<p>"I actually like Ron DeSantis a lot," Hillary Clinton reveals in a surprise online endorsement video. "He's just the kind of guy this country needs, and I really mean that."</p>

<p>Joe Biden finally lets the mask slip, unleashing a cruel rant at a transgender person. "You will never be a real woman," the president snarls.</p>

<p>Welcome to America's 2024 presidential race, where reality is up for grabs.</p>

<p>The Clinton and Biden deepfakes - realistic yet fabricated videos created by AI algorithms trained on copious online footage - are among thousands surfacing on social media, blurring fact and fiction in the polarized world of US&nbsp;politics.</p>

<p>While such synthetic media has been around for several years, it's been turbocharged over the past year by a slew of new "generative AI" tools such as Midjourney that make it cheap and easy to create convincing deepfakes, according to Reuters interviews with about two dozen specialists in fields including AI, online misinformation and political activism.</p>

<p>"It's going to be very difficult for voters to distinguish the real from the fake. And you could just imagine how either Trump supporters or Biden supporters could use this technology to make the opponent look bad," said Darrell West, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution's Center for Technology Innovation.</p>

<p>"There could be things that drop right before the election that nobody has a chance to take down."</p>

<p>Tools that can generate deepfakes are being released with few or imperfect guardrails to prevent harmful misinformation as the tech sector engages in an AI arms race, said Aza Raskin, co-founder of the Center for Human Technology, a nonprofit that studies technology's impact on society.</p>

<p>Former President Donald Trump, who will vie with DeSantis and others for the Republican nomination to face Biden, himself shared a doctored video of CNN anchor Anderson Cooper earlier this month on his social media platform Truth Social.</p>

<p>"That was President Donald J. Trump ripping us a new asshole here on CNN's live presidential townhall," Cooper says in the footage, although the words don't match his lip movement.</p>

<p>CNN said the video was a deepfake. A representative for Trump didn't respond to a request for comment on the clip, which was still on his son Donald Jr's Twitter page this week.</p>

<p>While major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have made efforts to prohibit and remove deepfakes, their effectiveness at policing such content varies.</p>

<h2><strong>DEEPFAKE PENCE, NOT TRUMP</strong></h2>

<p>There have been three times as many video deepfakes of all kinds and eight times as many voice deepfakes posted online this year compared to the same time period in 2022, according to DeepMedia, a company working on tools to detect synthetic media.</p>

<p>In total, about 500,000 video and voice deepfakes will be shared on social media sites globally in 2023, DeepMedia estimates. Cloning a voice used to cost $10,000 in server and AI-training costs up until late last year, but now startups offer it for a few dollars, it says.</p>

<p>No one is certain where the generative AI road leads or how to effectively guard against its power for mass misinformation, according to the people interviewed.</p>

<p>Industry leader OpenAI, which has changed the game in recent months with its release of ChatGPT and the updated model GPT-4, is itself grappling with the issue. CEO Sam Altman told Congress this month that election integrity was a "significant area of concern" and urged rapid regulation of the sector.</p>

<p>Unlike some smaller startups, OpenAI has taken steps to restrict use of its products in politics, according to a Reuters analysis of the terms of use of half a dozen leading companies offering generative-AI services.</p>

<p>The guardrails have gaps, though.</p>

<p>For example, OpenAI says it prohibits its image generator DALL-E from creating public figures - and indeed, when Reuters tried to create images of Trump and Biden, the request was blocked and a message appeared saying it "may not follow our content policy."</p>

<p>Yet Reuters was able to create images of at least a dozen other US&nbsp;politicians, including former Vice-President Mike Pence, who is also weighing a White House run for 2024.</p>

<p>OpenAI also restricts any "scaled" usage of its products for political purposes. That bans use of its AI to send out mass personalized emails to constituents, for example.</p>

<p>The company, which is backed by Microsoft, explained its political policies to Reuters in an interview but didn't respond to further requests for comment around enforcement gaps in its policies, such as blocking image creation of politicians.</p>

<p>Several smaller startups have no explicit restrictions on political content.</p>

<p>Midjourney, which launched last year, is the leading player in AI-generated images, with 16 million users on its official Discord server. The app, which ranges from free to $60 a month depending on factors such as picture quantity and speed, is a favorite of AI designers and artists due to its ability to generate hyper-realistic images of celebrities and politicians, according to four AI researchers and creators interviewed.</p>

<p>Midjourney didn't respond to a request for comment for this article. During an online chat on Discord last week, CEO David Holz said the company would likely make changes ahead of the election to combat misinformation.</p>

<p>Midjourney wants to cooperate on an industry solution to enable traceability of AI-generated images with a digital equivalent of watermarking and would consider blocking images of political candidates, Holz added.</p>

<h2><strong>REPUBLICAN AI-GENERATED AD</strong></h2>

<p>Even as the industry wrestles with how to prevent misuse, some political players are themselves seeking to harness the power of generative AI to soup up campaigns.</p>

<p>So far, the only high-profile AI-generated political ad in the U.S. was one published by the Republican National Committee in late April. The 30-second ad, which the RNC disclosed as being entirely generated by AI, used fake images to suggest a cataclysmic scenario should Biden be reelected, with China invading Taiwan and San Francisco being shut down by crime.</p>

<p>The RNC didn't respond to requests for comment on the ad or its wider use of AI. The Democratic National Committee declined to comment on its use of the technology.</p>

<p>Reuters polled all the Republican presidential campaigns on their use of AI. Most did not reply, although Nikki Haley's team said they were not using the technology and longshot candidate Perry Johnson's campaign said it was using AI for "copy generation and iteration," without giving further details.</p>

<p>The potential for generative AI to produce campaign emails, posts and adverts is irresistible for some activists who feel the low-cost tech could level the playing field in elections.</p>

<p>Even deep in rural Hillsdale, Michigan, machine intelligence is on the march.</p>

<p>Jon Smith, Republican chair for Michigan's 5th Congressional district, is holding several educational meetings so his allies can learn to use AI for social media and ad generation.</p>

<p>"AI helps us play against the big cats," he said. "I see the biggest upswing in the local races. Someone who is 65 years old, a farmer and county commissioner, he could easily be primaried by a younger cat using the technology."</p>

<p>Political consultancies are also seeking to harness AI, further muddying the line between real and unreal.</p>

<p>Numinar Analytics, a political data company that focuses on Republican clients, has begun experimenting with AI content generation for audio and images, as well as voice generation to potentially create personalized messaging in a candidate's voice, founder Will Long said in an interview.</p>

<p>Democratic polling and strategy group Honan Strategy Group is meanwhile trying to develop an AI survey bot. It hopes to unroll a female bot in time for the 2023 municipal elections, CEO Bradley Honan said, citing research that both men and women are more likely to speak to a female interviewer. &nbsp;<br />
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"I actually like Ron DeSantis a lot," Hillary Clinton reveals in a surprise online endorsement video. "He's just the kind of guy this country needs, and I really mean that.

