The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 edition is churning out nail-biting contests with each passing day. The ongoing season has already become a hit and is on course for more success before its conclusion on May 28. Soon after the end of IPL 2023, Rohit Sharma-led Team India will reassemble and leave for the United Kingdom to lock horns with Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final for the 2021-23 cycle.

After missing out on winning the inaugural WTC cycle, and losing to New Zealand in 2021, India will hope to make the most of this opportunity and&nbsp;end their 10-year-long ICC-title drought. While Indian players have been asked to manage their workload efficiently in IPL 2023, there have already been some injury concerns ahead of the WTC summit clash, on June 07 at The Oval, London. While Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant have already been ruled out, Shreyas Iyer is also out of contention.

With Iyer's back injury resurfacing during India-Australia home Tests, he is out of IPL 2023 and will also miss the high-voltage WTC clash. Thus, India have some tough calls to&nbsp;smartly pack their middle order for the marquee clash, keeping the English conditions in mind.

Many experts have chipped in the idea of KL Rahul to open with Rohit as the duo was a successful pair during India's four Tests in England in the 2021 English summer. However, Rahul's low returns -- in Australia Tests and IPL 2023 so far -- aren't unknown. If&nbsp;the team management still persists&nbsp;with Rahul-Rohit as their openers, this could drop in-form batter Shubman Gill at No. 5 (an alien spot for him);&nbsp;filling in for Iyer. Nonetheless, Ajinkya Rahane's two good outings for his new franchise, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing IPL season have led to many ardent Indian cricket fans and former cricketers suggesting his inclusion.

Rahane for WTC final?

It is to be noted that Rahane has made scores of 61 (27) and 31 (19), striking at over 200 (225.92) and 150 (163.15) respectively, so far in his two innings for CSK. While many can say that IPL isn't an ideal platform for any batter's&nbsp;return in Tests, that too after two-long years, Rahane has had a good domestic run as well.

Rahane scored 634 runs (with a best of 204)&nbsp;in seven matches, at an average of&nbsp;57.63, with a hundred and two fifties for Mumbai in the 2022/23 Ranji Trophy season. While he could have gone for a County stint (like Cheteshwar Pujara), rather than plying his trade in the IPL, a dearth of middle-order batters with Iyer and Pant's injury has brightened the chances for Rahane.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/if-it-comes-to-carrying-water-or-helping-out-someone-hes-such-a-team-man-ravi-shastri-hails-csk-batter-581710">'If it comes to carrying water or helping out someone, he's such a team man': Ravi Shastri hails CSK batter</a>

What are the numbers for Rahane?

Now, let's focus on Rahane's numbers in Tests, particularly in England. The right-hander has scored 4,931 Test runs in 82 Tests, with 12 hundreds and 25 half-centuries. In England, he has amassed 729 runs in 15 Tests, at a woeful average of 26.03, with a solitary hundred and five fifties. He has two memorable knocks in English conditions; 103 (Lord's Test, 2014) and 81 (Trent Bridge, 2018).

Meanwhile, Rahane has a total of 1,090 runs versus Australia at an average of 37.58 with two centuries and five half-centuries (only one at home). In addition, he has scored&nbsp;884 of those in Australia, which includes both his tons.

Above all, it is Rahane's experience that the Rohit-Rahul Dravid-led Indian team will bank up on if he earns a recall. A stage as big as a WTC final and an opposition as formidable as Pat Cummins-led Australia (against whom he scored his last ton -- a memorable 112)&nbsp;can perfectly motivate a senior pro like Rahane.

Given, Rahane has already tasted failure with the Virat Kohli-led Indian side in the inaugural WTC final, where he scored 49 and 15, the 34-year-old will be highly charged in possibly his last ICC final. In the twilight of his career, it goes without saying that the Mumbaikar will be desperate to make the most of any chance presented to him.

Fire to perform is still burning strong!

After his spirited 27-ball 61 in CSK debut, versus Mumbai Indians (MI), at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai,&nbsp;a determined Rahane subtly reminded the critics that it is still early to write him off. At the post-match presentation, he said, "I was just told to focus on my strengths and focus on preparation. I love playing at the Wankhede, I know the ground well. Have not played a Test here, yet." He even smiled when on-air commentators praised his usage of 'yet'.&nbsp;

Later, at the post-match presser, he stated, "Still, a long way to go [WTC final]. Today, I was not sure about my place in the eleven, (and) got to know just before the toss. For me, it is about playing one game at a time and staying in the moment. "Anything can happen. I will never give up. For me it is about playing with enjoyment and passion," Rahane added.

For now, Rahane needs to continue to tick the basics and add runs for CSK. If he continues in the same manner, the batting maestro -- and also a highly acclaimed slip fielder --&nbsp;might be in India's scheme of things&nbsp;to star in the playing XI for the WTC final. 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 edition is churning out nail-biting contests with each passing day. The ongoing season has already become a hit and is on course for more success before its conclusion on May 28.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 edition is churning out nail-biting contests with each passing day. The ongoing season has already become a hit and is on course for more success before its conclusion on May 28. Soon after the end of IPL 2023, Rohit Sharma-led Team India will reassemble and leave for the United Kingdom to lock horns with Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final for the 2021-23 cycle. After missing out on winning the inaugural WTC cycle, and losing to New Zealand in 2021, India will hope to make the most of this opportunity and end their 10-year-long ICC-title drought. While Indian players have been asked to manage their workload efficiently in IPL 2023, there have already been some injury concerns ahead of the WTC summit clash, on June 07 at The Oval, London. While Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant have already been ruled out, Shreyas Iyer is also out of contention. With Iyer's back injury resurfacing during India-Australia home Tests, he is out of IPL 2023 and will also miss the high-voltage WTC clash. Thus, India have some tough calls to smartly pack their middle order for the marquee clash, keeping the English conditions in mind. Many experts have chipped in the idea of KL Rahul to open with Rohit as the duo was a successful pair during India's four Tests in England in the 2021 English summer. However, Rahul's low returns -- in Australia Tests and IPL 2023 so far -- aren't unknown. If the team management still persists with Rahul-Rohit as their openers, this could drop in-form batter Shubman Gill at No. 5 (an alien spot for him); filling in for Iyer. Nonetheless, Ajinkya Rahane's two good outings for his new franchise, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing IPL season have led to many ardent Indian cricket fans and former cricketers suggesting his inclusion. Rahane for WTC final? It is to be noted that Rahane has made scores of 61 (27) and 31 (19), striking at over 200 (225.92) and 150 (163.15) respectively, so far in his two innings for CSK. While many can say that IPL isn't an ideal platform for any batter's return in Tests, that too after two-long years, Rahane has had a good domestic run as well. Rahane scored 634 runs (with a best of 204) in seven matches, at an average of 57.63, with a hundred and two fifties for Mumbai in the 2022/23 Ranji Trophy season. While he could have gone for a County stint (like Cheteshwar Pujara), rather than plying his trade in the IPL, a dearth of middle-order batters with Iyer and Pant's injury has brightened the chances for Rahane. Also Read: 'If it comes to carrying water or helping out someone, he's such a team man': Ravi Shastri hails CSK batter What are the numbers for Rahane? Now, let's focus on Rahane's numbers in Tests, particularly in England. The right-hander has scored 4,931 Test runs in 82 Tests, with 12 hundreds and 25 half-centuries. In England, he has amassed 729 runs in 15 Tests, at a woeful average of 26.03, with a solitary hundred and five fifties. He has two memorable knocks in English conditions; 103 (Lord's Test, 2014) and 81 (Trent Bridge, 2018). Meanwhile, Rahane has a total of 1,090 runs versus Australia at an average of 37.58 with two centuries and five half-centuries (only one at home). In addition, he has scored 884 of those in Australia, which includes both his tons. Above all, it is Rahane's experience that the Rohit-Rahul Dravid-led Indian team will bank up on if he earns a recall. A stage as big as a WTC final and an opposition as formidable as Pat Cummins-led Australia (against whom he scored his last ton -- a memorable 112) can perfectly motivate a senior pro like Rahane. Given, Rahane has already tasted failure with the Virat Kohli-led Indian side in the inaugural WTC final, where he scored 49 and 15, the 34-year-old will be highly charged in possibly his last ICC final. In the twilight of his career, it goes without saying that the Mumbaikar will be desperate to make the most of any chance presented to him. Fire to perform is still burning strong! After his spirited 27-ball 61 in CSK debut, versus Mumbai Indians (MI), at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, a determined Rahane subtly reminded the critics that it is still early to write him off. At the post-match presentation, he said, "I was just told to focus on my strengths and focus on preparation. I love playing at the Wankhede, I know the ground well. Have not played a Test here, yet." He even smiled when on-air commentators praised his usage of 'yet'. Later, at the post-match presser, he stated, "Still, a long way to go [WTC final]. Today, I was not sure about my place in the eleven, (and) got to know just before the toss. For me, it is about playing one game at a time and staying in the moment. "Anything can happen. I will never give up. For me it is about playing with enjoyment and passion," Rahane added. For now, Rahane needs to continue to tick the basics and add runs for CSK. If he continues in the same manner, the batting maestro -- and also a highly acclaimed slip fielder -- might be in India's scheme of things to star in the playing XI for the WTC final. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Explained: Why Team India may turn back to Ajinkya Rahane for WTC final

On the morning of July 8, 1920, the British newspaper ‘Morning Post’ greeted its readers with an article titled "For General Dyer. The Man Who Saved India". The article was published days after the British authorities had removed General Reginald Dyer from his post after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which even today on its 104th anniversary remains etched as one of the deadliest bloodbaths in the history of India's independence struggle.

The article was published to appeal for funds to support Dyer's defence costs. In the first 12 hours, the newspaper had managed to collect £584 ($725), eventually raising the hefty sum of £26,000 ($32,308). What followed was a flood of gifts and letters in support of Dyer in the office of the newspaper. Among the many who contributed to the funds, one of the most renowned names was Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling.&nbsp;

Supporting Dyer's horrific action, the paper said that he “did his duty, regardless of consequences”.

“On General Dyer’s judgment, and his judgment alone, the future of Punjab, and it may well be of India, was placed, and fearlessly he did his duty. His worst enemies cannot say that the result of his action was a revolution; on the contrary, revolution gaining ground on every side was crushed,” the article read.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-mathematician-c-r-rao-honoured-with-math-nobel-prize-580969">Indian-origin mathematician CR Rao honoured with math ‘Nobel Prize’</a>

<h2>The fateful evening</h2>

People in huge numbers had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919, which was also the day when people celebrated Baisakhi (the harvest festival of Punjab), for a public meeting to silently protest against the ban imposed on public assemblies. After some time, the silent meeting turned into gory bloodshed after General Dyer ordered the British troops to fire incessantly for around 10 minutes on the unarmed crowd without giving them any warning.

With only one exit and high walls, it became impossible for people to run for their lives. As the troops kept firing, dead bodies&nbsp;kept piling up. Panic-stricken people tried to cross the boundaries and some even jumped inside a well, which was present in the centre of the ground, with hopes of surviving&nbsp;the massacre. After the ceasefire, Dyer, along with his troops, marched back to the base leaving the dead and wounded on the ground. Officially 379 people were killed in the massacre, however, the count is believed to be much higher.

After the killing at Jallianwala Bagh, Punjab was placed under martial law by the government. Weeks later, a British missionary woman was assaulted after which General Dyer gave the "crawling order" on a street, making it compulsory for people to crawl on their four legs if they wished to pass by.

<h2>Hunter Commission and Dyer's fear&nbsp;</h2>

Six months after the massacre, on October 14, 1919, a committee was constituted by Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu to investigate the incident. The Disorders Inquiry Committee was established accordingly with former Solicitor General of Scotland Lord William Hunter as the president.

The report prepared by the committee noted the incidents that took place in Amritsar before April 13, 1919. It pointed out how Dyer entered Jallianwala Bagh, accompanied by 25 Gorkha soldiers, 40 Gorkhas armed with only khukris, 25 Baluchis armed with rifles and two armoured cars.

“Without giving the crowd any warning to disperse, which he considered unnecessary as they were in breach of his proclamation, he ordered his troops to fire and the firing continued for about ten minutes,” the report stated.

The minority report of the committee brought out the evidence given by Dyer in great detail. He testified that his mind had already been made up to order the firing when he reached the Bagh.

“I had made up my mind. I was only wondering whether I should do it or not….The situation was very, very serious. I had made up my mind that I would shoot all men to death if they were going to continue the meeting,” he said.

The most shocking was the comments made by Dyer in the investigation. Dyer had testified that he was changing the directions of firing time and again and was directing the armed soldiers to fire where the crowds were the thickest.

He had also accepted that he would have allowed armoured cars to enter and fire using machine guns inside the walled compound if the entrance was not narrow.

“They had come to fight... if they defied me I was going to give them a lesson…I was going to punish them. My idea from the military point of view was to make a wide impression,” Dyer had said.

He had also accepted that there was a possibility that the crowd would have dispersed without firing. Dyer said, “Yes, I think it quite possible that I could have dispersed them perhaps even without firing….I could disperse them for some time then they would all come back and laugh at me, and I considered I would be making myself a fool”.

WATCH | India-China Tensions: China bars two Indian journalists from returning to Beijing

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<h2>How did the British government react to the report?</h2>

Montagu, while accepting that Dyer used disproportionate force, opined, “Brig Gen Dyer displayed honesty of purpose and unflinching adherence to his conception of his duty that cannot for a moment be questioned”.

Disappointingly, Viceroy Lord Chelmsford called the actions of Gen Dyer as ‘bona fide’ and ‘dictated by a stern sense of duty’.

The case that should have ended in a recognition of crime against humanity was simply closed with Gen Dyer's resignation as Brigade Commander and no further employment in India.

<main>
<section>
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On the morning of July 8, 1920, the British newspaper ‘Morning Post’ greeted its readers with an article titled "For General Dyer. The Man Who Saved India". The article was published days after the British authorities had removed General Reginald Dyer from his post after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which even today on its 104th anniversary remains etched as one of the deadliest bloodbaths in the history of India's independence struggle.

On the morning of July 8, 1920, the British newspaper ‘Morning Post’ greeted its readers with an article titled "For General Dyer. The Man Who Saved India". The article was published days after the British authorities had removed General Reginald Dyer from his post after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which even today on its 104th anniversary remains etched as one of the deadliest bloodbaths in the history of India's independence struggle. The article was published to appeal for funds to support Dyer's defence costs. In the first 12 hours, the newspaper had managed to collect £584 ($725), eventually raising the hefty sum of £26,000 ($32,308). What followed was a flood of gifts and letters in support of Dyer in the office of the newspaper. Among the many who contributed to the funds, one of the most renowned names was Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling. Supporting Dyer's horrific action, the paper said that he “did his duty, regardless of consequences”. “On General Dyer’s judgment, and his judgment alone, the future of Punjab, and it may well be of India, was placed, and fearlessly he did his duty. His worst enemies cannot say that the result of his action was a revolution; on the contrary, revolution gaining ground on every side was crushed,” the article read. ALSO READ | Indian-origin mathematician CR Rao honoured with math ‘Nobel Prize’ The fateful evening People in huge numbers had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919, which was also the day when people celebrated Baisakhi (the harvest festival of Punjab), for a public meeting to silently protest against the ban imposed on public assemblies. After some time, the silent meeting turned into gory bloodshed after General Dyer ordered the British troops to fire incessantly for around 10 minutes on the unarmed crowd without giving them any warning. With only one exit and high walls, it became impossible for people to run for their lives. As the troops kept firing, dead bodies kept piling up. Panic-stricken people tried to cross the boundaries and some even jumped inside a well, which was present in the centre of the ground, with hopes of surviving the massacre. After the ceasefire, Dyer, along with his troops, marched back to the base leaving the dead and wounded on the ground. Officially 379 people were killed in the massacre, however, the count is believed to be much higher. After the killing at Jallianwala Bagh, Punjab was placed under martial law by the government. Weeks later, a British missionary woman was assaulted after which General Dyer gave the "crawling order" on a street, making it compulsory for people to crawl on their four legs if they wished to pass by. Hunter Commission and Dyer's fear Six months after the massacre, on October 14, 1919, a committee was constituted by Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu to investigate the incident. The Disorders Inquiry Committee was established accordingly with former Solicitor General of Scotland Lord William Hunter as the president. The report prepared by the committee noted the incidents that took place in Amritsar before April 13, 1919. It pointed out how Dyer entered Jallianwala Bagh, accompanied by 25 Gorkha soldiers, 40 Gorkhas armed with only khukris, 25 Baluchis armed with rifles and two armoured cars. “Without giving the crowd any warning to disperse, which he considered unnecessary as they were in breach of his proclamation, he ordered his troops to fire and the firing continued for about ten minutes,” the report stated. The minority report of the committee brought out the evidence given by Dyer in great detail. He testified that his mind had already been made up to order the firing when he reached the Bagh. “I had made up my mind. I was only wondering whether I should do it or not….The situation was very, very serious. I had made up my mind that I would shoot all men to death if they were going to continue the meeting,” he said. The most shocking was the comments made by Dyer in the investigation. Dyer had testified that he was changing the directions of firing time and again and was directing the armed soldiers to fire where the crowds were the thickest. He had also accepted that he would have allowed armoured cars to enter and fire using machine guns inside the walled compound if the entrance was not narrow. “They had come to fight... if they defied me I was going to give them a lesson…I was going to punish them. My idea from the military point of view was to make a wide impression,” Dyer had said. He had also accepted that there was a possibility that the crowd would have dispersed without firing. Dyer said, “Yes, I think it quite possible that I could have dispersed them perhaps even without firing….I could disperse them for some time then they would all come back and laugh at me, and I considered I would be making myself a fool”. WATCH | India-China Tensions: China bars two Indian journalists from returning to Beijing How did the British government react to the report? Montagu, while accepting that Dyer used disproportionate force, opined, “Brig Gen Dyer displayed honesty of purpose and unflinching adherence to his conception of his duty that cannot for a moment be questioned”. Disappointingly, Viceroy Lord Chelmsford called the actions of Gen Dyer as ‘bona fide’ and ‘dictated by a stern sense of duty’. The case that should have ended in a recognition of crime against humanity was simply closed with Gen Dyer's resignation as Brigade Commander and no further employment in India. 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

Explained | What happened to General Dyer – the butcher of Jallianwala Bagh?

Former US President Donald Trump appeared at a New York court on April 4, days after he became the first ex-president to be&nbsp;indicted by a&nbsp;jury on charges of making hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in return for her silence on an alleged brief affair.

Here's what the indictment of Trump means and what will happen next.

What did the grand jury do?

The grand jury in Manhattan, New York on Thursday (March 30) voted for the 76-year-old former Republican president's indictment, after an investigation which was led by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat.

Shortly thereafter, the indictment was confirmed by Trump's lawyer Joe Tacopina. In the next few days, the sealed felony indictment will be unsealed.

Currently, the specific charges levied against Trump have not been made public. Trump's indictment is related to the hush-money payment which was made on his behalf to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in 2016, just before election day as Trump contested for president.

The grand jury, which has been holding meetings since January, indicted the former president after hearing testimony from various witnesses.

Among those who testified, Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen had admitted to having orchestrated the payment of $130,000 to silence Daniel over her alleged sexual encounter with the former president in 2006. The jury had invited Trump to testify in person but the former president declined.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/grand-jury-indicts-donald-trump-in-historic-vote-first-us-president-to-face-criminal-charges-577479">Grand Jury indicts Donald Trump in 'historic' vote; first US president to face criminal charges</a>

Why was Donald Trump indicted?

Cohen, who has now turned into an outspoken foe of Trump, had testified before the grand jury about making a $130,000 payment to the porn star in October 2016. The payment was reimbursed to Cohen by Trump, who was then the country's president, with monthly $35,000 cheques which were sent from his personal account.

In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty in front of the jury to campaign finance charges which were related to the hush money payment. Court documents present in the federal case of Cohen said that the payments were falsely described by the Trump Organization as legal expenses in which they cited a legal retainer that did not exist.

In the Manhattan case, it has been effectively maintained by the prosecutors that how they imbursement was handled by Trump had violated state law.&nbsp;

What will happen next?

Trump was&nbsp;arraigned&nbsp;on Tuesday, April 4. The former president will enter a plea and the court will set various dates for case proceedings.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is a potential rival of Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, stated that his state would "not assist in an extradition request".

Legal experts confirmed that any effort to fight extradition would only result in delay and that Trump will have to appear in front of the jury to face the charges.

Since now Trump has been&nbsp;arraigned, a series of preliminary court hearings will be held to decide a date for a trial and finalise the evidence and witnesses. The defendant (Trump)&nbsp;can escape trial by entering into a plea agreement with prosecutors and accepting a lighter sentence. However, considering Trump's proclamations of innocence, it is highly unlikely that he will take this step.

WATCH | Donald Trump's possible indictment put on hold for more than two weeks

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trumps-possible-indictment-put-on-hold-for-more-than-two-weeks-577176/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

How can Trump still contest the presidential election?

Trump is free to, and undoubtedly will, pursue his 2024 presidential campaign even though he is facing criminal charges.

As per the Constitution, nothing can prevent a person from running for the presidency while they are facing charges, and even a conviction would not stop him from contesting for the highest office in the country.

The charges against Trump have only helped him in fundraising. The campaign stated that in just 24 hours after the announcement of an indictment, they were able to raise over $4 million, smashing its previous record which was made after the FBI searched for Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club.

Trump's team shared emails, filled with supportive comments from many top Republicans, some of whom have been supportive of Trump till the indictment. The prosecution was also slammed by those who are likely to compete with Trump in next year’s GOP primary contests. Former Vice President Mike Pence had termed the indictment “an outrage” and “nothing more than a political prosecution".

Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf said that Trump's diehard supporters wouldn’t particularly care about the allegations.

“With the people that love him most, it means nothing. With the rebels who are against the government on the right, it won’t matter. With his core constituency, it won’t matter at all. They will see this as an attack on their values because Trump represents their values,” Sheinkopf said.

The indictment will play into Trump’s nationalist dog-whistling, that white Americans are victimised. "He will use this … to make the case that these people in Manhattan, whoever ‘these people’ are, are interfering with his ability to ‘make America great again’ and to ‘take the country back’,” Sheinkopf added.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Former US President Donald Trump appeared at a New York court on April 4, days after he became the first ex-president to be indicted by a jury on charges of making hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in return for her silence on an alleged brief affair.

Former US President Donald Trump appeared at a New York court on April 4, days after he became the first ex-president to be indicted by a jury on charges of making hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in return for her silence on an alleged brief affair. Here's what the indictment of Trump means and what will happen next. What did the grand jury do? The grand jury in Manhattan, New York on Thursday (March 30) voted for the 76-year-old former Republican president's indictment, after an investigation which was led by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat. Shortly thereafter, the indictment was confirmed by Trump's lawyer Joe Tacopina. In the next few days, the sealed felony indictment will be unsealed. Currently, the specific charges levied against Trump have not been made public. Trump's indictment is related to the hush-money payment which was made on his behalf to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in 2016, just before election day as Trump contested for president. The grand jury, which has been holding meetings since January, indicted the former president after hearing testimony from various witnesses. Among those who testified, Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen had admitted to having orchestrated the payment of $130,000 to silence Daniel over her alleged sexual encounter with the former president in 2006. The jury had invited Trump to testify in person but the former president declined. ALSO READ | Grand Jury indicts Donald Trump in 'historic' vote; first US president to face criminal charges Why was Donald Trump indicted? Cohen, who has now turned into an outspoken foe of Trump, had testified before the grand jury about making a $130,000 payment to the porn star in October 2016. The payment was reimbursed to Cohen by Trump, who was then the country's president, with monthly $35,000 cheques which were sent from his personal account. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty in front of the jury to campaign finance charges which were related to the hush money payment. Court documents present in the federal case of Cohen said that the payments were falsely described by the Trump Organization as legal expenses in which they cited a legal retainer that did not exist. In the Manhattan case, it has been effectively maintained by the prosecutors that how they imbursement was handled by Trump had violated state law. What will happen next? Trump was arraigned on Tuesday, April 4. The former president will enter a plea and the court will set various dates for case proceedings. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is a potential rival of Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, stated that his state would "not assist in an extradition request". Legal experts confirmed that any effort to fight extradition would only result in delay and that Trump will have to appear in front of the jury to face the charges. Since now Trump has been arraigned, a series of preliminary court hearings will be held to decide a date for a trial and finalise the evidence and witnesses. The defendant (Trump) can escape trial by entering into a plea agreement with prosecutors and accepting a lighter sentence. However, considering Trump's proclamations of innocence, it is highly unlikely that he will take this step. WATCH | Donald Trump's possible indictment put on hold for more than two weeks How can Trump still contest the presidential election? Trump is free to, and undoubtedly will, pursue his 2024 presidential campaign even though he is facing criminal charges. As per the Constitution, nothing can prevent a person from running for the presidency while they are facing charges, and even a conviction would not stop him from contesting for the highest office in the country. The charges against Trump have only helped him in fundraising. The campaign stated that in just 24 hours after the announcement of an indictment, they were able to raise over $4 million, smashing its previous record which was made after the FBI searched for Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club. Trump's team shared emails, filled with supportive comments from many top Republicans, some of whom have been supportive of Trump till the indictment. The prosecution was also slammed by those who are likely to compete with Trump in next year’s GOP primary contests. Former Vice President Mike Pence had termed the indictment “an outrage” and “nothing more than a political prosecution". Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf said that Trump's diehard supporters wouldn’t particularly care about the allegations. “With the people that love him most, it means nothing. With the rebels who are against the government on the right, it won’t matter. With his core constituency, it won’t matter at all. They will see this as an attack on their values because Trump represents their values,” Sheinkopf said. The indictment will play into Trump’s nationalist dog-whistling, that white Americans are victimised. "He will use this … to make the case that these people in Manhattan, whoever ‘these people’ are, are interfering with his ability to ‘make America great again’ and to ‘take the country back’,” Sheinkopf added. (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

Explained | Why Trump can still fight election despite Stormy Daniels hush money case indictment

TikTok's possible ban in the United States was blocked by US Republican Senator Rand Paul on&nbsp;Wednesday. Senator Paul, as per Reuters, blocked the&nbsp;bid to fast-track the Chinese-owned social media app's ban, citing concerns about free speech. He&nbsp;warned that people should "beware" of entities that "use fear to coax Americans to relinquish our liberties" and said that a ban on the app will imitate "Chinese speech bans." Asking if the US is "going to be just like China", Paul&nbsp;alleged that such a bill would give the US president "limitless authority" to ban speech.

"If Republicans want to continuously lose elections for a generation they should pass this bill to ban TikTok — a social media app used by 150 million people, primarily young Americans," said Paul on the Senate floor.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;US: Legislation to address SECURITY WORRIES about TikTok

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-legislation-to-address-security-worries-about-tiktok-576132/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Do we really want to emulate Chinese speech bans?... We're going to be just like China and ban speech we're afraid of?" he questioned.

Paul&nbsp;is just one among many; recently a growing number of conservatives and democrats have come out in opposition&nbsp;or have raised concerns about the RESTRICT Act. Free speech groups like the American Civil Liberties Union are also against the TikTok ban.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew-assures-us-lawmakers-legacy-data-will-be-deleted-this-year-575125">TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew assures US lawmakers 'legacy' data will be deleted this year</a>

Those in opposition cite free speech and other issues and have objected to the legislation targeting TikTok as overly broad.

Former Republican Representative Justin Amash claims that the "RESTRICT Act isn’t about banning TikTok; it’s about controlling you. It gives broad powers to the executive branch, with few checks, and will be abused in every way you can imagine."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-to-go-ahead-with-the-proposal-banning-tiktok-use-nationwide-576555">US lawmakers to go ahead with the proposal banning TikTok use nationwide</a>

Similarly, Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a TikTok video posted on Friday opposed a TikTok ban. Calling it "unprecedented", she said Congress has not seen classified TikTok briefings.&nbsp;"It just doesn't feel right to me," she added.

The RESTRICT Act is the brain-child of a Democrat and a Republican. Senators Mark Warner, a Democrat, and John Thune, a Republican, have proposed the Act. The ban now has 22 Senate co-sponsors. If enacted, it will give the US Commerce Department the authority to impose limits, and if needed, completely ban TikTok and other technologies that could in its opinion pose&nbsp;a security issue.&nbsp;Reuters reported that the new rule would be applicable to technologies from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba.

(With inputs from agencies)

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TikTok's possible ban in the United States was blocked by US Republican Senator Rand Paul on Wednesday. Senator Paul, as per Reuters, blocked the bid to fast-track the Chinese-owned social media app's ban, citing concerns about free speech.

