Scientists have&nbsp;successfully cloned an endangered black-footed ferret using frozen cells from a long-dead wild animal, the first time any native endangered species has been cloned in the United States.

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Elizabeth Ann's&nbsp;birth represents the first cloning of an endangered species native to North America and may bring needed genetic diversity to the species.

Black-footed ferret recovery efforts aimed at increased genetic diversity and disease resistance took a bold step forward on December&nbsp;10, with the birth of Elizabeth Ann, created from the cells of Willa, a black-footed ferret that lived more than 30 years ago, the US&nbsp;Fish and Wildlife Service said.

"Although this research is preliminary, it is the first cloning of a native endangered species in North America, and it provides a promising tool for continued efforts to conserve the black-footed ferret," said Noreen Walsh, director of the Service's Mountain-Prairie Region.

The species, North America's only native ferret, were once thought to be extinct but were brought back from nearly vanishing forever after a Wyoming rancher discovered a small population on his land in 1981. They were captured to begin a captive breeding program to recover the species.

But only seven of the original wild animals bred, and all living ferrets today are closely related. That puts limitations on the species' genetic diversity, creating challenges for resilience to changing environments and emerging disease threats.

Elizabeth Ann is a genetic copy of Willa, a black-footed ferret captured among the last wild individuals, who died in the 1980s and has no living descendants.

The Wyoming Game and&nbsp;Fish Department had the foresight to preserve her genes and sent tissue samples from Willa to San Diego Zoo Global's Frozen Zoo in 1988. Years later, that provided viable cell cultures for the project.

The team - which includes biotech conservation group Revive &amp; Restore, private pet cloning company ViaGen Pets and&nbsp;Equine, San Diego Zoo Global, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,&nbsp;is working to produce more black-footed ferret clones in the coming months as part of continuing research efforts.

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Scientists have successfully cloned an endangered black-footed ferret using frozen cells from a long-dead wild animal, the first time any native endangered species has been cloned in the United States.

Scientists have successfully cloned an endangered black-footed ferret using frozen cells from a long-dead wild animal, the first time any native endangered species has been cloned in the United States. Elizabeth Ann's birth represents the first cloning of an endangered species native to North America and may bring needed genetic diversity to the species. Black-footed ferret recovery efforts aimed at increased genetic diversity and disease resistance took a bold step forward on December 10, with the birth of Elizabeth Ann, created from the cells of Willa, a black-footed ferret that lived more than 30 years ago, the US Fish and Wildlife Service said. "Although this research is preliminary, it is the first cloning of a native endangered species in North America, and it provides a promising tool for continued efforts to conserve the black-footed ferret," said Noreen Walsh, director of the Service's Mountain-Prairie Region. The species, North America's only native ferret, were once thought to be extinct but were brought back from nearly vanishing forever after a Wyoming rancher discovered a small population on his land in 1981. They were captured to begin a captive breeding program to recover the species. But only seven of the original wild animals bred, and all living ferrets today are closely related. That puts limitations on the species' genetic diversity, creating challenges for resilience to changing environments and emerging disease threats. Elizabeth Ann is a genetic copy of Willa, a black-footed ferret captured among the last wild individuals, who died in the 1980s and has no living descendants. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department had the foresight to preserve her genes and sent tissue samples from Willa to San Diego Zoo Global's Frozen Zoo in 1988. Years later, that provided viable cell cultures for the project. The team - which includes biotech conservation group Revive & Restore, private pet cloning company ViaGen Pets and Equine, San Diego Zoo Global, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is working to produce more black-footed ferret clones in the coming months as part of continuing research efforts.

Scientists successfully clone endangered black-footed ferret

Pakistan's meteorological department has warned that drought-like conditions currently prevailing in parts of Sindh and Balochistan provinces may exacerbate and cause water stress in cultivated lands, according to a media report.

The National Drought Monitoring Centre, part of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), issued an advisory on Thursday which showed the situation has emerged due to overall below-average rainfall in the country from October 2020 to January 2021, Dawn newspaper reported.

According to the advisory, most of the central and southern districts of Balochistan are experiencing mild to moderate drought.

Keeping in view the climatology and current seasonal forecast of the PMD for these areas, drought conditions may exacerbate and affect agriculture and livestock.

"Dry conditions will cause water stress in the cultivated lands/areas of the country due to limited supply of irrigation water for Rabi crops,''&nbsp;the advisory said.

Most districts in the west to south-west Balochistan are winter rainfall dominant and rainfall amounts lie between 71mm and 231mm, it adds.

In Sindh, drought conditions are prevailing in the south-eastern parts of the province.

Explaining the prevalent drought conditions, Sardar Sarfaraz, representing the Met department, said Balochistan's weather pattern showed that it received 60pc to 70pc of its annual rainfall in winters, while Sindh remained dry from October to May.

''Since, the dry spell this winter has led to mild to moderate drought conditions in most parts of Balochistan, the situation may go worse as the province normally doesn't receive good rains in the monsoon season,''&nbsp;he said.

Pakistan's meteorological department has warned that drought-like conditions currently prevailing in parts of Sindh and Balochistan provinces may exacerbate and cause water stress in cultivated lands, according to a media report.

Pakistan's meteorological department has warned that drought-like conditions currently prevailing in parts of Sindh and Balochistan provinces may exacerbate and cause water stress in cultivated lands, according to a media report. The National Drought Monitoring Centre, part of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), issued an advisory on Thursday which showed the situation has emerged due to overall below-average rainfall in the country from October 2020 to January 2021, Dawn newspaper reported. According to the advisory, most of the central and southern districts of Balochistan are experiencing mild to moderate drought. Keeping in view the climatology and current seasonal forecast of the PMD for these areas, drought conditions may exacerbate and affect agriculture and livestock. "Dry conditions will cause water stress in the cultivated lands/areas of the country due to limited supply of irrigation water for Rabi crops,'' the advisory said. Most districts in the west to south-west Balochistan are winter rainfall dominant and rainfall amounts lie between 71mm and 231mm, it adds. In Sindh, drought conditions are prevailing in the south-eastern parts of the province. Explaining the prevalent drought conditions, Sardar Sarfaraz, representing the Met department, said Balochistan's weather pattern showed that it received 60pc to 70pc of its annual rainfall in winters, while Sindh remained dry from October to May. ''Since, the dry spell this winter has led to mild to moderate drought conditions in most parts of Balochistan, the situation may go worse as the province normally doesn't receive good rains in the monsoon season,'' he said.