"I actually like Ron DeSantis a lot," Hillary Clinton reveals in a surprise online endorsement video. "He's just the kind of guy this country needs, and I really mean that." Joe Biden finally lets the mask slip, unleashing a cruel rant at a transgender person. "You will never be a real woman," the president snarls. Welcome to America's 2024 presidential race, where reality is up for grabs. The Clinton and Biden deepfakes - realistic yet fabricated videos created by AI algorithms trained on copious online footage - are among thousands surfacing on social media, blurring fact and fiction in the polarized world of US politics. While such synthetic media has been around for several years, it's been turbocharged over the past year by a slew of new "generative AI" tools such as Midjourney that make it cheap and easy to create convincing deepfakes, according to Reuters interviews with about two dozen specialists in fields including AI, online misinformation and political activism. "It's going to be very difficult for voters to distinguish the real from the fake. And you could just imagine how either Trump supporters or Biden supporters could use this technology to make the opponent look bad," said Darrell West, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution's Center for Technology Innovation. "There could be things that drop right before the election that nobody has a chance to take down." Tools that can generate deepfakes are being released with few or imperfect guardrails to prevent harmful misinformation as the tech sector engages in an AI arms race, said Aza Raskin, co-founder of the Center for Human Technology, a nonprofit that studies technology's impact on society. Former President Donald Trump, who will vie with DeSantis and others for the Republican nomination to face Biden, himself shared a doctored video of CNN anchor Anderson Cooper earlier this month on his social media platform Truth Social. "That was President Donald J. Trump ripping us a new asshole here on CNN's live presidential townhall," Cooper says in the footage, although the words don't match his lip movement. CNN said the video was a deepfake. A representative for Trump didn't respond to a request for comment on the clip, which was still on his son Donald Jr's Twitter page this week. While major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have made efforts to prohibit and remove deepfakes, their effectiveness at policing such content varies. DEEPFAKE PENCE, NOT TRUMP There have been three times as many video deepfakes of all kinds and eight times as many voice deepfakes posted online this year compared to the same time period in 2022, according to DeepMedia, a company working on tools to detect synthetic media. In total, about 500,000 video and voice deepfakes will be shared on social media sites globally in 2023, DeepMedia estimates. Cloning a voice used to cost $10,000 in server and AI-training costs up until late last year, but now startups offer it for a few dollars, it says. No one is certain where the generative AI road leads or how to effectively guard against its power for mass misinformation, according to the people interviewed. Industry leader OpenAI, which has changed the game in recent months with its release of ChatGPT and the updated model GPT-4, is itself grappling with the issue. CEO Sam Altman told Congress this month that election integrity was a "significant area of concern" and urged rapid regulation of the sector. Unlike some smaller startups, OpenAI has taken steps to restrict use of its products in politics, according to a Reuters analysis of the terms of use of half a dozen leading companies offering generative-AI services. The guardrails have gaps, though. For example, OpenAI says it prohibits its image generator DALL-E from creating public figures - and indeed, when Reuters tried to create images of Trump and Biden, the request was blocked and a message appeared saying it "may not follow our content policy." Yet Reuters was able to create images of at least a dozen other US politicians, including former Vice-President Mike Pence, who is also weighing a White House run for 2024. OpenAI also restricts any "scaled" usage of its products for political purposes. That bans use of its AI to send out mass personalized emails to constituents, for example. The company, which is backed by Microsoft, explained its political policies to Reuters in an interview but didn't respond to further requests for comment around enforcement gaps in its policies, such as blocking image creation of politicians. Several smaller startups have no explicit restrictions on political content. Midjourney, which launched last year, is the leading player in AI-generated images, with 16 million users on its official Discord server. The app, which ranges from free to $60 a month depending on factors such as picture quantity and speed, is a favorite of AI designers and artists due to its ability to generate hyper-realistic images of celebrities and politicians, according to four AI researchers and creators interviewed. Midjourney didn't respond to a request for comment for this article. During an online chat on Discord last week, CEO David Holz said the company would likely make changes ahead of the election to combat misinformation. Midjourney wants to cooperate on an industry solution to enable traceability of AI-generated images with a digital equivalent of watermarking and would consider blocking images of political candidates, Holz added. REPUBLICAN AI-GENERATED AD Even as the industry wrestles with how to prevent misuse, some political players are themselves seeking to harness the power of generative AI to soup up campaigns. So far, the only high-profile AI-generated political ad in the U.S. was one published by the Republican National Committee in late April. The 30-second ad, which the RNC disclosed as being entirely generated by AI, used fake images to suggest a cataclysmic scenario should Biden be reelected, with China invading Taiwan and San Francisco being shut down by crime. The RNC didn't respond to requests for comment on the ad or its wider use of AI. The Democratic National Committee declined to comment on its use of the technology. Reuters polled all the Republican presidential campaigns on their use of AI. Most did not reply, although Nikki Haley's team said they were not using the technology and longshot candidate Perry Johnson's campaign said it was using AI for "copy generation and iteration," without giving further details. The potential for generative AI to produce campaign emails, posts and adverts is irresistible for some activists who feel the low-cost tech could level the playing field in elections. Even deep in rural Hillsdale, Michigan, machine intelligence is on the march. Jon Smith, Republican chair for Michigan's 5th Congressional district, is holding several educational meetings so his allies can learn to use AI for social media and ad generation. "AI helps us play against the big cats," he said. "I see the biggest upswing in the local races. Someone who is 65 years old, a farmer and county commissioner, he could easily be primaried by a younger cat using the technology." Political consultancies are also seeking to harness AI, further muddying the line between real and unreal. Numinar Analytics, a political data company that focuses on Republican clients, has begun experimenting with AI content generation for audio and images, as well as voice generation to potentially create personalized messaging in a candidate's voice, founder Will Long said in an interview. Democratic polling and strategy group Honan Strategy Group is meanwhile trying to develop an AI survey bot. It hopes to unroll a female bot in time for the 2023 municipal elections, CEO Bradley Honan said, citing research that both men and women are more likely to speak to a female interviewer. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Deepfaking it: America's 2024 presidential election collides with AI boom

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms- The clips showed the Kensington neighbourhood — regarded as the ‘ground zero’ for the city’s drug crisis —purportedly filled with zombie-like addicts, who can be seen passed out on the streets. The clip was first shared by a user on TokTok, and then on Twitter. The video highlights the alarming drug situation facing the US due to the overuse of Xylazine drug or “tranq”—otherwise also known as the ‘zombie drug’.

Shocking footage shows devastating impact of ‘zombie drug’ epidemic

<p>As the United States marked the third anniversary of George Floyd’s killing,&nbsp;another horrific incident has come to light&nbsp;where a Black boy from Mississippi, Aderrien Murry, was shot in the chest by the state police after the 11-year-old called them seeking help, as per reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to his family, the boy has now been released from hospital. As per reports, the boy dialled the police calling for help. Mississippi police arrived at Aderrien Murry's home jumping into action over the domestic disturbance call, the boy's mother said, adding the police shot the black boy in the chest.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'What did I do?' the boy asks after being shot</strong></h2>

<p>The 11-year-old's mother Nakala Murry said her son questioned her "What did I do?" after he was shot by the police officer. The horrific shooting incident is now being investigated. Meanwhile, the officer involved in the incident has been sent on leave. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has lodged a probe to investigate the incident.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/more-than-5000-new-species-discovered-in-planned-mining-zone-of-pacific-ocean-596583">More than 5,000 new species discovered on seabed of Pacific Ocean</a></p>

<p>According to the mother, the boy is recovering at home after being released from a local hospital. The boy was treated for fractured ribs, collapsed lung and a lacerated liver. In a rage over the shooting incident, Nakala is demanding that the officer must be fired and charged for shooting his innocent son.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Why did the boy call the police?</strong></h2>

