A US court has ruled that two precious metals companies must pay nearly $146 million in restitution and penalties after more than 500,000 American Silver Eagle coins that vanished under their care. The firms, Argent Asset Group and First State Depository Company, owned by Robert Higgins, have been accused of orchestrating a "fraudulent and deceptive scheme" by promising to store the coins for customers but failed to do so.

<h2>The lost "treasure"</h2>

As per BBC, an investigation revealed that the coins, which were supposed to be held in vaults, could not be located. As part of the settlement, Argent Asset Group and First State Depository Company have been ordered to make compensation of $112.7 million and pay a penalty of $33mn.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/discovery-of-cocaine-in-white-house-library-prompts-secret-service-investigation-611984">Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation</a>

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), alleged that Higgins' companies operated "fraudulent silver leasing programmes" known as the Maximus Program and the Silver Lease Program between 2014 and 2022.&nbsp;

The CFTC stated that the firms "solicited and misappropriated at least $7 million in funds and silver from at least 200 customers" and also made "false and misleading excuses for why assets could not be withdrawn".

<h2>What are American Silver Eagle Coins?</h2>

American Silver Eagle coins are backed by the US government, with each coin guaranteed to contain at least one troy ounce (31.1g) of 99.9 per cent pure silver, according to the United States Mint.

Investigators discovered more than 500,000 American Silver Eagle coins and over 9,000 gold coins missing from customers' accounts. Instead of the coins, they found empty boxes with "IOU" slips that are used to represent customers' holdings, however, they&nbsp;contained no assets.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/french-officials-fine-google-22-million-over-incomplete-search-results-611942">French officials fine Google $2.2 million over incomplete search results</a>

The CFTC emphasised the severity of the misconduct and stated that appropriate enforcement actions were necessary.&nbsp;

"This kind of egregious behaviour merits the full weight of the Commission's enforcement authority."

In addition to the monetary penalties, the court ruling regarding the missing American Silver Eagle coins has also mandated the closure of the implicated firms, Argent Asset Group LLC and First State Depository Company LLC, reports Market Watch. Moreover, the owner, Robert Higgins, has been permanently barred from participating in the commodities industry.

A US court has ruled that two precious metals companies must pay nearly $146 million in restitution and penalties after more than 500,000 American Silver Eagle coins that vanished under their care.

A US court has ruled that two precious metals companies must pay nearly $146 million in restitution and penalties after more than 500,000 American Silver Eagle coins that vanished under their care. The firms, Argent Asset Group and First State Depository Company, owned by Robert Higgins, have been accused of orchestrating a "fraudulent and deceptive scheme" by promising to store the coins for customers but failed to do so. The lost "treasure" As per BBC, an investigation revealed that the coins, which were supposed to be held in vaults, could not be located. As part of the settlement, Argent Asset Group and First State Depository Company have been ordered to make compensation of $112.7 million and pay a penalty of $33mn. Also read | Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), alleged that Higgins' companies operated "fraudulent silver leasing programmes" known as the Maximus Program and the Silver Lease Program between 2014 and 2022. The CFTC stated that the firms "solicited and misappropriated at least $7 million in funds and silver from at least 200 customers" and also made "false and misleading excuses for why assets could not be withdrawn". What are American Silver Eagle Coins? American Silver Eagle coins are backed by the US government, with each coin guaranteed to contain at least one troy ounce (31.1g) of 99.9 per cent pure silver, according to the United States Mint. Investigators discovered more than 500,000 American Silver Eagle coins and over 9,000 gold coins missing from customers' accounts. Instead of the coins, they found empty boxes with "IOU" slips that are used to represent customers' holdings, however, they contained no assets. Also read | French officials fine Google $2.2 million over incomplete search results The CFTC emphasised the severity of the misconduct and stated that appropriate enforcement actions were necessary. "This kind of egregious behaviour merits the full weight of the Commission's enforcement authority." In addition to the monetary penalties, the court ruling regarding the missing American Silver Eagle coins has also mandated the closure of the implicated firms, Argent Asset Group LLC and First State Depository Company LLC, reports Market Watch. Moreover, the owner, Robert Higgins, has been permanently barred from participating in the commodities industry.

'IOU': Precious metals companies ordered to pay $146 million over missing American Silver Eagle coins 

Taj Mahal, the famous monument of love in India's Agra, recently became the location of a heart-wrenching incident. Tourists visiting the legendary monument left their dog locked in a car in scorching heat, which unfortunately lead to the poor pet's death.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened?</h2>

At Taj Mahal's Westgate Parking, passersby noticed a dog locked inside a car with zero ventilation. The helpless dog's owners had left it shut in the vehicle in scorching heat with no water.

Witnesses captured the poor animal's plight and shared videos of it online. Authorities soon responded and a UP Police unit promptly reached the spot but was unable to save the dog's life.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/newborns-nicotine-nightmare-mothers-tobacco-addiction-proves-fatal-for-baby-heres-how-611392">Newborn's nicotine nightmare: Mother's tobacco addiction proves fatal for baby, here's how</a>

A video of the incident where the poor pet can be seen lying on the car's floor is circulating on Twitter. In the post, the Twitter user tagged the UP and Agra police and wrote: "Tourist from Haryana came to Agra to visit Taj Mahal. Tourist had brought a pet dog with him, Parked car in Westgate parking Taj, locked the dog in the car and went to visit Taj, Dog locked in a car for several hours in humid heat broke its breath".&nbsp;

In the video, the person behind the camera can be heard saying "such cases are very common".

Here's the video. Distressing visuals, viewer discretion is advised.

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Tourist from Haryana came to Agra visit Taj Mahal Tourist had brought a pet dog with him, Parked car in Westgate parking Taj, locked dog in car and went to visit Taj,Dog locked in a car for several hours in humid heat broke its breath <a href="https://twitter.com/Uppolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Uppolice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/agrapolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@agrapolice</a> <a href="https://t.co/uUjm37ZpKu">pic.twitter.com/uUjm37ZpKu</a>
— Amir qadri (@AmirqadriAgra) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmirqadriAgra/status/1675554955762237440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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As per a Times Now report, the Agra division of the police is looking into the matter. An FIR has been lodged against the tourists for this act of animal cruelty. Their car has been seized.

<h2>Cause of death to be ascertained</h2>

While the cause of death is believed to be suffocation and the unbearable heat, as per reports, the canine's body will undergo a postmortem examination to ascertain the exact cause.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-four-arrested-in-ups-noida-for-cutting-cake-bursting-crackers-on-elevated-road-611317">India: Four arrested in UP's Noida for cutting cake, bursting crackers on elevated road</a>

It is speculated that the dog's chain got entangled in the vehicle's handbrake, which possibly lead to its death.

<h2>Not a first-of-its-kind incident</h2>

As per Times Now, a parking attendant revealed that this is the second such incident in just three days. Allegedly, just a couple of days back, four people accompanied by a Labrador-breed dog had visited the monument. Against the parking attendant and a guide's advice, the dog was left shut inside the parked car while the accompanying humans enjoyed a tour of the Taj Mahal.

In India, cases of neglect and animal cruelty are on the rise. Cases where pets are left exposed to weather elements, be it scorching heat or freezing cold have become commonplace.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Taj Mahal, the famous monument of love in India's Agra, recently became the location of a heart-wrenching incident. Tourists visiting the legendary monument left their dog locked in a car in scorching heat, which unfortunately lead to the poor pet's death.

Taj Mahal, the famous monument of love in India's Agra, recently became the location of a heart-wrenching incident. Tourists visiting the legendary monument left their dog locked in a car in scorching heat, which unfortunately lead to the poor pet's death. What happened? At Taj Mahal's Westgate Parking, passersby noticed a dog locked inside a car with zero ventilation. The helpless dog's owners had left it shut in the vehicle in scorching heat with no water. Witnesses captured the poor animal's plight and shared videos of it online. Authorities soon responded and a UP Police unit promptly reached the spot but was unable to save the dog's life. Also read | Newborn's nicotine nightmare: Mother's tobacco addiction proves fatal for baby, here's how A video of the incident where the poor pet can be seen lying on the car's floor is circulating on Twitter. In the post, the Twitter user tagged the UP and Agra police and wrote: "Tourist from Haryana came to Agra to visit Taj Mahal. Tourist had brought a pet dog with him, Parked car in Westgate parking Taj, locked the dog in the car and went to visit Taj, Dog locked in a car for several hours in humid heat broke its breath". In the video, the person behind the camera can be heard saying "such cases are very common". Here's the video. Distressing visuals, viewer discretion is advised. Tourist from Haryana came to Agra visit Taj Mahal Tourist had brought a pet dog with him, Parked car in Westgate parking Taj, locked dog in car and went to visit Taj,Dog locked in a car for several hours in humid heat broke its breath @Uppolice @agrapolice pic.twitter.com/uUjm37ZpKu — Amir qadri (@AmirqadriAgra) July 2, 2023 × As per a Times Now report, the Agra division of the police is looking into the matter. An FIR has been lodged against the tourists for this act of animal cruelty. Their car has been seized. Cause of death to be ascertained While the cause of death is believed to be suffocation and the unbearable heat, as per reports, the canine's body will undergo a postmortem examination to ascertain the exact cause. Also read | India: Four arrested in UP's Noida for cutting cake, bursting crackers on elevated road It is speculated that the dog's chain got entangled in the vehicle's handbrake, which possibly lead to its death. Not a first-of-its-kind incident As per Times Now, a parking attendant revealed that this is the second such incident in just three days. Allegedly, just a couple of days back, four people accompanied by a Labrador-breed dog had visited the monument. Against the parking attendant and a guide's advice, the dog was left shut inside the parked car while the accompanying humans enjoyed a tour of the Taj Mahal. In India, cases of neglect and animal cruelty are on the rise. Cases where pets are left exposed to weather elements, be it scorching heat or freezing cold have become commonplace. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Dog suffocates in scorching car as careless pet owners enjoy tour of Taj Mahal

In Georgia, United States, a sandwich shop sign has left people with a bad taste in their mouth. The roadside sign was seen outside the Rincon city franchise of the popular sandwich brand Subway. It read "Our subs don't implode".&nbsp;The distasteful sign jokes about the recent implosion of the&nbsp;Titan submersible, a tragedy which resulted in&nbsp;the death of five people onboard.

As per Sky News, after spotting the sign passers-by expressed disgust and were quick to condemn the insensitive remark.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anticipation-and-dread-heres-what-we-know-about-the-final-moments-of-passengers-aboard-titan-submersible-611439">Final moments of Titan passengers: A day of anticipation and dread</a>

What the people are saying:

The sign has invited widespread condemnation from netizens.&nbsp;One Twitter user commented: "Not only is it distasteful, it's just sad. Do better."

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<a href="https://twitter.com/SUBWAY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SUBWAY</a> this is at your store in Rincon, GA. Not only is it distasteful, it’s just sad. Do better. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/subway?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#subway</a> <a href="https://t.co/PfgABPU8ML">pic.twitter.com/PfgABPU8ML</a>
— Amanda Butler (@Amanda72118560) <a href="https://twitter.com/Amanda72118560/status/1675599325613654018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Another noted that the sign ignores the hardship families of those who died must be going through.

"How tacky, people have no thought of the family members of those who died, disgusting."

Yet another user pointed out "Too soon".

"I can't believe someone would sink so low to make a joke that is almost as tasteless as a subway sandwich," said one user.

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I can't believe someone would sink so low to make a joke that is almost as tasteless as a subway sandwich.
— Pinky💗, the Geriatric Femboy (@GeriatricFemboy) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeriatricFemboy/status/1676107381732941825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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As per the report, following complaints, the sign has been taken down.

Talking to the media, Subway's head office blamed the franchise operator and assured the public that it won't happen again.

"We have been in contact with the franchise about this matter and made it clear that this kind of comment has no place in our business," said a spokesperson for the brand.

The Titan submersible tragedy

On 18 June 2023, OceanGate's Titan Submersible began its expedition to the shipwreck of The Titanic.&nbsp;

The vessel was carrying five passengers: Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo driven by their fascination with the Titanic; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert, on his 38th dive to the Titanic wreckage; Hamish Harding, a British airline executive and Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate, who was piloting the submersible.

Just hours after the descent began, contact with the submersible was lost. As per the United States Coast Guard, the disconnection happened after one hour and forty-five minutes into the dive. Four days later, the Coast Guard announced the discovery of debris from the Titan and said that all the passengers have perished in an implosion that would've instantaneously killed all onboard.

In Georgia, United States, a sandwich shop sign has left people with a bad taste in their mouth. The roadside sign was seen outside the Rincon city franchise of the popular sandwich brand Subway.

In Georgia, United States, a sandwich shop sign has left people with a bad taste in their mouth. The roadside sign was seen outside the Rincon city franchise of the popular sandwich brand Subway. It read "Our subs don't implode". The distasteful sign jokes about the recent implosion of the Titan submersible, a tragedy which resulted in the death of five people onboard. As per Sky News, after spotting the sign passers-by expressed disgust and were quick to condemn the insensitive remark. Also read | Final moments of Titan passengers: A day of anticipation and dread What the people are saying: The sign has invited widespread condemnation from netizens. One Twitter user commented: "Not only is it distasteful, it's just sad. Do better." @SUBWAY this is at your store in Rincon, GA. Not only is it distasteful, it’s just sad. Do better. #subway pic.twitter.com/PfgABPU8ML — Amanda Butler (@Amanda72118560) July 2, 2023 × Another noted that the sign ignores the hardship families of those who died must be going through. "How tacky, people have no thought of the family members of those who died, disgusting." Yet another user pointed out "Too soon". "I can't believe someone would sink so low to make a joke that is almost as tasteless as a subway sandwich," said one user. I can't believe someone would sink so low to make a joke that is almost as tasteless as a subway sandwich. — Pinky💗, the Geriatric Femboy (@GeriatricFemboy) July 4, 2023 × As per the report, following complaints, the sign has been taken down. Talking to the media, Subway's head office blamed the franchise operator and assured the public that it won't happen again. "We have been in contact with the franchise about this matter and made it clear that this kind of comment has no place in our business," said a spokesperson for the brand. The Titan submersible tragedy On 18 June 2023, OceanGate's Titan Submersible began its expedition to the shipwreck of The Titanic. The vessel was carrying five passengers: Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo driven by their fascination with the Titanic; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert, on his 38th dive to the Titanic wreckage; Hamish Harding, a British airline executive and Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate, who was piloting the submersible. Just hours after the descent began, contact with the submersible was lost. As per the United States Coast Guard, the disconnection happened after one hour and forty-five minutes into the dive. Four days later, the Coast Guard announced the discovery of debris from the Titan and said that all the passengers have perished in an implosion that would've instantaneously killed all onboard.

Too soon? Subway's insensitive 'our subs don't implode' sign after Titan tragedy angers netizens

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday emphasised the need to safeguard regional peace and "oppose protectionism" during his address at a virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday.&nbsp;

As per state news agency Xinhua, the leader "called for efforts to safeguard regional peace and ensure common security."

<h2>What did Xi Jinping say at the virtual SCO Summit 2023?</h2>

Addressing the participants via a virtual link, Xi highlighted the responsibility to achieve long-term peace and stability in the region, stating that it is a common goal.

State broadcaster CCTV, as per AFP, quoted&nbsp;him as saying that "achieving long-term regional peace and stability is our common responsibility".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-virtual-sco-meet-modi-mentions-five-pillars-of-organisations-vision-611705">At virtual SCO summit, Modi mentions five pillars of organisation's vision; condemns terrorism in any form</a>

He also said that China would "persist in the correct direction of economic globalisation, oppose protectionism, unilateral sanctions and extension of national security concepts".

President Xi also pledged to "promote political solutions to pressing international and regional issues, building a firm regional security barrier."