Drought conditions in Pakistan may worsen: Met department

Visitors to the world's largest snow maze in Manitoba, Canada will find something unexpected as they're getting lost,&nbsp;more space.

According to&nbsp;owner Angie Masse,&nbsp;"With COVID and everything, we wanted to make it bigger. And so this year, it's about 91 percent bigger."&nbsp;

The larger layout and staggering the times visitors can enter the maze, are a nod to social distancing guidelines. For many who have been quarantined in their homes and dealing with travel restrictions, it's a chance to stretch their legs and add a little adventure.

We love outdoor entertainment...then we're like, we need to do something in the winter time and I guess we we love mazes as well. So, there we go -now we're into snow mazing."

For Masse, who runs a corn maze in the warmer seasons, expanding the maze was no small undertaking.

The massive labyrinth is 240 feet by 240 feet (73 meters by 73 meters) and took six weeks to build due to unusually warm weather and the expanded size.

Visitors to the world's largest snow maze in Manitoba, Canada will find something unexpected as they're getting lost, more space. According to owner Angie Masse, "With COVID and everything, we wanted to make it bigger.

Visitors to the world's largest snow maze in Manitoba, Canada will find something unexpected as they're getting lost, more space. According to owner Angie Masse, "With COVID and everything, we wanted to make it bigger. And so this year, it's about 91 percent bigger." The larger layout and staggering the times visitors can enter the maze, are a nod to social distancing guidelines. For many who have been quarantined in their homes and dealing with travel restrictions, it's a chance to stretch their legs and add a little adventure. We love outdoor entertainment...then we're like, we need to do something in the winter time and I guess we we love mazes as well. So, there we go -now we're into snow mazing." For Masse, who runs a corn maze in the warmer seasons, expanding the maze was no small undertaking. The massive labyrinth is 240 feet by 240 feet (73 meters by 73 meters) and took six weeks to build due to unusually warm weather and the expanded size.

World's largest snow maze now even bigger for social distancing

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Russia reports first cases of H5N8 bird flu in humans Shooting at Myanmar anti-coup protest injures at least six people Japan expresses concern about Chinese at

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Top 10 world news today: Russia reports first cases of H5N8 bird flu in humans, shooting at Myanmar anti-coup protest and more

Coca-Cola Co is facing major backlash after promoting anti-white rhetoric, including demands that they “try to be less white.”

Karlyn Borysenko, an organizational psychologist and an activist against critical race theory indoctrination shared images of the training materials from a whistleblower at Coca-Cola who received an email from management announcing the course on “whiteness, white fragility” and “racial justice.”

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🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: Coca-Cola is forcing employees to complete online training telling them to "try to be less white." 
 
These images are from an internal whistleblower: <a href="https://t.co/gRi4N20esZ">pic.twitter.com/gRi4N20esZ</a>
— Karlyn supports banning critical race theory in NH (@DrKarlynB) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrKarlynB/status/1362774562769879044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A spokesperson from Coca-Cola responded to the images on the social networking platform Twitter.

“The video circulating on social media is from a publicly available LinkedIn Learning series and is not a focus of our company’s curriculum,”&nbsp;the spokesperson said, but added that the course is&nbsp;“part of a learning plan to help build an inclusive workplace.”

Conservative author and Blexit founder Candace Owens also reacted to the allegations on Twitter.

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If a corporate company sent around a training kit instructing black people how to “be less black”, the world would implode and lawsuits would follow. 
 
I genuinely hope these employees sue <a href="https://twitter.com/CocaCola?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CocaCola</a> for blatant racism and discrimination. <a href="https://t.co/07OPZouEcV">https://t.co/07OPZouEcV</a>
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealCandaceO/status/1362862767481446406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The soda and beverage giant, criticised for allegedly&nbsp;“discriminating&nbsp;against”&nbsp;its employees, was roasted online by social media users.

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Being a white female minority small business owner who allows <a href="https://twitter.com/CocaCola?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CocaCola</a> to have a coke machine in my establishment I will be contacting them Monday morning to demand them remove their shit products out of my private establishment <a href="https://t.co/zsgngjNJiq">https://t.co/zsgngjNJiq</a>
— Chasity Pawvlik (@ChasityAnn426) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChasityAnn426/status/1362904475053273090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Atlanta, Georgia-based firm&nbsp;will sell its popular sodas in bottles made from 100% recycled plastic material in the United States, the beverage maker said on Tuesday, in a major shift to combat plastic waste and reduce its carbon footprint.

Coca-Cola Co is facing major backlash after promoting anti-white rhetoric, including demands that they “try to be less white.” Karlyn Borysenko, an organizational psychologist and an activist against critical race theory indoctrination shared images of the training materials from a whistleblower at Coca-Cola who received an email from management announcing the course on “whiteness, white fragility” and “racial justice.

