Facebook on Wednesday launched Hotline, an experimental online forum in an attempt by the social media giant to occupy space in live audio trend made popular by Clubhouse. The Facebook application is essentially a spin on Reddit's Ask Me Anything sessions and Clubhouse, the audio-only social media sensation launched a year ago which has boomed during the pandemic.

Hotline provides users with a blend of voice, text and video options for participating in online discussions with hosts.&nbsp;

On Hotline, users can ask the questions in writing. This is not possible on Clubhouse. &nbsp;Speakers, meanwhile, can choose who to invite "on stage" to speak.

"With Hotline, we're hoping to understand how interactive, live multimedia Q&amp;As can help people learn from experts in areas like professional skills, just as it helps those experts build their businesses," a Facebook spokeswoman told AFP.

Session headliners will have the option of turning on their web cameras to be seen, and can also remove abusive comments from text chats, Facebook said, confirming an earlier report on the website TechCrunch.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday that Twitter held discussions to acquire Clubhouse for USD 4 billion. However, it was further reported that the talks are no longer taking place.

(With AFP inputs)

Facebook on Wednesday launched Hotline, an experimental online forum in an attempt by the social media giant to occupy space in live audio trend made popular by Clubhouse.

Facebook on Wednesday launched Hotline, an experimental online forum in an attempt by the social media giant to occupy space in live audio trend made popular by Clubhouse. The Facebook application is essentially a spin on Reddit's Ask Me Anything sessions and Clubhouse, the audio-only social media sensation launched a year ago which has boomed during the pandemic. Hotline provides users with a blend of voice, text and video options for participating in online discussions with hosts. On Hotline, users can ask the questions in writing. This is not possible on Clubhouse. Speakers, meanwhile, can choose who to invite "on stage" to speak. "With Hotline, we're hoping to understand how interactive, live multimedia Q&As can help people learn from experts in areas like professional skills, just as it helps those experts build their businesses," a Facebook spokeswoman told AFP. Session headliners will have the option of turning on their web cameras to be seen, and can also remove abusive comments from text chats, Facebook said, confirming an earlier report on the website TechCrunch. Meanwhile, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday that Twitter held discussions to acquire Clubhouse for USD 4 billion. However, it was further reported that the talks are no longer taking place. (With AFP inputs)

Facebook, Twitter move to capture social space bagged by Clubhouse

Tension on the Russia-Ukraine border is high as Russia has sent thousands of its soldiers on the frontier. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has demanded that Russia stops the build-up of troops. Ukraine President is visiting the eastern part of the country. Meanwhile, a scientific discovery about sub-atomic particles called muons is being touted to be capable of leading to groundbreaking advances in the field of Physics. Read this and more in our top 10 news of day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-border-crisis-merkel-demanded-putin-reduce-russian-troops-around-ukraine-376148">Russia-Ukraine border crisis: Merkel demands Putin reduce Russian troops around Ukraine</a>

<img alt="Putin Merkel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a588dbb4-96a9-4e81-b660-bfc9a6a6c044" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Putin%20Merkel.JPG" />

Both Putin and Merkel voiced concern over the rising tensions in the southeast of Ukraine, the Kremlin said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-to-visit-frontline-amid-tensions-with-russia-376118">Ukraine president to visit frontline amid tensions with Russia</a>

<img alt="Zelensky" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1189a379-56b4-4123-bf49-005709ffc2e4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Zelensky.JPG" />

In recent weeks, fighting between Ukrainian army and separatists has intensified. This has raised fears of a major escalation in conflict over the majority Russian-speaking Donbas region

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/military-junta-seized-london-embassy-in-coup-says-myanmar-ambassador-to-the-uk-376129">Military Junta seized London embassy in 'coup', says Myanmar ambassador to the UK</a>

<img alt="Myanmar military" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a4ebcfc-5784-4677-b53a-2a084c4726e1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Myanmar%20military.JPG" />

The ambassador, Kyaw Zwar Minn, said the defence attache had taken over the mission in "a kind of coup", an extraordinary diplomatic standoff that comes two months after the military seized power in Myanmar.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-the-uk-sheltering-wanted-criminals-after-hong-kong-asylum-ruling-376135">China says the UK sheltering 'wanted criminals' after Hong Kong asylum ruling</a>

<img alt="China Hong Kong" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0599cfe6-6f78-4201-bdc9-417390313bc3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/China_12.JPG" />

Law said Wednesday he had been granted asylum in Britain, after fleeing semi-autonomous Hong Kong following the introduction of sweeping new security law.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/wobbly-subatomic-particles-muons-may-drastically-change-our-understanding-of-physics-376143">Wobbly subatomic particles 'muons' may drastically change our understanding of Physics</a>

