Iran goes to polls on Friday. Over 15,000 people are contesting in this parliamentary election. More than 61 million people are eligible to vote but authorities fear most of them might skip this election. People are frustrated with rising inflation, growing political mistrust and quashed protests.

Iran Election: Array of political, social and economic problems

Iran: First election since Mahsa Amini protests | People quietly consider skipping the vote

Iran elections: Array of social, political & religious problems

Four Armenian soldiers were killed and another wounded by Azerbaijani fire along the two countries' heavily militarized border on the 13th of February. Baku claimed that the attack on the Armenian position was in retaliation to an Armenian provocation a day earlier in which one Azerbaijani soldier was wounded. Tuesday's flare-up in violence was the first since the Caucasus' arch-foes began negotiating a deal last year to end more than three decades of intermittent war. A couple of days after the border skirmish, Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, warned that Azerbaijan is planning a full-scale war against Armenia. Both nations have professed an interest in signing a peace treaty but continue to disagree over issues including precise demarcation of their border and control over several small territorial enclaves. Mohammed Saleh brings you the details.

Is Azerbaijan planning a full-scale war against Armenia?

India's Supreme Court has scrapped a seven-year-old election funding system, called "electoral bonds", that allows individuals and companies to donate money to political parties anonymously and without any limits.

India's Supreme Court strikes down electoral bonds scheme as unconstitutional

Snap elections are underway in Azerbaijan. Months after a conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh brought the Armenian separatist region under Azerbaijan's control. Voters are still queuing up to cast their ballots. But it is widely expected that President Ilham Aliyev would return to power for another 7 years.

Azerbaijan's president speculated to return to power for 7 more years

With the onset of 2024 brings with it the global election year. Almost half of the world's population will be voting across continents as election season officially kicks off this year. Watch to know more.

At least 40 countries to go to polls this year, here's a list of key elections

Israel's main Ally the US has kept up its support while expressing concerns over the growing casualty toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. US President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressing him to protect civilian lives in Gaza. Watch to know more.

Israel-Hamas war: President Biden presses PM Netanyahu to protect civilians in Gaza

Updates coming in from the Israel-Hamas War where fighting has escalated in Gaza during the last 24 hours and amid ongoing negotiation efforts. A United Nations Security Council vote on a bid to boost Aid to Gaza is now scheduled for Friday. To understand this better watch this interview with International Affairs Analyst Dr Gilbert Doctorow.

Israel-Hamas war: US said it could support the amended UNSC resolution

The UN Security Council has a long-delayed vote scheduled for Thursday on a new resolution about desperately needed aid to Gaza. Who says, no functioning hospital left in northern Gaza. To know more watch this interview with Palestinian Human Rights Defender Omar Barghouti.

Israel-Hamas war: UNSC vote delayed for fourth day

The UN Security Council has a long-delayed vote scheduled for Thursday on a new resolution about desperately needed aid to Gaza. Who says, no functioning hospital left in northern Gaza.

Israel-Hamas war: UN Security Council again delays vote on Gaza resolution

Armenian Parliament has voted to join the International Criminal Court a move which further strains ties with its old ally Russia. The decision will oblige the former Soviet Republic to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Armenia votes to join International Criminal Court

The US House of Representatives has narrowly passed the annual defence authorization bill. The much-debated bill has set policies for the Department of Defense, with controversial amendments by Republican members on hot-button social issues. The final vote on the National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA) stood at 219 to 210 with almost all Democrats voting against it.

New NDAA bill eliminates diversity programmes

Shocking revelations from the UK casting a cloud over the reach of democratic processes. A study by the studying the Electoral Commission says at least 14 000 people did not get access to voting rights in the recent local elections. The findings suggest the total tally of such cases could run into thousands as they lacked the right voter ID. The data consists of voting information from 230 councils in England that went to polls on the 4th of May.