<p>Nakala Murry, in a presser Monday outside Indianola City Hall said&nbsp;that prior to the incident the father of her other child came by at their house on Saturday morning. She said that he was acting "irate" and it made her instruct her son to call the police.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musks-neuralink-cleared-for-human-test-of-brain-implants-596576">Elon Musk's Neuralink cleared for human test of brain implants</a></p>

<p>Shortly after the call was made to the police, an Indianola officer arrived at their house. In a conversation with CNN, Murry said that the police officer "had his gun drawn at the front door." Describing details of the incident, she said that the police officer asked everyone inside to exit the house.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She told the media outlet that the officer opened fire as soon as her son turned the corner of the hallway. The gunfire struck Aderrien in the chest, she said.</p>

<p>"His words were: 'Why did he shoot me? What did I do?' and he started crying," Ms Murry said. "This cannot keep happening. This is not OK." She also revealed how she acted like a first responder to tackle the situation. Her son was bleeding from the wound when she applied pressure on the wound.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Lending a hand to her in aiding her son was the officer, she said. Later, medics arrived and the boy was rushed to the University of Mississippi Medical Centre.&nbsp;At the hospital, the son was given a chest tube and placed on a ventilator.</p>

<h2><strong>Nakala</strong> <strong>Murry calls for action&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Murry along with her family's lawyer, Carlos Moore, called on officials to take action against the officer involved.&nbsp;"What are you waiting on? Someone to actually die?" Moore said during the press conference.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The officer involved is allegedly the department's "best officer". "If he's your best, Indianola, you need a clean house from top to bottom," Moore said.</p>

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As the United States marked the third anniversary of George Floyd’s killing, another horrific incident has come to light where a Black boy from Mississippi, Aderrien Murry, was shot in the chest by the state police after the 11-year-old called them seeking help, as per reports.

As the United States marked the third anniversary of George Floyd’s killing, another horrific incident has come to light where a Black boy from Mississippi, Aderrien Murry, was shot in the chest by the state police after the 11-year-old called them seeking help, as per reports. According to his family, the boy has now been released from hospital. As per reports, the boy dialled the police calling for help. Mississippi police arrived at Aderrien Murry's home jumping into action over the domestic disturbance call, the boy's mother said, adding the police shot the black boy in the chest. 'What did I do?' the boy asks after being shot The 11-year-old's mother Nakala Murry said her son questioned her "What did I do?" after he was shot by the police officer. The horrific shooting incident is now being investigated. Meanwhile, the officer involved in the incident has been sent on leave. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has lodged a probe to investigate the incident. Also Read | More than 5,000 new species discovered on seabed of Pacific Ocean According to the mother, the boy is recovering at home after being released from a local hospital. The boy was treated for fractured ribs, collapsed lung and a lacerated liver. In a rage over the shooting incident, Nakala is demanding that the officer must be fired and charged for shooting his innocent son. Why did the boy call the police? Nakala Murry, in a presser Monday outside Indianola City Hall said that prior to the incident the father of her other child came by at their house on Saturday morning. She said that he was acting "irate" and it made her instruct her son to call the police. Also Read | Elon Musk's Neuralink cleared for human test of brain implants Shortly after the call was made to the police, an Indianola officer arrived at their house. In a conversation with CNN, Murry said that the police officer "had his gun drawn at the front door." Describing details of the incident, she said that the police officer asked everyone inside to exit the house. She told the media outlet that the officer opened fire as soon as her son turned the corner of the hallway. The gunfire struck Aderrien in the chest, she said. "His words were: 'Why did he shoot me? What did I do?' and he started crying," Ms Murry said. "This cannot keep happening. This is not OK." She also revealed how she acted like a first responder to tackle the situation. Her son was bleeding from the wound when she applied pressure on the wound. Watch | Battleground Bakhmut: Russia vs Ukraine | WION Wideangle × Lending a hand to her in aiding her son was the officer, she said. Later, medics arrived and the boy was rushed to the University of Mississippi Medical Centre. At the hospital, the son was given a chest tube and placed on a ventilator. Nakala Murry calls for action Murry along with her family's lawyer, Carlos Moore, called on officials to take action against the officer involved. "What are you waiting on? Someone to actually die?" Moore said during the press conference. The officer involved is allegedly the department's "best officer". "If he's your best, Indianola, you need a clean house from top to bottom," Moore said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

11-year-old Black boy shot in chest by Mississippi police he called for help

Amid Revelations about US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden's Tax Affairs, a former US state senator suggests that authorities should shift their attention to more serious matters which are related to the Biden family. He claims efforts are on by the Biden family via the Department of Justice to scuttle the probe against Hunter. An Internal State Revenue whistleblower named Gary Shapley dropped a bombshell on Hunter Biden's shady dealings.

IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley probes Hunter Biden's tax affairs

Nations around the world are brawling over becoming the dominant power in space. Major global powers like Russia, China & the United States are competing with each other. As per a senior military official, the U.S. is ready for conflict in outer space. U.S. is alarmed by growing Russian aggression & China’s vision to become dominant space power by mid-century.

Is the U.S. prepared to fight in space amid threat posed by ‘provocative’ Russia & China?

Crisis in Sudan worsens, dozens of infants die due to the ongoing civil war

India, China and other countries congratulate Erdogan on his historic win

Nearly 1.4 million people have now been displaced in Sudan since the conflict between two rival generals erupted in April, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Sunday in a new report that exposes the scale of the catastrophe engulfing the African nation.

Nearly 1.4 million people displaced in Sudan since civil war erupted, UN report says

Germany has become the first major economy to enter a recession. But only a few economies in the world are currently in recession. However, that has not stopped people from worrying about the recession. A multi-nation survey by polling agency ipsos has found that the fears about recession are far more widespread than actual recession.

Is the world really in recession?

Asian markets are reacting to the tentative US Debt deal. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 surged to 33-year record levels, jumping 2%. The broader Topix index also experienced gains, rising by 1.26%. However, the hang seng index is on a decline, defying the overall optimism in the global markets.

Asian markets rally over tentative US Debt deal

The American economy is at a tipping point. US debt has now reached a level equal to the annual output of it's economy. The government has till June fifth- a week, to reach a bipartisan deal that will ensure the nation does not default on it's debt payment. While the deal remains to be inked, leaders from either side of the aisle have now reassured the American people that an agreement has been reached 'in principle'.

