What happens when a recruit decides to quit the People's Liberation Army of China? WION's Palki Sharma tells you 8 punishments the P.L.A inflicts on 'deserters'.

Gravitas: What happens when you quit the P.L.A?

After more than a month, P.L.A troops have moved back from several points in Ladakh. The dragon's retreat marks the beginning of de-escalation at the border. WIN's Palki Sharma tells you how China's threats failed to deter India.

Gravitas: India-China standoff | The dragon retreats

The India-China standoff has come as a lesson in upholding national interest above everything else. India's former Vice chief of Air staff Pranab Kumar Barbora did exactly this in 2008. The retired Air Marshal reopened the Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip without the UPA govt's permission. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how his decision has given India a strategic advantage against China 12 years on.

Gravitas: The story & significance of Daulat Beg Oldi

Anti-racism protests have spread beyond U.S. border to the rest of the world. WION's Palki Sharma gets you some voices from the 'Black Lives Matter' movement.

Gravitas: Anti-racism protests: Stories of injustice

The brother of George Floyd, Philonise Floyd made an emotional plea before the House Judiciary Committee for lawmakers to take action to prevent more deaths at the hands of police officers. Watch video.

George Floyd’s brother testifies before house, says I’m tired of the pain

Exactly one year ago, millions marched on the streets of Hong Kong to oppose an Extradition Bill. 365 days on what has changed in Hong Kong?

Gravitas: One year of Hong Kong uprising: A special report

As Nepal tried to drive-up its criticism of India over the border dispute, it found an unlikely adversary. It's the chief minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh - Yogi Adityanath. His words did not go down well with the Nepalese Prime Minister.

Gravitas: Nepal blames India for Wuhan virus

China's pangolin policy has seen a wild shift. From being hunted down for exotic meals to being provided state protection, WION's Palki Sharma tells you why the endangered mammals are back in the headlines.

Gravitas: Will China be able to save the Pangolin?

China and The Philippines are celebrating 45 years of friendship. But Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte is ignoring a world-famous truth. Beijing's public display of diplomatic love comes with conditions. WION's PalkiSharma tells you how Duterte is caught in the crossfire between the U.S. and China.

Gravitas: Is Duterte playing into China's hands?

A donkey has been arrested in Pakistan on the charge of gambling. Pakistan's state broadcaster has upset the govt over Kashmir & a rumour of Indian jets hovering over Karachi kept Pak netizens up all night. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the true story of 'Naya Pakistan'.

Gravitas: The true story of 'Naya Pakistan'

How does the Chinese Communist Party control its media? How is Beijing fighting the narrative war? WION's Palki Sharma takes you inside China's propaganda machine.

Gravitas: Inside China's propaganda machine

Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan has been named as a goodwill ambassador by the World Health Organisation. Not too long ago, U.N.E.S.C.O had appointed China's first lady as a special envoy for Women's education. Is this proof of how the Chinese regime controls global bodies? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Xi Jinping's wife is W.H.O goodwill ambassador

The World Health Organisation has taken a U-turn on its stance over the asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19. It did the same with its guidelines on making masks mandatory. W.H.O's confusion-causing antics are threatening the global response to the pandemic.

Gravitas: W.H.O's risky trial & error Guidelines

George Floyd was laid to rest in Houston. His last words are resonating in protests across the globe. The Merriam Webster dictionary is changing the definition of Racism. One streaming platform has pulled down the historical film 'Gone with the Wind'. The world is rising against racism and accompanying it is politics.

Gravitas: George Floyd laid to rest

The flames of anti-racism protests are spreading across the world. Statues are being toppled one after another. Protesters say there is no reason to celebrate racist leaders. WION's Palki Sharma has a question: Why is India still celebrating the symbols of the British Raj?

Gravitas: Imperial statues | Heritage or Structures of hate?

The Wuhan virus has infected more than 72,00,000 people across the world. A new study in the Medical Journal Nature says that anti-viral drug Remdesivir can help prevent Lung damage in infected patients. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Can Remdesivir slow Covid-19 progression?