UK's new controversial act requires voters to show photo IDs

New Zealand's supreme court ruled that the current voting age of 18 discriminates against 16-year-olds. The verdict means New Zealand will debate lowering its voting age. Priyanka Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Is 16 too young to vote?

Rishi Sunak, former finance minister of UK who has been touted as most likely to be next UK PM has topped first round of voting within the Conservative Party to elect its new leader. He got support from 88 MPs. He was followed by Penny Morduant who was a distant second with support from 67 Conservative MPs. The first round of voting has resulted in elimination of two candidates, Nadhim Zahawi and Jeremy Hunt.

Six candidates are still in the field: Rishi Sunak, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss, Tom Tugendhat.

Conservative Party is currently in the process of electing its new leader and thereby next UK prime minister who will succeed Boris Johnson, the current PM in caretaker role.&nbsp;

In order to progress to the next round of voting, candidates vying for the Conservative Party leadership had to obtain support of at least 30 Conservative MPs. The Conservative Party has 358 MPs in the parliament.

In Wednesday's vote, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss stood at third place with support from 50 MPs, Kemi Badenoch received 40 votes, Tom Tugendhat got 37 and Suella Braverman received 32 votes.

Rishi Sunak was one of the high-profile names to quit from Boris Johnson's government. The image of Johnson's government has been taking severe beating due to back-to-back scandals. What started with 'partygate' appeared to end at sacking of Tory deputy chief whip Chris Pincher who was accused of drunkenly groping men. Johnson had survived a no-confidence vote from his own party over alcohol-fuelled bashes held at his official residence just when Britain was under strict COVID lockdown.

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Rishi Sunak, former finance minister of UK who has been touted as most likely to be next UK PM has topped first round of voting within the Conservative Party to elect its new leader.

Rishi Sunak, former finance minister of UK who has been touted as most likely to be next UK PM has topped first round of voting within the Conservative Party to elect its new leader. He got support from 88 MPs. He was followed by Penny Morduant who was a distant second with support from 67 Conservative MPs. The first round of voting has resulted in elimination of two candidates, Nadhim Zahawi and Jeremy Hunt. Six candidates are still in the field: Rishi Sunak, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss, Tom Tugendhat. Conservative Party is currently in the process of electing its new leader and thereby next UK prime minister who will succeed Boris Johnson, the current PM in caretaker role. In order to progress to the next round of voting, candidates vying for the Conservative Party leadership had to obtain support of at least 30 Conservative MPs. The Conservative Party has 358 MPs in the parliament. In Wednesday's vote, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss stood at third place with support from 50 MPs, Kemi Badenoch received 40 votes, Tom Tugendhat got 37 and Suella Braverman received 32 votes. Rishi Sunak was one of the high-profile names to quit from Boris Johnson's government. The image of Johnson's government has been taking severe beating due to back-to-back scandals. What started with 'partygate' appeared to end at sacking of Tory deputy chief whip Chris Pincher who was accused of drunkenly groping men. Johnson had survived a no-confidence vote from his own party over alcohol-fuelled bashes held at his official residence just when Britain was under strict COVID lockdown. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Rishi Sunak emerges on top in first round of Conservative Party vote

Amid widespread concern that the nation’s disaffected youth will not bother turning out to vote, a major Japanese ramen chain is offering free noodles to young people ahead of Sunday’s upper house elections. Ippudo, which operates 50 ramen shops across the country, is offering endless free noodle refills for a fortnight from election day on Sunday until 24 June, the Mainichi Shimbun said, provided they can show proof that they have voted. Younger Japanese routinely complain that politicians are more interested in appealing to the country’s huge bloc of older voters and point to the low number of younger MPs in both houses of parliament. 
&nbsp; 
As reported by The Guardian, Hiroshi Yoshida, a professor of the economics of ageing at Tohoku University said, “Politicians view elderly people, whose turnout is high, like important customers from whom they can win votes. On the other hand, young people are like occasional customers, so are less important …. so policies favoured by the elderly inevitably get prioritised."

