<p>US President Joe Biden's re-election campaign&nbsp;on Sunday (Feb 11) joined the TikTok by posting a 26-second video, even as his administration cracks down on the Chinese owned short-video platform over alleged security concerns.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Biden's account bio declared he "Grows the economy" while the video was captioned: "lol hey guys".</p>

<p>In the video, Biden can be seen playing a light-hearted, rapid-fire game&nbsp;with questions ranging from politics to the Super Bowl.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Questioned if there was a secret plot to rig the Super Bowl so that Taylor Swift, currently dating the title winners Kansas City Chiefs' star Travis Kelce, could use her fame to endorse Biden, the Democrat leader leaned into the conspiracy theory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I'd get in trouble if I told you," Biden said.</p>

<p>Notably, the account is run under the name&nbsp;Team Biden-Harris, referring to the re-election effort of the Democrat top team.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;TikTok account will be getting the same updates from the Biden team as it does on other social channels including Threads, Instagram, Facebook, X and Truth Social, according to campaign advisers, media reports said.</p>

<h2><strong>But...hypocrisy?</strong></h2>

<p>Biden campaign's joining of TikTok comes in the backdrop of his administration banning the social media platform on federal devices last year.</p>

<p>TikTok, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance has long been accused by US lawmakers of being a propaganda and spy tool used by Beijing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the Republicans under former president Donald Trump first raised the calls to ban the app, the Democrats have also fiercely criticised its use, especially among young people.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;TikTok users file lawsuit to block Montana ban&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-20="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-7="true" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="lazy" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tiktok-users-file-lawsuit-to-block-montana-ban-593978/embed?autoplay=0" title="live tv" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>TikTok's growing popularity</strong></h2>

<p>TikTok, which has over 150 million American users (the total US population is estimated to be around&nbsp;332mn), has grown&nbsp;quite popular among teenagers and young adults.</p>

<p>According to the Pew Research Centre, 67 per cent&nbsp;of 13&nbsp;to 17-year-olds in the United States use TikTok, while 16 per cent&nbsp;of all adolescents use the app fairly daily.</p>

<p>TikTok meanwhile claims that the "vast majority" of its users are over the age of 18.</p>

<p>However, the app has become the target&nbsp;of politicians and state authorities in the US&nbsp;owing to&nbsp;Chinese cybersecurity laws that allow&nbsp;President Xi Jinping's government to access the company's&nbsp;data.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/montana-becomes-first-us-state-to-ban-tiktok-free-speech-supporters-call-move-unconstitutional-593492"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Montana becomes first US state to ban TikTok, free speech supporters call move 'unconstitutional'</strong></a></p>

<p>In May last year, Montana's Republican-dominated legislature became the first state in the US to pass a complete ban on the app.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state argued that the Chinese government could gain access to user information from TikTok whose parent company ByteDance is based out of Beijing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, in December a federal judge blocked the ban which was to kick into effect from January 1, 2024.</p>

<p>In the verdict, District Judge Donald Molloy said the ban “oversteps state power and infringes on the Constitutional right of users and businesses".&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


US President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on Sunday (Feb 11) joined the TikTok by posting a 26-second video, even as his administration cracks down on the Chinese owned short-video platform over alleged security concerns.

US President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on Sunday (Feb 11) joined the TikTok by posting a 26-second video, even as his administration cracks down on the Chinese owned short-video platform over alleged security concerns. Biden's account bio declared he "Grows the economy" while the video was captioned: "lol hey guys". In the video, Biden can be seen playing a light-hearted, rapid-fire game with questions ranging from politics to the Super Bowl. Questioned if there was a secret plot to rig the Super Bowl so that Taylor Swift, currently dating the title winners Kansas City Chiefs' star Travis Kelce, could use her fame to endorse Biden, the Democrat leader leaned into the conspiracy theory. "I'd get in trouble if I told you," Biden said. Notably, the account is run under the name Team Biden-Harris, referring to the re-election effort of the Democrat top team. The TikTok account will be getting the same updates from the Biden team as it does on other social channels including Threads, Instagram, Facebook, X and Truth Social, according to campaign advisers, media reports said. But...hypocrisy? Biden campaign's joining of TikTok comes in the backdrop of his administration banning the social media platform on federal devices last year. TikTok, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance has long been accused by US lawmakers of being a propaganda and spy tool used by Beijing. While the Republicans under former president Donald Trump first raised the calls to ban the app, the Democrats have also fiercely criticised its use, especially among young people. WATCH | TikTok users file lawsuit to block Montana ban TikTok's growing popularity TikTok, which has over 150 million American users (the total US population is estimated to be around 332mn), has grown quite popular among teenagers and young adults. According to the Pew Research Centre, 67 per cent of 13 to 17-year-olds in the United States use TikTok, while 16 per cent of all adolescents use the app fairly daily. TikTok meanwhile claims that the "vast majority" of its users are over the age of 18. However, the app has become the target of politicians and state authorities in the US owing to Chinese cybersecurity laws that allow President Xi Jinping's government to access the company's data. Also read | Montana becomes first US state to ban TikTok, free speech supporters call move 'unconstitutional' In May last year, Montana's Republican-dominated legislature became the first state in the US to pass a complete ban on the app. The state argued that the Chinese government could gain access to user information from TikTok whose parent company ByteDance is based out of Beijing. However, in December a federal judge blocked the ban which was to kick into effect from January 1, 2024. In the verdict, District Judge Donald Molloy said the ban “oversteps state power and infringes on the Constitutional right of users and businesses". (With inputs from agencies)

Hypocrisy? US President Joe Biden's re-election campaign joins TikTok even as govt cracks down on app

<p>Iran is recruiting British Muslims on pilgrimage tours to various Middle Eastern countries to spy on Jews and Jewish targets in the United Kingdom, a report in the <em>DailyMail</em> has claimed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is said to be behind the recruitment process. The modus operandi involves the IRGC recruiters approaching&nbsp;Shiite Muslims visiting religious sites in the Middle East and asking them to gather classified or useful information about prominent Jews, synagogues and&nbsp;Iranian dissidents.</p>

<p>The publication claimed that British Muslims, who visited&nbsp;the holy Iraqi city of Kerbala in September last year were approached to spy for Iran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We do not know the scale of Iranian agents inside Europe and the UK, but all it takes is for one to slip through the net," an unnamed source was quoted as saying.</p>

<p>The report added that some Iranians who come to study at British universities as international students on state scholarships also act as spies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Quoting a British official, the report claimed that the Iranian regime also utilised British-based organised crime networks to carry out attacks on US soil.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-counterstrike-on-iran-backed-forces-former-retaliates-after-3-troops-hurt-world-news-wion-673669"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;US counterstrike on Iran-backed forces, former retaliates after 3 troops hurt</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Iran vs Israel</strong></h2>

<p>Iran and Israel are perennial foes.&nbsp;For years, the two&nbsp;countries have accused each other of spying and waging a shadow war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They are currently locked in a fight over Iran's nuclear programme. Israel views Iran as its greatest threat and has repeatedly threatened to take military action to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group, operating from Lebanon has been routinely attacking Israel after the events of October 7, leading to further escalation in tension between the two countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-backed-islamist-terror-outfits-strike-us-base-in-syria-again-674829"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Iran-backed Islamist terror outfits strike US base in Syria again</strong></a></p>

<p>Since Tel Aviv started retaliating against Hamas over the terrorist attack last year, Hezbollah has attempted to engage Israel as well as its allies in confrontation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, Tehran increased the hostilities with Israel by executing four people it said had links to Tel Aviv and its intelligence unit - Mossad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tehran claimed Mossad had recruited the men,&nbsp;about a year and a half prior to the operation. The said operation was meant to take place in the summer of 2022 but was averted by Iranian intelligence, according to the reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Iran is recruiting British Muslims on pilgrimage tours to various Middle Eastern countries to spy on Jews and Jewish targets in the United Kingdom, a report in the DailyMail has claimed.

Iran is recruiting British Muslims on pilgrimage tours to various Middle Eastern countries to spy on Jews and Jewish targets in the United Kingdom, a report in the DailyMail has claimed. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is said to be behind the recruitment process. The modus operandi involves the IRGC recruiters approaching Shiite Muslims visiting religious sites in the Middle East and asking them to gather classified or useful information about prominent Jews, synagogues and Iranian dissidents. The publication claimed that British Muslims, who visited the holy Iraqi city of Kerbala in September last year were approached to spy for Iran. “We do not know the scale of Iranian agents inside Europe and the UK, but all it takes is for one to slip through the net," an unnamed source was quoted as saying. The report added that some Iranians who come to study at British universities as international students on state scholarships also act as spies. Quoting a British official, the report claimed that the Iranian regime also utilised British-based organised crime networks to carry out attacks on US soil. Watch | US counterstrike on Iran-backed forces, former retaliates after 3 troops hurt Iran vs Israel Iran and Israel are perennial foes. For years, the two countries have accused each other of spying and waging a shadow war. They are currently locked in a fight over Iran's nuclear programme. Israel views Iran as its greatest threat and has repeatedly threatened to take military action to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Additionally, the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group, operating from Lebanon has been routinely attacking Israel after the events of October 7, leading to further escalation in tension between the two countries. Also read | Iran-backed Islamist terror outfits strike US base in Syria again Since Tel Aviv started retaliating against Hamas over the terrorist attack last year, Hezbollah has attempted to engage Israel as well as its allies in confrontation. Last month, Tehran increased the hostilities with Israel by executing four people it said had links to Tel Aviv and its intelligence unit - Mossad. Tehran claimed Mossad had recruited the men, about a year and a half prior to the operation. The said operation was meant to take place in the summer of 2022 but was averted by Iranian intelligence, according to the reports. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran recruiting British Muslims on pilgrimage in Middle East to spy on Jews: Report

<p>An infant in the US state of Missouri died on Friday (Feb 9) after her mother mistakenly put her inside an oven for a nap, according to a report by news agency <em>Associated Press</em>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The accused mother, identified as Mariah Thomas of Kansas City faces "Class A felony of endangering the welfare of a child in the 1st degree, death of a child", a prosecutor informed on Saturday (Feb 10).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident took place on Friday afternoon when police officers responded to a report of a month-old child not breathing at a house near 41st Street and Forest Avenue. The first responders, upon reaching the scene, declared the baby&nbsp;dead.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, detectives said the circumstances around the child’s death were suspicious enough to cause concern and they initiated an investigation.</p>

<p>The first responders had noticed burns on the child and upon pressing Thomas, she said she was putting the child down for a nap but accidentally put her in the oven, instead of the crib.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement did not offer an explanation about how that mistake was made. It remains unclear at this stage whether Thomas has an attorney or not.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/missing-6-year-old-girl-hind-rajab-found-dead-in-gaza-weeks-after-repeated-calls-for-help-689129"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Missing 6-year-old girl Hind Rajab found dead in Gaza weeks after repeated calls for help</strong></a></p>

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<h2><b>Probe on&nbsp;</b></h2>

<p>Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office&nbsp;is currently overseeing the probe and looking at the possible angle of Thomas killing the baby knowingly,&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We acknowledge the gruesome nature of this tragedy and our hearts are weighted by the loss of this precious life,"&nbsp;Jackson county prosecuting attorney Jean Peters Baker said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/infant-found-in-shopping-bag-by-dog-walker-in-londons-newham-area-681616"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Infant found in shopping bag by dog walker in London's Newham area</strong></a></p>

<p>“We trust the criminal justice system to respond appropriately to these awful circumstances," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, a baby was found in a shopping bag, abandoned at the intersection of Greenway and High Street South in Newham, East London. An individual walking their dog spotted the baby and informed the authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The infant&nbsp;wrapped in a towel within the bag was then admitted to a hospital where it received treatment.&nbsp;The hospital documents show it took nearly three hours for doctors to be able to record the baby's temperature, as she was extremely cold when she was discovered. The probe is still on to locate the baby's mother.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An infant in the US state of Missouri died on Friday (Feb 9) after her mother mistakenly put her inside an oven for a nap, according to a report by news agency Associated Press.

An infant in the US state of Missouri died on Friday (Feb 9) after her mother mistakenly put her inside an oven for a nap, according to a report by news agency Associated Press. The accused mother, identified as Mariah Thomas of Kansas City faces "Class A felony of endangering the welfare of a child in the 1st degree, death of a child", a prosecutor informed on Saturday (Feb 10). The incident took place on Friday afternoon when police officers responded to a report of a month-old child not breathing at a house near 41st Street and Forest Avenue. The first responders, upon reaching the scene, declared the baby dead. However, detectives said the circumstances around the child’s death were suspicious enough to cause concern and they initiated an investigation. The first responders had noticed burns on the child and upon pressing Thomas, she said she was putting the child down for a nap but accidentally put her in the oven, instead of the crib. The statement did not offer an explanation about how that mistake was made. It remains unclear at this stage whether Thomas has an attorney or not. Watch | Missing 6-year-old girl Hind Rajab found dead in Gaza weeks after repeated calls for help × Probe on Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office is currently overseeing the probe and looking at the possible angle of Thomas killing the baby knowingly, “We acknowledge the gruesome nature of this tragedy and our hearts are weighted by the loss of this precious life," Jackson county prosecuting attorney Jean Peters Baker said in a statement. Also read | Infant found in shopping bag by dog walker in London's Newham area “We trust the criminal justice system to respond appropriately to these awful circumstances," he added. Last month, a baby was found in a shopping bag, abandoned at the intersection of Greenway and High Street South in Newham, East London. An individual walking their dog spotted the baby and informed the authorities. The infant wrapped in a towel within the bag was then admitted to a hospital where it received treatment. The hospital documents show it took nearly three hours for doctors to be able to record the baby's temperature, as she was extremely cold when she was discovered. The probe is still on to locate the baby's mother. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Infant girl dies in Kansas City after mother mistakenly puts her in oven instead of crib

<p>Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan aka MS Swaminathan has been announced as one of the recipients of the esteemed Bharat Ratna award. The eminent agronomist and agricultural scientist will be conferred with the prestigious award for his contributions to Indian agriculture and farmer's welfare.</p>

<p>Announcing the award, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X said: "It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernizing Indian agriculture."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-former-prime-ministers-pv-narasimha-rao-to-be-awarded-bharat-ratna-688656">India: How PV Narasimha Rao nearly left politics before becoming prime minister</a></strong></p>

<p>"We also recognise his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor and encouraging learning and research among several students. Dr. Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity. He was someone I knew closely and l always valued his insights and inputs," he further wrote.</p>

<h2><strong>Who is MS Swaminathan?</strong></h2>

<p>Swaminathan was an Indian agronomist, agricultural scientist, plant geneticist, administrator, and humanitarian.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He is known as the main architect of India's green revolution, due to his leadership and role in introducing and further developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A Saviour</strong></h2>

<p>Swaminathan is known for his efforts that saved India and Pakistan from certain famine-like conditions&nbsp;in the 1960s. He did this in collaboration with Norman Borlaug, an economic agronomist.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bharat-ratna-to-chaudhary-charan-singh-a-true-champion-of-farmers-and-staunch-advocate-of-inclusive-growth-688664">Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh, a true 'champion of farmers' and staunch advocate of inclusive growth</a></strong></p>

<p>Swaminathan was called as the "Father of Economic Ecology" by the United Nations Environment Programme and&nbsp;worked as the director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Awards and honours</strong></h2>

<p>Swaminathan who is due to be awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumous, has been the recipient of numerous awards and honours.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was the president of the Pugwash Conferences and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 1999, he was one of the&nbsp;three Indians, along with Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, to be featured on Time's list of the 20 most influential Asian people of the 20th century.&nbsp;He was awarded the first World Food Prize, the highest honour in the field of agriculture, in 1987.</p>

<p>His honours include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the Albert Einstein World Science Award.&nbsp;Swaminathan passed away last year in September at the age&nbsp;of 98.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan aka MS Swaminathan has been announced as one of the recipients of the esteemed Bharat Ratna award. The eminent agronomist and agricultural scientist will be conferred with the prestigious award for his contributions to Indian agriculture and farmer's welfare.

Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan aka MS Swaminathan has been announced as one of the recipients of the esteemed Bharat Ratna award. The eminent agronomist and agricultural scientist will be conferred with the prestigious award for his contributions to Indian agriculture and farmer's welfare. Announcing the award, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X said: "It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernizing Indian agriculture." Also read | India: How PV Narasimha Rao nearly left politics before becoming prime minister "We also recognise his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor and encouraging learning and research among several students. Dr. Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity. He was someone I knew closely and l always valued his insights and inputs," he further wrote. Who is MS Swaminathan? Swaminathan was an Indian agronomist, agricultural scientist, plant geneticist, administrator, and humanitarian. He is known as the main architect of India's green revolution, due to his leadership and role in introducing and further developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice. A Saviour Swaminathan is known for his efforts that saved India and Pakistan from certain famine-like conditions in the 1960s. He did this in collaboration with Norman Borlaug, an economic agronomist. Also read | Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh, a true 'champion of farmers' and staunch advocate of inclusive growth Swaminathan was called as the "Father of Economic Ecology" by the United Nations Environment Programme and worked as the director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. Awards and honours Swaminathan who is due to be awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumous, has been the recipient of numerous awards and honours. He was the president of the Pugwash Conferences and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 1999, he was one of the three Indians, along with Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, to be featured on Time's list of the 20 most influential Asian people of the 20th century. He was awarded the first World Food Prize, the highest honour in the field of agriculture, in 1987. His honours include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the Albert Einstein World Science Award. Swaminathan passed away last year in September at the age of 98. (With inputs from agencies)

'Father of Economic Ecology': All you need to know about Bharat Ratna recipient MS Swaminathan

<p>Six family members, including three children, are feared dead following a tragic incident in a suburban Philadelphia house fire&nbsp;believed to be intentionally set during a shooting that also wounded two police officers, said&nbsp;officials on Thursday.</p>

<h2><strong>How the tragedy unfolded</strong></h2>

<p>The harrowing ordeal began when police responded to a call reporting an 11-year-old child shot in East Lansdowne, near Philadelphia. Upon arrival, officers encountered gunfire, resulting in injuries to two of them.</p>

<p>Subsequently, smoke and flames engulfed the house, which fire investigators believe&nbsp;was started deliberately.</p>

<p>Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer described the search for remains as "gruesome," characterising it as a recovery operation.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tucker-carlson-accuses-biden-administration-of-illegally-spying-on-him-to-prevent-interview-with-putin-688599">Tucker Carlson accuses Biden administration of 'illegally' spying on him to prevent interview with Putin</a></strong></p>

<p>"It's a crime scene, but it's a recovery operation," he said as per USA News. The DA also said that the investigation into who might have been in the home during the tragedy could take "hours, even days."</p>

<p>Firefighters continued their efforts at the scene Thursday morning, with smoke still visible amidst the charred wreckage. An excavator has been employed to dismantle the remaining structure and sift through debris for investigation purposes.</p>

<h2><strong>What about the child that was shot?</strong></h2>

<p>Stollsteimer, as per the report, voiced uncertainty regarding the authenticity of the initial report of a child being shot. He said that it might have been a ploy to lure officers to the house. As per a Philadelphia Inquirer report citing law enforcement sources, the 911 caller and the shooter were likely the same person.</p>

<p>Police have discovered one human torso and a rifle. As per DA Stollsteimer, authorities will likely have to rely on dental records to identify the dead.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-are-the-key-takeaways-from-report-on-joe-bidens-classified-documents-688613">What are the key takeaways from special report on Joe Biden's classified documents?</a></strong></p>

<p>"It will be a gruesome, time-consuming process," he said.</p>

<p>The devastating fire, originating from within the residence, as per reports, has caused extensive damage, complicating efforts to ascertain its cause and the perpetrator of the shooting.</p>

<p>Identified as the Le family's residence, authorities believe three adults and three children perished in the blaze. Two family members, identified as the grandparents, escaped the fire. The grandmother, in a conversation with 6ABC recounted a dispute escalating between her son and his 13-year-old niece.</p>

<h2><strong>Officers injured</strong></h2>

<p>Two officers sustained injuries during the response. Lansdowne Police Officers David Schiazza, 54, and East Lansdowne Police Officer John Meehan, 44, endured gunshot wounds, with Meehan undergoing surgery for his injuries.</p>

<p>"Two of our members were shot today in the line of duty," said the Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 27 on social media Wednesday night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"... Our thoughts are with the officers, their friends and family as we hope for a speedy recovery. Thank you to the members who conducted a tactical rescue under fire to save the officers," it&nbsp;added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Six family members, including three children, are feared dead following a tragic incident in a suburban Philadelphia house fire believed to be intentionally set during a shooting that also wounded two police officers, said officials on Thursday.

Six family members, including three children, are feared dead following a tragic incident in a suburban Philadelphia house fire believed to be intentionally set during a shooting that also wounded two police officers, said officials on Thursday. How the tragedy unfolded The harrowing ordeal began when police responded to a call reporting an 11-year-old child shot in East Lansdowne, near Philadelphia. Upon arrival, officers encountered gunfire, resulting in injuries to two of them. Subsequently, smoke and flames engulfed the house, which fire investigators believe was started deliberately. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer described the search for remains as "gruesome," characterising it as a recovery operation. Also read | Tucker Carlson accuses Biden administration of 'illegally' spying on him to prevent interview with Putin "It's a crime scene, but it's a recovery operation," he said as per USA News. The DA also said that the investigation into who might have been in the home during the tragedy could take "hours, even days." Firefighters continued their efforts at the scene Thursday morning, with smoke still visible amidst the charred wreckage. An excavator has been employed to dismantle the remaining structure and sift through debris for investigation purposes. What about the child that was shot? Stollsteimer, as per the report, voiced uncertainty regarding the authenticity of the initial report of a child being shot. He said that it might have been a ploy to lure officers to the house. As per a Philadelphia Inquirer report citing law enforcement sources, the 911 caller and the shooter were likely the same person. Police have discovered one human torso and a rifle. As per DA Stollsteimer, authorities will likely have to rely on dental records to identify the dead. Also read | What are the key takeaways from special report on Joe Biden's classified documents? "It will be a gruesome, time-consuming process," he said. The devastating fire, originating from within the residence, as per reports, has caused extensive damage, complicating efforts to ascertain its cause and the perpetrator of the shooting. Identified as the Le family's residence, authorities believe three adults and three children perished in the blaze. Two family members, identified as the grandparents, escaped the fire. The grandmother, in a conversation with 6ABC recounted a dispute escalating between her son and his 13-year-old niece. Officers injured Two officers sustained injuries during the response. Lansdowne Police Officers David Schiazza, 54, and East Lansdowne Police Officer John Meehan, 44, endured gunshot wounds, with Meehan undergoing surgery for his injuries. "Two of our members were shot today in the line of duty," said the Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 27 on social media Wednesday night. "... Our thoughts are with the officers, their friends and family as we hope for a speedy recovery. Thank you to the members who conducted a tactical rescue under fire to save the officers," it added. (With inputs from agencies)

Pennsylvania: Police battle massive house fire amid shooting incident, six feared dead

At least four people have died in Haldwani. Rioters are targeting policemen. The government has issued a shoot-at-sight order. What's happening in Uttarakhand's Haldwani?

Haldwani violence: What's happening in Haldwani? Why did govt issue shoot-at-sight order?

<p>Scotland's Health Secretary Michael Matheson on Thursday (Feb 8th) quit in the wake of a scandal involving data roaming charges of around £11,000 ($13,855) on his official iPad. In his resignation, the Scottish National Party (SNP) minister said he was standing down to prevent the row from becoming a 'distraction'.</p>

<p>For weeks, Matheson has been pressured to resign while Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf was pressured to fire him.</p>

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— Michael Matheson MSP (@MathesonMichael) <a href="https://twitter.com/MathesonMichael/status/1755550165400801316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Why does a roaming bill matter?</strong></h2>

<p>The roaming bill worth thousands of pounds was racked up on Matheson's official device — to be paid from taxpayer money.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sex-tape-scandal-grips-frances-senate-after-female-medic-claims-to-possess-incriminating-video-of-senator-688266">Sex tape scandal grips France’s senate after female medic claims to possess incriminating video of senator</a></strong></p>

<p>The significant cost was incurred while the ex-minister was in Morocco on a Christmas break with his family. He tried to charge the roaming fees to taxpayers by claiming it through expenses.&nbsp;Matheson later said he would foot the bill himself.</p>

<p>After insisting that there had been no personal use of the iPad in November of last year, in an emotional statement to the Scottish Parliament, he admitted that his teenage sons had used the device to watch football.</p>

<p>Of the £11,000, around £7,000 worth of usage was clocked on January 2nd, 2023, the day of an Old Firm fixture between Celtic and Rangers.</p>

<h2><strong>Humza Yousaf faces criticism</strong></h2>

<p>When the news of Matheson's significant roaming bill broke, Yousaf had defended him, saying he was a "man of integrity".</p>

<p>Now, this is coming back to haunt him. As per the Daily Mail, Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross has demanded that "Humza Yousaf must explain why he defended him as a 'man of integrity and honesty' when he knew his former health secretary had lied."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-koreas-yoon-calls-wifes-dior-bag-scandal-a-political-manoeuvre-688285">South Korea's Yoon calls wife's 'Dior bag scandal' a political manoeuvre</a></strong></p>

<p>Furthermore, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie remarked that Yousaf "has big questions to answer over his lack of judgment".</p>

<p>"While I welcome the news that Michael Matheson has finally gone, the fact is the First Minister has big questions to answer over his lack of judgment," said&nbsp;Baillie.</p>

<p>"While our NHS is in crisis, Humza Yousaf has shown his weakness by putting the SNP before our NHS.&nbsp;Now more than ever, we need a health minister focused on the crisis at hand,"&nbsp;she&nbsp;added.</p>

<p>"It’s clear that the First Minister has no plan to save our NHS and that shuffling the SNP deckchairs will make no difference—it's time for change," Baillie further said</p>

<h2><strong>Parliamentary probe</strong></h2>

<p>As per the report, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is probing the data roaming charges. The body can refer Matheson to the Standards, Procedures, and Public Appointments Committee. If that happens, the ex-minster could lose access to 'all or part' of his parliamentary expenses.</p>


Scotland's Health Secretary Michael Matheson on Thursday (Feb 8th) quit in the wake of a scandal involving data roaming charges of around £11,000 ($13,855) on his official iPad.

Scotland's Health Secretary Michael Matheson on Thursday (Feb 8th) quit in the wake of a scandal involving data roaming charges of around £11,000 ($13,855) on his official iPad. In his resignation, the Scottish National Party (SNP) minister said he was standing down to prevent the row from becoming a 'distraction'. For weeks, Matheson has been pressured to resign while Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf was pressured to fire him. Statement pic.twitter.com/4Fc5XPnjyD — Michael Matheson MSP (@MathesonMichael) February 8, 2024 × Why does a roaming bill matter? The roaming bill worth thousands of pounds was racked up on Matheson's official device — to be paid from taxpayer money. Also read | Sex tape scandal grips France’s senate after female medic claims to possess incriminating video of senator The significant cost was incurred while the ex-minister was in Morocco on a Christmas break with his family. He tried to charge the roaming fees to taxpayers by claiming it through expenses. Matheson later said he would foot the bill himself. After insisting that there had been no personal use of the iPad in November of last year, in an emotional statement to the Scottish Parliament, he admitted that his teenage sons had used the device to watch football. Of the £11,000, around £7,000 worth of usage was clocked on January 2nd, 2023, the day of an Old Firm fixture between Celtic and Rangers. Humza Yousaf faces criticism When the news of Matheson's significant roaming bill broke, Yousaf had defended him, saying he was a "man of integrity". Now, this is coming back to haunt him. As per the Daily Mail, Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross has demanded that "Humza Yousaf must explain why he defended him as a 'man of integrity and honesty' when he knew his former health secretary had lied." Also read | South Korea's Yoon calls wife's 'Dior bag scandal' a political manoeuvre Furthermore, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie remarked that Yousaf "has big questions to answer over his lack of judgment". "While I welcome the news that Michael Matheson has finally gone, the fact is the First Minister has big questions to answer over his lack of judgment," said Baillie. "While our NHS is in crisis, Humza Yousaf has shown his weakness by putting the SNP before our NHS. Now more than ever, we need a health minister focused on the crisis at hand," she added. "It’s clear that the First Minister has no plan to save our NHS and that shuffling the SNP deckchairs will make no difference—it's time for change," Baillie further said Parliamentary probe As per the report, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is probing the data roaming charges. The body can refer Matheson to the Standards, Procedures, and Public Appointments Committee. If that happens, the ex-minster could lose access to 'all or part' of his parliamentary expenses.

£11,000 iPad roaming bill forces Scotland minister Michael Matheson to resign. Here's what happened

Tensions between India & Maldives are soaring. Maldives elected a new pro-China President. Beijing pledged more funding for the Island nation. However, the IMF is raising concerns. Is Maldives falling under the Chinese debt trap? Watch this video to find out.

Is Maldives falling under the Chinese debt trap? Here's what the IMF has to say

<p>Google has agreed to shell out $350 million to settle a lawsuit brought by shareholders over a security flaw at its now-defunct Google+ social media platform. A preliminary settlement was filed on Monday (Feb 5th) in San Francisco federal court after more than a year of mediation, and it now awaits the nod from US District Judge Trina Thompson.</p>

<h2><strong>The lawsuit</strong></h2>

<p>The lawsuit, as per Reuters, alleges that around March 2018, Google got wind of a software glitch which had left the personal data of Google+ users exposed. The bug it alleges had persisted for three years. However, rather than promptly addressing the issue, Google allegedly kept it under wraps for months, all the while publicly stressing its commitment to data security.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/middle-east-crisis-32-israeli-hostages-in-hamas-custody-dead-claims-report-687612">Middle East crisis: 32 Israeli hostages in Hamas custody dead, claims report</a></strong></p>

<p>Shareholders contend that Google's reluctance to disclose the problem stemmed from fears of facing regulatory and public scrutiny akin to Facebook's post-Cambridge Analytica scandal fallout, where user data was harvested without consent for the 2016 US elections.</p>

<p>The complaint also underscored the fall of Alphabet's stock value, which, as per the report, wiped out billions of dollars off of its market value.</p>

<h2><strong>Google maintains innocence</strong></h2>

<p>Despite consenting to the settlement, Google continues to deny any wrongdoing, and contends that there is no evidence of data misuse.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jose Castaneda, a Google spokesperson, said: "We regularly identify and fix software issues, disclose information about them, and take these issues seriously. This matter concerns a product that no longer exists, and we are pleased to have it resolved."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/the-best-is-yet-to-come-mark-zuckerberg-celebrates-20-years-of-facebook-687251">‘The best is yet to come’: Mark Zuckerberg celebrates 20 years of Facebook</a></strong></p>

<p>Earlier, Google had reached a $7.5 million settlement with Google+ users in 2020 related to the same issue.</p>

<p>The revelation of Monday's settlement follows Google's resolution of another lawsuit alleging the covert tracking of millions of users' internet activities. The terms of that settlement have yet to be disclosed.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Google has agreed to shell out $350 million to settle a lawsuit brought by shareholders over a security flaw at its now-defunct Google+ social media platform. A preliminary settlement was filed on Monday (Feb 5th) in San Francisco federal court after more than a year of mediation, and it now awaits the nod from US District Judge Trina Thompson.

