According to Marxist President Gustavo Petro, Colombia would donate properties seized from drug trafficking organisations valued at over $4.9 billion to farmers, women's groups, youth groups, and universities.

In order to pay for victim reparations, the Andean nation has long attempted to sell confiscated items and property. Last year, a real estate company was established with the responsibility of managing some of the homes, farms, and other holdings.&nbsp;

However, it can be difficult to sell them because purchasers worry that past owners or their relatives will appear, especially since that prominent former right-wing paramilitary leaders have returned from serving narcotics sentences in the US.

"We must make it so that illegally-acquired assets pass to the Colombian people. It isn't just any amount, it's 22 trillion pesos ($4.9 billion)," Petro said at an event celebrating the appointment of officials, including the new head of the country's anti-money laundering unit, reported Reuters.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-ukrainian-grain-ship-grounded-in-istanbul-halting-traffic-on-turkiyes-bosphorus-strait-512205">Watch: Ukrainian grain ship grounded in Istanbul, halting traffic on Turkiye's Bosphorus strait</a>

"It will require much courage," Petro said, according to a statement.

In addition to promising ambitious social projects, Petro, who was elected in June, has stated that he will work to achieve "total peace" with both criminal gangs and the National Liberation Army (ELN), a communist guerilla organisation.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

According to Marxist President Gustavo Petro, Colombia would donate properties seized from drug trafficking organisations valued at over $4.9 billion to farmers, women's groups, youth groups, and universities.

According to Marxist President Gustavo Petro, Colombia would donate properties seized from drug trafficking organisations valued at over $4.9 billion to farmers, women's groups, youth groups, and universities. In order to pay for victim reparations, the Andean nation has long attempted to sell confiscated items and property. Last year, a real estate company was established with the responsibility of managing some of the homes, farms, and other holdings. However, it can be difficult to sell them because purchasers worry that past owners or their relatives will appear, especially since that prominent former right-wing paramilitary leaders have returned from serving narcotics sentences in the US. "We must make it so that illegally-acquired assets pass to the Colombian people. It isn't just any amount, it's 22 trillion pesos ($4.9 billion)," Petro said at an event celebrating the appointment of officials, including the new head of the country's anti-money laundering unit, reported Reuters. Also Read: Watch: Ukrainian grain ship grounded in Istanbul, halting traffic on Turkiye's Bosphorus strait "It will require much courage," Petro said, according to a statement. In addition to promising ambitious social projects, Petro, who was elected in June, has stated that he will work to achieve "total peace" with both criminal gangs and the National Liberation Army (ELN), a communist guerilla organisation. (with inputs from agencies)

Colombia's leftist President to give properties confiscated from drug traffickers to farmers, women

The yen plunged to a 24-year low versus the dollar on Thursday as markets battled inflation fears and another significant Chinese city went into lockdown. The world's stock indexes mainly declined during this day.&nbsp;

Equities in Frankfurt, London, and Paris all experienced declines of 1.5% to 2% as worries about further increases in borrowing costs were stoked by the eurozone's record-high inflation rate and the region's soaring winter energy prices as a result of Russia's conflict with Ukraine.&nbsp;

The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the first time in ten years in July, and it will reveal its most recent monetary policy decision on Thursday.

A continued focus on US monetary policy was also anticipated. The August jobs report, which will be released on Friday, is anticipated to bolster the Federal Reserve's resolve to raise interest rates.&nbsp;

Analysts predict that the US economy will create a healthy 300,000 new jobs in August and that the unemployment rate will stay at 3.5%.&nbsp;

According to Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth Management, "we're in this world where we're afraid that good news is going to embolden the Fed to be even more aggressive."&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-russia-nuclear-weapons-inspection-must-as-per-new-start-treaty-says-us-512208">US-Russia nuclear weapons inspection must as per New START Treaty, says US</a>

Following a gloomy start, US markets surged later in the day, helping to boost the Dow and S&amp;P 500 and end a four-day losing run.

On Thursday, the yen hit a record 24-year low versus the dollar as Japan maintained its long-standing monetary easing measures in opposition to the Fed's tightening.&nbsp;

In lunchtime trades in Europe, one dollar traded above 140 yen for the first time since 1998 as the dollar appreciated versus other currencies.&nbsp;

Thursday saw more declines in Asian stocks as investors continued to assess China's superpower economy's declining factory activity.

(with inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

The yen plunged to a 24-year low versus the dollar on Thursday as markets battled inflation fears and another significant Chinese city went into lockdown. The world's stock indexes mainly declined during this day.

