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<p>Former US President Donald Trump has brought in an unexpected ally — former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard — in preparation for an upcoming debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. According to sources familiar with Trump's schedule cited by the New York Times, Gabbard recently participated in a practice session at Trump’s private club and residence, Mar-a-Lago.</p>

<p>Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party after her 2020 presidential bid and has since become a popular figure among Trump’s supporters, has maintained a cordial relationship with the former president. At one point, she was even considered as a potential running mate for Trump.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tulsi-gabbards-aunt-stabbed-multiple-times-beaten-to-death-by-her-protege-in-samoa-728070">Tulsi Gabbard's aunt stabbed multiple times, beaten to death by her protégé in Samoa</a></strong></p>

<p>Her involvement in the debate preparations, which had not been previously disclosed, is partly due to her notable performance during a 2019 Democratic presidential primary debate, where she delivered a scathing critique of Harris on stage.</p>

<p>Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, confirmed Gabbard’s participation in an email to the New York Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump has "proven to be one of the best debaters in political history" and that he continues to consult with "respected policy advisers and effective communicators like Tulsi Gabbard", the spokesperson reportedly said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although Trump has often claimed he doesn’t need traditional debate preparation, sources cited by the NYT point out that he has been dedicating more time this year to such activities compared to his previous campaigns.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US Elections 2024: Donald Trump says 'entitled to make personal attacks'</strong></p>

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<p>Trump’s 2020 debate performance against Biden was widely regarded as a low point. However, Biden’s own struggles during their June debate this year eventually led to his withdrawal from the race. Trump’s team plans to adopt a similar preparation approach for his debate with Harris, which is scheduled for September 10.</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>As a woman and a former House member, Gabbard brings a combination of gender representation and policy experience. Moreover, her previous clash with Harris during the 2019 debates, where she criticised Harris’&nbsp;record as a prosecutor, has provided Trump with a template for his own attacks.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Former US President Donald Trump has brought in an unexpected ally — former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard — in preparation for an upcoming debate against Vice President Kamala Harris.

Former US President Donald Trump has brought in an unexpected ally — former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard — in preparation for an upcoming debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. According to sources familiar with Trump's schedule cited by the New York Times, Gabbard recently participated in a practice session at Trump’s private club and residence, Mar-a-Lago. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party after her 2020 presidential bid and has since become a popular figure among Trump’s supporters, has maintained a cordial relationship with the former president. At one point, she was even considered as a potential running mate for Trump. Also read | Tulsi Gabbard's aunt stabbed multiple times, beaten to death by her protégé in Samoa Her involvement in the debate preparations, which had not been previously disclosed, is partly due to her notable performance during a 2019 Democratic presidential primary debate, where she delivered a scathing critique of Harris on stage. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, confirmed Gabbard’s participation in an email to the New York Times. Trump has "proven to be one of the best debaters in political history" and that he continues to consult with "respected policy advisers and effective communicators like Tulsi Gabbard", the spokesperson reportedly said. Although Trump has often claimed he doesn’t need traditional debate preparation, sources cited by the NYT point out that he has been dedicating more time this year to such activities compared to his previous campaigns. Also watch | US Elections 2024: Donald Trump says 'entitled to make personal attacks' × Trump’s 2020 debate performance against Biden was widely regarded as a low point. However, Biden’s own struggles during their June debate this year eventually led to his withdrawal from the race. Trump’s team plans to adopt a similar preparation approach for his debate with Harris, which is scheduled for September 10. What does it mean? As a woman and a former House member, Gabbard brings a combination of gender representation and policy experience. Moreover, her previous clash with Harris during the 2019 debates, where she criticised Harris’ record as a prosecutor, has provided Trump with a template for his own attacks. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump brings in Tulsi Gabbard for debate preparation with Kamala Harris

<p>The United States is experiencing its worst summer Covid wave in more than two years, leading to increased infections and hospital visits. The wastewater dashboard of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that viral activity levels in the wastewater have hit the highest since July 2022. The wastewater activity surged to 8.82 on August 10, slightly less than the highest ever recorded in July 2022 at 9.56.</p>

<p>As per US media reports, new vaccines targeting the latest virus variant KP.2 may hit the markets as early as September, subject to approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).</p>

<h2><strong>Hospitalisation rate increases</strong></h2>

<p>The CDC data showed that the Covid hospitalisation rate had increased to four&nbsp;people for every 100,000 by July end, up from 1 in May end.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwitqamg7fuHAxWBUvUHHQz6MQ0QxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/another-covid-like-scare-from-china-experts-tell-wion-what-exactly-it-is-662463" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/another-covid-like-scare-from-china-experts-tell-wion-what-exactly-it-is-662463&amp;ved=2ahUKEwitqamg7fuHAxWBUvUHHQz6MQ0QxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE">Another Covid-like scare from China? Experts tell WION what exactly it is</a></strong></p>

<p>“This is a very significant surge. The levels are very high. They’re the highest we’ve ever seen during a summer wave,” Dr&nbsp;Marlene Wolfe, an assistant professor of environmental health and public health at Emory University and a program director for WastewaterSCAN, was quoted as saying by CNN.</p>

<p>“We’re detecting SARS-CoV-2 in 100 percent of our samples across the country right now,” Wolfe added.</p>

<h2><strong>Reason behind surge in Covid wave</strong></h2>

<p>The new surge is being blamed on waning immunity among people as well as a trio of variants that evolved from their parent virus JN.1.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwitqamg7fuHAxWBUvUHHQz6MQ0QxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-%E2%80%98i-had-a-lot-of-dizziness%E2%80%99-montreal-resident-shares-his-suffering-with-long-covid-for-three-years-739075" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-%25E2%2580%2598i-had-a-lot-of-dizziness%25E2%2580%2599-montreal-resident-shares-his-suffering-with-long-covid-for-three-years-739075&amp;ved=2ahUKEwitqamg7fuHAxWBUvUHHQz6MQ0QxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">‘I had a lot of dizziness’: Montreal resident shares his suffering with Long Covid for three years</a></strong></p>

<p>The situation has turned more volatile as children return to schools in many parts of the country. It is not clear when the country may see the peak.</p>

<h2><strong>Vaccines in early September</strong></h2>

<p>A report in the Washington Post revealed that new mRNA shots have been prepared by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, especially to target the KP.2 variant.</p>

<p>Once approved by the FDA, they may be made available for use by the first week of September. However, it&nbsp;was not clear when the FDA will approve the new shots.</p>

<p>A protein-based vaccine is also being developed by Novavax, but it may take longer to hit the market.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The United States is experiencing its worst summer Covid wave in more than two years, leading to increased infections and hospital visits. The wastewater dashboard of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that viral activity levels in the wastewater have hit the highest since July 2022.

