British author Len Deighton has passed away at the age of 97.

Deighton was widely known for reshaping the spy thriller genre by introducing a working-class protagonist, breaking away from the traditional elite spy archetype.

His work brought a more grounded and realistic tone to espionage fiction, influencing generations of writers and readers.


Len Deighton Dies at 97, British Author Redefined the Spy Thriller | WION

10 Famous Quotes by Japanese Author Murasaki Shikibu & Their Meaning

Who is Murasaki Shikibu?

1. “Real things in the darkness seem no realer than dreams”

2. “The world is full of uncertainties, yet we must go on”

3. “Even a small mistake can lead to great sorrow”

4. “Beauty fades, but kindness lasts forever”

5. “A heart once broken can never be the same again”

6. “Silence speaks more than words ever could”

7. “Love and longing are inseparable companions”

8. “Time flows like a river, never stopping for anyone”

9. “The moon’s beauty lies in its imperfections"

10. “Fate is written, yet the heart dares to dream”

Life Fun: Discover the profound wisdom of Murasaki Shikibu through her famous quotes, exploring themes of love, time, life, and human emotions in Japanese literature.

Renowned Canadian author Margaret Atwood, who is currently writing her memoir, said in an interview that she is too old to be worried about the rise of artificial intelligence and described herself as still having a "good time" writing.&nbsp;

Atwood, 84, debuted as a poet in 1961 and published her first novel, "The Edible Woman", in 1969. She has since written more than 60 books, including novels, short stories and children's books.&nbsp;

"I'm not a writer who exists in a state of misery and finds it terribly difficult to write. You can probably guess that by the number of books I've actually written," Atwood said. "I'm having a good time."&nbsp;

Atwood spoke with Reuters last week while in Denmark to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award&nbsp;named after the famous 19th-century fairytale writer.&nbsp;

She was relaxed about the impact that AI could have on her career, drawing a contrast with younger creative people.&nbsp;

"AI is worrying a lot of people. (...) I'm too old to get too worried about this stuff. But if I were 30, I'd be worried," she said. "If I were a graphic designer, I would be worried."&nbsp;

Last year, she reviewed poems and literature written by AI in her name.&nbsp;

"So far, AI is a crap poet. Really bad," she said. "And it's not a very good fiction writer either."&nbsp;

Atwood's dystopian novel, "The Handmaid's Tale", first published in 1985, about a theocratic dictatorship in the United States, saw a surge in sales following the election of Republican Donald Trump to the White House in 2016.&nbsp;

In 2019, she published a sequel, "The Testaments", which was the joint winner of that year's Booker Prize.&nbsp;

In the interview, Atwood also renewed her previous criticism of Trump, amid his current close&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;race, saying she was very concerned about what she views as his autocratic tendencies.&nbsp;

Her latest book, "Old Babes in the Wood", published in 2021, delves into themes of family, marriage, grief, and loss, written two years after the death of her husband, author Graeme Gibson.&nbsp;

Looking ahead, Atwood says:&nbsp;"I love people asking me about the future. What do you have in mind? The next two years, the next five years, the next 10 years? We don't know. Well, I'm writing a great honking big memoir right now, and I'm only putting in stupid things and catastrophes because everything else is boring."&nbsp;

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Renowned Canadian author Margaret Atwood, who is currently writing her memoir, said in an interview that she is too old to be worried about the rise of artificial intelligence and described herself as still having a "good time" writing.

Renowned Canadian author Margaret Atwood, who is currently writing her memoir, said in an interview that she is too old to be worried about the rise of artificial intelligence and described herself as still having a "good time" writing. Atwood, 84, debuted as a poet in 1961 and published her first novel, "The Edible Woman", in 1969. She has since written more than 60 books, including novels, short stories and children's books. "I'm not a writer who exists in a state of misery and finds it terribly difficult to write. You can probably guess that by the number of books I've actually written," Atwood said. "I'm having a good time." Atwood spoke with Reuters last week while in Denmark to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award named after the famous 19th-century fairytale writer. She was relaxed about the impact that AI could have on her career, drawing a contrast with younger creative people. "AI is worrying a lot of people. (...) I'm too old to get too worried about this stuff. But if I were 30, I'd be worried," she said. "If I were a graphic designer, I would be worried." Last year, she reviewed poems and literature written by AI in her name. "So far, AI is a crap poet. Really bad," she said. "And it's not a very good fiction writer either." Atwood's dystopian novel, "The Handmaid's Tale", first published in 1985, about a theocratic dictatorship in the United States, saw a surge in sales following the election of Republican Donald Trump to the White House in 2016. In 2019, she published a sequel, "The Testaments", which was the joint winner of that year's Booker Prize. In the interview, Atwood also renewed her previous criticism of Trump, amid his current close presidential race, saying she was very concerned about what she views as his autocratic tendencies. Her latest book, "Old Babes in the Wood", published in 2021, delves into themes of family, marriage, grief, and loss, written two years after the death of her husband, author Graeme Gibson. Looking ahead, Atwood says: "I love people asking me about the future. What do you have in mind? The next two years, the next five years, the next 10 years? We don't know. Well, I'm writing a great honking big memoir right now, and I'm only putting in stupid things and catastrophes because everything else is boring." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Margaret Atwood continues writing career smoothly, says AI does not bother her

South Korean author Han Kang wins the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first Asian woman and the first writer from South Korea to receive the award. The winners to be conferred nobel prize on Dec 10 in Stockholm. Watch for more details!

Han Kang Wins 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature

Anthropic, which is an artificial intelligence (AI) company backed by Amazon, faced a lawsuit for copyright infringement by notable authors. As reported by Reuters, Claude,the company’s AI chatbot has been accused of being trained with pirated works of writers/journalists.

Authors sue Amazon-backed Anthropic for copyright breach

Nobel Prize-winning&nbsp;Canadian writer Alice Munro, whose exquisitely crafted tales of the loves, ambitions and travails of small-town women in her native land made her a globally acclaimed master of the short story, has died at the age of 92, her publisher said on Tuesday.

Munro had died at her home in Port Hope, Ontario, said Kristin Cochrane, chief executive officer of McClelland &amp; Stewart.

"Alice's writing inspired countless writers...and her work leaves an indelible mark on our literary landscape," she said in a statement.

The Globe and Mail newspaper, citing family members, said Munro had died on Monday after suffering from dementia for at least a decade.

Munro published more than a dozen collections of short stories and was honoured with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013.

Her stories explored sex, yearning, discontent, ageing, moral conflict and other themes in rural settings with which she was intimately familiar - villages and farms in the Canadian province of Ontario. She was adept at fully developing complex characters within the limited pages of a short story.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-fumes-as-biden-administration-ramps-up-tariffs-on-chinese-imports-721413">China fumes as Biden administration ramps up tariffs on Chinese imports</a>

"Alice Munro was a Canadian literary icon. For six decades, her short stories captivated hearts around Canada and the world," Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said on the X social media network.

