Australian regulator e-Safety Commissioner held Microsoft Corp and Apple Inc responsible for not taking appropriate measures to regulate child exploitation content available on their platform.&nbsp;The Internet Safety watchdog issued a report after it used new powers to get information about the methods being used by the tech giants.

On Thursday, the e-Safety Commissioner said that after legal demands were sent to some of the largest internet firms in the world requesting information, the responses received showed that proactive screening was not done by Apple and Microsoft for child abuse material in OneDrive and iCloud, which are their storage services.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-to-allow-third-party-app-stores-in-response-to-new-eu-laws-542840">Apple to allow third-party app stores in response to new EU laws</a>

In the information received, it was confirmed that no technology was used by the two firms to detect child sexual abuse’s live-streaming on video services Microsoft Teams and Skype, which fall under the ambit of Microsoft, as well as Apple’s FaceTime, the report published by the commissioner stated.

A spokesperson from Microsoft talked about the commitment of the company to combat the proliferation of abusive material but "as threats to children's safety continue to evolve and bad actors become more sophisticated in their tactics, we continue to challenge ourselves to adapt our response".

As per the commissioner, the information confirms the lack of implementation of child protection measures by the biggest tech firms and increases public pressure on them to be more vigilant.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Information was also sought from Meta Platforms Inc, which is the owner of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and from Snap Inc, owner of Snapchat.

In a statement, Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said that the overall responses were "alarming" and expressed her concern about "clearly inadequate and inconsistent use of widely available technology to detect child abuse material and grooming.”

WATCH |&nbsp;Apple to lose 6 million iPhone Pros amid China Covid protest

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Microsoft and Apple "do not even attempt to proactively detect previously confirmed child abuse material" on their devices used for storage, although law enforcement agencies use a Microsoft-developed detection product.

Inman Grant said that an announcement recently made by Apple, stating that it won’t be scanning accounts of iCloud for child abuse, was "a major step backwards from their responsibilities to help keep children safe". &nbsp;

Both firms’ failure in detecting live-streamed abuse amounted to "some of the biggest and richest technology companies in the world turning a blind eye and failing to take appropriate steps to protect the most vulnerable from the most predatory," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Australian regulator e-Safety Commissioner held Microsoft Corp and Apple Inc responsible for not taking appropriate measures to regulate child exploitation content available on their platform.

Australian regulator e-Safety Commissioner held Microsoft Corp and Apple Inc responsible for not taking appropriate measures to regulate child exploitation content available on their platform. The Internet Safety watchdog issued a report after it used new powers to get information about the methods being used by the tech giants. On Thursday, the e-Safety Commissioner said that after legal demands were sent to some of the largest internet firms in the world requesting information, the responses received showed that proactive screening was not done by Apple and Microsoft for child abuse material in OneDrive and iCloud, which are their storage services. ALSO READ | Apple to allow third-party app stores in response to new EU laws In the information received, it was confirmed that no technology was used by the two firms to detect child sexual abuse’s live-streaming on video services Microsoft Teams and Skype, which fall under the ambit of Microsoft, as well as Apple’s FaceTime, the report published by the commissioner stated. A spokesperson from Microsoft talked about the commitment of the company to combat the proliferation of abusive material but "as threats to children's safety continue to evolve and bad actors become more sophisticated in their tactics, we continue to challenge ourselves to adapt our response". As per the commissioner, the information confirms the lack of implementation of child protection measures by the biggest tech firms and increases public pressure on them to be more vigilant. Information was also sought from Meta Platforms Inc, which is the owner of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and from Snap Inc, owner of Snapchat. In a statement, Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said that the overall responses were "alarming" and expressed her concern about "clearly inadequate and inconsistent use of widely available technology to detect child abuse material and grooming.” WATCH | Apple to lose 6 million iPhone Pros amid China Covid protest Microsoft and Apple "do not even attempt to proactively detect previously confirmed child abuse material" on their devices used for storage, although law enforcement agencies use a Microsoft-developed detection product. Inman Grant said that an announcement recently made by Apple, stating that it won’t be scanning accounts of iCloud for child abuse, was "a major step backwards from their responsibilities to help keep children safe". Both firms’ failure in detecting live-streamed abuse amounted to "some of the biggest and richest technology companies in the world turning a blind eye and failing to take appropriate steps to protect the most vulnerable from the most predatory," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia accuses Apple, Microsoft of not taking measures to keep out child exploitation content

In the wake of escalating tensions and protests in Peru after ouster of former president Pedro Castillo, President Dina Boluarte on Monday said she will propose a bill to Congress to push forward general elections to April 2024.&nbsp;

While addressing the nation, Boluarte said, "I have decided to present a bill to reach an agreement with Congress to bring forward the general elections to April 2024.”

The president's statement of presenting the bill in the days ahead comes after two teenagers died and four others were injured on Sunday as protests calling for conducting general elections escalated in Peru.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/perus-new-president-boluarte-announces-cabinet-as-protests-intensify-541945">Peru's President Boluarte names cabinet, makes ministers take pledge against corruption</a>

Last week, Boluarte was sworn in as the president of Peru after Congress sacked Castillo and arrested him for making efforts to dissolve the legislature so that the impeachment vote against him can be prevented.

Protesters, which include supporters of Castillo, have been demanding fresh elections for days, instead of allowing Boluarte to serve as the president till the term of Castillo ends in 2026.&nbsp;

Some protesters also demanded that Congress should be shuttered.

While speaking to local radio station RPP, the Head of Peru's ombudsman's office Eliana Revollar said that an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old were killed during protesters' clashes with police Andahuaylas, the city located in Apurimac's Andean region "possibly as a result of gunshot wounds."

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-president-castillo-dissolves-congress-just-ahead-of-impeachment-debate-541052">Peru gets its first female president in Dina Boluarte after Pedro Castillo is impeached and arrested</a>

Apurimac region's governor Baltazar Lantaron said that "four injuries are reported, treated at the health centre, three of them (with wounds) to the scalp, with multiple injuries".

The Peruvian Corporation of Airports and Commercial Aviation, which is managing the airports of the country, reported Andahuaylas airport's closure after acts of vandalism and attacks were carried out last Saturday.

It stated that the transmitter room was set on fire by protesters which is important for providing navigation services,

On Saturday, the ombudsman's office informed that protesters had held two police officers for hours in Andahuaylas, however, they were later released. On Saturday, the clashes with protesters injured 16 civilians and four policemen, it added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the wake of escalating tensions and protests in Peru after ouster of former president Pedro Castillo, President Dina Boluarte on Monday said she will propose a bill to Congress to push forward general elections to April 2024.

