Thousands of people gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul to protest at Israeli actions against Palestinians on Monday while President Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Middle East leaders about the rising violence.&nbsp;

Despite a full lockdown aimed at curbing coronavirus cases, the protesters in Istanbul, including Syrians and Palestinians, carried Palestinian flags while chanting, "(Turkish soldiers) to Gaza" and "Down with Israel, down with America."&nbsp;

Erdogan spoke by phone with King Abdullah of Jordan, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu discussed the issue with his counterparts in Iran, Algeria, Pakistan and Russia.&nbsp;

According to a statement from his office, Erdogan told King Abdullah that the 'inhumane' attacks against Palestinians were aimed at all Muslims, adding that Turkey and Jordan needed to work together to stop them.&nbsp;

Violent clashes over Jerusalem escalated dramatically on Monday with Gaza health officials saying at least 20 people, including nine children, were killed by Israeli air strikes launched after Palestinian militant groups fired rockets close to Jerusalem.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Thousands of people gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul to protest at Israeli actions against Palestinians on Monday while President Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Middle East leaders about the rising violence.

Thousands of people gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul to protest at Israeli actions against Palestinians on Monday while President Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Middle East leaders about the rising violence. Despite a full lockdown aimed at curbing coronavirus cases, the protesters in Istanbul, including Syrians and Palestinians, carried Palestinian flags while chanting, "(Turkish soldiers) to Gaza" and "Down with Israel, down with America." Erdogan spoke by phone with King Abdullah of Jordan, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu discussed the issue with his counterparts in Iran, Algeria, Pakistan and Russia. According to a statement from his office, Erdogan told King Abdullah that the 'inhumane' attacks against Palestinians were aimed at all Muslims, adding that Turkey and Jordan needed to work together to stop them. Violent clashes over Jerusalem escalated dramatically on Monday with Gaza health officials saying at least 20 people, including nine children, were killed by Israeli air strikes launched after Palestinian militant groups fired rockets close to Jerusalem. (With inputs from agencies)

In Turkey, protests against Israel over surge in violence 

China's population growth in the decade to 2020 slumped to the least in official records dating back to the 1950s, fuelling pressure on Beijing to ramp up incentives to couples to have more children and avert an irreversible decline.&nbsp;

With growth having slowed ever since a one-child policy was introduced in the late 1970s, the 2020 results of the country's once-a-decade census, published on Tuesday, showed the population of mainland China increased 5.38% to 1.41 billion.&nbsp;

That compared with an increase of 5.84% to 1.34 billion in the 2010 census, and double-digit percentage rises in all of China's previous six official population surveys dating back to 1953.&nbsp;

The number meant China narrowly missed a target it set in 2016 to boost its population to about 1.42 billion by 2020. In 2016, China replaced its one-child policy - initially imposed to halt a population explosion at the time - with a two-child limit.&nbsp;

In recent months, China's state media has been increasingly bleak on the outlook, saying the population may start to shrink in the next few years. The United Nations predicts the number of people living in mainland China will peak in 2030 before declining. &nbsp;

But in late April, the Financial Times newspaper said the population actually fell in 2020 from a year earlier, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. &nbsp;

The 2020 number was actually slightly higher than the 1.4005 billion in 2019 estimated in a smaller official survey released in February last year.&nbsp;

China has long worried about its population growth as it seeks to bolster its economic rise and boost prosperity. &nbsp;

One bright spot in the census data was an unexpected increase in the proportion of young people - 17.95% of the population was 14 or younger in 2020, compared with 16.6% in 2010. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

China's population growth in the decade to 2020 slumped to the least in official records dating back to the 1950s, fuelling pressure on Beijing to ramp up incentives to couples to have more children and avert an irreversible decline.

China's population growth in the decade to 2020 slumped to the least in official records dating back to the 1950s, fuelling pressure on Beijing to ramp up incentives to couples to have more children and avert an irreversible decline. With growth having slowed ever since a one-child policy was introduced in the late 1970s, the 2020 results of the country's once-a-decade census, published on Tuesday, showed the population of mainland China increased 5.38% to 1.41 billion. That compared with an increase of 5.84% to 1.34 billion in the 2010 census, and double-digit percentage rises in all of China's previous six official population surveys dating back to 1953. The number meant China narrowly missed a target it set in 2016 to boost its population to about 1.42 billion by 2020. In 2016, China replaced its one-child policy - initially imposed to halt a population explosion at the time - with a two-child limit. In recent months, China's state media has been increasingly bleak on the outlook, saying the population may start to shrink in the next few years. The United Nations predicts the number of people living in mainland China will peak in 2030 before declining. But in late April, the Financial Times newspaper said the population actually fell in 2020 from a year earlier, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. The 2020 number was actually slightly higher than the 1.4005 billion in 2019 estimated in a smaller official survey released in February last year. China has long worried about its population growth as it seeks to bolster its economic rise and boost prosperity. One bright spot in the census data was an unexpected increase in the proportion of young people - 17.95% of the population was 14 or younger in 2020, compared with 16.6% in 2010. (With inputs from agencies)

China 2020 census shows population growth slipped to lowest since 1950s

Training of the crew for the first entirely private trip to the International&nbsp;Space&nbsp;Station (ISS) is to begin soon,&nbsp;Axiom&nbsp;Space, the company behind the flight, said on Monday at a joint press conference with&nbsp;NASA.

Four astronauts are to be launched to the ISS in late January aboard a rocket built by another&nbsp;space&nbsp;company, Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="All aboard! These companies are building spacecraft to send people to space">All aboard! These companies are building spacecraft to send people to space</a>

Only one of the four, NASA&nbsp;veteran Michael Lopez-Alegria, has been in&nbsp;space&nbsp;before.

The other three are businessmen, Larry Conner, an American, Mark Pathy, a Canadian, and Eytan Stibbe, an Israeli.