<img alt="Muons" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3e580a3a-27f5-40ef-a3a4-438bed91797e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/muons.JPG" />

In plain words, muons have been found defying laws of Physics. This has huge implications

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-denies-it-snubbed-eu-chief-during-ankara-visit-376109">Turkey denies it snubbed EU chief during Ankara visit</a>

<img alt="Turkey" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1a89514c-70af-40de-8dfb-b1f7dac5fd99" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Turkey_7.JPG" />

The unequal seating arrangements prompted social media allegations of sexism or a purposeful affront against the commission.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bidens-order-to-target-ghost-guns-in-reforms-against-increasing-gun-violence-375987">Biden's order to target 'ghost guns' in reforms against increasing gun violence</a>

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a30dae66-740b-4808-9a32-7573ea0c7e27" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Biden_8.JPG" />

Joe Biden will be focusing more on ‘ghost guns’ which are homemade weapons as they cannot even be traced when found on crime scenes

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-national-charged-with-smuggling-undocumented-individuals-into-the-us-376153">Pakistani national charged with smuggling undocumented individuals into the US</a>

<img alt="Pakistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="477512ae-a05b-451b-9c9a-06c3e95a2c30" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pakistani%20youth.JPG" />

Abid Ali Khan, between January 2015 and December 2020, allegedly organised, led, and worked, with others in his Pakistan-based smuggling network to facilitate the travel of undocumented individuals to the United States, federal prosecutors alleged on Wednesday. 
&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boy-crashes-bike-during-tiktok-livestream-viewer-saves-his-life-376134">Boy crashes bike during TikTok livestream, viewer saves his life</a>

<img alt="TikTok" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8cf27adc-244a-4994-85aa-e1a07943fa71" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/TikTok_0.JPG" />

The incident has helped underline the far-reaching effect of social media that can come handy in critical situations

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-first-southern-us-state-to-legalise-marijuana-376123">Virginia first southern US state to legalise marijuana</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-first-southern-us-state-to-legalise-marijuana-376123"><img alt="Marijuana" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="877eb12d-a6b0-4338-be2e-01875de9b33d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Virginia.JPG" /></a> 
 
Several other states in the US including New York and Colorado have approved measures on similar lines. However, Virginia has become first state to do so in socially and politically conservative US south.

Tension on the Russia-Ukraine border is high as Russia has sent thousands of its soldiers on the frontier. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has demanded that Russia stops the build-up of troops.

Tension on the Russia-Ukraine border is high as Russia has sent thousands of its soldiers on the frontier. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has demanded that Russia stops the build-up of troops. Ukraine President is visiting the eastern part of the country. Meanwhile, a scientific discovery about sub-atomic particles called muons is being touted to be capable of leading to groundbreaking advances in the field of Physics. Read this and more in our top 10 news of day. Russia-Ukraine border crisis: Merkel demands Putin reduce Russian troops around Ukraine Both Putin and Merkel voiced concern over the rising tensions in the southeast of Ukraine, the Kremlin said in a statement. Ukraine president to visit frontline amid tensions with Russia In recent weeks, fighting between Ukrainian army and separatists has intensified. This has raised fears of a major escalation in conflict over the majority Russian-speaking Donbas region Military Junta seized London embassy in 'coup', says Myanmar ambassador to the UK The ambassador, Kyaw Zwar Minn, said the defence attache had taken over the mission in "a kind of coup", an extraordinary diplomatic standoff that comes two months after the military seized power in Myanmar. China says the UK sheltering 'wanted criminals' after Hong Kong asylum ruling Law said Wednesday he had been granted asylum in Britain, after fleeing semi-autonomous Hong Kong following the introduction of sweeping new security law. Wobbly subatomic particles 'muons' may drastically change our understanding of Physics In plain words, muons have been found defying laws of Physics. This has huge implications Turkey denies it snubbed EU chief during Ankara visit The unequal seating arrangements prompted social media allegations of sexism or a purposeful affront against the commission. Biden's order to target 'ghost guns' in reforms against increasing gun violence Joe Biden will be focusing more on ‘ghost guns’ which are homemade weapons as they cannot even be traced when found on crime scenes Pakistani national charged with smuggling undocumented individuals into the US Abid Ali Khan, between January 2015 and December 2020, allegedly organised, led, and worked, with others in his Pakistan-based smuggling network to facilitate the travel of undocumented individuals to the United States, federal prosecutors alleged on Wednesday. Boy crashes bike during TikTok livestream, viewer saves his life The incident has helped underline the far-reaching effect of social media that can come handy in critical situations Virginia first southern US state to legalise marijuana Several other states in the US including New York and Colorado have approved measures on similar lines. However, Virginia has become first state to do so in socially and politically conservative US south.

