Registering its second annual decline in a row Mexico's auto production fell by almost two percent last year in comparison to 2022. This is Mexico's flagship industrial sector struggling to pull past the pandemic shocks and also a global semiconductor shortage.

World Business Watch: Mexico's flagship industrial sector struggles

There's been another wave of Covid19 infections across India driven by the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus, and this, of course, had a serious impact on India's aviation sector.

World Business Watch: Air passengers numbers in India decline

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has been detained in a hotel after he failed to produce required papers for entry into Australia. He is being hauled up at a Melbourne immigration detention facility.

Djokovic VS Australia: Support grows for world's no. 1

Although the number of Omicron cases has witnessed huge spike,&nbsp;there is actually a lot more than meets the eye. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The new variant of coronavirus has caused numerous illnesses but the severity is not too high and there seems to have been less hospitalisations, said some new studies. &nbsp;

The data accumulated till now shows this may be not the worse part of the pandemic. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lockdown-imposed-in-chinese-city-after-detection-of-three-asymptomatic-covid-cases-442119" hreflang="en">Lockdown imposed in Chinese city after detection of three asymptomatic Covid cases</a>

Monica Gandhi, immunologist, University of California, San Francisco, said, "We're now in a totally different phase. The virus is always going to be with us, but my hope is this variant causes so much immunity that it will quell the pandemic."&nbsp;

Still, there is still plenty of time for the situation to change, said the experts. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a study in South Africa, the patients in the Omicron-dominated fourth wave were 73% less likely to be severe than patients in Delta-dominated third wave. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-states-chief-minister-arvind-kejriwal-contracts-covid-isolates-self-at-home-442092">Indian state’s CM Arvind Kejriwal contracts Covid, isolates self at home</a>

Wendy Burgers, immunologist, University of Cape Town, said "The data is quite solid now that hospitalisations and cases are decoupled." &nbsp;

What makes it less severe is that this variant does not infect the lungs as easily as previous variants. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Although the number of Omicron cases has witnessed huge spike, there is actually a lot more than meets the eye. The new variant of coronavirus has caused numerous illnesses but the severity is not too high and there seems to have been less hospitalisations, said some new studies.

Although the number of Omicron cases has witnessed huge spike, there is actually a lot more than meets the eye. The new variant of coronavirus has caused numerous illnesses but the severity is not too high and there seems to have been less hospitalisations, said some new studies. The data accumulated till now shows this may be not the worse part of the pandemic. Also Read: Lockdown imposed in Chinese city after detection of three asymptomatic Covid cases Monica Gandhi, immunologist, University of California, San Francisco, said, "We're now in a totally different phase. The virus is always going to be with us, but my hope is this variant causes so much immunity that it will quell the pandemic." Still, there is still plenty of time for the situation to change, said the experts. In a study in South Africa, the patients in the Omicron-dominated fourth wave were 73% less likely to be severe than patients in Delta-dominated third wave. Also Read: Indian state’s CM Arvind Kejriwal contracts Covid, isolates self at home Wendy Burgers, immunologist, University of Cape Town, said "The data is quite solid now that hospitalisations and cases are decoupled." What makes it less severe is that this variant does not infect the lungs as easily as previous variants. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron variant cases soar around world, but still there’s a catch    

The Philippines will tighten restrictions in the capital city of Manila with an exponential surge in the COVID-19 infections led by the omicron mutant variant.

COVID-19 updates from around the world amid Omicron scare

The world is preparing to ring in the new year's eve, but the ongoing spread of the new variant has dashed these hopes, at least in some parts of the world.

Omicron spread around the world dashes hope for grand New Year celebrations

World prepares to usher in New Year in style. Check out intriguing pics.

The world's economic output will exceed $100 trillion for the first time in the year 2022. A London based think tank CEBR has predicted China will become world's top economy in dollar terms by the year 2030.

The world's economic output will exceed $100 Trillion dollars in the year 2022

The world's economic output will exceed $100 trillion for the first time next year and it will take China a little longer than previously thought to overtake the United States as the No.1 economy, a report showed on Sunday.

British consultancy Cebr predicted China will become the world`s top economy in dollar terms in 2030, two years later than forecast in last year`s World Economic League Table report.

India looks set to overtake France next year and then Britain in 2023 to regain its place as the world's sixth-biggest economy, Cebr said.

"The important issue for the 2020s is how the world economies cope with inflation, which has now reached 6.8 per cent in the U.S.," said Cebr deputy chairman Douglas McWilliams.

"We hope that a relatively modest adjustment to the tiller will bring the non-transitory elements under control. If not, then the world will need to brace itself for a recession in 2023 or 2024."

The report showed Germany was on track to overtake Japan in terms of economic output in 2033. Russia could become a Top 10 economy by 2036 and Indonesia looks on track for ninth place in 2034.

The world's economic output will exceed $100 trillion for the first time next year and it will take China a little longer than previously thought to overtake the United States as the No.

The world's economic output will exceed $100 trillion for the first time next year and it will take China a little longer than previously thought to overtake the United States as the No.1 economy, a report showed on Sunday. British consultancy Cebr predicted China will become the world`s top economy in dollar terms in 2030, two years later than forecast in last year`s World Economic League Table report. India looks set to overtake France next year and then Britain in 2023 to regain its place as the world's sixth-biggest economy, Cebr said. "The important issue for the 2020s is how the world economies cope with inflation, which has now reached 6.8 per cent in the U.S.," said Cebr deputy chairman Douglas McWilliams. "We hope that a relatively modest adjustment to the tiller will bring the non-transitory elements under control. If not, then the world will need to brace itself for a recession in 2023 or 2024." The report showed Germany was on track to overtake Japan in terms of economic output in 2033. Russia could become a Top 10 economy by 2036 and Indonesia looks on track for ninth place in 2034.

World economy to top $100 trillion in 2022 for first time, India set to overtake France: Report

For the second consecutive year, Christmas celebrations around the world were dampened due to the COVID-19 surge. Now there's been a sharp rise in the number of infections, especially driven by the omicron variant.

Christmas celebrations around the world were dampened due to the COVID-19 surge driven by Omicron

Climate change has been threatening the existence of life on Earth for quite some time. Be it the rise is sea level or regular occurrence of natural calamities, the issue has been causing numerous problems. &nbsp;&nbsp;

It is high time to realise that the problem is real and needs immediate attention. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Although several summits have been held till now by world leaders to find a solution, it is important to act before it's too late. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-withholding-gas-supplies-to-europe-says-russia-440160" hreflang="en">Not withholding gas supplies to Europe, says Russia</a>

A UN report has already warned that if world fails to change, it will face catastrophic temperature rises of at least 2.7C. It may unleash a spate of natural horrors. &nbsp; &nbsp;

According to the report, there is a need to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C. In order to actually achieve this goal, it is important to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. &nbsp;&nbsp;

But the million-dollar question is that can we make it possible. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Currently, numerous vehicles, power plants and businesses use fossil fuels in one or the other forms. Several crucial things run on it and it is also connected to livelihood of numerous people. &nbsp;

It has also become a crucial part of several lives across the world. So, it may not be an easy task to just stop its use overnight. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-advances-in-nuclear-power-with-worlds-first-small-modular-nuclear-reactor-439228" hreflang="en">China advances in nuclear power with world's first small modular nuclear reactor</a>

Not just this, several countries get major part of their revenues from the sale of oil. If it gets stopped, there will be a huge humanitarian crisis. &nbsp;

Alternate ways of fuel, such as solar energy, nuclear energy, wind energy, etc are yet to get this popular and will take numerous years to give immense competition to the fossil fuels. &nbsp; &nbsp;

And as numerous processes, vehicles and plants are linked to fossil fuels, it will also be an ardent task to phase it out soon. &nbsp;

Although it may be difficult to shun its use but the survival of human race depends on it. So, let’s see how the world solves this riddle.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Climate change has been threatening the existence of life on Earth for quite some time. Be it the rise is sea level or regular occurrence of natural calamities, the issue has been causing numerous problems.

Climate change has been threatening the existence of life on Earth for quite some time. Be it the rise is sea level or regular occurrence of natural calamities, the issue has been causing numerous problems. It is high time to realise that the problem is real and needs immediate attention. Although several summits have been held till now by world leaders to find a solution, it is important to act before it's too late. Also Read: Not withholding gas supplies to Europe, says Russia A UN report has already warned that if world fails to change, it will face catastrophic temperature rises of at least 2.7C. It may unleash a spate of natural horrors. According to the report, there is a need to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C. In order to actually achieve this goal, it is important to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. But the million-dollar question is that can we make it possible. Currently, numerous vehicles, power plants and businesses use fossil fuels in one or the other forms. Several crucial things run on it and it is also connected to livelihood of numerous people. It has also become a crucial part of several lives across the world. So, it may not be an easy task to just stop its use overnight. Also Read | China advances in nuclear power with world's first small modular nuclear reactor Not just this, several countries get major part of their revenues from the sale of oil. If it gets stopped, there will be a huge humanitarian crisis. Alternate ways of fuel, such as solar energy, nuclear energy, wind energy, etc are yet to get this popular and will take numerous years to give immense competition to the fossil fuels. And as numerous processes, vehicles and plants are linked to fossil fuels, it will also be an ardent task to phase it out soon. Although it may be difficult to shun its use but the survival of human race depends on it. So, let’s see how the world solves this riddle.

Weekend Special: Will the world reduce its dependence on fossil fuels?

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every industry. However, among the worst hit was the Tourism industry.

The most deserted tourist destination in the world amid pandemic

Around 5.3 million people have died due to different strains of coronavirus, more than 27,000 cases of the new Omicron strain have also been recorded in almost 91 countries.

More than 27,000 Omicron cases in 91 countries: Reports

As Christmas and the festive season approach, the world is getting ready into celebration moods. Fireworks have lit up Bethlehem sky.