TikTok's possible ban in the United States was blocked by US Republican Senator Rand Paul on Wednesday. Senator Paul, as per Reuters, blocked the bid to fast-track the Chinese-owned social media app's ban, citing concerns about free speech. He warned that people should "beware" of entities that "use fear to coax Americans to relinquish our liberties" and said that a ban on the app will imitate "Chinese speech bans." Asking if the US is "going to be just like China", Paul alleged that such a bill would give the US president "limitless authority" to ban speech. "If Republicans want to continuously lose elections for a generation they should pass this bill to ban TikTok — a social media app used by 150 million people, primarily young Americans," said Paul on the Senate floor. Watch | US: Legislation to address SECURITY WORRIES about TikTok "Do we really want to emulate Chinese speech bans?... We're going to be just like China and ban speech we're afraid of?" he questioned. Paul is just one among many; recently a growing number of conservatives and democrats have come out in opposition or have raised concerns about the RESTRICT Act. Free speech groups like the American Civil Liberties Union are also against the TikTok ban. Also read | TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew assures US lawmakers 'legacy' data will be deleted this year Those in opposition cite free speech and other issues and have objected to the legislation targeting TikTok as overly broad. Former Republican Representative Justin Amash claims that the "RESTRICT Act isn’t about banning TikTok; it’s about controlling you. It gives broad powers to the executive branch, with few checks, and will be abused in every way you can imagine." Also read | US lawmakers to go ahead with the proposal banning TikTok use nationwide Similarly, Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a TikTok video posted on Friday opposed a TikTok ban. Calling it "unprecedented", she said Congress has not seen classified TikTok briefings. "It just doesn't feel right to me," she added. The RESTRICT Act is the brain-child of a Democrat and a Republican. Senators Mark Warner, a Democrat, and John Thune, a Republican, have proposed the Act. The ban now has 22 Senate co-sponsors. If enacted, it will give the US Commerce Department the authority to impose limits, and if needed, completely ban TikTok and other technologies that could in its opinion pose a security issue. Reuters reported that the new rule would be applicable to technologies from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Republican Rand Paul blocks TikTok ban, asks if US is 'going to be just like China' and block free speech

Recently, Bollywood lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar made headlines as he claimed that Urdu belongs to 'Hindustan'.&nbsp;

“Urdu hasn't come from any other place...it is our own language. It isn't spoken outside Hindustan...Pakistan also came into existence after partition from India, earlier it was a part of India only. So, the language isn't spoken outside Hindustan," he had said.

“Earlier it was only Hindustan - Pakistan later separated from Hindustan. Now Pakistan said that Kashmir is ours...will you believe that? I think 'No'! Likewise, Urdu is a Hindustan(i) language and it remains (so),” the lyricist said.

His words sparked debates over the birth and existence of the language which has been spoken for centuries and has remained an important part of the Indian subcontinent's cultural milieu.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/javed-akhtar-says-urdu-doesnt-belong-to-pakistan-or-egypt-but-to-hindustan-571989">Poet, lyricist, screenwriter Javed Akhtar says Urdu ‘doesn’t belong to Pakistan or Egypt, but to Hindustan’</a>

<h2>So, where was Urdu born?</h2>

If scholarly historiography is traced back, Urdu's presence can be observed in the languages of 16th-century Delhi – Hindi, Hindvi, Gujri, Dhilavi, Dakani and Rekhtah. Edward Terry, who accompanied Thomas Roe to the Mughal emperor Jahangir's court, termed the language of Delhiwalas as 'Indostan' in his work 'A Voyage to East India' (London, 1655).

Recalling the beauty of the language, Terry stated that it was powerful in nature and had major reflections of Persian and Arabic languages. Around 1780, &nbsp;'Urdu' was for the first time put into use as a term representing the language of Delhi by Mushafi (1750-1824) in his divan 'Kulliyat' in which he wrote, 'Mushafi has, most surely claim of superiority in Rekhta - That is to say, he has expert knowledge of the language of Urdu.'

In the world of literature and Mughal courts, the term Urdu debuted as 'zaban-e-urdu-e mu'alla-e 
shahjahanabad' (the language of the exalted city or the court of Shahjahanabad or what we today call Delhi). The terminology was soon cut down to 'zaban-e urdu-e mu'alla' and then to 'zaban-e- urdu' which meant the 'language of the camp', finally becoming the peerless 'Urdu'.

<h2>How did Urdu gain prominence in the world of politics and literature?</h2>

When Mughal emperor Shah Alam II (1759-1806) shifted to Delhi, his love for Urdu helped the language gain respect among the courtiers and become the informal language of the court. Describing the birth of Urdu in Delhi, literary historian and poet Azad called the language 'an orphan found wandering in the bazaars (markets) of Shahjahanabad'.

Soon after 1722, Urdu poetry boomed in North India and scores of poets emerged. The love for Urdu took the streets of Delhi by such a wave that even reciting of classic Urdu poetry by street urchins became a common phenomenon.&nbsp;

The most remarkable literary renaissance of Urdu took place under the patronage of the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II in the 19th century. Delhi saw the flourishing of great love poets, from Mirza Ghalib to Mughal poet laureate Sheikh Ibrahim Zauq. In 1837, the British East India Company replaced Persian with various vernaculars of the country as the court language. The officials had identified Urdu as the regional vernacular of Oudh, Bihar, Punjab and the North-Western provinces of India, and hence, it was made the government's language across North India.

WATCH | Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar takes on Pakistan on Pak soil, calls out their sponsored terrorism

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-lyricist-javed-akhtar-takes-on-pakistan-on-pak-soil-calls-out-their-sponsored-terrorism-564633/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>How did Urdu become Pakistan's national language?</h2>

On March 24, 1948, Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in an iconic speech, stated, “In my personal opinion, Pakistan’s official language — which will become a source of communication between its different provinces — can only be one and that is Urdu. No language other than Urdu.”

That's how Urdu, &nbsp;once widely used in the Independence movement of India, made its presence felt to the entire nation in popular slogans (“inquilab zindabad” — “Long live the revolution”) and song (“Saare Jahaan se Accha”– “Better than the entire world”), suddenly became the national language of the neighbouring nation, post-partition.

This dynamic shift of language and Urdu getting designated as the national language of Pakistan raised eyebrows as there were hardly any native speakers of the language in 1947. Jinnah who was a westernised Muslim and whose mother tongue was Gujarati was he was not well-versed in Urdu. However, from 1938, he made it a point to address crowds in Urdu, even though he lacked fluency.

Urdu was declared as the national and official language in 1947 and 2015 respectively in Pakistan, where till now 38.78 per cent speak Punjabi, 18.24 per cent speak Pashto, 14.57 per cent speak Sindhi, 12.19 per cent speak Saraiki, 7.08 per cent speak Urdu, 3.02 per cent speak Balochi and 2.24 per cent speak Hindko.

The imposition of Urdu in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was seen as a major reason why the Bengali-dominated province seceded in 1971 post the Bangladesh Liberation War. Today, Urdu has become the identity of Muslim-dominated Pakistan even though it belonged to the cultural synthesis of the Ganges-Yamuna Doab in India.

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Recently, Bollywood lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar made headlines as he claimed that Urdu belongs to 'Hindustan'. “Urdu hasn't come from any other place...it is our own language.

Recently, Bollywood lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar made headlines as he claimed that Urdu belongs to 'Hindustan'. “Urdu hasn't come from any other place...it is our own language. It isn't spoken outside Hindustan...Pakistan also came into existence after partition from India, earlier it was a part of India only. So, the language isn't spoken outside Hindustan," he had said. “Earlier it was only Hindustan - Pakistan later separated from Hindustan. Now Pakistan said that Kashmir is ours...will you believe that? I think 'No'! Likewise, Urdu is a Hindustan(i) language and it remains (so),” the lyricist said. His words sparked debates over the birth and existence of the language which has been spoken for centuries and has remained an important part of the Indian subcontinent's cultural milieu. ALSO READ | Poet, lyricist, screenwriter Javed Akhtar says Urdu ‘doesn’t belong to Pakistan or Egypt, but to Hindustan’ So, where was Urdu born? If scholarly historiography is traced back, Urdu's presence can be observed in the languages of 16th-century Delhi – Hindi, Hindvi, Gujri, Dhilavi, Dakani and Rekhtah. Edward Terry, who accompanied Thomas Roe to the Mughal emperor Jahangir's court, termed the language of Delhiwalas as 'Indostan' in his work 'A Voyage to East India' (London, 1655). Recalling the beauty of the language, Terry stated that it was powerful in nature and had major reflections of Persian and Arabic languages. Around 1780, 'Urdu' was for the first time put into use as a term representing the language of Delhi by Mushafi (1750-1824) in his divan 'Kulliyat' in which he wrote, 'Mushafi has, most surely claim of superiority in Rekhta - That is to say, he has expert knowledge of the language of Urdu.' In the world of literature and Mughal courts, the term Urdu debuted as 'zaban-e-urdu-e mu'alla-e shahjahanabad' (the language of the exalted city or the court of Shahjahanabad or what we today call Delhi). The terminology was soon cut down to 'zaban-e urdu-e mu'alla' and then to 'zaban-e- urdu' which meant the 'language of the camp', finally becoming the peerless 'Urdu'. How did Urdu gain prominence in the world of politics and literature? When Mughal emperor Shah Alam II (1759-1806) shifted to Delhi, his love for Urdu helped the language gain respect among the courtiers and become the informal language of the court. Describing the birth of Urdu in Delhi, literary historian and poet Azad called the language 'an orphan found wandering in the bazaars (markets) of Shahjahanabad'. Soon after 1722, Urdu poetry boomed in North India and scores of poets emerged. The love for Urdu took the streets of Delhi by such a wave that even reciting of classic Urdu poetry by street urchins became a common phenomenon. The most remarkable literary renaissance of Urdu took place under the patronage of the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II in the 19th century. Delhi saw the flourishing of great love poets, from Mirza Ghalib to Mughal poet laureate Sheikh Ibrahim Zauq. In 1837, the British East India Company replaced Persian with various vernaculars of the country as the court language. The officials had identified Urdu as the regional vernacular of Oudh, Bihar, Punjab and the North-Western provinces of India, and hence, it was made the government's language across North India. WATCH | Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar takes on Pakistan on Pak soil, calls out their sponsored terrorism How did Urdu become Pakistan's national language? On March 24, 1948, Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in an iconic speech, stated, “In my personal opinion, Pakistan’s official language — which will become a source of communication between its different provinces — can only be one and that is Urdu. No language other than Urdu.” That's how Urdu, once widely used in the Independence movement of India, made its presence felt to the entire nation in popular slogans (“inquilab zindabad” — “Long live the revolution”) and song (“Saare Jahaan se Accha”– “Better than the entire world”), suddenly became the national language of the neighbouring nation, post-partition. This dynamic shift of language and Urdu getting designated as the national language of Pakistan raised eyebrows as there were hardly any native speakers of the language in 1947. Jinnah who was a westernised Muslim and whose mother tongue was Gujarati was he was not well-versed in Urdu. However, from 1938, he made it a point to address crowds in Urdu, even though he lacked fluency. Urdu was declared as the national and official language in 1947 and 2015 respectively in Pakistan, where till now 38.78 per cent speak Punjabi, 18.24 per cent speak Pashto, 14.57 per cent speak Sindhi, 12.19 per cent speak Saraiki, 7.08 per cent speak Urdu, 3.02 per cent speak Balochi and 2.24 per cent speak Hindko. The imposition of Urdu in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was seen as a major reason why the Bengali-dominated province seceded in 1971 post the Bangladesh Liberation War. Today, Urdu has become the identity of Muslim-dominated Pakistan even though it belonged to the cultural synthesis of the Ganges-Yamuna Doab in India. 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

Explained: Here's why Javed Akhtar said 'Urdu belongs to Hindustan'

TikTok chief Shou Zi Chew on Thursday faced relentless questioning at the hands of US lawmakers over the video-sharing application's alleged ties to China and the danger it poses to teens. Faced with intense grilling by both Democrats ad Republicans, Chew addressed "concerns about the potential for unwanted foreign access to US data." He said that the company has addressed the concerns with "real action" for the past two years and that TikTok has "legacy" US data which will be deleted this year.

"We have legacy US data sitting in our servers in Virginia and in Singapore. We're deleting those and we expect that to be complete this year," he said during the morning session of the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing.

Watch |&nbsp;TikTok CEO grilled by US lawmakers

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tiktok-ceo-grilled-by-us-lawmakers-575073/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He added that "when that is done, all protected US data will be under the protection of US law and under the control of the US-led security team. This eliminates the concern that some of you have shared with me that TikTok user data can be subject to Chinese law."

The hearing comes as TikTok seeks to survive a White House ultimatum that to avoid getting banned in the United States, the application must&nbsp;split&nbsp;from its Chinese owners.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-parliament-joins-forces-with-government-bans-tiktok-575109">UK parliament joins forces with government, bans TikTok</a>

Chew said that TikTok's parent company ByteDance "is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government and is a private company."

Democrat Congressman Darren Soto, however, reiterated the demand that "TikTok needs to be an American company with American values and end all ties to the Chinese Communist Party."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-users-descend-on-us-capitol-to-protest-against-calls-for-ban-on-app-574916">TikTok users descend on US Capitol to protest against calls for ban on app</a>

TikTok which in America boasts a user base of 150 million faces a ban which, as per AFP, would be an "unprecedented&nbsp;act" on a media company by the US government.&nbsp;

The company, however, still hopes to appease the authorities with its elaborate plan titled "Project Texas," through which it seeks to satisfy national security concerns, under which the handling of US data will be ring-fenced into a US-run division. Lawmakers, however, posed severe doubts and stressed the demand that the application snips its Chinese ties.

(With inputs from agencies)

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TikTok chief Shou Zi Chew on Thursday faced relentless questioning at the hands of US lawmakers over the video-sharing application's alleged ties to China and the danger it poses to teens.

TikTok chief Shou Zi Chew on Thursday faced relentless questioning at the hands of US lawmakers over the video-sharing application's alleged ties to China and the danger it poses to teens. Faced with intense grilling by both Democrats ad Republicans, Chew addressed "concerns about the potential for unwanted foreign access to US data." He said that the company has addressed the concerns with "real action" for the past two years and that TikTok has "legacy" US data which will be deleted this year. "We have legacy US data sitting in our servers in Virginia and in Singapore. We're deleting those and we expect that to be complete this year," he said during the morning session of the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing. Watch | TikTok CEO grilled by US lawmakers He added that "when that is done, all protected US data will be under the protection of US law and under the control of the US-led security team. This eliminates the concern that some of you have shared with me that TikTok user data can be subject to Chinese law." The hearing comes as TikTok seeks to survive a White House ultimatum that to avoid getting banned in the United States, the application must split from its Chinese owners. Also read | UK parliament joins forces with government, bans TikTok Chew said that TikTok's parent company ByteDance "is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government and is a private company." Democrat Congressman Darren Soto, however, reiterated the demand that "TikTok needs to be an American company with American values and end all ties to the Chinese Communist Party." Also read | TikTok users descend on US Capitol to protest against calls for ban on app TikTok which in America boasts a user base of 150 million faces a ban which, as per AFP, would be an "unprecedented act" on a media company by the US government. The company, however, still hopes to appease the authorities with its elaborate plan titled "Project Texas," through which it seeks to satisfy national security concerns, under which the handling of US data will be ring-fenced into a US-run division. Lawmakers, however, posed severe doubts and stressed the demand that the application snips its Chinese ties. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew assures US lawmakers 'legacy' data will be deleted this year

Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, is currently in the spotlight amid growing scepticism of the Chinese app around the world. The app is&nbsp;running the risk of being banned across the United States.

On Thursday (March 23), the 40-year-old Singaporean will testify&nbsp;before the US House Energy and Commerce Committee on&nbsp;the app's data security and privacy policies, as well as its suspected connections to China, reported the BBC.

The public face of TikTok, chief operating officer Vanessa Pappas, was questioned by Congress in 2022 over the alleged flow of the US's&nbsp;data&nbsp;to China.

The company made a point of mentioning that Chew&nbsp;is not from China but rather is "a Singaporean based in Singapore" in a letter sent to MPs last June, underlining that it acts independently of parent company ByteDance.

Chew, who leads one of the best-known apps in the world but is comparatively low profile, will be required to defend TikTok&nbsp;before some of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's more scathing critics.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-monthly-active-users-in-us-jump-to-150-million-ceo-set-to-testify-before-congress-574185">TikTok’s monthly active users in US jump to 150mn, firm launches PR exercise to fix sullied image</a>

In an interview from the firm's WeWork headquarters in Washington, he stated that he does not see Thursday's meeting as a last-ditch attempt to save TikTok's US operations, but rather as an opportunity to explain what the company is attempting to do and to gather feedback from Congress members, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.&nbsp;

"I look at it as an opportunity to do that, not a do-or-die" moment, he said.

<h2>Shou Zi Chew's early days</h2>

Born and raised in Singapore, Chew&nbsp;went to a prestigious Chinese-language&nbsp;school and speaks both&nbsp;Mandarin and English fluently. While completing his military conscription, he held the honourable position of officer in Singapore's armed services.

Prior to enrolling at Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA and served as an intern at social media giant Facebook when it was still a start-up, Chew graduated from University College London with a Bachelor's in Economics, as per BBC reports.

He reportedly spent five years working for the investment firm DST Global, where he led a team that invested early in ByteDance in 2013.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew-to-testify-that-app-has-never-shared-data-with-chinese-government-574637">TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to testify that app never shared users’ data with Chinese government</a>

Furthermore, he spent two years working as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs.&nbsp;

The Chinese smartphone powerhouse Xiaomi, where&nbsp;Chew later served as its chief financial officer and president of its international business, hired him to lead it through its 2018 IPO.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;TikTok denies transferring data to China, CEO says 'never shared users' data'

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In March 2021, he left the company and joined ByteDance, where he was the first to hold the position of chief financial officer.&nbsp;

He took over as TikTok CEO two months later, after his predecessor Kevin Mayer abruptly resigned due to the Trump administration's efforts to force the sale of TikTok's US assets.

In February 2022, almost a year after assuming charge of the platform, he created his own TikTok account, @shou.time to share snippets of his personal life. Since then, Chew's over 18,000 followers have seen him at the Super Bowl and NBA games, meeting public figures like Bill Murray, and painfully attempting to dance with singer Ciara.&nbsp;

He has worked the media circuit, sharing in interviews his love of golf and admiration for comic Kevin Hart. The father of two, who is married to Vivian Kao, the head of an investment firm, has also stated that he does not let his kids use TikTok because they are "too young."

<h2>Challenging road ahead</h2>

As US politicians demand TikTok transfer control of its US assets or face a ban, Chew is currently faced with one of the biggest challenges of his career.

The issue has also been a source of contention for the Chinese.&nbsp;

The TikTok ban campaign is being driven by a "toxic American political atmosphere," according to an opinion piece published on Tuesday by the state-run Global Times, and it would go against free market principles. TikTok's Chinese origin is considered an&nbsp;"original sin" by US officials and lawmakers, it said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/us-over-two-dozen-state-govts-use-trackers-made-by-tiktoks-parent-company-report-574758">US: Over two dozen state govts use trackers made by TikTok’s parent company, says report</a>

TikTok announced it will hire Oracle Corp. to independently monitor against any intervention from Beijing as part of a billion-dollar investment plan to separate the app from its Chinese owners, reported&nbsp;the Wall Street Journal. The company claims that the procedures represent an unprecedented effort to reassure Americans that their data is secure.&nbsp;

Washington has banned TikTok, despite the fact that it is still quite popular nationwide. On Tuesday,&nbsp;Chew personally addressed US users in a TikTok video, drawing their attention to the potential ban. He claimed in the video that the app has 150 million US&nbsp;users, or nearly half the country's population.

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Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, is currently in the spotlight amid growing scepticism of the Chinese app around the world. The app is running the risk of being banned across the United States.

Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, is currently in the spotlight amid growing scepticism of the Chinese app around the world. The app is running the risk of being banned across the United States. On Thursday (March 23), the 40-year-old Singaporean will testify before the US House Energy and Commerce Committee on the app's data security and privacy policies, as well as its suspected connections to China, reported the BBC. The public face of TikTok, chief operating officer Vanessa Pappas, was questioned by Congress in 2022 over the alleged flow of the US's data to China. The company made a point of mentioning that Chew is not from China but rather is "a Singaporean based in Singapore" in a letter sent to MPs last June, underlining that it acts independently of parent company ByteDance. Chew, who leads one of the best-known apps in the world but is comparatively low profile, will be required to defend TikTok before some of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's more scathing critics. ALSO READ | TikTok’s monthly active users in US jump to 150mn, firm launches PR exercise to fix sullied image In an interview from the firm's WeWork headquarters in Washington, he stated that he does not see Thursday's meeting as a last-ditch attempt to save TikTok's US operations, but rather as an opportunity to explain what the company is attempting to do and to gather feedback from Congress members, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. "I look at it as an opportunity to do that, not a do-or-die" moment, he said. Shou Zi Chew's early days Born and raised in Singapore, Chew went to a prestigious Chinese-language school and speaks both Mandarin and English fluently. While completing his military conscription, he held the honourable position of officer in Singapore's armed services. Prior to enrolling at Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA and served as an intern at social media giant Facebook when it was still a start-up, Chew graduated from University College London with a Bachelor's in Economics, as per BBC reports. He reportedly spent five years working for the investment firm DST Global, where he led a team that invested early in ByteDance in 2013. ALSO READ | TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to testify that app never shared users’ data with Chinese government Furthermore, he spent two years working as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. The Chinese smartphone powerhouse Xiaomi, where Chew later served as its chief financial officer and president of its international business, hired him to lead it through its 2018 IPO. ALSO WATCH | TikTok denies transferring data to China, CEO says 'never shared users' data' In March 2021, he left the company and joined ByteDance, where he was the first to hold the position of chief financial officer. He took over as TikTok CEO two months later, after his predecessor Kevin Mayer abruptly resigned due to the Trump administration's efforts to force the sale of TikTok's US assets. In February 2022, almost a year after assuming charge of the platform, he created his own TikTok account, @shou.time to share snippets of his personal life. Since then, Chew's over 18,000 followers have seen him at the Super Bowl and NBA games, meeting public figures like Bill Murray, and painfully attempting to dance with singer Ciara. He has worked the media circuit, sharing in interviews his love of golf and admiration for comic Kevin Hart. The father of two, who is married to Vivian Kao, the head of an investment firm, has also stated that he does not let his kids use TikTok because they are "too young." Challenging road ahead As US politicians demand TikTok transfer control of its US assets or face a ban, Chew is currently faced with one of the biggest challenges of his career. The issue has also been a source of contention for the Chinese. The TikTok ban campaign is being driven by a "toxic American political atmosphere," according to an opinion piece published on Tuesday by the state-run Global Times, and it would go against free market principles. TikTok's Chinese origin is considered an "original sin" by US officials and lawmakers, it said. ALSO READ | US: Over two dozen state govts use trackers made by TikTok’s parent company, says report TikTok announced it will hire Oracle Corp. to independently monitor against any intervention from Beijing as part of a billion-dollar investment plan to separate the app from its Chinese owners, reported the Wall Street Journal. The company claims that the procedures represent an unprecedented effort to reassure Americans that their data is secure. Washington has banned TikTok, despite the fact that it is still quite popular nationwide. On Tuesday, Chew personally addressed US users in a TikTok video, drawing their attention to the potential ban. He claimed in the video that the app has 150 million US users, or nearly half the country's population. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXPLAINED | Who is Shou Zi Chew? TikTok CEO attempting to save its US operations

In a span of few days, Switzerland’s second-largest bank and one of the world's most influential banks, Credit Suisse, announced its distress sale and was bought out by its domestic rival UBS for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.25 billion) in what appeared to be a “shotgun wedding” and arranged marriage in equal parts. The government of Switzerland hurriedly brokered the deal so as to contain the crisis of confidence in Credit Suisse, which was facing withdrawals of around $10 billion last week as per reports, but also to stop the contagion to other banks.

This was a historic collapse for the 166-year-old bank. However, what appeared to be more worrisome was that this was the third major bank in line to see a fall of such a high magnitude in the last 10 days.&nbsp;

<h2>Is the world witnessing a banking crisis?</h2>

The collapse of major banks started with California-based Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) which was the first biggest bank in the United States to fall since 2008. Trying to understand the recent decline of banks, AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said although the failure of banks does not look like a return of the financial crisis, it does represent contagion risks.

Regional banks are being sold by the investors, in particular, over concerns that their balance sheets would resemble those of SVB finances.&nbsp;

Other parts of the financial market, which includes US tech stocks, have continued to fare well in the volatile weeks, indicating that few investors are hoping that the threat of a major banking crisis may subside.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/explained-silicon-valley-bank-crisis-did-us-central-bank-miss-headwinds-572334">Explained | Silicon Valley Bank crisis: Did US central bank miss headwinds?</a>

However, it is clear that the speed at which SVB, Signature Bank, &nbsp;and then Credit Suisse collapsed, has filled the minds of bank investors and customers with fear of a major crisis in the offing.

Social media and quick dissemination of information have led to swift movement of share prices and led customers to quickly pull out their deposits.&nbsp;

In just 48 hours, SVB announced the sale of its bond portfolio at a loss and then its collapse.

In Credit Suisse's case, Switzerland’s central bank pumped in an emergency loan last week which initially kept the bank afloat and soothed the market. However, by the weekend, the bank needed to be saved.&nbsp;

<h2>What are central banks doing to avert it?&nbsp;</h2>

A strategy was announced by various central banks to maintain the flow of money through the global economy to help avoid the credit crunch which was gripping markets during the financial crisis.

Headed by the US Federal Reserve, the initiative will make it possible for other central banks to obtain US dollars more easily which they can distribute to commercial banks in their respective countries.&nbsp;

The strategy has been designed so that it can ultimately flow through to borrowers who require access to credit for businesses, investments and mortgages.&nbsp;

The mechanism to ensure such a money flow is called a swap line which refers to agreements reached between two central banks for exchanging currencies. Till the end of April, daily and not weekly currency swaps will be offered by the Federal Reserve to ensure that adequate US dollars are with central banks in Canada, Britain, Japan, and Switzerland as well as the eurozone to operate.

The banks have designed the changes to avoid any credit crunch, a situation which leads to the tightening up of the global banking system and makes it tougher for businesses and consumers to get a loan.

The central bank of Australia has not been included in the initiative. It was indicated that the banking sector of Australia is robust despite the crisis looming in Europe and the United States.&nbsp;

WATCH | Credit Suisse shareholders take hit as UBS announces deal

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<h2>What lies in future?&nbsp;</h2>

Even after Credit Suisse's imminent fall, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to hike interest rates by 50 basis points last week. On March 22, the US Fed will be unveiling its monetary policy review.

The Fed as well as other central banks have been extremely concerned about the financial system getting frozen and banks facing a deep financial crisis. Increasing interest rates in such a scenario can be seen as a risky step as it will further increase borrowing costs.

However, if the Fed takes a pause to fight against inflation, the problem may worsen even further. So the future will depend on how the Fed looks at the situation.&nbsp;

If the Fed finds the banking and financial system as essentially robust, then it can easily handle a few faltering banks by giving them liquidity support then it can take the decision to follow its path of monetary tightening and possibly increase interest rates by 25 basis points and not by 50 basis points.&nbsp;

If the Fed finds the financial system in grave danger, it may pause.

Whatever steps the Fed may take, more turmoil is likely to come in the days ahead, especially in terms of stock market behaviour.

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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In a span of few days, Switzerland’s second-largest bank and one of the world's most influential banks, Credit Suisse, announced its distress sale and was bought out by its domestic rival UBS for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.

In a span of few days, Switzerland’s second-largest bank and one of the world's most influential banks, Credit Suisse, announced its distress sale and was bought out by its domestic rival UBS for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.25 billion) in what appeared to be a “shotgun wedding” and arranged marriage in equal parts. The government of Switzerland hurriedly brokered the deal so as to contain the crisis of confidence in Credit Suisse, which was facing withdrawals of around $10 billion last week as per reports, but also to stop the contagion to other banks. This was a historic collapse for the 166-year-old bank. However, what appeared to be more worrisome was that this was the third major bank in line to see a fall of such a high magnitude in the last 10 days. Is the world witnessing a banking crisis? The collapse of major banks started with California-based Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) which was the first biggest bank in the United States to fall since 2008. Trying to understand the recent decline of banks, AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said although the failure of banks does not look like a return of the financial crisis, it does represent contagion risks. Regional banks are being sold by the investors, in particular, over concerns that their balance sheets would resemble those of SVB finances. Other parts of the financial market, which includes US tech stocks, have continued to fare well in the volatile weeks, indicating that few investors are hoping that the threat of a major banking crisis may subside. ALSO READ | Explained | Silicon Valley Bank crisis: Did US central bank miss headwinds? However, it is clear that the speed at which SVB, Signature Bank, and then Credit Suisse collapsed, has filled the minds of bank investors and customers with fear of a major crisis in the offing. Social media and quick dissemination of information have led to swift movement of share prices and led customers to quickly pull out their deposits. In just 48 hours, SVB announced the sale of its bond portfolio at a loss and then its collapse. In Credit Suisse's case, Switzerland’s central bank pumped in an emergency loan last week which initially kept the bank afloat and soothed the market. However, by the weekend, the bank needed to be saved. What are central banks doing to avert it? A strategy was announced by various central banks to maintain the flow of money through the global economy to help avoid the credit crunch which was gripping markets during the financial crisis. Headed by the US Federal Reserve, the initiative will make it possible for other central banks to obtain US dollars more easily which they can distribute to commercial banks in their respective countries. The strategy has been designed so that it can ultimately flow through to borrowers who require access to credit for businesses, investments and mortgages. The mechanism to ensure such a money flow is called a swap line which refers to agreements reached between two central banks for exchanging currencies. Till the end of April, daily and not weekly currency swaps will be offered by the Federal Reserve to ensure that adequate US dollars are with central banks in Canada, Britain, Japan, and Switzerland as well as the eurozone to operate. The banks have designed the changes to avoid any credit crunch, a situation which leads to the tightening up of the global banking system and makes it tougher for businesses and consumers to get a loan. The central bank of Australia has not been included in the initiative. It was indicated that the banking sector of Australia is robust despite the crisis looming in Europe and the United States. WATCH | Credit Suisse shareholders take hit as UBS announces deal What lies in future? Even after Credit Suisse's imminent fall, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to hike interest rates by 50 basis points last week. On March 22, the US Fed will be unveiling its monetary policy review. The Fed as well as other central banks have been extremely concerned about the financial system getting frozen and banks facing a deep financial crisis. Increasing interest rates in such a scenario can be seen as a risky step as it will further increase borrowing costs. However, if the Fed takes a pause to fight against inflation, the problem may worsen even further. So the future will depend on how the Fed looks at the situation. If the Fed finds the banking and financial system as essentially robust, then it can easily handle a few faltering banks by giving them liquidity support then it can take the decision to follow its path of monetary tightening and possibly increase interest rates by 25 basis points and not by 50 basis points. If the Fed finds the financial system in grave danger, it may pause. Whatever steps the Fed may take, more turmoil is likely to come in the days ahead, especially in terms of stock market behaviour. 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

Explained | SVB to Credit Suisse: Is world facing a banking crisis?

