A new research warned the gender gap in mortality rates for teenagers or young adults seems to be widening in many countries.&nbsp;As per the study, boys and men are more likely to die young than women. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Boys and young men from the age of 10 to 24 accounted for around two-thirds (61%) of all global deaths in 2019.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-global-death-toll-tops-5-million-in-less-than-two-years-425963" hreflang="en">COVID-19: Global death toll tops 5 million in less than two years</a> &nbsp;

The mortality rates in males in this age group have decreased by 15.3% since 1950. It lags behind improvements in mortality rates in females, which decreased by 30% in the same age group in the corresponding time period. &nbsp;

The greatest differences in mortality rates were identified in Latin America and the Caribbean. The mortality rate in men from the age of 20 to 24 was more than three times for women. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The cause of death for men aged 15 to 24 in this region was interpersonal violence and conflict. In 20 years, there has been little or no improvement in mortality for this age group, said the study. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-climate-summit-world-leaders-pledge-to-end-deforestation-by-2030-425988" hreflang="en">COP26 climate summit: World leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030</a>

In 2019, the major causes of death for men had varied as per the age and region. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Joseph Ward, child health institute, University College London, who is one of the authors of the research, said, “High numbers of deaths in males indicate increases in the proportion of deaths due to violence, trauma and substance misuse, which predominately affect young males. This reflects a failure to address some of the leading causes of mortality in this age group.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A new research warned the gender gap in mortality rates for teenagers or young adults seems to be widening in many countries. As per the study, boys and men are more likely to die young than women.

A new research warned the gender gap in mortality rates for teenagers or young adults seems to be widening in many countries. As per the study, boys and men are more likely to die young than women. Boys and young men from the age of 10 to 24 accounted for around two-thirds (61%) of all global deaths in 2019. Also Read | COVID-19: Global death toll tops 5 million in less than two years The mortality rates in males in this age group have decreased by 15.3% since 1950. It lags behind improvements in mortality rates in females, which decreased by 30% in the same age group in the corresponding time period. The greatest differences in mortality rates were identified in Latin America and the Caribbean. The mortality rate in men from the age of 20 to 24 was more than three times for women. The cause of death for men aged 15 to 24 in this region was interpersonal violence and conflict. In 20 years, there has been little or no improvement in mortality for this age group, said the study. Also Read | COP26 climate summit: World leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030 In 2019, the major causes of death for men had varied as per the age and region. Joseph Ward, child health institute, University College London, who is one of the authors of the research, said, “High numbers of deaths in males indicate increases in the proportion of deaths due to violence, trauma and substance misuse, which predominately affect young males. This reflects a failure to address some of the leading causes of mortality in this age group.” (With inputs from agencies)

In 2019, young men accounted for 61% of all global deaths, finds study

The audiotape of a July 2019 phone call shows former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's then-lawyer Rudy Giuliani pressuring Ukrainian officials to investigate baseless allegations about Trump's 2020 election rival Joe Biden, CNN reported on Monday. 
 
CNN said it had obtained the audio of the call between Giuliani, US&nbsp;diplomat Kurt Volker, and Andriy Yermak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy which it said was the precursor of a Trump-Zelenskiy call which was at the center of Trump's 2019 impeachment. 
 
In the call, Giuliani said he wanted Zelenskiy to say he was putting a prosecutor in charge and "he's gonna investigate and dig up the evidence, that presently exists and is there any other evidence about involvement of the 2016 election, and then the Biden thing has to be run out," according to CNN. 
 
Trump, a Republican, denounced as a political witch hunt allegations that he pressed Zelenskiy during a phone call to dig up dirt on Biden. The Democratic-led US&nbsp;House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump in December 2019, but he was acquitted by the then-Republican-dominated Senate early in 2020. 
 
Trump lost the 2020 election to Biden, a Democrat, and left office in January 2021. 
 
In April, federal prosecutors investigating Giuliani's business dealings in Ukraine at the time he was serving as Trump's lawyer raided his home and office, seizing cell phones and computers. 
 
Giuliani, a former New York City mayor, has not been charged. He said after the raids that his conduct had been 'absolutely legal and ethical'. 
 
Giuliani began representing Trump in April 2018 in connection with then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;presidential election. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The audiotape of a July 2019 phone call shows former US President Donald Trump's then-lawyer Rudy Giuliani pressuring Ukrainian officials to investigate baseless allegations about Trump's 2020 election rival Joe Biden, CNN reported on Monday.