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/udaipur-terror-attack-how-my-hometown-turned-into-a-curfew-zone-494414">&nbsp;Udaipur terror attack: How my hometown turned into a curfew zone&nbsp;</a> 
&nbsp; 
Japan's ruling coalition is headed for victory in a July 10 upper house election, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ruling party likely to extend the number of seats it holds on its own, according to an opinion poll published on Monday. A total of 125 seats are being contested, making 63 a simple majority. 
&nbsp; 
Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is projected to win about 60 seats on its own, up from the 55 seats it currently holds, according to a Nikkei business daily poll which was conducted at the weekend. The Nikkei poll results run counter to recent public opinion surveys which have shown support for his government slipping due to surging prices and higher fuel costs in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 
&nbsp; 
(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Amid widespread concern that the nation’s disaffected youth will not bother turning out to vote, a major Japanese ramen chain is offering free noodles to young people ahead of Sunday’s upper house elections.

Amid widespread concern that the nation’s disaffected youth will not bother turning out to vote, a major Japanese ramen chain is offering free noodles to young people ahead of Sunday’s upper house elections. Ippudo, which operates 50 ramen shops across the country, is offering endless free noodle refills for a fortnight from election day on Sunday until 24 June, the Mainichi Shimbun said, provided they can show proof that they have voted. Younger Japanese routinely complain that politicians are more interested in appealing to the country’s huge bloc of older voters and point to the low number of younger MPs in both houses of parliament. As reported by The Guardian, Hiroshi Yoshida, a professor of the economics of ageing at Tohoku University said, “Politicians view elderly people, whose turnout is high, like important customers from whom they can win votes. On the other hand, young people are like occasional customers, so are less important …. so policies favoured by the elderly inevitably get prioritised." Also Read: Udaipur terror attack: How my hometown turned into a curfew zone Japan's ruling coalition is headed for victory in a July 10 upper house election, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ruling party likely to extend the number of seats it holds on its own, according to an opinion poll published on Monday. A total of 125 seats are being contested, making 63 a simple majority. Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is projected to win about 60 seats on its own, up from the 55 seats it currently holds, according to a Nikkei business daily poll which was conducted at the weekend. The Nikkei poll results run counter to recent public opinion surveys which have shown support for his government slipping due to surging prices and higher fuel costs in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (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.

Japanese youth will get free noodles- Here's what they need to avail the offer

Denmark is all set to join the European Union's defence policy following a referendum that reflects a shift in the security stance among the Nordic countries in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The referendum, which took place on Wednesday, saw people voting heavily in favour of the government’s proposal by 66.9 per cent to 33.1 per cent.

Denmark is the third Nordic country to shed its neutral status after its neighbours Finland and Sweden applies to join NATO last month.

Participation in the defence policy will allow Denmark, a founding NATO member, to take part in joint EU military operations, such as those in Bosnia, Mali and Somalia, and will allow Danish officials to stay in the room when EU colleagues discuss defence issues.

“When a freedom threat knocks on Europe's door and there is once again a war on our continent, then we cannot remain neutral. We support Ukraine and the people of Ukraine," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a speech on Wednesday evening, following the result, according to Reuters.

"Tonight, Denmark has sent a very important message. To our allies, to NATO, to Europe, and we have sent a clear message to Putin."

Denmark, historically critical of the EU, had been the only member of the 27 nation bloc not part of its Common Security and Defence Policy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-advances-on-severodonetsk-forces-fight-on-streets-484280" hreflang="en">Russia advances on Severodonetsk, troops fight in streets</a>

The Scandinavian nation of nearly 6 million secured exemptions to that policy in a 1993 referendum on the Maastricht Treaty, which laid the groundwork for the modern EU.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-us-sending-rocket-systems-to-ukraine-will-increase-risk-of-direct-confrontation-484296" hreflang="en">Russia says US sending rocket systems to Ukraine will increase risk of direct confrontation</a>

The Danish PM called for the referendum barely two weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, following reaching an agreement with a majority of parties in the parliament.

