YouTube was urged by more than 80 fact-checking organisations to better combat disinformation. They offered help to debunk false statements. The fact-checkers called YouTube 'one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation'

"Every day, we see that YouTube is one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation worldwide," said the groups spanning the globe, from Politifact and the Washington Post in the United States to the Kenya-based Africa Check.

In an open letter, the fact-checking organisations said that videos containing false information had gone "under the radar of YouTube's policies, especially in non-English speaking countries". The open letter was addressed to YouTube chief Susan Wojcicki.

"We urge you to take effective action against disinformation and misinformation... and to do so with the world's independent, non-partisan fact-checking organisations," they added.

"Our experience as fact-checkers together with academic evidence tells us that surfacing fact-checked information is more effective than deleting content."

It also urged the platform to make sure its recommendation algorithm did not actively promote disinformation to its users.

YouTube spokesperson Elena Hernandez defended the platform, saying that fact checking was a "crucial tool", but just "one piece of a much larger puzzle to address the spread of misinformation".

"Over the years, we've invested heavily in policies and products in all countries... to connect people to authoritative content, reduce the spread of borderline misinformation, and remove violative videos," she added.

She said YouTube had seen "important progress".

(With inputs from agencies)

YouTube was urged by more than 80 fact-checking organisations to better combat disinformation. They offered help to debunk false statements. The fact-checkers called YouTube 'one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation' "Every day, we see that YouTube is one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation worldwide," said the groups spanning the globe, from Politifact and the Washington Post in the United States to the Kenya-based Africa Check.

YouTube was urged by more than 80 fact-checking organisations to better combat disinformation. They offered help to debunk false statements. The fact-checkers called YouTube 'one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation' "Every day, we see that YouTube is one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation worldwide," said the groups spanning the globe, from Politifact and the Washington Post in the United States to the Kenya-based Africa Check. In an open letter, the fact-checking organisations said that videos containing false information had gone "under the radar of YouTube's policies, especially in non-English speaking countries". The open letter was addressed to YouTube chief Susan Wojcicki. "We urge you to take effective action against disinformation and misinformation... and to do so with the world's independent, non-partisan fact-checking organisations," they added. "Our experience as fact-checkers together with academic evidence tells us that surfacing fact-checked information is more effective than deleting content." It also urged the platform to make sure its recommendation algorithm did not actively promote disinformation to its users. YouTube spokesperson Elena Hernandez defended the platform, saying that fact checking was a "crucial tool", but just "one piece of a much larger puzzle to address the spread of misinformation". "Over the years, we've invested heavily in policies and products in all countries... to connect people to authoritative content, reduce the spread of borderline misinformation, and remove violative videos," she added. She said YouTube had seen "important progress". (With inputs from agencies)

YouTube urged by fact-checkers to fight disinformation

The US has announced increase in Covid-19 tests for schools with an aim to keep students in classrooms. Surge in Omicron infections in US threatens closure of schools.

Around four percent of US schools have already shut with the Omicron variant tearing across the country, infecting pupils and educators and forcing teachers' unions to take a more cautious approach to curb transmission.

The unions' decision to prioritize teachers' health has put them at loggerheads with local authorities, as families and experts remain torn about the wisdom of virtual education when effective vaccines are widely available to everyone aged five and up.

President Joe Biden has made keeping physical classrooms running during the current coronavirus surge a priority, and on Wednesday pledged an additional 10 million Covid-19 tests per month for US schools.

"These additional tests will help schools safely remain open and implement screening testing and test to stay programs," the White House said.

"We know how to keep students and staff safely in school -- including through vaccinations and boosters, implementing universal indoor masking, maintaining physical distancing, improving ventilation, and performing COVID-19 screening testing."

The additional kits will double the amount of testing that took place at schools in November 2021, the White House added.

The government will also deploy "surge testing units" near school grounds to support pupils and staff by creating specific hours for them to get checked, and allocating a greater proportion of resources to these communities.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US has announced increase in Covid-19 tests for schools with an aim to keep students in classrooms. Surge in Omicron infections in US threatens closure of schools.

The US has announced increase in Covid-19 tests for schools with an aim to keep students in classrooms. Surge in Omicron infections in US threatens closure of schools. Around four percent of US schools have already shut with the Omicron variant tearing across the country, infecting pupils and educators and forcing teachers' unions to take a more cautious approach to curb transmission. The unions' decision to prioritize teachers' health has put them at loggerheads with local authorities, as families and experts remain torn about the wisdom of virtual education when effective vaccines are widely available to everyone aged five and up. President Joe Biden has made keeping physical classrooms running during the current coronavirus surge a priority, and on Wednesday pledged an additional 10 million Covid-19 tests per month for US schools. "These additional tests will help schools safely remain open and implement screening testing and test to stay programs," the White House said. "We know how to keep students and staff safely in school -- including through vaccinations and boosters, implementing universal indoor masking, maintaining physical distancing, improving ventilation, and performing COVID-19 screening testing." The additional kits will double the amount of testing that took place at schools in November 2021, the White House added. The government will also deploy "surge testing units" near school grounds to support pupils and staff by creating specific hours for them to get checked, and allocating a greater proportion of resources to these communities. (With inputs from agencies)

US looks at more Covid tests in schools to keep them open

Landmines that are already laid in huge numbers are a problem in many countries across the world. These ladmines, often laid during a period of conflict, stay buried even when the conflict is over and continue to kill unsuspecting civilians who happen to step on them. Clearing landmines in peacetime is hence a very important work.