Top 10 World News: Russia-Ukraine tension, Myanmar latest, and more

Scientific boundaries and their frontiers have always expanded. From times when it had to fight a life-and-death war with religion to the days when it has been at the forefront of human progress, things have changed drastically.&nbsp;

But scientific frontiers are never frozen at one place, and discovery has the potential of upending our knowledge of Physics.

This observation has to do with muons. These are particles even smaller than an atom. Muons are like electrons but about 200 times heavier. Muons have a very short lifespan of 2.2 microseconds

Scientists at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in USA have found that muons wobbled more than they should when passed through intense magnetic field.

In plain words, this means that the muons are defying laws of Physics. This may point to there being a fifth fundamental force present. Unknown matter or energy is making the muons wobble in unexpected ways.

There are four fundamental forces in nature as per our current understanding. They are gravity, electromagnetism, weak force and the strong force.

The strange behaviour of muons points to there being a fifth fundamental force. If true, this has the potential of fundamentally changing our understanding of things both, in our surroundings and in the universe.

Scientific boundaries and their frontiers have always expanded. From times when it had to fight a life-and-death war with religion to the days when it has been at the forefront of human progress, things have changed drastically.

Scientific boundaries and their frontiers have always expanded. From times when it had to fight a life-and-death war with religion to the days when it has been at the forefront of human progress, things have changed drastically. But scientific frontiers are never frozen at one place, and discovery has the potential of upending our knowledge of Physics. This observation has to do with muons. These are particles even smaller than an atom. Muons are like electrons but about 200 times heavier. Muons have a very short lifespan of 2.2 microseconds Scientists at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in USA have found that muons wobbled more than they should when passed through intense magnetic field. In plain words, this means that the muons are defying laws of Physics. This may point to there being a fifth fundamental force present. Unknown matter or energy is making the muons wobble in unexpected ways. There are four fundamental forces in nature as per our current understanding. They are gravity, electromagnetism, weak force and the strong force. The strange behaviour of muons points to there being a fifth fundamental force. If true, this has the potential of fundamentally changing our understanding of things both, in our surroundings and in the universe.

Wobbly subatomic particles 'muons' may drastically change our understanding of Physics

Social media may have become a compulsive, annoying and an omnipresent thing but it surely has its uses. There have been times when social media and tech in general have actually saved lives. Be it due to networking or due to a more direct intervention.

One such incident has helped&nbsp;underline the far-reaching effect of social media that can come handy in critical situations.

Twelve-year-old Trent Jarett was live-streaming on TikTok&nbsp;as he rode a quad bike.

You know what quad bike is right?

<img alt="Quad bike" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17a319e7-5726-44c3-b0da-1d490db2ff7d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8QC3QN.jpg" />

Quad bike is an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) that is used for adventure sports. Quad bike's durability makes it ideal for a ride on any terrain.

But at the same time, the person riding the quad bike needs absolute control of the vehicle that jumps and lands quite violently. It's because of this that quad bike may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Now 12-year-old Jarrett was live-streaming himself as he rode the bike. And right in the middle of the stream, Trent crashed it. He was pinned under the bike and was unable to move

About 800-miles away, 13-year-old Caden Cotnoir was stunned to see what was happening on his screen. The sudden crash took him by surprise.

While under the vehicle, Trent managed to shout a phone number. It was this when Caden decided he needed to do something to save Trent who was clearly in pain and unable to move.

Caden called on the number and was able to tell Trent's family what was happening. Things moved quickly and Trent's family was able to rescue him from under the quad bike.

Fortunately, all Trent suffered were minor cuts and bruises.

Caden's quick action is being praised all over. His step-father is a police chief. He termed the entire incident an "Easter miracle," according to a report in&nbsp; The Guardian.

Social media may have become a compulsive, annoying and an omnipresent thing but it surely has its uses. There have been times when social media and tech in general have actually saved lives.