The audiotape of a July 2019 phone call shows former US President Donald Trump's then-lawyer Rudy Giuliani pressuring Ukrainian officials to investigate baseless allegations about Trump's 2020 election rival Joe Biden, CNN reported on Monday. CNN said it had obtained the audio of the call between Giuliani, US diplomat Kurt Volker, and Andriy Yermak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy which it said was the precursor of a Trump-Zelenskiy call which was at the center of Trump's 2019 impeachment. In the call, Giuliani said he wanted Zelenskiy to say he was putting a prosecutor in charge and "he's gonna investigate and dig up the evidence, that presently exists and is there any other evidence about involvement of the 2016 election, and then the Biden thing has to be run out," according to CNN. Trump, a Republican, denounced as a political witch hunt allegations that he pressed Zelenskiy during a phone call to dig up dirt on Biden. The Democratic-led US House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump in December 2019, but he was acquitted by the then-Republican-dominated Senate early in 2020. Trump lost the 2020 election to Biden, a Democrat, and left office in January 2021. In April, federal prosecutors investigating Giuliani's business dealings in Ukraine at the time he was serving as Trump's lawyer raided his home and office, seizing cell phones and computers. Giuliani, a former New York City mayor, has not been charged. He said after the raids that his conduct had been 'absolutely legal and ethical'. Giuliani began representing Trump in April 2018 in connection with then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. (With inputs from agencies)

Giuliani pressed Ukrainians to probe Biden allegations in 2019 call: CNN

February 14 in History: From Pulwama terror attacks to creation of YouTube

A new report on the novel coronavirus outbreak has revealed some worrying information. A single patient in a hospital in Wuhan reportedly infected 10 medical workers and four other patients.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Super Spreaders, a new nightmare for doctors

Chinese capital city <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/weaponising-the-yuan-a-double-edged-sword-for-beijing-241482">Beijing</a> cut smog levels in its metropolitan area by more than 17 per cent&nbsp;in 2019 after five years of an anti-pollution campaign, data from its environmental authority showed on Friday.

Average concentrations last year of small, hazardous breathable particles known as PM2.5 were at 42 micrograms per cubic meter, the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau said.

That was down 17.65&nbsp;per cent from an average 51 micrograms per cubic meter in 2018, but still above China's official air quality standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter - and more than four times higher than the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organization-says-e-cigarettes-undoubtedly-harmful-238779">World Health Organization</a>'s annual PM2.5 concentration guideline of 10 micrograms per cubic meter.

"Pollution in autumn and winter are still relatively severe, with average PM2.5 concentrations 33.3&nbsp;per cent higher than other periods," Beijing's environmental bureau said.

Beijing has been on the frontlines of China's war on pollution that was launched in 2014 and has worked to shut down and relocate polluting industries, improve fuel and emission standards, and reduce coal consumption both in the city and in surrounding regions.

Overall PM2.5 concentrations in the capital city dropped 53&nbsp;per cent in 2019 compared with 2013, according to the bureau.

Chinese capital city Beijing cut smog levels in its metropolitan area by more than 17 per cent in 2019 after five years of an anti-pollution campaign, data from its environmental authority showed on Friday.

Chinese capital city Beijing cut smog levels in its metropolitan area by more than 17 per cent in 2019 after five years of an anti-pollution campaign, data from its environmental authority showed on Friday. Average concentrations last year of small, hazardous breathable particles known as PM2.5 were at 42 micrograms per cubic meter, the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau said. That was down 17.65 per cent from an average 51 micrograms per cubic meter in 2018, but still above China's official air quality standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter - and more than four times higher than the World Health Organization's annual PM2.5 concentration guideline of 10 micrograms per cubic meter. "Pollution in autumn and winter are still relatively severe, with average PM2.5 concentrations 33.3 per cent higher than other periods," Beijing's environmental bureau said. Beijing has been on the frontlines of China's war on pollution that was launched in 2014 and has worked to shut down and relocate polluting industries, improve fuel and emission standards, and reduce coal consumption both in the city and in surrounding regions. Overall PM2.5 concentrations in the capital city dropped 53 per cent in 2019 compared with 2013, according to the bureau.

Beijing cuts city smog by more than 17% in 2019

Like 2019, the new year and perhaps the new decade is likely to be pockmarked by popular protest, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.

