<p>For someone outside the scientific community, the data collected from NASA telescopes can get super-complicated and hard to comprehend when seen on images. But what if the data is used for creating original music that can be played by musicians?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Giving out the details of a new phase of the “sonification” project, NASA said that since 2020 the project at its Chandra X-ray Center has "translated the digital data taken by telescopes into notes and sounds."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The project is enchanting and with its help, anyone can "experience the data through the sense of hearing instead of seeing it as images, a more common way to present astronomical data."&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, a new stride has been made in the project and an earlier unchartered territory has been explored.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A team in collaboration with composer Sophie Kastner has converted the data into music that can now be played by musicians. “It’s like writing a fictional story that is largely based on real facts,” said composer Sophie Kastner and added, “We are taking the data from space that has been translated into sound and putting a new and human twist on it."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is the data related?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This is a pilot programme and the data which is converted into playable music is taken from a small region at the centre of our Milky Way galaxy. This is the region where a supermassive black hole is present.&nbsp;The intriguing region is spread in about 400 light-years.</p>

<p>The telescopes that have delved deep into this region are&nbsp;NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope, and retired Spitzer Space Telescope.</p>

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<p>Chandra visualisation and emerging technology scientist Kimberly Arcand said,&nbsp;"We’ve been working with these data, taken in X-ray, visible, and infrared light, for years."</p>

<p>“Translating these data into sound was a big step, and now with Sophie we are again trying something completely new for us,"&nbsp;Arcand added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How is the music created?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>With the help of various kinds of algorithms, the computer first helps in mapping the data to sounds that humans can understand.&nbsp;While working on this project, Kastner zoomed in on small sections of the data image.</p>

<p>She created "spotlights on certain parts of the image that are easily overlooked when the full sonification is played."&nbsp;</p>

<p>“In some ways, this is just another way for humans to interact with the night sky just as they have throughout recorded history,” says Arcand adding, “We are using different tools but the concept of being inspired by the heavens to make art remains the same.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


For someone outside the scientific community, the data collected from NASA telescopes can get super-complicated and hard to comprehend when seen on images. But what if the data is used for creating original music that can be played by musicians?

For someone outside the scientific community, the data collected from NASA telescopes can get super-complicated and hard to comprehend when seen on images. But what if the data is used for creating original music that can be played by musicians? Giving out the details of a new phase of the “sonification” project, NASA said that since 2020 the project at its Chandra X-ray Center has "translated the digital data taken by telescopes into notes and sounds." The project is enchanting and with its help, anyone can "experience the data through the sense of hearing instead of seeing it as images, a more common way to present astronomical data." However, a new stride has been made in the project and an earlier unchartered territory has been explored. A team in collaboration with composer Sophie Kastner has converted the data into music that can now be played by musicians. “It’s like writing a fictional story that is largely based on real facts,” said composer Sophie Kastner and added, “We are taking the data from space that has been translated into sound and putting a new and human twist on it." What is the data related? This is a pilot programme and the data which is converted into playable music is taken from a small region at the centre of our Milky Way galaxy. This is the region where a supermassive black hole is present. The intriguing region is spread in about 400 light-years. The telescopes that have delved deep into this region are NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope, and retired Spitzer Space Telescope. × Chandra visualisation and emerging technology scientist Kimberly Arcand said, "We’ve been working with these data, taken in X-ray, visible, and infrared light, for years." “Translating these data into sound was a big step, and now with Sophie we are again trying something completely new for us," Arcand added. How is the music created? With the help of various kinds of algorithms, the computer first helps in mapping the data to sounds that humans can understand. While working on this project, Kastner zoomed in on small sections of the data image. She created "spotlights on certain parts of the image that are easily overlooked when the full sonification is played." “In some ways, this is just another way for humans to interact with the night sky just as they have throughout recorded history,” says Arcand adding, “We are using different tools but the concept of being inspired by the heavens to make art remains the same.” (With inputs from agencies)

'Like writing a fictional story': NASA's telescopic data from Milky Way played by musicians  | WATCH

In this episode of Tech It Out, we tell you how deepfake technology is. We explain how easy it is to buy sensitive data about U.S. Military personnel. Find out how tech solutions are helping people with Parkinson's disease. Don't miss out – watch the full show for all the details.

Deepfakes targeting women, sensitive U.S. military data on sale, and more | Tech It Out: ​EP 134

According to research by Duke University, you can buy personal information of serving US military members on the dark web for as little as 12 cents per head. Researchers funded by the military academy at West Point posed as buyers who contacted data broker firms that sold data sets.

Data brokers selling US service members' data as little as 12 cents per person

<p>Highly sensitive information of the US military personnel, including their families, and veterans, is being sold online in pennies and dimes per person, a new study from Duke University has found.</p>

<p>The data includes the personnel's health status, details of their family members, their home address, and work location.&nbsp;The university’s brokerage research project was able to purchase these information from sites that collect and sell personal information.</p>

<p>Some of those sites curated the search criteria to military demographics like branch, duty and veteran status, the report noted.</p>

<p>The research team was able to buy the data for as cheap as $0.12 per record.</p>

<h2><strong>US national security at risk</strong></h2>

<p>They also found that a vast unregulated, multibillion-dollar industry is thriving online in the US that spans from major credit reporting agencies to obscure analytics firms to mobile apps that quietly sell users’ location data.</p>

<p>“It was way too easy to obtain this data: a simple domain, 12 cents a service member, and no background checks on our purchases,” Justin Sherman, a senior fellow at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy who runs its data brokerage research project, told CNN.</p>

<p>“If our research team, subject to university research ethics and privacy processes, could do this in an academic study, a foreign adversary could get data in a heartbeat to profile, blackmail, or target military personnel,” Sherman added.</p>

<p>These data are usually purchased by data brokers to conduct legitimate information surveys, such as background checks and credit checks.</p>

<p>However, there has been a growing concern that a foreign intelligence service can trace the whereabouts and expose vulnerabilities of US military members simply by shopping for the information online, as the sites that sell these information online don't conduct background checks on potential buyers.</p>

<h2><strong>Govt yet to act on it&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The government has already taken note of it, with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau saying in August that it was&nbsp;exploring new rules that would bar data brokers from selling certain information except for specific circumstances.</p>

<p><strong>Also read </strong>|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-ex-prez-donald-trump-fights-with-judge-during-testimony-in-civil-fraud-trial-655906">Ex-US prez Donald Trump fights with judge during testimony in civil fraud trial</a></p>

<p>The Federal Trade Commission is currently considering new regulations to crack down on data brokers, CNN reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also read </strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/australian-woman-allegedly-dies-due-to-side-effects-of-weight-loss-medication-ozempic-656025">Australian woman allegedly dies due to side-effects of weight loss medication Ozempic</a></p>

<p>“We cannot comment on any company’s specific practices,” an FTC spokesperson told the news outlet.</p>

<p>“However, we have repeatedly raised concerns about the practices of data brokers and their potential impact on consumer privacy. We are prepared to take action against any company that fails to safeguard consumer data and follow applicable laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act.”</p>


Highly sensitive information of the US military personnel, including their families, and veterans, is being sold online in pennies and dimes per person, a new study from Duke University has found.

Highly sensitive information of the US military personnel, including their families, and veterans, is being sold online in pennies and dimes per person, a new study from Duke University has found. The data includes the personnel's health status, details of their family members, their home address, and work location. The university’s brokerage research project was able to purchase these information from sites that collect and sell personal information. Some of those sites curated the search criteria to military demographics like branch, duty and veteran status, the report noted. The research team was able to buy the data for as cheap as $0.12 per record. US national security at risk They also found that a vast unregulated, multibillion-dollar industry is thriving online in the US that spans from major credit reporting agencies to obscure analytics firms to mobile apps that quietly sell users’ location data. “It was way too easy to obtain this data: a simple domain, 12 cents a service member, and no background checks on our purchases,” Justin Sherman, a senior fellow at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy who runs its data brokerage research project, told CNN. “If our research team, subject to university research ethics and privacy processes, could do this in an academic study, a foreign adversary could get data in a heartbeat to profile, blackmail, or target military personnel,” Sherman added. These data are usually purchased by data brokers to conduct legitimate information surveys, such as background checks and credit checks. However, there has been a growing concern that a foreign intelligence service can trace the whereabouts and expose vulnerabilities of US military members simply by shopping for the information online, as the sites that sell these information online don't conduct background checks on potential buyers. Govt yet to act on it The government has already taken note of it, with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau saying in August that it was exploring new rules that would bar data brokers from selling certain information except for specific circumstances. Also read | Ex-US prez Donald Trump fights with judge during testimony in civil fraud trial The Federal Trade Commission is currently considering new regulations to crack down on data brokers, CNN reported. Also read Australian woman allegedly dies due to side-effects of weight loss medication Ozempic “We cannot comment on any company’s specific practices,” an FTC spokesperson told the news outlet. “However, we have repeatedly raised concerns about the practices of data brokers and their potential impact on consumer privacy. We are prepared to take action against any company that fails to safeguard consumer data and follow applicable laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act.”

Sensitive data of US military personnel being sold online for pennies: Report

<p>The ongoing Israel-Hamas war&nbsp;has led to widespread devastation, causing injuries, disabilities, building destruction, and loss of life. Beyond being an international relations crisis, this war is also a public health emergency with far-reaching consequences.</p>

<p>Israelis, Palestinians, and those in conflict zones face challenges such as food and water shortages, mental health stress, and displacement-related health risks. The effects extend beyond war-torn areas to affect people worldwide.</p>

<p>The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) raised concerns about the Gaza Strip, where vital supplies are running low due to Israel's total blockade following Hamas attacks.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-is-the-rafah-border-crossing-the-last-hope-for-gaza-palestinians-647401">Also read |&nbsp;Explained: Is the Rafah border crossing the last hope for Gaza Palestinians?</a></p>

<h2><strong>Gaza&nbsp;crisis</strong></h2>

<p>Food and water shortages in the region are rapidly edging towards a dire situation. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of a lack of fuel for hospital generators in Gaza and stranded stocks of aid and medicine. The Israeli military's massive air attacks have forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes.</p>

<p><img alt="Graph" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7593c377-620a-4838-9be7-b12a920823e8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20Design%20%2837%29.png" /></p>

<p>Brian Lander, Deputy Head of Emergencies at WFP, highlighted&nbsp;the worsening conditions for people in Gaza.</p>

<p>He called on Israel and Egypt to create secure corridors for WFP supplies and ensure the safety of UN&nbsp;staff working in the area. Meanwhile, a Palestinian doctor in Gaza voiced concerns about a looming health disaster due to dwindling fuel and medical supplies in hospitals.</p>

<p>In response to the devastating attack by Hamas, Israel imposed a "total blockade," cutting off food supplies and electricity to Gaza. The situation escalated as shops started running out of essential items. Dr. Mohammed Zaqout, Head of the Nasser Medical Complex told Reuters that a lack of power could lead to a "catastrophe", hampering patient treatment.</p>

<p>The United Nations appealed to Israel to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, a densely populated area with 2.3 million residents. Health officials in Gaza resorted to using ice cream freezer trucks to store the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes. The shortage of safe passage and overcrowded cemeteries led to this grim solution.</p>

<p>The conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified, with Israel launching a fierce bombardment in response to Hamas's deadliest attack in decades. The situation has prompted the Israeli military to consider allowing Gazans to evacuate south in anticipation of a ground assault. As a result of Israeli air strikes, more than 2,300 people in Gaza, a quarter of whom are children, have died, and nearly 10,000 others are wounded. Hospitals are struggling with limited supplies and a growing number of casualties. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas, indicating that the Gaza death toll is likely to rise.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crisis-looms-in-gaza-hospitals-to-run-out-of-fuel-in-24-hours-says-un-647315">Also read |&nbsp;Crisis looms in Gaza: Hospitals to run out of fuel in 24 hours, says UN</a></p>

<p>Dr Yasser Ali from the Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah shared with Reuters the dire situation in Gaza, where the capacity of morgues is insufficient to accommodate the number of casualties. In Gaza City, preparations are underway to create mass graves due to the large number of unburied bodies.</p>

<p>The conflict's impact extends beyond the immediate battleground, leading to severe humanitarian and public health crises in the region.</p>

<p><em><strong>(With inputs from agencies)</strong></em></p>

<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</em></strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has led to widespread devastation, causing injuries, disabilities, building destruction, and loss of life. Beyond being an international relations crisis, this war is also a public health emergency with far-reaching consequences.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has led to widespread devastation, causing injuries, disabilities, building destruction, and loss of life. Beyond being an international relations crisis, this war is also a public health emergency with far-reaching consequences. Israelis, Palestinians, and those in conflict zones face challenges such as food and water shortages, mental health stress, and displacement-related health risks. The effects extend beyond war-torn areas to affect people worldwide. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) raised concerns about the Gaza Strip, where vital supplies are running low due to Israel's total blockade following Hamas attacks. Also read | Explained: Is the Rafah border crossing the last hope for Gaza Palestinians? Gaza crisis Food and water shortages in the region are rapidly edging towards a dire situation. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of a lack of fuel for hospital generators in Gaza and stranded stocks of aid and medicine. The Israeli military's massive air attacks have forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes. Brian Lander, Deputy Head of Emergencies at WFP, highlighted the worsening conditions for people in Gaza. He called on Israel and Egypt to create secure corridors for WFP supplies and ensure the safety of UN staff working in the area. Meanwhile, a Palestinian doctor in Gaza voiced concerns about a looming health disaster due to dwindling fuel and medical supplies in hospitals. In response to the devastating attack by Hamas, Israel imposed a "total blockade," cutting off food supplies and electricity to Gaza. The situation escalated as shops started running out of essential items. Dr. Mohammed Zaqout, Head of the Nasser Medical Complex told Reuters that a lack of power could lead to a "catastrophe", hampering patient treatment. The United Nations appealed to Israel to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, a densely populated area with 2.3 million residents. Health officials in Gaza resorted to using ice cream freezer trucks to store the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes. The shortage of safe passage and overcrowded cemeteries led to this grim solution. The conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified, with Israel launching a fierce bombardment in response to Hamas's deadliest attack in decades. The situation has prompted the Israeli military to consider allowing Gazans to evacuate south in anticipation of a ground assault. As a result of Israeli air strikes, more than 2,300 people in Gaza, a quarter of whom are children, have died, and nearly 10,000 others are wounded. Hospitals are struggling with limited supplies and a growing number of casualties. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas, indicating that the Gaza death toll is likely to rise. Also read | Crisis looms in Gaza: Hospitals to run out of fuel in 24 hours, says UN Dr Yasser Ali from the Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah shared with Reuters the dire situation in Gaza, where the capacity of morgues is insufficient to accommodate the number of casualties. In Gaza City, preparations are underway to create mass graves due to the large number of unburied bodies. The conflict's impact extends beyond the immediate battleground, leading to severe humanitarian and public health crises in the region. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab: A 'health disaster' unfolds amid Israel-Hamas war

The German antitrust body has secured a major win against a big tech firm. Alphabet's Google has agreed to change its user data practices to end an antitrust investigation aimed at curbing its data-driven market power. He added that this will not only protect the users' right to determine the use of their data but also curb Google’s data-driven market power.

Google settles German antitrust probe

<p>In the&nbsp;current age of hustle, people over 50 years of age&nbsp;in the UK are embracing part-time work rather than opting for traditional retirement or pursuing full-time work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the 2021 Office for National Statistics, a record 3.6 million people above the age of 50 are working part-time. In total, almost a quarter of people above the age of 50 work part-time and makeup about 42 per cent of those&nbsp;choosing not to work a full 40-hour work week, The Sunday Times reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/celestial-treat-heres-how-and-when-to-see-ring-of-fire-solar-eclipse-in-october-641653">The 'ring of fire' solar eclipse is almost here. Here's how and when to see it</a></strong></p>

<p>Furthermore, the most recent census in 2021 showed that 3.4 per cent of over-50s who work part-time jobs are in some form of road transport, making it the sixth-most popular job in this age group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite an increase in the employment rate among 50 to 64-year-olds, it is not yet back to pre-pandemic levels. Over the past year, the rate increased by 0.6 percentage points to 71.3 per cent, slightly below the 2019 record high of 72.5 per cent.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-jennifer-aniston-54-shares-her-four-rule-fitness-mantra-to-stay-in-shape-641457">Jennifer Aniston, 54, shares her four-rule fitness mantra to stay in shape</a></strong></p>

<p>As per a study by the Resolution Foundation think tank, there are several considerable factors linked to this long rise in employment. The think tank suggested that the overall strength of the economy before the financial crisis, the rise of the service sector and tighter regulations for health-related retirement in public pension programmes have played key roles in keeping people working for longer.&nbsp;Many of those working have said that&nbsp;retaining a work-life balance is the reason they continue to work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, the good working hours among people have led to a rise in older people looking to take up truck driving. A recruitment agency named Manpower said that the proportion of applicants aged between 50 and 59 for its HGV driving bootcamp rose from 15 per cent to 19 per cent between 2022 and 2023.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


In the current age of hustle, people over 50 years of age in the UK are embracing part-time work rather than opting for traditional retirement or pursuing full-time work.

In the current age of hustle, people over 50 years of age in the UK are embracing part-time work rather than opting for traditional retirement or pursuing full-time work. According to the 2021 Office for National Statistics, a record 3.6 million people above the age of 50 are working part-time. In total, almost a quarter of people above the age of 50 work part-time and makeup about 42 per cent of those choosing not to work a full 40-hour work week, The Sunday Times reported. Also read | The 'ring of fire' solar eclipse is almost here. Here's how and when to see it Furthermore, the most recent census in 2021 showed that 3.4 per cent of over-50s who work part-time jobs are in some form of road transport, making it the sixth-most popular job in this age group. Despite an increase in the employment rate among 50 to 64-year-olds, it is not yet back to pre-pandemic levels. Over the past year, the rate increased by 0.6 percentage points to 71.3 per cent, slightly below the 2019 record high of 72.5 per cent. Also read |Jennifer Aniston, 54, shares her four-rule fitness mantra to stay in shape As per a study by the Resolution Foundation think tank, there are several considerable factors linked to this long rise in employment. The think tank suggested that the overall strength of the economy before the financial crisis, the rise of the service sector and tighter regulations for health-related retirement in public pension programmes have played key roles in keeping people working for longer. Many of those working have said that retaining a work-life balance is the reason they continue to work. Additionally, the good working hours among people have led to a rise in older people looking to take up truck driving. A recruitment agency named Manpower said that the proportion of applicants aged between 50 and 59 for its HGV driving bootcamp rose from 15 per cent to 19 per cent between 2022 and 2023. (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.

'In the age of hustle': People above the age of 50 choose to work rather than retire

<p>Trade negotiations between India and Canada have hit a snag amid escalating tensions. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's mention of a probe into "credible allegations" connecting New Delhi's agents to the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar has further strained relations.</p>

<p>On Tuesday (September 19), New Delhi dismissed these allegations as "absurd" and urged Canada to take action against anti-India elements operating on its land. This comes as a surprise move, given that just three months ago, both countries expressed their intent to finalise an initial agreement within the year.</p>

<p>Experts say&nbsp;the <a href="https://commerce.gov.in/international-trade/trade-agreements/indias-current-engagements-in-rtas/india-canada-comprehensive-economic-partnership-agreement-cepa/">Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement </a>(CEPA) between Canada and India has the potential to substantially boost bilateral trade by up to $6.5 billion, with Canada's GDP standing to gain between $3.8 billion and $5.9 billion by 2035.</p>

<p>Recent years have witnessed a steady increase in goods trade, with total trade reaching $8 billion in 2022. <a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/india/exports/canada">Indian exports to Canada</a> totalled $4 billion, mirroring <a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/canada/exports/india#:~:text=Canada%20Exports%20to%20India%20was,updated%20on%20September%20of%202023">imports from Canada</a>, which were also valued at over $4 billion.</p>

<p>Canada primarily exports energy products, including coal, coke, and briquettes, along with fertilisers, while India exports consumer goods, clothing, engineering products like auto parts and aircraft equipment, as well as electronic items according to&nbsp;Trading Economics, a repository on global economic indicators.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tit-for-tat-new-delhi-cautions-indians-against-travelling-to-canada-amidst-diplomatic-standoff-637878">Tit-for-tat: New Delhi warns Indians on ‘politically-condoned’ hate crimes in Canada travel advisory</a></p>

<h2><strong>What does Canada export to India?</strong></h2>

<p>Notably, Canada's main exports to India in 2022 comprised fossil fuels and related products valued at nearly $1 billion, followed by fertilisers at approximately $748 million, and wood pulp and plant fibres&nbsp;worth about $384 million.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pharmaceutical products, worth about $418 million, constituted the bulk of Indian exports in the previous year, followed by iron and steel products at approximately $328 million and machinery, nuclear reactors, and boilers at around $287 million.</p>

<p>India's increasing demand for lentils has been a boon for Canadian farmers, while Indian pharmaceutical and software companies have expanded their presence in the Canadian market.</p>

<p>Notably, Canada ranks as India's 17th largest foreign investor, injecting more than $3.6 billion since 2000. Canadian portfolio investors have also made substantial investments in Indian stock and debt markets.</p>

<p>The Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) increased its investments in Indian markets to around $15 billion, primarily in areas like real estate, renewables, and the financial sector by the end of the last fiscal year in March 2023.</p>

<p>Over 600 Canadian companies, including Bombardier and SNC Lavalin, have established a strong presence in India, while more than 30 Indian companies, such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro, have invested billions in Canada, generating thousands of jobs.</p>

<p>Since 2018, India has been the leading source country for international students in Canada. In 2022, their numbers surged by 47 per cent&nbsp;to nearly 320,000, constituting about 40 per cent&nbsp;of all overseas students, as reported by the Canadian Bureau of International Education. This influx also enables universities and colleges to provide subsidised education to domestic students.</p>

<h3><em>Top countries of study permit holders with a valid permit in Canada in 2022</em></h3>

<p><strong><em>Data source: Statista</em></strong></p>

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<p>Many analysts are concerned that deteriorating relations between the two nations could impact the economic well-being of thousands of Sikh families in India's Sikh-majority state of Punjab. These families have relatives in Canada who remit millions of dollars back home. According to the 2021 census, Canada's Sikh population has more than doubled over 20 years, reaching 2.1 per cent, driven by a significant migration of Sikhs from India in pursuit of higher education and employment opportunities.</p>

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Trade negotiations between India and Canada have hit a snag amid escalating tensions. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's mention of a probe into "credible allegations" connecting New Delhi's agents to the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar has further strained relations.

