The Pakistan Railways is currently facing a challenging situation due to an economic meltdown and the aftermath of flooding. Reportedly, due to this, staff has been working without salaries.

Dawn reports that these remarks were made by Sukkur Divisional Superintendent Mehmood-ur-Rehman Lakho during an inspection of the Larkana-Kotri railway tracks.&nbsp;

<h2>Salaries, floods and the Pakistan railways</h2>

Talking to reporters, Lakho said that employees, from BS-1 officers to the chairman, have not been receiving salaries, and the number of good trains has been reduced.&nbsp;

However, he emphasised that the railways are working in collaboration with the federal government, which is providing full support to restore train operations on tracks affected by the floods.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-karachi-city-to-stop-import-of-eatables-drinks-due-to-lack-of-dollars-606133">Pakistan's Karachi city to stop import of eatables, drinks due to lack of dollars</a>

As per Dawn, he conceded that the railway track from Nawabshah to Tando Masti suffered severe damage during the floods, resulting in a 25-day suspension of service.

During unprecedented rainfall and flooding in August of the previous year, approximately half of the trains, including Khushhal Khan Khatak and Bolan Mail, had to suspend operations, leading to numerous challenges for the department.&nbsp;

<h2>Employees protest amidst extreme distress</h2>

As per The Express Tribune, the country's financial crisis and the non-payment of salaries by Pakistan Railways have caused significant distress among the employees.&nbsp;

Pakistan Railways Employees (PREM) Union (CBA) staged a protest at the diesel engine shed in Lahore to express their dissatisfaction with the delay in salary payments, particularly with Eid-ul-Adha approaching soon.&nbsp;

"Only a few days are left until Eid-ul-Adha," said the protestors.

Union leaders Prem Union Lahore President Fiaz Ahmed Shahzad, Secretary Khizar Hayat Baig, Senior Vice President Muhammad Jameel Malik, and organizer Haji Aziz Madi have reportedly appealed to the Railways Minister Saad Rafique and CEO Arshad Salam Khattak to resolve the salary issue promptly.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-reacts-sharply-to-minus-imran-formula-says-only-voters-can-decide-606196">Imran Khan reacts sharply to 'minus-Imran formula', says only voters can decide</a>

The central leader of the workers' union, Nasir Mujtaba, has demanded immediate payment of salaries. He has warned that if the issue is not resolved, protest demonstrations will be organised at railway stations across the country in the coming week.

According to the Express Tribune, the employees are not demanding advance payments, but the salaries that were due on specific dates and have not been paid yet.&nbsp;

This delay has caused frustration among the employees, who were anticipating double salaries this month.

As per convention, typically, in Pakistan, government employees receive an advance salary for the upcoming month on the occasion of Eid. This helps them make arrangements for the sacrificial animal for the upcoming religious occasion. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Pakistan Railways is currently facing a challenging situation due to an economic meltdown and the aftermath of flooding. Reportedly, due to this, staff has been working without salaries.

The Pakistan Railways is currently facing a challenging situation due to an economic meltdown and the aftermath of flooding. Reportedly, due to this, staff has been working without salaries. Dawn reports that these remarks were made by Sukkur Divisional Superintendent Mehmood-ur-Rehman Lakho during an inspection of the Larkana-Kotri railway tracks. Salaries, floods and the Pakistan railways Talking to reporters, Lakho said that employees, from BS-1 officers to the chairman, have not been receiving salaries, and the number of good trains has been reduced. However, he emphasised that the railways are working in collaboration with the federal government, which is providing full support to restore train operations on tracks affected by the floods. Also read | Pakistan's Karachi city to stop import of eatables, drinks due to lack of dollars As per Dawn, he conceded that the railway track from Nawabshah to Tando Masti suffered severe damage during the floods, resulting in a 25-day suspension of service. During unprecedented rainfall and flooding in August of the previous year, approximately half of the trains, including Khushhal Khan Khatak and Bolan Mail, had to suspend operations, leading to numerous challenges for the department. Employees protest amidst extreme distress As per The Express Tribune, the country's financial crisis and the non-payment of salaries by Pakistan Railways have caused significant distress among the employees. Pakistan Railways Employees (PREM) Union (CBA) staged a protest at the diesel engine shed in Lahore to express their dissatisfaction with the delay in salary payments, particularly with Eid-ul-Adha approaching soon. "Only a few days are left until Eid-ul-Adha," said the protestors. Union leaders Prem Union Lahore President Fiaz Ahmed Shahzad, Secretary Khizar Hayat Baig, Senior Vice President Muhammad Jameel Malik, and organizer Haji Aziz Madi have reportedly appealed to the Railways Minister Saad Rafique and CEO Arshad Salam Khattak to resolve the salary issue promptly. Also read | Imran Khan reacts sharply to 'minus-Imran formula', says only voters can decide The central leader of the workers' union, Nasir Mujtaba, has demanded immediate payment of salaries. He has warned that if the issue is not resolved, protest demonstrations will be organised at railway stations across the country in the coming week. According to the Express Tribune, the employees are not demanding advance payments, but the salaries that were due on specific dates and have not been paid yet. This delay has caused frustration among the employees, who were anticipating double salaries this month. As per convention, typically, in Pakistan, government employees receive an advance salary for the upcoming month on the occasion of Eid. This helps them make arrangements for the sacrificial animal for the upcoming religious occasion. (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.

'From BS-1 officers to Chairman,' Pakistan Railways employees await salaries as Eid-ul-Adha approaches

On Sunday, June 18, the capital of Belgium played host to the second annual pedal boat world championship, in which athletes raced in a four-hour relay and competed for best costumes. The majority of the teams, according to the organiser Jean-Christophe Ghys, were from Belgium, although some also came from Spain, France, and England.

Brussels hosts second edition of 'Pedal boat championship'

In one of the Mediterranean's most devastating boat disasters, a fishing trawler sank off the coast of Greece, leaving hundreds of people missing and presumed dead. Nine suspected smugglers accused of piloting the trawler will appear before a Greek court.

Authorities have reported that 78 individuals have been confirmed dead, while 104 survivors, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Pakistan, were brought ashore.&nbsp;

The overcrowded boat sank approximately 50 miles off the southern Greek town of Pylos after departing from Tobruk in Libya en route to Italy.

<h2>Day of Mourning in Pakistan</h2>

As per the Guardian, among the passengers onboard the trawler, it was revealed that a significant number were from Pakistan.

In response to the tragedy, Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has announced that Monday (June 19th) will be observed as a 'day of mourning' in Pakistan, with the national flag flying at half-mast.

The Pakistani PM has vowed severe punishment for those involved and has ordered a crackdown on agents involved in smuggling people.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/greece-boat-capsizing-tragedy-hundreds-of-pakistanis-believed-to-be-among-dead-605697">Greece boat tragedy: Hundreds of Pakistanis believed to be among dead</a>

The exact number of Pakistani nationals onboard, as well as the number of survivors and casualties, has not been officially confirmed, but it is believed to exceed 200.

<h2>Greek authorities,&nbsp;a stationary boat&nbsp;and missing footage</h2>

Criticism has been directed towards Greek authorities for their delayed response to the incident. Although they claim that the boat's occupants said they did not require assistance, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) reported receiving distress calls.

As per data obtained by the BBC, the ship was stationary for around seven hours before sinking. This finding contradicts the Greek coast guard's claim that the boat was heading towards Italy and did not require assistance during that time.

The BBC obtained computer animation featuring tracking data from MarineTraffic, a maritime analytics platform. The analysis of this data, which tracks the movements of other vessels in the vicinity, indicates that the overcrowded fishing boat had been stationary for at least seven hours before it overturned.&nbsp;

In light of this new information, the United Nations has called for an investigation into Greece's handling of the disaster. There are concerns that more decisive action should have been taken earlier to initiate a comprehensive rescue operation.&nbsp;

The UN as per BBC, is seeking to determine if there were any lapses or delays in the response, raising questions about the effectiveness of Greece's maritime emergency protocols and coordination.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-die-several-missing-after-boat-capsizes-and-sinks-off-greece-604406">At least 78 die, several missing after boat capsizes and sinks off Greece</a>

The coastguard, which was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the investigation into the tragic boat disaster, is facing criticism due to the absence of video footage that could substantiate its account of the events.

Christos Spirtzis, former transport minister, emphasised the significance of video footage capturing the rescue operation and raised the crucial question of its whereabouts. "Where is the video, the video [footage] that should have been taken of the (rescue) operation?," he asked.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In one of the Mediterranean's most devastating boat disasters, a fishing trawler sank off the coast of Greece, leaving hundreds of people missing and presumed dead.

In one of the Mediterranean's most devastating boat disasters, a fishing trawler sank off the coast of Greece, leaving hundreds of people missing and presumed dead. Nine suspected smugglers accused of piloting the trawler will appear before a Greek court. Authorities have reported that 78 individuals have been confirmed dead, while 104 survivors, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Pakistan, were brought ashore. The overcrowded boat sank approximately 50 miles off the southern Greek town of Pylos after departing from Tobruk in Libya en route to Italy. Day of Mourning in Pakistan As per the Guardian, among the passengers onboard the trawler, it was revealed that a significant number were from Pakistan. In response to the tragedy, Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has announced that Monday (June 19th) will be observed as a 'day of mourning' in Pakistan, with the national flag flying at half-mast. The Pakistani PM has vowed severe punishment for those involved and has ordered a crackdown on agents involved in smuggling people. Also read | Greece boat tragedy: Hundreds of Pakistanis believed to be among dead The exact number of Pakistani nationals onboard, as well as the number of survivors and casualties, has not been officially confirmed, but it is believed to exceed 200. Greek authorities, a stationary boat and missing footage Criticism has been directed towards Greek authorities for their delayed response to the incident. Although they claim that the boat's occupants said they did not require assistance, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) reported receiving distress calls. As per data obtained by the BBC, the ship was stationary for around seven hours before sinking. This finding contradicts the Greek coast guard's claim that the boat was heading towards Italy and did not require assistance during that time. The BBC obtained computer animation featuring tracking data from MarineTraffic, a maritime analytics platform. The analysis of this data, which tracks the movements of other vessels in the vicinity, indicates that the overcrowded fishing boat had been stationary for at least seven hours before it overturned. In light of this new information, the United Nations has called for an investigation into Greece's handling of the disaster. There are concerns that more decisive action should have been taken earlier to initiate a comprehensive rescue operation. The UN as per BBC, is seeking to determine if there were any lapses or delays in the response, raising questions about the effectiveness of Greece's maritime emergency protocols and coordination. Also read | At least 78 die, several missing after boat capsizes and sinks off Greece The coastguard, which was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the investigation into the tragic boat disaster, is facing criticism due to the absence of video footage that could substantiate its account of the events. Christos Spirtzis, former transport minister, emphasised the significance of video footage capturing the rescue operation and raised the crucial question of its whereabouts. "Where is the video, the video [footage] that should have been taken of the (rescue) operation?," he asked. (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.

Islamabad observes 'day of mourning' for Pakistanis dead, missing in Greek boat tragedy

Amid controversy and criticism, Japan passed a bill on Friday aimed at promoting understanding of the LGBT community. However, the legislation has faced backlash for lacking human rights guarantees and potentially perpetuating certain forms of discrimination.

<h2>Japan's bill on the LGBT&nbsp;community</h2>

Japan is the only Group of Seven (G7) country without legal protection for same-sex unions, initially committed to passing the law before hosting the G7 leaders' summit slated to happen from May 19 to May 21.&nbsp;

However, disputes over the bill's content and wording resulted in it being submitted to Parliament for consideration on the eve of the summit.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-fukuoka-district-court-rules-ban-on-same-sex-marriage-in-a-state-of-unconstitutionality-602002">Japan's Fukuoka district court says ban on same-sex marriage ‘in a state of unconstitutionality’</a>

Despite some lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party deviating from party directives and either abstaining or leaving during the voting, the bill was ultimately approved by the more influential lower house on Tuesday.

<h2>A watered-down bill</h2>

The original draft of the bill stated that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity should be "not tolerated," but it was modified to "there should be no unfair discrimination." Critics argue that this change in wording implicitly allows for discrimination and bigotry.

"Although the original bill was not particularly significant, I believed it was better than nothing," said Takeharu Kato, a lawyer and member of the activist group "Marriage for all Japan," prior to the bill's passage. "But now I've started to think that having nothing at all might be better."

<h2>Same-sex marriage and Japan</h2>

Japan has faced pressure from other G7 nations, particularly the United States, to legalise same-sex marriage.&nbsp;

Economic leaders have expressed concerns that Japan's international competitiveness could be hindered without greater diversity, including representation for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

<h2>Public opinion on same-sex marriages</h2>

Public opinion polls indicate that approximately 70 per cent of the Japanese public supports same-sex marriage. However, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's conservative ruling party opposes it. In February, Kishida dismissed an aide who made offensive remarks against same-sex marriage, generating widespread outrage.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-court-rescues-nations-lgbt-community-from-hurt-says-ban-on-same-sex-marriage-unconstitutional-598384">Japan court 'rescues' nation's LGBT community from 'hurt', says ban on same-sex marriage 'unconstitutional'</a>

While more than 300 municipalities in Japan allow same-sex couples to enter partnership agreements, these agreements offer limited rights. Couples are unable to inherit each other's assets, obtain parental rights to each other's children, or even guarantee hospital visitation rights.

<h2>Marriages and Japan</h2>

Japan remains the only country among the Group of Seven nations that lacks legal protection for same-sex unions. The Japanese constitution defines marriage as something based on "the mutual consent of both sexes".

In recent months, Japan saw five separate court rulings on same-sex marriages. The most recent one made last month ruled that the non-recognition of same-sex marriage was "in a state of unconstitutionality".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Amid controversy and criticism, Japan passed a bill on Friday aimed at promoting understanding of the LGBT community. However, the legislation has faced backlash for lacking human rights guarantees and potentially perpetuating certain forms of discrimination.

Amid controversy and criticism, Japan passed a bill on Friday aimed at promoting understanding of the LGBT community. However, the legislation has faced backlash for lacking human rights guarantees and potentially perpetuating certain forms of discrimination. Japan's bill on the LGBT community Japan is the only Group of Seven (G7) country without legal protection for same-sex unions, initially committed to passing the law before hosting the G7 leaders' summit slated to happen from May 19 to May 21. However, disputes over the bill's content and wording resulted in it being submitted to Parliament for consideration on the eve of the summit. Also read | Japan's Fukuoka district court says ban on same-sex marriage ‘in a state of unconstitutionality’ Despite some lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party deviating from party directives and either abstaining or leaving during the voting, the bill was ultimately approved by the more influential lower house on Tuesday. A watered-down bill The original draft of the bill stated that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity should be "not tolerated," but it was modified to "there should be no unfair discrimination." Critics argue that this change in wording implicitly allows for discrimination and bigotry. "Although the original bill was not particularly significant, I believed it was better than nothing," said Takeharu Kato, a lawyer and member of the activist group "Marriage for all Japan," prior to the bill's passage. "But now I've started to think that having nothing at all might be better." Same-sex marriage and Japan Japan has faced pressure from other G7 nations, particularly the United States, to legalise same-sex marriage. Economic leaders have expressed concerns that Japan's international competitiveness could be hindered without greater diversity, including representation for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Public opinion on same-sex marriages Public opinion polls indicate that approximately 70 per cent of the Japanese public supports same-sex marriage. However, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's conservative ruling party opposes it. In February, Kishida dismissed an aide who made offensive remarks against same-sex marriage, generating widespread outrage. Also read | Japan court 'rescues' nation's LGBT community from 'hurt', says ban on same-sex marriage 'unconstitutional' While more than 300 municipalities in Japan allow same-sex couples to enter partnership agreements, these agreements offer limited rights. Couples are unable to inherit each other's assets, obtain parental rights to each other's children, or even guarantee hospital visitation rights. Marriages and Japan Japan remains the only country among the Group of Seven nations that lacks legal protection for same-sex unions. The Japanese constitution defines marriage as something based on "the mutual consent of both sexes". In recent months, Japan saw five separate court rulings on same-sex marriages. The most recent one made last month ruled that the non-recognition of same-sex marriage was "in a state of unconstitutionality". (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.