Google has agreed to shell out $350 million to settle a lawsuit brought by shareholders over a security flaw at its now-defunct Google+ social media platform. A preliminary settlement was filed on Monday (Feb 5th) in San Francisco federal court after more than a year of mediation, and it now awaits the nod from US District Judge Trina Thompson. The lawsuit The lawsuit, as per Reuters, alleges that around March 2018, Google got wind of a software glitch which had left the personal data of Google+ users exposed. The bug it alleges had persisted for three years. However, rather than promptly addressing the issue, Google allegedly kept it under wraps for months, all the while publicly stressing its commitment to data security. Also read | Middle East crisis: 32 Israeli hostages in Hamas custody dead, claims report Shareholders contend that Google's reluctance to disclose the problem stemmed from fears of facing regulatory and public scrutiny akin to Facebook's post-Cambridge Analytica scandal fallout, where user data was harvested without consent for the 2016 US elections. The complaint also underscored the fall of Alphabet's stock value, which, as per the report, wiped out billions of dollars off of its market value. Google maintains innocence Despite consenting to the settlement, Google continues to deny any wrongdoing, and contends that there is no evidence of data misuse. Jose Castaneda, a Google spokesperson, said: "We regularly identify and fix software issues, disclose information about them, and take these issues seriously. This matter concerns a product that no longer exists, and we are pleased to have it resolved." Also read | ‘The best is yet to come’: Mark Zuckerberg celebrates 20 years of Facebook Earlier, Google had reached a $7.5 million settlement with Google+ users in 2020 related to the same issue. The revelation of Monday's settlement follows Google's resolution of another lawsuit alleging the covert tracking of millions of users' internet activities. The terms of that settlement have yet to be disclosed. (With inputs from agencies)

Google to shell out $350 million to settle data privacy lawsuit

<p>President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday embarked on a Delhi Metro ride, during which she engaged with school students. This marked her inaugural ride on the Metro since assuming office as the President.</p>

<h2><strong>Second Indian President to ride the metro</strong></h2>

<p>With this, Murmu has become only the second serving President of India to experience the convenience of the Delhi Metro. Before her, in 2012, President Pratibha Patil also travelled in the Metro.</p>

<p>On X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan shared a post which said: "President Droupadi Murmu travelled in Delhi Metro and interacted with school children during the ride."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">President Droupadi Murmu travelled in Delhi Metro and interacted with school children during the ride.<br />
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President Murmu also flagged off shuttle bus service between Central Secretariat Metro Station (Gate 4) and Amrit Udyan (Gate 35) for visitors coming to Amrit Udyan at every… <a href="https://t.co/ECCk8HtI2K">pic.twitter.com/ECCk8HtI2K</a></p>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1755169543935144124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-first-commercial-patient-declared-cancer-free-using-indigenous-car-t-cell-therapy-687858">India: First patient declared ‘cancer-free’ using indigenous CAR-T cell therapy</a></strong></p>

<p>Additionally, she inaugurated a shuttle bus service connecting the Central Secretariat Metro Station (gate no 4) and Amrit Udyan (gate no 35), benefiting visitors to Amrit Udyan. This service operates every 30 minutes from 9.30 am to 5 pm, added the post.</p>

<p>During her conversation with the students aboard the train, President Murmu Asked the children about their career aspirations, said officials.</p>

<p>Watch the video here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="sl"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | President Droupadi Murmu takes a metro ride in Delhi. <a href="https://t.co/Elc2pdUmHJ">pic.twitter.com/Elc2pdUmHJ</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1755125683229950419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>She started her journey at the Central Secretariat Metro Station on the Kashmere Gate — Raja Nahar Singh Violet Line corridor. From there, she travelled up to the Nehru Place Metro Station before returning to Central Secretariat.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>World-class Metro</strong></h2>

<p>Accompanying her on this metro journey was Vikas Kumar, the Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Kumar provided insights into the DMRC's operations and ongoing construction projects.</p>

<p>President Murmu used an NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) RuPay card on the ride.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/space-industry-bodies-from-india-and-australia-ink-pact-to-further-cooperation-687886">Space industry bodies from India and Australia ink pact to further cooperation</a></strong></p>

<p>In the visitor's book, she expressed admiration for the Delhi Metro, describing her journey as pleasant.</p>

<p>Delhi Metro is considered one of the most modern and efficient mass transportation systems in the world today, she said.</p>

<p>Murmu commended its world-class performance across critical parameters, affirming that it has brought pride to the nation.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday embarked on a Delhi Metro ride, during which she engaged with school students. This marked her inaugural ride on the Metro since assuming office as the President.

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday embarked on a Delhi Metro ride, during which she engaged with school students. This marked her inaugural ride on the Metro since assuming office as the President. Second Indian President to ride the metro With this, Murmu has become only the second serving President of India to experience the convenience of the Delhi Metro. Before her, in 2012, President Pratibha Patil also travelled in the Metro. On X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan shared a post which said: "President Droupadi Murmu travelled in Delhi Metro and interacted with school children during the ride." President Droupadi Murmu travelled in Delhi Metro and interacted with school children during the ride. President Murmu also flagged off shuttle bus service between Central Secretariat Metro Station (Gate 4) and Amrit Udyan (Gate 35) for visitors coming to Amrit Udyan at every… pic.twitter.com/ECCk8HtI2K — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 7, 2024 × Also read | India: First patient declared ‘cancer-free’ using indigenous CAR-T cell therapy Additionally, she inaugurated a shuttle bus service connecting the Central Secretariat Metro Station (gate no 4) and Amrit Udyan (gate no 35), benefiting visitors to Amrit Udyan. This service operates every 30 minutes from 9.30 am to 5 pm, added the post. During her conversation with the students aboard the train, President Murmu Asked the children about their career aspirations, said officials. Watch the video here: #WATCH | President Droupadi Murmu takes a metro ride in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/Elc2pdUmHJ — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2024 × She started her journey at the Central Secretariat Metro Station on the Kashmere Gate — Raja Nahar Singh Violet Line corridor. From there, she travelled up to the Nehru Place Metro Station before returning to Central Secretariat. World-class Metro Accompanying her on this metro journey was Vikas Kumar, the Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Kumar provided insights into the DMRC's operations and ongoing construction projects. President Murmu used an NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) RuPay card on the ride. Also read | Space industry bodies from India and Australia ink pact to further cooperation In the visitor's book, she expressed admiration for the Delhi Metro, describing her journey as pleasant. Delhi Metro is considered one of the most modern and efficient mass transportation systems in the world today, she said. Murmu commended its world-class performance across critical parameters, affirming that it has brought pride to the nation. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Indian President Murmu travels via Delhi Metro, engages with school children

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: At least 29 people were killed and several suffered injuries in a blast near an election office in Balochistan province, on the eve of Pakistan's crucial general elections.

29 killed as deadly explosion rocks Pakistan ahead of polls

Researchers at CERN are moving ahead with their proposal for the Future Circular Collider (FCC). It will be a supersized successor to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Watch this video for all details.

What are CERN's plans to create largest particle accelerator to ‘reveal secrets of universe’?

Senegal's parliament voted to postpone a presidential election from Feb. 25 to Dec. 15. It extended President Macky Sall's mandate in an unprecedented break with the country's democratic tradition. Watch this video for all details.

Senegal politcal crisis: What is happening in Senegal and could tensions escalate?

<p>The US Senate on Monday (Feb 5) agreed on a bipartisan $118 billion deal that will overhaul the immigration policy as well as provide&nbsp;emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp;Despite the bill receiving a rare bipartisan nod in the Senate, its future remains clouded in doubt as the Republican-dominated House of Representatives is expected to tank it, with former president Donald Trump leading the charge from the outside.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Of the total amount, $20 billion has been earmarked for shoring up the US border areas to prevent illegal migration while the foreign aid package includes $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel.</p>

<p>The US will go to polls in November this year with Biden expected to square up against&nbsp;Trump in all likelihood. Sensing that Biden might score an important political victory, Trump has begun influencing the Republican leaders in the House, arguing that measures in place to address the illegal migration issue were inefficient.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Don't be STUPID!!! We need a separate Border and Immigration Bill. It should not be tied to foreign aid in any way, shape, or form!" said Trump on his social media platform Truth Social.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats and a Death Wish for The Republican Party," he added.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-senate-negotiators-reach-bipartisan-deal-on-border-policy-687000"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;US: Senate negotiators reach bipartisan deal on border policy</strong></a></p>

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<p>Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has already said the House would reject the bipartisan Senate bill, and instead vote this week on a measure providing aid only to Israel.</p>

<p>After reports emerged of a Republican showdown, President Biden said he would veto&nbsp;the standalone bill backed by GOP lawmakers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Administration strongly encourages both chambers of the Congress to reject this political ploy and instead quickly send the bipartisan Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to the President’s desk," the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-authorities-start-closing-bridges-with-mexico-to-contain-surge-in-immigration-671644"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;US authorities start closing bridges with Mexico to contain surge in immigration</strong></a></p>

<p>Biden has justified the contents of the bill, concerning the immigration policy saying it will&nbsp;give him authority to “shut down” the border when it gets overwhelmed. He added the bill makes the asylum process “fairer and more efficient” while&nbsp;expediting&nbsp;work permits for those already in the US.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Trump has repeatedly attacked the Democrats by pointing to the statistics which show&nbsp;migrant encounters reached a record high of 302,000 in December alone at the southern border. As for Ukraine aid, Trump has been against the war as well as the billions of dollars sent to President Volodymyr Zelensky's government from the outset.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The US Senate on Monday (Feb 5) agreed on a bipartisan $118 billion deal that will overhaul the immigration policy as well as provide emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

The US Senate on Monday (Feb 5) agreed on a bipartisan $118 billion deal that will overhaul the immigration policy as well as provide emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Despite the bill receiving a rare bipartisan nod in the Senate, its future remains clouded in doubt as the Republican-dominated House of Representatives is expected to tank it, with former president Donald Trump leading the charge from the outside. Of the total amount, $20 billion has been earmarked for shoring up the US border areas to prevent illegal migration while the foreign aid package includes $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. The US will go to polls in November this year with Biden expected to square up against Trump in all likelihood. Sensing that Biden might score an important political victory, Trump has begun influencing the Republican leaders in the House, arguing that measures in place to address the illegal migration issue were inefficient. "Don't be STUPID!!! We need a separate Border and Immigration Bill. It should not be tied to foreign aid in any way, shape, or form!" said Trump on his social media platform Truth Social. "This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats and a Death Wish for The Republican Party," he added. Watch | US: Senate negotiators reach bipartisan deal on border policy × Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has already said the House would reject the bipartisan Senate bill, and instead vote this week on a measure providing aid only to Israel. After reports emerged of a Republican showdown, President Biden said he would veto the standalone bill backed by GOP lawmakers. "The Administration strongly encourages both chambers of the Congress to reject this political ploy and instead quickly send the bipartisan Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to the President’s desk," the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement. Also read | US authorities start closing bridges with Mexico to contain surge in immigration Biden has justified the contents of the bill, concerning the immigration policy saying it will give him authority to “shut down” the border when it gets overwhelmed. He added the bill makes the asylum process “fairer and more efficient” while expediting work permits for those already in the US. However, Trump has repeatedly attacked the Democrats by pointing to the statistics which show migrant encounters reached a record high of 302,000 in December alone at the southern border. As for Ukraine aid, Trump has been against the war as well as the billions of dollars sent to President Volodymyr Zelensky's government from the outset. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump stands in way of $118bn immigration, Ukraine and Israel package deal, passed by Senate

<p>In Beijing, China, on Monday, Australian writer and pro-democracy blogger Yang Hengjun found himself on the receiving end of a suspended death sentence. The move has stirred controversy and drawn attention from human rights advocates who have deemed it an unusually harsh verdict in an espionage-related case.</p>

<p>But what is a suspended death penalty? Here's all you need to know.</p>

<h2><strong>Unravelling the suspended death penalty</strong></h2>

<p>Since 2007, the Chinese judicial authorities have implemented a top-down capital punishment reform in order to reduce the number of death sentences.</p>

<p>In China, suspended death penalty or 'sihuan zhidu' is a form of punishment that provides the accused with a two-year reprieve from execution.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-writer-yang-hengjun-given-suspended-death-sentence-in-china-687028">Australian-Chinese writer Yang Hengjun given suspended death sentence in China. Who is he?</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the National University of Singapore, after this period," the death sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment if the convict has not committed an "intentional crime" during the two-year reprieve, or to a fixed-term imprisonment of 25 years if the convict has performed "great meritorious service". Throughout this reprieve period, the individual remains behind bars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This sentencing tactic as per Ryan Mitchell, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong, has gained traction in recent times as a means of curbing executions without fully abolishing the death penalty.</p>

<p>"It has been used more commonly in recent years as a way to reduce the prevalence of executions without abolishing the death penalty altogether," said Mitchell, as quoted by Reuters.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-satoshi-nakamoto-war-begins-in-the-uk-court-to-decide-on-bitcoin-founders-identity-687233">Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? 'War' begins in the UK court to decide on Bitcoin founder’s identity</a></strong></p>

<p>The exact prevalence of death sentences, including their suspension, as per the Hong Kong University professor are concealed in secrecy by the Chinese government.</p>

<p>Mitchell, a law professor shed, light on the versatility of the suspended death sentence, emphasising its application across various cases rather than being confined to a specific crime type.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The sentence is used for a wide range of cases, and isn't associated with one particular type of crime," he said.</p>

<p>It is frequently employed for offences deemed to have a "serious negative social impact," such as drug trafficking, he said.</p>

<h2><strong>Recent suspended death sentences</strong></h2>

<p>Recent instances of suspended death sentences include a former vice chairman of China's banking regulator, who was sentenced in December for bribery and abuse of power. Additionally, the sentence was also awarded to former justice minister Fu Zhenghua in 2022 for corruption, taking bribes.</p>

<h2><strong>Potential for Yang's deportation</strong></h2>

<p>While parole typically remains elusive until halfway through a fixed term or after ten years in the case of life imprisonment, Mitchell noted that exceptions can be made in "special circumstances" by China's top court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This flexibility might allow for diplomatic leverage to influence Yang's fate following the two-year reprieve.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/the-best-is-yet-to-come-mark-zuckerberg-celebrates-20-years-of-facebook-687251">‘The best is yet to come’: Mark Zuckerberg celebrates 20 years of Facebook</a></strong></p>

<p>"For a case of this nature, the availability of that discretion after the two-year period concludes would help to maintain a certain degree of diplomatic leverage," he said.</p>

<h2><strong>A death sentence for Yang</strong></h2>

<p>Despite its "suspended" nature, the sentence essentially functions as a death penalty for Yang Hengjun, said Elaine Pearson, director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, underscoring the gravity of the situation.</p>

<p>According to her, due to his deteriorating health and the inadequate medical care received in prison, the Australian writer and pro-democracy blogger won't survive the sentence.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A rare sentence</strong></h2>

<p>Patrick Poon, an independent human rights analyst, highlighted the rarity of espionage cases receiving suspended death sentences in China. He said it was "very rare to see espionage cases get a suspended death sentence" especially given Australia's vocal demands for Yang's release.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The possibility of deportation remains uncertain, prompting questions about the level of international and diplomatic pressure on the Chinese government.</p>

<p>"It becomes another issue of how much international and diplomatic pressure is put on the Chinese government," said Poon. As per Reuters, he was referring to the cases of Australian national Cheng Lei and the Canadian "two Michaels", who were eventually deported back to their home countries after similarly being tried on espionage allegations.</p>

<p>"There is still a possibility that Yang may be deported, but it's unclear for the moment," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Opacity and international scrutiny</strong></h2>

<p>China's foreign ministry confirmed Yang's sentence, labelling him guilty of espionage without divulging the specifics of the charges.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, spokesperson Wang Wenbin assured that the trial adhered strictly to the law, and the "Australian side" was permitted to witness the sentencing.</p>

<p>"The court heard the trial in strict accordance with the law and ensured his procedural rights," he said.</p>

<p>However, the lack of transparency in China's legal proceedings is well known. In this case, a prohibition has been placed on Yang's lawyers, including prominent human rights advocate Mo Shaoping, from publicly discussing the case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Elaine Pearson of Human Rights Watch remarked that "This case really spotlights what happens to people who are arbitrarily detained on national security charges in China, and it highlights the opaqueness of the criminal justice system."</p>

<p>With Chinese courts boasting a staggering 99.9 per cent conviction rate, cases involving national security or the death penalty never see the light of day online, reports the news agency.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In Beijing, China, on Monday, Australian writer and pro-democracy blogger Yang Hengjun found himself on the receiving end of a suspended death sentence. The move has stirred controversy and drawn attention from human rights advocates who have deemed it an unusually harsh verdict in an espionage-related case.

