboratory for them, and every experimentation is being done from here. What had started in Karnataka is now being implemented in Kashmir as well. We will not accept this, and it will have severe reactions and repercussions. It's a personal choice to wear what we want, and you cannot force us to change that. They are attacking our religion and our religious leaders, the NIA calling summoning our religious leaders is an example. We won't tolerate all this. They have dispossessed us and now they are attacking our religion,'' said Mehbooba Mufti. The Grand Mufti of Kashmir Valley Mufti Nasir Ul Islam has said the institution was only for women and has now recently been converted into a co-education institute, so the female students should be allowed to wear a burqa and abaya as their choice to protect their modesty. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Kashmir: Students' protest against hijab ban snowballs into big controversy

<p>As the United States is gearing up for the next year's presidential elections, the power tussle has also taken President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden into its fold. Biden's son is facing scrutiny on accusations of his involvement with tax, foreign lobbying and gun-related violations.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>When did the investigation start?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Hunter Biden has been facing the wrath of the investigation since 2018, and&nbsp;2022 marked the fourth year of the probe, which is now nearing decision on pressing charges. Any negative outcome of the investigation can topple Biden's chances to keep holding his top seat at the Oval Office.</p>

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<p>As per sources with knowledge of the suspicious activity reports (SARs), a document that financial institutions are mandated to file with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), it was reported that the foreign transactions were from "China and other foreign nations," reported Fox News. FinCEN is a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury that scrutinises suspicious transactions.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Hunter Biden's laptop&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Hunter Biden's laptop controversy started in 2019 when his attorneys made a case levelling accusations on a computer repair shop owner John Paul Mac Isaac for having provided unauthorised access to&nbsp;his laptop and making its content&nbsp;public by sharing it with New York Post.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The details were allegedly breached in the run up to the 2020 US presidential elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the time, Hunter Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell wrote in a letter to Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, “This failed dirty political trick directly resulted in the exposure, exploitation, and manipulation of Mr. Biden’s private and personal information. Mr. Mac Isaac’s intentional, reckless, and unlawful conduct allowed for hundreds of gigabytes of Mr. Biden’s personal data, without any discretion, to be circulated around the Internet." &nbsp;</p>

<p>In his defence, Mac Isaac said that there was an agreement made between Biden and the computer repair shop owner that if no one comes to pick up the laptop it would automatically become Isaac’s property.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Later, the FBI agents as part of their investigation into accusations against Hunter Biden served a subpoena and seized the laptop on December 9, 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Alleged Trump involvement&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The controversy also allegedly involves former US president Donald Trump. As per reports, Trump's former aide Garrett Ziegler posted emails and other documents from Hunter Biden's laptop on a public research website run by him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by Politico indicates that Ziegler received the contents of the laptop through former New York City police commissioner Giuliani and his associate Bernard Kerik.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Hunter's argument on laptop controversy</strong></h2>

<p>Hunter Biden denied leaving his laptop to the computer repair shop. “Not that I remember at all,” Hunter Biden said while replying to a query whether he left the laptop at the shop.&nbsp;In an interview with CBS, Hunter Biden also said he has “no idea whether or not” the laptop belongs to him. In the latest, Hunter Biden accused the shop of trying to invade his privacy and trying to advance his political motives by making public his personal data, CNN reported citing new federal court filings.</p>

<h2><strong>Biden's attorney meets US Delaware Attorney David Weiss</strong></h2>

<p>Another controversy erupted when media reports suggested that US President Joe Biden's attorneys held meeting with US Delaware Attorney David Weiss in connection to the Hunter Biden investigation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Usually, as per Washington Post, this kind of meeting takes place when the defence lawyers urge prosecutors to not go forward with the indictment in the ongoing case. The meeting could also have been done for any other requests such as reducing the charges.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Four-year long investigation nearing decision&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>As per sources cited by the Washington Post, the investigation is nearing decision on charges to be pressed. US Attorney General Merrick Garland assured Congress that politics will be set aside from the investigation into the Hunter Biden case. “I stand by my testimony, and I refer you to the U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware, who is in charge of this case and capable of making any decisions that he feels are appropriate," Garland told reporters.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Drug abuse allegations&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Apart from the suspicious overseas transactions, Hunter Biden is also under radar over gun law violations as the investigators try to find out whether he lied on a form prior to purchasing a gun by denying that he was a drug abuser.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Democrats and Republicans have been at loggerheads over the Hunter Biden controversy. Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe claimed that the laptop, a centre of the lawsuit slugfest, was "not part of some Russian disinformation campaign."&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, this claim was rejected by Democrats and several others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>About two weeks ago, a special agent of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sought whistleblower protection for disclosing details on the mishandling of a criminal investigation in Hunter Biden case.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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As the United States is gearing up for the next year's presidential elections, the power tussle has also taken President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden into its fold.

As the United States is gearing up for the next year's presidential elections, the power tussle has also taken President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden into its fold. Biden's son is facing scrutiny on accusations of his involvement with tax, foreign lobbying and gun-related violations. When did the investigation start? Hunter Biden has been facing the wrath of the investigation since 2018, and 2022 marked the fourth year of the probe, which is now nearing decision on pressing charges. Any negative outcome of the investigation can topple Biden's chances to keep holding his top seat at the Oval Office. Also Read | Wagner leader says Ukraine counter-offensive has begun; Death toll from Kherson shelling rises to 21 As per sources with knowledge of the suspicious activity reports (SARs), a document that financial institutions are mandated to file with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), it was reported that the foreign transactions were from "China and other foreign nations," reported Fox News. FinCEN is a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury that scrutinises suspicious transactions. Hunter Biden's laptop Hunter Biden's laptop controversy started in 2019 when his attorneys made a case levelling accusations on a computer repair shop owner John Paul Mac Isaac for having provided unauthorised access to his laptop and making its content public by sharing it with New York Post. Also Read | At least 14 killed, 25 injured after road accident in Egypt: Reports The details were allegedly breached in the run up to the 2020 US presidential elections. At the time, Hunter Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell wrote in a letter to Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, “This failed dirty political trick directly resulted in the exposure, exploitation, and manipulation of Mr. Biden’s private and personal information. Mr. Mac Isaac’s intentional, reckless, and unlawful conduct allowed for hundreds of gigabytes of Mr. Biden’s personal data, without any discretion, to be circulated around the Internet." In his defence, Mac Isaac said that there was an agreement made between Biden and the computer repair shop owner that if no one comes to pick up the laptop it would automatically become Isaac’s property. Watch | Iran seizes Panama-flagged oil tanker in Tehran on judicial order | World News | WION × Later, the FBI agents as part of their investigation into accusations against Hunter Biden served a subpoena and seized the laptop on December 9, 2019. Alleged Trump involvement The controversy also allegedly involves former US president Donald Trump. As per reports, Trump's former aide Garrett Ziegler posted emails and other documents from Hunter Biden's laptop on a public research website run by him. A report by Politico indicates that Ziegler received the contents of the laptop through former New York City police commissioner Giuliani and his associate Bernard Kerik. Hunter's argument on laptop controversy Hunter Biden denied leaving his laptop to the computer repair shop. “Not that I remember at all,” Hunter Biden said while replying to a query whether he left the laptop at the shop. In an interview with CBS, Hunter Biden also said he has “no idea whether or not” the laptop belongs to him. In the latest, Hunter Biden accused the shop of trying to invade his privacy and trying to advance his political motives by making public his personal data, CNN reported citing new federal court filings. Biden's attorney meets US Delaware Attorney David Weiss Another controversy erupted when media reports suggested that US President Joe Biden's attorneys held meeting with US Delaware Attorney David Weiss in connection to the Hunter Biden investigation. Usually, as per Washington Post, this kind of meeting takes place when the defence lawyers urge prosecutors to not go forward with the indictment in the ongoing case. The meeting could also have been done for any other requests such as reducing the charges. Four-year long investigation nearing decision As per sources cited by the Washington Post, the investigation is nearing decision on charges to be pressed. US Attorney General Merrick Garland assured Congress that politics will be set aside from the investigation into the Hunter Biden case. “I stand by my testimony, and I refer you to the U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware, who is in charge of this case and capable of making any decisions that he feels are appropriate," Garland told reporters. Drug abuse allegations Apart from the suspicious overseas transactions, Hunter Biden is also under radar over gun law violations as the investigators try to find out whether he lied on a form prior to purchasing a gun by denying that he was a drug abuser. Democrats and Republicans have been at loggerheads over the Hunter Biden controversy. Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe claimed that the laptop, a centre of the lawsuit slugfest, was "not part of some Russian disinformation campaign." However, this claim was rejected by Democrats and several others. About two weeks ago, a special agent of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sought whistleblower protection for disclosing details on the mishandling of a criminal investigation in Hunter Biden case. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

EXPLAINED | Four-year-long Hunter Biden probe nears decision on pressing charges. What is the controversy?

<p>Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has reportedly handed over to the Brazilian authorities some expensive jewellery he had received from the Saudi Arabia government during his tenure. AFP reports that the 68-year-old far-right leader has been embroiled in a scandal over allegations that he brought these jewels into Brazil illegally. As per a Reuters report, the politician on Wednesday was ordered by Brazil's federal audit court (TCU) to deliver within five days a second set of jewellery he received from the Saudi government, the first one first set of jewellery had been seized by customs officials in 2021.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Bolsonaro under scanner over undeclared jewels given by Saudis</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bolsonaro-under-scanner-over-undeclared-jewels-given-by-saudis-572306/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The controversial politician has been accused of illegally trying to bring gifts into the country, but he has denied all wrongdoing.</p>

<p>Visitors to Brazil with items worth more than $1,000 are required to disclose them and pay import duty.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-will-hand-over-undeclared-jewels-given-to-him-by-saudis-report-571894">Bolsonaro will hand over undeclared jewels given to him by Saudis: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>However, in October 2021, it was revealed by the newspaper Estado de Sao Paulo that Bolsonaro's then-mines and energy minister's assistant attempted to enter Brazil with a backpack containing diamond jewellery from Swiss luxury brand Chopard following a business trip to Saudi Arabia. The assistant was stopped by customs officials.</p>

<p>Later, it was discovered that Bolsonaro had actually retained an additional set of Chopard jewels that, after the same trip, had entered Brazil undetected.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-all-about-bolsonaro-and-the-boxes-of-jewels-at-the-heart-of-a-probe-572243">Explained: All about Bolsonaro, and the boxes of jewels at the heart of a probe</a></strong></p>

<p>According to media accounts, the first set of jewels is valued at $3.2 million and the second set is worth at least $75,000. Some of these were reportedly given to the former president's wife as a gift. However, Bolsonaro claims "She has nothing to do with this, the box that was for her is with customs." Talking to the TV, he said that "I found out about this story a year later and my wife found out about it through the press."</p>

<p>Bolsonaro who, after losing to successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left the nation just two days before the end of his term, is likely to return to Brazil on March 30 as per his party.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has reportedly handed over to the Brazilian authorities some expensive jewellery he had received from the Saudi Arabia government during his tenure.

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has reportedly handed over to the Brazilian authorities some expensive jewellery he had received from the Saudi Arabia government during his tenure. AFP reports that the 68-year-old far-right leader has been embroiled in a scandal over allegations that he brought these jewels into Brazil illegally. As per a Reuters report, the politician on Wednesday was ordered by Brazil's federal audit court (TCU) to deliver within five days a second set of jewellery he received from the Saudi government, the first one first set of jewellery had been seized by customs officials in 2021. Watch | Bolsonaro under scanner over undeclared jewels given by Saudis The controversial politician has been accused of illegally trying to bring gifts into the country, but he has denied all wrongdoing. Visitors to Brazil with items worth more than $1,000 are required to disclose them and pay import duty. Also read | Bolsonaro will hand over undeclared jewels given to him by Saudis: Report However, in October 2021, it was revealed by the newspaper Estado de Sao Paulo that Bolsonaro's then-mines and energy minister's assistant attempted to enter Brazil with a backpack containing diamond jewellery from Swiss luxury brand Chopard following a business trip to Saudi Arabia. The assistant was stopped by customs officials. Later, it was discovered that Bolsonaro had actually retained an additional set of Chopard jewels that, after the same trip, had entered Brazil undetected. Also read | Explained: All about Bolsonaro, and the boxes of jewels at the heart of a probe According to media accounts, the first set of jewels is valued at $3.2 million and the second set is worth at least $75,000. Some of these were reportedly given to the former president's wife as a gift. However, Bolsonaro claims "She has nothing to do with this, the box that was for her is with customs." Talking to the TV, he said that "I found out about this story a year later and my wife found out about it through the press." Bolsonaro who, after losing to successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left the nation just two days before the end of his term, is likely to return to Brazil on March 30 as per his party. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Brazil ex-prez Bolsonaro hands over undeclared Saudi ‘gifts’ worth thousands of dollars to authorities

<p>UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has once again become the butt of ridicule and this one is "off the leash". A video posted by a TikTok user shows the British PM walking his dog without a leash in London's Hyde park. This happened in spite of a notice board specifying, "dogs must be kept on leads." Reportedly, Sunak and his family had to be "reminded" of the rules by the police, following which the dog named 'Nova' was put back on the lead.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The video opens with the notice board, which says: "Dogs must be kept on leads. Do not allow them to enter the lake or disturb the wildlife."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;UK: No seat belt drives PM Rishi Sunak into controversy, later apologises</strong></p>

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<p>"It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to disturb&nbsp;wildlife," it added.</p>