The question is what the protests that last year toppled the leaders of Sudan, Algeria, Lebanon and Iraq but only led to a genuine transition process in Sudan will produce.

The protests’ outcome so far suggests that there may not be a clear-cut answer.

What is clear is that protesters have learnt not to surrender the street when a leader agrees to resign but to maintain the pressure until a process of transition to a more transparent, accountable and open political system has been agreed.

Protesters in Algeria, Lebanon and Iraq, demanding appointment of a leader untainted by association with the old regime, have stood their ground as governments and vested interests have sought to salvage what they can by attempting to replace one leader by another with close ties to ruling elites.

Equally clear is the fact that repression at best buys embattled regimes time and more often than not reinforces protesters’ resolve.

Harsh repression enabled the government of Egyptian general-turned-president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, one of the Middle East and North Africa’s most brutal leaders, to squash last year’s protests. The question is for how long.

The question is all the more relevant given that by and large protesters in the Middle East and North Africa, like in Hong Kong, are driven by a sense of now or never, a sense of having nothing more to lose.

The killing of more than 100 protesters in Sudan did not stop them from sticking to their guns until a transition process was put in place. The death of hundreds of protesters in Iraq and injuring of thousands more has failed to weaken their resolve.

The resilience suggests a more fundamental shift in attitudes that goes beyond the sense of desperation associated with having nothing more to lose.

It reflects the evolution of a new assertiveness, sense of empowerment, and rejection of submissive adherence to authority that first emerged in the 2011 popular Arab uprisings that toppled the leaders of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Yemen.

Vested interests backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates rolled back the achievements of those revolts, with the exception of Tunisia, leading to the rise of Al-Sisi and brutal civil wars in Libya and Yemen.

In some ways, the counterrevolution has backfired. The war in Yemen has severely tarnished Saudi Arabia’s image, focused attention on the dark side of UAE rulers, and fuelled the resolve of the 2019 protesters.

The last decade’s change in attitudes is also evident in Lebanon and Iraq where protesters are demanding political and social structures that emphasise national rather than ethnic or sectarian religious identities in a world in which civilizational leaders advocate some form of racial, ethnic or religious supremacy.

This weekend’s US military strikes targetting Iraqi militias associated with Iran suggest that world leaders ignore the protests at their peril.

If protesters focussed their demand for a withdrawal of foreign forces primarily on Iranian influence prior to the strikes, it now focuses equally on the presence of US forces.

The strikes also put at risk a stalling effort by Saudi Arabia to dial down tension with Iran in the wake of attacks in September on two key Saudi oil facilities and US reluctance to respond.

Reduced Saudi-Iranian tension, coupled with changing youth attitudes towards religion, facilitates moves away from debilitating sectarian politics that have long served to keep autocratic leaders and ruling elites in power.

Even so, fragile protest outcomes are likely to co-shape the Middle East and North Africa in the coming decade.

Both successful uprisings like in Sudan and stalemated ones as in Algeria, Lebanon and Iraq run a continuous risk of being thwarted by power grabs by militaries and other vested interests that produce harsh repression and potentially civil wars.

“While protesters have the power to force a change of prime minister and can remain in the streets, they do not seem to have the means to realise their broader goals. The country’s politicians and parties have grown rich off the current system and will do everything to defend it, but they do not have an answer for the protests,” said political analyst Stephen A, Cook.

The lesson of the last decade for the coming one is that waves of protest are not a matter of days, months or even a year. They are long drawn out processes that often play out over decades.

2011 ushered in a global era of defiance and dissent with the Arab uprisings as its most dramatic centrepiece.

The decade of the 2020s is likely to be one in which protests may produce at best uncertain and fragile outcomes, irrespective of whether protesters or vested interests gain an immediate upper hand.

Fragility at best, instability at worst, is likely to be the norm. To change that protesters and governments would have to agree on economic, political and social systems that are truly inclusive and ensure that all have a stake. No doubt, that is a tall order.

(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

Like 2019, the new year and perhaps the new decade is likely to be pockmarked by popular protest, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. The question is what the protests that last year toppled the leaders of Sudan, Algeria, Lebanon and Iraq but only led to a genuine transition process in Sudan will produce.

