Japan&nbsp;aims to&nbsp;cut&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;46 percent by&nbsp;2030, significantly more than previously pledged, the country's prime minister announced Thursday ahead of a key US-hosted climate summit.

"We aim to&nbsp;cut&nbsp;greenhouse gas (emissions) by 46 percent in fiscal&nbsp;2030&nbsp;from fiscal 2013," Yoshihide Suga told a meeting hours before the discussions called by US President Joe Biden begin.

Japan's fiscal&nbsp;2030&nbsp;will begin in April of the calendar year.

The new&nbsp;target&nbsp;revises a previous goal of cutting&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;26 per cent from 2013 levels by&nbsp;2030.

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Japan&nbsp;is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, in part because many of its nuclear reactors remain offline after the Fukushima meltdown a decade ago.

Suga last year set a 2050 deadline for&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;to become carbon-neutral, putting it on the same timeline as the European Union and ahead of China's 2060 goal.

Environmentalists have urged nations to take more immediate action ahead of the two-day virtual Earth Day summit organised by Biden.

Suga is one of 40 leaders attending the talks that kick off later Thursday, heralding a US return to the climate front lines after Donald Trump's term.

Several other countries have also announced revised targets for slashing&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;and more pledges are expected at the meeting.

Speaking before Suga's announcement, Ken Tanaka from conservation group WWF&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;said a reduction&nbsp;target&nbsp;of 45 percent was an "absolute minimum".

"Now it has set a 2050 net-zero goal in October, it is important for&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;to have an ambitious interim&nbsp;target" to achieve its long-term aim, he told.

Climate activists want to see&nbsp;Japan, which was the sixth-biggest contributor to global greenhouse&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;in 2017, reduce its reliance on coal.

"They are discussing the next energy-mix plan, and in the discussion there are still coal-fired plants remaining for the next decade," Tanaka said.

"The clear decision to phase out coal-fired plans is a critical thing for&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;to pursue."

Yuri Okubo, senior researcher at the Renewable Energy Institute, said more was still needed but the commitment was nonetheless "an important step for&nbsp;Japan" and could help build momentum for a move away from coal.

Japan aims to cut emissions 46 percent by 2030, significantly more than previously pledged, the country's prime minister announced Thursday ahead of a key US-hosted climate summit.

Japan aims to cut emissions 46 percent by 2030, significantly more than previously pledged, the country's prime minister announced Thursday ahead of a key US-hosted climate summit. "We aim to cut greenhouse gas (emissions) by 46 percent in fiscal 2030 from fiscal 2013," Yoshihide Suga told a meeting hours before the discussions called by US President Joe Biden begin. Japan's fiscal 2030 will begin in April of the calendar year. The new target revises a previous goal of cutting emissions 26 per cent from 2013 levels by 2030. Also Read | Japan adopts strike-first policy to counter Chinese aggression Japan is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, in part because many of its nuclear reactors remain offline after the Fukushima meltdown a decade ago. Suga last year set a 2050 deadline for Japan to become carbon-neutral, putting it on the same timeline as the European Union and ahead of China's 2060 goal. Environmentalists have urged nations to take more immediate action ahead of the two-day virtual Earth Day summit organised by Biden. Suga is one of 40 leaders attending the talks that kick off later Thursday, heralding a US return to the climate front lines after Donald Trump's term. Several other countries have also announced revised targets for slashing emissions and more pledges are expected at the meeting. Speaking before Suga's announcement, Ken Tanaka from conservation group WWF Japan said a reduction target of 45 percent was an "absolute minimum". "Now it has set a 2050 net-zero goal in October, it is important for Japan to have an ambitious interim target" to achieve its long-term aim, he told. Climate activists want to see Japan, which was the sixth-biggest contributor to global greenhouse emissions in 2017, reduce its reliance on coal. "They are discussing the next energy-mix plan, and in the discussion there are still coal-fired plants remaining for the next decade," Tanaka said. "The clear decision to phase out coal-fired plans is a critical thing for Japan to pursue." Yuri Okubo, senior researcher at the Renewable Energy Institute, said more was still needed but the commitment was nonetheless "an important step for Japan" and could help build momentum for a move away from coal.

Japan strengthens 2030 emissions cut target

US President Joe Biden on Thursday opened an international climate summit in which he said that Washington "isn't waiting" to lead on a "moral and economic imperative" issue.&nbsp;

"The cost of inaction keeps mounting. The United States isn't waiting," Biden said in his address of the two-day summit being hosted virtually by the White House.