The world is getting ready to mark the festive season

A recent cartoon in the French daily Le Monde featured a bedraggled man arriving at a doctor’s office for a COVID-19 vaccine. “I am here for the fifth shot because of the third wave,” he says. “Or vice versa.”

His bewilderment as France suffers its fifth wave of the pandemic, with cases of the delta variant rising sharply along with omicron anxiety, captured a mood of exhaustion and simmering anger across the world two years after the deadly virus began to spread in China.

Uncertainty bedevils plans. Panic spreads in an instant even if, as with the omicron variant, the extent of the threat is not yet known. Vaccines look like deliverance until they seem a little less than that. National responses diverge with no discernible logic. Anxiety and depression spread. So do loneliness and screen fatigue. The feeling grows that the COVID era will go on for years, like plagues of old.

Even in China, with no reported COVID deaths since January, some confess weariness with the measures that have kept them safe when so many others perished.

“I’m so tired of all these routines,” Chen Jun, 29, a tech company worker in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, said the other day. He was forced to take three COVID-19 tests in June following an outbreak in the city, and then had to quarantine for 14 days. Thumbtacks he used to pin on a world map to trace his travels have stopped multiplying. “I’m starting to think we’ll never see an end to the pandemic.”

This sense of endlessness, accompanied by growing psychological distress leading to depression, was a recurrent theme in two dozen interviews conducted in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. After two years of zigzagging policy and roller-coaster emotions, terrible loss and tantalizing false dawns, closing borders and intermittently shuttered schools, people’s resilience has dwindled.

That is sure to pose new challenges for leaders trying to protect their people and their economies. Will the weary obey new restrictions, or risk seeing family and friends after months of forced separation? The question of just how draconian leaders can be when people’s mental health has become so fragile appears to be a core quandary as the pandemic enters its third year.

“I know it will only get worse, it won’t stop, the pandemic will only turn more life-consuming,” said Natalia Shishkova, a teacher in Moscow. “It is all chaos, like a fantasy film. You watch all these apocalypse films and realize their writers were real prophets.”

Real progress in fighting the virus has been made. A year ago, vaccine rollouts were in their infancy. Today, about 47% of the world’s population is inoculated. If case numbers remain high, death rates have plunged. Yet life seems out of control.

The pandemic not only makes this month’s vacation or holiday celebrations seem uncertain, but also sometimes overwhelms understanding. How to assess the avalanche of statistics, opinions, warnings, closures, reopenings? What to make of the big business COVID-19 has become, with its vested interests? What to do about the glaring inequality in vaccine distribution? How to avert one’s gaze from the discarded masks that still dot streets, the pandemic’s perennial detritus?

Once linear, life now seems circular. Schools open. They close again. Travel becomes easier, only for new obstacles to arise. Sickness from COVID-19 subsides, to be replaced by long COVID and now indications that even those who have recovered from the virus might get reinfected with omicron. At the Paris laboratory of Maria Melchior, a French public health researcher who specializes in mental illness, in-person meetings had just been reinstated when, this week, she was told they would cease, with a return to Zoom gatherings.

“We no longer know when we will get back to normal,” Melchior said. And what is normal now? She paused. “Well, at least a life without masks.”

In Kenya, with infections declining in October, President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted a long-standing curfew. Bars filled. Musicians lined up concert dates, as they have in many parts of the world, where theaters and opera houses have reopened. Spirits rose.

Then, the omicron variant hit. Even before any cases were reported there, Kenya’s leaders announced plans to bar unvaccinated people from offices and warned of new holiday-season restrictions.

Corrie Mwende, a communications specialist in Nairobi, said she had felt like “freedom was coming back” after a long period when “you could say it was like the end of the world.”

Today she is unsure her hope will be fulfilled.

Such hesitation is pervasive. The pandemic began with evasiveness from the great powers of the 21st century, first President Xi Jinping’s China and then President Donald Trump’s America. Trust was dented, time lost. Ever since, a cohesive global response has appeared elusive.

China has pursued a zero COVID policy, virtually shutting its borders and deploying mass-testing, snap lockdowns and high-tech contact tracing. At the other extreme, Russia, despite a high rate of deaths, has done little to restrict movement.

The 27-nation European Union is split over whether to make vaccines obligatory, and policies vary widely: soccer stadiums are empty again in Germany, where infection rates have surged, but full in France, where they have, too, but a presidential election looms in four months.

Britain, under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has veered between herd immunity temptations and the kind of periodic restrictions now in force again to combat the omicron variant.

In Brazil, whose president, Jair Bolsonaro, has persistently minimized the pandemic’s threat, the death toll has plunged to fewer than 300 a day from 3,000 in April. Samba concerts are back in the streets. Fireworks, after some back-and-forth, will light the sky over Copacabana beach to mark the New Year — unless some new disaster strikes.

Maybe that will be omicron; maybe not. Some other variants have come and gone without driving the pandemic to terrifying new heights.

For now, every plan is a provisional plan.

Conspiracy theories abound, in part because the pandemic has enriched the wealthy as markets have soared, and punished those without investments.

Yakov Kochetkov, head of the Center for Cognitive Therapy in Moscow, said, “In Russia there has been a strong increase in mistrust of vaccines, even the term ‘pandemic’ itself. This greatly affects the psyche.”

Just this month, a 45-year-old man reported to view the pandemic as a conspiracy opened fire at a Russian government office and killed two people after being told to put on a mask.

Anna Shepel, a Russian therapist, has observed her patients’ “obsessive thoughts, obsessive actions, fear of getting infected, fear of touching anything in public places.”

Nevertheless, in a country with a deep vein of fatalism and stoicism, President Vladimir Putin has faced little criticism for his relatively lax response to the coronavirus.

In Italy, hit to devastating effect early in the pandemic, access to everything from movie theaters to offices has been strictly curtailed for anyone who does not have the “green pass” of the vaccinated. The government is promising a “semi-normal” Christmas without the need to resort to lockdowns. Still, the mood of the country is somber.

Massimiliano Valerii, the director general of CENSIS, a Rome-based research group, observed that the pandemic had exacerbated anxieties about the future. “The social ladder has been blocked, the mechanism for being able to improve one’s position in life,” he said.

David Lazzari, the president of Italy’s psychologists’ guild, said recent studies in Italy showed the incidence of anxiety and depression had doubled since the pandemic began. For those under 18, levels had reached 25%. “One in four,” he noted. “That’s very high.”

Among adolescents and young adults — stuck on their screens, often unable to date over the past two years, inundated with online friends but short of actual contact — anorexia and bulimia have spread, said Melchior, the French public health researcher who focuses on mental illness.

In France, she added, depression and anxiety are at about twice normal levels, in line with the Italian findings and a recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The surgeon general in the United States warned recently that young people are facing “devastating” mental health effects as a result of the pandemic and other challenges experienced by their generation.

Chanel Contos, 23, an Australian student in London who is uncertain whether she will be able to fly home this month, expressed acute frustration at having been told that “once we had adequate vaccines in the country you’re in, things would be OK.”

She asked a question frequently heard among her generation: “How much of our lives can we give up for this?”

Governments are acutely aware of this frustration. Nicolas Franck, a French psychiatrist, said, “We fell short initially, now we are in the phase of excess precaution.”

“People are so exhausted their greatest fear is not so much a new variant, but a new curfew,” he added.

China, through its extreme measures, has been determined to move on. But a sense of normalcy remains elusive, and the second anniversary of the day the first reported patient experienced symptoms in Wuhan did not pass without comment.

Hundreds of people posted messages on the social media account of Li Wenliang, a doctor in Wuhan who many consider a martyr for the official threats he received over his online attempts to warn friends — and by extension the world — of a strange new disease ravaging his hospital.

“I can’t believe that we have been wearing masks now for two years,” one commenter wrote. Another message reads: “Dr. Li, it’s been two years and the pandemic is not only still here but it’s getting more intense.”

Li’s account has become known as China’s “Wailing Wall” — a place where people grieve and seek solace for all that has been lost in a remote world.

A recent cartoon in the French daily Le Monde featured a bedraggled man arriving at a doctor’s office for a COVID-19 vaccine. “I am here for the fifth shot because of the third wave,” he says.

