Climate Change can deprive us from basic needs, the Editor-In-Chief&nbsp;and CEO&nbsp;of WION&nbsp;Sudhir Chaudhary warned as he kicked off the first climate summit of the global news channel.&nbsp;The theme of the summit was 'Climate Calling: The last chance to answer climate emergency'.

"It's my honour to welcome you all in WION's first climate summit but not the last," he said at the outset.

"I want to start with a few questions. What is our top priority when we look at the problems that need to be solved? For example, in my own country India, for decades, we have been focussing on Bijli, Sadak, Paani (electricity, roads, water, food)"

He said that Indian politics remained focussed on these basic issues which he noted, remained primary issues of discussion for the average citizens of the country.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-summit-live-wions-ceo-editor-in-chief-sudhir-chaudhary-delivers-opening-address-462527/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

"On the other hand," he said, "Issues like Climate Chnage, mental health are discussed on very elite forums of international conferences"

He observed that common citizens and mainstream media were "still far away" from these issues.

It is often that issues like Climate Change are considered somebody else's problem.

"Climate Change is already changing our lives," said Chaudhary.

Sharing his personal experience, Sudhir Chaudhary said that, coming from a middle-class Indian family, he was able to buy his first air conditioner only when he started working. Before that purchase, he said, he never felt the need ('nor had money') for an AC.

"But now, a day without AC is unthinkable," he candidly admitted.

Drawing attention to increased use of appliances like air-purifiers, Chaudhary sounded a warning that Climate Change had the potential of "depriving us from our basic needs"

"This summit is an attempt to change our approach. Today, as a news channel, we want to give this platform to domain experts, policy makers, to all of you to raise awareness and take the steps that need to be taken. I welcome you all to this summit," he said as he concluded.

Climate Change can deprive us from basic needs, the Editor-In-Chief and CEO of WION Sudhir Chaudhary warned as he kicked off the first climate summit of the global news channel.

Climate Change can deprive us from basic needs, the Editor-In-Chief and CEO of WION Sudhir Chaudhary warned as he kicked off the first climate summit of the global news channel. The theme of the summit was 'Climate Calling: The last chance to answer climate emergency'. "It's my honour to welcome you all in WION's first climate summit but not the last," he said at the outset. "I want to start with a few questions. What is our top priority when we look at the problems that need to be solved? For example, in my own country India, for decades, we have been focussing on Bijli, Sadak, Paani (electricity, roads, water, food)" He said that Indian politics remained focussed on these basic issues which he noted, remained primary issues of discussion for the average citizens of the country. × "On the other hand," he said, "Issues like Climate Chnage, mental health are discussed on very elite forums of international conferences" He observed that common citizens and mainstream media were "still far away" from these issues. It is often that issues like Climate Change are considered somebody else's problem. "Climate Change is already changing our lives," said Chaudhary. Sharing his personal experience, Sudhir Chaudhary said that, coming from a middle-class Indian family, he was able to buy his first air conditioner only when he started working. Before that purchase, he said, he never felt the need ('nor had money') for an AC. "But now, a day without AC is unthinkable," he candidly admitted. Drawing attention to increased use of appliances like air-purifiers, Chaudhary sounded a warning that Climate Change had the potential of "depriving us from our basic needs" "This summit is an attempt to change our approach. Today, as a news channel, we want to give this platform to domain experts, policy makers, to all of you to raise awareness and take the steps that need to be taken. I welcome you all to this summit," he said as he concluded.

WION Climate Summit: Climate Change can deprive us of basic needs, warns Sudhir Chaudhary

India's Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday inaugurated a pilot project for Hydrogen-based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). Union Minister Hardeep Puri and Raj K Singh were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

The project is aimed at spreading awareness about Hydrogen, FCEV technology and disseminating its benefits to support hydrogen-based society for India.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Launching India's first Hydrogen based advanced ‘Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)’ - Toyota Mirai <a href="https://t.co/2lHYpNtXrR">https://t.co/2lHYpNtXrR</a>
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) <a href="https://twitter.com/nitin_gadkari/status/1504017738486149124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Transportation powered by Green hydrogen is going to be a key technology option of the future with significant application, especially across bigger cars, buses, trucks, ships and trains and best suited for medium to long distances.Green Hydrogen offers huge opportunities to decarbonize a range of sectors including road transportation and is gaining unprecedented momentum globally.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-climate-summit-indias-first-hydrogen-powered-car-to-be-unveiled-gadkari-462655">WION Climate Summit | India's first Hydrogen-powered car to be unveiled: Gadkari</a>

"India is committed to cleaner energy and low-carbon pathway for achieving accelerated economic growth. Hydrogen is a key element of the energy strategy and would play a key role in the low carbon energy pathways," reads the official statement.

Nitin Gadkari was chief guest at the first edition of WION's annual Climate Summit on March 15. During his address at the summit, he had made mention of the inauguration due to be held on Wednesday (March 16)

The pilot project will be conducted by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. along with International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) to study and evaluate the world`s most advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Toyota Mirai which runs on hydrogen, on Indian roads and climatic conditions.