<p>The video&nbsp;shows the Sunak family dog roaming around in the park without a lead. It then shows Rishi Sunak putting Nova on the lead, while the text on the screen says: "Lol, as if Rishi Sunak put his dog on the lead when he saw me filming the sign saying dogs must be on a lead."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-rishi-sunak-fined-by-police-for-not-weairng-a-seatbelt-554617">UK PM Rishi Sunak fined by police for not wearing seatbelt in car</a></strong></p>

<p>Watch the video here:</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Notice: Dogs must be kept on leads. Do not allow them to enter the lake or disturb the wildlife.<br />
<br />
Rishi Sunak: <a href="https://t.co/xStmZiE59F">pic.twitter.com/xStmZiE59F</a></p>
— Nicole ☻ (@NicoleJadeB) <a href="https://twitter.com/NicoleJadeB/status/1634750179034251265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Responding to the TikTok video, the Metropolitan Police as per Sky News said, "an officer, who was present at the time, spoke to a woman and reminded her of the rules. The dog was put back on the lead."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/energy-crisis-uk-pm-rishi-sunak-has-local-electricity-grid-upgraded-for-his-heated-private-pool-571405">Energy crisis? UK PM Rishi Sunak has local electricity grid upgraded for his heated private pool</a></strong></p>

<p>Users on Twitter were quick to point out Sunak's alleged disregard for rules, with many of them pointing out the UK PM's recent controversies including the fine he was subjected to for attending a lockdown gathering in 2022 and a previous video that showed him flouting car seat belt rules.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">One rule for us, another for <a href="https://twitter.com/RishiSunak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RishiSunak</a><br />
▪️Illegally letting his dog off lead, Hyde Park<br />
▪️Fined in January, failing to wear seatbelt in car<br />
▪️Fined 2022 for attending lockdown gathering in No10.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ToryCriminalsUnfitToGovern?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ToryCriminalsUnfitToGovern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GeneralElectionNow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GeneralElectionNow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GTTO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GTTO</a> <a href="https://t.co/EHe7oulnCk">https://t.co/EHe7oulnCk</a></p>
— CharmaineScamm1💙🌱Ⓥ🐾🦊🦡🐰🦭🦉🐋🦁🐘🐻©️🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@CharmaineScamm1) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharmaineScamm1/status/1635724369052794887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>10 Downing Street, however, refused to comment on the video. A spokesperson said, "I'm not going to be commenting on the filming of the prime minister's family and private individuals. You can see the video, it speaks for itself."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has once again become the butt of ridicule and this one is "off the leash". A video posted by a TikTok user shows the British PM walking his dog without a leash in London's Hyde park.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has once again become the butt of ridicule and this one is "off the leash". A video posted by a TikTok user shows the British PM walking his dog without a leash in London's Hyde park. This happened in spite of a notice board specifying, "dogs must be kept on leads." Reportedly, Sunak and his family had to be "reminded" of the rules by the police, following which the dog named 'Nova' was put back on the lead. The video opens with the notice board, which says: "Dogs must be kept on leads. Do not allow them to enter the lake or disturb the wildlife." Watch | UK: No seat belt drives PM Rishi Sunak into controversy, later apologises "It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to disturb wildlife," it added. The video shows the Sunak family dog roaming around in the park without a lead. It then shows Rishi Sunak putting Nova on the lead, while the text on the screen says: "Lol, as if Rishi Sunak put his dog on the lead when he saw me filming the sign saying dogs must be on a lead." Also read | UK PM Rishi Sunak fined by police for not wearing seatbelt in car Watch the video here: Notice: Dogs must be kept on leads. Do not allow them to enter the lake or disturb the wildlife. Rishi Sunak: pic.twitter.com/xStmZiE59F — Nicole ☻ (@NicoleJadeB) March 12, 2023 × Responding to the TikTok video, the Metropolitan Police as per Sky News said, "an officer, who was present at the time, spoke to a woman and reminded her of the rules. The dog was put back on the lead." Also read | Energy crisis? UK PM Rishi Sunak has local electricity grid upgraded for his heated private pool Users on Twitter were quick to point out Sunak's alleged disregard for rules, with many of them pointing out the UK PM's recent controversies including the fine he was subjected to for attending a lockdown gathering in 2022 and a previous video that showed him flouting car seat belt rules. One rule for us, another for @RishiSunak ▪️Illegally letting his dog off lead, Hyde Park ▪️Fined in January, failing to wear seatbelt in car ▪️Fined 2022 for attending lockdown gathering in No10.#ToryCriminalsUnfitToGovern #GeneralElectionNow #GTTO https://t.co/EHe7oulnCk — CharmaineScamm1💙🌱Ⓥ🐾🦊🦡🐰🦭🦉🐋🦁🐘🐻©️🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@CharmaineScamm1) March 14, 2023 × 10 Downing Street, however, refused to comment on the video. A spokesperson said, "I'm not going to be commenting on the filming of the prime minister's family and private individuals. You can see the video, it speaks for itself." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Dog row: Rishi Sunak's 'off leash' escapade gets him a reminder from police. Watch video here

<p>India’s leading manufacturer of Electric Vehicles OLA Electric has offered to provide a free upgrade to the new front fork of its S1 scooters, as per a statement by the company.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The company as part of its continuous engineering and design improvement process has recently upgraded the front fork design to "enhance the durability and strength even further."</p>

<p>One of the biggest ride-hailing businesses in the world Ola received criticism in the recent months over reports of front suspension breakages in S1 scooters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bsf-protecting-borders-ready-to-give-befitting-reply-to-any-infiltration-attempt-572259">India: BSF protecting borders, ready to give befitting reply to any infiltration attempt</a></p>

<p>In a Twitter post on 14 March, Ola Electric said that there have been "some concerns amongst the community around the safety of the front fork arm. We assure you that this is unfounded."</p>

<p>To alleviate any concerns Ola Electric said it is "giving an option to our customers to upgrade to the new front fork."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/controversial-experiment-in-indonesia-leaves-school-students-trudging-streets-zombie-like-572262">Controversial experiment in Indonesia leaves school students trudging streets 'zombie-like'</a></p>

<p>Promising a seamless and hassle free experience, as per the statement the customers will be able to book an appointment at their nearest Ola Experience Centre or Service Centre starting 22 March. Additionally, this upgrade will be "free of cost."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, Ola, the largest mobility platform in India, came under fire following an incident in which a rider was seriously hurt after falling off the S1 scooter while it was moving at a speed of roughly 35 kmph.&nbsp;The front wheel of the Ola S1 electric scooter is said to have broken off of the suspension.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, at the time, Ola Electric in a statement said, “Our preliminary investigation into the recent incident and our analysis has revealed that this was a case of a very high impact road accident."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/48-teams-104-matches-has-fifa-devalued-the-football-world-cup-572274">48 teams, 104 matches: Has FIFA devalued the football World Cup?</a></p>

<p>Reiterating the same in the latest release, Ola Electric said that all components of their scooters including the front fork arm are "thoroughly tested under extreme conditions and are engineered with a factor of safety much higher than the typical loads encountered on vehicles."</p>

<p>As part of Mission Electric, Ola S1 community in last 12 months has emerged as the one of the biggest EV community in India with over 200,000 members.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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India’s leading manufacturer of Electric Vehicles OLA Electric has offered to provide a free upgrade to the new front fork of its S1 scooters, as per a statement by the company.

India’s leading manufacturer of Electric Vehicles OLA Electric has offered to provide a free upgrade to the new front fork of its S1 scooters, as per a statement by the company. The company as part of its continuous engineering and design improvement process has recently upgraded the front fork design to "enhance the durability and strength even further." One of the biggest ride-hailing businesses in the world Ola received criticism in the recent months over reports of front suspension breakages in S1 scooters. Also Read | India: BSF protecting borders, ready to give befitting reply to any infiltration attempt In a Twitter post on 14 March, Ola Electric said that there have been "some concerns amongst the community around the safety of the front fork arm. We assure you that this is unfounded." To alleviate any concerns Ola Electric said it is "giving an option to our customers to upgrade to the new front fork." Also Read | Controversial experiment in Indonesia leaves school students trudging streets 'zombie-like' Promising a seamless and hassle free experience, as per the statement the customers will be able to book an appointment at their nearest Ola Experience Centre or Service Centre starting 22 March. Additionally, this upgrade will be "free of cost." Earlier, Ola, the largest mobility platform in India, came under fire following an incident in which a rider was seriously hurt after falling off the S1 scooter while it was moving at a speed of roughly 35 kmph. The front wheel of the Ola S1 electric scooter is said to have broken off of the suspension. However, at the time, Ola Electric in a statement said, “Our preliminary investigation into the recent incident and our analysis has revealed that this was a case of a very high impact road accident." Watch | 48 teams, 104 matches: Has FIFA devalued the football World Cup? Reiterating the same in the latest release, Ola Electric said that all components of their scooters including the front fork arm are "thoroughly tested under extreme conditions and are engineered with a factor of safety much higher than the typical loads encountered on vehicles." As part of Mission Electric, Ola S1 community in last 12 months has emerged as the one of the biggest EV community in India with over 200,000 members. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ola Electric offers free upgrade of front fork in S1, S1 pro scooters amid controversy

<p>Juventus' troubled start to the new year slipped into disaster on Friday after the Italian Football Federation docked the Serie A giants 15 points for using transfers to artificially boost their balance sheet. The FIGC said in a statement that the points sanction was to be inflicted this season, a huge blow to Juventus whose chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League are now greatly compromised. Juventus drop down from third to 10th place on just 22 points, 15 from the top four positions in Italy's top flight. Missing out on Europe's top -- and richest -- club competition would be a further blow to the club's accounts which last season were nearly 239 million euros in the red.</p>

<p>Juventus’ current sporting director Federico Cherubini was also banned for 16 months, another serious punishment which the club said in a statement they would appeal at the Italian Olympic Committee. The club's former leadership were also handed long bans by the FIGC including two years to ex-chairman Andrea Agnelli and former CEO Maurizio Arrivabene and 30 months to former sporting director Fabio Paratici, now at Tottenham Hotspur.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/spanish-court-orders-dani-alves-to-be-held-in-custody-following-physical-assault-allegations-554673">Spanish court orders Dani Alves to be held in custody following physical assault allegations</a></p>

<p>The FIGC also said that it had asked that the bans -- which also included eight months for former vice-president and playing icon Pavel Nedved -- be extended beyond Italy to the jurisdictions of international governing bodies UEFA and FIFA.</p>

<p>- 'Injustice' -</p>

<p>All eight other clubs facing potential FIGC sanctions, including Serie A teams Sampdoria and Empoli, were acquitted, something Juventus' legal team called "a clear injustice".</p>

<p>They were accused of using capital gains -- the positive difference between purchase and sale values net of amortisation and write-downs -- from a series of player exchanges in which little or no money passed between clubs.</p>

<p>One widely-cited deal was between Juventus and Barcelona in 2020 which saw Miralem Pjanic move to Catalonia and Arthur Melo go the other way. Arthur was valued at 72 million euros and Pjanic 60 million euros, sums both clubs could immediately book on their balance sheets while the cost of purchases can be spread over the length of a player's contract.</p>

<p>Juventus recorded a capital gain of 43 million euros on Pjanic, the second highest in the club's history.</p>

<p>The decision to dock points came as the FIGC reopened a trial which had ended last year with Juventus and a host of other clubs including Serie A leaders Napoli being acquitted. It follows new evidence from a separate criminal probe into Juventus' finances conducted by prosecutors in Turin.</p>

<p>Juventus will know after a preliminary hearing in March if they and the former members of the club's board will stand criminal trial over alleged false accounting. Agnelli and the rest of the board stepped down in November under pressure from the criminal investigation, with a new board led by Gianluca Ferrero being appointed earlier this week.</p>

<p>The new board will remain in office until the shareholders' meeting for the approval of Juventus' accounts as of 30 June 2025.</p>

<p>Agnelli's departure ended a 12-year reign which brought a host of trophies and for a period re-established Juventus as one of Europe's best teams but ended in turmoil.</p>

<p>Last month UEFA said it had opened a formal investigation into whether Juventus had misled them and broken rules regarding their finances.</p>


Juventus' troubled start to the new year slipped into disaster on Friday after the Italian Football Federation docked the Serie A giants 15 points for using transfers to artificially boost their balance sheet.