US President Biden & House Speaker McCarthy agree to debt crisis deal 'in principle'

<p>The United States and Saudi Arabia, on Sunday (May 28) called for an extension of the seven-day ceasefire deal in Sudan, a day prior to its expiration. This comes as there was ease in heavy fighting following the implementation of the Washington and Riyadh-brokered ceasefire deal between the warring Sudanese army and the paramilitary faction Rapid Support Forces (RSF).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>US-Saudi Arabia on the extension</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia and the US-brokered talks in Jeddah led to a week-long ceasefire deal, which is set to expire at 9:45 pm (local time) Monday. During this time, the two countries have been remotely monitoring the situation in Sudan to see if both factions were adhering to the ceasefire, which has been repeatedly violated.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-shocked-by-letter-from-sudans-military-ruler-urging-special-envoy-be-replaced-597071">UN chief ‘shocked’ by letter from Sudan’s military ruler urging removal of special envoy</a></strong></p>

<p>In a joint statement, Washington and Riyadh called on the leaders of the warring factions to “continue discussions to reach agreement on extending the ceasefire”. It added, “While imperfect, an extension nonetheless will facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people.”</p>

<h2><strong>Warring factions discuss possibility of an extension</strong></h2>

<p>The RSF said it is ready to discuss the possibility of an extension while it continues to monitor the truce, in order to “test the seriousness and commitment of the other party” and it will then decide whether to proceed with the renewal of the agreement or not. Meanwhile, the Sudanese army has also said that it was discussing the possibility of an extension, as per Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is happening in Sudan?</strong></h2>

<p>The fighting which began over a month ago has turned the Sudanese capital city of Khartoum into a battlefield for the two warring factions, which has since spread across the nation. The conflict has also displaced over 1.3 million people. According to the United Nations’ children agency, over 700 people have been killed, out of which 190 were children, while&nbsp;6,000 others were injured.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sudan-ceasefire-violated-after-five-days-clashes-in-khartoum-on-wednesday-596312">Sudan: Ceasefire violated after five days, clashes in Khartoum on Wednesday</a></strong></p>

<p>While the US and Saudi Arabia-brokered deal brought some respite from the heavy fighting, sporadic clashes and air strikes have carried on across Sudan, as per media reports and eyewitnesses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Furthermore, UN and aid groups have said that despite the truce they continued to struggle to procure bureaucratic approvals and security guarantees to transport aid and staff to Khartoum and other places.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a report by the Associated Press, residents have reported sporadic clashes and army aircraft were seen flying over the city on Sunday in parts of Omdurman.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-witnesses-clashes-despite-ceasefire-fighting-displaces-over-one-million-596176">Sudan witnesses clashes amid ceasefire; more than a million people displaced due to fighting</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, the detention of Dr. Alaa Eldin Awad Nogoud, a prominent surgeon and pro-democracy activist, in Omdurman, has sparked outrage among medical and rights groups in and outside of Sudan, as per the media report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A group of armed men stormed Nogoud’s home Sunday and detained him, said Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, adding that he has been taken to an unknown location. The armed men claimed to be members of the military and the intelligence service, said Forces of Freedom and Change, the pro-democracy coalition.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/about-26-billion-required-in-sudan-for-humanitarian-needs-un-593419">About $2.6 billion required in Sudan for humanitarian needs: UN</a></strong></p>

<p>Recently, the fighting has also spread to the capital of North Darfur State, El Fashir, where one hospital reported three deaths and 26 injuries on Saturday, including children, as per the Darfur Bar Association, an activist group.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em><br />
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The United States and Saudi Arabia, on Sunday (May 28) called for an extension of the seven-day ceasefire deal in Sudan, a day prior to its expiration. This comes as there was ease in heavy fighting following the implementation of the Washington and Riyadh-brokered ceasefire deal between the warring Sudanese army and the paramilitary faction Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The United States and Saudi Arabia, on Sunday (May 28) called for an extension of the seven-day ceasefire deal in Sudan, a day prior to its expiration. This comes as there was ease in heavy fighting following the implementation of the Washington and Riyadh-brokered ceasefire deal between the warring Sudanese army and the paramilitary faction Rapid Support Forces (RSF). US-Saudi Arabia on the extension Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia and the US-brokered talks in Jeddah led to a week-long ceasefire deal, which is set to expire at 9:45 pm (local time) Monday. During this time, the two countries have been remotely monitoring the situation in Sudan to see if both factions were adhering to the ceasefire, which has been repeatedly violated. ALSO READ | UN chief ‘shocked’ by letter from Sudan’s military ruler urging removal of special envoy In a joint statement, Washington and Riyadh called on the leaders of the warring factions to “continue discussions to reach agreement on extending the ceasefire”. It added, “While imperfect, an extension nonetheless will facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people.” Warring factions discuss possibility of an extension The RSF said it is ready to discuss the possibility of an extension while it continues to monitor the truce, in order to “test the seriousness and commitment of the other party” and it will then decide whether to proceed with the renewal of the agreement or not. Meanwhile, the Sudanese army has also said that it was discussing the possibility of an extension, as per Reuters. What is happening in Sudan? The fighting which began over a month ago has turned the Sudanese capital city of Khartoum into a battlefield for the two warring factions, which has since spread across the nation. The conflict has also displaced over 1.3 million people. According to the United Nations’ children agency, over 700 people have been killed, out of which 190 were children, while 6,000 others were injured. ALSO WATCH | Sudan: Ceasefire violated after five days, clashes in Khartoum on Wednesday While the US and Saudi Arabia-brokered deal brought some respite from the heavy fighting, sporadic clashes and air strikes have carried on across Sudan, as per media reports and eyewitnesses. Furthermore, UN and aid groups have said that despite the truce they continued to struggle to procure bureaucratic approvals and security guarantees to transport aid and staff to Khartoum and other places. According to a report by the Associated Press, residents have reported sporadic clashes and army aircraft were seen flying over the city on Sunday in parts of Omdurman. ALSO READ | Sudan witnesses clashes amid ceasefire; more than a million people displaced due to fighting Meanwhile, the detention of Dr. Alaa Eldin Awad Nogoud, a prominent surgeon and pro-democracy activist, in Omdurman, has sparked outrage among medical and rights groups in and outside of Sudan, as per the media report. A group of armed men stormed Nogoud’s home Sunday and detained him, said Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, adding that he has been taken to an unknown location. The armed men claimed to be members of the military and the intelligence service, said Forces of Freedom and Change, the pro-democracy coalition. ALSO READ | About $2.6 billion required in Sudan for humanitarian needs: UN Recently, the fighting has also spread to the capital of North Darfur State, El Fashir, where one hospital reported three deaths and 26 injuries on Saturday, including children, as per the Darfur Bar Association, an activist group. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sudan conflict: US, Saudi Arabia call for extension of week-long ‘imperfect’ ceasefire

India can soon make its way into NATO plus say US congressional committee which has recommended inclusion of New Delhi in the five-member grouping. The recommendation comes ahead of prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US next month.

US committee suggests inclusion of India into a 5-member grouping

<p>The Texas House moved to impeach the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton, on Saturday (May 27), in a historic vote, alleging that his conduct included a slew of abuses of his office. The impeachment, which was the first time in decades, followed a vote from the 149-member Republican-led Texas House where Paxton had been accused of abuse of office by his fellow GOP members.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Proceedings and the vote&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The three-term attorney general and former United States President Donald Trump ally,&nbsp;Paxton, was immediately suspended after the House of Representatives in Texas voted 121-23 to impeach him&nbsp;after hours of debate on the 20 articles, which included allegations of bribery and abuse of public trust filed against him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the debate, the House chamber heard speeches from both supporters and opponents of the impeachment. The decision followed a majority vote against Paxton, with two members present but not voting, while three were absent. After the vote, the now-suspended attorney general took to Twitter and denied the accusations and denounced the proceedings as “illegal, unethical, and profoundly unjust.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added, “I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I have full confidence the process will be fair and just.” However, Paxton’s permanent ouster is still pending trial from the US Senate where his wife Angela Paxton is a senator. As per the Texas Senate website, they are in recess until 1:00 pm (local time), on Sunday.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The debate also comes after the five-member Texas House General Investigating Committee voted unanimously, on Thursday, and recommended that Paxton be impeached and removed from office.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The development also comes at a time when divides inside the Republican Party are becoming more apparent in Texas. “Attorney General Paxton continuously and blatantly violated laws, rules, policies and procedures,” said Representative David Spiller.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Spiller, who was also a part of the House investigative committee,&nbsp;also revealed that the investigation against Paxton has been going on for months. On the other hand, John Smithee, a long-time conservative member of the chamber, said while he is not defending Paxton’s actions, he criticised the process and said there was not sufficient evidence for the proceedings.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“There is not one word, not one sentence in the testimony before you that would be admissible in any Texas court of law,” said Smithee, adding that “It is hearsay within hearsay within hearsay.” Ahead of the vote, on Saturday, Trump had also taken to his social media platform Truth Social and vowed to “fight” if the Republican-led Texas House were to impeach Paxton.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Why is Paxton being impeached?</strong></h2>