India's Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday inaugurated a pilot project for Hydrogen-based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV).

India's Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday inaugurated a pilot project for Hydrogen-based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). Union Minister Hardeep Puri and Raj K Singh were also present at the inauguration ceremony. The project is aimed at spreading awareness about Hydrogen, FCEV technology and disseminating its benefits to support hydrogen-based society for India. Launching India's first Hydrogen based advanced ‘Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)’ - Toyota Mirai https://t.co/2lHYpNtXrR — Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) March 16, 2022 × According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Transportation powered by Green hydrogen is going to be a key technology option of the future with significant application, especially across bigger cars, buses, trucks, ships and trains and best suited for medium to long distances.Green Hydrogen offers huge opportunities to decarbonize a range of sectors including road transportation and is gaining unprecedented momentum globally. Also Read | WION Climate Summit | India's first Hydrogen-powered car to be unveiled: Gadkari "India is committed to cleaner energy and low-carbon pathway for achieving accelerated economic growth. Hydrogen is a key element of the energy strategy and would play a key role in the low carbon energy pathways," reads the official statement. Nitin Gadkari was chief guest at the first edition of WION's annual Climate Summit on March 15. During his address at the summit, he had made mention of the inauguration due to be held on Wednesday (March 16) The pilot project will be conducted by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. along with International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) to study and evaluate the world`s most advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Toyota Mirai which runs on hydrogen, on Indian roads and climatic conditions.

Watch | Nitin Gadkari inaugurates India's first Hydrogen-powered car  

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday said that India's climate policies will be based on equity and climate justice. He was addressing the WION Climate Summit.&nbsp;

"India speaks on climate change with a position of strength and responsibility. In key sectors of economy, the mitigation efforts have been undertaken with a vision of low-carbon, sustainable development," he said.

WION's Climate Summit provided platform for leading global voices who joined forces to battle a singular threat that threatens future of the entire humankind.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-summit-adaptation-to-climate-change-is-a-universal-requirement-says-bhupender-yadav-462658/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Indian minister was mindful of the huge climate challenges facing humanity.&nbsp;

"The two IPCC Reports, from August 2021 and February 2022 are a wake-up call to the world. The first report tells us that the world’s carbon budget is rapidly being exhausted. If we are to keep to the target of 1.5 degrees C of temperature increase, only 500 Gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions is still possible," he said.

He underlined the difference in approach when it came to carbon emissions of developed countries and those from developing countries.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-climate-summit-climate-change-can-deprive-us-from-basic-needs-warns-sudhir-chaudhary-462548">WION Climate Summit: Climate Change can deprive us from basic needs, warns Sudhir Chaudhary</a>

He said 60% of global cumulative emissions thus far have been from the developed countries, even though they account for only 17% &nbsp;of the global population, "and their profligate lifestyles and inadequate climate mitigation continues."&nbsp;

"India, in contrast, has contributed around 4% to global cumulative emissions so far with more than 17% of global population".

Yadav underlined the international pressure India faces.

"Our people, who have contributed only minimally to GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions, will face the unprecedented burden of adaptation as well. Burden of adaptation is increasing and will rise even further without urgent action by the developed countries," he added.

India faces global pressure to reduce dependence on coal when developed nations have already gone through the coal-dependent phase and have been a cause of huge amount of carbon emissions.

"India will be part of the solution to the climate crisis and its policies will be based on equity and climate justice," he made his position clear.

To emphasise that India has made considerable strides towards achieving it climate goals, Yadav said that India had 'overachieved' one of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

"India has also overachieved one of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) announced at Paris Climate Summit (2015) by already meeting 40% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuels as of November 2021 - almost nine years ahead of its commitment," he said.

The environment minister drew attention to the fact that though developed countries formed a smaller percentage of global population, the carbon emissions from these countries have been huge.&nbsp;

He concluded his speech by underlining that if we protect nature, it is only then can we be protected.

"Nature protects if she is protected and so we must do all it takes to protect Nature because there is no doubt that this is our last chance to address the Climate Emergency," Yadav said.

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday said that India's climate policies will be based on equity and climate justice. He was addressing the WION Climate Summit.