While investors fretted over the fall in bank stocks, the drop in bond yields caused losses for bond investors, mainly banks. How safe is your money in banks, stocks and bonds in an interconnected financial world?

Explained: How safe are your deposits?

The inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 edition has become a big hit. It has gained mileage as it proceeds towards the business end of the tournament. So far, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians (MI) have been on a roll, very much like their men's counterpart in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and remain at the top of the points table with as many as five wins on the trot.&nbsp;

On Tuesday (March 14), MI defeated Gujarat Giants (GG) by 55 runs to confirm&nbsp;a spot in the playoffs. Thus, they became the first side to do so in WPL history. Apart from them, Meg Lanning-led Delhi Capitals (DC) have also performed well with four wins from five games. UP Warriorz Women (UPW) have two victories and an equal number of losses whereas GG have managed only a solitary triumph from five encounters. Nonetheless, the Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) remain at the bottom and are the only winless side.

After five games, Mandhana &amp; Co. have failed to get off the mark in the points table. To add to their woes, they have suffered&nbsp;big defeats in as many as four fixtures. Thus, their Net Run Rate (NRR) is also a dismal&nbsp;-2.109. Given their current form, they are very much likely to miss the playoffs race but are not out of contention just yet. RCB remain alive mathematically but need a quick turnaround to progress ahead.

WPL 2023 Updated Points Table after MI vs GG clash on March 14 -

<img alt="WPL 2023 Updates Points Table" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ef82ed1b-e677-43a3-a233-656768b220b4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WPL%20PT.jpg" />

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wpl-2023-points-table-check-updated-points-table-and-live-streaming-details-for-womens-premier-league-2023-571863">WPL 2023 Points Table: Check updated points table and live streaming details for Women's Premier League 2023</a>

EXPLAINED: How RCB can still end up in the top 3

To the surprise of many, RCB still has a slim chance. While they cannot finish in the top two, they still have a chance to enter the knockouts as the third-best side.&nbsp;

Mandhana &amp; Co. need to topple their opposition&nbsp;in their remaining&nbsp;three games. Not only this, but RCB also need some favour from other teams. The Bengaluru franchise needs to hope&nbsp;UPW lose all of its remaining games. In addition, they need to pray that GG does not&nbsp;emerge on top in more than one&nbsp;game solely&nbsp;due to RCB's poor NRR.

As of now, it looks highly likely that MI and DC will end at the top two with UPW holding onto the third spot. However, anything can still happen if RCB and GG come to the party. It is to be noted that the team who finishes at the top will directly enter the final. Meanwhile, an Eliminator will be held between the second-ranked and third-positioned sides.

RCB's last outing and the road ahead

RCB face UPW in their next outing, on Wednesday evening (March 15) at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. The last time both sides faced each other saw the UP franchise demolish RCB by ten wickets. Mandhana &amp; Co. batted first and only managed 138 all-out, which was chased down by UP with ten wickets and seven overs in hand.

RCB go into this match after a last-over loss&nbsp;versus the DC unit, on Monday (March 13), where the latter won by&nbsp;six wickets while chasing 151.

A confident DC unit won the toss and opted to bowl first at the&nbsp;Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. Mandhana fell early for RCB as her poor form continued. She has only managed scores of 35, 23, 18, 4, and 8 so far in the five-team competition. Ellyse Perry's 67 and Richa Ghosh's 16-ball 37 not out propelled the team to 150 for 4. However, it was just a par score.

Meanwhile, DC&nbsp;were&nbsp;made to work hard in their run-chase. Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen (15-ball 29 not out) stood tall to take their side home. Jonassen returned as the Player-of-the-Match for her rapid knock and whereas her teammate Shikha Pandey (3 for 239) also played a vital role in the victory.

At the post-match presentation, Smriti said, "Really good effort by our bowlers to take it till the 20th over. Definitely a lot of improvements but a lot of things to work on still. The partnership got us into the game, they both batted brilliantly. They used their experience to get us to a defendable total. Not the best of the starts, including my batting. The first 14 overs really hurt us, even 10-15 runs more would have helped. Towards the fag-end of the tournament, the wickets are going to get slower. Even in the last game, spinners got the ball to turn and pace-off and slower balls were working."

After the game versus UPW, RCB will face two more games to play; against GG and MI respectively.

Will Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, and the likes fire on all cylinders with time running for RCB? Only time will tell...

Complete RCB squad for WPL 2023

Smriti Mandhana 
Sophie Devine&nbsp; 
Ellyse Perry 
Renuka Singh&nbsp; 
Richa Ghosh&nbsp; 
Erin Burns 
Asha Shobhana&nbsp; 
Heather Knight&nbsp; 
Heather Knight&nbsp; 
Dane van Niekerk 
Preeti Bose,&nbsp; 
Poonam Khemnar 
Komal Janjad 
Megan Schutt 
Sahana Pawar 
Disha Kasat&nbsp; 
Indrani Roy 
Shreyanka Patil&nbsp; 
Kanika Ahuja&nbsp;

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The inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 edition has become a big hit. It has gained mileage as it proceeds towards the business end of the tournament. So far, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians (MI) have been on a roll, very much like their men's counterpart in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and remain at the top of the points table with as many as five wins on the trot.

The inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 edition has become a big hit. It has gained mileage as it proceeds towards the business end of the tournament. So far, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians (MI) have been on a roll, very much like their men's counterpart in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and remain at the top of the points table with as many as five wins on the trot. On Tuesday (March 14), MI defeated Gujarat Giants (GG) by 55 runs to confirm a spot in the playoffs. Thus, they became the first side to do so in WPL history. Apart from them, Meg Lanning-led Delhi Capitals (DC) have also performed well with four wins from five games. UP Warriorz Women (UPW) have two victories and an equal number of losses whereas GG have managed only a solitary triumph from five encounters. Nonetheless, the Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) remain at the bottom and are the only winless side. After five games, Mandhana & Co. have failed to get off the mark in the points table. To add to their woes, they have suffered big defeats in as many as four fixtures. Thus, their Net Run Rate (NRR) is also a dismal -2.109. Given their current form, they are very much likely to miss the playoffs race but are not out of contention just yet. RCB remain alive mathematically but need a quick turnaround to progress ahead. WPL 2023 Updated Points Table after MI vs GG clash on March 14 - Also read: WPL 2023 Points Table: Check updated points table and live streaming details for Women's Premier League 2023 EXPLAINED: How RCB can still end up in the top 3 To the surprise of many, RCB still has a slim chance. While they cannot finish in the top two, they still have a chance to enter the knockouts as the third-best side. Mandhana & Co. need to topple their opposition in their remaining three games. Not only this, but RCB also need some favour from other teams. The Bengaluru franchise needs to hope UPW lose all of its remaining games. In addition, they need to pray that GG does not emerge on top in more than one game solely due to RCB's poor NRR. As of now, it looks highly likely that MI and DC will end at the top two with UPW holding onto the third spot. However, anything can still happen if RCB and GG come to the party. It is to be noted that the team who finishes at the top will directly enter the final. Meanwhile, an Eliminator will be held between the second-ranked and third-positioned sides. RCB's last outing and the road ahead RCB face UPW in their next outing, on Wednesday evening (March 15) at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. The last time both sides faced each other saw the UP franchise demolish RCB by ten wickets. Mandhana & Co. batted first and only managed 138 all-out, which was chased down by UP with ten wickets and seven overs in hand. RCB go into this match after a last-over loss versus the DC unit, on Monday (March 13), where the latter won by six wickets while chasing 151. A confident DC unit won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. Mandhana fell early for RCB as her poor form continued. She has only managed scores of 35, 23, 18, 4, and 8 so far in the five-team competition. Ellyse Perry's 67 and Richa Ghosh's 16-ball 37 not out propelled the team to 150 for 4. However, it was just a par score. Meanwhile, DC were made to work hard in their run-chase. Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen (15-ball 29 not out) stood tall to take their side home. Jonassen returned as the Player-of-the-Match for her rapid knock and whereas her teammate Shikha Pandey (3 for 239) also played a vital role in the victory. At the post-match presentation, Smriti said, "Really good effort by our bowlers to take it till the 20th over. Definitely a lot of improvements but a lot of things to work on still. The partnership got us into the game, they both batted brilliantly. They used their experience to get us to a defendable total. Not the best of the starts, including my batting. The first 14 overs really hurt us, even 10-15 runs more would have helped. Towards the fag-end of the tournament, the wickets are going to get slower. Even in the last game, spinners got the ball to turn and pace-off and slower balls were working." After the game versus UPW, RCB will face two more games to play; against GG and MI respectively. Will Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, and the likes fire on all cylinders with time running for RCB? Only time will tell... Complete RCB squad for WPL 2023 Smriti Mandhana Sophie Devine Ellyse Perry Renuka Singh Richa Ghosh Erin Burns Asha Shobhana Heather Knight Heather Knight Dane van Niekerk Preeti Bose, Poonam Khemnar Komal Janjad Megan Schutt Sahana Pawar Disha Kasat Indrani Roy Shreyanka Patil Kanika Ahuja ×

WPL 2023: EXPLAINED! How Smriti Mandhana's RCB can still qualify for playoffs after five successive defeats

China's new premier Li Qiang on Monday sought to reassure the nation's private sector, saying that the environment for entrepreneurial businesses will improve and equal treatment will be given to companies, regardless of ownership type. Tasked with reviving the world's second-largest economy, the newly installed premier faces multiple challenges including weak consumer and private industry confidence, sluggish exports demand and a souring relationship with the United States.&nbsp;

Speaking to the media at his debut press conference as the China premier, Qiang said that the country will also undertake measures to boost jobs, and for that, he said "developing the economy is the fundamental solution".

Watch |&nbsp;Xi Jinping handed unprecedented third term as China’s president

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China's economy is in the doldrums. Last year the nation's economy grew by just three per cent, the&nbsp;target as per AFP was around 5.5 per cent. Due to the impact of strict Covid policies and a property crisis, China missed the goal by a huge margin.

Keeping with that, this year's GDP growth target is a conservative five per cent. However, China Premier Li Qiang says that with the nation facing many difficulties, achieving this target would not be easy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/career-bureaucrat-xi-jinpings-ally-and-now-chinas-second-most-powerful-man-who-is-li-qiang-570929">Career bureaucrat, Xi Jinping's ally and now China's second most powerful man: Who is Li Qiang?</a>

Notably, the set target is one of the lowest in decades.&nbsp;

"I'm afraid that reaching our growth target of around five per cent will be no easy task, and will require that we redouble our efforts," said the China premier at a press conference held to mark the closing of the National People's Congress (NPC).

Li is a close ally and longtime confidant of China's President Xi Jinping and was appointed to the nation's second most powerful post last week during the annual session of Beijing's "rubber-stamp" parliament.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-calls-for-fortification-of-armed-forces-into-a-great-wall-of-steel-571333">Xi Jinping calls for fortification of armed forces into a 'Great Wall of steel'</a>

Speaking at the closing session of the CCP session, Xi Jinping called for greater self-reliance and said China needs security to develop. He also stressed on the importance of modernising the armed forces to make it into a "Great Wall of Steel".

"Security is the foundation for development, stability is the prerequisite for prosperity," said Xi.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China's new premier Li Qiang on Monday sought to reassure the nation's private sector, saying that the environment for entrepreneurial businesses will improve and equal treatment will be given to companies, regardless of ownership type.

China's new premier Li Qiang on Monday sought to reassure the nation's private sector, saying that the environment for entrepreneurial businesses will improve and equal treatment will be given to companies, regardless of ownership type. Tasked with reviving the world's second-largest economy, the newly installed premier faces multiple challenges including weak consumer and private industry confidence, sluggish exports demand and a souring relationship with the United States. Speaking to the media at his debut press conference as the China premier, Qiang said that the country will also undertake measures to boost jobs, and for that, he said "developing the economy is the fundamental solution". Watch | Xi Jinping handed unprecedented third term as China’s president China's economy is in the doldrums. Last year the nation's economy grew by just three per cent, the target as per AFP was around 5.5 per cent. Due to the impact of strict Covid policies and a property crisis, China missed the goal by a huge margin. Keeping with that, this year's GDP growth target is a conservative five per cent. However, China Premier Li Qiang says that with the nation facing many difficulties, achieving this target would not be easy. Also read | Career bureaucrat, Xi Jinping's ally and now China's second most powerful man: Who is Li Qiang? Notably, the set target is one of the lowest in decades. "I'm afraid that reaching our growth target of around five per cent will be no easy task, and will require that we redouble our efforts," said the China premier at a press conference held to mark the closing of the National People's Congress (NPC). Li is a close ally and longtime confidant of China's President Xi Jinping and was appointed to the nation's second most powerful post last week during the annual session of Beijing's "rubber-stamp" parliament. Also read | Xi Jinping calls for fortification of armed forces into a 'Great Wall of steel' Speaking at the closing session of the CCP session, Xi Jinping called for greater self-reliance and said China needs security to develop. He also stressed on the importance of modernising the armed forces to make it into a "Great Wall of Steel". "Security is the foundation for development, stability is the prerequisite for prosperity," said Xi. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China premier Li Qiang says achieving 5% growth target 'no easy task'

Li Qiang, the former Shanghai Communist Party chief on Saturday, took over&nbsp;the nation’s number two post and assumed office as the country's premier. The 63-old-year-old Li faces the daunting task of reviving China’s economy, which has over the past three years been battered by COVID-19 curbs. He was appointed to the seven-member CCP Politburo Standing Committee — China’s highest echelon of power — at the Communist Party's 20th Congress last October. With his latest appointment, China Premier Li Qiang now ranks second in leadership after President Xi Jinping.

Watch |&nbsp;Xi Jinping handed unprecedented third term as China’s president

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Here’s all you need to know about China’s second most powerful man:

<h2>Who is Li Qiang?</h2>

Qiang, as per Reuters, is a career bureaucrat who from 2017 to 2022 served as the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) secretary of the nation’s most populous city, Shanghai.

He joined the CCP in 1983 and since then has served in many capacities.

Qiang started his career as the secretary of the Communist Youth League of Rui'an, Zhejiang. He then went on to serve in the provincial department of civil affairs, following which he became the party secretary of Yong Kang, Wenzhou, the Political Legal Affairs Secretary of Zhejiang and later the deputy party secretary of the province.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-nominates-longtime-ally-li-qiang-as-chinas-new-premier-570794">Xi Jinping appoints longtime ally and confidant Li Qiang as China’s new premier</a>

In 2012, he became the governor of Zhejiang. He then became the party secretary of Jiangsu province and was then finally transferred to the position of party secretary of Shanghai in 2017. The same year, he was elevated and was made a member of the CCP Politburo. &nbsp;

<h2>Why was he appointed as China’s premier?</h2>

Chinese President Xi Jinping, following his groundbreaking appointment as the third time head of China, is appointing a slate of his loyalists in key governmental posts. This has been termed China’s biggest government reshuffle in a decade. As a generation of more reform-minded officials retire, Xi as per Reuters, is further consolidating power after being unanimously elected president.

Li Qiang is a close ally of Xi, and he even served as Xi’s chief of staff between 2004 and 2007; back when the current President was the provincial party secretary of Zhejiang province.

<h2>What do experts say about Li Qiang’s rise to power?</h2>

Due to Qiang’s handling of Shanghai’s two-month lockdown last spring, in which residents struggled to access food and medical care, his ascension had as per AFP earlier seemed in doubt.

Richard McGregor, a senior fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, says, "if proof were needed that loyalty trumps meritocracy in Xi's China, Li Qiang's elevation provides it."

"Li might be quite capable, and may make a good premier, but it is hard to see how he got there other than through Xi's personal favour," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-xi-jinping-securing-third-term-as-chinas-president-a-look-at-his-political-career-570544">Explained: Xi Jinping's rule in China extended. A look at his political career so far</a>

Neil Thomas, senior China analyst at Eurasia Group says that while "(Li) was seen as a business-friendly local leader but it's questionable whether these skills will translate well to overseeing macroeconomic coordination and regulatory agendas as premier.”

Some even see Li’s loyalty to Xi as an impediment to making his mark in solving the problems China faces. They say that his appointment may serve as a way for President Xi to assert his own economic agenda.

According to Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute, despite being the president's "trusted lieutenant", the new premier's ability to push through policies is still limited.

"Xi will give Li Qiang more scope to run the State Council, but on the basis that Li Qiang will do what Xi wants and not go beyond the perimeter set by Xi," he remarked.

<h2>What is expected of Li Qiang's premiership?</h2>

In his current capacity as premier and the head of China’s cabinet, the State Council, in his capacity as premier and head of China's cabinet Li Qiang will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the country, as well as its macroeconomic policy.

His ascension comes at a time when China’s economy is in serious trouble. Last year it grew by just three per cent. Owing to this, the ongoing annual session of the Chinese parliament has set a modest growth target of five per cent for 2023. This is the lowest goal set by China in nearly three decades.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-secures-third-term-as-chinas-president-570435">Leader for life: Xi Jinping secures historic third term as China’s president</a>

As per Christopher Beddor, the deputy China research director at Gavekal Dragonomics, for Li, the top task this year will be beating the five per cent target without triggering serious inflation or piling on debt.

"The leadership has already accepted two years of exceptionally weak economic growth in the name of COVID containment. Now that containment is gone, they won’t accept another," added Beddor.

<h2>What is the current state of China’s economy?</h2>

For the first time in 25 years of its survey, the American Chamber of Commerce in China found that China is no longer seen as a "top three investment priority". The results were based on a survey of companies,&nbsp;the majority of which said this.

In recent years, some of Beijing’s most successful private firms like Alibaba have been battered by abrupt crackdowns and regulatory hurdles.

Even as China tries to present a business-friendly face, in the face of global headwinds and weak confidence among consumers and the private sector, Li will have to work hard to restore confidence.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Li Qiang, the former Shanghai Communist Party chief on Saturday, took over the nation’s number two post and assumed office as the country's premier. The 63-old-year-old Li faces the daunting task of reviving China’s economy, which has over the past three years been battered by COVID-19 curbs.

Li Qiang, the former Shanghai Communist Party chief on Saturday, took over the nation’s number two post and assumed office as the country's premier. The 63-old-year-old Li faces the daunting task of reviving China’s economy, which has over the past three years been battered by COVID-19 curbs. He was appointed to the seven-member CCP Politburo Standing Committee — China’s highest echelon of power — at the Communist Party's 20th Congress last October. With his latest appointment, China Premier Li Qiang now ranks second in leadership after President Xi Jinping. Watch | Xi Jinping handed unprecedented third term as China’s president Here’s all you need to know about China’s second most powerful man: Who is Li Qiang? Qiang, as per Reuters, is a career bureaucrat who from 2017 to 2022 served as the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) secretary of the nation’s most populous city, Shanghai. He joined the CCP in 1983 and since then has served in many capacities. Qiang started his career as the secretary of the Communist Youth League of Rui'an, Zhejiang. He then went on to serve in the provincial department of civil affairs, following which he became the party secretary of Yong Kang, Wenzhou, the Political Legal Affairs Secretary of Zhejiang and later the deputy party secretary of the province. Also read | Xi Jinping appoints longtime ally and confidant Li Qiang as China’s new premier In 2012, he became the governor of Zhejiang. He then became the party secretary of Jiangsu province and was then finally transferred to the position of party secretary of Shanghai in 2017. The same year, he was elevated and was made a member of the CCP Politburo. Why was he appointed as China’s premier? Chinese President Xi Jinping, following his groundbreaking appointment as the third time head of China, is appointing a slate of his loyalists in key governmental posts. This has been termed China’s biggest government reshuffle in a decade. As a generation of more reform-minded officials retire, Xi as per Reuters, is further consolidating power after being unanimously elected president. Li Qiang is a close ally of Xi, and he even served as Xi’s chief of staff between 2004 and 2007; back when the current President was the provincial party secretary of Zhejiang province. What do experts say about Li Qiang’s rise to power? Due to Qiang’s handling of Shanghai’s two-month lockdown last spring, in which residents struggled to access food and medical care, his ascension had as per AFP earlier seemed in doubt. Richard McGregor, a senior fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, says, "if proof were needed that loyalty trumps meritocracy in Xi's China, Li Qiang's elevation provides it." "Li might be quite capable, and may make a good premier, but it is hard to see how he got there other than through Xi's personal favour," he added. Also read | Explained: Xi Jinping's rule in China extended. A look at his political career so far Neil Thomas, senior China analyst at Eurasia Group says that while "(Li) was seen as a business-friendly local leader but it's questionable whether these skills will translate well to overseeing macroeconomic coordination and regulatory agendas as premier.” Some even see Li’s loyalty to Xi as an impediment to making his mark in solving the problems China faces. They say that his appointment may serve as a way for President Xi to assert his own economic agenda. According to Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute, despite being the president's "trusted lieutenant", the new premier's ability to push through policies is still limited. "Xi will give Li Qiang more scope to run the State Council, but on the basis that Li Qiang will do what Xi wants and not go beyond the perimeter set by Xi," he remarked. What is expected of Li Qiang's premiership? In his current capacity as premier and the head of China’s cabinet, the State Council, in his capacity as premier and head of China's cabinet Li Qiang will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the country, as well as its macroeconomic policy. His ascension comes at a time when China’s economy is in serious trouble. Last year it grew by just three per cent. Owing to this, the ongoing annual session of the Chinese parliament has set a modest growth target of five per cent for 2023. This is the lowest goal set by China in nearly three decades. Also read | Leader for life: Xi Jinping secures historic third term as China’s president As per Christopher Beddor, the deputy China research director at Gavekal Dragonomics, for Li, the top task this year will be beating the five per cent target without triggering serious inflation or piling on debt. "The leadership has already accepted two years of exceptionally weak economic growth in the name of COVID containment. Now that containment is gone, they won’t accept another," added Beddor. What is the current state of China’s economy? For the first time in 25 years of its survey, the American Chamber of Commerce in China found that China is no longer seen as a "top three investment priority". The results were based on a survey of companies, the majority of which said this. In recent years, some of Beijing’s most successful private firms like Alibaba have been battered by abrupt crackdowns and regulatory hurdles. Even as China tries to present a business-friendly face, in the face of global headwinds and weak confidence among consumers and the private sector, Li will have to work hard to restore confidence. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Career bureaucrat, Xi Jinping's ally and now China's second most powerful man: Who is Li Qiang?

It was February 23, 1821, when one of the greatest Romantic poets of English literature, John Keats, lying in a small room amid the mild winters of Rome, finally embraced death at the age of 25, ending his suffering from tuberculosis. After more than 50 years, the world lost another "Keats" to the same illness in a faraway land, but this time she was just a little more than 21 years old. Toru Dutt, who is often called the Keats of Indo-English literature, emerged as the first woman who broke through the fetters of colonial Indian society and became a poetess. This was the first attempt by a woman to pick up her pen and add to the flowing stream of literature.

<img alt="Toru Dutt" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2f15db85-aee2-4906-b8a7-ce2bcabeace0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-03-08T124750.521_0.png" />

A new habit: How did Indian women indulge in novels in the 19th century?

Formal education was a privilege denied to women of all castes in 19th century colonial India. Women belonging to upper castes enjoyed the liberty to study classical literature and religious texts. Generally though, women were trained in household chores like cooking, and sewing and were married by the time they reached the age of 12.

Stealing some time from the day to escape the monotony of domestic chores, the women in the eastern state of Bengal indulged themselves in popular performing arts like medieval poetry's oral recitations, theatrical performances and musicals while also participating in the collective reading sessions where they discussed religious text.

In the middle of the 19th century, the educated middle class along with the elite and ruling English class expressed their apprehensions over these popular performing arts badly impacting the morals and minds of women. The women were considered morally vulnerable, mentally weak and likely to fall into trap of corrupt influences as men took it as their duty to regulate and control the way they spend their leisure time.&nbsp;

<img alt="writers" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="256cee90-e3c4-4f42-99bd-2dc004e2678d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-03-08T124944.954_0.png" />

Yet slowly, women moved away from participating in popular traditions and started indulging themselves in novels and finding their solace in reading a long fictional narrative. The novels, in all their forms, shot to enormous popularity in the Bengali milieu. Novels didn't remain restricted to literate women only, as they could be read out even to illiterate ladies seeking a break from their household chores.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-roald-dahls-french-publisher-will-not-rewrite-british-authors-translated-books-564647">Roald Dahl's French publisher will not rewrite British author's translated books</a>

How did women writers and poets emerge from households?

Most of the novels being read by women in the 19th century were declared taboo and the society's intelligentsia expressed its anxiety over the reading habits of women, accusing them of becoming averse to household chores, being indolent, sexually deviant, suicidal and morally corrupt.

The women were asked to stop misusing their education by reading novels and instead only devote time to reading religious books.

Writer Maroona Murmu, in an article titled ‘Kahake: Swarna Debi’s Literary Resistance?’ writes, “Complaints were raised about the novel’s tendency to corrupt the moral sensibilities of tender minds, causing mental stultification, making women neglectful of housework, defiant and shameless. It was alleged that the identification with and imitation of the central characters in novels encouraged immoral habits and transgressive desires. The fear of ‘novel-reading women’s sexuality’ led to greater surveillance over woman’s reading habits."

<img alt="book" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70dbc7fe-3f27-4ee9-a70f-998f76fbb2cc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-03-08T132344.800_0.png" />

However, these diktats issued by the patriarchal society fell flat as women continued reading novels, and some of them went ahead and picked up their pens to narrate to the world the stories they have lived and longed for.

WATCH | Author Salman Rushdie attacked, currently on ventilator

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/author-salman-rushdie-attacked-currently-on-ventilator-506401/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ladies who made the 19th century the 'age of women'

Among the pioneers who broke the fetters of societal bindings and used their pens to challenge the patriarchal society and its conservative norms were Toru Dutt, Begum Rokeya Hossain, Swarnakumari Devi, Pandita Ramabai, Krupabai Satthianadhan and Rassundari Devi.

Toru Dutt, who succumbed to tuberculosis in 1877 when she was just 21 after losing her siblings to the same disease, is considered the first Indian poetess who wrote in French and English. "A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields", which was published in 1876, is considered her best work.

<img alt="dutt" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="80e7bc81-93dd-4a0d-bd11-9f3706ee0e48" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-03-08T124851.231_0.png" />

Rassundari Devi's autobiography Amar Jiban, which was published in 1876, became the first autobiography ever written by an Indian woman. A mother of 12 children, Devi fulfilled her aspiration to become literate by teaching herself during her free time from daily chores.

Rabindranath Tagore's sister Swarnakumari Devi was among Bengal's first women writers to gain prominence. Her debut novel Deepnirban, which was published in 1876, ignited the national spirit among people.

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, who was born in a well-to-do family where she received encouragement to study English and Bengali, wrote stories which talked about the importance of educating women. Her novel “Sultana’s Dream” is still widely read and celebrated as the finest example of feminist science fiction which sketches a world for its readers where everything is run by women and men remain secluded.

<img alt="bk" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8de4587b-53f1-40ef-9e9f-c1fc12710492" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Ds2kqEjWoAIYwQD.jpg" />

These women not only challenged the stereotypes but inspired others to break their barriers and gain an education. These writers made the 19th century the 'age of women', unmasking their feelings, emotions, disappointments, longings, pleasures, priorities and literary tastes which remained veiled for a long time. In the 19th century's second half, more than 300 books were written by women authors in Bengal and were listed officially across different categories, with poetry emerging as the most favourite.

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

It was February 23, 1821, when one of the greatest Romantic poets of English literature, John Keats, lying in a small room amid the mild winters of Rome, finally embraced death at the age of 25, ending his suffering from tuberculosis.