Like 2019, the new year and perhaps the new decade is likely to be pockmarked by popular protest, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. The question is what the protests that last year toppled the leaders of Sudan, Algeria, Lebanon and Iraq but only led to a genuine transition process in Sudan will produce. The protests’ outcome so far suggests that there may not be a clear-cut answer. What is clear is that protesters have learnt not to surrender the street when a leader agrees to resign but to maintain the pressure until a process of transition to a more transparent, accountable and open political system has been agreed. Protesters in Algeria, Lebanon and Iraq, demanding appointment of a leader untainted by association with the old regime, have stood their ground as governments and vested interests have sought to salvage what they can by attempting to replace one leader by another with close ties to ruling elites. Equally clear is the fact that repression at best buys embattled regimes time and more often than not reinforces protesters’ resolve. Harsh repression enabled the government of Egyptian general-turned-president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, one of the Middle East and North Africa’s most brutal leaders, to squash last year’s protests. The question is for how long. The question is all the more relevant given that by and large protesters in the Middle East and North Africa, like in Hong Kong, are driven by a sense of now or never, a sense of having nothing more to lose. The killing of more than 100 protesters in Sudan did not stop them from sticking to their guns until a transition process was put in place. The death of hundreds of protesters in Iraq and injuring of thousands more has failed to weaken their resolve. The resilience suggests a more fundamental shift in attitudes that goes beyond the sense of desperation associated with having nothing more to lose. It reflects the evolution of a new assertiveness, sense of empowerment, and rejection of submissive adherence to authority that first emerged in the 2011 popular Arab uprisings that toppled the leaders of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Yemen. Vested interests backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates rolled back the achievements of those revolts, with the exception of Tunisia, leading to the rise of Al-Sisi and brutal civil wars in Libya and Yemen. In some ways, the counterrevolution has backfired. The war in Yemen has severely tarnished Saudi Arabia’s image, focused attention on the dark side of UAE rulers, and fuelled the resolve of the 2019 protesters. The last decade’s change in attitudes is also evident in Lebanon and Iraq where protesters are demanding political and social structures that emphasise national rather than ethnic or sectarian religious identities in a world in which civilizational leaders advocate some form of racial, ethnic or religious supremacy. This weekend’s US military strikes targetting Iraqi militias associated with Iran suggest that world leaders ignore the protests at their peril. If protesters focussed their demand for a withdrawal of foreign forces primarily on Iranian influence prior to the strikes, it now focuses equally on the presence of US forces. The strikes also put at risk a stalling effort by Saudi Arabia to dial down tension with Iran in the wake of attacks in September on two key Saudi oil facilities and US reluctance to respond. Reduced Saudi-Iranian tension, coupled with changing youth attitudes towards religion, facilitates moves away from debilitating sectarian politics that have long served to keep autocratic leaders and ruling elites in power. Even so, fragile protest outcomes are likely to co-shape the Middle East and North Africa in the coming decade. Both successful uprisings like in Sudan and stalemated ones as in Algeria, Lebanon and Iraq run a continuous risk of being thwarted by power grabs by militaries and other vested interests that produce harsh repression and potentially civil wars. “While protesters have the power to force a change of prime minister and can remain in the streets, they do not seem to have the means to realise their broader goals. The country’s politicians and parties have grown rich off the current system and will do everything to defend it, but they do not have an answer for the protests,” said political analyst Stephen A, Cook. The lesson of the last decade for the coming one is that waves of protest are not a matter of days, months or even a year. They are long drawn out processes that often play out over decades. 2011 ushered in a global era of defiance and dissent with the Arab uprisings as its most dramatic centrepiece. The decade of the 2020s is likely to be one in which protests may produce at best uncertain and fragile outcomes, irrespective of whether protesters or vested interests gain an immediate upper hand. Fragility at best, instability at worst, is likely to be the norm. To change that protesters and governments would have to agree on economic, political and social systems that are truly inclusive and ensure that all have a stake. No doubt, that is a tall order. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Last year was marked by defiance & dissent, 2020 is likely to be no different

From Lady Gaga to Adele, from Katie Holmes to Miley Cyrus, have a look at the celebrity splits and divorces of 2019.

A look at the celebrity splits and divorces of 2019

People across India rang in the New Year 2020 with fireworks, dance, music, and prayers as the clock struck midnight on Wednesday (January 01).

India rings in 2020 with fireworks, revelry, and prayers

As 2019 is coming to end, we bring to you celebrity weddings of 2019. Have a look at it!

A look at the celebrity weddings of 2019

2019 has ended and it's new year now, we bring to you list of celebrity babies born in 2019. Have a look at it!