Trade negotiations between India and Canada have hit a snag amid escalating tensions. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's mention of a probe into "credible allegations" connecting New Delhi's agents to the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar has further strained relations. On Tuesday (September 19), New Delhi dismissed these allegations as "absurd" and urged Canada to take action against anti-India elements operating on its land. This comes as a surprise move, given that just three months ago, both countries expressed their intent to finalise an initial agreement within the year. Experts say the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Canada and India has the potential to substantially boost bilateral trade by up to $6.5 billion, with Canada's GDP standing to gain between $3.8 billion and $5.9 billion by 2035. Recent years have witnessed a steady increase in goods trade, with total trade reaching $8 billion in 2022. Indian exports to Canada totalled $4 billion, mirroring imports from Canada, which were also valued at over $4 billion. Canada primarily exports energy products, including coal, coke, and briquettes, along with fertilisers, while India exports consumer goods, clothing, engineering products like auto parts and aircraft equipment, as well as electronic items according to Trading Economics, a repository on global economic indicators. Also read | Tit-for-tat: New Delhi warns Indians on ‘politically-condoned’ hate crimes in Canada travel advisory What does Canada export to India? Notably, Canada's main exports to India in 2022 comprised fossil fuels and related products valued at nearly $1 billion, followed by fertilisers at approximately $748 million, and wood pulp and plant fibres worth about $384 million. Pharmaceutical products, worth about $418 million, constituted the bulk of Indian exports in the previous year, followed by iron and steel products at approximately $328 million and machinery, nuclear reactors, and boilers at around $287 million. India's increasing demand for lentils has been a boon for Canadian farmers, while Indian pharmaceutical and software companies have expanded their presence in the Canadian market. Notably, Canada ranks as India's 17th largest foreign investor, injecting more than $3.6 billion since 2000. Canadian portfolio investors have also made substantial investments in Indian stock and debt markets. The Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) increased its investments in Indian markets to around $15 billion, primarily in areas like real estate, renewables, and the financial sector by the end of the last fiscal year in March 2023. Over 600 Canadian companies, including Bombardier and SNC Lavalin, have established a strong presence in India, while more than 30 Indian companies, such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro, have invested billions in Canada, generating thousands of jobs. Since 2018, India has been the leading source country for international students in Canada. In 2022, their numbers surged by 47 per cent to nearly 320,000, constituting about 40 per cent of all overseas students, as reported by the Canadian Bureau of International Education. This influx also enables universities and colleges to provide subsidised education to domestic students. Top countries of study permit holders with a valid permit in Canada in 2022 Data source: Statista × Many analysts are concerned that deteriorating relations between the two nations could impact the economic well-being of thousands of Sikh families in India's Sikh-majority state of Punjab. These families have relatives in Canada who remit millions of dollars back home. According to the 2021 census, Canada's Sikh population has more than doubled over 20 years, reaching 2.1 per cent, driven by a significant migration of Sikhs from India in pursuit of higher education and employment opportunities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab: Will the clash over Nijjar murder turn India-Canada trade ties sour?

<p>AI researchers at Microsoft have committed a grave error, as revealed in a recent report by cloud security company Wiz. The Microsoft AI research team inadvertently disclosed a massive&nbsp;38 terabytes of the company's confidential data.</p>

<p>Among the exposed data were complete backups of two employees' computers, housing sensitive personal information such as passwords for Microsoft services, secret keys, and over 30,000 internal Microsoft Teams messages from more than 350 Microsoft employees, reported Mashable.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-cyber-threats-in-healthcare-digital-india-and-the-need-to-beef-up-cyber-security-601894">Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare</a></p>

<h2><strong>So, how did this&nbsp;incident occur?</strong></h2>

<p>According to the report, the Microsoft AI team uploaded a repository of training data containing open-source code and AI models designed for image recognition. Users stumbling upon this Github repository acquired&nbsp;a link from Azure, Microsoft's cloud storage service, enabling them to download these models.</p>

<p>However, a critical flaw cropped up:&nbsp;the link provided by Microsoft's AI team granted visitors unrestricted access to the entire Azure storage account. This meant that visitors not only had the ability to browse through all the content&nbsp;within the account but also had the power to upload, overwrite, or delete files at their discretion.</p>

<p>Wiz said this vulnerability stemmed from an Azure feature known as Shared Access Signature (SAS) tokens, which essentially offers a signed URL for accessing Azure Storage data. The SAS token could have been configured with specific limitations governing which files could be accessed. The link in question had been configured with full access rights.</p>

<p>Compounding the issue, Wiz noted that this data had seemingly been exposed since 2020. This extended period of exposure significantly amplified the potential risks associated with the breach.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Bard Gets Smarter: Google AI Chatbot gets new features</strong></p>

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<p>Upon discovering this security lapse, Wiz&nbsp;notified Microsoft on June 22 this year. Microsoft invalidated the SAS token within two days, effectively sealing the vulnerability. Subsequently, Microsoft conducted a comprehensive investigation into the potential repercussions, successfully concluding it by August.</p>

<p>Microsoft has issued a statement to TechCrunch, asserting that "no customer data was exposed, and no other internal services were put at risk because of this issue."&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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AI researchers at Microsoft have committed a grave error, as revealed in a recent report by cloud security company Wiz. The Microsoft AI research team inadvertently disclosed a massive 38 terabytes of the company's confidential data.

AI researchers at Microsoft have committed a grave error, as revealed in a recent report by cloud security company Wiz. The Microsoft AI research team inadvertently disclosed a massive 38 terabytes of the company's confidential data. Among the exposed data were complete backups of two employees' computers, housing sensitive personal information such as passwords for Microsoft services, secret keys, and over 30,000 internal Microsoft Teams messages from more than 350 Microsoft employees, reported Mashable. Also read | Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare So, how did this incident occur? According to the report, the Microsoft AI team uploaded a repository of training data containing open-source code and AI models designed for image recognition. Users stumbling upon this Github repository acquired a link from Azure, Microsoft's cloud storage service, enabling them to download these models. However, a critical flaw cropped up: the link provided by Microsoft's AI team granted visitors unrestricted access to the entire Azure storage account. This meant that visitors not only had the ability to browse through all the content within the account but also had the power to upload, overwrite, or delete files at their discretion. Wiz said this vulnerability stemmed from an Azure feature known as Shared Access Signature (SAS) tokens, which essentially offers a signed URL for accessing Azure Storage data. The SAS token could have been configured with specific limitations governing which files could be accessed. The link in question had been configured with full access rights. Compounding the issue, Wiz noted that this data had seemingly been exposed since 2020. This extended period of exposure significantly amplified the potential risks associated with the breach. Also watch | Bard Gets Smarter: Google AI Chatbot gets new features Upon discovering this security lapse, Wiz notified Microsoft on June 22 this year. Microsoft invalidated the SAS token within two days, effectively sealing the vulnerability. Subsequently, Microsoft conducted a comprehensive investigation into the potential repercussions, successfully concluding it by August. Microsoft has issued a statement to TechCrunch, asserting that "no customer data was exposed, and no other internal services were put at risk because of this issue." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Microsoft made the grave error of accidentally leaking sensitive data. This is what happened next

<p>The recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi captured the attention of internet users worldwide, with a surge in interest, especially last week weekend. The English Wikipedia article titled "2023 G20 New Delhi Summit," published in October 2022, has amassed 1.7 million global page views.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the G20 Summit hosted in New Delhi, India found itself under the global media spotlight for several days. This attention has translated into a remarkable increase in pageviews for the English Wikipedia article. In August 2023, pageviews surged fourfold compared to July 2023, reaching over 220,000, and within the first two weeks of September 2023, they skyrocketed to over 550,000.</p>

<p>The heightened interest in the article not only reflects the global fascination with the event but also underscores India's prominence on the international stage. The G20 Summit and India's presidency have sparked widespread curiosity and engagement.</p>

<p>This fascination extends beyond the English-speaking audience, as the article has been translated into 18 languages, including French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish, accumulating a combined total of over 1.96 million pageviews.&nbsp; Volunteer editors have made hundreds of edits, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the information. In the case of the English Wikipedia G20 article alone, 166 editors have contributed over 450 edits since its publication.</p>

<p>While Wikipedia remained one of the sources of information, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube played a significant role in disseminating information and fostering discussions.&nbsp;India's official G20 Presidency Twitter account, @g20org, garnered substantial attention with a followership of 644.4K. The use of popular hashtags like #G20India and #G20OfCourse facilitated conversations, allowing users to share insights and opinions about the summit.</p>

<p>YouTube, another powerful platform, became a primary source for live streaming the G20 Summit. The official G20 YouTube channel, with 67.4K subscribers, provided an accessible medium for people to watch the proceedings.</p>

<p>Furthermore, various Indian government YouTube channels, including PMO (Prime Minister's Office), MEA (Ministry of External Affairs), and PIB (Press Information Bureau), also streamed the summit and uploaded videos of various bilaterals, accumulating a significant number of views. This shift towards online streaming reflects a broader trend of people preferring digital platforms over traditional television for accessing important events.</p>

<p>The surge in online engagement during the G20 Summit underscores the growing influence of social media and digital platforms in shaping public discourse and disseminating information.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

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The recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi captured the attention of internet users worldwide, with a surge in interest, especially last week weekend. The English Wikipedia article titled "2023 G20 New Delhi Summit," published in October 2022, has amassed 1.

The recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi captured the attention of internet users worldwide, with a surge in interest, especially last week weekend. The English Wikipedia article titled "2023 G20 New Delhi Summit," published in October 2022, has amassed 1.7 million global page views. During the G20 Summit hosted in New Delhi, India found itself under the global media spotlight for several days. This attention has translated into a remarkable increase in pageviews for the English Wikipedia article. In August 2023, pageviews surged fourfold compared to July 2023, reaching over 220,000, and within the first two weeks of September 2023, they skyrocketed to over 550,000. The heightened interest in the article not only reflects the global fascination with the event but also underscores India's prominence on the international stage. The G20 Summit and India's presidency have sparked widespread curiosity and engagement. This fascination extends beyond the English-speaking audience, as the article has been translated into 18 languages, including French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish, accumulating a combined total of over 1.96 million pageviews. Volunteer editors have made hundreds of edits, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the information. In the case of the English Wikipedia G20 article alone, 166 editors have contributed over 450 edits since its publication. While Wikipedia remained one of the sources of information, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube played a significant role in disseminating information and fostering discussions. India's official G20 Presidency Twitter account, @g20org, garnered substantial attention with a followership of 644.4K. The use of popular hashtags like #G20India and #G20OfCourse facilitated conversations, allowing users to share insights and opinions about the summit. YouTube, another powerful platform, became a primary source for live streaming the G20 Summit. The official G20 YouTube channel, with 67.4K subscribers, provided an accessible medium for people to watch the proceedings. Furthermore, various Indian government YouTube channels, including PMO (Prime Minister's Office), MEA (Ministry of External Affairs), and PIB (Press Information Bureau), also streamed the summit and uploaded videos of various bilaterals, accumulating a significant number of views. This shift towards online streaming reflects a broader trend of people preferring digital platforms over traditional television for accessing important events. The surge in online engagement during the G20 Summit underscores the growing influence of social media and digital platforms in shaping public discourse and disseminating information. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Internet was abuzz on India's G20 Summit amid global media spotlight, data shows

Report on the US labour market in August reveals a mix reality. While job growth defied expectations, the unemployment rate experienced a notable uptick. Nonfarm payrolls exceeded expectations, posting a growth of 187,000 jobs, surpassing the estimated 170,000. However, this apparent success is tempered by a significant increase in the unemployment rate, which reached 3.8%, marking its highest level since February 2022.

What the US job market data says

<p>In the grand global population race, India has emerged as the frontrunner, boasting a colossal population of 1,428 million people, just edging past China's 1,425 million. It's a neck-and-neck population contest, but when you peek at their economic narratives, a contrasting tale unfolds.</p>

<p>As per the most recent World Bank data from 2022, China's gross domestic product (GDP) looms large at 17.96 trillion USD, while India's registers at a comparatively modest 3.39 trillion USD. What's noteworthy is that this economic chasm is only growing wider.</p>

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<p><strong><em>The graph above shows the widening gap in Gross domestic product (GDP) between China (in red)&nbsp;and India (in blue).&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

<p>Rewinding to 1980, China and India's economic landscapes were very similar, with GDP numbers almost in lockstep. India even held a slight edge in GDP per capita over its much larger neighbour to the east. However, China embarked on a monumental journey, with its economy surging at an astonishing average rate of 10 per cent between 1980 and 2010, leaving India trailing far behind.</p>

<p>The reasons behind China's meteoric economic ascent are multifaceted. Yet, a pivotal factor lies in the increasing participation of women in China's workforce, adding an extra dimension to its growth story.</p>

<p>With male labour force participation nearly on par in <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS?locations=CN">China</a>&nbsp;(73 per cent as per 2022) and <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS?locations=IN">India</a>&nbsp;(74 per cent as per 2022), the divergence primarily stems from female involvement. In 2022, China boasted a robust 61 per cent female labour force participation rate, whereas India lagged significantly at just 24 per cent.</p>

<p>India can no longer attribute China's larger population as the sole rationale for its superior GDP. This prompts a crucial question: <strong>does this surplus of female labour participation truly underpin China's formidable GDP?</strong> Maybe, Yes.</p>

<p>“The high participation of women in the workforce in China is a combination of its socialist legacy and subsequent economic reforms and opening up after Mao Zedong's (Chinese communist leader and founder of the People's Republic of China) passing. The high level of investment by the state in human capital, education and health is one of the key achievements of Mao era (1949-78). It also emerged from the socialist understanding that both men and women had to participate in labour - starting from agricultural production,” <strong>Dr Anand P. Krishnan, Fellow, Centre for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi NCR, and Visiting Associate Fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies in Delhi told WION.</strong></p>

<p>Following initiatives to protect women's rights, including the marriage law passed after the People's Republic's establishment, Chinese women have enjoyed increased mobility and opportunities. This trend continued with economic reforms since the 1980s, leading to more women pursuing higher education and careers. Declining urban birth rates reduced childcare responsibilities, allowing women to delay starting families. Marriage rates have fallen as women prioritise careers, leading to a rise in female CEOs and a strong presence in retail and service industries. They are also increasing moving to heavy labour intensive sectors - like women constitute nearly 14-16 per cent of all construction workers, explains Dr Krishnan.</p>

<p>The recent dip in the female labour force participation rate to 61 per cent has also got the Party-state to come up with plans to address it. Such as a <a href="https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1008606">10-year plan for women's development</a>.</p>

<p>The Party-state is also intending to ask employers not to mention gender preferences in job advertisement, and also not ask women about their marital and pregnancy status.</p>

<p>“However, notwithstanding this, things are not rosy for women. With the removal of the one-child policy, with the Party-state incrementally raising it to two-child and now three-child, women are now forced to juggle with both work and childcare,” continues Dr Krishnan.</p>

<p>In a <a href="https://ceda.ashoka.edu.in/the-elephant-is-set-to-overtake-the-dragon-or-is-it/">study</a> titled ‘<em>The Elephant is set to overtake the Dragon, or is it?,’</em> conducted by the Centre for Economic Data and Analysis (CEDA) under Ashoka University, there has been a revelation that further fortifies this argument. According to the&nbsp;research, as of 2021, China boasted approximately 478.3 million women aged 15-64, while India's count stood at 458.2 million women in the same age bracket — a disparity that seems slight. However, the female labour force participation rates for that year painted a strikingly different picture; China's workforce encompassed a formidable 338.6 million, whereas India's tally was a mere 112.8 million. So, even though India's working-age demographic group almost mirrored China's in size, but its labour force was noticeably smaller.</p>

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<p><em><strong>*This is an interactive data chart. Click on the bars to get the figures*</strong></em></p>

<h2><strong>When can we expect India to surpass China in terms of its labour force?</strong></h2>

<p>The study suggests that this won't occur in the near future, but there's a glimmer of hope. If we assume that the labour force participation rate (LFPR) remains constant at its most recent levels for both countries, it'll be approximately 27 years before this milestone is reached. It's only in 2051 that India is projected to outpace China in terms of labour force numbers, assuming all other factors remain unchanged. These projections are based on United Nations population estimates spanning up to the year 2100.</p>

<p>Now, if India's LFPR were to surge to 60 per cent, this shift could occur by 2040. However, for India's labour force to surpass China's in absolute numbers by 2030, India's LFPR would need to make a sharp jump from its current level, which hovers at around 58 per cent (based on the labour force participation rate by usual status for the 15-64 age group as estimated by the Periodic Labour Force Survey, 2021-22), to 71 per cent within the next seven years. Achieving such a significant improvement in such a short span of time seems highly unlikely.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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In the grand global population race, India has emerged as the frontrunner, boasting a colossal population of 1,428 million people, just edging past China's 1,425 million.

In the grand global population race, India has emerged as the frontrunner, boasting a colossal population of 1,428 million people, just edging past China's 1,425 million. It's a neck-and-neck population contest, but when you peek at their economic narratives, a contrasting tale unfolds. As per the most recent World Bank data from 2022, China's gross domestic product (GDP) looms large at 17.96 trillion USD, while India's registers at a comparatively modest 3.39 trillion USD. What's noteworthy is that this economic chasm is only growing wider. × The graph above shows the widening gap in Gross domestic product (GDP) between China (in red) and India (in blue). Rewinding to 1980, China and India's economic landscapes were very similar, with GDP numbers almost in lockstep. India even held a slight edge in GDP per capita over its much larger neighbour to the east. However, China embarked on a monumental journey, with its economy surging at an astonishing average rate of 10 per cent between 1980 and 2010, leaving India trailing far behind. The reasons behind China's meteoric economic ascent are multifaceted. Yet, a pivotal factor lies in the increasing participation of women in China's workforce, adding an extra dimension to its growth story. With male labour force participation nearly on par in China (73 per cent as per 2022) and India (74 per cent as per 2022), the divergence primarily stems from female involvement. In 2022, China boasted a robust 61 per cent female labour force participation rate, whereas India lagged significantly at just 24 per cent. India can no longer attribute China's larger population as the sole rationale for its superior GDP. This prompts a crucial question: does this surplus of female labour participation truly underpin China's formidable GDP? Maybe, Yes. “The high participation of women in the workforce in China is a combination of its socialist legacy and subsequent economic reforms and opening up after Mao Zedong's (Chinese communist leader and founder of the People's Republic of China) passing. The high level of investment by the state in human capital, education and health is one of the key achievements of Mao era (1949-78). It also emerged from the socialist understanding that both men and women had to participate in labour - starting from agricultural production,” Dr Anand P. Krishnan, Fellow, Centre for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi NCR, and Visiting Associate Fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies in Delhi told WION. Following initiatives to protect women's rights, including the marriage law passed after the People's Republic's establishment, Chinese women have enjoyed increased mobility and opportunities. This trend continued with economic reforms since the 1980s, leading to more women pursuing higher education and careers. Declining urban birth rates reduced childcare responsibilities, allowing women to delay starting families. Marriage rates have fallen as women prioritise careers, leading to a rise in female CEOs and a strong presence in retail and service industries. They are also increasing moving to heavy labour intensive sectors - like women constitute nearly 14-16 per cent of all construction workers, explains Dr Krishnan. The recent dip in the female labour force participation rate to 61 per cent has also got the Party-state to come up with plans to address it. Such as a 10-year plan for women's development. The Party-state is also intending to ask employers not to mention gender preferences in job advertisement, and also not ask women about their marital and pregnancy status. “However, notwithstanding this, things are not rosy for women. With the removal of the one-child policy, with the Party-state incrementally raising it to two-child and now three-child, women are now forced to juggle with both work and childcare,” continues Dr Krishnan. In a study titled ‘The Elephant is set to overtake the Dragon, or is it?,’ conducted by the Centre for Economic Data and Analysis (CEDA) under Ashoka University, there has been a revelation that further fortifies this argument. According to the research, as of 2021, China boasted approximately 478.3 million women aged 15-64, while India's count stood at 458.2 million women in the same age bracket — a disparity that seems slight. However, the female labour force participation rates for that year painted a strikingly different picture; China's workforce encompassed a formidable 338.6 million, whereas India's tally was a mere 112.8 million. So, even though India's working-age demographic group almost mirrored China's in size, but its labour force was noticeably smaller. × *This is an interactive data chart. Click on the bars to get the figures* When can we expect India to surpass China in terms of its labour force? The study suggests that this won't occur in the near future, but there's a glimmer of hope. If we assume that the labour force participation rate (LFPR) remains constant at its most recent levels for both countries, it'll be approximately 27 years before this milestone is reached. It's only in 2051 that India is projected to outpace China in terms of labour force numbers, assuming all other factors remain unchanged. These projections are based on United Nations population estimates spanning up to the year 2100. Now, if India's LFPR were to surge to 60 per cent, this shift could occur by 2040. However, for India's labour force to surpass China's in absolute numbers by 2030, India's LFPR would need to make a sharp jump from its current level, which hovers at around 58 per cent (based on the labour force participation rate by usual status for the 15-64 age group as estimated by the Periodic Labour Force Survey, 2021-22), to 71 per cent within the next seven years. Achieving such a significant improvement in such a short span of time seems highly unlikely. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | Are China's women turbocharging its economy? Can India catch up?