The United States is experiencing its worst summer Covid wave in more than two years, leading to increased infections and hospital visits. The wastewater dashboard of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that viral activity levels in the wastewater have hit the highest since July 2022. The wastewater activity surged to 8.82 on August 10, slightly less than the highest ever recorded in July 2022 at 9.56. As per US media reports, new vaccines targeting the latest virus variant KP.2 may hit the markets as early as September, subject to approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hospitalisation rate increases The CDC data showed that the Covid hospitalisation rate had increased to four people for every 100,000 by July end, up from 1 in May end. Also read: Another Covid-like scare from China? Experts tell WION what exactly it is “This is a very significant surge. The levels are very high. They’re the highest we’ve ever seen during a summer wave,” Dr Marlene Wolfe, an assistant professor of environmental health and public health at Emory University and a program director for WastewaterSCAN, was quoted as saying by CNN. “We’re detecting SARS-CoV-2 in 100 percent of our samples across the country right now,” Wolfe added. Reason behind surge in Covid wave The new surge is being blamed on waning immunity among people as well as a trio of variants that evolved from their parent virus JN.1. Also read: ‘I had a lot of dizziness’: Montreal resident shares his suffering with Long Covid for three years The situation has turned more volatile as children return to schools in many parts of the country. It is not clear when the country may see the peak. Vaccines in early September A report in the Washington Post revealed that new mRNA shots have been prepared by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, especially to target the KP.2 variant. Once approved by the FDA, they may be made available for use by the first week of September. However, it was not clear when the FDA will approve the new shots. A protein-based vaccine is also being developed by Novavax, but it may take longer to hit the market. (With inputs from agencies)

US hit by worst Covid wave since 2022, hospitalisation rate soars

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<p>Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided and searched the US-based house of a Russian-born analyst who advised former president Donald Trump during his presidential campaign in 2016.</p>

<p>Citing local media, a report by The Guardian on Saturday (Aug 17) said that the analyst was identified as Dimitri Simes. His house in Virginia was raided by FBI agents. He currently hosts a current affairs program on Russia’s state-run Channel One.</p>

<p>He was not in the US when the raid happened.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-dont-allow-google-admits-omitting-trumps-assassination-attempt-search-results-750321">'We don't allow...': Google admits omitting Trump's assassination attempt search results</a></strong></p>

<p>Reacting to the raid, Simes, 76, told Russian media, "I’m puzzled and concerned.&nbsp;I have not seen a warrant. I was not contacted by any law enforcement or anyone else whatsoever."</p>

<h2><strong>Who is Dimitri Simes, and how did he meet Trump?</strong></h2>

<p>As per The Guardian report, Simes was born in Moscow and emigrated to the United States (US) in the 1970s.&nbsp;He served as an informal foreign policy adviser to then-US president Richard Nixon before leading the Center for the National Interest for nearly 30 years.</p>

<p>The report said that after meeting Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in 2016, the analyst&nbsp;began providing the Trump campaign with informal counsel on foreign policy. This included&nbsp;advising on a speech Trump gave envisioning greater cooperation with Russia.</p>

<p>Simes name had been included over 100 times in the&nbsp;2019 Mueller report into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election which Trump won. The report cleared him of any wrongdoing.</p>

<h2><strong>'Biden regime terrified of...'</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking to Sputnik News, Simes' son<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Dimitri Simes Jr&nbsp;said that his father has not been in the US since October 2022. In a post on X, Dimitri Jr said, "The Biden regime is terrified of being called out over Ukraine and Israel."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Biden regime is terrified of being called out over Ukraine and Israel.<br />
<br />
That’s why they’re moving full-press to intimidate any American citizens who dare to speak out.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for them, their scare tactics aren’t impressing anyone. <a href="https://t.co/YS1Mdwrbdu">https://t.co/YS1Mdwrbdu</a></p>
— Dimitri Simes Jr. (@DimitriASimes) <a href="https://twitter.com/DimitriASimes/status/1824401483586023816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"That’s why they’re moving full press to intimidate any American citizens who dare to speak out," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided and searched the US-based house of a Russian-born analyst who advised former president Donald Trump during his presidential campaign in 2016.

Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided and searched the US-based house of a Russian-born analyst who advised former president Donald Trump during his presidential campaign in 2016. Citing local media, a report by The Guardian on Saturday (Aug 17) said that the analyst was identified as Dimitri Simes. His house in Virginia was raided by FBI agents. He currently hosts a current affairs program on Russia’s state-run Channel One. He was not in the US when the raid happened. Also read | 'We don't allow...': Google admits omitting Trump's assassination attempt search results Reacting to the raid, Simes, 76, told Russian media, "I’m puzzled and concerned. I have not seen a warrant. I was not contacted by any law enforcement or anyone else whatsoever." Who is Dimitri Simes, and how did he meet Trump? As per The Guardian report, Simes was born in Moscow and emigrated to the United States (US) in the 1970s. He served as an informal foreign policy adviser to then-US president Richard Nixon before leading the Center for the National Interest for nearly 30 years. The report said that after meeting Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in 2016, the analyst began providing the Trump campaign with informal counsel on foreign policy. This included advising on a speech Trump gave envisioning greater cooperation with Russia. Simes name had been included over 100 times in the 2019 Mueller report into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election which Trump won. The report cleared him of any wrongdoing. 'Biden regime terrified of...' Speaking to Sputnik News, Simes' son Dimitri Simes Jr said that his father has not been in the US since October 2022. In a post on X, Dimitri Jr said, "The Biden regime is terrified of being called out over Ukraine and Israel." The Biden regime is terrified of being called out over Ukraine and Israel. That’s why they’re moving full-press to intimidate any American citizens who dare to speak out. Unfortunately for them, their scare tactics aren’t impressing anyone. https://t.co/YS1Mdwrbdu — Dimitri Simes Jr. (@DimitriASimes) August 16, 2024 × "That’s why they’re moving full press to intimidate any American citizens who dare to speak out," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Trouble for Trump? FBI raids home of Russian-born analyst who advised ex-US president

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<p>A 36-year-old woman in the United Kingdom (UK) has been jailed for four years after she had sex with two male teenagers in her son's bedroom while he was at school, British media reported on Friday (Aug 16).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by The Telegraph said that&nbsp;Natalie&nbsp;Harris had sent sexual messages to one of the 13-year-old boys&nbsp;on Snapchat before inviting them both to her address in Waterlooville near Portsmouth, Hampshire.</p>

<h2><strong>An 'obsession for sex with young boys'</strong></h2>

<p>The report said that a court heard that in total disregard for any moral compass, Harris developed an obsession for sex with young boys, and wanted attention following a break-up.</p>

<p>Despite reportedly&nbsp;begging the boys to keep it a secret, Harris was arrested after a&nbsp;video filmed by one of the boys was circulated in their school which her son also attended.</p>

<h2><strong>The case</strong></h2>

<p>The two teenagers have not been identified for legal reasons. They were 13 at the time of the incident that happened in 2022.&nbsp;Matthew Lawson, the prosecutor, said that the case came to light in January 2023.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-radical-islamist-preacher-anjem-choudary-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-terrorism-745617">British radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary sentenced to life on terrorism charges</a></strong></p>

<p>"There was a video that had been circulating around the school both boys attended.&nbsp;The police got a call from a concerned parent which showed an adult female engaging in sexual activity with a boy," Lawson said.</p>

<p>The two boys initially denied involvement,&nbsp;before one of them eventually told their mother, the court heard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lawson pointed out that Harris was identified as the woman in the video by her hand tattoos. The woman's phone was seized by police and a thread of messages was found between her and one of the boys.</p>

<p>The 36-year-old told the teenager&nbsp;that he should not tell anyone as she could go to prison.</p>

<h2><strong>'Accused took away my son's childhood'</strong></h2>

<p>The Telegraph report said that in a victim impact statement read to the court, the mother of the boy who came forward said that her son “faded away” as a result of the “awful nightmare.”</p>

<p>The woman said that her son&nbsp;lost interest in several hobbies and now stays indoors as a result.&nbsp;“My heart just breaks, I couldn’t have imagined this happening to my son – he is a child,” she said.</p>

<p>“The worst thing about all of this is she (Natalie Harris) has taken away his childhood and I will never forgive her," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A 36-year-old woman in the United Kingdom (UK) has been jailed for four years after she had sex with two male teenagers in her son's bedroom while he was at school, British media reported on Friday (Aug 16).

A 36-year-old woman in the United Kingdom (UK) has been jailed for four years after she had sex with two male teenagers in her son's bedroom while he was at school, British media reported on Friday (Aug 16). A report by The Telegraph said that Natalie Harris had sent sexual messages to one of the 13-year-old boys on Snapchat before inviting them both to her address in Waterlooville near Portsmouth, Hampshire. An 'obsession for sex with young boys' The report said that a court heard that in total disregard for any moral compass, Harris developed an obsession for sex with young boys, and wanted attention following a break-up. Despite reportedly begging the boys to keep it a secret, Harris was arrested after a video filmed by one of the boys was circulated in their school which her son also attended. The case The two teenagers have not been identified for legal reasons. They were 13 at the time of the incident that happened in 2022. Matthew Lawson, the prosecutor, said that the case came to light in January 2023. Also read | British radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary sentenced to life on terrorism charges "There was a video that had been circulating around the school both boys attended. The police got a call from a concerned parent which showed an adult female engaging in sexual activity with a boy," Lawson said. The two boys initially denied involvement, before one of them eventually told their mother, the court heard. Lawson pointed out that Harris was identified as the woman in the video by her hand tattoos. The woman's phone was seized by police and a thread of messages was found between her and one of the boys. The 36-year-old told the teenager that he should not tell anyone as she could go to prison. 'Accused took away my son's childhood' The Telegraph report said that in a victim impact statement read to the court, the mother of the boy who came forward said that her son “faded away” as a result of the “awful nightmare.” The woman said that her son lost interest in several hobbies and now stays indoors as a result. “My heart just breaks, I couldn’t have imagined this happening to my son – he is a child,” she said. “The worst thing about all of this is she (Natalie Harris) has taken away his childhood and I will never forgive her," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

British woman who had sex with two teenagers in son's room is jailed: Reports

Israel-Hamas War: PM Modi talks to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

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<p>All hell broke loose in the&nbsp;Grand National Assembly of Turkey on Friday (Aug 16) after a brawl broke out among lawmakers&nbsp;during a heated debate over an opposition delegate currently jailed on what are widely considered to be politically motivated charges.</p>

<p>According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, television footage showed Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP) representative&nbsp;Ahmet Sik was attacked by a lawmaker from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) while speaking at the chamber’s podium.</p>

<h2><strong>What led to the brawl?</strong></h2>

<p>Sik is a colleague of jailed TIP leader&nbsp;Can Atalay, who was elected from prison as a parliamentary deputy for the party in last year's election. The report said that Sik had called members of the AK Party a “terrorist organisation.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-arrests-woman-for-criticising-govts-ban-on-instagram-749758">Turkey arrests woman for criticising govt's ban on Instagram</a></strong></p>

