<p>Mifepristone, a medication used for abortions, can now be purchased from US pharmacies owing to a decision of the Joe Biden administration.&nbsp;The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised retail&nbsp;pharmacies to dispense mifepristone as long as a licensed medical professional writes the prescription and the pharmacy complies with specified criteria. In light of the US Supreme Court's decision to overrule <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roe-vs-wade-reversed-us-supreme-court-ends-constitutional-right-to-abortion-491416"><em>Roe v. Wade</em></a> and a woman's long-established&nbsp;right to decide who controls her body, this new&nbsp;development is of much&nbsp;pertinence.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is mifepristone? Why is it important?</strong></h2>

<p>Pharmacies can now sell the abortion drug mifepristone, according to a decision by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).</p>

<p>As reported by the&nbsp;BBC, mifepristone is frequently used in combination with another medicine called misoprostol to induce a medical abortion. Mifepristone inhibits progesterone, a hormone required for a pregnancy to proceed. It is used to stop pregnancies up to 10 weeks’ gestation when combined with&nbsp;misoprostol (70 days or less since the first day of the last menstrual period).&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is crucial to note&nbsp;that women will require a prescription in order to buy mifepristone.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wasnt-my-fault-donald-trump-on-the-midterm-loss-blames-abortion-548875">'Wasn’t my fault..': Donald Trump on the midterm loss, blames 'abortion'</a></p>

<p>Many pregnant women living in places where abortion is now prohibited as a result of the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade are likely to turn to medication abortion, by using the abortion pill. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA began allowing the pills to be sent via mail.</p>

<p>There are two safe methods of terminating a pregnancy: an in-person procedure and the abortion pill. According to the <a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2022/02/medication-abortion-now-accounts-more-half-all-us-abortions"><em>Guttmacher Institute</em></a>, a research organisation that specialises in sexual and reproductive health, medication abortions presently account for half of all abortions performed in the United States.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe aria-label="Interactive area chart" data-external="1" frameborder="0" height="564" id="datawrapper-chart-aErEp" scrolling="no" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/aErEp/1/" style="border: none;" title="As of 2020, medication abortions account for the majority of all US abortions" width="undefined"></iframe></div>
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<p><strong><em>*Hover over the visualisation/click on it for the figures*</em></strong></p>

<p>The abortion pill is anticipated to become an even more significant choice now that in-clinic abortion services are prohibited or threatened in more than half of the US states.</p>

<h2 data-editable="headlineText"><strong>Maternal and infant death rates are higher in states that ban or restrict abortion, report says</strong></h2>

<p>US states that now ban or restrict abortions have far higher rates of maternal and newborn mortality than those that maintain access to abortion care, whether it be during pregnancy, at birth, or after delivery.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US&nbsp;FDA allows the sale of abortion pills at retail pharmacies</strong></p>

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<p>Following this summer's <em>Roe v. Wade</em> ruling by the Supreme Court, the researchers compared rates depending on states' existing abortion access rules as of November utilising the most recent data available, from 2020 and earlier, on deaths and other health effects.</p>

<p>Maternal mortality rates were 62% higher in states with restricted access to abortion services in 2020 than in ones with unrestricted access. States with new abortion restrictions had a double-digit rise in maternal mortality between 2018 and 2020,&nbsp;according to the report released Wednesday by <em><a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2022/dec/us-maternal-health-divide-limited-services-worse-outcomes">the research foundation Commonwealth Fund</a></em>.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How many clinics offer abortions in the United States, and how has that number varied over time?</strong></h2>

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<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe aria-label="Stacked Bars" data-external="1" frameborder="0" height="541" id="datawrapper-chart-aJ5U4" scrolling="no" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/aJ5U4/2/" style="border: none;" title="Total number of abortion providers down since 1982 in the US" width="600"></iframe></div>
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<p><strong><em>*Hover over the visualisation/click on it for the figures*</em></strong></p>

<p>Since the 1980s, the overall number of abortion providers has sharply declined. There were 2,908 facilities in the US that performed abortions in 1982, including 789 clinics, 1,405 hospitals, and 714 doctor's offices, according to Guttmacher. The figures stand at 261 doctor's offices, 518 hospitals, and 808 clinics now.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Mifepristone and&nbsp;abortion rights activists</strong></h2>

<p>Abortion rights activists and doctors’ groups have welcomed the move.&nbsp;“Today’s news is a step in the right direction for health equity,” Planned Parenthood president Alexis McGill Johnson said in a statement.</p>

<p>“Being able to access your prescribed medication abortion through the mail or to pick it up in person from a pharmacy like any other prescription is a game changer for people trying to access basic health care,” Johnson added.</p>

<p>The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists were quoted by the BBC as saying,&nbsp;“Although the FDA’s announcement today will not solve access issues for every person seeking abortion care, it will allow more patients who need mifepristone for medication abortion additional options to secure this vital drug.”</p>

<p>In contrast,&nbsp;Marjorie Dannenfelser, head of the anti-abortion organisation SBA Pro-Life America, asserted that the most recent FDA action puts women's safety and the lives of unborn children in danger.</p>

<p>“State lawmakers and Congress must stand as a bulwark against the Biden administration’s pro-abortion extremism,” she said in a statement.</p>

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Mifepristone, a medication used for abortions, can now be purchased from US pharmacies owing to a decision of the Joe Biden administration. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised retail pharmacies to dispense mifepristone as long as a licensed medical professional writes the prescription and the pharmacy complies with specified criteria.

Mifepristone, a medication used for abortions, can now be purchased from US pharmacies owing to a decision of the Joe Biden administration. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised retail pharmacies to dispense mifepristone as long as a licensed medical professional writes the prescription and the pharmacy complies with specified criteria. In light of the US Supreme Court's decision to overrule Roe v. Wade and a woman's long-established right to decide who controls her body, this new development is of much pertinence. What is mifepristone? Why is it important? Pharmacies can now sell the abortion drug mifepristone, according to a decision by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As reported by the BBC, mifepristone is frequently used in combination with another medicine called misoprostol to induce a medical abortion. Mifepristone inhibits progesterone, a hormone required for a pregnancy to proceed. It is used to stop pregnancies up to 10 weeks’ gestation when combined with misoprostol (70 days or less since the first day of the last menstrual period). It is crucial to note that women will require a prescription in order to buy mifepristone. Also read | 'Wasn’t my fault..': Donald Trump on the midterm loss, blames 'abortion' Many pregnant women living in places where abortion is now prohibited as a result of the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade are likely to turn to medication abortion, by using the abortion pill. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA began allowing the pills to be sent via mail. There are two safe methods of terminating a pregnancy: an in-person procedure and the abortion pill. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organisation that specialises in sexual and reproductive health, medication abortions presently account for half of all abortions performed in the United States. × *Hover over the visualisation/click on it for the figures* The abortion pill is anticipated to become an even more significant choice now that in-clinic abortion services are prohibited or threatened in more than half of the US states. Maternal and infant death rates are higher in states that ban or restrict abortion, report says US states that now ban or restrict abortions have far higher rates of maternal and newborn mortality than those that maintain access to abortion care, whether it be during pregnancy, at birth, or after delivery. Also watch | US FDA allows the sale of abortion pills at retail pharmacies Following this summer's Roe v. Wade ruling by the Supreme Court, the researchers compared rates depending on states' existing abortion access rules as of November utilising the most recent data available, from 2020 and earlier, on deaths and other health effects. Maternal mortality rates were 62% higher in states with restricted access to abortion services in 2020 than in ones with unrestricted access. States with new abortion restrictions had a double-digit rise in maternal mortality between 2018 and 2020, according to the report released Wednesday by the research foundation Commonwealth Fund. How many clinics offer abortions in the United States, and how has that number varied over time? × *Hover over the visualisation/click on it for the figures* Since the 1980s, the overall number of abortion providers has sharply declined. There were 2,908 facilities in the US that performed abortions in 1982, including 789 clinics, 1,405 hospitals, and 714 doctor's offices, according to Guttmacher. The figures stand at 261 doctor's offices, 518 hospitals, and 808 clinics now. Mifepristone and abortion rights activists Abortion rights activists and doctors’ groups have welcomed the move. “Today’s news is a step in the right direction for health equity,” Planned Parenthood president Alexis McGill Johnson said in a statement. “Being able to access your prescribed medication abortion through the mail or to pick it up in person from a pharmacy like any other prescription is a game changer for people trying to access basic health care,” Johnson added. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists were quoted by the BBC as saying, “Although the FDA’s announcement today will not solve access issues for every person seeking abortion care, it will allow more patients who need mifepristone for medication abortion additional options to secure this vital drug.” In contrast, Marjorie Dannenfelser, head of the anti-abortion organisation SBA Pro-Life America, asserted that the most recent FDA action puts women's safety and the lives of unborn children in danger. “State lawmakers and Congress must stand as a bulwark against the Biden administration’s pro-abortion extremism,” she said in a statement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data lab: US allows abortion pill sale at pharmacies; its significance amid shifting abortion landscape

Despite rising pressures across the globe, China will now stop publishing daily Covid-19 figures. The National Health Commission says that the decision will come into effect immediately which is from December 25. The NHC has been releasing daily Covid data on this website for the last three years.

China: No Covid data to be available from December 25th

<p>The national statistics office predicted that the percentage of South Koreans who will be living alone in 2050 will more than double from the year 2000. This represents a shift in household makeup that contributes to the lowest fertility rate in the world. In 2021, there were more single-person households (7.2 million, or one in three) than any other type of multiple-person family.&nbsp;According to Statistics Korea, the ratio, which was 15.5 per cent&nbsp;in 2000, will most likely jump&nbsp;to about 40 per cent by the middle of the century. The statistics show that families are changing as Koreans adjust to social conventions and&nbsp;economic realities in a nation that is quickly developing.</p>

<p>Although it still falls far short of Japan or Germany, South Korea now has a share of single-person homes that is roughly equivalent to that of the United Kingdom.</p>

<p>Almost half of singles stated&nbsp;lack of money and job security as their reasons for not getting married, while 12 per cent of respondents stated they felt burdened by having to raise children. 25 per cent&nbsp;of respondents claimed they haven't found the right match or don't feel the rush to get married.&nbsp;The country's elderly demographics will be further strained by the increase in one-person homes.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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The national statistics office predicted that the percentage of South Koreans who will be living alone in 2050 will more than double from the year 2000. This represents a shift in household makeup that contributes to the lowest fertility rate in the world.