In the wake of escalating tensions and protests in Peru after ouster of former president Pedro Castillo, President Dina Boluarte on Monday said she will propose a bill to Congress to push forward general elections to April 2024. While addressing the nation, Boluarte said, "I have decided to present a bill to reach an agreement with Congress to bring forward the general elections to April 2024.” The president's statement of presenting the bill in the days ahead comes after two teenagers died and four others were injured on Sunday as protests calling for conducting general elections escalated in Peru. ALSO READ| Peru's President Boluarte names cabinet, makes ministers take pledge against corruption Last week, Boluarte was sworn in as the president of Peru after Congress sacked Castillo and arrested him for making efforts to dissolve the legislature so that the impeachment vote against him can be prevented. Protesters, which include supporters of Castillo, have been demanding fresh elections for days, instead of allowing Boluarte to serve as the president till the term of Castillo ends in 2026. Some protesters also demanded that Congress should be shuttered. While speaking to local radio station RPP, the Head of Peru's ombudsman's office Eliana Revollar said that an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old were killed during protesters' clashes with police Andahuaylas, the city located in Apurimac's Andean region "possibly as a result of gunshot wounds." ALSO READ| Peru gets its first female president in Dina Boluarte after Pedro Castillo is impeached and arrested Apurimac region's governor Baltazar Lantaron said that "four injuries are reported, treated at the health centre, three of them (with wounds) to the scalp, with multiple injuries". The Peruvian Corporation of Airports and Commercial Aviation, which is managing the airports of the country, reported Andahuaylas airport's closure after acts of vandalism and attacks were carried out last Saturday. It stated that the transmitter room was set on fire by protesters which is important for providing navigation services, On Saturday, the ombudsman's office informed that protesters had held two police officers for hours in Andahuaylas, however, they were later released. On Saturday, the clashes with protesters injured 16 civilians and four policemen, it added. (With inputs from agencies)

Under pressure, new Peru Prez Boluarte moving up general elections to Apr  2024

China's new rules for content providers that alter facial and voice data will take effect from January 10, its cyberspace regulator said, as it looks to more tightly scrutinise so-called "deepfake" technology and services.

The regulations from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued late on Sunday provide for people to be protected from being impersonated without their consent by deepfakes - images that are virtually indistinguishable from the original, and easily used for manipulation or misinformation.

The CAC said the move was aimed at curbing risks that might arise from activities provided by such platforms that use deep learning or virtual reality to alter any online content, what the regulator calls "deep synthesis service providers", and to also promote the industry's healthy development.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

China's new rules for content providers that alter facial and voice data will take effect from January 10, its cyberspace regulator said, as it looks to more tightly scrutinise so-called "deepfake" technology and services.

China's new rules for content providers that alter facial and voice data will take effect from January 10, its cyberspace regulator said, as it looks to more tightly scrutinise so-called "deepfake" technology and services. The regulations from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued late on Sunday provide for people to be protected from being impersonated without their consent by deepfakes - images that are virtually indistinguishable from the original, and easily used for manipulation or misinformation. The CAC said the move was aimed at curbing risks that might arise from activities provided by such platforms that use deep learning or virtual reality to alter any online content, what the regulator calls "deep synthesis service providers", and to also promote the industry's healthy development.

China's rules for "deepfakes" to take effect from January 10

An incurable cancer was cleared inside the body of a teenage girl with the use of a revolutionary gene therapy after all other treatments failed to cure 13-year-old Alyssa's leukaemia.

So, the doctors of Great Ormond Street Hospital decided to use "base editing" to build a new living drug for the patient. Now, six months later, the cancer is not being detected inside the girl's body, however, she is still being monitored.&nbsp;

In May last year, Alyssa was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. T-cells act as guardians of our body, however, in her case, their growth was uncontrollable and had become dangerous.&nbsp;

The nature of her cancer was aggressive and neither chemotherapy nor a bone-marrow transplant was able to help her. If there was no experimental medicine, then doctors had the only option to reduce the pain she was enduring.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-has-the-pandemic-led-to-a-cancer-epidemic-in-europe-534722">Has the repurposing of health services during pandemic led to a 'cancer epidemic' in Europe?</a>

"Eventually I would have passed away," Alyssa said. Her mother Kiona said that she was dreading Christmas last year, "thinking this is our last with her" and that she was just crying on the 13th birthday of her daughter in January.

The miracle that unfolded next was unthinkable a few years back and was made possible today due to the advancement achieved in genetics.

The technology of base editing, which came into existence six years ago, was used by the doctors at Great Ormond Street.&nbsp;

Alyssa was the one who decided to be the first patient to receive the experimental therapy in May this year.&nbsp;

Great Ormond Street's Prof Waseem Qasim said, “She's the first patient to be treated with this technology. He added that genetic manipulation was a "very fast-moving area of science" and has "enormous potential" to deal with various diseases.

Today Alyssa is hoping to have a great Christmas, dressing up as a bridesmaid at the wedding of her aunt, going to school and doing all the normal stuff.

(With inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

An incurable cancer was cleared inside the body of a teenage girl with the use of a revolutionary gene therapy after all other treatments failed to cure 13-year-old Alyssa's leukaemia.

An incurable cancer was cleared inside the body of a teenage girl with the use of a revolutionary gene therapy after all other treatments failed to cure 13-year-old Alyssa's leukaemia. So, the doctors of Great Ormond Street Hospital decided to use "base editing" to build a new living drug for the patient. Now, six months later, the cancer is not being detected inside the girl's body, however, she is still being monitored. In May last year, Alyssa was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. T-cells act as guardians of our body, however, in her case, their growth was uncontrollable and had become dangerous. The nature of her cancer was aggressive and neither chemotherapy nor a bone-marrow transplant was able to help her. If there was no experimental medicine, then doctors had the only option to reduce the pain she was enduring. ALSO READ| Has the repurposing of health services during pandemic led to a 'cancer epidemic' in Europe? "Eventually I would have passed away," Alyssa said. Her mother Kiona said that she was dreading Christmas last year, "thinking this is our last with her" and that she was just crying on the 13th birthday of her daughter in January. The miracle that unfolded next was unthinkable a few years back and was made possible today due to the advancement achieved in genetics. The technology of base editing, which came into existence six years ago, was used by the doctors at Great Ormond Street. Alyssa was the one who decided to be the first patient to receive the experimental therapy in May this year. Great Ormond Street's Prof Waseem Qasim said, “She's the first patient to be treated with this technology. He added that genetic manipulation was a "very fast-moving area of science" and has "enormous potential" to deal with various diseases. Today Alyssa is hoping to have a great Christmas, dressing up as a bridesmaid at the wedding of her aunt, going to school and doing all the normal stuff. (With inputs from agencies)

Revolutionary gene therapy treats patient's incurable cancer, gives hope to others

The fugitive Hindu guru Nithyananda's UK representative Atmadaya had attended the House of Lords' Diwali party earlier this year, after receiving an invitation from two senior Conservatives, as per the reports published in the Observer.