The yen plunged to a 24-year low versus the dollar on Thursday as markets battled inflation fears and another significant Chinese city went into lockdown. The world's stock indexes mainly declined during this day. Equities in Frankfurt, London, and Paris all experienced declines of 1.5% to 2% as worries about further increases in borrowing costs were stoked by the eurozone's record-high inflation rate and the region's soaring winter energy prices as a result of Russia's conflict with Ukraine. The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the first time in ten years in July, and it will reveal its most recent monetary policy decision on Thursday. A continued focus on US monetary policy was also anticipated. The August jobs report, which will be released on Friday, is anticipated to bolster the Federal Reserve's resolve to raise interest rates. Analysts predict that the US economy will create a healthy 300,000 new jobs in August and that the unemployment rate will stay at 3.5%. According to Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth Management, "we're in this world where we're afraid that good news is going to embolden the Fed to be even more aggressive." Also Read: US-Russia nuclear weapons inspection must as per New START Treaty, says US Following a gloomy start, US markets surged later in the day, helping to boost the Dow and S&P 500 and end a four-day losing run. On Thursday, the yen hit a record 24-year low versus the dollar as Japan maintained its long-standing monetary easing measures in opposition to the Fed's tightening. In lunchtime trades in Europe, one dollar traded above 140 yen for the first time since 1998 as the dollar appreciated versus other currencies. Thursday saw more declines in Asian stocks as investors continued to assess China's superpower economy's declining factory activity. (with inputs from agencies)

Japanese Yen tumbles to 24-year low against dollar as market grapples with inflation

Following days of news-grabbing revelations regarding highly sensitive information the FBI took from the former president's Florida home, a high-stakes confrontation between Donald Trump and US federal investigators ended up in court on Thursday.&nbsp;

Trump is requesting that a third party be appointed to review the government's screening of the sensitive documents to see if any contained "very personal material" that needed to be returned or were protected by official secrecy procedures.&nbsp;

The motion has considerably increased the stakes in the lawsuit, and a federal court in Florida indicated on Thursday that it would make a decision at an undisclosed later time. This announcement sparked a sharp retort from the Justice Department.

The majority of the evidence against the Republican former president found during the search of his Mar-a-Lago home in south Florida last month was made public by the prosecution on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Despite a grand jury's demand that Trump produces materials that were removed from the White House in January 2021 in May, the officials claimed they had proof of attempts to conceal secret documents.&nbsp;

They added that some of the documents were so secret that federal agents and employees of the Justice Department need higher security clearances just to view the information.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-ukrainian-grain-ship-grounded-in-istanbul-halting-traffic-on-turkiyes-bosphorus-strait-512205">Watch: Ukrainian grain ship grounded in Istanbul, halting traffic on Turkiye's Bosphorus strait</a>

Trump's desk drawers contained passports and secret documents, according to the federal complaint.

According to the department, "the location of the passports is relevant evidence in an investigation of unauthorized retention and mishandling of national defence information."&nbsp;

The document is the most thorough account to date of an 18-month attempt to retrieve hundreds of secret documents that were wrongfully removed to Mar-a-Lago after Trump left office.&nbsp;

Additional legal pressure is placed on the former president, who maintains his innocence, by the allegation that he obstructed the FBI's investigation.

(with inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

Following days of news-grabbing revelations regarding highly sensitive information the FBI took from the former president's Florida home, a high-stakes confrontation between Donald Trump and US federal investigators ended up in court on Thursday.

Following days of news-grabbing revelations regarding highly sensitive information the FBI took from the former president's Florida home, a high-stakes confrontation between Donald Trump and US federal investigators ended up in court on Thursday. Trump is requesting that a third party be appointed to review the government's screening of the sensitive documents to see if any contained "very personal material" that needed to be returned or were protected by official secrecy procedures. The motion has considerably increased the stakes in the lawsuit, and a federal court in Florida indicated on Thursday that it would make a decision at an undisclosed later time. This announcement sparked a sharp retort from the Justice Department. The majority of the evidence against the Republican former president found during the search of his Mar-a-Lago home in south Florida last month was made public by the prosecution on Tuesday. Despite a grand jury's demand that Trump produces materials that were removed from the White House in January 2021 in May, the officials claimed they had proof of attempts to conceal secret documents. They added that some of the documents were so secret that federal agents and employees of the Justice Department need higher security clearances just to view the information. Also Read: Watch: Ukrainian grain ship grounded in Istanbul, halting traffic on Turkiye's Bosphorus strait Trump's desk drawers contained passports and secret documents, according to the federal complaint. According to the department, "the location of the passports is relevant evidence in an investigation of unauthorized retention and mishandling of national defence information." The document is the most thorough account to date of an 18-month attempt to retrieve hundreds of secret documents that were wrongfully removed to Mar-a-Lago after Trump left office. Additional legal pressure is placed on the former president, who maintains his innocence, by the allegation that he obstructed the FBI's investigation. (with inputs from agencies)

High-stakes standoff between Trump and FBI in court over seized secrets

In the first occurrence of this kind since a July export agreement mediated by the United Nations, a cargo ship carrying more than 3,000 tonnes (3,307 tonnes) of corn from Ukraine grounded in Istanbul on Thursday.&nbsp;

The 173-meter (567.59-foot) Lady Zehma was securely grounded and anchored following a rudder failure at around 1800 GMT, according to the Istanbul governor's office and a shipping company.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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📹 | Cargo ship "Lady Zehma" transporting corn from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a> runs aground at the Bosphorus in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T%C3%BCrkiye?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Türkiye</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Istanbul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Istanbul</a>. 
 