Apart from that, the Scandinavian country also pledged to increase its defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP, in line with NATO membership requirements, by 2033.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Denmark is all set to join the European Union's defence policy following a referendum that reflects a shift in the security stance among the Nordic countries in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Denmark is all set to join the European Union's defence policy following a referendum that reflects a shift in the security stance among the Nordic countries in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The referendum, which took place on Wednesday, saw people voting heavily in favour of the government’s proposal by 66.9 per cent to 33.1 per cent. Denmark is the third Nordic country to shed its neutral status after its neighbours Finland and Sweden applies to join NATO last month. Participation in the defence policy will allow Denmark, a founding NATO member, to take part in joint EU military operations, such as those in Bosnia, Mali and Somalia, and will allow Danish officials to stay in the room when EU colleagues discuss defence issues. “When a freedom threat knocks on Europe's door and there is once again a war on our continent, then we cannot remain neutral. We support Ukraine and the people of Ukraine," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a speech on Wednesday evening, following the result, according to Reuters. "Tonight, Denmark has sent a very important message. To our allies, to NATO, to Europe, and we have sent a clear message to Putin." Denmark, historically critical of the EU, had been the only member of the 27 nation bloc not part of its Common Security and Defence Policy. Also read | Russia advances on Severodonetsk, troops fight in streets The Scandinavian nation of nearly 6 million secured exemptions to that policy in a 1993 referendum on the Maastricht Treaty, which laid the groundwork for the modern EU. Also read | Russia says US sending rocket systems to Ukraine will increase risk of direct confrontation The Danish PM called for the referendum barely two weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, following reaching an agreement with a majority of parties in the parliament. Apart from that, the Scandinavian country also pledged to increase its defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP, in line with NATO membership requirements, by 2033. (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.

Russia-Ukraine war: Denmark all set to join EU’s common defence policy after historic vote

Amazon.com Inc's&nbsp;investor-led&nbsp;proposal&nbsp;to&nbsp;review&nbsp;its&nbsp;use&nbsp;of&nbsp;plastic&nbsp;won 49 per cent&nbsp;support even as shareholders voted down all the 15 resolutions at the e-commerce giant's annual general meeting, a regulatory filing showed on Friday.

It was the only&nbsp;proposal&nbsp;that came close to reaching the 51% mark for approval.&nbsp;Investors opposed resolutions that challenged the company's policies on various issues, including the treatment of workers and&nbsp;use&nbsp;of non-disclosure agreements.

To be sure, about 13% of the company's voting stock is controlled by Founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos, raising the bar for any effort to win a majority of&nbsp;investor&nbsp;support.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/twitteratis-cant-keep-calm-as-amazon-sells-plastic-bucket-for-335-482160">Twitteratis can't keep calm as Amazon sells plastic bucket for $335</a>

The&nbsp;proposal&nbsp;for a report on whether&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;cloud, surveillance and other capabilities contribute to human rights violation won 40% support. But an overwhelming 87&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;voted down a&nbsp;proposal&nbsp;calling&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;to&nbsp;review&nbsp;worker safety.

Only 39&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of votes were in favor of a resolution related to unionisation of workers, but 47&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;backed a report on whether&nbsp;Amazon's lobbying activities were consistent with the best interest of the shareholders.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-new-enzyme-that-can-chomp-off-plastic-in-record-16-hours-481062">Scientists discover new enzyme that can chomp off plastic in record 16 hours</a>

A move to&nbsp;review&nbsp;Amazon's facial recognition technology got 41&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;votes in favor, while a report for more details on gender and racial pay managed to get support from just 29% of the shareholders.

The resolutions are non-binding, but companies often take some form of action if they receive backing of 30&nbsp;to 40&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of votes cast.

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Amazon.com Inc's investor-led proposal to review its use of plastic won 49 per cent support even as shareholders voted down all the 15 resolutions at the e-commerce giant's annual general meeting, a regulatory filing showed on Friday.