Atmadaya was sent an invitation to the party by MP Bob Blackman along with his peer Rami Ranger. A full-page advertisement was also published by Nithyananda’s organisation in an accompanying brochure, which was later distributed among the attendees.&nbsp;

Few attendees were not happy about the profile given to the organisation because, in 2019, the Hindu guru had fled India after he was facing charges of raping one of his follower and abduction children. Since then, Nithyananda has established his own sovereign island state, which he calls the “Republic of Kailaasa”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-time-in-106-years-uk-nurses-set-to-walk-out-on-strike-over-pay-demands-542132">Ministers rebuff union's offer to negotiate over pay to suspend NHS strikes</a>

Freelance journalist Poonam Joshi, who has carried out an investigation into the organisation and was also part of the event, said, “It is shocking to see the Hindu Forum of Britain (which helped organise the event) found it appropriate to invite representatives of a man accused of such heinous crimes to parliament.”

“It lends legitimacy to an organisation that craves it because of the actions of the fake ‘godman’ at its helm, who remains a fugitive from Indian justice,” she added.&nbsp;

In India, Nithyananda had a huge following, as he also ran multiple ashrams and temples. In the past, he had made claims about possessing supernatural abilities, which includes seeing through walls, curing blindness of children, delaying the sunrise and talking to cows.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The fugitive Hindu guru Nithyananda's UK representative Atmadaya had attended the House of Lords' Diwali party earlier this year, after receiving an invitation from two senior Conservatives, as per the reports published in the Observer.

The fugitive Hindu guru Nithyananda's UK representative Atmadaya had attended the House of Lords' Diwali party earlier this year, after receiving an invitation from two senior Conservatives, as per the reports published in the Observer. Atmadaya was sent an invitation to the party by MP Bob Blackman along with his peer Rami Ranger. A full-page advertisement was also published by Nithyananda’s organisation in an accompanying brochure, which was later distributed among the attendees. Few attendees were not happy about the profile given to the organisation because, in 2019, the Hindu guru had fled India after he was facing charges of raping one of his follower and abduction children. Since then, Nithyananda has established his own sovereign island state, which he calls the “Republic of Kailaasa”. ALSO READ| Ministers rebuff union's offer to negotiate over pay to suspend NHS strikes Freelance journalist Poonam Joshi, who has carried out an investigation into the organisation and was also part of the event, said, “It is shocking to see the Hindu Forum of Britain (which helped organise the event) found it appropriate to invite representatives of a man accused of such heinous crimes to parliament.” “It lends legitimacy to an organisation that craves it because of the actions of the fake ‘godman’ at its helm, who remains a fugitive from Indian justice,” she added. In India, Nithyananda had a huge following, as he also ran multiple ashrams and temples. In the past, he had made claims about possessing supernatural abilities, which includes seeing through walls, curing blindness of children, delaying the sunrise and talking to cows. (With inputs from agencies)

Fugitive Hindu guru's UK representative attended Tories' party at House of Lords

The result of the Massachusetts state house of representatives election was flipped by one vote from Republican to Democrat in a recount.

Earlier this week, Democrat Kristin Kassner defeated her Republican opponent Lenny Mirra after votes were recounted, which shrunk the narrow vote deficit of the candidate to one.

All the candidates were aiming to clinch a seat in the North Shore area, which lies between New Hampshire and Boston. Before the recount took place, Mirra was leading Kassner by 10 votes out of 23,000 votes which were cast during the midterm election on November 8.&nbsp;

The deficit of 10 votes was within the legal outlines of conducting a recount. On November 30, hand recounts were ordered by Massachusetts secretary of state Bill Galvin in a general area where there was a slim advantage of Mirra.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/high-level-us-delegation-to-visit-china-next-week-541943">High-level US delegation to visit China next week to prepare ground for Blinken’s trip</a>

After the votes in question were recounted by officials on Thursday, the election results came out as 11,763 to 11,762 with Kassner leading with the slightest of margins.

Responding to the recount, Mirra said that the result will be challenged by him, as reported by the Boston Globe.

“Some (ballots) were filled out in pencil, some were filled out with different coloured ink, some had stray marks. Some had a name written in the write-in and then an oval filled out,” Mirra was quoted as saying by the outlet.&nbsp; 
However, Kassner said that he believes that the voting process did not involve any foul play, adding that “I feel the process unfolded like it should. We’ll see what comes when it comes,” reported the Boston Globe.

WATCH|&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-us-midterm-elections-532115/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“We are not suspicious of anything that ever happened. (The recount) was just really just to ensure that, between humans and machines, we really caught every vote that was counted,” said Kassner.

“We thank the tremendous outpouring of people that really got involved and mobilised to go through this process this weekend. It’s really a true test of democracy,” he added.&nbsp;

The new results will be sent to the gubernatorial council and governor Charlie Baker for review.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The result of the Massachusetts state house of representatives election was flipped by one vote from Republican to Democrat in a recount. Earlier this week, Democrat Kristin Kassner defeated her Republican opponent Lenny Mirra after votes were recounted, which shrunk the narrow vote deficit of the candidate to one.

The result of the Massachusetts state house of representatives election was flipped by one vote from Republican to Democrat in a recount. Earlier this week, Democrat Kristin Kassner defeated her Republican opponent Lenny Mirra after votes were recounted, which shrunk the narrow vote deficit of the candidate to one. All the candidates were aiming to clinch a seat in the North Shore area, which lies between New Hampshire and Boston. Before the recount took place, Mirra was leading Kassner by 10 votes out of 23,000 votes which were cast during the midterm election on November 8. The deficit of 10 votes was within the legal outlines of conducting a recount. On November 30, hand recounts were ordered by Massachusetts secretary of state Bill Galvin in a general area where there was a slim advantage of Mirra. ALSO READ| High-level US delegation to visit China next week to prepare ground for Blinken’s trip After the votes in question were recounted by officials on Thursday, the election results came out as 11,763 to 11,762 with Kassner leading with the slightest of margins. Responding to the recount, Mirra said that the result will be challenged by him, as reported by the Boston Globe. “Some (ballots) were filled out in pencil, some were filled out with different coloured ink, some had stray marks. Some had a name written in the write-in and then an oval filled out,” Mirra was quoted as saying by the outlet. However, Kassner said that he believes that the voting process did not involve any foul play, adding that “I feel the process unfolded like it should. We’ll see what comes when it comes,” reported the Boston Globe. WATCH| “We are not suspicious of anything that ever happened. (The recount) was just really just to ensure that, between humans and machines, we really caught every vote that was counted,” said Kassner. “We thank the tremendous outpouring of people that really got involved and mobilised to go through this process this weekend. It’s really a true test of democracy,” he added. The new results will be sent to the gubernatorial council and governor Charlie Baker for review. (With inputs from agencies)