▪️Turkish Coastguard sends ships to save the Lady Zehma. 
▪️Traffic at the Bosphorus has been suspended. <a href="https://t.co/KbDWsNEBNx">pic.twitter.com/KbDWsNEBNx</a>
— EHA News (@eha_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/eha_news/status/1565434618966409218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The office said that no one was wounded and that Coast Guards were responding. According to a witness and Refinitiv Eikon data, its bow was around 150 metres from the beach in the crowded Bebek neighbourhood.&nbsp;

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24 and blockade of its Black Sea ports, which raised food prices globally and raised concerns about scarcity in Africa and the Middle East, Ukraine's grain exports plummeted.&nbsp;

The agreement, negotiated by the U.N. and Ankara and signed on July 22 by Moscow and Kyiv, unblocked three ports.&nbsp;

The ship "got stranded during her passage from the strait (and) an emergency boarding operation is underway," according to Turkish police, according to the Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), which manages the deal and involves U.N., Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish officials.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-have-discovered-africas-oldest-dinosaur-named-mbiresaurus-raathi-in-zimbabwe-512201">Scientists have discovered Africa's oldest dinosaur named Mbiresaurus raathi in Zimbabwe</a>

The Lady Zehma was given permission earlier this week to sail from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk to Ravenna, Italy, carrying 3,000 tonnes of corn, according to the JCC. The Tribeca shipping company in Turkiye reported that it contained 30,274 tonnes of maize.&nbsp;

According to the JCC, 139 inbound and outbound journeys had been made possible as of Wednesday, and around 1.55 million tonnes of grain and other products have been exported from Ukraine as a result of the agreement.&nbsp;

On the gorgeous Bosphorus, which separates Turkiye's largest metropolis and links the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea and ultimately to the Mediterranean, such incidents are uncommon.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

In the first occurrence of this kind since a July export agreement mediated by the United Nations, a cargo ship carrying more than 3,000 tonnes (3,307 tonnes) of corn from Ukraine grounded in Istanbul on Thursday.

In the first occurrence of this kind since a July export agreement mediated by the United Nations, a cargo ship carrying more than 3,000 tonnes (3,307 tonnes) of corn from Ukraine grounded in Istanbul on Thursday. The 173-meter (567.59-foot) Lady Zehma was securely grounded and anchored following a rudder failure at around 1800 GMT, according to the Istanbul governor's office and a shipping company. 📹 | Cargo ship "Lady Zehma" transporting corn from #Ukraine runs aground at the Bosphorus in #Türkiye's #Istanbul. ▪️Turkish Coastguard sends ships to save the Lady Zehma. ▪️Traffic at the Bosphorus has been suspended. pic.twitter.com/KbDWsNEBNx — EHA News (@eha_news) September 1, 2022 × The office said that no one was wounded and that Coast Guards were responding. According to a witness and Refinitiv Eikon data, its bow was around 150 metres from the beach in the crowded Bebek neighbourhood. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24 and blockade of its Black Sea ports, which raised food prices globally and raised concerns about scarcity in Africa and the Middle East, Ukraine's grain exports plummeted. The agreement, negotiated by the U.N. and Ankara and signed on July 22 by Moscow and Kyiv, unblocked three ports. The ship "got stranded during her passage from the strait (and) an emergency boarding operation is underway," according to Turkish police, according to the Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), which manages the deal and involves U.N., Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish officials. Also Read: Scientists have discovered Africa's oldest dinosaur named Mbiresaurus raathi in Zimbabwe The Lady Zehma was given permission earlier this week to sail from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk to Ravenna, Italy, carrying 3,000 tonnes of corn, according to the JCC. The Tribeca shipping company in Turkiye reported that it contained 30,274 tonnes of maize. According to the JCC, 139 inbound and outbound journeys had been made possible as of Wednesday, and around 1.55 million tonnes of grain and other products have been exported from Ukraine as a result of the agreement. On the gorgeous Bosphorus, which separates Turkiye's largest metropolis and links the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea and ultimately to the Mediterranean, such incidents are uncommon. (with inputs from agencies)

Watch: Ukrainian grain ship grounded in Istanbul, halting traffic on Turkiye's Bosphorus strait

According to the White House, President Joe Biden assured Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Wednesday that the United States would never permit Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Washington is being sought after by Tehran for stronger guarantees in order to revive a nuclear agreement with major powers.&nbsp;

Israel is against going back to the 2015 agreement, which put restrictions on Iran's nuclear weapons programme in exchange for the relaxation of sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the UN on Tehran.&nbsp;

To Israel's pleasure, the deal's nuclear restrictions were broken by Tehran once former president Donald Trump withdrew from it and reinstituted heavy penalties in 2018. In order to protect Israel, which is Iran's main adversary in the region, Biden has committed to resurrecting the accord.

In a call where Biden and Lapid also discussed "threats posed by Iran," the President "underscored US&nbsp;commitment to never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon," the White House said in a statement.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-moderna-and-pfizer-shots-targeting-omicron-variant-of-covid-511880">US approves Moderna and Pfizer shots targeting omicron variant of Covid</a>

The statement stated that Biden stressed the significance of finalising talks on Israel and Lebanon's maritime border.&nbsp;

They "spoke at length about the negotiations on a nuclear agreement and their shared commitment to stopping Iran’s progress towards a nuclear weapon," according to Lapid's office in its own readout of the call.