In Beijing, China, on Monday, Australian writer and pro-democracy blogger Yang Hengjun found himself on the receiving end of a suspended death sentence. The move has stirred controversy and drawn attention from human rights advocates who have deemed it an unusually harsh verdict in an espionage-related case. But what is a suspended death penalty? Here's all you need to know. Unravelling the suspended death penalty Since 2007, the Chinese judicial authorities have implemented a top-down capital punishment reform in order to reduce the number of death sentences. In China, suspended death penalty or 'sihuan zhidu' is a form of punishment that provides the accused with a two-year reprieve from execution. Also read | Australian-Chinese writer Yang Hengjun given suspended death sentence in China. Who is he? As per the National University of Singapore, after this period," the death sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment if the convict has not committed an "intentional crime" during the two-year reprieve, or to a fixed-term imprisonment of 25 years if the convict has performed "great meritorious service". Throughout this reprieve period, the individual remains behind bars. This sentencing tactic as per Ryan Mitchell, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong, has gained traction in recent times as a means of curbing executions without fully abolishing the death penalty. "It has been used more commonly in recent years as a way to reduce the prevalence of executions without abolishing the death penalty altogether," said Mitchell, as quoted by Reuters. Also read | Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? 'War' begins in the UK court to decide on Bitcoin founder’s identity The exact prevalence of death sentences, including their suspension, as per the Hong Kong University professor are concealed in secrecy by the Chinese government. Mitchell, a law professor shed, light on the versatility of the suspended death sentence, emphasising its application across various cases rather than being confined to a specific crime type. "The sentence is used for a wide range of cases, and isn't associated with one particular type of crime," he said. It is frequently employed for offences deemed to have a "serious negative social impact," such as drug trafficking, he said. Recent suspended death sentences Recent instances of suspended death sentences include a former vice chairman of China's banking regulator, who was sentenced in December for bribery and abuse of power. Additionally, the sentence was also awarded to former justice minister Fu Zhenghua in 2022 for corruption, taking bribes. Potential for Yang's deportation While parole typically remains elusive until halfway through a fixed term or after ten years in the case of life imprisonment, Mitchell noted that exceptions can be made in "special circumstances" by China's top court. This flexibility might allow for diplomatic leverage to influence Yang's fate following the two-year reprieve. Also read | ‘The best is yet to come’: Mark Zuckerberg celebrates 20 years of Facebook "For a case of this nature, the availability of that discretion after the two-year period concludes would help to maintain a certain degree of diplomatic leverage," he said. A death sentence for Yang Despite its "suspended" nature, the sentence essentially functions as a death penalty for Yang Hengjun, said Elaine Pearson, director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, underscoring the gravity of the situation. According to her, due to his deteriorating health and the inadequate medical care received in prison, the Australian writer and pro-democracy blogger won't survive the sentence. A rare sentence Patrick Poon, an independent human rights analyst, highlighted the rarity of espionage cases receiving suspended death sentences in China. He said it was "very rare to see espionage cases get a suspended death sentence" especially given Australia's vocal demands for Yang's release. The possibility of deportation remains uncertain, prompting questions about the level of international and diplomatic pressure on the Chinese government. "It becomes another issue of how much international and diplomatic pressure is put on the Chinese government," said Poon. As per Reuters, he was referring to the cases of Australian national Cheng Lei and the Canadian "two Michaels", who were eventually deported back to their home countries after similarly being tried on espionage allegations. "There is still a possibility that Yang may be deported, but it's unclear for the moment," he added. Opacity and international scrutiny China's foreign ministry confirmed Yang's sentence, labelling him guilty of espionage without divulging the specifics of the charges. However, spokesperson Wang Wenbin assured that the trial adhered strictly to the law, and the "Australian side" was permitted to witness the sentencing. "The court heard the trial in strict accordance with the law and ensured his procedural rights," he said. However, the lack of transparency in China's legal proceedings is well known. In this case, a prohibition has been placed on Yang's lawyers, including prominent human rights advocate Mo Shaoping, from publicly discussing the case. Elaine Pearson of Human Rights Watch remarked that "This case really spotlights what happens to people who are arbitrarily detained on national security charges in China, and it highlights the opaqueness of the criminal justice system." With Chinese courts boasting a staggering 99.9 per cent conviction rate, cases involving national security or the death penalty never see the light of day online, reports the news agency. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | Understanding China’s ‘suspended death sentence’ to Australian blogger Yang Hengjun

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<p>Russia has accused US President Joe Biden of carrying out military strikes in Iraq and Syria to prop up his presidential re-election campaign. Russia's Ambassador to United Nations Vassily Nebenzia, at a meeting of the Security Council, said that Biden giving the nod to engage in conflicts in the Middle East was not in response to the deadly attack on US soldiers in Jordan, but an attempt to boost his image.</p>

<p>The US last week began airstrikes against dozens of targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and allied groups after the Jordan drone attacks which Washington blamed on Iranian-backed militias.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The biggest operation of the US in the region since 2003, presented by Joe Biden as an act of retaliation for an attack of the use of a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) of unconfirmed origin on the American base that is illegally in Syria has no justification," said Nebenzia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We see in these 'flex their muscles' attempts, first of all, a desire to influence the domestic political landscape in America, a desire to somehow correct the disastrous image of the current American administration," he added.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-iran-backed-targets-in-iraq-and-syria-686683"><strong>Watch | US strikes Iran-backed targets in Iraq and Syria</strong></a></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>US presidential elections</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The US will go to polls in November this year with Biden expected to square up against former president Donald Trump in all likelihood.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Biden's approval ratings have taken a tumble in recent months as Trump chalks up a comeback. Experts believe that the current escalation in the Middle East, if played well, could provide Biden the required fillip, to make the competition even.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Washington has justified the US strikes in Syria and Iraq under Article 51 of the founding UN Charter, which covers the individual or collective right of states to self-defence against armed attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Let me be clear: The United States does not desire more conflict in a region when we are actively working to contain and de-escalate the conflict in Gaza. And we are not seeking a direct conflict with Iran," said Wood.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/middle-east-crisis-drone-strike-on-syrian-democratic-forces-kills-seven-in-syria-687239"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Middle East Crisis: Drone strike on base housing US troops kills seven in Syria</strong></a></p>

<p>According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, seven Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) special forces "commandos" were killed and 18 others wounded in "a drone attack after midnight" on Monday (Feb 5).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from the strikes in Iraq and Syria, Washington is busy bombarding Houthis in Yemen alongside allies after the militant group started attacking shipping vessels in the Red Sea to avenge Israel's war in the Gaza Strip.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Russia has accused US President Joe Biden of carrying out military strikes in Iraq and Syria to prop up his presidential re-election campaign. Russia's Ambassador to United Nations Vassily Nebenzia, at a meeting of the Security Council, said that Biden giving the nod to engage in conflicts in the Middle East was not in response to the deadly attack on US soldiers in Jordan, but an attempt to boost his image.

Russia has accused US President Joe Biden of carrying out military strikes in Iraq and Syria to prop up his presidential re-election campaign. Russia's Ambassador to United Nations Vassily Nebenzia, at a meeting of the Security Council, said that Biden giving the nod to engage in conflicts in the Middle East was not in response to the deadly attack on US soldiers in Jordan, but an attempt to boost his image. The US last week began airstrikes against dozens of targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and allied groups after the Jordan drone attacks which Washington blamed on Iranian-backed militias. "The biggest operation of the US in the region since 2003, presented by Joe Biden as an act of retaliation for an attack of the use of a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) of unconfirmed origin on the American base that is illegally in Syria has no justification," said Nebenzia. "We see in these 'flex their muscles' attempts, first of all, a desire to influence the domestic political landscape in America, a desire to somehow correct the disastrous image of the current American administration," he added. Watch | US strikes Iran-backed targets in Iraq and Syria × US presidential elections The US will go to polls in November this year with Biden expected to square up against former president Donald Trump in all likelihood. Biden's approval ratings have taken a tumble in recent months as Trump chalks up a comeback. Experts believe that the current escalation in the Middle East, if played well, could provide Biden the required fillip, to make the competition even. Washington has justified the US strikes in Syria and Iraq under Article 51 of the founding UN Charter, which covers the individual or collective right of states to self-defence against armed attack. "Let me be clear: The United States does not desire more conflict in a region when we are actively working to contain and de-escalate the conflict in Gaza. And we are not seeking a direct conflict with Iran," said Wood. Also read | Middle East Crisis: Drone strike on base housing US troops kills seven in Syria According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, seven Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) special forces "commandos" were killed and 18 others wounded in "a drone attack after midnight" on Monday (Feb 5). Apart from the strikes in Iraq and Syria, Washington is busy bombarding Houthis in Yemen alongside allies after the militant group started attacking shipping vessels in the Red Sea to avenge Israel's war in the Gaza Strip. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia says Biden 'boosting' his presidential campaign with Syria, Iraq strikes

<p>The Supreme Court&nbsp;on Monday (Feb 5) gave an earful to the returning officer over his conduct during the recent mayoral polls in&nbsp;the northern Indian union territory of Chandigarh. The apex court said what happened during the election was a "mockery of democracy".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, the three-judge bench made the remark while hearing a petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress. The alliance's candidate Kuldeep Kumar&nbsp;lost the mayoral race to Bhartiya Janta Party's (BJP) Manoj Sonkar after&nbsp;the returning officer declared eight votes invalid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“What is he doing? It’s obvious that he has defaced the ballot…This man has to be prosecuted," said CJI Chandrachud, referring to&nbsp;returning officer Anil Masih after watching a CCTV footage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is a mockery of democracy. It’s murdering democracy. Is this the way he conducts an election? We are appalled by what has happened. We are simply appalled by what has happened,” he added.</p>

<p>Notably, the alliance candidate had 20 votes which meant he could have become the new mayor. However, after Masih declared eight votes invalid,&nbsp;Kumar's effective vote count came down to&nbsp;12 against Sonkar's 16.</p>

<p>The court ordered that "entire records pertaining to the election" be kept in custody of&nbsp;the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We direct that the entire records pertaining to the election of the mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation shall be sequestered under the custody of the registrar general of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This shall include the ballot papers, videography of the entire electoral process and all other material in the custody of the returning officer.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandigarh-mayor-elections-bjps-manoj-sonkar-wins-oppn-demands-action-against-presiding-officer-685169"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Chandigarh Mayor elections: BJP’s Manoj Sonkar wins, oppn demands action against presiding officer</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>AAP released new video</strong></h2>

<p>Hours after the court's statement, AAP released a new video of Masih allegedly tampering with the ballot papers before declaring them invalid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Now accept it, BJP. What can be a greater proof than this? See how the Presiding Officer of BJP openly destroyed the flag of democracy by cancelling the votes himself. This is living proof of BJP's dictatorship," AAP said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="pa">ਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਮੰਨ ਜਾਓ <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> ਵਾਲਿਓ!<br />
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ਇਸਤੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਸਬੂਤ ਹੋਰ ਕੀ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੈ। ਦੇਖੋ ਕਿਵੇਂ BJP ਦੇ Presiding Officer ਨੇ ਸ਼ਰੇਆਮ ਖ਼ੁਦ ਹੀ ਵੋਟਾਂ ਕੈਂਸਲ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਡਾਈਆਂ ਲੋਕਤੰਤਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਧੱਜੀਆਂ।<br />
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ਇਹ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਦੀ ਤਾਨਾਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਦਾ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਜਾਗਦਾ ਸਬੂਤ ਹੈ।<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChandigarhMayor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChandigarhMayor</a> <a href="https://t.co/BIxIhrwRv6">pic.twitter.com/BIxIhrwRv6</a></p>
— AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) <a href="https://twitter.com/AAPPunjab/status/1754548714507841943?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attacked BJP saying the "world's biggest party was caught red-handed, stealing votes in Chandigarh election".&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Supreme Court on Monday (Feb 5) gave an earful to the returning officer over his conduct during the recent mayoral polls in the northern Indian union territory of Chandigarh.

The Supreme Court on Monday (Feb 5) gave an earful to the returning officer over his conduct during the recent mayoral polls in the northern Indian union territory of Chandigarh. The apex court said what happened during the election was a "mockery of democracy". Led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, the three-judge bench made the remark while hearing a petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress. The alliance's candidate Kuldeep Kumar lost the mayoral race to Bhartiya Janta Party's (BJP) Manoj Sonkar after the returning officer declared eight votes invalid. “What is he doing? It’s obvious that he has defaced the ballot…This man has to be prosecuted," said CJI Chandrachud, referring to returning officer Anil Masih after watching a CCTV footage. “This is a mockery of democracy. It’s murdering democracy. Is this the way he conducts an election? We are appalled by what has happened. We are simply appalled by what has happened,” he added. Notably, the alliance candidate had 20 votes which meant he could have become the new mayor. However, after Masih declared eight votes invalid, Kumar's effective vote count came down to 12 against Sonkar's 16. The court ordered that "entire records pertaining to the election" be kept in custody of the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. “We direct that the entire records pertaining to the election of the mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation shall be sequestered under the custody of the registrar general of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This shall include the ballot papers, videography of the entire electoral process and all other material in the custody of the returning officer.” Also read | Chandigarh Mayor elections: BJP’s Manoj Sonkar wins, oppn demands action against presiding officer AAP released new video Hours after the court's statement, AAP released a new video of Masih allegedly tampering with the ballot papers before declaring them invalid. "Now accept it, BJP. What can be a greater proof than this? See how the Presiding Officer of BJP openly destroyed the flag of democracy by cancelling the votes himself. This is living proof of BJP's dictatorship," AAP said. ਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਮੰਨ ਜਾਓ @BJP4India ਵਾਲਿਓ! ਇਸਤੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਸਬੂਤ ਹੋਰ ਕੀ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੈ। ਦੇਖੋ ਕਿਵੇਂ BJP ਦੇ Presiding Officer ਨੇ ਸ਼ਰੇਆਮ ਖ਼ੁਦ ਹੀ ਵੋਟਾਂ ਕੈਂਸਲ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਡਾਈਆਂ ਲੋਕਤੰਤਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਧੱਜੀਆਂ। ਇਹ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਦੀ ਤਾਨਾਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਦਾ ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਜਾਗਦਾ ਸਬੂਤ ਹੈ।#ChandigarhMayor pic.twitter.com/BIxIhrwRv6 — AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) February 5, 2024 × AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attacked BJP saying the "world's biggest party was caught red-handed, stealing votes in Chandigarh election". (With inputs from agencies)

Chandigarh mayor polls: SC calls election 'mockery of democracy' after presiding officer fudges ballots

<p>Globally there has been a surge in deadly shark attacks, shows new international research. These attacks were especially recorded in isolated areas. Last year (in 2023), globally, there were 10 fatal shark attacks — twice as many as the previous year. Shockingly, four fatalities were in Australia.</p>

<h2><strong>'Unprovoked' attacks</strong></h2>

<p>The data showed that compared to people swimming, surfers were slightly more at risk — accounting for 42 per cent of the 69 so-called "unprovoked" shark bites worldwide. This is higher than the five-year average of 63 attacks.</p>