Japan parliament passes watered-down LGBT understanding bill that allegedly gives way to bigotry

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on Friday that the nation has successfully retrieved a portion of a rocket used in North Korea's recent failed attempt to launch a military satellite. The recovered debris was obtained on Thursday evening, and efforts are ongoing to locate additional objects from what North Korea claimed was a space launch vehicle.

<h2>North Korean satellite launch</h2>

As per Reuters, North Korea made an unsuccessful endeavour to launch its first spy satellite on May 31. The failed attempt resulted in the rocket's booster and payload plunging into the sea.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-creates-fake-naver-phishing-site-to-steal-south-koreans-personal-data-says-seoul-spy-agency-604458">North Korea creates fake phishing site to steal South Koreans' personal data, says spy agency</a>

<h2>Why is Seoul&nbsp;recovering debris of&nbsp;N.&nbsp;Korean satellite?</h2>

The salvage operation was initiated with the intention of examining the new rocket.

South Korea had already discovered debris off its western coast shortly after the launch.&nbsp;Photographs released by the South Korean military displayed a large cylindrical object labelled "Chonma" in Korean, meaning a winged horse. North Korea had referred to the rocket as "Chollima-1."

In an official statement, the military declared that "the salvaged object will be thoroughly analysed by expert organisations, including the Agency for Defense Development."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launched-unidentified-ballistic-missile-says-south-korea-amid-live-fire-drills-with-us-604800">North Korea launched two missiles, says Japan, South Korea amid Seoul's live-fire drills with Washington</a>

South Korea's Defense Minister, Lee Jong-sup, as per Reuters, indicated that the retrieved debris seemed to belong to the rocket's second stage, and efforts to locate the payload and third stage would continue.

<h2>The launch and other nations</h2>

On Monday, South Korea revealed that Chinese warships had also conducted a salvage operation in the waters where the North Korean rocket had crashed. However, Reuters reports that it remains uncertain whether the Chinese military is still engaged in the search.

Both Seoul and Washington have denounced the launch as a provocative act and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Korea from employing ballistic missile technology.&nbsp;

Pyongyang, however, claimed its right to space development as a response to perceived US "aggression" and expressed intentions to conduct another launch in the near future.

In response to North Korea's firing of two short-range missiles off its east coast and the regime's warning of an "inevitable" response to military exercises conducted by South Korean and US troops, a US submarine arrived in South Korea on Friday. This is also seen as a demonstration of strength.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on Friday that the nation has successfully retrieved a portion of a rocket used in North Korea's recent failed attempt to launch a military satellite.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on Friday that the nation has successfully retrieved a portion of a rocket used in North Korea's recent failed attempt to launch a military satellite. The recovered debris was obtained on Thursday evening, and efforts are ongoing to locate additional objects from what North Korea claimed was a space launch vehicle. North Korean satellite launch As per Reuters, North Korea made an unsuccessful endeavour to launch its first spy satellite on May 31. The failed attempt resulted in the rocket's booster and payload plunging into the sea. Also read | North Korea creates fake phishing site to steal South Koreans' personal data, says spy agency Why is Seoul recovering debris of N. Korean satellite? The salvage operation was initiated with the intention of examining the new rocket. South Korea had already discovered debris off its western coast shortly after the launch. Photographs released by the South Korean military displayed a large cylindrical object labelled "Chonma" in Korean, meaning a winged horse. North Korea had referred to the rocket as "Chollima-1." In an official statement, the military declared that "the salvaged object will be thoroughly analysed by expert organisations, including the Agency for Defense Development." Also read | North Korea launched two missiles, says Japan, South Korea amid Seoul's live-fire drills with Washington South Korea's Defense Minister, Lee Jong-sup, as per Reuters, indicated that the retrieved debris seemed to belong to the rocket's second stage, and efforts to locate the payload and third stage would continue. The launch and other nations On Monday, South Korea revealed that Chinese warships had also conducted a salvage operation in the waters where the North Korean rocket had crashed. However, Reuters reports that it remains uncertain whether the Chinese military is still engaged in the search. Both Seoul and Washington have denounced the launch as a provocative act and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Korea from employing ballistic missile technology. Pyongyang, however, claimed its right to space development as a response to perceived US "aggression" and expressed intentions to conduct another launch in the near future. In response to North Korea's firing of two short-range missiles off its east coast and the regime's warning of an "inevitable" response to military exercises conducted by South Korean and US troops, a US submarine arrived in South Korea on Friday. This is also seen as a demonstration of strength. (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.

South Korea salvages North Korea spy satellite rocket debris; to examine parts

In a significant and groundbreaking development, Japan, a country that previously had one of the lowest ages of consent globally, has decided to increase the minimum age at which one can say yes to sexual relations. The pivotal move has raised Japan's age of consent from the previous 13 years old to 16 years old.

The new bill, as per the news agency AFP, also encompassed additional measures, such as clarifying the requirements for prosecuting rape cases and criminalising voyeurism. The bill which cleared Japan's lower house last month,&nbsp;successfully cleared the parliament's upper house by a unanimous vote&nbsp;on Friday.

This change marks a significant step towards strengthening legal protections for individuals, particularly minors, in matters concerning sexual relationships and crimes.

Here's all you need to know.

<h2>What does it mean by&nbsp;age of consent?</h2>

The age of consent is the minimum age at which sexual activity is legally permitted and below which it is considered statutory rape.

It varies in different countries. In Britain, the age of consent is set at 16 years old. In France, it is 15 years old. Germany and China have set the&nbsp;age of consent at 14 years old.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-alters-its-definition-of-rape-after-passing-landmark-bill-in-parliament-605128">Japan alters definition of rape after passing landmark bill in parliament</a>

<h2>When was Japan's age of consent last changed?</h2>

As per AFP, Japan's age of consent has remained unchanged for over a century. Thirteen years was set as the age of consent in the year 1907, and it meant that teenagers aged 13 or above were considered capable of consenting to sexual relations.

However, in many parts of Japan, regional ordinances have been implemented to ban "lewd" acts with minors.&nbsp;

These ordinances are sometimes perceived as effectively raising the age of consent to 18 years old, even though the national age of consent is officially lower.&nbsp;

<h2>Japan's new definition of rape</h2>

Japan's new law&nbsp;has broadened the&nbsp;definition of rape&nbsp;to "non-consensual sexual intercourse" from "forcible sexual intercourse".

The bill passed on Friday explicitly lists eight scenarios in which it may be challenging for a victim to refuse or express their lack of consent to engage in sexual intercourse. It&nbsp;also includes a list of circumstances under which rape prosecutions can be pursued. These include cases where victims were under the influence of alcohol or drugs, cases where victims were frightened, and instances where perpetrators took advantage of their social status.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-parliament-passes-watered-down-lgbt-understanding-bill-that-gives-way-to-bigotry-605038">Japan parliament passes watered-down LGBT understanding bill that allegedly gives way to bigotry</a>

With these clarifications, authorities have attempted to ensure more consistent court verdicts in rape cases. The clarifications are not "meant to make it easier or harder" to secure rape convictions, but "will hopefully make court verdicts more consistent," a justice ministry official told AFP.

<h2>Key provisions in the new law</h2>

Under Japan's new law, teenage couples who are no more than five years apart in age will be exempt from prosecution if both partners are over the age of 13. This provision aims to provide clarity and legal protections for consensual relationships between teenagers who are close in age.

According to the justice ministry, the bill also introduces a new offence called "visitation request offence". This offence targets individuals who use intimidation, seduction, or money to coerce children under the age of 16 into meeting for sexual purposes. Violators of this offence will face a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine of 500,000 yen ($3,500).

<h2>Japan and rape cases before the new law</h2>

Previously, prosecutors were required to prove that victims were incapacitated due to violence and intimidation. This, the critics argued, unfairly shifted blame onto victims for not resisting enough.

In 2017, Japan made its first major revision to its criminal code on sexual offences in over a century. However, many campaigners argued that the reforms were inadequate.&nbsp;

According to a paper published by Oxford University Bar Society in the digital publishing platform Issuu, the 2017 Penal Code in Japan made some changes&nbsp;to the provisions of the previous 1907 law. Notably, it eliminated the limitation that only women can be recognised as victims of rape, thus broadening the scope of potential victims.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/colombian-police-officer-sparks-meme-fest-after-swallowing-money-he-had-extorted-watch-viral-video-here-605092">Colombian police officer sparks meme fest after swallowing money he had extorted. Watch viral video here!</a>

However, another significant change in the law was the alteration of the name of the crime from "rape" to "crime of forcible sexual intercourse." The report suggests that this change in terminology could weaken the social understanding and perception of the crime. The power of naming is significant, as the term "rape" inherently carries a strong connotation of abuse, indicating a violation beyond mere physical violence.&nbsp;

"Rape labels an action that of abuse, rather than merely violence," it says.

<h2>Which countries have the lowest age of consent?</h2>

As per Wise Voter, Nigeria tops the list with the age of consent being only 11 years old. However, it must be noted that many regions within Nigeria have their own regional laws that set the age of consent higher.

In the Philippines and Angola, the age of consent is one year higher at 12 years old. The Philippines, however, has laws that criminalise specific acts with children under 18 years old, such as child exploitation and child trafficking.

Similar to Japan's previous age of consent, Burkina Faso, Niger and the East African island nation of Comoros prescribe that children above 13 years of age can consent to sexual relations.

China, Paraguay, Peru and Portugal have 14 years as the age of consent. While certain countries, such as Nigeria and those previously mentioned, have set the age at which individuals can legally consent to sexual activities at very low levels, there are several nations&nbsp;where the age of consent is much higher. These include Bahrain (21 years) and&nbsp;South Korea (20 years). 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a significant and groundbreaking development, Japan, a country that previously had one of the lowest ages of consent globally, has decided to increase the minimum age at which one can say yes to sexual relations.

In a significant and groundbreaking development, Japan, a country that previously had one of the lowest ages of consent globally, has decided to increase the minimum age at which one can say yes to sexual relations. The pivotal move has raised Japan's age of consent from the previous 13 years old to 16 years old. The new bill, as per the news agency AFP, also encompassed additional measures, such as clarifying the requirements for prosecuting rape cases and criminalising voyeurism. The bill which cleared Japan's lower house last month, successfully cleared the parliament's upper house by a unanimous vote on Friday. This change marks a significant step towards strengthening legal protections for individuals, particularly minors, in matters concerning sexual relationships and crimes. Here's all you need to know. What does it mean by age of consent? The age of consent is the minimum age at which sexual activity is legally permitted and below which it is considered statutory rape. It varies in different countries. In Britain, the age of consent is set at 16 years old. In France, it is 15 years old. Germany and China have set the age of consent at 14 years old. Also read | Japan alters definition of rape after passing landmark bill in parliament When was Japan's age of consent last changed? As per AFP, Japan's age of consent has remained unchanged for over a century. Thirteen years was set as the age of consent in the year 1907, and it meant that teenagers aged 13 or above were considered capable of consenting to sexual relations. However, in many parts of Japan, regional ordinances have been implemented to ban "lewd" acts with minors. These ordinances are sometimes perceived as effectively raising the age of consent to 18 years old, even though the national age of consent is officially lower. Japan's new definition of rape Japan's new law has broadened the definition of rape to "non-consensual sexual intercourse" from "forcible sexual intercourse". The bill passed on Friday explicitly lists eight scenarios in which it may be challenging for a victim to refuse or express their lack of consent to engage in sexual intercourse. It also includes a list of circumstances under which rape prosecutions can be pursued. These include cases where victims were under the influence of alcohol or drugs, cases where victims were frightened, and instances where perpetrators took advantage of their social status. Also read | Japan parliament passes watered-down LGBT understanding bill that allegedly gives way to bigotry With these clarifications, authorities have attempted to ensure more consistent court verdicts in rape cases. The clarifications are not "meant to make it easier or harder" to secure rape convictions, but "will hopefully make court verdicts more consistent," a justice ministry official told AFP. Key provisions in the new law Under Japan's new law, teenage couples who are no more than five years apart in age will be exempt from prosecution if both partners are over the age of 13. This provision aims to provide clarity and legal protections for consensual relationships between teenagers who are close in age. According to the justice ministry, the bill also introduces a new offence called "visitation request offence". This offence targets individuals who use intimidation, seduction, or money to coerce children under the age of 16 into meeting for sexual purposes. Violators of this offence will face a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine of 500,000 yen ($3,500). Japan and rape cases before the new law Previously, prosecutors were required to prove that victims were incapacitated due to violence and intimidation. This, the critics argued, unfairly shifted blame onto victims for not resisting enough. In 2017, Japan made its first major revision to its criminal code on sexual offences in over a century. However, many campaigners argued that the reforms were inadequate. According to a paper published by Oxford University Bar Society in the digital publishing platform Issuu, the 2017 Penal Code in Japan made some changes to the provisions of the previous 1907 law. Notably, it eliminated the limitation that only women can be recognised as victims of rape, thus broadening the scope of potential victims. Also read | Colombian police officer sparks meme fest after swallowing money he had extorted. Watch viral video here! However, another significant change in the law was the alteration of the name of the crime from "rape" to "crime of forcible sexual intercourse." The report suggests that this change in terminology could weaken the social understanding and perception of the crime. The power of naming is significant, as the term "rape" inherently carries a strong connotation of abuse, indicating a violation beyond mere physical violence. "Rape labels an action that of abuse, rather than merely violence," it says. Which countries have the lowest age of consent? As per Wise Voter, Nigeria tops the list with the age of consent being only 11 years old. However, it must be noted that many regions within Nigeria have their own regional laws that set the age of consent higher. In the Philippines and Angola, the age of consent is one year higher at 12 years old. The Philippines, however, has laws that criminalise specific acts with children under 18 years old, such as child exploitation and child trafficking. Similar to Japan's previous age of consent, Burkina Faso, Niger and the East African island nation of Comoros prescribe that children above 13 years of age can consent to sexual relations. China, Paraguay, Peru and Portugal have 14 years as the age of consent. While certain countries, such as Nigeria and those previously mentioned, have set the age at which individuals can legally consent to sexual activities at very low levels, there are several nations where the age of consent is much higher. These include Bahrain (21 years) and South Korea (20 years). (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.

Explained: Japan's historic move redefines rape and raises age of consent

Australia's Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP) was introduced in 2012 with the aim of attracting wealthy business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs to boost the economy by bringing in capital and driving innovation. However, a government review conducted in March revealed that BIIP migrants contributed less to the economy compared to the average Australian. This was due to the cohort's older age and lower incomes from passive investments.

The government has put its "Golden Visa" programme on the back burner. With this, processing times have come to blow out, leaving wealthy Chinese migrants in limbo.

<h2>How long have these wealthy Chinese been waiting</h2>

Paul Wang has been waiting for 21 months. He left Beijing in 2018, to start a new life in Australia. As per Reuters, he even invested A$1 million ($680,000) in a food processing business in hopes of qualifying for a permanent Australian residency under the investment visa scheme.

Five years on, Wang and his family are stuck in limbo.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-set-to-witness-6500-high-net-worth-individuals-leave-the-country-in-2023-report-604078" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-set-to-witness-6500-high-net-worth-individuals-leave-the-country-in-2023-report-604078&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwio-dSb6cb_AhWFVmwGHSlECGEQFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2n0_IoBP0WAe48ckiVapNt" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-set-to-witness-6500-high-net-worth-individuals-leave-the-country-in-2023-report-604078" target="_blank">Over 6,500 high net worth individuals to leave India in 2023: Report&nbsp;</a>

<h2>What changed?</h2>

While it was hoped that the BIIP programme will boost the economy, the March government review revealed that BIIP holders were estimated to contribute A$600,000 over their lifetime, which is less than half of the $1.6 million contributed by Australians.

Since taking office 13 months ago, Australia's Labor government has shifted its focus to addressing shortages of critical skilled workers, leading to longer processing times for most BIIP permanent visas. Previously, the average processing time was around 12 months, but it has now increased to nearly three years, in addition to the four to five-year investment cycle.&nbsp;

"We were not expecting it would take this long," said Wang as reported by Reuters.&nbsp;

"And our life is a mess because of that. We simply cannot plan ahead with all of the uncertainty."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-third-of-domestic-workers-in-malaysia-working-in-forced-labour-conditions-604977">A third of domestic workers in Malaysia working in forced labour conditions</a>

<h2>Visa delays</h2>

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all categories of Australian visas experienced backlogs.

While the government has reduced overall processing times as the pandemic situation improved, the wait for over 3,000 BIIP holders and their families, many of whom are Chinese, has only grown longer.