Coca-Cola Co is facing major backlash after promoting anti-white rhetoric, including demands that they “try to be less white.” Karlyn Borysenko, an organizational psychologist and an activist against critical race theory indoctrination shared images of the training materials from a whistleblower at Coca-Cola who received an email from management announcing the course on “whiteness, white fragility” and “racial justice.” 🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: Coca-Cola is forcing employees to complete online training telling them to "try to be less white." These images are from an internal whistleblower: pic.twitter.com/gRi4N20esZ — Karlyn supports banning critical race theory in NH (@DrKarlynB) February 19, 2021 × A spokesperson from Coca-Cola responded to the images on the social networking platform Twitter. “The video circulating on social media is from a publicly available LinkedIn Learning series and is not a focus of our company’s curriculum,” the spokesperson said, but added that the course is “part of a learning plan to help build an inclusive workplace.” Conservative author and Blexit founder Candace Owens also reacted to the allegations on Twitter. If a corporate company sent around a training kit instructing black people how to “be less black”, the world would implode and lawsuits would follow. I genuinely hope these employees sue @CocaCola for blatant racism and discrimination. https://t.co/07OPZouEcV — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) February 19, 2021 × The soda and beverage giant, criticised for allegedly “discriminating against” its employees, was roasted online by social media users. Being a white female minority small business owner who allows @CocaCola to have a coke machine in my establishment I will be contacting them Monday morning to demand them remove their shit products out of my private establishment https://t.co/zsgngjNJiq — Chasity Pawvlik (@ChasityAnn426) February 19, 2021 × The Atlanta, Georgia-based firm will sell its popular sodas in bottles made from 100% recycled plastic material in the United States, the beverage maker said on Tuesday, in a major shift to combat plastic waste and reduce its carbon footprint.

Coca-Cola promotes anti-white rhetoric, invites backlash

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Thailand's parliament after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and nine ministers survived a parliamentary no-confidence motion on Saturday after a four-day censure debate.

Prayuth was accused of misusing his position and power as the Prime Minister to promote police officials and establishing cyber cells to silence all anti-government voices.

He has also been accused by the locals and opposition for using monarchy as a shield against criticism regarding democracy and government and deepening the societal differences in the country.

Opposition lawmakers have taken aim at what they say is a slow government roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine and at its economic policies, vowing to continue investigating.

"We've opened a wound and now will pour salt on it," Pita Limjaroenrat, head of the Move Forward Party told reporters after the vote.

Prayuth, a former chief of the armed forces, overthrew an elected prime minister in 2014 and stayed in office after a 2019 election that his rivals said was badly flawed.

The government has said the elections were free and fair.

Prayuth was expected to survive Saturday's vote due to his coalition government's majority in the lower house.

"The debate went well, but the government must continue its work," Prayuth said in a podcast after the vote. "I would like to ask all Thais to work together to bring the country forward."

The no-confidence motion came as pro-democracy protests returned after a lull brought on by a second outbreak of COVID-19.

"Some 4,000 officers have been prepared," police deputy spokesman Kissana Pattanacharoen said, adding that the rallies were violating an emergency decree to control the coronavirus outbreak. "Police duty is to maintain order," he said when asked if there would be use of force.

Earlier this month, protesters demanding the release of activists scuffled with police.

Youth-led protests last year reached hundreds of thousands, occupying major commercial intersections in Bangkok and spreading to university campuses across the country.

"It's a critical moment in Thailand. We cannot wait, we don't want people to think this is just on Twitter or Facebook," 20-year-old student Ngamluk Montim told Reuters. "We are coming out to raise our voice. This is just the start."

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Thailand's parliament after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and nine ministers survived a parliamentary no-confidence motion on Saturday after a four-day censure debate.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Thailand's parliament after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and nine ministers survived a parliamentary no-confidence motion on Saturday after a four-day censure debate. Prayuth was accused of misusing his position and power as the Prime Minister to promote police officials and establishing cyber cells to silence all anti-government voices. He has also been accused by the locals and opposition for using monarchy as a shield against criticism regarding democracy and government and deepening the societal differences in the country. Opposition lawmakers have taken aim at what they say is a slow government roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine and at its economic policies, vowing to continue investigating. "We've opened a wound and now will pour salt on it," Pita Limjaroenrat, head of the Move Forward Party told reporters after the vote. Prayuth, a former chief of the armed forces, overthrew an elected prime minister in 2014 and stayed in office after a 2019 election that his rivals said was badly flawed. The government has said the elections were free and fair. Prayuth was expected to survive Saturday's vote due to his coalition government's majority in the lower house. "The debate went well, but the government must continue its work," Prayuth said in a podcast after the vote. "I would like to ask all Thais to work together to bring the country forward." The no-confidence motion came as pro-democracy protests returned after a lull brought on by a second outbreak of COVID-19. "Some 4,000 officers have been prepared," police deputy spokesman Kissana Pattanacharoen said, adding that the rallies were violating an emergency decree to control the coronavirus outbreak. "Police duty is to maintain order," he said when asked if there would be use of force. Earlier this month, protesters demanding the release of activists scuffled with police. Youth-led protests last year reached hundreds of thousands, occupying major commercial intersections in Bangkok and spreading to university campuses across the country. "It's a critical moment in Thailand. We cannot wait, we don't want people to think this is just on Twitter or Facebook," 20-year-old student Ngamluk Montim told Reuters. "We are coming out to raise our voice. This is just the start."

Hundreds protest in Thailand outside parliament after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha survives vote

Taiwan's government on Saturday granted emergency use authorisation for AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine.

Jabs of the vaccine are&nbsp;expected to be administered at soon as within seven days of arrival.

Taiwan had agreed to buy almost 20 million vaccine doses in December,&nbsp;including 10 million from AstraZeneca and 4.76 million doses from the COVAX global vaccine programme.

The emergency-use authorisation was granted on Saturday morning, and assuming the paperwork is in order, the first shots can begin with a week of arrival, Food and Drug Administration Director-General Wu Shou-mei told reporters.

The first batch of 200,000 AstraZeneca vaccines provided by COVAX could begin arriving next week.

Taiwan is also getting five million doses from U.S. drugmaker Moderna Inc. Wu said the process for granting it emergency-use approval was in full swing.

The government plans to vaccinate frontline health and quarantine workers first, and aims eventually to get 30 million vaccine doses to cover about 65% of the island's population.

Taiwan has kept the pandemic well under control thanks to early and effective prevention, with fewer than 50 active cases being treated in hospital. It has not yet received any vaccines, though with such a low rate officials have said there is no urgency to getting the shots.

Germany's BioNTech SE said this week it plans to provide COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan, after the island complained the firm pulled out of a deal to sell it 5 million doses at the last minute, possibly due to pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its own.

Taiwan's government on Saturday granted emergency use authorisation for AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine. Jabs of the vaccine are expected to be administered at soon as within seven days of arrival.