A recent cartoon in the French daily Le Monde featured a bedraggled man arriving at a doctor’s office for a COVID-19 vaccine. “I am here for the fifth shot because of the third wave,” he says. “Or vice versa.” His bewilderment as France suffers its fifth wave of the pandemic, with cases of the delta variant rising sharply along with omicron anxiety, captured a mood of exhaustion and simmering anger across the world two years after the deadly virus began to spread in China. Uncertainty bedevils plans. Panic spreads in an instant even if, as with the omicron variant, the extent of the threat is not yet known. Vaccines look like deliverance until they seem a little less than that. National responses diverge with no discernible logic. Anxiety and depression spread. So do loneliness and screen fatigue. The feeling grows that the COVID era will go on for years, like plagues of old. Even in China, with no reported COVID deaths since January, some confess weariness with the measures that have kept them safe when so many others perished. “I’m so tired of all these routines,” Chen Jun, 29, a tech company worker in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, said the other day. He was forced to take three COVID-19 tests in June following an outbreak in the city, and then had to quarantine for 14 days. Thumbtacks he used to pin on a world map to trace his travels have stopped multiplying. “I’m starting to think we’ll never see an end to the pandemic.” This sense of endlessness, accompanied by growing psychological distress leading to depression, was a recurrent theme in two dozen interviews conducted in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. After two years of zigzagging policy and roller-coaster emotions, terrible loss and tantalizing false dawns, closing borders and intermittently shuttered schools, people’s resilience has dwindled. That is sure to pose new challenges for leaders trying to protect their people and their economies. Will the weary obey new restrictions, or risk seeing family and friends after months of forced separation? The question of just how draconian leaders can be when people’s mental health has become so fragile appears to be a core quandary as the pandemic enters its third year. “I know it will only get worse, it won’t stop, the pandemic will only turn more life-consuming,” said Natalia Shishkova, a teacher in Moscow. “It is all chaos, like a fantasy film. You watch all these apocalypse films and realize their writers were real prophets.” Real progress in fighting the virus has been made. A year ago, vaccine rollouts were in their infancy. Today, about 47% of the world’s population is inoculated. If case numbers remain high, death rates have plunged. Yet life seems out of control. The pandemic not only makes this month’s vacation or holiday celebrations seem uncertain, but also sometimes overwhelms understanding. How to assess the avalanche of statistics, opinions, warnings, closures, reopenings? What to make of the big business COVID-19 has become, with its vested interests? What to do about the glaring inequality in vaccine distribution? How to avert one’s gaze from the discarded masks that still dot streets, the pandemic’s perennial detritus? Once linear, life now seems circular. Schools open. They close again. Travel becomes easier, only for new obstacles to arise. Sickness from COVID-19 subsides, to be replaced by long COVID and now indications that even those who have recovered from the virus might get reinfected with omicron. At the Paris laboratory of Maria Melchior, a French public health researcher who specializes in mental illness, in-person meetings had just been reinstated when, this week, she was told they would cease, with a return to Zoom gatherings. “We no longer know when we will get back to normal,” Melchior said. And what is normal now? She paused. “Well, at least a life without masks.” In Kenya, with infections declining in October, President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted a long-standing curfew. Bars filled. Musicians lined up concert dates, as they have in many parts of the world, where theaters and opera houses have reopened. Spirits rose. Then, the omicron variant hit. Even before any cases were reported there, Kenya’s leaders announced plans to bar unvaccinated people from offices and warned of new holiday-season restrictions. Corrie Mwende, a communications specialist in Nairobi, said she had felt like “freedom was coming back” after a long period when “you could say it was like the end of the world.” Today she is unsure her hope will be fulfilled. Such hesitation is pervasive. The pandemic began with evasiveness from the great powers of the 21st century, first President Xi Jinping’s China and then President Donald Trump’s America. Trust was dented, time lost. Ever since, a cohesive global response has appeared elusive. China has pursued a zero COVID policy, virtually shutting its borders and deploying mass-testing, snap lockdowns and high-tech contact tracing. At the other extreme, Russia, despite a high rate of deaths, has done little to restrict movement. The 27-nation European Union is split over whether to make vaccines obligatory, and policies vary widely: soccer stadiums are empty again in Germany, where infection rates have surged, but full in France, where they have, too, but a presidential election looms in four months. Britain, under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has veered between herd immunity temptations and the kind of periodic restrictions now in force again to combat the omicron variant. In Brazil, whose president, Jair Bolsonaro, has persistently minimized the pandemic’s threat, the death toll has plunged to fewer than 300 a day from 3,000 in April. Samba concerts are back in the streets. Fireworks, after some back-and-forth, will light the sky over Copacabana beach to mark the New Year — unless some new disaster strikes. Maybe that will be omicron; maybe not. Some other variants have come and gone without driving the pandemic to terrifying new heights. For now, every plan is a provisional plan. Conspiracy theories abound, in part because the pandemic has enriched the wealthy as markets have soared, and punished those without investments. Yakov Kochetkov, head of the Center for Cognitive Therapy in Moscow, said, “In Russia there has been a strong increase in mistrust of vaccines, even the term ‘pandemic’ itself. This greatly affects the psyche.” Just this month, a 45-year-old man reported to view the pandemic as a conspiracy opened fire at a Russian government office and killed two people after being told to put on a mask. Anna Shepel, a Russian therapist, has observed her patients’ “obsessive thoughts, obsessive actions, fear of getting infected, fear of touching anything in public places.” Nevertheless, in a country with a deep vein of fatalism and stoicism, President Vladimir Putin has faced little criticism for his relatively lax response to the coronavirus. In Italy, hit to devastating effect early in the pandemic, access to everything from movie theaters to offices has been strictly curtailed for anyone who does not have the “green pass” of the vaccinated. The government is promising a “semi-normal” Christmas without the need to resort to lockdowns. Still, the mood of the country is somber. Massimiliano Valerii, the director general of CENSIS, a Rome-based research group, observed that the pandemic had exacerbated anxieties about the future. “The social ladder has been blocked, the mechanism for being able to improve one’s position in life,” he said. David Lazzari, the president of Italy’s psychologists’ guild, said recent studies in Italy showed the incidence of anxiety and depression had doubled since the pandemic began. For those under 18, levels had reached 25%. “One in four,” he noted. “That’s very high.” Among adolescents and young adults — stuck on their screens, often unable to date over the past two years, inundated with online friends but short of actual contact — anorexia and bulimia have spread, said Melchior, the French public health researcher who focuses on mental illness. In France, she added, depression and anxiety are at about twice normal levels, in line with the Italian findings and a recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The surgeon general in the United States warned recently that young people are facing “devastating” mental health effects as a result of the pandemic and other challenges experienced by their generation. Chanel Contos, 23, an Australian student in London who is uncertain whether she will be able to fly home this month, expressed acute frustration at having been told that “once we had adequate vaccines in the country you’re in, things would be OK.” She asked a question frequently heard among her generation: “How much of our lives can we give up for this?” Governments are acutely aware of this frustration. Nicolas Franck, a French psychiatrist, said, “We fell short initially, now we are in the phase of excess precaution.” “People are so exhausted their greatest fear is not so much a new variant, but a new curfew,” he added. China, through its extreme measures, has been determined to move on. But a sense of normalcy remains elusive, and the second anniversary of the day the first reported patient experienced symptoms in Wuhan did not pass without comment. Hundreds of people posted messages on the social media account of Li Wenliang, a doctor in Wuhan who many consider a martyr for the official threats he received over his online attempts to warn friends — and by extension the world — of a strange new disease ravaging his hospital. “I can’t believe that we have been wearing masks now for two years,” one commenter wrote. Another message reads: “Dr. Li, it’s been two years and the pandemic is not only still here but it’s getting more intense.” Li’s account has become known as China’s “Wailing Wall” — a place where people grieve and seek solace for all that has been lost in a remote world.

Across the world, Covid anxiety and depression take hold

Establishing itself as a leading digital capital, Dubai has become the world’s first paperless government, announced Emirate's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The emirate has achieved the objectives of the ‘Dubai Paperless Strategy’, which was launched in 2018, added Sheikh Hamdan. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-pm-naftali-bennett-to-make-historic-visit-to-uae-will-discuss-economic-and-regional-issues-436285" hreflang="en">Israeli PM Naftali Bennett to make historic visit to UAE, will discuss economic and regional issues</a>

Across the whole government, Dubai has saved around 1.3 billion Dirham (USD 350 million) and 14-million-man hours due to this initiative. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/HamdanMohammed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HamdanMohammed</a> announces that the emirate has achieved the objectives of the Dubai Paperless Strategy launched in 2018 to establish itself as a leading digital capital and become the world’s first paperless government.<a href="https://t.co/nTvjs99eMh">https://t.co/nTvjs99eMh</a> <a href="https://t.co/ObiMTyEqRl">pic.twitter.com/ObiMTyEqRl</a>
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1469634720355217410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In a statement on Saturday, the emirate's crown prince, said, "The achievement of this target marks the beginning of a new stage in Dubai's journey to digitise life in all its aspects a journey rooted in innovation, creativity and a focus on the future." &nbsp;&nbsp;

With the help of this initiative, collaboration and integration among participating entities enabled the automation of processes and services provided to customers, cutting paper consumption by over 336 million papers. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/software-flaw-log4shell-may-be-worst-computer-vulnerability-in-a-decade-436306" hreflang="en">Software flaw 'Log4Shell' may be worst computer vulnerability in a decade</a>

“All internal and external transactions and procedures in the Government of Dubai are now 100% digital and managed from a comprehensive digital government services platforms,” said Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General, Digital Dubai. &nbsp;

The Dubai Paperless Strategy was implemented in five consecutive phases. In each phase, a different group of Dubai Government entities were turned paperless. At the end, the strategy was fully implemented in all 45 government entities in the emirate. These entities offer more than 1,800 digital services and over 10,500 key transactions. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Establishing itself as a leading digital capital, Dubai has become the world’s first paperless government, announced Emirate's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Establishing itself as a leading digital capital, Dubai has become the world’s first paperless government, announced Emirate's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The emirate has achieved the objectives of the ‘Dubai Paperless Strategy’, which was launched in 2018, added Sheikh Hamdan. Also Read: Israeli PM Naftali Bennett to make historic visit to UAE, will discuss economic and regional issues Across the whole government, Dubai has saved around 1.3 billion Dirham (USD 350 million) and 14-million-man hours due to this initiative. .@HamdanMohammed announces that the emirate has achieved the objectives of the Dubai Paperless Strategy launched in 2018 to establish itself as a leading digital capital and become the world’s first paperless government.https://t.co/nTvjs99eMh pic.twitter.com/ObiMTyEqRl — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 11, 2021 × In a statement on Saturday, the emirate's crown prince, said, "The achievement of this target marks the beginning of a new stage in Dubai's journey to digitise life in all its aspects a journey rooted in innovation, creativity and a focus on the future." With the help of this initiative, collaboration and integration among participating entities enabled the automation of processes and services provided to customers, cutting paper consumption by over 336 million papers. Also Read: Software flaw 'Log4Shell' may be worst computer vulnerability in a decade “All internal and external transactions and procedures in the Government of Dubai are now 100% digital and managed from a comprehensive digital government services platforms,” said Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General, Digital Dubai. The Dubai Paperless Strategy was implemented in five consecutive phases. In each phase, a different group of Dubai Government entities were turned paperless. At the end, the strategy was fully implemented in all 45 government entities in the emirate. These entities offer more than 1,800 digital services and over 10,500 key transactions. (With inputs from agencies)