Democrat wins by one vote in Massachusetts state house election recount

UK ministers refused to hold any negotiation talks over pay in return for nursing unions' offer to suspend the strikes planned, saying that the government cannot amend awards decided for NHS staff by the independent pay body.&nbsp;

While speaking to Sky News, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Sunday said that the health secretary is willing to hold talks with the unions about how the performance and working conditions of NHS can be improved and not about the pay demand.

He said, “Of course, the health secretary wants to talk to the profession about how we can make the job better, how we can improve the NHS performance for everybody. But ultimately pay is decided by an independent pay body.”

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-uk-braces-for-a-strike-full-winter-rcn-offers-to-suspend-strikes-if-govt-agrees-to-negotiate-541957">As UK braces for a 'strike-full' winter, RCN offers to suspend strikes if govt agrees to negotiate</a>

“The point is, meetings are different from pay negotiations. Ultimately, independent bodies are there for a reason, to take the politics out of this kind of stuff. And we respect the judgment they have made, and we’re implementing it,” he added.

Wes Streeting of the Labour party called the ministers “irresponsible”, saying they are looking to blame the striking staff for the NHSa crisis and not finding a solution.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen, over the weekend, had made the offer to "press pause" on the strikes if serious talks can be held with Health Secretary Steve Barclay.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-trade-secretary-kemi-in-delhi-from-today-for-fta-talks-542124">UK trade Secretary Kemi in Delhi from today for FTA talks</a>

For the first time in 106 years of the union's history, UK nurses will be walking out on a strike this week, which they insist is the "last resort” to press for their pay demands.

The one-day stoppage will be held by the Royal College of Nursing's (RCN) 100,000 members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland after they rejected the pay offer of the government.

The RCN said that they will be able to protect intensive care and high-dependency units, chemotherapy, neonatal intensive care, dialysis and paediatric intensive care.&nbsp;

It added that they will have Christmas staffing levels in other services. Accident and emergency staff nurse Mark Boothroyd said that the crisis has reached a tipping point.

"Workloads are horrendous. Nurses are burnt out, can't provide safe service to patients. We are seeing harm to patients and patients put at risk every day," he said.

RCN member and Unite union's staff representative Boothroyd said that the stoppage to be held on Thursday and on December 20 is aimed at restoring "quality of care for patients".

Britain has been battling a cost-of-living crisis and the prices of energy, food and housing have been soaring. The industrial action of RCN is part of increasing dissent among private and public sector employees.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

UK ministers refused to hold any negotiation talks over pay in return for nursing unions' offer to suspend the strikes planned, saying that the government cannot amend awards decided for NHS staff by the independent pay body.

UK ministers refused to hold any negotiation talks over pay in return for nursing unions' offer to suspend the strikes planned, saying that the government cannot amend awards decided for NHS staff by the independent pay body. While speaking to Sky News, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Sunday said that the health secretary is willing to hold talks with the unions about how the performance and working conditions of NHS can be improved and not about the pay demand. He said, “Of course, the health secretary wants to talk to the profession about how we can make the job better, how we can improve the NHS performance for everybody. But ultimately pay is decided by an independent pay body.” ALSO READ| As UK braces for a 'strike-full' winter, RCN offers to suspend strikes if govt agrees to negotiate “The point is, meetings are different from pay negotiations. Ultimately, independent bodies are there for a reason, to take the politics out of this kind of stuff. And we respect the judgment they have made, and we’re implementing it,” he added. Wes Streeting of the Labour party called the ministers “irresponsible”, saying they are looking to blame the striking staff for the NHSa crisis and not finding a solution. RCN general secretary Pat Cullen, over the weekend, had made the offer to "press pause" on the strikes if serious talks can be held with Health Secretary Steve Barclay. ALSO READ| UK trade Secretary Kemi in Delhi from today for FTA talks For the first time in 106 years of the union's history, UK nurses will be walking out on a strike this week, which they insist is the "last resort” to press for their pay demands. The one-day stoppage will be held by the Royal College of Nursing's (RCN) 100,000 members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland after they rejected the pay offer of the government. The RCN said that they will be able to protect intensive care and high-dependency units, chemotherapy, neonatal intensive care, dialysis and paediatric intensive care. It added that they will have Christmas staffing levels in other services. Accident and emergency staff nurse Mark Boothroyd said that the crisis has reached a tipping point. "Workloads are horrendous. Nurses are burnt out, can't provide safe service to patients. We are seeing harm to patients and patients put at risk every day," he said. RCN member and Unite union's staff representative Boothroyd said that the stoppage to be held on Thursday and on December 20 is aimed at restoring "quality of care for patients". Britain has been battling a cost-of-living crisis and the prices of energy, food and housing have been soaring. The industrial action of RCN is part of increasing dissent among private and public sector employees. (With inputs from agencies)

UK: Ministers rebuff union's offer to negotiate over pay to suspend NHS strikes

China on Monday said that a major application used for tracking COVID-19 contacts will retire, a major move in the rapid turn away from its zero-tolerance Covid strategy.

The state-run application called "Communications Itinerary Card", which helps in tracking the people who have visited a high-risk area based on their mobile signal, will be offline from Tuesday midnight after remaining in operation for more than two years, as per an official post on WeChat.&nbsp;

The application was one of the important parts of the zero-Covid policy of China, in which millions of citizens were expected to add their mobile numbers and get their signature green arrow for entering events, or travelling between provinces.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-economic-chiefs-hail-chinas-decision-of-relaxing-covid-19-restrictions-541573">Global economic chiefs hail China’s decision of relaxing COVID-19 restrictions</a>

The government took the decision days after it announced the end of mandatory quarantines and large-scale lockdowns, and introduced major relaxations in testing measures, taking a u-turn from its zero-Covid strategy.