In an email statement to Reuters, the Department of Home Affairs addressed visa delays and stated that visas would be processed according to priority and planning levels but did not comment on the complaints from BIIP holders.&nbsp;

The department reportedly also mentioned that a new migration strategy would be released later this year, which would include "radically reshaping" the BIIP programme.

<h2>Future of Australia’s BIIP Programme</h2>

The delays have raised concerns that the government may eliminate the BIIP programme.

Similar investment visa programmes have already been discontinued in Canada, Britain, and Singapore, as governments concluded that they did not create jobs and could potentially be used for speculative purposes.

The government plans to reduce the number of BIIP visas from 5,000 in the previous financial year to 1,900 this year, which is less than 20 per cent of previous years' levels.

Tony Le Nevez, managing director at residence and citizenship planners Henley &amp; Partners Australia, believes that the investor programme is not currently a priority for the government and may be overhauled in the future.&nbsp;

"I just don't think the investor programme is on their radar at the moment - they might overhaul it down the track. In the meantime, I think they might just keep a small window open."

Wang acknowledged that many people may not sympathise with their situation, but stressed that he believes that the small group of BIIP holders is not being treated fairly.

"I know a lot of people won't sympathise with us - we're a small group of people...But we're not being treated fairly."

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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Australia's Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP) was introduced in 2012 with the aim of attracting wealthy business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs to boost the economy by bringing in capital and driving innovation.

Australia's Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP) was introduced in 2012 with the aim of attracting wealthy business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs to boost the economy by bringing in capital and driving innovation. However, a government review conducted in March revealed that BIIP migrants contributed less to the economy compared to the average Australian. This was due to the cohort's older age and lower incomes from passive investments. The government has put its "Golden Visa" programme on the back burner. With this, processing times have come to blow out, leaving wealthy Chinese migrants in limbo. How long have these wealthy Chinese been waiting Paul Wang has been waiting for 21 months. He left Beijing in 2018, to start a new life in Australia. As per Reuters, he even invested A$1 million ($680,000) in a food processing business in hopes of qualifying for a permanent Australian residency under the investment visa scheme. Five years on, Wang and his family are stuck in limbo. Also read | Over 6,500 high net worth individuals to leave India in 2023: Report What changed? While it was hoped that the BIIP programme will boost the economy, the March government review revealed that BIIP holders were estimated to contribute A$600,000 over their lifetime, which is less than half of the $1.6 million contributed by Australians. Since taking office 13 months ago, Australia's Labor government has shifted its focus to addressing shortages of critical skilled workers, leading to longer processing times for most BIIP permanent visas. Previously, the average processing time was around 12 months, but it has now increased to nearly three years, in addition to the four to five-year investment cycle. "We were not expecting it would take this long," said Wang as reported by Reuters. "And our life is a mess because of that. We simply cannot plan ahead with all of the uncertainty." Also read | A third of domestic workers in Malaysia working in forced labour conditions Visa delays During the COVID-19 pandemic, all categories of Australian visas experienced backlogs. While the government has reduced overall processing times as the pandemic situation improved, the wait for over 3,000 BIIP holders and their families, many of whom are Chinese, has only grown longer. In an email statement to Reuters, the Department of Home Affairs addressed visa delays and stated that visas would be processed according to priority and planning levels but did not comment on the complaints from BIIP holders. The department reportedly also mentioned that a new migration strategy would be released later this year, which would include "radically reshaping" the BIIP programme. Future of Australia’s BIIP Programme The delays have raised concerns that the government may eliminate the BIIP programme. Similar investment visa programmes have already been discontinued in Canada, Britain, and Singapore, as governments concluded that they did not create jobs and could potentially be used for speculative purposes. The government plans to reduce the number of BIIP visas from 5,000 in the previous financial year to 1,900 this year, which is less than 20 per cent of previous years' levels. Tony Le Nevez, managing director at residence and citizenship planners Henley & Partners Australia, believes that the investor programme is not currently a priority for the government and may be overhauled in the future. "I just don't think the investor programme is on their radar at the moment - they might overhaul it down the track. In the meantime, I think they might just keep a small window open." Wang acknowledged that many people may not sympathise with their situation, but stressed that he believes that the small group of BIIP holders is not being treated fairly. "I know a lot of people won't sympathise with us - we're a small group of people...But we're not being treated fairly." (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.

Wealthy Chinese stuck in limbo as Australia rethinks its 'Golden Visa' scheme

The year is 2023, on social media and in most narratives, we have gender disparity, that men and women are equals. However, as per a UN report released on Monday, progress in gender equality has remained stagnant for the past decade.

What's more, a disturbingly huge chunk of the world population — one in four people or 25 per cent of people — think it is justified for a man to beat his wife.

<h2>Some other findings of the United Nations report</h2>

The latest Gender Social Norms Index released by the United Nations has uncovered some startling findings. The&nbsp;index, which relies on data obtained from the World Values Survey (WVS), an international research programme,&nbsp;evaluated data from countries and territories that account for roughly 85 per cent of the world's population.

Data&nbsp;collected between 2010-2014 and 2017-2022 revealed that&nbsp;"biased gender social norms are still prevalent" among both men and women. Almost 90 per cent of people have at least one gender bias.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/44-year-old-british-woman-sentenced-to-14-months-in-prison-for-late-lockdown-abortion-603866">44-year-old British woman sentenced to 14 months in prison for late lockdown abortion</a>

As per the report, 69 per cent of the world population still believes that compared to women, men make better political leaders. Only 29 per cent believe that it is essential for men and women to have the same rights in a democracy.

A whopping 46 per cent of the people believe that "men should have more rights to a job than women". Around 43 per cent think that men make better business executives than women do.

If we talk about education, 28 per cent of the people said that a university education is more important for men.&nbsp;

Twenty-five per cent of the world population thinks men can beat their wives. 58 per cent deny women their physical integrity and say that they cannot opt for abortion&nbsp;in any case&nbsp;and that it is never "justifiable".

<h2>Is it just the men that contain these biases?</h2>

AFP reports that, as per the UN, these prejudices "are widespread among men and women, suggesting that these biases are deeply embedded and influence both men and women to similar degrees".

<h2>What do these biases do?</h2>

These biases or prejudices create "hurdles" for women. These then go on to dismantle "women's rights in many parts of the world with movements against gender equality gaining traction and, in some countries, a surge of human rights violations".

But it is&nbsp;just women who lose out? The report poses several questions.

"What are we missing out on as societies because we have so few women leaders? Would the world look different if we had gender parity in leadership? Could equal participation of women in key decision-making&nbsp;areas better equip us to deal with challenges such as pandemics, climate change and conflict? What do we stand to lose if we continue to exclude women in decision-making?"

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/harvard-study-finds-implicit-racial-bias-highest-among-white-people-595611">Harvard study finds implicit racial bias highest among white people</a>

As per Pedro Conceicao, director of the UNDP's Human Development Report Office, "Social norms that impair women's rights are also detrimental to society more broadly, dampening the expansion of human development."

"Everyone stands to gain from ensuring freedom and agency for women," said Conceicao, as reported by news agency AFP.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The year is 2023, on social media and in most narratives, we have gender disparity, that men and women are equals. However, as per a UN report released on Monday, progress in gender equality has remained stagnant for the past decade.

The year is 2023, on social media and in most narratives, we have gender disparity, that men and women are equals. However, as per a UN report released on Monday, progress in gender equality has remained stagnant for the past decade. What's more, a disturbingly huge chunk of the world population — one in four people or 25 per cent of people — think it is justified for a man to beat his wife. Some other findings of the United Nations report The latest Gender Social Norms Index released by the United Nations has uncovered some startling findings. The index, which relies on data obtained from the World Values Survey (WVS), an international research programme, evaluated data from countries and territories that account for roughly 85 per cent of the world's population. Data collected between 2010-2014 and 2017-2022 revealed that "biased gender social norms are still prevalent" among both men and women. Almost 90 per cent of people have at least one gender bias. Also read | 44-year-old British woman sentenced to 14 months in prison for late lockdown abortion As per the report, 69 per cent of the world population still believes that compared to women, men make better political leaders. Only 29 per cent believe that it is essential for men and women to have the same rights in a democracy. A whopping 46 per cent of the people believe that "men should have more rights to a job than women". Around 43 per cent think that men make better business executives than women do. If we talk about education, 28 per cent of the people said that a university education is more important for men. Twenty-five per cent of the world population thinks men can beat their wives. 58 per cent deny women their physical integrity and say that they cannot opt for abortion in any case and that it is never "justifiable". Is it just the men that contain these biases? AFP reports that, as per the UN, these prejudices "are widespread among men and women, suggesting that these biases are deeply embedded and influence both men and women to similar degrees". What do these biases do? These biases or prejudices create "hurdles" for women. These then go on to dismantle "women's rights in many parts of the world with movements against gender equality gaining traction and, in some countries, a surge of human rights violations". But it is just women who lose out? The report poses several questions. "What are we missing out on as societies because we have so few women leaders? Would the world look different if we had gender parity in leadership? Could equal participation of women in key decision-making areas better equip us to deal with challenges such as pandemics, climate change and conflict? What do we stand to lose if we continue to exclude women in decision-making?" Also read | Harvard study finds implicit racial bias highest among white people As per Pedro Conceicao, director of the UNDP's Human Development Report Office, "Social norms that impair women's rights are also detrimental to society more broadly, dampening the expansion of human development." "Everyone stands to gain from ensuring freedom and agency for women," said Conceicao, as reported by news agency AFP. (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.

UN survey makes shocking revelation: 25% people think husband beating wife is justified

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit Manilla, Philippines this morning. The&nbsp;earthquake was felt at 10:19 am local time (2:19 am GMT).&nbsp;The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned that damage and aftershocks are expected. In other news, Elon Musk's popular social media platform Twitter has been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit. 17 music publishers, including&nbsp;Sony Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, and Universal Music Publishing Group, have accused Twitter of completely refusing to license the millions of songs available on its service. Meanwhile, with a 0.1 per cent dip in GDP, New Zealand has slipped into recession. Finally, Microsoft's co-founder is in China. During his visit, he is expected to meet&nbsp;Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Click on the headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-hit-by-major-earthquake-tremors-felt-in-manila-and-nearby-provinces-604589">Philippines hit by major earthquake, tremors felt in Manila and nearby provinces</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/15/359596-untitled-design-2023-06-15t084128871.png?imwidth=1920" />

Philippines was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 6.5 on Thursday,&nbsp;the German Research Centre for Geosciences said. The epicenter is reported to be at Mindoro island about 160 km south of the capital Manila.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/music-publishers-sue-musks-twitter-for-copyright-infringement-and-fueling-its-business-with-stolen-content-604602">Music publishers sue Musk's Twitter for copyright infringement, and 'fueling its business' with stolen content</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/15/359605-new-wion-22.png?imwidth=1920" />A group of music publishers have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's Twitter. The case filed in a federal court in Nashville, Tennessee, accuses the social media giant of fueling its business with numerous copyright music infringements.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-slips-into-recession-as-gdp-fell-01-per-cent-in-the-march-quarter-604574">New Zealand slips into recession as GDP falls 0.1 per cent in March quarter</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/15/359585-960x0-2.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

New Zealand’s economy slipped into recession on Thursday with first quarter Gross Domestic Product falling 0.1 per cent. This follows a revised 0.7 per cent drop in GDP in the fourth quarter of 2022, technically pushing the country into recession following two consecutive quarters of contraction.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bill-gates-to-meet-with-chinese-president-xi-jinping-on-friday-604572">Bill Gates to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/15/359584-1200x800.jpg?imwidth=1920" />Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates on Wednesday arrived in China first time since 2019 and is expected to have a one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting could take place on Friday, and the agenda of the meeting is still unknown.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Great Wall of Doubt: China's Real Estate sector on shaky ground

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A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit Manilla, Philippines this morning. The earthquake was felt at 10:19 am local time (2:19 am GMT). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned that damage and aftershocks are expected.

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit Manilla, Philippines this morning. The earthquake was felt at 10:19 am local time (2:19 am GMT). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned that damage and aftershocks are expected. In other news, Elon Musk's popular social media platform Twitter has been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit. 17 music publishers, including Sony Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, and Universal Music Publishing Group, have accused Twitter of completely refusing to license the millions of songs available on its service. Meanwhile, with a 0.1 per cent dip in GDP, New Zealand has slipped into recession. Finally, Microsoft's co-founder is in China. During his visit, he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Click on the headlines to read more Philippines hit by major earthquake, tremors felt in Manila and nearby provinces Philippines was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 6.5 on Thursday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences said. The epicenter is reported to be at Mindoro island about 160 km south of the capital Manila. Music publishers sue Musk's Twitter for copyright infringement, and 'fueling its business' with stolen content A group of music publishers have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's Twitter. The case filed in a federal court in Nashville, Tennessee, accuses the social media giant of fueling its business with numerous copyright music infringements. New Zealand slips into recession as GDP falls 0.1 per cent in March quarter New Zealand’s economy slipped into recession on Thursday with first quarter Gross Domestic Product falling 0.1 per cent. This follows a revised 0.7 per cent drop in GDP in the fourth quarter of 2022, technically pushing the country into recession following two consecutive quarters of contraction. Bill Gates to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates on Wednesday arrived in China first time since 2019 and is expected to have a one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting could take place on Friday, and the agenda of the meeting is still unknown. Watch | Great Wall of Doubt: China's Real Estate sector on shaky ground

Morning news brief: New Zealand in recession, Twitter hit with copyright lawsuit, and more

A group of music publishers have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's Twitter. The case filed in a federal court in Nashville, Tennessee, accuses the social media giant of fueling its business with numerous copyright music infringements.

<h2>The lawsuit against Twitter</h2>

Seventeen publishers, including Sony Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, and Universal Music Publishing Group, have accused Twitter of facilitating numerous copyright violations by allowing users to post music without obtaining the necessary licenses.

As per an AFP report quoting&nbsp;National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) CEO David Israelite, Twitter is the only major social media platform that has completely refused to license the millions of songs available on its service. He claims that Twitter is well aware that music is leaked, released, and streamed by billions of people daily on its platform.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-requests-musk-to-set-up-tesla-factory-in-country-weeks-after-threatening-twitter-with-ban-604542">France requests Musk to set up Tesla factory in country weeks after threatening Twitter with ban</a>

"Twitter stands alone as the largest social media platform that has completely refused to license the millions of songs on its service," said Israelite in reply to AFP.

"Twitter knows full-well that music is leaked, launched, and streamed by billions of people every day on its platform."

<h2>What do the complainants want?</h2>

As per a Reuters report, the publishers are seeking more than $250 million in damages for the alleged infringement of almost 1,700 copyrights.

The lawsuit claims that Twitter's handling of copyright complaints has not improved since Elon Musk's acquisition of the company in late 2022 for $44 billion.&nbsp;

It further argues that Twitter's internal affairs related to this issue are in "disarray".

"On the contrary, Twitter's internal affairs regarding matters pertinent to this case are in disarray," argues the lawsuit.

<h2>Music infringement and other platforms</h2>

In contrast to Twitter, other major platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube properly license music from the publishers.&nbsp;

The publishers argue that Twitter actively encourages user infringement, which in turn boosts engagement and advertising revenues for the platform, giving it an unfair advantage over competitors who pay for music licenses.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-want-new-law-to-guard-tiktok-user-data-604492">US: Lawmakers want new law to guard TikTok user data</a>

"Twitter refuses to stop the rampant infringement of copyrighted music... because it knows that the Twitter platform is more popular and profitable if Twitter allows such infringement."

Allowing unlicensed music to be used in Twitter posts gives the platform an edge over competitors such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube that pay fees to music publishers, speculates the lawsuit.

"Twitter fuels its business with countless infringing copies of musical compositions," alleges the suit.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A group of music publishers have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's Twitter. The case filed in a federal court in Nashville, Tennessee, accuses the social media giant of fueling its business with numerous copyright music infringements.