Juventus' troubled start to the new year slipped into disaster on Friday after the Italian Football Federation docked the Serie A giants 15 points for using transfers to artificially boost their balance sheet. The FIGC said in a statement that the points sanction was to be inflicted this season, a huge blow to Juventus whose chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League are now greatly compromised. Juventus drop down from third to 10th place on just 22 points, 15 from the top four positions in Italy's top flight. Missing out on Europe's top -- and richest -- club competition would be a further blow to the club's accounts which last season were nearly 239 million euros in the red. Juventus’ current sporting director Federico Cherubini was also banned for 16 months, another serious punishment which the club said in a statement they would appeal at the Italian Olympic Committee. The club's former leadership were also handed long bans by the FIGC including two years to ex-chairman Andrea Agnelli and former CEO Maurizio Arrivabene and 30 months to former sporting director Fabio Paratici, now at Tottenham Hotspur. ALSO READ: Spanish court orders Dani Alves to be held in custody following physical assault allegations The FIGC also said that it had asked that the bans -- which also included eight months for former vice-president and playing icon Pavel Nedved -- be extended beyond Italy to the jurisdictions of international governing bodies UEFA and FIFA. - 'Injustice' - All eight other clubs facing potential FIGC sanctions, including Serie A teams Sampdoria and Empoli, were acquitted, something Juventus' legal team called "a clear injustice". They were accused of using capital gains -- the positive difference between purchase and sale values net of amortisation and write-downs -- from a series of player exchanges in which little or no money passed between clubs. One widely-cited deal was between Juventus and Barcelona in 2020 which saw Miralem Pjanic move to Catalonia and Arthur Melo go the other way. Arthur was valued at 72 million euros and Pjanic 60 million euros, sums both clubs could immediately book on their balance sheets while the cost of purchases can be spread over the length of a player's contract. Juventus recorded a capital gain of 43 million euros on Pjanic, the second highest in the club's history. The decision to dock points came as the FIGC reopened a trial which had ended last year with Juventus and a host of other clubs including Serie A leaders Napoli being acquitted. It follows new evidence from a separate criminal probe into Juventus' finances conducted by prosecutors in Turin. Juventus will know after a preliminary hearing in March if they and the former members of the club's board will stand criminal trial over alleged false accounting. Agnelli and the rest of the board stepped down in November under pressure from the criminal investigation, with a new board led by Gianluca Ferrero being appointed earlier this week. The new board will remain in office until the shareholders' meeting for the approval of Juventus' accounts as of 30 June 2025. Agnelli's departure ended a 12-year reign which brought a host of trophies and for a period re-established Juventus as one of Europe's best teams but ended in turmoil. Last month UEFA said it had opened a formal investigation into whether Juventus had misled them and broken rules regarding their finances.

Serie A: Italian giants Juventus slipped to 10th spot after points deduction amid latest controversy

<p>Shankar Mishra has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. He allegedly urinated on an elderly woman co-passenger aboard a New York-New Delhi Air India flight and has drawn a lot of flak. The event has drawn attention to the issue of misbehavior by disruptive passengers on airplanes. As per the latest developments, Mishra was arrested&nbsp;in Bengaluru days after evading the police.&nbsp;The event first came to light earlier this week, and since then, there have been allegations that the airline failed to act swiftly and appropriately to penalize the accused.</p>

<h2><strong>Who is Shankar Mishra?</strong></h2>

<p>Shankar Mishra, 34, worked at Wells Fargo, a major provider of financial services in the US having its headquarters in California. He was the vice president of the worldwide organisation's India Chapter. He routinely travelled between Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he had offices.</p>

<p>As the scandal made news on Friday, Mishra was fired from the company. In a statement announcing his dismissal, Wells Fargo said that 'it holds its employees to the highest standards of professional and personal behaviour, and “we find these allegations deeply disturbing”.</p>

<p>He is a resident of Mumbai and is known as ‘Suraj’ in Kamgar Nagar, where he has been staying for the past 20 years as reported by the <em>Indian Express</em> who spoke&nbsp;to his neighbours.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/response-should-have-been-much-swifter-says-tata-sons-chairman-44-days-after-air-india-pee-gate-550468">Response should have been much swifter, says Tata Sons chairman after Air India ‘pee-gate’</a></p>

<p>He is an alumnus of the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), a private university in Mumbai, and is referred to as "Suraj M" on LinkedIn, according to <em>Newsroompost</em>.</p>

<h2><strong>Shankar Mishra's arrest: Case so far</strong></h2>

<p>Mishra is said to have urinated on his woman&nbsp;co-passenger, an elderly citizen in her 70s in the business class of an Air India aircraft on November 26, 2021. He was allegedly intoxicated when the incident took place.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lawsuit claims that Mishra stood beside the woman's seat even while his body parts were exposed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a Delhi court.</p>

<h2><strong>What did Air India do immediately after the incident took place?</strong></h2>

<p>The Air India crew allegedly took Mishra to the woman after the episode&nbsp;and told her he wanted to&nbsp;apologise&nbsp;to her, according to NDTV report.</p>

<p>The passenger expressed her disappointment with the cabin staff in a letter to Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekharan, claiming that they were insensitive to the circumstances. According to NDTV, the woman said in her letter that she was compelled to face him while he begged for mercy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the latest reports by PTI,&nbsp; a co-passenger on the New York-New Delhi aircraft has claimed&nbsp;that after the Mumbai man urinated on the female co-passenger, the captain made the elderly woman wait for over two hours before assigning her a new seat.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/air-india-passenger-accused-of-urinating-on-woman-co-flyer-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-550288">Air India passenger accused of urinating on woman co-flyer arrested, sent to custody for 14 days</a></p>

<p>In a handwritten complaint to the airline, Sugata Bhattacharjee, a US-based audiologist who was travelling to Delhi in business class and was seated next to the accused, said that the woman passenger was forced to return to her soiled seat despite there being four vacant first-class seats.</p>

<h2><strong>What is the action being taken by DGCA?</strong></h2>

<p>In relation to the incident, the airline was asked to submit a report by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday.&nbsp;“We are seeking a report from the airline and shall take action against those found negligent,” DGCA chief Arun Kumar told&nbsp;Indian Express.</p>

<p>Air India has imposed a 30-day travel ban on Mishra stating that&nbsp;that the “passenger behaved in an unacceptable and undignified manner.”&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShankarMishra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShankarMishra</a>, an Indian man accused of urinating on a female co-flyer during an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AirIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AirIndia</a> flight, has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days until January 21<a href="https://twitter.com/alysonle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alysonle</a> tells you more<br />
<br />
For more videos, visit: <a href="https://t.co/AXC5qRuO3J">https://t.co/AXC5qRuO3J</a> <a href="https://t.co/fVltUiZbOH">pic.twitter.com/fVltUiZbOH</a></p>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1611715363422756865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>A police complaint was filed against the accused&nbsp;and the airline said that it would fully cooperate&nbsp;to “ensure that justice is delivered to the aggrieved passenger.”</p>

<h2><strong>Sanjay Mishra arrested in Bengaluru</strong></h2>

<p>The accused was arrested on Saturday (6 January) in Bengaluru after evading the police for many days. He was allegedly arrested while residing at a homestay in Bengaluru's Sanjay Nagar.</p>

<p>After Mishra retreated and declined to cooperate with the inquiry, the Delhi Police filed a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A&nbsp;case was registered against Mishra&nbsp;under sections 294 (obscene act in a public place), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as under Aircraft Rules, reported&nbsp;India Today.</p>

<h2><strong>What is Shankar Mishra's family saying?</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking to India Today TV, Shyam Mishra, Shankar's father said, "This is a totally false case. My son was traveling from the US. He had not slept for 72 hours. He might have taken a drink on the flight and slept. What happened after that even he doesn't know. It's very difficult to prove."</p>

<p>Additionally, the father denied that his son had peed on the woman. "I don't think he would have done this. The woman is 72 years old, she is like a mother to him," he said, adding that there are no eyewitnesses to the incident.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Air India pax urinating case of Nov | False case. My son hadn't slept for 30-35 hrs. After dinner, he might've consumed the drink given by crew &amp; then slept. From what I understand,he was questioned by airline staff after he woke up: Shyam Mishra, father of accused S Mishra (1/2) <a href="https://t.co/j90Ze5wNb1">pic.twitter.com/j90Ze5wNb1</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1611378760007421953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Was the co-passenger compensated by Shankar Mishra?</strong></h2>

<p>On Friday, Mishra's lawyers said that their client had compensated the woman with Rs 15,000 and cleaned her belongings.</p>

<p>A statement made by his lawyers, Ishanee Sharma and Akshat Bajpai, stated that the 34-year-old had the woman's clothing and baggage cleaned on November 28 and handed to her on November 30, reported <em>PTI</em>.</p>

<p>The statement read, “The woman in her message has clearly condoned the alleged act and has displayed no intention to lodge a complaint. The lady’s persisting grievance was only with respect to the adequate compensation being paid by the Airline for which she has raised a subsequent complaint on 20 December 2022.”</p>

<h2><strong>Statement from the woman and her relatives&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The woman's relatives allegedly refuted the story and claimed to have given the money back.</p>

<p>According to a PTI<em> </em>report, Mishra allegedly messaged her following the unpleasant event. The chats demonstrate that the lady gave Mishra her phone number and confirmed receiving Rs 5,000. Her daughter and son-in-law, however, were quite angry over the situation. The lady informed Mishra that she had talked them out of complaining because he was so contrite and uninformed of what had happened.</p>

<p>In a string of messages, the woman said that she hoped Mishra will mend his ways. The latter responded by thanking her and promising he will never repeat such an act.</p>

<p>A day later, Mishra informed her about the clothes and shoes that will be “refurbished” in a day or two. He also mentioned having sent her another Rs 10,000 as compensation.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Avani Chaturvedi to be first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad</strong></p>

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<p>On the other hand, reports said that on December 19, the woman's daughter allegedly wrote a message claiming that her mother had been traumatised by the incident and that the family was extremely "upset, indignant, and enraged."</p>

<p>The money will be refunded by Paytm&nbsp;and the statement noted that the family did not want it. The woman's daughter further instructed Mishra not to speak to her mother again. Also sent was a screen capture of the money-returning transaction.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Shankar Mishra has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. He allegedly urinated on an elderly woman co-passenger aboard a New York-New Delhi Air India flight and has drawn a lot of flak.

Shankar Mishra has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. He allegedly urinated on an elderly woman co-passenger aboard a New York-New Delhi Air India flight and has drawn a lot of flak. The event has drawn attention to the issue of misbehavior by disruptive passengers on airplanes. As per the latest developments, Mishra was arrested in Bengaluru days after evading the police. The event first came to light earlier this week, and since then, there have been allegations that the airline failed to act swiftly and appropriately to penalize the accused. Who is Shankar Mishra? Shankar Mishra, 34, worked at Wells Fargo, a major provider of financial services in the US having its headquarters in California. He was the vice president of the worldwide organisation's India Chapter. He routinely travelled between Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he had offices. As the scandal made news on Friday, Mishra was fired from the company. In a statement announcing his dismissal, Wells Fargo said that 'it holds its employees to the highest standards of professional and personal behaviour, and “we find these allegations deeply disturbing”. He is a resident of Mumbai and is known as ‘Suraj’ in Kamgar Nagar, where he has been staying for the past 20 years as reported by the Indian Express who spoke to his neighbours. Also read | Response should have been much swifter, says Tata Sons chairman after Air India ‘pee-gate’ He is an alumnus of the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), a private university in Mumbai, and is referred to as "Suraj M" on LinkedIn, according to Newsroompost. Shankar Mishra's arrest: Case so far Mishra is said to have urinated on his woman co-passenger, an elderly citizen in her 70s in the business class of an Air India aircraft on November 26, 2021. He was allegedly intoxicated when the incident took place. The lawsuit claims that Mishra stood beside the woman's seat even while his body parts were exposed. He has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a Delhi court. What did Air India do immediately after the incident took place? The Air India crew allegedly took Mishra to the woman after the episode and told her he wanted to apologise to her, according to NDTV report. The passenger expressed her disappointment with the cabin staff in a letter to Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekharan, claiming that they were insensitive to the circumstances. According to NDTV, the woman said in her letter that she was compelled to face him while he begged for mercy. As per the latest reports by PTI, a co-passenger on the New York-New Delhi aircraft has claimed that after the Mumbai man urinated on the female co-passenger, the captain made the elderly woman wait for over two hours before assigning her a new seat. Also read | Air India passenger accused of urinating on woman co-flyer arrested, sent to custody for 14 days In a handwritten complaint to the airline, Sugata Bhattacharjee, a US-based audiologist who was travelling to Delhi in business class and was seated next to the accused, said that the woman passenger was forced to return to her soiled seat despite there being four vacant first-class seats. What is the action being taken by DGCA? In relation to the incident, the airline was asked to submit a report by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday. “We are seeking a report from the airline and shall take action against those found negligent,” DGCA chief Arun Kumar told Indian Express. Air India has imposed a 30-day travel ban on Mishra stating that that the “passenger behaved in an unacceptable and undignified manner.” #ShankarMishra, an Indian man accused of urinating on a female co-flyer during an #AirIndia flight, has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days until January 21@alysonle tells you more For more videos, visit: https://t.co/AXC5qRuO3J pic.twitter.com/fVltUiZbOH — WION (@WIONews) January 7, 2023 × A police complaint was filed against the accused and the airline said that it would fully cooperate to “ensure that justice is delivered to the aggrieved passenger.” Sanjay Mishra arrested in Bengaluru The accused was arrested on Saturday (6 January) in Bengaluru after evading the police for many days. He was allegedly arrested while residing at a homestay in Bengaluru's Sanjay Nagar. After Mishra retreated and declined to cooperate with the inquiry, the Delhi Police filed a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him. A case was registered against Mishra under sections 294 (obscene act in a public place), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as under Aircraft Rules, reported India Today. What is Shankar Mishra's family saying? Speaking to India Today TV, Shyam Mishra, Shankar's father said, "This is a totally false case. My son was traveling from the US. He had not slept for 72 hours. He might have taken a drink on the flight and slept. What happened after that even he doesn't know. It's very difficult to prove." Additionally, the father denied that his son had peed on the woman. "I don't think he would have done this. The woman is 72 years old, she is like a mother to him," he said, adding that there are no eyewitnesses to the incident. Air India pax urinating case of Nov | False case. My son hadn't slept for 30-35 hrs. After dinner, he might've consumed the drink given by crew & then slept. From what I understand,he was questioned by airline staff after he woke up: Shyam Mishra, father of accused S Mishra (1/2) pic.twitter.com/j90Ze5wNb1 — ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2023 × Was the co-passenger compensated by Shankar Mishra? On Friday, Mishra's lawyers said that their client had compensated the woman with Rs 15,000 and cleaned her belongings. A statement made by his lawyers, Ishanee Sharma and Akshat Bajpai, stated that the 34-year-old had the woman's clothing and baggage cleaned on November 28 and handed to her on November 30, reported PTI. The statement read, “The woman in her message has clearly condoned the alleged act and has displayed no intention to lodge a complaint. The lady’s persisting grievance was only with respect to the adequate compensation being paid by the Airline for which she has raised a subsequent complaint on 20 December 2022.” Statement from the woman and her relatives The woman's relatives allegedly refuted the story and claimed to have given the money back. According to a PTI report, Mishra allegedly messaged her following the unpleasant event. The chats demonstrate that the lady gave Mishra her phone number and confirmed receiving Rs 5,000. Her daughter and son-in-law, however, were quite angry over the situation. The lady informed Mishra that she had talked them out of complaining because he was so contrite and uninformed of what had happened. In a string of messages, the woman said that she hoped Mishra will mend his ways. The latter responded by thanking her and promising he will never repeat such an act. A day later, Mishra informed her about the clothes and shoes that will be “refurbished” in a day or two. He also mentioned having sent her another Rs 10,000 as compensation. Also watch | Avani Chaturvedi to be first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad On the other hand, reports said that on December 19, the woman's daughter allegedly wrote a message claiming that her mother had been traumatised by the incident and that the family was extremely "upset, indignant, and enraged." The money will be refunded by Paytm and the statement noted that the family did not want it. The woman's daughter further instructed Mishra not to speak to her mother again. Also sent was a screen capture of the money-returning transaction. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Air India 'pee-gate': Who is Shankar Mishra, the man accused of urinating on an elderly co-passenger