Amazon.com Inc's investor-led proposal to review its use of plastic won 49 per cent support even as shareholders voted down all the 15 resolutions at the e-commerce giant's annual general meeting, a regulatory filing showed on Friday. It was the only proposal that came close to reaching the 51% mark for approval. Investors opposed resolutions that challenged the company's policies on various issues, including the treatment of workers and use of non-disclosure agreements. To be sure, about 13% of the company's voting stock is controlled by Founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos, raising the bar for any effort to win a majority of investor support. Also read | Twitteratis can't keep calm as Amazon sells plastic bucket for $335 The proposal for a report on whether Amazon cloud, surveillance and other capabilities contribute to human rights violation won 40% support. But an overwhelming 87 per cent voted down a proposal calling Amazon to review worker safety. Only 39 per cent of votes were in favor of a resolution related to unionisation of workers, but 47 per cent backed a report on whether Amazon's lobbying activities were consistent with the best interest of the shareholders. Also read | Scientists discover new enzyme that can chomp off plastic in record 16 hours A move to review Amazon's facial recognition technology got 41 per cent votes in favor, while a report for more details on gender and racial pay managed to get support from just 29% of the shareholders. The resolutions are non-binding, but companies often take some form of action if they receive backing of 30 to 40 per cent of votes cast. 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.

Amazon investor proposal to review plastic use narrowly fails to clear

They appear at nightfall, dragging heavy carts from dustbin to dustbin in the affluent northern suburbs of the Colombian capital&nbsp;Bogota.

Informal recyclers, they rifle through the&nbsp;trash&nbsp;of the&nbsp;rich&nbsp;looking for waste plastic, glass bottles and cardboard they can sell for a handful of pesos.

It is back-breaking work for little reward, but a salvation for thousands&nbsp;in a country where one in eight city dwellers is unemployed, and the poverty rate approaches 40 percent.

"This life is hard, but it is my only option to survive," Jesus Maria Perez, 52, told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-conflict-to-cartels-all-you-need-to-know-about-colombia-482849">From conflict to cartels: All you need to know about Colombia</a>

Men, women and even children: these waste pickers are the face of the misery that candidate after candidate for Sunday's first round of presidential elections has vowed to eradicate.

Many, Perez included, are among the estimated 1.8 million migrants to have fled neighbouring Venezuela in search of a better life in Colombia -- Latin America's fourth-largest economy but one of the world's most unequal.

In 2020, according to the&nbsp;Bogota&nbsp;city council, 25,000 of the capital's eight million inhabitants worked as informal rubbish recyclers.

On average, each earns between 12,000 and 18,000 pesos ($3 to $4.50) daily for their efforts, according to Alvaro Nocua of the "Give Me Your Hand" association set up to help this community.

Watch |&nbsp;Colombians mark 1-year anniversary of national strikes

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<h3>Human work horses</h3>

For Perez, who used to be a cook in Venezuela, it is a struggle to meet his daily goal of 40,000 pesos -- about $10 -- to cover his one meal a day, a bed for the night and parking for his wooden cart.

He has no horse or donkey to pull the heavy burden: the&nbsp;Bogota&nbsp;municipality banned the practice eight years ago to combat animal abuse.

And as few can afford a self-propelled vehicle, it is people who do the heavy lifting, pulling their carts for kilometres&nbsp;every day.

Whole families take part in the endeavour; the parents wading through the garbage as little ones wait in the cart, playing among the rubbish.

Bogota&nbsp;produces nearly 7,500 tons of waste every day, of which as much as 16 percent, municipal data shows, is recycled by people like Perez.&nbsp;

Nearly 80 percent of Colombian households did not recycle or even separate their waste at home, according to 2019 figures.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-euthanasia-colombia-approves-assisted-medical-suicide-for-seriously-ill-patients-478584">Now, Colombia approves assisted medical suicide for seriously ill patients</a>

<h3>A small income</h3>

Martha Munoz, 45, runs a small recycling station where she buys waste from the informal collectors before reselling it to one of 15 large centres in&nbsp;Bogota.