It was February 23, 1821, when one of the greatest Romantic poets of English literature, John Keats, lying in a small room amid the mild winters of Rome, finally embraced death at the age of 25, ending his suffering from tuberculosis. After more than 50 years, the world lost another "Keats" to the same illness in a faraway land, but this time she was just a little more than 21 years old. Toru Dutt, who is often called the Keats of Indo-English literature, emerged as the first woman who broke through the fetters of colonial Indian society and became a poetess. This was the first attempt by a woman to pick up her pen and add to the flowing stream of literature. A new habit: How did Indian women indulge in novels in the 19th century? Formal education was a privilege denied to women of all castes in 19th century colonial India. Women belonging to upper castes enjoyed the liberty to study classical literature and religious texts. Generally though, women were trained in household chores like cooking, and sewing and were married by the time they reached the age of 12. Stealing some time from the day to escape the monotony of domestic chores, the women in the eastern state of Bengal indulged themselves in popular performing arts like medieval poetry's oral recitations, theatrical performances and musicals while also participating in the collective reading sessions where they discussed religious text. In the middle of the 19th century, the educated middle class along with the elite and ruling English class expressed their apprehensions over these popular performing arts badly impacting the morals and minds of women. The women were considered morally vulnerable, mentally weak and likely to fall into trap of corrupt influences as men took it as their duty to regulate and control the way they spend their leisure time. Yet slowly, women moved away from participating in popular traditions and started indulging themselves in novels and finding their solace in reading a long fictional narrative. The novels, in all their forms, shot to enormous popularity in the Bengali milieu. Novels didn't remain restricted to literate women only, as they could be read out even to illiterate ladies seeking a break from their household chores. ALSO READ | Roald Dahl's French publisher will not rewrite British author's translated books How did women writers and poets emerge from households? Most of the novels being read by women in the 19th century were declared taboo and the society's intelligentsia expressed its anxiety over the reading habits of women, accusing them of becoming averse to household chores, being indolent, sexually deviant, suicidal and morally corrupt. The women were asked to stop misusing their education by reading novels and instead only devote time to reading religious books. Writer Maroona Murmu, in an article titled ‘Kahake: Swarna Debi’s Literary Resistance?’ writes, “Complaints were raised about the novel’s tendency to corrupt the moral sensibilities of tender minds, causing mental stultification, making women neglectful of housework, defiant and shameless. It was alleged that the identification with and imitation of the central characters in novels encouraged immoral habits and transgressive desires. The fear of ‘novel-reading women’s sexuality’ led to greater surveillance over woman’s reading habits." However, these diktats issued by the patriarchal society fell flat as women continued reading novels, and some of them went ahead and picked up their pens to narrate to the world the stories they have lived and longed for. WATCH | Author Salman Rushdie attacked, currently on ventilator Ladies who made the 19th century the 'age of women' Among the pioneers who broke the fetters of societal bindings and used their pens to challenge the patriarchal society and its conservative norms were Toru Dutt, Begum Rokeya Hossain, Swarnakumari Devi, Pandita Ramabai, Krupabai Satthianadhan and Rassundari Devi. Toru Dutt, who succumbed to tuberculosis in 1877 when she was just 21 after losing her siblings to the same disease, is considered the first Indian poetess who wrote in French and English. "A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields", which was published in 1876, is considered her best work. Rassundari Devi's autobiography Amar Jiban, which was published in 1876, became the first autobiography ever written by an Indian woman. A mother of 12 children, Devi fulfilled her aspiration to become literate by teaching herself during her free time from daily chores. Rabindranath Tagore's sister Swarnakumari Devi was among Bengal's first women writers to gain prominence. Her debut novel Deepnirban, which was published in 1876, ignited the national spirit among people. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, who was born in a well-to-do family where she received encouragement to study English and Bengali, wrote stories which talked about the importance of educating women. Her novel “Sultana’s Dream” is still widely read and celebrated as the finest example of feminist science fiction which sketches a world for its readers where everything is run by women and men remain secluded. These women not only challenged the stereotypes but inspired others to break their barriers and gain an education. These writers made the 19th century the 'age of women', unmasking their feelings, emotions, disappointments, longings, pleasures, priorities and literary tastes which remained veiled for a long time. In the 19th century's second half, more than 300 books were written by women authors in Bengal and were listed officially across different categories, with poetry emerging as the most favourite. 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

Explained | How women emerged as writers in 19th century colonial India

United Kingdom's former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has once again made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. A spate of recently leaked WhatsApp texts has revealed controversial messages by the former government official. One shocking conversation had him and his co-worker, UK Cabinet Secretary Simon Chase, joke about locking travellers in quarantine hotels during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet another message suggests that the former health secretary rejected expert guidance during the pandemic. These are but two examples of the many controversies surrounding the politician.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Former UK health secretary Matt Hancock's leaked texts

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Here's a lowdown of the colourful controversies surrounding Matt Hancock:

<h2>The "Potemkin testing regime"</h2>

During his time as the UK health secretary, Hancock reportedly created a Potemkin testing regime.

In politics, "Potemkin" refers to a construction, literal or figurative, the sole purpose of which is to create a facade that everything is okay and that the country is faring well.

In April 2020, it emerged that to meet a daily 100,000 COVID-19 test target, he changed the method used to count the tests. He made it so that the up to 40,000 home test kits, which had been sent but not yet completed, were included in the tally. This change was challenged by the UK Statistics Authority and came to be known as the "Potemkin testing regime".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-outrageous-ex-uk-health-secretary-matt-hancock-denies-claims-he-ignored-covid-care-home-advice-567376">'It is outrageous': Ex-UK health secretary Matt Hancock denies claims&nbsp;he ignored Covid care home advice</a>

<h2>Social distancing and extramarital affair</h2>

This particular controversy ended&nbsp;with Hancock's resignation from the post of Britain's health secretary.

On June 25th 2021, it came to light that he broke the country's social distancing rules along with aide Gina Coladangelo.&nbsp;

What made the revelation even more damning was the fact that he and Coladangelo were engaged in an extramarital affair. CCTV images of them kissing went viral at a time when people were unable to hug or comfort friends and family at funerals.

Hancock had to issue an apology, which was even accepted by the then PM Boris Johnson. However, the controversial politician still chose to resign saying "those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them.

This incident not only ended his stint as the health secretary but also his marriage of 15 years. Soon after the footage went viral, the politician and his&nbsp;wife&nbsp;Martha Hancock split.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-matt-hancocks-leaked-covid-messages-revive-painful-pandemic-debate-568108">UK: Matt Hancock's leaked Covid messages revive painful pandemic debates</a>

The incident also raised questions regarding a possible breach of the Official Secrets Act owing to the presence of cameras in the Secretary of State's office. As per Wales Online, former Cabinet ministers Alan Johnson and Rory Stewart, both said that "there had never been cameras in their offices during their time in government."

As per the Wales Online report, the CCTV camera that captured Hancock and his aide in the compromising position was hidden inside a smoke detector. The minister also broke social distancing and Covid rules on other occasions, including one where he was photographed riding in a chauffeur-driven car without a face mask and another where he slapped a colleague on the back despite social distancing measures in place.

<h2>The 'I'm A Celeb' fiasco</h2>

In November of last year, the politician made headlines after joining the reality TV show 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' as a contestant.

An online petition to stop him from appearing on the show gathered around 40,000 signatures. He still participated and even emerged as the third-place winner of the show.

However, his appearance on the show invited lots of ridicule and got him swiftly suspended as an MP of the Conservative Party.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leaked-messages-reveal-uk-senior-ministers-joked-about-locking-up-travelers-during-covid-568352">Leaked messages reveal UK senior ministers joked about locking up travellers during Covid</a>

<h2>The 'Pandemic diaries'</h2>

The recent messages that revealed incidents of Hancock joking about&nbsp;locking travellers in quarantine hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic and rejecting advice from healthcare experts are part of the 'Pandemic Diaries' controversy.

In April 2022, Hancock announced that he would publish his 'diaries' from during the pandemic in the form of a book. This book was coauthored by Journalist Isabel Oakeshott.

It is not based on Hancock's diaries, but rather on his recollections from the pandemic period. As part of the research for the book, Hancock shared with Oakeshott more than 100,000 WhatsApp messages from his conversations with other ministers' aides and public health advisers.

Among them were also messages that detailed Hancock's reaction to the CCTV footage of him and his aide, Gina Coladangelo, canoodling.

"Not sure there's much news value in that and I can't say it's very enjoyable viewing," remarked Hancock as per the leaked messages.

These messages, which were handed over to the journalist under a confidentiality agreement, were made public by Oakeshott.

She says that the decision to make them public is in the public interest and that "no journalist worth their salt would sit on a cache of information on such a historic matter and cover that up." As per a Guardian report, Oakeshott did accept that "her relationship with Matt Hancock soured after he abandoned her in the middle of writing their book in order to appear on I’m a Celebrity."

This move was termed a "massive betrayal and breach of trust," by Hancock. However, not everyone agrees. As&nbsp;BBC puts it, these messages are "an insight into decision-making at the heart of government during the most testing and turbulent time in recent British history," and a "brilliant scoop."

<h2>Other controversies:</h2>

In 2014, he had come under fire for sharing a poem on Twitter which suggested the Labour Party was "full of queers". A year later, he was criticised for hiring a private jet to fly back to London from a climate conference in Scotland.

While these remain the major controversies surrounding Hancock, there have been many other albeit&nbsp;less colourful&nbsp;ones.

(With inputs from agencies)

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United Kingdom's former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has once again made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. A spate of recently leaked WhatsApp texts has revealed controversial messages by the former government official.

United Kingdom's former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has once again made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. A spate of recently leaked WhatsApp texts has revealed controversial messages by the former government official. One shocking conversation had him and his co-worker, UK Cabinet Secretary Simon Chase, joke about locking travellers in quarantine hotels during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet another message suggests that the former health secretary rejected expert guidance during the pandemic. These are but two examples of the many controversies surrounding the politician. Watch | Former UK health secretary Matt Hancock's leaked texts Here's a lowdown of the colourful controversies surrounding Matt Hancock: The "Potemkin testing regime" During his time as the UK health secretary, Hancock reportedly created a Potemkin testing regime. In politics, "Potemkin" refers to a construction, literal or figurative, the sole purpose of which is to create a facade that everything is okay and that the country is faring well. In April 2020, it emerged that to meet a daily 100,000 COVID-19 test target, he changed the method used to count the tests. He made it so that the up to 40,000 home test kits, which had been sent but not yet completed, were included in the tally. This change was challenged by the UK Statistics Authority and came to be known as the "Potemkin testing regime". Also read | 'It is outrageous': Ex-UK health secretary Matt Hancock denies claims he ignored Covid care home advice Social distancing and extramarital affair This particular controversy ended with Hancock's resignation from the post of Britain's health secretary. On June 25th 2021, it came to light that he broke the country's social distancing rules along with aide Gina Coladangelo. What made the revelation even more damning was the fact that he and Coladangelo were engaged in an extramarital affair. CCTV images of them kissing went viral at a time when people were unable to hug or comfort friends and family at funerals. Hancock had to issue an apology, which was even accepted by the then PM Boris Johnson. However, the controversial politician still chose to resign saying "those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them. This incident not only ended his stint as the health secretary but also his marriage of 15 years. Soon after the footage went viral, the politician and his wife Martha Hancock split. Also read | UK: Matt Hancock's leaked Covid messages revive painful pandemic debates The incident also raised questions regarding a possible breach of the Official Secrets Act owing to the presence of cameras in the Secretary of State's office. As per Wales Online, former Cabinet ministers Alan Johnson and Rory Stewart, both said that "there had never been cameras in their offices during their time in government." As per the Wales Online report, the CCTV camera that captured Hancock and his aide in the compromising position was hidden inside a smoke detector. The minister also broke social distancing and Covid rules on other occasions, including one where he was photographed riding in a chauffeur-driven car without a face mask and another where he slapped a colleague on the back despite social distancing measures in place. The 'I'm A Celeb' fiasco In November of last year, the politician made headlines after joining the reality TV show 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' as a contestant. An online petition to stop him from appearing on the show gathered around 40,000 signatures. He still participated and even emerged as the third-place winner of the show. However, his appearance on the show invited lots of ridicule and got him swiftly suspended as an MP of the Conservative Party. Also read | Leaked messages reveal UK senior ministers joked about locking up travellers during Covid The 'Pandemic diaries' The recent messages that revealed incidents of Hancock joking about locking travellers in quarantine hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic and rejecting advice from healthcare experts are part of the 'Pandemic Diaries' controversy. In April 2022, Hancock announced that he would publish his 'diaries' from during the pandemic in the form of a book. This book was coauthored by Journalist Isabel Oakeshott. It is not based on Hancock's diaries, but rather on his recollections from the pandemic period. As part of the research for the book, Hancock shared with Oakeshott more than 100,000 WhatsApp messages from his conversations with other ministers' aides and public health advisers. Among them were also messages that detailed Hancock's reaction to the CCTV footage of him and his aide, Gina Coladangelo, canoodling. "Not sure there's much news value in that and I can't say it's very enjoyable viewing," remarked Hancock as per the leaked messages. These messages, which were handed over to the journalist under a confidentiality agreement, were made public by Oakeshott. She says that the decision to make them public is in the public interest and that "no journalist worth their salt would sit on a cache of information on such a historic matter and cover that up." As per a Guardian report, Oakeshott did accept that "her relationship with Matt Hancock soured after he abandoned her in the middle of writing their book in order to appear on I’m a Celebrity." This move was termed a "massive betrayal and breach of trust," by Hancock. However, not everyone agrees. As BBC puts it, these messages are "an insight into decision-making at the heart of government during the most testing and turbulent time in recent British history," and a "brilliant scoop." Other controversies: In 2014, he had come under fire for sharing a poem on Twitter which suggested the Labour Party was "full of queers". A year later, he was criticised for hiring a private jet to fly back to London from a climate conference in Scotland. While these remain the major controversies surrounding Hancock, there have been many other albeit less colourful ones. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WION Explains | The many colourful controversies surrounding former UK health secretary Matt Hancock

Marianne Williamson has declared her plans&nbsp;to run for president in 2024, making her the first Democrat to take on Joe Biden for the party's nomination.

Marianne Williamson, the self-help author and spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey, launched her campaign in Washington on Saturday (February 25).&nbsp;

The unconventional 2016 White House triumph, according to Williamson, makes it "odd for anyone to think they can know who can win the presidency," she said in a Facebook post after running unsuccessfully for president in 2020.

“I’m not putting myself through this again just to add to the conversation,” Williamson wrote. “I’m running for president to help bring an aberrational chapter of our history to a close, and to help bring forth a new beginning.”

<h2>Marianne Williamson: Early life and career&nbsp;</h2>

Williamson was born in Houston in 1952, according to her 2020 campaign website. Her mother was a conventional housewife, while her father practised immigration law.

She attended Houston Public School and studied at Pomona College in California for two years.

Later, she founded the Centers for Living in Los Angeles and Manhattan in the 1980s, at the height of the AIDS pandemic, to aid those who were suffering from the illness, according to The New York Times.

In 1992, she released her debut book, A return to love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/supreme-court-hears-arguments-on-bidens-student-debt-relief-plan-566922">Supreme Court hears arguments on Biden's student debt relief plan</a>

Williamson said on her website that Oprah Winfrey's decision to invite her as a guest on her well-known talk show and distribute a thousand copies of her book helped it become a success.

Twelve novels have subsequently been released by her, four of which have debuted at number one on The New York Times bestseller list.

Williamson recognised that her career hasn't been conventional on her <a href="https://marianne2020.com/">website</a> but claimed that it has been successful.

“I have been a teacher of transformational wisdom, a successful businesswoman, and a political activist. I have counselled leaders ranging from business to culture to politics. I have been blessed to participate in many non-profit activities, including co-founding The Peace Alliance working on the Board of Results, and speaking for various charitable causes over the years. I produced and hosted four Sister Giant Conferences, facilitating the connection of thousands of women to progressive activism and electoral politics,” Williamson wrote.

<h2>Williamson's political debut, unsuccessful 2020 campaign</h2>

Williamson entered politics for the first time in 2014 when she lost her bid for a seat in the Los Angeles City Council.

She&nbsp;initially made a name for herself on the national scene in 2016 as an outspoken supporter of progressive senator Bernie Sanders, who lost&nbsp;the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton.

Williamson's announcement that she might be running for US president in 2019 caused controversy.

Her attempt to use her own fame as a springboard into politics was an attempt to emulate then president Donald Trump.

“Mr President, if you’re listening, I want you to hear me, please: You have harnessed fear for political purposes, and only love can cast that out,” she said as per&nbsp;The New York Times.

As per the New York Times,&nbsp;she called payments of reparations to Black people "payment of a debt that is owed" and asserted that the Flint water crisis would never have happened in an affluent, white neighbourhood.

One of her most intriguing&nbsp;ideas was to establish a US Department of Peace.

Also, some of her most outlandish opinions came under more intense examination due to her heightened notoriety.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;US&nbsp;begins crackdown against child labour

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According to The Los Angeles Times, Williamson drew criticism in June 2019 for calling vaccine requirements "draconian" and "Orwellian."

“To me, it’s no different than the abortion debate,” Williamson said. “The US government doesn’t tell any citizen, in my book, what they have to do with their body or their child.”

Williamson however had trouble obtaining funds and his polling average never exceeded&nbsp;one per cent.

Days after firing her entire 2020 campaign team, Williamson withdrew from the race in January 2020.

Williamson wrote on her website saying,&nbsp;“we will not be able to garner enough votes in the election to elevate our conversation any more than it is now.”

<h2>Biden vs. Williamson</h2>

Williamson said she intends to visit states with early Democratic primary voting after her announcement in Washington. This includes New Hampshire, where she has said she will run in the state's primary if it breaches DNC rules and hosts the country's first presidential nomination battle even though the party has designated South Carolina as its leadoff state for 2024.

She declared: “I feel my 40 years being up close and personal with the trauma of so many thousands of individuals gives me a unique perspective on what is needed to help repair America. We need a politics that treats not just symptoms, but cause. That does not base itself on the crass imperatives of endless corporate profit, but on the eternal imperatives of our principles and values,” as reported by the Guardian.&nbsp;

“I feel my forty years being up close and personal with the trauma of so many thousands of individuals gives me a unique perspective on what is needed to help repair America,” Williamson wrote. “We need a politics that treats not just symptoms, but cause. That does not base itself on the crass imperatives of endless corporate profit, but on the eternal imperatives of our principles and values,” she added.&nbsp;

The official announcement of Biden's reelection campaign, according to advisers, is expected to happen within the next several months. The president "pretty much" had to choose a time and location to declare his candidature for reelection, according to first lady Jill Biden, who recently told The Associated Press.

Biden himself, though told ABC that “there’s too many other things I have to finish in the near-term before I start a campaign.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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Marianne Williamson has declared her plans to run for president in 2024, making her the first Democrat to take on Joe Biden for the party's nomination. Marianne Williamson, the self-help author and spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey, launched her campaign in Washington on Saturday (February 25).

Marianne Williamson has declared her plans to run for president in 2024, making her the first Democrat to take on Joe Biden for the party's nomination. Marianne Williamson, the self-help author and spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey, launched her campaign in Washington on Saturday (February 25). The unconventional 2016 White House triumph, according to Williamson, makes it "odd for anyone to think they can know who can win the presidency," she said in a Facebook post after running unsuccessfully for president in 2020. “I’m not putting myself through this again just to add to the conversation,” Williamson wrote. “I’m running for president to help bring an aberrational chapter of our history to a close, and to help bring forth a new beginning.” Marianne Williamson: Early life and career Williamson was born in Houston in 1952, according to her 2020 campaign website. Her mother was a conventional housewife, while her father practised immigration law. She attended Houston Public School and studied at Pomona College in California for two years. Later, she founded the Centers for Living in Los Angeles and Manhattan in the 1980s, at the height of the AIDS pandemic, to aid those who were suffering from the illness, according to The New York Times. In 1992, she released her debut book, A return to love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. ALSO READ | Supreme Court hears arguments on Biden's student debt relief plan Williamson said on her website that Oprah Winfrey's decision to invite her as a guest on her well-known talk show and distribute a thousand copies of her book helped it become a success. Twelve novels have subsequently been released by her, four of which have debuted at number one on The New York Times bestseller list. Williamson recognised that her career hasn't been conventional on her website but claimed that it has been successful. “I have been a teacher of transformational wisdom, a successful businesswoman, and a political activist. I have counselled leaders ranging from business to culture to politics. I have been blessed to participate in many non-profit activities, including co-founding The Peace Alliance working on the Board of Results, and speaking for various charitable causes over the years. I produced and hosted four Sister Giant Conferences, facilitating the connection of thousands of women to progressive activism and electoral politics,” Williamson wrote. Williamson's political debut, unsuccessful 2020 campaign Williamson entered politics for the first time in 2014 when she lost her bid for a seat in the Los Angeles City Council. She initially made a name for herself on the national scene in 2016 as an outspoken supporter of progressive senator Bernie Sanders, who lost the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton. Williamson's announcement that she might be running for US president in 2019 caused controversy. Her attempt to use her own fame as a springboard into politics was an attempt to emulate then president Donald Trump. “Mr President, if you’re listening, I want you to hear me, please: You have harnessed fear for political purposes, and only love can cast that out,” she said as per The New York Times. As per the New York Times, she called payments of reparations to Black people "payment of a debt that is owed" and asserted that the Flint water crisis would never have happened in an affluent, white neighbourhood. One of her most intriguing ideas was to establish a US Department of Peace. Also, some of her most outlandish opinions came under more intense examination due to her heightened notoriety. ALSO WATCH | US begins crackdown against child labour According to The Los Angeles Times, Williamson drew criticism in June 2019 for calling vaccine requirements "draconian" and "Orwellian." “To me, it’s no different than the abortion debate,” Williamson said. “The US government doesn’t tell any citizen, in my book, what they have to do with their body or their child.” Williamson however had trouble obtaining funds and his polling average never exceeded one per cent. Days after firing her entire 2020 campaign team, Williamson withdrew from the race in January 2020. Williamson wrote on her website saying, “we will not be able to garner enough votes in the election to elevate our conversation any more than it is now.” Biden vs. Williamson Williamson said she intends to visit states with early Democratic primary voting after her announcement in Washington. This includes New Hampshire, where she has said she will run in the state's primary if it breaches DNC rules and hosts the country's first presidential nomination battle even though the party has designated South Carolina as its leadoff state for 2024. She declared: “I feel my 40 years being up close and personal with the trauma of so many thousands of individuals gives me a unique perspective on what is needed to help repair America. We need a politics that treats not just symptoms, but cause. That does not base itself on the crass imperatives of endless corporate profit, but on the eternal imperatives of our principles and values,” as reported by the Guardian. “I feel my forty years being up close and personal with the trauma of so many thousands of individuals gives me a unique perspective on what is needed to help repair America,” Williamson wrote. “We need a politics that treats not just symptoms, but cause. That does not base itself on the crass imperatives of endless corporate profit, but on the eternal imperatives of our principles and values,” she added. The official announcement of Biden's reelection campaign, according to advisers, is expected to happen within the next several months. The president "pretty much" had to choose a time and location to declare his candidature for reelection, according to first lady Jill Biden, who recently told The Associated Press. Biden himself, though told ABC that “there’s too many other things I have to finish in the near-term before I start a campaign.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXPLAINED | Who is Marianne Williamson? First Democrat to challenge Biden for 2024

Many residents of East Palestine, Ohio, have now returned to their homes,&nbsp;after Norfolk Southern train derailed earlier this month and dumped more than 100,000 gallons of hazardous chemicals into the air and water.&nbsp;

The track has been cleaned and the enormous cloud of smoke from the burning vinyl chloride has drifted away. Rail service has resumed in the town.

Nonetheless, the 4,700 people of East Palestine claim that they continue to smell chemical residue in the air, notice an oily sheen in the water, and feel queasy and sick.&nbsp;The disaster's long-term ramifications are a growing source of concern, as reported by Vox.&nbsp;

Pete Buttigieg, the secretary of transportation, visited East Palestine this week and expressed regret for his delay in addressing the derailment. President Joe Biden was criticised for travelling to Ukraine this week rather than Ohio by former President Donald Trump, who also paid a visit to the region, as reported by AFP.

Other government representatives are attempting to reassure the public that most of the risk has subsided. Mike DeWine, the governor of Ohio, and Michael Regan, the administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), visited East Palestine this week and drank tap water at a resident's house, as per a Vox report.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ohio-toxic-train-crash-authorities-suspend-waste-removal-as-contamination-fear-looms-565984">Ohio toxic train crash: Authorities suspend waste removal as contamination fear looms</a>

“You don’t know who to trust. That’s a big part of it — the uncertainty. You don’t know if you’re going to have to move,” one resident, Carolyn Brown, told&nbsp;ABC News. “We need to feel that we’re safe.”

<h2>What lies ahead for the people of East Palestine, Ohio?</h2>

The National Transportation Safety Board found that 11 of the 38 vehicles that derailed on February 3 contained hazardous chemicals. These substances included flammable carcinogenic gases like vinyl chloride and poisonous flammable liquids like butyl acrylate. The situation was made more difficult by some leaks, flaring, and burns.

“Each of the chemicals that leaked are respiratory irritants, and some of their breakdown products are also irritants,” said&nbsp;Marilyn Howarth, an environmental toxicologist at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who spoke to Vox.

Researchers studying occupational health have shown that employees who are frequently exposed to substances like vinyl chloride had greater incidences of liver cancer.

As per&nbsp;Howarth, the signal may not appear for 20 years or more. Unlike the population of East Palestine, these employees were exposed to larger amounts and in confined settings. The impacts of exposure from the railway crash are not yet known, but it will be important to monitor vinyl chloride concentrations in the area for years to come because the severe effects have a long latency.

Meanwhile, contaminants from burning vinyl chloride, such as dioxin, and other compounds that leak, such as butyl acrylate, can contaminate water sources for years and spread across watersheds and underground aquifers that provide drinking water.

An analysis of data from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/oh/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment-emergency-response">US Environmental Protection Agency</a>’s&nbsp;measurements of pollutants released from the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, suggests if the concentrations of certain of these pollutants continue to be high, it may eventually pose a risk to the residents' health. The compounds could be stirred up by temperature changes or strong winds and released into the atmosphere.

According to the research, acrolein was a molecule that was most abundant in East Palestine.

Plants, algae, rodents, and microbes can all be treated by acrolein. The substance is poisonous and clear at room temperature. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can irritate and cause inflammation of the skin, mucous membranes, and respiratory system.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Ohio train derailment: Environmental disaster

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East Palestine's residents will also need to monitor their health, as per Philip Landrigan, head of the public health department at Boston College, who examined 20,000 first responders and rescue personnel in New York City after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

He told&nbsp;Vox that of the most important takeaways from that research, according to him, was the necessity of routine health checks to identify issues as they developed over time, in addition to determining exactly what was in the dust that people were breathing in.

<h2>Who pays for the cleanup?</h2>

The cleanup following the train disaster and the response has been mandated by the EPA to be covered by Norfolk Southern. According to the EPA&nbsp;administrator Regan, if they fall short, the rail operator may be fined $70,000 per day.

“Norfolk Southern will pay for the mess that they created and the trauma that they inflicted on this community,” he said during a press conference this week.

Some locals are currently considering suing the railroad company. Norfolk Southern has also pledged to help and provide the town with $5.6 million in financial support, as per ABC news.&nbsp;But, re-establishing confidence between the community and the government will be one of the biggest challenges.

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Many residents of East Palestine, Ohio, have now returned to their homes, after Norfolk Southern train derailed earlier this month and dumped more than 100,000 gallons of hazardous chemicals into the air and water.

Many residents of East Palestine, Ohio, have now returned to their homes, after Norfolk Southern train derailed earlier this month and dumped more than 100,000 gallons of hazardous chemicals into the air and water. The track has been cleaned and the enormous cloud of smoke from the burning vinyl chloride has drifted away. Rail service has resumed in the town. Nonetheless, the 4,700 people of East Palestine claim that they continue to smell chemical residue in the air, notice an oily sheen in the water, and feel queasy and sick. The disaster's long-term ramifications are a growing source of concern, as reported by Vox. Pete Buttigieg, the secretary of transportation, visited East Palestine this week and expressed regret for his delay in addressing the derailment. President Joe Biden was criticised for travelling to Ukraine this week rather than Ohio by former President Donald Trump, who also paid a visit to the region, as reported by AFP. Other government representatives are attempting to reassure the public that most of the risk has subsided. Mike DeWine, the governor of Ohio, and Michael Regan, the administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), visited East Palestine this week and drank tap water at a resident's house, as per a Vox report. ALSO READ | Ohio toxic train crash: Authorities suspend waste removal as contamination fear looms “You don’t know who to trust. That’s a big part of it — the uncertainty. You don’t know if you’re going to have to move,” one resident, Carolyn Brown, told ABC News. “We need to feel that we’re safe.” What lies ahead for the people of East Palestine, Ohio? The National Transportation Safety Board found that 11 of the 38 vehicles that derailed on February 3 contained hazardous chemicals. These substances included flammable carcinogenic gases like vinyl chloride and poisonous flammable liquids like butyl acrylate. The situation was made more difficult by some leaks, flaring, and burns. “Each of the chemicals that leaked are respiratory irritants, and some of their breakdown products are also irritants,” said Marilyn Howarth, an environmental toxicologist at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who spoke to Vox. Researchers studying occupational health have shown that employees who are frequently exposed to substances like vinyl chloride had greater incidences of liver cancer. As per Howarth, the signal may not appear for 20 years or more. Unlike the population of East Palestine, these employees were exposed to larger amounts and in confined settings. The impacts of exposure from the railway crash are not yet known, but it will be important to monitor vinyl chloride concentrations in the area for years to come because the severe effects have a long latency. Meanwhile, contaminants from burning vinyl chloride, such as dioxin, and other compounds that leak, such as butyl acrylate, can contaminate water sources for years and spread across watersheds and underground aquifers that provide drinking water. An analysis of data from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s measurements of pollutants released from the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, suggests if the concentrations of certain of these pollutants continue to be high, it may eventually pose a risk to the residents' health. The compounds could be stirred up by temperature changes or strong winds and released into the atmosphere. According to the research, acrolein was a molecule that was most abundant in East Palestine. Plants, algae, rodents, and microbes can all be treated by acrolein. The substance is poisonous and clear at room temperature. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can irritate and cause inflammation of the skin, mucous membranes, and respiratory system. ALSO WATCH | Ohio train derailment: Environmental disaster East Palestine's residents will also need to monitor their health, as per Philip Landrigan, head of the public health department at Boston College, who examined 20,000 first responders and rescue personnel in New York City after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. He told Vox that of the most important takeaways from that research, according to him, was the necessity of routine health checks to identify issues as they developed over time, in addition to determining exactly what was in the dust that people were breathing in. Who pays for the cleanup? The cleanup following the train disaster and the response has been mandated by the EPA to be covered by Norfolk Southern. According to the EPA administrator Regan, if they fall short, the rail operator may be fined $70,000 per day. “Norfolk Southern will pay for the mess that they created and the trauma that they inflicted on this community,” he said during a press conference this week. Some locals are currently considering suing the railroad company. Norfolk Southern has also pledged to help and provide the town with $5.6 million in financial support, as per ABC news. But, re-establishing confidence between the community and the government will be one of the biggest challenges. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXPLAINED | Ohio train derailment: What could be the long-term health hazards of the disaster?