<p>The Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), achieved a successful soft landing at 6:04 PM (IST) on August 23.&nbsp;India made a historic achievement, becoming the first country to land a&nbsp;spacecraft on the Moon's southern pole. This milestone comes days after a Russian probe, Luna-25, crashed&nbsp;in the same area on&nbsp;August 21.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Just a few hours before India's historic Chandrayaan-3's soft landing on the moon, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO and the world's wealthiest, expressed his admiration for the project's cost-effectiveness. Responding to a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which compared Chandrayaan-3's budget to that of the movie <em>Interstellar</em>, Musk stated that the mission is "good for India." The post on X highlighted that India's lunar mission budget amounted to a mere $75 million, while the creators of Interstellar had spent $165 million on the film.</p>

<h2><strong>ISRO has a real talent for achieving remarkable results without breaking the bank</strong></h2>

<p>Indeed, Chandrayaan-3's budget stands out for its frugality, a testament to the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) knack for achieving remarkable feats on a limited budget. This mission represents ISRO's third venture to the lunar surface, following the successful Chandrayaan-1 (2008), which contributed to the discovery of liquid water on the moon. However, Chandrayaan-2 (2019) faced a communication failure and ultimately crashed into the lunar surface.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/every-indian-household-is-celebrating-pm-modi-says-after-india-lands-on-moon-628412">'Every Indian household is celebrating,' PM Modi says after India lands on Moon</a></p>

<h2><strong>Budget breakdown and global comparisons</strong></h2>

<p>Reports on the day of Chandrayaan-3's launch, including one by Reuters, estimated the mission's budget at just under $75 million, roughly equivalent to ₹615 crore. Furthermore, an ANI report provided more specific details, indicating that the approved cost of Chandrayaan-3 was ₹250 crore (around $31 million), excluding launch vehicle expenses.</p>

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<p>ISRO's impressive cost-efficiency in space exploration is strikingly evident when compared to other space agencies worldwide. In 2022, India's space programme budget ranked seventh globally, with government spending totalling $1.93 billion. Even in lunar missions, Chandrayaan-3's budget remains notably lower than its counterparts. For instance, Russia's Luna-25, which tragically crashed on the moon shortly before Chandrayaan-3's successful mission, reportedly had a budget ranging between $190-200 million.</p>

<p>NASA, the United States' space agency, is projected to allocate as much as $93 billion for its Artemis moon exploration programme by 2025.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-is-on-the-moon-isro-chief-s-somanath-celebrates-chandrayaan-3s-triumph-on-lunar-landing-628420">‘India is on the moon’: ISRO chief S Somanath celebrates Chandrayaan-3's triumph on lunar landing</a></p>

<p>Despite limited resources, ISRO has cultivated an illustrious track record in space exploration. To date, the space agency has executed <a href="https://www.isro.gov.in/Mission.html">124 spacecraft missions and 93&nbsp;launch missions.</a>&nbsp;</p>

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The Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), achieved a successful soft landing at 6:04 PM (IST) on August 23. India made a historic achievement, becoming the first country to land a spacecraft on the Moon's southern pole.

The Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), achieved a successful soft landing at 6:04 PM (IST) on August 23. India made a historic achievement, becoming the first country to land a spacecraft on the Moon's southern pole. This milestone comes days after a Russian probe, Luna-25, crashed in the same area on August 21. Just a few hours before India's historic Chandrayaan-3's soft landing on the moon, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO and the world's wealthiest, expressed his admiration for the project's cost-effectiveness. Responding to a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which compared Chandrayaan-3's budget to that of the movie Interstellar, Musk stated that the mission is "good for India." The post on X highlighted that India's lunar mission budget amounted to a mere $75 million, while the creators of Interstellar had spent $165 million on the film. ISRO has a real talent for achieving remarkable results without breaking the bank Indeed, Chandrayaan-3's budget stands out for its frugality, a testament to the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) knack for achieving remarkable feats on a limited budget. This mission represents ISRO's third venture to the lunar surface, following the successful Chandrayaan-1 (2008), which contributed to the discovery of liquid water on the moon. However, Chandrayaan-2 (2019) faced a communication failure and ultimately crashed into the lunar surface. Also read | 'Every Indian household is celebrating,' PM Modi says after India lands on Moon Budget breakdown and global comparisons Reports on the day of Chandrayaan-3's launch, including one by Reuters, estimated the mission's budget at just under $75 million, roughly equivalent to ₹615 crore. Furthermore, an ANI report provided more specific details, indicating that the approved cost of Chandrayaan-3 was ₹250 crore (around $31 million), excluding launch vehicle expenses. × ISRO's impressive cost-efficiency in space exploration is strikingly evident when compared to other space agencies worldwide. In 2022, India's space programme budget ranked seventh globally, with government spending totalling $1.93 billion. Even in lunar missions, Chandrayaan-3's budget remains notably lower than its counterparts. For instance, Russia's Luna-25, which tragically crashed on the moon shortly before Chandrayaan-3's successful mission, reportedly had a budget ranging between $190-200 million. NASA, the United States' space agency, is projected to allocate as much as $93 billion for its Artemis moon exploration programme by 2025. Also read | ‘India is on the moon’: ISRO chief S Somanath celebrates Chandrayaan-3's triumph on lunar landing Despite limited resources, ISRO has cultivated an illustrious track record in space exploration. To date, the space agency has executed 124 spacecraft missions and 93 launch missions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | With a budget less than Hollywood's 'Interstellar', India's Chandrayaan-3 is a big success

<p>Marriages in China reached a historic low in 2022, amid its&nbsp;declining birth rate and population.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mca.gov.cn/mzsj/xzqh/2022/202204tjsj.htm">The Ministry of Civil Affairs of China</a> reported that 6.8 million couples registered marriages in 2022, a 10.5 per cent&nbsp;decrease from 2021 when 7.63 million marriages were registered. This&nbsp;is the lowest figure since 1986,&nbsp;when the Chinese government started documenting these statistics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As authorities struggle to deal with these demographic changes, fewer couples are getting married. This decline can be attributed to&nbsp;the Covid pandemic restrictions that kept tens of millions confined to their homes or compounds for weeks last year, but that isn't the sole reason.</p>

<p>"Covid restrictions are not the main cause of decline in marriage rates or birth rates. In fact, this is a phenomenon&nbsp;evolving in China prior to the Covid pandemic,&nbsp;as the working age population in China started to decline way back in 2012,&nbsp;and by 2017 there was a phenomenon of 'labour shortage' in China," <strong>Dr Geeta Kochhar</strong>, Assistant Professor, Centre for Chinese and South&nbsp;Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University&nbsp;told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Covid made the matter worse. Numerous additional factors were at play, including the empowerment of women, increasing cost-of-living, changes in the state welfare system, the nature of social relations altering, the high cost of raising children, and the high prevalence of urban unemployment. All of these elements have progressively changed the Chinese culture and the way that people see the institution of marriage and raising children, she adds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For the first time in 60 years, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-meddle-in-taiwan-issue-chinese-foreign-minister-qin-tells-us-antony-blinken-604232">China's</a> population dwindled, prompting predictions that the nation would age before becoming rich.</p>

<p>It was in&nbsp;the year 1961, during Mao Zedong's era that China's&nbsp;population decreased year to year.&nbsp;Millions of people&nbsp;died as a result of his failed economic policies known as the Great Leap Forward, however this forced slowdown in population growth only lasted a short period.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe aria-label="Bar Chart" data-external="1" frameborder="0" height="575" id="datawrapper-chart-kOQl0" scrolling="no" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/kOQl0/1/" style="border: none;" title="Population growth in China from 2010-2022" width="600"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>However, many analysts predict that the current decline in birth rates, which was exacerbated by the one-child policy, a state-led initiative to reduce population between 1980 and 2016, will be long-lasting and&nbsp;probably have irreversible ramifications.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There is no denial that the one-child policy that began in the 1980s and&nbsp;continued for more than two decades has led to a complete chaos in social order and the structure of the Chinese society. It has in ways wiped out a whole generation of Chinese population, who could have formed the active young labour force," explains Kochhar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She also argues that the context and timing of when this regulation was implemented had its own rationale and need.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/the-great-wall-of-doubt-chinas-equity-market-battles-for-confidence-604366">Chinese economy</a> during the early 1980s was unable to bear the burden of rising population, but the mistakes were to impose forced sterilisation and strict fines. A moderate adjustment would have gone a long way for China to avert the present economic challenges.&nbsp;The Chinese state went way too far," she adds.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>China and Japan ageing the same way?</strong></h2>

<p>China joined a group of significant Asian economies dealing with the same tendency as its population plummeted last year. The nations that are ageing most quickly globally are Japan and South Korea, with South Korea having the lowest fertility rate.</p>

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<p><em><strong>Note: This is an interactive chart. Please hover over the screen to get the figures.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

<p>In the most fortunate nations, ageing occurs when the nation is still reasonably rich, allowing many of its senior citizens to live comfortably in retirement. For instance, Japan's median income peaked in the late 1980s, at a time when its "bubble economy" was coming to an end, well before the population started to plateau.&nbsp;China, however, faces this&nbsp;population issue in a totally different economic setting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"China is in the process of transitioning from a labour-intensive economy&nbsp;to a technology driven economy," says Kochhar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We need to see if China is able to make the transition to a high-tech&nbsp;economy rapidly or not? This will reduce the burden on the economy&nbsp;as it won't&nbsp;be dependent on the labour force alone.&nbsp;However, the burden on the social welfare system of China will multiply,&nbsp;which is already&nbsp;market&nbsp;driven and dependent on public participation. Yet, considering the nature of the Chinese state, it won't be surprising&nbsp;in case the government chooses&nbsp;excessive pressure to&nbsp;force&nbsp;women to produce more children.&nbsp;Actions&nbsp;and&nbsp;policy changes will all depend on the pragmatic changes in China and on the domestic researchers' output for the adjustments needed to boost the Chinese economy," she summed up.</p>

<p><br />
<br />
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Marriages in China reached a historic low in 2022, amid its declining birth rate and population. The Ministry of Civil Affairs of China reported that 6.8 million couples registered marriages in 2022, a 10.

Marriages in China reached a historic low in 2022, amid its declining birth rate and population. The Ministry of Civil Affairs of China reported that 6.8 million couples registered marriages in 2022, a 10.5 per cent decrease from 2021 when 7.63 million marriages were registered. This is the lowest figure since 1986, when the Chinese government started documenting these statistics. As authorities struggle to deal with these demographic changes, fewer couples are getting married. This decline can be attributed to the Covid pandemic restrictions that kept tens of millions confined to their homes or compounds for weeks last year, but that isn't the sole reason. "Covid restrictions are not the main cause of decline in marriage rates or birth rates. In fact, this is a phenomenon evolving in China prior to the Covid pandemic, as the working age population in China started to decline way back in 2012, and by 2017 there was a phenomenon of 'labour shortage' in China," Dr Geeta Kochhar, Assistant Professor, Centre for Chinese and South Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University told WION. Covid made the matter worse. Numerous additional factors were at play, including the empowerment of women, increasing cost-of-living, changes in the state welfare system, the nature of social relations altering, the high cost of raising children, and the high prevalence of urban unemployment. All of these elements have progressively changed the Chinese culture and the way that people see the institution of marriage and raising children, she adds. For the first time in 60 years, China's population dwindled, prompting predictions that the nation would age before becoming rich. It was in the year 1961, during Mao Zedong's era that China's population decreased year to year. Millions of people died as a result of his failed economic policies known as the Great Leap Forward, however this forced slowdown in population growth only lasted a short period. × However, many analysts predict that the current decline in birth rates, which was exacerbated by the one-child policy, a state-led initiative to reduce population between 1980 and 2016, will be long-lasting and probably have irreversible ramifications. "There is no denial that the one-child policy that began in the 1980s and continued for more than two decades has led to a complete chaos in social order and the structure of the Chinese society. It has in ways wiped out a whole generation of Chinese population, who could have formed the active young labour force," explains Kochhar. She also argues that the context and timing of when this regulation was implemented had its own rationale and need. "The Chinese economy during the early 1980s was unable to bear the burden of rising population, but the mistakes were to impose forced sterilisation and strict fines. A moderate adjustment would have gone a long way for China to avert the present economic challenges. The Chinese state went way too far," she adds. China and Japan ageing the same way? China joined a group of significant Asian economies dealing with the same tendency as its population plummeted last year. The nations that are ageing most quickly globally are Japan and South Korea, with South Korea having the lowest fertility rate. × Note: This is an interactive chart. Please hover over the screen to get the figures. In the most fortunate nations, ageing occurs when the nation is still reasonably rich, allowing many of its senior citizens to live comfortably in retirement. For instance, Japan's median income peaked in the late 1980s, at a time when its "bubble economy" was coming to an end, well before the population started to plateau. China, however, faces this population issue in a totally different economic setting. "China is in the process of transitioning from a labour-intensive economy to a technology driven economy," says Kochhar. "We need to see if China is able to make the transition to a high-tech economy rapidly or not? This will reduce the burden on the economy as it won't be dependent on the labour force alone. However, the burden on the social welfare system of China will multiply, which is already market driven and dependent on public participation. Yet, considering the nature of the Chinese state, it won't be surprising in case the government chooses excessive pressure to force women to produce more children. Actions and policy changes will all depend on the pragmatic changes in China and on the domestic researchers' output for the adjustments needed to boost the Chinese economy," she summed up. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | Chinese neither marrying nor having kids and it's Xi Jinping's new headache. Here's how

<p>Days after Lok Sabha gave its approval to the digital personal data protection bill, 2023, on Wednesday (August 9) Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament, also passed the bill.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The legislation, in its latest form, maintains the provisions from the initial version introduced last November, including aspects that were raised as concerns by privacy specialists, like exceptions for the central authority. The revised version of the proposed law has additionally granted the central government authority over virtual censorship.</p>

<p>This marks India's second attempt at developing privacy-oriented legislation, following the government's consideration and abandonment of at least three prior drafts of data protection laws.</p>

<p>The next step involves the Bill's approval by President Droupadi Murmu before&nbsp;it can be enacted into law.</p>

<p>The bill, aimed at regulating and safeguarding the use of personal data, was presented by Union Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.</p>

<p>However, the bill's introduction was met with strong opposition from leaders of the Opposition, who argued that it infringes upon the fundamental right to privacy.</p>

<p>The debate surrounding the bill revolved around concerns raised by the Opposition, including the demand that the bill undergo thorough scrutiny by the standing committee, citing the withdrawal of a previous data protection bill by the government last year.</p>

<p>Vaishnaw defended the bill, asserting that it is not a money bill and that all concerns raised by the Opposition would be addressed in the subsequent debate.</p>

<p><strong>Watch this report</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Government's perspective: Safeguarding citizens' rights</strong></h2>

<p>While the Opposition voiced its concerns, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, took to X (previously Twitter), to emphasise the bill's significance.</p>

<p>He commended the bill as a crucial step towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of establishing global-standard cyber laws for India's thriving digital economy.</p>

<p>Chandrasekhar highlighted that extensive consultations with stakeholders, including citizens, have contributed to the bill's development. He underlined that the bill, once enacted, would ensure citizens' rights, foster innovation, and enable legitimate government access in scenarios like national security threats and emergencies, such as pandemics or earthquakes.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What is the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill ?<br />
<br />
➡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DPDPBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DPDPBill</a> introduced in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Parliament?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Parliament</a> is a very significant milestone in PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji's vision of Global Standard Cyber Laws for India's $1T <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DigitalEconomy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DigitalEconomy</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaTechade?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaTechade</a><br />
<br />
➡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/GoI_MeitY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GoI_MeitY</a> has developed this bill after… <a href="https://t.co/a8tHXJl537">pic.twitter.com/a8tHXJl537</a></p>
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rajeev_GoI/status/1687033454746341376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/data-protection-bill-is-much-needed-in-our-current-scenario-says-rahul-matthan-partner-trilegal-538748">"Data Protection Bill is much needed in our current scenario", says Rahul Matthan, Partner, Trilegal</a></p>

<h2><strong>Understanding the </strong> Digital Personal Data Protection<strong>&nbsp;Bill</strong></h2>

<p>The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill is a comprehensive legislative framework designed to delineate the rights and responsibilities of both citizens, referred to as "Digital Nagriks," and data fiduciaries – entities collecting and using personal data.</p>

<p>The bill is founded upon six fundamental principles aimed at governing the data economy.</p>

<p>The<strong> first </strong>principle underscores that the collection and utilisation of personal data must be lawful, secure against breaches, and transparent.</p>

<p>The <strong>second</strong> principle emphasises that data collection activities must have a legal purpose, and the collected data should be safeguarded until that purpose is fulfilled.</p>

<p>The <strong>third</strong> principle advocates for data minimisation, asserting that only pertinent information should be collected, and data usage should adhere to predefined objectives.</p>

<p>The <strong>fourth</strong> and <strong>fifth</strong> principles pertain to data protection, accountability, and accuracy. The <strong>final</strong> principle dictates the protocols for reporting data breaches, stipulating a fair and transparent process to inform Data Protection Boards of such incidents.</p>

<h2><strong>Key provisions and proposals of the DPDP Bill</strong></h2>

<p>The DPDP Bill introduces several significant provisions to ensure data protection, privacy, and accountability:</p>

<ol>
	<li>
	<p><strong>Consent criteria:</strong> The bill mandates that processing personal data requires the explicit and informed consent of the individual, given freely and unambiguously. While consent remains central, a clause of deemed consent addresses situations where explicit consent is not mandatory.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><strong>Data localisation and cross-border transfer:</strong> The bill permits cross-border data flow to specific countries and territories, accompanied by relaxed data localisation requirements, enabling greater flexibility in data handling.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><strong>Data retention:</strong> A Data Protection Board, designed to be digitally proficient, will be established to oversee compliance and impose penalties. Data fiduciaries can retain personal data for business purposes even beyond the initial collection purpose.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><strong>Penalties for data breaches:</strong> In cases of data breaches, the bill proposes substantial penalties. Failure to report a breach to the Data Protection Board and affected individuals could lead to a penalty of ₹200 crore (US$2,41,53,560).&nbsp;Additionally, data fiduciaries or processors failing to ensure reasonable security safeguards could face penalties up to ₹250 crore (US$3,01,90,875).&nbsp;</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><strong>Board-mandated penalties:</strong> The Board holds the authority to impose penalties outlined in Schedule 1 of the bill, with each instance not exceeding ₹500 crore (US$6,03,81,750), if non-compliance by an entity is deemed significant.</p>
	</li>
</ol>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-imposes-anti-dumping-duty-on-optical-fibre-imports-from-china-korea-and-indonesia-622237">India imposes anti-dumping duty on optical fibre imports&nbsp;from China, Korea and Indonesia&nbsp;</a></p>

<h2><strong>Scope and applicability of the DPDP Bill</strong></h2>

<p>The DPDP Bill's scope encompasses the processing of 'Digital Personal Data' within India's borders. It excludes non-personal data and data in non-digital formats from its purview.</p>

<p>The bill applies to digital personal data processing within India and abroad, particularly in cases of profiling or providing goods and services to Indian data subjects.</p>

<p>However, it does not extend to non-automated processing, processing for personal purposes by individuals, or personal data in records over a century old.</p>

<p>The introduction of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, stands as a significant development in India's journey towards a robust digital economy while safeguarding citizens' privacy and data rights.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Days after Lok Sabha gave its approval to the digital personal data protection bill, 2023, on Wednesday (August 9) Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament, also passed the bill.