According to officials, Covid cases have dropped below 10k after many weeks in China. However, Chinese health expert Zhong Nanshan on Sunday issued a warning regarding the rapid spread of the Omicron variant through the nation.&nbsp;

The Itinerary Card was first launched in 2020 and had an in-built four-tier system which assigned varied colours to its users predicting their level of exposure to the virus.&nbsp;

WATCH|&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-covid-xi-administration-gradually-dismantles-zero-covid-policy-541962/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The application went through multiple tweaks before its tracking period was shortened from 14 to 7 days this year. This is one of the many tracking apps which have been part of people's everyday life in China during the pandemic. 
However, the retirement of the Itinerary Card was hailed by users on social media, looking at the symbolism of China closing its central tracking app.

Various screenshots of people's “last” logins were shared on the social platform. On Weibo, similar to Twitter, one user wrote, “Bye bye, this announces the end of an era, and also welcomes a brand new one.”

"Goodbye itinerary card, concerts here I come," said another user. Some people also quizzed about the future of the application's large amount of data. "The Itinerary Card and other similar products mean vast amounts of personal information and private data. I hope there will be mechanisms and measures to log out and delete this,” a Weibo user wrote.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

China on Monday said that a major application used for tracking COVID-19 contacts will retire, a major move in the rapid turn away from its zero-tolerance Covid strategy.

China on Monday said that a major application used for tracking COVID-19 contacts will retire, a major move in the rapid turn away from its zero-tolerance Covid strategy. The state-run application called "Communications Itinerary Card", which helps in tracking the people who have visited a high-risk area based on their mobile signal, will be offline from Tuesday midnight after remaining in operation for more than two years, as per an official post on WeChat. The application was one of the important parts of the zero-Covid policy of China, in which millions of citizens were expected to add their mobile numbers and get their signature green arrow for entering events, or travelling between provinces. ALSO READ| Global economic chiefs hail China’s decision of relaxing COVID-19 restrictions The government took the decision days after it announced the end of mandatory quarantines and large-scale lockdowns, and introduced major relaxations in testing measures, taking a u-turn from its zero-Covid strategy. According to officials, Covid cases have dropped below 10k after many weeks in China. However, Chinese health expert Zhong Nanshan on Sunday issued a warning regarding the rapid spread of the Omicron variant through the nation. The Itinerary Card was first launched in 2020 and had an in-built four-tier system which assigned varied colours to its users predicting their level of exposure to the virus. WATCH| The application went through multiple tweaks before its tracking period was shortened from 14 to 7 days this year. This is one of the many tracking apps which have been part of people's everyday life in China during the pandemic. However, the retirement of the Itinerary Card was hailed by users on social media, looking at the symbolism of China closing its central tracking app. Various screenshots of people's “last” logins were shared on the social platform. On Weibo, similar to Twitter, one user wrote, “Bye bye, this announces the end of an era, and also welcomes a brand new one.” "Goodbye itinerary card, concerts here I come," said another user. Some people also quizzed about the future of the application's large amount of data. "The Itinerary Card and other similar products mean vast amounts of personal information and private data. I hope there will be mechanisms and measures to log out and delete this,” a Weibo user wrote. (With inputs from agencies)

China retires app that tracked Covid contacts as part of easing virus rules

Protests have further escalated in Peru over demand for fresh elections, killing two. Meanwhile, the UK ministers refused to hold any negotiatios over pay with the protesting nurses, in the wake strikes planned by NHS. In other news, Russia's Wagner mercenary group was struck by Ukrainian forces, killing several of them. As per Western experts, Wagner are believed to be state-sponsored mercenaries who work in accordance to Kremlin's interests.

Click on the headlines to read more:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-killed-and-four-injured-as-protests-demanding-general-elections-escalate-in-peru-542122">Two killed and four injured as protests demanding general elections escalate in Peru</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/12/12/317421-untitled-design-23.png?imwidth=1920" />

Two teens died and four others were injured on Sunday as protests calling for conducting general elections escalated in Peru after former President Pedro Castillo was ousted, local authorities and police informed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-time-in-106-years-uk-nurses-set-to-walk-out-on-strike-over-pay-demands-542132">Ministers rebuff union's offer to negotiate over pay to suspend NHS strikes</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/12/12/317427-untitled-design-24.png?imwidth=1920" />

The government ministers refused to hold any negotiation talks over pay in return for nursing unions' offer to suspend the strikes planned, saying that the government cannot amend awards decided for NHS staff by the independent pay body.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-hits-hotel-housing-wagner-military-group-ukrainian-regional-official-says-542138">Ukraine hits hotel housing Wagner military group, Ukrainian regional official says</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/12/12/317433-untitled-design-2022-12-12t092620912.png?imwidth=1920" />

A senior official in eastern Ukraine said in a television interview that Ukrainian forces struck a headquarters of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, leaving several of them dead. According to Western experts, Wagner are reported to be state-sponsored mercenaries who work to extend the interests of the Kremlin.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-chrome-introduces-password-less-authentication-heres-how-it-works-542134">Google chrome introduces passwordless authentication. Here's how it works</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/12/12/317429-new-wion-9.png?imwidth=1920" />

<a>Google Chrome has announced that it will soon be introducing passwordless login. The popular browser will now use biometric sensors such as a fingerprint or facial recognition, PIN, or pattern for authentication purposes.&nbsp;</a>

Watch|&nbsp;NASA's Orion Capsule safely returns to earth after 25-days test flight

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasas-orion-capsule-safely-returns-to-earth-after-25-days-test-flight-542140/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Protests have further escalated in Peru over demand for fresh elections, killing two. Meanwhile, the UK ministers refused to hold any negotiatios over pay with the protesting nurses, in the wake strikes planned by NHS.