Biden said that he aims to build infrastructure that can produce and deploy cleaner technology for "those we harness today and those we will invent tomorrow".&nbsp;

He said that he has spoken to climate experts and sees a "prosperous" and an "equitable" future.&nbsp;

The US president also talked about a host of actions that the US is taking to fight climate change, in which he talked about the manufacturing of electric vehicles and their infrastructure, the building of green hydrogen, among others.&nbsp;

"The US sets out on the road to cut greenhouse gases by half at the end of this decade," Biden said.

"These steps will set America on a path at net zero emissions of the economy by no later than 2050."

But, he warned, "no nation can solve this crisis on their own".&nbsp;

Biden also told the summit that the US will double aid to developing nations who are battling the climate crisis.

"To help them meet that goal, the United States will double... by 2024 our annual public climate financing development to developing countries," he said.

US President Joe Biden on Thursday opened an international climate summit in which he said that Washington "isn't waiting" to lead on a "moral and economic imperative" issue.

US President Joe Biden on Thursday opened an international climate summit in which he said that Washington "isn't waiting" to lead on a "moral and economic imperative" issue. "The cost of inaction keeps mounting. The United States isn't waiting," Biden said in his address of the two-day summit being hosted virtually by the White House. Biden said that he aims to build infrastructure that can produce and deploy cleaner technology for "those we harness today and those we will invent tomorrow". He said that he has spoken to climate experts and sees a "prosperous" and an "equitable" future. The US president also talked about a host of actions that the US is taking to fight climate change, in which he talked about the manufacturing of electric vehicles and their infrastructure, the building of green hydrogen, among others. "The US sets out on the road to cut greenhouse gases by half at the end of this decade," Biden said. "These steps will set America on a path at net zero emissions of the economy by no later than 2050." But, he warned, "no nation can solve this crisis on their own". Biden also told the summit that the US will double aid to developing nations who are battling the climate crisis. "To help them meet that goal, the United States will double... by 2024 our annual public climate financing development to developing countries," he said.

'No nation can solve this crisis on their own,' says Biden as he opens virtual climate summit

The Pakistani&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;claimed responsibility Thursday for a&nbsp;deadly&nbsp;suicide&nbsp;blast&nbsp;at a&nbsp;luxury&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;hosting the Chinese ambassador in the southwest of the country, as officials raised the death toll to five.&nbsp;

Beijing said it strongly condemned the attack, although the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;said&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;security officials were the target of the&nbsp;blast.&nbsp;

The bomber detonated the explosives late Wednesday while inside a vehicle in the car park of the Serena&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;-- part of a five-star chain popular with diplomats and aid agencies -- in the city of Quetta, capital of Balochistan province, police and the interior ministry said.

Pakistan&nbsp;is fighting several low-level insurgencies in the impoverished province, waged by Islamist, separatist and sectarian groups.

"The suicide bomber hit the security officials exactly as it was planned," the spokesperson for Tehreek-e-Taliban&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;(TTP) said in a statement.

Also Read |<a href="'Pakistan helped the Taliban, played on both sides in Afghanistan': US senator">&nbsp;'Pakistan helped the Taliban, played on both sides in Afghanistan': US senator</a>

The country's interior minister confirmed a suicide bomber had carried out the attack, as he pinned the blame on a "foreign hand".&nbsp;

"Our agencies will fight the efforts which are being made in the neighbouring country to reorganise the TTP," said interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

Pakistan&nbsp;frequently accuses India of using insurgent groups, including in Afghanistan, as proxy forces to wage an ongoing shadow war between the arch-rivals.

Describing the&nbsp;blast&nbsp;as a "terrorist attack", China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in Beijing that the Chinese delegation was not present when the bomb detonated.

Gu Wenliang, agriculture commissioner at China's embassy in&nbsp;Pakistan, told the Chinese newspaper Global Times that the bomb had detonated 10 minutes before their expected return.

"I was walking through the car park when I heard a sudden loud sound and the earth shook under my feet," said Khuda Baksh, a guard at the&nbsp;hotel.

"Everyone was running for their lives before I lost consciousness," he told.