<p>French prosecutors conducted a search at the headquarters of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance Party in connection to an ongoing investigation on Wednesday. Reuters reported that the investigation concerned the use of consulting firms by the French government since 2017.</p>

<p>According to a report in a report in Le Parisien newspaper, the offices of consulting company McKinsey were also searched by the National Financial Prosecutors’ Office.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-slams-chinas-lac-intrusion-attempt-lauds-indias-de-escalation-efforts-542868">UN chief calls for de-escalation in tensions at Tawang between India and China</a></p>

<p>"It's normal for the judiciary to investigate freely and independently to shed all the light on this subject," a Renaissance spokesman, Loic Signor, told AFP in the aftermath of the search.</p>

<p>He added that the party is ready "to provide all useful information on the campaigns”. McKinsey also confirmed that the search was conducted and they will be cooperating with the authorities.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-explosions-reported-from-kyiv-following-drone-attack-says-mayor-542893">Ukraine defence shot down 13 kamikaze drones targeting Kyiv, claims Zelensky</a></p>

<p>The allegations over false election campaign accounting as well as favouritism and conspiracy has been dominating the political scene in France since the probe was launched earlier this year. The Prosecutor’s Office also told reporters that certain companies were favoured when it comes to government contracts with the total outlays reaching more than $1.1 billion.</p>

<p>The controversy did not include the name of President Emmanuel Macron specifically but he has been facing pressure from the opposition regarding the matter. France has strict rules and regulations when it comes to financing of election campaigns and in the past decade, various political parties have come under the scanner for discrepancies in their numbers.</p>

<p>Even the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to prison for one year in 2021 for illegal financing related to his presidential campaign in 2012.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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French prosecutors conducted a search at the headquarters of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance Party in connection to an ongoing investigation on Wednesday.

French prosecutors conducted a search at the headquarters of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance Party in connection to an ongoing investigation on Wednesday. Reuters reported that the investigation concerned the use of consulting firms by the French government since 2017. According to a report in a report in Le Parisien newspaper, the offices of consulting company McKinsey were also searched by the National Financial Prosecutors’ Office. Also read | UN chief calls for de-escalation in tensions at Tawang between India and China "It's normal for the judiciary to investigate freely and independently to shed all the light on this subject," a Renaissance spokesman, Loic Signor, told AFP in the aftermath of the search. He added that the party is ready "to provide all useful information on the campaigns”. McKinsey also confirmed that the search was conducted and they will be cooperating with the authorities. Also read | Ukraine defence shot down 13 kamikaze drones targeting Kyiv, claims Zelensky The allegations over false election campaign accounting as well as favouritism and conspiracy has been dominating the political scene in France since the probe was launched earlier this year. The Prosecutor’s Office also told reporters that certain companies were favoured when it comes to government contracts with the total outlays reaching more than $1.1 billion. The controversy did not include the name of President Emmanuel Macron specifically but he has been facing pressure from the opposition regarding the matter. France has strict rules and regulations when it comes to financing of election campaigns and in the past decade, various political parties have come under the scanner for discrepancies in their numbers. Even the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to prison for one year in 2021 for illegal financing related to his presidential campaign in 2012. (With inputs from agencies)

French police raid Emmanuel Macron's party offices over campaign funds controversy

In yet another controversy, a woman in the United States says Herschel Walker encouraged her to have an abortion. Watch this report for all the details.

Herschel Walker faces another controversy: Walker paid for a woman's abortion

<p>The Brazilian presidential elections between the incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and the main contender Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have been filled with controversies. In a recent tussle between the two candidates, Bolsonaro apologised on Tuesday following “pedophilia” accusations from his opponents.</p>

<p>The controversy started when Bolsonaro recounted a story about visiting the homes of "three or four very pretty 14- or 15-year-olds" last year in a poor Brasilia neighbourhood.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-russian-officials-fleeing-kherson-as-ukraine-advances-526781" hreflang="en">Russia-Ukraine LIVE | Russian officials fleeing Kherson as Ukraine advances</a></p>

<p>"There was a vibe between us. I turned around. 'Can I come in your house?' I went inside. There were 15 or 20 girls (in the house), all Venezuelans aged 14, 15, getting ready on a Saturday. Why? To earn a living," he said during a YouTube interview according to a report by AFP.</p>

<p>While the story was intended to compare the situation in Brazil with that of the struggling Venezuela, the political opponents were quick to call the comments “depraved” and within a day of the interview, #Bolsonaropedofilo (Bolsonaro pedophile) started trending on Twitter.</p>

<p>Bolsonaro called the attack "the most terrible of my life” and tendered an unconditional apology.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-some-decency-french-oppn-questions-macrons-immigration-policies-over-murder-of-12-year-old-girl-526639" hreflang="en">'Have some decency': French oppn questions Macron's immigration policies over murder of 12-year-old girl</a></p>

<p>"My commitment has always been to better welcome and assist all people fleeing dictatorships anywhere in the world," he said in an event which attended by Venezuelan delegates.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, members of Bolsonaro’s campaign told Reuters that the former president’s chances of a re-election took a hit following the debates between the candidates. Bolsonaro was targeted for his previous comments on various controversial issues and that took a toll on his popularity.</p>

<p>“It did us a lot of damage," one of the campaign aides said on condition of anonymity.</p>

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The Brazilian presidential elections between the incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and the main contender Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have been filled with controversies. In a recent tussle between the two candidates, Bolsonaro apologised on Tuesday following “pedophilia” accusations from his opponents.

The Brazilian presidential elections between the incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and the main contender Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have been filled with controversies. In a recent tussle between the two candidates, Bolsonaro apologised on Tuesday following “pedophilia” accusations from his opponents. The controversy started when Bolsonaro recounted a story about visiting the homes of "three or four very pretty 14- or 15-year-olds" last year in a poor Brasilia neighbourhood. Also read | Russia-Ukraine LIVE | Russian officials fleeing Kherson as Ukraine advances "There was a vibe between us. I turned around. 'Can I come in your house?' I went inside. There were 15 or 20 girls (in the house), all Venezuelans aged 14, 15, getting ready on a Saturday. Why? To earn a living," he said during a YouTube interview according to a report by AFP. While the story was intended to compare the situation in Brazil with that of the struggling Venezuela, the political opponents were quick to call the comments “depraved” and within a day of the interview, #Bolsonaropedofilo (Bolsonaro pedophile) started trending on Twitter. Bolsonaro called the attack "the most terrible of my life” and tendered an unconditional apology. Also read | 'Have some decency': French oppn questions Macron's immigration policies over murder of 12-year-old girl "My commitment has always been to better welcome and assist all people fleeing dictatorships anywhere in the world," he said in an event which attended by Venezuelan delegates. Meanwhile, members of Bolsonaro’s campaign told Reuters that the former president’s chances of a re-election took a hit following the debates between the candidates. Bolsonaro was targeted for his previous comments on various controversial issues and that took a toll on his popularity. “It did us a lot of damage," one of the campaign aides said on condition of anonymity.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro apologises amid 'pedophilia' controversy

<p>The Colorado baker who won a partial Supreme Court victory after refusing to make a gay couple's wedding cake on religious grounds ten years ago is contesting a second judgment that his refusal to make a cake commemorating a gender transition violated the state's anti-discrimination legislation.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, a lawyer representing Jack Phillips urged Colorado's appeals court to reject last year's decision in a lawsuit brought by a transgender woman, primarily on procedural grounds.</p>

<p>In order to commemorate her gender transition, the woman, Autumn Scardina, called Phillips' suburban Denver cake store in 2017 and asked for a birthday cake with blue icing on the outside and pink frosting inside. Christian witness Phillips said during his testimony at the trial last year that he did not believe that one could alter their gender.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nord-stream-leaks-probe-us-might-offer-to-help-analyze-underwater-recordings-522862">Nord Stream leaks probe: US might offer to help analyze underwater recordings</a></p>

<p>The verdict was incorrect, according to Jake Warner, a lawyer for Phillips from the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal advocacy group. According to him, forcing Phillips to make a cake with a message that conflicts with his religious convictions would violate his right to free speech since it would require him to say something he does not believe.</p>

<p>Judge Timothy Schutz noted Phillips’ wife initially told Scardina the bakery could make the cake before Scardina volunteered that the design was meant to celebrate her gender transition.</p>

<p>John McHugh, one of Scardina's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-twitter-takeover-live-tesla-ceo-offers-to-buy-social-media-platform-as-per-original-deal-522463">attorneys</a>, claimed that she merely asked the bakery to sell her a cake like they would any other customer, not for the bakery to support her cause. He claimed that the information a client provides to Phillips when he is baking a cake cannot determine whether or not Phillips sells it to that person.</p>

<p>Outside of court, Scardina and Phillips discussed the bigger concerns at play. The "dignity of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/netflix-drops-lgbtq-tag-from-jeffrey-dahmer-series-after-severe-backlash-520833">LGBTQ</a> Americans and Coloradans and the rule of law," according to Scardina, were at issue in the case. Phillips claimed he was fighting for everyone's ability to follow their consciences "without fear of retribution" from the state.</p>

<p>In 2018, following Phillips' refusal to make a cake commemorating Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins' 2012 wedding, the Supreme Court held that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had violated the anti-discrimination law against him with anti-religious bias. The judges criticised the committee for improperly disparaging Phillips' religious convictions.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The Colorado baker who won a partial Supreme Court victory after refusing to make a gay couple's wedding cake on religious grounds ten years ago is contesting a second judgment that his refusal to make a cake commemorating a gender transition violated the state's anti-discrimination legislation.

The Colorado baker who won a partial Supreme Court victory after refusing to make a gay couple's wedding cake on religious grounds ten years ago is contesting a second judgment that his refusal to make a cake commemorating a gender transition violated the state's anti-discrimination legislation. On Wednesday, a lawyer representing Jack Phillips urged Colorado's appeals court to reject last year's decision in a lawsuit brought by a transgender woman, primarily on procedural grounds. In order to commemorate her gender transition, the woman, Autumn Scardina, called Phillips' suburban Denver cake store in 2017 and asked for a birthday cake with blue icing on the outside and pink frosting inside. Christian witness Phillips said during his testimony at the trial last year that he did not believe that one could alter their gender. Also read | Nord Stream leaks probe: US might offer to help analyze underwater recordings The verdict was incorrect, according to Jake Warner, a lawyer for Phillips from the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal advocacy group. According to him, forcing Phillips to make a cake with a message that conflicts with his religious convictions would violate his right to free speech since it would require him to say something he does not believe. Judge Timothy Schutz noted Phillips’ wife initially told Scardina the bakery could make the cake before Scardina volunteered that the design was meant to celebrate her gender transition. John McHugh, one of Scardina's attorneys, claimed that she merely asked the bakery to sell her a cake like they would any other customer, not for the bakery to support her cause. He claimed that the information a client provides to Phillips when he is baking a cake cannot determine whether or not Phillips sells it to that person. Outside of court, Scardina and Phillips discussed the bigger concerns at play. The "dignity of LGBTQ Americans and Coloradans and the rule of law," according to Scardina, were at issue in the case. Phillips claimed he was fighting for everyone's ability to follow their consciences "without fear of retribution" from the state. In 2018, following Phillips' refusal to make a cake commemorating Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins' 2012 wedding, the Supreme Court held that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had violated the anti-discrimination law against him with anti-religious bias. The judges criticised the committee for improperly disparaging Phillips' religious convictions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US: Colorado baker fights ruling over gender transition cake

Audio clips of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan recently went viral sparking a major controversy. He was discussing a diplomatic cipher with his party leaders. While he’ll face legal action, here are some reasons why this cipher controversy will be an investigative conundrum.