<p>In a subsequent scuffle involving dozens of deputies, a female lawmaker was struck, leaving drops of blood on steps leading to the speaker’s lectern. Another opposition member was also reportedly injured.</p>

<p>Physical tussles are not uncommon among Turkish lawmakers.</p>

<h2><strong>'A shameful situation'</strong></h2>

<p>Reacting to the brawl, the leader of the main opposition&nbsp;Ozgur Ozel&nbsp;said, "It is a shameful situation.&nbsp;Instead of words flying in the air, fists are flying, there is blood on the ground. They are hitting women."</p>

<p>The extraordinary session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly was called on Friday to debate the case of TIP leader Atalay. In 2023, he had been sentenced to 18 years in prison&nbsp;for his role in anti-government protests in 2013, which challenged the rule of Erdogan.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | WION Pulse: Turkish lawmakers&nbsp;engage in brawl during debate in parliament</strong></p>

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<p>Since being elected, Atalay has been fighting to take his seat in parliament, which comes with immunity from prosecution and would see him released from Marmara prison. He has said he would return to prison once his term ends.</p>

<p>Although he has achieved successful rulings from the Constitutional Court, these have been ignored by lower courts.</p>

<p>In its third ruling in Atalay’s favour, the Constitutional Court on August 1 said the decision to strip him of his parliamentary status was “null and void.” Opposition parties then demanded a special session to discuss the case.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


All hell broke loose in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on Friday (Aug 16) after a brawl broke out among lawmakers during a heated debate over an opposition delegate currently jailed on what are widely considered to be politically motivated charges.

All hell broke loose in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on Friday (Aug 16) after a brawl broke out among lawmakers during a heated debate over an opposition delegate currently jailed on what are widely considered to be politically motivated charges. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, television footage showed Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP) representative Ahmet Sik was attacked by a lawmaker from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) while speaking at the chamber’s podium. What led to the brawl? Sik is a colleague of jailed TIP leader Can Atalay, who was elected from prison as a parliamentary deputy for the party in last year's election. The report said that Sik had called members of the AK Party a “terrorist organisation.” Also read | Turkey arrests woman for criticising govt's ban on Instagram In a subsequent scuffle involving dozens of deputies, a female lawmaker was struck, leaving drops of blood on steps leading to the speaker’s lectern. Another opposition member was also reportedly injured. Physical tussles are not uncommon among Turkish lawmakers. 'A shameful situation' Reacting to the brawl, the leader of the main opposition Ozgur Ozel said, "It is a shameful situation. Instead of words flying in the air, fists are flying, there is blood on the ground. They are hitting women." The extraordinary session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly was called on Friday to debate the case of TIP leader Atalay. In 2023, he had been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in anti-government protests in 2013, which challenged the rule of Erdogan. Also watch | WION Pulse: Turkish lawmakers engage in brawl during debate in parliament × Since being elected, Atalay has been fighting to take his seat in parliament, which comes with immunity from prosecution and would see him released from Marmara prison. He has said he would return to prison once his term ends. Although he has achieved successful rulings from the Constitutional Court, these have been ignored by lower courts. In its third ruling in Atalay’s favour, the Constitutional Court on August 1 said the decision to strip him of his parliamentary status was “null and void.” Opposition parties then demanded a special session to discuss the case. (With inputs from agencies)

'Fists are flying': Brawl breaks out among Turkish lawmakers. Here's what happened

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed visited Afghanistan Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund to inquire about his health while he receives treatment in a hospital in the country.

UAE President visits Afghan Prime Minister in hospital

<p>A federal appeals court on Friday (Aug&nbsp;16) upheld a significant portion of an injunction blocking a California law designed to protect children from potentially harmful online content.</p>

<p>The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favour of NetChoice, an industry trade group representing online businesses. The trade group had that the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act infringed upon its members’ First Amendment rights to free speech.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court found that NetChoice was likely to prove that the law violated these rights.</p>

<p>The contested law required businesses to prepare "Data Protection Impact Assessment" reports to evaluate whether their online platforms could cause harm to children. This could include content like videos promoting self-harm. The law also mandated that businesses take proactive measures to mitigate such risks before launching their platforms. Additionally, the law required companies to estimate the ages of child users, configure privacy settings accordingly, or default to high privacy settings for all users.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US: California to ban guns in most public places</strong></p>

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<p>Violations of the law could result in steep civil penalties, ranging from $2,500 per child for negligent violations to $7,500 per child for intentional violations.</p>

<p>NetChoice, whose members include major tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Meta Platforms (Facebook’s parent company), and Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter), argued that the law would effectively turn these companies into "roving censors" of content that California might deem harmful.</p>

<p>Circuit Judge Milan Smith, writing for a three-judge panel, stated that the requirement for businesses to create and disclose opinions about content-related harms to children was likely unconstitutional.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/california-court-reviews-law-on-app-based-drivers-classification-as-contractors-724142">California Court reviews law on app-based drivers' classification as contractors</a></strong>&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The forced creation and disclosure of highly subjective opinions about content-related harms to children is unnecessary for fostering a proactive environment in which companies, the state, and the general public work to protect children’s safety online,” Smith wrote.</p>

<p>While the appeals court upheld this part of the injunction, it set aside the remainder of the preliminary injunction issued last September by US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman.</p>

<p>California's law, modelled after similar legislation in the United Kingdom, was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2022. It was originally set to take effect on July 1, 2024.</p>


A federal appeals court on Friday (Aug 16) upheld a significant portion of an injunction blocking a California law designed to protect children from potentially harmful online content.

