India's External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that world "values" India's contributions in the Indian Ocean region. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Perth, on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean conference, he said, "expectation is that India would make a greater contribution, frankly, from our own perspective, you know, our interests today are are so much greater and so much of our trade, for example, goes through the Red Sea." He pointed to the India's "strong shipping presence in that whole western Indian Ocean area". He also spoke on India Australia relationship, and how it has been strengthened under Modi Govt.

India's EAM Jaishankar speaks to WION, highlights Indian Navy's role in regional stability

Mauritius Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin speaks to WION on topics like the Red Sea crisis, Indian Ocean challenges & India Mauritius ties. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Perth, Gobin said, 'Red Sea crisis is happening now, it may also be there in the future.' Watch to know more!

Mauritius' Foreign Minister speaks to WION on India-Mauritius ties

India's External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that world "values" India's contributions in the Indian Ocean region. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Perth, on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean conference, he said, 'expectation is that India would make a greater contribution, frankly, from our own perspective, you know, our interests today are are so much greater and so much of our trade, for example, goes through the Red Sea." He pointed to the India's "strong shipping presence in that whole western Indian Ocean area". He also spoke on India Australia relationship, and how it has been strengthened under Modi Govt.

India's EAM speaks to WION, says 'India providing equipment to Sri Lanka, Maldives & Mauritius'

Former Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has doubled down on this theory that Democrats will swap out President Joe Biden with Michelle Obama on their party's ticket. This comes after the release of the Special counsel's Report which says Joe Biden has significant limitations in his memory. Watch to know more!

US Elections 2024: Can Michelle Obama stall Trump's growing popularity? | US News

Latest in Pakistan Elections: The counting of votes that is unfolded and also the many permutations and combinations that have been thrown off, now a pertinent question remains to be answered and that is who will now become the next prime minister of Pakistan? Counting of votes is still underway...Watch to know more!

Pakistan People’s Party to decide party's course after final results declared

China eyes Africa's Western coast. China seeks to increase its footprint in Western Africa. US blocking China's efforts to establish military bases in Africa. The US is alarmed, Beijing has been trying to station its forces along the Atlantic coast of African countries while Washington has been trying to counter its efforts with concessions. Watch to know more!

China seeking bases in Gabon, Equatorial Guinea?

On #ThisWorld with Vikram Chandra: Who will be Pakistan's next Prime Minister? Imran Khan-backed Independents have won the highest number of seats in Pakistan elections. Nawaz Sharif's PML-N has emerged as the party with the most seats, followed by Bilawal Bhutto's PPP. But no one has the numbers to form a govt alone. Will Sharif and Bhutto join hands to keep Imran Khan out?

Pakistan Election: Imran Khan claims victory, Nawaz Sharif calls for a coalition

Latest in Pakistan elections: Nawaz Sharif reaching out to rival parties PPP, MQM-P, JUI-F for coalition government. Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif said, "all parties to sit together and form a government." Pakistan's voters have spoken but the Mandate is anything but clear as the counting process inches close to a finish no single party has received a required majority to form the government. Now this has led to a hung Parliament. Now in the latest press conference PTI chairman has said that the party will not negotiate with anyone. Watch to know more!

Pakistan Elections 2024: PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan responds to WION over alliance formation

A special counsel concluded Thursday that Joe Biden should not face criminal charges for retaining classified documents, but painted a damaging portrait of the US president as a "well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." Joe Biden defended his memory and handling of classified documents after this incident in a surprise speech.

US Vice President Kamala Harris comes into Biden's defence | Biden's 'poor memory' row

The global mean temperature has been breached. The average worldwide temperature rose above 1.5° Celsius for the first time, as per the European climate agency.

Global mean temperature breaches 1.5° Celsius threshold for an entire year for the first time

With the clock ticking down to what has been called the biggest party on Earth, Brazilian dancer Pedro H. Gaspar confesses he is "excited... and tired."

Tired from long months of intense rehearsals. Excited because Rio de Janeiro's legendary carnival is about to start.

"We talk a lot here about 'PCT': pre-carnival tension, which every samba school performer feels," says the smiling, elegant Gaspar, a 30-year-old member of Unidos de Vila Isabel, one of 12 schools that will compete in Rio's famed carnival parade competition Sunday and Monday nights.

"Carnival is here" is one of Rio's favourite catch-phrases. The iconic beach city has been criss-crossed for weeks by "blocos," the street parties that draw throngs of revelers in alternately skimpy and extravagant costumes this time of year, drunk on happiness and beer.

But the pinnacle of the party will be the samba schools' sumptuous strut down the avenue at the city's "Sambadrome," the 70,000-capacity parade venue designed by modern architect Oscar Niemeyer, which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year.

Samba, the Afro-Brazilian musical genre that fuels the festivities, is for its part a century old, but still as explosively creative as ever.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-police-seize-former-prez-bolsonaros-passport-arrest-close-aides-amid-alleged-coup-investigation-688364">Brazil police to seize former prez Bolsonaro’s passport, arrest close aides amid alleged coup investigation</a>

With towering floats, thundering drum sections and gorgeous dancers in sparkling, barely-there outfits, each samba school will vie for the coveted title of carnival champions.