The mission dubbed Ax-1 is to last around 10 days, said&nbsp;Axiom&nbsp;Space&nbsp;president and CEO Michael Suffredini.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="SpaceX capsule departs International Space Station with 4 astronauts, heads home">SpaceX capsule departs International Space Station with 4 astronauts, heads home</a>

The astronauts will work and live in the American section of the&nbsp;space&nbsp;station and plan to conduct a number of scientific experiments while in orbit.

"We'll be starting what I would call serious training next week,"&nbsp;said Lopez-Alegria, the Ax-1 commander.

"From there the pace will pick up, and we'll all be immersed essentially full time in ISS systems and Crew Dragon training starting in the fall."

He said the four men had only been together a 'handful of times'&nbsp;because of the Covid-19 pandemic but would take a 'bonding'&nbsp;camping trip in Alaska in July.

Lopez-Alegria said he will start full-time training in August and Connor, the mission pilot, will begin in September.

Starting in October, all four will begin Houston-based training on the ISS systems and SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule.

Axiom&nbsp;Space&nbsp;considers the mission a first step in its plan to build the first commercial&nbsp;space&nbsp;station.

Asked about the cost of Ax-1, Suffredini said we 'generally don't talk about specific pricing.'

'It's been widely reported -- numbers in the tens of millions -- which I wouldn't argue with,'&nbsp;he said.

Phil McAlister, director of&nbsp;NASA's commercial spaceflight development, said the mission is a "renaissance in US human spaceflight."

'This is a real inflection point,'&nbsp;he said.

The US&nbsp;space&nbsp;agency is aiming for two such private missions a year.

'We are seeing a lot of interest in private astronaut missions,'&nbsp;said Angela Hart,&nbsp;NASA's manager of commercial low-Earth orbit development.

'At this point the demand exceeds what we actually believe the opportunities on station will be,'&nbsp;Hart said.

Seven 'space&nbsp;tourists'&nbsp;flew to the ISS between 2001 and 2009 aboard Russian Soyuz rockets.

Training of the crew for the first entirely private trip to the International Space Station (ISS) is to begin soon, Axiom Space, the company behind the flight, said on Monday at a joint press conference with NASA.

Training of the crew for the first entirely private trip to the International Space Station (ISS) is to begin soon, Axiom Space, the company behind the flight, said on Monday at a joint press conference with NASA. Four astronauts are to be launched to the ISS in late January aboard a rocket built by another space company, Elon Musk's SpaceX. Also read | All aboard! These companies are building spacecraft to send people to space Only one of the four, NASA veteran Michael Lopez-Alegria, has been in space before. The other three are businessmen, Larry Conner, an American, Mark Pathy, a Canadian, and Eytan Stibbe, an Israeli. The mission dubbed Ax-1 is to last around 10 days, said Axiom Space president and CEO Michael Suffredini. Also read | SpaceX capsule departs International Space Station with 4 astronauts, heads home The astronauts will work and live in the American section of the space station and plan to conduct a number of scientific experiments while in orbit. "We'll be starting what I would call serious training next week," said Lopez-Alegria, the Ax-1 commander. "From there the pace will pick up, and we'll all be immersed essentially full time in ISS systems and Crew Dragon training starting in the fall." He said the four men had only been together a 'handful of times' because of the Covid-19 pandemic but would take a 'bonding' camping trip in Alaska in July. Lopez-Alegria said he will start full-time training in August and Connor, the mission pilot, will begin in September. Starting in October, all four will begin Houston-based training on the ISS systems and SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule. Axiom Space considers the mission a first step in its plan to build the first commercial space station. Asked about the cost of Ax-1, Suffredini said we 'generally don't talk about specific pricing.' 'It's been widely reported -- numbers in the tens of millions -- which I wouldn't argue with,' he said. Phil McAlister, director of NASA's commercial spaceflight development, said the mission is a "renaissance in US human spaceflight." 'This is a real inflection point,' he said. The US space agency is aiming for two such private missions a year. 'We are seeing a lot of interest in private astronaut missions,' said Angela Hart, NASA's manager of commercial low-Earth orbit development. 'At this point the demand exceeds what we actually believe the opportunities on station will be,' Hart said. Seven 'space tourists' flew to the ISS between 2001 and 2009 aboard Russian Soyuz rockets.

Crew training to start soon for first private trip to International Space Station

The US space probe&nbsp;Osiris-Rex&nbsp;on Monday left the orbit of the asteroid Bennu, from which it collected dust samples last year, to begin its long journey back to Earth.

The probe still has a vast distance to cover before it lands in the Utah desert on September 24, 2023.&nbsp;

Osiris-Rex&nbsp;is 'now moving away over 600 miles an hour from Bennu, on its way home,'&nbsp;Dante Lauretta, head of the mission, said on NASA's video broadcast of the event.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="US tracking out-of-control wreckage of Chinese rocket falling back to Earth">US tracking out-of-control wreckage of Chinese rocket falling back to Earth</a>

The spacecraft's thrusters were engaged without incident for seven minutes to put the probe on the correct trajectory home, a journey of 1.4 billion miles (2.3 billion kilometers).

It is carrying more than 60 grams of dust and fragments from the asteroid, the largest sample collected by NASA since the Moon rocks brought back by the Apollo missions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="'I felt really heavy': Astronauts describe returning to Earth on SpaceX capsule">'I felt really heavy': Astronauts describe returning to Earth on SpaceX capsule</a>

To achieve this goal, the US space agency launched a high-risk operation in October 2020: the probe came into contact with the asteroid for a few seconds, and a blast of compressed nitrogen was emitted to raise the dust sample which was then captured.&nbsp;

The surprise for NASA was the probe's arm sank several centimeters into the surface of the asteroid, showing the scientists that 'the surfaces of these rubble pile asteroids are very loosely consolidated,'&nbsp;said Lauretta.&nbsp;

The whole mission almost came to nought when NASA realised a few days later that the valve of the collection compartment was failing to close, letting fragments escape into space.