Social media may have become a compulsive, annoying and an omnipresent thing but it surely has its uses. There have been times when social media and tech in general have actually saved lives. Be it due to networking or due to a more direct intervention. One such incident has helped underline the far-reaching effect of social media that can come handy in critical situations. Twelve-year-old Trent Jarett was live-streaming on TikTok as he rode a quad bike. You know what quad bike is right? Quad bike is an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) that is used for adventure sports. Quad bike's durability makes it ideal for a ride on any terrain. But at the same time, the person riding the quad bike needs absolute control of the vehicle that jumps and lands quite violently. It's because of this that quad bike may not be everyone's cup of tea. Now 12-year-old Jarrett was live-streaming himself as he rode the bike. And right in the middle of the stream, Trent crashed it. He was pinned under the bike and was unable to move About 800-miles away, 13-year-old Caden Cotnoir was stunned to see what was happening on his screen. The sudden crash took him by surprise. While under the vehicle, Trent managed to shout a phone number. It was this when Caden decided he needed to do something to save Trent who was clearly in pain and unable to move. Caden called on the number and was able to tell Trent's family what was happening. Things moved quickly and Trent's family was able to rescue him from under the quad bike. Fortunately, all Trent suffered were minor cuts and bruises. Caden's quick action is being praised all over. His step-father is a police chief. He termed the entire incident an "Easter miracle," according to a report in The Guardian.

Boy crashes bike during TikTok livestream, viewer saves his life

Virginia became first state in conservative southern USA to legalise use of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.&nbsp;

Adults over the age of 21 will be able to legally possess up to one ounce (28.3 grams) of cannabis for personal use, as well as cultivate up to four plants per household.

Like limits on drinking in public, consuming cannabis in public will not be allowed.

The licensing of cannabis production and commercial cannabis sales will not take place until July 1, 2024.

Democratic Governor Ralph Northam in a statement said his state had "made history as the first state in the South to legalize the simple possession of marijuana."

"Marijuana laws were explicitly designed to target communities of color, and Black Virginians are disproportionately likely to be stopped, charged, and convicted," he said.

"Today, Virginia took a critical step to right these wrongs and restore justice to those harmed by decades of over-criminalization."

Several other states in the US including New York and Colorado have approved measures on similar lines. However, Virginia has become first state to do so in socially and politically conservative US south.

(With AFP inputs)

Virginia became first state in conservative southern USA to legalise use of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Adults over the age of 21 will be able to legally possess up to one ounce (28.

Virginia became first state in conservative southern USA to legalise use of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Adults over the age of 21 will be able to legally possess up to one ounce (28.3 grams) of cannabis for personal use, as well as cultivate up to four plants per household. Like limits on drinking in public, consuming cannabis in public will not be allowed. The licensing of cannabis production and commercial cannabis sales will not take place until July 1, 2024. Democratic Governor Ralph Northam in a statement said his state had "made history as the first state in the South to legalize the simple possession of marijuana." "Marijuana laws were explicitly designed to target communities of color, and Black Virginians are disproportionately likely to be stopped, charged, and convicted," he said. "Today, Virginia took a critical step to right these wrongs and restore justice to those harmed by decades of over-criminalization." Several other states in the US including New York and Colorado have approved measures on similar lines. However, Virginia has become first state to do so in socially and politically conservative US south. (With AFP inputs)

Virginia first southern US state to legalise marijuana

If there is any planet that first catches our fancy when we are young, it is Saturn. The distinct rings is what makes Saturn a mesmerising thing. Who wants spherical planets when you can throw a funky ring around one of them eh? These rings can be witnessed using just an amateur stargazer's telescope.

We will be forgiven to think that it's just one ring surrounding Saturn. But the 'single' ring is made of seven major rings. All these rings are made of ice and chunks of rock.

Saturn and its rings behave just like our Solar System. As planets in our Solar System revolve around the Sun, material in Saturn's rings revolves around the planet.

A former NASA astronomer has made an interesting video that depicts how the rings revolve around Saturn.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Countless shards of frozen water ice form Saturn's rings, which range in size from microscopic icy dust to bus-sized ice bergs. Each piece has its own orbit: close to Saturn they orbit fast, far away they orbit slow. Major ring segments are A-to-F (labelled in order of discovery) <a href="https://t.co/h4QjIz3eY8">pic.twitter.com/h4QjIz3eY8</a>
— Dr. James O'Donoghue (@physicsJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/physicsJ/status/1272121370109865985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Material closer to Saturn orbits faster otherwise it would fall in. Ring material farther from Saturn has the liberty to revolve at a slower speed.

The logic is just the same as that of the Solar System.

The slowest, outmost ring travels at about 37,000 mph (16.4 kilometers per second). While the innermost and fastest ring spins at a mindboggling speed of 52,000 mph (23.2 kilometers per second).

If there is any planet that first catches our fancy when we are young, it is Saturn. The distinct rings is what makes Saturn a mesmerising thing. Who wants spherical planets when you can throw a funky ring around one of them eh?