Taiwan's government on Saturday granted emergency use authorisation for AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine. Jabs of the vaccine are expected to be administered at soon as within seven days of arrival. Taiwan had agreed to buy almost 20 million vaccine doses in December, including 10 million from AstraZeneca and 4.76 million doses from the COVAX global vaccine programme. The emergency-use authorisation was granted on Saturday morning, and assuming the paperwork is in order, the first shots can begin with a week of arrival, Food and Drug Administration Director-General Wu Shou-mei told reporters. The first batch of 200,000 AstraZeneca vaccines provided by COVAX could begin arriving next week. Taiwan is also getting five million doses from U.S. drugmaker Moderna Inc. Wu said the process for granting it emergency-use approval was in full swing. The government plans to vaccinate frontline health and quarantine workers first, and aims eventually to get 30 million vaccine doses to cover about 65% of the island's population. Taiwan has kept the pandemic well under control thanks to early and effective prevention, with fewer than 50 active cases being treated in hospital. It has not yet received any vaccines, though with such a low rate officials have said there is no urgency to getting the shots. Germany's BioNTech SE said this week it plans to provide COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan, after the island complained the firm pulled out of a deal to sell it 5 million doses at the last minute, possibly due to pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its own.

Taiwan grants emergency use authorisation for AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine

The Indonesian capital Jakarta was slammed by monsoon floods on Saturday forcing&nbsp;more than 1,000 to flee their homes.

Some 1,380 Jakarta residents were evacuated from southern and eastern areas of the city, home to 10 million people, after floodwaters reached up to 1.8 meters high in some areas, said Sabdo Kurnianto, the acting head of Jakarta's disaster mitigation agency in a statement. He said no casualties had been reported.

People posted photos on social media of residents wading through shoulder-high muddy waters, cars almost entirely submerged, and search teams evacuating elderly residents in rubber dinghies in the peak of the monsoon season.

"Two hundred neighbourhoods have been affected, according to the latest data," Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan told local television early on Saturday, adding that more than two dozen evacuation centres have been prepared across the city.

"The rain has stopped, but water from other areas is still affecting Jakarta. Hopefully it won’t hit the city centre and when the water recedes people can resume their activities."

The floods come at a time when Indonesia is already grappling with the highest caseload and death tally from COVID-19 in Southeast Asia and an economic recession.

Indonesia’s meteorology agency (BMKG) has warned the heaviest rain of the season may fall in and around the densely populated capital in the coming days, with extreme weather, including heavy rain, thunder and strong winds, expected throughout next week.

"These are critical times that we need to be aware of," said Dwikorita Karnawati, the head of BMKG.

"Jakarta and its surrounding areas are still in the peak period of the rainy season, which is estimated to continue until the end of February or early March."

The BMKG said Jakarta would be on alert for the next four days with data from the meteorology agency showing intense rainfall in the past 24 hours with the area of Pasar Minggu, in Jakarta’s south, recording 226 millimeters of rain since Friday.

The Indonesian capital Jakarta was slammed by monsoon floods on Saturday forcing more than 1,000 to flee their homes. Some 1,380 Jakarta residents were evacuated from southern and eastern areas of the city, home to 10 million people, after floodwaters reached up to 1.

The Indonesian capital Jakarta was slammed by monsoon floods on Saturday forcing more than 1,000 to flee their homes. Some 1,380 Jakarta residents were evacuated from southern and eastern areas of the city, home to 10 million people, after floodwaters reached up to 1.8 meters high in some areas, said Sabdo Kurnianto, the acting head of Jakarta's disaster mitigation agency in a statement. He said no casualties had been reported. People posted photos on social media of residents wading through shoulder-high muddy waters, cars almost entirely submerged, and search teams evacuating elderly residents in rubber dinghies in the peak of the monsoon season. "Two hundred neighbourhoods have been affected, according to the latest data," Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan told local television early on Saturday, adding that more than two dozen evacuation centres have been prepared across the city. "The rain has stopped, but water from other areas is still affecting Jakarta. Hopefully it won’t hit the city centre and when the water recedes people can resume their activities." The floods come at a time when Indonesia is already grappling with the highest caseload and death tally from COVID-19 in Southeast Asia and an economic recession. Indonesia’s meteorology agency (BMKG) has warned the heaviest rain of the season may fall in and around the densely populated capital in the coming days, with extreme weather, including heavy rain, thunder and strong winds, expected throughout next week. "These are critical times that we need to be aware of," said Dwikorita Karnawati, the head of BMKG. "Jakarta and its surrounding areas are still in the peak period of the rainy season, which is estimated to continue until the end of February or early March." The BMKG said Jakarta would be on alert for the next four days with data from the meteorology agency showing intense rainfall in the past 24 hours with the area of Pasar Minggu, in Jakarta’s south, recording 226 millimeters of rain since Friday.

Monsoon floods hit Jakarta, more than 1,000 forced to evacuate

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said that social media giant Facebook has&nbsp;"tentatively friended us again."&nbsp;

Facebook's abrupt decision to stop Australians from sharing news on the site and strip the pages of domestic and foreign news outlets also erased several state government and emergency department accounts, causing widespread anger.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-australia-hold-talks-following-news-ban-364938" hreflang="en">Facebook, Australia hold talks following news ban</a>

Morrison told a news conference in Sydney, "What I'm pleased about it that Facebook is back at the table again."

Facebook has publicly indicated no change in its opposition to a proposed law requiring social media platforms to pay for links to news content.&nbsp;

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Australia and Facebook conducted talks on Friday after the social media giant blacked out news for Australian netizens.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to resolve the issue at the earliest and negotiations would continue in the weekend.&nbsp;

The stand-off comes as Australia's vows to press ahead with the landmark legislation, which could set a global precedent as countries like Canada express interest in taking similar action.

The Australian law, which would force Facebook and Alphabet Inc's Google to reach commercial deals with Australian publishers or face compulsory arbitration, has cleared the lower house of parliament and is expected to be passed by the Senate within the next week.