Days after Lok Sabha gave its approval to the digital personal data protection bill, 2023, on Wednesday (August 9) Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament, also passed the bill. The legislation, in its latest form, maintains the provisions from the initial version introduced last November, including aspects that were raised as concerns by privacy specialists, like exceptions for the central authority. The revised version of the proposed law has additionally granted the central government authority over virtual censorship. This marks India's second attempt at developing privacy-oriented legislation, following the government's consideration and abandonment of at least three prior drafts of data protection laws. The next step involves the Bill's approval by President Droupadi Murmu before it can be enacted into law. The bill, aimed at regulating and safeguarding the use of personal data, was presented by Union Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. However, the bill's introduction was met with strong opposition from leaders of the Opposition, who argued that it infringes upon the fundamental right to privacy. The debate surrounding the bill revolved around concerns raised by the Opposition, including the demand that the bill undergo thorough scrutiny by the standing committee, citing the withdrawal of a previous data protection bill by the government last year. Vaishnaw defended the bill, asserting that it is not a money bill and that all concerns raised by the Opposition would be addressed in the subsequent debate. Watch this report Government's perspective: Safeguarding citizens' rights While the Opposition voiced its concerns, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, took to X (previously Twitter), to emphasise the bill's significance. He commended the bill as a crucial step towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of establishing global-standard cyber laws for India's thriving digital economy. Chandrasekhar highlighted that extensive consultations with stakeholders, including citizens, have contributed to the bill's development. He underlined that the bill, once enacted, would ensure citizens' rights, foster innovation, and enable legitimate government access in scenarios like national security threats and emergencies, such as pandemics or earthquakes. What is the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill ? ➡️ #DPDPBill introduced in #Parliament is a very significant milestone in PM @narendramodi ji's vision of Global Standard Cyber Laws for India's $1T #DigitalEconomy & #IndiaTechade ➡️ @GoI_MeitY has developed this bill after… pic.twitter.com/a8tHXJl537 — Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) August 3, 2023 × Also read | "Data Protection Bill is much needed in our current scenario", says Rahul Matthan, Partner, Trilegal Understanding the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill is a comprehensive legislative framework designed to delineate the rights and responsibilities of both citizens, referred to as "Digital Nagriks," and data fiduciaries – entities collecting and using personal data. The bill is founded upon six fundamental principles aimed at governing the data economy. The first principle underscores that the collection and utilisation of personal data must be lawful, secure against breaches, and transparent. The second principle emphasises that data collection activities must have a legal purpose, and the collected data should be safeguarded until that purpose is fulfilled. The third principle advocates for data minimisation, asserting that only pertinent information should be collected, and data usage should adhere to predefined objectives. The fourth and fifth principles pertain to data protection, accountability, and accuracy. The final principle dictates the protocols for reporting data breaches, stipulating a fair and transparent process to inform Data Protection Boards of such incidents. Key provisions and proposals of the DPDP Bill The DPDP Bill introduces several significant provisions to ensure data protection, privacy, and accountability: Consent criteria: The bill mandates that processing personal data requires the explicit and informed consent of the individual, given freely and unambiguously. While consent remains central, a clause of deemed consent addresses situations where explicit consent is not mandatory. Data localisation and cross-border transfer: The bill permits cross-border data flow to specific countries and territories, accompanied by relaxed data localisation requirements, enabling greater flexibility in data handling. Data retention: A Data Protection Board, designed to be digitally proficient, will be established to oversee compliance and impose penalties. Data fiduciaries can retain personal data for business purposes even beyond the initial collection purpose. Penalties for data breaches: In cases of data breaches, the bill proposes substantial penalties. Failure to report a breach to the Data Protection Board and affected individuals could lead to a penalty of ₹200 crore (US$2,41,53,560). Additionally, data fiduciaries or processors failing to ensure reasonable security safeguards could face penalties up to ₹250 crore (US$3,01,90,875). Board-mandated penalties: The Board holds the authority to impose penalties outlined in Schedule 1 of the bill, with each instance not exceeding ₹500 crore (US$6,03,81,750), if non-compliance by an entity is deemed significant. Also read | India imposes anti-dumping duty on optical fibre imports from China, Korea and Indonesia Scope and applicability of the DPDP Bill The DPDP Bill's scope encompasses the processing of 'Digital Personal Data' within India's borders. It excludes non-personal data and data in non-digital formats from its purview. The bill applies to digital personal data processing within India and abroad, particularly in cases of profiling or providing goods and services to Indian data subjects. However, it does not extend to non-automated processing, processing for personal purposes by individuals, or personal data in records over a century old. The introduction of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, stands as a significant development in India's journey towards a robust digital economy while safeguarding citizens' privacy and data rights. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained | Rajya Sabha passes Digital Personal Data Protection Bill. All you need to know

<p>The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation into OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT app. The investigation aims to determine whether the app generates false information that harms consumers and whether it mishandles user data.</p>

<p>OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, received a 20-page questionnaire from the FTC outlining these concerns.</p>

<p>The questionnaire specifically requests information about incidents where users were falsely disparaged and asks OpenAI to share any steps taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.</p>

<h2><strong>FTC Chair expresses concerns</strong></h2>

<p>During a congressional committee hearing, FTC Chair Lina Khan acknowledged concerns related to ChatGPT's potential for libelous output.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read </strong>| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-will-join-nato-putin-has-lost-the-war-biden-in-helsinki-615245">Ukraine 'will join NATO', Putin has 'lost the war': Biden in Helsinki</a></p>

<p>Although she did not explicitly mention the investigation, Khan stated that the agency had received reports of sensitive information being disclosed in response to inquiries, as well as instances of libel and defamatory statements.</p>

<p>&nbsp;"We've heard about libel, defamatory statements, flatly untrue things that are emerging. That's the type of fraud and deception that we are concerned about," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The FTC is primarily focused on understanding how these issues could harm users but are also exploring OpenAI's utilisation of private data to develop its industry-leading language model.</p>

<h2><strong>Possible outcomes of the investigation</strong></h2>

<p>An FTC investigation does not automatically lead to further action, and the case can be closed if the company under scrutiny adequately addresses the agency's concerns.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cocaine-at-white-house-secret-service-ends-probe-without-identifying-suspect-615229">Cocaine at White House: Secret Service ends probe without finding suspect</a></p>

<p>However, if the FTC identifies illegal or unsafe practices, it can demand remedial actions and potentially initiate legal proceedings against OpenAI.</p>

<p>Both OpenAI and the FTC have not provided any comments regarding the investigation in response to requests for information, reported AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Concerns arising from ChatGPT's capabilities</strong></h2>

<p>As an AI language model, ChatGPT has a wide range of impressive capabilities and its release in November drew significant attention.</p>

<p>LLMs, a type of generative AI, can produce human-like content within seconds.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Russian general says top military brass betrayed soldiers fighting in Ukraine</strong></p>

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<p>While the technology garnered admiration, reports also surfaced about the models generating offensive, false, or nonsensical content, sometimes referred to as "hallucinations," reported AFP news agency.&nbsp;</p>

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The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation into OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT app. The investigation aims to determine whether the app generates false information that harms consumers and whether it mishandles user data.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation into OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT app. The investigation aims to determine whether the app generates false information that harms consumers and whether it mishandles user data. OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, received a 20-page questionnaire from the FTC outlining these concerns. The questionnaire specifically requests information about incidents where users were falsely disparaged and asks OpenAI to share any steps taken to prevent such occurrences in the future. FTC Chair expresses concerns During a congressional committee hearing, FTC Chair Lina Khan acknowledged concerns related to ChatGPT's potential for libelous output. Also Read | Ukraine 'will join NATO', Putin has 'lost the war': Biden in Helsinki Although she did not explicitly mention the investigation, Khan stated that the agency had received reports of sensitive information being disclosed in response to inquiries, as well as instances of libel and defamatory statements. "We've heard about libel, defamatory statements, flatly untrue things that are emerging. That's the type of fraud and deception that we are concerned about," she said. The FTC is primarily focused on understanding how these issues could harm users but are also exploring OpenAI's utilisation of private data to develop its industry-leading language model. Possible outcomes of the investigation An FTC investigation does not automatically lead to further action, and the case can be closed if the company under scrutiny adequately addresses the agency's concerns. Also Read | Cocaine at White House: Secret Service ends probe without finding suspect However, if the FTC identifies illegal or unsafe practices, it can demand remedial actions and potentially initiate legal proceedings against OpenAI. Both OpenAI and the FTC have not provided any comments regarding the investigation in response to requests for information, reported AFP. Concerns arising from ChatGPT's capabilities As an AI language model, ChatGPT has a wide range of impressive capabilities and its release in November drew significant attention. LLMs, a type of generative AI, can produce human-like content within seconds. Watch | Russian general says top military brass betrayed soldiers fighting in Ukraine × While the technology garnered admiration, reports also surfaced about the models generating offensive, false, or nonsensical content, sometimes referred to as "hallucinations," reported AFP news agency. 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. ×

US regulator launches inquiry into ChatGPT to check data mishandling

<p>Nigerian workers have achieved a significant milestone by securing the second spot in the global ranking of the hardest working employees, surpassed only by their Mexican counterparts. According to a recently published report by the World of Statistics, Nigerian workers dedicate an average of 2,124 hours per year to their jobs.</p>

<h2><strong>Mexican workers lead the chart with only a four-hour difference</strong></h2>

<p>The World of Statistics report reveals that Mexican workers topped the chart, with a mere four-hour difference from their Nigerian counterparts, clocking in an average of 2,128 working hours annually. This makes Nigeria the most industrious nation in Africa, highlighting the strong work ethic and dedication of its labour force.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Average annual hours worked:<br />
<br />
🇲🇽Mexico — 2,128<br />
🇳🇬Nigeria — 2,124<br />
🇨🇷Costa Rica — 2,073<br />
🇨🇴Colombia — 1,964<br />
🇨🇱Chile — 1,916<br />
🇰🇷South Korea — 1,910<br />
🇲🇹Malta — 1,882<br />
🇷🇺Russia — 1,874<br />
🇬🇷Greece — 1,872<br />
🇷🇴Romania — 1,838<br />
🇭🇷Croatia — 1,835<br />
🇵🇱Poland — 1,830<br />
🇺🇸United States — 1,791<br />
🇮🇪Ireland…</p>
— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) <a href="https://twitter.com/stats_feed/status/1671248550426996736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Nigerian work hours and industries</strong></h2>

<p>In Nigeria, the standard working hours for most public and private sector employees span eight hours per day, typically from 8 am to 4 pm or 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. However, certain sectors such as media, healthcare, security agencies, and manufacturing industries may require extended workdays that include weekends and shift rotations.</p>

<p>The report acknowledges that informal workers, often go above and beyond by putting in up to ten hours of work per day, reported Vanguard.&nbsp;While the study does not specify the nature of the work undertaken, it suggests that the top-ranked countries in terms of working hours are not primarily driven by technology-oriented occupations.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/explained-sextortion-the-new-nigerian-prince-scam-on-snapchat-heres-how-you-can-protect-your-loved-ones-606925">Explained: 'Sextortion', the new 'Nigerian prince' scam on Snapchat and Instagram</a></p>

<h2><strong>Global ranking </strong></h2>

<p>Following Nigeria's lead, three countries from Central and South America trail closely behind. Costa Rica claimed&nbsp;the third position with 2,073 hours, followed by Colombia in fourth place (1,964 hours), and Chile in fifth place (1,916 hours). Surprisingly, South Korea, known for its high-tech advancements, ranks sixth, with workers averaging 1,910 hours per year. Other notable countries include Malta (1,882 hours), Russia (1,874 hours), Greece (1,872 hours), and Romania (1,838 hours).</p>

<p>The report also sheds light on the working hours of workers in major global economies. The United States, the world's largest economy, secured&nbsp;the 13th spot with an average of 1,791 working hours per year, while Japan, the third-largest economy, lags behind in 30th place with workers putting in 1,607 hours annually. Germany, Europe's dominant economy, ranks 50th, with employees working an average of 1,349 hours each year. South Africa emerged&nbsp;as the second-highest on the African continent, with workers dedicating 1,513 hours annually, placing them at a distant 36th on the global list.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;110 people die as boat capsizes in Nigeria</strong></p>

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<p>With Nigerian workers contributing 2,124 hours annually, it signifies that each employee spends a minimum of five hours engaged in productive activities compared to their South African counterparts, who work four hours less. This strong commitment to work highlights Nigeria's potential for increased productivity and economic growth.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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Nigerian workers have achieved a significant milestone by securing the second spot in the global ranking of the hardest working employees, surpassed only by their Mexican counterparts.

Nigerian workers have achieved a significant milestone by securing the second spot in the global ranking of the hardest working employees, surpassed only by their Mexican counterparts. According to a recently published report by the World of Statistics, Nigerian workers dedicate an average of 2,124 hours per year to their jobs. Mexican workers lead the chart with only a four-hour difference The World of Statistics report reveals that Mexican workers topped the chart, with a mere four-hour difference from their Nigerian counterparts, clocking in an average of 2,128 working hours annually. This makes Nigeria the most industrious nation in Africa, highlighting the strong work ethic and dedication of its labour force. Average annual hours worked: 🇲🇽Mexico — 2,128 🇳🇬Nigeria — 2,124 🇨🇷Costa Rica — 2,073 🇨🇴Colombia — 1,964 🇨🇱Chile — 1,916 🇰🇷South Korea — 1,910 🇲🇹Malta — 1,882 🇷🇺Russia — 1,874 🇬🇷Greece — 1,872 🇷🇴Romania — 1,838 🇭🇷Croatia — 1,835 🇵🇱Poland — 1,830 🇺🇸United States — 1,791 🇮🇪Ireland… — World of Statistics (@stats_feed) June 20, 2023 × Nigerian work hours and industries In Nigeria, the standard working hours for most public and private sector employees span eight hours per day, typically from 8 am to 4 pm or 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. However, certain sectors such as media, healthcare, security agencies, and manufacturing industries may require extended workdays that include weekends and shift rotations. The report acknowledges that informal workers, often go above and beyond by putting in up to ten hours of work per day, reported Vanguard. While the study does not specify the nature of the work undertaken, it suggests that the top-ranked countries in terms of working hours are not primarily driven by technology-oriented occupations. Also read | Explained: 'Sextortion', the new 'Nigerian prince' scam on Snapchat and Instagram Global ranking Following Nigeria's lead, three countries from Central and South America trail closely behind. Costa Rica claimed the third position with 2,073 hours, followed by Colombia in fourth place (1,964 hours), and Chile in fifth place (1,916 hours). Surprisingly, South Korea, known for its high-tech advancements, ranks sixth, with workers averaging 1,910 hours per year. Other notable countries include Malta (1,882 hours), Russia (1,874 hours), Greece (1,872 hours), and Romania (1,838 hours). The report also sheds light on the working hours of workers in major global economies. The United States, the world's largest economy, secured the 13th spot with an average of 1,791 working hours per year, while Japan, the third-largest economy, lags behind in 30th place with workers putting in 1,607 hours annually. Germany, Europe's dominant economy, ranks 50th, with employees working an average of 1,349 hours each year. South Africa emerged as the second-highest on the African continent, with workers dedicating 1,513 hours annually, placing them at a distant 36th on the global list. Also watch | 110 people die as boat capsizes in Nigeria With Nigerian workers contributing 2,124 hours annually, it signifies that each employee spends a minimum of five hours engaged in productive activities compared to their South African counterparts, who work four hours less. This strong commitment to work highlights Nigeria's potential for increased productivity and economic growth. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nigerian workers shine as second-most hardworking globally, one spot behind Mexico

<p dir="ltr">Alan Turing, a pioneer in computing, predicted in 1950 that computers would successfully simulate human intellect within a few decades, an achievement known as passing the Turing Test. Hop-skip to 2022, when a Google&nbsp;software engineer said his interactions with the company’s AI-powered chatbot had convinced him that it had become “sentient.” Then came ChatGPT,&nbsp;an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI that very year, which according to analysis by data firm Similarweb reached 100 million users just two months after being launched.&nbsp;Whichever way we cut it,&nbsp;artificial intelligence (AI) has once again become the hottest buzzword in the tech world.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Can explosion of data be the reason behind AI’s latest buzz?</strong></h2>

<p>Data is multiplying at an unprecedented rate. We double the world's data every two years at the current rate at which humanity is producing it, and this rate is anticipated to only accelerate going forward. A Forbes report says that data will double every 12 hours by 2025, which means that between the time we wake up and&nbsp;go to sleep, humanity will either be twice as smart or half as smart.</p>

<p>“AI has been around for the last 40 years, but the latest buzz around it can be attributed to the algorithms invented in 2012,” Dr Srinivas Padmanabhuni, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, testAIng.com, an Indian AI startup which performs security testing, ethics testing and bug finding for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-artificial-intelligence-become-a-deterrent-to-photojournalists-anmestys-ai-generated-images-draw-flak-588401">AI</a> models told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Padmanabhuni says the newer algorithms have been able to work on all kinds of data including text, image and audio, in addition to conventional data which was purely mathematical and in tabular formats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“With the advent of the newer version of AI, also known as Deep Learning, we can see an expansion of data to images, text and audio. The moment that happened, the application of AI suddenly exploded. Because of the expansion of the ability of analysis to image, text and audio, we’re seeing this new found interest in AI application,” explains Dr Padmanabhuni.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>AI in Indian academia&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Author Rajiv Malhotra in his book, <em>Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Power,&nbsp;</em>explains how China's ascent to dominance in the 21st&nbsp;century must be contrasted with Britain's rise to power in the 1800s. China wants to overtake the world through an AI revolution, much as how Britain did during the Industrial revolution.</p>

<p>Dr Balaraman Ravindran, Head, Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science &amp; Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI) at IIT Madras, explains the two criteria used to gauge success in the realm of AI in India. First, in terms of academic research and innovation, and second, in terms of the quantity and performance of AI startups in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe aria-label="Grouped Bars" data-external="1" frameborder="0" height="749" id="datawrapper-chart-af6Zu" scrolling="no" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/af6Zu/1/" style="border: none;" title="AI investment puffs up in India" width="600"></iframe></p>

<p>“With regards to AI research, India is still middling. We are not among the top few countries in the world in terms of research output. Even though&nbsp;publicly reported stats from different&nbsp;sources would say otherwise,&nbsp;these figures should be critically examined,” Dr Ravindran&nbsp;told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Only a small number of Indian AI researchers are well-known outside of India, according to the number of people who cite their work. Despite this, the AI community as a whole has grown tremendously in the past few years," he adds.</p>

<p>As per statistics from the International Data Corporation (IDC), China is expected to more than double its investment in AI to nearly $27 billion by 2026.</p>

<p>“China recognised a while back that the&nbsp;impact was coming from top-notch AI conferences and started incentivising people to publish in these conferences,” explains Dr Ravindran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>China’s state-funded AI research is also growing steadily.</p>

<p>“China is giving significant incentives to companies to spend on fundamental research. The scale is unimaginably large in China,” he adds.</p>

<p>A total of 48.6 billion real-time transactions were made in India in 2021, more than three times as many as its closest rival, China ($18 billion), and nearly seven times as many as the combined real-time payments volume of the world's top five economies—the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Germany ($7.5 billion transactions).</p>

<p>India is uniquely positioned with a great digital ecosystem in place. Additionally, India released an <a href="https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2019-01/NationalStrategy-for-AI-Discussion-Paper.pdf">AI strategy document</a> in 2018 that most countries don’t have.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite this, Dr Ravindran explains, the gap between the private and public sector is growing with the former taking lead, as they are not waiting for the government to release data. They are collecting the required data themselves.</p>

<h2><strong>Is India more AI positive, what does it mean for its growth?</strong></h2>

<p>When it comes to trusting artificial intelligence, India tops the list of countries. According to a&nbsp;<a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-safelink="true" href="https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/au/pdf/2021/trust-in-ai-multiple-countries.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">KPMG survey</a>, developing countries like India, Brazil, China, and South Africa are more accepting of AI, with India having a 75 per cent acceptance rate.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The study says more than half of the respondents from these countries expressed strong trust and acceptance of artificial intelligence technologies.</p>

<p>Additionally, it demonstrated the increased use of AI in emerging markets, particularly in the BRICS countries. However, when it came to the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, China came on the top with 75 per cent, followed by India at 66 per cent and Brazil at 50 per cent.</p>

<p>With the&nbsp;inception of AI, experts have stressed on the importance of it in key professional fields, such as ed-tech and e-commerce.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many ed-tech companies have developed new ways to tailor education for Indian students, but AI continues to be the most efficient approach, as its key impact in the Indian education space&nbsp;is going to be in personalised and adaptive,&nbsp;as per Devesh Mishra, Chief Technology Officer, Physicswallah, an Indian educational technology startup that became a unicorn in June 2022 after raising a $100 million at a valuation of $1.1 billion, who spoke to WION.</p>

<p>Mishra emphasised that a student-teacher&nbsp;relationship cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence, since, as he believes, "online and offline education go hand-in-hand."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ai-to-defeat-cancer-doctors-create-ai-tool-that-can-detect-disease-587653">AI to defeat cancer? Doctors create AI tool that can detect disease</a></p>

<p>Aside from the education sector, trade and commerce is another significant area where India anticipates AI to show promise.</p>

<p>The India Brand Equity Foundation predicts that by 2025, the country's e-commerce market will be worth $111.40 billion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Therefore, a strong AI response or data accumulation strategy is necessary for smooth customer relations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to N Sekar, Chief Technology Officer, Quinbay, an e-commerce AI startup, artificial intelligence&nbsp;is required to create a more customised user experience, collect&nbsp;customer behaviour data and trends,&nbsp;which will ultimately increase productivity.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Scientists can now use AI to convert brain scans into words</strong></p>

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<p>Sekar emphasised the decline in fraudulent activities as well, noting that several e-commerce platforms are using this data to reduce such occurrences.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“By analysing the behaviour or data of fraudulent sellers and customers (example receiving a stone instead of a phone) platforms can take action on such people. All that is decreased because of the extensive use of AI or machine learning capabilities,” Sekar told WION</p>

<h2><strong>Can AI take away our jobs?</strong></h2>

<p>As per a&nbsp;<a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-safelink="true" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/10/dont-fear-ai-it-will-lead-to-long-term-job-growth/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">World Economic Forum (WEF) report</a>, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) will result in the creation of 97 million new jobs by 2025. In the meantime, Chatbots are all the rage, and there is growing concern that an AI capable of responding to cues and&nbsp;questions&nbsp;in a manner that is remarkably human and in a short amount of time would be bad for the job market as a whole.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Padmanabhuni thinks reinvention is the key. “We are living in an era where technology is changing every five years. So, we need to relearn in order to stay relevant. It is not a matter of job displacement, but a matter of reorientation.”</p>

<p dir="ltr">Additionally, Dr Ravindran thinks&nbsp;AI is very much a productivity tool and it cannot replace humans at this point.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Alan Turing, a pioneer in computing, predicted in 1950 that computers would successfully simulate human intellect within a few decades, an achievement known as passing the Turing Test.