The national statistics office predicted that the percentage of South Koreans who will be living alone in 2050 will more than double from the year 2000. This represents a shift in household makeup that contributes to the lowest fertility rate in the world. In 2021, there were more single-person households (7.2 million, or one in three) than any other type of multiple-person family. According to Statistics Korea, the ratio, which was 15.5 per cent in 2000, will most likely jump to about 40 per cent by the middle of the century. The statistics show that families are changing as Koreans adjust to social conventions and economic realities in a nation that is quickly developing. Although it still falls far short of Japan or Germany, South Korea now has a share of single-person homes that is roughly equivalent to that of the United Kingdom. Almost half of singles stated lack of money and job security as their reasons for not getting married, while 12 per cent of respondents stated they felt burdened by having to raise children. 25 per cent of respondents claimed they haven't found the right match or don't feel the rush to get married. The country's elderly demographics will be further strained by the increase in one-person homes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

South Koreans in no rush to get married: Two in every five will be living alone by 2050, says data

<p>Last weekend, students at Beijing's Tsinghua University came together to express their rage over China's zero-Covid rules. However, the economic trajectory of the nation is intrinsically linked to this unrest. The economic future of China's youth, who are&nbsp;at the centre of these countrywide protests seems to be jeopardised by the country's rigorous effort to contain Covid.&nbsp;Youth unemployment this year touched its highest on record.</p>

<h2><strong>Backdrop</strong></h2>

<p>A catastrophic fire at a high-rise building in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang province, which left 10 dead, sparked widespread social discontent. As claims that the lockdown impeded rescue operations were made based on fabricated recordings of the incident, frustration grew.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="regions" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b3376311-843a-4c0d-9b70-6bfe85b259cb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2835%29_0.png" /></p>

<p><em><strong>Protests against zero-Covid policy across China</strong></em></p>

<p>Although the demonstrations initially erupted in response to the fatalities in Xinjiang, they soon expanded to include criticism of China's zero-Covid policies, governmental restrictions, and monitoring, as well as, in some cases, direct attacks on Chinese President Xi Jinping.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-eases-covid-restrictions-in-beijing-hints-at-possible-change-in-stance-report-539115">China eases Covid restrictions in Beijing, hints at possible change in stance: Report</a></p>

<h2><strong>Chinese youth and the Covid squeeze</strong></h2>

<p>The overall Chinese economy is currently in one of its most precarious phases in recent times. The economy was insulated by Xi Jinping's zero-Covid measures in 2020 and the first few months of 2021, but this year they have come at a significant cost.</p>

<p>A string of lockdowns in response to Omicron variant breakouts have crippled consumption and contributed to growth being lower than the stated target of 5.5 per cent, which was already the lowest in decades.</p>

<p>The youth unemployment rate, which reached 20 per cent&nbsp;in July just after Shanghai was placed under lockdown, has been one of the effects that are most obvious. In contrast to overall unemployment, which is 5.5 per cent, it has been around that level for months. The measurement, which the government started tracking</p>

<p>According to media reports, China's youth unemployment rate hit a record high of 19.9 per cent in July, with nearly one in five young people unemployed. It was also heavily attributable to Beijing's zero-Covid action of enforcing stringent widespread lockdowns in big cities like Shanghai, which put recent grads in less than optimal economic circumstances.</p>

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<p>Zero-Covid has had a significant negative economic impact. Businesses in Shanghai that are still having to deal with stringent efforts to contain the virus are still feeling the effects of a two-month shutdown in the spring. A track-and-trace system is one of them, and everyone who comes into touch with a positive case runs the daily risk of being quarantined.</p>

<p><strong>Also WATCH |&nbsp;Benjamin Cowling, Chair Professor, Epidemiology opens up on China's zero-Covid policy</strong></p>

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<p>The purchasing managers' index data, released on Thursday, a day after it appeared that the government had made some changes to its Covid approach, show that economic weakness persisted in the manufacturing sector in November despite the fact that the number of daily infections remained in the tens of thousands.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Last weekend, students at Beijing's Tsinghua University came together to express their rage over China's zero-Covid rules. However, the economic trajectory of the nation is intrinsically linked to this unrest.

Last weekend, students at Beijing's Tsinghua University came together to express their rage over China's zero-Covid rules. However, the economic trajectory of the nation is intrinsically linked to this unrest. The economic future of China's youth, who are at the centre of these countrywide protests seems to be jeopardised by the country's rigorous effort to contain Covid. Youth unemployment this year touched its highest on record. Backdrop A catastrophic fire at a high-rise building in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang province, which left 10 dead, sparked widespread social discontent. As claims that the lockdown impeded rescue operations were made based on fabricated recordings of the incident, frustration grew. Protests against zero-Covid policy across China Although the demonstrations initially erupted in response to the fatalities in Xinjiang, they soon expanded to include criticism of China's zero-Covid policies, governmental restrictions, and monitoring, as well as, in some cases, direct attacks on Chinese President Xi Jinping. Also read | China eases Covid restrictions in Beijing, hints at possible change in stance: Report Chinese youth and the Covid squeeze The overall Chinese economy is currently in one of its most precarious phases in recent times. The economy was insulated by Xi Jinping's zero-Covid measures in 2020 and the first few months of 2021, but this year they have come at a significant cost. A string of lockdowns in response to Omicron variant breakouts have crippled consumption and contributed to growth being lower than the stated target of 5.5 per cent, which was already the lowest in decades. The youth unemployment rate, which reached 20 per cent in July just after Shanghai was placed under lockdown, has been one of the effects that are most obvious. In contrast to overall unemployment, which is 5.5 per cent, it has been around that level for months. The measurement, which the government started tracking According to media reports, China's youth unemployment rate hit a record high of 19.9 per cent in July, with nearly one in five young people unemployed. It was also heavily attributable to Beijing's zero-Covid action of enforcing stringent widespread lockdowns in big cities like Shanghai, which put recent grads in less than optimal economic circumstances. × Zero-Covid has had a significant negative economic impact. Businesses in Shanghai that are still having to deal with stringent efforts to contain the virus are still feeling the effects of a two-month shutdown in the spring. A track-and-trace system is one of them, and everyone who comes into touch with a positive case runs the daily risk of being quarantined. Also WATCH | Benjamin Cowling, Chair Professor, Epidemiology opens up on China's zero-Covid policy The purchasing managers' index data, released on Thursday, a day after it appeared that the government had made some changes to its Covid approach, show that economic weakness persisted in the manufacturing sector in November despite the fact that the number of daily infections remained in the tens of thousands.

WION Data lab: Young and out of job in China; zero-Covid norms trigger unemployment crisis

<p>India's Information Technology ministry on Friday (November 18) proposed a new draft of country's digital personal data protection bill. The provisions in the bill allow cross-border transfer of some users' data with "certain notified countries and territories". This is being considered a relief to Big Tech. Some social media giants have been at odds with Indian government in recent years over the issue of personal data.</p>

<p>The government in August withdrew the contentious Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill that saw 81 amendments in the past three years, aiming to introduce a new, sharper bill that fits into the comprehensive legal framework and protects the data of billions of citizens.</p>

<p>"The Central government may, after an assessment of such factors as it may consider necessary, notify such countries or territories outside India to which a Data Fiduciary may transfer personal data, in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified," the new draft bill read.</p>

<p>The new bill has also has provision of harsh penalties of up to USD 30 million if companies fail to prevent data breaches.</p>

<p>"Failure of Data Processor or Data Fiduciary to take reasonable security safeguards to prevent personal data breach under sub-section (4) of section 9 of this Act" will cost a maximum penalty of USD 30 million.</p>

<p>"Personal data breach" means any unauthorised processing of personal data or accidental disclosure, acquisition, sharing, use, alteration, destruction of or loss of access to personal data, that compromises the confidentiality, integrity or availability of personal data," the draft bill said.</p>

<p>The bill has now been made public for consultation. The ministry will hear views and suggestions from the public until December 17.</p>

<p>"The purpose of this Act is to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognises both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process personal data for lawful purposes, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto," said the draft.</p>

<p>On the matter of data storage, the draft bill says that "the storage should be limited to such duration as is necessary for the stated purpose for which personal data was collected".</p>

<p>Similar to Europe`s GDPR, the proposed Indian bill will apply to companies operating in the country and to any entities processing the data of Indian citizens.</p>

<p>Rupinder Malik, Partner at law firm JSA, said that the draft bill has simplified the proposed data protection regime and done away with some contentious clauses which caused industry pushback in earlier versions.</p>

<p>"Particularly, data mirroring, data localisation requirements, and overall compliances appear to be limited compared to the previous Bill. The legislative intent appears to be tech and IT business friendly, focused on facilitating cross-border data flows," said Malik.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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India's Information Technology ministry on Friday (November 18) proposed a new draft of country's digital personal data protection bill. The provisions in the bill allow cross-border transfer of some users' data with "certain notified countries and territories".

India's Information Technology ministry on Friday (November 18) proposed a new draft of country's digital personal data protection bill. The provisions in the bill allow cross-border transfer of some users' data with "certain notified countries and territories". This is being considered a relief to Big Tech. Some social media giants have been at odds with Indian government in recent years over the issue of personal data. The government in August withdrew the contentious Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill that saw 81 amendments in the past three years, aiming to introduce a new, sharper bill that fits into the comprehensive legal framework and protects the data of billions of citizens. "The Central government may, after an assessment of such factors as it may consider necessary, notify such countries or territories outside India to which a Data Fiduciary may transfer personal data, in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified," the new draft bill read. The new bill has also has provision of harsh penalties of up to USD 30 million if companies fail to prevent data breaches. "Failure of Data Processor or Data Fiduciary to take reasonable security safeguards to prevent personal data breach under sub-section (4) of section 9 of this Act" will cost a maximum penalty of USD 30 million. "Personal data breach" means any unauthorised processing of personal data or accidental disclosure, acquisition, sharing, use, alteration, destruction of or loss of access to personal data, that compromises the confidentiality, integrity or availability of personal data," the draft bill said. The bill has now been made public for consultation. The ministry will hear views and suggestions from the public until December 17. "The purpose of this Act is to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognises both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process personal data for lawful purposes, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto," said the draft. On the matter of data storage, the draft bill says that "the storage should be limited to such duration as is necessary for the stated purpose for which personal data was collected". Similar to Europe`s GDPR, the proposed Indian bill will apply to companies operating in the country and to any entities processing the data of Indian citizens. Rupinder Malik, Partner at law firm JSA, said that the draft bill has simplified the proposed data protection regime and done away with some contentious clauses which caused industry pushback in earlier versions. "Particularly, data mirroring, data localisation requirements, and overall compliances appear to be limited compared to the previous Bill. The legislative intent appears to be tech and IT business friendly, focused on facilitating cross-border data flows," said Malik. (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 ×

India: New data privacy bill allows cross-border transfer but has harsh penalties too

The Chinese-owned app TikTok is once again under the scanner in the United States. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. the U.S operations of the Chinese-owned TikTok are raising National Security concerns within the United States.

