The military in Burkina Faso has overthrown the country's President Roch Kabore. The people are celebrating the military takeover on the streets. Why? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Why people celebrated a coup in Burkina Faso

Ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations, China has launched a campaign to "purify" the internet. Celebrity fan groups and child influencers are on target of Chinese censors. What is this crackdown all about? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: China wants to "purify" the internet

WHO's executive board has nominated Dr Tedros for a second term as director-general. Why has no candidate emerged to challenge the controversial incumbent? What will a second term for 'Dr disaster' look like? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Tedros seals another term as WHO chief

In the increasingly digital world, anonymity is often a necessary thing in order to safeguard own details. There are many privacy measures to ensure anonymity of smartphone users. But a study has now suggested that the measures that have been used may no longer be suitable for the digital age.

Vast quantities of data are scooped up from smartphone apps by firms looking to develop products, conduct research or target consumers with adverts.

In Europe and many other jurisdictions, companies are legally bound to make this data anonymous, often doing so by removing telltale details like names or phone numbers.&nbsp;

But the study in the Nature Communications journal says this is no longer enough to keep identities private.&nbsp;

The researchers say people can now be identified with just a few details of how they communicate with an app like WhatsApp.&nbsp;

One of the paper's authors, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye of Imperial College London, told AFP it was time to "reinvent what anonymisation means".

'Rich' data

His team took anonymised data from more than 40,000 mobile phone users, most of which was information from messaging apps and other "interaction" data.&nbsp;

They then "attacked" the data searching for patterns in those interactions -- a technique that could be employed by malicious actors.&nbsp;

With just the direct contacts of the person included in the dataset, they found they could identify the person 15 percent of the time.

When further interactions between those primary contacts were included, they could identify 52 percent of people.&nbsp;

"Our results provide evidence that disconnected and even re-pseudonymised interaction data remain identifiable even across long periods of time," wrote the researchers from the UK, Switzerland and Italy.&nbsp;

"These results strongly suggest that current practices may not satisfy the anonymisation standard set forth by (European regulators) in particular with regard to the linkability criteria."&nbsp;

De Montjoye stressed that the intention was not to criticise any individual company or legal regime.&nbsp;

Rather, he said the algorithm they were using just provided a more robust way of testing what we regard as anonymised data.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In the increasingly digital world, anonymity is often a necessary thing in order to safeguard own details. There are many privacy measures to ensure anonymity of smartphone users.

In the increasingly digital world, anonymity is often a necessary thing in order to safeguard own details. There are many privacy measures to ensure anonymity of smartphone users. But a study has now suggested that the measures that have been used may no longer be suitable for the digital age. Vast quantities of data are scooped up from smartphone apps by firms looking to develop products, conduct research or target consumers with adverts. In Europe and many other jurisdictions, companies are legally bound to make this data anonymous, often doing so by removing telltale details like names or phone numbers. But the study in the Nature Communications journal says this is no longer enough to keep identities private. The researchers say people can now be identified with just a few details of how they communicate with an app like WhatsApp. One of the paper's authors, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye of Imperial College London, told AFP it was time to "reinvent what anonymisation means". 'Rich' data His team took anonymised data from more than 40,000 mobile phone users, most of which was information from messaging apps and other "interaction" data. They then "attacked" the data searching for patterns in those interactions -- a technique that could be employed by malicious actors. With just the direct contacts of the person included in the dataset, they found they could identify the person 15 percent of the time. When further interactions between those primary contacts were included, they could identify 52 percent of people. "Our results provide evidence that disconnected and even re-pseudonymised interaction data remain identifiable even across long periods of time," wrote the researchers from the UK, Switzerland and Italy. "These results strongly suggest that current practices may not satisfy the anonymisation standard set forth by (European regulators) in particular with regard to the linkability criteria." De Montjoye stressed that the intention was not to criticise any individual company or legal regime. Rather, he said the algorithm they were using just provided a more robust way of testing what we regard as anonymised data. (With inputs from agencies)

Just making smartphone data anonymous no longer enough, says study

A hospital in Boston, USA has refused to perform a heart transplant on a patient who doesn't want to take Covid vaccine. The patient, 31-year-old DJ Ferguson was on priority list for heart transplant. But he has now been excluded, as per a report by CBS Boston.

His father has been quoted as saying that Covid vaccination is against his son's basic principles. He said that his son does not believe in Covid vaccination.&nbsp;

His heart transplant surgery was to take place in Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston. But now, the hospital is refusing to carry out the procedure.

“Like many other transplant programs in the United States – the Covid-19 vaccine is one of several vaccines and lifestyle behaviors required for transplant candidates in the Mass General Brigham system in order to create both the best chance for a successful operation and also the patient’s survival after transplantation,” explained the hospital as quoted by The Guardian.

Medical experts in the area are supporting the stance taken by hospital. They are saying that organ transplant is followed by weakening of immune system in the immediate aftermath and if a patient is vaccinated against Covid, he or she stands better chance to be protected from Covid infection which can create major trouble for the patient in their weakened state.

Ferguson's family is not sure about future course of action. They said they thinking about several options but are running out of time.