A federal appeals court on Friday (Aug 16) upheld a significant portion of an injunction blocking a California law designed to protect children from potentially harmful online content. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favour of NetChoice, an industry trade group representing online businesses. The trade group had that the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act infringed upon its members’ First Amendment rights to free speech. The court found that NetChoice was likely to prove that the law violated these rights. The contested law required businesses to prepare "Data Protection Impact Assessment" reports to evaluate whether their online platforms could cause harm to children. This could include content like videos promoting self-harm. The law also mandated that businesses take proactive measures to mitigate such risks before launching their platforms. Additionally, the law required companies to estimate the ages of child users, configure privacy settings accordingly, or default to high privacy settings for all users. Also watch | US: California to ban guns in most public places × Violations of the law could result in steep civil penalties, ranging from $2,500 per child for negligent violations to $7,500 per child for intentional violations. NetChoice, whose members include major tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Meta Platforms (Facebook’s parent company), and Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter), argued that the law would effectively turn these companies into "roving censors" of content that California might deem harmful. Circuit Judge Milan Smith, writing for a three-judge panel, stated that the requirement for businesses to create and disclose opinions about content-related harms to children was likely unconstitutional. Also read | California Court reviews law on app-based drivers' classification as contractors “The forced creation and disclosure of highly subjective opinions about content-related harms to children is unnecessary for fostering a proactive environment in which companies, the state, and the general public work to protect children’s safety online,” Smith wrote. While the appeals court upheld this part of the injunction, it set aside the remainder of the preliminary injunction issued last September by US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman. California's law, modelled after similar legislation in the United Kingdom, was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2022. It was originally set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

US court blocks key part of California law on children's online safety

11 days after beginning an incursion into Russia, Ukraine continues targeting the enemy Supply routes and Logistics. In the latest Ukrainian forces destroyed a strategically important bridge in Russia's Kursk region. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine forces targets key Russian bridge in Kursk

At least 80 people were killed in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a village in Sinnar state in central Sudan, a volunteer group said. "The RSF launched a bloody attack yesterday (Thursday) on the Jalqni village of (Abu Hujar locality) in Sinnar state, after a five-day siege, killing at least 80 people," the Sinnar Youth Gathering said on Friday in a statement.

Sudan crisis: 80 killed by paramilitary RSF during an attack of resident of village in Sinnar

The top Polish diplomat in Delhi, Dr Sebastian Domżalski has expressed his optimism on the upcoming visit of PM Modi to his country.This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the Central European country in 45 years, the last being in 1979 by Morarji Desai. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he said, "We see the growing importance of India in Asia, world and in global affairs. We want to work with India, closer...I hope PM Modi's visit will not only be a new chapter in our relations, hopefully we will be able to write a new book" PM Modi will be in Poland on 21st and 22nd of August. During the visit PM will be paying tributes at the "Good Maharaja Square". The square in the Polish National Capital is to honor the Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja of Nawanagar, Gujarat who in 1942 gave refuge to Polish children fleeing persecution after Poland was occupied by Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.

PM Modi's visit to forge new chapter in India-Poland Ties: Top Polish Diplomat

<p>Indian Medical Association has launched a 24-hour shutdown of non-emergency services across India while protesting the Kolkata trainee doctor horror. The latest global health emergency, mpox, has stoked precautionary measures across the world but the WHO has said that there is no need to close the borders.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Click here to read more:</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-doctors-launch-24-hour-services-shutdown-over-kolkata-horror-here-are-their-key-demands-750826"><strong>Indian doctors launch 24-hour services shutdown over Kolkata horror; here are their key demands</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/08/17/449812-doctorsprotest.png?imwidth=400" />Doctors in India have called in for a nationwide shutdown of non-emergency medical services in protest of the brutal sexual assault and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata earlier this month. The heightened sense of insecurity was aggravated earlier this week when a mob of unidentified people assaulted medical professionals at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital where the trainee doctor was criminally assaulted before being killed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mpox-crisis-updates-pakistan-adopts-safety-measures-who-says-no-need-to-close-borders-750836"><strong>Mpox crisis updates: Pakistan adopts safety measures; WHO says no need to close borders</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/08/17/449818-untitled-1.png?imwidth=400" /><br />
First cases of mpox have been detected outside of Africa with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the recent outbreak&nbsp;of the disease as a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant of the virus was identified.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-war-optimistic-about-reaching-prospects-of-truce-deal-says-us-president-joe-biden-750818"><strong>Gaza war: Optimistic about prospects of reaching truce deal, says US President Joe Biden</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/08/17/449807-untitled.png?imwidth=400" /><br />
United States President Joe Biden said on Friday (Aug 16) that he was optimistic about the prospects of reaching a ceasefire and hostage deal in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/2611-terror-attack-former-pakistan-army-doctor-tahawwur-rana-extraditable-to-india-us-court-rules-750839"><strong>26/11 terror attack: Former Pakistan Army doctor Tahawwur Rana extraditable to India, US court rules</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/20/145734-untitled-design-2.jpg?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>Canadian national and former Pakistani army doctor Tahawwur Rana, wanted by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his role in the 26/11 terrorist attack, is extraditable to India under the extradition treaty between Washington DC and New Delhi, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>US Elections 2024: Kamala Harris takes lead in fifth swing state</strong></p>

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Indian Medical Association has launched a 24-hour shutdown of non-emergency services across India while protesting the Kolkata trainee doctor horror. The latest global health emergency, mpox, has stoked precautionary measures across the world but the WHO has said that there is no need to close the borders.