For years the TTP unleashed&nbsp;deadly&nbsp;attacks on urban centres across&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;from their bases along the Afghan border, where they provided shelter to an array of global jihadist groups including Al Qaeda.&nbsp;

But a massive military offensive launched in 2014 largely destroyed the group's command and control structure, dramatically reducing insurgent violence throughout&nbsp;Pakistan.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility Thursday for a deadly suicide blast at a luxury hotel hosting the Chinese ambassador in the southwest of the country, as officials raised the death toll to five.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility Thursday for a deadly suicide blast at a luxury hotel hosting the Chinese ambassador in the southwest of the country, as officials raised the death toll to five. Beijing said it strongly condemned the attack, although the Taliban said Pakistan security officials were the target of the blast. The bomber detonated the explosives late Wednesday while inside a vehicle in the car park of the Serena hotel -- part of a five-star chain popular with diplomats and aid agencies -- in the city of Quetta, capital of Balochistan province, police and the interior ministry said. Pakistan is fighting several low-level insurgencies in the impoverished province, waged by Islamist, separatist and sectarian groups. "The suicide bomber hit the security officials exactly as it was planned," the spokesperson for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said in a statement. Also Read | 'Pakistan helped the Taliban, played on both sides in Afghanistan': US senator The country's interior minister confirmed a suicide bomber had carried out the attack, as he pinned the blame on a "foreign hand". "Our agencies will fight the efforts which are being made in the neighbouring country to reorganise the TTP," said interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. Pakistan frequently accuses India of using insurgent groups, including in Afghanistan, as proxy forces to wage an ongoing shadow war between the arch-rivals. Describing the blast as a "terrorist attack", China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in Beijing that the Chinese delegation was not present when the bomb detonated. Gu Wenliang, agriculture commissioner at China's embassy in Pakistan, told the Chinese newspaper Global Times that the bomb had detonated 10 minutes before their expected return. "I was walking through the car park when I heard a sudden loud sound and the earth shook under my feet," said Khuda Baksh, a guard at the hotel. "Everyone was running for their lives before I lost consciousness," he told. For years the TTP unleashed deadly attacks on urban centres across Pakistan from their bases along the Afghan border, where they provided shelter to an array of global jihadist groups including Al Qaeda. But a massive military offensive launched in 2014 largely destroyed the group's command and control structure, dramatically reducing insurgent violence throughout Pakistan.

Pakistan Taliban claim deadly blast at luxury hotel

President Vladimir&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;said Thursday that&nbsp;Russia, the world's fourth-highest producer of carbon emissions, was committed to&nbsp;fulfilling&nbsp;its international&nbsp;obligations&nbsp;to combat&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change.

Russia&nbsp;has set numerous heat records in recent years, with the first half of 2020 seeing the warmest temperatures since the country began weather observations.

"Russia&nbsp;is approaching with complete responsibility its fulfilment of international&nbsp;obligations&nbsp;in this area,"&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;told a summit hosted by US President Joe Biden.

He added that&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;had set out to "significantly limit" net emissions by 2050.

"Despite&nbsp;Russia's size, its geography,&nbsp;climate&nbsp;and the structure of its economy, I am sure this task is achievable,"&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;added.&nbsp;

He concluded by saying that&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;was interested in "stepping up international cooperation" on&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change.

Rising temperatures are contributing to increasingly regular and devastating floods and forest fires in Siberia.

President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia, the world's fourth-highest producer of carbon emissions, was committed to fulfilling its international obligations to combat climate change.

President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia, the world's fourth-highest producer of carbon emissions, was committed to fulfilling its international obligations to combat climate change. Russia has set numerous heat records in recent years, with the first half of 2020 seeing the warmest temperatures since the country began weather observations. "Russia is approaching with complete responsibility its fulfilment of international obligations in this area," Putin told a summit hosted by US President Joe Biden. He added that Russia had set out to "significantly limit" net emissions by 2050. "Despite Russia's size, its geography, climate and the structure of its economy, I am sure this task is achievable," Putin added. He concluded by saying that Russia was interested in "stepping up international cooperation" on climate change. Rising temperatures are contributing to increasingly regular and devastating floods and forest fires in Siberia.

Putin says Russia fulfilling obligations to fight climate change

Two Hong Kong-based Marxists, who first fought imperialist Britain and then China's authoritarian rule and described marriage as an unnecessary institution, have finally tied the knot after being together for 45 years.

Chan Po-ying and Leung Kwok-hung, both 63-year-olds, are two of the most prominent leaders of Hong Kong's left.&nbsp;

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They decided to marry after Beijing increased its crackdown against Hong Kong's dissidents and came for Leung.&nbsp;

Leung, who has served various short sentences of prison for his activism, last week was part of 18 others who have been sentenced to 18 months for holding an "unlawful protest".