Perhaps because of this death of a gold medal-winning, landmine-sniffing rat is being mourned in Cambodia. The rat was awarded gold medal for his heroism for clearing ordnance from the Cambodian countryside. Magawa the rat's death was announced by his charity on Wednesday.

Magawa, a giant African pouched rat originally from Tanzania, helped clear mines from about 225,000 square metres of land -- the equivalent of 42 football pitches -- over the course of his career.

After detecting more than 100 landmines and other explosives, Magawa retired in June last year.

Magawa passed away "peacefully" this weekend at the age of eight, the Belgian charity APOPO, which trained him, said in a statement.

"All of us at APOPO are feeling the loss of Magawa and we are grateful for the incredible work he's done," the group said. 
APOPO said Magawa was in good health and spent most of last week playing with his usual enthusiasm.

But towards the weekend "he started to slow down, napping more and showing less interest in food in his last days," the charity said.

APOPO trained Magawa to detect the chemical compounds in explosives by rewarding him with tasty treats -- his favourites being bananas and peanuts. 
He would alert deminers by scratching the earth after using "his amazing sense of smell".

Magawa was able to cover an area the size of a tennis court in 30 minutes, something that would take four days using a conventional metal detector.

In September 2020, the rodent won the animal equivalent of Britain's highest civilian honour for bravery because of his uncanny knack for uncovering landmines and unexploded ordnance.

<img alt="Magawa the rat" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d379978d-d9c0-419f-af4c-f205e0a0b1c0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8QP2QV.jpg" />

Magawa was the first rat to receive a medal from British veterinary charity PDSA in the 77 years of the awards, joining an illustrious band of brave canines, felines -- and even a pigeon.

Millions of landmines were laid in Cambodia during the country's nearly three-decade civil war which ended in 1998, causing tens of thousands of casualties.

Three Cambodian deminers were killed on Monday by anti-tank landmines that exploded as they tried to remove them, just 20 minutes after a man burning vegetation on his farm was killed by war-era ordnance in the same village.

(With inputs from agencies)

Landmines that are already laid in huge numbers are a problem in many countries across the world. These ladmines, often laid during a period of conflict, stay buried even when the conflict is over and continue to kill unsuspecting civilians who happen to step on them.

Landmines that are already laid in huge numbers are a problem in many countries across the world. These ladmines, often laid during a period of conflict, stay buried even when the conflict is over and continue to kill unsuspecting civilians who happen to step on them. Clearing landmines in peacetime is hence a very important work. Perhaps because of this death of a gold medal-winning, landmine-sniffing rat is being mourned in Cambodia. The rat was awarded gold medal for his heroism for clearing ordnance from the Cambodian countryside. Magawa the rat's death was announced by his charity on Wednesday. Magawa, a giant African pouched rat originally from Tanzania, helped clear mines from about 225,000 square metres of land -- the equivalent of 42 football pitches -- over the course of his career. After detecting more than 100 landmines and other explosives, Magawa retired in June last year. Magawa passed away "peacefully" this weekend at the age of eight, the Belgian charity APOPO, which trained him, said in a statement. "All of us at APOPO are feeling the loss of Magawa and we are grateful for the incredible work he's done," the group said. APOPO said Magawa was in good health and spent most of last week playing with his usual enthusiasm. But towards the weekend "he started to slow down, napping more and showing less interest in food in his last days," the charity said. APOPO trained Magawa to detect the chemical compounds in explosives by rewarding him with tasty treats -- his favourites being bananas and peanuts. He would alert deminers by scratching the earth after using "his amazing sense of smell". Magawa was able to cover an area the size of a tennis court in 30 minutes, something that would take four days using a conventional metal detector. In September 2020, the rodent won the animal equivalent of Britain's highest civilian honour for bravery because of his uncanny knack for uncovering landmines and unexploded ordnance. Magawa was the first rat to receive a medal from British veterinary charity PDSA in the 77 years of the awards, joining an illustrious band of brave canines, felines -- and even a pigeon. Millions of landmines were laid in Cambodia during the country's nearly three-decade civil war which ended in 1998, causing tens of thousands of casualties. Three Cambodian deminers were killed on Monday by anti-tank landmines that exploded as they tried to remove them, just 20 minutes after a man burning vegetation on his farm was killed by war-era ordnance in the same village. (With inputs from agencies)

Gold medal winning, landmine-sniffing rat dies in Cambodia

French interior minister said on Wednesday that closure of a mosque in Cannes had been ordered because of 'anti-Semitic'&nbsp;remarks made there. Gerald Darmanin, the minister said that the mosque was also guilty of supporting BarakaCity and&nbsp;CCIF, two organisations dissolved by the government for spreading 'Islamist' propaganda.

Darmanin said that he had consulted with David Lisnard, the Mayor of Cannes, before ordering closure of the mosque.

The move comes two weeks after authorities closed a mosque in the north of the country because of what they said was the radical nature of its imam's preaching.