A hospital in Boston, USA has refused to perform a heart transplant on a patient who doesn't want to take Covid vaccine. The patient, 31-year-old DJ Ferguson was on priority list for heart transplant.

A hospital in Boston, USA has refused to perform a heart transplant on a patient who doesn't want to take Covid vaccine. The patient, 31-year-old DJ Ferguson was on priority list for heart transplant. But he has now been excluded, as per a report by CBS Boston. His father has been quoted as saying that Covid vaccination is against his son's basic principles. He said that his son does not believe in Covid vaccination. His heart transplant surgery was to take place in Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston. But now, the hospital is refusing to carry out the procedure. “Like many other transplant programs in the United States – the Covid-19 vaccine is one of several vaccines and lifestyle behaviors required for transplant candidates in the Mass General Brigham system in order to create both the best chance for a successful operation and also the patient’s survival after transplantation,” explained the hospital as quoted by The Guardian. Medical experts in the area are supporting the stance taken by hospital. They are saying that organ transplant is followed by weakening of immune system in the immediate aftermath and if a patient is vaccinated against Covid, he or she stands better chance to be protected from Covid infection which can create major trouble for the patient in their weakened state. Ferguson's family is not sure about future course of action. They said they thinking about several options but are running out of time.

Hospital denies heart transplant to patient who refused to receive Covid vaccine

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is bracing for trouble as a report into his lockdown-breaching parties may soon spell major political trouble for him. Addition of police investigation into the entire issue has upped the stakes

The report from an investigation by senior civil servant Sue Gray is complete, but has not yet been submitted to Downing Street, the government said.

Gray, described as an iron-willed enforcer of probity in government, has been investigating revelations that Downing Street staff held frequent parties over the past two years while the rest of the country was in lockdown.

Opposition parties are insisting full publication of the report. Jhonson has been on the backfoot in British parliament for last many days.

The explosive confirmation that London's Metropolitan Police force has now started its own investigation could complicate the release of Gray's report.

Otherwise, according to senior Labour MP Chris Bryant on BBC radio, the public will "simply say this is a cover up".

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss affirmed her "100 percent" backing for Johnson despite the likelihood that he will become only the second prime minister, after Tony Blair, to face police questioning in office.

Truss, speaking to BBC television, said all sides should be more focused on issues such as Russia's threats to invade Ukraine.

But she acknowledged: "There clearly has to be a change of culture. The prime minister has said that mistakes were made, he's apologised for what has happened."

"I suspect we won't have much longer to wait for the Sue Gray report, where we can have a fuller view of exactly what happened," she added on BBC radio.

It was unclear whether Downing Street would release the report on Wednesday or later, with Johnson facing another grilling in parliament at the weekly joust of Prime Minister's Questions from noon (1200 GMT).

(With inputs from agencies)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is bracing for trouble as a report into his lockdown-breaching parties may soon spell major political trouble for him. Addition of police investigation into the entire issue has upped the stakes The report from an investigation by senior civil servant Sue Gray is complete, but has not yet been submitted to Downing Street, the government said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is bracing for trouble as a report into his lockdown-breaching parties may soon spell major political trouble for him. Addition of police investigation into the entire issue has upped the stakes The report from an investigation by senior civil servant Sue Gray is complete, but has not yet been submitted to Downing Street, the government said. Gray, described as an iron-willed enforcer of probity in government, has been investigating revelations that Downing Street staff held frequent parties over the past two years while the rest of the country was in lockdown. Opposition parties are insisting full publication of the report. Jhonson has been on the backfoot in British parliament for last many days. The explosive confirmation that London's Metropolitan Police force has now started its own investigation could complicate the release of Gray's report. Otherwise, according to senior Labour MP Chris Bryant on BBC radio, the public will "simply say this is a cover up". Foreign Secretary Liz Truss affirmed her "100 percent" backing for Johnson despite the likelihood that he will become only the second prime minister, after Tony Blair, to face police questioning in office. Truss, speaking to BBC television, said all sides should be more focused on issues such as Russia's threats to invade Ukraine. But she acknowledged: "There clearly has to be a change of culture. The prime minister has said that mistakes were made, he's apologised for what has happened." "I suspect we won't have much longer to wait for the Sue Gray report, where we can have a fuller view of exactly what happened," she added on BBC radio. It was unclear whether Downing Street would release the report on Wednesday or later, with Johnson facing another grilling in parliament at the weekly joust of Prime Minister's Questions from noon (1200 GMT). (With inputs from agencies)

Partygate: Boris Johnson bracing for impact of Sue Gray report

Denmark aims to scrap all remaining domestic COVID-19 restrictions next week, following on from similar announcements in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands in the past week despite high numbers of Omicron infections in Europe.

The Nordic country already loosened restrictions two weeks ago after a month-long lockdown, allowing cinemas and music venues to reopen, but some rules remain, including limited opening hours for restaurants and mandatory face masks.

In a letter to parliament, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said the government intends to follow recommendations issued by an expert panel on Tuesday to scrap all restrictions by Feb 1.

The government's decision, which is subject to parliamentary approval, will be the most far-reaching easing of curbs seen among the Nordic countries.

Nightclubs can reopen and restaurants will be able to serve alcohol after 10 pm; customers won't need to present vaccine passes upon entry. Commuters can take the bus without having to wear a face mask and shops can lift limits on customer numbers.