WION Dispatch | FBI: TikTok a threat to national security of the United States

Under the proposed European Union rules, Airbnb and its rivals will have to share data about the number of guests and rented nights with public authorities.

EU wants Airbnb, rivals to share booking data

In the latest string of cyber attacks, Medibank says data of 4 million customers was accessed after a ransomware attack. Watch this report for all the details.

Australia: Medibank says data of 4 million customers accessed

<p>Less than 40 days after taking office, British Prime Minister Liz Truss sacked her finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng and dismissed&nbsp;some of her contentious economic reforms in an effort to stay in power.</p>

<p>An embittered Truss admitted on Friday that her government's plans for unfunded tax cuts had progressed "further and faster" than investors had anticipated, despite the turbulence in the financial markets.</p>

<p><strong>Here is everything that has happened since Truss became the United Kingdom’s prime minister:</strong></p>

<p><strong>Truss becomes PM</strong></p>

<p>Former foreign secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/liz-truss-declares-she-will-increase-corporation-tax-just-hours-after-sacking-her-finance-minister-525494">Liz Truss</a> was elected leader of the ruling Conservative Party on September 5 at a time when the UK is experiencing a cost of living crisis, industrial unrest, and a recession.</p>

<p>Truss, who had long been considered the favourite to succeed Boris Johnson, was elected as the fourth prime minister of the Conservative Party since the 2015 election.</p>

<p>Truss, 47, pledged to move swiftly to address the UK's cost-of-living crisis, announcing that she would develop a strategy to deal with growing energy costs and ensure future fuel supply within a week.</p>

<p>Truss made it clear throughout her run for the presidency that she would defy economic convention by repealing tax increases and eliminating other levies that some analysts said would contribute to higher inflation.</p>

<p><strong>Truss appoints cabinet</strong></p>

<p>Truss appointed a new cabinet on September 7 at the formal request of Queen Elizabeth II, just hours after taking office.</p>

<p>15 new people were appointed on key government roles as a result of the substantial reorganisation, while 16 members of the old cabinet continued to serve in the new one.</p>

<p>As chancellor of the exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng was one of the most senior members. He took over from Nadhim Zahawi, who was hired in July.</p>

<p>Prior to becoming the first Black Conservative Party cabinet minister in January 2021, Kwarteng held the position of business secretary.</p>

<p><strong>UK's Queen Elizabeth II dies</strong></p>

<p>The monarch, 96, passed away on 8 September. The queen's funeral was held on19&nbsp;September after a 10-day period of national mourning.</p>

<p><strong>Kwarteng introduces mini-budget</strong></p>

<p>The British government introduced a new mini-budget on September 23 in the parliament with the goal of reducing household taxes and energy costs while promoting economic growth.</p>

<p>Kwarteng's comprehensive new budget would entail reductions to national insurance, stamp duty, and the top tax rate, marking the largest tax decrease budget since 1972.</p>

<p>According to Kwarteng, the budget would address three important issues: the assurance of the energy price, equal assistance for all businesses, and a financing plan for the energy markets.</p>

<p>A proposal was made to lower the highest rate from 45 to 40 per cent and lower the lowest rate from 20 to 19 per cent.</p>

<p><strong>Chaos in UK's financial markets</strong></p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-royal-mail-seeks-to-slash-10000-jobs-attributes-losses-to-industrial-action-525400">UK's</a> recession-threatened economy was intended to be helped by Kwarteng's tax cuts and energy price freeze, but merchants warned of soaring debt to pay for the incentives, which appeared to have the opposite effect.</p>

<p>Following the budget, the market was rocked by the massive unfunded tax cuts, which caused UK government bond yields to skyrocket and caused the pound to drop to a record low of $1.0350 on September 26.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Bank of England intervenes</strong></p>

<p>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced on September 27 that it was "closely monitoring" developments and encouraged the London administration to reverse course in an extremely unprecedented intervention.</p>

<p>After the IMF criticised the UK budget, claiming it "would likely raise inequality" and worsen inflation, the Bank of England (BoE) intervened the next day to restore market confidence in the UK.</p>

<p>The BoE declared that it was temporarily purchasing long-term UK government bonds worth 65 billion pounds ($73 billion) "to restore orderly market conditions."</p>

<p><strong>Truss supports economic plan</strong></p>

<p>On September 29, Truss defended her economic strategy and dismissed the disapproval of the financial markets, asserting that she is prepared to make "tough decisions" in order to stimulate economic growth.</p>

<p>Truss stated that the UK was experiencing "very, very challenging economic conditions" in her first public remarks following the commotion caused by the mini-budget.</p>

<p>However, she claimed that Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine was the cause of the difficulties, which were widespread.</p>

<p><strong>Truss pulls the plug on the&nbsp; economic plan; sacks Kwarteng</strong></p>

<p>The government made a humiliating U-turn and abandoned its ambitions to lower the highest income tax rate in the nation.</p>

<p>Truss was still under pressure to abandon more of the disastrous mini-budget, so on October&nbsp; 14, she replaced Kwarteng as chancellor with Jeremy Hunt and scrapped the company tax cut proposal, abandoning a crucial element of the economic strategy that had caused market chaos.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chijindu-ujah-will-be-considered-for-selection-after-doping-ban-says-uk-athletics-director-525387">Chijindu Ujah will be considered for selection after doping ban, says UK Athletics director</a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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Less than 40 days after taking office, British Prime Minister Liz Truss sacked her finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng and dismissed some of her contentious economic reforms in an effort to stay in power.

Less than 40 days after taking office, British Prime Minister Liz Truss sacked her finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng and dismissed some of her contentious economic reforms in an effort to stay in power. An embittered Truss admitted on Friday that her government's plans for unfunded tax cuts had progressed "further and faster" than investors had anticipated, despite the turbulence in the financial markets. Here is everything that has happened since Truss became the United Kingdom’s prime minister: Truss becomes PM Former foreign secretary Liz Truss was elected leader of the ruling Conservative Party on September 5 at a time when the UK is experiencing a cost of living crisis, industrial unrest, and a recession. Truss, who had long been considered the favourite to succeed Boris Johnson, was elected as the fourth prime minister of the Conservative Party since the 2015 election. Truss, 47, pledged to move swiftly to address the UK's cost-of-living crisis, announcing that she would develop a strategy to deal with growing energy costs and ensure future fuel supply within a week. Truss made it clear throughout her run for the presidency that she would defy economic convention by repealing tax increases and eliminating other levies that some analysts said would contribute to higher inflation. Truss appoints cabinet Truss appointed a new cabinet on September 7 at the formal request of Queen Elizabeth II, just hours after taking office. 15 new people were appointed on key government roles as a result of the substantial reorganisation, while 16 members of the old cabinet continued to serve in the new one. As chancellor of the exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng was one of the most senior members. He took over from Nadhim Zahawi, who was hired in July. Prior to becoming the first Black Conservative Party cabinet minister in January 2021, Kwarteng held the position of business secretary. UK's Queen Elizabeth II dies The monarch, 96, passed away on 8 September. The queen's funeral was held on19 September after a 10-day period of national mourning. Kwarteng introduces mini-budget The British government introduced a new mini-budget on September 23 in the parliament with the goal of reducing household taxes and energy costs while promoting economic growth. Kwarteng's comprehensive new budget would entail reductions to national insurance, stamp duty, and the top tax rate, marking the largest tax decrease budget since 1972. According to Kwarteng, the budget would address three important issues: the assurance of the energy price, equal assistance for all businesses, and a financing plan for the energy markets. A proposal was made to lower the highest rate from 45 to 40 per cent and lower the lowest rate from 20 to 19 per cent. Chaos in UK's financial markets The UK's recession-threatened economy was intended to be helped by Kwarteng's tax cuts and energy price freeze, but merchants warned of soaring debt to pay for the incentives, which appeared to have the opposite effect. Following the budget, the market was rocked by the massive unfunded tax cuts, which caused UK government bond yields to skyrocket and caused the pound to drop to a record low of $1.0350 on September 26. Bank of England intervenes The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced on September 27 that it was "closely monitoring" developments and encouraged the London administration to reverse course in an extremely unprecedented intervention. After the IMF criticised the UK budget, claiming it "would likely raise inequality" and worsen inflation, the Bank of England (BoE) intervened the next day to restore market confidence in the UK. The BoE declared that it was temporarily purchasing long-term UK government bonds worth 65 billion pounds ($73 billion) "to restore orderly market conditions." Truss supports economic plan On September 29, Truss defended her economic strategy and dismissed the disapproval of the financial markets, asserting that she is prepared to make "tough decisions" in order to stimulate economic growth. Truss stated that the UK was experiencing "very, very challenging economic conditions" in her first public remarks following the commotion caused by the mini-budget. However, she claimed that Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine was the cause of the difficulties, which were widespread. Truss pulls the plug on the economic plan; sacks Kwarteng The government made a humiliating U-turn and abandoned its ambitions to lower the highest income tax rate in the nation. Truss was still under pressure to abandon more of the disastrous mini-budget, so on October 14, she replaced Kwarteng as chancellor with Jeremy Hunt and scrapped the company tax cut proposal, abandoning a crucial element of the economic strategy that had caused market chaos. Also read | Chijindu Ujah will be considered for selection after doping ban, says UK Athletics director (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Timeline: Liz Truss's U-turn to stay in power; sacks finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng

<p>The potential of a nuclear 'Armageddon'&nbsp;is at its greatest point in 60 years, United&nbsp;States President Joe Biden has warned as the Ukraine war drags on. A scenario in which nuclear weapons resulted in global annihilation is known as a nuclear 'Armageddon',&nbsp;also known as a 'nuclear holocaust.'</p>

<p>Nuclear weapons are considered weapons of mass destruction because they have the potential to produce significant radioactive effects. Only twice in history have nuclear weapons been used in actual combat, and both times were in 1945 when the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to finish the Second World War.</p>