The mosque in Beauvais, a town of 50,000 people some 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Paris, was shut for six months because the sermons there incited hatred and violence and "defend jihad", authorities said.

Last October, a mosque in Allonnes, 200 kilometres west of Paris, was closed also for six months for sermons defending armed jihad and "terrorism", according to regional authorities.

The French government announced last year that it would step up checks of places of worship and associations suspected of spreading radical Islamic propaganda.

The crackdown came after the October 2020 murder of teacher Samuel Paty, who was targeted following an online campaign against him for having shown controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published by the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo during a civics class.

In the interview on Wednesday, the interior minister said that 70 mosques in France were considered to be "radicalised".

According to the ministry, there are a total of 2,623 mosques and Muslim prayer halls in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

French interior minister said on Wednesday that closure of a mosque in Cannes had been ordered because of 'anti-Semitic' remarks made there. Gerald Darmanin, the minister said that the mosque was also guilty of supporting BarakaCity and CCIF, two organisations dissolved by the government for spreading 'Islamist' propaganda.

French interior minister said on Wednesday that closure of a mosque in Cannes had been ordered because of 'anti-Semitic' remarks made there. Gerald Darmanin, the minister said that the mosque was also guilty of supporting BarakaCity and CCIF, two organisations dissolved by the government for spreading 'Islamist' propaganda. Darmanin said that he had consulted with David Lisnard, the Mayor of Cannes, before ordering closure of the mosque. The move comes two weeks after authorities closed a mosque in the north of the country because of what they said was the radical nature of its imam's preaching. The mosque in Beauvais, a town of 50,000 people some 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Paris, was shut for six months because the sermons there incited hatred and violence and "defend jihad", authorities said. Last October, a mosque in Allonnes, 200 kilometres west of Paris, was closed also for six months for sermons defending armed jihad and "terrorism", according to regional authorities. The French government announced last year that it would step up checks of places of worship and associations suspected of spreading radical Islamic propaganda. The crackdown came after the October 2020 murder of teacher Samuel Paty, who was targeted following an online campaign against him for having shown controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published by the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo during a civics class. In the interview on Wednesday, the interior minister said that 70 mosques in France were considered to be "radicalised". According to the ministry, there are a total of 2,623 mosques and Muslim prayer halls in the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Mosque in Cannes shut because of 'anti-Semitic' remarks

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, bruised by scandal and faced with an alarming rise in coronavirus cases, is refusing to change course. “We have a chance,” he bullishly proclaimed on Jan. 4, “to ride out this Omicron wave without shutting down our country once again.”

Public health experts may disagree. Yet Mr. Johnson is at least being consistent — not only with his conduct throughout the pandemic, where lockdowns were a last resort and restrictions were to be shelved as soon as possible, but also with the political platform that elevated him to the highest office. After all, this is the man who rose to power — bringing about Brexit in the process — on the promise to restore “freedom” and “take back control.”

Undeterred by the pandemic, Mr. Johnson has been quietly pursuing that agenda. But instead of reforming the country’s creaking democracy and shoring up Britons’ rights, he and his lieutenants are doing the opposite: seizing control for themselves and stripping away the freedoms of others. A raft of bills likely to pass this year will set Britain, self-professed beacon of democracy, on the road to autocracy. Once in place, the legislation will be very hard to shift. For Mr. Johnson, it amounts to a concerted power grab.

It’s also an answer. A political chameleon, Mr. Johnson’s true ideological bent — liberal? one-nation Tory? English nationalist? — has long been a subject of speculation. Now he has, beyond any doubt, revealed who he really is: a brattish authoritarian who puts his personal whims above anything else. And whatever his future, Britain will be remade in his image.

Amid the chaos wrought by the pandemic, Brexit tumult and increasing questions about the stability of Mr. Johnson’s individual position, the full scale of the impending assault on civil liberties has — understandably — not yet come into focus for much of the British public. The list of legislation is long and deliberately overwhelming. But pieced together, the picture is bleakly repressive.

First, there’s the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, a draconian and broad piece of legislation that effectively bans protest in England and Wales. The police would be equipped to shut down demonstrations that create “serious disruption.” Those who break this condition, which could be done just by making noise, would face prison sentences or hefty fines. Combined with other measures, such as outlawing traditional direct-action tactics like “locking on,” the bill could eventually make it almost impossible to attend a demonstration without committing an offense.

Yet it goes beyond protest, putting minority groups in the cross hairs. New trespass provisions, which make “residing on land without consent in or with a vehicle” a criminal offense, would essentially erase nomadic Gypsy, Roma and Traveler communities from public life. And the expansion of police powers would not only allow officers widespread access to private education and health care records, but also pave the way for suspicionless stop and search. Ethnic minority communities, disproportionately singled out for police attention, are likely to bear the brunt of such overreach.

Similarly punitive is the Nationality and Borders Bill. Stiffening Britain’s already hawkish immigration policy, it seeks to criminalize asylum seekers who take unsanctioned routes: Refugees who arrive by boat, for example, could face up to four years in prison, regardless of the validity of their claim for safe haven. And if claimants escape traditional jail, they would be kept in concentration camp-style housing and offshore processing centers, sites long denounced by human rights activists.