But the precious cargo was finally secured after being transferred to a capsule fixed in the spacecraft's center.&nbsp;

In two and a half years, that capsule will be released a few hours before entry into the Earth's atmosphere, and will be slowed down by a parachute system for its landing.

The samples will then be transported to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, but 75 percent will be kept intact to be studied by future generations, who will have advanced technologies that have not yet been created, the agency said.

The analysis should help scientists better understand the formation of the solar system and the development of Earth as a habitable planet.

The US space probe Osiris-Rex on Monday left the orbit of the asteroid Bennu, from which it collected dust samples last year, to begin its long journey back to Earth.

The US space probe Osiris-Rex on Monday left the orbit of the asteroid Bennu, from which it collected dust samples last year, to begin its long journey back to Earth. The probe still has a vast distance to cover before it lands in the Utah desert on September 24, 2023. Osiris-Rex is 'now moving away over 600 miles an hour from Bennu, on its way home,' Dante Lauretta, head of the mission, said on NASA's video broadcast of the event. Also read | US tracking out-of-control wreckage of Chinese rocket falling back to Earth The spacecraft's thrusters were engaged without incident for seven minutes to put the probe on the correct trajectory home, a journey of 1.4 billion miles (2.3 billion kilometers). It is carrying more than 60 grams of dust and fragments from the asteroid, the largest sample collected by NASA since the Moon rocks brought back by the Apollo missions. Also read | 'I felt really heavy': Astronauts describe returning to Earth on SpaceX capsule To achieve this goal, the US space agency launched a high-risk operation in October 2020: the probe came into contact with the asteroid for a few seconds, and a blast of compressed nitrogen was emitted to raise the dust sample which was then captured. The surprise for NASA was the probe's arm sank several centimeters into the surface of the asteroid, showing the scientists that 'the surfaces of these rubble pile asteroids are very loosely consolidated,' said Lauretta. The whole mission almost came to nought when NASA realised a few days later that the valve of the collection compartment was failing to close, letting fragments escape into space. But the precious cargo was finally secured after being transferred to a capsule fixed in the spacecraft's center. In two and a half years, that capsule will be released a few hours before entry into the Earth's atmosphere, and will be slowed down by a parachute system for its landing. The samples will then be transported to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, but 75 percent will be kept intact to be studied by future generations, who will have advanced technologies that have not yet been created, the agency said. The analysis should help scientists better understand the formation of the solar system and the development of Earth as a habitable planet.

US space probe Osiris-Rex heads home with dust from asteroid Bennu

French&nbsp;serial&nbsp;killer&nbsp;Michel Fourniret, the 'Ogre of the Ardennes', who confessed to killing 11 people, died on Monday aged&nbsp;79, taking his final secrets to the grave and denying&nbsp;families&nbsp;of victims long-awaited&nbsp;justice.

Fourniret, whose victims were mostly girls and young women, died at the La Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris where he was admitted on April 28 from the nearby Fresnes prison where he serving two life sentences, Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Protests in France over no trial for Jewish woman's killer">Protests in France over no trial for Jewish woman's killer</a>

An investigation has been opened into his death, Heitz said. This always happens when any person&nbsp;dies&nbsp;in custody in France.

He confessed to 11 murders, including British student Joanna Parrish, who was killed in May 1990 while she was in France as part of her university course.

But he has been linked to other disappearances, most of them in the Ardennes region that straddles the&nbsp;French-Belgian border.

The death of Fourniret, who was reportedly suffering from heart problems and Alzheimer's, dashed the hopes of those&nbsp;families&nbsp;still awaiting&nbsp;justice&nbsp;for murders he may have committed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="France charges three over neo-Nazi attack plot">France charges three over neo-Nazi attack plot</a>

His lawyers said they now expected the&nbsp;judiciary&nbsp;to end all investigations against him, adding that they had recently asked for his term to be suspended due to his ill health.

Fourniret's victims included nine-year-old Estelle Mouzin, who he raped and killed just months before he was caught in Belgium in 2003.

Fourniret finally admitted to the girl's murder in March 2020 but her body has yet to be found despite intensive searches, including over the last few weeks.

'There is a feeling of anger after so many years of inaction,'&nbsp;said Didier Seban, the lawyer for several&nbsp;families&nbsp;of girls who disappeared including the relatives of Estelle Mouzin.

"There will be no&nbsp;trial&nbsp;and no possibility to have the responses that are expected."

As well as the killing of Parrish, Fourniret had also been charged over the murders of Marie-Angele Domece, who vanished in 1988 and Lydie Loge, a 29-year-old who disappeared in 1993.

His former wife Monique Olivier, who married Fourniret while he was still serving a previous jail term, has also been charged over several of the outstanding cases.

By the time of his arrest, the former forest warden was one of Europe's most notorious&nbsp;serial&nbsp;killers. He even boasted of being a 'far better'&nbsp;killer&nbsp;than the sadistic Belgian paedophile Marc Dutroux.

'Michel Fourniret is taking his secrets with him,'&nbsp;said Richard Delgene, the lawyer of Monique Olivier.

"As we still have a lot of cases in progress, Monique Olivier will remain the only one in the defendants' box to be held accountable."

Fourniret confessed to Estelle Mouzin's murder in March last year only after Olivier gave key testimony that shattered his defence.

Detectives first considered Fourniret a suspect in the girl's disappearance in 2006, after they found a photo of Mouzin on his computer.

Olivier, now 72, is serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 28 years, for her role in some of the abductions and killings.

The Parisien newspaper reported on Monday morning that Fourniret was taken to hospital suffering from a heart condition and Alzheimer's, and that doctors had placed him in an artificial coma.

French serial killer Michel Fourniret, the 'Ogre of the Ardennes', who confessed to killing 11 people, died on Monday aged 79, taking his final secrets to the grave and denying families of victims long-awaited justice.