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/canadas-immigration-programme-for-hong-kongers-received-500-applications-in-3-weeks-378101">Canada's immigration programme for Hong Kongers received 500 applications in 3 weeks</a>

However, the national security law which was approved by China last and has the provision of a life sentence, the couple decided to marry.&nbsp;

"We never thought we needed to get married until long-term imprisonment came right in our faces," Chan, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

"It was the national security law that propelled us to make up our mind."&nbsp;

They said that marriage would allow them to visit courts and prison more frequently in case of a longer sentence.&nbsp;

The couple could only spend 40 days as newlyweds when Leung was arrested.&nbsp;

Two Hong Kong-based Marxists, who first fought imperialist Britain and then China's authoritarian rule and described marriage as an unnecessary institution, have finally tied the knot after being together for 45 years.

Two Hong Kong-based Marxists, who first fought imperialist Britain and then China's authoritarian rule and described marriage as an unnecessary institution, have finally tied the knot after being together for 45 years. Chan Po-ying and Leung Kwok-hung, both 63-year-olds, are two of the most prominent leaders of Hong Kong's left. Also read | Hong Kong court rules that journalist improperly accessed public records They decided to marry after Beijing increased its crackdown against Hong Kong's dissidents and came for Leung. Leung, who has served various short sentences of prison for his activism, last week was part of 18 others who have been sentenced to 18 months for holding an "unlawful protest". Also read | Canada's immigration programme for Hong Kongers received 500 applications in 3 weeks However, the national security law which was approved by China last and has the provision of a life sentence, the couple decided to marry. "We never thought we needed to get married until long-term imprisonment came right in our faces," Chan, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. "It was the national security law that propelled us to make up our mind." They said that marriage would allow them to visit courts and prison more frequently in case of a longer sentence. The couple could only spend 40 days as newlyweds when Leung was arrested.

Hong Kong: Security law forces activist couple in their 60s to get married

Facebook Inc on Thursday said it will begin testing ads on its TikTok clone Instagram Reels in India, Brazil, Germany and Australia, as the social media giant aims to make money from its short-form video feature.

The company is seeking to capitalize on its popularity in India, a fast-growing social media market, while rival TikTok has been banned from the country since last year. Facebook has said it plans to test other features in India, such as letting content creators share Reels videos on their Facebook accounts.

The introduction of ads is an "indication of how strong the momentum is for Reels," said Carolyn Everson, vice president of global business group at Facebook, in an interview. Everson declined to share usage metrics for Reels.

Facebook also announced Thursday it will let advertisers select categories of video content they want to place ads on, such as videos about children and parenting, animals and pets or fitness and workouts.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/instagram-rolls-out-feature-to-tackle-hate-speech-abuse-378965">Instagram rolls out feature to tackle hate speech, abuse</a>

The effort is Facebook's biggest move yet to let brands advertise alongside content subjects. Advertisers typically use Facebook to target certain users by their interests.

"This is a big deal for marketers," Everson said.

Facebook added it will roll out sticker ads for Facebook Stories in the coming weeks. Brands can create stickers that creators will place in their Stories, and influencers will earn a cut of any sales made through the sticker ads.

The feature is part of Facebook's push to court content creators who are increasingly making money directly from fans and followers through platforms such as audio chat app Clubhouse and membership site Patreon.

Facebook Inc on Thursday said it will begin testing ads on its TikTok clone Instagram Reels in India, Brazil, Germany and Australia, as the social media giant aims to make money from its short-form video feature.

Facebook Inc on Thursday said it will begin testing ads on its TikTok clone Instagram Reels in India, Brazil, Germany and Australia, as the social media giant aims to make money from its short-form video feature. The company is seeking to capitalize on its popularity in India, a fast-growing social media market, while rival TikTok has been banned from the country since last year. Facebook has said it plans to test other features in India, such as letting content creators share Reels videos on their Facebook accounts. The introduction of ads is an "indication of how strong the momentum is for Reels," said Carolyn Everson, vice president of global business group at Facebook, in an interview. Everson declined to share usage metrics for Reels. Facebook also announced Thursday it will let advertisers select categories of video content they want to place ads on, such as videos about children and parenting, animals and pets or fitness and workouts. Also Read | Instagram rolls out feature to tackle hate speech, abuse The effort is Facebook's biggest move yet to let brands advertise alongside content subjects. Advertisers typically use Facebook to target certain users by their interests. "This is a big deal for marketers," Everson said. Facebook added it will roll out sticker ads for Facebook Stories in the coming weeks. Brands can create stickers that creators will place in their Stories, and influencers will earn a cut of any sales made through the sticker ads. The feature is part of Facebook's push to court content creators who are increasingly making money directly from fans and followers through platforms such as audio chat app Clubhouse and membership site Patreon.