If the changes are approved, the only rules that will remain are those covering test and isolation on entry to Denmark, which will stay in place for another four weeks.

The UK, Ireland and the Netherlands have in the last week announced similar decisions to remove most coronavirus curbs even though infections with the Omicron variant remain high. Among reasons given were case numbers dropping below peaks and lower numbers of hospitalisations than feared.

Denmark logged 46,590 new cases on Tuesday, slightly below a peak of 47,831 on Friday. The number of coronavirus-related hospitalisations rose to 918, the highest in a year.

But health authorities have estimated between 30%-40% of those currently in hospital with a positive coronavirus test are there for other reasons than COVID-19.

"There has been a decoupling between the trend that was applicable earlier in the epidemic, between increasing infection and increase in COVID hospitalisations," the expert advisory panel said in a report dated Jan 21.

Since a peak of 82 on Jan. 6, the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care has fallen steadily to 44 on Tuesday. 
&nbsp;

Denmark aims to scrap all remaining domestic COVID-19 restrictions next week, following on from similar announcements in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands in the past week despite high numbers of Omicron infections in Europe.

Denmark aims to scrap all remaining domestic COVID-19 restrictions next week, following on from similar announcements in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands in the past week despite high numbers of Omicron infections in Europe. The Nordic country already loosened restrictions two weeks ago after a month-long lockdown, allowing cinemas and music venues to reopen, but some rules remain, including limited opening hours for restaurants and mandatory face masks. In a letter to parliament, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said the government intends to follow recommendations issued by an expert panel on Tuesday to scrap all restrictions by Feb 1. The government's decision, which is subject to parliamentary approval, will be the most far-reaching easing of curbs seen among the Nordic countries. Nightclubs can reopen and restaurants will be able to serve alcohol after 10 pm; customers won't need to present vaccine passes upon entry. Commuters can take the bus without having to wear a face mask and shops can lift limits on customer numbers. If the changes are approved, the only rules that will remain are those covering test and isolation on entry to Denmark, which will stay in place for another four weeks. The UK, Ireland and the Netherlands have in the last week announced similar decisions to remove most coronavirus curbs even though infections with the Omicron variant remain high. Among reasons given were case numbers dropping below peaks and lower numbers of hospitalisations than feared. Denmark logged 46,590 new cases on Tuesday, slightly below a peak of 47,831 on Friday. The number of coronavirus-related hospitalisations rose to 918, the highest in a year. But health authorities have estimated between 30%-40% of those currently in hospital with a positive coronavirus test are there for other reasons than COVID-19. "There has been a decoupling between the trend that was applicable earlier in the epidemic, between increasing infection and increase in COVID hospitalisations," the expert advisory panel said in a report dated Jan 21. Since a peak of 82 on Jan. 6, the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care has fallen steadily to 44 on Tuesday.

Denmark aims to scrap all domestic COVID-19 curbs by February

In what can add to the already high tensions in Europe, Russia has sent additional fighter jets for military drills. Russian Ministry of Defence released a video on Wednesday (January 26). Russia's Su-35 fighter jets have relocated to Belarusian airfields. This manoeuvre has come as Ukraine crisis shows no signs of dying down.

The Interfax news agency said on Friday, that Russia has send two battalions of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to Belarus.

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Russia and Belarus will hold joint military exercises "Allied Resolve" to work out the issues of suppressing and repelling external aggression and countering terrorism Russian State agency RIA Novosti reported.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-crisis-joe-bidens-rare-sanction-threat-to-vladimir-putin-russian-medias-narrative-is-different-447605">Ukraine crisis: Joe Biden's rare sanction threat to Vladimir Putin; Russian media's narrative is different</a>

Russia still has about 100,000 troops stationed along its border with Ukraine. The threat of invasion is high and though Russia claims that it does not want to invade Ukraine, it is widely perceived to be creating pretext for an invasion. Russia has made it clear that it is dead against inclusion of Ukraine in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the military grouping that was formed as a bulwark against Soviet Union. Russia views expansion of NATO near its eastern borders as an attempt to meddle in its sphere of influence.&nbsp;

Belarus President Aleksander Lukashenko is considered to be a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia's drills with Belarus have come as the West, mainly US has moved to provide weapons to Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)

In what can add to the already high tensions in Europe, Russia has sent additional fighter jets for military drills. Russian Ministry of Defence released a video on Wednesday (January 26).

In what can add to the already high tensions in Europe, Russia has sent additional fighter jets for military drills. Russian Ministry of Defence released a video on Wednesday (January 26). Russia's Su-35 fighter jets have relocated to Belarusian airfields. This manoeuvre has come as Ukraine crisis shows no signs of dying down. The Interfax news agency said on Friday, that Russia has send two battalions of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to Belarus. × Russia and Belarus will hold joint military exercises "Allied Resolve" to work out the issues of suppressing and repelling external aggression and countering terrorism Russian State agency RIA Novosti reported. Also Read | Ukraine crisis: Joe Biden's rare sanction threat to Vladimir Putin; Russian media's narrative is different Russia still has about 100,000 troops stationed along its border with Ukraine. The threat of invasion is high and though Russia claims that it does not want to invade Ukraine, it is widely perceived to be creating pretext for an invasion. Russia has made it clear that it is dead against inclusion of Ukraine in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the military grouping that was formed as a bulwark against Soviet Union. Russia views expansion of NATO near its eastern borders as an attempt to meddle in its sphere of influence. Belarus President Aleksander Lukashenko is considered to be a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia's drills with Belarus have come as the West, mainly US has moved to provide weapons to Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia sends more fighter planes for drills in Belarus

Republic Day 2022 celebrations made news for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attire as the premier chose to depart from his usual sartorial choices. Giving the customary turban a miss,&nbsp; the PM chose to wear Uttarakhand cap as he attended the celebrations on Raj Path in New Delhi.