"Many of those who come here live on the street; this allows them to have a small income," she told AFP.

Munoz said she raised her seven children with her recycling income -- one is a lawyer today and another an engineer.

Perez's expectations are shorter term.

On the day AFP met him, he had managed to earn only 25,000 pesos, just over half of what he needs.

Subtracting the rent for his room in a filthy boarding house in a rough neighbourhood and expenses for parking his cart, Perez is left with just 1,000 pesos -- about a quarter of a US dollar.

To make up the difference, he sets out again, this time to sell candy and bin bags on the street.

In this way, he collects enough to pay for his first and only meal of the day: a small sachet of rice with a bit of meat.

According to the World Bank, Colombia is one of the countries with the highest income inequality and biggest informal labor markets in Latin America.

Colombians go to the polls Sunday for elections in which deepening economic woes -- which gave rise to deadly protests last year -- are a key campaign issue.

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They appear at nightfall, dragging heavy carts from dustbin to dustbin in the affluent northern suburbs of the Colombian capital Bogota. Informal recyclers, they rifle through the trash of the rich looking for waste plastic, glass bottles and cardboard they can sell for a handful of pesos.

They appear at nightfall, dragging heavy carts from dustbin to dustbin in the affluent northern suburbs of the Colombian capital Bogota. Informal recyclers, they rifle through the trash of the rich looking for waste plastic, glass bottles and cardboard they can sell for a handful of pesos. It is back-breaking work for little reward, but a salvation for thousands in a country where one in eight city dwellers is unemployed, and the poverty rate approaches 40 percent. "This life is hard, but it is my only option to survive," Jesus Maria Perez, 52, told AFP. Also read | From conflict to cartels: All you need to know about Colombia Men, women and even children: these waste pickers are the face of the misery that candidate after candidate for Sunday's first round of presidential elections has vowed to eradicate. Many, Perez included, are among the estimated 1.8 million migrants to have fled neighbouring Venezuela in search of a better life in Colombia -- Latin America's fourth-largest economy but one of the world's most unequal. In 2020, according to the Bogota city council, 25,000 of the capital's eight million inhabitants worked as informal rubbish recyclers. On average, each earns between 12,000 and 18,000 pesos ($3 to $4.50) daily for their efforts, according to Alvaro Nocua of the "Give Me Your Hand" association set up to help this community. Watch | Colombians mark 1-year anniversary of national strikes Human work horses For Perez, who used to be a cook in Venezuela, it is a struggle to meet his daily goal of 40,000 pesos -- about $10 -- to cover his one meal a day, a bed for the night and parking for his wooden cart. He has no horse or donkey to pull the heavy burden: the Bogota municipality banned the practice eight years ago to combat animal abuse. And as few can afford a self-propelled vehicle, it is people who do the heavy lifting, pulling their carts for kilometres every day. Whole families take part in the endeavour; the parents wading through the garbage as little ones wait in the cart, playing among the rubbish. Bogota produces nearly 7,500 tons of waste every day, of which as much as 16 percent, municipal data shows, is recycled by people like Perez. Nearly 80 percent of Colombian households did not recycle or even separate their waste at home, according to 2019 figures. Also read | Now, Colombia approves assisted medical suicide for seriously ill patients A small income Martha Munoz, 45, runs a small recycling station where she buys waste from the informal collectors before reselling it to one of 15 large centres in Bogota. "Many of those who come here live on the street; this allows them to have a small income," she told AFP. Munoz said she raised her seven children with her recycling income -- one is a lawyer today and another an engineer. Perez's expectations are shorter term. On the day AFP met him, he had managed to earn only 25,000 pesos, just over half of what he needs. Subtracting the rent for his room in a filthy boarding house in a rough neighbourhood and expenses for parking his cart, Perez is left with just 1,000 pesos -- about a quarter of a US dollar. To make up the difference, he sets out again, this time to sell candy and bin bags on the street. In this way, he collects enough to pay for his first and only meal of the day: a small sachet of rice with a bit of meat. According to the World Bank, Colombia is one of the countries with the highest income inequality and biggest informal labor markets in Latin America. Colombians go to the polls Sunday for elections in which deepening economic woes -- which gave rise to deadly protests last year -- are a key campaign issue. 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.