Facebook begins testing ads in Instagram Reels

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday said that the country will withdraw troops from military drills near Ukraine.&nbsp;

"I believe that the goals of snap checks have been reached," Shoigu said during exercises in Russia-annexed Crimea, as quoted by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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He also added that he asked the troops involved in the exercise to start returning to "permanent bases" the following day.&nbsp;

Earlier, Shoigu via a helicopter oversaw the number of security personnel and equipment deployed in Crimea on Thursday.

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He also checked the readiness of the naval and ground troops, a news agency Reuters report said.&nbsp;

Interfax news agency reported that the drills involved over 10,000 soldiers and more than 40 warships.

The drills come amid the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine's Western allies, who have expressed concerns about a build-up of Russian forces on the border and military exercises in Crimea.

Russian news agency last week reported mentioning the defence ministry that Kremlin aims to close parts of the Black Sea to foreign military official ships for six months from Saturday.

Ukraine's foreign minister earlier on Thursday asked Western partners to impose new sanctions on Kremlin, including removing the country from the global SWIFT bank payments system. &nbsp;

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday said that the country will withdraw troops from military drills near Ukraine. "I believe that the goals of snap checks have been reached," Shoigu said during exercises in Russia-annexed Crimea, as quoted by news agency AFP.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday said that the country will withdraw troops from military drills near Ukraine. "I believe that the goals of snap checks have been reached," Shoigu said during exercises in Russia-annexed Crimea, as quoted by news agency AFP. Watch | He also added that he asked the troops involved in the exercise to start returning to "permanent bases" the following day. Earlier, Shoigu via a helicopter oversaw the number of security personnel and equipment deployed in Crimea on Thursday. Also read | Ukraine to allies: West must act now to ensure no new Russia military offensive He also checked the readiness of the naval and ground troops, a news agency Reuters report said. Interfax news agency reported that the drills involved over 10,000 soldiers and more than 40 warships. The drills come amid the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine's Western allies, who have expressed concerns about a build-up of Russian forces on the border and military exercises in Crimea. Russian news agency last week reported mentioning the defence ministry that Kremlin aims to close parts of the Black Sea to foreign military official ships for six months from Saturday. Ukraine's foreign minister earlier on Thursday asked Western partners to impose new sanctions on Kremlin, including removing the country from the global SWIFT bank payments system.

Russia to withdraw troops from military drills in Crimea

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted how India is battling climate change and called for altering "lifestyle" to battle this global menace.&nbsp;

"For humanity to combat climate change, concrete action is needed. We need such action at a high speed, at a large scale, and with a global scope," Modi said as he addressed the virtual climate summit.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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"Humanity is battling a global pandemic right now and this event is a timely reminder that grave threat of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateChange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateChange</a> hasn't disappeared. It is a lived reality for millions around the world," says Indian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeadersClimateSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeadersClimateSummit</a> <a href="https://t.co/ncsrwS6h4L">pic.twitter.com/ncsrwS6h4L</a>
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He said that India's renewable energy target of 450 GW by 2030 shows the nation's "commitment".&nbsp;

"Despite our developmental challenges, we have taken many bold steps on clean energy, energy efficiency, afforestation, and biodiversity," Modi said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-nation-can-solve-this-crisis-on-their-own-says-biden-as-he-opens-virtual-climate-summit-379286">'No nation can solve this crisis on their own,' says Biden as he opens virtual climate summit</a>

He also said New Delhi has encouraged global initiatives on this issue, including International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure.

Modi asked other countries to "create templates of sustainable development in India," adding that this can also help other developing nations to get affordable access to green finance and clean technology.&nbsp;

"That is why President Biden and I are launching the India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership," Modi said, adding that it will help in investment, demonstrating green technologies, among others.&nbsp;

Modi also said, "India's per capita carbon footprint is 60 per cent lower than the global average."