Dubai govt first in world to turn 100% paperless, says Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan

In Pics: Countries embroiled in different crises around world in 2021

Let's revisit major natural calamities that rocked world in 2021

In today’s fast-paced world, where numerous people go online for various purposes, around 37% of the world’s population seems to have never used the internet. The revelation was made by a United Nations' body. &nbsp;

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a spike in the number of internet users but still around 3 billion people have not been able to use it. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-and-iran-broaden-cyberwar-to-attack-civilian-targets-432628" hreflang="en">Israel and Iran broaden cyberwar to attack civilian targets</a>

According to an estimate by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 96% of these people in developing countries have not got access to internet. &nbsp;

ITU secretary general Houlin Zhao, said, “ITU will work to make sure the building blocks are in place to connect the remaining 2.9 billion. We are determined to ensure no one will be left behind.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the estimated number of people going online has increased from 4.1 billion in 2019 to 4.9 billion this year, the agency said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-ceo-parag-agrawal-said-this-in-his-very-first-e-mail-as-captain-of-the-ship-433002" hreflang="en">Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said this in his very first e-mail as captain of the ship</a>

Several people using internet may also be doing it infrequently, facing connectivity issues or using shared devices. &nbsp;

The measures like school closures, lockdowns and the need to access online services may have led to the spike in internet users during the pandemic, the ITU said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In today’s fast-paced world, where numerous people go online for various purposes, around 37% of the world’s population seems to have never used the internet. The revelation was made by a United Nations' body.

In today’s fast-paced world, where numerous people go online for various purposes, around 37% of the world’s population seems to have never used the internet. The revelation was made by a United Nations' body. The coronavirus pandemic has led to a spike in the number of internet users but still around 3 billion people have not been able to use it. Also Read: Israel and Iran broaden cyberwar to attack civilian targets According to an estimate by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 96% of these people in developing countries have not got access to internet. ITU secretary general Houlin Zhao, said, “ITU will work to make sure the building blocks are in place to connect the remaining 2.9 billion. We are determined to ensure no one will be left behind.” Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the estimated number of people going online has increased from 4.1 billion in 2019 to 4.9 billion this year, the agency said. Also Read: Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said this in his very first e-mail as captain of the ship Several people using internet may also be doing it infrequently, facing connectivity issues or using shared devices. The measures like school closures, lockdowns and the need to access online services may have led to the spike in internet users during the pandemic, the ITU said. (With inputs from agencies)

Over one third of world never used internet, says UN body  

Around the world, there has been a lot of mistrust between several nations for years. This has led to many angry statements, incursions, freedom of navigation actions or movements of militaries towards the border. &nbsp;

For a long time, there has been an uptick in the tensions between China and Japan, US and China, Philippines and China, Ukraine and Russia, India and Pakistan, India and China, EU and China, Belarus and EU, UK and France, US and North Korea, US and Iran, Iran and Israel, Israel and Palestine, France and Australia, etc. The list seems to be endless. &nbsp;

Instead of resolving the issues, the tensions seem to be rising with every hour. The countries are making all attempts to buy new weapons, forge stronger alliances and spending billions of dollars in coercion. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-pm-fumio-kishida-vows-to-consider-all-options-to-counter-china-432300" hreflang="en">Japanese PM Fumio Kishida vows to consider 'all options' to counter China</a>

Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he is thinking of considering ''all options'' to counter China. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also said that Russia is a planning coup to overthrow his government. &nbsp;&nbsp;

China has been saying for years that independent Taiwan is its integral part. China has also been claiming whole of South China Sea when others like Philippines, Vietnam, etc have conflicting claims. &nbsp;&nbsp;

China and Japan have been claiming same set of islands with different names. Iran has been claiming its nuclear programme is peaceful while its adversaries think it is building bombs. &nbsp;&nbsp;

So, there have been several enraging claims and comments for a long time. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelenskiy-says-russia-is-planning-coup-against-him-432250" hreflang="en">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russia is planning coup against him</a>

As if this was not enough, many countries have been supporting rival parties in Syria, Libya and Yemen. This has turned these countries into war zones, displacing and killing numerous people. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The sole reason for this is the mistrust between the nations. It has been fuelled by unilateral attempts to change status quo of different sorts, pursue unsubstantial claims or abuse of power. &nbsp;&nbsp;

But the real question is will it stop anywhere? &nbsp;

The answer to this question is visible but one can hope that better sense will prevail and it may not escalate into a full-fledged war.

Around the world, there has been a lot of mistrust between several nations for years. This has led to many angry statements, incursions, freedom of navigation actions or movements of militaries towards the border.

Around the world, there has been a lot of mistrust between several nations for years. This has led to many angry statements, incursions, freedom of navigation actions or movements of militaries towards the border. For a long time, there has been an uptick in the tensions between China and Japan, US and China, Philippines and China, Ukraine and Russia, India and Pakistan, India and China, EU and China, Belarus and EU, UK and France, US and North Korea, US and Iran, Iran and Israel, Israel and Palestine, France and Australia, etc. The list seems to be endless. Instead of resolving the issues, the tensions seem to be rising with every hour. The countries are making all attempts to buy new weapons, forge stronger alliances and spending billions of dollars in coercion. Also Read: Japanese PM Fumio Kishida vows to consider 'all options' to counter China Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he is thinking of considering ''all options'' to counter China. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also said that Russia is a planning coup to overthrow his government. China has been saying for years that independent Taiwan is its integral part. China has also been claiming whole of South China Sea when others like Philippines, Vietnam, etc have conflicting claims. China and Japan have been claiming same set of islands with different names. Iran has been claiming its nuclear programme is peaceful while its adversaries think it is building bombs. So, there have been several enraging claims and comments for a long time. Also Read: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russia is planning coup against him As if this was not enough, many countries have been supporting rival parties in Syria, Libya and Yemen. This has turned these countries into war zones, displacing and killing numerous people. The sole reason for this is the mistrust between the nations. It has been fuelled by unilateral attempts to change status quo of different sorts, pursue unsubstantial claims or abuse of power. But the real question is will it stop anywhere? The answer to this question is visible but one can hope that better sense will prevail and it may not escalate into a full-fledged war.

Can mistrust between nations end on a positive note?

Migrant crisis has been worsening in different parts of the world. Be it the US-Mexico border, English Channel or Mediterranean Sea, many migrants belonging to different countries travel dangerously to reach their destination every year. &nbsp;

Several people have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, English Channel and other waterways after their boat capsized while many have been sent back after reaching the border. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Many countries like Greece have also build walls to stop the movement of the migrants. The United States have also built several camps to keep a check on migrant crisis. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-violence-in-darfur-adds-to-sudans-crises-432238" hreflang="en">Fresh violence in Darfur adds to Sudan’s crises</a>

In the Americas, people from various poor countries like El Savador, Colombia, Mexico, etc travel on foot, buses, etc to reach US border while in Africa, many of the migrants, who have been fighting hunger, common coups, violent conflicts and others, make attempts to reach the Mediterranean Sea through various land routes and then hitch a ride on a boat to reach Europe. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Many people also try to reach Australia or Canada from various regions. &nbsp;

But not everybody is lucky. Some people drown while others are caught. The people, who somehow reach these countries, live in fear of getting caught and deported someday. Many are forced to take up petty jobs or end up getting exploited. &nbsp;&nbsp;

At the end, very few of these people get to live their dream or even get a fair outcome of the trouble undertaken to travel long distances in inhumane conditions. &nbsp;

The million-dollar question is what drives them to do this and why the so-called wealthy nations not doing anything to solve this crisis. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-britain-agree-to-step-up-efforts-to-limit-channel-crossings-431979" hreflang="en">France, Britain agree to step up efforts to limit channel crossings</a>

The answer to the first question is simple, in several nations in the South America and Africa, there is poverty, violence, hunger and less opportunities to live a life with dignity. &nbsp;

The wealthy nations are just the opposite. They have everything one can dream of. But just lack the will to help. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Instead of making the world a better place to live, several countries have been making concerted efforts to ensure there is turmoil in different parts of many continents so that they are pursuing their agenda or fulfill their vested interests. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In 2015, Europe was moved after immense criticism over the migrant issue after a dead body of a three-year-old Syrian child washed ashore. The images of the dead body of Alan Kurdi on the beach forced Europe to open its doors for the refugees of the Syrian war. &nbsp;

Are the wealthy nations or the world as a whole waiting for more such bodies or will take action before it’s too late. Only time can solve this riddle.&nbsp;

Migrant crisis has been worsening in different parts of the world. Be it the US-Mexico border, English Channel or Mediterranean Sea, many migrants belonging to different countries travel dangerously to reach their destination every year.