In Bogota, trash of the rich becomes lifeline for the poor

As no-confidence motion against the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has delayed his ouster, rumours are rife that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari may get appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs when the new government, which will be composed of the present Opposition, takes charge, media reports said. &nbsp;

Bilawal has also said the decisions over the ministerial berths will be taken by the party, Geo News reported. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/what-is-a-cipher-pm-imran-khan-says-cant-share-threat-letter-as-it-contains-secret-info-of-pakistan-469476" hreflang="en">Pakistan Political Crisis: What is a cipher? Can’t share 'threat letter' as it has nation's secret info: PM</a>

The Supreme Court’s judgment is the "first step" towards ridding institutions of controversies, the PPP leader believed. &nbsp;

As there is a delay in the holding of the no-confidence motion, several eyes are on the candidates for the main positions if the joint opposition forms a new government. &nbsp;

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What a brilliant and powerful speech! <a href="https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBhuttoZardari</a> keeps raising the bar <a href="https://t.co/ZRhXQpQVxH">pic.twitter.com/ZRhXQpQVxH</a>
— Mehrooj Rai (@MehroojRai) <a href="https://twitter.com/MehroojRai/status/1512748863026831362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, at no-trust debate in Parliament, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that PM Imran Khan seems to be the first captain, who is running from the pitch with wickets as he fears he’ll lose the match.

Watch:&nbsp;Pakistan National Assembly session resumes: Qureshi demands in house camera session

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Pointing at Imran's absence from Parliament, he said the captain had run away as he was not capable of defending himself. "This fight is not between Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) but its fight between supporters of democracy and who want to destroy the democracy. The reality is that Imran Khan is afraid of free and fair elections," Bilawal continued. &nbsp; &nbsp;

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Kudos to <a href="https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBhuttoZardari</a> 🙌 sane voice in the parliament! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NationalAssembly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NationalAssembly</a> <a href="https://t.co/kAYWMAri3W">pic.twitter.com/kAYWMAri3W</a>
— Naz Baloch (@NazBaloch_) <a href="https://twitter.com/NazBaloch_/status/1512763263427444738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Bilawal also urged the Speaker to follow the court order and conduct voting today. “If no voting is happening, we will remain sitting here,” he added. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As no-confidence motion against the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has delayed his ouster, rumours are rife that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari may get appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs when the new government, which will be composed of the present Opposition, takes charge, media reports said.

As no-confidence motion against the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has delayed his ouster, rumours are rife that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari may get appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs when the new government, which will be composed of the present Opposition, takes charge, media reports said. Bilawal has also said the decisions over the ministerial berths will be taken by the party, Geo News reported. Also Read: Pakistan Political Crisis: What is a cipher? Can’t share 'threat letter' as it has nation's secret info: PM The Supreme Court’s judgment is the "first step" towards ridding institutions of controversies, the PPP leader believed. As there is a delay in the holding of the no-confidence motion, several eyes are on the candidates for the main positions if the joint opposition forms a new government. What a brilliant and powerful speech! @BBhuttoZardari keeps raising the bar pic.twitter.com/ZRhXQpQVxH — Mehrooj Rai (@MehroojRai) April 9, 2022 × Meanwhile, at no-trust debate in Parliament, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that PM Imran Khan seems to be the first captain, who is running from the pitch with wickets as he fears he’ll lose the match. Watch: Pakistan National Assembly session resumes: Qureshi demands in house camera session × Pointing at Imran's absence from Parliament, he said the captain had run away as he was not capable of defending himself. "This fight is not between Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) but its fight between supporters of democracy and who want to destroy the democracy. The reality is that Imran Khan is afraid of free and fair elections," Bilawal continued. Kudos to @BBhuttoZardari 🙌 sane voice in the parliament! #NationalAssembly pic.twitter.com/kAYWMAri3W — Naz Baloch (@NazBaloch_) April 9, 2022 × Bilawal also urged the Speaker to follow the court order and conduct voting today. “If no voting is happening, we will remain sitting here,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