Indian Medical Association has launched a 24-hour shutdown of non-emergency services across India while protesting the Kolkata trainee doctor horror. The latest global health emergency, mpox, has stoked precautionary measures across the world but the WHO has said that there is no need to close the borders. Click here to read more: Indian doctors launch 24-hour services shutdown over Kolkata horror; here are their key demands Doctors in India have called in for a nationwide shutdown of non-emergency medical services in protest of the brutal sexual assault and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata earlier this month. The heightened sense of insecurity was aggravated earlier this week when a mob of unidentified people assaulted medical professionals at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital where the trainee doctor was criminally assaulted before being killed. Mpox crisis updates: Pakistan adopts safety measures; WHO says no need to close borders First cases of mpox have been detected outside of Africa with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the recent outbreak of the disease as a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant of the virus was identified. Gaza war: Optimistic about prospects of reaching truce deal, says US President Joe Biden United States President Joe Biden said on Friday (Aug 16) that he was optimistic about the prospects of reaching a ceasefire and hostage deal in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 26/11 terror attack: Former Pakistan Army doctor Tahawwur Rana extraditable to India, US court rules Canadian national and former Pakistani army doctor Tahawwur Rana, wanted by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his role in the 26/11 terrorist attack, is extraditable to India under the extradition treaty between Washington DC and New Delhi, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled. US Elections 2024: Kamala Harris takes lead in fifth swing state ×

Morning brief: Indian doctors launch services shutdown; WHO says no border closure on mpox crisis, and more

Gaza has recorded its first polio case in 25 years, the Palestinian Authority health ministry said on Friday, after UN chief Antonio Guterres called for pauses in the Israel-Hamas war to vaccinate hundreds of thousands of children.

Israel-Hamas war: Gaza reports its first polio case in 25 years

<p>Palestinian group Hamas on Thursday (Aug 15)&nbsp;stated that any ceasefire in the ongoing conflict must include a "complete" withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.</p>

<p>In other news,&nbsp;India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Friday (Aug 16) launched the Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) using its recently built small satellite launch vehicle SSLV-D3.</p>

<p><strong>Click on the links to read more...</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ceasefire-requires-full-israeli-withdrawal-from-gaza-says-hamas-750545">Ceasefire requires full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, says Hamas</a></p>

<p>Any agreement must achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, a complete (Israeli) withdrawal from Gaza, (and) the return of the displaced,&nbsp;said&nbsp;Hamas.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/06/16/438072-untitled-design-5.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-palestinian-killed-after-dozens-of-israeli-settlers-attack-west-bank-village-us-israel-condemn-incident-750549">Dozens of Israeli settlers attack West Bank village, killing one Palestinian</a></p>

<p>Dozens of Israeli settlers,&nbsp;some wearing masks, attacked the village of Jit in West Bank on Thursday (Aug 15).&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/08/16/449630-untitled-design-1.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-space-agency-isro-launches-eos-08-satellite-with-sslv-d3-750558">India's space agency ISRO launches EOS-08 satellite with SSLV-D3</a></p>

<p>India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Friday (Aug 16) launched the Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) using its recently built small satellite launch vehicle SSLV-D3.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/08/16/449637-untitled-design-3.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-riots-15-year-old-faces-riot-charges-amid-widespread-unrest-750534">UK unrest: 15-year-old boy becomes first to be charged with rioting</a></p>

<p>A teenager was charged with rioting on Thursday (Aug 16), becoming the first person prosecuted for involvement in the widespread violence that has gripped the UK.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/08/16/449622-untitled-design-55.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p><strong>WATCH:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/videos/russia-ukraine-war-ukraine-claims-capturing-100-russian-soldiers-in-kursk-region-750564" hreflang="en">Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine claims capturing 100 Russian soldiers in Kursk region</a></p>

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Palestinian group Hamas on Thursday (Aug 15) stated that any ceasefire in the ongoing conflict must include a "complete" withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. In other news, India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Friday (Aug 16) launched the Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) using its recently built small satellite launch vehicle SSLV-D3.

Palestinian group Hamas on Thursday (Aug 15) stated that any ceasefire in the ongoing conflict must include a "complete" withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. In other news, India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Friday (Aug 16) launched the Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) using its recently built small satellite launch vehicle SSLV-D3. Click on the links to read more... Ceasefire requires full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, says Hamas Any agreement must achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, a complete (Israeli) withdrawal from Gaza, (and) the return of the displaced, said Hamas. Dozens of Israeli settlers attack West Bank village, killing one Palestinian Dozens of Israeli settlers, some wearing masks, attacked the village of Jit in West Bank on Thursday (Aug 15). India's space agency ISRO launches EOS-08 satellite with SSLV-D3 India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Friday (Aug 16) launched the Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) using its recently built small satellite launch vehicle SSLV-D3. UK unrest: 15-year-old boy becomes first to be charged with rioting A teenager was charged with rioting on Thursday (Aug 16), becoming the first person prosecuted for involvement in the widespread violence that has gripped the UK. WATCH: Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine claims capturing 100 Russian soldiers in Kursk region ×

Morning news brief: Gaza ceasefire talks resume; settlers attack West Bank village; and more

<p>Palestinian group Hamas on Thursday (Aug 15) stated that any ceasefire in the ongoing conflict must include a "complete" withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.</p>

<p>"Any agreement must achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, a complete (Israeli) withdrawal from Gaza, (and) the return of the displaced," Hamas official Hossam Badran said in a statement after truce talks resumed in Doha on Thursday.</p>

<p>International mediators made a fresh attempt on Thursday to urge Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in their ongoing conflict, which according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry&nbsp;has now claimed more than 40,000 lives.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/backing-down-from-retaliating-against-israel-would-invite-divine-wrath-iran-supreme-leader-khamenei-750467">Not retaliating against Israel would invite ‘divine wrath’: Khamenei</a></p>

<p>The talks opened in Doha amid a wider international diplomatic bid to ease tensions that have spiked since the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An Israeli delegation participated in the Doha talks, which also included U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns.</p>

<p>However, the Palestinian militants took no direct part. Hamas official Osama Hamdan stated that the group would participate in indirect negotiations if Israel made new commitments.</p>

<p>According to AFP, Hamdan said that "so far there's nothing new" from Israel.</p>

<p>Earlier Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces should keep control of Gaza's frontier with Egypt to stop arms movements into the territory.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-palestinian-killed-after-dozens-of-israeli-settlers-attack-west-bank-village-us-israel-condemn-incident-750549">Dozens of Israeli settlers attack West Bank village, killing one Palestinian</a></p>