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday said that India's climate policies will be based on equity and climate justice. He was addressing the WION Climate Summit. "India speaks on climate change with a position of strength and responsibility. In key sectors of economy, the mitigation efforts have been undertaken with a vision of low-carbon, sustainable development," he said. WION's Climate Summit provided platform for leading global voices who joined forces to battle a singular threat that threatens future of the entire humankind. × The Indian minister was mindful of the huge climate challenges facing humanity. "The two IPCC Reports, from August 2021 and February 2022 are a wake-up call to the world. The first report tells us that the world’s carbon budget is rapidly being exhausted. If we are to keep to the target of 1.5 degrees C of temperature increase, only 500 Gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions is still possible," he said. He underlined the difference in approach when it came to carbon emissions of developed countries and those from developing countries. Also Read | WION Climate Summit: Climate Change can deprive us from basic needs, warns Sudhir Chaudhary He said 60% of global cumulative emissions thus far have been from the developed countries, even though they account for only 17% of the global population, "and their profligate lifestyles and inadequate climate mitigation continues." "India, in contrast, has contributed around 4% to global cumulative emissions so far with more than 17% of global population". Yadav underlined the international pressure India faces. "Our people, who have contributed only minimally to GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions, will face the unprecedented burden of adaptation as well. Burden of adaptation is increasing and will rise even further without urgent action by the developed countries," he added. India faces global pressure to reduce dependence on coal when developed nations have already gone through the coal-dependent phase and have been a cause of huge amount of carbon emissions. "India will be part of the solution to the climate crisis and its policies will be based on equity and climate justice," he made his position clear. To emphasise that India has made considerable strides towards achieving it climate goals, Yadav said that India had 'overachieved' one of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) "India has also overachieved one of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) announced at Paris Climate Summit (2015) by already meeting 40% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuels as of November 2021 - almost nine years ahead of its commitment," he said. The environment minister drew attention to the fact that though developed countries formed a smaller percentage of global population, the carbon emissions from these countries have been huge. He concluded his speech by underlining that if we protect nature, it is only then can we be protected. "Nature protects if she is protected and so we must do all it takes to protect Nature because there is no doubt that this is our last chance to address the Climate Emergency," Yadav said.

WION Climate Summit: Indian policies based on equity and climate justice, says environment minister

WION Climate Summit, held on March 15, brought together leading voices from across the globe to discuss the singular threat to humankind: Climate Change. The theme of the summit was 'Climate Calling: The last chance to answer climate emergency'.

The domain experts, policymakers and other eminent voices on the panels concurred that it was a fight all countries should join forces to fight. The threat of Climate Change is beyond politics.

Eric Solheim, former minister of international development, Norway, praised some of the initiatives being taken up in India.

"21st century is about win-win policies," said Solheim. He said that thrust of policymaking had shifted to taking decisions that are good for environment as well as for people and economic growth of countries.&nbsp;

Eric Solheim, the minister,&nbsp;said that scaring people into taking actions against Climate Change didn't work, so now the emphasis is increasingly on inspiring people to take action. In this regard, he mentioned 'inspiring examples' from India.

"In the state of Telangana, they have increased the tree cover by 3 per cent in last few years," he said. He mentioned that Maharashtra had taken promising steps to protect mangroves that protect the coastline. He mentioned 'small forests' within the city of Bengaluru which were created with the help of an NGO.

"In Andhra Pradesh," he said,"1 million farmers had taken up green farming".

India's proactive stance to tackle Climate Change was also underlined by Bhupender Yadav, Environment Minister in a speech he delivered earlier in the summit.

"India has also overachieved one of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) announced at Paris Climate Summit (2015) by already meeting 40% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuels as of November 2021 - almost nine years ahead of its commitment," he said.

The environment minister drew attention to the fact that though developed countries formed a smaller percentage of global population, the carbon emissions from these countries have been huge.&nbsp;

WION Climate Summit, held on March 15, brought together leading voices from across the globe to discuss the singular threat to humankind: Climate Change. The theme of the summit was 'Climate Calling: The last chance to answer climate emergency'.

WION Climate Summit, held on March 15, brought together leading voices from across the globe to discuss the singular threat to humankind: Climate Change. The theme of the summit was 'Climate Calling: The last chance to answer climate emergency'. The domain experts, policymakers and other eminent voices on the panels concurred that it was a fight all countries should join forces to fight. The threat of Climate Change is beyond politics. Eric Solheim, former minister of international development, Norway, praised some of the initiatives being taken up in India. "21st century is about win-win policies," said Solheim. He said that thrust of policymaking had shifted to taking decisions that are good for environment as well as for people and economic growth of countries. Eric Solheim, the minister, said that scaring people into taking actions against Climate Change didn't work, so now the emphasis is increasingly on inspiring people to take action. In this regard, he mentioned 'inspiring examples' from India. "In the state of Telangana, they have increased the tree cover by 3 per cent in last few years," he said. He mentioned that Maharashtra had taken promising steps to protect mangroves that protect the coastline. He mentioned 'small forests' within the city of Bengaluru which were created with the help of an NGO. "In Andhra Pradesh," he said,"1 million farmers had taken up green farming". India's proactive stance to tackle Climate Change was also underlined by Bhupender Yadav, Environment Minister in a speech he delivered earlier in the summit. "India has also overachieved one of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) announced at Paris Climate Summit (2015) by already meeting 40% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuels as of November 2021 - almost nine years ahead of its commitment," he said. The environment minister drew attention to the fact that though developed countries formed a smaller percentage of global population, the carbon emissions from these countries have been huge.