Eric Garcetti's candidature is expected to be heard on Tuesday (February 28) by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, more than a year after he was initially considered as a potential American ambassador to India in&nbsp;2021.&nbsp;

Garcetti, who was put&nbsp;forth by US&nbsp;President Joseph Biden to serve as ambassador to India, suffered yet another setback when a prominent Republican Senator put a hold on his confirmation, citing him as one of several "questionable" nominees.

Six additional nominations were also put on hold by Senator Marco Rubio, including that of Richard Verma, a former US ambassador to India, just days prior&nbsp;to a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that was set for Tuesday. The confirmation procedures for Garcetti, Verma, and others would have to be postponed indefinitely until the problem is fixed, even though the Committee hearing may still go on, as reported by the Indian Express.&nbsp;

<h2>Biden and Garcetti: Political allies&nbsp;</h2>

In July 2021, Garcetti was named as the White House's choice for India, but his appointment was delayed due to charges of sexual harassment against his aide Rick Jacobs.&nbsp;

The appointment of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as the United States ambassador to India was originally announced by President Joe Biden in May 2021, according to news organisation Axios.

Garcetti, 50, served as co-chair of Biden's election campaign and is still one of the President's most significant political allies. He was supposed to be a member of Biden's cabinet, but the scandal surrounding Rick Jacobs is alleged to have derailed those plans, as per AFP reports.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nikki-haley-makes-big-claim-on-covid-19-demands-aid-cut-to-communist-china-566630">Nikki Haley makes big claim on COVID-19, demands aid cut to 'communist' China</a>

Subsequently, American political circles perceived the potential selection of Garcetti, the mayor of the country's second-largest city by population (after New York City), as India's ambassador as a reward for one of the president's steadfast political allies.

Garcetti, who had three years prior given the idea of running for president some thought, backed Biden for the 2020 Democratic candidature on January 9, 2020. The selection committee to choose the presumed Democratic nominee's running mate picked Garcetti at the end of April of last year.

He was named as a candidate for the Biden Administration's position of secretary of transportation in November 2020. Black Lives Matter organised large-scale demonstrations against the nomination in Los Angeles, and Mayor Garcetti revealed that he had declined a job offer from Vice President-elect Biden without going into further detail, as reported by the&nbsp;Indian Express.

In March 2017, Garcetti was re-elected mayor for a five-and-a-half-year term. The election to choose his successor was set to take place in the fall of 2022. He is only permitted to serve two terms in office per local legislation. Los Angeles' mayor at the moment is a Democrat named Karen Bass.

<h2>The controversy surrounding Garcetti</h2>

A former bodyguard, Matthew Garza, filed a sexual harassment case against Jacobs that damaged Garcetti's chances for a Cabinet position before and the ambassadorial position currently.

While Garcetti was the mayor of Los Angeles from 2013 until 2022, Jacobs was his aide. According to reports, Jacobs gave people unsolicited hugs, massages, and lewd sex banter, as reported by the Week.

Further claims against Jacobs surfaced in various press reports and deposition testimony, after which more people have come forward to level similar charges against him.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/in-the-us-yet-more-evidence-of-growing-indian-american-clout-566629">In the US, yet more evidence of growing Indian-American clout</a>

Garcetti has said that he was unaware of Jacobs' sexual misconduct and has testified under oath in front of the Senate to this effect. It was "extremely unlikely," according to a report written by Republican Senator Charles E. Grassley in May 2022, that Garcetti was oblivious of the aide's allegedly inappropriate behaviour.

The White House, however, stated that President Joe Biden backs Garcetti. “This partisan report was a hit job from the beginning, and many of the claims have already been conclusively debunked by more serious independent reports,” the White House said.&nbsp;

<h2>Marco Rubio's stance</h2>

Republican US Senator Marco Rubio stated last week that he would also impose a hold on Garcetti due to the latter's ignorance of credible sexual assault allegations in his prior office, as reported by the Indian Express.

“I will not turn a blind eye to these absurd nominations, which will hasten America’s decline,” Rubio said in a statement on Friday. Rubio’s move will be another hurdle for Garcetti’s nomination, which had lapsed last year.

<h2>What next ?</h2>

The Senate's failure to appoint Biden's nominee for the position, Garcetti, has resulted in the vacancy in the position of US ambassador to India lasting for over two years.

Analysts have previously noted that the record-long vacancy occurs as US-India ties enter their "most critical phase," and that from America's standpoint, a long-term vision of the strategic partnership was needed, as reported by the Print.&nbsp;

It also appears doubtful that Biden will withdraw Garcetti's nomination and propose a different candidate. The White House stated that Garcetti's nomination was a "priority" on December 15 and that it will continue to support him. This was one week after Democrats gained a majority in the Senate, the Print reported.&nbsp;

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Eric Garcetti's candidature is expected to be heard on Tuesday (February 28) by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, more than a year after he was initially considered as a potential American ambassador to India in 2021.

Eric Garcetti's candidature is expected to be heard on Tuesday (February 28) by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, more than a year after he was initially considered as a potential American ambassador to India in 2021. Garcetti, who was put forth by US President Joseph Biden to serve as ambassador to India, suffered yet another setback when a prominent Republican Senator put a hold on his confirmation, citing him as one of several "questionable" nominees. Six additional nominations were also put on hold by Senator Marco Rubio, including that of Richard Verma, a former US ambassador to India, just days prior to a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that was set for Tuesday. The confirmation procedures for Garcetti, Verma, and others would have to be postponed indefinitely until the problem is fixed, even though the Committee hearing may still go on, as reported by the Indian Express. Biden and Garcetti: Political allies In July 2021, Garcetti was named as the White House's choice for India, but his appointment was delayed due to charges of sexual harassment against his aide Rick Jacobs. The appointment of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as the United States ambassador to India was originally announced by President Joe Biden in May 2021, according to news organisation Axios. Garcetti, 50, served as co-chair of Biden's election campaign and is still one of the President's most significant political allies. He was supposed to be a member of Biden's cabinet, but the scandal surrounding Rick Jacobs is alleged to have derailed those plans, as per AFP reports. ALSO READ | Nikki Haley makes big claim on COVID-19, demands aid cut to 'communist' China Subsequently, American political circles perceived the potential selection of Garcetti, the mayor of the country's second-largest city by population (after New York City), as India's ambassador as a reward for one of the president's steadfast political allies. Garcetti, who had three years prior given the idea of running for president some thought, backed Biden for the 2020 Democratic candidature on January 9, 2020. The selection committee to choose the presumed Democratic nominee's running mate picked Garcetti at the end of April of last year. He was named as a candidate for the Biden Administration's position of secretary of transportation in November 2020. Black Lives Matter organised large-scale demonstrations against the nomination in Los Angeles, and Mayor Garcetti revealed that he had declined a job offer from Vice President-elect Biden without going into further detail, as reported by the Indian Express. In March 2017, Garcetti was re-elected mayor for a five-and-a-half-year term. The election to choose his successor was set to take place in the fall of 2022. He is only permitted to serve two terms in office per local legislation. Los Angeles' mayor at the moment is a Democrat named Karen Bass. The controversy surrounding Garcetti A former bodyguard, Matthew Garza, filed a sexual harassment case against Jacobs that damaged Garcetti's chances for a Cabinet position before and the ambassadorial position currently. While Garcetti was the mayor of Los Angeles from 2013 until 2022, Jacobs was his aide. According to reports, Jacobs gave people unsolicited hugs, massages, and lewd sex banter, as reported by the Week. Further claims against Jacobs surfaced in various press reports and deposition testimony, after which more people have come forward to level similar charges against him. ALSO READ | In the US, yet more evidence of growing Indian-American clout Garcetti has said that he was unaware of Jacobs' sexual misconduct and has testified under oath in front of the Senate to this effect. It was "extremely unlikely," according to a report written by Republican Senator Charles E. Grassley in May 2022, that Garcetti was oblivious of the aide's allegedly inappropriate behaviour. The White House, however, stated that President Joe Biden backs Garcetti. “This partisan report was a hit job from the beginning, and many of the claims have already been conclusively debunked by more serious independent reports,” the White House said. Marco Rubio's stance Republican US Senator Marco Rubio stated last week that he would also impose a hold on Garcetti due to the latter's ignorance of credible sexual assault allegations in his prior office, as reported by the Indian Express. “I will not turn a blind eye to these absurd nominations, which will hasten America’s decline,” Rubio said in a statement on Friday. Rubio’s move will be another hurdle for Garcetti’s nomination, which had lapsed last year. What next ? The Senate's failure to appoint Biden's nominee for the position, Garcetti, has resulted in the vacancy in the position of US ambassador to India lasting for over two years. Analysts have previously noted that the record-long vacancy occurs as US-India ties enter their "most critical phase," and that from America's standpoint, a long-term vision of the strategic partnership was needed, as reported by the Print. It also appears doubtful that Biden will withdraw Garcetti's nomination and propose a different candidate. The White House stated that Garcetti's nomination was a "priority" on December 15 and that it will continue to support him. This was one week after Democrats gained a majority in the Senate, the Print reported. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXPLAINED | What is the controversy surrounding Eric Garcetti? Biden's pick for US envoy to India

Nokia is&nbsp;accelerating and signalling a change in strategy by changing its logo for the first time in 60 years.&nbsp;Rebranding a business to reflect a shift in focus has long been a popular corporate strategy. Nokia has adopted a similar strategy.&nbsp;

<h2>Reset, accelerate, and scale</h2>

Chief Executive Pekka Lundmark announced a three-phase strategy when he assumed leadership of the Finnish corporation Nokia in 2020. The phases are reset, accelerate, and scale.

The word "Nokia" is formed by five distinct forms in the new logo, according to Reuters. The previous logo's signature blue colour has been replaced with a variety of colours.

Nokia, a manufacturer of 5G equipment in Finland, updated its logo to distance itself from the mobile phone industry, which it stepped away from&nbsp;over 10 years ago.

Nokia is now a "business technology company," according to CEO Lundmark, rather than merely a maker of smartphones.

On the eve of the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC), which started&nbsp;in Barcelona on Monday (February 27) and runs until 2 March, Lundmark not only&nbsp;unveiled the new logo but&nbsp;described how the company expects networks to change over the next seven years and how it plans to adapt to these changes.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-indian-retailer-fabindia-scraps-482-million-ipo-amid-uncertain-market-conditions-566489">Indian retailer Fabindia scraps $482 million IPO amid uncertain market conditions</a>

He said in an interview, “We want to launch a new brand that is focusing very much on the networks and industrial digitalisation, which is a completely different thing from the legacy mobile phones,” as reported by Livemint.&nbsp;

Nokia-branded mobile devices are still available for purchase through HMD Global Oy. The name's rights were purchased by HMD when Microsoft Corp., which bought the business in 2014, discontinued using it.

<h2>Shift in strategy</h2>

Nokia still wants to expand its service provider business, which involves selling equipment to telecom providers, but it's primary objective right now is to sell equipment to other firms.

“We had very good 21 per cent growth last year in enterprise, which is currently about eight per cent of our sales, (or) 2 billion euros ($2.11 billion) roughly,” Lundmark said. “We want to take that to double digits as quickly as possible,” as per a Reuters report.

The majority of their clients are in the manufacturing sector, thus major technology companies have started collaborating with telecom equipment manufacturers like Nokia to provide private 5G networks and equipment for automated factories to them.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pfizer-in-talks-to-acquire-seagen-mega-deal-may-be-possible-report-566291">Pfizer in talks to acquire Seagen, mega deal may be possible: Report</a>

By providing network equipment to wireless service providers, Lundmark stated that Nokia will concentrate on growing its market share in the company's operations, as reported by Livemint.&nbsp;

He added by stating that Nokia now has “the ammunition and the tools,”&nbsp;to gain market share without compromising margins. This has been made possible by limits placed on Huawei Technologies Co., a Chinese rival, after some European governments forbade the business from supplying components for 5G networks, according to&nbsp;Livemint.

Nokia also plans on assessing the development of each of its companies and exploring alternatives, including divestment.

According to&nbsp;Telecoms, CEO Lundmark said, “We see the potential of digital to transform business, industry and society with an opportunity for significant gains in productivity, sustainability, and accessibility. Our market-leading critical networking technology is increasingly needed by customers and partners in every industry. We see a future where networks go beyond connecting people and things. They’re adaptable, autonomous and consumable. They are networks that sense, think and act, and they maximise the opportunity of digitalisation.”

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Apple secretly working on new innovations

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“Today we share our updated company and technology strategy with a focus on unleashing the exponential potential of networks – pioneering a future where networks meet cloud. To signal this ambition, we are refreshing our brand to reflect who we are today – a B2B technology innovation leader. This is Nokia, but not as the world has seen us before,” he added.

“The signal is very clear. We only want to be in businesses where we can see global leadership,” he continued.

<h2>Competition in the market</h2>

Nokia's foray towards data centres and factory automation would put them in competition with major IT giants like Microsoft and Amazon, as per a Reuters report.&nbsp;

Nokia made the decision not to follow its competitor Ericsson AB, which spent $6.2 billion to acquire Vonage Holdings Inc. due to a similar need to expand its business.

By recovering an investment-grade BBB- rating from S&amp;P Global Ratings, Nokia&nbsp;has recently put an end to its more than 10-year fight in junk status. According to Livemint, Lundmark thinks there is still work to be done, especially in terms of the company's operational margins.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Nokia is accelerating and signalling a change in strategy by changing its logo for the first time in 60 years. Rebranding a business to reflect a shift in focus has long been a popular corporate strategy.

Nokia is accelerating and signalling a change in strategy by changing its logo for the first time in 60 years. Rebranding a business to reflect a shift in focus has long been a popular corporate strategy. Nokia has adopted a similar strategy. Reset, accelerate, and scale Chief Executive Pekka Lundmark announced a three-phase strategy when he assumed leadership of the Finnish corporation Nokia in 2020. The phases are reset, accelerate, and scale. The word "Nokia" is formed by five distinct forms in the new logo, according to Reuters. The previous logo's signature blue colour has been replaced with a variety of colours. Nokia, a manufacturer of 5G equipment in Finland, updated its logo to distance itself from the mobile phone industry, which it stepped away from over 10 years ago. Nokia is now a "business technology company," according to CEO Lundmark, rather than merely a maker of smartphones. On the eve of the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC), which started in Barcelona on Monday (February 27) and runs until 2 March, Lundmark not only unveiled the new logo but described how the company expects networks to change over the next seven years and how it plans to adapt to these changes. ALSO READ | Indian retailer Fabindia scraps $482 million IPO amid uncertain market conditions He said in an interview, “We want to launch a new brand that is focusing very much on the networks and industrial digitalisation, which is a completely different thing from the legacy mobile phones,” as reported by Livemint. Nokia-branded mobile devices are still available for purchase through HMD Global Oy. The name's rights were purchased by HMD when Microsoft Corp., which bought the business in 2014, discontinued using it. Shift in strategy Nokia still wants to expand its service provider business, which involves selling equipment to telecom providers, but it's primary objective right now is to sell equipment to other firms. “We had very good 21 per cent growth last year in enterprise, which is currently about eight per cent of our sales, (or) 2 billion euros ($2.11 billion) roughly,” Lundmark said. “We want to take that to double digits as quickly as possible,” as per a Reuters report. The majority of their clients are in the manufacturing sector, thus major technology companies have started collaborating with telecom equipment manufacturers like Nokia to provide private 5G networks and equipment for automated factories to them. ALSO READ | Pfizer in talks to acquire Seagen, mega deal may be possible: Report By providing network equipment to wireless service providers, Lundmark stated that Nokia will concentrate on growing its market share in the company's operations, as reported by Livemint. He added by stating that Nokia now has “the ammunition and the tools,” to gain market share without compromising margins. This has been made possible by limits placed on Huawei Technologies Co., a Chinese rival, after some European governments forbade the business from supplying components for 5G networks, according to Livemint. Nokia also plans on assessing the development of each of its companies and exploring alternatives, including divestment. According to Telecoms, CEO Lundmark said, “We see the potential of digital to transform business, industry and society with an opportunity for significant gains in productivity, sustainability, and accessibility. Our market-leading critical networking technology is increasingly needed by customers and partners in every industry. We see a future where networks go beyond connecting people and things. They’re adaptable, autonomous and consumable. They are networks that sense, think and act, and they maximise the opportunity of digitalisation.” ALSO WATCH | Apple secretly working on new innovations “Today we share our updated company and technology strategy with a focus on unleashing the exponential potential of networks – pioneering a future where networks meet cloud. To signal this ambition, we are refreshing our brand to reflect who we are today – a B2B technology innovation leader. This is Nokia, but not as the world has seen us before,” he added. “The signal is very clear. We only want to be in businesses where we can see global leadership,” he continued. Competition in the market Nokia's foray towards data centres and factory automation would put them in competition with major IT giants like Microsoft and Amazon, as per a Reuters report. Nokia made the decision not to follow its competitor Ericsson AB, which spent $6.2 billion to acquire Vonage Holdings Inc. due to a similar need to expand its business. By recovering an investment-grade BBB- rating from S&P Global Ratings, Nokia has recently put an end to its more than 10-year fight in junk status. According to Livemint, Lundmark thinks there is still work to be done, especially in terms of the company's operational margins. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXPLAINED | Why Nokia changed its logo after nearly 60 years?

The United Nations was established in 1945 after the end of World War II,&nbsp;to prevent similar wars in future and maintain international peace between nation-states.&nbsp;The message was very clear – the world cannot afford another war.

After 77 years of the establishment of the UN with the hope of maintaining peace in the global order, the imagery of a peaceful future was ruined by the fierce war that broke out between Russia and Ukraine, as the former launched&nbsp;an offensives to seize regions of Eastern Ukraine. The United Nations tried to take steps to bring the situation under control&nbsp;to prevent major humanitarian and environmental devastation.

UN dismisses warnings ahead of war

Weeks before the war broke out, the United States and the United Kingdom had issued warnings to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about Russia's intention to wage war against Ukraine, which were dismissed.

However, when Russian tanks entered the Ukrainian territory violating the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Guterres was forced to consider the suggestion of paying a visit to Kyiv in a show of solidarity with the war-hit Ukraine and make a diplomatic effort to resolve the conflict between the two countries.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/russia-ukraine-war-anniversary-indias-mature-geopolitical-navigation-amid-pressure-is-in-spotlight-565376">Russia-Ukraine war anniversary: India's 'mature' geopolitical navigation amid pressure is in spotlight</a>

Resolutions, resolutions and resolutions

On March 2, a resolution was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly criticising Russia's “aggression” against Ukraine. Another resolution was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on March 4 demanding the “swift and verifiable” withdrawal of Russian-backed armed groups and Russian troops from Ukrainian territories.

On March 5, the UN Human Rights Council called for the urgent establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry. The UN General Assembly demanded humanitarian access and civilian protection in Ukraine on March 24 while accusing Russia of creating a “dire” humanitarian situation.

On March 30, three human rights experts were appointed by the UN to investigate how Russia is violating international law in the war. On April 7, another resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly for the suspension of Russia from the Human Rights Council.

A new resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly on April 26 asking all the Security Council's five permanent members to justify the use of the veto.

UN's response to Bucha crimes

Bucha, a town in Kyiv's northwest, was seized by the Russian army quickly as they entered through neighbouring Belarus and reached the capital city's gates from where they were eventually forced to retreat.

However, the world was shocked when images of the carnage appeared in the media in April. Roads and pavements were seen littered with bodies of civilians, few had their hands tied behind their backs. Russia was accused of war crimes by Ukraine and the West, but Moscow denied them vehemently and said the images were “fake”.

Reacting to the incident, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet had expressed how horrified she was on seeing images of the dead and graves in Bucha. She had also called for independent and effective investigations into the Bucha war crimes.

The United Nations also continued to express its deepening concerns over the apparent housing of prisoners of war in metal cages in the devastated city of Mariupol and the escalation in sexual crimes.

WATCH | Gravitas: The winner of the Ukraine war

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Grain deal – the high point of the UN's involvement in the war

Ukraine, which is the largest exporter of grain in the world, normally supplied 45 million tonnes of grains to the global agricultural market. However, after the invasion by Russia, ships were not able to get safe passage to and from Ukraine which led to the collection of mountains of grains in silos leading to global food crisis.

A Black Sea Grain Initiative was brokered on July 22 by the UN and Turkey which allowed the export of grain from three Ukrainian ports – Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.&nbsp;

No recognition of annexed Ukrainian regions

On October 12, 2022, a resolution was passed by the UN General Assembly with a large majority appealing countries to not recognise the four Ukrainian regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – seized by Russia, after Moscow did not heed to its demand of reversing course on its “attempted illegal annexation”.

India questions UN's efficacy

India, which has continued to abstain from voting on resolutions of the UN's General Assembly, recently raised questions over the efficacy of the international organisation.

Expressing India's concerns, New Delhi’s envoy to the UN Ruchira Kamboj said, “Has the UN system, and particularly its principal organ, the UN Security Council, based on a 1945-world construct, not been rendered ineffective to address contemporary challenges to global peace and security? Are we anywhere near a possible solution acceptable to both sides?”

With major economies dwindling, nuke threats being exchanged and peace not in sight, the Russia-Ukraine war is becoming a serious threat to the world order and the onus of establishing peace and harmony within nation-states is lying on the shoulders of the UN.

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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The United Nations was established in 1945 after the end of World War II, to prevent similar wars in future and maintain international peace between nation-states.

The United Nations was established in 1945 after the end of World War II, to prevent similar wars in future and maintain international peace between nation-states. The message was very clear – the world cannot afford another war. After 77 years of the establishment of the UN with the hope of maintaining peace in the global order, the imagery of a peaceful future was ruined by the fierce war that broke out between Russia and Ukraine, as the former launched an offensives to seize regions of Eastern Ukraine. The United Nations tried to take steps to bring the situation under control to prevent major humanitarian and environmental devastation. UN dismisses warnings ahead of war Weeks before the war broke out, the United States and the United Kingdom had issued warnings to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about Russia's intention to wage war against Ukraine, which were dismissed. However, when Russian tanks entered the Ukrainian territory violating the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Guterres was forced to consider the suggestion of paying a visit to Kyiv in a show of solidarity with the war-hit Ukraine and make a diplomatic effort to resolve the conflict between the two countries. ALSO READ | Russia-Ukraine war anniversary: India's 'mature' geopolitical navigation amid pressure is in spotlight Resolutions, resolutions and resolutions On March 2, a resolution was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly criticising Russia's “aggression” against Ukraine. Another resolution was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on March 4 demanding the “swift and verifiable” withdrawal of Russian-backed armed groups and Russian troops from Ukrainian territories. On March 5, the UN Human Rights Council called for the urgent establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry. The UN General Assembly demanded humanitarian access and civilian protection in Ukraine on March 24 while accusing Russia of creating a “dire” humanitarian situation. On March 30, three human rights experts were appointed by the UN to investigate how Russia is violating international law in the war. On April 7, another resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly for the suspension of Russia from the Human Rights Council. A new resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly on April 26 asking all the Security Council's five permanent members to justify the use of the veto. UN's response to Bucha crimes Bucha, a town in Kyiv's northwest, was seized by the Russian army quickly as they entered through neighbouring Belarus and reached the capital city's gates from where they were eventually forced to retreat. However, the world was shocked when images of the carnage appeared in the media in April. Roads and pavements were seen littered with bodies of civilians, few had their hands tied behind their backs. Russia was accused of war crimes by Ukraine and the West, but Moscow denied them vehemently and said the images were “fake”. Reacting to the incident, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet had expressed how horrified she was on seeing images of the dead and graves in Bucha. She had also called for independent and effective investigations into the Bucha war crimes. The United Nations also continued to express its deepening concerns over the apparent housing of prisoners of war in metal cages in the devastated city of Mariupol and the escalation in sexual crimes. WATCH | Gravitas: The winner of the Ukraine war Grain deal – the high point of the UN's involvement in the war Ukraine, which is the largest exporter of grain in the world, normally supplied 45 million tonnes of grains to the global agricultural market. However, after the invasion by Russia, ships were not able to get safe passage to and from Ukraine which led to the collection of mountains of grains in silos leading to global food crisis. A Black Sea Grain Initiative was brokered on July 22 by the UN and Turkey which allowed the export of grain from three Ukrainian ports – Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. No recognition of annexed Ukrainian regions On October 12, 2022, a resolution was passed by the UN General Assembly with a large majority appealing countries to not recognise the four Ukrainian regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – seized by Russia, after Moscow did not heed to its demand of reversing course on its “attempted illegal annexation”. India questions UN's efficacy India, which has continued to abstain from voting on resolutions of the UN's General Assembly, recently raised questions over the efficacy of the international organisation. Expressing India's concerns, New Delhi’s envoy to the UN Ruchira Kamboj said, “Has the UN system, and particularly its principal organ, the UN Security Council, based on a 1945-world construct, not been rendered ineffective to address contemporary challenges to global peace and security? Are we anywhere near a possible solution acceptable to both sides?” With major economies dwindling, nuke threats being exchanged and peace not in sight, the Russia-Ukraine war is becoming a serious threat to the world order and the onus of establishing peace and harmony within nation-states is lying on the shoulders of the UN. 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

Explained | UN could not prevent Russia-Ukraine war, has it really lost its efficacy

With South Carolina former Governor Nikki Haley's announcement that she is in the run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, the discussion around who will win in the race has deepened further. She is the second person to have announced her candidature after former President Donald Trump confirmed his bid for the nomination. Her announcement has also triggered uncertainty in the Republican Party, as reports suggest that top leaders are mulling over how they can challenge the politically wounded but still resilient Trump.

Former Governor Larry Hogan, who had earlier stated that he was “actively and seriously considering” running, had talked about the “non-Trump lane”. “There’s a non-Trump lane right now that’s as wide as the Trump lane, and there’s no one in that lane,” Hogan had stated in an interview. With speculations around Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also joining the run for nomination, the question arises will Nikki Haley clinch victory or will she become a catalyst for Trump's win?

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-nikki-haley-the-indian-american-top-gun-with-strong-political-views-teased-to-challenge-biden-in-2024-557874">Who is Nikki Haley? The Indian-American top gun with strong political views who may challenge Biden in 2024</a>

The announcement

On February 14, Nikki Haley stated that she is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination against her former boss Donald Trump in&nbsp;the Republican nomination race.

“It’s time for a new generation of leadership,” said Haley in a video shared by her team. Born to Indian migrants in Bamberg, South Carolina, Haley was earlier named Nimrata Nikki Randhawa. Her parents were from Punjab, India, and were teachers by profession. She grew up as a Sikh but converted to Christianity after she married Michael Haley in 1996.

Speaking about her background, Haley said, “I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small Southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world. We faced discrimination and hardships, but my parents never gave in to grievance and hate.”

Shift in politics

A clear theme of Haley's presidential election campaign is unity, as in her announcement video the leader was seen emphasising on bringing people together.&nbsp;Haley recalled how she led South Carolina through the tragedy as a governor when nine Black parishioners were killed by a white supremacist at the Mother Emmanuel AME Church in 2015.

"We turned away from fear towards God and the values that still make our country the freest and greatest in the world," she stated. It is felt Haley feels that the issue of race and call for unity may work in her favour, but experts believe it&nbsp;otherwise.

AAPI Victory Alliance's Varun Nikore believes that Haley failed to represent the community. Nikore added, “There’s a multitude of issues where she specifically and the Republican Party are diametrically opposed to where AAPIs are.”&nbsp;The data also fails to show a bright future for Haley.

As per the Asian American voter survey carried out in 2022, only 15 per cent of Indian American voters support Republicans. Meanwhile, 56 per cent are in favour of Democrats, and 19 per cent go for independent. With such an evident ratio of Indian Americans supporting Democrats, it is difficult to understand which is Haley's target community.&nbsp;

WATCH | Indian-American Nikki Haley kicks-off U.S. Presidential Campaign for 2024

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The falling number in polls

If the polls are to be considered, there is a tough road ahead for Haley. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, just 4 per cent of registered Republicans were in support of Haley taking over as president.