Not even British citizens are safe from the dragnet. A provision slipped into the bill in November by its architect, the home secretary, Priti Patel, would endow the government with the power to remove British citizenship from dual nationals without notice. Those singled out might not even have recourse to the law: Proposed reform of the Human Rights Act would make it easier for the government to deport foreign nationals and deny them claims of mistreatment.

Such draconian measures, in time, are sure to be contested. But the government has a plan for that: draining the life blood from democracy. There’s the Elections Bill, which — alongside potentially disenfranchising millions through the introduction of mandatory voter ID — aims to furnish the government with new powers over the independent elections regulator, sealing up the political process. Unless substantially amended, the bill’s consequences could be constitutionally far-reaching.

The urge to centralize power also underlies the Judicial Review and Courts Bill, which would enable Mr. Johnson and his ministers to overrule judicial review findings that challenge their agenda. The Online Safety Bill, ostensibly designed to regulate Big Tech, is yet to be introduced to Parliament. But many free-speech advocates fear that it could be used to silence critics on social media, censoring those reporting details Mr. Johnson’s government would rather keep from public view. No more pesky judges or overly inquisitive journalists interfering with government business.

It’s a truism that nations sleepwalk into tyranny, and England — the most politically powerful of the nations comprising Britain — is no exception. For decades it has possessed all the necessary ingredients: ever more spiteful nationalism, press fealty sold to the highest bidder and a fervent, misplaced belief that authoritarianism could never set up shop here, because we simply wouldn’t let it.

In this event, though, concerted opposition to Mr. Johnson’s plans has not materialized. Establishment politics have been no match for the determination of Mr. Johnson and his allies: A hefty and largely supportive Conservative majority means that even when the Labour Party has decided to oppose legislation, its votes have barely counted. And despite valiant efforts by a coalition of grass-roots groups and the initial groundswell of the “Kill the Bill” protests, a mass movement opposing these bills has failed to come together. Instead, a miasma of grim inevitability has settled in.

That’s dangerous, not least because this authoritarian assault is so comprehensive that once settled as law, it will prove very tricky to unpick. Like many leaders who seek to transcend the constraints of democracy, Mr. Johnson may not foresee a future where he isn’t the one calling the shots. But the miserable shadow his power grab will cast over Britain is likely to last far longer than the tenure of the would-be “world king” himself.

His place in the history books, however, is secured. He will forever be the libertine whose pursuit of personal freedom and “control” saw his countrymen robbed of theirs.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, bruised by scandal and faced with an alarming rise in coronavirus cases, is refusing to change course. “We have a chance,” he bullishly proclaimed on Jan.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, bruised by scandal and faced with an alarming rise in coronavirus cases, is refusing to change course. “We have a chance,” he bullishly proclaimed on Jan. 4, “to ride out this Omicron wave without shutting down our country once again.” Public health experts may disagree. Yet Mr. Johnson is at least being consistent — not only with his conduct throughout the pandemic, where lockdowns were a last resort and restrictions were to be shelved as soon as possible, but also with the political platform that elevated him to the highest office. After all, this is the man who rose to power — bringing about Brexit in the process — on the promise to restore “freedom” and “take back control.” Undeterred by the pandemic, Mr. Johnson has been quietly pursuing that agenda. But instead of reforming the country’s creaking democracy and shoring up Britons’ rights, he and his lieutenants are doing the opposite: seizing control for themselves and stripping away the freedoms of others. A raft of bills likely to pass this year will set Britain, self-professed beacon of democracy, on the road to autocracy. Once in place, the legislation will be very hard to shift. For Mr. Johnson, it amounts to a concerted power grab. It’s also an answer. A political chameleon, Mr. Johnson’s true ideological bent — liberal? one-nation Tory? English nationalist? — has long been a subject of speculation. Now he has, beyond any doubt, revealed who he really is: a brattish authoritarian who puts his personal whims above anything else. And whatever his future, Britain will be remade in his image. Amid the chaos wrought by the pandemic, Brexit tumult and increasing questions about the stability of Mr. Johnson’s individual position, the full scale of the impending assault on civil liberties has — understandably — not yet come into focus for much of the British public. The list of legislation is long and deliberately overwhelming. But pieced together, the picture is bleakly repressive. First, there’s the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, a draconian and broad piece of legislation that effectively bans protest in England and Wales. The police would be equipped to shut down demonstrations that create “serious disruption.” Those who break this condition, which could be done just by making noise, would face prison sentences or hefty fines. Combined with other measures, such as outlawing traditional direct-action tactics like “locking on,” the bill could eventually make it almost impossible to attend a demonstration without committing an offense. Yet it goes beyond protest, putting minority groups in the cross hairs. New trespass provisions, which make “residing on land without consent in or with a vehicle” a criminal offense, would essentially erase nomadic Gypsy, Roma and Traveler communities from public life. And the expansion of police powers would not only allow officers widespread access to private education and health care records, but also pave the way for suspicionless stop and search. Ethnic minority communities, disproportionately singled out for police attention, are likely to bear the brunt of such overreach. Similarly punitive is the Nationality and Borders Bill. Stiffening Britain’s already hawkish immigration policy, it seeks to criminalize asylum seekers who take unsanctioned routes: Refugees who arrive by boat, for example, could face up to four years in prison, regardless of the validity of their claim for safe haven. And if claimants escape traditional jail, they would be kept in concentration camp-style housing and offshore processing centers, sites long denounced by human rights activists. Not even British citizens are safe from the dragnet. A provision slipped into the bill in November by its architect, the home secretary, Priti Patel, would endow the government with the power to remove British citizenship from dual nationals without notice. Those singled out might not even have recourse to the law: Proposed reform of the Human Rights Act would make it easier for the government to deport foreign nationals and deny them claims of mistreatment. Such draconian measures, in time, are sure to be contested. But the government has a plan for that: draining the life blood from democracy. There’s the Elections Bill, which — alongside potentially disenfranchising millions through the introduction of mandatory voter ID — aims to furnish the government with new powers over the independent elections regulator, sealing up the political process. Unless substantially amended, the bill’s consequences could be constitutionally far-reaching. The urge to centralize power also underlies the Judicial Review and Courts Bill, which would enable Mr. Johnson and his ministers to overrule judicial review findings that challenge their agenda. The Online Safety Bill, ostensibly designed to regulate Big Tech, is yet to be introduced to Parliament. But many free-speech advocates fear that it could be used to silence critics on social media, censoring those reporting details Mr. Johnson’s government would rather keep from public view. No more pesky judges or overly inquisitive journalists interfering with government business. It’s a truism that nations sleepwalk into tyranny, and England — the most politically powerful of the nations comprising Britain — is no exception. For decades it has possessed all the necessary ingredients: ever more spiteful nationalism, press fealty sold to the highest bidder and a fervent, misplaced belief that authoritarianism could never set up shop here, because we simply wouldn’t let it. In this event, though, concerted opposition to Mr. Johnson’s plans has not materialized. Establishment politics have been no match for the determination of Mr. Johnson and his allies: A hefty and largely supportive Conservative majority means that even when the Labour Party has decided to oppose legislation, its votes have barely counted. And despite valiant efforts by a coalition of grass-roots groups and the initial groundswell of the “Kill the Bill” protests, a mass movement opposing these bills has failed to come together. Instead, a miasma of grim inevitability has settled in. That’s dangerous, not least because this authoritarian assault is so comprehensive that once settled as law, it will prove very tricky to unpick. Like many leaders who seek to transcend the constraints of democracy, Mr. Johnson may not foresee a future where he isn’t the one calling the shots. But the miserable shadow his power grab will cast over Britain is likely to last far longer than the tenure of the would-be “world king” himself. His place in the history books, however, is secured. He will forever be the libertine whose pursuit of personal freedom and “control” saw his countrymen robbed of theirs.