Protests have further escalated in Peru over demand for fresh elections, killing two. Meanwhile, the UK ministers refused to hold any negotiatios over pay with the protesting nurses, in the wake strikes planned by NHS. In other news, Russia's Wagner mercenary group was struck by Ukrainian forces, killing several of them. As per Western experts, Wagner are believed to be state-sponsored mercenaries who work in accordance to Kremlin's interests. Click on the headlines to read more: Two killed and four injured as protests demanding general elections escalate in Peru Two teens died and four others were injured on Sunday as protests calling for conducting general elections escalated in Peru after former President Pedro Castillo was ousted, local authorities and police informed. Ministers rebuff union's offer to negotiate over pay to suspend NHS strikes The government ministers refused to hold any negotiation talks over pay in return for nursing unions' offer to suspend the strikes planned, saying that the government cannot amend awards decided for NHS staff by the independent pay body. Ukraine hits hotel housing Wagner military group, Ukrainian regional official says A senior official in eastern Ukraine said in a television interview that Ukrainian forces struck a headquarters of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, leaving several of them dead. According to Western experts, Wagner are reported to be state-sponsored mercenaries who work to extend the interests of the Kremlin. Google chrome introduces passwordless authentication. Here's how it works Google Chrome has announced that it will soon be introducing passwordless login. The popular browser will now use biometric sensors such as a fingerprint or facial recognition, PIN, or pattern for authentication purposes. Watch| NASA's Orion Capsule safely returns to earth after 25-days test flight

Morning brief: Protests escalate in Peru; no negotiations with UK nurses; Ukraine hits Wagner group, and more

The fourth instalment of Twitter Files shared by Elon Musk reveals how senior executives of the company sought a change in policies and created justification on January 7 for permanently banning Donald Trump from the microblogging platform.&nbsp;

Journalist Michael Shellenberger posted part 4 of Twitter files, exposing how strategies were made at the Twitter office on January 7, a day after which supporters of former U.S. president Donald Trump staged a failed protest at Capitol Hill.

At the start of his Twitter thread, Shellenberger shares an old Twitter public policy post dated January 6, 2018, which reads, “Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate. It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.”&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
1. TWITTER FILES, PART 4 
 
The Removal of Donald Trump: January 7 
 
As the pressure builds, Twitter executives build the case for a permanent ban
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShellenbergerMD/status/1601720455005511680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

How it started

He explains how Twitter was earlier resistive to calls for banning Trump, however, after the Capitol Hill protest, external and internal pressure to permanently ban Trump grew on Twitter's then-CEO Jack Dorsey.&nbsp;

“Dorsey was on vacation in French Polynesia the week of January 4-8, 2021. He phoned into meetings but also delegated much of the handling of the situation to senior execs @yoyoel, Twitter’s Global Head of Trust and Safety, and @vijaya Head of Legal, Policy, &amp; Trust,” Shellenberger wrote.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-files-30-reveal-how-donald-trump-was-de-platformed-by-supreme-court-of-moderation-541763">Twitter Files 3.0 reveal how Donald Trump was deplatformed by ‘Supreme Court of moderation’</a>

Explaining the extremely partisan nature of the Twitter staff, he stated that in 2018, 2020, and 2022, 96%, 98%, &amp; 99% of political donations made by Twitter staff went to Democrats. He also shares one of the tweets of Yoel Roth, one of the then executives of Twitter, claiming that there are “ACTUAL NAZIS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.”&nbsp;

Changing policies of Twitter

Shellenberger, in his report, states that an email sent by Dorsey to the employees on January 7 saying that there is a need to remain consistent with the policies, which includes users' right to return to Twitter after they are suspended temporarily.&nbsp;

“After, Roth reassures an employee that "people who care about this... aren't happy with where we are (sic),” he further writes. Shellenberger then reveals that Roth sent messages to his colleagues around 11:30 am to share a piece of news, filled with excitement.&nbsp;

In his report, he quotes Roth as saying, “GUESS WHAT. Jack just approved repeat offender for civic integrity. "The new approach would create a system where five violations ("strikes") would result in permanent suspension," Shellenberger writes.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-second-installment-of-twitter-files-reveals-how-right-wing-users-were-targeted-541462">Elon Musk's second installment of Twitter Files reveals how right-wing users were targeted</a>

Shellenberger states that messages exchanged between Roth and his colleague make&nbsp;it clear how Dorsey was forced to place greater restrictions on the speech which is allowed by Twitter during elections.

He explains how they then discuss if Trump can be banned finally, and that “does the incitement to violence aspect change that calculus?” to which “Roth says it doesn't. "Trump continues to just have his one strike" (remaining).”&nbsp;

He emphasises the query regarding "incitement to violence", further highlighting how Twitter had stated that the reason for permanently banning Trump was the "risk of further incitement of violence".&nbsp;

Setting the narrative

Shellenberger says that no concerns were expressed within Twitter over Trump's banning, except by one junior-level employee who had sent a message saying, "this might be an unpopular opinion but one off ad hoc decisions like this that don't appear rooted in policy are imho (in my honest opinion) a slippery slope...This now appears to be a fiat by an online platform CEO with a global presence that can gatekeep speech for the entire world".&nbsp;

Shellenberger explains how employees started understanding the difference between the&nbsp;policies of Twitter and their political beliefs which is revealed in the internal communication of Twitter over censoring the #stopthesteal hashtag.

Roth said that the hashtag should be de-amplified and blacklisted but was warned that this will also affect those using the hashtag to make counter-allegations over rigged elections.

WATCH |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-twitter-files-how-twitter-handled-hunter-biden-story-539712/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Roth after realising that the same hashtag is being used by Democrats to call out Donald Trump and say that the 2020 US Presidential election was held fairly, suggested to “de-amplify accounts with #stopthesteal in the name/profile since those are not affiliated with counterspeech”.&nbsp;

Considering that too many Twitter accounts belonging to Republicans and conservatives were sharing screenshots of tweets from the suspended account of Donald Trump, the employees at Twitter suggested that such handles should be placed under a 12-hour long review.

However, they faced the challenge of distinguishing Democrats from Republicans, as the former party members were also posting tweets to mock Trump.&nbsp;

Shellenberger, in his ‘Twitter Files 4.0’, reveals Roth went on to change Twitter policies so that the banning of Trump’s account can be justified. “In this specific case, we’re changing our public interest approach for his account,” Roth said.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The fourth instalment of Twitter Files shared by Elon Musk reveals how senior executives of the company sought a change in policies and created justification on January 7 for permanently banning Donald Trump from the microblogging platform.