<h2>The virtual summit</h2>

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) now consists of nine member states — after welcoming Iran as the latest one Tuesday — and is headquartered in Beijing.&nbsp;

Its latest virtual summit is being hosted by India, which holds the rotating chair.&nbsp;

The leaders of Russia, Pakistan, and several Central Asian countries also participated in the virtual SCO summit.&nbsp;

<h2>Vladimir Putin, Ukraine war, and China</h2>

Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed the summit. This marked his first appearance since a brief mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, occurred last month.

"Russia is confidently resisting and will continue to resist external pressure, sanctions and provocations," said the Russian leader.

"I would like to thank my colleagues from the SCO countries who expressed support for the actions of the Russian leadership&nbsp;to protect the constitutional order and the life and security of citizens," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dog-suffocates-in-scorching-car-as-careless-pet-owners-enjoy-tour-of-taj-mahal-611528">Dog suffocates in scorching car as careless pet owners enjoy tour of Taj Mahal</a>

AFP reports that China and Russia have deepened economic cooperation and diplomatic ties in recent years, with their strategic partnership strengthening further since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

Even though Beijing claims to be a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has faced criticism for not condemning Moscow's offensive.

During a summit in Moscow in March, President Xi invited President Putin to visit Beijing, and the two leaders declared that their countries' ties were entering a new era.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday emphasised the need to safeguard regional peace and "oppose protectionism" during his address at a virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday emphasised the need to safeguard regional peace and "oppose protectionism" during his address at a virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday. As per state news agency Xinhua, the leader "called for efforts to safeguard regional peace and ensure common security." What did Xi Jinping say at the virtual SCO Summit 2023? Addressing the participants via a virtual link, Xi highlighted the responsibility to achieve long-term peace and stability in the region, stating that it is a common goal. State broadcaster CCTV, as per AFP, quoted him as saying that "achieving long-term regional peace and stability is our common responsibility". Also read | At virtual SCO summit, Modi mentions five pillars of organisation's vision; condemns terrorism in any form He also said that China would "persist in the correct direction of economic globalisation, oppose protectionism, unilateral sanctions and extension of national security concepts". President Xi also pledged to "promote political solutions to pressing international and regional issues, building a firm regional security barrier." The virtual summit The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) now consists of nine member states — after welcoming Iran as the latest one Tuesday — and is headquartered in Beijing. Its latest virtual summit is being hosted by India, which holds the rotating chair. The leaders of Russia, Pakistan, and several Central Asian countries also participated in the virtual SCO summit. Vladimir Putin, Ukraine war, and China Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed the summit. This marked his first appearance since a brief mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, occurred last month. "Russia is confidently resisting and will continue to resist external pressure, sanctions and provocations," said the Russian leader. "I would like to thank my colleagues from the SCO countries who expressed support for the actions of the Russian leadership to protect the constitutional order and the life and security of citizens," he added. Also read | Dog suffocates in scorching car as careless pet owners enjoy tour of Taj Mahal AFP reports that China and Russia have deepened economic cooperation and diplomatic ties in recent years, with their strategic partnership strengthening further since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Even though Beijing claims to be a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has faced criticism for not condemning Moscow's offensive. During a summit in Moscow in March, President Xi invited President Putin to visit Beijing, and the two leaders declared that their countries' ties were entering a new era. (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.

Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for regional peace, opposes protectionism at SCO Summit

Thousands of small dead fish washed ashore on the banks of the Amshan River in Majar-al Kabir in Maysan province in southeast Iraq amid blistering weather conditions.&nbsp;

Linking the wildlife disaster to possible drought conditions in the area, officials on Monday announced that they'd be investigating the matter of the river, which is home to almost nine aquatic species.&nbsp;

Iraq's agricultural ministry said that it is forming a committee to look into the cause of deaths, AFP reported, citing news agency INA.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-hits-record-land-sea-temperatures-as-climate-change-fuels-2023-extremes-611641">Also read |&nbsp;World hits record land, sea temperatures as climate change fuels 2023 extremes</a>

The Maysan region is home to fabled marshes in the floodplain of the Tigris River and has already been suffering from the effects of global warming.&nbsp;

The United Nations has also ranked Iraq as one of the world's five countries most impacted by the&nbsp;effects of climate change.&nbsp;

Fish keep dying even now

Amid the deaths, a Maysan province official that oversees its Marshes for the Iraqi environment ministry named Khodr Abbas Salman told AFP that according to the terrain analyses&nbsp;conducted by them, the level of oxygen in the water is zero and is adding to the salinity levels.&nbsp;

Salman said that he too joined the mission of inspecting the deaths of "tonnes" of fish.

He added that samples from both fish and rivers will be analysed to determine if there is any chemical substance present.&nbsp;

"The water can no longer be used for agriculture. It would scourge the land if farmers use it for irrigation."

Watch |&nbsp;A robot fish that collects environmental DNA

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The expert further warned of possible risks of pollution in the water and surrounding lands, which can cause more animals to die.&nbsp;

"Any dead animal rots... which raises the level of pollution. The water's toxicity might increase and infiltrate the land too," he said.&nbsp;

A similar phenomenon happened in June 2023 in the US state of Texas,&nbsp;where thousands of dead fish washed ashore on a beach along the Gulf Coast.&nbsp;

The dead fishes were found at the far end of Bryan Beach, near the Brazos River.&nbsp;

The officials who published the photos of the dead fishes said that the combination of shallow waters and a lack of sunlight led to depleting oxygen levels on shore, leading to deaths.

Going on, the local media reported that thousands more fish are expected to wash ashore.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Thousands of small dead fish washed ashore on the banks of the Amshan River in Majar-al Kabir in Maysan province in southeast Iraq amid blistering weather conditions.

Thousands of small dead fish washed ashore on the banks of the Amshan River in Majar-al Kabir in Maysan province in southeast Iraq amid blistering weather conditions. Linking the wildlife disaster to possible drought conditions in the area, officials on Monday announced that they'd be investigating the matter of the river, which is home to almost nine aquatic species. Iraq's agricultural ministry said that it is forming a committee to look into the cause of deaths, AFP reported, citing news agency INA. Also read | World hits record land, sea temperatures as climate change fuels 2023 extremes The Maysan region is home to fabled marshes in the floodplain of the Tigris River and has already been suffering from the effects of global warming. The United Nations has also ranked Iraq as one of the world's five countries most impacted by the effects of climate change. Fish keep dying even now Amid the deaths, a Maysan province official that oversees its Marshes for the Iraqi environment ministry named Khodr Abbas Salman told AFP that according to the terrain analyses conducted by them, the level of oxygen in the water is zero and is adding to the salinity levels. Salman said that he too joined the mission of inspecting the deaths of "tonnes" of fish. He added that samples from both fish and rivers will be analysed to determine if there is any chemical substance present. "The water can no longer be used for agriculture. It would scourge the land if farmers use it for irrigation." Watch | A robot fish that collects environmental DNA The expert further warned of possible risks of pollution in the water and surrounding lands, which can cause more animals to die. "Any dead animal rots... which raises the level of pollution. The water's toxicity might increase and infiltrate the land too," he said. A similar phenomenon happened in June 2023 in the US state of Texas, where thousands of dead fish washed ashore on a beach along the Gulf Coast. The dead fishes were found at the far end of Bryan Beach, near the Brazos River. The officials who published the photos of the dead fishes said that the combination of shallow waters and a lack of sunlight led to depleting oxygen levels on shore, leading to deaths. Going on, the local media reported that thousands more fish are expected to wash ashore. (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.

Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in drought-hit Iraq, probe on

Congress Member of Parliament Hibi Eden is being heavily criticised by his own party and opposition leaders for proposing a private bill to shift south Indian state Kerala's capital from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. The leaders have been urging the 40-year-old MP to withdraw the bill, moved in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament.

Eden, who is from Ernakulam constituency, proposed the private member’s Bill in March, urging to change the state's capital. He argued that since the capital is located at the tip of the state, it is inaccessible to residents of the northern districts, Hindustan Times reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-virtual-sco-meet-modi-mentions-five-pillars-of-organisations-vision-611705">Also read |&nbsp;At virtual SCO summit, Modi mentions five pillars of organisation's vision; condemns terrorism of any form</a>

Only parliament will decide on Bill

The young MP justified his move by claiming that he submitted the Bill considering people’s opinions. He said that he did not intend to hurt the feelings of people from any particular region. Giving an explanation for not consulting the party leadership before submitting the bill, he said that the "clearance" from the party was not mandatory for presenting a private Bill earlier and assured to abide by the party rules in future.&nbsp;

Recently on Facebook, Eden said that only parliament will decide on the bill to accept or decline the demand.&nbsp;

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed the bill, saying that there was no need to relocate the capital.&nbsp;

The controversy regarding the Bill came to light when the Union government asked the state government for its views on the matter.&nbsp;To this, the state responded that in 1954, Thiruvananthapuram was chosen as the state capital and during the existing circumstance it continues to still support the move.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-supreme-court-receives-series-of-futuristic-upgrades-with-paperless-courtrooms-free-wi-fi-611534">Indian Supreme Court receives ‘series of futuristic upgrades’ with paperless courtrooms, free WiFi</a>

Leaders oppose Eden's Bill, say no need for controversy

Congress Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor opposed Eden's move, calling it illogical. He said, "He has every right to move a private member’s Bill, but this proposal is not grounded in logic. Not every state’s capital needs to be centrally located. Chennai is at the northern end of Tamil Nadu, and even Delhi, the capital of India, is in the north."

Similarly, the leader of the opposition in Kerala, VD Satheesan from Congress who also represents the Ernakulam district, said he called Hibi immediately after he heard about the bill and conveyed his displeasure.

He said, "Hibi is like my younger brother." He added that this is not the stand of the Congress party and has told Hibi to withdraw the Bill and there is no need for any further controversy.&nbsp;

P Rajeeve, senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader told reporters, "Even his party leaders have conceded that it is an immature and impractical idea. It only leads to a useless discussion. Hibi took a stand to meet his election goals."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Congress Member of Parliament Hibi Eden is being heavily criticised by his own party and opposition leaders for proposing a private bill to shift south Indian state Kerala's capital from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam.

Congress Member of Parliament Hibi Eden is being heavily criticised by his own party and opposition leaders for proposing a private bill to shift south Indian state Kerala's capital from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. The leaders have been urging the 40-year-old MP to withdraw the bill, moved in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. Eden, who is from Ernakulam constituency, proposed the private member’s Bill in March, urging to change the state's capital. He argued that since the capital is located at the tip of the state, it is inaccessible to residents of the northern districts, Hindustan Times reported. Also read | At virtual SCO summit, Modi mentions five pillars of organisation's vision; condemns terrorism of any form Only parliament will decide on Bill The young MP justified his move by claiming that he submitted the Bill considering people’s opinions. He said that he did not intend to hurt the feelings of people from any particular region. Giving an explanation for not consulting the party leadership before submitting the bill, he said that the "clearance" from the party was not mandatory for presenting a private Bill earlier and assured to abide by the party rules in future. Recently on Facebook, Eden said that only parliament will decide on the bill to accept or decline the demand. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed the bill, saying that there was no need to relocate the capital. The controversy regarding the Bill came to light when the Union government asked the state government for its views on the matter. To this, the state responded that in 1954, Thiruvananthapuram was chosen as the state capital and during the existing circumstance it continues to still support the move. Also Read | Indian Supreme Court receives ‘series of futuristic upgrades’ with paperless courtrooms, free WiFi Leaders oppose Eden's Bill, say no need for controversy Congress Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor opposed Eden's move, calling it illogical. He said, "He has every right to move a private member’s Bill, but this proposal is not grounded in logic. Not every state’s capital needs to be centrally located. Chennai is at the northern end of Tamil Nadu, and even Delhi, the capital of India, is in the north." Similarly, the leader of the opposition in Kerala, VD Satheesan from Congress who also represents the Ernakulam district, said he called Hibi immediately after he heard about the bill and conveyed his displeasure. He said, "Hibi is like my younger brother." He added that this is not the stand of the Congress party and has told Hibi to withdraw the Bill and there is no need for any further controversy. P Rajeeve, senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader told reporters, "Even his party leaders have conceded that it is an immature and impractical idea. It only leads to a useless discussion. Hibi took a stand to meet his election goals." (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.

Congress Party disowns MP Hibi Eden's private bill to shift Kerala's capital, calls it illogical

He Jiankui, the Chinese scientist who faced international condemnation in 2018 for creating the first gene-edited children, has presented a new research proposal involving modifying human embryos to address the challenges of the ageing population. He, who was sentenced to three years in prison in 2019 for "illegal medical practices," resurfaced last year and announced the opening of a research lab in Beijing. Recently, he posted a research proposal on social media outlining plans to gene-edit mouse embryos and human-fertilised egg cells to investigate if a mutation can protect against Alzheimer's disease.

<h2>Juankui's new proposal&nbsp;</h2>

Notably, the proposed experiment would involve abnormal fertilised egg cells not suitable for implantation.&nbsp;

In a one-page document, the scientist&nbsp;proposed&nbsp;research involving gene-editing of mouse embryos and human fertilised egg cells or zygotes. He plans to test whether a mutation "confers protection against Alzheimer’s disease."&nbsp;

This reportedly will help with the nation's ageing population.

"The ageing population is of grave importance as both a socioeconomic issue and a strain on the medical system … Currently, there is no effective drug for Alzheimer’s disease," wrote the scientist in his proposal.

However, unlike previous experiments that landed him in jail, He stated that "government permits and ethical approval" would be required before any experimentation, emphasising that no human embryo would be implanted for pregnancy.

<h2>Government approvals</h2>

While it remains uncertain if He would obtain approval for such research in China, experts argue that the current proposal lacks scientific validity.&nbsp;

After He's previous research was exposed, Chinese authorities tightened regulations and ethical standards governing human gene editing. They banned He from engaging in assisted reproductive technology services and placed limitations on his work with human genetic resources.

Scientists and medical ethics experts have expressed concern and confusion about He's new proposal involving gene editing of embryos. Some consider the proposal to be more of a publicity stunt than a substantiated research agenda. Critics question the ethical implications of genetically modifying embryos to address a complex disease like Alzheimer's, which lacks a clear, single genetic cause. Experts argue that the proposal raises ethical, scientific, and safety concerns.

<h2>Experts criticise "violations" of ethics</h2>

The proposal attracted criticism from experts who drew parallels to He's earlier work, which was widely criticised for its ethical and safety concerns, as it had the potential to alter human DNA across generations.&nbsp;

In March of this year, over 200 Chinese scholars released a statement condemning He's "attitude and refusal to reflect on his criminal actions of violating ethics and regulations of gene editing."

As per CNN, they also called for regulatory authorities to launch a new investigation into the scientist's "alleged re‐violation of scientific integrity, ethical norms, laws and regulations."

"The ethical boundaries shall not be crossed," they remarked. 
&nbsp;

He Jiankui, the Chinese scientist who faced international condemnation in 2018 for creating the first gene-edited children, has presented a new research proposal involving modifying human embryos to address the challenges of the ageing population.