<p>In 2023, 22 per cent or 15 of these unprovoked incidents occurred in the land down under. However, 40 per cent of them ended in death.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/social-media-pushing-youngsters-towards-more-misogynistic-content-finds-study-687528">Social media pushing youngsters towards more misogynistic content, finds study</a></strong></p>

<p>Outside of Australia, two deadly shark attacks were recorded in the US. Furthermore, the Bahamas, Egypt, Mexico, and New Caledonia each recorded one fatality.</p>

<p>Reports of non-fatal shark bites came in from Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, New Seychelles, Turks and Caicos, Ecuador, South Africa, and the US.</p>

<p>According to researchers at the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File, the study focused on bites which have occurred without human provocation and provides valuable insights into shark behaviour.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our annual shark bite report for 2023 is now available online. There were a total of 69 recorded, consistent with recent trends, and an uptick in the number of fatalities.<br />
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Full story and data: <a href="https://t.co/pg3uFDGNZJ">https://t.co/pg3uFDGNZJ</a><br />
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Summary report: <a href="https://t.co/K18ueW3rAO">https://t.co/K18ueW3rAO</a> <a href="https://t.co/CdfRJxbmt7">pic.twitter.com/CdfRJxbmt7</a></p>
— Florida Museum (@FloridaMuseum) <a href="https://twitter.com/FloridaMuseum/status/1754507214738620476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Unprovoked bites, as per the Florida Museum of Natural History's website, are "incidents in which a bite on a live human occurs in the shark's natural habitat with no human provocation of the shark."</p>

<h2><strong>Provoked bites</strong></h2>

<p>As per the Guardian, another 22 attacks were recorded where spearfishing was a common activity. However, these were left out of the study after being considered 'provoked'.</p>

<p>As per the museum, provoked bites "occur when a human initiates interaction with a shark in some way."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gavin Naylor, director of shark research at the Florida Museum of Natural History, noted that while the number of bites aligned with long-term trends, the increase in fatalities was concerning.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-airport-ground-worker-falls-from-truck-gets-killed-by-plane-being-towed-behind-it-687544">Hong Kong airport: Ground worker falls from truck, dies after being&nbsp;struck&nbsp;by&nbsp;plane</a></strong></p>

<p>"This is within the range of the normal number of bites, though the fatalities are a bit unnerving this year," he said.</p>

<p>Three of the fatal attacks in 2023 happened off South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, known for its high population of white sharks and seals, their main prey.</p>

<p>According to Naylor, seals’ agility means only those behaving erratically are caught, similar to surfers. A bull shark also claimed the life of a teenage girl in Western Australia’s Swan River.</p>

<p>Despite these incidents, the number of fatal attacks in Australian waters in 2023 remained below the decade’s peak in 2020.</p>

<p>Researchers noted that most attacks were "test bites," where sharks mistake people for prey. While sharks usually swim away after such incidents, unusual cases involving repeated or particularly harsh bites have proven fatal. In conclusion, the shark attack file noted that the "risk of being bitten by a shark remains extremely low."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Globally there has been a surge in deadly shark attacks, shows new international research. These attacks were especially recorded in isolated areas. Last year (in 2023), globally, there were 10 fatal shark attacks — twice as many as the previous year.

Globally there has been a surge in deadly shark attacks, shows new international research. These attacks were especially recorded in isolated areas. Last year (in 2023), globally, there were 10 fatal shark attacks — twice as many as the previous year. Shockingly, four fatalities were in Australia. 'Unprovoked' attacks The data showed that compared to people swimming, surfers were slightly more at risk — accounting for 42 per cent of the 69 so-called "unprovoked" shark bites worldwide. This is higher than the five-year average of 63 attacks. In 2023, 22 per cent or 15 of these unprovoked incidents occurred in the land down under. However, 40 per cent of them ended in death. Also read | Social media pushing youngsters towards more misogynistic content, finds study Outside of Australia, two deadly shark attacks were recorded in the US. Furthermore, the Bahamas, Egypt, Mexico, and New Caledonia each recorded one fatality. Reports of non-fatal shark bites came in from Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, New Seychelles, Turks and Caicos, Ecuador, South Africa, and the US. According to researchers at the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File, the study focused on bites which have occurred without human provocation and provides valuable insights into shark behaviour. Our annual shark bite report for 2023 is now available online. There were a total of 69 recorded, consistent with recent trends, and an uptick in the number of fatalities. Full story and data: https://t.co/pg3uFDGNZJ Summary report: https://t.co/K18ueW3rAO pic.twitter.com/CdfRJxbmt7 — Florida Museum (@FloridaMuseum) February 5, 2024 × Unprovoked bites, as per the Florida Museum of Natural History's website, are "incidents in which a bite on a live human occurs in the shark's natural habitat with no human provocation of the shark." Provoked bites As per the Guardian, another 22 attacks were recorded where spearfishing was a common activity. However, these were left out of the study after being considered 'provoked'. As per the museum, provoked bites "occur when a human initiates interaction with a shark in some way." Gavin Naylor, director of shark research at the Florida Museum of Natural History, noted that while the number of bites aligned with long-term trends, the increase in fatalities was concerning. Also read | Hong Kong airport: Ground worker falls from truck, dies after being struck by plane "This is within the range of the normal number of bites, though the fatalities are a bit unnerving this year," he said. Three of the fatal attacks in 2023 happened off South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, known for its high population of white sharks and seals, their main prey. According to Naylor, seals’ agility means only those behaving erratically are caught, similar to surfers. A bull shark also claimed the life of a teenage girl in Western Australia’s Swan River. Despite these incidents, the number of fatal attacks in Australian waters in 2023 remained below the decade’s peak in 2020. Researchers noted that most attacks were "test bites," where sharks mistake people for prey. While sharks usually swim away after such incidents, unusual cases involving repeated or particularly harsh bites have proven fatal. In conclusion, the shark attack file noted that the "risk of being bitten by a shark remains extremely low." (With inputs from agencies)

Shark attacks doubled in 2023, finds study

<p>Is social media pushing youngsters towards more misogynistic content? As per a new research, yes.&nbsp;A study by teams at University College London and the University of Kent found that social media platforms are amplifying extreme misogynistic content. Such content, it says, is now spreading from teenagers' screens and onto playgrounds where it has now become normalised.</p>

<h2><strong>Shocking findings</strong></h2>

<p>In this particular study, researchers looked at TikTok. They found that over a five-day period of monitoring, there was a four-fold increase in the level of misogynistic content the social media platform suggested. Suggested content included extreme videos that focussed on anger and blame directed at women.</p>

<p>As per the Guardian, researchers say while the results may be from TikTok only, but that they are likely to apply to other social media platforms.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-us-tiktoker-purchases-foldable-house-from-amazon-video-goes-viral-687471">Watch: US TikToker purchases foldable house from Amazon. Video goes viral</a></strong></p>

<p>The study called 'Safer Scrolling' argues that social media algorithms are pushing harmful content to teenagers and young people under the guise of entertainment.</p>

<p>As per the study, toxic, hateful or misogynistic material is "pushed" to young people, normalising harmful ideologies. It says that boys with anxiety and mental health issues are at an increased risk from such content.</p>

<h2><strong>Study methodology</strong></h2>

<p>Researchers began by interviewing young people who engage with and producing radical online content. Based on the interviews, they established "archetypes, to represent typologies of teenage boys who may be vulnerable to becoming radicalised by online content." Based on that, they set up accounts on TikTok with specific content interests — for example, someone seeking out content on masculinity or addressing loneliness.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finally, researchers used this to watch video content suggestions on the 'for you' page over a period of seven days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Initially, content suggestions were in line with the chosen interests of each archetype. However, over time, it evolved into anger and blame directed at women. Five days into the research, TikTok was suggesting content such as objectification, sexual harassment or discrediting women — increasing four-fold, from 13 per cent of recommended videos to 56 per cent.</p>

<p>Finally, roundtables and interviews with school leaders revealed that such misogynistic tropes are becoming normal in in-person interactions, as well.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/meta-slammed-for-incoherent-deepfake-policy-after-viral-biden-video-687441">Meta slammed for 'incoherent' deepfake policy after viral Biden video</a></strong></p>

<p>"UCL's findings show that algorithms – which most of us know little about – have a snowball effect in which they serve up ever-more extreme content in the form of entertainment," remarks, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, which collaborated with the research.</p>

<p>"This is deeply worrying in general but particularly so in respect of the amplification of messages around toxic masculinity and its impact on young people who need to be able to grow up and develop their understanding of the world without being influenced by such appalling material" he added, as quoted by The guardian.</p>

<h2><strong>What the researchers recommend</strong></h2>

<p>Researchers recommend a "healthy digital diet" education, holding social media companies accountable, peer-to-peer monitoring, and promotion of wider awareness of algorithmic processes among parents and the community at large.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Is social media pushing youngsters towards more misogynistic content? As per a new research, yes. A study by teams at University College London and the University of Kent found that social media platforms are amplifying extreme misogynistic content.

Is social media pushing youngsters towards more misogynistic content? As per a new research, yes. A study by teams at University College London and the University of Kent found that social media platforms are amplifying extreme misogynistic content. Such content, it says, is now spreading from teenagers' screens and onto playgrounds where it has now become normalised. Shocking findings In this particular study, researchers looked at TikTok. They found that over a five-day period of monitoring, there was a four-fold increase in the level of misogynistic content the social media platform suggested. Suggested content included extreme videos that focussed on anger and blame directed at women. As per the Guardian, researchers say while the results may be from TikTok only, but that they are likely to apply to other social media platforms. Also read | Watch: US TikToker purchases foldable house from Amazon. Video goes viral The study called 'Safer Scrolling' argues that social media algorithms are pushing harmful content to teenagers and young people under the guise of entertainment. As per the study, toxic, hateful or misogynistic material is "pushed" to young people, normalising harmful ideologies. It says that boys with anxiety and mental health issues are at an increased risk from such content. Study methodology Researchers began by interviewing young people who engage with and producing radical online content. Based on the interviews, they established "archetypes, to represent typologies of teenage boys who may be vulnerable to becoming radicalised by online content." Based on that, they set up accounts on TikTok with specific content interests — for example, someone seeking out content on masculinity or addressing loneliness. Finally, researchers used this to watch video content suggestions on the 'for you' page over a period of seven days. Initially, content suggestions were in line with the chosen interests of each archetype. However, over time, it evolved into anger and blame directed at women. Five days into the research, TikTok was suggesting content such as objectification, sexual harassment or discrediting women — increasing four-fold, from 13 per cent of recommended videos to 56 per cent. Finally, roundtables and interviews with school leaders revealed that such misogynistic tropes are becoming normal in in-person interactions, as well. Also read | Meta slammed for 'incoherent' deepfake policy after viral Biden video "UCL's findings show that algorithms – which most of us know little about – have a snowball effect in which they serve up ever-more extreme content in the form of entertainment," remarks, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, which collaborated with the research. "This is deeply worrying in general but particularly so in respect of the amplification of messages around toxic masculinity and its impact on young people who need to be able to grow up and develop their understanding of the world without being influenced by such appalling material" he added, as quoted by The guardian. What the researchers recommend Researchers recommend a "healthy digital diet" education, holding social media companies accountable, peer-to-peer monitoring, and promotion of wider awareness of algorithmic processes among parents and the community at large. (With inputs from agencies)

Social media pushing youngsters towards more misogynistic content, finds study

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has pledged the removal of the 50% cap on reservations if the INDIA bloc comes to power after the Lok Sabha polls. This is in addition to his promise of a nationwide caste census. Watch this video for all details.

Will INDIA bloc remove a 50% cap on caste quota if voted to power?

<p>Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, now Meta, on Sunday (Feb 4th) celebrated 20 years of the social media platform.</p>

<p>Posting a throwback video on Meta-owned social media platform Instagram, Zuckerberg wrote: "20 years ago, I launched a thing. Along the way, lots of amazing people joined, and we built some more awesome things. We're still at it, and the best is yet to come."</p>

<h2><strong>The video</strong></h2>

<p>The 25-second video, technically called a reel, featured the Meta CEO from his younger days, back when Facebook was first launched on February 4, 2004.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-satoshi-nakamoto-war-begins-in-the-uk-court-to-decide-on-bitcoin-founders-identity-687233">Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? 'War' begins in the UK, court to decide on Bitcoin founder’s identity</a></strong></p>

<p>Zuckerberg's&nbsp;video is a montage&nbsp;of photos and videos from the 20-year journey. It starts with a message "I have a feeling this is going to go by really fast," before moving on to feature the pictures and clips to Aerosmith's "Dream On."</p>

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<p>The video, among others, features&nbsp;Edwardo Saverin, who helped found Facebook. Zuckerberg and Saverin had a major falling out and engaged in a major legal battle, which saw the ex-friends filing lawsuits against one another.</p>

<p>Also featured are Zuckerberg's wife, Priscilla Chan, and former Meta Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, who stepped down in 2022. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musks-illegal-drug-use-silence-of-board-and-money-ties-with-directors-what-wsjs-new-report-claims-687186">Musk’s ‘illegal drug use’, silence of board and money ties with directors: What WSJ’s new report claims</a></strong></p>

<p>He also posted several other posts to his account @zuck. One featured then-and-now pictures of him sitting at a desk working on computers. The pictures, which are 20 years apart, showcased widely different computer setups. One similarity the two shots shared is a variety of caffeine-laced drinks.</p>

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<h2><strong>Facebook: a short history</strong></h2>

<p>The platform was launched in 2004 and is credited with ushering in a new era of communication. It was Zuckerberg and co-founders Dustin Moskovitz and Eduardo Saverin.</p>

<p>Within months of its launch, Facebook hit one million active users. The following year, Facebook introduced the feature to add photos and also came up with news feed.</p>

<p>In 2009, it introduced the well-known 'like' button. By the end of the decade, the platform clocked 500 million active users.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, with the emergence of other popular platforms like TikTok, and Instagram, it has now got left behind, with mostly the older generation using it. In February 2022, as per Business Standard, Facebook's total number of users declined to 1.9 billion for the first time.</p>


Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, now Meta, on Sunday (Feb 4th) celebrated 20 years of the social media platform. Posting a throwback video on Meta-owned social media platform Instagram, Zuckerberg wrote: "20 years ago, I launched a thing.

Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, now Meta, on Sunday (Feb 4th) celebrated 20 years of the social media platform. Posting a throwback video on Meta-owned social media platform Instagram, Zuckerberg wrote: "20 years ago, I launched a thing. Along the way, lots of amazing people joined, and we built some more awesome things. We're still at it, and the best is yet to come." The video The 25-second video, technically called a reel, featured the Meta CEO from his younger days, back when Facebook was first launched on February 4, 2004. Also read | Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? 'War' begins in the UK, court to decide on Bitcoin founder’s identity Zuckerberg's video is a montage of photos and videos from the 20-year journey. It starts with a message "I have a feeling this is going to go by really fast," before moving on to feature the pictures and clips to Aerosmith's "Dream On." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck) × The video, among others, features Edwardo Saverin, who helped found Facebook. Zuckerberg and Saverin had a major falling out and engaged in a major legal battle, which saw the ex-friends filing lawsuits against one another. Also featured are Zuckerberg's wife, Priscilla Chan, and former Meta Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, who stepped down in 2022. Also read | Musk’s ‘illegal drug use’, silence of board and money ties with directors: What WSJ’s new report claims He also posted several other posts to his account @zuck. One featured then-and-now pictures of him sitting at a desk working on computers. The pictures, which are 20 years apart, showcased widely different computer setups. One similarity the two shots shared is a variety of caffeine-laced drinks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck) × Facebook: a short history The platform was launched in 2004 and is credited with ushering in a new era of communication. It was Zuckerberg and co-founders Dustin Moskovitz and Eduardo Saverin. Within months of its launch, Facebook hit one million active users. The following year, Facebook introduced the feature to add photos and also came up with news feed. In 2009, it introduced the well-known 'like' button. By the end of the decade, the platform clocked 500 million active users. However, with the emergence of other popular platforms like TikTok, and Instagram, it has now got left behind, with mostly the older generation using it. In February 2022, as per Business Standard, Facebook's total number of users declined to 1.9 billion for the first time.