WION Climate Summit: Former Norway minister Eric Solheim mentions 'inspiring examples' from India

Decisions are hard. (Remember good ol' Hamlet?). From what you'll have for dinner to what you will wear for it, choices abound. And all of this may often lead to an unnecessary headache. But it turns out making a decision is not hard as it is made out to be. A worm with just 302 neurons can do this successfully. For comparison, humans have billions of neurons.

The study in this regard was carried out by researchers in Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California. They studied a predatory worm called P pacificus. The changes in the behaviour of the worm was studied. It was seen when the worm would bite to save its food or when it would bite to kill a competitor.

In order to check the worm's ability to taje decision, scientists relied more on its behaviour rather than an extremely-detailed study about how impulses traveled through the neutrons.&nbsp;

P pacificus' behaviour with respect to C elegans was studied. C elegans is P pacificus' competitior as well as its prey.&nbsp;

It was observed that when confronted with larval C elegans that are easy to overpower, P pacificus bit to devour. But when a fully grown C elegans tried to steal its food, P pacificus bit just to deter it.&nbsp;

"Our study shows you can use a simple system such as the worm to study something complex, like goal-directed decision-making," says neurobiologist Sreekanth Chalasani as quoted on Salk institute's website.

"We also demonstrated that behavior can tell us a lot about how the brain works."

Decisions are hard. (Remember good ol' Hamlet?). From what you'll have for dinner to what you will wear for it, choices abound. And all of this may often lead to an unnecessary headache.

Decisions are hard. (Remember good ol' Hamlet?). From what you'll have for dinner to what you will wear for it, choices abound. And all of this may often lead to an unnecessary headache. But it turns out making a decision is not hard as it is made out to be. A worm with just 302 neurons can do this successfully. For comparison, humans have billions of neurons. The study in this regard was carried out by researchers in Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California. They studied a predatory worm called P pacificus. The changes in the behaviour of the worm was studied. It was seen when the worm would bite to save its food or when it would bite to kill a competitor. In order to check the worm's ability to taje decision, scientists relied more on its behaviour rather than an extremely-detailed study about how impulses traveled through the neutrons. P pacificus' behaviour with respect to C elegans was studied. C elegans is P pacificus' competitior as well as its prey. It was observed that when confronted with larval C elegans that are easy to overpower, P pacificus bit to devour. But when a fully grown C elegans tried to steal its food, P pacificus bit just to deter it. "Our study shows you can use a simple system such as the worm to study something complex, like goal-directed decision-making," says neurobiologist Sreekanth Chalasani as quoted on Salk institute's website. "We also demonstrated that behavior can tell us a lot about how the brain works."

Even a worm can make decisions, says a study

A US journalist was shot dead and another was wounded in Ukraine's Irpin, reported AFP news agency quoting medics and witnesses.

Danylo Shapovalov, a surgeon volunteering for the Ukrainian territorial defence, said one of the Americans died instantly and he had treated the other.

AFP said its reporters in Irpin saw the body of the victim.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/military-base-in-lviv-attacked-35-people-killed-and-134-injured-461986/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

A third victim, a Ukrainian who had been in the same car as the Americans, was also wounded.

Ukrainian officials were quick to blame Russian forces for the shooting but the exact circumstances were unclear. AFP reporters heard small arms and artillery fire in the area.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-can-plan-chemical-weapons-operations-behind-lies-about-biological-weapons-laboratories-nato-461865">Russia can plan chemical weapons operations behind lies about biological weapons laboratories: NATO</a>

"The car was shot at. There were two journalists and one of ours (a Ukrainian)," Shapovalov told AFP.

"Our guy and the journalist are wounded, I provided them first aid, the other one received a wound in the neck, he died immediately."

Papers found on the American reporter's body identified him as 50-year-old video documentary shooter Brent Renaud, of New York.

A New York Times identity card was among the papers, leading to reports he worked for the paper, but the US daily said he was not working for it at the time of his death.

"Brent was a talented photographer and filmmaker who had contributed to The New York Times over the years," said a statement tweeted by deputy managing editor Cliff Levy.

"Though he had contributed to The Times in the past (most recently in 2015), he was not on assignment for any desk at The Times in Ukraine."

(With inputs from agencies)

A US journalist was shot dead and another was wounded in Ukraine's Irpin, reported AFP news agency quoting medics and witnesses. Danylo Shapovalov, a surgeon volunteering for the Ukrainian territorial defence, said one of the Americans died instantly and he had treated the other.