He Jiankui, the Chinese scientist who faced international condemnation in 2018 for creating the first gene-edited children, has presented a new research proposal involving modifying human embryos to address the challenges of the ageing population. He, who was sentenced to three years in prison in 2019 for "illegal medical practices," resurfaced last year and announced the opening of a research lab in Beijing. Recently, he posted a research proposal on social media outlining plans to gene-edit mouse embryos and human-fertilised egg cells to investigate if a mutation can protect against Alzheimer's disease. Juankui's new proposal Notably, the proposed experiment would involve abnormal fertilised egg cells not suitable for implantation. In a one-page document, the scientist proposed research involving gene-editing of mouse embryos and human fertilised egg cells or zygotes. He plans to test whether a mutation "confers protection against Alzheimer’s disease." This reportedly will help with the nation's ageing population. "The ageing population is of grave importance as both a socioeconomic issue and a strain on the medical system … Currently, there is no effective drug for Alzheimer’s disease," wrote the scientist in his proposal. However, unlike previous experiments that landed him in jail, He stated that "government permits and ethical approval" would be required before any experimentation, emphasising that no human embryo would be implanted for pregnancy. Government approvals While it remains uncertain if He would obtain approval for such research in China, experts argue that the current proposal lacks scientific validity. After He's previous research was exposed, Chinese authorities tightened regulations and ethical standards governing human gene editing. They banned He from engaging in assisted reproductive technology services and placed limitations on his work with human genetic resources. Scientists and medical ethics experts have expressed concern and confusion about He's new proposal involving gene editing of embryos. Some consider the proposal to be more of a publicity stunt than a substantiated research agenda. Critics question the ethical implications of genetically modifying embryos to address a complex disease like Alzheimer's, which lacks a clear, single genetic cause. Experts argue that the proposal raises ethical, scientific, and safety concerns. Experts criticise "violations" of ethics The proposal attracted criticism from experts who drew parallels to He's earlier work, which was widely criticised for its ethical and safety concerns, as it had the potential to alter human DNA across generations. In March of this year, over 200 Chinese scholars released a statement condemning He's "attitude and refusal to reflect on his criminal actions of violating ethics and regulations of gene editing." As per CNN, they also called for regulatory authorities to launch a new investigation into the scientist's "alleged re‐violation of scientific integrity, ethical norms, laws and regulations." "The ethical boundaries shall not be crossed," they remarked.

Chinese scientist He Jiankui proposes controversial gene-editing research on embryos

New Zealand has set a groundbreaking precedent by becoming the first country in the world to extend its ban on plastic bags in supermarkets to include thin bags typically used for holding fruits and vegetables. This move, which came into effect on Saturday, marks a significant stride in the government's broader campaign against single-use plastics.

<h2>New Zealand and plastic ban</h2>

In 2019, the nation put in place its initial ban on take-home plastic bags. Since then, most shoppers in New Zealand have already adapted to bringing their own bags when visiting stores.&nbsp;

Rachel Brooking the Associate Environment Minister said that: "New Zealand produces too much waste, too much plastic waste."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-orkney-islands-want-to-join-norway-over-financial-neglect-611446">UK's Orkney Islands want to join Norway over financial neglect</a>

She further revealed that the ban on thicker bags introduced in 2019 has already saved over one billion plastic bags from circulation.

This cultural shift, as per the BBC, has contributed to the remarkable progress the country has made in reducing plastic waste. The expansion of the ban is projected to prevent the use of approximately 150 million plastic bags per year.&nbsp;

<h2>Expert concerns</h2>

Some critics have expressed concerns that consumers might resort to disposable paper bags, which are still available in supermarkets.&nbsp;

However, acknowledging these concerns, Minister Brooking emphasised the overarching goal of reducing single-use packaging of any kind.&nbsp;

"It's still worth doing this, but we really want to reduce single-use anything packaging."

"So we want people to be bringing their own bags, and supermarkets are selling reusable produce bags," she added.

The government encourages individuals to bring their own bags, while supermarkets have responded by offering reusable produce bags as an alternative.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anticipation-and-dread-heres-what-we-know-about-the-final-moments-of-passengers-aboard-titan-submersible-611439">Anticipation and dread: Here's what we know about the final moments of passengers aboard Titan submersible</a>

Countdown, a prominent supermarket chain operating over 185 stores nationwide, has taken proactive steps by introducing reusable polyester mesh bags for shoppers to use specifically for fruits and vegetables.&nbsp;

The company hopes that by providing these bags, it will inspire customers to make the switch to reusable options.&nbsp;

Catherine Langabeer, the head of sustainability at Countdown, acknowledged the challenges associated with change, and said, "We know change is hard and (it) will take them a little while."&nbsp;

"We get some grumpy customers," she added.

<h2>New Zealand government's commitment to addressing climate change</h2>

The New Zealand government has shown its commitment to addressing climate change through various initiatives. In October, it proposed a pioneering scheme to tax greenhouse gas emissions from farm animals such as sheep and cattle. This progressive approach aims to hold farmers accountable for their agricultural emissions in some form by 2025 — the country's farming industry is responsible for about half of its emissions.

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Zealand has set a groundbreaking precedent by becoming the first country in the world to extend its ban on plastic bags in supermarkets to include thin bags typically used for holding fruits and vegetables.

New Zealand has set a groundbreaking precedent by becoming the first country in the world to extend its ban on plastic bags in supermarkets to include thin bags typically used for holding fruits and vegetables. This move, which came into effect on Saturday, marks a significant stride in the government's broader campaign against single-use plastics. New Zealand and plastic ban In 2019, the nation put in place its initial ban on take-home plastic bags. Since then, most shoppers in New Zealand have already adapted to bringing their own bags when visiting stores. Rachel Brooking the Associate Environment Minister said that: "New Zealand produces too much waste, too much plastic waste." Also read | UK's Orkney Islands want to join Norway over financial neglect She further revealed that the ban on thicker bags introduced in 2019 has already saved over one billion plastic bags from circulation. This cultural shift, as per the BBC, has contributed to the remarkable progress the country has made in reducing plastic waste. The expansion of the ban is projected to prevent the use of approximately 150 million plastic bags per year. Expert concerns Some critics have expressed concerns that consumers might resort to disposable paper bags, which are still available in supermarkets. However, acknowledging these concerns, Minister Brooking emphasised the overarching goal of reducing single-use packaging of any kind. "It's still worth doing this, but we really want to reduce single-use anything packaging." "So we want people to be bringing their own bags, and supermarkets are selling reusable produce bags," she added. The government encourages individuals to bring their own bags, while supermarkets have responded by offering reusable produce bags as an alternative. Also read | Anticipation and dread: Here's what we know about the final moments of passengers aboard Titan submersible Countdown, a prominent supermarket chain operating over 185 stores nationwide, has taken proactive steps by introducing reusable polyester mesh bags for shoppers to use specifically for fruits and vegetables. The company hopes that by providing these bags, it will inspire customers to make the switch to reusable options. Catherine Langabeer, the head of sustainability at Countdown, acknowledged the challenges associated with change, and said, "We know change is hard and (it) will take them a little while." "We get some grumpy customers," she added. New Zealand government's commitment to addressing climate change The New Zealand government has shown its commitment to addressing climate change through various initiatives. In October, it proposed a pioneering scheme to tax greenhouse gas emissions from farm animals such as sheep and cattle. This progressive approach aims to hold farmers accountable for their agricultural emissions in some form by 2025 — the country's farming industry is responsible for about half of its emissions. (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.

New Zealand takes lead in plastic bag ban, expands restrictions to thin bags

It has been more than a week since the tragic deaths of the five passengers onboard the submersible Titan. Now, the wife of one of the ill-fated passengers has opened up about how their last moments must have looked like.

Speaking to the New York Times, Christine Dawood, who is related to two passengers; Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood revealed, that in their last moments,&nbsp;they must've been sharing music as the insides of the pod moved deeper into the ocean.

<h2>Titan's journey underwater</h2>

As per the report, the submersible's journey underwater was roughly supposed to take two and a half hours. The Titan typically descended at about 25 metres per minute or roughly one mile per hour and the speed was slow enough that there was no sense of motion.

Among the passengers were Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo driven by their fascination with the Titanic.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/days-after-titan-tragedy-oceangate-announces-future-expeditions-610926">Days after Titan tragedy, OceanGate announces future expeditions</a>

Also onboard was Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert, who intended to make his 38th dive to the wreckage.&nbsp;

Hamish Harding, a British airline executive, thrilled to be partaking in his first expedition of this kind, made the fourth passenger.&nbsp;

Lastly, Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate, piloted the submersible, aiming to leave a lasting legacy as an innovator.

<h2>Hours leading to the tragic descent</h2>

Christine Dawood recalls that in the hours leading to the tragic event, the passengers prepared for a unique journey to explore the wreckage of the Titanic; a journey that would've added their names to the list of people who have seen the famous shipwreck in person, but instead ended in a tragedy.

Talking to NYT, she recalls watching her husband, Shahzada, and son, Suleman, as they boarded the Titan submersible from the support ship.&nbsp;

Excitement filled the air as they embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Suleman brought a Rubik's Cube, while Shahzada carried his Nikon camera, eager to capture the mesmerising sights through the porthole.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tributes-pour-in-for-men-killed-in-catastrophic-implosion-of-titan-submersible-607753" target="_blank">Tributes pour in for men killed in ‘catastrophic implosion’ of Titan submersible</a>

The two men had a strong fascination with the Titanic and had planned to experience the dive together. OceanGate, the company behind the expedition, marketed itself as a unique opportunity to explore the world's most famous shipwreck.&nbsp;

As the passengers prepared for the final dive, Hamish Harding posted updates on social media, sharing photos and expressing excitement. Little did he know that these posts would be his last.&nbsp;

<h2>A sunny day takes a dark turn</h2>

As the Titan descended into the depths of the ocean, Christine remained on the support ship, watching the submersible disappear beneath the waves. The sun was shining, and everything seemed calm and promising.&nbsp;

Shahzada's enthusiasm was palpable, exclaiming, "I'm diving tomorrow! I'm diving tomorrow!" His anticipation was infectious, and Christine recalled how he resembled a joyful child.

Just hours later, Christine overheard murmurs about a loss of communication with the Titan. The United States Coast Guard confirmed the disconnection after one hour and forty-five minutes into the dive.

Anxiety washed over Christine as she rushed to the bridge, where the team monitored the submersible's descent. She was reassured that sporadic communication was not uncommon.&nbsp;

She hoped for a swift reconnection. However, as the afternoon wore on, the realisation sank in that something was gravely wrong—Titan and its crew were missing.&nbsp;

Four days later, the Coast Guard announced the discovery of debris from the Titan, indicating its implosion and the instantaneous loss of all onboard.

(With inputs from agencies)

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It has been more than a week since the tragic deaths of the five passengers onboard the submersible Titan. Now, the wife of one of the ill-fated passengers has opened up about how their last moments must have looked like.

It has been more than a week since the tragic deaths of the five passengers onboard the submersible Titan. Now, the wife of one of the ill-fated passengers has opened up about how their last moments must have looked like. Speaking to the New York Times, Christine Dawood, who is related to two passengers; Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood revealed, that in their last moments, they must've been sharing music as the insides of the pod moved deeper into the ocean. Titan's journey underwater As per the report, the submersible's journey underwater was roughly supposed to take two and a half hours. The Titan typically descended at about 25 metres per minute or roughly one mile per hour and the speed was slow enough that there was no sense of motion. Among the passengers were Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo driven by their fascination with the Titanic. Also read | Days after Titan tragedy, OceanGate announces future expeditions Also onboard was Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert, who intended to make his 38th dive to the wreckage. Hamish Harding, a British airline executive, thrilled to be partaking in his first expedition of this kind, made the fourth passenger. Lastly, Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate, piloted the submersible, aiming to leave a lasting legacy as an innovator. Hours leading to the tragic descent Christine Dawood recalls that in the hours leading to the tragic event, the passengers prepared for a unique journey to explore the wreckage of the Titanic; a journey that would've added their names to the list of people who have seen the famous shipwreck in person, but instead ended in a tragedy. Talking to NYT, she recalls watching her husband, Shahzada, and son, Suleman, as they boarded the Titan submersible from the support ship. Excitement filled the air as they embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Suleman brought a Rubik's Cube, while Shahzada carried his Nikon camera, eager to capture the mesmerising sights through the porthole. Also read | Tributes pour in for men killed in ‘catastrophic implosion’ of Titan submersible The two men had a strong fascination with the Titanic and had planned to experience the dive together. OceanGate, the company behind the expedition, marketed itself as a unique opportunity to explore the world's most famous shipwreck. As the passengers prepared for the final dive, Hamish Harding posted updates on social media, sharing photos and expressing excitement. Little did he know that these posts would be his last. A sunny day takes a dark turn As the Titan descended into the depths of the ocean, Christine remained on the support ship, watching the submersible disappear beneath the waves. The sun was shining, and everything seemed calm and promising. Shahzada's enthusiasm was palpable, exclaiming, "I'm diving tomorrow! I'm diving tomorrow!" His anticipation was infectious, and Christine recalled how he resembled a joyful child. Just hours later, Christine overheard murmurs about a loss of communication with the Titan. The United States Coast Guard confirmed the disconnection after one hour and forty-five minutes into the dive. Anxiety washed over Christine as she rushed to the bridge, where the team monitored the submersible's descent. She was reassured that sporadic communication was not uncommon. She hoped for a swift reconnection. However, as the afternoon wore on, the realisation sank in that something was gravely wrong—Titan and its crew were missing. Four days later, the Coast Guard announced the discovery of debris from the Titan, indicating its implosion and the instantaneous loss of all onboard. (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.

Final moments of Titan passengers: A day of anticipation and dread

Sue Johanson, the beloved Canadian broadcaster, passed away at the age of 93&nbsp;in a long-term care home in Thornhill, Ontario, surrounded by her family, confirmed a representative to media outlet CBC.&nbsp;

In an interview with As It Happened, her daughter Jane Johanson said, "She was a groundbreaker pioneer trooper. And she broke all the rules. And it was fabulous."

She added, "She never brushed people aside. She treated everyone absolutely the same. She was never judgmental, nor was she condescending or disapproving of any question that came her way.… I think everybody felt like they had another mother or another grandmother with Sue."

<h2>Sue Johanson: Early Life and Career</h2>

Born in Toronto.&nbsp;Johanson married a Swedish-Canadian electrician named Ejnor Johansaon in 1953. She had three children named Carol, Eric and Jane.&nbsp;

She gained fame as a sex educator and therapist,&nbsp;hosting her own show on rock radio station Q107 during the 1980s.&nbsp;

Sue in her golden years enraptured a generation with straightforward and useful sex advice. She was best known for hosting the Canadian call-in radio and a television programme called Sunday Night Sex Show, which led to a successful US spinoff called Talk Sex with Sue Johanson.&nbsp;

Johanson's Sunday Night Sex Show premiered as a live call-in programme on Toronto radio in 1984, while a television version of the show aired on W Network from 1996 to 2005. The US spinoff, Talk Sex With Sue Johanson, began in 2002 and ended in 2008.

She also appeared in two episodes of Degrassi Junior High and two episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation, where she played the role of radio host and sex educator who served as an in-universe version of Johanson, named Dr Sally.&nbsp;

A documentary entitled Sex with Sue, exploring&nbsp;Johanson's life, directed by Canadian filmmaker named Lisa Rideout was released in 2022.&nbsp;

<h2>You made us proud</h2>

Praising her mother, Jane said that her mother was amazing and she offered her callers advice on everything, from how to use sex toys to ways to spice things up.&nbsp;

She said, "It didn't matter who you were, what your sexual preference was, how you identified, what you might be dealing with in terms of the time of AIDS — like, she embraced everybody and who they were. And that just … made me so proud. We are so proud of our dear Sue, my mom."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Sue Johanson, the beloved Canadian broadcaster, passed away at the age of 93 in a long-term care home in Thornhill, Ontario, surrounded by her family, confirmed a representative to media outlet CBC.