The cap had an image of 'Brahmakamal' a flower that has come to be associated with mythical connotations in Indian history and spirituality. It is also the state flower of northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

In addition to the cap, PM sported a stole from Manipur, a state located in Northeast India.

Official sources said Modi uses the brahmakamal whenever he offers prayers at Kedarnath.

Turbans have been a highlight of the prime minister's sartorial choices at Independence Day and Republic Day events.

Check out |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/republic-day-parade-2022-indian-air-force-flexes-muscle-touches-the-sky-with-glory-447709"> Republic Day Parade 2022: Indian Air Force flexes muscle, touches the sky with glory</a> 
 
Last year, he sported a special turban from Gujarat's Jamnagar on 72nd Republic Day. On Independence Day last year, he chose a saffron headgear with red patterns and a long plume.

For his maiden Independence Day speech in 2014, he had opted for a bright red Jodhpuri bandhej turban with green at the tail.

In 2015, he chose a yellow turban covered with multi-coloured crisscross lines, and a tie and dye turban in hues of pink and yellow in 2016.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-itbp-bravehearts-celebrate-republic-day-at-15000-feet-in-sub-zero-temperature-at-ladakh-border-447620">Watch: ITBP bravehearts celebrate Republic Day at 15000 feet in sub-zero temperature at Ladakh border</a>

The prime minister's turban for 2017 was a mix of bright red and yellow with crisscrossed golden lines all over. He donned a saffron turban for his appearance at the Red Fort in 2018.

Both Manipur and Uttarakhand are headed for polls next month.

(With inputs from agencies)

Republic Day 2022 celebrations made news for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attire as the premier chose to depart from his usual sartorial choices. Giving the customary turban a miss, the PM chose to wear Uttarakhand cap as he attended the celebrations on Raj Path in New Delhi.

Republic Day 2022 celebrations made news for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attire as the premier chose to depart from his usual sartorial choices. Giving the customary turban a miss, the PM chose to wear Uttarakhand cap as he attended the celebrations on Raj Path in New Delhi. The cap had an image of 'Brahmakamal' a flower that has come to be associated with mythical connotations in Indian history and spirituality. It is also the state flower of northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. In addition to the cap, PM sported a stole from Manipur, a state located in Northeast India. Official sources said Modi uses the brahmakamal whenever he offers prayers at Kedarnath. Turbans have been a highlight of the prime minister's sartorial choices at Independence Day and Republic Day events. Check out | Republic Day Parade 2022: Indian Air Force flexes muscle, touches the sky with glory Last year, he sported a special turban from Gujarat's Jamnagar on 72nd Republic Day. On Independence Day last year, he chose a saffron headgear with red patterns and a long plume. For his maiden Independence Day speech in 2014, he had opted for a bright red Jodhpuri bandhej turban with green at the tail. In 2015, he chose a yellow turban covered with multi-coloured crisscross lines, and a tie and dye turban in hues of pink and yellow in 2016. Also Read | Watch: ITBP bravehearts celebrate Republic Day at 15000 feet in sub-zero temperature at Ladakh border The prime minister's turban for 2017 was a mix of bright red and yellow with crisscrossed golden lines all over. He donned a saffron turban for his appearance at the Red Fort in 2018. Both Manipur and Uttarakhand are headed for polls next month. (With inputs from agencies)

Republic Day 2022: PM Narendra Modi ditches turban, goes for Uttarakhand cap

Greek capital of Athens was rocked by an explosion that led to a fire. Officials and eyewitnesses were quoted to say that the explosion took place in early hours of Wednesday (January 26). One person was injured and several buildings were extensively damaged due to explosion and fire.

Giorgos Mathiopoulos, the head of workers at the National Centre for Emergency Care told Skai TV that the person who suffered burns was taken to hospital.

Windows of the buildings were smashed due to the blasts and even facades were damaged. The damage took place along the major traffic artery of Syngrou Avenue.

Syngrous Avenue links the city centre to the southern suburbs. Buildings up tp 200 metres (656 ft) away were damaged.

Debris littered the street a day after a severe snowstorm swept the capital disrupting traffic and stranding thousands of people.

At least 18 firefighters used seven engines to battle a blaze at one buildings and have nearly brought it under control, the fire brigade said.

It was not immediately clear what triggered the blast or the fire, officials said.

"We have a fire, there was a blast before that," said a fire brigade commander at the scene.

(With inputs from agencies)

Greek capital of Athens was rocked by an explosion that led to a fire. Officials and eyewitnesses were quoted to say that the explosion took place in early hours of Wednesday (January 26).