"It is because of our lifestyle still rooted in sustainable traditional practices," the Indian PM said, underscoring the importance of lifestyle change in battling climate change.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted how India is battling climate change and called for altering "lifestyle" to battle this global menace.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted how India is battling climate change and called for altering "lifestyle" to battle this global menace. "For humanity to combat climate change, concrete action is needed. We need such action at a high speed, at a large scale, and with a global scope," Modi said as he addressed the virtual climate summit. Watch | "Humanity is battling a global pandemic right now and this event is a timely reminder that grave threat of #ClimateChange hasn't disappeared. It is a lived reality for millions around the world," says Indian PM @narendramodi at #LeadersClimateSummit pic.twitter.com/ncsrwS6h4L — WION (@WIONews) April 22, 2021 × He said that India's renewable energy target of 450 GW by 2030 shows the nation's "commitment". "Despite our developmental challenges, we have taken many bold steps on clean energy, energy efficiency, afforestation, and biodiversity," Modi said. Also read | 'No nation can solve this crisis on their own,' says Biden as he opens virtual climate summit He also said New Delhi has encouraged global initiatives on this issue, including International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure. Modi asked other countries to "create templates of sustainable development in India," adding that this can also help other developing nations to get affordable access to green finance and clean technology. "That is why President Biden and I are launching the India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership," Modi said, adding that it will help in investment, demonstrating green technologies, among others. Modi also said, "India's per capita carbon footprint is 60 per cent lower than the global average." "It is because of our lifestyle still rooted in sustainable traditional practices," the Indian PM said, underscoring the importance of lifestyle change in battling climate change.

Indian PM Modi calls for 'lifestyle' change to battle climate crisis

A Syrian officer was killed and three soldiers wounded Thursday in strikes launched by Israel after a missile was fired towards a secretive nuclear site in the Jewish state, a monitor said.

A Syrian officer was killed and three soldiers wounded Thursday in strikes launched by Israel after a missile was fired towards a secretive nuclear site in the Jewish state, a monitor said. Since the outbreak of Syria's civil war in 2011, Israel has routinely carried out aerial raids on the country, mostly targeting Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces as well as government troops. Also Read | Encrypted chat app Signal alleges flaws in Israeli surveillance provider Cellebrite's equipment Its latest salvo was launched in the early hours of Thursday after a missile was fired from Syria towards southern Israel, where the Dimona nuclear reactor is located. Sirens sounded in Abu Qrenat, a Bedouin village not far from the nuclear site, the Israeli military said, before it responded by striking multiple defence batteries across the border. The exchange of fire comes less than two weeks after Iran accused its arch-foe Israel of "terrorism" following an explosion at the Islamic republic's Natanz nuclear facility. "A surface-to-air missile was fired from Syria to Israel's southern Negev," the Israel Defense Forces tweeted. "In response, we struck the battery from which the missile was launched and additional surface-to-air batteries in Syria." The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said the Israeli retaliatory strikes killed a Syrian officer and seriously wounded three soldiers. "An officer with the rank of a lieutenant in the regime's forces was killed in the Israeli bombardments... targeting an air defence base in the Dmeir region east of the capital," it said. Syrian state news agency SANA said the Israeli fire came from the Golan Heights and was targeted "towards positions in the vicinity of Damascus". The strikes destroyed air defence batteries, the Observatory said. The Dmeir area, roughly 40 kilometres (25 miles) northeast of the Syrian capital, is believed to be home to weapons depots belonging to militias loyal to Iran, it added. SANA reported "some material losses" but said Syrian air defence batteries intercepted most of the missiles. Israel is considered the leading military power in the Middle East and is widely believed to possess its sole nuclear arsenal. It has never disclosed its atomic arsenal, but foreign experts say the Jewish state has between 100 to 300 nuclear warheads. There were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage on the Israeli side. Nuclear Facility Israel is investigating its response to the incoming projectile. The army said an initial probe showed it did not intercept the surface-to-air missile. Israeli troops examined fragments of an exploded missile that reached the community of Ashalim, some 40 kilometres (45 miles) from Dimona. Soldiers were still searching for more pieces of the projectile in the late morning. Israel has long sought to prevent bitter foe Iran from establishing itself in war-torn Syria. Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system has thwarted hundreds of attacks from Syria and the Gaza Strip in the past decade. The Israeli army has carried out hundreds of strikes on its war-battered northern neighbour, but it has rarely publicly acknowledged them. The missile launch comes as tensions run high between Israel and Iran, which had vowed to avenge the April 11 attack of its Natanz uranium enrichment plant. Iran accused Israel of being behind the explosion that hit Natanz's electricity distribution. Israel did not claim responsibility for the incident, but unsourced media reports in the country attributed it to the Israeli security services carrying out a "cyber operation". The New York Times, quoting unnamed US and Israeli intelligence officials, said there had been "an Israeli role" in the attack. Israel strongly opposes a landmark 2015 agreement that gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its suspect nuclear programme. US President Joe Biden's administration is trying to revive the accord, which has been in tatters since his predecessor Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018. Israel says Iran is trying to build an atomic bomb, though the Islamic republic says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

Israel strikes Syria after attack near secretive nuclear site

The Syrian government received more than 200,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine via the Covax programme Thursday, state media said, in the first such shipment to government-held territory. The delivery comes as Syria's war-ravaged medical sector grapples with a Covid-19 outbreak that has accelerated rapidly in recent months.