If Pak PM loses vote, PPP's Bilawal rumoured to get foreign minister post in new govt, say reports 

In a bid to normalise French people's daily lives, the government will ease most of its Covid restrictions on Monday. This means President Emmanuel Macron’s vaccine pass and compulsory indoor mask-wearing in schools and many public spaces will now come to an end.&nbsp;

Interestingly, this comes just a few days before April’s presidential vote. Also, at a time when there is a surge in Covid cases.&nbsp;

Defending the government's decision, French Prime Minister Jean Castex in a recent interview said that there had been a surge in cases “like everywhere in Europe."

He further added that the pressure on hospital emergency wards was going down. Also, the BA2 variant of Omicron was more contagious but “seemingly less dangerous”.

Also, he “strongly recommended people who are vulnerable because of their age or pathologies to keep wearing masks in indoor spaces."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/apple-products-to-get-delayed-as-foxconn-stops-ops-amidst-chinas-worst-covid-outbreak-462120">Also read |&nbsp;Apple products to get delayed as Foxconn stops ops amidst China’s worst Covid outbreak</a>

As per the polls, Macron seems to be winning the re-election.&nbsp;

Earlier in January, protestors were seen demonstrating on the streets as the government mandated the vaccine pass policy. About two thousand people took to streets of Paris to express anger against the vaccine pass. The protesters lashed out at the vaccine passes which they said were discriminatory and excessive.

The French vaccine pass took effect on January 24, replacing a health pass that showed proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or past infection.

Health minister, Olivier Véran, said that the government remained “extremely vigilant," and contamination rates had shown a 20 per cent increase over the last week. He also defended the government’s decision to lift restrictions but said vulnerable people “must continue to protect themselves."

(With inputs from agencies)

In a bid to normalise French people's daily lives, the government will ease most of its Covid restrictions on Monday. This means President Emmanuel Macron’s vaccine pass and compulsory indoor mask-wearing in schools and many public spaces will now come to an end.

In a bid to normalise French people's daily lives, the government will ease most of its Covid restrictions on Monday. This means President Emmanuel Macron’s vaccine pass and compulsory indoor mask-wearing in schools and many public spaces will now come to an end. Interestingly, this comes just a few days before April’s presidential vote. Also, at a time when there is a surge in Covid cases. Defending the government's decision, French Prime Minister Jean Castex in a recent interview said that there had been a surge in cases “like everywhere in Europe." He further added that the pressure on hospital emergency wards was going down. Also, the BA2 variant of Omicron was more contagious but “seemingly less dangerous”. Also, he “strongly recommended people who are vulnerable because of their age or pathologies to keep wearing masks in indoor spaces." Also read | Apple products to get delayed as Foxconn stops ops amidst China’s worst Covid outbreak As per the polls, Macron seems to be winning the re-election. Earlier in January, protestors were seen demonstrating on the streets as the government mandated the vaccine pass policy. About two thousand people took to streets of Paris to express anger against the vaccine pass. The protesters lashed out at the vaccine passes which they said were discriminatory and excessive. The French vaccine pass took effect on January 24, replacing a health pass that showed proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or past infection. Health minister, Olivier Véran, said that the government remained “extremely vigilant," and contamination rates had shown a 20 per cent increase over the last week. He also defended the government’s decision to lift restrictions but said vulnerable people “must continue to protect themselves." (With inputs from agencies)

France to ease Covid curbs just before April’s presidential vote

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