Boris Johnson is revealing who he really is

Antitrust authority of the European Union will block shipbuilding merger of South Korean companies Daewoo and Hyundai due to concerns that the deal may restrict supply of cargo vessels. The possibility of the veto was reported by AFP citing sources.

The veto of the tie-up comes two years after Brussels stopped India's Tata Steel and Germany's Thyssenkrupp from merging, and three years after it blocked the merger of the train businesses of Siemens and Alstom, angering France and Germany.

After more than two years of procedure, an unusually long time for this kind of case, the EU commission will announce "in the next few days" its veto to the operation, said a source, confirming a report in the Financial Times.

Of particular concern is the deal's fallout on the construction of ships transporting liquefied natural gas, especially at a time when high energy prices are an acute concern in Europe.

The takeover of Daewoo Shipbuilding &amp; Marine Engineering by rival Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings would create a group controlling nearly two-thirds of the global LNG cargo ship market, the source said.

But the price of cargo shipping more generally has exploded in recent months due to the shock to the global chain caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The commission and the two companies "have explored all possible remedies to the competition concerns raised in considerable detail", without success, said a second source for whom the rejection of the operation is "beyond doubt".&nbsp;

The deadline for the decision was set for January 20, after several extensions.

(With inputs from agencies)

Antitrust authority of the European Union will block shipbuilding merger of South Korean companies Daewoo and Hyundai due to concerns that the deal may restrict supply of cargo vessels.

Antitrust authority of the European Union will block shipbuilding merger of South Korean companies Daewoo and Hyundai due to concerns that the deal may restrict supply of cargo vessels. The possibility of the veto was reported by AFP citing sources. The veto of the tie-up comes two years after Brussels stopped India's Tata Steel and Germany's Thyssenkrupp from merging, and three years after it blocked the merger of the train businesses of Siemens and Alstom, angering France and Germany. After more than two years of procedure, an unusually long time for this kind of case, the EU commission will announce "in the next few days" its veto to the operation, said a source, confirming a report in the Financial Times. Of particular concern is the deal's fallout on the construction of ships transporting liquefied natural gas, especially at a time when high energy prices are an acute concern in Europe. The takeover of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering by rival Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings would create a group controlling nearly two-thirds of the global LNG cargo ship market, the source said. But the price of cargo shipping more generally has exploded in recent months due to the shock to the global chain caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The commission and the two companies "have explored all possible remedies to the competition concerns raised in considerable detail", without success, said a second source for whom the rejection of the operation is "beyond doubt". The deadline for the decision was set for January 20, after several extensions. (With inputs from agencies)

European Union to block South Korean shipbuilding mega-merger

Taiwanese parliament on Tuesday cleared an extra defence funding bill of USD 8.6 billion in its latest attempt to boost its defence capabilities. This is likely to draw sharper reaction from China which has been viewed as being increasingly aggressive towards Taiwan.