French serial killer Michel Fourniret, the 'Ogre of the Ardennes', who confessed to killing 11 people, died on Monday aged 79, taking his final secrets to the grave and denying families of victims long-awaited justice. Fourniret, whose victims were mostly girls and young women, died at the La Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris where he was admitted on April 28 from the nearby Fresnes prison where he serving two life sentences, Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said. Also read | Protests in France over no trial for Jewish woman's killer An investigation has been opened into his death, Heitz said. This always happens when any person dies in custody in France. He confessed to 11 murders, including British student Joanna Parrish, who was killed in May 1990 while she was in France as part of her university course. But he has been linked to other disappearances, most of them in the Ardennes region that straddles the French-Belgian border. The death of Fourniret, who was reportedly suffering from heart problems and Alzheimer's, dashed the hopes of those families still awaiting justice for murders he may have committed. Also read | France charges three over neo-Nazi attack plot His lawyers said they now expected the judiciary to end all investigations against him, adding that they had recently asked for his term to be suspended due to his ill health. Fourniret's victims included nine-year-old Estelle Mouzin, who he raped and killed just months before he was caught in Belgium in 2003. Fourniret finally admitted to the girl's murder in March 2020 but her body has yet to be found despite intensive searches, including over the last few weeks. 'There is a feeling of anger after so many years of inaction,' said Didier Seban, the lawyer for several families of girls who disappeared including the relatives of Estelle Mouzin. "There will be no trial and no possibility to have the responses that are expected." As well as the killing of Parrish, Fourniret had also been charged over the murders of Marie-Angele Domece, who vanished in 1988 and Lydie Loge, a 29-year-old who disappeared in 1993. His former wife Monique Olivier, who married Fourniret while he was still serving a previous jail term, has also been charged over several of the outstanding cases. By the time of his arrest, the former forest warden was one of Europe's most notorious serial killers. He even boasted of being a 'far better' killer than the sadistic Belgian paedophile Marc Dutroux. 'Michel Fourniret is taking his secrets with him,' said Richard Delgene, the lawyer of Monique Olivier. "As we still have a lot of cases in progress, Monique Olivier will remain the only one in the defendants' box to be held accountable." Fourniret confessed to Estelle Mouzin's murder in March last year only after Olivier gave key testimony that shattered his defence. Detectives first considered Fourniret a suspect in the girl's disappearance in 2006, after they found a photo of Mouzin on his computer. Olivier, now 72, is serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 28 years, for her role in some of the abductions and killings. The Parisien newspaper reported on Monday morning that Fourniret was taken to hospital suffering from a heart condition and Alzheimer's, and that doctors had placed him in an artificial coma.

Families denied justice as French serial killer dies at 79

Hopes faded on Monday for a young minke whale, who became trapped in the River Thames near London, authorities said.

Rescuers trying to recapture the whale said that by 5 pm,&nbsp;its condition had deteriorated rapidly and it would soon be stranded by the dropping tide near Teddington in southwest London.

Once the whale is beached a veterinary team will be on stand by to euthanise the animal to end its suffering, the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Marine animals thought extinct for 273 million years found in Pacific Ocean!">Marine animals thought extinct for 273 million years found in Pacific Ocean!</a>

The BDMLR said the injured and drained calf would struggle to swim even if it managed to get back into deeper water.

Crews had already worked for hours before being able to free the whale early Monday from a perilous stranding on a lock near Richmond, a few miles downstream of Teddington.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Three-year old Mtoto, Africa's earliest known human burial from 78,000 years ago">Three-year old Mtoto, Africa's earliest known human burial from 78,000 years ago</a>

But as the mammal was being taken for further health checks on an inflatable pontoon, it slipped back into the water. 
This animal is very, very lost, Port of London Authority spokesman Martin Garside said.

It's like seeing a camel at the North Pole. Garside said a whale had never been seen this far up the Thames before, 95 miles (150 kilometers) along the river from its mouth, with the sheer distance making the whale's route back to safety extremely difficult.

The whale, which measured about four meters (13 feet) long, was first seen lying on the lock's boat rollers Sunday night. Hundreds of people gathered along the banks of the Thames to watch the rescue operation as night fell.

The area is known for wide tidal swings that easily reach over 5.5 meters (18 feet) high.

Port staff were joined by firefighters, coast guard members and marine animal rescue divers.

Minke whales, which are more typically found in the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, can grow to a size of nine meters (30 feet).

Meanwhile, in Spain, a marine wildlife group was working to make sure that a gray whale found near Spain's northeastern Mediterranean coast, far from its usual northern Pacific migration routes, doesn't get stranded.

Maritime rescuers, firefighters and other authorities worked with conservationists over the weekend to keep a whale nicknamed Wally from venturing into shallow water and ports near Barcelona.

The maritime group said the whale entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar and has been spotted since March in the vicinity of Morocco, Algeria, Italy and France.

In an aerial video released by the group, the whale could be seen very close to a seawall near one of Barcelona's main beaches.&nbsp;

Hopes faded on Monday for a young minke whale, who became trapped in the River Thames near London, authorities said. Rescuers trying to recapture the whale said that by 5 pm, its condition had deteriorated rapidly and it would soon be stranded by the dropping tide near Teddington in southwest London.