Simon Milner, Facebook’s Asia-Pacific policy director of policy for the Asia-Pacific region, was quoted on Saturday as telling the Sydney Morning Herald the company had three main objections to the legislation.

Facebook objects to being barred from discriminating between different news outlets that ask for money, to arbitration models that allow an independent body to select one payment over another, and to the obligation to enter commercial negotiations with Australian media companies, Milner said.

Google, which has initially threatened to close its search engine in Australia, has announced host of preemptive licensing deals over the past week, including a global agreement with News Corp.

Facebook's move had an immediate impact on traffic to Australian new sites, according to early data from New York-based analytics firm Chartbeat.

Total traffic to the Australian news sites from various platforms fell from the day before the ban by around 13 per cent&nbsp;within the country.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said that social media giant Facebook has "tentatively friended us again." Facebook's abrupt decision to stop Australians from sharing news on the site and strip the pages of domestic and foreign news outlets also erased several state government and emergency department accounts, causing widespread anger.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said that social media giant Facebook has "tentatively friended us again." Facebook's abrupt decision to stop Australians from sharing news on the site and strip the pages of domestic and foreign news outlets also erased several state government and emergency department accounts, causing widespread anger. Also read: Facebook, Australia hold talks following news ban Morrison told a news conference in Sydney, "What I'm pleased about it that Facebook is back at the table again." Facebook has publicly indicated no change in its opposition to a proposed law requiring social media platforms to pay for links to news content. Australia and Facebook conducted talks on Friday after the social media giant blacked out news for Australian netizens. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to resolve the issue at the earliest and negotiations would continue in the weekend. The stand-off comes as Australia's vows to press ahead with the landmark legislation, which could set a global precedent as countries like Canada express interest in taking similar action. The Australian law, which would force Facebook and Alphabet Inc's Google to reach commercial deals with Australian publishers or face compulsory arbitration, has cleared the lower house of parliament and is expected to be passed by the Senate within the next week. Simon Milner, Facebook’s Asia-Pacific policy director of policy for the Asia-Pacific region, was quoted on Saturday as telling the Sydney Morning Herald the company had three main objections to the legislation. Facebook objects to being barred from discriminating between different news outlets that ask for money, to arbitration models that allow an independent body to select one payment over another, and to the obligation to enter commercial negotiations with Australian media companies, Milner said. Google, which has initially threatened to close its search engine in Australia, has announced host of preemptive licensing deals over the past week, including a global agreement with News Corp. Facebook's move had an immediate impact on traffic to Australian new sites, according to early data from New York-based analytics firm Chartbeat. Total traffic to the Australian news sites from various platforms fell from the day before the ban by around 13 per cent within the country.

Australia says Facebook has 'tentatively friended' them again

Nigeria's&nbsp;Ngozi&nbsp;Okonjo-Iweala&nbsp;was appointed Monday as the first female and first African head of the beleaguered World Trade Organization, saying a stronger WTO would be vital for the global coronavirus recovery.

Twice Nigeria's finance minister (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and its first female foreign minister in a two-month stint in 2006,&nbsp;Okonjo-Iweala&nbsp;is seen as a trailblazer in her homeland.

A development economist by training with degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard,&nbsp;Okonjo-Iweala&nbsp;has also had a 25-year career as a development economist at the World Bank, eventually becoming its number two.

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While serving as Nigeria's foreign minister, kidnappers had taken her mother hostage, they reportedly wanted her to resign, but she refused to do so.

In an interview, Okonjo-Iweala said ''If you are the first woman and the first African, and you can't deliver that doesn't help.&nbsp;For women around the world, particularly young women, I have to do my best to make sure that their trust and their representation that they see me is validated.''

Her appointment is an exception, not the norm not just in Africa, where patriarchy is rooted in tradition and culture but in most parts of the world.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/parliament-house-rape-claim-roils-australian-government-363854">Parliament House rape claim roils Australian government</a>

A former government staff member’s account of being raped in Australia’s Parliament building sent shock waves through the country’s halls of power Monday, with the governing conservative party coming under intense criticism for the way it had handled the case.

In Brazil, a woman lawmaker was slammed for an outfit she wore to her swearing-in ceremony.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/duterte-says-presidency-not-for-women-tells-daughter-not-to-run-in-next-election-356833">Duterte says presidency not for women, tells daughter not to run in next election</a>

Government and global institutions&nbsp;continue to remain sexist and being dominated by patriarchy. However,&nbsp;most people today are in denial as many question the very existence of patriarchy and sexism is regarded as a fringe concept.

Out of the&nbsp;195 sovereign nations in the world, only 21 have women as heads of states or government.&nbsp;119 countries have never had a woman leader.

Consider all the government ministers who are in office right now. Only 21 per cent&nbsp;of them are women. Only 14 countries have 50 per cent&nbsp;or more women in their cabinet.

There is sexism in governments and it's evident in appointments. Women are often given departments like family, children, social affairs, environment..

Many still view women as incapable of handling a high-profile job and the pressure it comes with. In Kuwait's parliamentary committee for women,&nbsp;there are only men because it has no woman parliamentarian. Although&nbsp;29 women ran for office this year in Kuwait, none were elected.&nbsp;

In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte said that the presidency is not a job for women&nbsp;because of their emotional differences to men, and dismissed speculation that his daughter would succeed him next year.

Meanwhile, Okonjo-Iweala said ''I can take hardship. I can sleep on the cold floor anytime.''

Japan's former Prime minister and the man who was the chief of the Tokyo Olympics committee did not want more women on the panel Because he thought&nbsp;women talk too much.

Why are women still boxed in cliches, creches and kitchens?

37 countries have passport restrictions- specific to women. While 17 countries restrict women from travelling without permission.

In 18 countries, women&nbsp;need to have their husband's permission to work. It is impossible for women to access their rightful place in public life if they&nbsp;does not even have decision-making rights.

Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed Monday as the first female and first African head of the beleaguered World Trade Organization, saying a stronger WTO would be vital for the global coronavirus recovery.

Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed Monday as the first female and first African head of the beleaguered World Trade Organization, saying a stronger WTO would be vital for the global coronavirus recovery. Twice Nigeria's finance minister (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and its first female foreign minister in a two-month stint in 2006, Okonjo-Iweala is seen as a trailblazer in her homeland. A development economist by training with degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Okonjo-Iweala has also had a 25-year career as a development economist at the World Bank, eventually becoming its number two. × While serving as Nigeria's foreign minister, kidnappers had taken her mother hostage, they reportedly wanted her to resign, but she refused to do so. In an interview, Okonjo-Iweala said ''If you are the first woman and the first African, and you can't deliver that doesn't help. For women around the world, particularly young women, I have to do my best to make sure that their trust and their representation that they see me is validated.'' Her appointment is an exception, not the norm not just in Africa, where patriarchy is rooted in tradition and culture but in most parts of the world. Also read: Parliament House rape claim roils Australian government A former government staff member’s account of being raped in Australia’s Parliament building sent shock waves through the country’s halls of power Monday, with the governing conservative party coming under intense criticism for the way it had handled the case. In Brazil, a woman lawmaker was slammed for an outfit she wore to her swearing-in ceremony. Also read: Duterte says presidency not for women, tells daughter not to run in next election Government and global institutions continue to remain sexist and being dominated by patriarchy. However, most people today are in denial as many question the very existence of patriarchy and sexism is regarded as a fringe concept. Out of the 195 sovereign nations in the world, only 21 have women as heads of states or government. 119 countries have never had a woman leader. Consider all the government ministers who are in office right now. Only 21 per cent of them are women. Only 14 countries have 50 per cent or more women in their cabinet. There is sexism in governments and it's evident in appointments. Women are often given departments like family, children, social affairs, environment.. Many still view women as incapable of handling a high-profile job and the pressure it comes with. In Kuwait's parliamentary committee for women, there are only men because it has no woman parliamentarian. Although 29 women ran for office this year in Kuwait, none were elected. In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte said that the presidency is not a job for women because of their emotional differences to men, and dismissed speculation that his daughter would succeed him next year. Meanwhile, Okonjo-Iweala said ''I can take hardship. I can sleep on the cold floor anytime.'' Japan's former Prime minister and the man who was the chief of the Tokyo Olympics committee did not want more women on the panel Because he thought women talk too much. Why are women still boxed in cliches, creches and kitchens? 37 countries have passport restrictions- specific to women. While 17 countries restrict women from travelling without permission. In 18 countries, women need to have their husband's permission to work. It is impossible for women to access their rightful place in public life if they does not even have decision-making rights.

How governments and global institutions continue to remain sexist

There are&nbsp;only 22 countries in the world&nbsp;the British have not invaded.&nbsp;India too&nbsp;was a British colony between 1858 and 1947.

In 2021,&nbsp;the world is staring at another colonial threat, this time&nbsp;it's from big tech. Many lawmakers in recent years have called for laws and regulations to rein in dominant&nbsp;tech&nbsp;companies such as Facebook Inc, Twitter Inc, Alphabet Inc's Google, Amazon.com Inc and Apple Inc.

The big tech&nbsp;has become the&nbsp;new East India Company as it&nbsp;colonising the world.

The East India Company began establishing trading posts in India in the year 1600.

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In 1612, it defeated the Portuguese. Soon it went after local traders&nbsp;and killed their business.

Amazon launched its operations in India in 2013. It began killing brick and mortar businesses due to which some of them moved online but they were quashed by predatory pricing and prefered sellers.

When India announced an investigation into Amazon in January 2020, the company challenged the probe.

Back in the 17th century- the British East India Company had established a monopoly in India. Today, companies like Amazon are doing the same.

Facebook follows the same strategy to kill competitors, establish a monopoly. It&nbsp;has made at least 81 acquisitions since 2005.

When Instagram threatened Facebook's popularity,&nbsp;it was acquired in 2012. Then Facebook started copying&nbsp;Snapchat's features.&nbsp;It did everything to ensure Instagram does not have any major competitor.

Similarly, when&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;posed a challenge,&nbsp;Facebook bought it as well&nbsp;in 2014.

Tech giants regularly acquire start-ups to kill innovation and&nbsp;drain small players by hiring or&nbsp;poaching their talent. Many acquisitions never even make it to the headlines as&nbsp;Google has colonised the online search space.

As per the East India company's playbook, it&nbsp;went after policies after establishing a monopoly.

By the 18th century, the trading company became involved in politics. Its aim was to maintain its trading privilege and expand its wings.

Today, tech giants are doing the same. In the US&nbsp;Amazon is trying to lobby against all its competitors by&nbsp;bidding for billions of dollars worth of government contracts.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has embedded himself in Washington. His $23 million mansion sits not too far from the White House.

In 2019, Amazon spent over $8.1 million on lobbying. This is more than any tech company.

A Bloomberg report claims- amazon has increased its spending on lobbying by over 460 per cent since 2012.

Amazon reportedly paid zero federal tax on its profits in the US&nbsp;In 2018. This was for the second year in a row.

Amazon&nbsp;has been facing increasing scrutiny by Indian regulators, and the latest report provided an inside look at the cat-and-mouse game&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;has played with India's government, adjusting its corporate structures each time the government imposed new restrictions aimed at protecting small traders.

After the 1757 battle of Plassey- the East India company became very powerful.&nbsp;In 1764, it won the battle of Buxar.&nbsp;Soon it was granted the Diwani of Bengal.&nbsp;

Facebook&nbsp;wiped out pages from Australian state governments and charities as well as from domestic and international news organisations, three days before the launch of a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination programme.

It's dictating terms and bullying and blackmailing elected lawmakers. The company has blocked news and&nbsp;is controlling the reach of the press. Big tech has become that powerful!

Facebook has a history of abusing legal gaps. It came under limelight for the privacy concerns of WhatsApp policies recently.

The only way to ensure that big tech&nbsp;does not re-inflict the damage done by the East India Company is to legislate.

India must regulate big tech, protect home companies and the country's&nbsp;interests offline.

India must learn from its history and ensure that the country isn't left vulnerable to digital colonisation by big tech as it was to British colonisation- by the East India Company.