Greek capital of Athens was rocked by an explosion that led to a fire. Officials and eyewitnesses were quoted to say that the explosion took place in early hours of Wednesday (January 26). One person was injured and several buildings were extensively damaged due to explosion and fire. Giorgos Mathiopoulos, the head of workers at the National Centre for Emergency Care told Skai TV that the person who suffered burns was taken to hospital. Windows of the buildings were smashed due to the blasts and even facades were damaged. The damage took place along the major traffic artery of Syngrou Avenue. Syngrous Avenue links the city centre to the southern suburbs. Buildings up tp 200 metres (656 ft) away were damaged. Debris littered the street a day after a severe snowstorm swept the capital disrupting traffic and stranding thousands of people. At least 18 firefighters used seven engines to battle a blaze at one buildings and have nearly brought it under control, the fire brigade said. It was not immediately clear what triggered the blast or the fire, officials said. "We have a fire, there was a blast before that," said a fire brigade commander at the scene. (With inputs from agencies)

Explosion in Athens causes extensive damage to buildings

India on Tuesday announced Padma Bhushan, its third-highest civilian award for Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Both tech bosses are of Indian origin. The announcement was made on the eve of India's Republic Day.

Padma Bhushan is part of India's Padma Awards which are divided into three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

Padma Vibhushan is the highest accolade among the three awards. The Padma awards are conferred on individuals with exceptional service in fields such as art, public affairs, science and engineering, social work,&nbsp; medicine, trade and industry,&nbsp;literature and education, sports, and civil service.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/padma-awards-2022-general-bipin-rawat-kalyan-singh-among-four-conferred-padma-vibhushan-447523">Padma awards 2022: General Bipin Rawat, Kalyan Singh among four conferred Padma Vibhushan</a>

Pichai (49) and Nadella (54) are among 17 Padma Bhushan awardees this year. Both of them have been awarded Padma Bhushan in the 'trade and industry' category.

The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. The awards will actually be handed to recipients&nbsp;in a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of President of India. The ceremony usually takes place in March or April.

This year the President has approved the conferment of 128 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases.

Born on June 10, 1972 in Madras (now Chennai), Pichai Sundararajan -- better known as Sundar Pichai -- earned his degree from IIT Kharagpur in metallurgical engineering.

Moving to the US, he earned an MS from Stanford University in materials science and engineering and further earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Pichai began his career as a materials engineer. After a short stint at the management consulting firm McKinsey &amp; Co, he joined Google in 2004, and the rest is history.

Pichai was picked up as the next CEO of Google on August 10, 2015, after previously being appointed Product Chief by CEO Larry Page. He was appointed to the Alphabet Board of Directors in 2017.

He was included in Time`s annual list of the 100 most influential people in 2016 and 2020.

Pichai is married to Anjali Pichai and has two children. His recreational interests include cricket and football.

On the other hand, Satya Narayana Nadella was born on August 17, 1967 in Hyderabad (present-day Telangana).

His mother Prabhavati was a Sanskrit lecturer, and his father, Bukkapuram Nadella Yugandhar, was an IAS officer of the 1962 batch.

Nadella studied at the Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, before receiving a bachelor`s in electrical engineering from the Manipal Institute of Technology in Karnataka in 1988.

He then moved to the US to study for an MS in computer science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning the degree in 1990.

Later, he received an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1997.

He is currently the Executive Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, succeeding Steve Ballmer in 2014 as CEO and John W. Thompson in 2021 as Chairman.

Before becoming the CEO, he was the Executive Vice President of Microsoft`s cloud and enterprise group, responsible for building and running the company`s computing platforms.

(With inputs from agencies)

India on Tuesday announced Padma Bhushan, its third-highest civilian award for Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Both tech bosses are of Indian origin.

India on Tuesday announced Padma Bhushan, its third-highest civilian award for Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Both tech bosses are of Indian origin. The announcement was made on the eve of India's Republic Day. Padma Bhushan is part of India's Padma Awards which are divided into three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. Padma Vibhushan is the highest accolade among the three awards. The Padma awards are conferred on individuals with exceptional service in fields such as art, public affairs, science and engineering, social work, medicine, trade and industry, literature and education, sports, and civil service. Also Read | Padma awards 2022: General Bipin Rawat, Kalyan Singh among four conferred Padma Vibhushan Pichai (49) and Nadella (54) are among 17 Padma Bhushan awardees this year. Both of them have been awarded Padma Bhushan in the 'trade and industry' category. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. The awards will actually be handed to recipients in a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of President of India. The ceremony usually takes place in March or April. This year the President has approved the conferment of 128 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases. Born on June 10, 1972 in Madras (now Chennai), Pichai Sundararajan -- better known as Sundar Pichai -- earned his degree from IIT Kharagpur in metallurgical engineering. Moving to the US, he earned an MS from Stanford University in materials science and engineering and further earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Pichai began his career as a materials engineer. After a short stint at the management consulting firm McKinsey & Co, he joined Google in 2004, and the rest is history. Pichai was picked up as the next CEO of Google on August 10, 2015, after previously being appointed Product Chief by CEO Larry Page. He was appointed to the Alphabet Board of Directors in 2017. He was included in Time`s annual list of the 100 most influential people in 2016 and 2020. Pichai is married to Anjali Pichai and has two children. His recreational interests include cricket and football. On the other hand, Satya Narayana Nadella was born on August 17, 1967 in Hyderabad (present-day Telangana). His mother Prabhavati was a Sanskrit lecturer, and his father, Bukkapuram Nadella Yugandhar, was an IAS officer of the 1962 batch. Nadella studied at the Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, before receiving a bachelor`s in electrical engineering from the Manipal Institute of Technology in Karnataka in 1988. He then moved to the US to study for an MS in computer science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning the degree in 1990. Later, he received an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1997. He is currently the Executive Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, succeeding Steve Ballmer in 2014 as CEO and John W. Thompson in 2021 as Chairman. Before becoming the CEO, he was the Executive Vice President of Microsoft`s cloud and enterprise group, responsible for building and running the company`s computing platforms. (With inputs from agencies)