Sue Johanson, the beloved Canadian broadcaster, passed away at the age of 93 in a long-term care home in Thornhill, Ontario, surrounded by her family, confirmed a representative to media outlet CBC. In an interview with As It Happened, her daughter Jane Johanson said, "She was a groundbreaker pioneer trooper. And she broke all the rules. And it was fabulous." She added, "She never brushed people aside. She treated everyone absolutely the same. She was never judgmental, nor was she condescending or disapproving of any question that came her way.… I think everybody felt like they had another mother or another grandmother with Sue." Sue Johanson: Early Life and Career Born in Toronto. Johanson married a Swedish-Canadian electrician named Ejnor Johansaon in 1953. She had three children named Carol, Eric and Jane. She gained fame as a sex educator and therapist, hosting her own show on rock radio station Q107 during the 1980s. Sue in her golden years enraptured a generation with straightforward and useful sex advice. She was best known for hosting the Canadian call-in radio and a television programme called Sunday Night Sex Show, which led to a successful US spinoff called Talk Sex with Sue Johanson. Johanson's Sunday Night Sex Show premiered as a live call-in programme on Toronto radio in 1984, while a television version of the show aired on W Network from 1996 to 2005. The US spinoff, Talk Sex With Sue Johanson, began in 2002 and ended in 2008. She also appeared in two episodes of Degrassi Junior High and two episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation, where she played the role of radio host and sex educator who served as an in-universe version of Johanson, named Dr Sally. A documentary entitled Sex with Sue, exploring Johanson's life, directed by Canadian filmmaker named Lisa Rideout was released in 2022. You made us proud Praising her mother, Jane said that her mother was amazing and she offered her callers advice on everything, from how to use sex toys to ways to spice things up. She said, "It didn't matter who you were, what your sexual preference was, how you identified, what you might be dealing with in terms of the time of AIDS — like, she embraced everybody and who they were. And that just … made me so proud. We are so proud of our dear Sue, my mom." (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.

Who was Sue Johanson, beloved Canadian sex educator who died at 93? Know about her life & career

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder (R) has been sentenced to 20 years in prison over a leading $61 million corruption scheme.&nbsp;

The ex-republican received the maximum sentence for accepting a "bribe" from a utility company FirstEnergy to pass legislation freely for the company, including a $1.3 billion taxpayer-funded bailout of the company's two nuclear plants. This package was passed into law.&nbsp;

During the hearing, the federal prosecutor requested a 16 to 20-year prison sentence for the former House Speaker saying that "he acted as the quintessential mob boss" for the scheme.

Additionally, in a memo, they wrote, "Householder once occupied one of the three most powerful offices in the State of Ohio. He now faces a substantial prison sentence for causing immeasurable damage to the institution of democracy in Ohio, through his direction of a criminal enterprise."

In a statement, Federal prosecutor Kenneth Parker said, "Larry Householder illegally sold the statehouse, and thus he ultimately betrayed the great people of Ohio he was elected to serve."

<h2>Who was Larry Householder?</h2>

Larry Lee Householder is an American politician born in Zanesville Ohio on 6 June 1959. He ran an insurance agency and served as Perry County commissioner before seeking higher office, and later, he became the state representative of the 72nd district of Ohio.

His political career began in 1996, when he first competed for Ohio's 78th Ohio House district, challenging incumbent Democrat Mary Abel of Athens. He defeated Abel with a 55.03 per cent vote and was even re-elected thrice.&nbsp;

In 1998, Householder was elected to serve as the assistant majority whip. In 2001, he was elected to serve as the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives.&nbsp;

<h2>Arrest&nbsp;over bribery claims</h2>

The FBI, in 2020,&nbsp;arrested Householder and four others&nbsp;in connection with a $61&nbsp;million bribery case involving the financial rescue of First Energy's two nuclear plants.&nbsp;

Later on 30 July 2020, the Ohio House of Representatives voted unanimously to remove Householder as the Ohio House Speaker.&nbsp;

On June 16, 2021, the House voted to expel Householder&nbsp;by a bipartisan vote of 75-21.&nbsp;

<h2>Others who were found guilty</h2>

According to The Hill, the company FirstEnergy paid $230 million for its role in the bribes and fired some of its executives.

The former Ohio GOP Chairman Matt Borges was also found guilty of racketeering charges as part of the scheme and he will be sentenced on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder (R) has been sentenced to 20 years in prison over a leading $61 million corruption scheme. The ex-republican received the maximum sentence for accepting a "bribe" from a utility company FirstEnergy to pass legislation freely for the company, including a $1.

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder (R) has been sentenced to 20 years in prison over a leading $61 million corruption scheme. The ex-republican received the maximum sentence for accepting a "bribe" from a utility company FirstEnergy to pass legislation freely for the company, including a $1.3 billion taxpayer-funded bailout of the company's two nuclear plants. This package was passed into law. During the hearing, the federal prosecutor requested a 16 to 20-year prison sentence for the former House Speaker saying that "he acted as the quintessential mob boss" for the scheme. Additionally, in a memo, they wrote, "Householder once occupied one of the three most powerful offices in the State of Ohio. He now faces a substantial prison sentence for causing immeasurable damage to the institution of democracy in Ohio, through his direction of a criminal enterprise." In a statement, Federal prosecutor Kenneth Parker said, "Larry Householder illegally sold the statehouse, and thus he ultimately betrayed the great people of Ohio he was elected to serve." Who was Larry Householder? Larry Lee Householder is an American politician born in Zanesville Ohio on 6 June 1959. He ran an insurance agency and served as Perry County commissioner before seeking higher office, and later, he became the state representative of the 72nd district of Ohio. His political career began in 1996, when he first competed for Ohio's 78th Ohio House district, challenging incumbent Democrat Mary Abel of Athens. He defeated Abel with a 55.03 per cent vote and was even re-elected thrice. In 1998, Householder was elected to serve as the assistant majority whip. In 2001, he was elected to serve as the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. Arrest over bribery claims The FBI, in 2020, arrested Householder and four others in connection with a $61 million bribery case involving the financial rescue of First Energy's two nuclear plants. Later on 30 July 2020, the Ohio House of Representatives voted unanimously to remove Householder as the Ohio House Speaker. On June 16, 2021, the House voted to expel Householder by a bipartisan vote of 75-21. Others who were found guilty According to The Hill, the company FirstEnergy paid $230 million for its role in the bribes and fired some of its executives. The former Ohio GOP Chairman Matt Borges was also found guilty of racketeering charges as part of the scheme and he will be sentenced on Friday. (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.

Who is Larry Householder? Ex-Republican sentenced to 20 years in prison over corruption

A team of international scientists have made a remarkable discovery of a new deep-sea octopus nursery at a low-temperature hydrothermal vent off the coast of Costa Rica. With this amazing find, the number of the world's known octopus nurseries now stands at three.&nbsp;

The researchers, as per the Schmidt Ocean Institute website, have also confirmed that the Dorado Outcrop, previously identified as a gathering site for deep-sea octopuses, is indeed an active nursery.

<h2>Other important discoveries</h2>

As per the scientists, the octopus species found in the nursery may be a new species of Muusoctopus, a genus of small to medium-sized octopuses that lack an ink sac.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-why-there-is-giant-hole-in-indian-ocean-where-earths-gravity-is-at-weakest-610337">Scientists find why there is giant ‘hole' in Indian Ocean, where Earth’s gravity is at weakest</a>

Furthermore, the expedition has provided evidence supporting the idea that certain deep-sea octopus species specifically seek out low-temperature hydrothermal vents for brooding their eggs. The site featured low-temperature hydrothermal venting at around seven&nbsp;degree&nbsp;Celsius.

<h2>Octopus Odyssey&nbsp;</h2>

The 19-day Octopus Odyssey expedition was led by Dr Beth Orcutt of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and Dr Jorge Cortes of the University of Costa Rica. The team of 18 researchers from various countries conducted their research aboard the research vessel Falkor.&nbsp;

Researchers discovered a previously unexplored unnamed outcrop where brooding octopuses were observed.&nbsp;They also witnessed the hatching of Muusoctopus octopuses, which helped dispel the notion that the Dorado Outcrop is unsuitable for octopus development.&nbsp;

When the nursery was initially discovered in 2013, it astounded scientists as it marked the first observation of female octopuses congregating to brood their eggs. However, no developing embryos were detected at the time, leading to doubts about the suitability of the conditions at the Dorado Outcrop for octopus growth.

The researchers used the ROV SuBastian, an underwater robot, to observe the seamounts and baby octopuses. The live dives were made available to the public in real-time through the live stream provided by the Schmidt Ocean Institute.&nbsp;

You can watch the fascinating underwater video here:

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<h2>New seamounts with new animal species discovered</h2>

The expedition also explored five previously unknown seamounts in the northwestern region of Costa Rica's waters. These seamounts displayed thriving biodiversity, and the researchers suspect that many of the hundreds of animal species observed there may be new to science.

Dr Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, emphasised the significance of the discovery and said, "The discovery of a new active octopus nursery over 2,800 metres beneath the sea surface in Costa Rican waters proves there is still so much to learn about our oceans."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/budget-constraints-force-australia-to-abandon-billion-dollar-space-satellite-programme-610327">Budget constraints force Australia to abandon billion-dollar space satellite programme</a>

"The deep-sea off Costa Rica rides the edge of human imagination, with spectacular footage collected by ROV SuBastian of tripod fish, octopus hatchlings, and coral gardens. We look forward to continuing to help the world witness and study the wonders of our incredible ocean," she added.

<h2>Protection needed?</h2>

The seamounts, including the Dorado Outcrop, currently lack protection from human activities like fishing.&nbsp;

Half of the team involved in the expedition consisted of Costa Rican scientists, some of whom are reportedly working to assess the need for protection measures and the potential designation of marine protected areas for these seamounts.

In the laboratory, scientists will conduct examinations on sediment push cores, which hold immense value in terms of providing stratigraphic data about the seafloor and offering insights into microbial life.

As per Cortes, the expedition has not only provided valuable scientific data and samples but also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the richness of the deep-sea ecosystems in Costa Rica and the importance of their protection.

"This expedition to the Pacific deep waters of Costa Rica has been a superb opportunity for us to get to know our own country."

"The information, samples, and images are important to Costa Rica to show its richness and will be used for scientific studies, and outreach to raise awareness of what we have and why we should protect it."

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A team of international scientists have made a remarkable discovery of a new deep-sea octopus nursery at a low-temperature hydrothermal vent off the coast of Costa Rica.

A team of international scientists have made a remarkable discovery of a new deep-sea octopus nursery at a low-temperature hydrothermal vent off the coast of Costa Rica. With this amazing find, the number of the world's known octopus nurseries now stands at three. The researchers, as per the Schmidt Ocean Institute website, have also confirmed that the Dorado Outcrop, previously identified as a gathering site for deep-sea octopuses, is indeed an active nursery. Other important discoveries As per the scientists, the octopus species found in the nursery may be a new species of Muusoctopus, a genus of small to medium-sized octopuses that lack an ink sac. Also read | Scientists find why there is giant ‘hole' in Indian Ocean, where Earth’s gravity is at weakest Furthermore, the expedition has provided evidence supporting the idea that certain deep-sea octopus species specifically seek out low-temperature hydrothermal vents for brooding their eggs. The site featured low-temperature hydrothermal venting at around seven degree Celsius. Octopus Odyssey The 19-day Octopus Odyssey expedition was led by Dr Beth Orcutt of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and Dr Jorge Cortes of the University of Costa Rica. The team of 18 researchers from various countries conducted their research aboard the research vessel Falkor. Researchers discovered a previously unexplored unnamed outcrop where brooding octopuses were observed. They also witnessed the hatching of Muusoctopus octopuses, which helped dispel the notion that the Dorado Outcrop is unsuitable for octopus development. When the nursery was initially discovered in 2013, it astounded scientists as it marked the first observation of female octopuses congregating to brood their eggs. However, no developing embryos were detected at the time, leading to doubts about the suitability of the conditions at the Dorado Outcrop for octopus growth. The researchers used the ROV SuBastian, an underwater robot, to observe the seamounts and baby octopuses. The live dives were made available to the public in real-time through the live stream provided by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. You can watch the fascinating underwater video here: × New seamounts with new animal species discovered The expedition also explored five previously unknown seamounts in the northwestern region of Costa Rica's waters. These seamounts displayed thriving biodiversity, and the researchers suspect that many of the hundreds of animal species observed there may be new to science. Dr Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, emphasised the significance of the discovery and said, "The discovery of a new active octopus nursery over 2,800 metres beneath the sea surface in Costa Rican waters proves there is still so much to learn about our oceans." Also read | Budget constraints force Australia to abandon billion-dollar space satellite programme "The deep-sea off Costa Rica rides the edge of human imagination, with spectacular footage collected by ROV SuBastian of tripod fish, octopus hatchlings, and coral gardens. We look forward to continuing to help the world witness and study the wonders of our incredible ocean," she added. Protection needed? The seamounts, including the Dorado Outcrop, currently lack protection from human activities like fishing. Half of the team involved in the expedition consisted of Costa Rican scientists, some of whom are reportedly working to assess the need for protection measures and the potential designation of marine protected areas for these seamounts. In the laboratory, scientists will conduct examinations on sediment push cores, which hold immense value in terms of providing stratigraphic data about the seafloor and offering insights into microbial life. As per Cortes, the expedition has not only provided valuable scientific data and samples but also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the richness of the deep-sea ecosystems in Costa Rica and the importance of their protection. "This expedition to the Pacific deep waters of Costa Rica has been a superb opportunity for us to get to know our own country." "The information, samples, and images are important to Costa Rica to show its richness and will be used for scientific studies, and outreach to raise awareness of what we have and why we should protect it." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Unveiling the depth: Third active octopus nursery found in deep-sea habitat off Costa Rican coast. Watch!

World Asteroid Day 2023: Every year on June 30, we observe this day to commemorate the anniversary of the Tunguska event in 1908 when a meteor air burst decimated approximately 2,000 sq km of pine forest in central Siberia. This day aims to provide awareness about the impact of asteroids and to inform the public about the crisis it can cause like in communication actions to be taken at a global level in case of credible near-Earth object (NOEs) catastrophic threat to the planet.&nbsp;

Here's everything you need to know about the World Asteroid Day 2023:

<h3>World Asteroid Day 2023: Key Details</h3>

Date: June 30

Establishment year: 2015

Adoption by the UN: 2016

Aim: To spread awareness about asteroids. Creating plans to safeguard the Earth from potential asteroid impacts.

<h2>World Asteroid Day 2023: History</h2>

The day was cofounded in 2014, a year after the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor air burst by renowned cosmologist Stephen Hawking, Rusty Schweickart- Apollo 9 astronaut and astrophysicist Brian May with some other members.&nbsp;

The extraordinarily large fireball, travelling at a speed of 18.6 km per second, entered the atmosphere and disintegrated in the skies over Russia's Chelyabinsk on 15 February 2013.&nbsp;

The United States Space Agency NASA said that the asteroid was estimated at 18 metres wide and weighed 11,000 tonnes.&nbsp;

As cited by Mint, the total impact energy of the Chelyabinsk Fireball was 440 kilotonnes.&nbsp;

Three years later, the United Nations General Assembly in 2016 announced that June 30 will be known as the World Asteroid Day.&nbsp;

<h2>World Asteroid Day 2023: Significance</h2>

June 30, this date serves as a reminder of the destructing impacts of asteroids can have on Earth. It highlights the 1908 incident of the Tunguska event and the recorded event of the 2013 Chelyabinsk event.

The day aims to raise awareness about asteroids and all precautions and steps that can be taken to protect the Earth, its families, communities and future generations from a catastrophic event.&nbsp;

An asteroid is a small, rocky object that orbits the sun. They are formed at the same time as other objects in our solar system, these space rocks can give a lot of information about the planets and even about their history.&nbsp;

These tiny bits sometimes have flown through our atmosphere and landed on the Earth's surface.&nbsp;

<h2>The 2013 Chelyabinsk Fall</h2>

The Chelyabinsk meteor was a superbolide that entered the Earth's atmosphere and landed in Russia. It exploded in a metro air burst. The object approached Earth in an undetected way and created panic among residents. Over 1,400 people were seriously injured.&nbsp;

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World Asteroid Day 2023: Every year on June 30, we observe this day to commemorate the anniversary of the Tunguska event in 1908 when a meteor air burst decimated approximately 2,000 sq km of pine forest in central Siberia.