If in the 1600s India had the spices and raw materials. Today,&nbsp;India has the world's largest online market outside China.

In the 1600s- the Portuguese and the British East India company were betting on India. Today- it's the silicon valley giants.

India must ensure that this time that it emerges as the only winner.

There are only 22 countries in the world the British have not invaded. India too was a British colony between 1858 and 1947. In 2021, the world is staring at another colonial threat, this time it's from big tech.

There are only 22 countries in the world the British have not invaded. India too was a British colony between 1858 and 1947. In 2021, the world is staring at another colonial threat, this time it's from big tech. Many lawmakers in recent years have called for laws and regulations to rein in dominant tech companies such as Facebook Inc, Twitter Inc, Alphabet Inc's Google, Amazon.com Inc and Apple Inc. The big tech has become the new East India Company as it colonising the world. The East India Company began establishing trading posts in India in the year 1600. × In 1612, it defeated the Portuguese. Soon it went after local traders and killed their business. Amazon launched its operations in India in 2013. It began killing brick and mortar businesses due to which some of them moved online but they were quashed by predatory pricing and prefered sellers. When India announced an investigation into Amazon in January 2020, the company challenged the probe. Back in the 17th century- the British East India Company had established a monopoly in India. Today, companies like Amazon are doing the same. Facebook follows the same strategy to kill competitors, establish a monopoly. It has made at least 81 acquisitions since 2005. When Instagram threatened Facebook's popularity, it was acquired in 2012. Then Facebook started copying Snapchat's features. It did everything to ensure Instagram does not have any major competitor. Similarly, when WhatsApp posed a challenge, Facebook bought it as well in 2014. Tech giants regularly acquire start-ups to kill innovation and drain small players by hiring or poaching their talent. Many acquisitions never even make it to the headlines as Google has colonised the online search space. As per the East India company's playbook, it went after policies after establishing a monopoly. By the 18th century, the trading company became involved in politics. Its aim was to maintain its trading privilege and expand its wings. Today, tech giants are doing the same. In the US Amazon is trying to lobby against all its competitors by bidding for billions of dollars worth of government contracts. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has embedded himself in Washington. His $23 million mansion sits not too far from the White House. In 2019, Amazon spent over $8.1 million on lobbying. This is more than any tech company. A Bloomberg report claims- amazon has increased its spending on lobbying by over 460 per cent since 2012. Amazon reportedly paid zero federal tax on its profits in the US In 2018. This was for the second year in a row. Amazon has been facing increasing scrutiny by Indian regulators, and the latest report provided an inside look at the cat-and-mouse game Amazon has played with India's government, adjusting its corporate structures each time the government imposed new restrictions aimed at protecting small traders. After the 1757 battle of Plassey- the East India company became very powerful. In 1764, it won the battle of Buxar. Soon it was granted the Diwani of Bengal. Facebook wiped out pages from Australian state governments and charities as well as from domestic and international news organisations, three days before the launch of a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination programme. It's dictating terms and bullying and blackmailing elected lawmakers. The company has blocked news and is controlling the reach of the press. Big tech has become that powerful! Facebook has a history of abusing legal gaps. It came under limelight for the privacy concerns of WhatsApp policies recently. The only way to ensure that big tech does not re-inflict the damage done by the East India Company is to legislate. India must regulate big tech, protect home companies and the country's interests offline. India must learn from its history and ensure that the country isn't left vulnerable to digital colonisation by big tech as it was to British colonisation- by the East India Company. If in the 1600s India had the spices and raw materials. Today, India has the world's largest online market outside China. In the 1600s- the Portuguese and the British East India company were betting on India. Today- it's the silicon valley giants. India must ensure that this time that it emerges as the only winner.

'Digital colonialism': Has big tech become the new East India Company

Firefly Lane is an American drama series starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke as lifelong best friends Tallulah (Tully) Hart and Kate Mularkey. It is based on a novel of the same name by New York Times best-selling author Kristin Hannah. There's something unpredictable yet endearing about the series that takes us back and forth over a span of 30 years giving us glimpses into the characters' childhood on Firefly Lane as they deal with high school, while simultaneously fast-forwarding us into their adult lives.

The series opens in the turbulent year of 1974, and the summer of love is drawing to a close. Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the secondary school social food chain. Then, to her amazement, Tully Hart, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her best friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all-beauty, brains and ambition. On the surface, they are polar opposites: Kate, a dork, and geek, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is consuming her.

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However, they became inseparable due to their mutual care and understanding of each other's psyche and by summer’s end, they vow that their friendship will last forever. As teenagers, Tully and Kate have to navigate not only the internal complexities of their friendship but external struggles too — bullies at school, first crushes, first periods. In&nbsp;Tully’s case, a sexual assault leaves her grappling with the realities of rape culture and how survivors are too often blamed for what happened to them. Throughout each of these events, we see the girls lean even more on each other for support, which, in the long run, is what leads to their lives almost becoming too entwined at times.

Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives. From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success . . . and loneliness.

Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her . . . how she’ll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she’ll envy her famous best friend.

For almost three decades Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship, jealousy, anger, hurt, and resentment. Tully follows her ambition to find fame and success. Kate knows that all she wants is to fall in love and have a family.&nbsp;

The show depicts these characters at different points in their lifetime and never shies away from them at their most messy, which in turn succeeds at making them feel more sympathetic.

A huge part of Firefly Lane’s impact comes from its cast — and the actors who have to do most of the heavy lifting to make the series’ main dynamic feel lived-in,&nbsp;genuine, and earned. As free-spirited, independent talk show host Tully Hart, Katherine Heigl feels like she’s finally getting to star in the first small-screen effort worthy of her talents as an actress since Grey’s Anatomy — and she brings both depth and fire to a character who could potentially run the risk of feeling flighty and vacillating.

Given the weight of Tully’s experiences and everything, she’s been through, her reluctance to pursue any kind of serious or long-term romantic relationship is understandable — but it also explains why she relies more heavily on the person who’s been the sole constant in her life: her best friend, Kate Mularkey. Meanwhile, Kate isn’t so easily dismissed as the shy, bookish nerd next to Tully’s more outspoken personality; in the hands of Sarah Chalke, Kate proves a strong foil with passions and dreams of her own, even if she might not be declaring them as loudly as her best friend is. 
 