India awards Padma Bhushan to Google's Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's Satya Nadella

We knew this was coming.

“George, you have to understand that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.” These were the ominous words of President Vladimir Putin of Russia to President George W. Bush in Bucharest, Romania, at a NATO summit in April 2008.

Mr. Putin was furious: NATO had just announced that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join the alliance. This was a compromise formula to allay concerns of our European allies — an explicit promise to join the bloc, but no specific timeline for membership.

At the time, I was the national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia, part of a team briefing Mr. Bush. We warned him that Mr. Putin would view steps to bring Ukraine and Georgia closer to NATO as a provocative move that would likely provoke pre-emptive Russian military action. But ultimately, our warnings weren’t heeded.

Within four months, in August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Ukraine got Russia’s message loud and clear. It backpedaled on NATO membership for the next several years. But in 2014, Ukraine wanted to sign an association agreement with the European Union, thinking this might be a safer route to the West. Moscow struck again, accusing Ukraine of seeking a back door to NATO, annexing Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and starting an ongoing proxy war in Ukraine’s southeastern Donbas region. The West’s muted reactions to both the 2008 and 2014 invasions emboldened Mr. Putin.

This time, Mr. Putin’s aim is bigger than closing NATO’s “open door” to Ukraine and taking more territory — he wants to evict the United States from Europe. As he might put it: “Goodbye America. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

As I have seen over two decades of observing Mr. Putin, and analyzing his moves, his actions are purposeful and his choice of this moment to throw down the gauntlet in Ukraine and Europe is very intentional. He has a personal obsession with history and anniversaries. December 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Russia lost its dominant position in Europe. Mr. Putin wants to give the United States a taste of the same bitter medicine Russia had to swallow in the 1990s. He believes that the United States is currently in the same predicament as Russia was after the Soviet collapse: grievously weakened at home and in retreat abroad. He also thinks NATO is nothing more than an extension of the United States. Russian officials and commentators routinely deny any agency or independent strategic thought to other NATO members. So, when it comes to the alliance, all Moscow’s moves are directed against Washington.

In the 1990s, the United States and NATO forced Russia to withdraw the remnants of the Soviet military from their bases in Eastern Europe, Germany and the Baltic States. Mr. Putin wants the United States to suffer in a similar way. From Russia’s perspective, America’s domestic travails after four years of President Donald Trump’s disastrous presidency, as well as the rifts he created with U.S. allies and then America’s precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan, signal weakness. If Russia presses hard enough, Mr. Putin hopes he can strike a new security deal with NATO and Europe to avoid an open-ended conflict, and then it will be America’s turn to leave, taking its troops and missiles with it.

Ukraine is both Russia’s target and a source of leverage against the United States. Over the last several months Mr. Putin has bogged the Biden administration down in endless tactical games that put the United States on the defensive. Russia moves forces to Ukraine’s borders, launches war games and ramps up the visceral commentary. In recent official documents, it demanded ironclad guarantees that Ukraine (and other former republics of the U.S.S.R.) will never become members of NATO, that NATO pull back from positions taken after 1997, and also that America withdraw its own forces and weapons, including its nuclear missiles. Russian representatives assert that Moscow doesn’t “need peace at any cost” in Europe. Some Russian politicians even suggest the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against NATO targets to make sure that we know they are serious, and that we should meet Moscow’s demands.

For weeks, American officials have huddled to make sense of the official documents with Russia’s demands and the contradictory commentary, pondered how to deter Mr. Putin in Ukraine and scrambled to talk on his timeline.

All the while, Mr. Putin and his proxies have ratcheted up their statements. Kremlin officials have not just challenged the legitimacy of America’s position in Europe, they have raised questions about America’s bases in Japan and its role in the Asia-Pacific region. They have also intimated that they may ship hypersonic missiles to America’s back door in Cuba and Venezuela to revive what the Russians call the Caribbean Crisis of the 1960s.

Mr. Putin is a master of coercive inducement. He manufactures a crisis in such a way that he can win no matter what anyone else does. Threats and promises are essentially one and the same. Mr. Putin can invade Ukraine yet again, or he can leave things where they are and just consolidate the territory Russia effectively controls in Crimea and Donbas. He can stir up trouble in Japan and send hypersonic missiles to Cuba and Venezuela, or not, if things go his way in Europe.