Meanwhile, Trump gained votes of 43 per cent of the registered Republicans, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received 31 per cent. The polls were conducted from February 6 to 13. Other polls conducted recently also found Trump leading the race. As per The Bulwark survey, 28 per cent of Republican party votes were ready to support Trump.

Few surveys also said that Haley would play spoiler. According to the Yahoo News/YouGov poll, Florida governor DeSantis was leading Trump by 45 per cent to 41 per cent. “In a hypothetical three-way match-up, Haley effectively plays the spoiler, attracting 11 per cent of Republicans and Republican-leaners while DeSantis’s support falls by roughly the same amount (to 35 per cent), leaving Trump with more votes than either of them&nbsp;at 38%,” Yahoo News stated.

Haley's wavering stance

For many, Haley, as a leader, is someone who has been wavering in her stand on issues. She is known to have shared a hot-and-cold relationship with her boss.

Once a high critic of Trump, she later became his ambassador to the UN only to leave the Trump administration in 2018 and again heavily criticise the leader. However, in 2022, Haley seemed to have amended her relationship with Trump. She had also claimed that she won't run for the presidential election if Trump announces his candidacy, a decision she again wavered on.

Hampton Falls' Nancy Parker also said that it will take some convincing.&nbsp;"I think Nikki Haley has a lot of potential but I just want to see for myself what she has to say. She has a reputation of being a bit of a flip-flopper. She's changed her mind on many important items over the last two years, but I'm still willing to come and listen to her,” Parker added.

With Haley heading to Iowa next week for a few campaign stops, it will be interesting to see the kind of response she receives from the people.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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With South Carolina former Governor Nikki Haley's announcement that she is in the run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, the discussion around who will win in the race has deepened further.

With South Carolina former Governor Nikki Haley's announcement that she is in the run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, the discussion around who will win in the race has deepened further. She is the second person to have announced her candidature after former President Donald Trump confirmed his bid for the nomination. Her announcement has also triggered uncertainty in the Republican Party, as reports suggest that top leaders are mulling over how they can challenge the politically wounded but still resilient Trump. Former Governor Larry Hogan, who had earlier stated that he was “actively and seriously considering” running, had talked about the “non-Trump lane”. “There’s a non-Trump lane right now that’s as wide as the Trump lane, and there’s no one in that lane,” Hogan had stated in an interview. With speculations around Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also joining the run for nomination, the question arises will Nikki Haley clinch victory or will she become a catalyst for Trump's win? ALSO READ | Who is Nikki Haley? The Indian-American top gun with strong political views who may challenge Biden in 2024 The announcement On February 14, Nikki Haley stated that she is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination against her former boss Donald Trump in the Republican nomination race. “It’s time for a new generation of leadership,” said Haley in a video shared by her team. Born to Indian migrants in Bamberg, South Carolina, Haley was earlier named Nimrata Nikki Randhawa. Her parents were from Punjab, India, and were teachers by profession. She grew up as a Sikh but converted to Christianity after she married Michael Haley in 1996. Speaking about her background, Haley said, “I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small Southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world. We faced discrimination and hardships, but my parents never gave in to grievance and hate.” Shift in politics A clear theme of Haley's presidential election campaign is unity, as in her announcement video the leader was seen emphasising on bringing people together. Haley recalled how she led South Carolina through the tragedy as a governor when nine Black parishioners were killed by a white supremacist at the Mother Emmanuel AME Church in 2015. "We turned away from fear towards God and the values that still make our country the freest and greatest in the world," she stated. It is felt Haley feels that the issue of race and call for unity may work in her favour, but experts believe it otherwise. AAPI Victory Alliance's Varun Nikore believes that Haley failed to represent the community. Nikore added, “There’s a multitude of issues where she specifically and the Republican Party are diametrically opposed to where AAPIs are.” The data also fails to show a bright future for Haley. As per the Asian American voter survey carried out in 2022, only 15 per cent of Indian American voters support Republicans. Meanwhile, 56 per cent are in favour of Democrats, and 19 per cent go for independent. With such an evident ratio of Indian Americans supporting Democrats, it is difficult to understand which is Haley's target community. WATCH | Indian-American Nikki Haley kicks-off U.S. Presidential Campaign for 2024 The falling number in polls If the polls are to be considered, there is a tough road ahead for Haley. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, just 4 per cent of registered Republicans were in support of Haley taking over as president. Meanwhile, Trump gained votes of 43 per cent of the registered Republicans, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received 31 per cent. The polls were conducted from February 6 to 13. Other polls conducted recently also found Trump leading the race. As per The Bulwark survey, 28 per cent of Republican party votes were ready to support Trump. Few surveys also said that Haley would play spoiler. According to the Yahoo News/YouGov poll, Florida governor DeSantis was leading Trump by 45 per cent to 41 per cent. “In a hypothetical three-way match-up, Haley effectively plays the spoiler, attracting 11 per cent of Republicans and Republican-leaners while DeSantis’s support falls by roughly the same amount (to 35 per cent), leaving Trump with more votes than either of them at 38%,” Yahoo News stated. Haley's wavering stance For many, Haley, as a leader, is someone who has been wavering in her stand on issues. She is known to have shared a hot-and-cold relationship with her boss. Once a high critic of Trump, she later became his ambassador to the UN only to leave the Trump administration in 2018 and again heavily criticise the leader. However, in 2022, Haley seemed to have amended her relationship with Trump. She had also claimed that she won't run for the presidential election if Trump announces his candidacy, a decision she again wavered on. Hampton Falls' Nancy Parker also said that it will take some convincing. "I think Nikki Haley has a lot of potential but I just want to see for myself what she has to say. She has a reputation of being a bit of a flip-flopper. She's changed her mind on many important items over the last two years, but I'm still willing to come and listen to her,” Parker added. With Haley heading to Iowa next week for a few campaign stops, it will be interesting to see the kind of response she receives from the people. (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

Explained: Will Nikki Haley win? The ground realities for the Indian-origin candidate as of now

Around 40 per cent of pregnancies in the US are unplanned. This is partially due to social diktats that hold women unfairly responsible for family planning and pregnancy prevention. The contraception options for men have been historically limited — condoms (not 100 per cent reliable), vasectomy (potentially permanent and men are scared to choose this), the withdrawal method (ineffective) and abstinence (not feasible). &nbsp;

To avoid unintended pregnancies and control the world population, there has been a growing need for more family planning methods which are not solely dependent on women. In this direction, Nature Communications recently published a path-breaking study which talked about a drug which was able to immobilise the sperm quickly and temporarily in male mice. The discovery was called a “game-changer” and could pave the path for the much-awaited male contraceptive pill and finally can let men share equal responsibility with women on the issue of birth control.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-develop-male-pill-an-oral-contraceptive-that-successfully-stops-sperm-in-its-track-562051">Researchers develop 'male pill', an oral contraceptive that successfully stops sperm in its track</a>

The journey so far – Condoms, Conventional vasectomy, No-scalpel vasectomy

Among&nbsp;the most commonly used options for birth control are condoms. Although condoms generally stop the fertilisation of eggs by restricting the semen from entering the vaginal canal, it carries the risk of ripping, or slipping off if not worn correctly. The condoms also carry an expiration date and can get damaged by light and heat. During use, a dried-out, old condom is more likely to tear, while&nbsp;those using latex condoms also face the risk of latex allergy.&nbsp;

Conventional vasectomy, which is also called male sterilisation, is a surgical procedure for permanent birth control. A vasectomy starts providing contraceptive protection around 8 to 12 weeks after the procedure. It is permanent, and cannot always be reversed. Couples planning a baby at a later stage of life cannot get the vasectomy reversed.

The 'pill'&nbsp;discovery&nbsp;

On February 14, the journal Nature Communications published an early study which found that the sperms of mice were immobilised before, during and after mating by a single dose of the drug TDI-11861. For around two hours, the contraceptive proved 100 per cent effective in the prevention of pregnancy. After 24 hours, the mice regained their full fertility.&nbsp;

As per a report published in New Scientist, “The team assessed the movement of sperm collected from 17 male mice, eight of whom received the drug. In samples collected two hours after mice received the drug, only about six per cent of sperm were mobile on an average compared with about 30 per cent in samples from control mice."

The study's lead author Dr Melanie Balbach said, “Our inhibitor works within 30 minutes to an hour.&nbsp;Every other experimental hormonal or non-hormonal male contraceptive takes weeks to bring sperm count down or render them unable to fertilise eggs.”&nbsp;

As per the doctor, the males started recovering their fertility after three hours. “Sperm recovered from female mice remained incapacitated. There were no side effects,” she added. The doctor said that sperm began to swim after three hours and the mice totally recovered the next day. “This means we not only have an on-demand contraceptive but one that is also rapidly reversible,” she added.&nbsp;

WATCH | China trains six squirrels to search for drugs

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The steps ahead&nbsp;

The drugs will be refined by the researchers so that they can last for longer durations before starting human trials. If things go as planned, the clinical trials of these drugs are likely to begin by 2025. The drug carries a high chance of developing into an easy-to-use contraceptive. Men will be free to take these when they want as the pills won't have any side effects. Although the pill may be able to control unwanted pregnancies, it won't protect people from sexually transmitted diseases. A condom will be able to keep people safe from such diseases.

Scientists hail the 'novel idea'&nbsp;

University of Sheffield's Professor of Andrology Allan Pacey, speaking to the BBC, said that there has been a growing need for men's oral contraceptives and added that it was “really a novel idea” to knock out the enzyme which is important for the movement of the sperm.

“The fact that it is able to act, and can be reversed&nbsp;so quickly is really quite exciting… If the trials on mice can be replicated in humans with the same degree of efficacy, then this could well be the male contraceptive approach we have been looking for,” he said. Pacey added that few tests were conducted on human sperm in the laboratory and they worked in a similar way.

‘We’re very optimistic that once men take the inhibitor, it will have the same effect… We need more [birth control] options, and men need an option so that the burden of contraception is not on females anymore,” Balbach said.&nbsp;

Presently, condoms and vasectomy are the options available for male birth control. However, this research has emerged as a beam of light in the dark tunnel, reflecting a more gender-balanced future.&nbsp;

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE 
&nbsp;

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Around 40 per cent of pregnancies in the US are unplanned. This is partially due to social diktats that hold women unfairly responsible for family planning and pregnancy prevention.

Around 40 per cent of pregnancies in the US are unplanned. This is partially due to social diktats that hold women unfairly responsible for family planning and pregnancy prevention. The contraception options for men have been historically limited — condoms (not 100 per cent reliable), vasectomy (potentially permanent and men are scared to choose this), the withdrawal method (ineffective) and abstinence (not feasible). To avoid unintended pregnancies and control the world population, there has been a growing need for more family planning methods which are not solely dependent on women. In this direction, Nature Communications recently published a path-breaking study which talked about a drug which was able to immobilise the sperm quickly and temporarily in male mice. The discovery was called a “game-changer” and could pave the path for the much-awaited male contraceptive pill and finally can let men share equal responsibility with women on the issue of birth control. ALSO READ | Researchers develop 'male pill', an oral contraceptive that successfully stops sperm in its track The journey so far – Condoms, Conventional vasectomy, No-scalpel vasectomy Among the most commonly used options for birth control are condoms. Although condoms generally stop the fertilisation of eggs by restricting the semen from entering the vaginal canal, it carries the risk of ripping, or slipping off if not worn correctly. The condoms also carry an expiration date and can get damaged by light and heat. During use, a dried-out, old condom is more likely to tear, while those using latex condoms also face the risk of latex allergy. Conventional vasectomy, which is also called male sterilisation, is a surgical procedure for permanent birth control. A vasectomy starts providing contraceptive protection around 8 to 12 weeks after the procedure. It is permanent, and cannot always be reversed. Couples planning a baby at a later stage of life cannot get the vasectomy reversed. The 'pill' discovery On February 14, the journal Nature Communications published an early study which found that the sperms of mice were immobilised before, during and after mating by a single dose of the drug TDI-11861. For around two hours, the contraceptive proved 100 per cent effective in the prevention of pregnancy. After 24 hours, the mice regained their full fertility. As per a report published in New Scientist, “The team assessed the movement of sperm collected from 17 male mice, eight of whom received the drug. In samples collected two hours after mice received the drug, only about six per cent of sperm were mobile on an average compared with about 30 per cent in samples from control mice." The study's lead author Dr Melanie Balbach said, “Our inhibitor works within 30 minutes to an hour. Every other experimental hormonal or non-hormonal male contraceptive takes weeks to bring sperm count down or render them unable to fertilise eggs.” As per the doctor, the males started recovering their fertility after three hours. “Sperm recovered from female mice remained incapacitated. There were no side effects,” she added. The doctor said that sperm began to swim after three hours and the mice totally recovered the next day. “This means we not only have an on-demand contraceptive but one that is also rapidly reversible,” she added. WATCH | China trains six squirrels to search for drugs The steps ahead The drugs will be refined by the researchers so that they can last for longer durations before starting human trials. If things go as planned, the clinical trials of these drugs are likely to begin by 2025. The drug carries a high chance of developing into an easy-to-use contraceptive. Men will be free to take these when they want as the pills won't have any side effects. Although the pill may be able to control unwanted pregnancies, it won't protect people from sexually transmitted diseases. A condom will be able to keep people safe from such diseases. Scientists hail the 'novel idea' University of Sheffield's Professor of Andrology Allan Pacey, speaking to the BBC, said that there has been a growing need for men's oral contraceptives and added that it was “really a novel idea” to knock out the enzyme which is important for the movement of the sperm. “The fact that it is able to act, and can be reversed so quickly is really quite exciting… If the trials on mice can be replicated in humans with the same degree of efficacy, then this could well be the male contraceptive approach we have been looking for,” he said. Pacey added that few tests were conducted on human sperm in the laboratory and they worked in a similar way. ‘We’re very optimistic that once men take the inhibitor, it will have the same effect… We need more [birth control] options, and men need an option so that the burden of contraception is not on females anymore,” Balbach said. Presently, condoms and vasectomy are the options available for male birth control. However, this research has emerged as a beam of light in the dark tunnel, reflecting a more gender-balanced future. 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

Explained | The quest for male birth control: from vasectomy to condoms to ‘the pill’

Gun Shootings in USA: Unfortunately, shootings in the United States have become frequent, and there have been many incidents in recent years. Mass shootings have become a major problem, with several high-profile incidents resulting in significant loss of life.

Gun Shootings in USA: Unfortunately, shootings in the United States have become frequent, and there have been many incidents in recent years. Mass shootings have become a major problem, with several high-profile incidents resulting in significant loss of life. Efforts to reduce gun violence in the United States have included several measures. They are stricter background checks for gun purchases, limits on high-capacity magazines, and increased funding for mental health programs. However, significant progress in reducing gun violence has been slow and contentious, with many advocates and politicians on both sides of the issue holding firmly entrenched positions. The United States has seen numerous shootings in recent years, and many factors contribute to the prevalence of gun violence in the country. Some of the key factors include: 1. Access to firearms: Access to firearms in the United States is relatively easy compared to many other countries. The Second Amendment to the US Constitution protects the right to bear arms, implying that individuals have the right to own guns for personal use. There are various ways that individuals can legally obtain firearms in the United States. One way is to purchase them from a licensed gun dealer, who conducts a background check on the buyer before completing the deal. Another way is buying them in a private sale or a gun show, where background checks are not always required. In some states, individuals can obtain a license for a concealed weapon. It allows them to have a firearm on their person in public places. The ease of access to firearms in the United States has been a contributing factor to the high rate of gun violence in the country. While many gun owners are responsible and use their firearms for legitimate purposes, such as hunting or self-defence, there are also many instances where convicts had firearms during criminal activity or accidental shootings. Efforts to reduce gun violence in the United States have included calls for stricter gun control measures, such as background checks for all gun sales, limits on high-capacity magazines, and a ban on certain types of firearms. However, some segments of society have opposed these efforts. They argue such measures would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. 2. Mental Health Issues: Mental health issues were contributing factors to some shootings in the United States. While not all shooters have a history of mental illness, some do, and this has led to calls for increased focus on mental health as a means of reducing gun violence. Evidence suggests individuals with mental illness are more likely to experience violence, including gun violence. However, it's important to note that many people with mental illness are not violent and are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. It's also important to recognise that mental health issues alone do not explain the high rates of gun violence in the United States. Efforts to address mental health issues relating to gun violence have included increased funding for mental health services and programs, as well as efforts to improve access to care for those who need it. There have also been calls for increased collaboration between mental health professionals and law enforcement agencies in identifying and addressing potential threats. It's essential to approach the issue of mental health and gun violence with nuance and sensitivity, recognising that mental illness is just one factor among many that contribute to gun violence in the United States. It's also crucial to avoid stigmatising those with mental illness, as this can contribute to further marginalisation and misunderstanding. 3. Social and economic factors: Social and economic factors are contributors to gun violence in the United States. These factors include poverty, unemployment, social isolation, and inequality. Research has shown there is a strong association between poverty and gun violence. Areas with higher levels of poverty tend to have higher rates of gun violence, and individuals who live in poverty are more likely to experience violence, including gun violence. It may be due to many factors, such as a lack of education and job opportunities and increased exposure to crime and violence. Unemployment is another factor linked to gun violence. Studies have found that areas with high levels of unemployment tend to have higher rates of gun violence, and unemployed individuals may be more likely to turn to crime, including violent crime. Social isolation is also a contributing factor to gun violence. Individuals who lack social support may feel disconnected from their communities and are more likely to engage in violent behaviour. It is particularly true for individuals who experience social isolation because of stigmatisation or discrimination, such as those who belong to marginalised groups. Inequality is another factor linked to gun violence. Areas with high levels of income inequality tend to have higher rates of gun violence, and individuals who experience inequality may be more likely to feel marginalised or disenfranchised, leading to anger and frustration. Efforts to address social and economic factors relating to gun violence have included initiatives to reduce poverty, increase access to education and job opportunities, and reduce social isolation. It's also significant to highlight issues related to discrimination and inequality to reduce the risk of gun violence. These efforts must be comprehensive and address the underlying root causes of gun violence rather than just the symptoms. 4. Political polarisation Political polarisation is a factor that can contribute to gun violence in the United States. The highly politicised nature of the debate over gun control can make it tough to find common ground on this issue and could lead to a lack of effective policy action. The issue of gun control has become highly polarised in the United States, with individuals and groups on both sides of the problem holding entrenched positions. Supporters of gun rights often argue that any efforts to restrict access to firearms infringe on their Second Amendment rights. While advocates for gun control state that such measures are necessary to reduce gun violence. This political polarisation can lead to a lack of constructive dialogue and a failure to address the underlying issues contributing to gun violence. It can also make it difficult for lawmakers to pass meaningful gun control measures, as they may be hesitant to take a position that is likely to be controversial and divisive. Efforts to address the issue of political polarisation as it relates to gun violence have included initiatives to promote civil discourse and dialogue on this issue. Some organisations and individuals have sought to find common ground on this issue, focusing on areas where there is agreement rather than on areas of disagreement. It can help to promote a more constructive dialogue and may lead to a greater likelihood of effective policy action. It's crucial to recognise that political polarisation is just one of many factors contributing to gun violence in the United States. A comprehensive approach to this issue must take into account the many complex and interrelated factors that contribute to gun violence and must seek to address these issues in a detailed and multifaceted way. It's worth noting that while mass shootings are a severe problem in the United States, they are not the most common form of gun violence in the country. Most gun deaths in the United States are suicides, followed by homicides and accidents. Addressing the issue of gun violence in the United States will require a multifaceted approach that addresses the underlying causes of violence, as well as efforts to improve gun safety and regulation.

Explained: Why gun shooting happens in USA so often? Find out the truth

Bomb-carrying drones hit an Iranian defence factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight on Sunday (January 29), said the country’s officials who have since condemned the attack and called it “cowardly”. So far, no government or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, media reports citing United States officials have indicated that they suspect Israel’s involvement in the incident.&nbsp;

What happened?

The Iranian government has claimed that the facility sustained “minor damages” and there were no casualties, however, the extent of the damage caused cannot be independently verified, while details remain scarce. The attack is said to have occurred around 11:30 pm, Saturday, as per authorities in Tehran. The footage of the incident released by the Iranian state media shows a flash in the sky and the arrival of emergency vehicles at the scene.&nbsp;

What has Iran said about the attack?

The Iranian defence ministry has claimed that they foiled an “unsuccessful attack” which took place late Saturday and involved three drones and there were no casualties. The ministry said, one of the drones was destroyed while the other two were caught using “defence traps and blew up”. It added, “It caused only minor damage to the roof of a workshop building”, as per a report by Iranian state TV.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-defence-ministry-complex-hit-by-drone-attack-557057">Iran government condemns drone attack on defence ammunition plant, calls it ‘cowardly’</a>

The ministry also said that the attack was conducted using “micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs)”. However, the state-run IRNA news agency later described the drones as “quadcopters equipped with bomblets,” which gets its name from the four rotors and are typically operated from short ranges by remote control.&nbsp;

Additionally, a report by Reuters citing a military official in the region said given the location of the strike as well as the size of the drone it is likely that it was staged from within Iranian borders. Subsequently, in a press conference, the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian with his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is visiting Tehran called the attack “cowardly” and aimed at creating “insecurity” in the country.&nbsp;

While the Iranian defence ministry has not commented on who might have carried out the attack, a report by the state-run media quoting comments by a lawmaker, Hossein Mirzaie, said there was a “strong speculation” Israel was behind it. The Isfahan’s factory is 350 km south of the capital Tehran while the ministry has described the site as a “workshop” without giving any details.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-drone-attack-on-military-site-thwarted-557035">Iran: Drone attack on military site thwarted</a> 
 
However, reports suggest that it comprises a large air base built for its fleet of US-made F-14 fighter jets and is also home to the country’s nuclear fuel research and production centre. During the aforementioned press conference when asked if the incident would affect the country’s nuclear programme, the foreign minister said, “Such moves can’t impact our nuclear scientists’ will and intentions to achieve peaceful nuclear energy,” as per Al Jazeera.&nbsp;

In a separate incident, on early Sunday, the IRNA reported that a fire broke out at a motor oil factory near the industrial zone in the northwestern city of Tabriz which the officials later said was caused by an oil leak and no further details were given.&nbsp;

What the US officials have allegedly said

Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said no US military forces played a role in the strikes in Iran and declined to comment further, reported Reuters. However, a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity to the news agency said it appears that Israel is involved. Additionally, first reported by the Wall Street Journal citing multiple anonymous sources from officials in Washington also reported that Tel Aviv might have been involved in Saturday’s attack.&nbsp;

Why does this matter?

If the reports are confirmed this will be the first attack carried out under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since he returned to office in December between the two long-time foes. Furthermore, Tehran has previously accused Israel of planning attacks using agents inside Iranian territory. Last year Iran claims that they arrested a sabotage team of Kurdish militants which had allegedly been working with Israel to blow up a “sensitive” defence industry centre in Isfahan.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-admits-sending-drones-to-moscow-before-russia-ukraine-war-started-531475">Iran admits sending drones to Moscow before Russia-Ukraine War started</a>

In 2020, Iran also accused Israel of conducting a sophisticated attack which killed Tehran’s top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. However, Saturday’s attack in Isfahan comes as the region is witnessing a rise in tensions over Iran's nuclear programme as well as its alleged supply of arms to Russia amid its conflict with Ukraine.&nbsp;

Kyiv has accused Iran of supplying hundreds of drones to Moscow which have reportedly been used to target Ukrainian cities but not on the frontlines, reported Reuters citing a senior aide to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-explosions-reported-from-kyiv-following-drone-attack-says-mayor-542893">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky</a> linked to the incident. “Explosive night in Iran…Did warn you,” said Mykhailo Podolyak on Twitter following the attack in Iran. In this context, while Tehran has acknowledged sending drones to Russia it has maintained that they were sent before the invasion while Moscow has denied the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine while reports have suggested otherwise.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Bomb-carrying drones hit an Iranian defence factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight on Sunday (January 29), said the country’s officials who have since condemned the attack and called it “cowardly”.

Bomb-carrying drones hit an Iranian defence factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight on Sunday (January 29), said the country’s officials who have since condemned the attack and called it “cowardly”. So far, no government or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, media reports citing United States officials have indicated that they suspect Israel’s involvement in the incident. What happened? The Iranian government has claimed that the facility sustained “minor damages” and there were no casualties, however, the extent of the damage caused cannot be independently verified, while details remain scarce. The attack is said to have occurred around 11:30 pm, Saturday, as per authorities in Tehran. The footage of the incident released by the Iranian state media shows a flash in the sky and the arrival of emergency vehicles at the scene. What has Iran said about the attack? The Iranian defence ministry has claimed that they foiled an “unsuccessful attack” which took place late Saturday and involved three drones and there were no casualties. The ministry said, one of the drones was destroyed while the other two were caught using “defence traps and blew up”. It added, “It caused only minor damage to the roof of a workshop building”, as per a report by Iranian state TV. ALSO READ | Iran government condemns drone attack on defence ammunition plant, calls it ‘cowardly’ The ministry also said that the attack was conducted using “micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs)”. However, the state-run IRNA news agency later described the drones as “quadcopters equipped with bomblets,” which gets its name from the four rotors and are typically operated from short ranges by remote control. Additionally, a report by Reuters citing a military official in the region said given the location of the strike as well as the size of the drone it is likely that it was staged from within Iranian borders. Subsequently, in a press conference, the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian with his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is visiting Tehran called the attack “cowardly” and aimed at creating “insecurity” in the country. While the Iranian defence ministry has not commented on who might have carried out the attack, a report by the state-run media quoting comments by a lawmaker, Hossein Mirzaie, said there was a “strong speculation” Israel was behind it. The Isfahan’s factory is 350 km south of the capital Tehran while the ministry has described the site as a “workshop” without giving any details. ALSO WATCH | Iran: Drone attack on military site thwarted However, reports suggest that it comprises a large air base built for its fleet of US-made F-14 fighter jets and is also home to the country’s nuclear fuel research and production centre. During the aforementioned press conference when asked if the incident would affect the country’s nuclear programme, the foreign minister said, “Such moves can’t impact our nuclear scientists’ will and intentions to achieve peaceful nuclear energy,” as per Al Jazeera. In a separate incident, on early Sunday, the IRNA reported that a fire broke out at a motor oil factory near the industrial zone in the northwestern city of Tabriz which the officials later said was caused by an oil leak and no further details were given. What the US officials have allegedly said Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said no US military forces played a role in the strikes in Iran and declined to comment further, reported Reuters. However, a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity to the news agency said it appears that Israel is involved. Additionally, first reported by the Wall Street Journal citing multiple anonymous sources from officials in Washington also reported that Tel Aviv might have been involved in Saturday’s attack. Why does this matter? If the reports are confirmed this will be the first attack carried out under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since he returned to office in December between the two long-time foes. Furthermore, Tehran has previously accused Israel of planning attacks using agents inside Iranian territory. Last year Iran claims that they arrested a sabotage team of Kurdish militants which had allegedly been working with Israel to blow up a “sensitive” defence industry centre in Isfahan. ALSO WATCH | Iran admits sending drones to Moscow before Russia-Ukraine War started In 2020, Iran also accused Israel of conducting a sophisticated attack which killed Tehran’s top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. However, Saturday’s attack in Isfahan comes as the region is witnessing a rise in tensions over Iran's nuclear programme as well as its alleged supply of arms to Russia amid its conflict with Ukraine. Kyiv has accused Iran of supplying hundreds of drones to Moscow which have reportedly been used to target Ukrainian cities but not on the frontlines, reported Reuters citing a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky linked to the incident. “Explosive night in Iran…Did warn you,” said Mykhailo Podolyak on Twitter following the attack in Iran. In this context, while Tehran has acknowledged sending drones to Russia it has maintained that they were sent before the invasion while Moscow has denied the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine while reports have suggested otherwise. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US officials suspect Israel’s involvement in drone attack on Iranian 'workshop': What we know so far

Over the past three decades (circa 1991-2023), the death rate from cancer in the US has declined by a startling 30 per cent. This amounts to about 3.8 million lives saved since 1991, according to research that was published in <a href="https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21763">CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians</a>. Even better, the studies show that the death rate from cancer decreased from 2019 to 2020 by 1.5 per cent, which contrasts sharply with other major illnesses.

Researchers have shown that cancer is not only a major issue affecting worldwide health but also the second-worst killer in the US, after heart disease. COVID-19 takes the third spot.

<h2>Decline in cancer cases: What exactly happened?</h2>

Over the course of the three decades (circa 1991-2023), researchers estimated that 2.6 million deaths in men and 1.2 million in women from cancer were averted. Men saw a 2.6 per cent&nbsp;annual decline in lung cancer incidence from 2015 to 2019 compared to women's 1.1 per cent&nbsp;yearly decline.

Young women's (20–24-year-olds) risk of developing cervical cancer has dramatically decreased, falling by 11.4 per cent between 2012 and 2019 and by a staggering 65 per cent&nbsp;overall within the same time frame.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-the-chocolaty-secret-to-chocolates-sweetness-552453">Scientists find the chocolaty secret to chocolate's sweetness</a>

Additionally, death rates for kidney cancer, melanoma, and leukemia decreased by two&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;year from 2016 to 2020.

<h2>How did the decline in cancer cases take place?</h2>

The study found that the death rate has dropped over the previous three decades as a result of a dip in smoking and advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The American Cancer Society's CEO, Karen Knudsen, told CNN that the drop in cancer mortality is "truly formidable."