<p>As Russia asserted it would employ "all means" at its disposal to defend its borders, Biden claimed that Russian President Vladimir <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-conflict-live-updates-three-loud-blasts-rock-kyiv-report-523917">Putin</a> was "not joking." A "precedent" was set by the US utilising nuclear weapons during World War Two, according to&nbsp; Putin.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Analysts, however, contend that rather than indicating a desire to deploy <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-believes-world-war-iii-is-a-possibility-blames-stupid-people-for-russia-ukraine-conflict-escalation-523884">nuclear weapons</a>, Putin's remarks should most likely be taken as a warning to other nations not to intensify their participation in Ukraine.</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /><strong>How many nuclear weapons does Russia possess?</strong></p>

<p>The number of nuclear warheads in Russia is 5,977, according to the Federation of American Scientists, albeit this number includes roughly 1,500 that are decommissioned and scheduled for decommissioning. All nuclear weapon numbers are estimations.</p>

<p>The majority of the 4,500 or so surviving nuclear weapons—ballistic missiles or rockets with long-range targeting capabilities—are regarded as strategic nuclear weapons. These are the weapons that nuclear war is typically linked to.</p>

<p>The remaining nuclear weapons are smaller and less lethal and are intended for close-range combat on land or at sea. But this does not imply that Russia is prepared with thousands of long-range nuclear weapons.</p>

<p><strong>Global comparison</strong></p>

<p>Nine nations possess nuclear weapons: China, France, India, Israel (though not publicly acknowledged), North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the US, and the UK.</p>

<p>According to experts, 1,500 Russian warheads are currently "deployed," that is, located at missile launchers. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has 191 signatories, including China, France, Russia, the US, and the UK.</p>

<p>As per&nbsp;the agreement, they are required to decrease their arsenal of nuclear warheads and, in theory, are devoted to completely eliminating them.</p>

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<p>Additionally, it has decreased the number of warheads kept in those nations since the 1970s and 1980s.</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>India, Israel, and Pakistan did not sign the NPT, and North Korea withdrew in 2003. Despite having nuclear warheads, Israel is the only one of the nine nations to have never openly admitted having a nuclear programme. There is no proof that Ukraine has tried to acquire nuclear weapons, despite President Putin's alleged threats.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What happens if Putin actually uses nuclear weapons?</strong></p>

<p>According to Dr Manisha Chaurasiya, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University, even in the worst case scenario, wherein Russia actually uses nuclear weapons (which is highly unlikely), it would face not just international condemnation and sanctions,&nbsp;but something much greater than that.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;“This would lead to a 'legitimate' response from the international community which would be not anything less than military action. That would be the last thing that Putin would want and Moscow has well in advance warned Western Europe and the United States to not intervene in the Ukraine war,” she adds.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;“Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons seem to be empty unless Ukraine attacks Russian city centres or the 'counter value' targets through conventional weapons and thus forces Moscow to actually consider the nuclear weapon use, which again is highly unlikely."</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Is Putin in a position to use nukes?</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">To answer that, Dr Chaurasiya says that Putin is not in a position to use nuclear weapons. “Not because someone is literally stopping him from pressing ‘the button’ but because we know that he is clever enough to not commit a politico-strategic suicide,” she adds.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;“Given his experience as a political leader, he is well aware that the ‘use’ of a nuclear weapon would mean surrendering a crucial bargaining chip. Not the actual use but the threat to use nuclear weapons is what has made the nuke game work all through the Cold War. It is a tool of deterrence and a game of strategic brinkmanship. Nuclear weapon use does not benefit Russia in the given scenario in Ukraine.<br />
<br />
"Ukraine is a neighbour and the present conflict is primarily about sovereignty over the territory, the disputed provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk. The impact of the use of this technology of weapons would certainly fall on Russia as well as the very territories that Russia is aiming to fetch. Thus, it defeats any strategic gain,” continues Dr Chaurasiya.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><meta charset="utf-8" /><meta charset="utf-8" /><b id="docs-internal-guid-b5634a48-7fff-aa8a-a184-6406bf7c0057">The extent of nuclear weapons' destruction</b></p>
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<p dir="ltr">Even the tiniest weapon has the potential to result in significant casualties and long-term effects.</p>

<p>In Hiroshima, Japan, during World War Two, a bomb with a 15-kiloton yield may have killed up to 146,000 people. And modern nuclear warheads have a maximum destructive power of 1,000 kilotons.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/avoid-non-essential-travel-to-within-ukraine-indian-embassy-in-kyiv-releases-advisory-524154">'Avoid non-essential travel to, within Ukraine': Indian embassy in Kyiv releases advisory</a></p>

<p>The immediate area of a nuclear explosion is expected to be relatively inhospitable. An intense flash is followed by a massive fireball and blast wave that can obliterate buildings and other objects for several kilometres.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The potential of a nuclear 'Armageddon' is at its greatest point in 60 years, United States President Joe Biden has warned as the Ukraine war drags on. A scenario in which nuclear weapons resulted in global annihilation is known as a nuclear 'Armageddon', also known as a 'nuclear holocaust.

The potential of a nuclear 'Armageddon' is at its greatest point in 60 years, United States President Joe Biden has warned as the Ukraine war drags on. A scenario in which nuclear weapons resulted in global annihilation is known as a nuclear 'Armageddon', also known as a 'nuclear holocaust.' Nuclear weapons are considered weapons of mass destruction because they have the potential to produce significant radioactive effects. Only twice in history have nuclear weapons been used in actual combat, and both times were in 1945 when the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to finish the Second World War. As Russia asserted it would employ "all means" at its disposal to defend its borders, Biden claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "not joking." A "precedent" was set by the US utilising nuclear weapons during World War Two, according to Putin. Analysts, however, contend that rather than indicating a desire to deploy nuclear weapons, Putin's remarks should most likely be taken as a warning to other nations not to intensify their participation in Ukraine. How many nuclear weapons does Russia possess? The number of nuclear warheads in Russia is 5,977, according to the Federation of American Scientists, albeit this number includes roughly 1,500 that are decommissioned and scheduled for decommissioning. All nuclear weapon numbers are estimations. The majority of the 4,500 or so surviving nuclear weapons—ballistic missiles or rockets with long-range targeting capabilities—are regarded as strategic nuclear weapons. These are the weapons that nuclear war is typically linked to. The remaining nuclear weapons are smaller and less lethal and are intended for close-range combat on land or at sea. But this does not imply that Russia is prepared with thousands of long-range nuclear weapons. Global comparison Nine nations possess nuclear weapons: China, France, India, Israel (though not publicly acknowledged), North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the US, and the UK. According to experts, 1,500 Russian warheads are currently "deployed," that is, located at missile launchers. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has 191 signatories, including China, France, Russia, the US, and the UK. As per the agreement, they are required to decrease their arsenal of nuclear warheads and, in theory, are devoted to completely eliminating them. × × × Additionally, it has decreased the number of warheads kept in those nations since the 1970s and 1980s. India, Israel, and Pakistan did not sign the NPT, and North Korea withdrew in 2003. Despite having nuclear warheads, Israel is the only one of the nine nations to have never openly admitted having a nuclear programme. There is no proof that Ukraine has tried to acquire nuclear weapons, despite President Putin's alleged threats. What happens if Putin actually uses nuclear weapons? According to Dr Manisha Chaurasiya, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University, even in the worst case scenario, wherein Russia actually uses nuclear weapons (which is highly unlikely), it would face not just international condemnation and sanctions, but something much greater than that. “This would lead to a 'legitimate' response from the international community which would be not anything less than military action. That would be the last thing that Putin would want and Moscow has well in advance warned Western Europe and the United States to not intervene in the Ukraine war,” she adds. “Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons seem to be empty unless Ukraine attacks Russian city centres or the 'counter value' targets through conventional weapons and thus forces Moscow to actually consider the nuclear weapon use, which again is highly unlikely." Is Putin in a position to use nukes? To answer that, Dr Chaurasiya says that Putin is not in a position to use nuclear weapons. “Not because someone is literally stopping him from pressing ‘the button’ but because we know that he is clever enough to not commit a politico-strategic suicide,” she adds. “Given his experience as a political leader, he is well aware that the ‘use’ of a nuclear weapon would mean surrendering a crucial bargaining chip. Not the actual use but the threat to use nuclear weapons is what has made the nuke game work all through the Cold War. It is a tool of deterrence and a game of strategic brinkmanship. Nuclear weapon use does not benefit Russia in the given scenario in Ukraine. "Ukraine is a neighbour and the present conflict is primarily about sovereignty over the territory, the disputed provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk. The impact of the use of this technology of weapons would certainly fall on Russia as well as the very territories that Russia is aiming to fetch. Thus, it defeats any strategic gain,” continues Dr Chaurasiya. The extent of nuclear weapons' destruction Even the tiniest weapon has the potential to result in significant casualties and long-term effects. In Hiroshima, Japan, during World War Two, a bomb with a 15-kiloton yield may have killed up to 146,000 people. And modern nuclear warheads have a maximum destructive power of 1,000 kilotons. Also read | 'Avoid non-essential travel to, within Ukraine': Indian embassy in Kyiv releases advisory The immediate area of a nuclear explosion is expected to be relatively inhospitable. An intense flash is followed by a massive fireball and blast wave that can obliterate buildings and other objects for several kilometres.

Data Lab | Putin’s nuclear threats: What happens if Russia uses nukes?