The health ministry "received the first batch of vaccines provided by the Covax platform, which consist of 203,000 doses," the official SANA news agency said. On Wednesday, the war-torn northwest of the country had received 53,800 AstraZeneca doses from Covax, the first such delivery to the country's last major opposition bastion. Covax is jointly led by the public-private alliance Gavi, the World HealthOrganization and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. It has already sent vaccine doses to more than 100 countries and territories worldwide. In a joint statement, Gavi, WHO and the UN's agency for children UNICEF said Thursday's vaccine delivery marked "a great day of hope."

"The imminent roll-out of the vaccines will bring protection to health workers, who continue their lifesaving work amid the pandemic," the statement said. In recent weeks, the Syrian government has repeatedly sounded the alarm over soaring coronavirus rates. In mid-March, intensive care units dedicated to Covid-19 patients in Damascus hospitals reached full capacity, according to the health ministry. Thursday's delivery "gives hope for the people in Syria, whose lives have been shattered by a decade of conflict and the devastating impact of the pandemic," said WHO's Syria representative, Akjemal Magtymova.

According to the WHO, 912,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been earmarked for Syria in the first phase of vaccination in regime-controlled and semi-autonomous Kurdish areas. The aim is to vaccinate 20 per cent of the population by year's end. "Every health worker who will get vaccinated will be better protected to attend to children and families' health needs," said Bo Viktor Nylund, UNICEF's Syria representative. Officially, government-controlled territories have recorded more than 21,500 Covid-19 cases, including 1,483 deaths. But the real number of cases could be much higher, according to the UN, mostly due to limited testing.

The Syrian government received more than 200,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine via the Covax programme Thursday, state media said, in the first such shipment to government-held territory.

The Syrian government received more than 200,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine via the Covax programme Thursday, state media said, in the first such shipment to government-held territory. The delivery comes as Syria's war-ravaged medical sector grapples with a Covid-19 outbreak that has accelerated rapidly in recent months. The health ministry "received the first batch of vaccines provided by the Covax platform, which consist of 203,000 doses," the official SANA news agency said. On Wednesday, the war-torn northwest of the country had received 53,800 AstraZeneca doses from Covax, the first such delivery to the country's last major opposition bastion. Covax is jointly led by the public-private alliance Gavi, the World HealthOrganization and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. It has already sent vaccine doses to more than 100 countries and territories worldwide. In a joint statement, Gavi, WHO and the UN's agency for children UNICEF said Thursday's vaccine delivery marked "a great day of hope." "The imminent roll-out of the vaccines will bring protection to health workers, who continue their lifesaving work amid the pandemic," the statement said. In recent weeks, the Syrian government has repeatedly sounded the alarm over soaring coronavirus rates. In mid-March, intensive care units dedicated to Covid-19 patients in Damascus hospitals reached full capacity, according to the health ministry. Thursday's delivery "gives hope for the people in Syria, whose lives have been shattered by a decade of conflict and the devastating impact of the pandemic," said WHO's Syria representative, Akjemal Magtymova. According to the WHO, 912,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been earmarked for Syria in the first phase of vaccination in regime-controlled and semi-autonomous Kurdish areas. The aim is to vaccinate 20 per cent of the population by year's end. "Every health worker who will get vaccinated will be better protected to attend to children and families' health needs," said Bo Viktor Nylund, UNICEF's Syria representative. Officially, government-controlled territories have recorded more than 21,500 Covid-19 cases, including 1,483 deaths. But the real number of cases could be much higher, according to the UN, mostly due to limited testing.

Syria government receives first Covax jabs

Italian police confirmed Thursday they have arrested a man suspected of supplying weapons to the man who rammed a truck into a Bastille Day crowd in the southern French city of Nice in 2016, killing 86 people.

Endri Elezi, a 28-year-old Albanian, is suspected of "supplying weapons to Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel", the Tunisian who carried out the attack on July 14, France's Bastille Day national holiday, a police statement said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Nice terror suspect gave no indication he was contemplating violence">Nice terror suspect gave no indication he was contemplating violence</a>

He was picked up on Wednesday evening at Sparanise, near the southern Italian city of Naples, by officers acting on a European arrest warrant issued by the French authorities.