“New revelations for prevention, for early detection, and for treatment have resulted in true, meaningful gains in many of the 200 diseases that we call cancer,” Knudsen added.

The first vaccination against the two strains of the human papillomavirus, according to researchers, is to credit for the drop in cervical cancer cases (which cause 70 per cent of such cancers).

The vaccination was originally permitted for use in females between the ages of 9 and 26 in 2006 by the US Food and Drug Administration, as per researchers.

“This totally follows the time when HPV vaccines were put into use,” Dr William Dahut, the society’s chief scientific officer, told&nbsp;CNN.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-a-first-scientists-use-artificial-dna-to-kill-cancer-cells-heres-what-you-need-to-know-547276">Explained: In a first, scientists use artificial DNA to kill cancer cells: Here’s what you need to know</a>

The report&nbsp;also stated that the first group who received these strains' immunisations are currently in their 20s.

Conclusively,&nbsp;these findings point to sharp future declines in HPV malignancies, the majority of which affect women.

“There are other cancers that are HPV-related – whether that’s head and neck cancers or anal cancers – so there’s optimism this will have importance beyond this,” Dahut added.

<h2>Some cancers are on the rise</h2>

The latest research points out that occurrences of breast, uterine, and prostate cancer have been "of concern" and growing in the US, despite the fact that the overall cancer mortality rate has been steadily declining.

Cancer among adults under 50 may be on the rise globally. The research states that since the middle of the 2000s, the incidence rates of breast cancer in women have been rising by roughly 0.5 per cent&nbsp;per year.

Incidence of uterine corpus cancer has increased around one per cent year since the mid-2000s among women 50 and older and roughly two&nbsp;per cent annually since at least the mid-1990s among younger women.

After two decades of reduction, the incidence rate of prostate cancer increased by three per cent&nbsp;year from 2014 to 2019.

<h2>What did the White House say?</h2>

White House Cancer Moonshot Coordinator Dr&nbsp;Danielle Carnival stated in a statement issued on Thursday that the latest study "shows great progress."

President Biden renewed the White House's "Cancer Moonshot" project last year, pledging the country to aim toward cutting the death rate from cancer by at least 50 per cent over the following 25 years.

“The report showing the US&nbsp;has cut cancer deaths by one-third over the last 30 years is great progress, which we’ve achieved through driving smoking rates down, improving early detection, and delivering better treatments for many cancers. It means millions of American families have been spared the immeasurable loss of a loved one,” Carnival said in a&nbsp;statement quoted by CNN.&nbsp;

“The report also underscores that there’s more work to do to save more lives,” she said. “President Biden’s vision for ending cancer as we know it is building on the progress we’ve made with an all-hands-on-deck effort to develop new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer – and ensure that the tools we have and those we develop along the way reach all Americans.”

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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Over the past three decades (circa 1991-2023), the death rate from cancer in the US has declined by a startling 30 per cent. This amounts to about 3.8 million lives saved since 1991, according to research that was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Over the past three decades (circa 1991-2023), the death rate from cancer in the US has declined by a startling 30 per cent. This amounts to about 3.8 million lives saved since 1991, according to research that was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Even better, the studies show that the death rate from cancer decreased from 2019 to 2020 by 1.5 per cent, which contrasts sharply with other major illnesses. Researchers have shown that cancer is not only a major issue affecting worldwide health but also the second-worst killer in the US, after heart disease. COVID-19 takes the third spot. Decline in cancer cases: What exactly happened? Over the course of the three decades (circa 1991-2023), researchers estimated that 2.6 million deaths in men and 1.2 million in women from cancer were averted. Men saw a 2.6 per cent annual decline in lung cancer incidence from 2015 to 2019 compared to women's 1.1 per cent yearly decline. Young women's (20–24-year-olds) risk of developing cervical cancer has dramatically decreased, falling by 11.4 per cent between 2012 and 2019 and by a staggering 65 per cent overall within the same time frame. Also read | Scientists find the chocolaty secret to chocolate's sweetness Additionally, death rates for kidney cancer, melanoma, and leukemia decreased by two per cent year from 2016 to 2020. How did the decline in cancer cases take place? The study found that the death rate has dropped over the previous three decades as a result of a dip in smoking and advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The American Cancer Society's CEO, Karen Knudsen, told CNN that the drop in cancer mortality is "truly formidable." “New revelations for prevention, for early detection, and for treatment have resulted in true, meaningful gains in many of the 200 diseases that we call cancer,” Knudsen added. The first vaccination against the two strains of the human papillomavirus, according to researchers, is to credit for the drop in cervical cancer cases (which cause 70 per cent of such cancers). The vaccination was originally permitted for use in females between the ages of 9 and 26 in 2006 by the US Food and Drug Administration, as per researchers. “This totally follows the time when HPV vaccines were put into use,” Dr William Dahut, the society’s chief scientific officer, told CNN. Also read | Explained: In a first, scientists use artificial DNA to kill cancer cells: Here’s what you need to know The report also stated that the first group who received these strains' immunisations are currently in their 20s. Conclusively, these findings point to sharp future declines in HPV malignancies, the majority of which affect women. “There are other cancers that are HPV-related – whether that’s head and neck cancers or anal cancers – so there’s optimism this will have importance beyond this,” Dahut added. Some cancers are on the rise The latest research points out that occurrences of breast, uterine, and prostate cancer have been "of concern" and growing in the US, despite the fact that the overall cancer mortality rate has been steadily declining. Cancer among adults under 50 may be on the rise globally. The research states that since the middle of the 2000s, the incidence rates of breast cancer in women have been rising by roughly 0.5 per cent per year. Incidence of uterine corpus cancer has increased around one per cent year since the mid-2000s among women 50 and older and roughly two per cent annually since at least the mid-1990s among younger women. After two decades of reduction, the incidence rate of prostate cancer increased by three per cent year from 2014 to 2019. What did the White House say? White House Cancer Moonshot Coordinator Dr Danielle Carnival stated in a statement issued on Thursday that the latest study "shows great progress." President Biden renewed the White House's "Cancer Moonshot" project last year, pledging the country to aim toward cutting the death rate from cancer by at least 50 per cent over the following 25 years. “The report showing the US has cut cancer deaths by one-third over the last 30 years is great progress, which we’ve achieved through driving smoking rates down, improving early detection, and delivering better treatments for many cancers. It means millions of American families have been spared the immeasurable loss of a loved one,” Carnival said in a statement quoted by CNN. “The report also underscores that there’s more work to do to save more lives,” she said. “President Biden’s vision for ending cancer as we know it is building on the progress we’ve made with an all-hands-on-deck effort to develop new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer – and ensure that the tools we have and those we develop along the way reach all Americans.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: How did US cancer rates drop by 33% since 1991?

Chinese mainlanders are flocking to Hong Kong and Macau for Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination&nbsp;as COVID-19 outbreak&nbsp;spreads rapidly throughout the country. This occurs at a time when China&nbsp;has not yet approved mRNA&nbsp;jabs, maufactured&nbsp;by the West, in its mainland.&nbsp;Let's take a deeper look&nbsp;at why the Chinese are rushing to Hong Kong, Macau, and even Thailand&nbsp;to purchase these really potent mRNA vaccines.&nbsp;

<h2>Where are the Chinese going for Covid jabs?</h2>

More and more Chinese are leaving the country as a result of China easing the requirement for quarantine upon arrival on the mainland.

Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand are the most frequently visited places by these tourists, according to Trip.com Group bookings. For individuals seeking long-haul flights, the US, UK, and Australia are the top destinations, according to a report by CNN.

Since their nation has reopened its borders after a three-year hiatus, some people have reasons other than mere vacations to go.

While the mainland has held off on certifying them, Hong Kong and Macau citizens have had unfettered access to the BioNTech/Pfizer mRNA vaccine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-boeing-737-max-takes-first-flight-after-staying-grounded-for-four-years-552321">China: Boeing 737 MAX takes first flight after staying grounded for four years</a>

The first group of mainlanders arrived at Virtus Medical Centre, a private hospital in Hong Kong, on 12 January, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

A customer WHo spoke to Reuters said&nbsp;that she spent HK$ 1,888 ($241) for her first BioNTech COVID-19 booster dosage after receiving three doses of a domestic vaccination in China.

“I was very tempted to get the vaccine because of the border reopening. There is no bivalent vaccine available in mainland China,” Yoyo Liang, a 36-year-old Beijing resident, was quoted as saying by&nbsp;Reuters.

As per a&nbsp;CNBC report, a man from Shaanxi province wrote on Weibo – China’s equivalent of Twitter – a week back, “It’s been long since I went to Hong Kong. I can take a vacation, as well as get vaccinated. Won’t this be killing two birds with one stone? Without saying further, I have made my appointment and am getting ready.”

In an interview with CNBC, Sam Radwan, head of the management consulting firm Enhance International, expressed his opinion that Hong Kong is the "natural first destination of Chinese vaccine tourism."

“It will then spread to Asia and the US, maybe extend to Europe,” he added.

Additionally, travel agencies like&nbsp;Easson Holdings are also providing vaccination trip packages to Hong Kong that include hotel and flight reservations as well as shuttle facilities to vaccine clinics, as reported by the Financial Times.

Also watch |&nbsp;China's imports, exports plunge in warning sign for economy

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinas-imports-exports-plunge-in-warning-sign-for-economy-552424/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In recent months, mainland Chinese have also travelled to Macau for vaccinations.&nbsp;The Financial Times reported in late December, quoting a customer service representative at the Macau hospital, that the phone had been ringing "nonstop" since the COVID-19 infection waves in China began to pick up speed.

Furthermore, Singapore and Thailand are also potential destinations for mainland Chinese people&nbsp;needing Covid jabs.&nbsp;

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister stated last month that he was mulling a proposal to offer free vaccinations to foreigners who want booster doses, as per a CNBC report.

Since Beijing loosened its travel restrictions, Singaporean healthcare practitioners have also noticed an increase in requests from Chinese tourists for COVID-19 vaccinations.

<h2>How are western Covid vaccines better than Chinese home-grown&nbsp;CoronaVac?</h2>

In response to the continuing COVID-19 outbreak, China has increased vaccine coverage, particularly among the elderly. But, these vaccines have proven ineffective, particularly during major Covid outbreaks.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/about-900-million-in-china-infected-with-covid-chinese-university-study-552374">About 900 million in China infected with Covid: Chinese university study</a>

Researchers from Hong Kong University found that CoronaVac did not work against the COVID-19 variation Omicron,&nbsp;even after two doses. On the other hand, the body was able to develop immunity to the variation after receiving two doses of Pfizer's mRNA vaccine, as reported by the&nbsp;Slate Magazine.

In the meanwhile, Business Insider claimed that China has stepped up attempts to create its own mRNA vaccinations despite its staunch refusal to accept mRNA vaccines made in the West.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Chinese mainlanders are flocking to Hong Kong and Macau for Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination as COVID-19 outbreak spreads rapidly throughout the country. This occurs at a time when China has not yet approved mRNA jabs, maufactured by the West, in its mainland.

Chinese mainlanders are flocking to Hong Kong and Macau for Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination as COVID-19 outbreak spreads rapidly throughout the country. This occurs at a time when China has not yet approved mRNA jabs, maufactured by the West, in its mainland. Let's take a deeper look at why the Chinese are rushing to Hong Kong, Macau, and even Thailand to purchase these really potent mRNA vaccines. Where are the Chinese going for Covid jabs? More and more Chinese are leaving the country as a result of China easing the requirement for quarantine upon arrival on the mainland. Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand are the most frequently visited places by these tourists, according to Trip.com Group bookings. For individuals seeking long-haul flights, the US, UK, and Australia are the top destinations, according to a report by CNN. Since their nation has reopened its borders after a three-year hiatus, some people have reasons other than mere vacations to go. While the mainland has held off on certifying them, Hong Kong and Macau citizens have had unfettered access to the BioNTech/Pfizer mRNA vaccine. Also read | China: Boeing 737 MAX takes first flight after staying grounded for four years The first group of mainlanders arrived at Virtus Medical Centre, a private hospital in Hong Kong, on 12 January, according to Reuters. A customer WHo spoke to Reuters said that she spent HK$ 1,888 ($241) for her first BioNTech COVID-19 booster dosage after receiving three doses of a domestic vaccination in China. “I was very tempted to get the vaccine because of the border reopening. There is no bivalent vaccine available in mainland China,” Yoyo Liang, a 36-year-old Beijing resident, was quoted as saying by Reuters. As per a CNBC report, a man from Shaanxi province wrote on Weibo – China’s equivalent of Twitter – a week back, “It’s been long since I went to Hong Kong. I can take a vacation, as well as get vaccinated. Won’t this be killing two birds with one stone? Without saying further, I have made my appointment and am getting ready.” In an interview with CNBC, Sam Radwan, head of the management consulting firm Enhance International, expressed his opinion that Hong Kong is the "natural first destination of Chinese vaccine tourism." “It will then spread to Asia and the US, maybe extend to Europe,” he added. Additionally, travel agencies like Easson Holdings are also providing vaccination trip packages to Hong Kong that include hotel and flight reservations as well as shuttle facilities to vaccine clinics, as reported by the Financial Times. Also watch | China's imports, exports plunge in warning sign for economy In recent months, mainland Chinese have also travelled to Macau for vaccinations. The Financial Times reported in late December, quoting a customer service representative at the Macau hospital, that the phone had been ringing "nonstop" since the COVID-19 infection waves in China began to pick up speed. Furthermore, Singapore and Thailand are also potential destinations for mainland Chinese people needing Covid jabs. Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister stated last month that he was mulling a proposal to offer free vaccinations to foreigners who want booster doses, as per a CNBC report. Since Beijing loosened its travel restrictions, Singaporean healthcare practitioners have also noticed an increase in requests from Chinese tourists for COVID-19 vaccinations. How are western Covid vaccines better than Chinese home-grown CoronaVac? In response to the continuing COVID-19 outbreak, China has increased vaccine coverage, particularly among the elderly. But, these vaccines have proven ineffective, particularly during major Covid outbreaks. Also read | About 900 million in China infected with Covid: Chinese university study Researchers from Hong Kong University found that CoronaVac did not work against the COVID-19 variation Omicron, even after two doses. On the other hand, the body was able to develop immunity to the variation after receiving two doses of Pfizer's mRNA vaccine, as reported by the Slate Magazine. In the meanwhile, Business Insider claimed that China has stepped up attempts to create its own mRNA vaccinations despite its staunch refusal to accept mRNA vaccines made in the West. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Explained: Why are the Chinese turning to Hong Kong and Macau for Covid jabs?

Zhu Xiaotong, also known as Tom Zhu, smiled in a&nbsp;vest and a black hat with a white "T" for Tesla in a Twitter post celebrating Tesla manufacturing 3,000 Model Ys a week at its Texas factory last month. Zhu, who oversaw the US automaker's operations in Asia-Pacific and managed its Shanghai factory to become the company's most productive in the world, was sent to Austin late last year to assist with running Tesla's newest plant, as reported by the South China Morning Post.&nbsp;

It is claimed that Zhu is now in charge of worldwide automotive production, sales, and service—a degree of authority that is perhaps second only to that of Tesla CEO Elon Musk—despite the fact that Tesla has not yet made any announcements or designated him as an executive officer.

<h2>Early life and education</h2>

Zhu was born in China and is said to also have a New Zealand passport. Prior to that, he contributed to the establishment of an international engineering consultancy that offered support to Chinese contractors wanting to expand overseas. He graduated from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business&nbsp;after obtaining a bachelor of commerce in information technology from New Zealand's AUT, as reported by the&nbsp;South China Morning Post.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/elon-musk-breaks-world-record-for-largest-ever-loss-of-personal-fortune-551123">Elon Musk breaks world record for largest-ever loss of personal fortune</a>

<h2>Tom Zhu's Tesla run</h2>

Zhu joined Tesla in early 2014 to help expand its Supercharger network. By the end of his first year at Tesla, Zhu had swiftly risen through the ranks and was in charge of the China operations. Under his leadership, Tesla's Shanghai factory—the company's first site outside the US—materialized quickly, transforming from a muddy field to a dazzling assembly line for electric vehicles in less than a year. Zhu was elevated to the positions of president of Greater China and worldwide vice president before mass production even began at the end of 2019.

He was promoted in July of last year when the automaker expanded into Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He now has overall responsibility for Tesla Asia-Pacific. Musk also commended Zhu's China team for "burning the 3 am oil" when they toiled nonstop to keep the Shanghai factory running throughout the city's Covid lockdowns. The company underwent improvements to increase manufacturing capacity to 1 million electric vehicles annually during what was an incredibly challenging final year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/us-feds-probe-tesla-autopilot-crashes-musk-tweet-about-disabling-monitoring-alerts-551176">US Feds probe Tesla Autopilot crashes, Musk tweet about disabling monitoring alerts</a>

<h2>What do Tom Zhu's co-workers say about him?</h2>

Zhu is seen as practical and responsive by a number of current and former Tesla China employees, who point out that he frequently responds to emails and texts quickly and at all hours of the day. Zhu referred to himself as "tenacious" in an interview with Duke's Fuqua School.

Also watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint | Disney asks employees to come back to the office

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In April of that year, Musk stated that development at the Shanghai factory during an earnings call&nbsp;was a “testament to the outstanding execution of our team on the ground there. I get daily emails with a dozen pictures from one day to the next from Tom Zhu, who leads the Gigafactory programme”.

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Zhu Xiaotong, also known as Tom Zhu, smiled in a vest and a black hat with a white "T" for Tesla in a Twitter post celebrating Tesla manufacturing 3,000 Model Ys a week at its Texas factory last month.

Zhu Xiaotong, also known as Tom Zhu, smiled in a vest and a black hat with a white "T" for Tesla in a Twitter post celebrating Tesla manufacturing 3,000 Model Ys a week at its Texas factory last month. Zhu, who oversaw the US automaker's operations in Asia-Pacific and managed its Shanghai factory to become the company's most productive in the world, was sent to Austin late last year to assist with running Tesla's newest plant, as reported by the South China Morning Post. It is claimed that Zhu is now in charge of worldwide automotive production, sales, and service—a degree of authority that is perhaps second only to that of Tesla CEO Elon Musk—despite the fact that Tesla has not yet made any announcements or designated him as an executive officer. Early life and education Zhu was born in China and is said to also have a New Zealand passport. Prior to that, he contributed to the establishment of an international engineering consultancy that offered support to Chinese contractors wanting to expand overseas. He graduated from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business after obtaining a bachelor of commerce in information technology from New Zealand's AUT, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Also read | Elon Musk breaks world record for largest-ever loss of personal fortune Tom Zhu's Tesla run Zhu joined Tesla in early 2014 to help expand its Supercharger network. By the end of his first year at Tesla, Zhu had swiftly risen through the ranks and was in charge of the China operations. Under his leadership, Tesla's Shanghai factory—the company's first site outside the US—materialized quickly, transforming from a muddy field to a dazzling assembly line for electric vehicles in less than a year. Zhu was elevated to the positions of president of Greater China and worldwide vice president before mass production even began at the end of 2019. He was promoted in July of last year when the automaker expanded into Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He now has overall responsibility for Tesla Asia-Pacific. Musk also commended Zhu's China team for "burning the 3 am oil" when they toiled nonstop to keep the Shanghai factory running throughout the city's Covid lockdowns. The company underwent improvements to increase manufacturing capacity to 1 million electric vehicles annually during what was an incredibly challenging final year. Also read | US Feds probe Tesla Autopilot crashes, Musk tweet about disabling monitoring alerts What do Tom Zhu's co-workers say about him? Zhu is seen as practical and responsive by a number of current and former Tesla China employees, who point out that he frequently responds to emails and texts quickly and at all hours of the day. Zhu referred to himself as "tenacious" in an interview with Duke's Fuqua School. Also watch | WION Fineprint | Disney asks employees to come back to the office In April of that year, Musk stated that development at the Shanghai factory during an earnings call was a “testament to the outstanding execution of our team on the ground there. I get daily emails with a dozen pictures from one day to the next from Tom Zhu, who leads the Gigafactory programme”. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: Who is Tom Zhu, Elon Musk's right-hand man at Tesla?

The Indian senior men's cricket team had an ordinary run in 2022. The year saw them dominate the T20I format enroute to the World Cup but they were whitewashed in three ODIs in South Africa, lost a golden opportunity to win a Test series in SA and England (losing the one-off Test in Edgbaston), didn't qualify for Asia Cup 2022 final and bowed out of the T20 WC in the semi-finals. Further, they even lost to Bangladesh (2-1) in three ODIs in the Bangla Tigers' den. Hence, a review meeting was held by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which was attended by President Roger Binny, Secretary Jay Shah, head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma.&nbsp;

One of the most-talked about aspects in Indian cricket, in 2022, was the regular injury concerns. After conceding the ODI series with loss in the second game, Rohit had stated in the post-match presentation, "I mean there are definitely a few injury concerns. We need to try and get to the bottom of it. I don't know what exactly it is. Maybe they're playing too much cricket. We need to try and monitor those guys, because it's important to understand when they come for India, they need to be 100%, in fact more than 100%." Thus, the Yo-Yo Test -- introduced during Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri era -- has returned whereas BCCI has also added a new selection criteria by introducing the Dexa test for Indian players.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nca-to-work-with-ipl-franchises-in-workload-management-drill-for-20-targeted-players-for-2023-world-cup-548508">NCA to work with IPL franchises in workload management drill for 20 targeted players for 2023 World Cup</a>

What is Dexa test? All you need to know

It is to be noted that Dexa, also called the 'bone density test', is an X-ray technology (dual-energy x-ray) used to measure bone strength. It, in turn, will help find out if the player taking the test is at risk of breaking or losing bones. In addition, it will help&nbsp;in measuring body composition as well as noting body fat and muscle mass.

Meanwhile, the National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman was also part of the meeting, who also served as the stand-in coach for Team India at regular intervals last year. The NCA will now also closely work with all IPL franchises in workload management for 20 targeted players for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Moreover, players have been asked to not miss international fixtures going forward as India commence preparations for the home ODI WC, later this year, in a bid to end their nine-year-long ICC-title-drought.

The Indian senior men's cricket team had an ordinary run in 2022. The year saw them dominate the T20I format enroute to the World Cup but they were whitewashed in three ODIs in South Africa, lost a golden opportunity to win a Test series in SA and England (losing the one-off Test in Edgbaston), didn't qualify for Asia Cup 2022 final and bowed out of the T20 WC in the semi-finals.

The Indian senior men's cricket team had an ordinary run in 2022. The year saw them dominate the T20I format enroute to the World Cup but they were whitewashed in three ODIs in South Africa, lost a golden opportunity to win a Test series in SA and England (losing the one-off Test in Edgbaston), didn't qualify for Asia Cup 2022 final and bowed out of the T20 WC in the semi-finals. Further, they even lost to Bangladesh (2-1) in three ODIs in the Bangla Tigers' den. Hence, a review meeting was held by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which was attended by President Roger Binny, Secretary Jay Shah, head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma. One of the most-talked about aspects in Indian cricket, in 2022, was the regular injury concerns. After conceding the ODI series with loss in the second game, Rohit had stated in the post-match presentation, "I mean there are definitely a few injury concerns. We need to try and get to the bottom of it. I don't know what exactly it is. Maybe they're playing too much cricket. We need to try and monitor those guys, because it's important to understand when they come for India, they need to be 100%, in fact more than 100%." Thus, the Yo-Yo Test -- introduced during Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri era -- has returned whereas BCCI has also added a new selection criteria by introducing the Dexa test for Indian players. Also read: NCA to work with IPL franchises in workload management drill for 20 targeted players for 2023 World Cup What is Dexa test? All you need to know It is to be noted that Dexa, also called the 'bone density test', is an X-ray technology (dual-energy x-ray) used to measure bone strength. It, in turn, will help find out if the player taking the test is at risk of breaking or losing bones. In addition, it will help in measuring body composition as well as noting body fat and muscle mass. Meanwhile, the National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman was also part of the meeting, who also served as the stand-in coach for Team India at regular intervals last year. The NCA will now also closely work with all IPL franchises in workload management for 20 targeted players for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Moreover, players have been asked to not miss international fixtures going forward as India commence preparations for the home ODI WC, later this year, in a bid to end their nine-year-long ICC-title-drought.

Explained: Everything to know about Dexa test, BCCI's new MANDATORY selection criteria for Team India players

The year 2022 has seen quite a few marquee tournaments taking place, such as the T20 World Cup and FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The new year is set to start in a few days and it will begin with a bang for all sports lovers. The forthcoming Hockey WC will take place from January 13-29 in the cities of Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela in Odisha as all the top teams will fight it out for the coveted title. Belgium is the defending champions, having beaten the Netherlands in the 2018 finale by 3-2 in the penalty shootout (after the match ended in a 0-0 stalemate).

Ahead of the showpiece event's commencement, here are the four groups comprising four sides each. The groups are as follows.

Pool A:- Australia, South Africa, France, Argentina 
Pool B:- Belgium, Japan, Korea, Germany 
Pool C:- Netherlands, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand 
Pool D:- India, Wales, Spain, England

Thus, Harmanpreet Singh-led India is in a tricky group D, also comprising England, Spain and Wales. It is to be noted that the top four teams from each group will progress to the next stage and&nbsp;occupy the first four places in the quarter-final. However, the next four sides&nbsp;who will feature in the last eight will be determined by crossover matches between the second and third-placed teams from every group.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-is-looking-very-seriously-at-bidding-for-2036-olympics-reveals-sports-minister-anurag-thakur-547430">India is looking very seriously at bidding for 2036 Olympics, reveals Sports Minister Anurag Thakur</a>

A win in the pool stage will give every side two points whereas they will settle for a point in case of a draw. If two sides find themselves tied on multiple counts, then the scenario is very interesting. In this case, a tie-breaker rule will come into play to reveal the team ranking on the group stage.

For instance, if two teams are tied on equal points, then the team with more victories in the group stage will achieve the higher rank. In case if that doesn't help, then&nbsp;the goal difference -- i.e. the difference between the number of goals scored and the number of goals conceded -- will be taken into consideration. If that also doesn't lead to a result,&nbsp;then the team with the most number of goals scored will gain a higher rank. If that too doesn't separate the two sides tied, then the head-to-head result between them will achieve the higher rank.

In the last edition, in 2018, India ended their run in the quarter-finals. After Tokyo 2020 success, where they finished with a bronze medal, the Men in Blue will be confident to go the distance and end with the coveted title.

The year 2022 has seen quite a few marquee tournaments taking place, such as the T20 World Cup and FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The new year is set to start in a few days and it will begin with a bang for all sports lovers.

The year 2022 has seen quite a few marquee tournaments taking place, such as the T20 World Cup and FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The new year is set to start in a few days and it will begin with a bang for all sports lovers. The forthcoming Hockey WC will take place from January 13-29 in the cities of Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela in Odisha as all the top teams will fight it out for the coveted title. Belgium is the defending champions, having beaten the Netherlands in the 2018 finale by 3-2 in the penalty shootout (after the match ended in a 0-0 stalemate). Ahead of the showpiece event's commencement, here are the four groups comprising four sides each. The groups are as follows. Pool A:- Australia, South Africa, France, Argentina Pool B:- Belgium, Japan, Korea, Germany Pool C:- Netherlands, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand Pool D:- India, Wales, Spain, England Thus, Harmanpreet Singh-led India is in a tricky group D, also comprising England, Spain and Wales. It is to be noted that the top four teams from each group will progress to the next stage and occupy the first four places in the quarter-final. However, the next four sides who will feature in the last eight will be determined by crossover matches between the second and third-placed teams from every group. Also read: India is looking very seriously at bidding for 2036 Olympics, reveals Sports Minister Anurag Thakur A win in the pool stage will give every side two points whereas they will settle for a point in case of a draw. If two sides find themselves tied on multiple counts, then the scenario is very interesting. In this case, a tie-breaker rule will come into play to reveal the team ranking on the group stage. For instance, if two teams are tied on equal points, then the team with more victories in the group stage will achieve the higher rank. In case if that doesn't help, then the goal difference -- i.e. the difference between the number of goals scored and the number of goals conceded -- will be taken into consideration. If that also doesn't lead to a result, then the team with the most number of goals scored will gain a higher rank. If that too doesn't separate the two sides tied, then the head-to-head result between them will achieve the higher rank. In the last edition, in 2018, India ended their run in the quarter-finals. After Tokyo 2020 success, where they finished with a bronze medal, the Men in Blue will be confident to go the distance and end with the coveted title.

Hockey WC: EXPLAINED! What is the tie-breaker rule that will come into play in group stage

The United States Supreme Court, on Tuesday, upheld the controversial Trump-era immigration policy called Title 42. This comes after the apex court halted its expiration which was due on December 21 in a 5-4 ruling.&nbsp;

The policy was implemented during former US President Donald Trump’s time in office, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to limit the movement and spread of disease across the US-Mexico border.&nbsp;

What happened in the recent ruling?