A look at the births of celebrity babies in 2019

It's difficult to define the year gone by because so much happened - climate activism, climate inactivity, climate denial. Protests against the establishment, heads of states making nuclear threats, gun violence, antisemitism, racism, violence against gender minorities, an impeachment trial at the United States, a trade war between two of the largest economies, the world's largest democracy re-electing the incumbent party and Prime minister.

First - everywhere, from Iran to India, from the United States to Russia, from China to France, the next generation is spearheading protests against the status quo. But more importantly, the young want immediate, radical change and they will use all the tools at their disposal to make themselves heard

Two - world leaders must understand that they should practice what they preach. It's all good to speak about the gravity of climate change or the need to eradicate poverty. But action must follow words.

Three - technology is the next battleground. The US-China trade war has many layers, but at the heart of it, the US wants to undercut China's dominance in the tech space - an area which the US led for a very long time. Be it the meddling of elections, the spying of countries, the alteration of public behaviours, surveillance - technology is simultaneously the boon and the bane.

Four, globalism is the need of the hour. Globalisation has been under attack. For instance, the Sri Lanka easter terror attacks could have been avoided had Sri Lanka used the intelligence provided by India.Hate and terrorism can only be defeated when countries work together.

Five - leaders must watch what they say. The head of state of the world's fastest-growing nuclear stockpiles, Imran Khan, kept making nuclear threats against India. The US President has called most international leaders 'names'. Canada's Justin Trudeau's liberal image took a beating with few black-face images.

Six - leave matters of faith alone. Xinjiang is a good example of a government meddling in religion. Such decisions must be challenged.&nbsp;

Seven - Listen to the people. Most protests in 2019 happened because of the inability to understand the public view. 
if leaders across the world were to learn one lesson from 2019, it will be this, listen to the public voice.

Eight - the butterfly effect is real. The US-China trade war hurt every economy. One country's decision on commodities like onion prices led to a shortage in other countries. If the global economy has to be fixed, all countries must come together.

Nine - impossible can be achieved. 2019 is the year when an athlete clocked record time in a marathon. The year when a tennis superstar returned from injuries and saved match points to win a Wimbledon final.

The year of many improbable achievements, milestones and revival stories.

(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

It's difficult to define the year gone by because so much happened - climate activism, climate inactivity, climate denial. Protests against the establishment, heads of states making nuclear threats, gun violence, antisemitism, racism, violence against gender minorities, an impeachment trial at the United States, a trade war between two of the largest economies, the world's largest democracy re-electing the incumbent party and Prime minister.

It's difficult to define the year gone by because so much happened - climate activism, climate inactivity, climate denial. Protests against the establishment, heads of states making nuclear threats, gun violence, antisemitism, racism, violence against gender minorities, an impeachment trial at the United States, a trade war between two of the largest economies, the world's largest democracy re-electing the incumbent party and Prime minister. First - everywhere, from Iran to India, from the United States to Russia, from China to France, the next generation is spearheading protests against the status quo. But more importantly, the young want immediate, radical change and they will use all the tools at their disposal to make themselves heard Two - world leaders must understand that they should practice what they preach. It's all good to speak about the gravity of climate change or the need to eradicate poverty. But action must follow words. Three - technology is the next battleground. The US-China trade war has many layers, but at the heart of it, the US wants to undercut China's dominance in the tech space - an area which the US led for a very long time. Be it the meddling of elections, the spying of countries, the alteration of public behaviours, surveillance - technology is simultaneously the boon and the bane. Four, globalism is the need of the hour. Globalisation has been under attack. For instance, the Sri Lanka easter terror attacks could have been avoided had Sri Lanka used the intelligence provided by India.Hate and terrorism can only be defeated when countries work together. Five - leaders must watch what they say. The head of state of the world's fastest-growing nuclear stockpiles, Imran Khan, kept making nuclear threats against India. The US President has called most international leaders 'names'. Canada's Justin Trudeau's liberal image took a beating with few black-face images. Six - leave matters of faith alone. Xinjiang is a good example of a government meddling in religion. Such decisions must be challenged. Seven - Listen to the people. Most protests in 2019 happened because of the inability to understand the public view. if leaders across the world were to learn one lesson from 2019, it will be this, listen to the public voice. Eight - the butterfly effect is real. The US-China trade war hurt every economy. One country's decision on commodities like onion prices led to a shortage in other countries. If the global economy has to be fixed, all countries must come together. Nine - impossible can be achieved. 2019 is the year when an athlete clocked record time in a marathon. The year when a tennis superstar returned from injuries and saved match points to win a Wimbledon final. The year of many improbable achievements, milestones and revival stories. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: 2019 in review - it's time for objective analysis and learnings