Pak’s Cipher Controversy: An investigative conundrum | WION Shorts

<p>Another day, another politician, another controversial tweet. This time at the centre of this storm is Giorgia Meloni who is leading the race to become Italy's next Prime Minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The politician who as per the publication Jezebel "opposes abortion rights, has spoken out against same-sex marriage, and recently recorded a statement, in three languages, trying to convince the world that she is not a threat to democracy" has been accused of shameful election conduct, exploiting a rape victim.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-giorgia-meloni-italys-far-right-leader-tipped-to-become-first-female-prime-minister-500815">Who is Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s far-right leader tipped to become first female Prime Minister?</a></strong></p>

<p>On Monday, the Brothers of Italy party's Meloni, who could very well become Italy's first female prime minister tweeted a video which showed a Ukrainian refugee being sexually assaulted on the streets of Italy.</p>

<p>The Guardian reported that local authorities in Piacenza have confirmed that a 55-year-old woman was attacked early on Sunday on a pavement. The video was reportedly shot by someone in a flat with a view of the street. The attacker was later taken into custody.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Italy Elections: Brothers of Italy lead with 23% in opinion polls</strong></p>

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<p>Along with the tweet, Meloni reportedly wrote "One cannot remain silent in the face of this atrocious episode of sexual violence against a Ukrainian woman carried out in daytime in Piacenza by an asylum seeker."&nbsp;</p>

<p>“A hug to this woman. I will do everything I can to restore security to our cities," she added.</p>

<p>The tweet almost immediately received a backlash, drawing a barrage of criticism online, especially from Meloni’s political opponents.</p>

<p>Enrico Letta, the head of the Democratic party called Meloni's use of the video "indecent" and said that "respect persons and victims comes first."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it">Indecente usare immagini di uno <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stupro?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stupro</a>. Indecente ancora di più farlo a fini elettori. Il <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rispetto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rispetto</a> delle persone e delle vittime viene prima di ogni cosa.</p>
— Enrico Letta (@EnricoLetta) <a href="https://twitter.com/EnricoLetta/status/1561622735863877638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>As per Guardian Igiaba Scego, a prominent Italian writer of Somali heritage termed it "clickbait voyeurism" and accused Meloni of exploiting the rape victim for her electoral campaign.</p>

<p>Former Minister of Economic Development, Carlo Calenda called the use of the rape video unworthy. "Reporting a rape is one thing. Using the video for election purposes is simply unworthy."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it">Denunciare uno stupro è una cosa. Utilizzarne il video per scopi elettorali è semplicemente una cosa indegna. <a href="https://twitter.com/GiorgiaMeloni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GiorgiaMeloni</a> hai fatto una cosa indecente. <a href="https://t.co/EEfHphRB0m">pic.twitter.com/EEfHphRB0m</a></p>
— Carlo Calenda (@CarloCalenda) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarloCalenda/status/1561712559362920448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meloni however claimed on Facebook that her competitors had used the rape to attack her while ignoring the victim to avoid dealing with what she called the immigration issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I am honestly ashamed of political leaders who, while using rape to attack me, do not spend a word of solidarity for the victim, obviously for fear of having to face the issue of the security emergency aggravated by immigration illegal by the masses."</p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Watch WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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Another day, another politician, another controversial tweet. This time at the centre of this storm is Giorgia Meloni who is leading the race to become Italy's next Prime Minister.

Another day, another politician, another controversial tweet. This time at the centre of this storm is Giorgia Meloni who is leading the race to become Italy's next Prime Minister. The politician who as per the publication Jezebel "opposes abortion rights, has spoken out against same-sex marriage, and recently recorded a statement, in three languages, trying to convince the world that she is not a threat to democracy" has been accused of shameful election conduct, exploiting a rape victim. Also read | Who is Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s far-right leader tipped to become first female Prime Minister? On Monday, the Brothers of Italy party's Meloni, who could very well become Italy's first female prime minister tweeted a video which showed a Ukrainian refugee being sexually assaulted on the streets of Italy. The Guardian reported that local authorities in Piacenza have confirmed that a 55-year-old woman was attacked early on Sunday on a pavement. The video was reportedly shot by someone in a flat with a view of the street. The attacker was later taken into custody. Watch | Italy Elections: Brothers of Italy lead with 23% in opinion polls Along with the tweet, Meloni reportedly wrote "One cannot remain silent in the face of this atrocious episode of sexual violence against a Ukrainian woman carried out in daytime in Piacenza by an asylum seeker." “A hug to this woman. I will do everything I can to restore security to our cities," she added. The tweet almost immediately received a backlash, drawing a barrage of criticism online, especially from Meloni’s political opponents. Enrico Letta, the head of the Democratic party called Meloni's use of the video "indecent" and said that "respect persons and victims comes first." Indecente usare immagini di uno #stupro. Indecente ancora di più farlo a fini elettori. Il #rispetto delle persone e delle vittime viene prima di ogni cosa. — Enrico Letta (@EnricoLetta) August 22, 2022 × As per Guardian Igiaba Scego, a prominent Italian writer of Somali heritage termed it "clickbait voyeurism" and accused Meloni of exploiting the rape victim for her electoral campaign. Former Minister of Economic Development, Carlo Calenda called the use of the rape video unworthy. "Reporting a rape is one thing. Using the video for election purposes is simply unworthy." Denunciare uno stupro è una cosa. Utilizzarne il video per scopi elettorali è semplicemente una cosa indegna. @GiorgiaMeloni hai fatto una cosa indecente. pic.twitter.com/EEfHphRB0m — Carlo Calenda (@CarloCalenda) August 22, 2022 × Meloni however claimed on Facebook that her competitors had used the rape to attack her while ignoring the victim to avoid dealing with what she called the immigration issue. "I am honestly ashamed of political leaders who, while using rape to attack me, do not spend a word of solidarity for the victim, obviously for fear of having to face the issue of the security emergency aggravated by immigration illegal by the masses." × (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Election strategy or 'clickbait voyeurism'? Italian PM hopeful posts rape video on Twitter

<p>In the middle of the Brazilian election campaign season, President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro has made a fool of himself. The leader got into a scuffle&nbsp;with a social media influencer on Thursday after the 'heckler'&nbsp;dubbed the politician a "bum" and a "coward"&nbsp;and questioned&nbsp;him.</p>

<p>Video of the altercation outside the presidential mansion shows Bolsonaro grabbing the heckler in an apparent attempt to take his phone, as the man recorded himself criticising the far-right leader.</p>

<p>Watch the video here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="pt">Abuso de Poder: Jair Bolsonaro tenta restringir a liberdade de expressão de YouTuber<br />
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Jair Bolsonaro abusando do seu poder, tento restringir a liberdade de expressão, ao tentar pegar o celular do YouTuber que o chamou de Tchutchuca do Centrão e questionava no Palácio do Alvorada. <a href="https://t.co/tYuj3WGmt6">pic.twitter.com/tYuj3WGmt6</a></p>
— Fllics (@fllics) <a href="https://twitter.com/fllics/status/1560349929217953798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The demonstrator as per an AFP report has been identified by news website G1 as Wilker Leao "a self-described lawyer, army corporal, politics junkie and military enthusiast with 127,000 followers on TikTok".</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy over Bolsonaro election fears</strong></p>

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<p>It further reports that Leao approached the president while filming with his phone and questioned why the leader had joined forces with the "Centrao," a coalition of parties, renowned for their involvement in corruption, and signed laws that limited plea bargains, which are frequently utilised in anti-corruption investigations.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gloves-off-in-brazil-as-lula-bolsonaro-officially-start-courting-voters-507585">Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters</a></strong></p>

<p>As per a Reuters report, the president was subjected to a barrage of insults from Leao, including the terms "coward" and "Centrao's b****."</p>

<p>The video shows Jair Bolsonaro&nbsp;grabbing Leao by the front of his football jersey and then grasping his left arm with both hands, saying, "Come here, I want to talk to you."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bolsonaro-climate-change-and-fires-the-story-of-amazon-rainforests-devastation-506070">Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation</a></strong></p>

<p>Soon after the president's security team stepped in and led Leao away.</p>

<p>As per local media reports, afterwards, Bolsonaro permitted Leao to approach again, this time with a line of security between them and spoke briefly with him.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Watch WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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In the middle of the Brazilian election campaign season, President Jair Bolsonaro has made a fool of himself. The leader got into a scuffle with a social media influencer on Thursday after the 'heckler' dubbed the politician a "bum" and a "coward" and questioned him.

In the middle of the Brazilian election campaign season, President Jair Bolsonaro has made a fool of himself. The leader got into a scuffle with a social media influencer on Thursday after the 'heckler' dubbed the politician a "bum" and a "coward" and questioned him. Video of the altercation outside the presidential mansion shows Bolsonaro grabbing the heckler in an apparent attempt to take his phone, as the man recorded himself criticising the far-right leader. Watch the video here: Abuso de Poder: Jair Bolsonaro tenta restringir a liberdade de expressão de YouTuber Jair Bolsonaro abusando do seu poder, tento restringir a liberdade de expressão, ao tentar pegar o celular do YouTuber que o chamou de Tchutchuca do Centrão e questionava no Palácio do Alvorada. pic.twitter.com/tYuj3WGmt6 — Fllics (@fllics) August 18, 2022 × The demonstrator as per an AFP report has been identified by news website G1 as Wilker Leao "a self-described lawyer, army corporal, politics junkie and military enthusiast with 127,000 followers on TikTok". Watch | Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy over Bolsonaro election fears It further reports that Leao approached the president while filming with his phone and questioned why the leader had joined forces with the "Centrao," a coalition of parties, renowned for their involvement in corruption, and signed laws that limited plea bargains, which are frequently utilised in anti-corruption investigations. Also read | Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters As per a Reuters report, the president was subjected to a barrage of insults from Leao, including the terms "coward" and "Centrao's b****." The video shows Jair Bolsonaro grabbing Leao by the front of his football jersey and then grasping his left arm with both hands, saying, "Come here, I want to talk to you." Also read | Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation Soon after the president's security team stepped in and led Leao away. As per local media reports, afterwards, Bolsonaro permitted Leao to approach again, this time with a line of security between them and spoke briefly with him. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Coward' Jair Bolsonaro gets into a spat, tries to snatch phone off heckler. Watch video here!

<p>During the ongoing Cincinnati Open, a huge controversy erupted recently. A fan draped herself in a Ukrainian flag and was asked to remove it after objection from a Russian athlete.&nbsp;The incident occurred&nbsp;during a qualifying match between Russian players Anna Kalinskaya and Anastasia Potapova.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thus, when a spectator was spotted with a Ukraine flag, the officials asked her to remove following a complaint from a Russian player. The incident grabbed a lot of eyeballs and the video of the chair umpire's interaction with the fan has also gone viral on social media platforms. <strong>Here's the video:</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">...but after the Russian player complained to the umpire, the umpire descended from her chair and confronted the fan about her presence with the flag, telling her it was "not nice"...to be sitting with the flag.<br />
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Lola responded that it was "not nice to invade a country."</p>
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1559251920342106112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Video of some of this incident surfaced hours later on social media, via <a href="https://twitter.com/TrashyTennis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trashytennis</a><a href="https://t.co/bYlFL38L9X">pic.twitter.com/bYlFL38L9X</a></p>
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1559251921914978304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/will-not-play-more-than-what-i-believe-works-well-for-my-body-rafael-nadal-opens-up-on-his-abdominal-injury-507161"><strong>Will not play more than what I believe works well for my body: Rafael Nadal opens up on his abdominal injury</strong></a></p>

<p>Following her interaction with chair umpire, the fan left the court and was&nbsp;reportedly approached by the head of security too, informing&nbsp;her the flag was above the allowed size.</p>

<p>Issuing a clarification on the whole matter, a spokesperson for the tournament said in a statement, “Per the Western &amp; Southern Open’s bag policy, as stated on the tournament’s website, flags or banners larger than 18 x 18 are prohibited. Therefore, the patron was asked to remove the flag from the grounds and after doing so was allowed to remain at the tournament."</p>

<p>“Any inquiries about the chair umpire should be directed to the WTA Tour,” it further added. So far, there has been no reaction from the WTA on the incident. However, many fans have lashed out at the officials for asking the spectator to remove her country's flag.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Russia and Ukraine have been involved in a war following Vladamir Putin's decision&nbsp;of invading&nbsp;the European country. To date, there has been no resolution to the conflict.</p>


During the ongoing Cincinnati Open, a huge controversy erupted recently. A fan draped herself in a Ukrainian flag and was asked to remove it after objection from a Russian athlete.

During the ongoing Cincinnati Open, a huge controversy erupted recently. A fan draped herself in a Ukrainian flag and was asked to remove it after objection from a Russian athlete. The incident occurred during a qualifying match between Russian players Anna Kalinskaya and Anastasia Potapova. Thus, when a spectator was spotted with a Ukraine flag, the officials asked her to remove following a complaint from a Russian player. The incident grabbed a lot of eyeballs and the video of the chair umpire's interaction with the fan has also gone viral on social media platforms. Here's the video: ...but after the Russian player complained to the umpire, the umpire descended from her chair and confronted the fan about her presence with the flag, telling her it was "not nice"...to be sitting with the flag. Lola responded that it was "not nice to invade a country." — Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 15, 2022 × Video of some of this incident surfaced hours later on social media, via @trashytennispic.twitter.com/bYlFL38L9X — Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 15, 2022 × ALSO READ | Will not play more than what I believe works well for my body: Rafael Nadal opens up on his abdominal injury Following her interaction with chair umpire, the fan left the court and was reportedly approached by the head of security too, informing her the flag was above the allowed size. Issuing a clarification on the whole matter, a spokesperson for the tournament said in a statement, “Per the Western & Southern Open’s bag policy, as stated on the tournament’s website, flags or banners larger than 18 x 18 are prohibited. Therefore, the patron was asked to remove the flag from the grounds and after doing so was allowed to remain at the tournament." “Any inquiries about the chair umpire should be directed to the WTA Tour,” it further added. So far, there has been no reaction from the WTA on the incident. However, many fans have lashed out at the officials for asking the spectator to remove her country's flag. Russia and Ukraine have been involved in a war following Vladamir Putin's decision of invading the European country. To date, there has been no resolution to the conflict.