<h2>'Fundamental issues'</h2>

But beyond the glitter, carnival also raises pressing political and social issues.

Many of the parades this year will pay tribute to little-known heroes of black history or celebrate Brazil's African and Indigenous roots.

One famed school, Salgueiro, will tell the story of the Yanomami Indigenous people, who are suffering a humanitarian emergency blamed on illegal gold mining in the Amazon rainforest.

Their plight reached crisis level under far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro. But his successor, veteran leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has struggled to reverse the unfolding tragedy.

"The samba school parades continue to be a place for Brazil to self-reflect," says anthropologist Mauro Cordeiro.

"Rio carnival is a space where we talk about Brazil's fundamental political and social issues."

Not that there isn't plenty of room for silliness and fun: the biggest hit single of the 2024 parades is a light-hearted samba singing the praises of the cashew fruit.

But carnival is also serious business.

The party, which is projected to bring in more than $1 billion in revenues this year, faces many of the same problems as Brazil at large.

Watch:&nbsp;Brazil: Dengue health emergency in Rio De Janeiro, 10,000 cases registered in Jan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-dengue-health-emergency-in-rio-de-janeiro-10000-cases-registered-in-jan-687705/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

With Rio suffering from violent crime, authorities have announced they will deploy thousands of police during carnival.

They are also facing an outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever, which has killed some 50 people. Rio declared a public-health emergency Monday, and organizers plan to distribute mosquito repellent at the Sambadrome.

<h2>Keeping the tradition alive&nbsp;</h2>

None of that is expected to break the magic of carnival, or hold back the samba schools -- institutions rooted in poor neighborhoods that revel in putting Rio's marginalized masses at the center of attention for two nights.

One is the iconic Mangueira, named for the "favela," or slum, where it was born 96 years ago, a stone's throw from the famed Maracana football stadium.

This year, the pink and green-sporting school will pay tribute to samba star Alcione to mark the 50th year of her career.

The multi-platinum singer co-founded Mangueira's youth program 36 years ago.

"It's very moving, because Alcione had a huge impact on our lives," says Mangueira native Barbara Rachel, who came up in the youth program herself and is today its cultural director.

"Not just my life, but the lives of an entire generation," says the 30-year-old, whose students will strut their stuff in their own parade when Rio holds its children's carnival Tuesday.

The next generation is set to keep the tradition alive. As Alcione sings in one of her best-known songs, "Don't Let the Samba Die."

With the clock ticking down to what has been called the biggest party on Earth, Brazilian dancer Pedro H. Gaspar confesses he is "excited... and tired." Tired from long months of intense rehearsals.

With the clock ticking down to what has been called the biggest party on Earth, Brazilian dancer Pedro H. Gaspar confesses he is "excited... and tired." Tired from long months of intense rehearsals. Excited because Rio de Janeiro's legendary carnival is about to start. "We talk a lot here about 'PCT': pre-carnival tension, which every samba school performer feels," says the smiling, elegant Gaspar, a 30-year-old member of Unidos de Vila Isabel, one of 12 schools that will compete in Rio's famed carnival parade competition Sunday and Monday nights. "Carnival is here" is one of Rio's favourite catch-phrases. The iconic beach city has been criss-crossed for weeks by "blocos," the street parties that draw throngs of revelers in alternately skimpy and extravagant costumes this time of year, drunk on happiness and beer. But the pinnacle of the party will be the samba schools' sumptuous strut down the avenue at the city's "Sambadrome," the 70,000-capacity parade venue designed by modern architect Oscar Niemeyer, which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year. Samba, the Afro-Brazilian musical genre that fuels the festivities, is for its part a century old, but still as explosively creative as ever. Also Read: Brazil police to seize former prez Bolsonaro’s passport, arrest close aides amid alleged coup investigation With towering floats, thundering drum sections and gorgeous dancers in sparkling, barely-there outfits, each samba school will vie for the coveted title of carnival champions. 'Fundamental issues' But beyond the glitter, carnival also raises pressing political and social issues. Many of the parades this year will pay tribute to little-known heroes of black history or celebrate Brazil's African and Indigenous roots. One famed school, Salgueiro, will tell the story of the Yanomami Indigenous people, who are suffering a humanitarian emergency blamed on illegal gold mining in the Amazon rainforest. Their plight reached crisis level under far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro. But his successor, veteran leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has struggled to reverse the unfolding tragedy. "The samba school parades continue to be a place for Brazil to self-reflect," says anthropologist Mauro Cordeiro. "Rio carnival is a space where we talk about Brazil's fundamental political and social issues." Not that there isn't plenty of room for silliness and fun: the biggest hit single of the 2024 parades is a light-hearted samba singing the praises of the cashew fruit. But carnival is also serious business. The party, which is projected to bring in more than $1 billion in revenues this year, faces many of the same problems as Brazil at large. Watch: Brazil: Dengue health emergency in Rio De Janeiro, 10,000 cases registered in Jan With Rio suffering from violent crime, authorities have announced they will deploy thousands of police during carnival. They are also facing an outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever, which has killed some 50 people. Rio declared a public-health emergency Monday, and organizers plan to distribute mosquito repellent at the Sambadrome. Keeping the tradition alive None of that is expected to break the magic of carnival, or hold back the samba schools -- institutions rooted in poor neighborhoods that revel in putting Rio's marginalized masses at the center of attention for two nights. One is the iconic Mangueira, named for the "favela," or slum, where it was born 96 years ago, a stone's throw from the famed Maracana football stadium. This year, the pink and green-sporting school will pay tribute to samba star Alcione to mark the 50th year of her career. The multi-platinum singer co-founded Mangueira's youth program 36 years ago. "It's very moving, because Alcione had a huge impact on our lives," says Mangueira native Barbara Rachel, who came up in the youth program herself and is today its cultural director. "Not just my life, but the lives of an entire generation," says the 30-year-old, whose students will strut their stuff in their own parade when Rio holds its children's carnival Tuesday. The next generation is set to keep the tradition alive. As Alcione sings in one of her best-known songs, "Don't Let the Samba Die."