Mr. Putin plays a longer, strategic game and knows how to prevail in the tactical scrum. He has the United States right where he wants it. His posturing and threats have set the agenda in European security debates, and have drawn our full attention. Unlike President Biden, Mr. Putin doesn’t have to worry about midterm elections or pushback from his own party or the opposition. Mr. Putin has no concerns about bad press or poor poll ratings. He isn’t part of a political party and he has crushed the Russian opposition. The Kremlin has largely silenced the local, independent press. Mr. Putin is up for re-election in 2024, but his only viable opponent, Aleksei Navalny, is locked in a penal colony outside of Moscow.

So Mr. Putin can act as he chooses, when he chooses. Barring ill health, the United States will have to contend with him for years to come. Right now, all signs indicate that Mr. Putin will lock the U.S. into an endless tactical game, take more chunks out of Ukraine and exploit all the frictions and fractures in NATO and the European Union. Getting out of the current crisis requires acting, not reacting. The United States needs to shape the diplomatic response and engage Russia on the West’s terms, not just Moscow’s.

To be sure, Russia does have some legitimate security concerns, and European security arrangements could certainly do with fresh thinking and refurbishment after 30 years. There is plenty for Washington and Moscow to discuss on the conventional and nuclear forces as well as in the cyber domain and on other fronts. But a further Russian invasion of Ukraine and Ukraine’s dismemberment and neutralization cannot be an issue for U.S.-Russian negotiation nor a line item in European security. Ultimately, the United States needs to show Mr. Putin that he will face global resistance and Mr. Putin’s aggression will put Russia’s political and economic relationships at risk far beyond Europe.

Contrary to Mr. Putin’s premise in 2008 that Ukraine is “not a real country,” Ukraine has been a full-fledged member of the United Nations since 1991. Another Russian assault would challenge the entire U.N. system and imperil the arrangements that have guaranteed member states’ sovereignty since World War II — akin to the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, but on an even bigger scale. The United States and its allies, and Ukraine itself, should take this issue to the United Nations and put it before the General Assembly as well as the Security Council. Even if Russia blocks a resolution, the future of Ukraine merits a global response. The United States should also raise concerns in other regional institutions. Why is Russia trying to take its disputes in Europe to Asia and the Western Hemisphere? What does Ukraine have to do with Japan, or Cuba and Venezuela?

Mr. Biden has promised that Russia “will pay a heavy price” if any Russian troops cross Ukraine’s borders. If Mr. Putin invades Ukraine with no punitive action from the West and the rest of the international community, beyond financial sanctions, then he will have set a precedent for future action by other countries. Mr. Putin has already factored additional U.S. financial sanctions into his calculations. But he assumes that some NATO allies will be reluctant to follow suit on these sanctions and other countries will look the other way. U.N. censure, widespread and vocal international opposition, and countries outside Europe taking action to pull back on their relations with Russia might give him pause. Forging a united front with its European allies and rallying broader support should be America’s longer game. Otherwise this saga could indeed mark the beginning of the end of America’s military presence in Europe.

We knew this was coming. “George, you have to understand that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.