Controversy erupts after spectator asked to remove Ukraine flag at Cincinnati Open by officials - WATCH

<p>In an anti-trust trial to stop the $2.2 billion merger of the two largest US publishers, Stephen King served as the key witness.</p>

<p>King was asked to testify by the US Department of Justice regarding the potential effects of the proposed merger between Penguin Random House and Simon &amp; Schuster on authors.</p>

<p>King, 75, told the court in Washington DC that he felt "the move would be bad for competition in the industry".</p>

<p>Both publishing houses contend that since they would continue to compete for the right to publish novels after the merger is complete, there would be no reduction in competition.</p>

<p>King - who has 50 years' experience in publishing - called that idea "a little bit ridiculous".</p>

<p>"You might as well say you're going to have a husband and wife bidding against each other for the same house," the novelist quipped, according to journalists in the court.</p>

<p>Since the release of his debut book, Carrie, in 1974, Stephen King has written more than 70 books, including cult favourites like The Shining and It, which have collectively sold more than 350 million copies.</p>

<p>King has also become more active on social media in the last ten years, engaging with followers and frequently urging his 6.8 million Twitter followers to support small and local bookstores.</p>

<p>Penguin Random House and Paramount Global, the parent company of Simon &amp; Schuster, declared intentions to merge in November 2020.</p>

<p>The Justice Department filed a lawsuit to stop the acquisition a year later. The government of US President Joe Biden has made increasing competition a key component of its economic strategy.</p>

<p>These accusations have been refuted by the merger's attorneys, who assert that blocking the deal "would hurt the very authors DOJ pretends to defend."</p>

<p>According to Daniel Petrocelli, Penguin's main counsel in the trial, "the DOJ has not found, and it does not allege, that the combination will lessen competition in the sale of books."</p>

<p>We are optimistic that the strong and competitive market will ensure that the purchase will strengthen rather than weaken competition.</p>

<p>Legal action against anti-trust violations aims to stop mergers and acquisitions from establishing market monopolies or engaging in anti-competitive behaviour like price-fixing.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from BBC)</em></p>


In an anti-trust trial to stop the $2.2 billion merger of the two largest US publishers, Stephen King served as the key witness. King was asked to testify by the US Department of Justice regarding the potential effects of the proposed merger between Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster on authors.

In an anti-trust trial to stop the $2.2 billion merger of the two largest US publishers, Stephen King served as the key witness. King was asked to testify by the US Department of Justice regarding the potential effects of the proposed merger between Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster on authors. King, 75, told the court in Washington DC that he felt "the move would be bad for competition in the industry". Both publishing houses contend that since they would continue to compete for the right to publish novels after the merger is complete, there would be no reduction in competition. King - who has 50 years' experience in publishing - called that idea "a little bit ridiculous". "You might as well say you're going to have a husband and wife bidding against each other for the same house," the novelist quipped, according to journalists in the court. Since the release of his debut book, Carrie, in 1974, Stephen King has written more than 70 books, including cult favourites like The Shining and It, which have collectively sold more than 350 million copies. King has also become more active on social media in the last ten years, engaging with followers and frequently urging his 6.8 million Twitter followers to support small and local bookstores. Penguin Random House and Paramount Global, the parent company of Simon & Schuster, declared intentions to merge in November 2020. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit to stop the acquisition a year later. The government of US President Joe Biden has made increasing competition a key component of its economic strategy. These accusations have been refuted by the merger's attorneys, who assert that blocking the deal "would hurt the very authors DOJ pretends to defend." According to Daniel Petrocelli, Penguin's main counsel in the trial, "the DOJ has not found, and it does not allege, that the combination will lessen competition in the sale of books." We are optimistic that the strong and competitive market will ensure that the purchase will strengthen rather than weaken competition. Legal action against anti-trust violations aims to stop mergers and acquisitions from establishing market monopolies or engaging in anti-competitive behaviour like price-fixing. (With inputs from BBC)

Stephen King provides government testimony in the case against publishing behemoths

<p>Nick Kyrgios always makes heads turn when he is on the court. During his opening match at Wimbledon 2022, on Tuesday (June 28), Kyrgios was up against British star&nbsp;Paul Jubb when&nbsp;a huge controversy erupted as the Australian accused the 'racial slurs' and even ranted at the umpire about it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the middle of the match against Jubb, Kyrgios suddenly stopped proceedings&nbsp;after he was visibly upset and smashed the ball out of the court after a broken serve in the opening set,&nbsp;which he eventually conceded 3-6 to Jubb. The 27-year-old&nbsp;then slammed&nbsp;the linesman and even went ahead by calling him a 'snitch'. While he was fined for his&nbsp;action,&nbsp;Kyrgios ranted at the umpire and accused the crowd of&nbsp;hurling racial abuses at him.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-2022-iga-swiatek-nick-kyrgios-and-coco-gauff-proceed-ahead-492692"><strong>Wimbledon 2022: Iga Swiatek, Nick Kyrgios and Coco Gauff proceed ahead</strong></a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kyrgios giving it the full kyrgios today<br />
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You love to see it you really do 🤣 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wimbledon</a> <a href="https://t.co/kO1OSNQKQ6">pic.twitter.com/kO1OSNQKQ6</a></p>
— benslife (@benslife1) <a href="https://twitter.com/benslife1/status/1541754524108525570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>During his complain, he told the umpire Marija Cicak,&nbsp;"You have to tell them. They're spectators. They don't have any right to do that. They're spectators who spend money to come watch us play. They should be removed," the Australian tennis player opined.</p>

<p>It didn't stop there itself. Kyrgios added that such a behaviour from the crowd is unacceptable and questioned the umpire. The youngster further mentioned that he would've reacted in a similar manner had his opponent Jubb being subjected to racial abuse.&nbsp;"So pure disrespect from a spectator to an athlete is acceptable at Wimbledon? But you don't accept a hat with two logos? When's the line? That's acceptable, racism is acceptable so when does it stop? So where's the line? It's been happening for years. If they were making racial slurs to him [Jubb] I would say the same thing," Kyrgios&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>The Aussie had accused of racial abuse even during the&nbsp;Stuttgart Open, held early this month, when he was up against Great Britian's Andy Murray. Talking about his opening tie in Wimbledon today, he defeated Jubb&nbsp;3-6 6-1 7-5 6-7(3) 7-5 to proceed ahead in the showpiece event.&nbsp;</p>


Nick Kyrgios always makes heads turn when he is on the court. During his opening match at Wimbledon 2022, on Tuesday (June 28), Kyrgios was up against British star Paul Jubb when a huge controversy erupted as the Australian accused the 'racial slurs' and even ranted at the umpire about it.

Nick Kyrgios always makes heads turn when he is on the court. During his opening match at Wimbledon 2022, on Tuesday (June 28), Kyrgios was up against British star Paul Jubb when a huge controversy erupted as the Australian accused the 'racial slurs' and even ranted at the umpire about it. In the middle of the match against Jubb, Kyrgios suddenly stopped proceedings after he was visibly upset and smashed the ball out of the court after a broken serve in the opening set, which he eventually conceded 3-6 to Jubb. The 27-year-old then slammed the linesman and even went ahead by calling him a 'snitch'. While he was fined for his action, Kyrgios ranted at the umpire and accused the crowd of hurling racial abuses at him. ALSO READ | Wimbledon 2022: Iga Swiatek, Nick Kyrgios and Coco Gauff proceed ahead Kyrgios giving it the full kyrgios today You love to see it you really do 🤣 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/kO1OSNQKQ6 — benslife (@benslife1) June 28, 2022 × During his complain, he told the umpire Marija Cicak, "You have to tell them. They're spectators. They don't have any right to do that. They're spectators who spend money to come watch us play. They should be removed," the Australian tennis player opined. It didn't stop there itself. Kyrgios added that such a behaviour from the crowd is unacceptable and questioned the umpire. The youngster further mentioned that he would've reacted in a similar manner had his opponent Jubb being subjected to racial abuse. "So pure disrespect from a spectator to an athlete is acceptable at Wimbledon? But you don't accept a hat with two logos? When's the line? That's acceptable, racism is acceptable so when does it stop? So where's the line? It's been happening for years. If they were making racial slurs to him [Jubb] I would say the same thing," Kyrgios said. The Aussie had accused of racial abuse even during the Stuttgart Open, held early this month, when he was up against Great Britian's Andy Murray. Talking about his opening tie in Wimbledon today, he defeated Jubb 3-6 6-1 7-5 6-7(3) 7-5 to proceed ahead in the showpiece event.

WATCH: Controversy erupts! Kyrgios accuses crowd of 'racial slurs', rants at umpire in R1 of Wimbledon

Disney's animated movie 'Lightyear' has sparked a row over the depiction of a same-sex couple. At least 14 countries have raised objections over the movie.

Disney's 'Lightyear' sparks a row over the depiction of a same-sex couple

<p>Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) outfit has threatened to carry out terror attacks in the Indian states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai and Delhi in the wake of controversial remarks made by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</p>

<p>In a threat letter dated June 6, the AQIS said it would launch suicide attacks to “fight for the honour of the Prophet”.</p>

<p>“A few days ago, the propagators and flag bearers of Hindutva – a system and philosophy hostile to the religion and Shariah of Allah – insulted and slandered the purest of beings, the most honourable after God himself, Muhammad al Mustafa, Ahmad al Mujtaba, and his noble and pure wife, the mother of the believers, Sayyidah Ayesha bint Abu Bakr as Siddeeq in the most vile and evil manner on an Indian TV channel. In response to this affront, the hearts of Muslim all over the world are bleeding and are filled with feelings of revenge and retribution,” the letter says.</p>

<p>“We warn every audacious and impudent foul mouth of the world, especially the Hindutva terrorists occupying Indian that we should fight for the dignity of our Prophet, we should urge others to fight and die for the honour of our Prophet, we should kill those who affront our Prophet and we should bind explosives with our bodies and the bodies of our children to blow away the ranks of those who dare to dishonour our Prophet,” it says.</p>

<p>“The saffron terrorists should now await their end in Delhi, Bombay, UP and Gujarat. They should find refuge neither in their homes nor in their fortified army cantonments,” the letter states.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reacts-on-prophet-muhammad-remarks-of-ruling-party-spokesperson-485894" hreflang="en">India reacts on Prophet Muhammad remarks of ruling party spokesperson</a></p>

<p>AQIS is the newest affiliate of al-Qaeda and was reportedly launched in 2014.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The group is believed to have members in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh&nbsp;and Myanmar, and has carried out attacks against atheists and doctors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India has been facing backlash from West Asian countries, and nations with majority Muslim community over controversial comments made by BJP members Nupur Sharma and media in-charge Naveen Jindal over remarks on Prophet Mohammed.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/remarks-over-prophet-muhammad-result-in-diplomatic-row-between-india-and-gulf-countries-485737" hreflang="en">Prophet Muhammad remark results in diplomatic row between India &amp; Gulf states</a></p>

<p>While Sharma has been suspended and asked for an explanation, Jindal has been expelled from the party.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<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>


Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) outfit has threatened to carry out terror attacks in the Indian states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai and Delhi in the wake of controversial remarks made by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) outfit has threatened to carry out terror attacks in the Indian states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai and Delhi in the wake of controversial remarks made by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a threat letter dated June 6, the AQIS said it would launch suicide attacks to “fight for the honour of the Prophet”. “A few days ago, the propagators and flag bearers of Hindutva – a system and philosophy hostile to the religion and Shariah of Allah – insulted and slandered the purest of beings, the most honourable after God himself, Muhammad al Mustafa, Ahmad al Mujtaba, and his noble and pure wife, the mother of the believers, Sayyidah Ayesha bint Abu Bakr as Siddeeq in the most vile and evil manner on an Indian TV channel. In response to this affront, the hearts of Muslim all over the world are bleeding and are filled with feelings of revenge and retribution,” the letter says. “We warn every audacious and impudent foul mouth of the world, especially the Hindutva terrorists occupying Indian that we should fight for the dignity of our Prophet, we should urge others to fight and die for the honour of our Prophet, we should kill those who affront our Prophet and we should bind explosives with our bodies and the bodies of our children to blow away the ranks of those who dare to dishonour our Prophet,” it says. “The saffron terrorists should now await their end in Delhi, Bombay, UP and Gujarat. They should find refuge neither in their homes nor in their fortified army cantonments,” the letter states. Also read | India reacts on Prophet Muhammad remarks of ruling party spokesperson AQIS is the newest affiliate of al-Qaeda and was reportedly launched in 2014. The group is believed to have members in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, and has carried out attacks against atheists and doctors. India has been facing backlash from West Asian countries, and nations with majority Muslim community over controversial comments made by BJP members Nupur Sharma and media in-charge Naveen Jindal over remarks on Prophet Mohammed. Also read | Prophet Muhammad remark results in diplomatic row between India & Gulf states While Sharma has been suspended and asked for an explanation, Jindal has been expelled from the party. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Al-Qaeda threatens terror attacks in Indian states over ‘insult to Prophet'

Tesla CEO has criticised the Twitter's top lawyer publicly, raising questions about his compliance with a non-disparagement agreement and the tone that the social media platform's incoming owner will set for its users.