‘The best is yet to come’: Mark Zuckerberg celebrates 20 years of Facebook

<p>A big showdown is underway in the United Kingdom over who's the real creator of Bitcoin. For years, an Aussie computer scientist named Craig Wright has claimed that he's the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym used by the author of the 2008 white paper behind Bitcoin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, he has failed to back his claims and people in the crypto world are not buying it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Now, a group called the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (Copa), with support from Jack Dorsey's company Block and Coinbase, is taking Wright to court. They want the judge to say that Wright is not Nakamoto officially.</p>

<h2><strong>Why was a lawsuit needed?</strong></h2>

<p>Over the years, Wright's claims and the widespread scepticism around them have led to several legal clashes.</p>

<p>With this case, Copa hopes to stop Wright from challenging others who are working to develop Bitcoin-related projects. The trial is expected to last about a month and will be held at the high court in England and Wales.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/bitcoin-plummets-to-40000-hits-lowest-point-since-etf-debut-682753">Bitcoin plummets to $40,000, hits lowest point since ETF debut</a></strong></p>

<p>The Guardian quotes a Copa spokesperson as saying that the case would "conclusively show that Dr Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto and will not be able to continue to threaten developers."</p>

<p>Wright, who's been saying he's Nakamoto for years, last month offered to settle the case, but Copa rejected his offer.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Bitcoin miners ignore climate action calls</strong></p>

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<p>It said that the offer came with loopholes "that would allow him to sue people all over again".</p>

<p>Now, the trial is a big deal for anyone involved in Bitcoin projects and the wider crypto community.</p>

<h2><strong>Who is Nakamoto?</strong></h2>

<p>Bitcoin's creator, mythically known as Nakamoto, published a paper in 2008 that became the basis for the cryptocurrency. Nakamoto interacted with the first Bitcoin users but vanished in 2011. Since then, people have been guessing who Nakamoto is. Wright came forward in 2016, but he hasn't been able to prove it because he hasn't shown the private keys needed to access the original bitcoins Nakamoto mined.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lufthansa-faces-turbulence-airlines-groundstaff-to-stage-one-day-strike-over-pay-dispute-687189">Lufthansa faces turbulence: Airlines ground staff to stage one-day strike over pay dispute</a></strong></p>

<p>The trial will dig into evidence from both sides, including Copa's claim that some of Wright's proof is fake.</p>

<p>This isn't Wright's first legal rodeo. In 2022, he won a case against a blogger who said his Nakamoto claim was fake, but he only got a tiny amount of £1 in damages. The current trial will tackle various cases related to the identity dispute, with Wright facing questioning for six days starting Tuesday. The verdict could affect the rules and procedures for how the Bitcoin system works, especially since Wright supports a version called Bitcoin Satoshi Vision (BSV).</p>

<p>Labelling the trial "a war," a spokesperson for Wright said: "Think of it as a modern-day tech battle, akin to that between Blu-ray and HD DVD or, for even older readers, Betamax versus VHS."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A big showdown is underway in the United Kingdom over who's the real creator of Bitcoin. For years, an Aussie computer scientist named Craig Wright has claimed that he's the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym used by the author of the 2008 white paper behind Bitcoin.

A big showdown is underway in the United Kingdom over who's the real creator of Bitcoin. For years, an Aussie computer scientist named Craig Wright has claimed that he's the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym used by the author of the 2008 white paper behind Bitcoin. However, he has failed to back his claims and people in the crypto world are not buying it. Now, a group called the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (Copa), with support from Jack Dorsey's company Block and Coinbase, is taking Wright to court. They want the judge to say that Wright is not Nakamoto officially. Why was a lawsuit needed? Over the years, Wright's claims and the widespread scepticism around them have led to several legal clashes. With this case, Copa hopes to stop Wright from challenging others who are working to develop Bitcoin-related projects. The trial is expected to last about a month and will be held at the high court in England and Wales. Also read | Bitcoin plummets to $40,000, hits lowest point since ETF debut The Guardian quotes a Copa spokesperson as saying that the case would "conclusively show that Dr Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto and will not be able to continue to threaten developers." Wright, who's been saying he's Nakamoto for years, last month offered to settle the case, but Copa rejected his offer. Watch | Bitcoin miners ignore climate action calls × It said that the offer came with loopholes "that would allow him to sue people all over again". Now, the trial is a big deal for anyone involved in Bitcoin projects and the wider crypto community. Who is Nakamoto? Bitcoin's creator, mythically known as Nakamoto, published a paper in 2008 that became the basis for the cryptocurrency. Nakamoto interacted with the first Bitcoin users but vanished in 2011. Since then, people have been guessing who Nakamoto is. Wright came forward in 2016, but he hasn't been able to prove it because he hasn't shown the private keys needed to access the original bitcoins Nakamoto mined. Also read | Lufthansa faces turbulence: Airlines ground staff to stage one-day strike over pay dispute The trial will dig into evidence from both sides, including Copa's claim that some of Wright's proof is fake. This isn't Wright's first legal rodeo. In 2022, he won a case against a blogger who said his Nakamoto claim was fake, but he only got a tiny amount of £1 in damages. The current trial will tackle various cases related to the identity dispute, with Wright facing questioning for six days starting Tuesday. The verdict could affect the rules and procedures for how the Bitcoin system works, especially since Wright supports a version called Bitcoin Satoshi Vision (BSV). Labelling the trial "a war," a spokesperson for Wright said: "Think of it as a modern-day tech battle, akin to that between Blu-ray and HD DVD or, for even older readers, Betamax versus VHS." (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? 'War' begins in the UK court to decide on Bitcoin founder’s identity

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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Feb 5) replied to the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on President Droupadi Murmu's address, delivered on January 31, the first day of the budget session of the Parliament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In front of a packed Lower House (Lok Sabha) after the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) issued a three-line whip to all its MPs to remain present, PM Modi went all out in taking jabs at the opposition whilst enumerating his government's achievements over his last two terms in the past 10 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here are the key takeaways from the PM Modi's address:&nbsp;</p>

<h2><b>Jibe at opposition</b></h2>

<p>Taking a jibe at the opposition in what could be his last address in the House before the general elections, PM Modi said:&nbsp;"I see that many of you (opposition) have even lost the courage to contest elections. Some seats were changed last time too, I have heard that many people are looking to change their seats this time as well."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I have also heard that many people now want to go to Rajya Sabha instead of Lok Sabha. They are looking for their paths by assessing the situation," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/many-have-lost-courage-to-fight-elections-pm-modi-takes-a-jibe-at-opposition-ahead-of-2024-polls-687195"><strong>Also read | 'Many have lost courage to fight elections': PM Modi takes a jibe at opposition ahead of 2024 polls</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Congress and its ‘cancel culture’</strong></h2>

<p>Perhaps for the first time, the term cancel culture came out of PM Modi's vocabulary as he targeted Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Congress is trapped in a cancel culture. They cancel Vande Bharat Trains, Make in India and the new Parliament building. They cancel every achievement of India," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The PM also took shots at the INDIA bloc that remains on the verge of collapsing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There are evident signs that the alignment within the ‘alliance’ has become dysfunctional. When there is a lack of trust among alliance partners, it raises concerns about their ability to foster trust at the national level. Much of our time has been spent addressing the voids created by the Congress party, and the current state of the alliance suggests a need for reevaluation.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | PM Narendra Modi says, "I see that many of you (Opposition) have even lost the courage to contest elections. Some seats were changed last time too, I have heard that many people are looking to change their seats this time as well. I have also heard that many people now… <a href="https://t.co/M6IDnozP3j">pic.twitter.com/M6IDnozP3j</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1754473397848080641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Projecting BJP's seat tally&nbsp;after polls</strong></h2>

<p>"The third term of our government is not very far now. Only 100-125 days remain to go...I don't go into numbers but I can see the mood of the country. It will make the NDA cross 400 and BJP will definitely get 370 seats...The third term will be about taking very big decisions," said PM Modi while alluding to the Article 370 that was scrapped by his government.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Third largest economy</strong></h2>

<p>Apart from giving a rough estimate about the seat tally, PM Modi gave a "guarantee"&nbsp;that India "will become the third largest economy in the world after the US and China in his third term".&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>New Parliament building</strong></h2>

<p>The PM reflected on the new Parliament building and how it was a symbol of democracy rising in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"When the President came to this new Parliament building to address all of us and the pride and honour with which the 'Sengol' led the entire procession - we were walking behind it. When we become a witness to the reflection of that holy moment of India's independence in this new tradition in the new Parliament building, the honour of democracy rises," said PM Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Feb 5) replied to the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on President Droupadi Murmu's address, delivered on January 31, the first day of the budget session of the Parliament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Feb 5) replied to the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on President Droupadi Murmu's address, delivered on January 31, the first day of the budget session of the Parliament. In front of a packed Lower House (Lok Sabha) after the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) issued a three-line whip to all its MPs to remain present, PM Modi went all out in taking jabs at the opposition whilst enumerating his government's achievements over his last two terms in the past 10 years. Here are the key takeaways from the PM Modi's address: Jibe at opposition Taking a jibe at the opposition in what could be his last address in the House before the general elections, PM Modi said: "I see that many of you (opposition) have even lost the courage to contest elections. Some seats were changed last time too, I have heard that many people are looking to change their seats this time as well." "I have also heard that many people now want to go to Rajya Sabha instead of Lok Sabha. They are looking for their paths by assessing the situation," he added. Also read | 'Many have lost courage to fight elections': PM Modi takes a jibe at opposition ahead of 2024 polls Congress and its ‘cancel culture’ Perhaps for the first time, the term cancel culture came out of PM Modi's vocabulary as he targeted Congress. "Congress is trapped in a cancel culture. They cancel Vande Bharat Trains, Make in India and the new Parliament building. They cancel every achievement of India," he said. The PM also took shots at the INDIA bloc that remains on the verge of collapsing. "There are evident signs that the alignment within the ‘alliance’ has become dysfunctional. When there is a lack of trust among alliance partners, it raises concerns about their ability to foster trust at the national level. Much of our time has been spent addressing the voids created by the Congress party, and the current state of the alliance suggests a need for reevaluation.” #WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "I see that many of you (Opposition) have even lost the courage to contest elections. Some seats were changed last time too, I have heard that many people are looking to change their seats this time as well. I have also heard that many people now… pic.twitter.com/M6IDnozP3j — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2024 × Projecting BJP's seat tally after polls "The third term of our government is not very far now. Only 100-125 days remain to go...I don't go into numbers but I can see the mood of the country. It will make the NDA cross 400 and BJP will definitely get 370 seats...The third term will be about taking very big decisions," said PM Modi while alluding to the Article 370 that was scrapped by his government. Third largest economy Apart from giving a rough estimate about the seat tally, PM Modi gave a "guarantee" that India "will become the third largest economy in the world after the US and China in his third term". New Parliament building The PM reflected on the new Parliament building and how it was a symbol of democracy rising in the country. "When the President came to this new Parliament building to address all of us and the pride and honour with which the 'Sengol' led the entire procession - we were walking behind it. When we become a witness to the reflection of that holy moment of India's independence in this new tradition in the new Parliament building, the honour of democracy rises," said PM Modi. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Cancel culture to 370+ seats’: Key takeaways from PM Modi’s Parliament speech

<p>The planned departure of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was set to lead the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, has been abruptly cancelled after an issue with a propeller shaft was detected during final checks.</p>

<p>HMS Queen Elizabeth will now be replaced by HMS Prince of Wales in the NATO exercises involving over 40 vessels.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A routine problem?</strong></h2>

<p>This setback follows a similar incident 18 months ago when the sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, experienced a breakdown off the Isle of Wight due to a malfunction with a coupling on its starboard propeller.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scotland-set-to-increase-minimum-alcohol-price-by-30-to-curb-health-crisis-687169">Scotland set to increase minimum alcohol price by 30% to curb health crisis</a></strong></p>

<p>On X, formerly Twitter, the Royal Navy posted: "Routine pre-sailing checks yesterday identified an issue with a coupling on HMS Queen Elizabeth starboard propeller shaft. As such, the ship will not sail on Sunday."</p>

<p>"HMS Prince of Wales will take her place on NATO duties and will set sail for exercise Steadfast Defender as soon as possible."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Routine pre-sailing checks yesterday identified an issue with a coupling on <a href="https://twitter.com/HMSQNLZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HMSQNLZ</a> starboard propeller shaft. As such, the ship will not sail on Sunday.<a href="https://twitter.com/HMSPWLS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HMSPWLS</a> will take her place on NATO duties and will set sail for Exercise Steadfast Defender as soon as possible. <a href="https://t.co/ImAeTU80vi">pic.twitter.com/ImAeTU80vi</a></p>
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalNavy/status/1753889301157282215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>As per the Independent, it is primed to lead a carrier strike involving eight ships, with four British vessels, including the frigate HMS Somerset and two Tide-class tankers from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. It would be supported by vessels from the US, Spain, and Denmark.</p>

<p>Also joining the strike are F-35B Lightning stealth fighters from the 617 "Dambusters" Squadron at RAF Marham, along with submarine hunting and airborne early warning Merlin Mk2 helicopters from RNAS Culdrose. Battlefield Wildcat helicopters of 847 Naval Air Squadron from RNAS Yeovilton are also part of the line-up.</p>

<p>The cancellation comes amid warnings that Britain is ill-prepared for an all-out war due to stockpile shortages and an armed forces recruitment crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lufthansa-faces-turbulence-airlines-groundstaff-to-stage-one-day-strike-over-pay-dispute-687189">Lufthansa faces turbulence: Airlines groundstaff to stage one-day strike over pay dispute</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the House of Commons defense committee, the military is "consistently overstretched", exacerbated by recruitment and retention challenges that have seen more people leaving than joining the armed forces, reports the Independent.</p>

<p>The cross-party group of MPs also said that the nation's military has been "hollowed out", leaving the UK unprepared for war amid increasing global instability.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The planned departure of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was set to lead the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, has been abruptly cancelled after an issue with a propeller shaft was detected during final checks.