Alan Turing, a pioneer in computing, predicted in 1950 that computers would successfully simulate human intellect within a few decades, an achievement known as passing the Turing Test. Hop-skip to 2022, when a Google software engineer said his interactions with the company’s AI-powered chatbot had convinced him that it had become “sentient.” Then came ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI that very year, which according to analysis by data firm Similarweb reached 100 million users just two months after being launched. Whichever way we cut it, artificial intelligence (AI) has once again become the hottest buzzword in the tech world. Can explosion of data be the reason behind AI’s latest buzz? Data is multiplying at an unprecedented rate. We double the world's data every two years at the current rate at which humanity is producing it, and this rate is anticipated to only accelerate going forward. A Forbes report says that data will double every 12 hours by 2025, which means that between the time we wake up and go to sleep, humanity will either be twice as smart or half as smart. “AI has been around for the last 40 years, but the latest buzz around it can be attributed to the algorithms invented in 2012,” Dr Srinivas Padmanabhuni, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, testAIng.com, an Indian AI startup which performs security testing, ethics testing and bug finding for AI models told WION. Dr Padmanabhuni says the newer algorithms have been able to work on all kinds of data including text, image and audio, in addition to conventional data which was purely mathematical and in tabular formats. “With the advent of the newer version of AI, also known as Deep Learning, we can see an expansion of data to images, text and audio. The moment that happened, the application of AI suddenly exploded. Because of the expansion of the ability of analysis to image, text and audio, we’re seeing this new found interest in AI application,” explains Dr Padmanabhuni. AI in Indian academia Author Rajiv Malhotra in his book, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Power, explains how China's ascent to dominance in the 21st century must be contrasted with Britain's rise to power in the 1800s. China wants to overtake the world through an AI revolution, much as how Britain did during the Industrial revolution. Dr Balaraman Ravindran, Head, Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI) at IIT Madras, explains the two criteria used to gauge success in the realm of AI in India. First, in terms of academic research and innovation, and second, in terms of the quantity and performance of AI startups in the country. “With regards to AI research, India is still middling. We are not among the top few countries in the world in terms of research output. Even though publicly reported stats from different sources would say otherwise, these figures should be critically examined,” Dr Ravindran told WION. "Only a small number of Indian AI researchers are well-known outside of India, according to the number of people who cite their work. Despite this, the AI community as a whole has grown tremendously in the past few years," he adds. As per statistics from the International Data Corporation (IDC), China is expected to more than double its investment in AI to nearly $27 billion by 2026. “China recognised a while back that the impact was coming from top-notch AI conferences and started incentivising people to publish in these conferences,” explains Dr Ravindran. China’s state-funded AI research is also growing steadily. “China is giving significant incentives to companies to spend on fundamental research. The scale is unimaginably large in China,” he adds. A total of 48.6 billion real-time transactions were made in India in 2021, more than three times as many as its closest rival, China ($18 billion), and nearly seven times as many as the combined real-time payments volume of the world's top five economies—the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Germany ($7.5 billion transactions). India is uniquely positioned with a great digital ecosystem in place. Additionally, India released an AI strategy document in 2018 that most countries don’t have. Despite this, Dr Ravindran explains, the gap between the private and public sector is growing with the former taking lead, as they are not waiting for the government to release data. They are collecting the required data themselves. Is India more AI positive, what does it mean for its growth? When it comes to trusting artificial intelligence, India tops the list of countries. According to a KPMG survey, developing countries like India, Brazil, China, and South Africa are more accepting of AI, with India having a 75 per cent acceptance rate. × The study says more than half of the respondents from these countries expressed strong trust and acceptance of artificial intelligence technologies. Additionally, it demonstrated the increased use of AI in emerging markets, particularly in the BRICS countries. However, when it came to the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, China came on the top with 75 per cent, followed by India at 66 per cent and Brazil at 50 per cent. With the inception of AI, experts have stressed on the importance of it in key professional fields, such as ed-tech and e-commerce. Many ed-tech companies have developed new ways to tailor education for Indian students, but AI continues to be the most efficient approach, as its key impact in the Indian education space is going to be in personalised and adaptive, as per Devesh Mishra, Chief Technology Officer, Physicswallah, an Indian educational technology startup that became a unicorn in June 2022 after raising a $100 million at a valuation of $1.1 billion, who spoke to WION. Mishra emphasised that a student-teacher relationship cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence, since, as he believes, "online and offline education go hand-in-hand." ALSO READ | AI to defeat cancer? Doctors create AI tool that can detect disease Aside from the education sector, trade and commerce is another significant area where India anticipates AI to show promise. The India Brand Equity Foundation predicts that by 2025, the country's e-commerce market will be worth $111.40 billion. Therefore, a strong AI response or data accumulation strategy is necessary for smooth customer relations. According to N Sekar, Chief Technology Officer, Quinbay, an e-commerce AI startup, artificial intelligence is required to create a more customised user experience, collect customer behaviour data and trends, which will ultimately increase productivity. ALSO WATCH | Scientists can now use AI to convert brain scans into words Sekar emphasised the decline in fraudulent activities as well, noting that several e-commerce platforms are using this data to reduce such occurrences. “By analysing the behaviour or data of fraudulent sellers and customers (example receiving a stone instead of a phone) platforms can take action on such people. All that is decreased because of the extensive use of AI or machine learning capabilities,” Sekar told WION Can AI take away our jobs? As per a World Economic Forum (WEF) report, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) will result in the creation of 97 million new jobs by 2025. In the meantime, Chatbots are all the rage, and there is growing concern that an AI capable of responding to cues and questions in a manner that is remarkably human and in a short amount of time would be bad for the job market as a whole. Dr Padmanabhuni thinks reinvention is the key. “We are living in an era where technology is changing every five years. So, we need to relearn in order to stay relevant. It is not a matter of job displacement, but a matter of reorientation.” Additionally, Dr Ravindran thinks AI is very much a productivity tool and it cannot replace humans at this point. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | India and AI: Are we ahead of the curve?

<p>A team at the US Geological Survey's (USGS) Astrogeology Science Centre generated a map of planet Mars using the treasure trove of data which was collected by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The newly-generated map of Mars will make viewing the Martian landscape more easier than before, allowing people to navigate through it even on their smartphones.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new map, which has been compiled with the help of cloud computing and supercomputers, will be providing people with a high-resolution, three-dimensional experience of the otherworldly terrain of planet Mars.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Map contains 4,800 digital terrain models, 155,000 images</strong></h2>

<p>A team at the US Geological Survey's (USGS) Astrogeology Science Centre processed the map which consists of around 4,800 digital terrain models (DTMs) and has more than 155,000 images of the red Martian surface.</p>

<p>"Now anyone on the planet with a smartphone can search, use and marvel at these data," stated team leader Jay Laura, of the Astrogeology Science Centre (ASC), in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/its-not-so-red-never-before-seen-images-of-mars-are-absolutely-stunning-603664">It's not so red. Never-before-seen images of Mars are absolutely stunning</a></p>

<p>"These data are important because they democratise the availability of high-quality Mars topographic data," added Laura. "Getting consistent, well-aligned results is not easy. We felt it was important to generate and release these products so that others could freely access the data. When these data are highly accessible, anyone can contribute to scientific discovery," he stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The team has used the data on Martian topography collected by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's (MRO) Context Camera. The MRO Context Camera can capture images with a resolution of around six&nbsp;metres&nbsp;per pixel and can cover an area of around 18.5 miles (30 kilometres) wide and 100 miles (160 km) long.</p>

<p>The team then produced the DTMs by overlapping two images of a similar area, which were then processed using a supercomputer to create a detailed 3D view.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The process is similar to how visual data collected by both our eyes is processed by the brain to generate our sense of depth perception and create a 3D picture of our surroundings," team members stated. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Maps of Mars free, accessible to general public</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking about the data used to create maps, Laura said, "These data are ripe for discovery and use by machines and humans. This data release means that the HiRISE data set can now be seamlessly leveraged by machine-learning scientists."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Study: Mars' crust made of HEAVY ARMOUR. Will this tough exterior pose a threat?</strong></p>

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<p>Amazon's Open Data Registry is hosting the data which is free for anyone to use. To ensure that the data is easy to find and download for the general public, search tools for users have been released by the USGS.</p>

<p>"With data releases like this, USGS is taking the lead to develop and release analysis-ready planetary science data," Laura stated.</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for&nbsp;wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

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A team at the US Geological Survey's (USGS) Astrogeology Science Centre generated a map of planet Mars using the treasure trove of data which was collected by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

A team at the US Geological Survey's (USGS) Astrogeology Science Centre generated a map of planet Mars using the treasure trove of data which was collected by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The newly-generated map of Mars will make viewing the Martian landscape more easier than before, allowing people to navigate through it even on their smartphones. The new map, which has been compiled with the help of cloud computing and supercomputers, will be providing people with a high-resolution, three-dimensional experience of the otherworldly terrain of planet Mars. Map contains 4,800 digital terrain models, 155,000 images A team at the US Geological Survey's (USGS) Astrogeology Science Centre processed the map which consists of around 4,800 digital terrain models (DTMs) and has more than 155,000 images of the red Martian surface. "Now anyone on the planet with a smartphone can search, use and marvel at these data," stated team leader Jay Laura, of the Astrogeology Science Centre (ASC), in a statement. ALSO READ | It's not so red. Never-before-seen images of Mars are absolutely stunning "These data are important because they democratise the availability of high-quality Mars topographic data," added Laura. "Getting consistent, well-aligned results is not easy. We felt it was important to generate and release these products so that others could freely access the data. When these data are highly accessible, anyone can contribute to scientific discovery," he stated. The team has used the data on Martian topography collected by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's (MRO) Context Camera. The MRO Context Camera can capture images with a resolution of around six metres per pixel and can cover an area of around 18.5 miles (30 kilometres) wide and 100 miles (160 km) long. The team then produced the DTMs by overlapping two images of a similar area, which were then processed using a supercomputer to create a detailed 3D view. "The process is similar to how visual data collected by both our eyes is processed by the brain to generate our sense of depth perception and create a 3D picture of our surroundings," team members stated. Maps of Mars free, accessible to general public Speaking about the data used to create maps, Laura said, "These data are ripe for discovery and use by machines and humans. This data release means that the HiRISE data set can now be seamlessly leveraged by machine-learning scientists." WATCH | Study: Mars' crust made of HEAVY ARMOUR. Will this tough exterior pose a threat? Amazon's Open Data Registry is hosting the data which is free for anyone to use. To ensure that the data is easy to find and download for the general public, search tools for users have been released by the USGS. "With data releases like this, USGS is taking the lead to develop and release analysis-ready planetary science data," Laura stated. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Martian landscape on smartphone? New map of Mars created from data collected by NASA

<p>India is home to 101 million people with diabetes and 136 million people who are dealing with prediabetes, according to a <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(23)00119-5/fulltext">recent report&nbsp;published in the Lancet</a>.&nbsp;This indicates that the metabolic condition affects roughly 11.4 per cent&nbsp;of the nation's population.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare jointly financed the country's largest epidemiological research on diabetes and chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). All 28 states, two union territories, and Delhi, the nation's capital, are included in the research. Samples of a&nbsp;total of 1,13,043 people were&nbsp;used in the study. The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, a highly regarded medical publication, has published the study's findings.</p>

<p>Goa has the most significant prevalence of diabetes, at 26.4 per cent, while Uttar Pradesh, the most populated state, has the lowest, at 4.8 per cent. The study found that, with the exception of prediabetes, urban areas had a higher incidence of all metabolic NCDs than rural ones. According to the nationwide survey, 315 million Americans have excessive blood pressure, 254 million are obese generally, and 351 million are obese in their midsections. In addition, 213 million individuals had hypercholesterolemia or elevated cholesterol.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/taurine-a-common-energy-drink-ingredient-may-slow-down-ageing-process-602580">Taurine, a common energy drink ingredient, may slow down ageing process</a></p>

<p>“It is quite evident from the study results that India has a substantial population at risk of cardiovascular disease and other long-term organ complications due to metabolic NCDs," &nbsp;Dr RS&nbsp;Dhaliwal, Scientist ‘G’ &amp; Head, Non-communicable Disease Division, Indian Council of Medical Research told the Hindustan Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The findings of this study are very significant as they provide robust estimates of NCDs for the nation. Compared to earlier estimates, India currently has a substantially greater prevalence of metabolic NCDs. In India, the diabetes epidemic is in transition, with some states having already reached their peak rates while others are just getting started. The study also demonstrates that despite the fact that all metabolic NCDs are more common in urban regions, rural areas have significantly greater prevalence rates than that reported previously," Dr R.M.Anjana, Managing Director, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) and President, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF told the Hindustan Times.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Symptoms of diabetes</strong></h2>

<p>The severity of diabetes symptoms is determined by blood sugar levels. Some people may not exhibit symptoms, particularly if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes may appear suddenly and are more severe, according to the Mayo Clinic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes can both cause the following symptoms:</p>

<p>- Noticing more thirst than usual<br />
- Frequent urination.<br />
- Weight loss without any effort.<br />
- Ketones are present in the urine. When there is insufficient insulin available, muscle and fat are broken - Down, producing ketones as a consequence.<br />
- Becoming worn out and fragile.<br />
- Irritated or experiencing other mood swings.<br />
- Vision that is hazy.<br />
- Having wounds that take a long time to heal.</p>

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India is home to 101 million people with diabetes and 136 million people who are dealing with prediabetes, according to a recent report published in the Lancet. This indicates that the metabolic condition affects roughly 11.

India is home to 101 million people with diabetes and 136 million people who are dealing with prediabetes, according to a recent report published in the Lancet. This indicates that the metabolic condition affects roughly 11.4 per cent of the nation's population. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare jointly financed the country's largest epidemiological research on diabetes and chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). All 28 states, two union territories, and Delhi, the nation's capital, are included in the research. Samples of a total of 1,13,043 people were used in the study. The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, a highly regarded medical publication, has published the study's findings. Goa has the most significant prevalence of diabetes, at 26.4 per cent, while Uttar Pradesh, the most populated state, has the lowest, at 4.8 per cent. The study found that, with the exception of prediabetes, urban areas had a higher incidence of all metabolic NCDs than rural ones. According to the nationwide survey, 315 million Americans have excessive blood pressure, 254 million are obese generally, and 351 million are obese in their midsections. In addition, 213 million individuals had hypercholesterolemia or elevated cholesterol. Also read | Taurine, a common energy drink ingredient, may slow down ageing process “It is quite evident from the study results that India has a substantial population at risk of cardiovascular disease and other long-term organ complications due to metabolic NCDs," Dr RS Dhaliwal, Scientist ‘G’ & Head, Non-communicable Disease Division, Indian Council of Medical Research told the Hindustan Times. "The findings of this study are very significant as they provide robust estimates of NCDs for the nation. Compared to earlier estimates, India currently has a substantially greater prevalence of metabolic NCDs. In India, the diabetes epidemic is in transition, with some states having already reached their peak rates while others are just getting started. The study also demonstrates that despite the fact that all metabolic NCDs are more common in urban regions, rural areas have significantly greater prevalence rates than that reported previously," Dr R.M.Anjana, Managing Director, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) and President, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF told the Hindustan Times. Symptoms of diabetes The severity of diabetes symptoms is determined by blood sugar levels. Some people may not exhibit symptoms, particularly if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes may appear suddenly and are more severe, according to the Mayo Clinic. Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes can both cause the following symptoms: - Noticing more thirst than usual - Frequent urination. - Weight loss without any effort. - Ketones are present in the urine. When there is insufficient insulin available, muscle and fat are broken - Down, producing ketones as a consequence. - Becoming worn out and fragile. - Irritated or experiencing other mood swings. - Vision that is hazy. - Having wounds that take a long time to heal. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Over 101 million people diabetic in India, Goa leads the list: Study

<p dir="ltr">India witnessed 1,787 cyber-attacks each week on an average in an organisation over the past six months, compared to the global average of 983, as per an <a href="https://go.checkpoint.com/2023-cyber-security-report/chapter-03.php">analysis </a>by Check Point Software Technologies, an American-Israeli cyber threat intelligence analyst.</p>

<p>The latest cyber-attack on India’s premier&nbsp;medical institution, the All India Institute of Medical Science&nbsp;(AIIMS), New Delhi,&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aiims-says-malware-attack-successfully-thwarted-by-cyber-security-systems-601396">second such attack in a row</a> has rekindled discussion over India's&nbsp;preparedness&nbsp;to deal with attacks of the given nature.&nbsp;AIIMS in a statement released on Monday (June 5) said the attempt of malware attack was successfully thwarted and the threat was neutralised in time. But, the bigger questions of India's vulnerability, vigilance and digitalisation still remain unanswered.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Why is India being targetted?</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr">Cyber-attacks are frequently directed towards India due to its large population and expanding internet user base, resulting in a substantial attack surface, explains <strong>Dr Ananth Prabhu G, cyber law and security expert </strong>for various Indian law enforcement agencies.</p>

<p>“The country's economic progress and digital modernisation have led to increased digitisation in various sectors, which has caught the attention of cyber-criminals who seek financial benefits and access to sensitive data. Additionally, India's global prominence and intricate political and geopolitical relationships make it a prime target for attacks motivated by politics, espionage, or the disruption of critical infrastructure. Government initiatives and the collection of vast amounts of personal data have made the systems enticing targets,” he told <strong>WION</strong>.</p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>India’s healthcare sector a constant target? Why is health-related data so critical?</strong></h2>

<p>A nationwide initiative to <a href="https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/17739294021483341357.pdf">digitise medical data</a> was launched in September 2021, and as of now, more than 173,000 hospitals have enrolled with it. In accordance with medical records kept by hospitals on their own servers or in cloud storage, the programme allocates patient numbers that are linked to those records.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Healthcare data is a prime target for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhis-bigest-cyber-fraud-doctor-duped-of-rs-45-crore-548k-via-skype-calls-594502">cyber-criminals</a> due to its immense value and inherent vulnerabilities. Firstly, healthcare data contains a plethora of sensitive information that can be exploited for illicit purposes. Personally identifiable information (PII) like names, addresses, Aadhar, and insurance details can be illicitly traded on the black market for identity theft or used in fraudulent financial activities. Furthermore, medical records and health information hold significant worth as they can be leveraged for fraudulent billing, acquiring prescription drugs, or even extorting individuals with sensitive health conditions. The high value attached to healthcare data makes it an enticing objective for cyber-criminals seeking financial gain or other malicious intentions,” explains Dr Prabhu G.</p>

<p dir="ltr">He further adds that healthcare systems are “particularly appealing” to hackers because they often possess weaker security measures compared to other industries. The healthcare sector traditionally prioritises patient care and operational efficiency over robust cybersecurity, leaving vulnerabilities that cyber-criminals can exploit. Outdated software, legacy systems, and inadequate investments in cyber security infrastructure render healthcare organisations more susceptible to attacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Second malware attack at AIIMS, New Delhi&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Digitalisation and the risk of cyber-crimes</strong></h2>

<p>As per industry estimates, 2022 was India's worst year to date for cyber-attacks, an issue that has only become worse with rising digitalisation.</p>

<p>“The process of digitalisation heightens the vulnerability to cyber crime as it expands the attack surface through interconnected systems, adds complexity to IT infrastructure, involves the accumulation of valuable data, increases connectivity, and witnesses the continuous evolution of cyber threats. This combination of factors grants cybercriminals numerous avenues to exploit weaknesses, pilfer sensitive information, disrupt operations, and inflict financial and reputational harm,” Dr Prabhu G said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Way forward</strong></h2>

<p>Technology usage is accelerating, which will lead to an increase in cyber-attack frequency and intensity. How can organisations curb the risk of a cyber-attack in that case?</p>

<p>“To bridge the gap and address the challenges posed by cyber-crime, it is essential to enhance collaboration between government agencies, private sector organisations, and cyber-security experts, while also prioritising robust cyber-security measures, education and training programmes, adequate resources and investment, legislation and regulation, international cooperation, continuous monitoring and incident response capabilities, and specific cyber-security awareness initiatives in sectors like healthcare. By taking these comprehensive steps, we can work towards a safer digital landscape, mitigate cyber threats, protect sensitive data, and foster a collective defence against cyber-criminals,” Dr Prabhu G explains.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The most significant issue, notwithstanding India's security measures, is the ability of the criminals to penetrate the Indian cyber-security system, regardless of whether or not these attacks result in data or financial loss. Therefore, it is imperative to implement the <a href="https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/DIA_Presentation%2009.03.2023%20Final.pdf">digital India Act</a>.</p>

<p><br />
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India witnessed 1,787 cyber-attacks each week on an average in an organisation over the past six months, compared to the global average of 983, as per an analysis by Check Point Software Technologies, an American-Israeli cyber threat intelligence analyst.