Hopes faded on Monday for a young minke whale, who became trapped in the River Thames near London, authorities said. Rescuers trying to recapture the whale said that by 5 pm, its condition had deteriorated rapidly and it would soon be stranded by the dropping tide near Teddington in southwest London. Once the whale is beached a veterinary team will be on stand by to euthanise the animal to end its suffering, the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said in a statement. Also read | Marine animals thought extinct for 273 million years found in Pacific Ocean! The BDMLR said the injured and drained calf would struggle to swim even if it managed to get back into deeper water. Crews had already worked for hours before being able to free the whale early Monday from a perilous stranding on a lock near Richmond, a few miles downstream of Teddington. Also read | Three-year old Mtoto, Africa's earliest known human burial from 78,000 years ago But as the mammal was being taken for further health checks on an inflatable pontoon, it slipped back into the water. This animal is very, very lost, Port of London Authority spokesman Martin Garside said. It's like seeing a camel at the North Pole. Garside said a whale had never been seen this far up the Thames before, 95 miles (150 kilometers) along the river from its mouth, with the sheer distance making the whale's route back to safety extremely difficult. The whale, which measured about four meters (13 feet) long, was first seen lying on the lock's boat rollers Sunday night. Hundreds of people gathered along the banks of the Thames to watch the rescue operation as night fell. The area is known for wide tidal swings that easily reach over 5.5 meters (18 feet) high. Port staff were joined by firefighters, coast guard members and marine animal rescue divers. Minke whales, which are more typically found in the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, can grow to a size of nine meters (30 feet). Meanwhile, in Spain, a marine wildlife group was working to make sure that a gray whale found near Spain's northeastern Mediterranean coast, far from its usual northern Pacific migration routes, doesn't get stranded. Maritime rescuers, firefighters and other authorities worked with conservationists over the weekend to keep a whale nicknamed Wally from venturing into shallow water and ports near Barcelona. The maritime group said the whale entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar and has been spotted since March in the vicinity of Morocco, Algeria, Italy and France. In an aerial video released by the group, the whale could be seen very close to a seawall near one of Barcelona's main beaches.

Hopes fade for minke whale stuck in River Thames near London

Washington is to lift pandemic restrictions&nbsp;on&nbsp;most&nbsp;businesses&nbsp;and public venues in less than two weeks, with the daily toll of new&nbsp;Covid cases in the US&nbsp;capital&nbsp;at its lowest level in almost a year.

As the vaccination drive gathers pace, the city's famed Smithsonian museums and zoo, as well as shops, restaurants, places of worship and numerous other venues, will see capacity&nbsp;curbs&nbsp;removed entirely by&nbsp;May&nbsp;21.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="US is likely 'undercounting' Covid deaths, says Dr Fauci">US is likely 'undercounting' Covid deaths, says Dr Fauci</a>

Bars, nightclubs and large entertainment venues and sports stadiums will have to wait until June 11 to fully reopen, Mayor Muriel Bowser's office said in a public health update.

Masks will still be required indoors for people not eating or drinking.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="US turning a corner on pandemic, says White House coordinator">US turning a corner on pandemic, says White House coordinator</a>

'On&nbsp;Friday,&nbsp;May&nbsp;21&nbsp;we will be turning&nbsp;on&nbsp;substantially more activity in the district,'&nbsp;Bowser told reporters.

"And we anticipate three weeks following that,&nbsp;on&nbsp;June 11 that we will be able to turn up activity in the district, all the way."&nbsp;

The city has seen new daily infections&nbsp;drop&nbsp;into single figures per 100,000 people since an alarming January peak of more than 40, with the infection rate now at its lowest in 10 months.&nbsp;

Infections are similarly down in neighboring Virginia and Maryland.

The District of Columbia has fully vaccinated 226,566 of its population of around 700,000.

The&nbsp;capital&nbsp;began easing pandemic&nbsp;curbs&nbsp;on&nbsp;May&nbsp;1, allowing shops to increase from 25 per cent to 50 per cent capacity and restaurants to seat 10 people per table.

According to a survey conducted in March by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 25 per cent of Americans aged 18 to 29 are adopting a 'wait and see'&nbsp;attitude towards being vaccinated.

President Joe Biden wants 70 per cent of adults nationwide to have received at least one shot by Independence Day&nbsp;on&nbsp;July 4, and Washington has joined several other cities in offering incentives in a bid to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

Bowser has urged residents to 'come get vaccinated and grab a beer,&nbsp;on&nbsp;us'&nbsp;at the John F&nbsp;Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

"Throughout this process, I have said how proud I am of DC residents and&nbsp;businesses&nbsp;who have responded, who have followed health guidance and have worked together to help protect our community throughout the pandemic, and we see it in these numbers today," the mayor said on Monday.&nbsp;

Washington is to lift pandemic restrictions on most businesses and public venues in less than two weeks, with the daily toll of new Covid cases in the US capital at its lowest level in almost a year.

Washington is to lift pandemic restrictions on most businesses and public venues in less than two weeks, with the daily toll of new Covid cases in the US capital at its lowest level in almost a year. As the vaccination drive gathers pace, the city's famed Smithsonian museums and zoo, as well as shops, restaurants, places of worship and numerous other venues, will see capacity curbs removed entirely by May 21. Also read | US is likely 'undercounting' Covid deaths, says Dr Fauci Bars, nightclubs and large entertainment venues and sports stadiums will have to wait until June 11 to fully reopen, Mayor Muriel Bowser's office said in a public health update. Masks will still be required indoors for people not eating or drinking. Also read | US turning a corner on pandemic, says White House coordinator 'On Friday, May 21 we will be turning on substantially more activity in the district,' Bowser told reporters. "And we anticipate three weeks following that, on June 11 that we will be able to turn up activity in the district, all the way." The city has seen new daily infections drop into single figures per 100,000 people since an alarming January peak of more than 40, with the infection rate now at its lowest in 10 months. Infections are similarly down in neighboring Virginia and Maryland. The District of Columbia has fully vaccinated 226,566 of its population of around 700,000. The capital began easing pandemic curbs on May 1, allowing shops to increase from 25 per cent to 50 per cent capacity and restaurants to seat 10 people per table. According to a survey conducted in March by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 25 per cent of Americans aged 18 to 29 are adopting a 'wait and see' attitude towards being vaccinated. President Joe Biden wants 70 per cent of adults nationwide to have received at least one shot by Independence Day on July 4, and Washington has joined several other cities in offering incentives in a bid to overcome vaccine hesitancy. Bowser has urged residents to 'come get vaccinated and grab a beer, on us' at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. "Throughout this process, I have said how proud I am of DC residents and businesses who have responded, who have followed health guidance and have worked together to help protect our community throughout the pandemic, and we see it in these numbers today," the mayor said on Monday.