Different stories of 2019 can be strung together in some common threads. This was the "new normal" of the year gone by.&nbsp;

1. UNREST

If there's one headline from 2019 that Xi Jinping would like to undo, what would it be? "Taiwan should follow the Hong Kong model." That's what the Chinese President said on January 1, 2019. Unification is the goal, he said, and Taiwan should take a cue from Hong Kong. He spoke 6 months too soon. In June, Hong Kong began protesting, and by the time the year ended, the people of Hong Kong had mounted the biggest political challenge to Xi Jinping's authority. The government tried every trick in the book, from riot charges to half-concessions, inked water canons to police batons, but couldn't break the spirit of the people. The might and the arrogance of the dragon had been defeated.

The theme played out over and over again this year. France, Russia, Britain, Serbia, Ukraine, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Lebanon, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, India - across the globe people stood up to the powers that be.&nbsp;

In some cases they defeated their governments, in others they burst the bubble of invincibility.

2. HACKED

If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself. Prophetic words of George Orwell. Because as he predicted, the Big Brother is watching you. From your phone to your car to your CCTV, everything can and is being hacked. Your choices are being manipulated. Your opinion is being infected. Your activities are being tracked, your movements are being mapped. You are nothing but a source of data, to be sold with or without your knowledge. 2019 has proved that privacy is a myth in the digital age. Data is the lifeblood and the internet is the tool that governments can weaponise to incapacitate dissent. We talk about a future with smart cities. Cities that can be switched off with the push of a button or the swipe on a screen. Technology is a beast we're learning to both ride and control. Good luck to us.

3. CLIMATE ACTION

Snowstorms, hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires - thousands of lives and billions of dollars lost. Climate change is no more a distant concept restricted to academic circles. It's a clear and present danger. It's striking as we speak. What is the world doing about it? Disagreeing. Climate action was to 2019 what human rights were to the years before. Everyone makes the right noises, few make the right moves. So one Swedish teenager decided to bunk school and turned it into a global movement. World leaders discredited her, called her names, were condescending. They were met with a cold glare. Tens of thousands of young people across the world demanded that the decision-makers of today secure their tomorrow. It's work in progress. There's a long way to go. But this was the year when a decisive start was made.

4. DEATH OF DIPLOMACY

Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way. Diplomacy is to do and say, the nastiest thing in the nicest way.

2019 threw these lines out of the window. Diplomacy landed on twitter and was shot dead by angry tweets. Heads of states called each other names. Summits were fixed and junked on social media. Leaders Facetimed and bromanced in public instead of going through the inordinately long handshakes with measured smiles and cameras shuttering. They were caught on camera gossiping. They were caught online reprimanding others in shouty capitals. Conversations that were once bound by convention and peppered were pleasantries were replaced by unbridled bickering. There are no closed doors in the age of social media and tweet-happy diplomats. Log in to see all the dirty linen.

5. MAJORITARIANISM

The rise of the right was last year's story. This year, those who rose insisted they were right, whether you liked them or not. The men (no women in this list) who rule some of the biggest countries in the world - America, India, China, Russia - are all perceived to be bigots. A more politically correct word is majoritarian. The pushers of populist agendas. The upholders of majority interests. The conquerers of liberal forces. Despite the criticism, many of them have emerged victorious in elections and have won bigger mandates. Their politics and its success is a reflection of the countries they lead. Countries where the majority believes it's been shortchanged for way too long. Now the majority is going for its pound of flesh. There's bloodshed, but that's collateral damage. Unsolicited advice - majority rule doesn't have to majoritarian. Let's make room for everyone.

As the year ends, we can only hope for a healing touch, for better sense to prevail, for governments to listen to their people, for leaders to talk to and not at each other, for technology to be tamed before being tested on us, for the young to be optimistic about their future again, for more action and sweeter words. Happy new year! 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp; 
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Different stories of 2019 can be strung together in some common threads. This was the "new normal" of the year gone by. 1. UNREST If there's one headline from 2019 that Xi Jinping would like to undo, what would it be?