India witnessed 1,787 cyber-attacks each week on an average in an organisation over the past six months, compared to the global average of 983, as per an analysis by Check Point Software Technologies, an American-Israeli cyber threat intelligence analyst. The latest cyber-attack on India’s premier medical institution, the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi, the second such attack in a row has rekindled discussion over India's preparedness to deal with attacks of the given nature. AIIMS in a statement released on Monday (June 5) said the attempt of malware attack was successfully thwarted and the threat was neutralised in time. But, the bigger questions of India's vulnerability, vigilance and digitalisation still remain unanswered. × Why is India being targetted? Cyber-attacks are frequently directed towards India due to its large population and expanding internet user base, resulting in a substantial attack surface, explains Dr Ananth Prabhu G, cyber law and security expert for various Indian law enforcement agencies. “The country's economic progress and digital modernisation have led to increased digitisation in various sectors, which has caught the attention of cyber-criminals who seek financial benefits and access to sensitive data. Additionally, India's global prominence and intricate political and geopolitical relationships make it a prime target for attacks motivated by politics, espionage, or the disruption of critical infrastructure. Government initiatives and the collection of vast amounts of personal data have made the systems enticing targets,” he told WION. India’s healthcare sector a constant target? Why is health-related data so critical? A nationwide initiative to digitise medical data was launched in September 2021, and as of now, more than 173,000 hospitals have enrolled with it. In accordance with medical records kept by hospitals on their own servers or in cloud storage, the programme allocates patient numbers that are linked to those records. “Healthcare data is a prime target for cyber-criminals due to its immense value and inherent vulnerabilities. Firstly, healthcare data contains a plethora of sensitive information that can be exploited for illicit purposes. Personally identifiable information (PII) like names, addresses, Aadhar, and insurance details can be illicitly traded on the black market for identity theft or used in fraudulent financial activities. Furthermore, medical records and health information hold significant worth as they can be leveraged for fraudulent billing, acquiring prescription drugs, or even extorting individuals with sensitive health conditions. The high value attached to healthcare data makes it an enticing objective for cyber-criminals seeking financial gain or other malicious intentions,” explains Dr Prabhu G. He further adds that healthcare systems are “particularly appealing” to hackers because they often possess weaker security measures compared to other industries. The healthcare sector traditionally prioritises patient care and operational efficiency over robust cybersecurity, leaving vulnerabilities that cyber-criminals can exploit. Outdated software, legacy systems, and inadequate investments in cyber security infrastructure render healthcare organisations more susceptible to attacks. Also watch | Second malware attack at AIIMS, New Delhi Digitalisation and the risk of cyber-crimes As per industry estimates, 2022 was India's worst year to date for cyber-attacks, an issue that has only become worse with rising digitalisation. “The process of digitalisation heightens the vulnerability to cyber crime as it expands the attack surface through interconnected systems, adds complexity to IT infrastructure, involves the accumulation of valuable data, increases connectivity, and witnesses the continuous evolution of cyber threats. This combination of factors grants cybercriminals numerous avenues to exploit weaknesses, pilfer sensitive information, disrupt operations, and inflict financial and reputational harm,” Dr Prabhu G said. Way forward Technology usage is accelerating, which will lead to an increase in cyber-attack frequency and intensity. How can organisations curb the risk of a cyber-attack in that case? “To bridge the gap and address the challenges posed by cyber-crime, it is essential to enhance collaboration between government agencies, private sector organisations, and cyber-security experts, while also prioritising robust cyber-security measures, education and training programmes, adequate resources and investment, legislation and regulation, international cooperation, continuous monitoring and incident response capabilities, and specific cyber-security awareness initiatives in sectors like healthcare. By taking these comprehensive steps, we can work towards a safer digital landscape, mitigate cyber threats, protect sensitive data, and foster a collective defence against cyber-criminals,” Dr Prabhu G explains. The most significant issue, notwithstanding India's security measures, is the ability of the criminals to penetrate the Indian cyber-security system, regardless of whether or not these attacks result in data or financial loss. Therefore, it is imperative to implement the digital India Act. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare

<p>Microsoft has decided to pay $20 million to reach a settlement after it was found to be illegally collecting and retaining the data of children who signed up to use its Xbox video game console.</p>

<p>The Federal Trade Commission reached the settlement with the tech company on Monday, as it called for strengthening the privacy of child gamers.</p>

<p>However, the settlement must be approved by a federal court before it can go into effect.</p>

<h2><strong>What is Microsoft accused of?</strong></h2>

<p>The federal agency had found that Microsoft gathered the data without informing parents or obtaining their consent, and that it also illegally held onto the data for longer periods than necessary for accounts created before 2021.</p>

<p>These actions violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, the FTC stated.</p>

<p>The law mandates online services and websites directed towards children to obtain a parent's consent and to inform the parent about personal data being collected about their child.</p>

<h2><strong>Microsoft Chief Brad Smith: Machines should be subject to human oversight</strong></h2>

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<p>“From 2015 to 2020 Microsoft retained data sometimes for years from the account set up, even when a parent failed to complete the process, the FTC said in a statement.</p>

<h2><strong>Microsoft’s response</strong></h2>

<p>In a blog post, Microsoft corporate vice president for Xbox Dave McCarthy outlined additional steps being now taken by the company to improve its age verification systems and to ensure that parents are involved in the creation of child accounts for the service.</p>

<p>"Regrettably, we did not meet customer expectations and are committed to complying with the order to continue improving upon our safety measures," Microsoft's Dave McCarthy, CVP of Xbox Player Services, wrote in an Xbox blog post.</p>

<p>"We believe that we can and should do more, and we'll remain steadfast in our commitment to safety, privacy, and security for our community."</p>

<p>These mostly concern efforts to improve age verification technology and to educate children and parents about privacy issues, it said.</p>

<h2><strong>Second tech firm to be fined in two weeks</strong></h2>

<p>The action follows last week’s warning to Amazon after the federal agency said that its Echo devices are collecting users’ personal information without consent.</p>

<p>Amazon agreed to pay $25 million after the FTC found that it had retained sensitive data, including voice recordings of children, for years.</p>

<p>Amazon's doorbell camera unit Ring also agreed to pay out $5.8m after giving employees unrestricted access to customers' data.</p>

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Microsoft has decided to pay $20 million to reach a settlement after it was found to be illegally collecting and retaining the data of children who signed up to use its Xbox video game console.

Microsoft has decided to pay $20 million to reach a settlement after it was found to be illegally collecting and retaining the data of children who signed up to use its Xbox video game console. The Federal Trade Commission reached the settlement with the tech company on Monday, as it called for strengthening the privacy of child gamers. However, the settlement must be approved by a federal court before it can go into effect. What is Microsoft accused of? The federal agency had found that Microsoft gathered the data without informing parents or obtaining their consent, and that it also illegally held onto the data for longer periods than necessary for accounts created before 2021. These actions violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, the FTC stated. The law mandates online services and websites directed towards children to obtain a parent's consent and to inform the parent about personal data being collected about their child. Microsoft Chief Brad Smith: Machines should be subject to human oversight “From 2015 to 2020 Microsoft retained data sometimes for years from the account set up, even when a parent failed to complete the process, the FTC said in a statement. Microsoft’s response In a blog post, Microsoft corporate vice president for Xbox Dave McCarthy outlined additional steps being now taken by the company to improve its age verification systems and to ensure that parents are involved in the creation of child accounts for the service. "Regrettably, we did not meet customer expectations and are committed to complying with the order to continue improving upon our safety measures," Microsoft's Dave McCarthy, CVP of Xbox Player Services, wrote in an Xbox blog post. "We believe that we can and should do more, and we'll remain steadfast in our commitment to safety, privacy, and security for our community." These mostly concern efforts to improve age verification technology and to educate children and parents about privacy issues, it said. Second tech firm to be fined in two weeks The action follows last week’s warning to Amazon after the federal agency said that its Echo devices are collecting users’ personal information without consent. Amazon agreed to pay $25 million after the FTC found that it had retained sensitive data, including voice recordings of children, for years. Amazon's doorbell camera unit Ring also agreed to pay out $5.8m after giving employees unrestricted access to customers' data. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Microsoft agrees to pay $20mn over illegal storing of Xbox account data of kids

<p dir="ltr">Moving down three spots, India was ranked eighth in the world's most polluted countries in terms of air quality in the <a href="https://www.iqair.com/in-en/world-most-polluted-countries">2022 World Air Quality Report </a>by Swiss company IQAir. As per the findings of the report,&nbsp;12 out&nbsp;of the 15 most polluted cities in central and south Asia were located in India, as they were in the previous year.</p>

<p>The report states that India's annual average PM2.5 level in 2022 was 53.3 g/m3, slightly lower than the 58.1 average in 2021. It was, however, significantly higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) annual PM2.5 concentration limit of 5 g/m3.</p>

<p>Bhiwadi in Rajasthan's Alwar district was the most polluted city in India and the second-most polluted in the Central and South Asia area, with annual PM2.5 levels of 92.7 g/m3.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Darbhanga and Asopur in Bihar were not far behind, with 90.3 and 90.2 levels, respectively. Patna, Ghaziabad, Dharuhera, Chapra, Muzaffarnagar, Greater Noida, Bahadurgarh, and Faridabad are among the other Indian cities on the list of the 15 most polluted in the region.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>What does India lack in its fight against air pollution?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>India has implemented a variety of regulations aimed at various sources of air pollution, ranging from industry to road traffic. Despite this, its air quality has steadily deteriorated, to the degree of today's public health catastrophe.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>On January 10, 2023, India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) marked four years of its implementation. Three years after its inception, the targeted cities have made little headway in decreasing air pollution, and in some cases, such as Chennai and Mumbai, pollution has worsened.</p>

<p>“The difficulty in achieving a lasting impact from these initiatives is multi-faceted,” Suresh Ramasubramanya&nbsp;Iyer, Senior Fellow and Area Convenor, Centre for Environmental Studies, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) told WION.</p>

<p dir="ltr">“Air pollution stems from numerous sources: vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, construction dust, and agricultural practices like crop burning, to name just a few. Controlling each of these sources presents its own unique set of challenges. Moreover, plans that seem effective in theory often confront various obstacles during implementation. They require robust collaboration and coordination between different departments and sectors,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr">“Besides, ensuring that sufficient funding and resources are available, raising public awareness, encouraging participation, and enforcing strict pollution control measures are equally vital. Another often overlooked obstacle is the lack of political willpower to tackle air pollution. It's a complicated issue with no quick fixes. Many politicians might be hesitant to act due to the potential economic implications of stricter regulations, creating a conflict between short-term economic gains and long-term environmental health,” he noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Air pollution can affect Covid-19 vaccine efficacy: Study</strong></p>

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<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Only six nations attained WHO's safe limit</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr">Chad, a landlocked nation in central Africa, was named the world's most polluted, with annual PM2.5 levels of 89.7 g/m3. Iraq came in second only to Chad (80.1), followed by Pakistan (70.9), Bahrain (66.6), and Bangladesh (65.8).</p>

<p dir="ltr">Based on the IQAir analysis, only 13 of the 131 nations and areas covered in the report achieved PM2.5 concentrations of 5 g/m3 or less – the WHO limit for yearly PM2.5 concentrations. Guam in the western Pacific Ocean had the lowest annual PM2.5 levels at 1.3 g/m3, followed by French Polynesia (2.5), the US Virgin Islands (2.9), Bermuda (3.0), and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (3.3) in the Caribbean.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At the same time, just six nations, namely Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand, reached the WHO's safe level.</p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Heath toll of air pollution</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr">Air pollution killed an estimated 1.6 million people in India in 2019 – the highest number in the world, according to a <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00090-0/fulltext">Lancet report</a>.&nbsp;The report&nbsp;also noted that air pollution was the most severe in the Indo-Gangetic plain, where New Delhi and many of the most polluted cities are situated.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">“Air pollution is a mixture of harmful chemicals which via multiple mechanisms will damage the airways, blood vessels,&nbsp;and can lead to irreversible organ damage,” Dr Arjun Khanna, Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad,&nbsp;told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">“Airways and lung diseases are getting more difficult to treat. The number of chronic intractable coughs I see these days are&nbsp;substantially more than it was a decade ago. Previously, when a patient asked whether they could buy an air purifier for their home, I would tell them that we didn't have enough evidence to support the usage of these devices. My response has entirely changed now. Air purifiers, in my opinion, are no longer a luxury for people who live in Delhi NCR, but rather a necessity.&nbsp;The number of children and adolescents suffering from chronic respiratory disorders is far more than in the past. These trends are highly alarming,” said Dr Khanna.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/air-pollution-increases-speeds-bone-loss-among-postmenopausal-women-says-study-571192">Air pollution speeds up bone loss in postmenopausal women, says study</a></p>

<h2><strong>Way forward for India</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/10-countries-with-worst-air-quality-1682427749866">Air pollution mitigation</a> is a multi-stage process. “We need to understand that it takes decades to reduce high air pollution levels.&nbsp;The US&nbsp;took almost three decades to come to its&nbsp;present level,” Prof Sagnik Dey, Institute Chair Professor,&nbsp;Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi, told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">“Efforts cannot be ad-hoc arrangements and we have to target reducing emissions at the source,” noted Prof Dey.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">“India needs to prioritise interventions, impose stringent emission norms, adopt a cross-sectoral plan in air sheds, focus on sustainable plans and engage with awareness activities at multiple levels,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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Moving down three spots, India was ranked eighth in the world's most polluted countries in terms of air quality in the 2022 World Air Quality Report by Swiss company IQAir.

Moving down three spots, India was ranked eighth in the world's most polluted countries in terms of air quality in the 2022 World Air Quality Report by Swiss company IQAir. As per the findings of the report, 12 out of the 15 most polluted cities in central and south Asia were located in India, as they were in the previous year. The report states that India's annual average PM2.5 level in 2022 was 53.3 g/m3, slightly lower than the 58.1 average in 2021. It was, however, significantly higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) annual PM2.5 concentration limit of 5 g/m3. Bhiwadi in Rajasthan's Alwar district was the most polluted city in India and the second-most polluted in the Central and South Asia area, with annual PM2.5 levels of 92.7 g/m3. Darbhanga and Asopur in Bihar were not far behind, with 90.3 and 90.2 levels, respectively. Patna, Ghaziabad, Dharuhera, Chapra, Muzaffarnagar, Greater Noida, Bahadurgarh, and Faridabad are among the other Indian cities on the list of the 15 most polluted in the region. What does India lack in its fight against air pollution? India has implemented a variety of regulations aimed at various sources of air pollution, ranging from industry to road traffic. Despite this, its air quality has steadily deteriorated, to the degree of today's public health catastrophe. On January 10, 2023, India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) marked four years of its implementation. Three years after its inception, the targeted cities have made little headway in decreasing air pollution, and in some cases, such as Chennai and Mumbai, pollution has worsened. “The difficulty in achieving a lasting impact from these initiatives is multi-faceted,” Suresh Ramasubramanya Iyer, Senior Fellow and Area Convenor, Centre for Environmental Studies, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) told WION. “Air pollution stems from numerous sources: vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, construction dust, and agricultural practices like crop burning, to name just a few. Controlling each of these sources presents its own unique set of challenges. Moreover, plans that seem effective in theory often confront various obstacles during implementation. They require robust collaboration and coordination between different departments and sectors,” he said. “Besides, ensuring that sufficient funding and resources are available, raising public awareness, encouraging participation, and enforcing strict pollution control measures are equally vital. Another often overlooked obstacle is the lack of political willpower to tackle air pollution. It's a complicated issue with no quick fixes. Many politicians might be hesitant to act due to the potential economic implications of stricter regulations, creating a conflict between short-term economic gains and long-term environmental health,” he noted. ALSO WATCH | Air pollution can affect Covid-19 vaccine efficacy: Study Only six nations attained WHO's safe limit Chad, a landlocked nation in central Africa, was named the world's most polluted, with annual PM2.5 levels of 89.7 g/m3. Iraq came in second only to Chad (80.1), followed by Pakistan (70.9), Bahrain (66.6), and Bangladesh (65.8). Based on the IQAir analysis, only 13 of the 131 nations and areas covered in the report achieved PM2.5 concentrations of 5 g/m3 or less – the WHO limit for yearly PM2.5 concentrations. Guam in the western Pacific Ocean had the lowest annual PM2.5 levels at 1.3 g/m3, followed by French Polynesia (2.5), the US Virgin Islands (2.9), Bermuda (3.0), and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (3.3) in the Caribbean. At the same time, just six nations, namely Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand, reached the WHO's safe level. Heath toll of air pollution Air pollution killed an estimated 1.6 million people in India in 2019 – the highest number in the world, according to a Lancet report. The report also noted that air pollution was the most severe in the Indo-Gangetic plain, where New Delhi and many of the most polluted cities are situated. “Air pollution is a mixture of harmful chemicals which via multiple mechanisms will damage the airways, blood vessels, and can lead to irreversible organ damage,” Dr Arjun Khanna, Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, told WION. “Airways and lung diseases are getting more difficult to treat. The number of chronic intractable coughs I see these days are substantially more than it was a decade ago. Previously, when a patient asked whether they could buy an air purifier for their home, I would tell them that we didn't have enough evidence to support the usage of these devices. My response has entirely changed now. Air purifiers, in my opinion, are no longer a luxury for people who live in Delhi NCR, but rather a necessity. The number of children and adolescents suffering from chronic respiratory disorders is far more than in the past. These trends are highly alarming,” said Dr Khanna. ALSO READ | Air pollution speeds up bone loss in postmenopausal women, says study Way forward for India Air pollution mitigation is a multi-stage process. “We need to understand that it takes decades to reduce high air pollution levels. The US took almost three decades to come to its present level,” Prof Sagnik Dey, Institute Chair Professor, Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi, told WION. “Efforts cannot be ad-hoc arrangements and we have to target reducing emissions at the source,” noted Prof Dey. “India needs to prioritise interventions, impose stringent emission norms, adopt a cross-sectoral plan in air sheds, focus on sustainable plans and engage with awareness activities at multiple levels,” he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | Gasping for breath: What is India doing about its air pollution crisis?

<p>In a report by Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper, which cited 100 gigabytes of confidential information disclosed by a whistleblower, Tesla has failed to safeguard data from customers, employees, and business partners, reported Guardian.&nbsp;The report also suggests that the carmaker has received thousands of consumer complaints about its driver assistance system.</p>

<p>This comes after a Reuters article last month, said Tesla employees shared very intrusive videos and photographs taken by consumers' car cameras&nbsp;secretly&nbsp;between 2019 and 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the latest Handelsblatt article, a data file known as the "Tesla Files" contained "ample" amounts of client data which includes tables with over 100,000 names of former and present employees, including Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, and his social security number, as well as confidential information such as private email addresses, and phone numbers.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/night-train-connecting-brussels-berlin-starts-operations-push-for-less-polluting-alternatives-to-air-travel-597009">Night train connecting Brussels-Berlin starts operations. Push for less polluting alternatives to air travel</a></p>

<p>The breach would be against General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the publication said. It is a comprehensive data protection law enacted by the European Union (EU) to protect the personal data and privacy rights of individuals within the EU and governs how organizations collect, use, store, and process personal data.</p>

<p>The data protection office in German state of Brandenburg, which is home to Tesla’s European gigafactory, described the data leak as “massive”. “I can’t remember such a scale,” the Brandenburg data protection officer, Dagmar Hartge, said. If such a breach were to be shown, Tesla might face fines of up to 4% of its annual sales, or around €3.26 billion ($3.5 billion).</p>

<p>Moreover, there have been several consumer complaints concerning Tesla's driving assistance features. It includes over 4,000 complaints about sudden acceleration or phantom brakes.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aid-worker-arrives-in-belgium-after-prisoner-swap-with-iranian-diplomat-597006">Aid worker arrives in Belgium after prisoner swap with Iranian diplomat</a><br />
<br />
The disclosures, according to the German union IG Metall, were "disturbing." IG Metall urged Tesla to tell staff members about all data protection infractions and foster an environment where employees could voice concerns and grievances freely and without fear.</p>

<p>“These revelations ... fit with the picture that we have gained in just under two years,” said Dirk Schulze, IG Metall incoming district manager for Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony.</p>

<p>According to a Tesla lawyer quoted by Handelsblatt, a "disgruntled former employee" exploited his position as a service technician. The lawyer also said that the business will file a lawsuit against the person it suspected of the leak.</p>

<h2><strong>Data protection agency in Netherlands over leaks&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The data protection agency in Netherlands said on Friday that it was aware of potential Tesla data security violations. “We are aware of the Handelsblatt story and we are looking into it,” said a spokesperson for the AP data watchdog in the Netherlands, where Tesla’s European headquarters is located.</p>

<p>The data protection agency in the German state of Brandenburg notified the Dutch agency.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate new parliament on May 28</strong></p>

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<p>Tesla reportedly informed the Dutch authorities of the breach, according to Handelsblatt, but the AP representative said they were unaware of any disclosures the business may have made to the agency. On Friday, Tesla was unavailable for comment.</p>

<h2><strong>Leaked video clips</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier, a few of the clips showed Tesla owners in awkward circumstances. For instance, a video of a man approaching a car being entirely nude was recounted by one ex-employee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In another video, an ex-employee said a Tesla was shown in a collision video from 2021 travelling quickly through a residential neighbourhood before striking a child riding a bike. Both the child and the bike flew in opposite directions.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Facebook slapped with fine&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This Monday, the top EU privacy authority imposed a record €1.2 billion punishment on Facebook parent company Meta for how it handled user data and gave Meta five months to stop sending user data to the US.</p>

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In a report by Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper, which cited 100 gigabytes of confidential information disclosed by a whistleblower, Tesla has failed to safeguard data from customers, employees, and business partners, reported Guardian.