Unpublished

<p>On Friday, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order intended to allay European fears about US surveillance and guarantee the privacy of personal data flows between the EU and the US.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the White House, the executive order establishes a new legal framework for transatlantic data transfers, which are vital to the digital economy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The action taken by Biden is the most recent attempt to put an end to years' worth of court fights in which European campaigners had questioned the validity of the data transfers and threatened to shut down US Big Tech's activities in the EU.</p>

<p>"This is a culmination of our joint efforts to restore trust and stability to transatlantic data flows," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It will enable a continued flow of data that underpins more than a trillion dollars in cross-border trade and investment every year."</p>

<p>Although authorities in Brussels cautioned that the presidential order was simply the beginning of a process that may take months to negotiate a new data pact, EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders praised the executive order as a "significant step."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rail-traffic-halted-in-germany-authorities-say-malicious-and-targeted-sabotage-523623">Rail network cables cut, traffic stalled in Germany; termed ‘malicious, targeted’ sabotage</a></p>

<p>EU privacy campaigners have filed many cases against US tech firms because they are concerned about US intelligence services' access to the personal information of Europeans who use Facebook or Google for their online requirements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After hearing accusations that US regulations infringe the basic rights of EU people, Europe's top court nullified earlier agreements, often known as equivalency deals.</p>

<p>The executive order, according to the White House, resolves issues that the Court of Justice of the European Union identified when it determined that the earlier Privacy Shield structure did not offer sufficient security.</p>

<p><em>(with inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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On Friday, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order intended to allay European fears about US surveillance and guarantee the privacy of personal data flows between the EU and the US.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order intended to allay European fears about US surveillance and guarantee the privacy of personal data flows between the EU and the US. According to the White House, the executive order establishes a new legal framework for transatlantic data transfers, which are vital to the digital economy. The action taken by Biden is the most recent attempt to put an end to years' worth of court fights in which European campaigners had questioned the validity of the data transfers and threatened to shut down US Big Tech's activities in the EU. "This is a culmination of our joint efforts to restore trust and stability to transatlantic data flows," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters. "It will enable a continued flow of data that underpins more than a trillion dollars in cross-border trade and investment every year." Although authorities in Brussels cautioned that the presidential order was simply the beginning of a process that may take months to negotiate a new data pact, EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders praised the executive order as a "significant step." Also Read: Rail network cables cut, traffic stalled in Germany; termed ‘malicious, targeted’ sabotage EU privacy campaigners have filed many cases against US tech firms because they are concerned about US intelligence services' access to the personal information of Europeans who use Facebook or Google for their online requirements. After hearing accusations that US regulations infringe the basic rights of EU people, Europe's top court nullified earlier agreements, often known as equivalency deals. The executive order, according to the White House, resolves issues that the Court of Justice of the European Union identified when it determined that the earlier Privacy Shield structure did not offer sufficient security. (with inputs from agencies)

End of legal limbo for US big tech in Europe with new data framework

<p>The longest-reigning queen in British history was Queen Elizabeth II. Fundamental changes in the United Kingdom's economy, politics, and society occurred throughout her lengthy reign. Let’s take a look.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Changes in family structure (Divorce and LGBTQI)</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
Under the Queen, social conventions have undergone a significant shift. Family structures are less strict than they formerly were, which is related to religion's declining power.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Laws passed in the 1960s and early 1970s made divorce considerably simpler and legalised abortion and homosexuality. In 1952, divorcees and families with only one parent were socially stigmatised, but they are now widespread.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
For the first time ever, unmarried parents gave birth to the majority of children last year. In England and Wales, same-sex civil partnerships and marriages were first permitted in 2004 and 2013, respectively.</p>

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<p><strong>Unemployment rate&nbsp;</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
The United Kingdom's unemployment rate in July 2022 was 3.6 per cent, which was the lowest level since 1974. In contrast, the unemployment rate was 5 per cent in the three months that ended in January 2021, which was the highest level since August 2016.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The UK had relatively low unemployment rates prior to the Coronavirus epidemic, on par with the middle of the 1970s. The unemployment rate peaked between March 1974 and the most recent month in the spring of 1984 when it reached 11.9 per cent, with other notable peaks coming in early 1993 and late 2011.</p>

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<p><strong>Prime Ministers during the queen’s reign&nbsp;</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
During the late Queen's seventy years on the throne, she had fifteen different prime ministers. The first was Sir Winston Churchill in 1952, and the last was Liz Truss in 2022, more than a century later. &nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Women’s participation in the economy&nbsp;</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
Women's participation in the economy has undergone one of the biggest social transformations during her rule. During both world wars, female employees increased and took men's places in the military, but during peacetime, many industries—particularly mining and manufacturing—were almost entirely dominated by men.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In the last fifty years, the percentage of women in the workforce has increased by a third, in part because of advancements in contraception but also due to shifts in the economy away from heavy industry and toward service industries.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Higher education, which is crucial for a contemporary economy, is where this transition is most apparent. Previously uncommon, female graduates are now the majority among those who receive their first degrees.</p>

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<p><strong>Gross Domestic Product</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
In 2020, when the COVID-19 epidemic was at its worst and Britain was the hardest-hit major economy, the country saw its output plummet by the most in more than 300 years.</p>

<p>The Office for National Statistics reported that the GDP decreased by 11 per cent in 2020. According to archived statistics maintained by the Bank of England, this decline was greater than any of the ONS's earlier projections and the greatest decline since 1709.</p>

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The longest-reigning queen in British history was Queen Elizabeth II. Fundamental changes in the United Kingdom's economy, politics, and society occurred throughout her lengthy reign.

The longest-reigning queen in British history was Queen Elizabeth II. Fundamental changes in the United Kingdom's economy, politics, and society occurred throughout her lengthy reign. Let’s take a look. Changes in family structure (Divorce and LGBTQI) Under the Queen, social conventions have undergone a significant shift. Family structures are less strict than they formerly were, which is related to religion's declining power. Laws passed in the 1960s and early 1970s made divorce considerably simpler and legalised abortion and homosexuality. In 1952, divorcees and families with only one parent were socially stigmatised, but they are now widespread. For the first time ever, unmarried parents gave birth to the majority of children last year. In England and Wales, same-sex civil partnerships and marriages were first permitted in 2004 and 2013, respectively. × Unemployment rate The United Kingdom's unemployment rate in July 2022 was 3.6 per cent, which was the lowest level since 1974. In contrast, the unemployment rate was 5 per cent in the three months that ended in January 2021, which was the highest level since August 2016. The UK had relatively low unemployment rates prior to the Coronavirus epidemic, on par with the middle of the 1970s. The unemployment rate peaked between March 1974 and the most recent month in the spring of 1984 when it reached 11.9 per cent, with other notable peaks coming in early 1993 and late 2011. × Prime Ministers during the queen’s reign During the late Queen's seventy years on the throne, she had fifteen different prime ministers. The first was Sir Winston Churchill in 1952, and the last was Liz Truss in 2022, more than a century later. × (click on the blinking dots for more information) Women’s participation in the economy Women's participation in the economy has undergone one of the biggest social transformations during her rule. During both world wars, female employees increased and took men's places in the military, but during peacetime, many industries—particularly mining and manufacturing—were almost entirely dominated by men. In the last fifty years, the percentage of women in the workforce has increased by a third, in part because of advancements in contraception but also due to shifts in the economy away from heavy industry and toward service industries. Higher education, which is crucial for a contemporary economy, is where this transition is most apparent. Previously uncommon, female graduates are now the majority among those who receive their first degrees. × Gross Domestic Product In 2020, when the COVID-19 epidemic was at its worst and Britain was the hardest-hit major economy, the country saw its output plummet by the most in more than 300 years. The Office for National Statistics reported that the GDP decreased by 11 per cent in 2020. According to archived statistics maintained by the Bank of England, this decline was greater than any of the ONS's earlier projections and the greatest decline since 1709. ×

Data Lab| Sovereign for 70 years: Changes that happened in the UK during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign

<p>The craft beer sector in the United States can rejoice as the sun is finally shining again. This&nbsp;impression is reinforced by the Brewers Association's recent report, the industry's main trade group, which shows the sector's strong recovery from pandemic-related losses. Even while there might still be some gloomy days ahead, the storm has hopefully gone for good.</p>

<p>As per the Brewers Association of the United States, a craft brewery, often known as a microbrewery, is a brewery that normally produces less beer than big brewers and is frequently privately owned. These breweries are typically marketed and seen as placing focus on traditional ingredients, novel flavours, and a variety of brewing techniques.</p>

<p>An industry predicated on human interactions saw its first-ever volume decrease in 2020, down by 9 per cent, as a result of the widespread closures of bars, tasting rooms, and virtually every other meeting place. However, 2021 brought good news. The BarthHaas Report 2021-2022 indicates that the share of the top 40 brewers has increased from 88.7 per cent of the total production in 2017 to 91.4 per cent of the total production in 2021.</p>

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<p>This is a positive development for the industry, which saw 36 of the top 50 brewers post losses in 2019. The unprecedented run of continuous development it had experienced over the previous ten years began to diminish even before the epidemic. Craft beer was finally able to become a part of every aspect of the American beer landscape during that time. By 2021, there would be 9247 breweries operating, up from 1813 in 2010.</p>

<p>In 2021, the top 40 brewers of the world produced 91.4 per cent of the total beer output, out of which the top 10 brewers claimed 73.8 per cent of market output as per the BarthHaas Report. Some of these breweries have subsequently outgrown the "micro" level due to their success, but they are still referred to as microbreweries because of the type of beer they are making. The term "speciality brewers" is now used to describe some. This effectively demonstrates how the development of microbreweries has led to a full circle in the consolidation, international mergers, and acquisitions of the world's beer industry.</p>

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<p><strong>The beer transition&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The only locations in Europe where beer was produced on a scale that could be considered commercial up until the thirteenth century were monasteries. The monks, visitors, pilgrims, and the underprivileged were all served beer. Later, monks began brewing beer for noblemen, selling it in "monastery pubs," and offering it for free use during church festivities and feasts.</p>

<p>From the fourteenth century onward, commercial brewers began to seriously threaten monastery beer production. Beer demand increased as income levels rose, trade and communities grew, and people became more concerned about water pollution. Travelling merchants needed a place to stay, food, and drink, and "inns" and "taverns" tried to provide for their needs. Trade centres like London, Bruges, Hamburg, and Munich quickly developed into significant brewing hubs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The beer industry underwent a significant transition globally due to scientific advancements made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. New types of beer could be manufactured and the production process could be more precisely managed thanks to advances in our understanding of yeast, steam engines, and refrigeration. As a result, the brewery sector started down the path of industrialization, which significantly consolidated the market.</p>

<p>According to the BarthHaas Report 2021-2022, the top 10 beer brewing countries in the world are - China, the United States of America, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Russia, Japan, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and Poland.</p>

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<p>But there has been a counter-movement, which began in the US, against the growing dominance of increasingly standardised lager and light beers made by fewer and fewer brewing enterprises. Due to their modest size, new breweries producing "special beers" and "older" styles of beer were given the moniker "microbreweries." Similar trends are currently being seen in several nations. Even though they still produce a small portion of the world's beer, microbreweries are expanding quickly.</p>

<p>Although the aggregate growth figures could suggest brighter times ahead, craft beer still faces several difficulties. Government initiatives that helped many brewers weather the most difficult phases of the shutdowns have come to an end, supply chain concerns are straining already thin bottom lines, and the alcohol market is becoming increasingly competitive with new players vying for consumers' attention.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, craft brewers can concentrate on doing what they do best—brewing the finest of suds.&nbsp;</p>

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The craft beer sector in the United States can rejoice as the sun is finally shining again. This impression is reinforced by the Brewers Association's recent report, the industry's main trade group, which shows the sector's strong recovery from pandemic-related losses.