A group of music publishers have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's Twitter. The case filed in a federal court in Nashville, Tennessee, accuses the social media giant of fueling its business with numerous copyright music infringements. The lawsuit against Twitter Seventeen publishers, including Sony Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, and Universal Music Publishing Group, have accused Twitter of facilitating numerous copyright violations by allowing users to post music without obtaining the necessary licenses. As per an AFP report quoting National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) CEO David Israelite, Twitter is the only major social media platform that has completely refused to license the millions of songs available on its service. He claims that Twitter is well aware that music is leaked, released, and streamed by billions of people daily on its platform. Also read | France requests Musk to set up Tesla factory in country weeks after threatening Twitter with ban "Twitter stands alone as the largest social media platform that has completely refused to license the millions of songs on its service," said Israelite in reply to AFP. "Twitter knows full-well that music is leaked, launched, and streamed by billions of people every day on its platform." What do the complainants want? As per a Reuters report, the publishers are seeking more than $250 million in damages for the alleged infringement of almost 1,700 copyrights. The lawsuit claims that Twitter's handling of copyright complaints has not improved since Elon Musk's acquisition of the company in late 2022 for $44 billion. It further argues that Twitter's internal affairs related to this issue are in "disarray". "On the contrary, Twitter's internal affairs regarding matters pertinent to this case are in disarray," argues the lawsuit. Music infringement and other platforms In contrast to Twitter, other major platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube properly license music from the publishers. The publishers argue that Twitter actively encourages user infringement, which in turn boosts engagement and advertising revenues for the platform, giving it an unfair advantage over competitors who pay for music licenses. Also read | US: Lawmakers want new law to guard TikTok user data "Twitter refuses to stop the rampant infringement of copyrighted music... because it knows that the Twitter platform is more popular and profitable if Twitter allows such infringement." Allowing unlicensed music to be used in Twitter posts gives the platform an edge over competitors such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube that pay fees to music publishers, speculates the lawsuit. "Twitter fuels its business with countless infringing copies of musical compositions," alleges the suit. (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.

Music publishers sue Musk's Twitter for copyright infringement, and 'fueling its business' with stolen content

Results from a recent survey on same-sex contradict the claims made by the Bar Council of India (BCI). The survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 53 per cent of adult Indians are in favour of legalising same-sex marriage. The results for India challenge the claim made by the Bar Council of India (BCI) that "more than 99.9 per cent of people in the country are opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage".

<h2>India supports same-sex marriage</h2>

Of the 53 per cent in support of same-sex marriage, 28 per cent expressed strong support, while 25 per cent showed moderate support for the idea.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/he-said-she-said-outlandish-arguments-groundbreaking-statements-from-indias-same-sex-marriage-hearing-586946">'He said, she said': Outlandish arguments, groundbreaking statements from India's same-sex marriage hearing</a>

On the other hand, 43 per cent of Indian adults said they 'totally oppose' same-sex marriages, with 31&nbsp;per cent strongly opposing and 12 per cent moderately opposing such unions.

<h2>The Pew Research Center survey&nbsp;</h2>

Pew Research Center's latest survey was conducted in 24 countries across the world. The survey conducted between February 20 and May 22 evaluated how people across the globe viewed same-sex marriage.

It came up with results that&nbsp;can be seen as encouraging for same-sex couples and their advocates in India.

<h2>India and same-sex marriages</h2>

Currently, the issue of the legalisation of same-sex marriages is being deliberated in the Indian Supreme Court; a five-judge bench is hearing the case.&nbsp;However, the Union government has voiced opposition to the legalisation of same-sex marriages, citing cultural and traditional norms.&nbsp;

While homosexuality is legal in India, marriage between two individuals of the same sex is still considered illegal.

As per the Wire, the survey results for India challenge the claim made by the Bar Council of India (BCI) that "more than 99.9 per cent of people in the country are opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/child-rights-activist-says-same-sex-marriage-denies-kids-one-parents-love-585347">Indian child rights activist claims same-sex marriage denies kids one parent's love</a>

Reportedly, the BCI had based its claim on its own survey but had not released any detailed methodology, sample size, or other data points.&nbsp;

The BCI even passed a resolution opposing the legalisation of same-sex marriage and called on the Supreme Court to refrain from adjudicating on the issue, stating that it should be left to the legislative process.

<h2>Global opinion on same-sex marriage</h2>

Globally, the survey revealed that support for legalising same-sex marriage is highest in Sweden, with 92 per cent of adults in favour, and lowest in Nigeria, with only two&nbsp;per cent supporting it.&nbsp;

The survey also examined attitudes across various demographic factors such as age, gender, political ideology, and religious beliefs.

In Western Europe, a strong majority of adults in countries such as Sweden (92 per cent), the Netherlands (89 per cent), Spain (87 per cent), France (82 per cent), and Germany (80 per cent) support same-sex marriage. These countries have already legalised such unions.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<img alt="A map and bar chart that shows same-sex marriage attitudes and legality across 24 countries." src="https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SR_2023.06.14_LGBTQ.global_2.png?w=640" />

Acceptance of same-sex marriage around the world. Image courtesy: Pew Research Centre.

However, in Poland, only 41 per cent of adults support same-sex marriages, while in Hungary, the figure is even lower at 31 per cent. Same-sex marriages are not legal in these countries, and LGBTQ+ rights activists often face state repression.

In North America, 79 per cent of Canadians support same-sex marriage, while the figures stand at 63 per cent in both the United States and Mexico. All three countries have legalised same-sex marriage. In South America, 67 per cent of Argentinians and 52 per cent of Brazilians are in favour. These countries have also legalised same-sex marriage.

In the Asia-Pacific region, approximately three-quarters of adults in Australia (75 per cent) and Japan (74 per cent) support legalising same-sex marriage. While Australia has already legalised it, Japan has yet to do so.&nbsp;

South Korea is currently debating the issue, and 40 per cent of South Koreans support legalising same-sex marriage, while 59 per cent oppose it. Indonesians showed strong opposition, with only five&nbsp;per cent supporting same-sex marriage.

The survey also found that in 12 countries, adults under 40 are more likely than older individuals to support same-sex marriage. Similarly, women in 14 countries expressed more support for legalising same-sex marriage compared to men. In 17 of the surveyed countries, individuals with higher levels of formal education were more likely to support allowing gays and lesbians to marry.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Results from a recent survey on same-sex contradict the claims made by the Bar Council of India (BCI). The survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 53 per cent of adult Indians are in favour of legalising same-sex marriage.

Results from a recent survey on same-sex contradict the claims made by the Bar Council of India (BCI). The survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 53 per cent of adult Indians are in favour of legalising same-sex marriage. The results for India challenge the claim made by the Bar Council of India (BCI) that "more than 99.9 per cent of people in the country are opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage". India supports same-sex marriage Of the 53 per cent in support of same-sex marriage, 28 per cent expressed strong support, while 25 per cent showed moderate support for the idea. Also read | 'He said, she said': Outlandish arguments, groundbreaking statements from India's same-sex marriage hearing On the other hand, 43 per cent of Indian adults said they 'totally oppose' same-sex marriages, with 31 per cent strongly opposing and 12 per cent moderately opposing such unions. The Pew Research Center survey Pew Research Center's latest survey was conducted in 24 countries across the world. The survey conducted between February 20 and May 22 evaluated how people across the globe viewed same-sex marriage. It came up with results that can be seen as encouraging for same-sex couples and their advocates in India. India and same-sex marriages Currently, the issue of the legalisation of same-sex marriages is being deliberated in the Indian Supreme Court; a five-judge bench is hearing the case. However, the Union government has voiced opposition to the legalisation of same-sex marriages, citing cultural and traditional norms. While homosexuality is legal in India, marriage between two individuals of the same sex is still considered illegal. As per the Wire, the survey results for India challenge the claim made by the Bar Council of India (BCI) that "more than 99.9 per cent of people in the country are opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage." Also read | Indian child rights activist claims same-sex marriage denies kids one parent's love Reportedly, the BCI had based its claim on its own survey but had not released any detailed methodology, sample size, or other data points. The BCI even passed a resolution opposing the legalisation of same-sex marriage and called on the Supreme Court to refrain from adjudicating on the issue, stating that it should be left to the legislative process. Global opinion on same-sex marriage Globally, the survey revealed that support for legalising same-sex marriage is highest in Sweden, with 92 per cent of adults in favour, and lowest in Nigeria, with only two per cent supporting it. The survey also examined attitudes across various demographic factors such as age, gender, political ideology, and religious beliefs. In Western Europe, a strong majority of adults in countries such as Sweden (92 per cent), the Netherlands (89 per cent), Spain (87 per cent), France (82 per cent), and Germany (80 per cent) support same-sex marriage. These countries have already legalised such unions. Acceptance of same-sex marriage around the world. Image courtesy: Pew Research Centre. However, in Poland, only 41 per cent of adults support same-sex marriages, while in Hungary, the figure is even lower at 31 per cent. Same-sex marriages are not legal in these countries, and LGBTQ+ rights activists often face state repression. In North America, 79 per cent of Canadians support same-sex marriage, while the figures stand at 63 per cent in both the United States and Mexico. All three countries have legalised same-sex marriage. In South America, 67 per cent of Argentinians and 52 per cent of Brazilians are in favour. These countries have also legalised same-sex marriage. In the Asia-Pacific region, approximately three-quarters of adults in Australia (75 per cent) and Japan (74 per cent) support legalising same-sex marriage. While Australia has already legalised it, Japan has yet to do so. South Korea is currently debating the issue, and 40 per cent of South Koreans support legalising same-sex marriage, while 59 per cent oppose it. Indonesians showed strong opposition, with only five per cent supporting same-sex marriage. The survey also found that in 12 countries, adults under 40 are more likely than older individuals to support same-sex marriage. Similarly, women in 14 countries expressed more support for legalising same-sex marriage compared to men. In 17 of the surveyed countries, individuals with higher levels of formal education were more likely to support allowing gays and lesbians to marry. (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.

Global survey finds broad acceptance of same-sex marriage in India

Canada's Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, on Wednesday, announced that the country will suspend the planned deportation of dozens of students who had entered Canada using fraudulent university acceptance letters. However, organisations advocating for the affected students call the announcement "a temporary step in the right direction" and&nbsp;stressed the urgent need for a permanent solution through regularisation.&nbsp;

Wednesday's decision comes after reports by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) revealed that a group of students from India had received deportation notices for using counterfeit documents as part of an alleged immigration scheme.

<h2>Fraudulent University letters</h2>

In March, a CBC report revealed that the students entered Canada using acceptance letters from universities that appear to be authentic.&nbsp;

However, as per the Canada Border Services Agency, the documents were fake. The Indian students were warned that they face potential deportation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-students-not-to-be-deported-immediately-task-force-to-investigate-canadian-minister-604530">Indian students not to be deported immediately, task force to investigate: Canadian minister</a>

The students claim they were unaware of the forgery and have attributed the alleged fraud to immigration agents based in India who assisted them in the application process. Advocates and the affected students have since requested a halt to the deportations.

<h2>Planned deportations and a special task force</h2>

As per a Reuters report, without specifying the exact number of individuals involved, Fraser said that a special task force will review each case of the&nbsp;students facing deportation.&nbsp;

He added that "any pending removals will be halted in the interim, and there will be a temporary permission to stay over the course of this period of consideration."

<h2>A temporary step</h2>

Supporting the affected students, the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change has been advocating for their cause, highlighting the years they have spent in Canada.&nbsp;

Sarom Rho, an organiser, expressed cautious approval of the recent announcement, calling it a temporary step in the right direction.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-students-launch-indefinite-protests-in-canada-amid-growing-threat-of-deportation-599778">Duped students launch indefinite protests in Canada amid looming threat of deportation</a>

"Today's announcement seems like a temporary step in the right direction. What is urgently needed is a permanent solution through regularisation of these students and all undocumented people who through no fault of their own have been deprived of their rights."

<h2>Canada and foreign students</h2>

Reuters reports that as per official data in 2022, Canada hosted over 800,000 foreign students with active visas. Approximately 320,000 of these students hailed from India.

Canada is a popular choice for international students due to the relatively straightforward and easy process of obtaining a work permit.

Students interviewed by the CBC recounted that after arriving in Canada, the agents informed them that they could not attend the institution mentioned in the acceptance letter. Instead, they were redirected to private colleges. The fraudulent scheme was uncovered when the students completed their studies and subsequently applied for work permits or permission to remain in Canada.

<h2>What will now happen to these students?</h2>

Fraser assured that "those international students who are genuine applicants that came to Canada to study and were victimised by fraudsters will be permitted to remain in Canada."&nbsp;

He further emphasised that those complicit in the fraudulent scheme would be held accountable, with authorities investigating individuals who arrived in Canada and immediately started working rather than pursuing their studies.&nbsp;"Those who are complicit in a fraudulent scheme will be held accountable."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Canada's Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, on Wednesday, announced that the country will suspend the planned deportation of dozens of students who had entered Canada using fraudulent university acceptance letters.

Canada's Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, on Wednesday, announced that the country will suspend the planned deportation of dozens of students who had entered Canada using fraudulent university acceptance letters. However, organisations advocating for the affected students call the announcement "a temporary step in the right direction" and stressed the urgent need for a permanent solution through regularisation. Wednesday's decision comes after reports by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) revealed that a group of students from India had received deportation notices for using counterfeit documents as part of an alleged immigration scheme. Fraudulent University letters In March, a CBC report revealed that the students entered Canada using acceptance letters from universities that appear to be authentic. However, as per the Canada Border Services Agency, the documents were fake. The Indian students were warned that they face potential deportation. Also read | Indian students not to be deported immediately, task force to investigate: Canadian minister The students claim they were unaware of the forgery and have attributed the alleged fraud to immigration agents based in India who assisted them in the application process. Advocates and the affected students have since requested a halt to the deportations. Planned deportations and a special task force As per a Reuters report, without specifying the exact number of individuals involved, Fraser said that a special task force will review each case of the students facing deportation. He added that "any pending removals will be halted in the interim, and there will be a temporary permission to stay over the course of this period of consideration." A temporary step Supporting the affected students, the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change has been advocating for their cause, highlighting the years they have spent in Canada. Sarom Rho, an organiser, expressed cautious approval of the recent announcement, calling it a temporary step in the right direction. Also read | Duped students launch indefinite protests in Canada amid looming threat of deportation "Today's announcement seems like a temporary step in the right direction. What is urgently needed is a permanent solution through regularisation of these students and all undocumented people who through no fault of their own have been deprived of their rights." Canada and foreign students Reuters reports that as per official data in 2022, Canada hosted over 800,000 foreign students with active visas. Approximately 320,000 of these students hailed from India. Canada is a popular choice for international students due to the relatively straightforward and easy process of obtaining a work permit. Students interviewed by the CBC recounted that after arriving in Canada, the agents informed them that they could not attend the institution mentioned in the acceptance letter. Instead, they were redirected to private colleges. The fraudulent scheme was uncovered when the students completed their studies and subsequently applied for work permits or permission to remain in Canada. What will now happen to these students? Fraser assured that "those international students who are genuine applicants that came to Canada to study and were victimised by fraudsters will be permitted to remain in Canada." He further emphasised that those complicit in the fraudulent scheme would be held accountable, with authorities investigating individuals who arrived in Canada and immediately started working rather than pursuing their studies. "Those who are complicit in a fraudulent scheme will be held accountable." (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.

Canada: Migrant advocacy group calls Indian students' deportation halt 'temporary step in the right direction'

The Japanese government is considering putting off a tax increase that was supposed to fund the nation's defence spending. Speaking to Reuters, a "party source" on Monday revealed that the tax increase may be put off by a year to 2025.

In December, the coalition government agreed to raise some key taxes to fund the raising of the defence budget. However, stiff opposition fro.m lawmakers has reportedly delayed the decision regarding the implementation of the widely unpopular move.&nbsp;

<h2>Japan's defence budget increase</h2>

The tax increase plan follows through on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's commitment to raising taxes to double the nation's defence, spending to two per cent of Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) by the year 2027.

This two per cent target, as per the Japan Times, will put the nation at par with other NATO nations.

Kishida's administration approved the move back in December of last year. As per them, a tax hike it will be put into motion "at an appropriate time" in 2024, or thereafter.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-earthquake-of-62-magnitude-jolts-japans-hokkaido-603117" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-earthquake-of-62-magnitude-jolts-japans-hokkaido-603117&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiz462Dm7__AhWvV2wGHRWbDpY4ChAWegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2RE8KbTMEhiqthfuQ2ActY" dir="ltr" href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-earthquake-of-62-magnitude-jolts-japans-hokkaido-603117&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiz462Dm7__AhWvV2wGHRWbDpY4ChAWegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2RE8KbTMEhiqthfuQ2ActY" target="_blank">Strong earthquake of 6.2 magnitude jolts&nbsp;Japan's&nbsp;Hokkaido</a>

However, speaking to Reuters, the source said that the Kishida government's upcoming long-term policy framework which is expected to be released this week, will include information about the delay. It is expected to include language that allows for a delay in the implementation of tax hikes until 2025 or later. Previously, the Kyodo news agency had published a similar report.