Migrant crisis has been worsening in different parts of the world. Be it the US-Mexico border, English Channel or Mediterranean Sea, many migrants belonging to different countries travel dangerously to reach their destination every year. Several people have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, English Channel and other waterways after their boat capsized while many have been sent back after reaching the border. Many countries like Greece have also build walls to stop the movement of the migrants. The United States have also built several camps to keep a check on migrant crisis. Also Read: Fresh violence in Darfur adds to Sudan’s crises In the Americas, people from various poor countries like El Savador, Colombia, Mexico, etc travel on foot, buses, etc to reach US border while in Africa, many of the migrants, who have been fighting hunger, common coups, violent conflicts and others, make attempts to reach the Mediterranean Sea through various land routes and then hitch a ride on a boat to reach Europe. Many people also try to reach Australia or Canada from various regions. But not everybody is lucky. Some people drown while others are caught. The people, who somehow reach these countries, live in fear of getting caught and deported someday. Many are forced to take up petty jobs or end up getting exploited. At the end, very few of these people get to live their dream or even get a fair outcome of the trouble undertaken to travel long distances in inhumane conditions. The million-dollar question is what drives them to do this and why the so-called wealthy nations not doing anything to solve this crisis. Also Read: France, Britain agree to step up efforts to limit channel crossings The answer to the first question is simple, in several nations in the South America and Africa, there is poverty, violence, hunger and less opportunities to live a life with dignity. The wealthy nations are just the opposite. They have everything one can dream of. But just lack the will to help. Instead of making the world a better place to live, several countries have been making concerted efforts to ensure there is turmoil in different parts of many continents so that they are pursuing their agenda or fulfill their vested interests. In 2015, Europe was moved after immense criticism over the migrant issue after a dead body of a three-year-old Syrian child washed ashore. The images of the dead body of Alan Kurdi on the beach forced Europe to open its doors for the refugees of the Syrian war. Are the wealthy nations or the world as a whole waiting for more such bodies or will take action before it’s too late. Only time can solve this riddle.

What has led to migrant crisis around world?

Several Venezuelan musicians, mostly children and adolescents, set world's largest orchestra record. &nbsp; &nbsp;

A total of 8,573 musicians set the record. &nbsp;

In a video released on Saturday, Guinness World Records announced that the musicians, which were connected to the country's network of youth orchestras, earned the designation with a performance. This comes a week earlier to Tchaikovsky's 'Slavonic March'. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-interior-secretary-deb-haaland-declares-word-squaw-as-derogatory-term-430999" hreflang="en">US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland declares word 'squaw' as derogatory term</a>

Ranging in age group of 12 to 77, the musicians, attempted the record at a military academy in the capital of Caracas. The record was made during a patriotic concert. &nbsp;&nbsp;

For a five-minute period of Tchaikovsky's piece, over 8,097 had to be tallied playing at the same time to set the record. &nbsp;

El Sistema or The System, the network of orchestras, assembled around 12,000 musicians for the concert. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-raining-cash-people-grab-free-money-as-dollars-spill-from-truck-on-to-us-freeway-430994" hreflang="en">It's raining cash! People grab free money as dollars spill from truck on to US freeway</a>

The repertoire, which included Venezuela by Pablo Herrero and Jose Luis Armenteros, the South American country's national anthem and Pedro Gutierrez's 'Alma Llanera', which the Venezuelans consider as their unofficial anthem. &nbsp;

Over 250 supervisors were assigned a group of musicians to observe during the attempt of the record. &nbsp;

Earlier, the record belonged to a Russian group, who played their country's national anthem. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Several Venezuelan musicians, mostly children and adolescents, set world's largest orchestra record. A total of 8,573 musicians set the record. In a video released on Saturday, Guinness World Records announced that the musicians, which were connected to the country's network of youth orchestras, earned the designation with a performance.

Several Venezuelan musicians, mostly children and adolescents, set world's largest orchestra record. A total of 8,573 musicians set the record. In a video released on Saturday, Guinness World Records announced that the musicians, which were connected to the country's network of youth orchestras, earned the designation with a performance. This comes a week earlier to Tchaikovsky's 'Slavonic March'. Also Read: US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland declares word 'squaw' as derogatory term Ranging in age group of 12 to 77, the musicians, attempted the record at a military academy in the capital of Caracas. The record was made during a patriotic concert. For a five-minute period of Tchaikovsky's piece, over 8,097 had to be tallied playing at the same time to set the record. El Sistema or The System, the network of orchestras, assembled around 12,000 musicians for the concert. Also Read: It's raining cash! People grab free money as dollars spill from truck on to US freeway The repertoire, which included Venezuela by Pablo Herrero and Jose Luis Armenteros, the South American country's national anthem and Pedro Gutierrez's 'Alma Llanera', which the Venezuelans consider as their unofficial anthem. Over 250 supervisors were assigned a group of musicians to observe during the attempt of the record. Earlier, the record belonged to a Russian group, who played their country's national anthem. (With inputs from agencies)

8,573 Venezuelan musicians bag world's largest orchestra title

In this year, several regions of the world have been forced to live under highly tensed atmosphere. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Be it a conflict on the border or environment of hatred created by sectionalism, people on almost every continent faced sleepless nights lately. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The regions, which have been regularly facing the upheaval, are South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, Koreas, Israel-Palestine region, Afghanistan, Belarus-Poland border, Sudan, Hong Kong, etc. &nbsp;

In some places, the opposite sides are warring due to overlapping claims, while at some, people are just fighting for existence.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rittenhouse-acquittal-polarises-us-on-political-lines-attracts-sharp-reactions-430653" hreflang="en">Rittenhouse acquittal polarises US on political lines, attracts sharp reactions</a>

Several nations, such as Sudan, witnessed coup while some also had to go through assassinations of top officials like Haiti. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a nutshell, several people were affected by the worrisome developments around the world. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In Taiwan Strait, China and Taiwan have been fighting a war of words and showing strengths by the way of incursions, military exercises, joining regional pacts, etc. &nbsp;

For a long time, South China Sea seems to have become a bone of contention. After China militarised some artificially constructed islands in the area to assert its claim over the waterway, several countries of the world seem to have been making efforts to push back the Chinese. &nbsp; &nbsp;

China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims in the region. The situation is such that one small clash can lead to a full-scale war anytime. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-tolerate-taiwans-independence-says-china-430759" hreflang="en">Won't tolerate Taiwan's independence, says China</a>

Be it the formation of the Quad or Aukus, the focus of the major powers in the region has been to keep a tab over the increasingly aggressive China. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Calling it ‘freedom of navigation’, the US, the UK and other countries have been sending their warships to the region as a show of power but with little or no effect on the adversary China. They regularly pass through the area to demonstrate the right to sail through what is considered to be international waters. It seems to have been only making the Beijing more aggressive. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In East China Sea, China has been taking on Japan as both the countries lay claim on same set of islands. &nbsp;

In the Koreas, India-China border, Israel-Palestine region, etc, there has been unusual calmness and slight skirmishes. The war of words, missile tests, flag meetings, firing of rockets, etc are also common. &nbsp;&nbsp;

After the Taliban took over the war-torn Afghanistan, the country has been witnessing poverty, hunger, power crisis, increase in suicide attacks by IS and affiliated groups, etc. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Belarus-Poland border has been facing migrant crisis, where several people were looking to cross over to Europe but to no avail. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In this year, several regions of the world have been forced to live under highly tensed atmosphere. Be it a conflict on the border or environment of hatred created by sectionalism, people on almost every continent faced sleepless nights lately.

In this year, several regions of the world have been forced to live under highly tensed atmosphere. Be it a conflict on the border or environment of hatred created by sectionalism, people on almost every continent faced sleepless nights lately. The regions, which have been regularly facing the upheaval, are South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, Koreas, Israel-Palestine region, Afghanistan, Belarus-Poland border, Sudan, Hong Kong, etc. In some places, the opposite sides are warring due to overlapping claims, while at some, people are just fighting for existence. Also Read: Rittenhouse acquittal polarises US on political lines, attracts sharp reactions Several nations, such as Sudan, witnessed coup while some also had to go through assassinations of top officials like Haiti. In a nutshell, several people were affected by the worrisome developments around the world. In Taiwan Strait, China and Taiwan have been fighting a war of words and showing strengths by the way of incursions, military exercises, joining regional pacts, etc. For a long time, South China Sea seems to have become a bone of contention. After China militarised some artificially constructed islands in the area to assert its claim over the waterway, several countries of the world seem to have been making efforts to push back the Chinese. China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims in the region. The situation is such that one small clash can lead to a full-scale war anytime. Also Read: Won't tolerate Taiwan's independence, says China Be it the formation of the Quad or Aukus, the focus of the major powers in the region has been to keep a tab over the increasingly aggressive China. Calling it ‘freedom of navigation’, the US, the UK and other countries have been sending their warships to the region as a show of power but with little or no effect on the adversary China. They regularly pass through the area to demonstrate the right to sail through what is considered to be international waters. It seems to have been only making the Beijing more aggressive. In East China Sea, China has been taking on Japan as both the countries lay claim on same set of islands. In the Koreas, India-China border, Israel-Palestine region, etc, there has been unusual calmness and slight skirmishes. The war of words, missile tests, flag meetings, firing of rockets, etc are also common. After the Taliban took over the war-torn Afghanistan, the country has been witnessing poverty, hunger, power crisis, increase in suicide attacks by IS and affiliated groups, etc. The Belarus-Poland border has been facing migrant crisis, where several people were looking to cross over to Europe but to no avail. (With inputs from agencies)

Weekend Special: Let's revisit world's highly tensed regions

The covid-19 situation in Europe is getting worse by the day. Low rate of vaccination and skyrocketing cases after lifting of curbs. It is the same story in many countries that are dealing with the escalating crisis.

COVID-19 situation in Europe gets worse by the day

The establishment of the first non-profit city of the world was announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday. &nbsp;

Model for the development of the non-profit sector globally, the city will be an incubator for youth and volunteer groups, along with local and international non-profit institutions. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghan-college-students-find-a-new-life-and-safety-in-iraq-429575" hreflang="en">Afghan college students find a new life, and safety, in Iraq</a>

The crown prince said, “This will be the first non-profit city of its kind, which will contribute to achieving the goals of Misk Foundation in supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and qualifying future leaders by defining non-profit work in its internal operational concept and in terms of opportunities and youth training programmes it will provide. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“In addition, the project will provide services that contribute to creating an attractive environment for all beneficiaries of the city’s offerings,” Salman added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/checkmate-russia-shows-off-new-fifth-generation-warplane-at-dubai-airshow-429451" hreflang="en">Checkmate? Russia shows off new fifth-generation warplane at Dubai Airshow &nbsp;</a>&nbsp;

The city, which will be called Prince Mohammed bin Salman Non-profit City, will be located on land dedicated by the crown prince, in Irqah neighbourhood. It is adjacent to Wadi Hanifa and has an area of about 3.4 square kilometers. &nbsp;

The master plan of the city embodies a human-centered, advanced digital metropolis designed to be sustainable and pedestrian-friendly. To promote sustainable development, it will allocate over 44 per cent of the total area for green open spaces. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The establishment of the first non-profit city of the world was announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday. Model for the development of the non-profit sector globally, the city will be an incubator for youth and volunteer groups, along with local and international non-profit institutions.