US capital to drop Covid curbs for most businesses on May 21

Japanese opposition lawmakers slammed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday for what they called his 'Olympics first'&nbsp;attitude in prioritising the event even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise on the country.

Suga pushed back at the criticism during a question and answer session in the Japanese parliament, saying his role is to do his utmost to ensure the health and safety of all during the July 23-August 8&nbsp;games.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Amid opposition, Japan Prime Minister says has &quot;never put Olympics first&quot;">Amid opposition, Japan Prime Minister says has "never put Olympics first"</a>

Concerns are rising about the ability of Suga's government to get infections under control ahead of the Olympics, which start in just over two months.

Suga decided Friday to extend a state of emergency in Tokyo until May 31 and expand the measure to six prefectures from the current four.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="India Covid crisis: Japan, UNDP reach out to northeast states with oxygen ">India Covid crisis: Japan, UNDP reach out to northeast states with oxygen&nbsp;</a>

Japan logged about 7,000 new cases on Saturday, a highest since mid-January.

Suga added he arranged for Pfizer to donate its vaccine for athletes via the IOC, which would contribute to holding the games safely.

Public calls for a cancellation have been on the rise.

An online petition calling for the Olympics to be cancelled has gained more than 300,000 signatures in a week while a weekend survey by Japan's largest newspaper showed about 60% of the respondents calling for a cancellation.

IOC President Thomas Bach cancelled his planned trip to Japan next week because of surging cases of COVID-19 in the country, the Tokyo Olympic organising committee said on Monday in a statement.

Bach was to visit Hiroshima next Monday and meet the torch relay and then probably travel to Tokyo.&nbsp;

Japanese opposition lawmakers slammed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday for what they called his 'Olympics first' attitude in prioritising the event even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise on the country.

Japanese opposition lawmakers slammed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday for what they called his 'Olympics first' attitude in prioritising the event even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise on the country. Suga pushed back at the criticism during a question and answer session in the Japanese parliament, saying his role is to do his utmost to ensure the health and safety of all during the July 23-August 8 games. Also read | Amid opposition, Japan Prime Minister says has "never put Olympics first" Concerns are rising about the ability of Suga's government to get infections under control ahead of the Olympics, which start in just over two months. Suga decided Friday to extend a state of emergency in Tokyo until May 31 and expand the measure to six prefectures from the current four. Also read | India Covid crisis: Japan, UNDP reach out to northeast states with oxygen Japan logged about 7,000 new cases on Saturday, a highest since mid-January. Suga added he arranged for Pfizer to donate its vaccine for athletes via the IOC, which would contribute to holding the games safely. Public calls for a cancellation have been on the rise. An online petition calling for the Olympics to be cancelled has gained more than 300,000 signatures in a week while a weekend survey by Japan's largest newspaper showed about 60% of the respondents calling for a cancellation. IOC President Thomas Bach cancelled his planned trip to Japan next week because of surging cases of COVID-19 in the country, the Tokyo Olympic organising committee said on Monday in a statement. Bach was to visit Hiroshima next Monday and meet the torch relay and then probably travel to Tokyo.

Japanese PM slammed by lawmakers for prioritising Olympics amid pandemic

New York City is still using refrigerated trucks to store bodies of coronavirus victims, more than a year after they were first set up as temporary morgues as deaths surged at the height of the pandemic.&nbsp;

The city’s medical examiner’s office said on Friday that 750 bodies are being kept in long-term storage in refrigerated trailers at a Brooklyn pier while family members sort out plans for their final resting places.&nbsp;

Dina Maniotis, a deputy commissioner with the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, told a city council committee on Wednesday that many of the bodies held at the 39th Street Pier could end up buried in the city’s potter’s field on Hart Island.&nbsp;

In April 2020, the city shortened the amount of time it would hold unclaimed remains to 14 days before burying them on Hart Island. At the time, officials said, they were exploring the option of interring unclaimed remains on the island temporarily so they could be moved later on.&nbsp;

Mark Desire, a spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office, said permanent burial on Hart Island is an option for the next-of-kin of COVID-19 victims whose bodies remain in refrigerated trucks.&nbsp;

“Long term storage was created at the height of the pandemic to ensure that families could lay their loved ones to rest as they see fit,” Desire said. “With sensitivity and compassion, we continue to work with individual families on a case by case basis during their period of mourning.&nbsp;

The non-profit news website The City reported on the matter this week. The website noted that between 500 and about 800 bodies have been kept in cold storage at any given time since April 2020.&nbsp;

Those figures were based on estimates by the medical examiner’s office compiled by the website and Columbia University’s Stabile Center for Investigative Reporting.&nbsp;

The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent 85 refrigerated trucks to serve as temporary morgues last year as COVID-19 deaths overwhelmed the city’s permanent morgues and filled storage spaces in many hospitals to capacity.&nbsp;

Many were parked outside hospitals and workers in protective gear used forklifts to place bodies inside in what became a grim, daily ritual.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

New York City is still using refrigerated trucks to store bodies of coronavirus victims, more than a year after they were first set up as temporary morgues as deaths surged at the height of the pandemic.