<h2>Problems Kishida administration faces in the implementation of the tax hike</h2>

The plan which ultimately aims to increase the nation's defence spending has, as per Reuters, become bogged down in wrangling among lawmakers who objected to near-term tax increases. They oppose that the tax hike could hurt Japan's fragile economy.

As per Reuters, Japan is already struggling to secure funding sources for a planned defence spending of 43 trillion yen ($309 billion) over the next five years. This can potentially further complicate the nation's aim of balancing the budget - excluding new bond sales and debt servicing - by the fiscal year 2025.

<h2>People's opinion of the tax hike</h2>

In December of last year, following news of the tax hike, support for Kishida's Cabinet was 33.1 per cent, the lowest since its launch in 2021. The disapproval rate stood at 51.5 per cent.

A poll conducted by Japan's Kyodo News found that 64.9 per cent of the Japanese disapprove of the tax hike plan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-citizens-oppose-government-plans-to-increase-taxes-to-fund-320-billion-military-expansion-544216">Japan citizens oppose government plans to increase taxes to fund $320 billion military expansion</a>

Now, a delay in the implementation is expected to highlight the challenges faced by Kishida. The leader, according to Reuters, is juggling the conflicting priorities of restoring Japan's tattered public finances and addressing geopolitical risks from an 'assertive' China and an 'unpredictable' North Korea.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Japanese government is considering putting off a tax increase that was supposed to fund the nation's defence spending. Speaking to Reuters, a "party source" on Monday revealed that the tax increase may be put off by a year to 2025.

The Japanese government is considering putting off a tax increase that was supposed to fund the nation's defence spending. Speaking to Reuters, a "party source" on Monday revealed that the tax increase may be put off by a year to 2025. In December, the coalition government agreed to raise some key taxes to fund the raising of the defence budget. However, stiff opposition fro.m lawmakers has reportedly delayed the decision regarding the implementation of the widely unpopular move. Japan's defence budget increase The tax increase plan follows through on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's commitment to raising taxes to double the nation's defence, spending to two per cent of Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) by the year 2027. This two per cent target, as per the Japan Times, will put the nation at par with other NATO nations. Kishida's administration approved the move back in December of last year. As per them, a tax hike it will be put into motion "at an appropriate time" in 2024, or thereafter. Also read | Strong earthquake of 6.2 magnitude jolts Japan's Hokkaido However, speaking to Reuters, the source said that the Kishida government's upcoming long-term policy framework which is expected to be released this week, will include information about the delay. It is expected to include language that allows for a delay in the implementation of tax hikes until 2025 or later. Previously, the Kyodo news agency had published a similar report. Problems Kishida administration faces in the implementation of the tax hike The plan which ultimately aims to increase the nation's defence spending has, as per Reuters, become bogged down in wrangling among lawmakers who objected to near-term tax increases. They oppose that the tax hike could hurt Japan's fragile economy. As per Reuters, Japan is already struggling to secure funding sources for a planned defence spending of 43 trillion yen ($309 billion) over the next five years. This can potentially further complicate the nation's aim of balancing the budget - excluding new bond sales and debt servicing - by the fiscal year 2025. People's opinion of the tax hike In December of last year, following news of the tax hike, support for Kishida's Cabinet was 33.1 per cent, the lowest since its launch in 2021. The disapproval rate stood at 51.5 per cent. A poll conducted by Japan's Kyodo News found that 64.9 per cent of the Japanese disapprove of the tax hike plan. Also read | Japan citizens oppose government plans to increase taxes to fund $320 billion military expansion Now, a delay in the implementation is expected to highlight the challenges faced by Kishida. The leader, according to Reuters, is juggling the conflicting priorities of restoring Japan's tattered public finances and addressing geopolitical risks from an 'assertive' China and an 'unpredictable' North Korea. (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.

Japan to contemplate pushing back defence spending tax hike to 2025 or beyond

In India's central state of Madhya Pradesh, a massive fire has been burning for over 15 hours. To put out the blaze in Satpura Bhawan, a multi-storied building housing various government offices in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been called in.&nbsp;

The affected building, as per PTI, is located on a hill in front of the Madhya Pradesh State government secretariat, Vallabh Bhawan.

<h2>Indian Air Force and the massive Bhopal building fire</h2>

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has reached out to the Indian Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, seeking support from the IAF.&nbsp;

A special IAF aircraft will fly to Bhopal to help douse the fire.

The Indian Defence Minister has directed the Indian Air Force to make use of AN-32 aircraft and MI-15 choppers. They've been instructed to reach Bhopal tonight.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-massive-fire-breaks-out-in-indias-bhopal-at-satpura-bhawan-building-spreads-to-three-floors-603585">Watch | Massive fire breaks out in India’s Bhopal at Satpura Bhawan building</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been apprised of the situation,&nbsp;he has assured CM Chouhan of all possible assistance from the Centre for controlling the blaze.

Talking to PTI, Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang said that the IAF aircraft would be reaching around 1.20 AM.&nbsp;

Citing the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the news agency reports that they would try to extinguish the fire by pouring water using buckets from above.

<h2>How did the blaze start?</h2>

Quoting Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra, PTI reports that based on prima facie evidence it is believed to be set off by a&nbsp;short circuit in an air conditioner on the third floor of the building.

"As per prima facie information and people present at the spot informed that the blaze erupted on the third floor of the building due to a short circuit in an air conditioner and raged to other floors due to wind."

<h2>The damage&nbsp;</h2>

No casualties have been reported. However, as per officials, the fire destroyed furniture and documents in several departments located in the building.

The fire which started on the building's third floor around 4 pm quickly spread up to the sixth floor.

As per District Collector Ashish Singh, the many files stored in the various offices helped the fire spread. The blaze has affected the third, fourth, fifth and the top sixth floors of the building.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/second-airport-for-delhi-to-have-indias-first-pod-taxi-service-603624">India's first pod taxi service will be available at upcoming Noida international airport</a>

"The fire is under control and is now confined to the building. It is not completely doused and efforts are on to completely douse it," one officer told the news agency.

Fire tenders and firefighters from the Army, Indian Oil Corporation, BPCL, Airports Authority of India, BHEL, and from Mandideep and Raisen are already pitching in to try and douse the fire, said the Chief Minister's Office said. Around 22 fire tenders and 30-40 tankers are involved in the dousing operation.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In India's central state of Madhya Pradesh, a massive fire has been burning for over 15 hours. To put out the blaze in Satpura Bhawan, a multi-storied building housing various government offices in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been called in.

In India's central state of Madhya Pradesh, a massive fire has been burning for over 15 hours. To put out the blaze in Satpura Bhawan, a multi-storied building housing various government offices in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been called in. The affected building, as per PTI, is located on a hill in front of the Madhya Pradesh State government secretariat, Vallabh Bhawan. Indian Air Force and the massive Bhopal building fire Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has reached out to the Indian Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, seeking support from the IAF. A special IAF aircraft will fly to Bhopal to help douse the fire. The Indian Defence Minister has directed the Indian Air Force to make use of AN-32 aircraft and MI-15 choppers. They've been instructed to reach Bhopal tonight. Also read | Watch | Massive fire breaks out in India’s Bhopal at Satpura Bhawan building Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been apprised of the situation, he has assured CM Chouhan of all possible assistance from the Centre for controlling the blaze. Talking to PTI, Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang said that the IAF aircraft would be reaching around 1.20 AM. Citing the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the news agency reports that they would try to extinguish the fire by pouring water using buckets from above. How did the blaze start? Quoting Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra, PTI reports that based on prima facie evidence it is believed to be set off by a short circuit in an air conditioner on the third floor of the building. "As per prima facie information and people present at the spot informed that the blaze erupted on the third floor of the building due to a short circuit in an air conditioner and raged to other floors due to wind." The damage No casualties have been reported. However, as per officials, the fire destroyed furniture and documents in several departments located in the building. The fire which started on the building's third floor around 4 pm quickly spread up to the sixth floor. As per District Collector Ashish Singh, the many files stored in the various offices helped the fire spread. The blaze has affected the third, fourth, fifth and the top sixth floors of the building. Also read | India's first pod taxi service will be available at upcoming Noida international airport "The fire is under control and is now confined to the building. It is not completely doused and efforts are on to completely douse it," one officer told the news agency. Fire tenders and firefighters from the Army, Indian Oil Corporation, BPCL, Airports Authority of India, BHEL, and from Mandideep and Raisen are already pitching in to try and douse the fire, said the Chief Minister's Office said. Around 22 fire tenders and 30-40 tankers are involved in the dousing operation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian Air Force to aid in dousing of massive Bhopal building fire; PM Modi pledges 'all possible assistance'

Four Colombian children aged one, four, nine and 13 survived a plane crash and 40 days in the Amazon forest. How did they live through the dangers of the Amazon? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Miracle! Colombian children survive 40 days in Amazon

Scientists are using Faecal transplants to cure diseases like Clostridiodes infections. Would you eat faeces if your life depended on it? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Eating faeces can cure your medical condition?

Here we bring you a quick round-up of top headlines - India-US fighter jet pact | Stern message against Anti-India activities.

India-US fighter jet pact | Stern message against Anti-India activities

Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of illegal possession of&nbsp;top secret nuclear and defence documents and endangering national security after his departure from the White House. The federal prosecutors in their&nbsp;indictment say that the files kept by Trump at his residence included records from the Pentagon, CIA and National Security Agency and that the sensitive documents lay unsecured at the property, which often hosted large social events. In other news, four children, including a 12-month-old, have been rescued after five weeks in a dense jungle. On May 1st, the airplane they were travelling on with their parents crashed into the jungle. While the parents and the pilot perished in the crash, the children survived. A search for them had been underway for around 40 days.

Click on the headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-in-trouble-unsealed-indictment-accuses-him-of-hiding-nuclear-secrets-at-mar-a-lago-602739">Trump in trouble: Unsealed indictment accuses him of hiding nuclear secrets at Mar-a-Lago</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/05/31/355817-donald-trump-4.png?imwidth=1920" />

The federal prosecutors on Friday (June 9) unsealed an indictment of Donald Trump and accused the former US president of holding on to top secret nuclear and defence documents and endangering national security after leaving the White House.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joy-for-whole-country-four-colombian-children-rescued-from-dense-jungle-five-weeks-after-plane-crash-602755">'Joy for whole country' four Colombian children rescued from dense jungle five weeks after plane crash</a>

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-breaking-bad-actor-mike-batayeh-dies-from-heart-attack-602775">Breaking Bad actor Mike Batayeh dies from heart attack</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/10/358363-new-wion-9.png?imwidth=1920" />

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russia under way

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraines-counter-offensive-against-russia-under-way-602765/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of illegal possession of top secret nuclear and defence documents and endangering national security after his departure from the White House.

Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of illegal possession of top secret nuclear and defence documents and endangering national security after his departure from the White House. The federal prosecutors in their indictment say that the files kept by Trump at his residence included records from the Pentagon, CIA and National Security Agency and that the sensitive documents lay unsecured at the property, which often hosted large social events. In other news, four children, including a 12-month-old, have been rescued after five weeks in a dense jungle. On May 1st, the airplane they were travelling on with their parents crashed into the jungle. While the parents and the pilot perished in the crash, the children survived. A search for them had been underway for around 40 days. Click on the headlines to read more Trump in trouble: Unsealed indictment accuses him of hiding nuclear secrets at Mar-a-Lago The federal prosecutors on Friday (June 9) unsealed an indictment of Donald Trump and accused the former US president of holding on to top secret nuclear and defence documents and endangering national security after leaving the White House. 'Joy for whole country' four Colombian children rescued from dense jungle five weeks after plane crash Canada: Official probing Chinese meddling in elections quits Breaking Bad actor Mike Batayeh dies from heart attack Watch | Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russia under way

Morning news brief:Trump's illegal possession of nuclear docs, Colombia's miraculous rescue, and more

A federal judge in Seattle has ruled that Apple and Amazon.com must face a consumer antitrust lawsuit in the United States. The lawsuit accuses the two tech giants of conspiring to artificially inflate the prices of iPhones and iPads sold on Amazon's platform.&nbsp;

US District Judge John Coughenour rejected attempts by Apple and Amazon to dismiss the prospective class action on various legal grounds. He said that the "validity" of the relevant market, which is a crucial aspect in antitrust litigation, should be determined by a jury.&nbsp;

<h2>The lawsuit against Apple and Amazon</h2>

The lawsuit, which was filed in November, is part of a series of legal actions from both private parties and government entities challenging Amazon's online pricing practices.

Judge Coughenour's ruling, means that after months of wait, the case will now proceed to evidence-gathering and other pretrial proceedings, reports Reuters.

Apple, Amazon, and their respective legal representatives are yet to respond to the court's ruling.

<h2>Who is behind the lawsuit?</h2>

The plaintiffs, in this case, are US residents who purchased new iPhones and iPads on Amazon starting in January 2019. They allege that an agreement between Apple and Amazon, which came into effect that year, restricted the number of competing resellers in violation of antitrust laws.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/googlers-work-from-office-attendance-to-affect-employee-performance-reviews-602677">Googlers work-from-office attendance to affect employee performance reviews</a>

Steve Berman, the plaintiffs' lawyer, hailed the court's decision as "a major win for consumers of Apple phones and iPads."&nbsp;

<h2>Specifics of the lawsuit against Apple and Amazon</h2>

According to the lawsuit, there were around 600 third-party Apple resellers on Amazon in 2018.&nbsp;

The plaintiffs claim that Apple offered Amazon a discount on its products in exchange for reducing the number of Apple resellers on its marketplace.&nbsp;

Apple, on the other hand, argues that the agreement with Amazon aimed to minimise the presence of counterfeit Apple products on the e-commerce platform.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/openai-decides-against-going-public-due-to-concerns-over-superintelligence-601587">OpenAI decides against going public due to concerns over superintelligence</a>

In a court filing, Apple's attorneys argued that such agreements are commonplace and that the Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit have consistently recognised their pro-competitive nature and legality.&nbsp;

However, the Seattle judge noted that the "countervailing" motivations for the agreement between Apple and Amazon would be addressed at a later stage in the litigation process.

<h2>What are the complainants asking for?</h2>

Reuters reports that the complaint seeks unspecified triple damages and other forms of relief.&nbsp;

Apple reported $94.8 billion in sales in the second quarter, while Amazon disclosed $127.4 billion in its most recent quarterly earnings report.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A federal judge in Seattle has ruled that Apple and Amazon.com must face a consumer antitrust lawsuit in the United States. The lawsuit accuses the two tech giants of conspiring to artificially inflate the prices of iPhones and iPads sold on Amazon's platform.

A federal judge in Seattle has ruled that Apple and Amazon.com must face a consumer antitrust lawsuit in the United States. The lawsuit accuses the two tech giants of conspiring to artificially inflate the prices of iPhones and iPads sold on Amazon's platform. US District Judge John Coughenour rejected attempts by Apple and Amazon to dismiss the prospective class action on various legal grounds. He said that the "validity" of the relevant market, which is a crucial aspect in antitrust litigation, should be determined by a jury. The lawsuit against Apple and Amazon The lawsuit, which was filed in November, is part of a series of legal actions from both private parties and government entities challenging Amazon's online pricing practices. Judge Coughenour's ruling, means that after months of wait, the case will now proceed to evidence-gathering and other pretrial proceedings, reports Reuters. Apple, Amazon, and their respective legal representatives are yet to respond to the court's ruling. Who is behind the lawsuit? The plaintiffs, in this case, are US residents who purchased new iPhones and iPads on Amazon starting in January 2019. They allege that an agreement between Apple and Amazon, which came into effect that year, restricted the number of competing resellers in violation of antitrust laws. Also read | Googlers work-from-office attendance to affect employee performance reviews Steve Berman, the plaintiffs' lawyer, hailed the court's decision as "a major win for consumers of Apple phones and iPads." Specifics of the lawsuit against Apple and Amazon According to the lawsuit, there were around 600 third-party Apple resellers on Amazon in 2018. The plaintiffs claim that Apple offered Amazon a discount on its products in exchange for reducing the number of Apple resellers on its marketplace. Apple, on the other hand, argues that the agreement with Amazon aimed to minimise the presence of counterfeit Apple products on the e-commerce platform. Also read | OpenAI decides against going public due to concerns over superintelligence In a court filing, Apple's attorneys argued that such agreements are commonplace and that the Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit have consistently recognised their pro-competitive nature and legality. However, the Seattle judge noted that the "countervailing" motivations for the agreement between Apple and Amazon would be addressed at a later stage in the litigation process. What are the complainants asking for? Reuters reports that the complaint seeks unspecified triple damages and other forms of relief. Apple reported $94.8 billion in sales in the second quarter, while Amazon disclosed $127.4 billion in its most recent quarterly earnings report. (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.