Munro, who wrote about ordinary people with clarity and realism, was often likened to Anton Chekhov, the 19th century Russian known for his brilliant short stories - a comparison the Swedish Academy cited in honouring her with the Nobel Prize.

Calling her a "master of the contemporary short story," the Academy also said: "Her texts often feature depictions of everyday but decisive events, epiphanies of a kind, that illuminate the surrounding story and let existential questions appear in a flash of lightning."

In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation after winning the Nobel, Munro said, "I think my stories have gotten around quite remarkably for short stories, and I would really hope that this would make people see the short story as an important art, not just something that you played around with until you'd got a novel written."

Her works included: "Dance of the Happy Shades" (1968), "Lives of Girls and Women" (1971), "Who Do You Think You Are?" (1978), "The Moons of Jupiter" (1982), "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage" (2001), "Runaway" (2004), "The View from Castle Rock" (2006), "Too Much Happiness" (2009) and "Dear Life" (2012).

The characters in her stories were often girls and women who lead seemingly unexceptional lives but struggle with tribulations ranging from sexual abuse and stifling marriages to repressed love and the ravages of ageing.

"Last month I reread all of Alice Munro's books. I felt the need to be close to her. Every time I read her is a new experience. Every time changes me. She will live forever," leading Canadian author Heather O'Neill said in a post on X.

Munro's story of a woman who starts losing her memory and agrees to enter a nursing home titled "The Bear Came Over the Mountain," from "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage," was adapted into the Oscar-nominated 2006 film "Away From Her," directed by fellow Canadian Sarah Polley.

<h2>'SHAME AND EMBARRASSMENT'</h2>

Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood, writing in the Guardian after Munro won the Nobel, summarized her work by saying: "Shame and embarrassment are driving forces for Munro's characters, just as perfectionism in the writing has been a driving force for her: getting it down, getting it right, but also the impossibility of that. Munro chronicles failure much more often than she chronicles success, because the task of the writer has failure built in."

American novelist Jonathan Franzen wrote in 2005, "Reading Munro puts me in that state of quiet reflection in which I think about my own life: about the decisions I've made, the things I've done and haven't done, the kind of person I am, the prospect of death."

The short story, a style more popular in the 19th and early 20th century, has long taken a back seat to the novel in popular tastes - and in attracting awards. But Munro was able to infuse her short stories with a richness of plot and depth of detail usually more characteristic of full-length novels.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgia-adopts-controversial-foreign-agents-law-amid-brawls-and-protests-721374">Georgia adopts controversial ‘foreign agents’ law amid brawls and protests</a>

"For years and years, I thought that stories were just practice, 'til I got time to write a novel. Then I found that they were all I could do and so I faced that. I suppose that my trying to get so much into stories has been a compensation," Munro told the New Yorker magazine in 2012.

She was the second Canadian-born writer to win the Nobel literature prize but the first with a distinctly Canadian identity. Saul Bellow, who won in 1976, was born in Quebec but raised in Chicago and was widely seen as an American writer.

Munro also won the Man Booker International Prize in 2009 and the Giller Prize - Canada's most high-profile literary award - twice.

Alice Laidlaw was born to a hard-pressed family of farmers on July 10, 1931, in Wingham, a small town in the region of southwestern Ontario that serves as the setting for many of her stories, and started writing in her teens.

Munro originally began writing short stories while a stay-at-home mother. She intended to someday write a novel, but said that with three children she was never able to find the time necessary. Munro began building a reputation when her stories started getting published in the New Yorker in the 1970s.

She married James Munro in 1951 and moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where the two ran a bookstore. They had four daughters - one died just hours after being born - before divorcing in 1972. Afterward, Munro moved back to Ontario. Her second husband, geographer Gerald Fremlin, died in April 2013.

Munro in 2009 revealed she had undergone heart bypass surgery and had been treated for cancer.

Nobel Prize-winning Canadian writer Alice Munro, whose exquisitely crafted tales of the loves, ambitions and travails of small-town women in her native land made her a globally acclaimed master of the short story, has died at the age of 92, her publisher said on Tuesday.

Nobel Prize-winning Canadian writer Alice Munro, whose exquisitely crafted tales of the loves, ambitions and travails of small-town women in her native land made her a globally acclaimed master of the short story, has died at the age of 92, her publisher said on Tuesday. Munro had died at her home in Port Hope, Ontario, said Kristin Cochrane, chief executive officer of McClelland & Stewart. "Alice's writing inspired countless writers...and her work leaves an indelible mark on our literary landscape," she said in a statement. The Globe and Mail newspaper, citing family members, said Munro had died on Monday after suffering from dementia for at least a decade. Munro published more than a dozen collections of short stories and was honoured with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013. Her stories explored sex, yearning, discontent, ageing, moral conflict and other themes in rural settings with which she was intimately familiar - villages and farms in the Canadian province of Ontario. She was adept at fully developing complex characters within the limited pages of a short story. Also Read | China fumes as Biden administration ramps up tariffs on Chinese imports "Alice Munro was a Canadian literary icon. For six decades, her short stories captivated hearts around Canada and the world," Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said on the X social media network. Munro, who wrote about ordinary people with clarity and realism, was often likened to Anton Chekhov, the 19th century Russian known for his brilliant short stories - a comparison the Swedish Academy cited in honouring her with the Nobel Prize. Calling her a "master of the contemporary short story," the Academy also said: "Her texts often feature depictions of everyday but decisive events, epiphanies of a kind, that illuminate the surrounding story and let existential questions appear in a flash of lightning." In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation after winning the Nobel, Munro said, "I think my stories have gotten around quite remarkably for short stories, and I would really hope that this would make people see the short story as an important art, not just something that you played around with until you'd got a novel written." Her works included: "Dance of the Happy Shades" (1968), "Lives of Girls and Women" (1971), "Who Do You Think You Are?" (1978), "The Moons of Jupiter" (1982), "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage" (2001), "Runaway" (2004), "The View from Castle Rock" (2006), "Too Much Happiness" (2009) and "Dear Life" (2012). The characters in her stories were often girls and women who lead seemingly unexceptional lives but struggle with tribulations ranging from sexual abuse and stifling marriages to repressed love and the ravages of ageing. "Last month I reread all of Alice Munro's books. I felt the need to be close to her. Every time I read her is a new experience. Every time changes me. She will live forever," leading Canadian author Heather O'Neill said in a post on X. Munro's story of a woman who starts losing her memory and agrees to enter a nursing home titled "The Bear Came Over the Mountain," from "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage," was adapted into the Oscar-nominated 2006 film "Away From Her," directed by fellow Canadian Sarah Polley. 'SHAME AND EMBARRASSMENT' Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood, writing in the Guardian after Munro won the Nobel, summarized her work by saying: "Shame and embarrassment are driving forces for Munro's characters, just as perfectionism in the writing has been a driving force for her: getting it down, getting it right, but also the impossibility of that. Munro chronicles failure much more often than she chronicles success, because the task of the writer has failure built in." American novelist Jonathan Franzen wrote in 2005, "Reading Munro puts me in that state of quiet reflection in which I think about my own life: about the decisions I've made, the things I've done and haven't done, the kind of person I am, the prospect of death." The short story, a style more popular in the 19th and early 20th century, has long taken a back seat to the novel in popular tastes - and in attracting awards. But Munro was able to infuse her short stories with a richness of plot and depth of detail usually more characteristic of full-length novels. Also Read | Georgia adopts controversial ‘foreign agents’ law amid brawls and protests "For years and years, I thought that stories were just practice, 'til I got time to write a novel. Then I found that they were all I could do and so I faced that. I suppose that my trying to get so much into stories has been a compensation," Munro told the New Yorker magazine in 2012. She was the second Canadian-born writer to win the Nobel literature prize but the first with a distinctly Canadian identity. Saul Bellow, who won in 1976, was born in Quebec but raised in Chicago and was widely seen as an American writer. Munro also won the Man Booker International Prize in 2009 and the Giller Prize - Canada's most high-profile literary award - twice. Alice Laidlaw was born to a hard-pressed family of farmers on July 10, 1931, in Wingham, a small town in the region of southwestern Ontario that serves as the setting for many of her stories, and started writing in her teens. Munro originally began writing short stories while a stay-at-home mother. She intended to someday write a novel, but said that with three children she was never able to find the time necessary. Munro began building a reputation when her stories started getting published in the New Yorker in the 1970s. She married James Munro in 1951 and moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where the two ran a bookstore. They had four daughters - one died just hours after being born - before divorcing in 1972. Afterward, Munro moved back to Ontario. Her second husband, geographer Gerald Fremlin, died in April 2013. Munro in 2009 revealed she had undergone heart bypass surgery and had been treated for cancer.