In March, it seemed like the nuclear agreement may be revived. Iranian demands that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) end its investigations into uranium traces found at three unreported sites before the nuclear accord is revived caused indirect discussions between Tehran and Washington to break down.&nbsp;

In July, Biden and Lapid jointly vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, demonstrating their allies' unity after years of disagreement on how to approach Tehran diplomatically. But Lapid asserted last week that Israel will not be obligated by the 2015 agreement if it is restored.

(with inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

According to the White House, President Joe Biden assured Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Wednesday that the United States would never permit Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

According to the White House, President Joe Biden assured Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Wednesday that the United States would never permit Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Washington is being sought after by Tehran for stronger guarantees in order to revive a nuclear agreement with major powers. Israel is against going back to the 2015 agreement, which put restrictions on Iran's nuclear weapons programme in exchange for the relaxation of sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the UN on Tehran. To Israel's pleasure, the deal's nuclear restrictions were broken by Tehran once former president Donald Trump withdrew from it and reinstituted heavy penalties in 2018. In order to protect Israel, which is Iran's main adversary in the region, Biden has committed to resurrecting the accord. In a call where Biden and Lapid also discussed "threats posed by Iran," the President "underscored US commitment to never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon," the White House said in a statement. Also Read: US approves Moderna and Pfizer shots targeting omicron variant of Covid The statement stated that Biden stressed the significance of finalising talks on Israel and Lebanon's maritime border. They "spoke at length about the negotiations on a nuclear agreement and their shared commitment to stopping Iran’s progress towards a nuclear weapon," according to Lapid's office in its own readout of the call. In March, it seemed like the nuclear agreement may be revived. Iranian demands that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) end its investigations into uranium traces found at three unreported sites before the nuclear accord is revived caused indirect discussions between Tehran and Washington to break down. In July, Biden and Lapid jointly vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, demonstrating their allies' unity after years of disagreement on how to approach Tehran diplomatically. But Lapid asserted last week that Israel will not be obligated by the 2015 agreement if it is restored. (with inputs from agencies)

Biden assures Lapid, US will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons

In an effort to stop a new wave of dreaded illnesses this winter, US officials on Wednesday approved enhanced Covid-19 immunizations made by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech that specifically target the most recent strains of the Omicron form.&nbsp;

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in a statement that the two new booster shots are acceptable for anyone 12 and older for the Pfizer shot and 18 and older for Moderna.&nbsp;

The BA.4 and BA.5 lineages, the subvariants of Omicron that makeup nearly 90% of all new cases in the United States, are also protected against by this new generation of so-called "bivalent" vaccines.

According to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, "although the current Covid-19 surge is waning overall, it's predicated that&nbsp;we'll enter yet another surge as we spend more time indoors later this fall and winter."&nbsp;

These update boosters provide us with a chance to go in front of the curve, he claimed.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-gdp-jumped-135-in-june-quarter-on-pandemic-rebound-official-figures-511791">India's GDP jumped 13.5% in June quarter on pandemic rebound: Official figures</a>

Even though Americans no longer pay much attention to coronavirus in their daily lives, the country still sees about 80,000 new instances of the disease each day, along with 400 fatalities.

The US health department said earlier this summer that it had ordered 105 million pills from Pfizer and 66 million from Moderna for use in the next fall and winter.&nbsp;

Before injections may start, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the country's health protection body, must still recommend the vaccines.&nbsp;

The CDC will hold a meeting with an impartial team of specialists on Thursday to go over the changes.

(with inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

In an effort to stop a new wave of dreaded illnesses this winter, US officials on Wednesday approved enhanced Covid-19 immunizations made by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech that specifically target the most recent strains of the Omicron form.

In an effort to stop a new wave of dreaded illnesses this winter, US officials on Wednesday approved enhanced Covid-19 immunizations made by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech that specifically target the most recent strains of the Omicron form. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in a statement that the two new booster shots are acceptable for anyone 12 and older for the Pfizer shot and 18 and older for Moderna. The BA.4 and BA.5 lineages, the subvariants of Omicron that makeup nearly 90% of all new cases in the United States, are also protected against by this new generation of so-called "bivalent" vaccines. According to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, "although the current Covid-19 surge is waning overall, it's predicated that we'll enter yet another surge as we spend more time indoors later this fall and winter." These update boosters provide us with a chance to go in front of the curve, he claimed. Also Read: India's GDP jumped 13.5% in June quarter on pandemic rebound: Official figures Even though Americans no longer pay much attention to coronavirus in their daily lives, the country still sees about 80,000 new instances of the disease each day, along with 400 fatalities. The US health department said earlier this summer that it had ordered 105 million pills from Pfizer and 66 million from Moderna for use in the next fall and winter. Before injections may start, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the country's health protection body, must still recommend the vaccines. The CDC will hold a meeting with an impartial team of specialists on Thursday to go over the changes. (with inputs from agencies)

US approves Moderna and Pfizer shots targeting omicron variant of Covid

In order to prevent "a nuclear accident" at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station on the frontlines of the conflict, UN inspectors said on Wednesday that they will work to establish a permanent presence at the plant in southern Ukraine controlled by Russia.&nbsp;

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of 14 people is scheduled to reach the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which is located in Russian-controlled territory, on Thursday.&nbsp;

After travelling from Kyiv to the city of Zaporizhzhia, IAEA director general Rafael Grossi told reporters, "My mission is... to prevent a nuclear accident and preserve the largest nuclear power plant in Europe."&nbsp;

"We are preparing for the real work which begins tomorrow," he said. "We are going to try to establish a permanent presence for the agency."