The craft beer sector in the United States can rejoice as the sun is finally shining again. This impression is reinforced by the Brewers Association's recent report, the industry's main trade group, which shows the sector's strong recovery from pandemic-related losses. Even while there might still be some gloomy days ahead, the storm has hopefully gone for good. As per the Brewers Association of the United States, a craft brewery, often known as a microbrewery, is a brewery that normally produces less beer than big brewers and is frequently privately owned. These breweries are typically marketed and seen as placing focus on traditional ingredients, novel flavours, and a variety of brewing techniques. An industry predicated on human interactions saw its first-ever volume decrease in 2020, down by 9 per cent, as a result of the widespread closures of bars, tasting rooms, and virtually every other meeting place. However, 2021 brought good news. The BarthHaas Report 2021-2022 indicates that the share of the top 40 brewers has increased from 88.7 per cent of the total production in 2017 to 91.4 per cent of the total production in 2021. × This is a positive development for the industry, which saw 36 of the top 50 brewers post losses in 2019. The unprecedented run of continuous development it had experienced over the previous ten years began to diminish even before the epidemic. Craft beer was finally able to become a part of every aspect of the American beer landscape during that time. By 2021, there would be 9247 breweries operating, up from 1813 in 2010. In 2021, the top 40 brewers of the world produced 91.4 per cent of the total beer output, out of which the top 10 brewers claimed 73.8 per cent of market output as per the BarthHaas Report. Some of these breweries have subsequently outgrown the "micro" level due to their success, but they are still referred to as microbreweries because of the type of beer they are making. The term "speciality brewers" is now used to describe some. This effectively demonstrates how the development of microbreweries has led to a full circle in the consolidation, international mergers, and acquisitions of the world's beer industry. × The beer transition The only locations in Europe where beer was produced on a scale that could be considered commercial up until the thirteenth century were monasteries. The monks, visitors, pilgrims, and the underprivileged were all served beer. Later, monks began brewing beer for noblemen, selling it in "monastery pubs," and offering it for free use during church festivities and feasts. From the fourteenth century onward, commercial brewers began to seriously threaten monastery beer production. Beer demand increased as income levels rose, trade and communities grew, and people became more concerned about water pollution. Travelling merchants needed a place to stay, food, and drink, and "inns" and "taverns" tried to provide for their needs. Trade centres like London, Bruges, Hamburg, and Munich quickly developed into significant brewing hubs. The beer industry underwent a significant transition globally due to scientific advancements made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. New types of beer could be manufactured and the production process could be more precisely managed thanks to advances in our understanding of yeast, steam engines, and refrigeration. As a result, the brewery sector started down the path of industrialization, which significantly consolidated the market. According to the BarthHaas Report 2021-2022, the top 10 beer brewing countries in the world are - China, the United States of America, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Russia, Japan, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and Poland. × But there has been a counter-movement, which began in the US, against the growing dominance of increasingly standardised lager and light beers made by fewer and fewer brewing enterprises. Due to their modest size, new breweries producing "special beers" and "older" styles of beer were given the moniker "microbreweries." Similar trends are currently being seen in several nations. Even though they still produce a small portion of the world's beer, microbreweries are expanding quickly. Although the aggregate growth figures could suggest brighter times ahead, craft beer still faces several difficulties. Government initiatives that helped many brewers weather the most difficult phases of the shutdowns have come to an end, supply chain concerns are straining already thin bottom lines, and the alcohol market is becoming increasingly competitive with new players vying for consumers' attention. Nonetheless, craft brewers can concentrate on doing what they do best—brewing the finest of suds.

Data Lab| Fed up with mundane beer options? A brewing revolution is underway in the US

<p>China has accused US National Security Agency (NSA) for launching cyber attacks on a elite Chinese university to steal sensitive data, Xinhua News Agency has reported.</p>

<p>In its investigation report, China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre&nbsp;(CVERC) said that NSA-affiliated Tailored Access Operations (TAO) Office—an elite team of hacking group—used “41 types of cyber weapons” against China's Northwestern Polytechnical University.</p>

<p>Among them, one such tool, “Suctionchar" is said to have helped them hack into the university’s network by stealing account credentials and file transfer applications to hijack logins on targeted servers, the CVERC said.</p>

<p>The agency said that it found traces of Suctionchar in many other Chinese networks apart from Northwestern’s, accusing the NSA of launching more than 10,000 cyberattacks on China over the past several years.</p>

<p>It claimed that TAO has "stolen over 140 gigabytes of high-value data" in recent years and received assistance from groups in Europe and South Asia.</p>

<p>On Sunday, China lodged a diplomatic complaint blaming the US for endangering China’s security by targeting its critical infrastructure and institutions, and asked Washington to stop its clandestine activities.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjdt_674879/sjxw_674887/202209/t20220911_10765059.shtml">In a statement</a>, Yang Tao, the director-general of American affairs at China’s ministry of foreign affairs, affirmed the CVERC report, saying the NSA had “seriously violated the technical secrets of relevant Chinese institutions and seriously endangered the security of China’s critical infrastructure, institutions and personal information, and must be stopped immediately.”</p>

<p>In the past, the US justice department had referred the school as a “<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/chinese-national-pleads-guilty-illegal-exports-northwestern-polytechnical-university">Chinese military university </a>that is heavily involved in military research and works closely with the People’s Liberation Army,” claiming that it is a reasonable target for digital infiltration from an American perspective.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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China has accused US National Security Agency (NSA) for launching cyber attacks on a elite Chinese university to steal sensitive data, Xinhua News Agency has reported.

China has accused US National Security Agency (NSA) for launching cyber attacks on a elite Chinese university to steal sensitive data, Xinhua News Agency has reported. In its investigation report, China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre (CVERC) said that NSA-affiliated Tailored Access Operations (TAO) Office—an elite team of hacking group—used “41 types of cyber weapons” against China's Northwestern Polytechnical University. Among them, one such tool, “Suctionchar" is said to have helped them hack into the university’s network by stealing account credentials and file transfer applications to hijack logins on targeted servers, the CVERC said. The agency said that it found traces of Suctionchar in many other Chinese networks apart from Northwestern’s, accusing the NSA of launching more than 10,000 cyberattacks on China over the past several years. It claimed that TAO has "stolen over 140 gigabytes of high-value data" in recent years and received assistance from groups in Europe and South Asia. On Sunday, China lodged a diplomatic complaint blaming the US for endangering China’s security by targeting its critical infrastructure and institutions, and asked Washington to stop its clandestine activities. In a statement, Yang Tao, the director-general of American affairs at China’s ministry of foreign affairs, affirmed the CVERC report, saying the NSA had “seriously violated the technical secrets of relevant Chinese institutions and seriously endangered the security of China’s critical infrastructure, institutions and personal information, and must be stopped immediately.” In the past, the US justice department had referred the school as a “Chinese military university that is heavily involved in military research and works closely with the People’s Liberation Army,” claiming that it is a reasonable target for digital infiltration from an American perspective. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China accuses US of launching cyber attacks to steal data from its elite university

<p>Ireland's data privacy watchdog has levied a record 405 million euro (USD 402 million) fine against social media platform Instagram after an investigation into its handling of children's data. A spokesperson for Meta, Instagram's parent company, has said that it plans to appeal against the ruling, said Reuters.</p>

<p>The investigation began in 2020, and found that teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 were allowed to operate business accounts. This facilitated publication of the user's phone number and email address.</p>

<p>"We adopted our final decision last Friday and it does contain a fine of 405 million euro," said the spokesperson for Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner (DPC), the lead regulator of Instagram's parent company Meta Platforms Inc.</p>

<p>Full details of the decision will be published next week, he said.</p>

<p>Instagram updated its settings over a year ago and has since released new features to keep teens safe and their information private, the Meta spokesperson said.</p>

<p>The spokesperson said that Instagram disagreed with the way the fine was calculated.</p>

<p>The DPC regulates Facebook, Apple, Google and other technology giants due to the location of their EU headquarters in Ireland. It has opened over a dozen investigations into Meta companies, including Facebook and WhatsApp.</p>

<p>WhatsApp was last year fined a record 225 million euros for failing to conform with EU data rules in 2018.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Ireland's data privacy watchdog has levied a record 405 million euro (USD 402 million) fine against social media platform Instagram after an investigation into its handling of children's data.

Ireland's data privacy watchdog has levied a record 405 million euro (USD 402 million) fine against social media platform Instagram after an investigation into its handling of children's data. A spokesperson for Meta, Instagram's parent company, has said that it plans to appeal against the ruling, said Reuters. The investigation began in 2020, and found that teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 were allowed to operate business accounts. This facilitated publication of the user's phone number and email address. "We adopted our final decision last Friday and it does contain a fine of 405 million euro," said the spokesperson for Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner (DPC), the lead regulator of Instagram's parent company Meta Platforms Inc. Full details of the decision will be published next week, he said. Instagram updated its settings over a year ago and has since released new features to keep teens safe and their information private, the Meta spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that Instagram disagreed with the way the fine was calculated. The DPC regulates Facebook, Apple, Google and other technology giants due to the location of their EU headquarters in Ireland. It has opened over a dozen investigations into Meta companies, including Facebook and WhatsApp. WhatsApp was last year fined a record 225 million euros for failing to conform with EU data rules in 2018. (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 ×

Ireland: Instagram slapped USD 400 million fine over children's data

<p>According to data made public by American safety regulators, automakers recorded roughly 400 crashes involving vehicles with automated driver-assist systems, that included&nbsp;273 Teslas.</p>

<p>The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a warning against using the statistics to contrast different automakers, claiming that they weren't weighted according to the volume of each manufacturer's vehicles employing the systems or their mileage.</p>

<p>From July 2021&nbsp;to May 15, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/anne-heche-passes-away-actress-taken-off-life-support-after-horrific-car-crash-506953">crashes </a>were reported.&nbsp;According to CNBC, Autopilot, "full self-driving," traffic aware cruise control, and other driver-assist technologies that have some steering and speed control were all in use when Tesla's vehicles crashed. The systems are in around 830,000 automobiles owned by the corporation.</p>

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<p><em><strong>The NTSB released this image of a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor electric car that was involved in a fatal accident near Miami that killed two people on Sept. 13, 2021.</strong></em></p>

<p>More than 100 automakers and autonomous vehicle technology companies were ordered by the NHTSA in June 2021 to report serious crashes as soon as they become aware of them and to reveal less serious crashes by the 15th day of the following month. The organisation is analysing the systems' functionality to determine whether new restrictions could be required.</p>

<p>As reported by the New York Times, the administrator of the organisation, Steven Cliff, stated that when more data is gathered, "NHTSA will be better equipped to identify any emerging hazards or trends and learn more about how these technologies are operating in the real world."</p>

<p>Tesla may have a high crash rate because it employs telematics to track its cars and obtain real-time crash information. The NHTSA stated that because other automakers lack this capability, their submissions may be delayed or incomplete.</p>

<p>Nearly 70% of the 392 crashes recorded by the twelve automakers were caused by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-buying-any-sports-team-elon-musk-clarifies-after-claiming-he-is-going-to-buy-manchester-united-507666">Tesla.</a> Although the Austin, Texas, carmaker refers to its technologies as Autopilot and "Full Self-Driving," it insists that drivers must always be prepared to take over control of the vehicles. In addition, the NHTSA reported that six people suffered significant injuries and five people died in crashes utilising driver-assist systems.</p>

<p>According to NHTSA, manufacturers were not required to record how many vehicles they have on the road with the devices, how far those vehicles have gone, or when the systems are being used. According to an agency official, those numbers are not currently quantifiable.</p>

<p>NHTSA may, however, later look for such data. In the interim, it is now able to learn about accidents much more quickly than in the past thanks to the additional data. The government stated that it is currently using the crash data to look for trends and discuss them with the companies.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Indian luxury car sales are booming, global challenges still remain: Audi India</strong></p>

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According to data made public by American safety regulators, automakers recorded roughly 400 crashes involving vehicles with automated driver-assist systems, that included 273 Teslas.