Elon Musk publicly criticises Twitter staff which stirs another controversy

<p>Mike Tyson has made heads turn for all the wrong reasons. The 55-year-old boxing legend reportedly punched a fellow passenger on a flight from San Francisco to Florida on Wednesday evening (April 20). Such was the impact of Tyson's anger on the fellow passenger that he was left badly bruised with a bloody forehead.</p>

<p>Cell phone footage, obtained by TMZ, displays&nbsp;the former heavyweight champion smacking an allegedly over-eager fan in the seat directly behind Tyson. A witness revealed that a man and his friend greeted Tyson while boarding the flight and interacted with him. Soon, the veteran boxer got tired of engaging with his fans and asked them to keep quiet. Not paying much attention to his request, the man continued to speak which irked Tyson and he lost his cool eventually.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the video, it can be seen that Tyson lost his composure, got up from his seat and turned behind to smack the&nbsp;fellow passenger leaving him badly bruised. <strong>Here's the clip of the shocking incident:</strong></p>

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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/manchester-united-captain-harry-maguire-receives-bomb-threat-amid-red-devils-struggles-472787"><strong>Manchester United captain Harry Maguire receives bomb threat amid Red Devils' struggles</strong></a></p>

<p>Another video from the flight also showed the aftermath of the incident, with the man sporting traces of blood on his forehead after being hit by Tyson.</p>

<p>'My boy just got beat up by Mike Tyson,' said the man recording the clip. 'Yeah, he got f***ed up. Just trying to ask for an autograph. I don't know what happened.' As per reports, the man reportedly told the police but it remains unclear if the legendary boxer will be investigated or not.</p>


Mike Tyson has made heads turn for all the wrong reasons. The 55-year-old boxing legend reportedly punched a fellow passenger on a flight from San Francisco to Florida on Wednesday evening (April 20).

Mike Tyson has made heads turn for all the wrong reasons. The 55-year-old boxing legend reportedly punched a fellow passenger on a flight from San Francisco to Florida on Wednesday evening (April 20). Such was the impact of Tyson's anger on the fellow passenger that he was left badly bruised with a bloody forehead. Cell phone footage, obtained by TMZ, displays the former heavyweight champion smacking an allegedly over-eager fan in the seat directly behind Tyson. A witness revealed that a man and his friend greeted Tyson while boarding the flight and interacted with him. Soon, the veteran boxer got tired of engaging with his fans and asked them to keep quiet. Not paying much attention to his request, the man continued to speak which irked Tyson and he lost his cool eventually. In the video, it can be seen that Tyson lost his composure, got up from his seat and turned behind to smack the fellow passenger leaving him badly bruised. Here's the clip of the shocking incident: × ALSO READ | Manchester United captain Harry Maguire receives bomb threat amid Red Devils' struggles Another video from the flight also showed the aftermath of the incident, with the man sporting traces of blood on his forehead after being hit by Tyson. 'My boy just got beat up by Mike Tyson,' said the man recording the clip. 'Yeah, he got f***ed up. Just trying to ask for an autograph. I don't know what happened.' As per reports, the man reportedly told the police but it remains unclear if the legendary boxer will be investigated or not.

Shocking! Mike Tyson loses his cool, punches fellow passenger in flight as video goes viral - WATCH

Pakistan's regressive attitude towards women is once again grabbing the headlines. With International Women's day just a few weeks away, Pakistan's defenders of patriarchy have started their activities to impose new rules and protect the status quo of the country.

Pakistan Minister stokes controversy, demands international Hijab Day

<p>Republican lawmakers and conservative news outlets have accused the Biden administration of planning to give out pipes for smoking crack cocaine.</p>

<p>Their claims this week refer to a provision in an overdose prevention program announced in December. The program provides funding for “safe smoking kits,” but it makes no specific mention of glass pipes. In response to the outcry, Biden administration officials denied offering funding for such pipes.</p>

<p>Here’s a look at the facts.</p>

<p><strong>What exactly is being funded?</strong></p>

<p>The program, funded by the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package enacted last winter, will provide about $30 million in grants for harm reduction programs, which aim to reduce the personal and public health effects of drug use. There is no specific mention of crack pipes in the grant application materials.</p>

<p>Under the guidelines, grant recipients are required to create harm reduction action plans, distribute overdose medication, help curb the spread of infectious diseases and “purchase equipment and supplies to enhance harm reduction efforts.”</p>

<p>Safe smoking kits are listed as just one of the allowable purchases. The grants also provide funding for disease and drug testing kits, wound care supplies, condoms, syringes and vaccines. In a fact sheet about the program, the Department of Health and Human Services said it did not expect grant recipients to purchase all of the listed supplies.</p>

<p>The grant guidelines do not specify what the smoking kits should include. According to Harm Reduction International, a London-based nongovernmental organization, such kits can contain rubber mouthpieces, brass screens, lip balm, disinfectant wipes and glass stems — the “crack pipes” in question. The contents can vary based on the organization distributing the kit as well as state and local laws on the distribution of drug paraphernalia.</p>

<p>Moreover, the smoking kits are not specific to crack cocaine and can also be given to users of methamphetamine and opioids.</p>

<p><strong>How has the administration responded?</strong></p>

<p>Xavier Becerra, the secretary of health and human services, and Dr. Rahul Gupta, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a joint statement on Wednesday that their agencies were “focused on using our resources smartly to reduce harm and save lives.”</p>

<p>They added that “no federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits.”</p>

<p>Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, was more emphatic. She told reporters that pipes “were never a part of the kit” and dismissed the suggestion that they would be included as inaccurate reporting. She was most likely referring to an article published Monday by The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet; citing an unnamed spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, the article said the kits would provide pipes.</p>

<p>The department did not respond when asked by The New York Times if glass pipes were ever allowable under the grant provisions.</p>

<p><strong>Why fund safe smoking kits in the first place?</strong></p>

<p>Advocates say the kits are an effective tool for outreach and health and safety education, and many expressed disappointment that the administration would not be providing funding for glass pipes.</p>

<p>“Backtracking on providing critical evidence-based resources that could greatly improve the health of people who consume drugs through smoking is a huge missed opportunity,” Kassandra Frederique, the executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, said in a statement.</p>

<p>HIPS, a harm reduction organization in Washington that applied for a grant under the administration’s program, distributed smoking kits in the 1990s and 2000s. Replacing broken and unsafe glass pipes had the effect of reducing the sharing of equipment and transmittable disease, said the group’s executive director, Cyndee Clay.</p>

<p>“Being able to offer people clean, safe equipment for use, it’s a first step in helping change their behavior,” she said, adding that when HIPS stopped distributing the kits, “our engagement lessened because we didn’t have the right materials to start that conversation.”</p>

<p>Clay said of the grant program, “It’s unfortunate that there is all this controversy over what is essentially a very small part of what this initiative will be able to accomplish.”</p>

<p>Jim Duffy, the founder of Smoke Works, a harm reduction organization and pipe distributor in Boston, described the kits as an early intervention tool that could prevent people from injecting drugs and connect them to other resources.</p>

<p>“It stands in place of something riskier,” Duffy said, adding that “it opens up to entirely new communities HIV testing, referral and health services.”</p>

<p>Duffy, whose organization did not apply for a grant, said he was disappointed that the Biden administration was “baited into a conversation that doesn’t need to be validated.”</p>


Republican lawmakers and conservative news outlets have accused the Biden administration of planning to give out pipes for smoking crack cocaine. Their claims this week refer to a provision in an overdose prevention program announced in December.

Republican lawmakers and conservative news outlets have accused the Biden administration of planning to give out pipes for smoking crack cocaine. Their claims this week refer to a provision in an overdose prevention program announced in December. The program provides funding for “safe smoking kits,” but it makes no specific mention of glass pipes. In response to the outcry, Biden administration officials denied offering funding for such pipes. Here’s a look at the facts. What exactly is being funded? The program, funded by the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package enacted last winter, will provide about $30 million in grants for harm reduction programs, which aim to reduce the personal and public health effects of drug use. There is no specific mention of crack pipes in the grant application materials. Under the guidelines, grant recipients are required to create harm reduction action plans, distribute overdose medication, help curb the spread of infectious diseases and “purchase equipment and supplies to enhance harm reduction efforts.” Safe smoking kits are listed as just one of the allowable purchases. The grants also provide funding for disease and drug testing kits, wound care supplies, condoms, syringes and vaccines. In a fact sheet about the program, the Department of Health and Human Services said it did not expect grant recipients to purchase all of the listed supplies. The grant guidelines do not specify what the smoking kits should include. According to Harm Reduction International, a London-based nongovernmental organization, such kits can contain rubber mouthpieces, brass screens, lip balm, disinfectant wipes and glass stems — the “crack pipes” in question. The contents can vary based on the organization distributing the kit as well as state and local laws on the distribution of drug paraphernalia. Moreover, the smoking kits are not specific to crack cocaine and can also be given to users of methamphetamine and opioids. How has the administration responded? Xavier Becerra, the secretary of health and human services, and Dr. Rahul Gupta, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a joint statement on Wednesday that their agencies were “focused on using our resources smartly to reduce harm and save lives.” They added that “no federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits.” Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, was more emphatic. She told reporters that pipes “were never a part of the kit” and dismissed the suggestion that they would be included as inaccurate reporting. She was most likely referring to an article published Monday by The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet; citing an unnamed spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, the article said the kits would provide pipes. The department did not respond when asked by The New York Times if glass pipes were ever allowable under the grant provisions. Why fund safe smoking kits in the first place? Advocates say the kits are an effective tool for outreach and health and safety education, and many expressed disappointment that the administration would not be providing funding for glass pipes. “Backtracking on providing critical evidence-based resources that could greatly improve the health of people who consume drugs through smoking is a huge missed opportunity,” Kassandra Frederique, the executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, said in a statement. HIPS, a harm reduction organization in Washington that applied for a grant under the administration’s program, distributed smoking kits in the 1990s and 2000s. Replacing broken and unsafe glass pipes had the effect of reducing the sharing of equipment and transmittable disease, said the group’s executive director, Cyndee Clay. “Being able to offer people clean, safe equipment for use, it’s a first step in helping change their behavior,” she said, adding that when HIPS stopped distributing the kits, “our engagement lessened because we didn’t have the right materials to start that conversation.” Clay said of the grant program, “It’s unfortunate that there is all this controversy over what is essentially a very small part of what this initiative will be able to accomplish.” Jim Duffy, the founder of Smoke Works, a harm reduction organization and pipe distributor in Boston, described the kits as an early intervention tool that could prevent people from injecting drugs and connect them to other resources. “It stands in place of something riskier,” Duffy said, adding that “it opens up to entirely new communities HIV testing, referral and health services.” Duffy, whose organization did not apply for a grant, said he was disappointed that the Biden administration was “baited into a conversation that doesn’t need to be validated.”

Explaining the claim that the Biden administration is funding ‘crack pipes’

<p>Emojis are the new way of life in today’s tech-driven world. But sometimes, they spark more than just the right emotions intended. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Well, this holds true as a 'pregnant man' and 'pregnant person' emoji, which are set to make a dramatic appearance on Apple iPhones with its latest update iOS 15.4, have sparked controversy. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The Apple's version of the emoji has been released on Thursday as part of iOS 15.4 beta, which is a voluntary system update, the iPhone users can choose to install. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">just saw the pregnant dude emoji <a href="https://t.co/spuczh38yl">pic.twitter.com/spuczh38yl</a></p>
— Wæs ❄ (@watchingspirals) <a href="https://twitter.com/watchingspirals/status/1487264861017055237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Later this year, the update will reach all iPhone users. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-human-rights-concerns-us-cancels-usd-130-million-military-aid-to-egypt-after-arms-sale-448642">Over human rights concerns, US cancels USD 130 million military aid to Egypt</a></strong></p>

<p>The move has resulted in a row as some cultural commentators argue that the effort to make the biologically specific phenomenon all-inclusive diminishes the factors that make women different from men. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Not just this, social media has also erupted over the issue. Several people have commented and shared memes over it.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">New Apple 'pregnant man' emoji looks like a regular dude with a beer belly to me and that's what i'm going with. <a href="https://t.co/4MDN4xp5Fw">pic.twitter.com/4MDN4xp5Fw</a></p>
— Pineapple on Pizza Speculator (@OnSpeculator) <a href="https://twitter.com/OnSpeculator/status/1487268229185937408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The new pregnant emojis will come in five different skin tones. The users can hold finger on the icon until it shows the options for selecting different skin tones while sending an emoji. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I saw the “pregnant man” emoji. 🤣🤣<br />
Seriously?!? That’s not how it works. If you believe this you obviously failed biology.</p>
— 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️Spicy🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ (@timspicymccall) <a href="https://twitter.com/timspicymccall/status/1487246373120614400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>In September last year, Emojipedia too had faced some criticism when it first announced these emojis. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missile-drone-attacks-force-us-to-issue-travel-advisory-for-the-uae-448495" hreflang="en">Missile, drone attacks force US to issue travel advisory for the UAE</a></strong></p>

<p>In a blog post, the company said that the new figures "may be used for representation by trans men, non-binary people, or women with short hair—though, of course, use of these emoji is not limited to these groups." &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A little something to go along with Apple's new "Pregnant Man" emoji. <a href="https://t.co/nFvx1Y9iae">pic.twitter.com/nFvx1Y9iae</a></p>
— Emore (@emorephil) <a href="https://twitter.com/emorephil/status/1487171759463976965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Emojipedia's Jane Solomon had said that the emoji can also be used as a "tongue-in-cheek way to display a food baby, a very full stomach caused by eating a large meal." &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Emojis are the new way of life in today’s tech-driven world. But sometimes, they spark more than just the right emotions intended. Well, this holds true as a 'pregnant man' and 'pregnant person' emoji, which are set to make a dramatic appearance on Apple iPhones with its latest update iOS 15.