China does not recognise Taiwan as a separate country and considers it as its own province.

The Taiwan government proposed a five-year special defence budget of around TW$237.3 billion from 2022 as Chinese warplanes breached its air defence zone at unprecedented levels last year.&nbsp;

Democratic Taiwan lives under constant threat of an invasion by authoritarian China, which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day -- by force if necessary.&nbsp;

Beijing's sabre-rattling towards the island has increased considerably since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016, as she regards the island as a sovereign nation and not part of "one China."

Last year, Taiwan recorded incursions by around 970 Chinese warplanes into its air defence zone, according to a database compiled by AFP, more than double the roughly 380 carried out in 2020.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Taiwanese lawmakers agreed unanimously to pass the special budget, although cut it by TW$310 million. The package comes on top of a record annual defence budget of TW$471.7 billion set for 2022.&nbsp;

It aims to acquire various precision missiles and mass-manufacture high-efficiency naval ships "in the shortest period of time" to boost the island's sea and air capabilities, the government said.&nbsp;

J Michael Cole, a Taipei-based political and military analyst, called the special budget "an encouraging and much-needed development" as Taiwan prioritises "asymmetrical" capabilities, such as unmanned vehicles, anti-ship missiles and air-to-ground cruise missiles.&nbsp;

"Many of those are 'counterforce' capabilities, with ranges that are long enough to hit targets along China’s coastline" in line with the direction Taiwan's defence ministry has taken in recent years, said Cole, a senior fellow for Canadian think tank Macdonald-Laurier Institute.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Taiwanese parliament on Tuesday cleared an extra defence funding bill of USD 8.6 billion in its latest attempt to boost its defence capabilities. This is likely to draw sharper reaction from China which has been viewed as being increasingly aggressive towards Taiwan.

Taiwanese parliament on Tuesday cleared an extra defence funding bill of USD 8.6 billion in its latest attempt to boost its defence capabilities. This is likely to draw sharper reaction from China which has been viewed as being increasingly aggressive towards Taiwan. China does not recognise Taiwan as a separate country and considers it as its own province. The Taiwan government proposed a five-year special defence budget of around TW$237.3 billion from 2022 as Chinese warplanes breached its air defence zone at unprecedented levels last year. Democratic Taiwan lives under constant threat of an invasion by authoritarian China, which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day -- by force if necessary. Beijing's sabre-rattling towards the island has increased considerably since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016, as she regards the island as a sovereign nation and not part of "one China." Last year, Taiwan recorded incursions by around 970 Chinese warplanes into its air defence zone, according to a database compiled by AFP, more than double the roughly 380 carried out in 2020. On Tuesday, Taiwanese lawmakers agreed unanimously to pass the special budget, although cut it by TW$310 million. The package comes on top of a record annual defence budget of TW$471.7 billion set for 2022. It aims to acquire various precision missiles and mass-manufacture high-efficiency naval ships "in the shortest period of time" to boost the island's sea and air capabilities, the government said. J Michael Cole, a Taipei-based political and military analyst, called the special budget "an encouraging and much-needed development" as Taiwan prioritises "asymmetrical" capabilities, such as unmanned vehicles, anti-ship missiles and air-to-ground cruise missiles. "Many of those are 'counterforce' capabilities, with ranges that are long enough to hit targets along China’s coastline" in line with the direction Taiwan's defence ministry has taken in recent years, said Cole, a senior fellow for Canadian think tank Macdonald-Laurier Institute. (With inputs from agencies)

Eye on China: Taiwan to spend extra USD 8.6 billion on defence

Pics | Brits angrily contrast own lives during Covid lockdown when PM Johnson partied

Residents in the Chinese city Anyang, which reported first death of the disease which later came to be known as Covid-19, have been told to remain at home unless going out for essential job or Covid test. The city has a population of 5.5 million.

Anyang, which reported on Monday two local Omicron infections traced to a student arriving from Tianjin

Cities across China are increasingly imposing stricter restrictions to control Covid outbreak.

A Tianjin official told a Tuesday press briefing that 49 domestically transmitted cases with confirmed symptoms have been detected during the latest outbreak. The city of 14 million people, around 100km (62 miles) from Beijing, is now implementing tough controls to stop the coronavirus from spreading, especially to neighbouring Beijing.

Tianjin, which has tightened controls on people leaving the city, on Tuesday closed indoor venues such as gyms and bars in one district with over 800,000 people.

The country's Omicron surge comes just weeks before the Lunar New Year, a peak travel period for millions, and cities across China are advising people to stay put, especially as Beijing prepares to host the Winter Olympics at the start of next month.

Zhang Boli, a government medical adviser, told state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday that Omicron "can't be taken lightly" even if the symptoms among Omicron infections in Tianjin appeared to be not as severe as previous variants.