According to data made public by American safety regulators, automakers recorded roughly 400 crashes involving vehicles with automated driver-assist systems, that included 273 Teslas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a warning against using the statistics to contrast different automakers, claiming that they weren't weighted according to the volume of each manufacturer's vehicles employing the systems or their mileage. From July 2021 to May 15, the crashes were reported. According to CNBC, Autopilot, "full self-driving," traffic aware cruise control, and other driver-assist technologies that have some steering and speed control were all in use when Tesla's vehicles crashed. The systems are in around 830,000 automobiles owned by the corporation. The NTSB released this image of a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor electric car that was involved in a fatal accident near Miami that killed two people on Sept. 13, 2021. More than 100 automakers and autonomous vehicle technology companies were ordered by the NHTSA in June 2021 to report serious crashes as soon as they become aware of them and to reveal less serious crashes by the 15th day of the following month. The organisation is analysing the systems' functionality to determine whether new restrictions could be required. As reported by the New York Times, the administrator of the organisation, Steven Cliff, stated that when more data is gathered, "NHTSA will be better equipped to identify any emerging hazards or trends and learn more about how these technologies are operating in the real world." Tesla may have a high crash rate because it employs telematics to track its cars and obtain real-time crash information. The NHTSA stated that because other automakers lack this capability, their submissions may be delayed or incomplete. Nearly 70% of the 392 crashes recorded by the twelve automakers were caused by Tesla. Although the Austin, Texas, carmaker refers to its technologies as Autopilot and "Full Self-Driving," it insists that drivers must always be prepared to take over control of the vehicles. In addition, the NHTSA reported that six people suffered significant injuries and five people died in crashes utilising driver-assist systems. According to NHTSA, manufacturers were not required to record how many vehicles they have on the road with the devices, how far those vehicles have gone, or when the systems are being used. According to an agency official, those numbers are not currently quantifiable. NHTSA may, however, later look for such data. In the interim, it is now able to learn about accidents much more quickly than in the past thanks to the additional data. The government stated that it is currently using the crash data to look for trends and discuss them with the companies. (With inputs from agencies) Also watch | Indian luxury car sales are booming, global challenges still remain: Audi India

US: Nearly 400 crashes linked to self-driving, driver-assist technologies since last summer

Leaked TikTok employee audio has caused a row. Did Tiktok U.S. user data leaked to China? According to the report, 'Project Texas' looks to redirect data flow.

Tiktok U.S. user data leaked to China? Leaked TikTok employee audio causes a row

<p>Meta&nbsp;Platforms Inc's WhatsApp messenger and Snapchat owner Snap Inc have been sued by a Russian court for alleged failure to store local users’ data within the Russian territory.</p>

<p>On Thursday, Moscow's Tagansky District Court fined WhatsApp million rubles ($300,000), and Snapchat 1 million rubles ($16,600), according to TASS news agency.</p>

<p>This is the second time WhatsApp has been punished for failing to comply with the data localisation norms. Last August, the Meta-owned messaging platform was fined 4 mln rubles ($54,040) for refusal to localise Russian users’ data.</p>

<p>Under the Russian law on personal data, Russian and foreign companies are obliged to store personal information of Russian citizens on the country’s territory only, even if they are not physically present in Russia as their operations are aimed at the country’s territory.</p>

<p>The latest punitive action comes at a time when Russia has restricted access to Meta's Facebook and Instagram, as well as Twitter, after Moscow’s invasion on Ukraine began.</p>

<p>Critics said the move was part of Russia’s plan to exert greater control over information flows and counter the narrative thrown by the western media.</p>

<p>Microsoft-owned LinkedIn has also been blocked in Russia for years after a court found it violated the local data storage rule, which was passed in 2015.</p>

<p>Other tech giants like Apple was also fined 2 million rubles (about $34,000) earlier this month over the data storage issue. Airbnb,&nbsp;Pinterest&nbsp;and the video streaming service Twitch were fined the same amount last month.</p>

<p>In March, Instagram and Facebook were banned in Russia after their parent company — Meta — was labelled “extremist” by the authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These actions have bolstered Russia to develop and promote homegrown applications as an alternative to the US-based social media platforms.</p>

<p>The government has been providing income tax breaks and preferential loans for homegrown IT companies, and employees can get their military service deferred. Politicians are also encouraging users to switch to domestic providers.</p>

<p>According to Reuters, RuTube was downloaded about 1.4 million times on Russia’s App Store and&nbsp;Google&nbsp;Play in the 40 days after Russia invaded Ukraine, up more than 2,000 per cent on the previous period, according to data analytics firm Sensor Tower.</p>

<p>A Facebook-like site, VKontakte, which already had a massive presence in the Russian market, saw a 14 per cent jump in active users in March, with social networks Telegram and OK also experiencing 23 per cent and 6 per cent growth respectively, according&nbsp;to monitor Brand Analytics.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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Meta Platforms Inc's WhatsApp messenger and Snapchat owner Snap Inc have been sued by a Russian court for alleged failure to store local users’ data within the Russian territory.

Meta Platforms Inc's WhatsApp messenger and Snapchat owner Snap Inc have been sued by a Russian court for alleged failure to store local users’ data within the Russian territory. On Thursday, Moscow's Tagansky District Court fined WhatsApp million rubles ($300,000), and Snapchat 1 million rubles ($16,600), according to TASS news agency. This is the second time WhatsApp has been punished for failing to comply with the data localisation norms. Last August, the Meta-owned messaging platform was fined 4 mln rubles ($54,040) for refusal to localise Russian users’ data. Under the Russian law on personal data, Russian and foreign companies are obliged to store personal information of Russian citizens on the country’s territory only, even if they are not physically present in Russia as their operations are aimed at the country’s territory. The latest punitive action comes at a time when Russia has restricted access to Meta's Facebook and Instagram, as well as Twitter, after Moscow’s invasion on Ukraine began. Critics said the move was part of Russia’s plan to exert greater control over information flows and counter the narrative thrown by the western media. Microsoft-owned LinkedIn has also been blocked in Russia for years after a court found it violated the local data storage rule, which was passed in 2015. Other tech giants like Apple was also fined 2 million rubles (about $34,000) earlier this month over the data storage issue. Airbnb, Pinterest and the video streaming service Twitch were fined the same amount last month. In March, Instagram and Facebook were banned in Russia after their parent company — Meta — was labelled “extremist” by the authorities. These actions have bolstered Russia to develop and promote homegrown applications as an alternative to the US-based social media platforms. The government has been providing income tax breaks and preferential loans for homegrown IT companies, and employees can get their military service deferred. Politicians are also encouraging users to switch to domestic providers. According to Reuters, RuTube was downloaded about 1.4 million times on Russia’s App Store and Google Play in the 40 days after Russia invaded Ukraine, up more than 2,000 per cent on the previous period, according to data analytics firm Sensor Tower. A Facebook-like site, VKontakte, which already had a massive presence in the Russian market, saw a 14 per cent jump in active users in March, with social networks Telegram and OK also experiencing 23 per cent and 6 per cent growth respectively, according to monitor Brand Analytics. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Russian court penalises WhatsApp, Snapchat over data law violations

Russia has decided to expel a Jewish agency for breaching local data. It has also declined talks with Israel over the issue. Watch this report.

Moscow to expel Jewish agency over data theft; Russia declines talks with Israel over the issue

<p>In this fast evolving world where every second is a new discovery, most of us are clueless that somebody, somewhere is watching us. Yes, you heard it right. Data privacy is a myth, and data science is the sole truth.</p>

<p>Be it Google, Amazon, Netflix, Uber, Apple, every tech giant is collecting tonnes of data from our devices, about our activities, and with our permission. From where we checked in last night, what we ate for dinner, what shows we like to watch, what items we prefer to buy, and where we live, they have the exact information. They use the principles of mathematics to extract science from our data and sell their artificial intelligence (AI) powered bots back to us at the cost of recommending our favourite dishes, shows, movies, etc. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Data can be used for various purposes, from re-creating your voice to your facial expressions, we can do it all, just with the relevant data.</p>

<p>Let's take a simple example. Most of us have an Alexa or a Google mini at home. When powered on, it continuously records whatever we say, even when we are not specifically speaking to Alexa and just having a casual conversation with our family.</p>

<p>But, it is all legal as it is up to us what we would like to share with them. Most of us grant them all the permissions they ask for on our mobile phones, but we should always check why this particular permission to access our microphones, cameras, or gallery is needed. We can give them this permission only while using the app. This will stop a lot of background data theft. So, beware of the data you share. It is as simple as turning off Alexa after use.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)</strong></em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></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 this fast evolving world where every second is a new discovery, most of us are clueless that somebody, somewhere is watching us. Yes, you heard it right. Data privacy is a myth, and data science is the sole truth.