Alice Munro, Canadian Nobel Prize-winning author, dead at 92

British author JK Rowling's social media comments in which she challenged the new hate crime law of Scotland are not being seen as a criminal act, said Police Scotland.

The celebrated author, who is famous for her Harry Potter series, described various transgender women as men, which included trans activists, convicted prisoners and other public figures.

As per the new law, "stirring up hatred" in relation to protected characteristics is seen as a new crime. The police confirmed that they have received complaints but no action will be taken against Rowling.

Reacting to the row, Rowling wrote on X, "I hope every woman in Scotland who wishes to speak up for the reality and importance of biological sex will be reassured by this announcement, and I trust that all women - irrespective of profile or financial means - will be treated equally under the law."

"If they go after any woman for simply calling a man a man, I'll repeat that woman's words and they can charge us both at once," she added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/trans-broadcaster-reports-jk-rowling-to-police-over-misgendering-697784">Transgender broadcaster reports UK author JK Rowling to police over 'misgendering', 'hate crime'</a>

According to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, it is a criminal offence to make derogatory comments on the basis of disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex.

Under the Public Order Act 1986 in Great Britain, spreading hatred on the basis of race, colour, nationality or ethnicity is illegal and is now also a part of the new law.

More than 3,000 complaints have reached Police Scotland since the law came into effect on Monday.

In a previous post on X, Rowling mentioned trans woman Katie Neeves, who was appointed a UN Women UK delegate,&nbsp;

The author said that Neeves "switched from straight man to lesbian at the age of 48".

<h2>Neeves reacts to Rowling's post, PM Sunak backs author</h2>

Speaking to BBC, Neeves said she was "very disappointed" with Police Scotland.

"JK Rowling is a bully and this act was designed to stop bullying, and if they're not going to enforce it then that's very disappointing," she said.

"She listed me and some other trans people along with some sex offenders and put it out to 14 million of her followers. That was inciting hatred and it resulted in me receiving thousands of messages of hate. So it's done what she set out for it to do," Neeves added.

She claimed that the story published all over the world was "all misinformation about me". "It's horrible and it's really harmful," she added.

Watch:&nbsp;UK PM Rishi Sunak backs JK Rowling as row over Scotland's new hate crime law escalates

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-pm-sunak-defends-jk-rowling-as-row-over-scotlands-new-hate-crime-law-escalates-706877/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier supported Rowling's stance and said that the country had a proud tradition of free speech.

Sunak added that he would not specifically clarify if he supported her approach and said that it was "not right for me to comment on police matters, individual matters".

"We should not be criminalising people saying common sense things about biological sex, clearly that isn't right. We have a proud tradition of free speech," Sunak said.

(With inputs from agencies)

British author JK Rowling's social media comments in which she challenged the new hate crime law of Scotland are not being seen as a criminal act, said Police Scotland.

British author JK Rowling's social media comments in which she challenged the new hate crime law of Scotland are not being seen as a criminal act, said Police Scotland. The celebrated author, who is famous for her Harry Potter series, described various transgender women as men, which included trans activists, convicted prisoners and other public figures. As per the new law, "stirring up hatred" in relation to protected characteristics is seen as a new crime. The police confirmed that they have received complaints but no action will be taken against Rowling. Reacting to the row, Rowling wrote on X, "I hope every woman in Scotland who wishes to speak up for the reality and importance of biological sex will be reassured by this announcement, and I trust that all women - irrespective of profile or financial means - will be treated equally under the law." "If they go after any woman for simply calling a man a man, I'll repeat that woman's words and they can charge us both at once," she added. Also Read: Transgender broadcaster reports UK author JK Rowling to police over 'misgendering', 'hate crime' According to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, it is a criminal offence to make derogatory comments on the basis of disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex. Under the Public Order Act 1986 in Great Britain, spreading hatred on the basis of race, colour, nationality or ethnicity is illegal and is now also a part of the new law. More than 3,000 complaints have reached Police Scotland since the law came into effect on Monday. In a previous post on X, Rowling mentioned trans woman Katie Neeves, who was appointed a UN Women UK delegate, The author said that Neeves "switched from straight man to lesbian at the age of 48". Neeves reacts to Rowling's post, PM Sunak backs author Speaking to BBC, Neeves said she was "very disappointed" with Police Scotland. "JK Rowling is a bully and this act was designed to stop bullying, and if they're not going to enforce it then that's very disappointing," she said. "She listed me and some other trans people along with some sex offenders and put it out to 14 million of her followers. That was inciting hatred and it resulted in me receiving thousands of messages of hate. So it's done what she set out for it to do," Neeves added. She claimed that the story published all over the world was "all misinformation about me". "It's horrible and it's really harmful," she added. Watch: UK PM Rishi Sunak backs JK Rowling as row over Scotland's new hate crime law escalates Meanwhile, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier supported Rowling's stance and said that the country had a proud tradition of free speech. Sunak added that he would not specifically clarify if he supported her approach and said that it was "not right for me to comment on police matters, individual matters". "We should not be criminalising people saying common sense things about biological sex, clearly that isn't right. We have a proud tradition of free speech," Sunak said. (With inputs from agencies)

JK Rowling lands in trouble with hate law posts, police say her actions 'not criminal'

Indian&nbsp;President Droupadi Murmu nominated philanthropist and author Sudha Murty to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House), announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (March 8).