China has ordered the cancellation of more than two dozen scheduled flights from the United States after numerous passengers tested positive for COVID-19 when they arrived in China.

"Facing Omicron directly, we found the speed of transmission was really quite fast," said Zhang Ying, an official with Tianjin's disease control centre, speaking in an interview aired on state television late on Monday.

"Whether it is in terms of virus origin tracing or epidemiological investigations, the Omicron variant has brought along unprecedentedly massive challenges and difficulties," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Residents in the Chinese city Anyang, which reported first death of the disease which later came to be known as Covid-19, have been told to remain at home unless going out for essential job or Covid test.

Residents in the Chinese city Anyang, which reported first death of the disease which later came to be known as Covid-19, have been told to remain at home unless going out for essential job or Covid test. The city has a population of 5.5 million. Anyang, which reported on Monday two local Omicron infections traced to a student arriving from Tianjin Cities across China are increasingly imposing stricter restrictions to control Covid outbreak. A Tianjin official told a Tuesday press briefing that 49 domestically transmitted cases with confirmed symptoms have been detected during the latest outbreak. The city of 14 million people, around 100km (62 miles) from Beijing, is now implementing tough controls to stop the coronavirus from spreading, especially to neighbouring Beijing. Tianjin, which has tightened controls on people leaving the city, on Tuesday closed indoor venues such as gyms and bars in one district with over 800,000 people. The country's Omicron surge comes just weeks before the Lunar New Year, a peak travel period for millions, and cities across China are advising people to stay put, especially as Beijing prepares to host the Winter Olympics at the start of next month. Zhang Boli, a government medical adviser, told state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday that Omicron "can't be taken lightly" even if the symptoms among Omicron infections in Tianjin appeared to be not as severe as previous variants. China has ordered the cancellation of more than two dozen scheduled flights from the United States after numerous passengers tested positive for COVID-19 when they arrived in China. "Facing Omicron directly, we found the speed of transmission was really quite fast," said Zhang Ying, an official with Tianjin's disease control centre, speaking in an interview aired on state television late on Monday. "Whether it is in terms of virus origin tracing or epidemiological investigations, the Omicron variant has brought along unprecedentedly massive challenges and difficulties," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese cities begin effecting tougher Covid restrictions

Intel, the US chipmaker has deleted reference to Chinese province of Xinjiang from a letter to its suppliers. The development took place after the company faced backlash from China over its appeal to not use labour or goods and services from the region.

Intel was heavily criticised last month after the appeal to its suppliers. The letter sent last month said that Intel had been "required to ensure that its supply chain does not use any labour or source goods or services from the Xinjiang region" following restrictions imposed by "multiple governments".

On Tuesday, this reference was not present in the page. The letter now states that Intel prohibits "any human trafficked or involuntary labour such as forced, debt bonded, prison, indentured, or slave labour throughout your extended supply chains."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-xinjiang-paramilitary-chief-to-lead-chinese-peoples-liberation-army-in-hong-kong-443851">Former Xinjiang paramilitary chief to lead Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Hong Kong</a>

China faces global pressure over its treatment of Uyghur Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. There are also allegations of forced labour which China denies. Huge companies, especially in the tech sector have had to do a ropewalk between US laws and their own presence in China, a huge market.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/muslim-woman-sentenced-for-14-years-in-china-for-teaching-islam-hiding-quran-443552">Muslim woman sentenced for 14 years in China for teaching Islam, hiding Quran</a> 
 
Intel's deletion of any reference to Xinjiang in its annual letter to suppliers, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, was criticised by US Senator Marco Rubio.

“Intel’s cowardice is yet another predictable consequence of economic reliance on China,” Rubio said in a statement on Monday.

“Instead of humiliating apologies and self-censorship, companies should move their supply chains to countries that do not use slave labour or commit genocide.”

Rubio was one of four U.S. politicians who introduced the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act last month calling for a ban on imports from Xinjiang over allegations of forced labour there. On Dec. 23, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the act into law.

(With inputs from agencies)

Intel, the US chipmaker has deleted reference to Chinese province of Xinjiang from a letter to its suppliers. The development took place after the company faced backlash from China over its appeal to not use labour or goods and services from the region.

Intel, the US chipmaker has deleted reference to Chinese province of Xinjiang from a letter to its suppliers. The development took place after the company faced backlash from China over its appeal to not use labour or goods and services from the region. Intel was heavily criticised last month after the appeal to its suppliers. The letter sent last month said that Intel had been "required to ensure that its supply chain does not use any labour or source goods or services from the Xinjiang region" following restrictions imposed by "multiple governments". On Tuesday, this reference was not present in the page. The letter now states that Intel prohibits "any human trafficked or involuntary labour such as forced, debt bonded, prison, indentured, or slave labour throughout your extended supply chains." Also Read | Former Xinjiang paramilitary chief to lead Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Hong Kong China faces global pressure over its treatment of Uyghur Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. There are also allegations of forced labour which China denies. Huge companies, especially in the tech sector have had to do a ropewalk between US laws and their own presence in China, a huge market. Also Read | Muslim woman sentenced for 14 years in China for teaching Islam, hiding Quran Intel's deletion of any reference to Xinjiang in its annual letter to suppliers, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, was criticised by US Senator Marco Rubio. “Intel’s cowardice is yet another predictable consequence of economic reliance on China,” Rubio said in a statement on Monday. “Instead of humiliating apologies and self-censorship, companies should move their supply chains to countries that do not use slave labour or commit genocide.” Rubio was one of four U.S. politicians who introduced the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act last month calling for a ban on imports from Xinjiang over allegations of forced labour there. On Dec. 23, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the act into law. (With inputs from agencies)

Intel removes Xinjiang reference from letter after Chinese backlash

We already have evidence of water on Moon. But it was collected mainly by lunar orbitters focussing their equipments at the Earth's only natural satellite as they revolved around. Now, information about the first on-site proof of presence of water has come to light.