The planned departure of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was set to lead the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, has been abruptly cancelled after an issue with a propeller shaft was detected during final checks. HMS Queen Elizabeth will now be replaced by HMS Prince of Wales in the NATO exercises involving over 40 vessels. A routine problem? This setback follows a similar incident 18 months ago when the sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, experienced a breakdown off the Isle of Wight due to a malfunction with a coupling on its starboard propeller. Also read | Scotland set to increase minimum alcohol price by 30% to curb health crisis On X, formerly Twitter, the Royal Navy posted: "Routine pre-sailing checks yesterday identified an issue with a coupling on HMS Queen Elizabeth starboard propeller shaft. As such, the ship will not sail on Sunday." "HMS Prince of Wales will take her place on NATO duties and will set sail for exercise Steadfast Defender as soon as possible." Routine pre-sailing checks yesterday identified an issue with a coupling on @HMSQNLZ starboard propeller shaft. As such, the ship will not sail on Sunday.@HMSPWLS will take her place on NATO duties and will set sail for Exercise Steadfast Defender as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/ImAeTU80vi — Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) February 3, 2024 × As per the Independent, it is primed to lead a carrier strike involving eight ships, with four British vessels, including the frigate HMS Somerset and two Tide-class tankers from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. It would be supported by vessels from the US, Spain, and Denmark. Also joining the strike are F-35B Lightning stealth fighters from the 617 "Dambusters" Squadron at RAF Marham, along with submarine hunting and airborne early warning Merlin Mk2 helicopters from RNAS Culdrose. Battlefield Wildcat helicopters of 847 Naval Air Squadron from RNAS Yeovilton are also part of the line-up. The cancellation comes amid warnings that Britain is ill-prepared for an all-out war due to stockpile shortages and an armed forces recruitment crisis. Also read | Lufthansa faces turbulence: Airlines groundstaff to stage one-day strike over pay dispute As per the House of Commons defense committee, the military is "consistently overstretched", exacerbated by recruitment and retention challenges that have seen more people leaving than joining the armed forces, reports the Independent. The cross-party group of MPs also said that the nation's military has been "hollowed out", leaving the UK unprepared for war amid increasing global instability. (With inputs from agencies)

Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth pulls out of NATO exercise after propeller shaft snag

<p>Scotland is reportedly gearing up for a notable 30 per cent hike in the lowest price of alcoholic beverages, a move aimed at tackling alcohol-related health problems.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ministers in Edinburgh, as per the Guardian, are likely to confirm the increase from 50p to 65p per unit starting in May, a step taken six years after Scotland led the UK in introducing this pricing strategy.</p>

<p><strong>Also&nbsp;read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pablo-escobars-cocaine-hippos-attacking-people-in-colombia-687134">Pablo Escobar's 'cocaine hippos' attacking people in Colombia</a></strong></p>

<p>The proposed 65p minimum unit price is meant to keep up with inflation and maintain control over the sale of inexpensive alcohol. Advocates for public health welcome this, emphasising its potential to improve overall well-being. Under the revised pricing, a standard bottle of whisky in Scotland is expected to cost £18.20 ($22.92), vodka £16.90 ($21.28), and a four-pack of basic lager £4.58 ($5.77).</p>

<h2><strong>Scotland and deaths because of alcohol</strong></h2>

<p>Last year, Public Health Scotland reported a positive impact, with a 13.5 per cent drop in deaths solely linked to alcohol minimum pricing.</p>

<p>However, the country has seen a worrying 25 per cent rise in alcohol-related deaths in the last three years, coupled with a 40 per cent decline in people seeking alcohol treatment services over a decade.</p>

<h2><strong>For and against&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Willie Rennie, the former leader of Scottish Liberal Democrats and now the party's economy spokesperson, as per the report expressed his happiness over the move.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-japan-simulate-military-exercise-to-counter-chinese-threat-against-taiwan-687137">US-Japan simulate military exercise to counter Chinese threat against Taiwan</a></strong></p>

<p>A long-time champion of the measure, Rennie said, "More than 20 people a week in Scotland die due to alcohol misuse, so we need to take steps to stop alcohol wrecking lives and communities."</p>

<p>"That's before you even get to the pressure that it imposes on our health and justice systems," he said.</p>

<p>However, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association is reportedly planning to argue for the elimination of minimum pricing.</p>

<p>"Targeted measures have significantly greater impact without penalising the vast majority who do drink responsibly," said the trade association's consumer affairs director David Richardson.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Scottish Labour supports the policy but suggested an additional alcohol levy on retailers. This levy, they propose, would tax the extra profits retailers make due to minimum pricing, directing the funds towards the NHS and efforts to combat addiction.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scotland is reportedly gearing up for a notable 30 per cent hike in the lowest price of alcoholic beverages, a move aimed at tackling alcohol-related health problems.

Scotland is reportedly gearing up for a notable 30 per cent hike in the lowest price of alcoholic beverages, a move aimed at tackling alcohol-related health problems. Ministers in Edinburgh, as per the Guardian, are likely to confirm the increase from 50p to 65p per unit starting in May, a step taken six years after Scotland led the UK in introducing this pricing strategy. Also read | Pablo Escobar's 'cocaine hippos' attacking people in Colombia The proposed 65p minimum unit price is meant to keep up with inflation and maintain control over the sale of inexpensive alcohol. Advocates for public health welcome this, emphasising its potential to improve overall well-being. Under the revised pricing, a standard bottle of whisky in Scotland is expected to cost £18.20 ($22.92), vodka £16.90 ($21.28), and a four-pack of basic lager £4.58 ($5.77). Scotland and deaths because of alcohol Last year, Public Health Scotland reported a positive impact, with a 13.5 per cent drop in deaths solely linked to alcohol minimum pricing. However, the country has seen a worrying 25 per cent rise in alcohol-related deaths in the last three years, coupled with a 40 per cent decline in people seeking alcohol treatment services over a decade. For and against Willie Rennie, the former leader of Scottish Liberal Democrats and now the party's economy spokesperson, as per the report expressed his happiness over the move. Also read | US-Japan simulate military exercise to counter Chinese threat against Taiwan A long-time champion of the measure, Rennie said, "More than 20 people a week in Scotland die due to alcohol misuse, so we need to take steps to stop alcohol wrecking lives and communities." "That's before you even get to the pressure that it imposes on our health and justice systems," he said. However, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association is reportedly planning to argue for the elimination of minimum pricing. "Targeted measures have significantly greater impact without penalising the vast majority who do drink responsibly," said the trade association's consumer affairs director David Richardson. Meanwhile, Scottish Labour supports the policy but suggested an additional alcohol levy on retailers. This levy, they propose, would tax the extra profits retailers make due to minimum pricing, directing the funds towards the NHS and efforts to combat addiction. (With inputs from agencies)

Scotland set to increase minimum alcohol price by 30% to curb health crisis

<p>In the latest development on Middle East crisis,&nbsp;John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman said the recent US&nbsp;strikes on Iran-backed groups on Friday night (Feb 2) mark only the initial phase of action, with further measures to follow.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the Indian state of Jharkhand, Chief Minister Champai Soren's government is poised for a victory in the floor test scheduled for Monday (Feb 5).</p>

<p>In other news, Chinese-origin Australian writer Yang Hengjun, accused of espionage by China, received a suspended death sentence from a Beijing court.</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headlines to read more.</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/middle-east-crisis-us-may-launch-additional-strikes-against-iran-backed-groups-686946">Middle East Crisis: US may launch additional strikes against Iran-backed groups</a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/02/04/409987-us-and-uk-air-strikes-on-houthi-positions.png?imwidth=500" /></p>

<p>White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Sunday (Feb 4) that the strikes which took place Friday night by the United States against Iran-backed groups were just the "first round" of action and more will follow.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US military hit Tehran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria were a retaliation for a deadly attack on US troops in Jordan, which killed three US soldiers. A day after that, the US and the United Kingdom unleashed attacks on the Iran-aligned Houthis of Yemen late on Saturday in a joint action.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jharkhand-floor-test-today-champai-govt-confident-of-win-ex-cm-soren-to-cast-vote-687009">Jharkhand floor test today: Champai govt confident of win, ex-CM Soren to cast vote</a></p>

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<p>A floor test in the Indian state of Jharkhand will take place on Monday (Feb 5) with Chief Minister Champai Soren's government confident of a win. Former chief minister Hemant Soren, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), will cast his vote in the floor test. Champai Soren became the CM last week following political upheaval in the state.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-grammy-awards-2024-full-list-of-winners-updating-live-686970">Grammy Awards 2024: Full list of winners (updating live)</a></p>

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<p>Music’s biggest night is here as The Recording Academy brought out its big guns to acknowledge the best in the world of music last year. Ahead of the main televised event, Grammys premiere ceremony began at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. While Elaine Martone picked up her Grammy for being the Producer of the Year in Classical music, Michelle Obama won Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for&nbsp;<em>The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times.&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-writer-yang-hengjun-given-suspended-death-sentence-in-china-687028">Australian writer Yang Hengjun given suspended death sentence in China</a></p>

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<p>Australian writer Yang Hengjun a suspended death, who was accused of espionage by China, was given a suspended death sentence by a court in Beijing on Monday (Feb 5). According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Sydney-based scholar Feng Chongyi said the court delivered a suspended death sentence that would convert to life imprisonment after two years.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Indian startups raised $732 million across 107 deals in January 2024</strong></p>

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In the latest development on Middle East crisis, John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman said the recent US strikes on Iran-backed groups on Friday night (Feb 2) mark only the initial phase of action, with further measures to follow.

In the latest development on Middle East crisis, John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman said the recent US strikes on Iran-backed groups on Friday night (Feb 2) mark only the initial phase of action, with further measures to follow. In the Indian state of Jharkhand, Chief Minister Champai Soren's government is poised for a victory in the floor test scheduled for Monday (Feb 5). In other news, Chinese-origin Australian writer Yang Hengjun, accused of espionage by China, received a suspended death sentence from a Beijing court. Click on the headlines to read more. Middle East Crisis: US may launch additional strikes against Iran-backed groups White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Sunday (Feb 4) that the strikes which took place Friday night by the United States against Iran-backed groups were just the "first round" of action and more will follow. The US military hit Tehran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria were a retaliation for a deadly attack on US troops in Jordan, which killed three US soldiers. A day after that, the US and the United Kingdom unleashed attacks on the Iran-aligned Houthis of Yemen late on Saturday in a joint action. Jharkhand floor test today: Champai govt confident of win, ex-CM Soren to cast vote A floor test in the Indian state of Jharkhand will take place on Monday (Feb 5) with Chief Minister Champai Soren's government confident of a win. Former chief minister Hemant Soren, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), will cast his vote in the floor test. Champai Soren became the CM last week following political upheaval in the state. Grammy Awards 2024: Full list of winners (updating live) Music’s biggest night is here as The Recording Academy brought out its big guns to acknowledge the best in the world of music last year. Ahead of the main televised event, Grammys premiere ceremony began at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. While Elaine Martone picked up her Grammy for being the Producer of the Year in Classical music, Michelle Obama won Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times. Australian writer Yang Hengjun given suspended death sentence in China Australian writer Yang Hengjun a suspended death, who was accused of espionage by China, was given a suspended death sentence by a court in Beijing on Monday (Feb 5). According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Sydney-based scholar Feng Chongyi said the court delivered a suspended death sentence that would convert to life imprisonment after two years. Watch | Indian startups raised $732 million across 107 deals in January 2024

Morning news brief: US mulls more strikes on Iran-backed groups; Grammy Awards 2024, and more

<p>Four types of bacteria that can make humans sick on Earth may be able to survive and thrive under the harsh conditions of Mars if carried by the astronauts, according to a recent study published in the January version of <em>Astrobiology</em>.</p>

<p>The scientists placed&nbsp;colonies of Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens in a box that stimulated the Mars-like environment,&nbsp;with its lack of water, scant atmospheric pressure, deadly ultraviolet radiation and toxic salts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These bacteria live harmlessly on us but can become pathogenic when stressed. Initially, scientists believed that regolith or soil imitating the Martian surface would have toxic effect in the cells and limit their growth.</p>

<p>However, to their surprise,&nbsp;they discovered its opposite effect on bacteria.&nbsp;Three of the species survived with&nbsp;Pseudomonas aeruginosa in particular growing steadily for up to three weeks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Microbiologist Tommaso Zaccaria who performed the experiment and his colleagues are now attempting to figure out how microbes managed to hold onto their lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Zaccaria posits that the bacteria may have managed to find&nbsp;small oases with enough water in the crannies of the regolith which provided&nbsp;nutrients and protection from the deadly UV radiation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-nasa-announces-plans-for-a-nuclear-rocket-555955"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint: NASA announces plans for a nuclear rocket</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Study results&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The scientists said the result of the study should prompt human missions to Mars to bring plenty of different antibiotics to deal with&nbsp;disease-causing bacteria surviving and perhaps mutating before reinfecting the astronaut.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, human missions would not want to accidentally mistake a terrestrial bug for a native Martian one during the research to find life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“At the end of the day, we want to move forward and explore our solar system more. We try our best and that ultimately will lead to some really beautiful discoveries and some really cool history," said&nbsp;Zaccaria, who recommends that certain areas of the Red planet should be set aside like national parks where only robotic vehicles can enter.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientist-claims-we-may-have-discovered-life-on-mars-50-years-ago-but-killed-it-accidentally-629871"><strong>Also read | A scientist claims that humans found life on Mars 50 years ago, and then killed it accidentally</strong></a></p>

<p>Humanity has been searching for life on planets other than our home base&nbsp;to see if we can become an interplanetary species. Mars has long been touted as a potential candidate where this could be possible.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Currently, the Perseverance rover is traversing the rough terrain of Mars. It is part of an international, interplanetary relay team created to unravel the secrets of our neighbourhood planet.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Four types of bacteria that can make humans sick on Earth may be able to survive and thrive under the harsh conditions of Mars if carried by the astronauts, according to a recent study published in the January version of Astrobiology.

Four types of bacteria that can make humans sick on Earth may be able to survive and thrive under the harsh conditions of Mars if carried by the astronauts, according to a recent study published in the January version of Astrobiology. The scientists placed colonies of Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens in a box that stimulated the Mars-like environment, with its lack of water, scant atmospheric pressure, deadly ultraviolet radiation and toxic salts. These bacteria live harmlessly on us but can become pathogenic when stressed. Initially, scientists believed that regolith or soil imitating the Martian surface would have toxic effect in the cells and limit their growth. However, to their surprise, they discovered its opposite effect on bacteria. Three of the species survived with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in particular growing steadily for up to three weeks. Microbiologist Tommaso Zaccaria who performed the experiment and his colleagues are now attempting to figure out how microbes managed to hold onto their lives. Zaccaria posits that the bacteria may have managed to find small oases with enough water in the crannies of the regolith which provided nutrients and protection from the deadly UV radiation. Watch | WION Fineprint: NASA announces plans for a nuclear rocket × Study results The scientists said the result of the study should prompt human missions to Mars to bring plenty of different antibiotics to deal with disease-causing bacteria surviving and perhaps mutating before reinfecting the astronaut. Additionally, human missions would not want to accidentally mistake a terrestrial bug for a native Martian one during the research to find life. “At the end of the day, we want to move forward and explore our solar system more. We try our best and that ultimately will lead to some really beautiful discoveries and some really cool history," said Zaccaria, who recommends that certain areas of the Red planet should be set aside like national parks where only robotic vehicles can enter. Also read | A scientist claims that humans found life on Mars 50 years ago, and then killed it accidentally Humanity has been searching for life on planets other than our home base to see if we can become an interplanetary species. Mars has long been touted as a potential candidate where this could be possible. Currently, the Perseverance rover is traversing the rough terrain of Mars. It is part of an international, interplanetary relay team created to unravel the secrets of our neighbourhood planet. (With inputs from agencies)

Bacteria that make us sick might survive and thrive on Mars, study shows

<p>The United States has announced a steep hike in the fee for various categories of non-immigrant visas, including the H-1B, L-1 and EB-5. These visas, which are most popular among Indians, will affect thousands who apply every year.</p>

<p>As per a PTI news agency report, the hike will come into force starting April 1st. Here's all you need to know about the increased fee.</p>

<h2><strong>How much of a hike is there?</strong></h2>

<p>Starting April 1st, the application fee for an H-1B visa or form I-129 will be increased from the current USD 460 to USD 780 — a 69.5 per cent hike. Furthermore, the H-1B registration will be increased from USD 10 to USD 215, starting next year.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-h-1b-visa-renewal-online-drive-begins-heres-how-to-apply-685254">US H-1B visa renewal drive begins online. Here's how to apply</a></strong></p>

<p>The fee for L-1 visas has been hiked from the current USD 460 to USD 1,385 — a 201 per cent hike. This non-immigrant visa category is designed for intra-company transferees and allows multinational companies to transfer certain employees from their foreign offices to work in the US temporarily.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, investor visas or EB-5 visas will soon cost USD 11,160, instead of the current USD 3,675 — a 203 per cent increase.</p>

<h2><strong>Why have the visa fees been hiked?</strong></h2>

<p>The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argues that the final rule changes will bring several benefits, including reduced administrative burdens and fee processing errors for the government. It is expected to enhance efficiency in the adjudicative process and enable a better assessment of the cost of providing services, allowing for better-aligned fees in future regulations.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-approves-sale-of-mq-9b-remotely-piloted-aircraft-to-india-686080">US approves sale of 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft to India</a></strong></p>

<p>In its federal notification, the DHS said fee adjustments, as well as changes to the forms and fee structures used by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will result in net costs, benefits, and transfer payments.</p>

<p>The estimated annualised net costs to the public over the 10 years (FY 2024 through FY 2033) are projected to be USD 157,005,952, discounted at three and seven per cent. The total net costs over a decade are estimated at USD 1,339,292,617 discounted at three per cent and USD 1,102,744,106 discounted at seven per cent.</p>

<h2><strong>What benefits can H-1B and other visa applicants expect?</strong></h2>

<p>Applicants and petitioners seeking immigration benefits will also reportedly experience benefits, including reduced fee processing errors, increased efficiency in the adjudicative process, simplification of the fee payment process for some forms, elimination of the USD 30 returned check fee, and, for many applicants, limited fee increases and additional fee exemptions to reduce financial burdens. The federal notification also notes minor reductions in visa application fees in several categories.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The United States has announced a steep hike in the fee for various categories of non-immigrant visas, including the H-1B, L-1 and EB-5. These visas, which are most popular among Indians, will affect thousands who apply every year.