Different stories of 2019 can be strung together in some common threads. This was the "new normal" of the year gone by. 1. UNREST If there's one headline from 2019 that Xi Jinping would like to undo, what would it be? "Taiwan should follow the Hong Kong model." That's what the Chinese President said on January 1, 2019. Unification is the goal, he said, and Taiwan should take a cue from Hong Kong. He spoke 6 months too soon. In June, Hong Kong began protesting, and by the time the year ended, the people of Hong Kong had mounted the biggest political challenge to Xi Jinping's authority. The government tried every trick in the book, from riot charges to half-concessions, inked water canons to police batons, but couldn't break the spirit of the people. The might and the arrogance of the dragon had been defeated. The theme played out over and over again this year. France, Russia, Britain, Serbia, Ukraine, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Lebanon, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, India - across the globe people stood up to the powers that be. In some cases they defeated their governments, in others they burst the bubble of invincibility. 2. HACKED If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself. Prophetic words of George Orwell. Because as he predicted, the Big Brother is watching you. From your phone to your car to your CCTV, everything can and is being hacked. Your choices are being manipulated. Your opinion is being infected. Your activities are being tracked, your movements are being mapped. You are nothing but a source of data, to be sold with or without your knowledge. 2019 has proved that privacy is a myth in the digital age. Data is the lifeblood and the internet is the tool that governments can weaponise to incapacitate dissent. We talk about a future with smart cities. Cities that can be switched off with the push of a button or the swipe on a screen. Technology is a beast we're learning to both ride and control. Good luck to us. 3. CLIMATE ACTION Snowstorms, hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires - thousands of lives and billions of dollars lost. Climate change is no more a distant concept restricted to academic circles. It's a clear and present danger. It's striking as we speak. What is the world doing about it? Disagreeing. Climate action was to 2019 what human rights were to the years before. Everyone makes the right noises, few make the right moves. So one Swedish teenager decided to bunk school and turned it into a global movement. World leaders discredited her, called her names, were condescending. They were met with a cold glare. Tens of thousands of young people across the world demanded that the decision-makers of today secure their tomorrow. It's work in progress. There's a long way to go. But this was the year when a decisive start was made. 4. DEATH OF DIPLOMACY Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way. Diplomacy is to do and say, the nastiest thing in the nicest way. 2019 threw these lines out of the window. Diplomacy landed on twitter and was shot dead by angry tweets. Heads of states called each other names. Summits were fixed and junked on social media. Leaders Facetimed and bromanced in public instead of going through the inordinately long handshakes with measured smiles and cameras shuttering. They were caught on camera gossiping. They were caught online reprimanding others in shouty capitals. Conversations that were once bound by convention and peppered were pleasantries were replaced by unbridled bickering. There are no closed doors in the age of social media and tweet-happy diplomats. Log in to see all the dirty linen. 5. MAJORITARIANISM The rise of the right was last year's story. This year, those who rose insisted they were right, whether you liked them or not. The men (no women in this list) who rule some of the biggest countries in the world - America, India, China, Russia - are all perceived to be bigots. A more politically correct word is majoritarian. The pushers of populist agendas. The upholders of majority interests. The conquerers of liberal forces. Despite the criticism, many of them have emerged victorious in elections and have won bigger mandates. Their politics and its success is a reflection of the countries they lead. Countries where the majority believes it's been shortchanged for way too long. Now the majority is going for its pound of flesh. There's bloodshed, but that's collateral damage. Unsolicited advice - majority rule doesn't have to majoritarian. Let's make room for everyone. As the year ends, we can only hope for a healing touch, for better sense to prevail, for governments to listen to their people, for leaders to talk to and not at each other, for technology to be tamed before being tested on us, for the young to be optimistic about their future again, for more action and sweeter words. Happy new year! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Themes of 2019: Looking back at the year gone by

Climate activist Greta Thunberg to Hong Kong protesters: The history-makers of 2019

Bushfires to floods: The year of natural disasters

Bollywood stars have broken their silence on the protests against amended Citizenship Act in India.

WION Dispatch: Bollywood stars remain divided on Citizenship Act protests

At least 59 petitions has been filed by political parties, students and, lawyers in Supreme Court against the Amended Citizenship Act in India.

WION Dispatch: 59 petitions filed in Supreme Court against Amended Citizenship Act

In India protests are erupting against the amended Citizenship Act in different parts of the country. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Protests continue in India over Citizenship Act

This is what Indians searched most on Google in 2019

A walk down memory lane: The ones we lost in 2019

Nuclear Weapons & Defence Budgets: A Brief Summary.