North Korea is allegedly making millions selling sand illegally.&nbsp;According to media reports, the country, which is continuously under the international radar for flouting sanctions, and for overzealously conducting nuclear tests, which makes especially its neighbour South Korea anxious.

Earlier, Pyongyang was accused of illegally selling coal and other goods, seldom in huge quantities. To evade the radar of custom authorities and the UN sanctions therein, the country allegedly moves the goods from one ship to another in the ocean, CNN reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/north-korea-to-cut-communications-with-enemy-south-in-row-over-leafleting-304397" hreflang="en">North Korea to cut communications with 'enemy' South in row over leafleting</a>

Reports suggest that 279 ships are currently circling around North Korean seas, in what seems to be a massive operation worth millions of dollars.

Instead of using ships to transport illegal weapons, drugs, money, and animals, or coal, the country is now transporting sand. The country is infamous for dealing the other mentioned items, especially coal, which brings great profits to the country.

<h6><img alt="A North Korea soldier stands guard as people unload a boat on the Yalu River which separates the North Korean town of Sinuiju from the Chinese border town of Dandong on the second anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-Il, December 17, 2013" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ac91cd4d-fdc9-4044-b947-3489f19e3b26" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_27.jpg" /> 
A North Korea soldier stands guard as people unload a boat on the Yalu River which separates the North Korean town of Sinuiju from the Chinese border town of Dandong on the second anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-Il, December 17, 2013 | AFP</h6>

As part of the United Nations sanctions from December 2017, the country cannot export earth and stone. So by selling its sand, the country is violating international law.

UN investigators had found that the country earned $22 million in 2019 via a “sand-export operation”. The report was released in April.

The Panel of Experts, or the investigating country, supplied details to the UN. According to its report, North Korea sent one million tonnes of sand to foreign territories between May-December 2019.

The coordinator of North Korean sanctions said the report pointed to a “large scale” and significant illegal activity in the region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-calls-for-developing-a-self-sufficient-economy-304143" hreflang="en">North Korea's Kim Jong Un calls for developing a 'self-sufficient economy'</a>

These transfers of sand that do not happen on land may be helping North Korea ends its cash deficit.

Sand might seem like an ordinary thing to sell, but it is the main component of concrete, glass, and even the processors that power electronic devices.

The world consumes 50 billion tonnes of sand every year, which accounts for more usage than any other resource, only behind water.

However, illegal dredging of sand can have serious environmental implications.

In 2008, N Korea was selling sand extensively to South Korea, almost worth $73.35 million, but this exchange stopped shortly after.

China remains North Korea’s biggest sand buyer, as it consumes more sand than any other country.

North Korea is allegedly making millions selling sand illegally. According to media reports, the country, which is continuously under the international radar for flouting sanctions, and for overzealously conducting nuclear tests, which makes especially its neighbour South Korea anxious.

North Korea is allegedly making millions selling sand illegally. According to media reports, the country, which is continuously under the international radar for flouting sanctions, and for overzealously conducting nuclear tests, which makes especially its neighbour South Korea anxious. Earlier, Pyongyang was accused of illegally selling coal and other goods, seldom in huge quantities. To evade the radar of custom authorities and the UN sanctions therein, the country allegedly moves the goods from one ship to another in the ocean, CNN reported. Also read: North Korea to cut communications with 'enemy' South in row over leafleting Reports suggest that 279 ships are currently circling around North Korean seas, in what seems to be a massive operation worth millions of dollars. Instead of using ships to transport illegal weapons, drugs, money, and animals, or coal, the country is now transporting sand. The country is infamous for dealing the other mentioned items, especially coal, which brings great profits to the country. A North Korea soldier stands guard as people unload a boat on the Yalu River which separates the North Korean town of Sinuiju from the Chinese border town of Dandong on the second anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-Il, December 17, 2013 | AFP As part of the United Nations sanctions from December 2017, the country cannot export earth and stone. So by selling its sand, the country is violating international law. UN investigators had found that the country earned $22 million in 2019 via a “sand-export operation”. The report was released in April. The Panel of Experts, or the investigating country, supplied details to the UN. According to its report, North Korea sent one million tonnes of sand to foreign territories between May-December 2019. The coordinator of North Korean sanctions said the report pointed to a “large scale” and significant illegal activity in the region. Also read: North Korea's Kim Jong Un calls for developing a 'self-sufficient economy' These transfers of sand that do not happen on land may be helping North Korea ends its cash deficit. Sand might seem like an ordinary thing to sell, but it is the main component of concrete, glass, and even the processors that power electronic devices. The world consumes 50 billion tonnes of sand every year, which accounts for more usage than any other resource, only behind water. However, illegal dredging of sand can have serious environmental implications. In 2008, N Korea was selling sand extensively to South Korea, almost worth $73.35 million, but this exchange stopped shortly after. China remains North Korea’s biggest sand buyer, as it consumes more sand than any other country.