Emojis are the new way of life in today’s tech-driven world. But sometimes, they spark more than just the right emotions intended. Well, this holds true as a 'pregnant man' and 'pregnant person' emoji, which are set to make a dramatic appearance on Apple iPhones with its latest update iOS 15.4, have sparked controversy. The Apple's version of the emoji has been released on Thursday as part of iOS 15.4 beta, which is a voluntary system update, the iPhone users can choose to install. just saw the pregnant dude emoji pic.twitter.com/spuczh38yl — Wæs ❄ (@watchingspirals) January 29, 2022 × Later this year, the update will reach all iPhone users. Also Read: Over human rights concerns, US cancels USD 130 million military aid to Egypt The move has resulted in a row as some cultural commentators argue that the effort to make the biologically specific phenomenon all-inclusive diminishes the factors that make women different from men. Not just this, social media has also erupted over the issue. Several people have commented and shared memes over it. New Apple 'pregnant man' emoji looks like a regular dude with a beer belly to me and that's what i'm going with. pic.twitter.com/4MDN4xp5Fw — Pineapple on Pizza Speculator (@OnSpeculator) January 29, 2022 × The new pregnant emojis will come in five different skin tones. The users can hold finger on the icon until it shows the options for selecting different skin tones while sending an emoji. I saw the “pregnant man” emoji. 🤣🤣 Seriously?!? That’s not how it works. If you believe this you obviously failed biology. — 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️Spicy🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ (@timspicymccall) January 29, 2022 × In September last year, Emojipedia too had faced some criticism when it first announced these emojis. Also Read: Missile, drone attacks force US to issue travel advisory for the UAE In a blog post, the company said that the new figures "may be used for representation by trans men, non-binary people, or women with short hair—though, of course, use of these emoji is not limited to these groups." A little something to go along with Apple's new "Pregnant Man" emoji. pic.twitter.com/nFvx1Y9iae — Emore (@emorephil) January 28, 2022 × Emojipedia's Jane Solomon had said that the emoji can also be used as a "tongue-in-cheek way to display a food baby, a very full stomach caused by eating a large meal." (With inputs from agencies)

New pregnant emojis to make dramatic appearance on Apple iPhones; take social media by storm. Find out why

<p>Days after Netflix launched its first Arabic original 'Perfect Strangers', the feature has come faced severe criticism from conservatives across the Middle East. The movie was released on the OTT platform on January 20.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Reports state that the movie got criticized by an Egyptian politician and accused of, among other things, perversion, promoting homosexuality and infidelity and even being part of a plot to disrupt Arab society.<br />
<br />
Interestingly, the film has earned critical acclaim and has even been strongly defended by the artistic community and beyond.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The Arabic remake is the latest in a long line of international remakes of the 2016 Italian hit 'Perfect Strangers' starring Capernaum writer-director Nadine Labaki and Egyptian star Mona Zaki.<br />
<br />
It tells the story of a group of friends in Lebanon who one night play a game where they make all the calls and text messages on their phones available to one another, unveiling various secrets and scandals.<br />
<br />
The film was expected to start a conversation about important issues and push boundaries. The film features a gay character and also discusses other topics that are considered taboo in Middle East countries. The controversy that has hit the film was unexpected.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
On Twitter, the film sparked a barrage of homophobic messages, accused by some of encouraging homosexuality and "moral degradation," and "putting Western ideas in a conservative society."&nbsp;<br />
<br />
One user accused the film of being a "crime," adding that not only should it be banned but that everyone involved should face "prosecution."<br />
<br />
The Middle East is still conservative in terms of what they view on the big screen. In the recent past, films such as 'Eternals' and 'West Side Story' have been blocked from cinemas across much of the Middle East due to their inclusion of LGBTQ issues.<br />
<br />
Since 'Perfect Strangers' was released directly on OTT, it didn't need to go through regional censors and was able to land on Netflix uncut. Much of the anger has originated in Egypt, particularly against Egyptian star Zaki, who in one scene of the film removes her undergarment, although there was no nudity at all.<br />
<br />
One Twitter user accused Zaki of being part of an overseas agenda to force social change. Spilling outside of social media, Egyptian lawyer Ayman Mahfouz claimed that the film was a "plot to disrupt Arab society" and that Zaki was the "champion" of it all.<br />
<br />
According to reports, Mahfouz, who in 2020 sued the transgender son of Egyptian actor Hesham Selim over an Instagram post he claimed was promoting homosexuality, is now preparing a lawsuit to remove 'Perfect Strangers' from Netflix.</p>

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<p>In Egypt, unlike countries in the Gulf, homosexuality isn't officially illegal, although it is regularly cracked down upon in society. But with the fiery backlash has come to a flood of support for the film, with many people praising both the storyline, for raising real-life topics often ignored, and the production itself, while also criticizing the attitudes of those attacking it.</p>

<p>"Arabs losing their minds over a movie that shows cheating spouses, teenagers being teenagers, gay characters; makes me realize that we are not 1% close to discussing topics like civilized beings instead of enclosing ourselves in a hypocritical regressive bubble," said one user.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Arabs losing their minds over a movie that shows cheating spouses, teenagers being teenagers, gay characters; makes me realize that we are not 1% close to discussing topics like civilized beings instead of enclosing ourselves in a hypocritical regressive bubble.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%A8_%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7_%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#اصحاب_ولا_اعز</a></p>
— Hasnaa Chahrour (she/her/hers) (@hasnaa_chahrour) <a href="https://twitter.com/hasnaa_chahrour/status/1484980503442866183?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I enjoyed every minute of Perfect Strangers. So real, so raw, you feel like you’re sitting with them and can relate to each story whether based on a personal experience with your entourage or what you hear in society. Needless to say that the acting is perfection. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%A8_%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7_%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#اصحاب_ولا_اعز</a></p>
— Rayane Moussallem (@RioMoussallem) <a href="https://twitter.com/RioMoussallem/status/1484557963289411589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>A hashtag from supporters that translates as #ImAlsoAPerfectStranger has emerged in support of the film.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A very good movie, extremely entertaining.. it's getting a lot of hate because it's an arabian netflix production or because you're too close minded to accept the topics that the movie discusses actually happen in our society and they aren't a taboo anymore. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%A8_%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7_%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#اصحاب_ولا_اعز</a> <a href="https://t.co/FGpH6c4Bq0">pic.twitter.com/FGpH6c4Bq0</a></p>
— Moh (@DaiMohnds) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaiMohnds/status/1484666731356463104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Even Egypt's professional actors' union has issued a statement in solidarity with the cast of 'Perfect Strangers', particularly Mona Zaki, calling for the preservation of "creative freedom" and emphasizing the role of the arts in addressing issues in society.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All these men are out here cancelling Mona Zaki for portraying a character with basic sexual needs (something that wouldn’t have been remotely shocking if the character was a man) and then ask why their wives are unhappy… I mean bro</p>
— salma (@salmanellla) <a href="https://twitter.com/salmanellla/status/1485010835076493316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is actually surprisingly good. Not your average arabic cliché drama movie. Simple, realistic and on point.<br />
Oh and Mona Zaki😍&gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/F7oEjIpAsE">https://t.co/F7oEjIpAsE</a></p>
— stefany hoyeck (@stefanyhoyeck) <a href="https://twitter.com/stefanyhoyeck/status/1484641655458349065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Stupid &amp; Bad Advertising is Good Advertising after all<br />
Anyway, Perfect Strangers breaking all records worldwide <a href="https://t.co/gr9m2U9J1w">pic.twitter.com/gr9m2U9J1w</a></p>
— Tareck Karam (@TareckKaram) <a href="https://twitter.com/TareckKaram/status/1485210212562837511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The controversy around the film though has paid of- in terms of numbers that is. 'Perfect Strangers' has been topping Netflix's viewing charts in the region and highlighted the demand for&nbsp;more localized content in the region.&nbsp;</p>


Days after Netflix launched its first Arabic original 'Perfect Strangers', the feature has come faced severe criticism from conservatives across the Middle East.

Days after Netflix launched its first Arabic original 'Perfect Strangers', the feature has come faced severe criticism from conservatives across the Middle East. The movie was released on the OTT platform on January 20. Reports state that the movie got criticized by an Egyptian politician and accused of, among other things, perversion, promoting homosexuality and infidelity and even being part of a plot to disrupt Arab society. Interestingly, the film has earned critical acclaim and has even been strongly defended by the artistic community and beyond. The Arabic remake is the latest in a long line of international remakes of the 2016 Italian hit 'Perfect Strangers' starring Capernaum writer-director Nadine Labaki and Egyptian star Mona Zaki. It tells the story of a group of friends in Lebanon who one night play a game where they make all the calls and text messages on their phones available to one another, unveiling various secrets and scandals. The film was expected to start a conversation about important issues and push boundaries. The film features a gay character and also discusses other topics that are considered taboo in Middle East countries. The controversy that has hit the film was unexpected. On Twitter, the film sparked a barrage of homophobic messages, accused by some of encouraging homosexuality and "moral degradation," and "putting Western ideas in a conservative society." One user accused the film of being a "crime," adding that not only should it be banned but that everyone involved should face "prosecution." The Middle East is still conservative in terms of what they view on the big screen. In the recent past, films such as 'Eternals' and 'West Side Story' have been blocked from cinemas across much of the Middle East due to their inclusion of LGBTQ issues. Since 'Perfect Strangers' was released directly on OTT, it didn't need to go through regional censors and was able to land on Netflix uncut. Much of the anger has originated in Egypt, particularly against Egyptian star Zaki, who in one scene of the film removes her undergarment, although there was no nudity at all. One Twitter user accused Zaki of being part of an overseas agenda to force social change. Spilling outside of social media, Egyptian lawyer Ayman Mahfouz claimed that the film was a "plot to disrupt Arab society" and that Zaki was the "champion" of it all. According to reports, Mahfouz, who in 2020 sued the transgender son of Egyptian actor Hesham Selim over an Instagram post he claimed was promoting homosexuality, is now preparing a lawsuit to remove 'Perfect Strangers' from Netflix. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix MENA (@netflixmena) × In Egypt, unlike countries in the Gulf, homosexuality isn't officially illegal, although it is regularly cracked down upon in society. But with the fiery backlash has come to a flood of support for the film, with many people praising both the storyline, for raising real-life topics often ignored, and the production itself, while also criticizing the attitudes of those attacking it. "Arabs losing their minds over a movie that shows cheating spouses, teenagers being teenagers, gay characters; makes me realize that we are not 1% close to discussing topics like civilized beings instead of enclosing ourselves in a hypocritical regressive bubble," said one user. Arabs losing their minds over a movie that shows cheating spouses, teenagers being teenagers, gay characters; makes me realize that we are not 1% close to discussing topics like civilized beings instead of enclosing ourselves in a hypocritical regressive bubble.#اصحاب_ولا_اعز — Hasnaa Chahrour (she/her/hers) (@hasnaa_chahrour) January 22, 2022 × I enjoyed every minute of Perfect Strangers. So real, so raw, you feel like you’re sitting with them and can relate to each story whether based on a personal experience with your entourage or what you hear in society. Needless to say that the acting is perfection. #اصحاب_ولا_اعز — Rayane Moussallem (@RioMoussallem) January 21, 2022 × A hashtag from supporters that translates as #ImAlsoAPerfectStranger has emerged in support of the film. A very good movie, extremely entertaining.. it's getting a lot of hate because it's an arabian netflix production or because you're too close minded to accept the topics that the movie discusses actually happen in our society and they aren't a taboo anymore. #اصحاب_ولا_اعز pic.twitter.com/FGpH6c4Bq0 — Moh (@DaiMohnds) January 21, 2022 × Even Egypt's professional actors' union has issued a statement in solidarity with the cast of 'Perfect Strangers', particularly Mona Zaki, calling for the preservation of "creative freedom" and emphasizing the role of the arts in addressing issues in society. All these men are out here cancelling Mona Zaki for portraying a character with basic sexual needs (something that wouldn’t have been remotely shocking if the character was a man) and then ask why their wives are unhappy… I mean bro — salma (@salmanellla) January 22, 2022 × This is actually surprisingly good. Not your average arabic cliché drama movie. Simple, realistic and on point. Oh and Mona Zaki😍>>> https://t.co/F7oEjIpAsE — stefany hoyeck (@stefanyhoyeck) January 21, 2022 × Stupid & Bad Advertising is Good Advertising after all Anyway, Perfect Strangers breaking all records worldwide pic.twitter.com/gr9m2U9J1w — Tareck Karam (@TareckKaram) January 23, 2022 × The controversy around the film though has paid of- in terms of numbers that is. 'Perfect Strangers' has been topping Netflix's viewing charts in the region and highlighted the demand for more localized content in the region.

Arabic remake of 'Perfect Strangers' slammed in Middle East, accused of 'moral degradation'

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