The establishment of the first non-profit city of the world was announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday. Model for the development of the non-profit sector globally, the city will be an incubator for youth and volunteer groups, along with local and international non-profit institutions. Also Read: Afghan college students find a new life, and safety, in Iraq The crown prince said, “This will be the first non-profit city of its kind, which will contribute to achieving the goals of Misk Foundation in supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and qualifying future leaders by defining non-profit work in its internal operational concept and in terms of opportunities and youth training programmes it will provide. “In addition, the project will provide services that contribute to creating an attractive environment for all beneficiaries of the city’s offerings,” Salman added. Also Read: Checkmate? Russia shows off new fifth-generation warplane at Dubai Airshow The city, which will be called Prince Mohammed bin Salman Non-profit City, will be located on land dedicated by the crown prince, in Irqah neighbourhood. It is adjacent to Wadi Hanifa and has an area of about 3.4 square kilometers. The master plan of the city embodies a human-centered, advanced digital metropolis designed to be sustainable and pedestrian-friendly. To promote sustainable development, it will allocate over 44 per cent of the total area for green open spaces. (With inputs from agencies)

First non-profit city of world to come up in Saudi Arabia, says crown prince

The UK government is looking forward to implementing travel restrictions on people who do not take up the booster shot. As per official figures, 10,062,704 people in the UK have received a booster jab. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged over-80 and more than 60 per cent of people aged 50 and more are still in the queue to receive extra doses.&nbsp;

The official guidelines for this month stated that the government was “reviewing the implications and requirements of boosters for international travel certification” and “looking at whether and how booster vaccinations could be included in the NHS Covid pass for travel."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-covid-surge-uk-to-send-booster-shot-invite-a-month-early-427232">Also read |&nbsp;Amid Covid surge, UK to send booster shot invite a month early</a>

Health secretary Sajid Javid, urged people to take up the offer of booster shots as soon as they become eligible. He described the push as a “national mission” that would help the country “avoid a return to restrictions and enjoy Christmas”.

The country has also announced that booster jabs for locals will be available to book a month in advance now. This comes in as cases continue to increase due to the deadly delta variant.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-offer-third-vaccine-shot-only-to-people-with-severely-weak-immune-system-410220">Also read |&nbsp;UK to offer third vaccine shot only to people with severely weak immune system</a>

People who are now eligible for the top-up shot will receive their booking invitation at least five months after they are inoculated with the second dose of coronavirus vaccines.&nbsp;

A recent study has claimed that booster shots after every few months will be needed to make sure that locals stay safe from any new variant of coronavirus. Experts have also claimed that vaccinations are of utmost importance to keep everyone safe from the deadly pandemic. As per some studies, fully vaccinated people have nearly 65 per cent less chance of getting asymptomatic infection till at least three months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eu-medicines-agency-approves-modernas-booster-shot-for-people-aged-18-and-above-424088">Watch:&nbsp;EU medicines agency approves Moderna's booster shot for people aged 18 and above</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eu-medicines-agency-approves-modernas-booster-shot-for-people-aged-18-and-above-424088/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The UK government is looking forward to implementing travel restrictions on people who do not take up the booster shot. As per official figures, 10,062,704 people in the UK have received a booster jab.

The UK government is looking forward to implementing travel restrictions on people who do not take up the booster shot. As per official figures, 10,062,704 people in the UK have received a booster jab. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged over-80 and more than 60 per cent of people aged 50 and more are still in the queue to receive extra doses. The official guidelines for this month stated that the government was “reviewing the implications and requirements of boosters for international travel certification” and “looking at whether and how booster vaccinations could be included in the NHS Covid pass for travel." Also read | Amid Covid surge, UK to send booster shot invite a month early Health secretary Sajid Javid, urged people to take up the offer of booster shots as soon as they become eligible. He described the push as a “national mission” that would help the country “avoid a return to restrictions and enjoy Christmas”. The country has also announced that booster jabs for locals will be available to book a month in advance now. This comes in as cases continue to increase due to the deadly delta variant. Also read | UK to offer third vaccine shot only to people with severely weak immune system People who are now eligible for the top-up shot will receive their booking invitation at least five months after they are inoculated with the second dose of coronavirus vaccines. A recent study has claimed that booster shots after every few months will be needed to make sure that locals stay safe from any new variant of coronavirus. Experts have also claimed that vaccinations are of utmost importance to keep everyone safe from the deadly pandemic. As per some studies, fully vaccinated people have nearly 65 per cent less chance of getting asymptomatic infection till at least three months. Watch: EU medicines agency approves Moderna's booster shot for people aged 18 and above

'National mission': UK government to implement travel restrictions for those who refuse booster shot

US President Joe Biden urged world leaders to take action to reduce supply-chain problems and prevent them from happening in the future. While speaking to fellow leaders gathered for the G20 summit in Rome, Biden also laid out new steps his administration is taking to address the issue at home.

US President Joe Biden urged world leaders to take action to reduce supply-chain problems and prevent them from happening in the future. While speaking to fellow leaders gathered for the G20 summit in Rome, Biden also laid out new steps his administration is taking to address the issue at home. As the coronavirus pandemic took over the world at the beginning of 2019, all kinds of transportation came to a halt. This has negatively impacted the industry and companies have had to bear massive losses, thus affecting the global supply chain. Earlier in September, the transport industry urged global leaders and the United Nations (UN) to pay attention to their worsening situation. IRU, the world road transport organisation, IATA, the International Air Transport Association, ICS, the International Chamber of Shipping, and ITF, the International Transport Workers' Federation came together to draft a letter and make an urgent plea on behalf of the whole transport industry. Also read | UK's Johnson warns on COP26: 'If Glasgow fails, the whole thing fails' "Our collective industries account for more than $20 trillion of world trade annually, and represent 65 million global transport workers, and over 3.5 million road freight and airline companies, as well as more than 80% of the world merchant shipping fleet," the chiefs said in a joint letter. The joint open letter by the global transport chiefs blamed world leaders for not offering them enough support in these difficult times. "Transport workers keep the world running and are vital for the free movement of products, including vaccines and PPE, but have been continually failed by governments and taken for granted by their officials," the letter reads.

Biden urges world leaders to help address global supply-chain issue

World leaders will start descending on the Scottish city of Glasgow on Sunday for the United Nations COP26 summit, billed as a make-or-break chance to save the planet from the most calamitous effects of climate change.

Delayed by a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, COP26 aims to keep alive a target of capping global warming at 1.5C above pre-industrial levels - the limit scientists say would avoid its most destructive consequences.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-climate-activists-demand-action-ahead-of-cop26-summit-425249">In pics: Climate activists demand action ahead of COP26 summit</a>

Meeting that goal, agreed in Paris to much fanfare in 2015, will require a surge in political momentum and diplomatic heavy-lifting to make up for the insufficient action and empty pledges that have characterised much of global climate politics.

The conference needs to secure more ambitious pledges to further cut emissions, lock in billions in climate finance, and finish the rules to implement the Paris Agreement with the unanimous consent of the nearly 200 countries that signed it.

"Let’s be clear - there is a serious risk that Glasgow will not deliver," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) rich nations last week.

"Even if recent pledges were clear and credible — and there are serious questions about some of them — we are still careening towards climate catastrophe."

Countries&nbsp;existing pledges to cut emissions would see the planet's average temperature rise 2.7C this century, which the UN says would supercharge the destruction that climate change is already causing by intensifying storms, exposing more people to deadly heat and floods, killing coral reefs and destroying natural habitats.

The signals ahead of COP26 have been mixed. A new pledge last week from China, the world's biggest polluter, was labelled a missed opportunity that will cast a shadow over the two-week summit. Announcements from Russia and Saudi Arabia were also lacklustre.

The return of the United States, the world's biggest economy, to UN&nbsp;climate talks will be a boon to the conference, after a four-year absence under President Donald Trump.

But like many world leaders, President Joe Biden will arrive at COP26 without firm legislation in place to deliver his own climate pledge as Congress wrangles over how to finance it and new uncertainty about whether US&nbsp;agencies can even regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Leaders of the G20 meeting in Rome this weekend will say they aim to cap global warming at 1.5C, but will largely avoid firm commitments, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

The joint statement reflects tough negotiations, but details few concrete actions to limit carbon emissions.&nbsp;

The G20, which includes Brazil, China, India, Germany and the United States, accounts for about 80 per cent&nbsp;of global greenhouse gas emissions, but hopes the Rome meeting might pave the way to success in Scotland have dimmed considerably.

Shadow of COVID-19

Adding to the challenging geopolitical backdrop, a global energy crunch has prompted China to turn to highly polluting coal to avert power shortages, and left Europe seeking more gas, another fossil fuel.

Ultimately, negotiations will boil down to questions of fairness and trust between rich countries whose greenhouse gas emissions caused climate change, and poor countries being asked to de-carbonise their economies with insufficient financial support.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/boris-johnson-is-playing-another-trick-422142">Boris Johnson is playing another trick</a>

COVID-19 has exacerbated the divide between rich and poor. A lack of vaccines and travel curbs mean some representatives from the poorest countries cannot attend the meeting.