&nbsp;

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Behind closed doors, and once the cameras are off, it’s also clear that Tully’s rise to fame has not necessarily left her any happier for it. She still calls Kate as often as she can from the solitude of her swanky high-rise apartment, hoping and in some cases even expecting that her best friend will always pick up the phone for her. But this is where Firefly Lane does the work of depicting the messiness of this kind of codependency, and why Tully and Kate’s lasting friendship is so often at a disadvantage.

When you’re solely relying on one individual for that emotional reinforcement and constant companionship, sooner or later there’s bound to be a disappointment or a moment when they can’t live up to the weight of expectation. It’s clear that beyond any of their romances, beyond any other person in their respective families, beyond anyone who’s ever entered their lives, this is the relationship that matters most, not just to the women themselves but to the narrative, which tends to stagnate whenever the show’s focus is on anyone else.

As a pair on screen, Heigl and Chalke are undeniably what draws the audience in and keeps them hooked, but they’re complemented by the actors who play the younger versions of their characters. Ali Skovbye and Roan Curtis have to do just as much to make-believe why these two girls, who grow up across the street from each other (on the titular Firefly Lane) and are definitely polar opposites in almost every way, would become friends and, more importantly, stay friends — and because each episode isn’t told in sequential order, but jumps around frequently between decades, it’s not as if they’re simply passing the baton after a certain point in the series and retreating into the background completely.

Season one of the series ends on a major cliffhanger and its shrouded mystery leaves the audience curious with several questions.

More than a coming-of-age show, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you---and knows what has the power to hurt you and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.

Firefly Lane is an American drama series starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke as lifelong best friends Tallulah (Tully) Hart and Kate Mularkey. It is based on a novel of the same name by New York Times best-selling author Kristin Hannah.

Firefly Lane is an American drama series starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke as lifelong best friends Tallulah (Tully) Hart and Kate Mularkey. It is based on a novel of the same name by New York Times best-selling author Kristin Hannah. There's something unpredictable yet endearing about the series that takes us back and forth over a span of 30 years giving us glimpses into the characters' childhood on Firefly Lane as they deal with high school, while simultaneously fast-forwarding us into their adult lives. The series opens in the turbulent year of 1974, and the summer of love is drawing to a close. Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the secondary school social food chain. Then, to her amazement, Tully Hart, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her best friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all-beauty, brains and ambition. On the surface, they are polar opposites: Kate, a dork, and geek, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is consuming her. However, they became inseparable due to their mutual care and understanding of each other's psyche and by summer’s end, they vow that their friendship will last forever. As teenagers, Tully and Kate have to navigate not only the internal complexities of their friendship but external struggles too — bullies at school, first crushes, first periods. In Tully’s case, a sexual assault leaves her grappling with the realities of rape culture and how survivors are too often blamed for what happened to them. Throughout each of these events, we see the girls lean even more on each other for support, which, in the long run, is what leads to their lives almost becoming too entwined at times. Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives. From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success . . . and loneliness. Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her . . . how she’ll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she’ll envy her famous best friend. For almost three decades Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship, jealousy, anger, hurt, and resentment. Tully follows her ambition to find fame and success. Kate knows that all she wants is to fall in love and have a family. The show depicts these characters at different points in their lifetime and never shies away from them at their most messy, which in turn succeeds at making them feel more sympathetic. A huge part of Firefly Lane’s impact comes from its cast — and the actors who have to do most of the heavy lifting to make the series’ main dynamic feel lived-in, genuine, and earned. As free-spirited, independent talk show host Tully Hart, Katherine Heigl feels like she’s finally getting to star in the first small-screen effort worthy of her talents as an actress since Grey’s Anatomy — and she brings both depth and fire to a character who could potentially run the risk of feeling flighty and vacillating. Given the weight of Tully’s experiences and everything, she’s been through, her reluctance to pursue any kind of serious or long-term romantic relationship is understandable — but it also explains why she relies more heavily on the person who’s been the sole constant in her life: her best friend, Kate Mularkey. Meanwhile, Kate isn’t so easily dismissed as the shy, bookish nerd next to Tully’s more outspoken personality; in the hands of Sarah Chalke, Kate proves a strong foil with passions and dreams of her own, even if she might not be declaring them as loudly as her best friend is. Behind closed doors, and once the cameras are off, it’s also clear that Tully’s rise to fame has not necessarily left her any happier for it. She still calls Kate as often as she can from the solitude of her swanky high-rise apartment, hoping and in some cases even expecting that her best friend will always pick up the phone for her. But this is where Firefly Lane does the work of depicting the messiness of this kind of codependency, and why Tully and Kate’s lasting friendship is so often at a disadvantage. When you’re solely relying on one individual for that emotional reinforcement and constant companionship, sooner or later there’s bound to be a disappointment or a moment when they can’t live up to the weight of expectation. It’s clear that beyond any of their romances, beyond any other person in their respective families, beyond anyone who’s ever entered their lives, this is the relationship that matters most, not just to the women themselves but to the narrative, which tends to stagnate whenever the show’s focus is on anyone else. As a pair on screen, Heigl and Chalke are undeniably what draws the audience in and keeps them hooked, but they’re complemented by the actors who play the younger versions of their characters. Ali Skovbye and Roan Curtis have to do just as much to make-believe why these two girls, who grow up across the street from each other (on the titular Firefly Lane) and are definitely polar opposites in almost every way, would become friends and, more importantly, stay friends — and because each episode isn’t told in sequential order, but jumps around frequently between decades, it’s not as if they’re simply passing the baton after a certain point in the series and retreating into the background completely. Season one of the series ends on a major cliffhanger and its shrouded mystery leaves the audience curious with several questions. More than a coming-of-age show, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you---and knows what has the power to hurt you and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.

'Firefly Lane' review: Poignant, powerful story of two women and friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Vyomica Berry

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