Gravitas: The State of Nuclear weapons in 2019

Kia Seltos is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated cars of 2019 and it is going to be launched on 22 August. But before that, Pitstop's presenter -- Ashish Jha -- got a chance to sample a couple of Seltos' variants and he returned with a big smile on his face. So, what was the reason behind that? Well, this video will answer you better.

Kia Seltos review: One of the most anticipated cars of 2019

Vivek Katju, Ex-Indian Envoy to Afghanistan speaks on G20 Summit 2019. To know more watch the video

Vivek Katju, Ex-Indian Envoy to  Afghanistan on G20 Summit 2019

Breaking News: Indian General election dates to be announced today

India will continue to remain the world’s fastest-growing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/once-fragile-indian-economy-now-worlds-fastest-growing-pm-modi-191614">large economy in 2019</a> as well as in 2020, much ahead of China, a UN report said Wednesday.

According to the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019, India’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.6 per cent in 2019-20 from an estimated 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 2019. The growth rate may come down to 7.4 per cent a year later.

In the case of China, the growth is estimated to decelerate to 6.3 per cent in 2019 from 6.6 per cent in 2018. It may further go down to 6.2 per cent in 2020.

Growth (in India) continues to be underpinned by robust private consumption, a more expansionary fiscal stance and benefits from previous reforms.

“Yet, more robust and sustained recovery of private investment remains crucial to lifting the medium-term growth,” WESP report said.

Referring to China, it said the growth is expected to moderate from 6.6 per cent in 2018 to 6.3 per cent in 2019, with policy support partly offsetting the negative impact of trade tensions.

The report further said the global economy would continue to grow at a steady pace of around 3 per cent in 2019 and 2020 amid signs that global growth has peaked.

However, a worrisome combination of development challenges could further undermine growth, it added.

The report also highlighted that global trade tensions pose a threat to the economic outlook.

Amid the rise in global trade tensions, world trade growth moderated over the course of 2018 to 3.8 per cent from the growth of 5.3 per cent in 2017.

While tensions have materially impacted some specific sectors, stimulus measures and direct subsidies have so far offset much of the direct economic impacts on China and the US, it said.

“But a prolonged escalation of trade tensions could severely disrupt the global economy,” WESP report said.

Directly impacted sectors have already witnessed rising input prices and delayed investment decisions.

These impacts, it said, can be expected to spread through global value chains, particularly in East Asia. Slower growth in China and the United States could also reduce the demand for commodities, affecting commodity exporters from Africa and Latin America.

India will continue to remain the world’s fastest-growing large economy in 2019 as well as in 2020, much ahead of China, a UN report said Wednesday. According to the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019, India’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.

India will continue to remain the world’s fastest-growing large economy in 2019 as well as in 2020, much ahead of China, a UN report said Wednesday. According to the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019, India’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.6 per cent in 2019-20 from an estimated 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 2019. The growth rate may come down to 7.4 per cent a year later. In the case of China, the growth is estimated to decelerate to 6.3 per cent in 2019 from 6.6 per cent in 2018. It may further go down to 6.2 per cent in 2020. Growth (in India) continues to be underpinned by robust private consumption, a more expansionary fiscal stance and benefits from previous reforms. “Yet, more robust and sustained recovery of private investment remains crucial to lifting the medium-term growth,” WESP report said. Referring to China, it said the growth is expected to moderate from 6.6 per cent in 2018 to 6.3 per cent in 2019, with policy support partly offsetting the negative impact of trade tensions. The report further said the global economy would continue to grow at a steady pace of around 3 per cent in 2019 and 2020 amid signs that global growth has peaked. However, a worrisome combination of development challenges could further undermine growth, it added. The report also highlighted that global trade tensions pose a threat to the economic outlook. Amid the rise in global trade tensions, world trade growth moderated over the course of 2018 to 3.8 per cent from the growth of 5.3 per cent in 2017. While tensions have materially impacted some specific sectors, stimulus measures and direct subsidies have so far offset much of the direct economic impacts on China and the US, it said. “But a prolonged escalation of trade tensions could severely disrupt the global economy,” WESP report said. Directly impacted sectors have already witnessed rising input prices and delayed investment decisions. These impacts, it said, can be expected to spread through global value chains, particularly in East Asia. Slower growth in China and the United States could also reduce the demand for commodities, affecting commodity exporters from Africa and Latin America.

India to remain fastest-growing economy in 2019-2020: UN report

2019

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