We knew this was coming. “George, you have to understand that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.” These were the ominous words of President Vladimir Putin of Russia to President George W. Bush in Bucharest, Romania, at a NATO summit in April 2008. Mr. Putin was furious: NATO had just announced that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join the alliance. This was a compromise formula to allay concerns of our European allies — an explicit promise to join the bloc, but no specific timeline for membership. At the time, I was the national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia, part of a team briefing Mr. Bush. We warned him that Mr. Putin would view steps to bring Ukraine and Georgia closer to NATO as a provocative move that would likely provoke pre-emptive Russian military action. But ultimately, our warnings weren’t heeded. Within four months, in August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Ukraine got Russia’s message loud and clear. It backpedaled on NATO membership for the next several years. But in 2014, Ukraine wanted to sign an association agreement with the European Union, thinking this might be a safer route to the West. Moscow struck again, accusing Ukraine of seeking a back door to NATO, annexing Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and starting an ongoing proxy war in Ukraine’s southeastern Donbas region. The West’s muted reactions to both the 2008 and 2014 invasions emboldened Mr. Putin. This time, Mr. Putin’s aim is bigger than closing NATO’s “open door” to Ukraine and taking more territory — he wants to evict the United States from Europe. As he might put it: “Goodbye America. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” As I have seen over two decades of observing Mr. Putin, and analyzing his moves, his actions are purposeful and his choice of this moment to throw down the gauntlet in Ukraine and Europe is very intentional. He has a personal obsession with history and anniversaries. December 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Russia lost its dominant position in Europe. Mr. Putin wants to give the United States a taste of the same bitter medicine Russia had to swallow in the 1990s. He believes that the United States is currently in the same predicament as Russia was after the Soviet collapse: grievously weakened at home and in retreat abroad. He also thinks NATO is nothing more than an extension of the United States. Russian officials and commentators routinely deny any agency or independent strategic thought to other NATO members. So, when it comes to the alliance, all Moscow’s moves are directed against Washington. In the 1990s, the United States and NATO forced Russia to withdraw the remnants of the Soviet military from their bases in Eastern Europe, Germany and the Baltic States. Mr. Putin wants the United States to suffer in a similar way. From Russia’s perspective, America’s domestic travails after four years of President Donald Trump’s disastrous presidency, as well as the rifts he created with U.S. allies and then America’s precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan, signal weakness. If Russia presses hard enough, Mr. Putin hopes he can strike a new security deal with NATO and Europe to avoid an open-ended conflict, and then it will be America’s turn to leave, taking its troops and missiles with it. Ukraine is both Russia’s target and a source of leverage against the United States. Over the last several months Mr. Putin has bogged the Biden administration down in endless tactical games that put the United States on the defensive. Russia moves forces to Ukraine’s borders, launches war games and ramps up the visceral commentary. In recent official documents, it demanded ironclad guarantees that Ukraine (and other former republics of the U.S.S.R.) will never become members of NATO, that NATO pull back from positions taken after 1997, and also that America withdraw its own forces and weapons, including its nuclear missiles. Russian representatives assert that Moscow doesn’t “need peace at any cost” in Europe. Some Russian politicians even suggest the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against NATO targets to make sure that we know they are serious, and that we should meet Moscow’s demands. For weeks, American officials have huddled to make sense of the official documents with Russia’s demands and the contradictory commentary, pondered how to deter Mr. Putin in Ukraine and scrambled to talk on his timeline. All the while, Mr. Putin and his proxies have ratcheted up their statements. Kremlin officials have not just challenged the legitimacy of America’s position in Europe, they have raised questions about America’s bases in Japan and its role in the Asia-Pacific region. They have also intimated that they may ship hypersonic missiles to America’s back door in Cuba and Venezuela to revive what the Russians call the Caribbean Crisis of the 1960s. Mr. Putin is a master of coercive inducement. He manufactures a crisis in such a way that he can win no matter what anyone else does. Threats and promises are essentially one and the same. Mr. Putin can invade Ukraine yet again, or he can leave things where they are and just consolidate the territory Russia effectively controls in Crimea and Donbas. He can stir up trouble in Japan and send hypersonic missiles to Cuba and Venezuela, or not, if things go his way in Europe. Mr. Putin plays a longer, strategic game and knows how to prevail in the tactical scrum. He has the United States right where he wants it. His posturing and threats have set the agenda in European security debates, and have drawn our full attention. Unlike President Biden, Mr. Putin doesn’t have to worry about midterm elections or pushback from his own party or the opposition. Mr. Putin has no concerns about bad press or poor poll ratings. He isn’t part of a political party and he has crushed the Russian opposition. The Kremlin has largely silenced the local, independent press. Mr. Putin is up for re-election in 2024, but his only viable opponent, Aleksei Navalny, is locked in a penal colony outside of Moscow. So Mr. Putin can act as he chooses, when he chooses. Barring ill health, the United States will have to contend with him for years to come. Right now, all signs indicate that Mr. Putin will lock the U.S. into an endless tactical game, take more chunks out of Ukraine and exploit all the frictions and fractures in NATO and the European Union. Getting out of the current crisis requires acting, not reacting. The United States needs to shape the diplomatic response and engage Russia on the West’s terms, not just Moscow’s. To be sure, Russia does have some legitimate security concerns, and European security arrangements could certainly do with fresh thinking and refurbishment after 30 years. There is plenty for Washington and Moscow to discuss on the conventional and nuclear forces as well as in the cyber domain and on other fronts. But a further Russian invasion of Ukraine and Ukraine’s dismemberment and neutralization cannot be an issue for U.S.-Russian negotiation nor a line item in European security. Ultimately, the United States needs to show Mr. Putin that he will face global resistance and Mr. Putin’s aggression will put Russia’s political and economic relationships at risk far beyond Europe. Contrary to Mr. Putin’s premise in 2008 that Ukraine is “not a real country,” Ukraine has been a full-fledged member of the United Nations since 1991. Another Russian assault would challenge the entire U.N. system and imperil the arrangements that have guaranteed member states’ sovereignty since World War II — akin to the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, but on an even bigger scale. The United States and its allies, and Ukraine itself, should take this issue to the United Nations and put it before the General Assembly as well as the Security Council. Even if Russia blocks a resolution, the future of Ukraine merits a global response. The United States should also raise concerns in other regional institutions. Why is Russia trying to take its disputes in Europe to Asia and the Western Hemisphere? What does Ukraine have to do with Japan, or Cuba and Venezuela? Mr. Biden has promised that Russia “will pay a heavy price” if any Russian troops cross Ukraine’s borders. If Mr. Putin invades Ukraine with no punitive action from the West and the rest of the international community, beyond financial sanctions, then he will have set a precedent for future action by other countries. Mr. Putin has already factored additional U.S. financial sanctions into his calculations. But he assumes that some NATO allies will be reluctant to follow suit on these sanctions and other countries will look the other way. U.N. censure, widespread and vocal international opposition, and countries outside Europe taking action to pull back on their relations with Russia might give him pause. Forging a united front with its European allies and rallying broader support should be America’s longer game. Otherwise this saga could indeed mark the beginning of the end of America’s military presence in Europe.

Putin has the US right where he wants it

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Manas Joshi

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