PM Modi congratulated Murty&nbsp;and said that her nomination to the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to the 'Nari Shakti' of the country as the announcement was made on International Women's Day.

"I am delighted that the President of India has nominated @SmtSudhaMurty Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji's contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring. Her presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to our 'Nari Shakti', exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping our nation's destiny. Wishing her a fruitful Parliamentary tenure," PM Modi wrote on X.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I am delighted that the President of India has nominated <a href="https://twitter.com/SmtSudhaMurty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SmtSudhaMurty</a> Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji's contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring. Her presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to… <a href="https://t.co/lL2b0nVZ8F">pic.twitter.com/lL2b0nVZ8F</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1766002676070813995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Reacting to the announcement, Murty who is in Thailand, said she is pleasantly surprised and added, "I have to see what are the things...what I can do. This is a new area to me. So, I have to first sit and study and then I will be able to do it." She said she was pleasantly surprised by the announcement."

Twelve people, who have made great contributions in the field of art, literature, science, and social service, get nominated by the president of India to the Upper House of the parliament.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nari-shakti-pm-modi-celebrates-womens-day-with-rs-100-reduction-in-lpg-cylinder-prices-697858">&nbsp;'Nari Shakti': PM Modi celebrates Women's Day with $1.21 reduction in LPG cylinder prices</a>

<h2>Who is Sudha Murty?</h2>

Sudha Murty is an Indian author, philanthropist, educator and the former chairperson of Infosys. She is also one of the members of the Gates Foundation's public healthcare initiatives. The Murty Classical Library of India has been established by her at Harvard University.

Her husband Narayana Murthy&nbsp;founded IT giant Infosys and the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is her son-in-law. In 2006, Murty was honoured with Padma Bhushan, which is India's third-highest civilian award for social work.

Watch:&nbsp;PM Narendra Modi announces reduction in LPG cylinder price on the occasion of women's day

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-narendra-modi-announces-reduction-in-lpg-cylinder-price-on-the-occasion-of-womens-day-697975/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

She started her career as an engineer with TELCO (now Tata Motors). Murty has written some of the bestsellers in English and Kannada, and her books have been translated into different Indian languages.

She is also famous for her novel - ‘Dollar Bahu’, which was originally written by her in Kannada language and later translated into English.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian President Droupadi Murmu nominated philanthropist and author Sudha Murty to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House), announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (March 8).

Indian President Droupadi Murmu nominated philanthropist and author Sudha Murty to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House), announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (March 8). PM Modi congratulated Murty and said that her nomination to the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to the 'Nari Shakti' of the country as the announcement was made on International Women's Day. "I am delighted that the President of India has nominated @SmtSudhaMurty Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji's contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring. Her presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to our 'Nari Shakti', exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping our nation's destiny. Wishing her a fruitful Parliamentary tenure," PM Modi wrote on X. I am delighted that the President of India has nominated @SmtSudhaMurty Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji's contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring. Her presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to… pic.twitter.com/lL2b0nVZ8F — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2024 × Reacting to the announcement, Murty who is in Thailand, said she is pleasantly surprised and added, "I have to see what are the things...what I can do. This is a new area to me. So, I have to first sit and study and then I will be able to do it." She said she was pleasantly surprised by the announcement." Twelve people, who have made great contributions in the field of art, literature, science, and social service, get nominated by the president of India to the Upper House of the parliament. Also Read: 'Nari Shakti': PM Modi celebrates Women's Day with $1.21 reduction in LPG cylinder prices Who is Sudha Murty? Sudha Murty is an Indian author, philanthropist, educator and the former chairperson of Infosys. She is also one of the members of the Gates Foundation's public healthcare initiatives. The Murty Classical Library of India has been established by her at Harvard University. Her husband Narayana Murthy founded IT giant Infosys and the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is her son-in-law. In 2006, Murty was honoured with Padma Bhushan, which is India's third-highest civilian award for social work. Watch: PM Narendra Modi announces reduction in LPG cylinder price on the occasion of women's day She started her career as an engineer with TELCO (now Tata Motors). Murty has written some of the bestsellers in English and Kannada, and her books have been translated into different Indian languages. She is also famous for her novel - ‘Dollar Bahu’, which was originally written by her in Kannada language and later translated into English. (With inputs from agencies)

Philanthropist, author Sudha Murty gets nominated to Rajya Sabha; PM Modi hails 'Nari Shakti'

Acclaimed British author A.S.&nbsp;Byatt, who won the 1990 Booker Prize&nbsp;for her best-selling romance novel "Possession", has died at the age of 87, her publisher announced on Friday.

Byatt, also a poet, short-story writer and critic, died "peacefully at home surrounded by close family", Penguin Random House said.

The publisher hailed her as "one of the most significant writers and critics of our time".&nbsp;

The novelist - who was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2009 for "The Children's Book" - was made a dame in 1999.

Other accolades during her career, which produced 24 novels and works of criticism, included winning the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction.

Clara Farmer, her publisher at Chatto &amp; Windus, an imprint of Penguin Random House, said&nbsp;her books were "the most wonderful jewel boxes of stories and ideas".

"Her compulsion to write (A4 blue notebook always to hand) and her ability to create intricate skeins of narrative was remarkable. We mourn her loss but it's a comfort to know that her penetrating works will dazzle, shine and refract in the minds of readers for generations to come,"&nbsp;she added.

Educated at Cambridge University,&nbsp;Byatt&nbsp;taught at the Central School of Art and Design, and was a lecturer in English at University College, London, between 1972 and 1984, before returning to full-time writing.&nbsp;

Her books have been translated into dozens of languages.&nbsp;

She was awarded the Erasmus Prize in 2016, for her "inspiring contribution to life writing", and the Pak Kyongni Prize in 2017.

In 2018 she received the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award.

Acclaimed British author A.S. Byatt, who won the 1990 Booker Prize for her best-selling romance novel "Possession", has died at the age of 87, her publisher announced on Friday.