<p>It may be mentioned here, since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel set off the war, there had&nbsp;been one week-long truce in November, when 105 hostages seized in the attack were freed in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.</p>

<p>The current talks went ahead as the Gaza health ministry said the death toll in the besieged Palestinian territory had reached 40,005.</p>

<p>" Given the disturbing number of people who remain unaccounted for, who may be trapped or dead under the rubble, this number may, if anything, be an undercount," a spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment, hostages' kin protest in Tel Aviv urging peace deal</strong></p>

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<p>"This is however another reason why we need to have a ceasefire urgently as well as the release of all hostages and unimpeded humanitarian assistance," he added.</p>

<p>The Israeli military said it had killed "more than 17,000" Palestinian militants in Gaza since October 7.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Palestinian group Hamas on Thursday (Aug 15) stated that any ceasefire in the ongoing conflict must include a "complete" withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. "Any agreement must achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, a complete (Israeli) withdrawal from Gaza, (and) the return of the displaced," Hamas official Hossam Badran said in a statement after truce talks resumed in Doha on Thursday.

Palestinian group Hamas on Thursday (Aug 15) stated that any ceasefire in the ongoing conflict must include a "complete" withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. "Any agreement must achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, a complete (Israeli) withdrawal from Gaza, (and) the return of the displaced," Hamas official Hossam Badran said in a statement after truce talks resumed in Doha on Thursday. International mediators made a fresh attempt on Thursday to urge Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in their ongoing conflict, which according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has now claimed more than 40,000 lives. Also read: Not retaliating against Israel would invite ‘divine wrath’: Khamenei The talks opened in Doha amid a wider international diplomatic bid to ease tensions that have spiked since the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. An Israeli delegation participated in the Doha talks, which also included U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns. However, the Palestinian militants took no direct part. Hamas official Osama Hamdan stated that the group would participate in indirect negotiations if Israel made new commitments. According to AFP, Hamdan said that "so far there's nothing new" from Israel. Earlier Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces should keep control of Gaza's frontier with Egypt to stop arms movements into the territory. Also read: Dozens of Israeli settlers attack West Bank village, killing one Palestinian It may be mentioned here, since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel set off the war, there had been one week-long truce in November, when 105 hostages seized in the attack were freed in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The current talks went ahead as the Gaza health ministry said the death toll in the besieged Palestinian territory had reached 40,005. " Given the disturbing number of people who remain unaccounted for, who may be trapped or dead under the rubble, this number may, if anything, be an undercount," a spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres said. Watch: Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment, hostages' kin protest in Tel Aviv urging peace deal × "This is however another reason why we need to have a ceasefire urgently as well as the release of all hostages and unimpeded humanitarian assistance," he added. The Israeli military said it had killed "more than 17,000" Palestinian militants in Gaza since October 7. (With inputs from agencies)

Ceasefire requires full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, says Hamas

In a virtual briefing on Thursday, US National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby warned reporters that Iran might launch an unannounced strike on Israel in the coming days, given the region's continued state of high alert.

Latest Intel: Iran's strike could come without notice

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy leader Floyd Shivambu has quit to become a member of Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party. Watch to know more.

South Africa: Boost for Jacob Zuma as prominent politician joins his party

On Wednesday, former president Donald Trump cast his ballot early in the Florida Republican primary at a polling place close to his Palm Beach residence.

US | Trump's 'doublespeak': Former US President flip-flops on early and mail-in voting

<p>Sweden on Thursday (August 15) registered Europe's first case of the more dangerous variant of the mpox which is spreading rapidly in Africa. This comes&nbsp;a day after the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency.</p>

<p>"We have now [...] &nbsp;had confirmation that we have one case in Sweden of the more grave type of mpox, the one called Clade I," Sweden's Health and Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed told a press conference on Thursday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-declares-mpox-a-global-public-health-emergency-750211">What is mpox and why has WHO declared it a global health emergency?</a></strong></p>

<p>Sweden’s Public Health Agency said: "It is the first case caused by clade I to be diagnosed outside the African continent."</p>

<p>The WHO on Wednesday (August 14) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of clade 1 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has quickly spread to neighbouring countries.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Mpox Outbreak: W.H.O Sounds Alarm as New Variant Spreads Rapidly in Africa | Gravitas</strong></p>

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<p>Clade 1 was likely to be linked to "a higher rise of a more severe course of disease and higher mortality," the Swedish public health agency said.</p>

<h2><strong>Sweden's mpox patient</strong></h2>

<p>The patient caught the virus during a visit to "the part of Africa where there is a major outbreak of mpox clade I," Magnus Gisslen, a state epidemiologist, was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The patient "has received care", he said.</p>

<p>The Swedish public health agency said that Sweden "has a preparedness to diagnose, isolate and treat people with mpox safely."</p>

<p>"The fact that a patient with mpox is treated in the country does not affect the risk to the general population, a risk that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently considers very low," it said.</p>

<p>Mpox is primarily spread through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact and speaking or breathing close to another person.</p>

<p>The disease causes a characteristic lumpy rash with pus-filled lesions, fever, aches, and pains. It has also been linked to dangerous complications for pregnant women including miscarriage.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Sweden on Thursday (August 15) registered Europe's first case of the more dangerous variant of the mpox which is spreading rapidly in Africa. This comes a day after the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency.