The fourth instalment of Twitter Files shared by Elon Musk reveals how senior executives of the company sought a change in policies and created justification on January 7 for permanently banning Donald Trump from the microblogging platform. Journalist Michael Shellenberger posted part 4 of Twitter files, exposing how strategies were made at the Twitter office on January 7, a day after which supporters of former U.S. president Donald Trump staged a failed protest at Capitol Hill. At the start of his Twitter thread, Shellenberger shares an old Twitter public policy post dated January 6, 2018, which reads, “Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate. It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.” 1. TWITTER FILES, PART 4 The Removal of Donald Trump: January 7 As the pressure builds, Twitter executives build the case for a permanent ban — Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) December 10, 2022 How it started He explains how Twitter was earlier resistive to calls for banning Trump, however, after the Capitol Hill protest, external and internal pressure to permanently ban Trump grew on Twitter's then-CEO Jack Dorsey. “Dorsey was on vacation in French Polynesia the week of January 4-8, 2021. He phoned into meetings but also delegated much of the handling of the situation to senior execs @yoyoel, Twitter’s Global Head of Trust and Safety, and @vijaya Head of Legal, Policy, & Trust,” Shellenberger wrote. ALSO READ| Twitter Files 3.0 reveal how Donald Trump was deplatformed by ‘Supreme Court of moderation’ Explaining the extremely partisan nature of the Twitter staff, he stated that in 2018, 2020, and 2022, 96%, 98%, & 99% of political donations made by Twitter staff went to Democrats. He also shares one of the tweets of Yoel Roth, one of the then executives of Twitter, claiming that there are “ACTUAL NAZIS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.” Changing policies of Twitter Shellenberger, in his report, states that an email sent by Dorsey to the employees on January 7 saying that there is a need to remain consistent with the policies, which includes users' right to return to Twitter after they are suspended temporarily. “After, Roth reassures an employee that "people who care about this... aren't happy with where we are (sic),” he further writes. Shellenberger then reveals that Roth sent messages to his colleagues around 11:30 am to share a piece of news, filled with excitement. In his report, he quotes Roth as saying, “GUESS WHAT. Jack just approved repeat offender for civic integrity. "The new approach would create a system where five violations ("strikes") would result in permanent suspension," Shellenberger writes. ALSO READ| Elon Musk's second installment of Twitter Files reveals how right-wing users were targeted Shellenberger states that messages exchanged between Roth and his colleague make it clear how Dorsey was forced to place greater restrictions on the speech which is allowed by Twitter during elections. He explains how they then discuss if Trump can be banned finally, and that “does the incitement to violence aspect change that calculus?” to which “Roth says it doesn't. "Trump continues to just have his one strike" (remaining).” He emphasises the query regarding "incitement to violence", further highlighting how Twitter had stated that the reason for permanently banning Trump was the "risk of further incitement of violence". Setting the narrative Shellenberger says that no concerns were expressed within Twitter over Trump's banning, except by one junior-level employee who had sent a message saying, "this might be an unpopular opinion but one off ad hoc decisions like this that don't appear rooted in policy are imho (in my honest opinion) a slippery slope...This now appears to be a fiat by an online platform CEO with a global presence that can gatekeep speech for the entire world". Shellenberger explains how employees started understanding the difference between the policies of Twitter and their political beliefs which is revealed in the internal communication of Twitter over censoring the #stopthesteal hashtag. Roth said that the hashtag should be de-amplified and blacklisted but was warned that this will also affect those using the hashtag to make counter-allegations over rigged elections. WATCH | Roth after realising that the same hashtag is being used by Democrats to call out Donald Trump and say that the 2020 US Presidential election was held fairly, suggested to “de-amplify accounts with #stopthesteal in the name/profile since those are not affiliated with counterspeech”. Considering that too many Twitter accounts belonging to Republicans and conservatives were sharing screenshots of tweets from the suspended account of Donald Trump, the employees at Twitter suggested that such handles should be placed under a 12-hour long review. However, they faced the challenge of distinguishing Democrats from Republicans, as the former party members were also posting tweets to mock Trump. Shellenberger, in his ‘Twitter Files 4.0’, reveals Roth went on to change Twitter policies so that the banning of Trump’s account can be justified. “In this specific case, we’re changing our public interest approach for his account,” Roth said.

Twitter Files 4.0 reveal how executives changed policies to permanently ban Trump

A dramatic offer was made by the health unions on Saturday night to call off the strikes that may cripple the NHS during holidays if the government agrees to start serious negotiations over pay.&nbsp;This is the first move taken by the biggest union of the country Unison and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to resolve a dispute that has remained in deadlock for weeks.&nbsp;

RCN's general secretary Pat Cullen said that she was willing to “press pause” on industrial action if Health Secretary Steve Barclay is willing to strike a deal.

ALSO READ|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-charity-ceases-operations-over-safety-issue-after-founder-points-out-racism-at-buckingham-palace-541818">&nbsp;UK charity ceases operations over safety concerns after founder points out racism at Buckingham Palace</a>

“Negotiate with nurses and avoid this strike. Five times my offer to negotiate has been turned. I will press pause on it when the health secretary says he will negotiate seriously on our dispute this year. That means each of us giving some ground,” she said.

“He gains nothing by ignoring the representatives of the NHS workforce. The public blames government for this dire situation, and they have to face up to it. A swift change of tactics will pay off for all concerned,” Cullen added.&nbsp;

On December 15 and 20, thousands of nurses had planned to go on strike after the government failed to meet their demand for better pay. Also, more than 10,000 ambulance workers were planning to go on strike on December 21 and 28.&nbsp;

UK plans 'strike-full' Christmas

This year, the UK is likely to witness a miserable and not merry Christmas as various strikes have been planned across the nation. The workers in the UK – from mails to hospital staff, to railways, to teachers – have been unhappy with the British government.&nbsp;

With strikes announced by most unions demanding better working conditions and better pay, the country is likely to battle the widespread unrest till January.

More than 40,000 rail workers of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) are set to stage a walk-out before and after Christmas.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/high-level-us-delegation-to-visit-china-next-week-541943">High-level US delegation to visit China next week</a>

Industrial action in December has also been announced by the Transport Salaried Staff Association. The workers, who are protesting over job security, work conditions and PF, have planned to hold strikes on December 13, 14, 16 and 17.&nbsp; 
Border Force officers at some airports in the UK have also decided to go on a strike around Christmas, due to which hundreds of soldiers have been put in a position where they need to cancel their leave.

Royal Mail Workers are also planning to go on a strike on December 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24, which are going to affect deliveries with the last days for sending Christmas posts becoming December 16 for first class and December 12 for second class.

For the first time in 40 years, strikes were also carried out by teachers in Scotland after talks over pay deal failed. On November 24, a member of the largest teaching union in Scotland walked out of the classrooms.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

A dramatic offer was made by the health unions on Saturday night to call off the strikes that may cripple the NHS during holidays if the government agrees to start serious negotiations over pay.