Acclaimed British author A.S. Byatt, who won the 1990 Booker Prize for her best-selling romance novel "Possession", has died at the age of 87, her publisher announced on Friday. Byatt, also a poet, short-story writer and critic, died "peacefully at home surrounded by close family", Penguin Random House said. The publisher hailed her as "one of the most significant writers and critics of our time". The novelist - who was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2009 for "The Children's Book" - was made a dame in 1999. Other accolades during her career, which produced 24 novels and works of criticism, included winning the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction. Clara Farmer, her publisher at Chatto & Windus, an imprint of Penguin Random House, said her books were "the most wonderful jewel boxes of stories and ideas". "Her compulsion to write (A4 blue notebook always to hand) and her ability to create intricate skeins of narrative was remarkable. We mourn her loss but it's a comfort to know that her penetrating works will dazzle, shine and refract in the minds of readers for generations to come," she added. Educated at Cambridge University, Byatt taught at the Central School of Art and Design, and was a lecturer in English at University College, London, between 1972 and 1984, before returning to full-time writing. Her books have been translated into dozens of languages. She was awarded the Erasmus Prize in 2016, for her "inspiring contribution to life writing", and the Pak Kyongni Prize in 2017. In 2018 she received the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award.

Booker Prize-winning UK author, critic and poet A S Byatt dead at 87

The Swedish Academy awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature to Norwegian author Jon Fosse on Thursday (October 5). The academy awarded Fosse Nobel Prize for “his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable.”

The official account of Nobel Prize wrote on X, “Jon Fosse – awarded the 2023 #NobelPrize in Literature – &nbsp;has much in common with his great precursor in Norwegian Nynorsk literature Tarjei Vesaas. Fosse combines strong local ties, both linguistic and geographic, with modernist artistic techniques. He includes in his Wahlverwandschaften such names as Samuel Beckett, Thomas Bernhard and Georg Trakl.”

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Jon Fosse – awarded the 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NobelPrize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NobelPrize</a> in Literature – has much in common with his great precursor in Norwegian Nynorsk literature Tarjei Vesaas. Fosse combines strong local ties, both linguistic and geographic, with modernist artistic techniques. He includes in his… <a href="https://t.co/FkoP8j737R">pic.twitter.com/FkoP8j737R</a>
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With this, 64-year-old Fosse becomes the fourth Norwegian author to be awarded with Nobel Prize.&nbsp;

<h2>Jon Fosse: Norwegian author and dramatist conferred with Nobel Prize in Literature 2023</h2>

Jon Fosse, born in Norwegian town of Haugesund met with a near-death accident at the age of seven, which left a great influence&nbsp;on his writing.&nbsp;

He studied comparative literature at the University of Bergen and published his first novel, Raudt, svart (Red, Black) in 1983. The novel was written in Nynorsk, which is one of the two written standards of the Norwegian language.&nbsp;

Fosse was equally well-versed in drama writing and published his first play, Og aldri skal vi skiljast (And We'll Never Be Parted) in 1994. &nbsp;

In one of his interviews, Fosse revealed he is influenced by Franz Kafka's writings among many others. He said, "I think the authors who have influenced me the most are the Norwegian writer Tarjei Vesaas, the Austrian poet Georg Trakl, and Samuel Beckett. Although I think the writers I admire the most are Franz Kafka and Knut Hamsun."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-ceo-tim-cook-nets-41-million-in-largest-stock-sale-in-two-years-642875">Apple CEO Tim Cook nets $41 million in largest stock sale in two years&nbsp;</a>

He has written novels, short stories, poetry, children’s books, essays and plays, and his works have been translated into more than forty languages.&nbsp;

Fosse has been ranked number 83 on the list of the Top 100 living geniuses by The Daily Telegraph. In the past, the Norwegian author has been nominated for many prestigious literature awards including International Booker Prize (2022), and National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction (2023).&nbsp;

Fosse was awarded the 2015 Nordic Council's Literature Prize for the trilogy Andvake (Wakefulness), Olavs draumar (Olav's Dreams) and Kveldsvævd (Weariness).

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sub-saharan-africa-faces-economic-slowdown-as-key-players-falter-world-bank-warns-642873">Sub-Saharan Africa faces economic slowdown as key players falter, World Bank warns&nbsp;</a>

In April 2022, his novel A New Name: Septology VI-VII, translated into English by Damion Searls, was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. The book was named a finalist for the 2023 National Book Critics Circle Award in Fiction.

Interestingly, many of Fosse’s works have been popular in Iran and have been translated into Persian by Mohammed Hamed. Some of his plays have been performed in Tehran as well.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Swedish Academy awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature to Norwegian author Jon Fosse on Thursday (October 5). The academy awarded Fosse Nobel Prize for “his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable.

The Swedish Academy awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature to Norwegian author Jon Fosse on Thursday (October 5). The academy awarded Fosse Nobel Prize for “his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable.” The official account of Nobel Prize wrote on X, “Jon Fosse – awarded the 2023 #NobelPrize in Literature – has much in common with his great precursor in Norwegian Nynorsk literature Tarjei Vesaas. Fosse combines strong local ties, both linguistic and geographic, with modernist artistic techniques. He includes in his Wahlverwandschaften such names as Samuel Beckett, Thomas Bernhard and Georg Trakl.” Jon Fosse – awarded the 2023 #NobelPrize in Literature – has much in common with his great precursor in Norwegian Nynorsk literature Tarjei Vesaas. Fosse combines strong local ties, both linguistic and geographic, with modernist artistic techniques. He includes in his… pic.twitter.com/FkoP8j737R — The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 5, 2023 × With this, 64-year-old Fosse becomes the fourth Norwegian author to be awarded with Nobel Prize. Jon Fosse: Norwegian author and dramatist conferred with Nobel Prize in Literature 2023 Jon Fosse, born in Norwegian town of Haugesund met with a near-death accident at the age of seven, which left a great influence on his writing. He studied comparative literature at the University of Bergen and published his first novel, Raudt, svart (Red, Black) in 1983. The novel was written in Nynorsk, which is one of the two written standards of the Norwegian language. Fosse was equally well-versed in drama writing and published his first play, Og aldri skal vi skiljast (And We'll Never Be Parted) in 1994. In one of his interviews, Fosse revealed he is influenced by Franz Kafka's writings among many others. He said, "I think the authors who have influenced me the most are the Norwegian writer Tarjei Vesaas, the Austrian poet Georg Trakl, and Samuel Beckett. Although I think the writers I admire the most are Franz Kafka and Knut Hamsun." Also Read | Apple CEO Tim Cook nets $41 million in largest stock sale in two years He has written novels, short stories, poetry, children’s books, essays and plays, and his works have been translated into more than forty languages. Fosse has been ranked number 83 on the list of the Top 100 living geniuses by The Daily Telegraph. In the past, the Norwegian author has been nominated for many prestigious literature awards including International Booker Prize (2022), and National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction (2023). Fosse was awarded the 2015 Nordic Council's Literature Prize for the trilogy Andvake (Wakefulness), Olavs draumar (Olav's Dreams) and Kveldsvævd (Weariness). Also Read | Sub-Saharan Africa faces economic slowdown as key players falter, World Bank warns In April 2022, his novel A New Name: Septology VI-VII, translated into English by Damion Searls, was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. The book was named a finalist for the 2023 National Book Critics Circle Award in Fiction. Interestingly, many of Fosse’s works have been popular in Iran and have been translated into Persian by Mohammed Hamed. Some of his plays have been performed in Tehran as well. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jon Fosse: Career of Norwegian author, playwright awarded 2023 Nobel Prize in literature