Apple, Amazon must face consumer antitrust lawsuit for artificially inflating prices: US federal judge

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is currently on a two-day trip to the United States. As per reports, Ukraine remains at the top of his agenda in Washington. He reportedly aims to emphasise that the United Kingdom remains a crucial ally to the United States in the face of authoritarian states in a post-Brexit world.

Sunak's visit includes a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House. During the meeting on Thursday (June 8th), discussions are expected to revolve around the ongoing war in Ukraine.&nbsp;

<h2>The urgency surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war</h2>

The recent breach of a major dam in southern Ukraine has intensified the urgency of the matter. While Russia has not been officially accused of causing the dam explosion by the US or the UK, British intelligence services are assessing the evidence.&nbsp;

Denouncing the breach, Sunak recently said: "If it does prove to be intentional, it will represent a new low ... an appalling barbarism on Russia’s part."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-modis-us-visit-american-lawmakers-urge-govt-to-address-visa-wait-time-issue-in-india-on-priority-601974">Ahead of Modi's US visit, American lawmakers urge govt to address visa wait time issue in India on priority</a>

Taking to broadcaster ETV in Washington, he said: "Russia throughout this war has used as a deliberate active strategy to target civilian infrastructure."

Both the US and the UK play significant roles in supporting Ukraine, including military aid and efforts to provide F-16 fighter jets.

As per the news agency AP, discussions may also involve talks about enhancing air defence measures to counter Russian attacks as Ukraine launches a counteroffensive to reclaim occupied territories.

<h2>Sunak and Biden&nbsp;</h2>

Sunak's visit to the US capital marks his first official trip since becoming prime minister. It is, however, his fourth meeting with President Biden within a few months, which, as per AP, showcases a sustained level of contact between the UK Prime Minister and a US President.

The two leaders previously met at the recent Group of Seven Summit&nbsp;in Japan, in Northern Ireland and at a three-way defence meeting with Australia in San Diego.

<h2>What's on the agenda?</h2>

During his visit, Sunak aims to strengthen economic ties between the UK and the US, highlighting the importance of economic cooperation for security.&nbsp;

Ahead of the talks, the British PM said: "Just as interoperability between our militaries has given us a battlefield advantage over our adversaries, greater economic interoperability will give us a crucial edge in the decades ahead."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-will-hold-worlds-first-ai-summit-says-pm-sunak-in-us-601932">UK will hold world’s first AI summit, says PM Sunak, pitches for London-based future global regulator</a>

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a British government official with access to Sunak's agenda told AP that supply chain security from hostile actors, semiconductor production, and artificial intelligence are among the topics he intends to discuss.&nbsp;

However, a UK-US free trade agreement will not be pursued at this time.

Furthermore, Sunak may advocate for UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to become the next head of NATO. The current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will step down in September.&nbsp;

Sunak is expected to emphasise the significance of defence spending and lobby for someone who "carries on Stoltenberg’s good work of modernisation but also understands the importance of defence spending at this critical time."

His agenda also includes meetings with US business executives and congressional leaders, as well as attending a Washington Nationals baseball game to celebrate US-UK ties.

(With inputs from agencies)

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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is currently on a two-day trip to the United States. As per reports, Ukraine remains at the top of his agenda in Washington. He reportedly aims to emphasise that the United Kingdom remains a crucial ally to the United States in the face of authoritarian states in a post-Brexit world.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is currently on a two-day trip to the United States. As per reports, Ukraine remains at the top of his agenda in Washington. He reportedly aims to emphasise that the United Kingdom remains a crucial ally to the United States in the face of authoritarian states in a post-Brexit world. Sunak's visit includes a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House. During the meeting on Thursday (June 8th), discussions are expected to revolve around the ongoing war in Ukraine. The urgency surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war The recent breach of a major dam in southern Ukraine has intensified the urgency of the matter. While Russia has not been officially accused of causing the dam explosion by the US or the UK, British intelligence services are assessing the evidence. Denouncing the breach, Sunak recently said: "If it does prove to be intentional, it will represent a new low ... an appalling barbarism on Russia’s part." Also read | Ahead of Modi's US visit, American lawmakers urge govt to address visa wait time issue in India on priority Taking to broadcaster ETV in Washington, he said: "Russia throughout this war has used as a deliberate active strategy to target civilian infrastructure." Both the US and the UK play significant roles in supporting Ukraine, including military aid and efforts to provide F-16 fighter jets. As per the news agency AP, discussions may also involve talks about enhancing air defence measures to counter Russian attacks as Ukraine launches a counteroffensive to reclaim occupied territories. Sunak and Biden Sunak's visit to the US capital marks his first official trip since becoming prime minister. It is, however, his fourth meeting with President Biden within a few months, which, as per AP, showcases a sustained level of contact between the UK Prime Minister and a US President. The two leaders previously met at the recent Group of Seven Summit in Japan, in Northern Ireland and at a three-way defence meeting with Australia in San Diego. What's on the agenda? During his visit, Sunak aims to strengthen economic ties between the UK and the US, highlighting the importance of economic cooperation for security. Ahead of the talks, the British PM said: "Just as interoperability between our militaries has given us a battlefield advantage over our adversaries, greater economic interoperability will give us a crucial edge in the decades ahead." Also read | UK will hold world’s first AI summit, says PM Sunak, pitches for London-based future global regulator Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a British government official with access to Sunak's agenda told AP that supply chain security from hostile actors, semiconductor production, and artificial intelligence are among the topics he intends to discuss. However, a UK-US free trade agreement will not be pursued at this time. Furthermore, Sunak may advocate for UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to become the next head of NATO. The current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will step down in September. Sunak is expected to emphasise the significance of defence spending and lobby for someone who "carries on Stoltenberg’s good work of modernisation but also understands the importance of defence spending at this critical time." His agenda also includes meetings with US business executives and congressional leaders, as well as attending a Washington Nationals baseball game to celebrate US-UK ties. (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.

PM Sunak to meet Prez Biden; agenda includes closer US-UK economic ties, Ukraine war, and more

Japan's Fukuoka District Court on Thursday ruled that the non-recognition of same-sex marriage was "in a state of unconstitutionality". The ruling stopped short of the expectations of marriage-equality activists, reports Reuters.

As per the lawyer for the plaintiffs, the specifics of the recent ruling are still being verified, but it is believed to be similar to the Tokyo court's decision, which when passed was seen as a step forward by activists.

Previously, in May, Japan's Nagoya District Court deemed the prohibition on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. The May ruling provided hope for the LGBTQ community in Japan.

<h2>Public opinion on&nbsp;same-sex marriages</h2>

Public opinion polls indicate that approximately 70 per cent of the Japanese public supports same-sex marriage. However, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's conservative ruling party opposes it. In February, Kishida dismissed an aide who made offensive remarks against same-sex marriage, generating widespread outrage.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-court-rescues-nations-lgbt-community-from-hurt-says-ban-on-same-sex-marriage-unconstitutional-598384">Japan court 'rescues' nation's LGBT community from 'hurt', says ban on same-sex marriage 'unconstitutional'</a>

While more than 300 municipalities in Japan allow same-sex couples to enter partnership agreements, these agreements offer limited rights. Couples are unable to inherit each other's assets, obtain parental rights to each other's children, or even guarantee hospital visitation rights.

<h2>PM Kishida&nbsp;non-committal&nbsp;to same-sex marriage</h2>

Despite pressure from other G7 nations, including the United States, Kishida has not taken a firm stance on the issue.&nbsp;

Kishida's government had initially promised to pass a law promoting the "understanding" of LGBTQ individuals before the G7 leaders' summit.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-g7-summit-japans-lgbtqia-community-demand-legalisation-of-same-sex-marriage-585495">Ahead of G7 summit, Japan's LGBTQIA+ community demand legalisation of same-sex marriage</a>

However, opposition from conservative factions has caused significant delays, and a diluted version of the law is expected to be voted on next week.

Major business organisations have called for change, emphasising that without LGBTQ rights and diversity, Japan's position as the world's third-largest economy may be compromised.

<h2>Marriages and Japan</h2>

Japan remains the only country among the Group of Seven nations that lacks legal protection for same-sex unions.&nbsp;The Japanese constitution defines marriage as something based on "the mutual consent of both sexes".

<h2>Past rulings on same-sex marriages in Japan</h2>

So far, there have been five court rulings on same-sex marriage in Japan. The last ruling was made in May by the Nagoya District Court. It was the second ruling that found the ban on same-sex marriages unconstitutional. Previously, in March 2021, a district court in Sapporo, the capital city of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, in a similar ruling,&nbsp;said that the ban was "unconstitutional".

However, in June 2022, the Osaka district court ruled that the ban was not unconstitutional. The court added that "from the perspective of individual dignity, it can be said that it is necessary to realise the benefits of same-sex couples being publicly recognised through official recognition."

Subsequently, in December of last year, a Tokyo court reiterated that while the ban was not "unconstitutional," the country's failure to protect same-sex partners legally creates an "unconstitutional situation".

(With inputs from agencies)

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Japan's Fukuoka District Court on Thursday ruled that the non-recognition of same-sex marriage was "in a state of unconstitutionality". The ruling stopped short of the expectations of marriage-equality activists, reports Reuters.

Japan's Fukuoka District Court on Thursday ruled that the non-recognition of same-sex marriage was "in a state of unconstitutionality". The ruling stopped short of the expectations of marriage-equality activists, reports Reuters. As per the lawyer for the plaintiffs, the specifics of the recent ruling are still being verified, but it is believed to be similar to the Tokyo court's decision, which when passed was seen as a step forward by activists. Previously, in May, Japan's Nagoya District Court deemed the prohibition on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. The May ruling provided hope for the LGBTQ community in Japan. Public opinion on same-sex marriages Public opinion polls indicate that approximately 70 per cent of the Japanese public supports same-sex marriage. However, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's conservative ruling party opposes it. In February, Kishida dismissed an aide who made offensive remarks against same-sex marriage, generating widespread outrage. Also read | Japan court 'rescues' nation's LGBT community from 'hurt', says ban on same-sex marriage 'unconstitutional' While more than 300 municipalities in Japan allow same-sex couples to enter partnership agreements, these agreements offer limited rights. Couples are unable to inherit each other's assets, obtain parental rights to each other's children, or even guarantee hospital visitation rights. PM Kishida non-committal to same-sex marriage Despite pressure from other G7 nations, including the United States, Kishida has not taken a firm stance on the issue. Kishida's government had initially promised to pass a law promoting the "understanding" of LGBTQ individuals before the G7 leaders' summit. Also read | Ahead of G7 summit, Japan's LGBTQIA+ community demand legalisation of same-sex marriage However, opposition from conservative factions has caused significant delays, and a diluted version of the law is expected to be voted on next week. Major business organisations have called for change, emphasising that without LGBTQ rights and diversity, Japan's position as the world's third-largest economy may be compromised. Marriages and Japan Japan remains the only country among the Group of Seven nations that lacks legal protection for same-sex unions. The Japanese constitution defines marriage as something based on "the mutual consent of both sexes". Past rulings on same-sex marriages in Japan So far, there have been five court rulings on same-sex marriage in Japan. The last ruling was made in May by the Nagoya District Court. It was the second ruling that found the ban on same-sex marriages unconstitutional. Previously, in March 2021, a district court in Sapporo, the capital city of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, in a similar ruling, said that the ban was "unconstitutional". However, in June 2022, the Osaka district court ruled that the ban was not unconstitutional. The court added that "from the perspective of individual dignity, it can be said that it is necessary to realise the benefits of same-sex couples being publicly recognised through official recognition." Subsequently, in December of last year, a Tokyo court reiterated that while the ban was not "unconstitutional," the country's failure to protect same-sex partners legally creates an "unconstitutional situation". (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.

Japan's Fukuoka district court says ban on same-sex marriage ‘in a state of unconstitutionality’

On his recent trip to China, Twitter owner Elon Musk was reportedly made privy to the nation's plans to launch new regulations on artificial intelligence (AI). The tech billionaire made his first comment on the two-day visit while speaking during a Twitter livestream with Robert Kennedy Jr, a Republican presidential hopeful, the nephew of John F. Kennedy.

<h2>What did Elon Musk say?</h2>

"Something that is worth noting is that on my recent trip to China, with the senior leadership there, we had, I think, some very productive discussions on artificial intelligence risks, and the need for some oversight or regulation."&nbsp;

"And my understanding from those conversations is that China will be initiating AI regulation in China," added Musk.

"I pointed out that if there is a digital super intelligence that is overwhelmingly powerful, developed in China, it is actually a risk to the sovereignty of the Chinese government," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musks-tweet-on-whatisawoman-fans-twitter-buzz-heres-all-you-need-to-know-600021">Elon Musk's tweet on #WhatIsAWoman fans Twitter buzz. Here's all you need to know</a>

Musk added that he thinks that "they (China) took that concern to heart."

As per AFP, Musk didn't elaborate on his discussions with China. However, he is believed to have been referring to China's new sweeping draft law on AI.

<h2>China's sweeping draft law on AI</h2>

China's new law requires new artificial intelligence products to undergo a security assessment before release. The AI products will also be subjected to a process that ensures that they reflect "core socialist values".

Called "Administrative Measures for Generative Artificial Intelligence Services" the edict reportedly bans content promoting "terrorist or extremist propaganda," "ethnic hatred" or "other content that may disrupt economic and social order" in the country.

As per AFP, under China's highly centralised political system, the measures are almost certain to become law.

<h2>Elon Musk's China visit</h2>

During his recent two-day visit to China, &nbsp;Elon Musk, one of the world's richest men,&nbsp;held meetings with the Asian giant's senior officials in the capital Beijing. He also met with employees in Shanghai.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/delhi-polices-purrfect-reply-to-elon-musks-tweet-leaves-internet-in-splits-stst-599616">Delhi Police’s ‘purrfect’ reply to Elon Musk’s cat query tweet leaves internet in splits</a>

Musk did not tweet while in China, a nation where social media is highly regulated. Additionally, Tesla hasn't released readouts of his meetings with Chinese officials.

However, official Chinese channels, as per AFP, claimed that he lavished praise on China, praising the country for its "vitality and promise," and even expressed "full confidence in the China market."

<h2>Elon Musk and China</h2>

Musk's extensive interests in China have long raised eyebrows in Washington, reports AFP.&nbsp;

Previously the Tesla CEO had stirred controversy by suggesting that self-rule Taiwan — which Beijing has long claimed as its renegade province — should become a part of China. This stance was openly welcomed by China, however, it left Taipei miffed.

(With inputs from agencies)

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On his recent trip to China, Twitter owner Elon Musk was reportedly made privy to the nation's plans to launch new regulations on artificial intelligence (AI). The tech billionaire made his first comment on the two-day visit while speaking during a Twitter livestream with Robert Kennedy Jr, a Republican presidential hopeful, the nephew of John F.