A US journalist was shot dead and another was wounded in Ukraine's Irpin, reported AFP news agency quoting medics and witnesses. Danylo Shapovalov, a surgeon volunteering for the Ukrainian territorial defence, said one of the Americans died instantly and he had treated the other. AFP said its reporters in Irpin saw the body of the victim. × A third victim, a Ukrainian who had been in the same car as the Americans, was also wounded. Ukrainian officials were quick to blame Russian forces for the shooting but the exact circumstances were unclear. AFP reporters heard small arms and artillery fire in the area. Also Read | Russia can plan chemical weapons operations behind lies about biological weapons laboratories: NATO "The car was shot at. There were two journalists and one of ours (a Ukrainian)," Shapovalov told AFP. "Our guy and the journalist are wounded, I provided them first aid, the other one received a wound in the neck, he died immediately." Papers found on the American reporter's body identified him as 50-year-old video documentary shooter Brent Renaud, of New York. A New York Times identity card was among the papers, leading to reports he worked for the paper, but the US daily said he was not working for it at the time of his death. "Brent was a talented photographer and filmmaker who had contributed to The New York Times over the years," said a statement tweeted by deputy managing editor Cliff Levy. "Though he had contributed to The Times in the past (most recently in 2015), he was not on assignment for any desk at The Times in Ukraine." (With inputs from agencies)

US journalist shot dead in Ukraine, another wounded: Report

In pics | With Ukraine under attack, Taiwan military gears up

Amid the looming no-confidence motion, cracks have begun surfacing in Pakistan's ruling coalition led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with ministers alleging attempts of blackmail by coalition partners, media reports said on Sunday.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) was "blackmailing" the government in return for support during the Opposition`s no-trust move, The Dawn reported.

"I stand like a rock with Imran Khan," said the interior minister in a press briefing. "I am not responsible for anyone else. I am not like those people with five (seats in the National Assembly) who are blackmailing (the government)," he further said in a veiled attack on PML-Q, the report said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/meme-fest-begins-after-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-inspects-j-10c-fighter-jets-during-induction-461848">Meme fest begins after Pakistan PM Imran Khan inspects J-10C fighter jets during induction</a>

The PML-Q which is an important ally of the PTI at the Centre and Punjab had reportedly asked the Prime Minister to announce Chaudhry Parvez Elahi as the replacement for the Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar of PTI.

In response to Rashid's attack, Federal Minister for Water Resources Chaudhry Moonis Elahi of PML-Q tweeted, "I respect Sheikh Sahib @ShkhRasheed but he is forgetting that he used to take money from the elder leaders of this party (PML-Q) in his student life.

"The remarks from the Rashid came as PML-Q leaders, after holding a consultative meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, announced that they would meet again on Sunday to finalise the party's stance and strategy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-demands-joint-probe-to-accurately-establish-facts-on-accidental-firing-of-indian-missile-461817">Pakistan demands joint probe into 'accidental firing' of Indian missile</a>

The PML-Q had also criticised the 'profanity-laced speech'&nbsp;of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday with party senator Kamil Ali Agha, saying, "We condemn the Prime Minister`s speech. We consider it shameful and below the status of the Prime Minister.

"The PML-Q has now acquired a central role in the ongoing political drama despite having only five Members of the National Assembly (MNAs).

It seems that the three other allies -- the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) -- are waiting for each other to make a decision, the report further said.Given the party position in the National Assembly, if any two of the four allies of PTI make a decision to quit the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Imran Khan will lose the majority in the 342-member House.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: North Korea is upset with Pakistan: Here's Why

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-north-korea-is-upset-with-pakistan-heres-why-461455/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As many as 17 MNAs belong to these four coalition parties or alliances and the ruling party has the support of 179 MNAs at present.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday held separate meetings with groups of party MNAs. Those who attended the meetings included PTI MNAs from Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Chakwal.

Amid the looming no-confidence motion, cracks have begun surfacing in Pakistan's ruling coalition led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with ministers alleging attempts of blackmail by coalition partners, media reports said on Sunday.

Amid the looming no-confidence motion, cracks have begun surfacing in Pakistan's ruling coalition led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with ministers alleging attempts of blackmail by coalition partners, media reports said on Sunday. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) was "blackmailing" the government in return for support during the Opposition`s no-trust move, The Dawn reported. "I stand like a rock with Imran Khan," said the interior minister in a press briefing. "I am not responsible for anyone else. I am not like those people with five (seats in the National Assembly) who are blackmailing (the government)," he further said in a veiled attack on PML-Q, the report said. Also read | Meme fest begins after Pakistan PM Imran Khan inspects J-10C fighter jets during induction The PML-Q which is an important ally of the PTI at the Centre and Punjab had reportedly asked the Prime Minister to announce Chaudhry Parvez Elahi as the replacement for the Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar of PTI. In response to Rashid's attack, Federal Minister for Water Resources Chaudhry Moonis Elahi of PML-Q tweeted, "I respect Sheikh Sahib @ShkhRasheed but he is forgetting that he used to take money from the elder leaders of this party (PML-Q) in his student life. "The remarks from the Rashid came as PML-Q leaders, after holding a consultative meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, announced that they would meet again on Sunday to finalise the party's stance and strategy. Also read | Pakistan demands joint probe into 'accidental firing' of Indian missile The PML-Q had also criticised the 'profanity-laced speech' of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday with party senator Kamil Ali Agha, saying, "We condemn the Prime Minister`s speech. We consider it shameful and below the status of the Prime Minister. "The PML-Q has now acquired a central role in the ongoing political drama despite having only five Members of the National Assembly (MNAs). It seems that the three other allies -- the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) -- are waiting for each other to make a decision, the report further said.Given the party position in the National Assembly, if any two of the four allies of PTI make a decision to quit the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Imran Khan will lose the majority in the 342-member House. Watch | Gravitas: North Korea is upset with Pakistan: Here's Why As many as 17 MNAs belong to these four coalition parties or alliances and the ruling party has the support of 179 MNAs at present. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday held separate meetings with groups of party MNAs. Those who attended the meetings included PTI MNAs from Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Chakwal.