World Asteroid Day 2023: Every year on June 30, we observe this day to commemorate the anniversary of the Tunguska event in 1908 when a meteor air burst decimated approximately 2,000 sq km of pine forest in central Siberia. This day aims to provide awareness about the impact of asteroids and to inform the public about the crisis it can cause like in communication actions to be taken at a global level in case of credible near-Earth object (NOEs) catastrophic threat to the planet. Here's everything you need to know about the World Asteroid Day 2023: World Asteroid Day 2023: Key Details Date: June 30 Establishment year: 2015 Adoption by the UN: 2016 Aim: To spread awareness about asteroids. Creating plans to safeguard the Earth from potential asteroid impacts. World Asteroid Day 2023: History The day was cofounded in 2014, a year after the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor air burst by renowned cosmologist Stephen Hawking, Rusty Schweickart- Apollo 9 astronaut and astrophysicist Brian May with some other members. The extraordinarily large fireball, travelling at a speed of 18.6 km per second, entered the atmosphere and disintegrated in the skies over Russia's Chelyabinsk on 15 February 2013. The United States Space Agency NASA said that the asteroid was estimated at 18 metres wide and weighed 11,000 tonnes. As cited by Mint, the total impact energy of the Chelyabinsk Fireball was 440 kilotonnes. Three years later, the United Nations General Assembly in 2016 announced that June 30 will be known as the World Asteroid Day. World Asteroid Day 2023: Significance June 30, this date serves as a reminder of the destructing impacts of asteroids can have on Earth. It highlights the 1908 incident of the Tunguska event and the recorded event of the 2013 Chelyabinsk event. The day aims to raise awareness about asteroids and all precautions and steps that can be taken to protect the Earth, its families, communities and future generations from a catastrophic event. An asteroid is a small, rocky object that orbits the sun. They are formed at the same time as other objects in our solar system, these space rocks can give a lot of information about the planets and even about their history. These tiny bits sometimes have flown through our atmosphere and landed on the Earth's surface. The 2013 Chelyabinsk Fall The Chelyabinsk meteor was a superbolide that entered the Earth's atmosphere and landed in Russia. It exploded in a metro air burst. The object approached Earth in an undetected way and created panic among residents. Over 1,400 people were seriously injured. 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.

World Asteroid Day 2023: Check history, significance and all you need to know

Hipólito Mora, one of the original leaders of Mexico's "self-defence" movement, has been murdered in an ambush. His death marks another disturbing episode in the country's relentless crime conflict.

Guillermo Valencia, a politician from the violence-ridden state of Michoacán, where Mora played a pivotal role in launching a rural uprising against narco-traffickers a decade ago, broke the news on Twitter.&nbsp;

<h2>Video&nbsp;shows the burned wreckage of Mora's vehicle</h2>

In his tweet, Valencia wrote that his friend, Hipólito Mora, had been murdered and that his bulletproof truck was set ablaze and all his bodyguards were killed.&nbsp;

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Me acaban de confirmar que en un atentado asesinaron a mi amigo <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HipolitoMora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HipolitoMora</a>, prendieron fuego a su camioneta blindada y asesinaron a todos sus escoltas, en este <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Michoac%C3%A1n?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Michoacán</a> vivimos y las autoridades se empeñaron en negar la situación , ¿ahora que dirán?
— Guillermo Valencia (@MemoValenciaR) <a href="https://twitter.com/MemoValenciaR/status/1674494026119254017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Disturbing video footage circulated on social media&nbsp;shows the burned wreckage of Mora's vehicle in La Ruana, the rural community he called home.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IMPORTANTE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IMPORTANTE</a> Asesinan en atentado al empresario y autodefensa de Michoacán <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HipolitoMora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HipolitoMora</a>. Hubo varios muertos. 
Esto no es una guerra entre bandas criminales, esto son actos de Terrorismo que hablan de falta de gobernabilidad.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TerrorismoEnMexico?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TerrorismoEnMexico</a><a href="https://t.co/wZ8ISZSA5o">pic.twitter.com/wZ8ISZSA5o</a>
— Accion Civil Mexicana (@AccionCivilMX) <a href="https://twitter.com/AccionCivilMX/status/1674571350504099841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Tributes pour in</h2>

Mora's murder prompted an outpouring of tributes, highlighting his status as a prominent figure in the self-defence movement. Valencia described him as an iconic leader deserving of recognition in the annals of history, expressing his dismay at the manner in which Mora lost his life.

Former President Felipe Calderón, who was behind Mexico's devastating "war on drugs" after assuming power in 2006, condemned the "cowardly murder" and acknowledged Mora's repeated acts of bravery in defending his community against organised crime.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-protesters-storm-swedish-embassy-in-baghdad-following-quran-burning-incident-610402">Iraqi protesters storm Swedish embassy in Baghdad following Quran burning incident</a>

Silvano Aureoles, the former governor of Michoacán, denounced the "heinous murder",&nbsp;describing the Tierra Caliente region, where the crime occurred, as a war zone.

"Hipólito Mora was riddled with bullets and had his body burned," he wrote.

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Un atroz asesinato vuelve a sacudir a Michoacán: Hipólito Mora fue acribillado y su cuerpo calcinado, en La Ruana. 
 
La Tierra Caliente es una zona de guerra, como resultado de las políticas erráticas del Gobierno federal y el contubernio de las autoridades locales con los grupos…
— Silvano Aureoles (@Silvano_A) <a href="https://twitter.com/Silvano_A/status/1674502949547171841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Óscar Balderas, an expert on organised crime and security, paid tribute to Mora, hailing him as "an extraordinary man, a brave man who plotted a course for the self-defence movement and the armed civilian uprising against Mexico’s cartels."&nbsp;

Balderas noted that Mora lived with the knowledge that his enemies would eventually kill him.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-passes-foreign-relations-law-to-counter-wests-sanctions-hegemony-610398">China passes foreign relations law to counter West's sanctions hegemony</a>

"He knew he wouldn’t die of old age. He knew his enemies would kill him. He knew it and he lived with the knowledge that he would soon suffer a fatal attack and, regrettably, that came true."

"He never got to see his dream of a pacified Michoacán and I believe that this, after the murder of his son, would be his greatest cause of grief," he added.

<h2>Mexico's self-defence movement</h2>

As per The Guardian, the self-defence movement in Mexico emerged in 2013. It was spearheaded by charismatic leaders such as Mora and José Manuel Mireles Valverde, a former doctor turned paramilitary figure. They urged civilians to take up arms against the brutal narco cartels that were seizing control over vast areas of the country.

Initially, these groups were celebrated by many Mexicans as noble saviours. However, as time passed, some were accused of human rights abuses or became entangled with the cartels themselves, engaging in criminal activities.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Hipólito Mora, one of the original leaders of Mexico's "self-defence" movement, has been murdered in an ambush. His death marks another disturbing episode in the country's relentless crime conflict.

Hipólito Mora, one of the original leaders of Mexico's "self-defence" movement, has been murdered in an ambush. His death marks another disturbing episode in the country's relentless crime conflict. Guillermo Valencia, a politician from the violence-ridden state of Michoacán, where Mora played a pivotal role in launching a rural uprising against narco-traffickers a decade ago, broke the news on Twitter. Video shows the burned wreckage of Mora's vehicle In his tweet, Valencia wrote that his friend, Hipólito Mora, had been murdered and that his bulletproof truck was set ablaze and all his bodyguards were killed. Me acaban de confirmar que en un atentado asesinaron a mi amigo #HipolitoMora, prendieron fuego a su camioneta blindada y asesinaron a todos sus escoltas, en este #Michoacán vivimos y las autoridades se empeñaron en negar la situación , ¿ahora que dirán? — Guillermo Valencia (@MemoValenciaR) June 29, 2023 × Disturbing video footage circulated on social media shows the burned wreckage of Mora's vehicle in La Ruana, the rural community he called home. #IMPORTANTE Asesinan en atentado al empresario y autodefensa de Michoacán #HipolitoMora. Hubo varios muertos. Esto no es una guerra entre bandas criminales, esto son actos de Terrorismo que hablan de falta de gobernabilidad.#TerrorismoEnMexicopic.twitter.com/wZ8ISZSA5o — Accion Civil Mexicana (@AccionCivilMX) June 30, 2023 × Tributes pour in Mora's murder prompted an outpouring of tributes, highlighting his status as a prominent figure in the self-defence movement. Valencia described him as an iconic leader deserving of recognition in the annals of history, expressing his dismay at the manner in which Mora lost his life. Former President Felipe Calderón, who was behind Mexico's devastating "war on drugs" after assuming power in 2006, condemned the "cowardly murder" and acknowledged Mora's repeated acts of bravery in defending his community against organised crime. Also read | Iraqi protesters storm Swedish embassy in Baghdad following Quran burning incident Silvano Aureoles, the former governor of Michoacán, denounced the "heinous murder", describing the Tierra Caliente region, where the crime occurred, as a war zone. "Hipólito Mora was riddled with bullets and had his body burned," he wrote. Un atroz asesinato vuelve a sacudir a Michoacán: Hipólito Mora fue acribillado y su cuerpo calcinado, en La Ruana. La Tierra Caliente es una zona de guerra, como resultado de las políticas erráticas del Gobierno federal y el contubernio de las autoridades locales con los grupos… — Silvano Aureoles (@Silvano_A) June 29, 2023 × Óscar Balderas, an expert on organised crime and security, paid tribute to Mora, hailing him as "an extraordinary man, a brave man who plotted a course for the self-defence movement and the armed civilian uprising against Mexico’s cartels." Balderas noted that Mora lived with the knowledge that his enemies would eventually kill him. Also read | China passes foreign relations law to counter West's sanctions hegemony "He knew he wouldn’t die of old age. He knew his enemies would kill him. He knew it and he lived with the knowledge that he would soon suffer a fatal attack and, regrettably, that came true." "He never got to see his dream of a pacified Michoacán and I believe that this, after the murder of his son, would be his greatest cause of grief," he added. Mexico's self-defence movement As per The Guardian, the self-defence movement in Mexico emerged in 2013. It was spearheaded by charismatic leaders such as Mora and José Manuel Mireles Valverde, a former doctor turned paramilitary figure. They urged civilians to take up arms against the brutal narco cartels that were seizing control over vast areas of the country. Initially, these groups were celebrated by many Mexicans as noble saviours. However, as time passed, some were accused of human rights abuses or became entangled with the cartels themselves, engaging in criminal activities. (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.

Hipólito Mora, leader of Mexican self-defence movement, murdered in violent ambush

After reeling under heavy rainfall for a week now, India's finance capital, Mumbai, will now get some relief, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest forecast.

The weather agency said that the city is expected to receive significantly light rainfall showers and "heavy to very heavy showers" at some isolated places on Thursday.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's what IMD predicted:</h2>

In a tweet, the Met Department said, "Moderate rainfall continues to occur over Mumbai. It is likely to continue for the next 3 hours (till 11:00 am on Thursday). Extremely Heavy rainfall has occurred at isolated stations and was very heavy at some stations during the last 21 hours."

The weather agency added that the heavy rainfall intensity is likely to continue till Thursday and is likely to decrease&nbsp;from Friday.&nbsp;

Thursday: Yellow alert, very likely to see heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.&nbsp;

Friday: Yellow alert, heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations.

On Saturday and Sunday: Green alert.&nbsp;

<h2>Mumbai heavy rain&nbsp;triggers tree falls,&nbsp;short circuits</h2>

The Brihanmumbai Municipal&nbsp;Corporation (BMC) in its evening bulletin said that in the last 24 hours, Mumbai&nbsp;has witnessed some 26 incidents of tree falls, six incidents of house collapse and 15 incidents of electricity short-circuits.&nbsp;

As per the department, residents complained about landslides as well.&nbsp;

Two people lost their lives this week. Two men, Premlal Nirmal, 30, and Kaushal Doshi, 38, died due to injuries caused by tree&nbsp;falls.&nbsp;

Additionally, a 36 years old woman in Thane,&nbsp;and a teenager named Rehan Shaikh were reported injured due to a building collapse.&nbsp;

Mumbai received an average rainfall of 93mm, while the eastern and western suburbs experienced 127mm and 123mm of rainfall respectively.&nbsp;

The department also said that Dahisar received 154.5mm, Bhayander in Thane district experienced 128.0mm, and Juhu Airport and Ram Mandir recorded 71.5mm and 76.5mm&nbsp;respectively.

The IMD earlier issued an orange alert, predicted heavy to hefty rainfall in six districts of Maharashtra, and said that Mumbai is expected to witness relatively less intense showers.&nbsp;

The department also issued an orange alert for the districts of Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Nashik, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few places.

(With inputs from agencies)

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After reeling under heavy rainfall for a week now, India's finance capital, Mumbai, will now get some relief, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest forecast.

After reeling under heavy rainfall for a week now, India's finance capital, Mumbai, will now get some relief, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest forecast. The weather agency said that the city is expected to receive significantly light rainfall showers and "heavy to very heavy showers" at some isolated places on Thursday. Here's what IMD predicted: In a tweet, the Met Department said, "Moderate rainfall continues to occur over Mumbai. It is likely to continue for the next 3 hours (till 11:00 am on Thursday). Extremely Heavy rainfall has occurred at isolated stations and was very heavy at some stations during the last 21 hours." The weather agency added that the heavy rainfall intensity is likely to continue till Thursday and is likely to decrease from Friday. Thursday: Yellow alert, very likely to see heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. Friday: Yellow alert, heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations. On Saturday and Sunday: Green alert. Mumbai heavy rain triggers tree falls, short circuits The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in its evening bulletin said that in the last 24 hours, Mumbai has witnessed some 26 incidents of tree falls, six incidents of house collapse and 15 incidents of electricity short-circuits. As per the department, residents complained about landslides as well. Two people lost their lives this week. Two men, Premlal Nirmal, 30, and Kaushal Doshi, 38, died due to injuries caused by tree falls. Additionally, a 36 years old woman in Thane, and a teenager named Rehan Shaikh were reported injured due to a building collapse. Mumbai received an average rainfall of 93mm, while the eastern and western suburbs experienced 127mm and 123mm of rainfall respectively. The department also said that Dahisar received 154.5mm, Bhayander in Thane district experienced 128.0mm, and Juhu Airport and Ram Mandir recorded 71.5mm and 76.5mm respectively. The IMD earlier issued an orange alert, predicted heavy to hefty rainfall in six districts of Maharashtra, and said that Mumbai is expected to witness relatively less intense showers. The department also issued an orange alert for the districts of Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Nashik, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few places. (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.

Mumbai rain update: City to experience light showers from Friday this week, says IMD

In 2020, a 16-year-old Indian-origin schoolboy named Rohan Godhania from Ealing, west London, tragically suffered irreversible brain damage and died. The tragic death happened after he consumed a protein shake, but at the time, the exact reason could not be diagnosed.&nbsp;

Now, after the recipient of Rohan's liver began experiencing seizures, tests revealed that protein shakes triggered a rare genetic disease. This has now prompted a coroner to call for health warnings on supermarket-bought protein shakes.&nbsp;

<h2>Rohan's death and the rare genetic disease</h2>

As per a DailyMail report, the teenager fell ill on August 15, 2020, after consuming the shake, and passed away three days later at West Middlesex Hospital.&nbsp;

Initially, the cause of his death, a rare genetic disease called ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, could not be determined as his organs were donated for transplantation before the underlying cause of his sudden illness was discovered.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-lethal-device-that-turns-handgun-into-machine-gun-sold-openly-on-twitter-facebook-610020">Explained: Lethal device that turns handgun into machine gun sold openly on Twitter, Facebook</a>

Several months later, when the recipient of Rohan's liver began experiencing seizures, a biopsy was conducted on the organ, revealing that Rohan had OTC deficiency, an extremely rare genetic disorder that falls under the category of urea cycle disorders.&nbsp;

<h2>What is OTC deficiency?</h2>

It is a type of urea cycle disorder, a group of genetic disorders characterised by a deficiency in one of the six enzymes responsible for removing ammonia from the bloodstream.&nbsp;It is characterised by symptoms such as vomiting, refusal to eat, lethargy, and coma.