The fate of the plant on the banks of the Dnipro River is causing widespread worry, and on Wednesday, further shelling hit the village next to Europe's largest nuclear reactor.&nbsp;

Evhen Yevtushenko, a military official in the area, claimed on Wednesday morning that "the Russian army is shelling Energodar," the town next to the facility with a pre-war population of 50,000.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-military-may-begin-recruiting-convicted-criminals-us-intelligence-511902">Russian military may begin recruiting 'convicted criminals': US intelligence</a>

Attacks in the area have been routinely blamed on both sides.

Mayor Dmytro Orlov posted images of the damaged building with a hole punched into its side on Telegram, writing that one of the rounds struck Energodar's municipal council.&nbsp;

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said on Facebook that "the &nbsp;Russian occupying forces must stop shelling the corridors to be used by the IAEA mission and not obstruct its activities at the plant."

(with inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

In order to prevent "a nuclear accident" at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station on the frontlines of the conflict, UN inspectors said on Wednesday that they will work to establish a permanent presence at the plant in southern Ukraine controlled by Russia.

In order to prevent "a nuclear accident" at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station on the frontlines of the conflict, UN inspectors said on Wednesday that they will work to establish a permanent presence at the plant in southern Ukraine controlled by Russia. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of 14 people is scheduled to reach the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which is located in Russian-controlled territory, on Thursday. After travelling from Kyiv to the city of Zaporizhzhia, IAEA director general Rafael Grossi told reporters, "My mission is... to prevent a nuclear accident and preserve the largest nuclear power plant in Europe." "We are preparing for the real work which begins tomorrow," he said. "We are going to try to establish a permanent presence for the agency." The fate of the plant on the banks of the Dnipro River is causing widespread worry, and on Wednesday, further shelling hit the village next to Europe's largest nuclear reactor. Evhen Yevtushenko, a military official in the area, claimed on Wednesday morning that "the Russian army is shelling Energodar," the town next to the facility with a pre-war population of 50,000. Also Read: Russian military may begin recruiting 'convicted criminals': US intelligence Attacks in the area have been routinely blamed on both sides. Mayor Dmytro Orlov posted images of the damaged building with a hole punched into its side on Telegram, writing that one of the rounds struck Energodar's municipal council. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said on Facebook that "the Russian occupying forces must stop shelling the corridors to be used by the IAEA mission and not obstruct its activities at the plant." (with inputs from agencies)

IAEA wants 'permanent presence' at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to avoid 'radiation accident'

A United States official said on Wednesday, citing US intelligence, that the Russian military is struggling with a manpower shortfall as it fights Ukraine and is looking to hire contract service members and may even attract convicted criminals.&nbsp;

As the conflict in Ukraine enters the seventh month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Thursday increasing the strength of Russia's armed forces from 1.9 million to 2.04 million.&nbsp;

Since the conflict's early weeks, Moscow has not disclosed any casualties, but thousands have perished, according to Western officials and the Kyiv government.

"The Russian military is suffering from severe manpower shortages in Ukraine," the US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the downgraded intelligence.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-assures-lapid-us-will-never-allow-iran-to-acquire-nuclear-weapons-511892">Biden assures Lapid, US will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons</a>

As reported by Reuters, the official said it is believed that the Russian defence ministry is seeking to recruit contract service members to make up for these personnel shortages, "including by compelling wounded soldiers to re-enter combat, acquiring personnel from private security companies, and paying bonuses to conscripts."

"Separately, we have credible reporting that Russia’s defence ministry is also likely to begin recruiting convicted criminals in Ukraine in exchange for pardons and financial compensation," the official said.

(with inputs from agencies)

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A United States official said on Wednesday, citing US intelligence, that the Russian military is struggling with a manpower shortfall as it fights Ukraine and is looking to hire contract service members and may even attract convicted criminals.

A United States official said on Wednesday, citing US intelligence, that the Russian military is struggling with a manpower shortfall as it fights Ukraine and is looking to hire contract service members and may even attract convicted criminals. As the conflict in Ukraine enters the seventh month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Thursday increasing the strength of Russia's armed forces from 1.9 million to 2.04 million. Since the conflict's early weeks, Moscow has not disclosed any casualties, but thousands have perished, according to Western officials and the Kyiv government. "The Russian military is suffering from severe manpower shortages in Ukraine," the US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the downgraded intelligence. Also Read: Biden assures Lapid, US will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons As reported by Reuters, the official said it is believed that the Russian defence ministry is seeking to recruit contract service members to make up for these personnel shortages, "including by compelling wounded soldiers to re-enter combat, acquiring personnel from private security companies, and paying bonuses to conscripts." "Separately, we have credible reporting that Russia’s defence ministry is also likely to begin recruiting convicted criminals in Ukraine in exchange for pardons and financial compensation," the official said. (with inputs from agencies)

Russian military may begin recruiting 'convicted criminals': US intelligence

Just days after the state said it would stop selling gas-powered cars, Californians were on Wednesday advised not to charge their electric vehicles in peak demand hours as the ageing energy grid battles a terrifying heatwave.