On his recent trip to China, Twitter owner Elon Musk was reportedly made privy to the nation's plans to launch new regulations on artificial intelligence (AI). The tech billionaire made his first comment on the two-day visit while speaking during a Twitter livestream with Robert Kennedy Jr, a Republican presidential hopeful, the nephew of John F. Kennedy. What did Elon Musk say? "Something that is worth noting is that on my recent trip to China, with the senior leadership there, we had, I think, some very productive discussions on artificial intelligence risks, and the need for some oversight or regulation." "And my understanding from those conversations is that China will be initiating AI regulation in China," added Musk. "I pointed out that if there is a digital super intelligence that is overwhelmingly powerful, developed in China, it is actually a risk to the sovereignty of the Chinese government," he said. Also read | Elon Musk's tweet on #WhatIsAWoman fans Twitter buzz. Here's all you need to know Musk added that he thinks that "they (China) took that concern to heart." As per AFP, Musk didn't elaborate on his discussions with China. However, he is believed to have been referring to China's new sweeping draft law on AI. China's sweeping draft law on AI China's new law requires new artificial intelligence products to undergo a security assessment before release. The AI products will also be subjected to a process that ensures that they reflect "core socialist values". Called "Administrative Measures for Generative Artificial Intelligence Services" the edict reportedly bans content promoting "terrorist or extremist propaganda," "ethnic hatred" or "other content that may disrupt economic and social order" in the country. As per AFP, under China's highly centralised political system, the measures are almost certain to become law. Elon Musk's China visit During his recent two-day visit to China, Elon Musk, one of the world's richest men, held meetings with the Asian giant's senior officials in the capital Beijing. He also met with employees in Shanghai. Also read | Delhi Police’s ‘purrfect’ reply to Elon Musk’s cat query tweet leaves internet in splits Musk did not tweet while in China, a nation where social media is highly regulated. Additionally, Tesla hasn't released readouts of his meetings with Chinese officials. However, official Chinese channels, as per AFP, claimed that he lavished praise on China, praising the country for its "vitality and promise," and even expressed "full confidence in the China market." Elon Musk and China Musk's extensive interests in China have long raised eyebrows in Washington, reports AFP. Previously the Tesla CEO had stirred controversy by suggesting that self-rule Taiwan — which Beijing has long claimed as its renegade province — should become a part of China. This stance was openly welcomed by China, however, it left Taipei miffed. (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.

Elon Musk reveals China's plans to regulate artificial intelligence

In a project aimed at raising awareness about recycling and endangered turtles an artist in the Lebanese coastal city of amchit mounted plastic bottles and caps in the shapes of two turtles.

Raising awareness on endangered sea turtles

Once branded "Australia's worst female serial killer" Kathleen Folbigg, who has spent 20 years in jail for murdering her four children, has been pardoned. As per BBC, the woman was pardoned after new evidence suggested that she in fact did not kill her infant children.

Folbigg was convicted by a jury for the deaths of Caleb, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura over a period of ten years.&nbsp;

However, a recent investigation revealed that scientists believe the children may have died from natural causes.&nbsp;

<h2>Miscarriage of justice</h2>

This case has been widely regarded as a grave miscarriage of justice in Australia.&nbsp;Throughout the ordeal, Folbigg has consistently maintained her innocence.&nbsp;

In 2003, the mother of four was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murders of three children and the manslaughter of her first son, Caleb.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelenskys-counteroffensive-crashing-russia-says-it-killed-hundreds-of-ukrainian-troops-in-donetsk-region-600645">Zelensky's counteroffensive crashing? Russia says it killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops in Donetsk region</a>

The children, ranging in age from 19 days to 19 months, died suddenly between 1989 and 1999. Prosecutors at the time alleged that she had suffocated them.&nbsp;

<h2>Previous appeals</h2>

On 24 October 2003, Folbigg was sentenced to forty years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of thirty years.

An appeal in 2005 reduced her sentence to thirty years imprisonment with a non-parole period of twenty-five years.

However, the appeal and a 2019 inquiry did not find sufficient grounds to question her guilt and heavily relied on circumstantial evidence from her original trial.&nbsp;

<h2>The new evidence</h2>

This pardon follows a long-standing campaign advocating for the woman's release, which was sparked by a team of immunologists discovering a genetic mutation shared by her daughters that could cause sudden cardiac death.&nbsp;

The recent inquiry, led by a retired judge and former state chief justice Tom Bathurst, prompted prosecutors to acknowledge that advances in genetic research on gene mutations had altered their understanding of the children's deaths.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-pet-dog-gets-lucky-as-youtuber-brent-rivera-gifts-20000-luxury-house-600459">WATCH | Pet dog gets lucky as Youtuber Brent Rivera gifts $20,000 luxury house</a>

Additionally, evidence surfaced indicating that her sons possessed a different genetic mutation associated with sudden-onset epilepsy in mice.

On Monday, the New South Wales Attorney General, Michael Daley, announced that Bathurst had concluded that there was reasonable doubt about Folbigg's guilt in each case.&nbsp;

As per Guardian, Bathurst told the attorney general that he had reached "a firm view that there was reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Ms Folbigg for each of the offences for which she was originally tried".

Consequently, the governor of New South Wales signed a full pardon, ordering Folbigg's immediate release from prison.

However, the pardon does not erase Folbigg's convictions. Her supporters on Monday reportedly began calling for "very, very significant" compensation for her.

A decision about Folbigg's convictions would be made by the Court of Criminal Appeal if Bathurst decides to refer the case to them.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Once branded "Australia's worst female serial killer" Kathleen Folbigg, who has spent 20 years in jail for murdering her four children, has been pardoned. As per BBC, the woman was pardoned after new evidence suggested that she in fact did not kill her infant children.

Once branded "Australia's worst female serial killer" Kathleen Folbigg, who has spent 20 years in jail for murdering her four children, has been pardoned. As per BBC, the woman was pardoned after new evidence suggested that she in fact did not kill her infant children. Folbigg was convicted by a jury for the deaths of Caleb, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura over a period of ten years. However, a recent investigation revealed that scientists believe the children may have died from natural causes. Miscarriage of justice This case has been widely regarded as a grave miscarriage of justice in Australia. Throughout the ordeal, Folbigg has consistently maintained her innocence. In 2003, the mother of four was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murders of three children and the manslaughter of her first son, Caleb. Also read | Zelensky's counteroffensive crashing? Russia says it killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops in Donetsk region The children, ranging in age from 19 days to 19 months, died suddenly between 1989 and 1999. Prosecutors at the time alleged that she had suffocated them. Previous appeals On 24 October 2003, Folbigg was sentenced to forty years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of thirty years. An appeal in 2005 reduced her sentence to thirty years imprisonment with a non-parole period of twenty-five years. However, the appeal and a 2019 inquiry did not find sufficient grounds to question her guilt and heavily relied on circumstantial evidence from her original trial. The new evidence This pardon follows a long-standing campaign advocating for the woman's release, which was sparked by a team of immunologists discovering a genetic mutation shared by her daughters that could cause sudden cardiac death. The recent inquiry, led by a retired judge and former state chief justice Tom Bathurst, prompted prosecutors to acknowledge that advances in genetic research on gene mutations had altered their understanding of the children's deaths. Also read | WATCH | Pet dog gets lucky as Youtuber Brent Rivera gifts $20,000 luxury house Additionally, evidence surfaced indicating that her sons possessed a different genetic mutation associated with sudden-onset epilepsy in mice. On Monday, the New South Wales Attorney General, Michael Daley, announced that Bathurst had concluded that there was reasonable doubt about Folbigg's guilt in each case. As per Guardian, Bathurst told the attorney general that he had reached "a firm view that there was reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Ms Folbigg for each of the offences for which she was originally tried". Consequently, the governor of New South Wales signed a full pardon, ordering Folbigg's immediate release from prison. However, the pardon does not erase Folbigg's convictions. Her supporters on Monday reportedly began calling for "very, very significant" compensation for her. A decision about Folbigg's convictions would be made by the Court of Criminal Appeal if Bathurst decides to refer the case to them. (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.

Australian woman found innocent after spending 20 years in jail over deaths of her four children

Indian airline Indigo is all set to dominate the skies. That is courtesy of its request for 500 narrow-body A320 jets from airbus. On the other hand, it is raining good news for the European planemaker, just months after sealing a record deal with TATA.

Airbus in race to deliver 500 jets to Indigo

The American Bully has rapidly emerged as a prominent dog breed in the UK in recent times. Although not officially recognised by major UK dog associations, the increasing frequency of news coverage, often depicting tragic incidents involving these dogs, indicates the American Bully's growing presence in the country.

As per the Guardian, the American Bully is a modern variation of the American Bulldog and is typically available in four different types: standard, pocket, classic, and XL. These variations differ in size, with those taller than 50cm (20 inches) falling into the XL category.

<h2>Incidents of aggressive dogs</h2>

Since 2021, the United Kingdom has reportedly seen nine cases of aggressive individual dogs that have fatally attacked humans. Of the nine cases, three cases involved children.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/woman-found-innocent-after-spending-20-years-in-jail-for-killing-her-four-children-600662">Australian woman found innocent after spending 20 years in jail over deaths of her four children</a>

It is the larger American Bully, classified as XL, that has been responsible for half of all dog-related fatalities in the UK since 2021.

While it is not advisable for first-time dog owners or households with children to own an American Bully, it is worth noting that the two individuals killed by the breed this year were experienced dog handlers.

<h2>Tragic incidents involving the breed</h2>

In January, a tragic incident occurred in Surrey where a 28-year-old dog walker named Natasha Johnston was fatally attacked while walking eight dogs. The investigation revealed that one of the dogs, an American Bully XL owned by Johnston, was responsible for her death. The dog was subsequently euthanised following a forensic veterinary report.

In a similar incident last month, Jonathan Hogg, a 37-year-old dog caretaker from Greater Manchester, was playing with an American Bully XL when it suddenly attacked him, targeting his throat. Hogg later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Greater Manchester police had to deploy armed officers to control the dog, which was deemed a significant risk to the public, before ultimately euthanizing it.

<h2>Is American Bully an aggressive breed you should be scared of?&nbsp;</h2>

The United Kennel Club, one of the few organisations in the US to recognise the American Bully, describes the breed as "first and foremost, a companion, exhibiting confidence with a zest and exuberance for life," and calls its nature "gentle and friendly".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/british-base-jumper-dies-after-jumping-off-400m-high-cliff-wearing-wing-suit-600748">British base jumper dies after plunging off 400m high cliff wearing wingsuit</a>

Although there are demands for a ban on the breed, guidance from dog organisations suggests that such a measure might not effectively address the core issue.&nbsp;

The Kennel Club, based in the UK, argues that "Breed-specific legislation ignores the most important factors that contribute to biting incidents–primarily antisocial behaviour by irresponsible dog owners who train their dogs to be aggressive or do not train their dogs adequately."

If the American Bully were to be banned, it would join the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro as the dog breeds banned in the UK.

<h2>Who should adopt/buy the breed?</h2>

Experienced dog handlers recommend that first-time dog owners or inexperienced people should not keep this breed.

As per an investigation by BBC One, people often bypass reputable dog breeders and obtain American Bully dogs through classified ads or social media.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The American Bully has rapidly emerged as a prominent dog breed in the UK in recent times. Although not officially recognised by major UK dog associations, the increasing frequency of news coverage, often depicting tragic incidents involving these dogs, indicates the American Bully's growing presence in the country.

The American Bully has rapidly emerged as a prominent dog breed in the UK in recent times. Although not officially recognised by major UK dog associations, the increasing frequency of news coverage, often depicting tragic incidents involving these dogs, indicates the American Bully's growing presence in the country. As per the Guardian, the American Bully is a modern variation of the American Bulldog and is typically available in four different types: standard, pocket, classic, and XL. These variations differ in size, with those taller than 50cm (20 inches) falling into the XL category. Incidents of aggressive dogs Since 2021, the United Kingdom has reportedly seen nine cases of aggressive individual dogs that have fatally attacked humans. Of the nine cases, three cases involved children. Also read | Australian woman found innocent after spending 20 years in jail over deaths of her four children It is the larger American Bully, classified as XL, that has been responsible for half of all dog-related fatalities in the UK since 2021. While it is not advisable for first-time dog owners or households with children to own an American Bully, it is worth noting that the two individuals killed by the breed this year were experienced dog handlers. Tragic incidents involving the breed In January, a tragic incident occurred in Surrey where a 28-year-old dog walker named Natasha Johnston was fatally attacked while walking eight dogs. The investigation revealed that one of the dogs, an American Bully XL owned by Johnston, was responsible for her death. The dog was subsequently euthanised following a forensic veterinary report. In a similar incident last month, Jonathan Hogg, a 37-year-old dog caretaker from Greater Manchester, was playing with an American Bully XL when it suddenly attacked him, targeting his throat. Hogg later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Greater Manchester police had to deploy armed officers to control the dog, which was deemed a significant risk to the public, before ultimately euthanizing it. Is American Bully an aggressive breed you should be scared of? The United Kennel Club, one of the few organisations in the US to recognise the American Bully, describes the breed as "first and foremost, a companion, exhibiting confidence with a zest and exuberance for life," and calls its nature "gentle and friendly". Also read | British base jumper dies after plunging off 400m high cliff wearing wingsuit Although there are demands for a ban on the breed, guidance from dog organisations suggests that such a measure might not effectively address the core issue. The Kennel Club, based in the UK, argues that "Breed-specific legislation ignores the most important factors that contribute to biting incidents–primarily antisocial behaviour by irresponsible dog owners who train their dogs to be aggressive or do not train their dogs adequately." If the American Bully were to be banned, it would join the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro as the dog breeds banned in the UK. Who should adopt/buy the breed? Experienced dog handlers recommend that first-time dog owners or inexperienced people should not keep this breed. As per an investigation by BBC One, people often bypass reputable dog breeders and obtain American Bully dogs through classified ads or social media. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK seeks to ban the American Bully. A killer or 'gentle & friendly' breed? Here's all you need to know

Elected officials and representatives of Israel's Arab minority demonstrated in Jerusalem on Tuesday against the crime plaguing their communities, calling on the government to increase security, an AFP reporter said.&nbsp;

Around 50 current and former members of parliament, as well as municipal representatives and Jewish supporters, gathered in a tent in front of the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a sit-in that began Monday.&nbsp;

"The police are complicit in the crime", read a large banner hanging in the tent in Arabic, Hebrew and English.&nbsp;

Mohammed Baraka, a former MP who heads the High Committee for the Arab Minority in Israel, a civil society group which organised the protest, told AFP it opposed the "spread of crime."

"Hardly a day goes by without gunshots, injuries or murders," he said. "Instead of working to develop our towns and society, we're thinking about how to get out of our homes safely."

Experts say Arab gangs have amassed large quantities of illegal weapons over the past two decades and are involved in drug, arms and human trafficking, prostitution, extortion and money laundering.

Arab-Israelis, descendants of Palestinians who stayed on their land after Israel's creation in 1948 and comprise around 20 per cent of the country's population, have long complained of discrimination and police inaction against violence and crime within their communities.

Baraka accused Israeli authorities of responsibility for the "catastrophe" because the Arab community itself is not allowed to have "the power to arrest, prosecute or confiscate weapons."

According to Israeli police, 84 Arabs have been killed since the start of the year.&nbsp;

"There are thousands of wounded, and nobody talks about it," Mahmoud Nassar, a specialist in criminology at the non-governmental Center for Combating Violence and Crime, told AFP.&nbsp;

At a parliamentary discussion on Arab crime on Monday, Netanyahu invited the Arab lawmakers to his office for a roundtable to address the situation.

"I hear your appeal for increased police presence and more gun confiscations," he said. "We'll have to act on many fronts, and I want your help and cooperation."

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Elected officials and representatives of Israel's Arab minority demonstrated in Jerusalem on Tuesday against the crime plaguing their communities, calling on the government to increase security, an AFP reporter said.

Elected officials and representatives of Israel's Arab minority demonstrated in Jerusalem on Tuesday against the crime plaguing their communities, calling on the government to increase security, an AFP reporter said. Around 50 current and former members of parliament, as well as municipal representatives and Jewish supporters, gathered in a tent in front of the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a sit-in that began Monday. "The police are complicit in the crime", read a large banner hanging in the tent in Arabic, Hebrew and English. Mohammed Baraka, a former MP who heads the High Committee for the Arab Minority in Israel, a civil society group which organised the protest, told AFP it opposed the "spread of crime." "Hardly a day goes by without gunshots, injuries or murders," he said. "Instead of working to develop our towns and society, we're thinking about how to get out of our homes safely." Experts say Arab gangs have amassed large quantities of illegal weapons over the past two decades and are involved in drug, arms and human trafficking, prostitution, extortion and money laundering. Arab-Israelis, descendants of Palestinians who stayed on their land after Israel's creation in 1948 and comprise around 20 per cent of the country's population, have long complained of discrimination and police inaction against violence and crime within their communities. Baraka accused Israeli authorities of responsibility for the "catastrophe" because the Arab community itself is not allowed to have "the power to arrest, prosecute or confiscate weapons." According to Israeli police, 84 Arabs have been killed since the start of the year. "There are thousands of wounded, and nobody talks about it," Mahmoud Nassar, a specialist in criminology at the non-governmental Center for Combating Violence and Crime, told AFP. At a parliamentary discussion on Arab crime on Monday, Netanyahu invited the Arab lawmakers to his office for a roundtable to address the situation. "I hear your appeal for increased police presence and more gun confiscations," he said. "We'll have to act on many fronts, and I want your help and cooperation." 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.