The on-site observation was made by China's Chang'E-5 probe on Moon. When the probe visited the Moon in December 2020, it not only collected samples for analysis back on Earth but also made some in situ (on-site) analysis of its own.

Measurements made by Chang'E in its surroundings on Moon revealed that water was present in a boulder in a concentration of 180 ppm (parts per million).

This is drier by Earth standards but obviously it is easy to understand its significance as the water is on the Moon..

The particular boulder that was analyzed by the probe was light and had many cavities. This suggests that this rock was a result of underground volcanic activity. This in turn, suggests that more water may be present in Moon's interior.

This on-site detection has further boosted the idea of relative abundance of water on the lunar surface. It may be fused with the minerals in the regolith, the surface dust.

Does this mean that human settlements on Moon may have easy access to water? No, since it is very hard to extract water present in such concentrations. But the observation and analysis on the on-site findings may help us understand Moon and how water is retained on planets and satellites in space.

We already have evidence of water on Moon. But it was collected mainly by lunar orbitters focussing their equipments at the Earth's only natural satellite as they revolved around.

We already have evidence of water on Moon. But it was collected mainly by lunar orbitters focussing their equipments at the Earth's only natural satellite as they revolved around. Now, information about the first on-site proof of presence of water has come to light. The on-site observation was made by China's Chang'E-5 probe on Moon. When the probe visited the Moon in December 2020, it not only collected samples for analysis back on Earth but also made some in situ (on-site) analysis of its own. Measurements made by Chang'E in its surroundings on Moon revealed that water was present in a boulder in a concentration of 180 ppm (parts per million). This is drier by Earth standards but obviously it is easy to understand its significance as the water is on the Moon.. The particular boulder that was analyzed by the probe was light and had many cavities. This suggests that this rock was a result of underground volcanic activity. This in turn, suggests that more water may be present in Moon's interior. This on-site detection has further boosted the idea of relative abundance of water on the lunar surface. It may be fused with the minerals in the regolith, the surface dust. Does this mean that human settlements on Moon may have easy access to water? No, since it is very hard to extract water present in such concentrations. But the observation and analysis on the on-site findings may help us understand Moon and how water is retained on planets and satellites in space.

First ever on-site detection of water on Moon points to many future possibilities

Russian ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov has said that global democratic forces needed to help restore peace in Kazakhstan instead of destabilising the situation. He took shot at the US by saying that situation in the region had worsened after 'American escape from Afghanistan'

"Kazakhstan has come under attack of radicals manifesting dehumanizing ideologies. Thousands of jihadists and marauders tried to `undermine` the constitutional order. They use weapons against civilians. They keep on inflicting damage to public and private property. I`d like to note that all this is happening after the American escape from Afghanistan and the rapid development of extremist ideas in the region," said Antonov in a statement published on Russian embassy's FB page.

"Today, all democratic forces in the world need to help the Government of Kazakhstan recover from the current turmoil, and try not to deteriorate the situation," Antonov stressed.

He said that unrest in Kazakhstan was assisted by thugs. He further said that it was essential that terrorism in the country is eradicated and order is restored.

Kazakhstan continues to be in the grip of the unrest though situation has marginally improved. On Sunday (January 9), more than 160 people were reported dead by a government-run portal. Out of this, Almaty alone accounts for 103 
&nbsp;

Russian ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov has said that global democratic forces needed to help restore peace in Kazakhstan instead of destabilising the situation.

Russian ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov has said that global democratic forces needed to help restore peace in Kazakhstan instead of destabilising the situation. He took shot at the US by saying that situation in the region had worsened after 'American escape from Afghanistan' "Kazakhstan has come under attack of radicals manifesting dehumanizing ideologies. Thousands of jihadists and marauders tried to `undermine` the constitutional order. They use weapons against civilians. They keep on inflicting damage to public and private property. I`d like to note that all this is happening after the American escape from Afghanistan and the rapid development of extremist ideas in the region," said Antonov in a statement published on Russian embassy's FB page. "Today, all democratic forces in the world need to help the Government of Kazakhstan recover from the current turmoil, and try not to deteriorate the situation," Antonov stressed. He said that unrest in Kazakhstan was assisted by thugs. He further said that it was essential that terrorism in the country is eradicated and order is restored. Kazakhstan continues to be in the grip of the unrest though situation has marginally improved. On Sunday (January 9), more than 160 people were reported dead by a government-run portal. Out of this, Almaty alone accounts for 103

Russian Ambassador in US says democracies must restore peace in Kazakhstan

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