Other obstacles - not least, sky-high hotel rates in Glasgow - have stoked concerns that civil society groups from the poorest nations which are also most at risk from global warming will be under-represented.

COVID-19 will make this UN&nbsp;climate conference different from any other, as 25,000 delegates from governments, companies, civil society, indigenous peoples, and the media will fill Glasgow's cavernous Scottish Event Campus.

All must wear masks, socially distance and produce a negative COVID-19 test to enter each day - meaning the final-hour "huddles" of negotiatiors that clinched deals at past climate talks are off the table.

Attendees who test positive must quarantine for 10 days - potentially missing most of the conference.

World leaders will kick start COP26 on Monday with two days of speeches that could include some new emissions-cutting pledges, before technical negotiators lock horns over the Paris accord rules. Any deal is likely to be struck hours or even days after the event's November&nbsp;12 finish date.

Outside, tens of thousands of protesters are expected to take to the streets to demand urgent climate action.

Assessing progress will be complex. Unlike past climate summits, the event won't deliver a new treaty or a big "win" but seeks to secure smaller but vital victories on emission-cutting pledges, climate finance and investment.

Ultimately success will be judged on whether those deals add up to enough progress to keep the 1.5C goal alive - still a long way off.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-president-xi-jinping-to-snub-crucial-climate-conference-cop26-report-420893">Chinese President Xi Jinping to snub crucial climate conference COP26: Report</a>

Since the Paris accord in 2015, scientists have issued increasingly urgent warnings that the 1.5C goal is slipping out of reach. To meet it, global emissions must plummet 45 per cent&nbsp;by 2030 from 2010 levels, and reach net zero by 2050 - requiring huge changes to countries&nbsp;systems of transport, energy production, manufacturing and farming. Countries&nbsp;current pledges would see global emissions soar by 16 per cent&nbsp;by 2030.

"The way I think about this is, there is a meteor coming at our planet and it has the very real potential of wiping out humanity," said Christiana Figueres, the former UN&nbsp;climate diplomat who led the talks that yielded the Paris Agreement.

World leaders will start descending on the Scottish city of Glasgow on Sunday for the United Nations COP26 summit, billed as a make-or-break chance to save the planet from the most calamitous effects of climate change.

World leaders will start descending on the Scottish city of Glasgow on Sunday for the United Nations COP26 summit, billed as a make-or-break chance to save the planet from the most calamitous effects of climate change. Delayed by a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, COP26 aims to keep alive a target of capping global warming at 1.5C above pre-industrial levels - the limit scientists say would avoid its most destructive consequences. Also Read | In pics: Climate activists demand action ahead of COP26 summit Meeting that goal, agreed in Paris to much fanfare in 2015, will require a surge in political momentum and diplomatic heavy-lifting to make up for the insufficient action and empty pledges that have characterised much of global climate politics. The conference needs to secure more ambitious pledges to further cut emissions, lock in billions in climate finance, and finish the rules to implement the Paris Agreement with the unanimous consent of the nearly 200 countries that signed it. "Let’s be clear - there is a serious risk that Glasgow will not deliver," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) rich nations last week. "Even if recent pledges were clear and credible — and there are serious questions about some of them — we are still careening towards climate catastrophe." Countries existing pledges to cut emissions would see the planet's average temperature rise 2.7C this century, which the UN says would supercharge the destruction that climate change is already causing by intensifying storms, exposing more people to deadly heat and floods, killing coral reefs and destroying natural habitats. The signals ahead of COP26 have been mixed. A new pledge last week from China, the world's biggest polluter, was labelled a missed opportunity that will cast a shadow over the two-week summit. Announcements from Russia and Saudi Arabia were also lacklustre. The return of the United States, the world's biggest economy, to UN climate talks will be a boon to the conference, after a four-year absence under President Donald Trump. But like many world leaders, President Joe Biden will arrive at COP26 without firm legislation in place to deliver his own climate pledge as Congress wrangles over how to finance it and new uncertainty about whether US agencies can even regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Leaders of the G20 meeting in Rome this weekend will say they aim to cap global warming at 1.5C, but will largely avoid firm commitments, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters. The joint statement reflects tough negotiations, but details few concrete actions to limit carbon emissions. The G20, which includes Brazil, China, India, Germany and the United States, accounts for about 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but hopes the Rome meeting might pave the way to success in Scotland have dimmed considerably. Shadow of COVID-19 Adding to the challenging geopolitical backdrop, a global energy crunch has prompted China to turn to highly polluting coal to avert power shortages, and left Europe seeking more gas, another fossil fuel. Ultimately, negotiations will boil down to questions of fairness and trust between rich countries whose greenhouse gas emissions caused climate change, and poor countries being asked to de-carbonise their economies with insufficient financial support. Also Read | Boris Johnson is playing another trick COVID-19 has exacerbated the divide between rich and poor. A lack of vaccines and travel curbs mean some representatives from the poorest countries cannot attend the meeting. Other obstacles - not least, sky-high hotel rates in Glasgow - have stoked concerns that civil society groups from the poorest nations which are also most at risk from global warming will be under-represented. COVID-19 will make this UN climate conference different from any other, as 25,000 delegates from governments, companies, civil society, indigenous peoples, and the media will fill Glasgow's cavernous Scottish Event Campus. All must wear masks, socially distance and produce a negative COVID-19 test to enter each day - meaning the final-hour "huddles" of negotiatiors that clinched deals at past climate talks are off the table. Attendees who test positive must quarantine for 10 days - potentially missing most of the conference. World leaders will kick start COP26 on Monday with two days of speeches that could include some new emissions-cutting pledges, before technical negotiators lock horns over the Paris accord rules. Any deal is likely to be struck hours or even days after the event's November 12 finish date. Outside, tens of thousands of protesters are expected to take to the streets to demand urgent climate action. Assessing progress will be complex. Unlike past climate summits, the event won't deliver a new treaty or a big "win" but seeks to secure smaller but vital victories on emission-cutting pledges, climate finance and investment. Ultimately success will be judged on whether those deals add up to enough progress to keep the 1.5C goal alive - still a long way off. Also Read | Chinese President Xi Jinping to snub crucial climate conference COP26: Report Since the Paris accord in 2015, scientists have issued increasingly urgent warnings that the 1.5C goal is slipping out of reach. To meet it, global emissions must plummet 45 per cent by 2030 from 2010 levels, and reach net zero by 2050 - requiring huge changes to countries systems of transport, energy production, manufacturing and farming. Countries current pledges would see global emissions soar by 16 per cent by 2030. "The way I think about this is, there is a meteor coming at our planet and it has the very real potential of wiping out humanity," said Christiana Figueres, the former UN climate diplomat who led the talks that yielded the Paris Agreement.

COP26: World makes new bid to avert climate disaster

Leaders of the Group of 20 leading industrial nations are set to sign off on the most sweeping overhaul of the international tax system in a century when they gather in Rome this weekend, ushering in a 15% global minimum tax and changes to how governments can impose levies on large, profitable multinational companies.

The agreement is the result of years of sputtering international negotiations that gathered pace this year when the Biden administration took office. When the pact is fully enacted, most likely by 2023, it could have significant implications for the global economy, corporate investment and government coffers.

Some details will continue to be refined in the coming months. But tax experts and officials around the world have hailed the agreement as an achievement that will reverse decades of a “race to the bottom” in corporate taxation that has deprived nations of revenue as companies sought low-tax jurisdictions for their headquarters.

Here’s a look at how the deal will work.

<h2>A 15% Global Minimum Tax</h2>

The most prominent feature of the deal is the 15% global minimum tax, which is expected to be enacted by each country that has agreed to the deal. That rate will apply to multinational corporations with annual revenues of more than $867 million. The idea is to discourage companies from being able to avoid paying taxes by finding havens with low rates. Companies that park money in a country that is not part of the deal will be required to pay the difference between that nation’s rate and the 15% minimum rate to their home country.

Governments will apply the tax on a country-by-country basis, so that companies cannot lower their tax bill simply by seeking out tax havens and “blending” their tax rates. That will ensure that companies actually pay the 15% minimum rate regardless of where they locate within the 136 countries that are part of the deal.

The Biden administration has said it would impose a penalty rate on any foreign corporations based in countries that did not abide by the agreement.

The United States already has its own form of global minimum tax, which it applies to the foreign profits of American companies. To comply with the agreement, Congress will have to raise that tax rate from 10.5% to at least 15% and switch to the country-by-country system. It is expected to include this in the spending bill that is being negotiated among Democrats and count revenue from the tax to help pay for that legislation.

<h2>Pay Where You Play</h2>

Another crucial part of the agreement involves a shift in how governments can tax companies in the digital era. Taxes have traditionally depended on where a company operates, but the deal will update rules for the 21st century and allow countries to levy taxes on some large and profitable companies based on where their goods and services are sold.

The agreement was a response to an attempt by European countries to impose digital services taxes on U.S. technology giants such as Google and Facebook, which operate all over the world, even if they do not have a physical presence in every country. Those taxes prompted the United States to threaten retaliatory tariffs.

The global pact reached a compromise that allows countries to impose an additional tax on some of the profits of about 100 of the world’s richest companies based on where their sales are. The right to tax a total of $125 billion of profits will be reallocated among countries around the world. The taxes will be applied to companies with global sales of more than $23 billion and profit margins of at least 10%. A quarter of a company’s profit above that threshold will be taxed, with the revenue divvied up around the world.

U.S. companies are expected to bear the brunt of this new policy. Treasury Department officials contend that, on balance, the United States will gain about as much tax revenue as it loses once the plan is enacted. However, some analysts predict that the United States would be a net loser.

<h2>The Money at Stake</h2>

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimates that the agreement will raise $150 billion a year globally from companies that have parked their operations in low-tax nations, avoiding a higher tax bill.

The Biden administration hopes that the agreement will make U.S. companies more competitive globally while reducing incentives for them to move jobs abroad.