<p>The Republican-led committee had 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton following the vote, accusing him of a long list of abuses, including accepting bribes, failing to perform his official duties, obstructing justice in a separate securities fraud case that is pending against him, lying on official documents and reports, and abusing the public trust.</p>

<p>This includes&nbsp;conducting an alleged sham investigation against whistleblowers in his office whom he fired, felony securities fraud charges from 2015, and an ongoing FBI investigation into corruption accusations, among other offences.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em><br />
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The Texas House moved to impeach the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton, on Saturday (May 27), in a historic vote, alleging that his conduct included a slew of abuses of his office.

The Texas House moved to impeach the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton, on Saturday (May 27), in a historic vote, alleging that his conduct included a slew of abuses of his office. The impeachment, which was the first time in decades, followed a vote from the 149-member Republican-led Texas House where Paxton had been accused of abuse of office by his fellow GOP members. Proceedings and the vote The three-term attorney general and former United States President Donald Trump ally, Paxton, was immediately suspended after the House of Representatives in Texas voted 121-23 to impeach him after hours of debate on the 20 articles, which included allegations of bribery and abuse of public trust filed against him. During the debate, the House chamber heard speeches from both supporters and opponents of the impeachment. The decision followed a majority vote against Paxton, with two members present but not voting, while three were absent. After the vote, the now-suspended attorney general took to Twitter and denied the accusations and denounced the proceedings as “illegal, unethical, and profoundly unjust.” He added, “I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I have full confidence the process will be fair and just.” However, Paxton’s permanent ouster is still pending trial from the US Senate where his wife Angela Paxton is a senator. As per the Texas Senate website, they are in recess until 1:00 pm (local time), on Sunday. The debate also comes after the five-member Texas House General Investigating Committee voted unanimously, on Thursday, and recommended that Paxton be impeached and removed from office. The development also comes at a time when divides inside the Republican Party are becoming more apparent in Texas. “Attorney General Paxton continuously and blatantly violated laws, rules, policies and procedures,” said Representative David Spiller. Spiller, who was also a part of the House investigative committee, also revealed that the investigation against Paxton has been going on for months. On the other hand, John Smithee, a long-time conservative member of the chamber, said while he is not defending Paxton’s actions, he criticised the process and said there was not sufficient evidence for the proceedings. “There is not one word, not one sentence in the testimony before you that would be admissible in any Texas court of law,” said Smithee, adding that “It is hearsay within hearsay within hearsay.” Ahead of the vote, on Saturday, Trump had also taken to his social media platform Truth Social and vowed to “fight” if the Republican-led Texas House were to impeach Paxton. Why is Paxton being impeached? The Republican-led committee had 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton following the vote, accusing him of a long list of abuses, including accepting bribes, failing to perform his official duties, obstructing justice in a separate securities fraud case that is pending against him, lying on official documents and reports, and abusing the public trust. This includes conducting an alleged sham investigation against whistleblowers in his office whom he fired, felony securities fraud charges from 2015, and an ongoing FBI investigation into corruption accusations, among other offences. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Texas House votes to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton amid fraud, bribery allegations

The United States and China have one of the world’s most important and complex bilateral relationships. Since 1949, the countries have experienced periods of both tension and cooperation over issues including Taiwan, South China Sea and climate change. Trade between the world’s two biggest economies has ballooned in recent decades, bringing significant benefits. However, it has also led to frictions over china’s state-led development and calls to rethink the relationship. After a period of soaring tensions, is there a thaw in Washington-Beijing ties?

Thaw in U.S-China relationship? Spotlight on Beijing's state-led development, calls to rethink ties

The projected debt ceiling deadline has been extended to June 5, 2023, four days later than previously estimated, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday. Yet, Yellen renewed her warning in a letter to Congress that inaction on raising the borrowing limit would ‘cause severe hardship.’

US debt ceiling talks continue with new 5 June deadline

<p>In an effort to make Diwali a federal holiday in the US, lawmaker Grace Meng on Friday introduced a bill on the same in the Congress.&nbsp;"Today, I was proud to announce the introduction of the #Diwali Day Act, my bill that would make Diwali a federal holiday. Thank you to all my government colleagues and the many advocates who joined me to express their support," Meng, the First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus tweeted on Saturday.</p>

<p>The bill cited as Diwali Day Act would designate Diwali as the 12th official federal holiday in the US.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/night-train-connecting-brussels-berlin-starts-operations-push-for-less-polluting-alternatives-to-air-travel-597009">Night train connecting Brussels-Berlin starts operations. Push for less polluting alternatives to air travel</a></p>

<p>After introducing the bill in the House of Representatives, Meng, in a virtual conference, said: "Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States."</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aid-worker-arrives-in-belgium-after-prisoner-swap-with-iranian-diplomat-597006">Aid worker arrives in Belgium after prisoner swap with Iranian diplomat</a></p>

<p>“Diwali celebrations are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year it is easy to see just how important this day is to so many people. America’s strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures and communities that make up this nation. My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day, and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meng has also made efforts to make Diwali a school holiday in New York City, her hometown. The US Representative continues to advocate for state and local recognition of Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Eid.</p>

<h2><strong>Pennsylvania declares Diwali as official holiday</strong></h2>

<p>In April, the US state of Pennsylvania declared Diwali as a state holiday. The state House passed a bill recognising the Hindu festival as an official holiday.</p>

<p>“The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the opportunity to join you in introducing this bill," Senator Nikil Saval tweeted.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate new parliament on May 28</strong></p>

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<p>Two senators from Pennsylvania, Greg Rothman and Nikil Saval, introduced the bill to recognise Diwali as a state holiday in February of this year. More than 600,000 Asian Americans call Pennsylvania home, with Indian Americans constituting the biggest subgroup, according to India American Impact. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Every year, the state's almost 200,000 Indian Americans celebrate Diwali in splendour.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Significant festival in India&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a significant festival in India and is celebrated by millions of people around the world. It is known as the "Festival of Lights" and symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. In the United States, Diwali is celebrated by the Indian diaspora and people from various cultural backgrounds.<br />
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In an effort to make Diwali a federal holiday in the US, lawmaker Grace Meng on Friday introduced a bill on the same in the Congress. "Today, I was proud to announce the introduction of the #Diwali Day Act, my bill that would make Diwali a federal holiday.