In a report by Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper, which cited 100 gigabytes of confidential information disclosed by a whistleblower, Tesla has failed to safeguard data from customers, employees, and business partners, reported Guardian. The report also suggests that the carmaker has received thousands of consumer complaints about its driver assistance system. This comes after a Reuters article last month, said Tesla employees shared very intrusive videos and photographs taken by consumers' car cameras secretly between 2019 and 2022. According to the latest Handelsblatt article, a data file known as the "Tesla Files" contained "ample" amounts of client data which includes tables with over 100,000 names of former and present employees, including Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, and his social security number, as well as confidential information such as private email addresses, and phone numbers. Also Read | Night train connecting Brussels-Berlin starts operations. Push for less polluting alternatives to air travel The breach would be against General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the publication said. It is a comprehensive data protection law enacted by the European Union (EU) to protect the personal data and privacy rights of individuals within the EU and governs how organizations collect, use, store, and process personal data. The data protection office in German state of Brandenburg, which is home to Tesla’s European gigafactory, described the data leak as “massive”. “I can’t remember such a scale,” the Brandenburg data protection officer, Dagmar Hartge, said. If such a breach were to be shown, Tesla might face fines of up to 4% of its annual sales, or around €3.26 billion ($3.5 billion). Moreover, there have been several consumer complaints concerning Tesla's driving assistance features. It includes over 4,000 complaints about sudden acceleration or phantom brakes. Also Read | Aid worker arrives in Belgium after prisoner swap with Iranian diplomat The disclosures, according to the German union IG Metall, were "disturbing." IG Metall urged Tesla to tell staff members about all data protection infractions and foster an environment where employees could voice concerns and grievances freely and without fear. “These revelations ... fit with the picture that we have gained in just under two years,” said Dirk Schulze, IG Metall incoming district manager for Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony. According to a Tesla lawyer quoted by Handelsblatt, a "disgruntled former employee" exploited his position as a service technician. The lawyer also said that the business will file a lawsuit against the person it suspected of the leak. Data protection agency in Netherlands over leaks The data protection agency in Netherlands said on Friday that it was aware of potential Tesla data security violations. “We are aware of the Handelsblatt story and we are looking into it,” said a spokesperson for the AP data watchdog in the Netherlands, where Tesla’s European headquarters is located. The data protection agency in the German state of Brandenburg notified the Dutch agency. Watch | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate new parliament on May 28 × Tesla reportedly informed the Dutch authorities of the breach, according to Handelsblatt, but the AP representative said they were unaware of any disclosures the business may have made to the agency. On Friday, Tesla was unavailable for comment. Leaked video clips Earlier, a few of the clips showed Tesla owners in awkward circumstances. For instance, a video of a man approaching a car being entirely nude was recounted by one ex-employee. In another video, an ex-employee said a Tesla was shown in a collision video from 2021 travelling quickly through a residential neighbourhood before striking a child riding a bike. Both the child and the bike flew in opposite directions. Facebook slapped with fine This Monday, the top EU privacy authority imposed a record €1.2 billion punishment on Facebook parent company Meta for how it handled user data and gave Meta five months to stop sending user data to the US. 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. ×

Tesla Files: 100 gigabytes of confidential data leaked by whistleblower

<p><meta charset="utf-8" />Bakhmut, which had&nbsp;come to represent the gruelling protracted war in Ukraine more than any other city, was reported to have been captured by Russia in various reports till Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's spokesperson issues a denial and a clarification. On Saturday, (May 20th)&nbsp;Russia's Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that his mercenary fighters along with Russian troops had completed the capture of Bakhmut. He said,&nbsp;"Today, at 12 noon, Bakhmut was completely taken."</p>

<p>"We completely took the whole city, from house to house," added&nbsp;Prigozhin.</p>

<p>The claim, however, was&nbsp;promptly rejected by Ukraine, whose&nbsp;military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevatyi told Reuters news agency: "This is not true. Our units are fighting in Bakhmut."</p>

<p>Here's all you need to know about Bakhmut's importance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war:</p>

<p>The city has been relentlessly attacked by Russia for around eight months now, leaving it as a burnt-out ghost town.</p>

<p>The Wagner group,&nbsp;a private militia owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman with ties to Russia's President&nbsp;Vladimir Putin,&nbsp;has been dispatching a barrage of soldiers and mercenaries from Moscow in an effort to attack Ukrainian strongholds, suffering significant losses in the process. Ukraine has also lost more than 1,100 soldiers fighting along the Bakhmut section of the front line, said Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">“In less than a week, starting from the 6th March, we managed to kill more than 1,100 enemy soldiers in the Bakhmut sector alone, Russia’s irreversible loss, right there, near Bakhmut,” Zelensky said in a video address to the nation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The city occasionally looked as though it were about to succumb as Russian forces inched closer. Yet, Ukrainian combatants have maintained their position on ground.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><meta charset="utf-8" /><b id="docs-internal-guid-714bd3dd-7fff-a0b1-2ce4-9d6c000cc0c5">Russia wants Bakhmut eagerly. But why?</b></h2>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" />The city of Bakhmut is located in the eastern part of Donetsk, more than 400 miles southeast of Kyiv, and 10 miles from the Luhansk region's border. With a pre-war population of about 71,000, the industrial city was popular because of its salt and gypsum mines.</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /><b id="docs-internal-guid-74bb42d5-7fff-a907-56a3-fd9d7a667ff2"><img height="339" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cLGGcXGC0J-mHuDT7gPUdHG17jdSm5uQCDF99lNxSTa2Fv2ktR2iaB0Whi6bcStbYa8sDfrsOBvtNYHmuzreZSNnHO13pHliqqf8JFSzSjmbHlzOudnETpngvAEqVtf0uOaCvTJpHDomYl8Iib0_Rl8" width="602" /></b></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /><b id="docs-internal-guid-1b448c9b-7fff-d13e-3fc2-acf4fb94de59"><img height="339" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QvZPoPg40Oa4w39b6r8P5sTIxLOm_ezjS1tIibbDx1BGL7OEmiRSAuTnlhwx89XVrsSIBPohqrovWUYH1BzFENIGiuSU5Uqry-OKzEmAoNujzf7PZHtuSEa-B0rq5eku--s1fQD2uLBaxRg9TLfOgC4" width="602" /></b></p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" />The battle for Bakhmut can be seen as a targeted attack by Russia, owing to the recent logistical challenges observed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Inadequate preparation, poor logistics, and unrealistic planning are some of the reasons for the failure of Russia's rapid invasion of Ukraine, according to the Swedish Defence University.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the capture of Bakhmut, Russia is in a way trying to cut down all supply routes headed towards Lysychansk, which is where it plans to place a block, said Padmashree Anandhan, research associate, National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru,&nbsp;who spoke to WION. “This would weaken Ukraine’s position on the ground,” she added.</p>

<p>Bakhmut was “not a particularly symbolically or strategically important city” originally, said Karolina Hird, Russia analyst at ISW, who spoke to the Washington Post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Bakhmut has become a tussle for pride,” said Anandhan. It can be seen as a political goal to tell Europe that Russia does have the ability to push back Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday described Bakhmut as “an important defence node for Ukrainian forces” in the east.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Taking it under control will make it possible to conduct further offensives deep into the Ukrainian armed forces’ defences,” he said in a statement.<meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>For Ukrainians, Bakhmut is not just a supply route but an open point to any future fight in Donetsk, keeping in view the geographical location of the city.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The defeat of Bakhmut might compel Ukraine to consider how long the conflict might last and how it can employ new weaponry to advance in Donetsk, said Anandhan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, Bakhmut is an industrial region, rich in mining reserves. Losing hold of the city can have economic ramifications for Ukraine. Hence, Ukraine might not really want to give up on Bakhmut that easily, added Anandhan.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2><b id="docs-internal-guid-ce862a6e-7fff-fa09-95c0-359715d474e7">What does Ukraine look like on a map, one year into the war?</b></h2>

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<p dir="ltr">Russian ground forces entered the country fast and took over a sizable portion of Ukraine within a few weeks. They had reached the outskirts of Kyiv and were in complete control of Sumy and the majority of the country's northeast, as per the ISW.</p>

<p>Russian soldiers were engulfing the port city of Mariupol while shelling Kharkiv and seizing land as far as Kherson in the east and south.</p>

<p>However, they encountered fierce Ukrainian resistance nearly everywhere and encountered significant logistical challenges due to an acute shortage of food, water, and ammunition, as reported by the BBC.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Explained: The Battle for Bakhmut</strong></p>

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<p>The NLAW anti-tank system, which was quickly deployed by Ukrainian forces and proved&nbsp;to be quite effective against the Russian assault, was one of the weapons delivered by the West.</p>

<p>With the influx of more western ammunition, the situation changed for Ukraine. Russia had entirely withdrawn from the north after failing to capture Kyiv, reported the BBC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As Russia was forced to retreat from Kharkiv, Ukraine achieved its first significant victory and launched a counterattack near Kherson.</p>

<p>Ukraine has the authority of Kherson and has mostly stopped the Russian push in the east for the time being after the invasion one year ago.</p>

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Bakhmut, which had come to represent the gruelling protracted war in Ukraine more than any other city, was reported to have been captured by Russia in various reports till Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's spokesperson issues a denial and a clarification.

Bakhmut, which had come to represent the gruelling protracted war in Ukraine more than any other city, was reported to have been captured by Russia in various reports till Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's spokesperson issues a denial and a clarification. On Saturday, (May 20th) Russia's Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that his mercenary fighters along with Russian troops had completed the capture of Bakhmut. He said, "Today, at 12 noon, Bakhmut was completely taken." "We completely took the whole city, from house to house," added Prigozhin. The claim, however, was promptly rejected by Ukraine, whose military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevatyi told Reuters news agency: "This is not true. Our units are fighting in Bakhmut." Here's all you need to know about Bakhmut's importance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war: The city has been relentlessly attacked by Russia for around eight months now, leaving it as a burnt-out ghost town. The Wagner group, a private militia owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman with ties to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, has been dispatching a barrage of soldiers and mercenaries from Moscow in an effort to attack Ukrainian strongholds, suffering significant losses in the process. Ukraine has also lost more than 1,100 soldiers fighting along the Bakhmut section of the front line, said Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. “In less than a week, starting from the 6th March, we managed to kill more than 1,100 enemy soldiers in the Bakhmut sector alone, Russia’s irreversible loss, right there, near Bakhmut,” Zelensky said in a video address to the nation. The city occasionally looked as though it were about to succumb as Russian forces inched closer. Yet, Ukrainian combatants have maintained their position on ground. Russia wants Bakhmut eagerly. But why? The city of Bakhmut is located in the eastern part of Donetsk, more than 400 miles southeast of Kyiv, and 10 miles from the Luhansk region's border. With a pre-war population of about 71,000, the industrial city was popular because of its salt and gypsum mines. The battle for Bakhmut can be seen as a targeted attack by Russia, owing to the recent logistical challenges observed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Inadequate preparation, poor logistics, and unrealistic planning are some of the reasons for the failure of Russia's rapid invasion of Ukraine, according to the Swedish Defence University. With the capture of Bakhmut, Russia is in a way trying to cut down all supply routes headed towards Lysychansk, which is where it plans to place a block, said Padmashree Anandhan, research associate, National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, who spoke to WION. “This would weaken Ukraine’s position on the ground,” she added. Bakhmut was “not a particularly symbolically or strategically important city” originally, said Karolina Hird, Russia analyst at ISW, who spoke to the Washington Post. “Bakhmut has become a tussle for pride,” said Anandhan. It can be seen as a political goal to tell Europe that Russia does have the ability to push back Ukraine. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday described Bakhmut as “an important defence node for Ukrainian forces” in the east. “Taking it under control will make it possible to conduct further offensives deep into the Ukrainian armed forces’ defences,” he said in a statement. For Ukrainians, Bakhmut is not just a supply route but an open point to any future fight in Donetsk, keeping in view the geographical location of the city. The defeat of Bakhmut might compel Ukraine to consider how long the conflict might last and how it can employ new weaponry to advance in Donetsk, said Anandhan. Additionally, Bakhmut is an industrial region, rich in mining reserves. Losing hold of the city can have economic ramifications for Ukraine. Hence, Ukraine might not really want to give up on Bakhmut that easily, added Anandhan. What does Ukraine look like on a map, one year into the war? Russian ground forces entered the country fast and took over a sizable portion of Ukraine within a few weeks. They had reached the outskirts of Kyiv and were in complete control of Sumy and the majority of the country's northeast, as per the ISW. Russian soldiers were engulfing the port city of Mariupol while shelling Kharkiv and seizing land as far as Kherson in the east and south. However, they encountered fierce Ukrainian resistance nearly everywhere and encountered significant logistical challenges due to an acute shortage of food, water, and ammunition, as reported by the BBC. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas Plus: Explained: The Battle for Bakhmut The NLAW anti-tank system, which was quickly deployed by Ukrainian forces and proved to be quite effective against the Russian assault, was one of the weapons delivered by the West. With the influx of more western ammunition, the situation changed for Ukraine. Russia had entirely withdrawn from the north after failing to capture Kyiv, reported the BBC. As Russia was forced to retreat from Kharkiv, Ukraine achieved its first significant victory and launched a counterattack near Kherson. Ukraine has the authority of Kherson and has mostly stopped the Russian push in the east for the time being after the invasion one year ago. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data lab | In maps: Strategic significance of Bakhmut in Russia-Ukraine war

<p>In just the first few months of the year,&nbsp;shootings have frequently grabbed headlines.&nbsp;According to the <a href="https://www.gunviolencearchive.org">Gun Violence Archive</a>, at least 13,959 people have died in the United States from gun violence as of May 1, 2023&nbsp;- or around 115 people each day on average.</p>

<p>85 children and 491 teenagers were among those who died.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The vast majority of deaths from gun violence this year have been suicides. In 2023, there were 66 suicide fatalities on average each day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There have been 184 mass shootings in 2023 so far, which is defined by the Gun Violence Archive as an incident in which four or more victims are shot or killed. These mass shootings have led to 248 deaths and 744 injuries.</p>

<p>The majority of these deaths have taken place&nbsp;in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois and Louisiana.</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" />Alabama became the most recent state in the United States to eliminate the requirement for a state permit that includes a background check to carry a concealed handgun.&nbsp;In simple terms, a person no longer needs a license to legally carry a concealed handgun in public as per this law.</p>

<p>With this move, half of the 50 states in the US now let anyone carry handguns without a permit—a provision that was restricted to Vermont and Alaska 13 years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per&nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention firearm fatality data for 2020,&nbsp;the total number of deaths from firearm-related incidents in the US rose to 45,222 in 2020, the most the CDC has ever documented since it started keeping track of such deaths in 1968.&nbsp;This roughly translates to 124 individuals on an average dying from gun violence each day.</p>

<h2><strong>American gun ownership rates are the highest in the world</strong></h2>

<p>A 2018 report by the Geneva-based <em>Small Arms Survey</em> discovered that US gun owners had 393.3 million firearms, which is more than the nation's current population of 330 million.</p>

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<p>In a study by the <em>Annals of Internal Medicine</em>, it was discovered that between January 2019 and April 2021, 7.5 million Americans&nbsp;or slightly under three per cent of the population, became first-time gun owners.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US-South Korea Mull Nuke Drills: President Yoon Suk-Yeol says talks ongoing</strong></p>

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<p>The <em>American Academy of Pediatrics </em>published research in 2021 that connected increased gun ownership during the pandemic to greater instances of child <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-james-cameron-cut-10-minutes-of-gun-violence-from-avatar-2-wanted-to-get-rid-of-some-of-the-ugliness-547204">gun injuries</a>, including&nbsp;self-inflicted&nbsp;injuries too.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong><em>&nbsp;*Hover on the tile for the figure*</em></strong></p>

<h2><strong>US gun killings compared with other countries</strong></h2>

<p>Data from the CDC shows that homicides accounted for 19,384 deaths in 2020 or 43 per cent&nbsp;of all deaths. The statistic indicates a 75 per cent rise over the previous ten years and a 34 per cent increase from 2019.&nbsp;The statistics show that in the US, a firearm claims&nbsp;close to 53 lives&nbsp;per day. The research also reveals that 79 per cent&nbsp;of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/celebratory-gunshots-gone-wrong-man-dies-of-heart-attack-after-shooting-guest-548770">homicides</a> were committed using firearms.</p>

<p><em><strong>In the infographic: Global comparison of gun-related killings as a % of all homicides (Source: CDC)</strong></em></p>

<p><img alt="US" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="870c64fd-30e3-44f0-ac63-f72ec4ce73f5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_820x620.png" /></p>

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<h2><strong>Rise in mass shootings in the US</strong></h2>

<p>Data from Washington-based <em>Gun Violence Archive</em> shows that&nbsp;there were more than 600 mass shootings in the United States in 2022 alone, more than twice the 336 mass shootings that were reported four years prior. As defined broadly, a mass shooting is any occurrence in which four or more people—excluding the shooter—are shot or killed.</p>

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<p><strong><em>&nbsp;*Hover on the graph&nbsp;for&nbsp;figures*</em></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Americans on gun laws</strong></h2>

<p>American support for tougher gun restrictions in 2020 dropped to its lowest level since 2014 according to polling conducted by <em>Gallup</em> (a US-based&nbsp;analytics company)&nbsp;despite significant and vociferous <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-22-injured-in-celebratory-gunfire-on-new-years-eve-across-karachi-548513">public outcry</a>, frequently following instances of gun tragedy. Only 52 per cent of polled Americans indicated they favoured tougher gun legislation, while 35 per cent&nbsp;said that the laws should remain unchanged.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-temporarily-bans-guns-in-capital-ahead-of-president-elect-lulas-swearing-in-ceremony-547511">Brazil temporarily bans guns in capital ahead of President-elect Lula’s swearing-in ceremony</a></p>

<p>In the study, 11 per cent&nbsp;of respondents thought that rules should be "made less strict." In addition to being incredibly politicised and controversial, the subject generally divides people into different political camps.</p>

<p>Based on the same&nbsp;research, Democrats support stronger gun legislation almost unanimously, with approximately 91 per cent&nbsp;of them being in favour. Contrarily, only 24 per cent&nbsp;of Republicans and 45 per cent of Independent voters had the same opinion.</p>

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In just the first few months of the year, shootings have frequently grabbed headlines. According to the Gun Violence Archive, at least 13,959 people have died in the United States from gun violence as of May 1, 2023 - or around 115 people each day on average.

In just the first few months of the year, shootings have frequently grabbed headlines. According to the Gun Violence Archive, at least 13,959 people have died in the United States from gun violence as of May 1, 2023 - or around 115 people each day on average. 85 children and 491 teenagers were among those who died. The vast majority of deaths from gun violence this year have been suicides. In 2023, there were 66 suicide fatalities on average each day. There have been 184 mass shootings in 2023 so far, which is defined by the Gun Violence Archive as an incident in which four or more victims are shot or killed. These mass shootings have led to 248 deaths and 744 injuries. The majority of these deaths have taken place in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois and Louisiana. Alabama became the most recent state in the United States to eliminate the requirement for a state permit that includes a background check to carry a concealed handgun. In simple terms, a person no longer needs a license to legally carry a concealed handgun in public as per this law. With this move, half of the 50 states in the US now let anyone carry handguns without a permit—a provision that was restricted to Vermont and Alaska 13 years ago. As per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention firearm fatality data for 2020, the total number of deaths from firearm-related incidents in the US rose to 45,222 in 2020, the most the CDC has ever documented since it started keeping track of such deaths in 1968. This roughly translates to 124 individuals on an average dying from gun violence each day. American gun ownership rates are the highest in the world A 2018 report by the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey discovered that US gun owners had 393.3 million firearms, which is more than the nation's current population of 330 million. × In a study by the Annals of Internal Medicine, it was discovered that between January 2019 and April 2021, 7.5 million Americans or slightly under three per cent of the population, became first-time gun owners. Also watch | US-South Korea Mull Nuke Drills: President Yoon Suk-Yeol says talks ongoing The American Academy of Pediatrics published research in 2021 that connected increased gun ownership during the pandemic to greater instances of child gun injuries, including self-inflicted injuries too. × *Hover on the tile for the figure* US gun killings compared with other countries Data from the CDC shows that homicides accounted for 19,384 deaths in 2020 or 43 per cent of all deaths. The statistic indicates a 75 per cent rise over the previous ten years and a 34 per cent increase from 2019. The statistics show that in the US, a firearm claims close to 53 lives per day. The research also reveals that 79 per cent of homicides were committed using firearms. In the infographic: Global comparison of gun-related killings as a % of all homicides (Source: CDC) Rise in mass shootings in the US Data from Washington-based Gun Violence Archive shows that there were more than 600 mass shootings in the United States in 2022 alone, more than twice the 336 mass shootings that were reported four years prior. As defined broadly, a mass shooting is any occurrence in which four or more people—excluding the shooter—are shot or killed. × *Hover on the graph for figures* Americans on gun laws American support for tougher gun restrictions in 2020 dropped to its lowest level since 2014 according to polling conducted by Gallup (a US-based analytics company) despite significant and vociferous public outcry, frequently following instances of gun tragedy. Only 52 per cent of polled Americans indicated they favoured tougher gun legislation, while 35 per cent said that the laws should remain unchanged. Also read | Brazil temporarily bans guns in capital ahead of President-elect Lula’s swearing-in ceremony In the study, 11 per cent of respondents thought that rules should be "made less strict." In addition to being incredibly politicised and controversial, the subject generally divides people into different political camps. Based on the same research, Democrats support stronger gun legislation almost unanimously, with approximately 91 per cent of them being in favour. Contrarily, only 24 per cent of Republicans and 45 per cent of Independent voters had the same opinion. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data lab | Numbers speak volumes: America's unique struggle with gun violence

<p>As tensions with Washington rise, Beijing is taking steps to tighten its control over sensitive data. Beijing restricted access by overseas companies to Chinese data sources in view of a string of reports from US research organisations that authorities were concerned about, as per Wall Street Journal citing sources.</p>

<p>Senior authorities became concerned about American think-tank studies that focused on sensitive topics including cooperation between the military and corporate organisations and was based on open local data sources, according to the Journal.</p>

<p>The studies were from organisations like the Georgetown University Centre for Security and Emerging Technology and the Centre for a New American Security, which was co-founded by Kurt Campbell, who is currently the White House's Indo-Pacific coordinator.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/french-startup-will-take-to-take-people-to-space-in-a-balloon-heres-how-590070">French startup will take people to space in a balloon. Here's how</a></p>

<p>Despite the administration's efforts to promote investment in China this year, there is still a dearth of openness and knowledge in large parts of the world's second-largest economy.</p>

<p>In order to delve further into certain topics and industries, think tanks, research organisations, and consulting firms have historically depended on local sources while researching the world's second-largest economy. However, Chinese businesses like Wind Information Co. ceased giving foreign customers in-depth information about the country's enterprises in recent months.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-pm-sympathises-with-koreas-colonial-victims-stops-short-of-offering-apology-590066">Japanese PM ‘sympathises’ with Korea’s colonial victims, stops short of offering apology</a></p>

<p>Beijing has recently targeted the local Bain &amp; Co., Mintz Group, and Capvision offices. Additionally, the government recently approved a counter-espionage law that broadened the range of actions that may be regarded as spying.</p>

<p>“By taking crucial data off the table, public discourse on China will drift further from the truth. It’s a reckless move by China to limit access to the data,” said Dakota Cary, a China-focused consultant at Krebs Stamos Group who previously worked for CSET at Georgetown. “The US-China relationship will be made worse by this decision.”</p>

<p><strong>Watch | India: 'Vegan leather' developed by Central Leather Research Institute | Sustainable Fashion</strong></p>

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<p>According to the Journal, which cited sources who had discussions with Chinese authorities, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the nation's powerful internet censor, informed data providers in March to limit access to sensitive data, including statistics and patents, from outside China.</p>

<p>The University of California, Berkeley stated in an online notification that organisations received warnings in March alerting them of impending limits on services, including the well-known academic database China National Knowledge Infrastructure.</p>

<p>“Many content types that were previously viewed as mundane have now been flagged by the Chinese authorities to be subject to government review,” the university’s library said in its notice. “The duration of such suspensions is not yet known, but we have been told that access will resume upon CAC determining that Chinese publishers have addressed their requirements for the review of the affected content types.”</p>

<p>Beijing was particularly interested in one research that was released by CSET in June under the title "Silicon Twist," according to the Journal. The military's access to American-designed chips used to train artificial intelligence models was the main topic of that study. The writers claimed to have studied thousands of purchase data to arrive at their results, and they provided instructions on how the US government might restrict access.</p>

<p>Another, from the same center, zeroed in on how Beijing employed programs to track and recruit talent from around the globe to boost its strategic goals, the Journal reported.&nbsp;</p>

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As tensions with Washington rise, Beijing is taking steps to tighten its control over sensitive data. Beijing restricted access by overseas companies to Chinese data sources in view of a string of reports from US research organisations that authorities were concerned about, as per Wall Street Journal citing sources.