The White House estimates that the changes it is making to the international side of the tax code will raise $350 billion in revenue over a decade as U.S. companies are forced to pay higher taxes on profits they earn abroad and are more likely to invest in operations in the United States.

<h2>What’s Next</h2>

In some respects, reaching the agreement was the easy part. Now 136 countries must enact it. That will be easier in some countries than others.

It could be most challenging in the United States, which took a leading role in brokering the deal this year. Democrats are likely to be able to make the required changes to comply with the new minimum rate in the tax and social welfare package that they hope to pass next month.

However, the other part of the deal, which gets rid of the digital services taxes and applies largely to technology giants, could require changes to tax treaties. That would probably mean that some Republicans, who have resisted nearly all of the Biden administration’s tax proposals, would have to offer their support in separate legislation that lawmakers will tackle next year.

Other countries will have to deal with their own legislative challenges to comply with the agreement.

Leaders of the Group of 20 leading industrial nations are set to sign off on the most sweeping overhaul of the international tax system in a century when they gather in Rome this weekend, ushering in a 15% global minimum tax and changes to how governments can impose levies on large, profitable multinational companies.

Leaders of the Group of 20 leading industrial nations are set to sign off on the most sweeping overhaul of the international tax system in a century when they gather in Rome this weekend, ushering in a 15% global minimum tax and changes to how governments can impose levies on large, profitable multinational companies. The agreement is the result of years of sputtering international negotiations that gathered pace this year when the Biden administration took office. When the pact is fully enacted, most likely by 2023, it could have significant implications for the global economy, corporate investment and government coffers. Some details will continue to be refined in the coming months. But tax experts and officials around the world have hailed the agreement as an achievement that will reverse decades of a “race to the bottom” in corporate taxation that has deprived nations of revenue as companies sought low-tax jurisdictions for their headquarters. Here’s a look at how the deal will work. A 15% Global Minimum Tax The most prominent feature of the deal is the 15% global minimum tax, which is expected to be enacted by each country that has agreed to the deal. That rate will apply to multinational corporations with annual revenues of more than $867 million. The idea is to discourage companies from being able to avoid paying taxes by finding havens with low rates. Companies that park money in a country that is not part of the deal will be required to pay the difference between that nation’s rate and the 15% minimum rate to their home country. Governments will apply the tax on a country-by-country basis, so that companies cannot lower their tax bill simply by seeking out tax havens and “blending” their tax rates. That will ensure that companies actually pay the 15% minimum rate regardless of where they locate within the 136 countries that are part of the deal. The Biden administration has said it would impose a penalty rate on any foreign corporations based in countries that did not abide by the agreement. The United States already has its own form of global minimum tax, which it applies to the foreign profits of American companies. To comply with the agreement, Congress will have to raise that tax rate from 10.5% to at least 15% and switch to the country-by-country system. It is expected to include this in the spending bill that is being negotiated among Democrats and count revenue from the tax to help pay for that legislation. Pay Where You Play Another crucial part of the agreement involves a shift in how governments can tax companies in the digital era. Taxes have traditionally depended on where a company operates, but the deal will update rules for the 21st century and allow countries to levy taxes on some large and profitable companies based on where their goods and services are sold. The agreement was a response to an attempt by European countries to impose digital services taxes on U.S. technology giants such as Google and Facebook, which operate all over the world, even if they do not have a physical presence in every country. Those taxes prompted the United States to threaten retaliatory tariffs. The global pact reached a compromise that allows countries to impose an additional tax on some of the profits of about 100 of the world’s richest companies based on where their sales are. The right to tax a total of $125 billion of profits will be reallocated among countries around the world. The taxes will be applied to companies with global sales of more than $23 billion and profit margins of at least 10%. A quarter of a company’s profit above that threshold will be taxed, with the revenue divvied up around the world. U.S. companies are expected to bear the brunt of this new policy. Treasury Department officials contend that, on balance, the United States will gain about as much tax revenue as it loses once the plan is enacted. However, some analysts predict that the United States would be a net loser. The Money at Stake The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimates that the agreement will raise $150 billion a year globally from companies that have parked their operations in low-tax nations, avoiding a higher tax bill. The Biden administration hopes that the agreement will make U.S. companies more competitive globally while reducing incentives for them to move jobs abroad. The White House estimates that the changes it is making to the international side of the tax code will raise $350 billion in revenue over a decade as U.S. companies are forced to pay higher taxes on profits they earn abroad and are more likely to invest in operations in the United States. What’s Next In some respects, reaching the agreement was the easy part. Now 136 countries must enact it. That will be easier in some countries than others. It could be most challenging in the United States, which took a leading role in brokering the deal this year. Democrats are likely to be able to make the required changes to comply with the new minimum rate in the tax and social welfare package that they hope to pass next month. However, the other part of the deal, which gets rid of the digital services taxes and applies largely to technology giants, could require changes to tax treaties. That would probably mean that some Republicans, who have resisted nearly all of the Biden administration’s tax proposals, would have to offer their support in separate legislation that lawmakers will tackle next year. Other countries will have to deal with their own legislative challenges to comply with the agreement.

A global tax deal is at hand. Here’s how it would work

As Cop26 is set to begin in a few days, the United Nations Development Programme released a video of Frankie, the talking dinosaur, in an attempt to warn the world about climate disasters.

The dinosaur urged the world not to choose extinction.&nbsp;

"You're headed for a climate disaster, and yet every year governments spend hundreds of billions of public funds on fossil fuel subsidies. Think of all the other things you could do with that money. Around the world, people are living in poverty. Don't you think helping them would make more sense than paying for the demise of your entire species?", the dinosaur said, standing at the podium of the UN General Assembly.

The talking dinosaur urged the people to rebuild their economies and 'bounce back' from this pandemic.&nbsp;"This is humanity's big chance," the dinosaur said as he urged the people to not choose extinction and save their species.&nbsp;

"We can’t ignore climate change any longer. Unless we end the excuses, we’ll be another species facing extinction," said UNDP as they published the video of the dinosaur.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We can’t ignore <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateChange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateChange</a> any longer. Unless we end the excuses, we’ll be another species facing extinction. 
 
Join us and <a href="https://twitter.com/frankiethedino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FrankieTheDino</a>, and let's take <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateAction</a> before it’s too late: <a href="https://t.co/vf7PQ2oLeR">https://t.co/vf7PQ2oLeR</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DontChooseExtinction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DontChooseExtinction</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> <a href="https://t.co/lwAXw4FCYI">pic.twitter.com/lwAXw4FCYI</a>
— UN Development (@UNDP) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNDP/status/1453210331308691459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/due-to-fuel-shortages-china-rations-diesel-424700">Also read |&nbsp;Due to fuel shortages, China rations diesel&nbsp;</a>

Meanwhile, the UK president-designate of the Cop26 talks, Alok Sharma, has said that achieving a global climate deal in Glasgow will be harder than signing the Paris agreement of 2015.&nbsp;

He further said that the task would be to get nearly 200 countries to implement stringent cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions, keeping in mind the increase in global temperature to within 1.5C of pre-industrial levels.

Sharma was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "What we’re trying to do here in Glasgow is actually really tough."

“It was brilliant what they did in Paris, it was a framework agreement, a lot of the detailed rules were left for the future."

“It’s like, we’ve got to the end of the exam paper and the most difficult questions are left and you’re running out of time, the exam’s over in half an hour and you go, ‘How are we going to answer this one?'

Also, world’s top carbon emitters are now urging the rich countries to do more to finance the developing world’s transition away from fossil fuels.&nbsp;

As Cop26 is set to begin in a few days, the United Nations Development Programme released a video of Frankie, the talking dinosaur, in an attempt to warn the world about climate disasters.

As Cop26 is set to begin in a few days, the United Nations Development Programme released a video of Frankie, the talking dinosaur, in an attempt to warn the world about climate disasters. The dinosaur urged the world not to choose extinction. "You're headed for a climate disaster, and yet every year governments spend hundreds of billions of public funds on fossil fuel subsidies. Think of all the other things you could do with that money. Around the world, people are living in poverty. Don't you think helping them would make more sense than paying for the demise of your entire species?", the dinosaur said, standing at the podium of the UN General Assembly. The talking dinosaur urged the people to rebuild their economies and 'bounce back' from this pandemic. "This is humanity's big chance," the dinosaur said as he urged the people to not choose extinction and save their species. "We can’t ignore climate change any longer. Unless we end the excuses, we’ll be another species facing extinction," said UNDP as they published the video of the dinosaur. We can’t ignore #ClimateChange any longer. Unless we end the excuses, we’ll be another species facing extinction. Join us and @FrankieTheDino, and let's take #ClimateAction before it’s too late: https://t.co/vf7PQ2oLeR#DontChooseExtinction #COP26 pic.twitter.com/lwAXw4FCYI — UN Development (@UNDP) October 27, 2021 × Also read | Due to fuel shortages, China rations diesel Meanwhile, the UK president-designate of the Cop26 talks, Alok Sharma, has said that achieving a global climate deal in Glasgow will be harder than signing the Paris agreement of 2015. He further said that the task would be to get nearly 200 countries to implement stringent cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions, keeping in mind the increase in global temperature to within 1.5C of pre-industrial levels. Sharma was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "What we’re trying to do here in Glasgow is actually really tough." “It was brilliant what they did in Paris, it was a framework agreement, a lot of the detailed rules were left for the future." “It’s like, we’ve got to the end of the exam paper and the most difficult questions are left and you’re running out of time, the exam’s over in half an hour and you go, ‘How are we going to answer this one?' Also, world’s top carbon emitters are now urging the rich countries to do more to finance the developing world’s transition away from fossil fuels.

'Humanity's big chance': Talking dinosaur Frankie urges world leaders to not choose extinction

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