In an effort to make Diwali a federal holiday in the US, lawmaker Grace Meng on Friday introduced a bill on the same in the Congress. "Today, I was proud to announce the introduction of the #Diwali Day Act, my bill that would make Diwali a federal holiday. Thank you to all my government colleagues and the many advocates who joined me to express their support," Meng, the First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus tweeted on Saturday. The bill cited as Diwali Day Act would designate Diwali as the 12th official federal holiday in the US. Also Read | Night train connecting Brussels-Berlin starts operations. Push for less polluting alternatives to air travel After introducing the bill in the House of Representatives, Meng, in a virtual conference, said: "Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States." Also Read | Aid worker arrives in Belgium after prisoner swap with Iranian diplomat “Diwali celebrations are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year it is easy to see just how important this day is to so many people. America’s strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures and communities that make up this nation. My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day, and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress," she added. Meng has also made efforts to make Diwali a school holiday in New York City, her hometown. The US Representative continues to advocate for state and local recognition of Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Eid. Pennsylvania declares Diwali as official holiday In April, the US state of Pennsylvania declared Diwali as a state holiday. The state House passed a bill recognising the Hindu festival as an official holiday. “The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the opportunity to join you in introducing this bill," Senator Nikil Saval tweeted. Watch | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate new parliament on May 28 × Two senators from Pennsylvania, Greg Rothman and Nikil Saval, introduced the bill to recognise Diwali as a state holiday in February of this year. More than 600,000 Asian Americans call Pennsylvania home, with Indian Americans constituting the biggest subgroup, according to India American Impact. Every year, the state's almost 200,000 Indian Americans celebrate Diwali in splendour. Significant festival in India Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a significant festival in India and is celebrated by millions of people around the world. It is known as the "Festival of Lights" and symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. In the United States, Diwali is celebrated by the Indian diaspora and people from various cultural backgrounds. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

US lawmaker Grace Meng introduces bill to declare Hindu festival of Diwali a federal holiday

<p>Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday of May each year. It is a day of remembrance and tribute to the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.&nbsp;The day is an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the sacrifices made by members of the military and to express their patriotism and appreciation for their country. It serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom and the importance of upholding the values and ideals for which soldiers fought.</p>

<h2><strong>What is the significance of Memorial Day in US?</strong></h2>

<p>Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring and remembering the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country. It serves as a time for reflection, gratitude, and remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to the nation.</p>

<h2><strong>History of Memorial Day&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The origins of Memorial Day can be traced back to the American Civil War (1861-1865), a conflict that resulted in a staggering loss of lives.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Various communities and states began holding memorial ceremonies to honour the fallen soldiers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Memorial Day is also known as Decoration Day. The first Memorial Day was observed in Columbus, Mississippi, on April 25, 1866. Women placed flowers on the graves of Confederate soldiers who lost their lives in the Shiloh conflict, a battle which was fought on April 6-7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Three years after the Civil War's end, on May 5, 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic, a group of Union veterans, established Decoration Day, continuing the custom of laying flowers on soldiers' graves.</p>

<h2><strong>Observances on Memorial Day</strong></h2>

<p>The day is observed in different ways throughout the country. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials to pay respects by placing flowers or flags on the graves of fallen soldiers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Parades, memorial services, and commemorative events are also held across the nation, often involving military personnel, veterans organisations, and community groups.</p>

<h2><strong>Memorial Day&nbsp;traditions </strong></h2>

<p>In addition to honouring the fallen soldiers, Memorial Day is also associated with other customs and traditions. It marks the unofficial start of the summer season in the US, and many people take advantage of the long weekend to spend time with family and friends, enjoy outdoor activities, and participate in barbecues or picnics.</p>

<h2><strong>National Moment of Remembrance</strong></h2>

<p>In honour and recognition of fallen service members, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, has requested that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer and reflection. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aid-worker-arrives-in-belgium-after-prisoner-swap-with-iranian-diplomat-597006">Aid worker arrives in Belgium after prisoner swap with Iranian diplomat</a></p>

<p>Congress designated 3:00 p.m. local time as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance is a significant aspect of Memorial Day observances. At 3:00 PM local time, people are encouraged to pause for a minute of silence to remember and honour the fallen.</p>

<p>It is important to note that while Memorial Day has a somber significance, it is distinct from Veterans Day, which is celebrated in November and honours all military veterans, living and deceased, who have served in the US Armed Forces.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate new parliament on May 28</strong></p>

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<p>In a statement earlier, US President Joe Biden proclaimed Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, as a day of prayer for permanent peace.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance. I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day," he said in a White House statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He requested the US Governors and its Commonwealths and Territories, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"I encourage families, friends, and neighbours to post tributes to our fallen service members through the Veterans Legacy Memorial at vlm.cem.va.gov so that we may learn more about the lives and contributions of those buried in National, State, and Tribal veteran cemeteries. &nbsp;I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Biden said that Memorial Day will always be a day where pain and pride are mixed together.&nbsp; "To all those who are mourning the loss of a service member — including America’s Gold Star Families — we see you and grieve with you. &nbsp;And we know that on this day especially, the pain of their absence can feel overwhelming," the statement added.&nbsp;<br />
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Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday of May each year. It is a day of remembrance and tribute to the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday of May each year. It is a day of remembrance and tribute to the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The day is an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the sacrifices made by members of the military and to express their patriotism and appreciation for their country. It serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom and the importance of upholding the values and ideals for which soldiers fought. What is the significance of Memorial Day in US? Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring and remembering the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country. It serves as a time for reflection, gratitude, and remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to the nation. History of Memorial Day The origins of Memorial Day can be traced back to the American Civil War (1861-1865), a conflict that resulted in a staggering loss of lives. Also Read | Night train connecting Brussels-Berlin starts operations. Push for less polluting alternatives to air travel Various communities and states began holding memorial ceremonies to honour the fallen soldiers. Memorial Day is also known as Decoration Day. The first Memorial Day was observed in Columbus, Mississippi, on April 25, 1866. Women placed flowers on the graves of Confederate soldiers who lost their lives in the Shiloh conflict, a battle which was fought on April 6-7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. Three years after the Civil War's end, on May 5, 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic, a group of Union veterans, established Decoration Day, continuing the custom of laying flowers on soldiers' graves. Observances on Memorial Day The day is observed in different ways throughout the country. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials to pay respects by placing flowers or flags on the graves of fallen soldiers. Parades, memorial services, and commemorative events are also held across the nation, often involving military personnel, veterans organisations, and community groups. Memorial Day traditions In addition to honouring the fallen soldiers, Memorial Day is also associated with other customs and traditions. It marks the unofficial start of the summer season in the US, and many people take advantage of the long weekend to spend time with family and friends, enjoy outdoor activities, and participate in barbecues or picnics. National Moment of Remembrance In honour and recognition of fallen service members, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, has requested that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer and reflection. Also Read | Aid worker arrives in Belgium after prisoner swap with Iranian diplomat Congress designated 3:00 p.m. local time as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance is a significant aspect of Memorial Day observances. At 3:00 PM local time, people are encouraged to pause for a minute of silence to remember and honour the fallen. It is important to note that while Memorial Day has a somber significance, it is distinct from Veterans Day, which is celebrated in November and honours all military veterans, living and deceased, who have served in the US Armed Forces. Watch | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate new parliament on May 28 × In a statement earlier, US President Joe Biden proclaimed Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, as a day of prayer for permanent peace. "I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance. I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day," he said in a White House statement. He requested the US Governors and its Commonwealths and Territories, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. "I encourage families, friends, and neighbours to post tributes to our fallen service members through the Veterans Legacy Memorial at vlm.cem.va.gov so that we may learn more about the lives and contributions of those buried in National, State, and Tribal veteran cemeteries. I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period," he added. Biden said that Memorial Day will always be a day where pain and pride are mixed together. "To all those who are mourning the loss of a service member — including America’s Gold Star Families — we see you and grieve with you. And we know that on this day especially, the pain of their absence can feel overwhelming," the statement added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

EXPLAINED: What is Memorial Day in US? Know history, significance of this federal holiday

Top leaders at the Pentagon are defending their decision to hold off US support for F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Initially reluctant, the US and other NATO countries recently agreed to allow Ukrainian pilots to receive training to fly F-16 fighters. However, none has yet committed to hand over any planes. US defence secretary said he hopes that training for Ukrainian pilots on American-made F-16 jets will begin in the coming weeks.