New York City is still using refrigerated trucks to store bodies of coronavirus victims, more than a year after they were first set up as temporary morgues as deaths surged at the height of the pandemic. The city’s medical examiner’s office said on Friday that 750 bodies are being kept in long-term storage in refrigerated trailers at a Brooklyn pier while family members sort out plans for their final resting places. Dina Maniotis, a deputy commissioner with the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, told a city council committee on Wednesday that many of the bodies held at the 39th Street Pier could end up buried in the city’s potter’s field on Hart Island. In April 2020, the city shortened the amount of time it would hold unclaimed remains to 14 days before burying them on Hart Island. At the time, officials said, they were exploring the option of interring unclaimed remains on the island temporarily so they could be moved later on. Mark Desire, a spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office, said permanent burial on Hart Island is an option for the next-of-kin of COVID-19 victims whose bodies remain in refrigerated trucks. “Long term storage was created at the height of the pandemic to ensure that families could lay their loved ones to rest as they see fit,” Desire said. “With sensitivity and compassion, we continue to work with individual families on a case by case basis during their period of mourning. The non-profit news website The City reported on the matter this week. The website noted that between 500 and about 800 bodies have been kept in cold storage at any given time since April 2020. Those figures were based on estimates by the medical examiner’s office compiled by the website and Columbia University’s Stabile Center for Investigative Reporting. The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent 85 refrigerated trucks to serve as temporary morgues last year as COVID-19 deaths overwhelmed the city’s permanent morgues and filled storage spaces in many hospitals to capacity. Many were parked outside hospitals and workers in protective gear used forklifts to place bodies inside in what became a grim, daily ritual. (With inputs from agencies)

NYC still storing COVID-19 victims in refrigerated trucks 

The head of German pharmaceutical company BioNTech said on Monday that there is no need to waive patents on coronavirus vaccines because manufacturers will be able to produce enough shots to supply the world over the coming year.&nbsp;

Ugur Sahin, the chief executive of BioNTech, rejected the US-backed proposal to temporarily lift some intellectual property rights for vaccines in order to boost global supply during the ongoing pandemic.&nbsp;

In a call with investors announcing the company’s first-quarter net profit of 1.13 billion euros ($1.37 billion), Sahin said BioNTech and its US partner Pfizer had already delivered vaccines to more than 90 countries and more than doubled its forecast production capacity for the year.&nbsp;

“We have now scaled the manufacturing capacity up to 3 billion doses in 2021, and more than 40% of these doses are expected to go to middle- and low-income countries,” Sahin said.&nbsp;

Waiving patents would not ease supply shortages in the coming months, he said, citing the complexity of producing the mRNA-based shot his company developed last year.&nbsp;

Sahin said his company is working to further expand its manufacturing network with its own sites, such as one now planned in Singapore, and through cooperation with other manufacturers to ensure greater supply while maintaining the quality of the vaccine. But he also noted that rival manufacturers have their own shots either on the market already or in the pipeline.&nbsp;

“We believe, together with the other vaccine developers, in the next 9 to 12 months, that there will be more than enough vaccine produced and there is absolutely no need for waiving patents,” he said.&nbsp;

BioNTech’s estimated revenues surged to over two billion euros for the period from January to March, compared with just 28 million euros in the same period last year, after it launched the first widely used vaccine against COVID-19 together with Pfizer, which holds the market and distribution rights in much of the world.&nbsp;

The Mainz-based company said its revenues included over 1.75 billion euros in gross profits from vaccine sales in Pfizer’s territories, and almost 200 million from sales to customers in its region. Based on current orders for some 1.8 billion doses, it expects full-year revenues of 12.4 billion euros in 2021.&nbsp;

BioNTech shares rose by more than 7% to $196.60 in early trading on Monday on Nasdaq.&nbsp;

The results are a significant turnaround for the company, which made a net loss of 53 million euros in the first quarter of 2020.&nbsp;

Early last year as the pandemic began, BioNTech pivoted from researching treatments for cancer to developing a vaccine against COVID-19. Like its rival Moderna, the company’s vaccine uses mRNA technology to prime the body’s immune system to attack the virus.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The head of German pharmaceutical company BioNTech said on Monday that there is no need to waive patents on coronavirus vaccines because manufacturers will be able to produce enough shots to supply the world over the coming year.

The head of German pharmaceutical company BioNTech said on Monday that there is no need to waive patents on coronavirus vaccines because manufacturers will be able to produce enough shots to supply the world over the coming year. Ugur Sahin, the chief executive of BioNTech, rejected the US-backed proposal to temporarily lift some intellectual property rights for vaccines in order to boost global supply during the ongoing pandemic. In a call with investors announcing the company’s first-quarter net profit of 1.13 billion euros ($1.37 billion), Sahin said BioNTech and its US partner Pfizer had already delivered vaccines to more than 90 countries and more than doubled its forecast production capacity for the year. “We have now scaled the manufacturing capacity up to 3 billion doses in 2021, and more than 40% of these doses are expected to go to middle- and low-income countries,” Sahin said. Waiving patents would not ease supply shortages in the coming months, he said, citing the complexity of producing the mRNA-based shot his company developed last year. Sahin said his company is working to further expand its manufacturing network with its own sites, such as one now planned in Singapore, and through cooperation with other manufacturers to ensure greater supply while maintaining the quality of the vaccine. But he also noted that rival manufacturers have their own shots either on the market already or in the pipeline. “We believe, together with the other vaccine developers, in the next 9 to 12 months, that there will be more than enough vaccine produced and there is absolutely no need for waiving patents,” he said. BioNTech’s estimated revenues surged to over two billion euros for the period from January to March, compared with just 28 million euros in the same period last year, after it launched the first widely used vaccine against COVID-19 together with Pfizer, which holds the market and distribution rights in much of the world. The Mainz-based company said its revenues included over 1.75 billion euros in gross profits from vaccine sales in Pfizer’s territories, and almost 200 million from sales to customers in its region. Based on current orders for some 1.8 billion doses, it expects full-year revenues of 12.4 billion euros in 2021. BioNTech shares rose by more than 7% to $196.60 in early trading on Monday on Nasdaq. The results are a significant turnaround for the company, which made a net loss of 53 million euros in the first quarter of 2020. Early last year as the pandemic began, BioNTech pivoted from researching treatments for cancer to developing a vaccine against COVID-19. Like its rival Moderna, the company’s vaccine uses mRNA technology to prime the body’s immune system to attack the virus. (With inputs from agencies)