According to French sources, Elezi, known as "Gino", is accused of providing Bouhlel with an assault rifle.

He is among eight people ordered last month by the Paris appeals court to stand trial for their alleged role in the 2016 attack. The trial will not take place until 2022.

Italian police confirmed Thursday they have arrested a man suspected of supplying weapons to the man who rammed a truck into a Bastille Day crowd in the southern French city of Nice in 2016, killing 86 people.

Italian police confirmed Thursday they have arrested a man suspected of supplying weapons to the man who rammed a truck into a Bastille Day crowd in the southern French city of Nice in 2016, killing 86 people. Endri Elezi, a 28-year-old Albanian, is suspected of "supplying weapons to Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel", the Tunisian who carried out the attack on July 14, France's Bastille Day national holiday, a police statement said. Also read | Nice terror suspect gave no indication he was contemplating violence He was picked up on Wednesday evening at Sparanise, near the southern Italian city of Naples, by officers acting on a European arrest warrant issued by the French authorities. According to French sources, Elezi, known as "Gino", is accused of providing Bouhlel with an assault rifle. He is among eight people ordered last month by the Paris appeals court to stand trial for their alleged role in the 2016 attack. The trial will not take place until 2022.

Italian police arrest man connected to 2016 Nice attack

When NASA completed its third crewed mission to the Moon 50 years ago, the spacecraft brought some unusual things as it landed on the Pacific Ocean on February 9, 1971.

There were 500 seeds, including sycamore, sweetgum, redwood that travelled from the Moon. &nbsp;

Stuart Roosa, one of the three astronauts of the mission, packed these seeds for the mission in an experiment to see how they react to the space environment.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/believe-it-or-not-these-trees-consume-poisonous-metals-379015">Believe it or not! These trees consume poisonous metals</a>

But since Roosa never landed on the lunar surface, these seeds were unable to be planted in the Moon.&nbsp;

As the seeds return to Earth, they were germinated by the Forest Service, reports CNN. 
&nbsp; 
Named as the "Moon Trees," these were planted across the US and the world, as per NASA.&nbsp;

NASA has since then tracked 60 of these trees, mainly in the US, but some were planted in Brazil, Switzerland and Japan too.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/miami-is-set-to-reduce-number-of-palm-trees-as-climate-concerns-rise-367159">Miami is set to reduce number of palm trees as climate concerns rise</a> 
&nbsp;

In a recent BBC Radio 4 programme, it was claimed that nearly 15 of these trees were planted in Britain.&nbsp;

However, there have been no records that substantiate how these seeds may have arrived in the UK and are nowhere to be found.

Now, the UK space agency has begun its hunt to find these seeds or trees that could have grown from these seeds.&nbsp;

"I'll be interested in discovering if any of the Moon seeds came to the UK and what has become of them," space exploration expert Libby Jackson from the UK Space Agency was reported as saying by Science Alert.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

When NASA completed its third crewed mission to the Moon 50 years ago, the spacecraft brought some unusual things as it landed on the Pacific Ocean on February 9, 1971.

When NASA completed its third crewed mission to the Moon 50 years ago, the spacecraft brought some unusual things as it landed on the Pacific Ocean on February 9, 1971. There were 500 seeds, including sycamore, sweetgum, redwood that travelled from the Moon. Stuart Roosa, one of the three astronauts of the mission, packed these seeds for the mission in an experiment to see how they react to the space environment. Also read | Believe it or not! These trees consume poisonous metals But since Roosa never landed on the lunar surface, these seeds were unable to be planted in the Moon. As the seeds return to Earth, they were germinated by the Forest Service, reports CNN. Named as the "Moon Trees," these were planted across the US and the world, as per NASA. NASA has since then tracked 60 of these trees, mainly in the US, but some were planted in Brazil, Switzerland and Japan too. Also read | Miami is set to reduce number of palm trees as climate concerns rise In a recent BBC Radio 4 programme, it was claimed that nearly 15 of these trees were planted in Britain. However, there have been no records that substantiate how these seeds may have arrived in the UK and are nowhere to be found. Now, the UK space agency has begun its hunt to find these seeds or trees that could have grown from these seeds. "I'll be interested in discovering if any of the Moon seeds came to the UK and what has become of them," space exploration expert Libby Jackson from the UK Space Agency was reported as saying by Science Alert.

UK space agency hunts for 'Moon Trees' from seeds brought back by mission 50 years ago

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Abhilash Mahajan

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