No NATO nation has agreed to hand over F-16 fighter jets, says US top General Mark Miley

First Republic Bank, known for catering to affluent clients in California and New York, was once a thriving institution. However, its undoing came in the form of unusually sweet mortgages and jaw-dropping compensation for its employees. The collapse of the San Francisco-based bank, now under the control of JP Morgan chase, has left regulators stunned and the industry questioning the role of incentives.

Lavish incentives sink First Republic Bank

Delegations from across Asia will converge on Detroit, Michigan later this week to review negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework – or IPEF. This is the economic element in Washington’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. And now, the Biden administration is trying to restore faith in its commitment to the region after cancelling a historic visit as VOA’s Jessica Stone reports.

WION-VOA Co-Production: US to host Indo-Pacific economic framework meet

Moody's said that the mid-June interest payment on treasuries will be crucial for the United States to preserve its highest investment grade rating at AAA. This comes as the debt deal negotiations show no clear progress and the time draws closer.

US debt: A race against time | World DNA

<p>The case of Madeleine McCann, a British girl&nbsp;who vanished 16 years ago at the age of three from a holiday apartment in Portugal, resurfaced this week to dominate global coverage as Portuguese authorities restarted their search&nbsp;for her.</p>

<p>The police conducted the search, which entered its third day on Thursday (May 25), in the Algarve area of Portugal, where the minor&nbsp;went missing in 2007 while on holiday with her parents and siblings.</p>

<p>The search had been requested by German officials and was being carried out in the presence of British authorities, according to the police.</p>

<p>Officers are scouring an area near the Arade Dam, some 30 miles from the beach hamlet of Praia da Luz, where the family was on holiday.</p>

<p>According to local media, the location was visited by a German man who has been mentioned as a suspect in the case. Hans Christian Wolters, a German prosecutor, told NDR that "we just have some indications that we might find evidence there," as reported by the New York Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The searches have reignited a case that has gripped Europe for years, spurring a multinational search effort and become the topic of books, front pages, and a Netflix documentary series, as well as endless conjecture, false hopes, and tips.</p>

<h2><strong>How did&nbsp;Madeleine disappear?</strong></h2>

<p>Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, stated they left Madeleine and her siblings, two-year-old twins, in their holiday apartment while they dined at a nearby restaurant.</p>

<p>When Madeleine's father checked on the kids at 9 p.m., they were all there, but when his wife checked on them about an hour later, Madeleine was gone. Soon after, a search began, although it yielded few substantial leads.</p>

<p>The girl's disappearance sparked an outpouring of public attention and sadness comparable to the British national mourning following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, with Madeleine's face emblazoned on "Missing" posters and T-shirts.</p>

<p>An early inquiry by Portuguese police yielded no tangible evidence but generated significant condemnation because Madeleine's parents were labelled as suspects. They were formally cleared in 2008.</p>

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<p>In 2020, German prosecutors stated unequivocally that they did not expect to locate Madeleine alive, and that fresh evidence led them to think that the girl was most likely the victim of a homicide.</p>

<h2><strong>Who is the suspect?</strong></h2>

<p>It was unclear why the additional searches were launched, but German officials said in 2020 that a German sex offender was being investigated on suspicion of murder. They did not identify him, but German news outlets recognised him as Christian B.</p>

<p>From 1995 until 2007, the suspect resided in the Algarve area of Portugal on and off. He has a criminal record for child sexual abuse, and he was already in a German jail at the time of his identification for an unrelated sexual crime and narcotics offences. According to a German prosecutor, the suspect made a profit not just from drug peddling but also from working in restaurants, selling old automobiles, and stealing from hotel rooms and holiday houses.</p>

<p>After making a public plea on the 10th anniversary of Madeleine's abduction in 2017, British authorities announced they got their first information concerning the suspect. He has never been charged with any charges in connection with her disappearance, and he has consistently denied any participation. The Portuguese police made him an official suspect in 2022.</p>

<p>In recent years, British media have been filled with interviews with people who have known the suspect in an attempt to piece together helpful information.</p>

<h2><strong>What about previous search operations?</strong></h2>

<p>Hundreds of people have helped the family search for Madeleine all around the world.</p>

<p>The joint effort by German and Portuguese officials is the first formal search in the dam region, however in 2008, Marcos Arago Correia, a Portuguese lawyer unrelated to the case, engaged professional divers to explore the area after receiving some clues.</p>

<p>In 2014, British police searched scrubland near the resort where Madeleine went missing for several days as part of Operation Grange, but discovered no evidence.</p>

<p>On May 3, Madeleine’s family gathered to commemorate the 16th anniversary of her disappearance. “Still missing ……. still very much missed,” her family wrote in a statement. “We await a breakthrough,” it added.</p>

<h2><strong>What's the latest?</strong></h2>

<p>Portuguese authorities say,&nbsp;"material collected" during the three days of looking for Madeleine McCann would be transported to Germany for examination.</p>

<p>It comes as the operation comes to a close, with tents and heavy gear being removed.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-default-would-harm-us-military-readiness-and-morale-but-biden-vows-respite-596558">US default would harm US military 'readiness and morale', but Biden vows respite</a></p>

<p>Officers in the Algarve have been investigating the reservoir and adjacent scrubland after getting "certain tip-offs."</p>

<p>It is unknown whether anything important was discovered in Portugal, however a number of suitcases were hauled away.</p>

<p>Police said the search "resulted in the collection of some material that will be subject to the competent expertise", and that it would "be handed over to the German authorities".</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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The case of Madeleine McCann, a British girl who vanished 16 years ago at the age of three from a holiday apartment in Portugal, resurfaced this week to dominate global coverage as Portuguese authorities restarted their search for her.