Author and activist Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of South Africa’s first democratically elected president and civil rights leader Nelson Mandela, has passed away at the age of 43 following a long battle with cancer. Her death was announced in a statement by the family spokesperson Zwelabo Mandela as well as by the Nelson Mandela Foundation&nbsp;on Tuesday (Sep 26).&nbsp;

Zoleka Mandela died on Monday (Sep 25) evening “surrounded by friends and family” after she “was admitted to the hospital for her ongoing treatment for metastatic cancer to the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord,” read the statement attributed to family spokesperson Zwelabo on Instagram.&nbsp;

It added, “Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her.”

Zoleka, in recent years, became well-known for sharing her fight against cancer with her nearly 600,000 followers on Instagram.

She also spoke candidly about her history of drug addiction and struggles with depression.&nbsp;

A statement by the Nelson Mandela Foundation called her work inspirational.&nbsp;

“The Nelson Mandela Foundation extends its heartfelt condolences to the Mandela family on the passing of Zoleka Mandela, tragically last night,” said the organisation on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

“Her work in raising awareness about cancer prevention and her unwavering commitment to breaking down the stigma surrounding the disease will continue to inspire us all,” it added.&nbsp;

“We mourn the loss of a beloved grandchild of Mum Winnie and Madiba and a friend of the Foundation.”&nbsp;

<h2>About Zoleka Mandela</h2>

Born on 9 April, 1980, Zoleka Mandela was an outspoken writer and activist for healthcare and justice.

She also campaigned for road safety after losing her 13-year-old daughter in a car accident in 2010 near the South African capital Johannesburg.&nbsp;

A few years later she lost a son who was born prematurely.&nbsp;

In 2013, she documented her story in her autobiography When Hope Whispers.&nbsp;

In an interview with BBC in 2016, she said she regretted that her activism did not begin until after her grandfather’s death.&nbsp;

Zoleka was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32 and reportedly underwent treatment including a double mastectomy, but the cancer returned in 2016.&nbsp;

It was around that time that she began documenting her journey with the disease on social media spreading awareness and encouraging others to get checked.&nbsp;

Last year, she confirmed that she had cancer in her liver and lungs and said that it had spread to other organs.&nbsp;

Zoleka was the daughter of MJ Seakamela and Zindzi Mandela and the grandchild of Nelson Mandela and his second wife, Winnie Mandela. She was only 10 when her grandfather had been released from prison after 27 years in detention.&nbsp;

Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist who went on to serve as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, passed away at the age of 95, in 2013.&nbsp;

 
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Author and activist Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of South Africa’s first democratically elected president and civil rights leader Nelson Mandela, has passed away at the age of 43 following a long battle with cancer.

Author and activist Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of South Africa’s first democratically elected president and civil rights leader Nelson Mandela, has passed away at the age of 43 following a long battle with cancer. Her death was announced in a statement by the family spokesperson Zwelabo Mandela as well as by the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Tuesday (Sep 26). Zoleka Mandela died on Monday (Sep 25) evening “surrounded by friends and family” after she “was admitted to the hospital for her ongoing treatment for metastatic cancer to the hip, liver, lung, pelvis, brain and spinal cord,” read the statement attributed to family spokesperson Zwelabo on Instagram. It added, “Our sincerest gratitude to the medical team that took care of her.” Zoleka, in recent years, became well-known for sharing her fight against cancer with her nearly 600,000 followers on Instagram. She also spoke candidly about her history of drug addiction and struggles with depression. A statement by the Nelson Mandela Foundation called her work inspirational. “The Nelson Mandela Foundation extends its heartfelt condolences to the Mandela family on the passing of Zoleka Mandela, tragically last night,” said the organisation on Tuesday morning. “Her work in raising awareness about cancer prevention and her unwavering commitment to breaking down the stigma surrounding the disease will continue to inspire us all,” it added. “We mourn the loss of a beloved grandchild of Mum Winnie and Madiba and a friend of the Foundation.” About Zoleka Mandela Born on 9 April, 1980, Zoleka Mandela was an outspoken writer and activist for healthcare and justice. She also campaigned for road safety after losing her 13-year-old daughter in a car accident in 2010 near the South African capital Johannesburg. A few years later she lost a son who was born prematurely. In 2013, she documented her story in her autobiography When Hope Whispers. In an interview with BBC in 2016, she said she regretted that her activism did not begin until after her grandfather’s death. Zoleka was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32 and reportedly underwent treatment including a double mastectomy, but the cancer returned in 2016. It was around that time that she began documenting her journey with the disease on social media spreading awareness and encouraging others to get checked. Last year, she confirmed that she had cancer in her liver and lungs and said that it had spread to other organs. Zoleka was the daughter of MJ Seakamela and Zindzi Mandela and the grandchild of Nelson Mandela and his second wife, Winnie Mandela. She was only 10 when her grandfather had been released from prison after 27 years in detention. Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist who went on to serve as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, passed away at the age of 95, in 2013. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Zoleka Mandela: Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter dies at 43 after long battle with cancer

On behalf of well-known authors like John Grisham, Jonathan Franzen, George Saunders, Jodi Picoult, and "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin, a trade association for American authors has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in the Manhattan federal court. The claim states that the company illegally used their works to train its well-known artificial intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT.

The Authors Guild's proposed class-action lawsuit, which was filed late on Tuesday, joins a number of other lawsuits from authors, owners of open-source software, and visual artists against generative AI companies. Similar legal actions about the data used to train Meta Platforms and Stability AI's AI systems are ongoing in addition to those against Microsoft-backed OpenAI.

According to OpenAI and other AI defendants, using training data that was downloaded from the internet satisfies the requirements of fair use under American copyright law.

Reuters quoted a spokeswoman for OpenAI said that the business respects the rights of authors and is “having productive conversations with many creators around the world, including the Authors Guild."

As per a statement released by the Authors Guild CEO on Wednesday, in order to "preserve our literature," authors "must have the ability to control whether and how their works are used by generative AI."

The Authors Guild's lawsuit said that the text from the authors' books that may have been obtained from unauthorised online "pirate" book repositories was included in the datasets used to train OpenAI's&nbsp;language model to respond to human requests.

According to the complaint, ChatGPT produced accurate book summaries for the authors when asked, demonstrating that its database contains their work.

Additionally, it expressed growing worries that writers would be displaced by ChatGPT and other similar systems that "generate low-quality ebooks, impersonating authors and displacing human-authored books."