If there is any planet that first catches our fancy when we are young, it is Saturn. The distinct rings is what makes Saturn a mesmerising thing. Who wants spherical planets when you can throw a funky ring around one of them eh? These rings can be witnessed using just an amateur stargazer's telescope. We will be forgiven to think that it's just one ring surrounding Saturn. But the 'single' ring is made of seven major rings. All these rings are made of ice and chunks of rock. Saturn and its rings behave just like our Solar System. As planets in our Solar System revolve around the Sun, material in Saturn's rings revolves around the planet. A former NASA astronomer has made an interesting video that depicts how the rings revolve around Saturn. Countless shards of frozen water ice form Saturn's rings, which range in size from microscopic icy dust to bus-sized ice bergs. Each piece has its own orbit: close to Saturn they orbit fast, far away they orbit slow. Major ring segments are A-to-F (labelled in order of discovery) pic.twitter.com/h4QjIz3eY8 — Dr. James O'Donoghue (@physicsJ) June 14, 2020 × Material closer to Saturn orbits faster otherwise it would fall in. Ring material farther from Saturn has the liberty to revolve at a slower speed. The logic is just the same as that of the Solar System. The slowest, outmost ring travels at about 37,000 mph (16.4 kilometers per second). While the innermost and fastest ring spins at a mindboggling speed of 52,000 mph (23.2 kilometers per second).

An astronomer has created video on Saturn's spinning rings

Pakistan industrialists on Sunday opposed the anticipated increase of Rs 5.36 per unit in base electricity tariff.Resenting frequent hikes in the power tariff that would strike a blow to the industry, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) former president Mian Anjum Nisar said it would turn Pakistani products uncompetitive in the international market, reported The Express Tribune.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, he termed it unfortunate that the average electricity uniform rate would gradually rise to Rs 21.04 per unit and that too after excluding taxes, duties and surcharges.The cumulative impact of the rebasing in July 2021 has been worked out at a burden of Rs 414 billion on the power consumers, said Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) Chairman Mian Nauman Kabir.

FPCCI Senior Vice President Shahzeb Akram called for introducing power sector reforms, resolving the matter of overbilling, technical losses and transmission issues and stressed promotion of off-grid solutions and incentives for renewable energy solutions, reported The Express Tribune.

"If the government failed to take immediate measures, the power sector is likely to choke up due to hefty outstanding dues," he said.

Pakistan has been facing severe power shortage and blackouts amid surging power prices that have broken the backbone of industries badly affected by COVID-19. Moreover, transmission and distribution losses, overdue payments, and theft and pilferage of electricity also power up the debts that threaten to stall the industrial growth of Pakistan.

Pakistan industrialists on Sunday opposed the anticipated increase of Rs 5.36 per unit in base electricity tariff.Resenting frequent hikes in the power tariff that would strike a blow to the industry, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) former president Mian Anjum Nisar said it would turn Pakistani products uncompetitive in the international market, reported The Express Tribune.

Pakistan industrialists on Sunday opposed the anticipated increase of Rs 5.36 per unit in base electricity tariff.Resenting frequent hikes in the power tariff that would strike a blow to the industry, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) former president Mian Anjum Nisar said it would turn Pakistani products uncompetitive in the international market, reported The Express Tribune. According to a statement issued on Saturday, he termed it unfortunate that the average electricity uniform rate would gradually rise to Rs 21.04 per unit and that too after excluding taxes, duties and surcharges.The cumulative impact of the rebasing in July 2021 has been worked out at a burden of Rs 414 billion on the power consumers, said Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) Chairman Mian Nauman Kabir. FPCCI Senior Vice President Shahzeb Akram called for introducing power sector reforms, resolving the matter of overbilling, technical losses and transmission issues and stressed promotion of off-grid solutions and incentives for renewable energy solutions, reported The Express Tribune. "If the government failed to take immediate measures, the power sector is likely to choke up due to hefty outstanding dues," he said. Pakistan has been facing severe power shortage and blackouts amid surging power prices that have broken the backbone of industries badly affected by COVID-19. Moreover, transmission and distribution losses, overdue payments, and theft and pilferage of electricity also power up the debts that threaten to stall the industrial growth of Pakistan.

Pakistan industrialists oppose rise in energy tariff

Google on Monday won a major victory in a long-running copyright battle with Oracle. The US Supreme Court handed Google the win by saying that its use of Oracle's software code to build the Andriod operating system didn't violate federal copyright law.

The judges overturned a lower court's ruling that said Google's use of the software code was not fair under US law.

Oracle and Google, two California-based technology giants with combined annual revenues of more than $175 billion, have been feuding since Oracle sued for copyright infringement in 2010 in San Francisco federal court.

Google had appealed a 2018 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington reviving the suit.

The ruling spares Google of a potentially massive damages verdict. Oracle had been seeking more than $8 billion, but renewed estimates went as high as $20 billion to $30 billion, according to two people with knowledge of the situation.