As mentioned earlier, the SCOTUS upheld the policy Title 42, as it is called, by Chief Justice John Roberts. This comes after the incumbent US President Joe Biden’s administration had appealed to end the pandemic-era restriction. The case will be argued in February 2023, meanwhile, the restriction will remain in place at least until a decision is made potentially&nbsp;by the end of June.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/title-42-us-supreme-court-keeps-controversial-trump-era-border-restriction-policy-in-place-547198">Title 42: US Supreme Court keeps controversial Trump-era border restriction policy in place</a>

The ruling also followed a stay order on Title 42 which was imposed last week and also comes amid the recent surge of migrants at the border&nbsp;with thousands of people entering the US. Furthermore, the apex court’s decision also said that they will hear oral arguments on the issue of whether states have the right to intervene in the upcoming legal battle for Title 42.&nbsp;

Arguing against the Covid-era restriction, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Ketanji Brown Jackson, wrote that even if states have the right to intervene and the restriction in question is lawfully adopted, the emergency based on which “those orders were premised has long since lapsed.”&nbsp;

They added, “the current border crisis is not a Covid crisis,” and that the “courts should not be in the business of perpetuating administrative edicts designed for one emergency only because elected officials have failed to address a different emergency. We are a court of law, not policymakers of last resort.”

Additionally, Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor also voted to deny the stay but&nbsp;did not sign a dissent, unlike the aforementioned justices. Meanwhile, White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said on Tuesday, that the Biden administration will comply with the order and prepare for the February review.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-supreme-court-rules-to-keep-title-42-in-place-547308">U.S. Supreme Court rules to keep Title 42 in place</a>

She added, “At the same time, we are advancing our preparations to manage the border in a secure, orderly, and humane way when Title 42 eventually lifts and will continue expanding legal pathways for immigration.” The press secretary also noted that Title 42 was a health measure and not an immigration enforcement measure, therefore, it should not be extended indefinitely.&nbsp;

What is Title 42?

Title 42 dates back to 1944 and is a public health law which grants emergency powers to US health officials to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and keep it outside the country. In this case, it included the Border Patrol turning away thousands of migrants&nbsp;at the southern US borders from entering, on the grounds that they could bring COVID-19 into the country.&nbsp;

In March 2020, the Trump administration implemented the law which had only been invoked one other time in American history, in 1929, during a meningitis outbreak when ships from China and the Philippines were barred from entering US ports.&nbsp;

The Trump administration's&nbsp;decision at the time was justified by saying that the order is designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through immigration detention facilities, where all migrants are typically briefly held before&nbsp;either being released or deported.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/migrants-at-us-mexico-border-brave-bitter-cold-title-42-restrictions-to-stay-or-go-546435">Migrants at US-Mexico border brave bitter cold; Title 42 restrictions to stay or go?</a>

Notably, the former US president and his administration who have been in favour of tightening restrictions along the border also claimed that for the first time they could use a public-health emergency order to turn away migrants.

“Every week, our border agents encounter thousands of unscreened, unvetted and unauthorised entries from dozens of countries. But now it’s with the national emergencies and all of the other things that we’ve declared, we can actually do something about it,” the now-former President had said at the time, reported the Wall Street Journal.&nbsp;

This also included those who are seeking asylum which under the country’s immigration law should typically invoke a process under which the migrant must be allowed to stay in the country long enough to plead their case. So far, the policy has been used 2.5 million times to expel migrants at&nbsp;the border, although this&nbsp;also accounts for people who repeatedly tried to enter the country.&nbsp;

Furthermore, while the Biden administration continued the policy many from his Democratic party had pushed the president to end these measures, while others, particularly in the border states said that the restriction should remain in place and that the US is not prepared to deal with the sudden influx of asylum-seekers.&nbsp; 
 
What has happened in the courts, so far?

Last year, a group representing immigrants were denied the right to seek asylum and they in turn filed a lawsuit to end the use of Title 42. Thus began the long court battle which could decide the fate of thousands at the country’s southern borders.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-stays-title-42-which-blocks-mexican-migrants-from-entering-the-country-544656">US Supreme Court stays 'Title 42' which blocks Mexican migrants from entering the country</a>

In April, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that they would lift Title 42 as vaccines and treatments were mitigating the pandemic situation in the country. However, the next month, a federal judge in Louisiana ruled in the favour of 19 Republican-led states which sought the continuation of the restriction till 2025 and kept the order in place. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Biden administration also attempted to end the policy, earlier this year, in May, by arguing that the policy is no longer justified on the grounds that it was implemented. However, before they could do so, a Louisiana federal judge blocked them and said they had not used the correct administrative procedure which required public notice and time to gather public comment to end the policy in place.&nbsp;

However, in November, Washington Judge Emmet Sullivan’s ruling rendered the decision moot, saying that the policy’s implementation must end on December 21. Meanwhile, a group of Republican-led states intervened and argued that the cancellation of Title 42 would cause “an enormous disaster” at the border and will cost the state law enforcement, education, and health care.&nbsp;

Therefore, the case reached the SCOTUS who last week put a stay on the order and temporarily continued the implementation of the restriction to thoroughly study each side’s argument. The decision, on Tuesday, extended this temporary stay indefinitely with the next hearing in February.&nbsp;

Which migrants are getting affected by Title 42?

Notably, not all asylum seekers are getting affected by the policy as the Biden administration does not enforce Title 42 with children travelling alone but only single adults and families. Furthermore, the enforcement also differs by nationality, affecting migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-judge-blocks-joe-bidens-plan-to-end-title-42-481121">US judge blocks Joe Biden's plan to end 'Title 42'</a>

Additionally, Mexico allows them to be returned from the US and last month also began accepting Venezuelans expelled from the American border due to Title 42 which led to a massive drop in the number of people from Venezuela applying for asylum. Meanwhile, countries like Cuba make it difficult for the US to get their country’s migrants back, causing their numbers to increase at the border.&nbsp; 
 
What would happen if Title 42 was no longer in effect?

If the restriction was to be lifted, border experts believe that there might be an influx of migrants and those who had been refused entry due to Title 42,&nbsp;will make another attempt to enter&nbsp;the US. However, the asylum-seekers will be interviewed by the border authorities and determine who has a credible threat of being persecuted in their home countries, but the process could take years till then they can stay in the country until a final decision is made.&nbsp;

What does the Biden administration plan to do about the sudden influx of migrants at the US borders?

Earlier this year, the border city of El Paso, Texas announced a seven-day emergency, which the city’s Mayor Oscar Leeser, a Democrat, said would help local authorities to deal with the influx of migrants sleeping on the streets. He also warned that the city is at capacity with more than 2,500 migrants arriving from Mexico each day.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/political-stunt-85-migrants-dropped-outside-vp-kamala-harris-house-amid-18-degree-temprature-546644">Political 'stunt': 85 migrants dropped outside VP Kamala Harris' house amid -18 degree temperature</a>

On Tuesday, in the aforementioned press briefing the White House press secretary said that the government is working to manage the border in a secure, orderly and humane manner when Title 42 is lifted.&nbsp;

“Today’s orders give Republicans in Congress plenty of time to move past and join their Democratic colleagues in solving the challenge at our border by passing comprehensive reform measures and delivering the additional funds for border security that President Biden has requested,” Jean-Pierre added.&nbsp;

This is in reference to the increase in funding the Biden administration has asked for the Department of Homeland Security which outlined a plan, in a statement, earlier this month, should Title 42 be lifted to tackle the issue in a safe and humane method. According to the government, it will help the department during the transition phase.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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The United States Supreme Court, on Tuesday, upheld the controversial Trump-era immigration policy called Title 42. This comes after the apex court halted its expiration which was due on December 21 in a 5-4 ruling.

The United States Supreme Court, on Tuesday, upheld the controversial Trump-era immigration policy called Title 42. This comes after the apex court halted its expiration which was due on December 21 in a 5-4 ruling. The policy was implemented during former US President Donald Trump’s time in office, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to limit the movement and spread of disease across the US-Mexico border. What happened in the recent ruling? As mentioned earlier, the SCOTUS upheld the policy Title 42, as it is called, by Chief Justice John Roberts. This comes after the incumbent US President Joe Biden’s administration had appealed to end the pandemic-era restriction. The case will be argued in February 2023, meanwhile, the restriction will remain in place at least until a decision is made potentially by the end of June. ALSO READ | Title 42: US Supreme Court keeps controversial Trump-era border restriction policy in place The ruling also followed a stay order on Title 42 which was imposed last week and also comes amid the recent surge of migrants at the border with thousands of people entering the US. Furthermore, the apex court’s decision also said that they will hear oral arguments on the issue of whether states have the right to intervene in the upcoming legal battle for Title 42. Arguing against the Covid-era restriction, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Ketanji Brown Jackson, wrote that even if states have the right to intervene and the restriction in question is lawfully adopted, the emergency based on which “those orders were premised has long since lapsed.” They added, “the current border crisis is not a Covid crisis,” and that the “courts should not be in the business of perpetuating administrative edicts designed for one emergency only because elected officials have failed to address a different emergency. We are a court of law, not policymakers of last resort.” Additionally, Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor also voted to deny the stay but did not sign a dissent, unlike the aforementioned justices. Meanwhile, White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said on Tuesday, that the Biden administration will comply with the order and prepare for the February review. ALSO WATCH | U.S. Supreme Court rules to keep Title 42 in place She added, “At the same time, we are advancing our preparations to manage the border in a secure, orderly, and humane way when Title 42 eventually lifts and will continue expanding legal pathways for immigration.” The press secretary also noted that Title 42 was a health measure and not an immigration enforcement measure, therefore, it should not be extended indefinitely. What is Title 42? Title 42 dates back to 1944 and is a public health law which grants emergency powers to US health officials to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and keep it outside the country. In this case, it included the Border Patrol turning away thousands of migrants at the southern US borders from entering, on the grounds that they could bring COVID-19 into the country. In March 2020, the Trump administration implemented the law which had only been invoked one other time in American history, in 1929, during a meningitis outbreak when ships from China and the Philippines were barred from entering US ports. The Trump administration's decision at the time was justified by saying that the order is designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through immigration detention facilities, where all migrants are typically briefly held before either being released or deported. ALSO WATCH | Migrants at US-Mexico border brave bitter cold; Title 42 restrictions to stay or go? Notably, the former US president and his administration who have been in favour of tightening restrictions along the border also claimed that for the first time they could use a public-health emergency order to turn away migrants. “Every week, our border agents encounter thousands of unscreened, unvetted and unauthorised entries from dozens of countries. But now it’s with the national emergencies and all of the other things that we’ve declared, we can actually do something about it,” the now-former President had said at the time, reported the Wall Street Journal. This also included those who are seeking asylum which under the country’s immigration law should typically invoke a process under which the migrant must be allowed to stay in the country long enough to plead their case. So far, the policy has been used 2.5 million times to expel migrants at the border, although this also accounts for people who repeatedly tried to enter the country. Furthermore, while the Biden administration continued the policy many from his Democratic party had pushed the president to end these measures, while others, particularly in the border states said that the restriction should remain in place and that the US is not prepared to deal with the sudden influx of asylum-seekers. What has happened in the courts, so far? Last year, a group representing immigrants were denied the right to seek asylum and they in turn filed a lawsuit to end the use of Title 42. Thus began the long court battle which could decide the fate of thousands at the country’s southern borders. ALSO READ | US Supreme Court stays 'Title 42' which blocks Mexican migrants from entering the country In April, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that they would lift Title 42 as vaccines and treatments were mitigating the pandemic situation in the country. However, the next month, a federal judge in Louisiana ruled in the favour of 19 Republican-led states which sought the continuation of the restriction till 2025 and kept the order in place. Meanwhile, the Biden administration also attempted to end the policy, earlier this year, in May, by arguing that the policy is no longer justified on the grounds that it was implemented. However, before they could do so, a Louisiana federal judge blocked them and said they had not used the correct administrative procedure which required public notice and time to gather public comment to end the policy in place. However, in November, Washington Judge Emmet Sullivan’s ruling rendered the decision moot, saying that the policy’s implementation must end on December 21. Meanwhile, a group of Republican-led states intervened and argued that the cancellation of Title 42 would cause “an enormous disaster” at the border and will cost the state law enforcement, education, and health care. Therefore, the case reached the SCOTUS who last week put a stay on the order and temporarily continued the implementation of the restriction to thoroughly study each side’s argument. The decision, on Tuesday, extended this temporary stay indefinitely with the next hearing in February. Which migrants are getting affected by Title 42? Notably, not all asylum seekers are getting affected by the policy as the Biden administration does not enforce Title 42 with children travelling alone but only single adults and families. Furthermore, the enforcement also differs by nationality, affecting migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador. ALSO WATCH | US judge blocks Joe Biden's plan to end 'Title 42' Additionally, Mexico allows them to be returned from the US and last month also began accepting Venezuelans expelled from the American border due to Title 42 which led to a massive drop in the number of people from Venezuela applying for asylum. Meanwhile, countries like Cuba make it difficult for the US to get their country’s migrants back, causing their numbers to increase at the border. What would happen if Title 42 was no longer in effect? If the restriction was to be lifted, border experts believe that there might be an influx of migrants and those who had been refused entry due to Title 42, will make another attempt to enter the US. However, the asylum-seekers will be interviewed by the border authorities and determine who has a credible threat of being persecuted in their home countries, but the process could take years till then they can stay in the country until a final decision is made. What does the Biden administration plan to do about the sudden influx of migrants at the US borders? Earlier this year, the border city of El Paso, Texas announced a seven-day emergency, which the city’s Mayor Oscar Leeser, a Democrat, said would help local authorities to deal with the influx of migrants sleeping on the streets. He also warned that the city is at capacity with more than 2,500 migrants arriving from Mexico each day. ALSO WATCH | Political 'stunt': 85 migrants dropped outside VP Kamala Harris' house amid -18 degree temperature On Tuesday, in the aforementioned press briefing the White House press secretary said that the government is working to manage the border in a secure, orderly and humane manner when Title 42 is lifted. “Today’s orders give Republicans in Congress plenty of time to move past and join their Democratic colleagues in solving the challenge at our border by passing comprehensive reform measures and delivering the additional funds for border security that President Biden has requested,” Jean-Pierre added. This is in reference to the increase in funding the Biden administration has asked for the Department of Homeland Security which outlined a plan, in a statement, earlier this month, should Title 42 be lifted to tackle the issue in a safe and humane method. According to the government, it will help the department during the transition phase. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: US Supreme Court upholds Trump-era border policy 'Title 42'. What does it mean?

The BCCI selecton committee, led by outgoing chief Chetan Sharma, selected India's white-ball squads for their upcoming home assignments versus Sri Lanka, starting on January 03. While Hardik Pandya was named the T20I captain, Rohit Sharma will continue to lead in ODIs and make his return straightaway during the 50-over series -- after a thumb injury he suffered during the Bangladesh tour. Meanwhile, the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rishabh Pant didn't find a mention in both the squads whereas veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan was dropped from the ODI setup after his stocks having fallen considerably in recent times.&nbsp;

There has been no update shared by the selectors regarding the absence of Bhuvi and Pant. While a lot has been said and written about Pant's T20I career, which has still not taken off, he was expected to be a part of the ODI squad versus the Lankans. However, no reason was provided regarding his absence.&nbsp;According to several reports, it has been revealed that the swashbuckling keeper-batter has been left out to be able to recover from the niggle that he has been carrying in his knee for quite sometime.

According to reports in The Times of India, Rev Sportz, and Sports Tak, Pant has had&nbsp;a niggle on his knee for quite sometime and has, thus, been rested from the SL series. It is believed that&nbsp;the youngster has been asked to report at&nbsp;the National Cricket Academy (NCA), in Bengaluru, from January 3 for 15 days to work on his knee and regain full fitness before the upcoming New Zealand and Australia series on home soil.&nbsp;

In Pant's absence, Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul are India's wicketkeepers in the ODI setup whereas Ishan and Sanju Samson are the two glovesman present in the T20I line-up.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rohit-hardik-will-be-captain-and-vice-captain-leading-into-odi-wc-says-team-india-veteran-dinesh-karthik-547384">Rohit, Hardik will be captain and vice-captain leading into ODI WC, says Team India veteran Dinesh Karthik</a>

India’s squad for Sri Lanka T20Is:&nbsp;Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.

India’s squad for Sri Lanka ODIs:&nbsp;Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.

The BCCI selecton committee, led by outgoing chief Chetan Sharma, selected India's white-ball squads for their upcoming home assignments versus Sri Lanka, starting on January 03.

The BCCI selecton committee, led by outgoing chief Chetan Sharma, selected India's white-ball squads for their upcoming home assignments versus Sri Lanka, starting on January 03. While Hardik Pandya was named the T20I captain, Rohit Sharma will continue to lead in ODIs and make his return straightaway during the 50-over series -- after a thumb injury he suffered during the Bangladesh tour. Meanwhile, the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rishabh Pant didn't find a mention in both the squads whereas veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan was dropped from the ODI setup after his stocks having fallen considerably in recent times. There has been no update shared by the selectors regarding the absence of Bhuvi and Pant. While a lot has been said and written about Pant's T20I career, which has still not taken off, he was expected to be a part of the ODI squad versus the Lankans. However, no reason was provided regarding his absence. According to several reports, it has been revealed that the swashbuckling keeper-batter has been left out to be able to recover from the niggle that he has been carrying in his knee for quite sometime. According to reports in The Times of India, Rev Sportz, and Sports Tak, Pant has had a niggle on his knee for quite sometime and has, thus, been rested from the SL series. It is believed that the youngster has been asked to report at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), in Bengaluru, from January 3 for 15 days to work on his knee and regain full fitness before the upcoming New Zealand and Australia series on home soil. In Pant's absence, Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul are India's wicketkeepers in the ODI setup whereas Ishan and Sanju Samson are the two glovesman present in the T20I line-up. Also read: Rohit, Hardik will be captain and vice-captain leading into ODI WC, says Team India veteran Dinesh Karthik India’s squad for Sri Lanka T20Is: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar. India’s squad for Sri Lanka ODIs: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.

EXPLAINED: Why Rishabh Pant isn't part of India's home white-ball series vs Sri Lanka

India’s financial capital&nbsp;Mumbai is in the midst of a measles outbreak since October. On Saturday, city officials reported two new cases, taking the total infection tally to 514. Meanwhile, the infection tally in Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital, was 1,162, as of Friday while the death toll was 20, said a report by PTI.&nbsp; 
 
What is Measles?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is an acute viral respiratory illness which is preceded by a high fever, malaise and the three “Cs” which are cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. It takes at least 14 days for the rash to develop after a person is exposed to the virus and a person is considered to be contagious from four days before and four days after the rash appears.&nbsp; 
 
Furthermore, infants and children aged less than five years are at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles. It is also one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases and transmits by direct contact when a person breathes, coughs, or sneezes after which the virus stays in the air for up to two hours even after the infected person has left the area.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/40-mn-children-missed-measles-vaccine-in-2021-disease-is-now-an-imminent-global-threat-warns-cdc-and-who-536929">40mn children missed measles vaccine in 2021; disease is now an imminent global threat, warn CDC and WHO</a>

Therefore, isolation of infected children is necessary. Since there is no specific treatment for measles typically over-the-counter medicines and Vitamin A are administered to alleviate symptoms. Furthermore, it is advisable to get plenty of rest, as the body needs time to recover, which typically happens within 10 to 15 days.

However, the condition of an infected child turns severe due to poor nourishment, Vitamin A deficiency and if the child is immunocompromised. While death due to the infection is caused by complications which also stem from the disease and include, blindness, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and so on.&nbsp; 
 
What are some of the reasons for this sudden uptick in cases?

The recent uptick in the number of cases&nbsp;has predominantly been attributed to a reduction in vaccination rates while other reasons could also include living conditions and maintenance of vaccination records. There is a particular emphasis on vaccination since the disease is almost entirely preventable through it.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-11-new-cases-one-suspected-death-as-measles-outbreak-in-mumbai-538910">India: 11 new cases, one suspected death as measles outbreak in Mumbai</a>

At least a 95 per cent vaccine coverage rate is required to create herd immunity against the disease which would consequently halt community spread. However, once the vaccination rates fall in a particular area the increased number of unvaccinated children can spread the disease triggering an outbreak. Furthermore, children who do not receive measles immunisation are at the highest risk of getting infected as well as being exposed to complications including death.&nbsp;

Drop in vaccination rates

As of November 24, earlier this year, the city had reported 252 confirmed cases which was a huge jump at the time from 25 cases of measles that the city witnessed in 2019 and only nine cases in 2020. However, the city has seen over 500 cases since the beginning of this year, as of Saturday.

“The start of the outbreak was indicated in October when the city reported 60 cases as against a mere 25 in September this year,” Dr Mangala Gomare, Executive Health Officer, BMC had told WION back in November. She added, “Our survey report suggested that only 41 per cent of the eligible children had taken vaccination.”&nbsp;

To put this number into perspective, only 41 per cent of children eligible for the vaccine had received both doses until October, compared to 90 per cent in 2019-2022, reported the DW citing the state’s public health department data.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-scrambles-to-contain-measles-outbreak-as-virus-kills-12-children-537137">Mumbai scrambles to contain measles outbreak as virus kills 10 children</a>

The report also attributed this plunge in vaccination rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns and diversion of resources to Covid vaccination which disrupted routine childhood immunisation programmes. At least 20,000 missed their measles vaccine, as WION reported earlier.&nbsp;

Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy and negligence are also prevalent in informal settlements in Mumbai, “In some of the communities, in particular, they are not coming forward for vaccination, they are not bringing their children for vaccination,” said Gomare, while several media reports citing local health workers echoed a similar sentiment. One of the reasons reportedly includes parents being worried about their children falling sick due to the vaccine.&nbsp;

The World Health Health Organization (WHO) recommends two doses of measles vaccine either as a single vaccine or a measles-rubella (MR) or measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) combination. In India, the measles vaccine is administered under the national childhood immunisation programme with the first dose at 9-12 months of age and the second dose at 16-24 months of age.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/cases-of-measles-have-increased-by-80-and-other-diseases-may-follow-un-474732">Cases of measles have increased by 80%, and other diseases may follow: UN</a>

Living conditions

As mentioned earlier, since there is no particular treatment for measles infection, vaccines and isolation seem to be the best way to contain an outbreak and get&nbsp;infected. However, affected communities in the Indian financial capital have blamed the unsanitary living conditions and lack of clean drinking water regularly causing them to become sick, said a report by DW citing a Govandi resident.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, the area&nbsp;was one of seven hotspots in the city&nbsp;which included, Dharavi, Govandi, Kurla, Mahim, Bandra, and Matunga, reporting the maximum number of cases in the cities.&nbsp;

The issue of vaccination records

Another issue outlined amid the ongoing outbreak is the maintenance of vaccination records under the country’s immunisation programme is tracing back the children after inoculation due to the absence of digital records, said a report by the Indian Express citing people with the knowledge on the matter.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-685-dead-in-zimbabwe-due-to-measles-outbreak-anti-vaxxers-remain-a-roadblock-512693">700 children dead in Zimbabwe due to measles outbreak, anti-vaxxers remain a roadblock</a>

If a child in Mumbai gets vaccinated in the public sector they are given a “mother and child card” which tracks all their vaccinations along with the date of inoculation. However, many people either lose the card or forget to bring it to their follow-up appointment, said the report. While none of these records is maintained on a centralised server.&nbsp;

Gomare also noted how the city has a high number of migrant workers most of whom had left the city during the pandemic lockdowns which led to their children missing the routine immunisations.&nbsp;

“A digital health record for each individual is a must. It’s high time that we invest in newer technologies and build health records,” said a letter by Rais Shaikh, the&nbsp;MLA for the city's Bhiwandi area, to the BMC commissioner and National Health Mission, reported the Indian Express.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/unicef-warns-against-global-measles-outbreaks-after-cases-surge-across-the-globe-474750">UNICEF warns against global measles outbreaks after cases surge across the globe</a>

Additionally, the official also demanded that these individual health cards be linked with Aadhar cards or birth certificates in physical as well as digital forms. However, one of the problems with digitisation remains the lack of internet connectivity in the slums in Mumbai which causes the existing Reproductive and Child Health (RCH), which was launched a few years ago to mitigate the problem, portal to crash when healthcare workers try to enter the data, said the media&nbsp;report, citing local healthcare workers.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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India’s financial capital Mumbai is in the midst of a measles outbreak since October. On Saturday, city officials reported two new cases, taking the total infection tally to 514.

India’s financial capital Mumbai is in the midst of a measles outbreak since October. On Saturday, city officials reported two new cases, taking the total infection tally to 514. Meanwhile, the infection tally in Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital, was 1,162, as of Friday while the death toll was 20, said a report by PTI. What is Measles? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is an acute viral respiratory illness which is preceded by a high fever, malaise and the three “Cs” which are cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. It takes at least 14 days for the rash to develop after a person is exposed to the virus and a person is considered to be contagious from four days before and four days after the rash appears. Furthermore, infants and children aged less than five years are at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles. It is also one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases and transmits by direct contact when a person breathes, coughs, or sneezes after which the virus stays in the air for up to two hours even after the infected person has left the area. ALSO READ | 40mn children missed measles vaccine in 2021; disease is now an imminent global threat, warn CDC and WHO Therefore, isolation of infected children is necessary. Since there is no specific treatment for measles typically over-the-counter medicines and Vitamin A are administered to alleviate symptoms. Furthermore, it is advisable to get plenty of rest, as the body needs time to recover, which typically happens within 10 to 15 days. However, the condition of an infected child turns severe due to poor nourishment, Vitamin A deficiency and if the child is immunocompromised. While death due to the infection is caused by complications which also stem from the disease and include, blindness, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and so on. What are some of the reasons for this sudden uptick in cases? The recent uptick in the number of cases has predominantly been attributed to a reduction in vaccination rates while other reasons could also include living conditions and maintenance of vaccination records. There is a particular emphasis on vaccination since the disease is almost entirely preventable through it. ALSO WATCH | India: 11 new cases, one suspected death as measles outbreak in Mumbai At least a 95 per cent vaccine coverage rate is required to create herd immunity against the disease which would consequently halt community spread. However, once the vaccination rates fall in a particular area the increased number of unvaccinated children can spread the disease triggering an outbreak. Furthermore, children who do not receive measles immunisation are at the highest risk of getting infected as well as being exposed to complications including death. Drop in vaccination rates As of November 24, earlier this year, the city had reported 252 confirmed cases which was a huge jump at the time from 25 cases of measles that the city witnessed in 2019 and only nine cases in 2020. However, the city has seen over 500 cases since the beginning of this year, as of Saturday. “The start of the outbreak was indicated in October when the city reported 60 cases as against a mere 25 in September this year,” Dr Mangala Gomare, Executive Health Officer, BMC had told WION back in November. She added, “Our survey report suggested that only 41 per cent of the eligible children had taken vaccination.” To put this number into perspective, only 41 per cent of children eligible for the vaccine had received both doses until October, compared to 90 per cent in 2019-2022, reported the DW citing the state’s public health department data. ALSO READ | Mumbai scrambles to contain measles outbreak as virus kills 10 children The report also attributed this plunge in vaccination rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns and diversion of resources to Covid vaccination which disrupted routine childhood immunisation programmes. At least 20,000 missed their measles vaccine, as WION reported earlier. Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy and negligence are also prevalent in informal settlements in Mumbai, “In some of the communities, in particular, they are not coming forward for vaccination, they are not bringing their children for vaccination,” said Gomare, while several media reports citing local health workers echoed a similar sentiment. One of the reasons reportedly includes parents being worried about their children falling sick due to the vaccine. The World Health Health Organization (WHO) recommends two doses of measles vaccine either as a single vaccine or a measles-rubella (MR) or measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) combination. In India, the measles vaccine is administered under the national childhood immunisation programme with the first dose at 9-12 months of age and the second dose at 16-24 months of age. ALSO READ | Cases of measles have increased by 80%, and other diseases may follow: UN Living conditions As mentioned earlier, since there is no particular treatment for measles infection, vaccines and isolation seem to be the best way to contain an outbreak and get infected. However, affected communities in the Indian financial capital have blamed the unsanitary living conditions and lack of clean drinking water regularly causing them to become sick, said a report by DW citing a Govandi resident. Earlier this year, the area was one of seven hotspots in the city which included, Dharavi, Govandi, Kurla, Mahim, Bandra, and Matunga, reporting the maximum number of cases in the cities. The issue of vaccination records Another issue outlined amid the ongoing outbreak is the maintenance of vaccination records under the country’s immunisation programme is tracing back the children after inoculation due to the absence of digital records, said a report by the Indian Express citing people with the knowledge on the matter. ALSO READ | 700 children dead in Zimbabwe due to measles outbreak, anti-vaxxers remain a roadblock If a child in Mumbai gets vaccinated in the public sector they are given a “mother and child card” which tracks all their vaccinations along with the date of inoculation. However, many people either lose the card or forget to bring it to their follow-up appointment, said the report. While none of these records is maintained on a centralised server. Gomare also noted how the city has a high number of migrant workers most of whom had left the city during the pandemic lockdowns which led to their children missing the routine immunisations. “A digital health record for each individual is a must. It’s high time that we invest in newer technologies and build health records,” said a letter by Rais Shaikh, the MLA for the city's Bhiwandi area, to the BMC commissioner and National Health Mission, reported the Indian Express. ALSO WATCH | UNICEF warns against global measles outbreaks after cases surge across the globe Additionally, the official also demanded that these individual health cards be linked with Aadhar cards or birth certificates in physical as well as digital forms. However, one of the problems with digitisation remains the lack of internet connectivity in the slums in Mumbai which causes the existing Reproductive and Child Health (RCH), which was launched a few years ago to mitigate the problem, portal to crash when healthcare workers try to enter the data, said the media report, citing local healthcare workers. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: India’s financial capital Mumbai battles measles outbreak, over 500 infected

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