(With inputs from Reuters)

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On behalf of well-known authors like John Grisham, Jonathan Franzen, George Saunders, Jodi Picoult, and "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin, a trade association for American authors has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in the Manhattan federal court.

On behalf of well-known authors like John Grisham, Jonathan Franzen, George Saunders, Jodi Picoult, and "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin, a trade association for American authors has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in the Manhattan federal court. The claim states that the company illegally used their works to train its well-known artificial intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT. The Authors Guild's proposed class-action lawsuit, which was filed late on Tuesday, joins a number of other lawsuits from authors, owners of open-source software, and visual artists against generative AI companies. Similar legal actions about the data used to train Meta Platforms and Stability AI's AI systems are ongoing in addition to those against Microsoft-backed OpenAI. According to OpenAI and other AI defendants, using training data that was downloaded from the internet satisfies the requirements of fair use under American copyright law. Reuters quoted a spokeswoman for OpenAI said that the business respects the rights of authors and is “having productive conversations with many creators around the world, including the Authors Guild." As per a statement released by the Authors Guild CEO on Wednesday, in order to "preserve our literature," authors "must have the ability to control whether and how their works are used by generative AI." The Authors Guild's lawsuit said that the text from the authors' books that may have been obtained from unauthorised online "pirate" book repositories was included in the datasets used to train OpenAI's language model to respond to human requests. According to the complaint, ChatGPT produced accurate book summaries for the authors when asked, demonstrating that its database contains their work. Additionally, it expressed growing worries that writers would be displaced by ChatGPT and other similar systems that "generate low-quality ebooks, impersonating authors and displacing human-authored books." (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

John Grisham and other eminent US authors accuse OpenAI for copyright violation

US-based artificial intelligence firm, Anthropic, has introduced a formidable competitor to ChatGPT in the form of a novel-summarising chatbot called Claude 2.

This cutting-edge chatbot operates on a set of safety principles derived from various sources, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Anthropic has made Claude 2 publicly accessible in the United States and the United Kingdom, coinciding with the intensifying debate surrounding the safety and societal implications of artificial intelligence.

Anthropic, headquartered in San Francisco, has coined its safety approach as "Constitutional AI." This methodology involves employing a set of principles to guide the chatbot's decision-making process while generating text. By drawing inspiration from various influential documents and frameworks, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Claude 2 aims to prioritise responsible and ethical text generation.

The Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) has recently expressed its concerns over the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on the income of UK authors.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/financial-crisis-hits-hard-indian-firm-enforces-salary-cap-of-us914-amid-cash-crunch-614791">Financial crisis hits hard: Indian firm enforces salary cap of US$914 amid cash crunch</a>

In response to a survey conducted by the guild, more than six out of 10 authors reported that they believed AI would lead to a decline in their earnings, reported the Guardian.

To address these concerns, the WGGB has called for the establishment of an independent AI regulator and proposed several measures to safeguard the rights and interests of writers.

<h2>The call for an independent AI regulator</h2>

The WGGB's policy statement, released on Wednesday, emphasised the need for an independent regulatory body to oversee the use of AI.

The guild believes that such a regulator would ensure accountability and transparency in AI development, safeguarding the interests of authors and preventing potential exploitation.

By advocating for an independent AI regulator, the WGGB aims to establish a framework that promotes fairness and protects the livelihoods of writers.

Transparency in AI development to address concerns regarding the use of writers' work in AI systems, the WGGB proposes that AI developers maintain comprehensive logs of the information used to train their systems.

Watch |&nbsp;'AI to impact all sectors in India,' says Prof B Ravindran in conversation&nbsp;with&nbsp;WION

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This would enable writers to verify whether their work has been utilised without their consent. The guild emphasises the importance of writers having control over their intellectual property and seeks to empower them through increased transparency in AI development.

The WGGB emphasises that AI developers should seek explicit permission from writers before utilising their work.

This proposal aims to ensure that authors have control over the usage of their creative output in AI systems. Additionally, the guild suggests that AI-generated content should be clearly labelled, enabling users to differentiate between human-created and AI-generated works.

By implementing these measures, the WGGB aims to preserve the integrity of authors' work and maintain transparency for consumers.

Copyright Protections and Restrictions on Scraping The WGGB highlights the importance of copyright protections in the digital age.

It urges the government to reject any copyright exceptions that may enable the unauthorised scraping of writers' work from the internet.

This measure seeks to prevent the indiscriminate use of authors' content in AI systems and preserve their rights as creators. By advocating for strong copyright protections, the WGGB aims to foster an environment that encourages creativity while safeguarding the interests of writers.

&nbsp;

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US-based artificial intelligence firm, Anthropic, has introduced a formidable competitor to ChatGPT in the form of a novel-summarising chatbot called Claude 2. This cutting-edge chatbot operates on a set of safety principles derived from various sources, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

US-based artificial intelligence firm, Anthropic, has introduced a formidable competitor to ChatGPT in the form of a novel-summarising chatbot called Claude 2. This cutting-edge chatbot operates on a set of safety principles derived from various sources, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Anthropic has made Claude 2 publicly accessible in the United States and the United Kingdom, coinciding with the intensifying debate surrounding the safety and societal implications of artificial intelligence. Anthropic, headquartered in San Francisco, has coined its safety approach as "Constitutional AI." This methodology involves employing a set of principles to guide the chatbot's decision-making process while generating text. By drawing inspiration from various influential documents and frameworks, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Claude 2 aims to prioritise responsible and ethical text generation. The Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) has recently expressed its concerns over the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on the income of UK authors. Also read | Financial crisis hits hard: Indian firm enforces salary cap of US$914 amid cash crunch In response to a survey conducted by the guild, more than six out of 10 authors reported that they believed AI would lead to a decline in their earnings, reported the Guardian. To address these concerns, the WGGB has called for the establishment of an independent AI regulator and proposed several measures to safeguard the rights and interests of writers. The call for an independent AI regulator The WGGB's policy statement, released on Wednesday, emphasised the need for an independent regulatory body to oversee the use of AI. The guild believes that such a regulator would ensure accountability and transparency in AI development, safeguarding the interests of authors and preventing potential exploitation. By advocating for an independent AI regulator, the WGGB aims to establish a framework that promotes fairness and protects the livelihoods of writers. Transparency in AI development to address concerns regarding the use of writers' work in AI systems, the WGGB proposes that AI developers maintain comprehensive logs of the information used to train their systems. Watch | 'AI to impact all sectors in India,' says Prof B Ravindran in conversation with WION This would enable writers to verify whether their work has been utilised without their consent. The guild emphasises the importance of writers having control over their intellectual property and seeks to empower them through increased transparency in AI development. The WGGB emphasises that AI developers should seek explicit permission from writers before utilising their work. This proposal aims to ensure that authors have control over the usage of their creative output in AI systems. Additionally, the guild suggests that AI-generated content should be clearly labelled, enabling users to differentiate between human-created and AI-generated works. By implementing these measures, the WGGB aims to preserve the integrity of authors' work and maintain transparency for consumers. Copyright Protections and Restrictions on Scraping The WGGB highlights the importance of copyright protections in the digital age. It urges the government to reject any copyright exceptions that may enable the unauthorised scraping of writers' work from the internet. This measure seeks to prevent the indiscriminate use of authors' content in AI systems and preserve their rights as creators. By advocating for strong copyright protections, the WGGB aims to foster an environment that encourages creativity while safeguarding the interests of writers. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Meet Claude 2: ChatGPT's rival introduces novel-summarising chatbot

The novelist, who was stabbed and gravely wounded at a literary event last year, received an award from the Freedom of Expression organization. Watch the video to know more.