Oracle's lawsuit accused Google of plagiarizing its Java software by copying 11,330 lines of computer code as well as the way it is organized, to create Android and reap billions of dollars in revenue. Android, for which developers have created millions of applications, now powers more than 70% of the world's mobile devices.

Google said it did not copy a computer program but rather used elements of Java's software code needed to operate a computer program or platform. Federal copyright law does not protect mere "methods of operation."

The companies also disputed whether Google made fair use of Oracle's software code, making it permissible under the copyright law.

(With Reuters inputs) 
&nbsp;

Google on Monday won a major victory in a long-running copyright battle with Oracle. The US Supreme Court handed Google the win by saying that its use of Oracle's software code to build the Andriod operating system didn't violate federal copyright law.

Google on Monday won a major victory in a long-running copyright battle with Oracle. The US Supreme Court handed Google the win by saying that its use of Oracle's software code to build the Andriod operating system didn't violate federal copyright law. The judges overturned a lower court's ruling that said Google's use of the software code was not fair under US law. Oracle and Google, two California-based technology giants with combined annual revenues of more than $175 billion, have been feuding since Oracle sued for copyright infringement in 2010 in San Francisco federal court. Google had appealed a 2018 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington reviving the suit. The ruling spares Google of a potentially massive damages verdict. Oracle had been seeking more than $8 billion, but renewed estimates went as high as $20 billion to $30 billion, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. Oracle's lawsuit accused Google of plagiarizing its Java software by copying 11,330 lines of computer code as well as the way it is organized, to create Android and reap billions of dollars in revenue. Android, for which developers have created millions of applications, now powers more than 70% of the world's mobile devices. Google said it did not copy a computer program but rather used elements of Java's software code needed to operate a computer program or platform. Federal copyright law does not protect mere "methods of operation." The companies also disputed whether Google made fair use of Oracle's software code, making it permissible under the copyright law. (With Reuters inputs)

Google scores victory over Oracle in US Supreme Court

Protesters in Myanmar clapped together on Monday in the latest show of dissent against the military junta, as a regional bloc prepared for talks on the crisis that has killed nearly 600 people.

Clapping began in various parts of the main city Yangon at 5 p.m. (1030 GMT) in response to a call by protest organisers, residents said.

The gesture would honour "Ethnic Armed Organisations and Gen Z defence youths from Myanmar including Yangon who are fighting in the revolution... on behalf of us," Ei Thinzar Maung, a protest leader, wrote on Facebook.

Despite the killing of at least 564 people by the security forces since the Feb. 1 coup, protesters have been coming out every day, often in small groups in small towns, to voice opposition to the overthrow of an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and the return of military rule.

The movement, which some protesters are calling a "spring revolution", has included street marches, a civil disobedience campaign of strikes and quirky acts of rebellion organised via social media.

In addition to the crackdown on the streets, the junta has sought to suppress the campaign by shutting down wireless broadband and mobile data services.

On Monday, one person was killed in the central Sagaing region when security forces broke up a protest, the Myanmar Now news outlet reported. Earlier, demonstrators with placards of Suu Kyi and signs calling for international intervention marched through the second-biggest city Mandalay, images posted on social media showed.

Brunei, chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), threw its support on Monday behind a regional leaders` meeting to discuss Myanmar.

After talks between Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei said both countries had asked their ministers and officials to make the "necessary preparations for the meeting that will be held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia." No date was given.

ASEAN operates by consensus, but the divergent views of its members on how to respond to the Myanmar army`s crackdown on civilians and the group`s policy of non-interference has limited its ability to act.

Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore have all expressed alarm over the killings of demonstrators and support an urgent high-level meeting on Myanmar. Besides Brunei, the other ASEAN members are Myanmar itself, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

The United States and other Western countries have denounced the coup and called for the release of Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her campaign against military rule. She has been charged with violating an official secrets act that is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

JUNTA REBUTS UN ENVOY

The junta said on Monday that comments last week by U.N. Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener about an impending "bloodbath" in Myanmar were inaccurate and misleading.

"Ms. Burgener`s remarks contravene the basic principles of sovereignty, and the fact that the United Nations is meant to work towards peace and stability of the world`s nations," it said in a notice in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

Schraner Burgener told the 15-member U.N. Security Council on March 31 that it must consider "potentially significant action" to reverse the course of events as "a bloodbath is imminent," according to comments published by U.N. News.

The junta said the remarks were a "a far cry from reality and could delay and destabilise the efforts by the&nbsp; 
State Administration Council to establish a genuine and disciplined multiparty democracy".