In certain Los Angeles suburbs, temperatures as high as 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44º Celsius) were predicted as a massive heat dome bakes a large portion of the western United States.&nbsp;

It is anticipated that the hot weather would place enormous demands on the already overburdened electrical grid, especially when people turn on their air conditioners in the scorching hours after work and school.

"Consumers are urged to reduce energy use from 4 to 9 pm when the system is most stressed because demand for electricity remains high and there is less solar energy available," said the American Public Power Association, a body that represents public utilities, as reported by AFP.

"The top three conservation actions are to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles, and turn off unnecessary lights."

During the so-called "shoulder hours," when rooftop solar panels stop producing electricity but demand is still high due to high temperatures, California's power companies often advise families to reduce their usage.

A week after state regulators forbade the sale of new gasoline and diesel automobiles beginning in 2035, there has been a call to restrict the amount of time that electric vehicles can be charged.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-moderna-and-pfizer-shots-targeting-omicron-variant-of-covid-511880">US approves Moderna and Pfizer shots targeting omicron variant of Covid</a>

Only extremely efficient plug-in hybrids will be allowed to use fossil fuels, leaving the majority of SUVs, sedans, and light trucks with exhaust emissions that are more than zero.&nbsp;

Because of the importance of California's auto market and its capacity to set national and possibly international norms, the&nbsp;decision was hailed as a game-changer for the EV industry.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Just days after the state said it would stop selling gas-powered cars, Californians were on Wednesday advised not to charge their electric vehicles in peak demand hours as the ageing energy grid battles a terrifying heatwave.

Just days after the state said it would stop selling gas-powered cars, Californians were on Wednesday advised not to charge their electric vehicles in peak demand hours as the ageing energy grid battles a terrifying heatwave. In certain Los Angeles suburbs, temperatures as high as 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44º Celsius) were predicted as a massive heat dome bakes a large portion of the western United States. It is anticipated that the hot weather would place enormous demands on the already overburdened electrical grid, especially when people turn on their air conditioners in the scorching hours after work and school. "Consumers are urged to reduce energy use from 4 to 9 pm when the system is most stressed because demand for electricity remains high and there is less solar energy available," said the American Public Power Association, a body that represents public utilities, as reported by AFP. "The top three conservation actions are to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles, and turn off unnecessary lights." During the so-called "shoulder hours," when rooftop solar panels stop producing electricity but demand is still high due to high temperatures, California's power companies often advise families to reduce their usage. A week after state regulators forbade the sale of new gasoline and diesel automobiles beginning in 2035, there has been a call to restrict the amount of time that electric vehicles can be charged. Also Read: US approves Moderna and Pfizer shots targeting omicron variant of Covid Only extremely efficient plug-in hybrids will be allowed to use fossil fuels, leaving the majority of SUVs, sedans, and light trucks with exhaust emissions that are more than zero. Because of the importance of California's auto market and its capacity to set national and possibly international norms, the decision was hailed as a game-changer for the EV industry. (with inputs from agencies)

Californians told to not charge EVs in peak demand hours as ageing electricity grid struggles in heatwave

The Aleppo airport in northern Syria was the target of several Israeli raids on Wednesday, according to the official SANA news agency, which also reported material damage.&nbsp;

According to the service, "the Israeli enemy targeted Aleppo International Airport with missile fire at around 2000 hours (1700 GMT), causing some material damage at the heart of the facility." &nbsp;No mention of casualties was done. Earlier, SANA had noted "the sound of explosions" nearby.&nbsp;

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BREAKING: Israel just bombed Aleppo International Airport in Syria. Aleppo is Syria's economic hub. 
 
This is after they bombed Damascus International Airport two months ago. 
 
Israel is an aggressive bully that exports terrorism then plays the victim. <a href="https://t.co/wMMmwzkZad">pic.twitter.com/wMMmwzkZad</a>
— Richard Medhurst (@richimedhurst) <a href="https://twitter.com/richimedhurst/status/1565045471336349700?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2022</a></blockquote>
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There was an attack, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is located in Britain and gets its information from a vast network of sources on the ground.