Salman Rushdie makes surprise appearance at PEN America Gala

Author Salman Rushdie has warned that freedom of expression in the West is under its most severe threat in his lifetime. 75-year-old Rushdie looked thinner than before the attack and wore glasses with one tinted lens. He was blinded in his right eye and suffered nerve damage to his hand when he was attacked at a literary festival in new york state in August. Rushdie spent years in hiding with police protection after Iran’s grand ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa in 1989. The 1989 edict called for his death over the alleged blasphemy of the novel - the satanic verses. He gradually returned to public life after the Iranian government distanced itself from the order in 1998, saying it would not back any effort to kill Rushdie. Rushdie won the booker prize in 1981 for his novel - midnight's Children; and in 2008, was voted the best-ever winner of the prestigious fiction prize. His most recent novel - victory city - completed a month before the attack, was published in February.

Rushdie says freedom of expression in West at critical juncture | Author was attacked in New York

The book Guess What? by renowned Australian author Mem Fox is banned under Florida's controversial "Parental Rights in Education" bill, commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" law by opponents of state governor Ron DeSantis.

The book was banned in the Jacksonville county of Duval. As per the bill, Duval Schools prohibit the distribution of “any picture, photograph, drawing … of a person or portion of the human body which depicts nudity or sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sexual battery, bestiality, or sadomasochistic abuse and which is harmful to minors."&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pti-to-file-firs-against-rangers-nab-over-imrans-abduction-on-9-may-592450">PTI to file FIRs against Rangers, NAB over Imran’s ‘abduction’ on 9 May</a>

<h2>What are the 'objectionable' content in the book?&nbsp;</h2>

Mem Fox is the author of Australia’s highest-selling children’s book, Possum Magic. Her book Guess What? contains illustrations of its lead character, a witch called Daisy O’Grady. The book has illustrations by Vivienne Goodman wherein O’Grady is depicted taking a bath. To the county that banned it, the illustration appeared pornographic.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-26-killed-in-tractor-trailer-van-crash-in-northern-mexico-592444">At least 26 killed as tractor trailer and van collide in northern Mexico</a>

Commenting on the issue, Mem Fox's agent said in a statement, “We have nothing to say on this issue. Duval County is a county of 997,000 people in Florida. It is not important.”

Apart from Mem Fox's book Guess What?, many other books have also been banned in Florida.&nbsp;

According to PEN America, which stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide, as many as 565 books were banned in Florida since 2021 under the controversial legislation.&nbsp;

Watch | Turkey Election 2023: Preliminary numbers show President Erdogan in the lead

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One of the directions given to Florida schools was to “empty libraries and cover classroom bookshelves," reported The Guardian.&nbsp;

Books of many renowned authors have been removed from school libraries and classrooms. Those includes big names such as Booker prize winners Margaret Atwood and Arundhati Roy, and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison.&nbsp;

In order to not randomly let the books leave the school libraries, teachers in Duval and Manatee counties are asked to review every book before they are banned and taken away from the classrooms, PEN America said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The book Guess What? by renowned Australian author Mem Fox is banned under Florida's controversial "Parental Rights in Education" bill, commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" law by opponents of state governor Ron DeSantis.

The book Guess What? by renowned Australian author Mem Fox is banned under Florida's controversial "Parental Rights in Education" bill, commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" law by opponents of state governor Ron DeSantis. The book was banned in the Jacksonville county of Duval. As per the bill, Duval Schools prohibit the distribution of “any picture, photograph, drawing … of a person or portion of the human body which depicts nudity or sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sexual battery, bestiality, or sadomasochistic abuse and which is harmful to minors." Also Read | PTI to file FIRs against Rangers, NAB over Imran’s ‘abduction’ on 9 May What are the 'objectionable' content in the book? Mem Fox is the author of Australia’s highest-selling children’s book, Possum Magic. Her book Guess What? contains illustrations of its lead character, a witch called Daisy O’Grady. The book has illustrations by Vivienne Goodman wherein O’Grady is depicted taking a bath. To the county that banned it, the illustration appeared pornographic. Also Read | At least 26 killed as tractor trailer and van collide in northern Mexico Commenting on the issue, Mem Fox's agent said in a statement, “We have nothing to say on this issue. Duval County is a county of 997,000 people in Florida. It is not important.” Apart from Mem Fox's book Guess What?, many other books have also been banned in Florida. According to PEN America, which stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide, as many as 565 books were banned in Florida since 2021 under the controversial legislation. Watch | Turkey Election 2023: Preliminary numbers show President Erdogan in the lead × One of the directions given to Florida schools was to “empty libraries and cover classroom bookshelves," reported The Guardian. Books of many renowned authors have been removed from school libraries and classrooms. Those includes big names such as Booker prize winners Margaret Atwood and Arundhati Roy, and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison. In order to not randomly let the books leave the school libraries, teachers in Duval and Manatee counties are asked to review every book before they are banned and taken away from the classrooms, PEN America said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Florida governor Ron DeSantis' bill bans Mem Fox's book Guess What? as 'pornographic'

We introduce you to a young boy who is doing a lot more than you and I can imagine. He is an app developer, an author, and a YouTuber and you know what's even more interesting? He is just 8. Watch the story to know more about him.

8-year-old: App developer, Author and YouTuber | Tech It Out

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Trending on WION: Salman Rushdie's attacker appears in court, pleads not guilty

Indian-born booker prize winner and author Salman Rushdie was stabbed in the neck at an event in New York. He was rushed to the local hospital and the attacker is in police custody.

Indian-born booker prize winner Salman Rushdie attacked in New York

Attack on Author Salman Rushdie in the US: Rushdie is on a ventilator after a stabbing attack

Author Salman Rushdie on ventilator after stabbing attack by 24-year-old from Fairfield, New Jersey

Author Salman Rushdie attacked, currently on ventilator

Author Salman Rushdie attacked in the US: Politicians & writers express horror & anger

Author Salman Rushdie attacked in the US, likely to lose one eye

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