North Korea allegedly making millions by selling its sand illegally

The Wuhan virus has infected 71,00,000+ people across the world. A new study by the Harvard Medical School claims that the virus first appeared in Wuhan in August 2019.

Gravitas: Did Coronavirus hit Wuhan in August 2019?

China is using riots in the U.S. to push its propaganda. It is using police action in the U.S. to justify brutality in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping is busy appeasing the ethnic minorities. Is Beijing nervous after persecuting its minorities for decades?

Gravitas: Xi Jinping appeases Minorities: Is China nervous?

Is Nepal apprehensive as its amendment bill to rewrite the border with India reaches the parliament? Is it too late for Nepal's Foreign Minister to demand talks with India?

Gravitas: Nepal's Map Amendment Bill In Final Stages

Afghanistan wants to extend lockdown restrictions by another three months. But, the citizens are struggling to survive. Even during the pandemic, the country suffered violence. Wion gets you a ground report from Kabul.

Gravitas: Afghanistan's COVID-19 Battle | Wion ground report

Last year on June 9 more than a million people took to the streets of Hong Kong opposing the extradition bill drafted by China. Today the same protestors are facing brutal police force. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: Hong Kong opposed the extradition bill, What is the extradition bill?

The badminton world federation's revised 2020 calendar with 22 events is rather ambitious feels world number 4 and 2017 world champion, Viktor Axelsen. Axelsen ended Denmark's 21 years wait for a men's singles title at the all England championships in march but believes that travel restrictions will make it extremely difficult for players to compete overseas. Axelsen was speaking to sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo.

WION exclusive conversation with Viktor Axelsen | All England Champion | Badminton

The British Empire is said to have ignited the flame of racism. 400 years later, its flames have engulfed the UK itself. Thousands are rallying in support of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement across Britain. Statues are being torn down, even defaced.

Gravitas: Black Lives Matter' protests engulf the UK

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un was busy talking about fertilizer as leaflets criticising his nuclear ambitions fell along the border. Once again, it's the infamous 'balloon propaganda' that seeks to unseat him from power.

Gravitas: The 'Balloon Propaganda' against Kim Jong-Un

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in London on Sunday to condemn police brutality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis

Thousands turn up for black lives matter protests in London

If sabotaging vaccine research was not enough, China is now promoting its traditional medicine as a cure for the Wuhan virus. China claims to have cured 92 per cent of the cases using its age-old concoctions. But, there is no evidence to prove their effectiveness.

Xi Jinping is promoting 'Traditional Chinese Medicine'

Councilors in the US city of Minneapolis vowed to demolish and rebuild the police department, after the death in custody of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests about racism in law enforcement.

A call for reforms in police department | Minneapolis department to be dismantled | George Floyd

Mr Floyd, an unarmed black man, died in police custody in Minneapolis on 25 May. Video showed a white police officer kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes while he is pinned to the floor.

George Floyd death: Violent clashes across major states in US

13th consecutive day of protests across America over George Floyd's killing by a cop in Minneapolis. Watch this video to know more.

Protests across the globe after George Floyd's death

Retired Major General Dana Pittard. He spent decades in the U.S. Army, becoming one of a few African Americans to rise to the level of major general.

US armed forces speak out against racism

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