Amid looming no-confidence motion, cracks surface within Pakistan's ruling coalition

The central government plans to spread the message on the way various social welfare schemes have benefitted the masses, including women, and people from SC and ST communities.

A decision was taken last week to ask the various central ministries to collate the various welfare schemes launched by them in the past seven-and-a-half years and the number of people they have benefitted.

After a thorough review, the government will launch a campaign to amplify the schemes and their benefits extended across India, sources aware of the decision said on Sunday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/paytm-ceo-arrested-for-rash-driving-later-released-on-bail-461828">Paytm CEO arrested for rash driving, later released on bail</a>

Various welfare schemes of the government are said to have played a key role in helping BJP win assembly polls in four out of five states, including Uttar Pradesh.

But the decision to ask the ministries to collate data was taken before the voting for assembly polls took place, sources said.

According to the government, such schemes as Ujjwala , Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, and rural employment programme have benefitted lakhs of families by way of employment generation, affordable housing, and cooking gas facility.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/russia-needs-a-market-for-its-oil-and-india-could-benefit-but-461797">Russia needs a market for its oil and India could benefit, but...</a>

During the peak of coronavirus pandemic, government had distributed free ration to the poor and migrant workers.

The government had also supported women self-help groups and small business to help them withstand disruption in economy due to the pandemic.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Putin bets on India's help to rescue energy sector

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-putin-bets-on-indias-help-to-rescue-energy-sector-461452/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Petroleum, Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Minority Affairs are some of key ministries which have earmarked substantial funds from their budgets for such social welfare schemes.

The central government plans to spread the message on the way various social welfare schemes have benefitted the masses, including women, and people from SC and ST communities.

The central government plans to spread the message on the way various social welfare schemes have benefitted the masses, including women, and people from SC and ST communities. A decision was taken last week to ask the various central ministries to collate the various welfare schemes launched by them in the past seven-and-a-half years and the number of people they have benefitted. After a thorough review, the government will launch a campaign to amplify the schemes and their benefits extended across India, sources aware of the decision said on Sunday. Also read | Paytm CEO arrested for rash driving, later released on bail Various welfare schemes of the government are said to have played a key role in helping BJP win assembly polls in four out of five states, including Uttar Pradesh. But the decision to ask the ministries to collate data was taken before the voting for assembly polls took place, sources said. According to the government, such schemes as Ujjwala , Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, and rural employment programme have benefitted lakhs of families by way of employment generation, affordable housing, and cooking gas facility. Also read | Russia needs a market for its oil and India could benefit, but... During the peak of coronavirus pandemic, government had distributed free ration to the poor and migrant workers. The government had also supported women self-help groups and small business to help them withstand disruption in economy due to the pandemic. Watch | Gravitas: Putin bets on India's help to rescue energy sector Petroleum, Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Minority Affairs are some of key ministries which have earmarked substantial funds from their budgets for such social welfare schemes.

Government plans to publicise its social welfare schemes and its benefits

Nearly 60&nbsp;elephants&nbsp;enjoyed a huge fruit banquet at a Thai botanical park on Sunday as the Southeast Asian country marked its annual Elephant Day.

Elephants&nbsp;are a source of&nbsp;national&nbsp;pride and cultural identity for&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;and are used for labour, transport, and battlefield triumphs by warriors and kings.

The event is commonly observed in various other parts of the country, but due to the pandemic and economic woes, some have scaled down&nbsp;celebrations this year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-bids-to-avert-population-crisis-as-birth-rate-crashes-459836">Thailand bids to avert 'population crisis' as birth rate crashes</a>

At Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in eastern Chonburi province,&nbsp;elephants&nbsp;were treated to two tons of fruits and vegetables laid&nbsp;out&nbsp;on an eight metre wide table.

With the absence of foreign tourists for a long time, the&nbsp;buffet&nbsp;and some visitors brought some joy to the heavyweights.