The inability to break down ammonia can lead to its accumulation in the bloodstream, causing potentially lethal levels, particularly when triggered by a protein load. OTC deficiency is incredibly rare, estimated to affect only one in 50,000 to 80,000 individuals.

<h2>Health warning is necessary, says coroner</h2>

On Tuesday, coroner Tom Osborne in his preliminary view expressed the need for health warnings on protein shake packaging.

As per DailyMail, he said: "Concerning these protein drinks, my preliminary view about them is that I ought to write to one of the regulatory authorities that some sort of warning ought to be put on the packaging of these drinks because, although OTC is a rare condition, it can have harmful effects if someone drinks and it causes a protein spike."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/godfather-of-ai-calls-for-action-before-ai-is-smarter-than-us-warns-looming-takeover-isnt-science-fiction-609899">Godfather of AI calls for action 'before AI is smarter than us', warns looming takeover isn't science fiction</a>

Professor Finbar O'Callaghan, a specialist in pediatric neurology at the Institute of Child Health, University College London, supported the call for intervention, and said that it can be "potentially life-saving".

<h2>The inquiry into Rohan's death and missed opportunities</h2>

During the inquest into the tragic death of Rohan Godhania, it was revealed that his organ was approved for transplantation despite the cause of death not being determined at that time. This fatal mistake led to the recipient of Rohan's organ developing a serious illness and prompted&nbsp;a connection to be made between the two cases.

An independent expert identified the link between the teen's death and the organ recipient's seizures after the latter was hospitalised with similar seizure symptoms.

Lawyers representing Rohan's family raised concerns about missed opportunities to screen him for ammonia levels before his death, despite it being a recommended procedure. They suggested that ammonia testing could have revealed his urea cycle disorder.

Professor O'Callaghan, speaking at the inquest, supported the lawyers' suggestion and said that if an ammonia test had been conducted when Rohan was admitted to the hospital, it was "possible" that he would have survived.&nbsp;

He also criticised the decision made by a specialist hospital, categorised as a tertiary centre, to reject the referral for Rohan to their pediatric neurological team based on the classification of his age by West Middlesex Hospital as an adult patient.

<h2>Adult patient&nbsp;or a pediatric one?</h2>

The professor argued that Rohan, like other patients his age across the country, had fallen into a gap between pediatric and adult care, resulting in a lack of quality care.&nbsp;"I am critical of the fact that if he (Rohan) goes down that adult pathway, he was refused admission to the tertiary hospital because he was 16 years of age."

According to Professor O'Callaghan, if Rohan had been treated as a pediatric patient, he would likely have received a prompt and accurate diagnosis and experienced a smoother healthcare journey.

"If a hospital doesn't have an adequate pathway for treatment, say if it cannot guarantee that 16-year-olds get accepted at the tertiary hospital, then that's a big problem," he added.

He further expressed his disapproval of the situation where a patient's admission to a hospital becomes a subject of discussion, stressing that there should not be debates regarding whether a patient should be admitted to a pediatric hospital or an adult unit.

"This is a problem within our health service. The discussion goes on far too frequently around the country and the danger is that when there is uncertainty or debate, then the patient suffers, as I think has happened in this case," he remarked.

<h2>Dangers of protein powders</h2>

A 2022 report by&nbsp;the Clean Label Project, a non-profit organisation, found the presence of toxins in protein powders. The study which involved the screening of 134 protein powder products for 130 different types of toxins revealed that many of the tested protein powders were found to contain various contaminants, including heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, as well as bisphenol-A (BPA) and pesticides. These contaminants have been linked to the development of cancer and other health conditions.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In 2020, a 16-year-old Indian-origin schoolboy named Rohan Godhania from Ealing, west London, tragically suffered irreversible brain damage and died. The tragic death happened after he consumed a protein shake, but at the time, the exact reason could not be diagnosed.

In 2020, a 16-year-old Indian-origin schoolboy named Rohan Godhania from Ealing, west London, tragically suffered irreversible brain damage and died. The tragic death happened after he consumed a protein shake, but at the time, the exact reason could not be diagnosed. Now, after the recipient of Rohan's liver began experiencing seizures, tests revealed that protein shakes triggered a rare genetic disease. This has now prompted a coroner to call for health warnings on supermarket-bought protein shakes. Rohan's death and the rare genetic disease As per a DailyMail report, the teenager fell ill on August 15, 2020, after consuming the shake, and passed away three days later at West Middlesex Hospital. Initially, the cause of his death, a rare genetic disease called ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, could not be determined as his organs were donated for transplantation before the underlying cause of his sudden illness was discovered. Also read | Explained: Lethal device that turns handgun into machine gun sold openly on Twitter, Facebook Several months later, when the recipient of Rohan's liver began experiencing seizures, a biopsy was conducted on the organ, revealing that Rohan had OTC deficiency, an extremely rare genetic disorder that falls under the category of urea cycle disorders. What is OTC deficiency? It is a type of urea cycle disorder, a group of genetic disorders characterised by a deficiency in one of the six enzymes responsible for removing ammonia from the bloodstream. It is characterised by symptoms such as vomiting, refusal to eat, lethargy, and coma. The inability to break down ammonia can lead to its accumulation in the bloodstream, causing potentially lethal levels, particularly when triggered by a protein load. OTC deficiency is incredibly rare, estimated to affect only one in 50,000 to 80,000 individuals. Health warning is necessary, says coroner On Tuesday, coroner Tom Osborne in his preliminary view expressed the need for health warnings on protein shake packaging. As per DailyMail, he said: "Concerning these protein drinks, my preliminary view about them is that I ought to write to one of the regulatory authorities that some sort of warning ought to be put on the packaging of these drinks because, although OTC is a rare condition, it can have harmful effects if someone drinks and it causes a protein spike." Also read | Godfather of AI calls for action 'before AI is smarter than us', warns looming takeover isn't science fiction Professor Finbar O'Callaghan, a specialist in pediatric neurology at the Institute of Child Health, University College London, supported the call for intervention, and said that it can be "potentially life-saving". The inquiry into Rohan's death and missed opportunities During the inquest into the tragic death of Rohan Godhania, it was revealed that his organ was approved for transplantation despite the cause of death not being determined at that time. This fatal mistake led to the recipient of Rohan's organ developing a serious illness and prompted a connection to be made between the two cases. An independent expert identified the link between the teen's death and the organ recipient's seizures after the latter was hospitalised with similar seizure symptoms. Lawyers representing Rohan's family raised concerns about missed opportunities to screen him for ammonia levels before his death, despite it being a recommended procedure. They suggested that ammonia testing could have revealed his urea cycle disorder. Professor O'Callaghan, speaking at the inquest, supported the lawyers' suggestion and said that if an ammonia test had been conducted when Rohan was admitted to the hospital, it was "possible" that he would have survived. He also criticised the decision made by a specialist hospital, categorised as a tertiary centre, to reject the referral for Rohan to their pediatric neurological team based on the classification of his age by West Middlesex Hospital as an adult patient. Adult patient or a pediatric one? The professor argued that Rohan, like other patients his age across the country, had fallen into a gap between pediatric and adult care, resulting in a lack of quality care. "I am critical of the fact that if he (Rohan) goes down that adult pathway, he was refused admission to the tertiary hospital because he was 16 years of age." According to Professor O'Callaghan, if Rohan had been treated as a pediatric patient, he would likely have received a prompt and accurate diagnosis and experienced a smoother healthcare journey. "If a hospital doesn't have an adequate pathway for treatment, say if it cannot guarantee that 16-year-olds get accepted at the tertiary hospital, then that's a big problem," he added. He further expressed his disapproval of the situation where a patient's admission to a hospital becomes a subject of discussion, stressing that there should not be debates regarding whether a patient should be admitted to a pediatric hospital or an adult unit. "This is a problem within our health service. The discussion goes on far too frequently around the country and the danger is that when there is uncertainty or debate, then the patient suffers, as I think has happened in this case," he remarked. Dangers of protein powders A 2022 report by the Clean Label Project, a non-profit organisation, found the presence of toxins in protein powders. The study which involved the screening of 134 protein powder products for 130 different types of toxins revealed that many of the tested protein powders were found to contain various contaminants, including heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, as well as bisphenol-A (BPA) and pesticides. These contaminants have been linked to the development of cancer and other health conditions. (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 | How protein shakes triggered a teen's death, now prompt calls for life-saving warnings

The monsoon season has arrived a little early in India. Most states have been experiencing heavy rainfall for the last few days.

Recently, Maharashtra's Mumbai has not only been experiencing heavy rainfall but has also witnessed several damages, including short circuits and trees falling. Tragically, two deaths have also been reported by the civic authorities, Mid-day reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A 30-year-old man named Premlal Nirmal and a 38-year-old person identified as Kaushal Doshi died due to injuries caused by tree&nbsp;falls.&nbsp;

Additionally, a woman, 36, in Thane was reported injured when a portion of a single-storey 'chawl' collapsed on Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier issued an orange alert, predicted heavy to hefty rainfall in six districts of Maharashtra, and said that Mumbai is expected to witness relatively less intense showers.&nbsp;

The department has also issued an orange alert for the districts of Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Nashik, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few places.

<h2>Trees falling and short circuits</h2>

In its evening bulletin, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stated that in the last 24 hours, Mumbai has witnessed some 26 incidents of tree falls, 15 incidents of short-circuits, and six&nbsp;incidents of the collapse or partial collapse of houses.&nbsp;

As per the report, 22 incidents of tree falling have been reported, including three in the city, seven in the eastern suburbs, and 12 in the western suburbs. Following such incidents, the residents have registered their respective complaints. &nbsp;

In addition to the tree falling, short circuits in the city were also reported, with two in the main area and one each in the western and eastern suburbs. The local authority departments have been notified of these incidents.&nbsp;

Furthermore, several complaints of landslides have been received, with reports of stones and soil falling in two eastern suburbs.

News agency PTI reported that in the incidents of house collapses in Mumbai, a 17-year-old boy, Rehan Shaikh, was reported injured. He was admitted to nearby Shatabdi Hospital and is now in stable condition, the BMC said.

In its evening bulletin, the BMC said that Mumbai experienced heavy rainfall on Wednesday, with Colaba and Santacruz observatories recording 77.0 mm of rain. While Dahisar received 154.5mm, Bhayander in Thane district experienced 128.0mm, and Juhu Airport and Ram Mandir recorded 71.5mm and 76.5 mm, respectively.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The monsoon season has arrived a little early in India. Most states have been experiencing heavy rainfall for the last few days. Recently, Maharashtra's Mumbai has not only been experiencing heavy rainfall but has also witnessed several damages, including short circuits and trees falling.

The monsoon season has arrived a little early in India. Most states have been experiencing heavy rainfall for the last few days. Recently, Maharashtra's Mumbai has not only been experiencing heavy rainfall but has also witnessed several damages, including short circuits and trees falling. Tragically, two deaths have also been reported by the civic authorities, Mid-day reported. A 30-year-old man named Premlal Nirmal and a 38-year-old person identified as Kaushal Doshi died due to injuries caused by tree falls. Additionally, a woman, 36, in Thane was reported injured when a portion of a single-storey 'chawl' collapsed on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier issued an orange alert, predicted heavy to hefty rainfall in six districts of Maharashtra, and said that Mumbai is expected to witness relatively less intense showers. The department has also issued an orange alert for the districts of Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Nashik, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few places. Trees falling and short circuits In its evening bulletin, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stated that in the last 24 hours, Mumbai has witnessed some 26 incidents of tree falls, 15 incidents of short-circuits, and six incidents of the collapse or partial collapse of houses. As per the report, 22 incidents of tree falling have been reported, including three in the city, seven in the eastern suburbs, and 12 in the western suburbs. Following such incidents, the residents have registered their respective complaints. In addition to the tree falling, short circuits in the city were also reported, with two in the main area and one each in the western and eastern suburbs. The local authority departments have been notified of these incidents. Furthermore, several complaints of landslides have been received, with reports of stones and soil falling in two eastern suburbs. News agency PTI reported that in the incidents of house collapses in Mumbai, a 17-year-old boy, Rehan Shaikh, was reported injured. He was admitted to nearby Shatabdi Hospital and is now in stable condition, the BMC said. In its evening bulletin, the BMC said that Mumbai experienced heavy rainfall on Wednesday, with Colaba and Santacruz observatories recording 77.0 mm of rain. While Dahisar received 154.5mm, Bhayander in Thane district experienced 128.0mm, and Juhu Airport and Ram Mandir recorded 71.5mm and 76.5 mm, respectively. (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.

Two killed, several injured; short circuits & tree fall reported amid heavy rain in Mumbai: BMC

In Thailand, a court has acquitted five anti-government protesters who were charged with attempted violence against the nation's queen during a demonstration back in 2020.&nbsp;During the protests, a motorcade carrying Queen Suthida was allegedly obstructed by demonstrators in Bangkok, the capital city. However, in its ruling, the court determined that the defendants'&nbsp;actions were not aimed at impeding or causing harm to the queen or her motorcade.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened in 2020?</h2>

The incident as per Reuters took place during the height of pro-democracy protests in Thailand, when a motorcade carrying Queen Suthida was heckled by protesters.&nbsp;

The demonstrations, led by the youth, called for various reforms, including changes to the lese majeste law, which imposes severe penalties for perceived insults against the monarchy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/godfather-of-ai-calls-for-action-before-ai-is-smarter-than-us-warns-looming-takeover-isnt-science-fiction-609899">Godfather of AI calls for action 'before AI is smarter than us', warns looming takeover isn't science fiction</a>

Video footage and images&nbsp;of the October 2020 incident showed authorities pushing activists away from the convoy.&nbsp;

<img alt="Video footage and images of the October 2020 incident showed authorities pushing activists away from the convoy. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5c2d761e-c5ac-4b1a-98a0-70ca74ec8eb3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2849%29.png" />

The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, however, in its latest statement said that the court recognised that police did not clear the way for the royal motorcade and that there was no prior announcement about the procession. They also pointed out the differing testimonies of witnesses and the lack of awareness among police in the area about the motorcade's route.

Reporting the acquittal, legal aid group, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights on Wednesday said,&nbsp;"The court saw that police did not clear the way for the royal motorcade...there was no announcement before the procession."

"Witness testimony was different and even police in the area did not know there would be a royal motorcade (passing through)," said the group.

<h2>Thailand's lese majeste law</h2>

In Thailand, many consider the monarchy "sacrosanct" and the royals are officially above politics and constitutionally enshrined to be treated with "revered worship".

Thailand's lese majeste law, which is among the world's strictest, imposes harsh penalties for any perceived insult to the monarchy.&nbsp;Offences under the law can carry a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-prosecutors-indict-five-for-queens-motorcade-blockage-374550">Thai prosecutors indict five for queen's motorcade blockage</a>

More serious offences under the law can result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty, reports Reuters.

Under the law, the five activists had been charged with committing or attempting violence against the queen, heir-apparent, or regent, an offence which carries a minimum sentence of 16 years in prison.&nbsp;

Talking to Reuters, one of the acquitted activists, 23-year-old Bunkueanun 'Francis' Paothong, expressed his relief and happiness, and said that they had been fighting and maintaining their innocence throughout the legal process. "I'm really glad...we've been fighting this and insisting on our innocence," he said.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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In Thailand, a court has acquitted five anti-government protesters who were charged with attempted violence against the nation's queen during a demonstration back in 2020.