Sweden on Thursday (August 15) registered Europe's first case of the more dangerous variant of the mpox which is spreading rapidly in Africa. This comes a day after the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency. "We have now [...] had confirmation that we have one case in Sweden of the more grave type of mpox, the one called Clade I," Sweden's Health and Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed told a press conference on Thursday. Also read | What is mpox and why has WHO declared it a global health emergency? Sweden’s Public Health Agency said: "It is the first case caused by clade I to be diagnosed outside the African continent." The WHO on Wednesday (August 14) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of clade 1 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has quickly spread to neighbouring countries. Also watch | Mpox Outbreak: W.H.O Sounds Alarm as New Variant Spreads Rapidly in Africa | Gravitas × Clade 1 was likely to be linked to "a higher rise of a more severe course of disease and higher mortality," the Swedish public health agency said. Sweden's mpox patient The patient caught the virus during a visit to "the part of Africa where there is a major outbreak of mpox clade I," Magnus Gisslen, a state epidemiologist, was quoted as saying by The Telegraph. The patient "has received care", he said. The Swedish public health agency said that Sweden "has a preparedness to diagnose, isolate and treat people with mpox safely." "The fact that a patient with mpox is treated in the country does not affect the risk to the general population, a risk that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently considers very low," it said. Mpox is primarily spread through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact and speaking or breathing close to another person. The disease causes a characteristic lumpy rash with pus-filled lesions, fever, aches, and pains. It has also been linked to dangerous complications for pregnant women including miscarriage. (With inputs from agencies)

Sweden reports first case of more contagious mpox strain

<p>A former preschool teacher has been handed a&nbsp;28-year&nbsp;prison sentence&nbsp;after he was found guilty of more than 200 sexual offences against children, in a case which has led to widespread uproar in Taiwan.</p>

<p>The Taipei District Court judge found a 30-year-old&nbsp;man, identified as&nbsp;Mao, guilty of committing "vicious" crimes because of which six children suffered "severe physical and mental trauma". All the children were under the age of seven.</p>

<p>Anger has been brewing among the citizens of the island over the crimes committed by the&nbsp;former preschool teacher&nbsp;and the way it was earlier handled by the authorities.</p>

<p>A lot of people have underlined that after an initial report regarding his crimes emerged in 2022, Mao did not face suspension because of this more children became his victims.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-alleged-rape-case-police-say-victim-who-claimed-to-be-belgian-national-is-local-resident-750593">Pakistan: No evidence found in initial examination of alleged Belgian national’s sexual&nbsp;assault&nbsp;claim</a></p>

<p>In July 2023, the police arrested Mao after complaints were filed by more parents against the kindergarten teacher.</p>

<p>"If the local government could have done a better job in 2022, there wouldn't be the tragedy in 2023," MP Lin Yueh-chin was quoted as saying by media outlets.</p>

<h2><strong>Parents speak against lack of transparency in Mao's child sexual abuse case</strong></h2>

<p>The parents said that there was a lack of transparency in the investigation of the case, adding&nbsp;that they were not given access to the investigation reports and the CCTV footage.</p>

<p>Last year, Mao faced suspension and was banned from teaching. The license of the kindergarten teacher was also revoked by the Taiwanese authorities.</p>

<p>Mao, on Friday (August 16), was convicted of multiple crimes, which included forcing children to film sexually explicit videos and raping them.</p>

<p>According to the documents submitted in the court, the crimes were committed by Mao when he was working at a private kindergarten in Taipei.</p>

<p>The teacher has a college degree in social work and joined the pre-school in September 2021.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;UK private tutor jailed for 6 years, arrested for sexually abusing teenage boy</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-private-tutor-jailed-for-6-years-arrested-for-sexually-abusing-teenage-boy-750090/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The 30-year-old Mao was given the duties of assisting in teaching, managing CCTV, supervising lunch breaks as well as picking up and dropping off the children.</p>

<p>"The number of victims was large, the crime was vicious, the victims suffered severe physical and mental trauma, and the accused's attitude after committing the crimes was awful," said the judge.</p>

<p>The details of the case had left the people horrified after the media started exposing it earlier this year.</p>

<p>The first complaint was made against the teacher in July 2022. However, the investigation in the case was dropped after the authorities failed to find any evidence.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A former preschool teacher has been handed a 28-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of more than 200 sexual offences against children, in a case which has led to widespread uproar in Taiwan.

A former preschool teacher has been handed a 28-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of more than 200 sexual offences against children, in a case which has led to widespread uproar in Taiwan. The Taipei District Court judge found a 30-year-old man, identified as Mao, guilty of committing "vicious" crimes because of which six children suffered "severe physical and mental trauma". All the children were under the age of seven. Anger has been brewing among the citizens of the island over the crimes committed by the former preschool teacher and the way it was earlier handled by the authorities. A lot of people have underlined that after an initial report regarding his crimes emerged in 2022, Mao did not face suspension because of this more children became his victims. Also Read: Pakistan: No evidence found in initial examination of alleged Belgian national’s sexual assault claim In July 2023, the police arrested Mao after complaints were filed by more parents against the kindergarten teacher. "If the local government could have done a better job in 2022, there wouldn't be the tragedy in 2023," MP Lin Yueh-chin was quoted as saying by media outlets. Parents speak against lack of transparency in Mao's child sexual abuse case The parents said that there was a lack of transparency in the investigation of the case, adding that they were not given access to the investigation reports and the CCTV footage. Last year, Mao faced suspension and was banned from teaching. The license of the kindergarten teacher was also revoked by the Taiwanese authorities. Mao, on Friday (August 16), was convicted of multiple crimes, which included forcing children to film sexually explicit videos and raping them. According to the documents submitted in the court, the crimes were committed by Mao when he was working at a private kindergarten in Taipei. The teacher has a college degree in social work and joined the pre-school in September 2021. Watch: UK private tutor jailed for 6 years, arrested for sexually abusing teenage boy The 30-year-old Mao was given the duties of assisting in teaching, managing CCTV, supervising lunch breaks as well as picking up and dropping off the children. "The number of victims was large, the crime was vicious, the victims suffered severe physical and mental trauma, and the accused's attitude after committing the crimes was awful," said the judge. The details of the case had left the people horrified after the media started exposing it earlier this year. The first complaint was made against the teacher in July 2022. However, the investigation in the case was dropped after the authorities failed to find any evidence. (With inputs from agencies)

Teacher gets 28 years of imprisonment for more than 200 sexual offences against children in Taiwan

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