"Of course, they get bored because they get used to being with people. That's why you see our&nbsp;elephants&nbsp;are very friendly to everyone," said Kampon Tansacha, president of Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-still-bangkok-thailand-quells-talk-of-name-change-454126">&nbsp;It’s still Bangkok: Thailand quells talk of name change</a>

"People enjoy seeing&nbsp;elephants, give them food, especially bananas that they like and they look all healthy and happy".

Animal rights groups have long been calling for the elephant camps in&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;to end animal shows and rides, branding the shows as a form of animal abuse.

Nearly 60 elephants enjoyed a huge fruit banquet at a Thai botanical park on Sunday as the Southeast Asian country marked its annual Elephant Day. Elephants are a source of national pride and cultural identity for Thailand and are used for labour, transport, and battlefield triumphs by warriors and kings.

Nearly 60 elephants enjoyed a huge fruit banquet at a Thai botanical park on Sunday as the Southeast Asian country marked its annual Elephant Day. Elephants are a source of national pride and cultural identity for Thailand and are used for labour, transport, and battlefield triumphs by warriors and kings. The event is commonly observed in various other parts of the country, but due to the pandemic and economic woes, some have scaled down celebrations this year. Also read | Thailand bids to avert 'population crisis' as birth rate crashes At Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in eastern Chonburi province, elephants were treated to two tons of fruits and vegetables laid out on an eight metre wide table. With the absence of foreign tourists for a long time, the buffet and some visitors brought some joy to the heavyweights. "Of course, they get bored because they get used to being with people. That's why you see our elephants are very friendly to everyone," said Kampon Tansacha, president of Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. Also read | It’s still Bangkok: Thailand quells talk of name change "People enjoy seeing elephants, give them food, especially bananas that they like and they look all healthy and happy". Animal rights groups have long been calling for the elephant camps in Thailand to end animal shows and rides, branding the shows as a form of animal abuse.

Thailand lays out buffet for elephants in national celebration

A citywide lockdown was imposed on Shenzen, the southern Chinese tech hub on Sunday. The announcement was made by the local government after 66 new coronavirus cases were reported. The central business district was sealed off.

The lockdown and a suspension of public transport will last until March 20, a city government notice said, adding that it would launch three rounds of mass testing.

The move extends an earlier lockdown imposed on the city's central business district.

Shenzhen reported 66 new infections on Sunday -- a fraction of the 32,430 confirmed the same day in Hong Kong.

"If prevention and control is not strengthened in a timely and decisive manner, it could easily become large-scale community transmission," Shenzhen health official Lin Hancheng said at a briefing.

The surge in infections across China has also prompted authorities to close schools in Shanghai and lock down multiple northeastern cities, as 18 provinces battle clusters of the Omicron and Delta variants.

China, where the virus was first detected in late 2019, has maintained a strict 'zero-Covid' policy enforced with swift lockdowns, travel restrictions and mass testing when clusters have emerged.

But the latest flare-up, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant and a spike in asymptomatic cases, is testing that approach.

Shanghai has so far been spared a citywide order to stay home, but individual housing compounds were being locked down as the megacity ramped up efforts to contain infections and test suspected close contacts.

Jilin -- the city at the centre of the outbreak in the northeast -- was partially locked down Saturday, while residents of Yanji, an urban area of nearly 700,000 bordering North Korea, were also confined to their homes Sunday.

Zhang Yan, a Jilin health commission official, said the response from local authorities had been lacking.

"There is insufficient understanding of the characteristics of the Omicron variant... and judgment has been inaccurate," he said at a Sunday press briefing. &nbsp;

The neighbouring city of Changchun -- an industrial base of nine million people -- was locked down Friday, while at least three other small cities have been locked down since March 1.

The mayor of Jilin and the head of the Changchun health commission were dismissed from their jobs Saturday, state media reported, in a sign of the pressure placed on local authorities to contain virus clusters.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A citywide lockdown was imposed on Shenzen, the southern Chinese tech hub on Sunday. The announcement was made by the local government after 66 new coronavirus cases were reported.

A citywide lockdown was imposed on Shenzen, the southern Chinese tech hub on Sunday. The announcement was made by the local government after 66 new coronavirus cases were reported. The central business district was sealed off. The lockdown and a suspension of public transport will last until March 20, a city government notice said, adding that it would launch three rounds of mass testing. The move extends an earlier lockdown imposed on the city's central business district. Shenzhen reported 66 new infections on Sunday -- a fraction of the 32,430 confirmed the same day in Hong Kong. "If prevention and control is not strengthened in a timely and decisive manner, it could easily become large-scale community transmission," Shenzhen health official Lin Hancheng said at a briefing. The surge in infections across China has also prompted authorities to close schools in Shanghai and lock down multiple northeastern cities, as 18 provinces battle clusters of the Omicron and Delta variants. China, where the virus was first detected in late 2019, has maintained a strict 'zero-Covid' policy enforced with swift lockdowns, travel restrictions and mass testing when clusters have emerged. But the latest flare-up, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant and a spike in asymptomatic cases, is testing that approach. Shanghai has so far been spared a citywide order to stay home, but individual housing compounds were being locked down as the megacity ramped up efforts to contain infections and test suspected close contacts. Jilin -- the city at the centre of the outbreak in the northeast -- was partially locked down Saturday, while residents of Yanji, an urban area of nearly 700,000 bordering North Korea, were also confined to their homes Sunday. Zhang Yan, a Jilin health commission official, said the response from local authorities had been lacking. "There is insufficient understanding of the characteristics of the Omicron variant... and judgment has been inaccurate," he said at a Sunday press briefing. The neighbouring city of Changchun -- an industrial base of nine million people -- was locked down Friday, while at least three other small cities have been locked down since March 1. The mayor of Jilin and the head of the Changchun health commission were dismissed from their jobs Saturday, state media reported, in a sign of the pressure placed on local authorities to contain virus clusters. (With inputs from agencies)