In Thailand, a court has acquitted five anti-government protesters who were charged with attempted violence against the nation's queen during a demonstration back in 2020. During the protests, a motorcade carrying Queen Suthida was allegedly obstructed by demonstrators in Bangkok, the capital city. However, in its ruling, the court determined that the defendants' actions were not aimed at impeding or causing harm to the queen or her motorcade. What happened in 2020? The incident as per Reuters took place during the height of pro-democracy protests in Thailand, when a motorcade carrying Queen Suthida was heckled by protesters. The demonstrations, led by the youth, called for various reforms, including changes to the lese majeste law, which imposes severe penalties for perceived insults against the monarchy. Also read | Godfather of AI calls for action 'before AI is smarter than us', warns looming takeover isn't science fiction Video footage and images of the October 2020 incident showed authorities pushing activists away from the convoy. The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, however, in its latest statement said that the court recognised that police did not clear the way for the royal motorcade and that there was no prior announcement about the procession. They also pointed out the differing testimonies of witnesses and the lack of awareness among police in the area about the motorcade's route. Reporting the acquittal, legal aid group, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights on Wednesday said, "The court saw that police did not clear the way for the royal motorcade...there was no announcement before the procession." "Witness testimony was different and even police in the area did not know there would be a royal motorcade (passing through)," said the group. Thailand's lese majeste law In Thailand, many consider the monarchy "sacrosanct" and the royals are officially above politics and constitutionally enshrined to be treated with "revered worship". Thailand's lese majeste law, which is among the world's strictest, imposes harsh penalties for any perceived insult to the monarchy. Offences under the law can carry a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. Also read | Thai prosecutors indict five for queen's motorcade blockage More serious offences under the law can result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty, reports Reuters. Under the law, the five activists had been charged with committing or attempting violence against the queen, heir-apparent, or regent, an offence which carries a minimum sentence of 16 years in prison. Talking to Reuters, one of the acquitted activists, 23-year-old Bunkueanun 'Francis' Paothong, expressed his relief and happiness, and said that they had been fighting and maintaining their innocence throughout the legal process. "I'm really glad...we've been fighting this and insisting on our innocence," he said. (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.

Thailand court acquits 5 pro-democracy activists of attempted violence against Queen Suthida

On Wednesday, the Karnataka government, after failing to procure the required quantity of rice to roll under its Annya Bhagya Scheme, said that it will pay cash for the additionally pledged&nbsp;rice&nbsp;promised to BPL (Below the Poverty Line) families under one of the five pre-poll campaign guarantees by the Congress party, TOI reported. &nbsp;

The ruling government said that it would pay Rs 34 per kg for the additional 5 kg.&nbsp;

<h2>Centre denied us rice</h2>

During the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government has decided to go for an open-market tender to procure the rice, which will start this Thursday (July 01).&nbsp;

He said, "It is a temporary measure. To keep our word, we have decided to give cash. As and when we get sufficient rice, the cash disbursements will be stopped and rice will be distributed."

In its 2023 assembly elections, the Congress party promised to increase the quantity of rice provided to BPL to 10 kg instead of 5kg.&nbsp;

As government plan ran into a rough patch&nbsp;after the Food Corporation of India, refused to sell any additional quantity of rice to Karnataka, following a directive from the Centre.&nbsp;

CM Siddaramiah said, "Despite having sufficient stock, Centre has denied us rice. On the other hand, rice is being solf to private players through action. This shows the Centre is trying to scuttle our scheme."

He also argued that the former chief minister's BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai should have asked the cabinet government for rice to be released for the state.&nbsp;

<h2>Money will be paid to the heads</h2>

The state's minister for food and civil supplies, KH Muniyappa, said that each member of the BPL family will be paid Rs 170 by way of cash transfer at Rs 34 per kg of rice from the month of July.&nbsp;

The minister clarified that if there are five members in a BPL family, then the family will be paid Rs 850 per month, and the money will be directly deposited in the bank account of the head of the family, directly through the direct benefit transfer (DBT).&nbsp;

However, the 1.4 million families to whom the state gave BPL cards, over and above the limit set by the Centre will not be receiving this additional benefit.&nbsp;

HK Patil, the law and parliamentary affairs minister said that the Centre sets the limit for each state to issue the Public Distribution System cards. It added that over and above that, the state government will be bearing the expenses.&nbsp;

"We need 22,000 tonnes of rice to cater to these families. Procuring this quantity will not be a problem for our government."

The Congress party won Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 13, 2023.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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On Wednesday, the Karnataka government, after failing to procure the required quantity of rice to roll under its Annya Bhagya Scheme, said that it will pay cash for the additionally pledged rice promised to BPL (Below the Poverty Line) families under one of the five pre-poll campaign guarantees by the Congress party, TOI reported.

On Wednesday, the Karnataka government, after failing to procure the required quantity of rice to roll under its Annya Bhagya Scheme, said that it will pay cash for the additionally pledged rice promised to BPL (Below the Poverty Line) families under one of the five pre-poll campaign guarantees by the Congress party, TOI reported. The ruling government said that it would pay Rs 34 per kg for the additional 5 kg. Centre denied us rice During the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government has decided to go for an open-market tender to procure the rice, which will start this Thursday (July 01). He said, "It is a temporary measure. To keep our word, we have decided to give cash. As and when we get sufficient rice, the cash disbursements will be stopped and rice will be distributed." In its 2023 assembly elections, the Congress party promised to increase the quantity of rice provided to BPL to 10 kg instead of 5kg. As government plan ran into a rough patch after the Food Corporation of India, refused to sell any additional quantity of rice to Karnataka, following a directive from the Centre. CM Siddaramiah said, "Despite having sufficient stock, Centre has denied us rice. On the other hand, rice is being solf to private players through action. This shows the Centre is trying to scuttle our scheme." He also argued that the former chief minister's BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai should have asked the cabinet government for rice to be released for the state. Money will be paid to the heads The state's minister for food and civil supplies, KH Muniyappa, said that each member of the BPL family will be paid Rs 170 by way of cash transfer at Rs 34 per kg of rice from the month of July. The minister clarified that if there are five members in a BPL family, then the family will be paid Rs 850 per month, and the money will be directly deposited in the bank account of the head of the family, directly through the direct benefit transfer (DBT). However, the 1.4 million families to whom the state gave BPL cards, over and above the limit set by the Centre will not be receiving this additional benefit. HK Patil, the law and parliamentary affairs minister said that the Centre sets the limit for each state to issue the Public Distribution System cards. It added that over and above that, the state government will be bearing the expenses. "We need 22,000 tonnes of rice to cater to these families. Procuring this quantity will not be a problem for our government." The Congress party won Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 13, 2023. (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.

'Centre denied us rice': Amid row with centre, Karnataka govt to pay cash instead of promised extra rice stack

Ford Motor has announced plans to carry out layoffs this week, primarily affecting engineering jobs in the United States and Canada. The job cuts are part of Ford's cost-cutting measures as the company undergoes a restructuring of its business operations.&nbsp;

The layoffs as per CNBC are expected to impact all three of Ford's business units: Ford Blue, which focuses on internal combustion engine operations; Model e, the electric vehicle unit; and Ford Pro, the fleet service operations.

<h2>How many people will be affected by the layoffs?</h2>

The exact number of employees affected by the layoffs has not been disclosed by the company. In its most recent quarterly filing, Ford stated that it expected to incur charges in 2023 between $1.5 billion and $2 billion "primarily attributable to employee separations and supplier settlements".&nbsp;

This is comparable to similar actions in 2021 and 2022, which resulted in charges of $2 billion and $608 million, respectively.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ubs-plans-to-sack-more-than-half-or-35000-credit-suisse-staff-report-609469">UBS plans to sack 'more than half' or 35,000 Credit Suisse staff: Report</a>

In an emailed statement, Ford, as per CNBC,&nbsp;said: "Delivering our Ford+ plan for growth and value creation includes increasing quality, lowering costs, investing in our priorities, and adjusting staffing to match the capabilities we need."&nbsp;

"People affected by the changes will be offered severance pay, benefits," added the company as reported by Reuters.

"This is related to the Ford+ growth plan we introduced in 2021," it added.

<h2>Ford+ Plan</h2>

Ford has been implementing restructuring efforts for several years as part of its Ford+ plan, led by CEO Jim Farley.&nbsp;

Last year in August, the company cut 3,000 workers in North America and recently conducted 3,800 layoffs in Europe.&nbsp;

Ford stated in its first-quarter filing that it would continue to review its global businesses and may take additional restructuring actions in cases where sustained profitability is not feasible.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/kpmg-joins-the-layoff-parade-canaries-in-the-economic-coal-mine-609151">KPMG joins the layoff parade: Canaries in the economic coal mine</a>

"We continue to review our global businesses and may take additional restructuring actions where a path to sustained profitability is not feasible when considering the capital allocation required for those businesses."

According to Ford's Farley, the company faces a cost disadvantage of approximately $7 billion compared to some of its competitors. The company aims to address this through efficiency gains and job reductions.&nbsp;

<h2>Ford and job cuts</h2>

In 2022, Ford's employee headcount decreased by approximately 10,000 people to 173,000 globally.

The employees affected by the most recent job cut will be offered severance pay, benefits, and assistance in finding new career opportunities. Reportedly, the layoffs have been communicated to contractors and team leaders, with employees expected to be notified throughout the week. The company has instructed affected units to work remotely during this period.&nbsp;

Ford's restructuring efforts align with the broader trend in the automotive industry, with other automakers such as General Motors and Stellantis also implementing layoffs and cost-cutting measures to focus more on the electric vehicles markets.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ford Motor has announced plans to carry out layoffs this week, primarily affecting engineering jobs in the United States and Canada. The job cuts are part of Ford's cost-cutting measures as the company undergoes a restructuring of its business operations.

Ford Motor has announced plans to carry out layoffs this week, primarily affecting engineering jobs in the United States and Canada. The job cuts are part of Ford's cost-cutting measures as the company undergoes a restructuring of its business operations. The layoffs as per CNBC are expected to impact all three of Ford's business units: Ford Blue, which focuses on internal combustion engine operations; Model e, the electric vehicle unit; and Ford Pro, the fleet service operations. How many people will be affected by the layoffs? The exact number of employees affected by the layoffs has not been disclosed by the company. In its most recent quarterly filing, Ford stated that it expected to incur charges in 2023 between $1.5 billion and $2 billion "primarily attributable to employee separations and supplier settlements". This is comparable to similar actions in 2021 and 2022, which resulted in charges of $2 billion and $608 million, respectively. Also read | UBS plans to sack 'more than half' or 35,000 Credit Suisse staff: Report In an emailed statement, Ford, as per CNBC, said: "Delivering our Ford+ plan for growth and value creation includes increasing quality, lowering costs, investing in our priorities, and adjusting staffing to match the capabilities we need." "People affected by the changes will be offered severance pay, benefits," added the company as reported by Reuters. "This is related to the Ford+ growth plan we introduced in 2021," it added. Ford+ Plan Ford has been implementing restructuring efforts for several years as part of its Ford+ plan, led by CEO Jim Farley. Last year in August, the company cut 3,000 workers in North America and recently conducted 3,800 layoffs in Europe. Ford stated in its first-quarter filing that it would continue to review its global businesses and may take additional restructuring actions in cases where sustained profitability is not feasible. Also read | KPMG joins the layoff parade: Canaries in the economic coal mine "We continue to review our global businesses and may take additional restructuring actions where a path to sustained profitability is not feasible when considering the capital allocation required for those businesses." According to Ford's Farley, the company faces a cost disadvantage of approximately $7 billion compared to some of its competitors. The company aims to address this through efficiency gains and job reductions. Ford and job cuts In 2022, Ford's employee headcount decreased by approximately 10,000 people to 173,000 globally. The employees affected by the most recent job cut will be offered severance pay, benefits, and assistance in finding new career opportunities. Reportedly, the layoffs have been communicated to contractors and team leaders, with employees expected to be notified throughout the week. The company has instructed affected units to work remotely during this period. Ford's restructuring efforts align with the broader trend in the automotive industry, with other automakers such as General Motors and Stellantis also implementing layoffs and cost-cutting measures to focus more on the electric vehicles markets. (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.

Ford announces job cuts; layoff to affect engineering jobs in United States and Canada

UBS Group is preparing to reduce more than half of the Credit Suisse Group's workforce following the emergency takeover of the bank. The impact of these job cuts is expected to be felt primarily by bankers, traders, and support staff in Credit Suisse's investment bank located in London, New York, and certain parts of Asia.

<h2>When will the job cuts happen?</h2>

As per a report in Fortune, staff has been told to expect the cuts in three rounds, with the first round projected to take place by the end of July, followed by two additional rounds tentatively planned for September and October.

UBS, which recently completed the acquisition and now has a combined workforce of approximately 120,000 employees, aims to save around $6 billion in staff costs over the coming years.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/credit-suisse-ordered-by-court-to-pay-926-million-to-ex-pm-of-georgia-596934">Another jolt to Credit Suisse, court orders it to pay $926 million to Georgian ex-PM</a>

Quoting sources, Fortune reports that UBS plans to reduce the total combined headcount by roughly 30 per cent, or 35,000 individuals.

This estimate aligns with an approximate reduction of 30,000 predicted this month by analysts at Redburn. Credit Suisse's current headcount stands at approximately 45,000 employees.

<h2>How will the job cuts affect the global financial sector?</h2>

The reduction in staff at Credit Suisse is expected to exacerbate an already challenging year for global financial sector jobs, as other major banks such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have also announced substantial cuts.

Watch |&nbsp;Credit Suisse is now a part of UBS | World Business Watch

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UBS had earlier signalled its intention to significantly scale back the size of Credit Suisse's investment bank, which experienced a $5.5 billion loss due to the Archegos Capital Management scandal in 2021.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, the company's chief executive Sergio Ermotti warned that the coming months will likely be "bumpy". He said that the UBS, and Credit Suisse merger will demand "waves" of difficult decisions, including regarding employment.

Although UBS initially planned to retain the top 20 per cent of dealmakers, particularly those focused on technology, media, and telecoms, many high-performing bankers have already left or been hired by rival institutions.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/silicon-valley-bank-to-cut-500-jobs-says-new-owner-report-596360" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/silicon-valley-bank-to-cut-500-jobs-says-new-owner-report-596360&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwial-atieX_AhXmTmwGHahpC0gQFnoECAAQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1cP6ReS7Br9qR4j8hcpMqi" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/silicon-valley-bank-to-cut-500-jobs-says-new-owner-report-596360" target="_blank">Silicon Valley Bank to cut 500 jobs, says new owner: Report</a>

UBS as per the Fortune report aims to retain most of Credit Suisse's private bankers, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where a few hundred private bankers are expected to join UBS's existing team of over 1,200.&nbsp;

As per the report, a source revealed that the company will also need to retain staff responsible for managing Credit Suisse's structured loans to wealthy clients and the equity derivatives books.

<h2>UBS and Credit Suisse integration</h2>

Regarding the Swiss domestic business, UBS reportedly intends to make a decision in the third quarter on whether to fully integrate it with its own Swiss unit, pursue alternative options such as spinning it off or listing it publicly, or adopt another approach.&nbsp;

The fate of the Swiss bank has drawn significant attention. The initial job cuts are likely to exclude roles related to the overlapping areas of the Swiss businesses. However, if the two domestic businesses are merged, it is estimated that up to 10,000 jobs could be eliminated.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

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UBS Group is preparing to reduce more than half of the Credit Suisse Group's workforce following the emergency takeover of the bank. The impact of these job cuts is expected to be felt primarily by bankers, traders, and support staff in Credit Suisse's investment bank located in London, New York, and certain parts of Asia.