As tensions with Washington rise, Beijing is taking steps to tighten its control over sensitive data. Beijing restricted access by overseas companies to Chinese data sources in view of a string of reports from US research organisations that authorities were concerned about, as per Wall Street Journal citing sources. Senior authorities became concerned about American think-tank studies that focused on sensitive topics including cooperation between the military and corporate organisations and was based on open local data sources, according to the Journal. The studies were from organisations like the Georgetown University Centre for Security and Emerging Technology and the Centre for a New American Security, which was co-founded by Kurt Campbell, who is currently the White House's Indo-Pacific coordinator. Also Read | French startup will take people to space in a balloon. Here's how Despite the administration's efforts to promote investment in China this year, there is still a dearth of openness and knowledge in large parts of the world's second-largest economy. In order to delve further into certain topics and industries, think tanks, research organisations, and consulting firms have historically depended on local sources while researching the world's second-largest economy. However, Chinese businesses like Wind Information Co. ceased giving foreign customers in-depth information about the country's enterprises in recent months. Also Read | Japanese PM ‘sympathises’ with Korea’s colonial victims, stops short of offering apology Beijing has recently targeted the local Bain & Co., Mintz Group, and Capvision offices. Additionally, the government recently approved a counter-espionage law that broadened the range of actions that may be regarded as spying. “By taking crucial data off the table, public discourse on China will drift further from the truth. It’s a reckless move by China to limit access to the data,” said Dakota Cary, a China-focused consultant at Krebs Stamos Group who previously worked for CSET at Georgetown. “The US-China relationship will be made worse by this decision.” Watch | India: 'Vegan leather' developed by Central Leather Research Institute | Sustainable Fashion × According to the Journal, which cited sources who had discussions with Chinese authorities, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the nation's powerful internet censor, informed data providers in March to limit access to sensitive data, including statistics and patents, from outside China. The University of California, Berkeley stated in an online notification that organisations received warnings in March alerting them of impending limits on services, including the well-known academic database China National Knowledge Infrastructure. “Many content types that were previously viewed as mundane have now been flagged by the Chinese authorities to be subject to government review,” the university’s library said in its notice. “The duration of such suspensions is not yet known, but we have been told that access will resume upon CAC determining that Chinese publishers have addressed their requirements for the review of the affected content types.” Beijing was particularly interested in one research that was released by CSET in June under the title "Silicon Twist," according to the Journal. The military's access to American-designed chips used to train artificial intelligence models was the main topic of that study. The writers claimed to have studied thousands of purchase data to arrive at their results, and they provided instructions on how the US government might restrict access. Another, from the same center, zeroed in on how Beijing employed programs to track and recruit talent from around the globe to boost its strategic goals, the Journal reported. 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. ×

China restricts data access after US research raised concerns: Report

The European Union's proposed data act is drawing some unexpected backlash from German tech companies SAP and Siemens. The two German tech giants have joined the chorus of critics against the EU's proposed data laws.

Tech companies battle EU over data-sharing

<p dir="ltr">India ranked second in the world for the rate of deforestation after losing 6,68,400 hectares of forest cover between 2015 and 2020 and&nbsp;witnessing&nbsp;the highest rise in deforestation in the last 30 years,&nbsp;according to a <a href="https://www.utilitybidder.co.uk/compare-business-energy/deforestation-report/">survey</a> by a UK-based consulting firm called Utility Bidder.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study employed data collected between 1990 to 2000 and from 2015 to 2020 by the online data repository, <em>Our World In Data</em>, to illustrate the advancement of deforestation in 98 nations.</p>

<p>Brazil and Indonesia came in first and third, with deforestation totalling 16,95,700 hectares in Brazil and 6,50,000 hectares in Indonesia, respectively.</p>

<p>With a difference of 2,84,400 hectares in forestry loss between 1990 and 2020, India also topped the list for the biggest increase in deforestation.</p>

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<h2><strong>Making sense of these figures: What does a loss in&nbsp;forest cover really mean?</strong></h2>

<p>The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has been mapping India's forest cover since the early 1980s, even though it only started publishing its biennial State of Forest reports in 1987.</p>

<p>WION spoke to Dr Yogesh Gokhale, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Forest Management and Governance,&nbsp;The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in New Delhi, in order to examine the previously mentioned data and understand its complexities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Comparable data on India’s forest cover was made possible only in 2007, with the advent of wall-to -wall mapping by the interpretation of satellite data, says Dr Gokhale.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Based on FSI's 17th biennial assessment of India's forests, which covered the years from 2007 to the present, forests and tree cover constitute about 23-25 per cent of the nation's total land area. 18–19 per cent of which are designated as natural forests, 2–3 per cent as protected areas (wildlife sanctuaries), and the remainder as agro-forests (a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals).</p>

<p dir="ltr">Indian forest cover is broadly classified into four classes by the FSI, namely very dense forest, moderately dense forest, open forest and mangrove. The classification of the cover into dense and open forests is based on internationally adopted norms of classification.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Source: Forest Survey of India</strong></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1789635">Data provided by the Forest Survey of India</a> reveals that in the two years between 2019 and 2021, the overall area covered by forests increased by 1,540 square kilometres.</p>

<p>India also includes all plots having a tree canopy density of at least 10 per cent&nbsp; and a size of one hectare or greater, regardless of land use or ownership, in its calculation of forest cover.</p>

<p>"We also need to know the set classification of forests as per its canopy density," claims Dr Gokhale, "in order to understand the above mentioned loss of forest cover."</p>

<p dir="ltr">Most surveys, especially those that don't fall within the scope of FSI, solely include natural forests found in India as part of their analyses. A consistent decrease in numbers is observed exactly there. When the FSI generates data that shows an increase in forest area, they count both forests and tree cover within them. In general, other studies tend to discount tree cover (an estimated area comprising tree patches, which are less than one hectare and isolated trees outside the recorded forest).</p>

<p>“India is currently experiencing a trend where very dense forests are becoming moderately dense forests,” says Dr Gokhale.</p>

<p>“In the India context, we are gaining moderately dense forests, but losing very dense forest areas. Unfortunately, only the loss gets highlighted,” he adds. We must account for the significant portion of agroforestry tracks that are gaining ground outside of typical forest belts if we are to quantify growth holistically, he continues.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“More than 80 per cent&nbsp;of our domestic timber demand is satisfied by agroforestry plantation, and not from natural forest areas,” he says. Agroforestry plantations are expanding, yet this growth is not being counted.&nbsp;</p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>How do we revive our naturally dense forests?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Only 9.96 per cent of India was covered by dense forests under Recorded Forest Areas in 2021, despite substantial planting by the forest department since the 1990s. Since the FSI measured 10.88 per cent dense forest in 1987, there has been a tenth decline in that figure.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The centrepiece initiative for increasing India's forest cover has been its compensatory afforestation programme, which aims to ensure that forest lands being "diverted" for non-forest purposes, like industrial or infrastructure development, are required to be accompanied by afforestation efforts on at least an equal area of land.</p>

<p dir="ltr">“We have already reached an alarming rate of deforestation which requires human intervention to restore the delicate balance of the environment,” says Dr Neha Sharma, Assistant professor of Environment sciences at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">To restore biodiversity and ecological balance, the creation of artificial forests has become a necessity in the present world, she adds.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Additionally, as part of its international climate change commitments, India has promised to increase its forest and tree cover to ensure that they are able to absorb an additional amount of 2.5 billion to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030.</p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Questionable compensatory afforestation? A relook at India’s contentious proposal of bringing down a forest on the Great Nicobar Island and compensating for the loss with a jungle safari in Haryana</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr">India's forest conservation law requires that trees be planted over an equal amount of non-forest land to make up for any ecological loss when a forest is cut down for industrial or development purposes. The organisation responsible for deforestation has to send funds to an administrative body, which then directs them to the organisation responsible for planting trees. Compensatory afforestation is the term used to describe this procedure.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">A particularly problematic idea under this compensatory act is the plan to use funds obtained for compensatory afforestation in Nicobar to build a jungle safari in Haryana.</p>

<p dir="ltr">To begin with, the two territories are located 2,400 kilometres apart in climatically distinct regions. Experts point out that the geographical isolation of the Nicobar Islands has endowed them with unique biodiversity; of the 2,200 varieties of plants recorded there, 200 are rare native species, and 1,300 do not occur in mainland India.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">"Recreating a forest like the one in the Great Nicobar in Haryana is practically impossible,” says Dr Gokhale.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite the fact that there is no legal prohibition against compensatory afforestation funds raised in one state being used in another, experts point out that this is not the case with the Nicobar Islands.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Environmentalists claim it is a prime example of how India's compensatory afforestation programmes are diverging from their intended purpose of addressing ecological demands and allowing governments to exploit forests for financial gain.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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India ranked second in the world for the rate of deforestation after losing 6,68,400 hectares of forest cover between 2015 and 2020 and witnessing the highest rise in deforestation in the last 30 years, according to a survey by a UK-based consulting firm called Utility Bidder.

India ranked second in the world for the rate of deforestation after losing 6,68,400 hectares of forest cover between 2015 and 2020 and witnessing the highest rise in deforestation in the last 30 years, according to a survey by a UK-based consulting firm called Utility Bidder. The study employed data collected between 1990 to 2000 and from 2015 to 2020 by the online data repository, Our World In Data, to illustrate the advancement of deforestation in 98 nations. Brazil and Indonesia came in first and third, with deforestation totalling 16,95,700 hectares in Brazil and 6,50,000 hectares in Indonesia, respectively. With a difference of 2,84,400 hectares in forestry loss between 1990 and 2020, India also topped the list for the biggest increase in deforestation. × Making sense of these figures: What does a loss in forest cover really mean? The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has been mapping India's forest cover since the early 1980s, even though it only started publishing its biennial State of Forest reports in 1987. WION spoke to Dr Yogesh Gokhale, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Forest Management and Governance, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in New Delhi, in order to examine the previously mentioned data and understand its complexities. Comparable data on India’s forest cover was made possible only in 2007, with the advent of wall-to -wall mapping by the interpretation of satellite data, says Dr Gokhale. Based on FSI's 17th biennial assessment of India's forests, which covered the years from 2007 to the present, forests and tree cover constitute about 23-25 per cent of the nation's total land area. 18–19 per cent of which are designated as natural forests, 2–3 per cent as protected areas (wildlife sanctuaries), and the remainder as agro-forests (a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals). Indian forest cover is broadly classified into four classes by the FSI, namely very dense forest, moderately dense forest, open forest and mangrove. The classification of the cover into dense and open forests is based on internationally adopted norms of classification. Source: Forest Survey of India Data provided by the Forest Survey of India reveals that in the two years between 2019 and 2021, the overall area covered by forests increased by 1,540 square kilometres. India also includes all plots having a tree canopy density of at least 10 per cent and a size of one hectare or greater, regardless of land use or ownership, in its calculation of forest cover. "We also need to know the set classification of forests as per its canopy density," claims Dr Gokhale, "in order to understand the above mentioned loss of forest cover." Most surveys, especially those that don't fall within the scope of FSI, solely include natural forests found in India as part of their analyses. A consistent decrease in numbers is observed exactly there. When the FSI generates data that shows an increase in forest area, they count both forests and tree cover within them. In general, other studies tend to discount tree cover (an estimated area comprising tree patches, which are less than one hectare and isolated trees outside the recorded forest). “India is currently experiencing a trend where very dense forests are becoming moderately dense forests,” says Dr Gokhale. “In the India context, we are gaining moderately dense forests, but losing very dense forest areas. Unfortunately, only the loss gets highlighted,” he adds. We must account for the significant portion of agroforestry tracks that are gaining ground outside of typical forest belts if we are to quantify growth holistically, he continues. “More than 80 per cent of our domestic timber demand is satisfied by agroforestry plantation, and not from natural forest areas,” he says. Agroforestry plantations are expanding, yet this growth is not being counted. How do we revive our naturally dense forests? Only 9.96 per cent of India was covered by dense forests under Recorded Forest Areas in 2021, despite substantial planting by the forest department since the 1990s. Since the FSI measured 10.88 per cent dense forest in 1987, there has been a tenth decline in that figure. The centrepiece initiative for increasing India's forest cover has been its compensatory afforestation programme, which aims to ensure that forest lands being "diverted" for non-forest purposes, like industrial or infrastructure development, are required to be accompanied by afforestation efforts on at least an equal area of land. “We have already reached an alarming rate of deforestation which requires human intervention to restore the delicate balance of the environment,” says Dr Neha Sharma, Assistant professor of Environment sciences at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University. To restore biodiversity and ecological balance, the creation of artificial forests has become a necessity in the present world, she adds. Additionally, as part of its international climate change commitments, India has promised to increase its forest and tree cover to ensure that they are able to absorb an additional amount of 2.5 billion to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030. Questionable compensatory afforestation? A relook at India’s contentious proposal of bringing down a forest on the Great Nicobar Island and compensating for the loss with a jungle safari in Haryana India's forest conservation law requires that trees be planted over an equal amount of non-forest land to make up for any ecological loss when a forest is cut down for industrial or development purposes. The organisation responsible for deforestation has to send funds to an administrative body, which then directs them to the organisation responsible for planting trees. Compensatory afforestation is the term used to describe this procedure. A particularly problematic idea under this compensatory act is the plan to use funds obtained for compensatory afforestation in Nicobar to build a jungle safari in Haryana. To begin with, the two territories are located 2,400 kilometres apart in climatically distinct regions. Experts point out that the geographical isolation of the Nicobar Islands has endowed them with unique biodiversity; of the 2,200 varieties of plants recorded there, 200 are rare native species, and 1,300 do not occur in mainland India. "Recreating a forest like the one in the Great Nicobar in Haryana is practically impossible,” says Dr Gokhale. Despite the fact that there is no legal prohibition against compensatory afforestation funds raised in one state being used in another, experts point out that this is not the case with the Nicobar Islands. Environmentalists claim it is a prime example of how India's compensatory afforestation programmes are diverging from their intended purpose of addressing ecological demands and allowing governments to exploit forests for financial gain. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab: Making sense of India's forest cover change, both gains and losses

<p>UK's data watchdog fined TikTok £12.7 million ($15.84 million) for not protecting children’s privacy. According to its data, TikTok permitted around 1.4 million UK children, who were below the age of 13, to use the social platform in 2020.</p>

<p>As per an investigation carried out by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO),&nbsp; data of children below the age of 13 was used by the video-sharing site without parental consent.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/australia-to-ban-tiktok-on-government-devices-over-security-concerns-report-578689">Australia to ban TikTok on government devices: Reports</a></p>

<p>TikTok said it had "invested heavily" to prevent under-13s from accessing the site.</p>

<p>The ICO said that many people were able to get access to the site even after TikTok had set 13 as the minimum age for creating an account.</p>

<p>It stated that the data of children may have been used for tracking and profiling them, and potentially exposing them to inappropriate or harmful content.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Information Commissioner John Edwards said, "There are laws in place to make sure our children are as safe in the digital world as they are in the physical world. TikTok did not abide by those laws.”</p>

<p>"As a consequence, an estimated one million under-13s were inappropriately granted access to the platform, with TikTok collecting and using their personal data. TikTok should have known better. TikTok should have done better. Our £12.7m fine reflects the serious impact their failures may have had,” he added.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | TikTok hit with $15.9 million fine in UK: Global crackdown on Chinese app</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tiktok-hit-with-159-million-fine-in-uk-global-crackdown-on-chinese-app-579261/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Later speaking to BBC News, he said that TikTok had "taken no steps" to get parental consent.</p>

<p>"When you sign up you can be targeted for advertising, you can be profiled, your data contributes to an algorithm which feeds content. If you've been looking at content which is not appropriate for your age, that can get more and more extreme. It can be quite harmful for people who are not old enough to fully appreciate the implications and to make appropriate choices,” he stated.</p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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UK's data watchdog fined TikTok £12.7 million ($15.84 million) for not protecting children’s privacy. According to its data, TikTok permitted around 1.4 million UK children, who were below the age of 13, to use the social platform in 2020.

UK's data watchdog fined TikTok £12.7 million ($15.84 million) for not protecting children’s privacy. According to its data, TikTok permitted around 1.4 million UK children, who were below the age of 13, to use the social platform in 2020. As per an investigation carried out by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), data of children below the age of 13 was used by the video-sharing site without parental consent. ALSO READ | Australia to ban TikTok on government devices: Reports TikTok said it had "invested heavily" to prevent under-13s from accessing the site. The ICO said that many people were able to get access to the site even after TikTok had set 13 as the minimum age for creating an account. It stated that the data of children may have been used for tracking and profiling them, and potentially exposing them to inappropriate or harmful content. Information Commissioner John Edwards said, "There are laws in place to make sure our children are as safe in the digital world as they are in the physical world. TikTok did not abide by those laws.” "As a consequence, an estimated one million under-13s were inappropriately granted access to the platform, with TikTok collecting and using their personal data. TikTok should have known better. TikTok should have done better. Our £12.7m fine reflects the serious impact their failures may have had,” he added. WATCH | TikTok hit with $15.9 million fine in UK: Global crackdown on Chinese app Later speaking to BBC News, he said that TikTok had "taken no steps" to get parental consent. "When you sign up you can be targeted for advertising, you can be profiled, your data contributes to an algorithm which feeds content. If you've been looking at content which is not appropriate for your age, that can get more and more extreme. It can be quite harmful for people who are not old enough to fully appreciate the implications and to make appropriate choices,” he stated. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UK's watchdog fines TikTok $15.84mn for misusing children's data

<p>The amount being spent by the gambling companies and lobbyists on MPs has increased by tenfold in five years, as per an analysis carried out by The Guardian which shows how the industry has developed as one of Westminster's best-connected sectors.</p>

<p>Data from parliamentary records, which are publicly available, shows that dozens of Conservative and Labour MPs have received corporate hospitality worth thousands of pounds in the past few years, which was paid by some of the biggest betting companies in the country.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-watchdog-fines-tiktok-1584m-for-misusing-childrens-data-579404">UK's watchdog fines TikTok $15.84mn for misusing children's data</a></p>

<p>The analysis, which came after reports suggested that Conservative MP Scott Benton had made the offer of lobbying ministers on behalf of the industry in exchange for money, showed that the sector is currently spending tens of thousands of pounds every year, mostly on the sports tickets bought for MPs. There are chances that the figure may be even higher than what has been reported, as anything less than £300 does not have to be declared.</p>

<p>The exorbitant figures have increased concern among some members of the parliament who feel that the gambling industry is now enjoying enormous political power, especially as preparations are being done by the government to publish its gambling white paper.</p>

<p>Labour MP for Swansea East, Carolyn Harris, who has campaigned for more regulation of gambling, said the industry’s fondness and deep pockets for treating MPs have been very obvious inside and around the parliament.</p>

<p>“If you go to the bar, you will probably see somebody from that industry, and they’re buying people drinks. They attract people with offers to go to things that ordinary people would never get access to, like the Brits, or to watch Manchester United in the hospitality section,” she said.</p>

<p>“There are certain times you can have a conversation with someone from an industry, and then you go off and make an independent decision, and that’s how it works. But what happens with this industry is, why do people have to keep on being convinced so many times? Some people take the hospitality time and time again,” Harris added.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | UK PM Rishi Sunak's popularity rising within the conservative party</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-pm-rishi-sunaks-popularity-rising-within-the-conservative-party-578991/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“They do this because they’re terrified of regulation. They have grown beyond even their own expectations, but it’s an industry where 10 per cent of the customers make 60 per cent of the profits. They want to protect what they have,” the Labour MP further stated.</p>

<p>The Times, earlier this week, had revealed that it had captured undercover footage of Blackpool South MP Benton, who was promising to “call in favours” from colleagues and offer “easy access” to ministers in exchange for £4,000 from a fake gambling company.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong><br />
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The amount being spent by the gambling companies and lobbyists on MPs has increased by tenfold in five years, as per an analysis carried out by The Guardian which shows how the industry has developed as one of Westminster's best-connected sectors.

The amount being spent by the gambling companies and lobbyists on MPs has increased by tenfold in five years, as per an analysis carried out by The Guardian which shows how the industry has developed as one of Westminster's best-connected sectors. Data from parliamentary records, which are publicly available, shows that dozens of Conservative and Labour MPs have received corporate hospitality worth thousands of pounds in the past few years, which was paid by some of the biggest betting companies in the country. ALSO READ | UK's watchdog fines TikTok $15.84mn for misusing children's data The analysis, which came after reports suggested that Conservative MP Scott Benton had made the offer of lobbying ministers on behalf of the industry in exchange for money, showed that the sector is currently spending tens of thousands of pounds every year, mostly on the sports tickets bought for MPs. There are chances that the figure may be even higher than what has been reported, as anything less than £300 does not have to be declared. The exorbitant figures have increased concern among some members of the parliament who feel that the gambling industry is now enjoying enormous political power, especially as preparations are being done by the government to publish its gambling white paper. Labour MP for Swansea East, Carolyn Harris, who has campaigned for more regulation of gambling, said the industry’s fondness and deep pockets for treating MPs have been very obvious inside and around the parliament. “If you go to the bar, you will probably see somebody from that industry, and they’re buying people drinks. They attract people with offers to go to things that ordinary people would never get access to, like the Brits, or to watch Manchester United in the hospitality section,” she said. “There are certain times you can have a conversation with someone from an industry, and then you go off and make an independent decision, and that’s how it works. But what happens with this industry is, why do people have to keep on being convinced so many times? Some people take the hospitality time and time again,” Harris added. WATCH | UK PM Rishi Sunak's popularity rising within the conservative party “They do this because they’re terrified of regulation. They have grown beyond even their own expectations, but it’s an industry where 10 per cent of the customers make 60 per cent of the profits. They want to protect what they have,” the Labour MP further stated. The Times, earlier this week, had revealed that it had captured undercover footage of Blackpool South MP Benton, who was promising to “call in favours” from colleagues and offer “easy access” to ministers in exchange for £4,000 from a fake gambling company. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Gambling companies increased amount spent on MPs tenfold in five years, shows data

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