The United States has announced a steep hike in the fee for various categories of non-immigrant visas, including the H-1B, L-1 and EB-5. These visas, which are most popular among Indians, will affect thousands who apply every year. As per a PTI news agency report, the hike will come into force starting April 1st. Here's all you need to know about the increased fee. How much of a hike is there? Starting April 1st, the application fee for an H-1B visa or form I-129 will be increased from the current USD 460 to USD 780 — a 69.5 per cent hike. Furthermore, the H-1B registration will be increased from USD 10 to USD 215, starting next year. Also read | US H-1B visa renewal drive begins online. Here's how to apply The fee for L-1 visas has been hiked from the current USD 460 to USD 1,385 — a 201 per cent hike. This non-immigrant visa category is designed for intra-company transferees and allows multinational companies to transfer certain employees from their foreign offices to work in the US temporarily. Additionally, investor visas or EB-5 visas will soon cost USD 11,160, instead of the current USD 3,675 — a 203 per cent increase. Why have the visa fees been hiked? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argues that the final rule changes will bring several benefits, including reduced administrative burdens and fee processing errors for the government. It is expected to enhance efficiency in the adjudicative process and enable a better assessment of the cost of providing services, allowing for better-aligned fees in future regulations. Also read | US approves sale of 31 MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft to India In its federal notification, the DHS said fee adjustments, as well as changes to the forms and fee structures used by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will result in net costs, benefits, and transfer payments. The estimated annualised net costs to the public over the 10 years (FY 2024 through FY 2033) are projected to be USD 157,005,952, discounted at three and seven per cent. The total net costs over a decade are estimated at USD 1,339,292,617 discounted at three per cent and USD 1,102,744,106 discounted at seven per cent. What benefits can H-1B and other visa applicants expect? Applicants and petitioners seeking immigration benefits will also reportedly experience benefits, including reduced fee processing errors, increased efficiency in the adjudicative process, simplification of the fee payment process for some forms, elimination of the USD 30 returned check fee, and, for many applicants, limited fee increases and additional fee exemptions to reduce financial burdens. The federal notification also notes minor reductions in visa application fees in several categories. (With inputs from agencies)

US announces massive hike in H-1B and other visa fees. Here's all you need to know

<p>In a miraculous recovery for the books, a puppy's jaw regrew spontaneously after it was removed due to cancer. This marks the first of its kind incident for dogs of any age or breed. However, as per the Cornell website, this phenomenon has been reported in children.</p>

<h2><strong>A miracle</strong></h2>

<p>Tyson, a three-month-old puppy of French bulldog breed, was brought to Cornell's Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service for a cleft palate surgery when the primary veterinarian noticed a cancerous tumour on the dog's jaw.</p>

<p>In a statement, the dentistry and oral surgery resident Alexandra Wright, D.V.M., who led Tyson's care team, detailed that there was an oral papillary squamous cell carcinoma, which he said is a "malignant cancer in dogs."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japans-moon-lander-goes-dormant-once-again-amazing-final-image-of-lunar-surface-see-it-here-686216">Japan's moon lander clicks final image before going dormant once again</a></strong></p>

<p>"Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the second-most common malignant oral tumour in dogs, and this papillary subtype has previously been reported in young dogs," he said.</p>

<p>Wright, along with co-authors Dr&nbsp;Nadine Fiani, associate clinical professor and section chief, and Dr Santiago Peralta, associate professor in the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service, has published a report on this case in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.</p>

<p>Most of the puppy's lower left mandible had to be removed to remove the tumour. This, as per the veterinarians, meant Tyson would live a life without a fully functioning lower jaw.</p>

<p>The puppy's owners were sceptical about putting him through the surgery but chose to "give him a chance and continue with surgery."</p>

<p>"We had no idea his jaw would grow back!" they said.</p>

<h2><strong>How the miracle happened</strong></h2>

<p>According to Cornell College of Veterinary Science's website, the miraculous recovery was likely due to the Periosteum preserved during the surgery. Furthermore, the detection of cancer at an early age also helped the case.</p>

<p>The periosteum contains blood vessels and nerves that support the bone and are also crucial to the growth of the original mandibles.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/by-2050-the-world-will-see-a-whopping-77-increase-in-cancer-cases-predicts-who-report-686307">By 2050, the world will see a whopping 77% increase in cancer cases, predicts WHO report</a></strong></p>

<p>Wright speculates that "this was likely imperative to the regeneration of new bone."</p>

<p>However, the precise reason remains a mystery. Tyson's new mandible as per the report is "nearly as functional as the original, though it is technically considered abnormal because it no longer has certain features. For instance, there is no mandibular canal, where major blood vessels and nerves typically reside, and there are no teeth."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a miraculous recovery for the books, a puppy's jaw regrew spontaneously after it was removed due to cancer. This marks the first of its kind incident for dogs of any age or breed.

In a miraculous recovery for the books, a puppy's jaw regrew spontaneously after it was removed due to cancer. This marks the first of its kind incident for dogs of any age or breed. However, as per the Cornell website, this phenomenon has been reported in children. A miracle Tyson, a three-month-old puppy of French bulldog breed, was brought to Cornell's Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service for a cleft palate surgery when the primary veterinarian noticed a cancerous tumour on the dog's jaw. In a statement, the dentistry and oral surgery resident Alexandra Wright, D.V.M., who led Tyson's care team, detailed that there was an oral papillary squamous cell carcinoma, which he said is a "malignant cancer in dogs." Also read | Japan's moon lander clicks final image before going dormant once again "Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the second-most common malignant oral tumour in dogs, and this papillary subtype has previously been reported in young dogs," he said. Wright, along with co-authors Dr Nadine Fiani, associate clinical professor and section chief, and Dr Santiago Peralta, associate professor in the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service, has published a report on this case in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Most of the puppy's lower left mandible had to be removed to remove the tumour. This, as per the veterinarians, meant Tyson would live a life without a fully functioning lower jaw. The puppy's owners were sceptical about putting him through the surgery but chose to "give him a chance and continue with surgery." "We had no idea his jaw would grow back!" they said. How the miracle happened According to Cornell College of Veterinary Science's website, the miraculous recovery was likely due to the Periosteum preserved during the surgery. Furthermore, the detection of cancer at an early age also helped the case. The periosteum contains blood vessels and nerves that support the bone and are also crucial to the growth of the original mandibles. Also read | By 2050, the world will see a whopping 77% increase in cancer cases, predicts WHO report Wright speculates that "this was likely imperative to the regeneration of new bone." However, the precise reason remains a mystery. Tyson's new mandible as per the report is "nearly as functional as the original, though it is technically considered abnormal because it no longer has certain features. For instance, there is no mandibular canal, where major blood vessels and nerves typically reside, and there are no teeth." (With inputs from agencies)

Little puppy makes miraculous recovery, beats cancer and spontaneously regrows jaw

<p>By 2050, the global community as per World Health Organization (WHO) estimates will face a whopping 77 per cent increase in cancer cases.</p>

<p>A report by the WHO's cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), predicts that in a little more than two decades, we will see more than 35 million new cancer cases. This is a 77 per cent increase from the estimated 20 million cases recorded in 2022.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japans-moon-lander-goes-dormant-once-again-amazing-final-image-of-lunar-surface-see-it-here-686216">Japan's moon lander clicks final image before going dormant once again</a></strong></p>

<p>However, as per&nbsp;Dr Freddie Bray, Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, the impact of the increase "will not be felt evenly across countries."</p>

<h2><strong>Report findings</strong></h2>

<p>In the report released ahead of World Cancer Day, which is observed on February 4th, the IARC predicted a massive increase in the global cancer burden.</p>

<p>"The rapidly growing global cancer burden reflects both population ageing and growth, as well as changes to people’s exposure to risk factors, several of which are associated with socioeconomic development," said the WHO in its press release.</p>

<p>It identified tobacco, alcohol, and obesity as the key factors driving the increasing incidence of cancer. Air Pollution was mentioned as a key driver of environmental risk factors.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Cancer experts unveil groundbreaking discovery, eliminates need for invasive surgeries</strong></p>

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<p>Furthermore, it predicts that high HDI (Human Development Index) countries will experience the greatest absolute increase in incidence of cancer cases, with an additional 4.8 million new cases predicted in 2050 compared with 2022 estimates.</p>

<p>In a statement, the Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, said: "The impact of this increase will not be felt evenly across countries of different HDI levels. Those who have the fewest resources to manage their cancer burdens will bear the brunt of the global cancer burden."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/massive-clue-found-solving-why-80-pc-of-autoimmune-patients-are-women-686120">Massive clue found solving why 80 pc of autoimmune patients are women</a></strong></p>

<p>As per WHO, global estimates reveal "striking inequalities" in human development.</p>

<p>Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC explains,&nbsp;"Women in lower HDI countries are 50 &nbsp;per cent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than women in high HDI countries, yet they are at a much higher risk of dying of the disease due to late diagnosis and inadequate access to quality treatment."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


By 2050, the global community as per World Health Organization (WHO) estimates will face a whopping 77 per cent increase in cancer cases. A report by the WHO's cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), predicts that in a little more than two decades, we will see more than 35 million new cancer cases.

By 2050, the global community as per World Health Organization (WHO) estimates will face a whopping 77 per cent increase in cancer cases. A report by the WHO's cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), predicts that in a little more than two decades, we will see more than 35 million new cancer cases. This is a 77 per cent increase from the estimated 20 million cases recorded in 2022. Also read | Japan's moon lander clicks final image before going dormant once again However, as per Dr Freddie Bray, Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, the impact of the increase "will not be felt evenly across countries." Report findings In the report released ahead of World Cancer Day, which is observed on February 4th, the IARC predicted a massive increase in the global cancer burden. "The rapidly growing global cancer burden reflects both population ageing and growth, as well as changes to people’s exposure to risk factors, several of which are associated with socioeconomic development," said the WHO in its press release. It identified tobacco, alcohol, and obesity as the key factors driving the increasing incidence of cancer. Air Pollution was mentioned as a key driver of environmental risk factors. Watch | Cancer experts unveil groundbreaking discovery, eliminates need for invasive surgeries × Furthermore, it predicts that high HDI (Human Development Index) countries will experience the greatest absolute increase in incidence of cancer cases, with an additional 4.8 million new cases predicted in 2050 compared with 2022 estimates. In a statement, the Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, said: "The impact of this increase will not be felt evenly across countries of different HDI levels. Those who have the fewest resources to manage their cancer burdens will bear the brunt of the global cancer burden." Also read | Massive clue found solving why 80 pc of autoimmune patients are women As per WHO, global estimates reveal "striking inequalities" in human development. Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC explains, "Women in lower HDI countries are 50 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than women in high HDI countries, yet they are at a much higher risk of dying of the disease due to late diagnosis and inadequate access to quality treatment." (With inputs from agencies)

By 2050, the world will see a whopping 77% increase in cancer cases, predicts WHO report

<p>A federal judge on Wednesday (Jan 31st) dismissed Disney's lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The lawsuit claimed that the Republican leader had illegally retaliated against the entertainment giant for criticising his "anti-woke" agenda and that he had allegedly used the state to punish the company.</p>

<h2><strong>The ruling</strong></h2>

<p>Reuters reports that in his ruling, US District Judge Allen Winsor said that Disney lacked standing to sue the governor or the secretary of commerce.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Tallahassee, Florida, Winsor also knocked down Disney's free-speech claims. He said that while the US's First Amendment prohibits government officials from retaliating against protected speech, a plaintiff — in this case, Disney — cannot bring a free speech challenge to an otherwise constitutional law, merely based on the subjective motivations of the lawmakers who passed it.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-one-should-go-through-zuckerberg-issues-apology-over-harm-caused-to-children-due-to-social-media-685688">Meta's Zuckerberg faces accusation of having 'blood on his hands', apologises to families</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Disney to Challenge Ruling</strong></h2>

<p>A spokesperson for Disney, as per Reuters, said that it was "an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here."</p>

<p>"If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give licence to states to weaponise their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with. We are determined to press forward with our case," said the company's spokesperson.</p>

<h2><strong>DeSantis Vs Disney</strong></h2>

<p>DeSantis and Disney have been at loggerheads since 2022 when a spokesperson for the entertainment giant spoke out against a Republican governor-backed education bill concerning LGBTQ youth.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-says-significant-potential-in-us-india-drone-deal-685701">White House says 'significant potential' in US-India drone deal</a></strong></p>

<p>Following this, DeSantis reportedly pushed the Republican-controlled legislature to revoke Disney's special self-governance arrangement, which it had enjoyed since 1967. It had allowed the city-sized theme park to run its own zoning and infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>In April 2023, Disney sued DeSantis and members of a state board, characterising their actions as a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" that violated the company's right to free speech. The defendants had urged for the case's dismissal arguing that the company cannot sue over constitutionally enacted laws.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A federal judge on Wednesday (Jan 31st) dismissed Disney's lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The lawsuit claimed that the Republican leader had illegally retaliated against the entertainment giant for criticising his "anti-woke" agenda and that he had allegedly used the state to punish the company.

A federal judge on Wednesday (Jan 31st) dismissed Disney's lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The lawsuit claimed that the Republican leader had illegally retaliated against the entertainment giant for criticising his "anti-woke" agenda and that he had allegedly used the state to punish the company. The ruling Reuters reports that in his ruling, US District Judge Allen Winsor said that Disney lacked standing to sue the governor or the secretary of commerce. In Tallahassee, Florida, Winsor also knocked down Disney's free-speech claims. He said that while the US's First Amendment prohibits government officials from retaliating against protected speech, a plaintiff — in this case, Disney — cannot bring a free speech challenge to an otherwise constitutional law, merely based on the subjective motivations of the lawmakers who passed it. Also read | Meta's Zuckerberg faces accusation of having 'blood on his hands', apologises to families Disney to Challenge Ruling A spokesperson for Disney, as per Reuters, said that it was "an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here." "If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give licence to states to weaponise their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with. We are determined to press forward with our case," said the company's spokesperson. DeSantis Vs Disney DeSantis and Disney have been at loggerheads since 2022 when a spokesperson for the entertainment giant spoke out against a Republican governor-backed education bill concerning LGBTQ youth. Also read | White House says 'significant potential' in US-India drone deal Following this, DeSantis reportedly pushed the Republican-controlled legislature to revoke Disney's special self-governance arrangement, which it had enjoyed since 1967. It had allowed the city-sized theme park to run its own zoning and infrastructure projects. In April 2023, Disney sued DeSantis and members of a state board, characterising their actions as a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" that violated the company's right to free speech. The defendants had urged for the case's dismissal arguing that the company cannot sue over constitutionally enacted laws. (With inputs from agencies)

US Federal judge dismisses Disney's case accusing Florida Governor DeSantis of retaliation

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