UBS Group is preparing to reduce more than half of the Credit Suisse Group's workforce following the emergency takeover of the bank. The impact of these job cuts is expected to be felt primarily by bankers, traders, and support staff in Credit Suisse's investment bank located in London, New York, and certain parts of Asia. When will the job cuts happen? As per a report in Fortune, staff has been told to expect the cuts in three rounds, with the first round projected to take place by the end of July, followed by two additional rounds tentatively planned for September and October. UBS, which recently completed the acquisition and now has a combined workforce of approximately 120,000 employees, aims to save around $6 billion in staff costs over the coming years. Also read | Another jolt to Credit Suisse, court orders it to pay $926 million to Georgian ex-PM Quoting sources, Fortune reports that UBS plans to reduce the total combined headcount by roughly 30 per cent, or 35,000 individuals. This estimate aligns with an approximate reduction of 30,000 predicted this month by analysts at Redburn. Credit Suisse's current headcount stands at approximately 45,000 employees. How will the job cuts affect the global financial sector? The reduction in staff at Credit Suisse is expected to exacerbate an already challenging year for global financial sector jobs, as other major banks such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have also announced substantial cuts. Watch | Credit Suisse is now a part of UBS | World Business Watch UBS had earlier signalled its intention to significantly scale back the size of Credit Suisse's investment bank, which experienced a $5.5 billion loss due to the Archegos Capital Management scandal in 2021. Earlier this month, the company's chief executive Sergio Ermotti warned that the coming months will likely be "bumpy". He said that the UBS, and Credit Suisse merger will demand "waves" of difficult decisions, including regarding employment. Although UBS initially planned to retain the top 20 per cent of dealmakers, particularly those focused on technology, media, and telecoms, many high-performing bankers have already left or been hired by rival institutions. Also read | Silicon Valley Bank to cut 500 jobs, says new owner: Report UBS as per the Fortune report aims to retain most of Credit Suisse's private bankers, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where a few hundred private bankers are expected to join UBS's existing team of over 1,200. As per the report, a source revealed that the company will also need to retain staff responsible for managing Credit Suisse's structured loans to wealthy clients and the equity derivatives books. UBS and Credit Suisse integration Regarding the Swiss domestic business, UBS reportedly intends to make a decision in the third quarter on whether to fully integrate it with its own Swiss unit, pursue alternative options such as spinning it off or listing it publicly, or adopt another approach. The fate of the Swiss bank has drawn significant attention. The initial job cuts are likely to exclude roles related to the overlapping areas of the Swiss businesses. However, if the two domestic businesses are merged, it is estimated that up to 10,000 jobs could be eliminated. (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.

UBS plans to sack 'more than half' or 35,000 Credit Suisse staff: Report

A self-made Chinese millionaire named Liang Shi is making global headlines—not because he attempted China's most-dreaded exam "Gaokao" for the 27th time, but because he failed to clear it again.&nbsp;

On Friday, after the results were announced, the 56-year-old millionaire found out that he scored only 424 out of 750 points. Known as "the No. 1 Gaokao holdout",&nbsp;Liang has had a stubborn and ambitious dream of studying at China's most reputed college, Sichuan University, for which he needs to clear the exam, the BBC reported.

This time, Liang was just short of the 34 points needed to apply to any university in China.&nbsp;

Liang has attempted the exam a dozen times. He was 16 when he first attempted the exam in 1983. In a conversation with a local media outlet, he said how disappointed he was with this year's result and questioned if he could ever achieve his dream.&nbsp;

The Chinese millionaire told local news outlet Tianmu News, "I used to say 'I just don't believe I won't make it', but now I'm torn."

He further said, "I have been contemplating whether I should continue. Maybe I do need to reflect on myself. I might give up (next year). If I do attend it next year, I will give up my last name Liang if I fail."

<h2>Liang Shi's exam history:</h2>

Liang is no ordinary man. He is a successful construction materials businessman after facing a lot of struggles. Despite being so successful, not getting a college education always kept him anxious, making him feel anxious.

He always dreamed of being accepted into a prestigious university and becoming an "intellectual."

In an interview in 2014, he said, "I think it's such a pity if you don't go to college, your life won't be complete without higher education."

After failing in his first attempt, Liang worked several jobs but also kept applying for the exam until 1992, when he was considered too old.&nbsp;

The factory where he worked was also shut down due to bankruptcy. He then opened his own wholesale business, which&nbsp;soon made him&nbsp;more successful as a businessman than a student.&nbsp;

However, in 2001, the Chinese government removed the age limit for the Gaokao exam, and Liang began his education journey once again.&nbsp;

Liang had abstained from drinking and playing mahjong to just focus on studying. But it wasn't meant to be.

As many must find it inspiring some thought Liang's story is just a mere publicity stunt.

To which Liang, clarifying all assumptions, said, "What for?"

He added that no one in their right mind would spend years taking the Gaokao exam for a stunt. He said how he sacrificed the joys of life to just focus on studying.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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A self-made Chinese millionaire named Liang Shi is making global headlines—not because he attempted China's most-dreaded exam "Gaokao" for the 27th time, but because he failed to clear it again.

A self-made Chinese millionaire named Liang Shi is making global headlines—not because he attempted China's most-dreaded exam "Gaokao" for the 27th time, but because he failed to clear it again. On Friday, after the results were announced, the 56-year-old millionaire found out that he scored only 424 out of 750 points. Known as "the No. 1 Gaokao holdout", Liang has had a stubborn and ambitious dream of studying at China's most reputed college, Sichuan University, for which he needs to clear the exam, the BBC reported. This time, Liang was just short of the 34 points needed to apply to any university in China. Liang has attempted the exam a dozen times. He was 16 when he first attempted the exam in 1983. In a conversation with a local media outlet, he said how disappointed he was with this year's result and questioned if he could ever achieve his dream. The Chinese millionaire told local news outlet Tianmu News, "I used to say 'I just don't believe I won't make it', but now I'm torn." He further said, "I have been contemplating whether I should continue. Maybe I do need to reflect on myself. I might give up (next year). If I do attend it next year, I will give up my last name Liang if I fail." Liang Shi's exam history: Liang is no ordinary man. He is a successful construction materials businessman after facing a lot of struggles. Despite being so successful, not getting a college education always kept him anxious, making him feel anxious. He always dreamed of being accepted into a prestigious university and becoming an "intellectual." In an interview in 2014, he said, "I think it's such a pity if you don't go to college, your life won't be complete without higher education." After failing in his first attempt, Liang worked several jobs but also kept applying for the exam until 1992, when he was considered too old. The factory where he worked was also shut down due to bankruptcy. He then opened his own wholesale business, which soon made him more successful as a businessman than a student. However, in 2001, the Chinese government removed the age limit for the Gaokao exam, and Liang began his education journey once again. Liang had abstained from drinking and playing mahjong to just focus on studying. But it wasn't meant to be. As many must find it inspiring some thought Liang's story is just a mere publicity stunt. To which Liang, clarifying all assumptions, said, "What for?" He added that no one in their right mind would spend years taking the Gaokao exam for a stunt. He said how he sacrificed the joys of life to just focus on studying. (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.

'I might give up': 56-year-old Chinese millionaire fails to clear 'Gaokao' exam for the 27th time

For the first time, Toronto elected a 'non-white' Chinese-Canadian mayor.&nbsp; Olivia Chow pledged to support renters and social causes and reduce the sweeping powers of her office. Chow will also be the first woman to serve as mayor of the Canadian city since Barbara Hall in 1997.&nbsp;

As per the preliminary results, the 66-year-old secured&nbsp;some 37.3 per cent votes, defeating her rival Ana Bailao, former deputy mayor, who won 32.5 per cent vote share. &nbsp;

Here's everything you need to know about Toronto's new mayor:

<h2>Olivia Chow: Early life and political career</h2>

Born in Hong Kong, Chow shifted to Canada when she was just 13. She is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

In 1988, Chow was married to Jack Layton until his death in August 2011. A year later, Chow unveiled a statue dedicated to her late husband on 20 August 2012, with tributes to him written in English, Chinese and French. The statue is located in Harbour Square Park at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.

After completing her studies, she became active in politics, working to win the riding office of NDP P Dan Heap in the 1980s. Later in 1997, she ran as an NDP candidate for the House of Commons in Trinity-Spadina. In 2004, she won the Trinity-Spadina again.

Years later, in 2014, she entered the Toronto mayoral elections, in an attempt to defeat Rob Frod after most polls taken over the previous year suggested that she was best placed to win a head-to-head contest against Ford or a multi-candidate contest. Unfortunately, Chow finished the election race third.

As a prominent and progressive voice in Canada's capital politics, Chow again in April announced her campaign for mayor of Toronto in the 2023 by-election.&nbsp;

<h2>As the next council meeting is scheduled for July 19, here's what Chow promised to do during her election campaign:</h2>

Transit and Housing:

One of the first promises that Chow made was to build a dedicated busway to replace the decommissioned Scarborough RT to the tune of about $60 million. One of the differences between Chow's and her rival's pledge was to raise Toronoto's vacant home tax from one per cent to three per cent.&nbsp;

She promised to build 25,000 homes on city-owned land in the next eight years.

Taxes:

The municipal land taxes will be increased on homes sold for over $3 million. The money collected from the tax increase will be used to support the homeless. Though Chow didn't mention any specific number, she said that the increase will not be near 25 per cent as proposed by her rival candidates. She said that the tax increase will support city's improvements including reduced waiting time on emergency calls.&nbsp;

Strong Mayor Powers:

One of the most prominent promises, Chow made was that she will not use the strong mayor powers handed to municipal leaders by the Ontario government. These powers allow the mayor to overrule a council decision based on provincial priorities such as housing infrastructure, budget or hiring a certain staff.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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For the first time, Toronto elected a 'non-white' Chinese-Canadian mayor. Olivia Chow pledged to support renters and social causes and reduce the sweeping powers of her office.

For the first time, Toronto elected a 'non-white' Chinese-Canadian mayor. Olivia Chow pledged to support renters and social causes and reduce the sweeping powers of her office. Chow will also be the first woman to serve as mayor of the Canadian city since Barbara Hall in 1997. As per the preliminary results, the 66-year-old secured some 37.3 per cent votes, defeating her rival Ana Bailao, former deputy mayor, who won 32.5 per cent vote share. Here's everything you need to know about Toronto's new mayor: Olivia Chow: Early life and political career Born in Hong Kong, Chow shifted to Canada when she was just 13. She is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. In 1988, Chow was married to Jack Layton until his death in August 2011. A year later, Chow unveiled a statue dedicated to her late husband on 20 August 2012, with tributes to him written in English, Chinese and French. The statue is located in Harbour Square Park at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. After completing her studies, she became active in politics, working to win the riding office of NDP P Dan Heap in the 1980s. Later in 1997, she ran as an NDP candidate for the House of Commons in Trinity-Spadina. In 2004, she won the Trinity-Spadina again. Years later, in 2014, she entered the Toronto mayoral elections, in an attempt to defeat Rob Frod after most polls taken over the previous year suggested that she was best placed to win a head-to-head contest against Ford or a multi-candidate contest. Unfortunately, Chow finished the election race third. As a prominent and progressive voice in Canada's capital politics, Chow again in April announced her campaign for mayor of Toronto in the 2023 by-election. As the next council meeting is scheduled for July 19, here's what Chow promised to do during her election campaign: Transit and Housing: One of the first promises that Chow made was to build a dedicated busway to replace the decommissioned Scarborough RT to the tune of about $60 million. One of the differences between Chow's and her rival's pledge was to raise Toronoto's vacant home tax from one per cent to three per cent. She promised to build 25,000 homes on city-owned land in the next eight years. Taxes: The municipal land taxes will be increased on homes sold for over $3 million. The money collected from the tax increase will be used to support the homeless. Though Chow didn't mention any specific number, she said that the increase will not be near 25 per cent as proposed by her rival candidates. She said that the tax increase will support city's improvements including reduced waiting time on emergency calls. Strong Mayor Powers: One of the most prominent promises, Chow made was that she will not use the strong mayor powers handed to municipal leaders by the Ontario government. These powers allow the mayor to overrule a council decision based on provincial priorities such as housing infrastructure, budget or hiring a certain staff. (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.

Who is Olivia Chow, Toronto's first Chinese-Canadian mayor? Here's all you need to know

On Tuesday (June 27), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued yellow and orange alerts in Maharashtra indicating the possibility of heavy rainfall. The IMD Mumbai said, "Moderate rain in the city and suburbs. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places."

Furthermore, the Met department also announced that the southwest monsoon has advanced over Mumbai and Delhi, Times of India reported citing ANI inputs. &nbsp;

The department issues an orange alert for Thane, Pune, Nashik, Satara, Raigad and Ratnagiri.

It also issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Palghar, and Sindhudurg, indicating caution regarding the weather conditions in these years.&nbsp;

The department&nbsp;was compelled to issue an alert in Ratnagiri and Raigad previously after several cities in Maharashtra witnessed heavy rainfall.

The alerts come as IMD scientist Soma Sen told ANI, "The monsoon is active currently with its rapid advancement in the last 4-5 days. Leaving some parts of northwest India, the monsoon has impacted almost the entire country. Entire Gujarat and south-east Rajasthan have been covered by the monsoon. In the next two days, it is expected that south Punjab, Haryana and the remaining parts of Rajasthan will be covered."

Rainfall intensity in Mumbai

Mumbai&nbsp;has been receiving heavy rainfall earlier. Vehicular movements were closed in the Andheri Subway after the waterlogging problem emerged from the rain. This led to traffic at the Swami Vivekananda road.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai stated that the city received 104mm of rain, while the eastern and western suburbs received 123 mm and 139 mm of rain respectively. The department&nbsp;said, "Rainfall intensity to gradually increase over parts of Maharashtra during the next 405 days. Indication of expected severe weather in the next 5 days."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Mid-day reported that heavy rains lashed parts of Goa in the last 24 hours, and the IMD has issued a yellow alert for the state till Thursday (June 29).&nbsp;

The weather agency also said that the clouds are present over the talukas of North Goa and South Goa and are slowly moving towards the east.&nbsp;

The IMD Goa said, "Moderate to Heavy spells of rain and winds gusting to around 40 to 50 kmph very likely at most places over North Goa and South Goa districts during next 3-4 hours."

The department also forecasted squally weather with a wind speed of 40-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph along and off the south Maharashtra-Goa till July 1.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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On Tuesday (June 27), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued yellow and orange alerts in Maharashtra indicating the possibility of heavy rainfall. The IMD Mumbai said, "Moderate rain in the city and suburbs.

On Tuesday (June 27), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued yellow and orange alerts in Maharashtra indicating the possibility of heavy rainfall. The IMD Mumbai said, "Moderate rain in the city and suburbs. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places." Furthermore, the Met department also announced that the southwest monsoon has advanced over Mumbai and Delhi, Times of India reported citing ANI inputs. The department issues an orange alert for Thane, Pune, Nashik, Satara, Raigad and Ratnagiri. It also issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Palghar, and Sindhudurg, indicating caution regarding the weather conditions in these years. The department was compelled to issue an alert in Ratnagiri and Raigad previously after several cities in Maharashtra witnessed heavy rainfall. The alerts come as IMD scientist Soma Sen told ANI, "The monsoon is active currently with its rapid advancement in the last 4-5 days. Leaving some parts of northwest India, the monsoon has impacted almost the entire country. Entire Gujarat and south-east Rajasthan have been covered by the monsoon. In the next two days, it is expected that south Punjab, Haryana and the remaining parts of Rajasthan will be covered." Rainfall intensity in Mumbai Mumbai has been receiving heavy rainfall earlier. Vehicular movements were closed in the Andheri Subway after the waterlogging problem emerged from the rain. This led to traffic at the Swami Vivekananda road. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai stated that the city received 104mm of rain, while the eastern and western suburbs received 123 mm and 139 mm of rain respectively. The department said, "Rainfall intensity to gradually increase over parts of Maharashtra during the next 405 days. Indication of expected severe weather in the next 5 days." Meanwhile, Mid-day reported that heavy rains lashed parts of Goa in the last 24 hours, and the IMD has issued a yellow alert for the state till Thursday (June 29). The weather agency also said that the clouds are present over the talukas of North Goa and South Goa and are slowly moving towards the east. The IMD Goa said, "Moderate to Heavy spells of rain and winds gusting to around 40 to 50 kmph very likely at most places over North Goa and South Goa districts during next 3-4 hours." The department also forecasted squally weather with a wind speed of 40-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph along and off the south Maharashtra-Goa till July 1. (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.

Weather Update: IMD issues warning alerts in Maharashtra; predicts heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Pune & Thane

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