The coup and subsequent crackdown has led to Western sanctions on the military and its lucrative businesses.

Fitch Solutions said on Monday that a conservative forecast for Myanmar`s economy would be for a 20% contraction in the fiscal year that began in October, instead of the 2% seen before the coup.

External pressure is growing on the military to stop the violence, with some countries calling for it to cede power and free all detainees, and others urging dialogue and new elections soon.

A total of 2,667 people have been detained under the junta, the Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group said on Monday.

The junta at the weekend announced arrest warrants for about 60 celebrities, social media influencers, models and musicians on charges of incitement.

The military, which ruled with an iron first for half a century until 2011, has also seen fighting with armed ethnic minorities reignite on at least two fronts, raising fears of growing conflict and chaos in the country. 
&nbsp;

Protesters in Myanmar clapped together on Monday in the latest show of dissent against the military junta, as a regional bloc prepared for talks on the crisis that has killed nearly 600 people.

Protesters in Myanmar clapped together on Monday in the latest show of dissent against the military junta, as a regional bloc prepared for talks on the crisis that has killed nearly 600 people. Clapping began in various parts of the main city Yangon at 5 p.m. (1030 GMT) in response to a call by protest organisers, residents said. The gesture would honour "Ethnic Armed Organisations and Gen Z defence youths from Myanmar including Yangon who are fighting in the revolution... on behalf of us," Ei Thinzar Maung, a protest leader, wrote on Facebook. Despite the killing of at least 564 people by the security forces since the Feb. 1 coup, protesters have been coming out every day, often in small groups in small towns, to voice opposition to the overthrow of an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and the return of military rule. The movement, which some protesters are calling a "spring revolution", has included street marches, a civil disobedience campaign of strikes and quirky acts of rebellion organised via social media. In addition to the crackdown on the streets, the junta has sought to suppress the campaign by shutting down wireless broadband and mobile data services. On Monday, one person was killed in the central Sagaing region when security forces broke up a protest, the Myanmar Now news outlet reported. Earlier, demonstrators with placards of Suu Kyi and signs calling for international intervention marched through the second-biggest city Mandalay, images posted on social media showed. Brunei, chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), threw its support on Monday behind a regional leaders` meeting to discuss Myanmar. After talks between Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei said both countries had asked their ministers and officials to make the "necessary preparations for the meeting that will be held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia." No date was given. ASEAN operates by consensus, but the divergent views of its members on how to respond to the Myanmar army`s crackdown on civilians and the group`s policy of non-interference has limited its ability to act. Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore have all expressed alarm over the killings of demonstrators and support an urgent high-level meeting on Myanmar. Besides Brunei, the other ASEAN members are Myanmar itself, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. The United States and other Western countries have denounced the coup and called for the release of Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her campaign against military rule. She has been charged with violating an official secrets act that is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. JUNTA REBUTS UN ENVOY The junta said on Monday that comments last week by U.N. Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener about an impending "bloodbath" in Myanmar were inaccurate and misleading. "Ms. Burgener`s remarks contravene the basic principles of sovereignty, and the fact that the United Nations is meant to work towards peace and stability of the world`s nations," it said in a notice in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper. Schraner Burgener told the 15-member U.N. Security Council on March 31 that it must consider "potentially significant action" to reverse the course of events as "a bloodbath is imminent," according to comments published by U.N. News. The junta said the remarks were a "a far cry from reality and could delay and destabilise the efforts by the State Administration Council to establish a genuine and disciplined multiparty democracy". The coup and subsequent crackdown has led to Western sanctions on the military and its lucrative businesses. Fitch Solutions said on Monday that a conservative forecast for Myanmar`s economy would be for a 20% contraction in the fiscal year that began in October, instead of the 2% seen before the coup. External pressure is growing on the military to stop the violence, with some countries calling for it to cede power and free all detainees, and others urging dialogue and new elections soon. A total of 2,667 people have been detained under the junta, the Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group said on Monday. The junta at the weekend announced arrest warrants for about 60 celebrities, social media influencers, models and musicians on charges of incitement. The military, which ruled with an iron first for half a century until 2011, has also seen fighting with armed ethnic minorities reignite on at least two fronts, raising fears of growing conflict and chaos in the country.

Myanmar protesters clap to denounce junta as region focuses on crisis

UK is set to announce new rules on Monday to restart international travel. It will use "traffic light system" to flag travel destinations.&nbsp;

The UK has set a tentative date of May 17 to relaunch foreign travel, currently banned except for a handful of permitted reasons. This has created massive pent-up demand for summer holidays abroad.

Travel destinations will be categorised as red, amber or green based on the virus risk.

People heading to low-risk "green" countries will simply take a virus test before and after they travel, the government said.