The case of Madeleine McCann, a British girl who vanished 16 years ago at the age of three from a holiday apartment in Portugal, resurfaced this week to dominate global coverage as Portuguese authorities restarted their search for her. The police conducted the search, which entered its third day on Thursday (May 25), in the Algarve area of Portugal, where the minor went missing in 2007 while on holiday with her parents and siblings. The search had been requested by German officials and was being carried out in the presence of British authorities, according to the police. Officers are scouring an area near the Arade Dam, some 30 miles from the beach hamlet of Praia da Luz, where the family was on holiday. According to local media, the location was visited by a German man who has been mentioned as a suspect in the case. Hans Christian Wolters, a German prosecutor, told NDR that "we just have some indications that we might find evidence there," as reported by the New York Times. The searches have reignited a case that has gripped Europe for years, spurring a multinational search effort and become the topic of books, front pages, and a Netflix documentary series, as well as endless conjecture, false hopes, and tips. How did Madeleine disappear? Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, stated they left Madeleine and her siblings, two-year-old twins, in their holiday apartment while they dined at a nearby restaurant. When Madeleine's father checked on the kids at 9 p.m., they were all there, but when his wife checked on them about an hour later, Madeleine was gone. Soon after, a search began, although it yielded few substantial leads. The girl's disappearance sparked an outpouring of public attention and sadness comparable to the British national mourning following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, with Madeleine's face emblazoned on "Missing" posters and T-shirts. An early inquiry by Portuguese police yielded no tangible evidence but generated significant condemnation because Madeleine's parents were labelled as suspects. They were formally cleared in 2008. ALSO READ | Ron DeSantis hauls in $8.2 mn in fundraising in first 24 hours In 2020, German prosecutors stated unequivocally that they did not expect to locate Madeleine alive, and that fresh evidence led them to think that the girl was most likely the victim of a homicide. Who is the suspect? It was unclear why the additional searches were launched, but German officials said in 2020 that a German sex offender was being investigated on suspicion of murder. They did not identify him, but German news outlets recognised him as Christian B. From 1995 until 2007, the suspect resided in the Algarve area of Portugal on and off. He has a criminal record for child sexual abuse, and he was already in a German jail at the time of his identification for an unrelated sexual crime and narcotics offences. According to a German prosecutor, the suspect made a profit not just from drug peddling but also from working in restaurants, selling old automobiles, and stealing from hotel rooms and holiday houses. After making a public plea on the 10th anniversary of Madeleine's abduction in 2017, British authorities announced they got their first information concerning the suspect. He has never been charged with any charges in connection with her disappearance, and he has consistently denied any participation. The Portuguese police made him an official suspect in 2022. In recent years, British media have been filled with interviews with people who have known the suspect in an attempt to piece together helpful information. What about previous search operations? Hundreds of people have helped the family search for Madeleine all around the world. The joint effort by German and Portuguese officials is the first formal search in the dam region, however in 2008, Marcos Arago Correia, a Portuguese lawyer unrelated to the case, engaged professional divers to explore the area after receiving some clues. In 2014, British police searched scrubland near the resort where Madeleine went missing for several days as part of Operation Grange, but discovered no evidence. On May 3, Madeleine’s family gathered to commemorate the 16th anniversary of her disappearance. “Still missing ……. still very much missed,” her family wrote in a statement. “We await a breakthrough,” it added. What's the latest? Portuguese authorities say, "material collected" during the three days of looking for Madeleine McCann would be transported to Germany for examination. It comes as the operation comes to a close, with tents and heavy gear being removed. ALSO READ | US default would harm US military 'readiness and morale', but Biden vows respite Officers in the Algarve have been investigating the reservoir and adjacent scrubland after getting "certain tip-offs." It is unknown whether anything important was discovered in Portugal, however a number of suitcases were hauled away. Police said the search "resulted in the collection of some material that will be subject to the competent expertise", and that it would "be handed over to the German authorities". WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained | Madeleine McCann case: Here's everything you need to know about her disappearance

<p>One in five Californian youngsters dies due to an overdose of fentanyl. As reported by the Guardian, one in five youngsters aged between 15-24 die due to an overdose of fentanyl.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The data reveals a shocking number of drug overdose cases</strong></h2>

<p>As per data presented by the consulting group California Health Policy Strategies, drug overdoses now kill two to three times as many people in the region as car accidents. Since 2017, deaths related to synthetic opioid, which is 50 times stronger than heroin, have increased by 1,027%.</p>

<p>As reported by the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) which collects information on deaths involving drugs under the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, the overall drug overdose deaths rose from 2019 to 2021.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-xylazine-flesh-eating-zombie-medicine-fuelling-overdoses-across-us-595898">Explained: What is Xylazine? Flesh-eating ‘zombie’ medicine fuelling overdose deaths across US</a></strong></p>

<p>As per reports of the NCHS, more than 1,06,000 people in the US have died from a drug-involved overdose in 2021 alone. Deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily fentanyl) continued to rise with 70,601 overdose deaths reported in 2021. Those involving stimulants, including cocaine or psychostimulants with abuse potential (primarily methamphetamine), also continued to increase with 32,537 overdose deaths in 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Additional spending by the government for an overdose medication</strong></h2>

<p>The recent statistics of deaths due to drug overdose has sent the government into a frenzy state, with the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, proposing an additional $172 million USD for a project distributing Naloxone - an overdose medication.</p>

<h2><strong>San Francisco hits the ground hard!</strong></h2>

<p>San Francisco has been hit particularly hard, with nearly one person dying of an accidental overdose every 10 hours. The city has seen an increase in cases of overdose, with around 200 reported cases of overdose in the first three months of 2023 as compared to 142 during the same period last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Fentanyl overdose crisis in USA: An American drug epidemic | Dark World</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Authorities search for a solution</strong></h2>

<p>This year, the San Franciscan government closed a key outreach center, where people were using drugs with medical supervision, and increased policing in the city’s Tenderloin district – a region that struggles with drug use.</p>

<p>California lawmakers on Wednesday, May 24 held the first hearing with a new committee formed to help alleviate the fentanyl crisis in the region.<br />
At the state level, Newsom has put around $ 1 billion USD toward efforts to alleviate the crisis. Lawmakers too, have sought to make overdose medication (Naloxone) widely available across the state.</p>

<p>(with inputs from agencies)</p>

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One in five Californian youngsters dies due to an overdose of fentanyl. As reported by the Guardian, one in five youngsters aged between 15-24 die due to an overdose of fentanyl.

One in five Californian youngsters dies due to an overdose of fentanyl. As reported by the Guardian, one in five youngsters aged between 15-24 die due to an overdose of fentanyl. The data reveals a shocking number of drug overdose cases As per data presented by the consulting group California Health Policy Strategies, drug overdoses now kill two to three times as many people in the region as car accidents. Since 2017, deaths related to synthetic opioid, which is 50 times stronger than heroin, have increased by 1,027%. As reported by the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) which collects information on deaths involving drugs under the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, the overall drug overdose deaths rose from 2019 to 2021. ALSO READ | Explained: What is Xylazine? Flesh-eating ‘zombie’ medicine fuelling overdose deaths across US As per reports of the NCHS, more than 1,06,000 people in the US have died from a drug-involved overdose in 2021 alone. Deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily fentanyl) continued to rise with 70,601 overdose deaths reported in 2021. Those involving stimulants, including cocaine or psychostimulants with abuse potential (primarily methamphetamine), also continued to increase with 32,537 overdose deaths in 2021. Additional spending by the government for an overdose medication The recent statistics of deaths due to drug overdose has sent the government into a frenzy state, with the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, proposing an additional $172 million USD for a project distributing Naloxone - an overdose medication. San Francisco hits the ground hard! San Francisco has been hit particularly hard, with nearly one person dying of an accidental overdose every 10 hours. The city has seen an increase in cases of overdose, with around 200 reported cases of overdose in the first three months of 2023 as compared to 142 during the same period last year. WATCH | Fentanyl overdose crisis in USA: An American drug epidemic | Dark World × Authorities search for a solution This year, the San Franciscan government closed a key outreach center, where people were using drugs with medical supervision, and increased policing in the city’s Tenderloin district – a region that struggles with drug use. California lawmakers on Wednesday, May 24 held the first hearing with a new committee formed to help alleviate the fentanyl crisis in the region. At the state level, Newsom has put around $ 1 billion USD toward efforts to alleviate the crisis. Lawmakers too, have sought to make overdose medication (Naloxone) widely available across the state. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Fentanyl causes one in five deaths in young Californians

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