In this fast evolving world where every second is a new discovery, most of us are clueless that somebody, somewhere is watching us. Yes, you heard it right. Data privacy is a myth, and data science is the sole truth. Be it Google, Amazon, Netflix, Uber, Apple, every tech giant is collecting tonnes of data from our devices, about our activities, and with our permission. From where we checked in last night, what we ate for dinner, what shows we like to watch, what items we prefer to buy, and where we live, they have the exact information. They use the principles of mathematics to extract science from our data and sell their artificial intelligence (AI) powered bots back to us at the cost of recommending our favourite dishes, shows, movies, etc. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Data can be used for various purposes, from re-creating your voice to your facial expressions, we can do it all, just with the relevant data. Let's take a simple example. Most of us have an Alexa or a Google mini at home. When powered on, it continuously records whatever we say, even when we are not specifically speaking to Alexa and just having a casual conversation with our family. But, it is all legal as it is up to us what we would like to share with them. Most of us grant them all the permissions they ask for on our mobile phones, but we should always check why this particular permission to access our microphones, cameras, or gallery is needed. We can give them this permission only while using the app. This will stop a lot of background data theft. So, beware of the data you share. It is as simple as turning off Alexa after use. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) 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.

Data: The myth and the sole truth

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#222222;
mso-fareast-language:EN-IN">Australia’s media regulator will be able to force internet companies to share data regarding their handling of misinformation and disinformation under the laws passed by the government.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#222222;
mso-fareast-language:EN-IN">The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will also have the power to enforce an internet industry code on platforms which refuse to cooperate with the proceedings. The government said in their statement that this move is intended to reduce the spread of fake news.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#222222;
mso-fareast-language:EN-IN"><o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p></span><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-in-a-historic-move-australia-returns-29-antiques-to-india-464233" hreflang="en">In Pics: In a historic move, Australia returns 29 antiques to India</a></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#222222;
mso-fareast-language:EN-IN">The laws came after an ACMA investigation which found that four out of five Australian adults have encountered some misinformation regarding COVID-19 and almost 76 per-cent believe that online platforms should take more responsibility in cutting down the amount of false content.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#222222;
mso-fareast-language:EN-IN">The laws are somewhat similar to the standards imposed by Europe to curb false online content which will come into effect by the end of 2022. However, the European Union are looking at tougher measures in order to combat the misinformation campaign from Russia, according to Reuters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#222222;
mso-fareast-language:EN-IN">“Digital platforms must take responsibility for what is on their sites and take action when harmful or misleading content appears,” Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said in a statement.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#222222;
mso-fareast-language:EN-IN"><o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p></span><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-us-president-biden-to-visit-poland-on-europe-trip-this-week-464181">Ukraine-Russia conflict: US President Biden to visit Poland this week</a></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#222222;
mso-fareast-language:EN-IN">The authorities noted in the recent past that disinformation continue to target Australians and Facebook had removed four disinformation campaigns in Australia from 2019 to 2020, it said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#222222;
mso-fareast-language:EN-IN">A spokesperson for Labor’s shadow communications minister, Michelle Rowland, told Reuters the opposition supported the expanded powers but the government had taken too long to introduce them since they were recommended in 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></p>


Australia’s media regulator will be able to force internet companies to share data regarding their handling of misinformation and disinformation under the laws passed by the government.

Australia’s media regulator will be able to force internet companies to share data regarding their handling of misinformation and disinformation under the laws passed by the government. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will also have the power to enforce an internet industry code on platforms which refuse to cooperate with the proceedings. The government said in their statement that this move is intended to reduce the spread of fake news. Also read | In Pics: In a historic move, Australia returns 29 antiques to India The laws came after an ACMA investigation which found that four out of five Australian adults have encountered some misinformation regarding COVID-19 and almost 76 per-cent believe that online platforms should take more responsibility in cutting down the amount of false content. The laws are somewhat similar to the standards imposed by Europe to curb false online content which will come into effect by the end of 2022. However, the European Union are looking at tougher measures in order to combat the misinformation campaign from Russia, according to Reuters. “Digital platforms must take responsibility for what is on their sites and take action when harmful or misleading content appears,” Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said in a statement. Also read | Ukraine-Russia conflict: US President Biden to visit Poland this week The authorities noted in the recent past that disinformation continue to target Australians and Facebook had removed four disinformation campaigns in Australia from 2019 to 2020, it said. A spokesperson for Labor’s shadow communications minister, Michelle Rowland, told Reuters the opposition supported the expanded powers but the government had taken too long to introduce them since they were recommended in 2019.

Australia to battle misinformation with new regulations for big tech companies

<p>Researchers in Scotland reported Thursday that pregnant women with COVID-19 were not only at greater risk of developing severe disease, but also more likely to lose their fetuses and babies in the womb or shortly after birth, compared with other women who gave birth during the pandemic.</p>

<p>The risk of losing a baby through stillbirth or the first month of life was highest among women who delivered their babies within four weeks of the onset of a COVID-19 infection: 22.6 deaths for every 1,000 births, four times the rate in Scotland of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 births.</p>

<p>All of those deaths occurred in pregnancies among unvaccinated women, the researchers found. “Quite strikingly, no baby deaths occurred in women who had SARS-CoV-2 and were vaccinated,” said the paper’s first author, Dr. Sarah J. Stock, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the University of Edinburgh Usher Institute in Exeter.</p>

<p>The study also found a higher rate of preterm birth among women diagnosed with COVID-19, a rate that spiked if the baby was born within a month of the mother falling ill. More than 16% of these women gave birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy, compared with 8% among other women.</p>

<p>In Scotland, as in the United States, vaccination rates of pregnant women are low. Only one-third of pregnant women are vaccinated against the coronavirus, despite the protections afforded by immunization. Early research has found no evidence that the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines pose serious risks during pregnancy.</p>

<p>Indeed, the Scottish study found that the vast majority of infections among pregnant women were in those who were completely unvaccinated or were only partially vaccinated. Only 11% of the total infections were reported among fully vaccinated pregnant women.</p>

<p>Pregnant women who were unvaccinated were also four times as likely to be hospitalized, compared with vaccinated pregnant women.</p>

<p>Stock and her colleagues analyzed data collected by the COVID-19 in Pregnancy in Scotland study, a national cohort of all women who were pregnant or became pregnant after March 1, 2020, through the end of October 2021. The team tracked 144,546 pregnancies in 130,875 women during this period.</p>

<p>One weakness of the study is that the authors did not adjust for confounding factors, like maternal age or preexisting medical conditions, which could lead to poor pregnancy outcomes regardless of coronavirus infection or COVID-19 diagnosis (they also did not know whether women who were hospitalized were admitted because of COVID-19 disease or were just incidentally found to test positive at admission).</p>

<p>Vaccination rates are low among pregnant women across the board but are particularly low among younger women and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, the study noted. Future analyses will take these demographic factors and other confounding factors into account, the authors said.</p>

<p>Still, the discrepancies in hospitalization, premature birth and infant loss rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated women are so marked that those adjustments are unlikely to alter the conclusions, Stock and her colleagues said.</p>

<p>They urged pregnant women to get vaccinated, echoing the pleas of health officials in the United States.</p>

<p>“The key take home we’d love to get across is that really the best way to protect mother and baby is vaccination at the earliest opportunity, and that can be done at any stage of pregnancy,” said Aziz Sheikh, a population health researcher at the University of Edinburgh and another of the paper’s authors.</p>

<p>“We have enough information to bring the really strong message around promoting vaccination in pregnancy now,” said Rachael Wood, a consultant in public health medicine in Public Health Scotland and a member of the study team.</p>


Researchers in Scotland reported Thursday that pregnant women with COVID-19 were not only at greater risk of developing severe disease, but also more likely to lose their fetuses and babies in the womb or shortly after birth, compared with other women who gave birth during the pandemic.

Researchers in Scotland reported Thursday that pregnant women with COVID-19 were not only at greater risk of developing severe disease, but also more likely to lose their fetuses and babies in the womb or shortly after birth, compared with other women who gave birth during the pandemic. The risk of losing a baby through stillbirth or the first month of life was highest among women who delivered their babies within four weeks of the onset of a COVID-19 infection: 22.6 deaths for every 1,000 births, four times the rate in Scotland of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 births. All of those deaths occurred in pregnancies among unvaccinated women, the researchers found. “Quite strikingly, no baby deaths occurred in women who had SARS-CoV-2 and were vaccinated,” said the paper’s first author, Dr. Sarah J. Stock, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the University of Edinburgh Usher Institute in Exeter. The study also found a higher rate of preterm birth among women diagnosed with COVID-19, a rate that spiked if the baby was born within a month of the mother falling ill. More than 16% of these women gave birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy, compared with 8% among other women. In Scotland, as in the United States, vaccination rates of pregnant women are low. Only one-third of pregnant women are vaccinated against the coronavirus, despite the protections afforded by immunization. Early research has found no evidence that the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines pose serious risks during pregnancy. Indeed, the Scottish study found that the vast majority of infections among pregnant women were in those who were completely unvaccinated or were only partially vaccinated. Only 11% of the total infections were reported among fully vaccinated pregnant women. Pregnant women who were unvaccinated were also four times as likely to be hospitalized, compared with vaccinated pregnant women. Stock and her colleagues analyzed data collected by the COVID-19 in Pregnancy in Scotland study, a national cohort of all women who were pregnant or became pregnant after March 1, 2020, through the end of October 2021. The team tracked 144,546 pregnancies in 130,875 women during this period. One weakness of the study is that the authors did not adjust for confounding factors, like maternal age or preexisting medical conditions, which could lead to poor pregnancy outcomes regardless of coronavirus infection or COVID-19 diagnosis (they also did not know whether women who were hospitalized were admitted because of COVID-19 disease or were just incidentally found to test positive at admission). Vaccination rates are low among pregnant women across the board but are particularly low among younger women and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, the study noted. Future analyses will take these demographic factors and other confounding factors into account, the authors said. Still, the discrepancies in hospitalization, premature birth and infant loss rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated women are so marked that those adjustments are unlikely to alter the conclusions, Stock and her colleagues said. They urged pregnant women to get vaccinated, echoing the pleas of health officials in the United States. “The key take home we’d love to get across is that really the best way to protect mother and baby is vaccination at the earliest opportunity, and that can be done at any stage of pregnancy,” said Aziz Sheikh, a population health researcher at the University of Edinburgh and another of the paper’s authors. “We have enough information to bring the really strong message around promoting vaccination in pregnancy now,” said Rachael Wood, a consultant in public health medicine in Public Health Scotland and a member of the study team.

Unvaccinated women with Covid are more likely to lose fetuses and infants, Scottish data shows

Data is the new oil and China wants to make money off it. Top Chinese leaders are mulling an exchange to trade data as an asset. Palki Sharma tells you about China's plans.

Gravitas: How China wants to make money off data

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