But those going to amber or red countries will have to self-isolate or quarantine afterwards.

"We are doing everything we can to enable the reopening of our country... as safely as possible," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

The government urged people not to book summer holidays, saying it was "too early to predict" which would be the green-lighted countries.

The government has announced it will allow a number of people to attend public events such as football matches from this month in trials of a virus certification system.

(With AFP inputs)

UK is set to announce new rules on Monday to restart international travel. It will use "traffic light system" to flag travel destinations. The UK has set a tentative date of May 17 to relaunch foreign travel, currently banned except for a handful of permitted reasons.

UK is set to announce new rules on Monday to restart international travel. It will use "traffic light system" to flag travel destinations. The UK has set a tentative date of May 17 to relaunch foreign travel, currently banned except for a handful of permitted reasons. This has created massive pent-up demand for summer holidays abroad. Travel destinations will be categorised as red, amber or green based on the virus risk. People heading to low-risk "green" countries will simply take a virus test before and after they travel, the government said. But those going to amber or red countries will have to self-isolate or quarantine afterwards. "We are doing everything we can to enable the reopening of our country... as safely as possible," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. The government urged people not to book summer holidays, saying it was "too early to predict" which would be the green-lighted countries. The government has announced it will allow a number of people to attend public events such as football matches from this month in trials of a virus certification system. (With AFP inputs)

UK to announce new rules to restart international travel

Jammu and Kashmir agreed to be part of India shortly after Indian independence. But some parts of the territory are under illegal occupation of Pakistan and China. In this video opinion, Major General (Retd.) SB Asthana of the Indian Army expresses his views on how India can proceed to ensure that illegal occupation of land by Pakistan comes to an end. (Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video may not necessarily represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views)

Video Opinion: How India can get back territory illegally occupied by Pakistan

Russia on Monday extended deadline for Twitter to remove illegal and 'banned' content from the social media platform. Russia has already slowed down Twitter within its territory. The new deadline to remove the content is in mid-May. Twitter is co-operating with Russian authorities.

State telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor imposed slowdowns on Twitter's services in mid-March, accusing it of failing to remove content related to child pornography, drug use and calls for minors to commit suicide.

The social media giant said at the time it had a "zero tolerance" policy regarding "child sexual exploitation" and did not promote suicide and self-harm.

The watchdog gave Twitter a month to remove the content or face a complete blockage in Russia.

Roskomnadzor said in a statement on Monday that after the slowdown, Twitter had deleted nearly 2,000 posts containing illegal content and was moving more quickly to take content down.

It said the slowdown measures would remain in place until May 15 but that a decision had been taken not to completely block Twitter because the US company had "for the first time" changed the way its content moderation service worked in Russia.

"Roskomnadzor will continue to cooperate with Twitter management until the social network completely deletes all banned information in the quickest possible manner," the statement said.

After the slowdown began last month, Twitter denounced Russia's attempts to "block and throttle online public conversation".

Russia has in recent months stepped up efforts to impose more control on online platforms including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, with President Vladimir Putin saying large tech companies have become so influential that they are "competing" with sovereign states.

(With AFP inputs)

Russia on Monday extended deadline for Twitter to remove illegal and 'banned' content from the social media platform. Russia has already slowed down Twitter within its territory.

Russia on Monday extended deadline for Twitter to remove illegal and 'banned' content from the social media platform. Russia has already slowed down Twitter within its territory. The new deadline to remove the content is in mid-May. Twitter is co-operating with Russian authorities. State telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor imposed slowdowns on Twitter's services in mid-March, accusing it of failing to remove content related to child pornography, drug use and calls for minors to commit suicide. The social media giant said at the time it had a "zero tolerance" policy regarding "child sexual exploitation" and did not promote suicide and self-harm. The watchdog gave Twitter a month to remove the content or face a complete blockage in Russia. Roskomnadzor said in a statement on Monday that after the slowdown, Twitter had deleted nearly 2,000 posts containing illegal content and was moving more quickly to take content down. It said the slowdown measures would remain in place until May 15 but that a decision had been taken not to completely block Twitter because the US company had "for the first time" changed the way its content moderation service worked in Russia. "Roskomnadzor will continue to cooperate with Twitter management until the social network completely deletes all banned information in the quickest possible manner," the statement said. After the slowdown began last month, Twitter denounced Russia's attempts to "block and throttle online public conversation". Russia has in recent months stepped up efforts to impose more control on online platforms including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, with President Vladimir Putin saying large tech companies have become so influential that they are "competing" with sovereign states. (With AFP inputs)

Russia extends deadline for Twitter to remove 'banned' content

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