A dramatic offer was made by the health unions on Saturday night to call off the strikes that may cripple the NHS during holidays if the government agrees to start serious negotiations over pay. This is the first move taken by the biggest union of the country Unison and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to resolve a dispute that has remained in deadlock for weeks. RCN's general secretary Pat Cullen said that she was willing to “press pause” on industrial action if Health Secretary Steve Barclay is willing to strike a deal. ALSO READ| UK charity ceases operations over safety concerns after founder points out racism at Buckingham Palace “Negotiate with nurses and avoid this strike. Five times my offer to negotiate has been turned. I will press pause on it when the health secretary says he will negotiate seriously on our dispute this year. That means each of us giving some ground,” she said. “He gains nothing by ignoring the representatives of the NHS workforce. The public blames government for this dire situation, and they have to face up to it. A swift change of tactics will pay off for all concerned,” Cullen added. On December 15 and 20, thousands of nurses had planned to go on strike after the government failed to meet their demand for better pay. Also, more than 10,000 ambulance workers were planning to go on strike on December 21 and 28. UK plans 'strike-full' Christmas This year, the UK is likely to witness a miserable and not merry Christmas as various strikes have been planned across the nation. The workers in the UK – from mails to hospital staff, to railways, to teachers – have been unhappy with the British government. With strikes announced by most unions demanding better working conditions and better pay, the country is likely to battle the widespread unrest till January. More than 40,000 rail workers of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) are set to stage a walk-out before and after Christmas. ALSO READ| High-level US delegation to visit China next week Industrial action in December has also been announced by the Transport Salaried Staff Association. The workers, who are protesting over job security, work conditions and PF, have planned to hold strikes on December 13, 14, 16 and 17. Border Force officers at some airports in the UK have also decided to go on a strike around Christmas, due to which hundreds of soldiers have been put in a position where they need to cancel their leave. Royal Mail Workers are also planning to go on a strike on December 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24, which are going to affect deliveries with the last days for sending Christmas posts becoming December 16 for first class and December 12 for second class. For the first time in 40 years, strikes were also carried out by teachers in Scotland after talks over pay deal failed. On November 24, a member of the largest teaching union in Scotland walked out of the classrooms. (With inputs from agencies)

As UK braces for a 'strike-full' winter, RCN offers to suspend strikes if govt agrees to negotiate

Peru's President Dina Boluarte announced the cabinet on Saturday and asked every minister to take the anti-corruption pledge.&nbsp;The president asked all the 17 ministers to swear that they will deliver their duties “loyally and faithfully without committing acts of corruption”.&nbsp;

For taking the anti-corruption pledge, the cabinet ministers knelt before the president, wearing red-and-white sashes around their waists. When the ministers answered the president's question, a large crucifix was placed in front of them.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-president-castillo-dissolves-congress-just-ahead-of-impeachment-debate-541052">Peru gets its first female president in Dina Boluarte after Pedro Castillo is impeached and arrested</a>

The president swore in the 17 cabinet ministers, which included a pro-market finance minister, amid intensifying protests across the nation calling for fresh elections after the ouster of former president Pedro Castillo.

Boluarte took the president's office on Wednesday after Congress sacked Castillo, who was later arrested on conspiracy and rebellion charges for making attempts to dissolve the legislature, hours before the former president was set to face an impeachment vote.&nbsp;

The first female president of Peru, Boluarte, assigned the post of economy minister to former Deputy Finance Minister Alex Contreras, who is known to have a pro-market stance and is a career civil servant.&nbsp;

Chemical engineer Oscar Vera was given the post of energy and mines minister, which is an important post in copper-producing Peru.

WATCH|

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/peru-protesters-police-clash-as-thousands-march-in-support-of-president-latest-news-wion-533189/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In a televised address, President Boluarte said, "I have worked hard to form a cabinet for unity and democratic consolidation that meets the needs of the country. I call for calm, tranquility and peace. Let us avoid conflicts that put our brotherhood as Peruvians at risk."

Former state prosecutor Pedro Angulo was named as the prime minister by the president and diplomat Ana Cecilia Gervasi was given the portfolio of foreign minister.

The 60-year-old lawyer, President Boluarte, earlier served as vice president of Castillo. If no new elections are held in the country, the Boluarte will remain in office till 2026.

Castillo's lawyer has denied the charges levied against him and said that the detention of the former president is arbitrary and illegal.&nbsp;

A request has been made for the former president's asylum in Mexico and the government authorities in Mexico and Peru are holding consultations over the request, the foreign minister of Mexico said on Thursday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, protesters across the country are demanding Congress' closure and holding fresh democratic elections to elect a new leader and not let Boluarte finish Castillo's term. The protesters are also raising demands for a new Constitution to be drafted.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Peru's President Dina Boluarte announced the cabinet on Saturday and asked every minister to take the anti-corruption pledge. The president asked all the 17 ministers to swear that they will deliver their duties “loyally and faithfully without committing acts of corruption”.

Peru's President Dina Boluarte announced the cabinet on Saturday and asked every minister to take the anti-corruption pledge. The president asked all the 17 ministers to swear that they will deliver their duties “loyally and faithfully without committing acts of corruption”. For taking the anti-corruption pledge, the cabinet ministers knelt before the president, wearing red-and-white sashes around their waists. When the ministers answered the president's question, a large crucifix was placed in front of them. ALSO READ| Peru gets its first female president in Dina Boluarte after Pedro Castillo is impeached and arrested The president swore in the 17 cabinet ministers, which included a pro-market finance minister, amid intensifying protests across the nation calling for fresh elections after the ouster of former president Pedro Castillo. Boluarte took the president's office on Wednesday after Congress sacked Castillo, who was later arrested on conspiracy and rebellion charges for making attempts to dissolve the legislature, hours before the former president was set to face an impeachment vote. The first female president of Peru, Boluarte, assigned the post of economy minister to former Deputy Finance Minister Alex Contreras, who is known to have a pro-market stance and is a career civil servant. Chemical engineer Oscar Vera was given the post of energy and mines minister, which is an important post in copper-producing Peru. WATCH| In a televised address, President Boluarte said, "I have worked hard to form a cabinet for unity and democratic consolidation that meets the needs of the country. I call for calm, tranquility and peace. Let us avoid conflicts that put our brotherhood as Peruvians at risk." Former state prosecutor Pedro Angulo was named as the prime minister by the president and diplomat Ana Cecilia Gervasi was given the portfolio of foreign minister. The 60-year-old lawyer, President Boluarte, earlier served as vice president of Castillo. If no new elections are held in the country, the Boluarte will remain in office till 2026. Castillo's lawyer has denied the charges levied against him and said that the detention of the former president is arbitrary and illegal. A request has been made for the former president's asylum in Mexico and the government authorities in Mexico and Peru are holding consultations over the request, the foreign minister of Mexico said on Thursday. Meanwhile, protesters across the country are demanding Congress' closure and holding fresh democratic elections to elect a new leader and not let Boluarte finish Castillo's term. The protesters are also raising demands for a new Constitution to be drafted. (With inputs from agencies)

Peru's President Boluarte names cabinet, makes ministers take pledge against corruption

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