China: Citywide Covid lockdown imposed in Shenzen

The US&nbsp;State Department on Thursday (March 10) said Washington has no intention of offering Russia anything new or specific as it relates to sanctions on Moscow in talks to reach a nuclear deal with Iran.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters a nuclear deal with Iran is down to a small number of outstanding issues and called on all parties, including Russia, to focus on resolving the final issues to reach a deal.

Iran and the United States were at loggerheads over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal on Thursday after Tehran suggested there were new obstacles and Washington said hard issues remained.

The differences emerged just as Western powers were already grappling with last-minute Russian demands that threatened to torpedo otherwise largely completed talks.

A week ago, preparations were being made in Vienna for a weekend meeting to conclude an agreement bringing Iran back into compliance with the deal's restrictions on its rapidly advancing nuclear activities and bringing the United States back into the accord it left in 2018 by re-imposing sanctions on Tehran.

Then last Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov unexpectedly demanded sweeping guarantees that Russian trade with Iran would not be affected by sanctions imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine - a demand Western powers say is unacceptable and Washington has insisted it will not entertain.

Russia's demand initially angered Tehran and appeared to help it and Washington move towards agreement on the few remaining thorny issues, diplomats said, but a sudden volley of public comments by Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday suggested the wind had turned.

An Iranian official said on Thursday there were still two to three difficult questions to resolve and that Tehran was now also demanding a change in the sequencing of how an accord should be implemented.

Iran has also said it wants guarantees that no future US&nbsp;president will again abandon a nuclear deal.

Underscoring Iranian concerns, former US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday that should Washington agree to a new accord and were the Republicans to take power again, they would "rip up any new Iran Nuclear Deal on day one."

European negotiators from France, Britain, and Germany have temporarily left the talks as they believed they had gone as far as they could and it was now up to the United States and Iran to agree on outstanding issues.

Negotiations in Vienna have limped on with just a fraction of the number of daily meetings that were taking place in previous weeks.

The US State Department on Thursday (March 10) said Washington has no intention of offering Russia anything new or specific as it relates to sanctions on Moscow in talks to reach a nuclear deal with Iran.

The US State Department on Thursday (March 10) said Washington has no intention of offering Russia anything new or specific as it relates to sanctions on Moscow in talks to reach a nuclear deal with Iran. State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters a nuclear deal with Iran is down to a small number of outstanding issues and called on all parties, including Russia, to focus on resolving the final issues to reach a deal. Iran and the United States were at loggerheads over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal on Thursday after Tehran suggested there were new obstacles and Washington said hard issues remained. The differences emerged just as Western powers were already grappling with last-minute Russian demands that threatened to torpedo otherwise largely completed talks. A week ago, preparations were being made in Vienna for a weekend meeting to conclude an agreement bringing Iran back into compliance with the deal's restrictions on its rapidly advancing nuclear activities and bringing the United States back into the accord it left in 2018 by re-imposing sanctions on Tehran. Then last Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov unexpectedly demanded sweeping guarantees that Russian trade with Iran would not be affected by sanctions imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine - a demand Western powers say is unacceptable and Washington has insisted it will not entertain. Russia's demand initially angered Tehran and appeared to help it and Washington move towards agreement on the few remaining thorny issues, diplomats said, but a sudden volley of public comments by Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday suggested the wind had turned. An Iranian official said on Thursday there were still two to three difficult questions to resolve and that Tehran was now also demanding a change in the sequencing of how an accord should be implemented. Iran has also said it wants guarantees that no future US president will again abandon a nuclear deal. Underscoring Iranian concerns, former US Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday that should Washington agree to a new accord and were the Republicans to take power again, they would "rip up any new Iran Nuclear Deal on day one." European negotiators from France, Britain, and Germany have temporarily left the talks as they believed they had gone as far as they could and it was now up to the United States and Iran to agree on outstanding issues. Negotiations in Vienna have limped on with just a fraction of the number of daily meetings that were taking place in previous weeks.

US has no intention of offering Russia anything new on sanctions to reach Iran nuclear deal

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Manas Joshi

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.