Israel's Arab minority leaders protest crime menace

In India's eastern state of Odisha, a horrific three-train collision between two passenger trains and a freight train has resulted in the death of at least 288 people, while another 900 people were injured. Amid the tragedy, reports of locals queuing up all night to donate blood, to help the injured, have emerged. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has said that dialogue between the United States and China is "essential' to prevent any miscalculation or conflict. In other news, just three days into the Pride Month, a major scuffle broke out at an anti-LGBTQ rally outside a Los Angeles school between opposing groups of parents. Finally, In Senegal, the death toll from clashes has risen to 10.

Click on the headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-coromandel-express-derails-near-bahanaga-station-in-odisha-several-injured-599787">LIVE three-train crash in India's Odisha: Death toll rises; at least 288 dead, 900 injured</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/03/356490-live-blog-1.png?imwidth=1920" />

A collision between two passenger trains and a goods train in the eastern Indian state of Odisha's Balasore has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 288&nbsp;individuals, with approximately 900 others sustaining injuries. According to the&nbsp;railway officials, the Coromandel Express, which operates between Kolkata and Chennai, crashed into the Howrah Superfast Express. Stay tuned to WION for all the updates.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-train-tragedy-locals-in-odishas-balasore-queue-up-all-night-to-donate-blood-for-wounded-599885">India train tragedy: Locals in Odisha's Balasore queue up all-night to donate blood for wounded</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/03/356488-untitled-design-2023-06-03t074432586.png?imwidth=1920" />

Locals in India's Odisha state's Balasore district queued up all-night to donate blood for the wounded victims of one of country's worst train accidents ever. The visuals shared on social media showed locals lined up at a blood bank in a hospital where the wounded from the tragedy are being treated.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/senegal-death-toll-rises-to-10-as-clashes-continue-599923">Senegal: Death toll rises to 10 as clashes continue</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/03/356515-senegal.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Police and protesters in Senegal clashed for a second day which resulted in death of one more person on Friday (June 2). The protests and clashes have erupted after sentencing of opposition politician Ousmane Sonko. The violence is one of the deadliest in recent memory.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-talks-essential-to-eliminate-chance-of-conflict-austin-599889">US-China talks 'essential' to eliminate chance of conflict: Austin</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/09/337627-000339b87p.jpg?imwidth=1920" />US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Saturday (June 3) that dialogue between the United States and China is "essential' in order to prevent any miscalculation which potentially can lead to conflict.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/propaganda-vs-bullying-groups-of-parents-clash-at-anti-lgbtq-protest-outside-los-angeles-school-599920">'Propaganda' vs 'bullying': Groups of parents clash at anti-LGBTQ protest outside Los Angeles school</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/03/356521-live-blog-2.png?imwidth=1920" />

In the United States Los Angeles, over a hundred anti-LGBT protesters and pro-LGBT counter-protesters clashed on a typically quiet suburban street on Friday. The trigger behind this was a Pride Month event being held at Saticoy Elementary School, which drew contrasting views from the two groups.&nbsp;

In India's eastern state of Odisha, a horrific three-train collision between two passenger trains and a freight train has resulted in the death of at least 288 people, while another 900 people were injured.

In India's eastern state of Odisha, a horrific three-train collision between two passenger trains and a freight train has resulted in the death of at least 288 people, while another 900 people were injured. Amid the tragedy, reports of locals queuing up all night to donate blood, to help the injured, have emerged. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has said that dialogue between the United States and China is "essential' to prevent any miscalculation or conflict. In other news, just three days into the Pride Month, a major scuffle broke out at an anti-LGBTQ rally outside a Los Angeles school between opposing groups of parents. Finally, In Senegal, the death toll from clashes has risen to 10. Click on the headlines to read more LIVE three-train crash in India's Odisha: Death toll rises; at least 288 dead, 900 injured A collision between two passenger trains and a goods train in the eastern Indian state of Odisha's Balasore has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 288 individuals, with approximately 900 others sustaining injuries. According to the railway officials, the Coromandel Express, which operates between Kolkata and Chennai, crashed into the Howrah Superfast Express. Stay tuned to WION for all the updates. India train tragedy: Locals in Odisha's Balasore queue up all-night to donate blood for wounded Locals in India's Odisha state's Balasore district queued up all-night to donate blood for the wounded victims of one of country's worst train accidents ever. The visuals shared on social media showed locals lined up at a blood bank in a hospital where the wounded from the tragedy are being treated. Senegal: Death toll rises to 10 as clashes continue Police and protesters in Senegal clashed for a second day which resulted in death of one more person on Friday (June 2). The protests and clashes have erupted after sentencing of opposition politician Ousmane Sonko. The violence is one of the deadliest in recent memory. US-China talks 'essential' to eliminate chance of conflict: Austin US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Saturday (June 3) that dialogue between the United States and China is "essential' in order to prevent any miscalculation which potentially can lead to conflict. 'Propaganda' vs 'bullying': Groups of parents clash at anti-LGBTQ protest outside Los Angeles school In the United States Los Angeles, over a hundred anti-LGBT protesters and pro-LGBT counter-protesters clashed on a typically quiet suburban street on Friday. The trigger behind this was a Pride Month event being held at Saticoy Elementary School, which drew contrasting views from the two groups.

Morning news brief: Odisha train tragedy, US defence secretary on importance of US-China talks, & more

In May 2023, India's retail sales of electric two-wheelers reached a new peak at 104,755 units, marking a 57 per cent increase compared to April 2023, which saw 66,724 units sold. This translates to an average of 3,379 electric two-wheelers sold per day last month. This is the first time, the sale of two-wheeler EVs&nbsp;topped 100,000 units.

These figures are based on end-of-day sales data from the government's Vahan website as of May 31.&nbsp;The record-breaking sales surpassed the previous high of 85,452 units in March 2023 by a significant margin of 19,303 units. This is despite the fact that in April, sales experienced a 22 per cent decline in April 2023 compared to the previous month.

<h2>What is driving the sale surge?</h2>

The surge in retail sales in May, particularly in the last week of the month, as per Auto Car Pro can be attributed to the Indian government's May 22nd decision to revise the subsidy under the FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &amp;) Electric Vehicles) Scheme.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/upi-hits-record-9-billion-transactions-in-may-worth-rs-143-trillion-599456">UPI records 9 billion transactions in May worth Rs 14.3 trillion</a>

The subsidy was reduced to Rs 10,000 per kilowatt per hour (kWh) from the previous Rs 15,000/kWh, and the incentive cap was lowered to 15 per cent of the two-wheeler EV's ex-factory price, down from the previous 40 per cent. This 37.5 per cent reduction in incentives resulted in higher vehicle prices starting from June 1, prompting value-conscious buyers to make their purchases earlier.

Between May 23 and May 31, a total of 57,917 electric two-wheelers were sold, indicating a rush of new purchases in the last eight days of May.&nbsp;

<h2>Which companies sold the most unit?</h2>

Among the leading OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), only three out of the top 25 experienced a decline in sales month-on-month.

Market leaders Ola Electric, TVS Motor Co, Ather Energy, and Bajaj Auto achieved their best-ever monthly sales figures.&nbsp;

- Ola Electric sold 28,438 units, surpassing its previous high of 21,991 units in April 2023.&nbsp;

- TVS Motor Co's iQube crossed the 20,000-unit mark with 20,253 units sold.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-narrowly-avoids-its-first-ever-default-as-congress-approves-debt-ceiling-suspension-599453">US narrowly avoids its first-ever default as Congress approves debt-ceiling suspension</a>

- Ather Energy achieved a new monthly high of 15,256 units.&nbsp;

- Bajaj Auto saw a remarkable 168 per cent increase in sales to 9,910 units, securing the fourth position for the first time.

These four OEMs, along with Ampere Vehicles, accounted for 83,475 units of the total 104,755 EVs sold in May, representing 80 per cent of the market share. Additionally, seven other OEMs achieved four-figure sales.

<h2>Will the sales sustain over time?</h2>

Looking ahead, the reduced FAME II subsidy, which took effect on June 1 and resulted in higher prices for e-scooters and e-motorcycles, and is expected to slow down demand in the coming months. However, it might pick up during the upcoming festival season.

Nevertheless, the prospects for the domestic electric two-wheeler industry are expected to remain strong due to the rising cost of petrol and diesel and the cost-effective nature of eco-friendly two-wheeler travel. Manufacturers are expected to announce price increases in the near future.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In May 2023, India's retail sales of electric two-wheelers reached a new peak at 104,755 units, marking a 57 per cent increase compared to April 2023, which saw 66,724 units sold.

In May 2023, India's retail sales of electric two-wheelers reached a new peak at 104,755 units, marking a 57 per cent increase compared to April 2023, which saw 66,724 units sold. This translates to an average of 3,379 electric two-wheelers sold per day last month. This is the first time, the sale of two-wheeler EVs topped 100,000 units. These figures are based on end-of-day sales data from the government's Vahan website as of May 31. The record-breaking sales surpassed the previous high of 85,452 units in March 2023 by a significant margin of 19,303 units. This is despite the fact that in April, sales experienced a 22 per cent decline in April 2023 compared to the previous month. What is driving the sale surge? The surge in retail sales in May, particularly in the last week of the month, as per Auto Car Pro can be attributed to the Indian government's May 22nd decision to revise the subsidy under the FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles) Scheme. Also read | UPI records 9 billion transactions in May worth Rs 14.3 trillion The subsidy was reduced to Rs 10,000 per kilowatt per hour (kWh) from the previous Rs 15,000/kWh, and the incentive cap was lowered to 15 per cent of the two-wheeler EV's ex-factory price, down from the previous 40 per cent. This 37.5 per cent reduction in incentives resulted in higher vehicle prices starting from June 1, prompting value-conscious buyers to make their purchases earlier. Between May 23 and May 31, a total of 57,917 electric two-wheelers were sold, indicating a rush of new purchases in the last eight days of May. Which companies sold the most unit? Among the leading OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), only three out of the top 25 experienced a decline in sales month-on-month. Market leaders Ola Electric, TVS Motor Co, Ather Energy, and Bajaj Auto achieved their best-ever monthly sales figures. - Ola Electric sold 28,438 units, surpassing its previous high of 21,991 units in April 2023. - TVS Motor Co's iQube crossed the 20,000-unit mark with 20,253 units sold. Also read | US narrowly avoids its first-ever default as Congress approves debt-ceiling suspension - Ather Energy achieved a new monthly high of 15,256 units. - Bajaj Auto saw a remarkable 168 per cent increase in sales to 9,910 units, securing the fourth position for the first time. These four OEMs, along with Ampere Vehicles, accounted for 83,475 units of the total 104,755 EVs sold in May, representing 80 per cent of the market share. Additionally, seven other OEMs achieved four-figure sales. Will the sales sustain over time? Looking ahead, the reduced FAME II subsidy, which took effect on June 1 and resulted in higher prices for e-scooters and e-motorcycles, and is expected to slow down demand in the coming months. However, it might pick up during the upcoming festival season. Nevertheless, the prospects for the domestic electric two-wheeler industry are expected to remain strong due to the rising cost of petrol and diesel and the cost-effective nature of eco-friendly two-wheeler travel. Manufacturers are expected to announce price increases in the near future. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India's electric two-wheeler retail sales hit record high in May 2023

The United States is well on its way to narrowly avoiding what would have been its first-ever debt default of&nbsp;$31.4 trillion&nbsp;as the bill raising its debt ceiling&nbsp;sped through the Senate in a 63-36 vote, just a day after it sailed through the US House of Representatives. President Joe Biden will have to sign the bill before it becomes law. In other news, the US President&nbsp;said that Sweden will “soon” join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Finally,&nbsp;air raid sirens were heard across the war-torn Ukraine, including in the capital Kyiv. The officials in Kyiv claimed that they shot down 30 missiles and drones fired into the capital.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-narrowly-avoids-its-first-ever-default-as-congress-approves-debt-ceiling-suspension-599453">US narrowly avoids its first-ever default as Congress approves debt-ceiling suspension</a> 

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Just days before the United States was set to default on its debt for the first time, the US Congress approved a deal to lift the nation's borrowing limit. The bill, which is well on its way to becoming a law, will spare the US from a catastrophic default on its $31.4 trillion in debt.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-will-soon-join-nato-says-us-president-joe-biden-599446">Sweden ‘will soon’ join NATO, says US President Joe Biden</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/02/356210-biden-2.png?imwidth=1920" />

Despite Turkey and Hungary’s opposition, US President Joe Biden said that Sweden will “soon” join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kyiv-alarmed-by-air-raid-sirens-as-russia-launches-fresh-wave-of-attacks-599452">Kyiv alarmed by air raid sirens as Russia launches fresh wave of attacks</a>

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Russia-Ukraine war showed no signs of de-escalation on Friday (June 2) as air raid sirens were heard across the war-torn east European nation including in the capital Kyiv. The officials in Kyiv claimed that they shot down 30 missiles and drones fired into the capital.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-killed-one-missing-as-heavy-rain-batters-china-30-million-tonnes-of-bumper-wheat-harvest-impacted-599441">Three killed, one missing as heavy rain batters China; 30 million tonnes of bumper wheat harvest impacted</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/02/356206-new-wion-31.png?imwidth=1920" />As higher-than-normal rain batters&nbsp;various areas of China, at least three people have died while one&nbsp;was reported missing from southwestern China, reports Anadolu citing local media.&nbsp;As of Thursday, authorities have reportedly&nbsp;evacuated some 32,200 people from flood-affected regions.

Arrest warrant against Putin overshadows BRICS FMs meeting in South Africa | All you need to know 
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The United States is well on its way to narrowly avoiding what would have been its first-ever debt default of $31.4 trillion as the bill raising its debt ceiling sped through the Senate in a 63-36 vote, just a day after it sailed through the US House of Representatives.

The United States is well on its way to narrowly avoiding what would have been its first-ever debt default of $31.4 trillion as the bill raising its debt ceiling sped through the Senate in a 63-36 vote, just a day after it sailed through the US House of Representatives. President Joe Biden will have to sign the bill before it becomes law. In other news, the US President said that Sweden will “soon” join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Finally, air raid sirens were heard across the war-torn Ukraine, including in the capital Kyiv. The officials in Kyiv claimed that they shot down 30 missiles and drones fired into the capital. Click on the headlines to read more: US narrowly avoids its first-ever default as Congress approves debt-ceiling suspension Just days before the United States was set to default on its debt for the first time, the US Congress approved a deal to lift the nation's borrowing limit. The bill, which is well on its way to becoming a law, will spare the US from a catastrophic default on its $31.4 trillion in debt. Sweden ‘will soon’ join NATO, says US President Joe Biden Despite Turkey and Hungary’s opposition, US President Joe Biden said that Sweden will “soon” join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Kyiv alarmed by air raid sirens as Russia launches fresh wave of attacks Russia-Ukraine war showed no signs of de-escalation on Friday (June 2) as air raid sirens were heard across the war-torn east European nation including in the capital Kyiv. The officials in Kyiv claimed that they shot down 30 missiles and drones fired into the capital. Three killed, one missing as heavy rain batters China; 30 million tonnes of bumper wheat harvest impacted As higher-than-normal rain batters various areas of China, at least three people have died while one was reported missing from southwestern China, reports Anadolu citing local media. As of Thursday, authorities have reportedly evacuated some 32,200 people from flood-affected regions. Arrest warrant against Putin overshadows BRICS FMs meeting in South Africa | All you need to know

Morning news brief: US debt-ceiling raised, Kyiv rings with air raid sirens, and more

Aviation giant Boeing's space ambitions will not take off on time. Its Starliner test flight will not take off on July 21 this year, after the company discovered two safety-critical issues in the spacecraft. The company said that it found a flammable tape material and issues with the spacecraft's parachute lines during engineering reviews last week.

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