According to the report, four Israeli missiles were fired toward the airport's runway and depots thought to house Iranian-supplied missiles. The Observatory claimed the strikes had caused explosions and fires but did not disclose any injuries.&nbsp;

Additionally, SANA said on Wednesday that "enemy" missiles had been deflected above the capital of Damascus by anti-aircraft defences. Israeli rockets, according to state television, were used. SANA reported last Thursday that a series of Israeli airstrikes on the western Hama and Tartus districts resulted in the injuries of two civilians.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-moderna-and-pfizer-shots-targeting-omicron-variant-of-covid-511880">US approves Moderna and Pfizer shots targeting omicron variant of Covid</a>

They were among the heaviest Israeli raids against Iranian-aligned forces in Syria, according to the Observatory. Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes against its northern neighbour since the Syrian Civil War broke out in 2011, targeting both government forces as well as partner forces backed by Iran and Hezbollah fighters.&nbsp;

Israel has admitted to carrying out hundreds of strikes, despite rarely commenting on specific ones. The Israeli military has defended the move as being vital to stop Iran, Israel's archenemy, from establishing itself at its doorstep.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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The Aleppo airport in northern Syria was the target of several Israeli raids on Wednesday, according to the official SANA news agency, which also reported material damage.

The Aleppo airport in northern Syria was the target of several Israeli raids on Wednesday, according to the official SANA news agency, which also reported material damage. According to the service, "the Israeli enemy targeted Aleppo International Airport with missile fire at around 2000 hours (1700 GMT), causing some material damage at the heart of the facility." No mention of casualties was done. Earlier, SANA had noted "the sound of explosions" nearby. BREAKING: Israel just bombed Aleppo International Airport in Syria. Aleppo is Syria's economic hub. This is after they bombed Damascus International Airport two months ago. Israel is an aggressive bully that exports terrorism then plays the victim. pic.twitter.com/wMMmwzkZad — Richard Medhurst (@richimedhurst) August 31, 2022 × There was an attack, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is located in Britain and gets its information from a vast network of sources on the ground. According to the report, four Israeli missiles were fired toward the airport's runway and depots thought to house Iranian-supplied missiles. The Observatory claimed the strikes had caused explosions and fires but did not disclose any injuries. Additionally, SANA said on Wednesday that "enemy" missiles had been deflected above the capital of Damascus by anti-aircraft defences. Israeli rockets, according to state television, were used. SANA reported last Thursday that a series of Israeli airstrikes on the western Hama and Tartus districts resulted in the injuries of two civilians. Also Read: US approves Moderna and Pfizer shots targeting omicron variant of Covid They were among the heaviest Israeli raids against Iranian-aligned forces in Syria, according to the Observatory. Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes against its northern neighbour since the Syrian Civil War broke out in 2011, targeting both government forces as well as partner forces backed by Iran and Hezbollah fighters. Israel has admitted to carrying out hundreds of strikes, despite rarely commenting on specific ones. The Israeli military has defended the move as being vital to stop Iran, Israel's archenemy, from establishing itself at its doorstep. (with inputs from agencies)

Watch: Four Israeli missiles strike Aleppo airport triggering explosions and fires

In a report released on Wednesday, the departing UN human rights chief claimed that severe human rights abuses had occurred in China's Xinjiang region as a result of the implementation of anti-terrorism and "anti-extremism" policies by the government.&nbsp;

After receiving criticism for being too lenient towards China during a visit in May, United Nations High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet, whose four-year term is coming to an end this week, opted not to run for re-election.

More than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are allegedly being detained by Beijing in western Xinjiang. Campaigners charge China with a long list of human rights violations, including mass detention, forced labour, forced sterilisation, and the destruction of Uyghur religious and cultural sites.

"Allegations of patterns of torture or ill-treatment, including forced medical treatment and adverse conditions of detention, are credible, as are allegations of individual incidents of sexual and gender-based violence," the report said.&nbsp;

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"The extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim groups, pursuant to law and policy, in context of restrictions and deprivation more generally of fundamental rights enjoyed individually and collectively, may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity," it added.

Congressmen in Western nations and the United States have even accused China of conducting "genocide" against minority communities. Beijing firmly denies the allegations and has long maintained that it operates centres for vocational training in Xinjiang that are intended to combat extremism. It asserts that the accusations are a part of a plan by the US and other Western countries to malign China and check its rise.

As the allegations grew, Bachelet was under growing pressure to look into them and respond. The former president of Chile addressed the UN Human Rights Council about a year ago and said that her administration was finishing a report and called for an impartial assessment of the situation. But despite the growing impatience of rights organisations and some countries, it was repeatedly delayed.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/californians-told-to-not-charge-evs-as-ageing-electricity-grid-struggles-in-heatwave-511900">Californians told to not charge EVs as ageing electricity grid struggles in heatwave</a>

Bachelet visited Xinjiang during her brief, six-day trip to China in May and she asked Beijing to refrain from "arbitrary and indiscriminate" actions in the area.

Rights organisations, however, criticised her for what they saw as a lack of toughness. They said that she had given in to a stage-managed visit to Xinjiang that Beijing had planned. The report, according to Human Rights Watch, will demonstrate that no state is above the law.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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In a report released on Wednesday, the departing UN human rights chief claimed that severe human rights abuses had occurred in China's Xinjiang region as a result of the implementation of anti-terrorism and "anti-extremism" policies by the government.