'Carnival is here': Rio prepares for world's biggest party

Pakistan's voters are the most pessimistic about the economy in the years leading up to Thursday's election. That is based on a Gallup poll, which also showed Pakistani voters struggle to make ends meet in the face of the highest inflation in Asia. This report is to understand the likely impact of the economic conditions on Pakistan's elections.

Pakistan's economic pessimism hits record

The front lines are heating up in Ukraine. Russian forces are advancing its operations in various parts of Ukraine. There has been a surge in attacks in Ukraine's war ravaged Donetsk region. The Russian military has fired between 1500 to 2500 shells and Rockets and is now targeting crucial infrastructure in the region.

Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine's Avdiivka under relentless Russian shelling

The naval forces of China Russia and Iran will be holding Marine security joint exercises later this year. This comes amid rising tensions in the West Asia region where Iranian backed Houthi militias and US forces are engaged in major counter strikes. According to Iran's Navy Commander the drills will be held before March end and will be aimed at Regional security. Iran has also invited other countries to take part in the exercise but did not state where the drills will be taking place. Watch to know more!

China, Russia & Iran to hold joint Navy drills aimed at regional security

Rescue efforts continue in California after a mega storm wreaked havoc across the American state. Over 400 mudslides have been reported in Los Angeles. This is one of the wettest storms in the region's history. The city has seen more than half the amount of its expected rainfall in matter of 48 hours.

US: Over 400 mudslides reported in Los Angeles, rescue efforts underway

The European Union has called for a 90% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, as part of its push to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. The new interim target aims at making the bloc carbon neutral by mid-century.

European Union eyes 90% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak played quite a gamble on National Television but it turns out that Sunak's wager has invited more criticism than applause and has cost him £1000 as well. During an interview earlier this week prime minister Sunak was asked if he is prepared to bet £1000 pounds on whether the Rwanda deportation plan would start before the UK polls...Watch to know more!

UK PM Rishi Sunak rows back on £1000 Rwanda deportation wager

New details have surfaced surrounding an alleged altercation involving Hollywood actor Jacob Elordi, best known for his role in the hit HBO series Euphoria. The incident reportedly occurred in southeast Sydney, where Australian authorities are said to be investigating claims of physical assault against a radio producer. Watch to know more!

Jacob Elordi faces police investigation in Australia

A paper published in Nature Climate Change has claimed that global temperatures have already exceeded the critical 1.5°c threshold set by the 2015 Paris agreement. Scientists have based this information on centuries-old sponges living in the Caribbean sea.

Study suggests Global Warming has already crossed 1.5°c limit

Investors will eye meta shares later on Monday after the stock rose 20% on Friday to close at an all-time high of $474.99 per share. The surge marked the biggest single-day surge in U.S. Stock market history. CEO mark Zuckerburg is now the world's fourth richest, with a $28 billion gain. Meta's $197 billion gains exceeded the $190 billion jump recorded by apple and amazon in 2022. Watch to know more!

Meta's $197 billion surge is biggest in stock-market history

Paytm bank's crisis continues, with an industry body asking merchants to look beyond the digital banking giant for online transactions. This comes after the reserve bank of India ordered a halt to most operations of Paytm's banking arm. Watch to know more!

Paytm Bank's Crisis: Traders urged to ditch Paytm in wake of RBI's decision

As the first month of 2024 concludes and more data comes in on the state of the global economy, economists are turning optimistic. However, the journey into the remainder of the year is not without challenges, as several uncertainties loom on the horizon. Economic commentators have turned bullish as key indicators signal optimism and recovery of major economies worldwide.

Global inflation seen moderating to 5.8%: IMF

Tesla employee from the state of Minnesota in the United States was arrested after he allegedly threatened to kill US President Joe Biden and Billionaire Elon Musk. Watch to know more!

Tesla worker arrested for threatening to kill Elon Musk, Biden

Polls have closed in El Salvador's Presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday with soaring approval ratings and no competition whatsoever Nayib Bukele is headed for a landslide Victory again and secure a five-year Presidential term. Watch to know more!

El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele poised for a second term as polls close

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