Vaccine maker BioNTech says no need to waive patents 

Saudi Arabia has announced 118 humanitarian projects worth over USD 123 million for cash-strapped Pakistan in food security, health, education and water during Prime Minister Imran Khan's two-day visit, according to a report.&nbsp;

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief)'s Supervisor General Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah said that the assistance was announced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

KSrelief announced 118 humanitarian projects for Pakistan at a cost of over USD 123 million in food security, health, education, water and environmental sanitation.&nbsp;

He said that the kingdom has provided medical and preventive aid worth over USD 1.5 million to combat the pandemic.&nbsp;

Khan's Special Representative for Middle East Affairs Sheikh Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the visit will push the march of the joint cooperation in the right direction in order to achieve the desired interests and goals, and contribute to developing the political, military, diplomatic, economic, commercial, developmental and cultural coordination and cooperation fields.&nbsp;

Khan met Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen and discussed developments in the Islamic world, the situation of Muslims in non-OIC countries and the issues on the OIC's agenda, in particular combating Islamophobia.&nbsp;

During the summit meeting between Khan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, enhancing economic and trade relations and the challenge posed by extremism came under discussion.&nbsp;

They confirmed their satisfaction with the firmness of bilateral military and security relations, and agreed on further cooperation to achieve common goals between the two countries, the SPA reported.&nbsp;

"The two sides also stressed the need for concerted efforts of the Islamic world to confront extremism and violence and reject sectarianism, and strive to achieve international peace and security.&nbsp;

"They also underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to combat the phenomenon of terrorism which is not related to any religion, race or color, and confront all its forms and images, whatever its source," it said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia has announced 118 humanitarian projects worth over USD 123 million for cash-strapped Pakistan in food security, health, education and water during Prime Minister Imran Khan's two-day visit, according to a report.

Saudi Arabia has announced 118 humanitarian projects worth over USD 123 million for cash-strapped Pakistan in food security, health, education and water during Prime Minister Imran Khan's two-day visit, according to a report. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief)'s Supervisor General Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah said that the assistance was announced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. KSrelief announced 118 humanitarian projects for Pakistan at a cost of over USD 123 million in food security, health, education, water and environmental sanitation. He said that the kingdom has provided medical and preventive aid worth over USD 1.5 million to combat the pandemic. Khan's Special Representative for Middle East Affairs Sheikh Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the visit will push the march of the joint cooperation in the right direction in order to achieve the desired interests and goals, and contribute to developing the political, military, diplomatic, economic, commercial, developmental and cultural coordination and cooperation fields. Khan met Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen and discussed developments in the Islamic world, the situation of Muslims in non-OIC countries and the issues on the OIC's agenda, in particular combating Islamophobia. During the summit meeting between Khan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, enhancing economic and trade relations and the challenge posed by extremism came under discussion. They confirmed their satisfaction with the firmness of bilateral military and security relations, and agreed on further cooperation to achieve common goals between the two countries, the SPA reported. "The two sides also stressed the need for concerted efforts of the Islamic world to confront extremism and violence and reject sectarianism, and strive to achieve international peace and security. "They also underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to combat the phenomenon of terrorism which is not related to any religion, race or color, and confront all its forms and images, whatever its source," it said. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi announces over 100 projects for cash-strapped Pak during Imran's visit 

At least 11 people have been killed and many more wounded after one or more gunmen opened fire in a school in the Russian city of Kazan, the RIA news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the emergency services ministry.&nbsp;

Two children could be seen leaping from the third floor of the four-storey&nbsp;School Number 175 as gunshots sounded, in a video filmed by an onlooker that was circulated by RIA.&nbsp;

Some Russian news agencies reporting two teenage gunmen were involved and others said a sole shooter took part.&nbsp;&nbsp;

RIA said one 19-year-old gunman had been detained and that an explosion had been heard at the school. Footage posted on social media showed a young man being pinned to the ground outside the school building by a police officer.&nbsp;

Footage also showed emergency service vehicles parked outside the school, with people running towards the building.&nbsp;

It was not clear whether any other shooters remained at large. Nor was it immediately clear what the motive for the attack was.&nbsp;&nbsp;

School shootings are rare in Russia. One of the last major shootings of its kind took place in Russian-annexed Crimea in 2018 when a student at a college killed 19 before turning his gun on himself.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kazan is the capital of the Muslim-majority region of Tatarstan and located around 450 miles (725 km) east of Moscow.&nbsp;

At least 11 people have been killed and many more wounded after one or more gunmen opened fire in a school in the Russian city of Kazan, the RIA news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the emergency services ministry.

At least 11 people have been killed and many more wounded after one or more gunmen opened fire in a school in the Russian city of Kazan, the RIA news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the emergency services ministry. Two children could be seen leaping from the third floor of the four-storey School Number 175 as gunshots sounded, in a video filmed by an onlooker that was circulated by RIA. Some Russian news agencies reporting two teenage gunmen were involved and others said a sole shooter took part. RIA said one 19-year-old gunman had been detained and that an explosion had been heard at the school. Footage posted on social media showed a young man being pinned to the ground outside the school building by a police officer. Footage also showed emergency service vehicles parked outside the school, with people running towards the building. It was not clear whether any other shooters remained at large. Nor was it immediately clear what the motive for the attack was. School shootings are rare in Russia. One of the last major shootings of its kind took place in Russian-annexed Crimea in 2018 when a student at a college killed 19 before turning his gun on himself. Kazan is the capital of the Muslim-majority region of Tatarstan and located around 450 miles (725 km) east of Moscow.

Eleven killed, many wounded in Russian school shooting: Reports

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