In a report released on Wednesday, the departing UN human rights chief claimed that severe human rights abuses had occurred in China's Xinjiang region as a result of the implementation of anti-terrorism and "anti-extremism" policies by the government. After receiving criticism for being too lenient towards China during a visit in May, United Nations High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet, whose four-year term is coming to an end this week, opted not to run for re-election. More than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are allegedly being detained by Beijing in western Xinjiang. Campaigners charge China with a long list of human rights violations, including mass detention, forced labour, forced sterilisation, and the destruction of Uyghur religious and cultural sites. "Allegations of patterns of torture or ill-treatment, including forced medical treatment and adverse conditions of detention, are credible, as are allegations of individual incidents of sexual and gender-based violence," the report said. × "The extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim groups, pursuant to law and policy, in context of restrictions and deprivation more generally of fundamental rights enjoyed individually and collectively, may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity," it added. Congressmen in Western nations and the United States have even accused China of conducting "genocide" against minority communities. Beijing firmly denies the allegations and has long maintained that it operates centres for vocational training in Xinjiang that are intended to combat extremism. It asserts that the accusations are a part of a plan by the US and other Western countries to malign China and check its rise. As the allegations grew, Bachelet was under growing pressure to look into them and respond. The former president of Chile addressed the UN Human Rights Council about a year ago and said that her administration was finishing a report and called for an impartial assessment of the situation. But despite the growing impatience of rights organisations and some countries, it was repeatedly delayed. Also Read: Californians told to not charge EVs as ageing electricity grid struggles in heatwave Bachelet visited Xinjiang during her brief, six-day trip to China in May and she asked Beijing to refrain from "arbitrary and indiscriminate" actions in the area. Rights organisations, however, criticised her for what they saw as a lack of toughness. They said that she had given in to a stage-managed visit to Xinjiang that Beijing had planned. The report, according to Human Rights Watch, will demonstrate that no state is above the law. (with inputs from agencies)

Serious human rights violations committed in China's Xinjiang: UN human rights chief

The cultural arm of the United Nations, UNESCO, declared on Tuesday that it approved Ukraine's application to add the port city of Odesa to the World Heritage List.&nbsp;

Following a meeting between Oleksandr Tkachenko, the minister of culture for Ukraine, and Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of UNESCO, at the organization's Paris headquarters, UNESCO announced that it had organised experts to assist Ukraine so that the nomination could be urgently reviewed by World Heritage Committee member states.&nbsp;

In addition to Kyiv and Lviv, which are also in danger, UNESCO said it now intends to list Odesa on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

UNESCO said that the Black Sea port of Odesa, which is only a few dozen kilometres from the frontlines, has already been hit by artillery fire. The Odesa Museum of Fine Arts, which opened its doors in 1899, had a portion of its enormous glass roof and windows destroyed last month.&nbsp;

Since the start of the war, UNESCO has paid for renovations to both the museum and the Odesa Museum of Modern Art. They will also pay for additional staff members whose job it is to protect the artefacts. Along with providing safety gear, it will assist in digitising artwork.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-meets-iaea-chief-in-kyiv-ahead-of-agencys-visit-to-russian-occupied-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-511601">Zelensky meets IAEA chief in Kyiv ahead of agency's visit to Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant</a>

According to UNESCO, it has already raised close to $7 million for Ukraine and will contribute further money to repair war-related damage to museums as well as additional protective gear.

It will also provide assistance for the "digitisation of at least 1,000 works of art in Odessa as well as the documentary collection of the Odessa State Archives," it said.

The beetroot soup known as borshch was added to Ukraine's list of intangible cultural treasures in July, a decision that Moscow criticised as "xenophobic."

(with inputs from agencies)

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The cultural arm of the United Nations, UNESCO, declared on Tuesday that it approved Ukraine's application to add the port city of Odesa to the World Heritage List.

The cultural arm of the United Nations, UNESCO, declared on Tuesday that it approved Ukraine's application to add the port city of Odesa to the World Heritage List. Following a meeting between Oleksandr Tkachenko, the minister of culture for Ukraine, and Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of UNESCO, at the organization's Paris headquarters, UNESCO announced that it had organised experts to assist Ukraine so that the nomination could be urgently reviewed by World Heritage Committee member states. In addition to Kyiv and Lviv, which are also in danger, UNESCO said it now intends to list Odesa on the List of World Heritage in Danger. UNESCO said that the Black Sea port of Odesa, which is only a few dozen kilometres from the frontlines, has already been hit by artillery fire. The Odesa Museum of Fine Arts, which opened its doors in 1899, had a portion of its enormous glass roof and windows destroyed last month. Since the start of the war, UNESCO has paid for renovations to both the museum and the Odesa Museum of Modern Art. They will also pay for additional staff members whose job it is to protect the artefacts. Along with providing safety gear, it will assist in digitising artwork. Also Read: Zelensky meets IAEA chief in Kyiv ahead of agency's visit to Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant According to UNESCO, it has already raised close to $7 million for Ukraine and will contribute further money to repair war-related damage to museums as well as additional protective gear. It will also provide assistance for the "digitisation of at least 1,000 works of art in Odessa as well as the documentary collection of the Odessa State Archives," it said. The beetroot soup known as borshch was added to Ukraine's list of intangible cultural treasures in July, a decision that Moscow criticised as "xenophobic." (with inputs from agencies)

UNESCO supports Ukraine's bid to put threatened port of Odesa on World Heritage list

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