Japan is a country known for being seismically very active. The citizens suffer from earthquakes many times in a short span of few years. Now, scientists think an underground rocky mass the size of a mountain may be the cause of huge earthquakes in southern Japan.

Researchers have found the structure, called Kumano Pluton is beneath the coast of southern Japan. 3D visualisation of the Kumano Pluton has revealed that tectonic energy from megaquakes seems to be diverted to several points along its side.

"We cannot predict exactly when, where, or how large future earthquakes will be, but by combining our model with monitoring data, we can begin estimating near-future processes," says geophysicist Shuichi Kodaira of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology in Japan. He was quoted by University of Texas at Austin website.

To understand true extent of the Kumano Pluton, scientists examined 20 years of seismic data. The painstaking work included millions of recordings from Japan network of seismic sensors.&nbsp;

The biggest ever seismic data set was then fed to LoneStar5 supercomputer at the university.

Kumano Pluton is very dense and rigid and researchers think it contributes to the tectonic activity that causes earthquakes

Huge earthquakes of more than 8 intensity have been observed to have originated on the flanks of the Pluton in 1944 and 1946. 
&nbsp;

Japan is a country known for being seismically very active. The citizens suffer from earthquakes many times in a short span of few years. Now, scientists think an underground rocky mass the size of a mountain may be the cause of huge earthquakes in southern Japan.

Japan is a country known for being seismically very active. The citizens suffer from earthquakes many times in a short span of few years. Now, scientists think an underground rocky mass the size of a mountain may be the cause of huge earthquakes in southern Japan. Researchers have found the structure, called Kumano Pluton is beneath the coast of southern Japan. 3D visualisation of the Kumano Pluton has revealed that tectonic energy from megaquakes seems to be diverted to several points along its side. "We cannot predict exactly when, where, or how large future earthquakes will be, but by combining our model with monitoring data, we can begin estimating near-future processes," says geophysicist Shuichi Kodaira of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology in Japan. He was quoted by University of Texas at Austin website. To understand true extent of the Kumano Pluton, scientists examined 20 years of seismic data. The painstaking work included millions of recordings from Japan network of seismic sensors. The biggest ever seismic data set was then fed to LoneStar5 supercomputer at the university. Kumano Pluton is very dense and rigid and researchers think it contributes to the tectonic activity that causes earthquakes Huge earthquakes of more than 8 intensity have been observed to have originated on the flanks of the Pluton in 1944 and 1946.

Rock the size of mountain under Japan may be causing megaquakes 

Every day, I have the same wish: that my 3½ -year-old daughter can get her Covid-19 vaccine.

Last year she seemed to be constantly sick. She was often feverish and coughing, or her nose was runny and her throat sore. She endured four P.C.R. tests and seven rapid tests (in March, one confirmed she had the virus). We basically spent the year swabbing her tiny nostrils and pulling her out of school every time a student or teacher tested positive.

At times, it could be funny. Just imagine a small child wondering aloud, in the most serious voice, whether she caught the coronavirus because she took off her dinosaur face mask at snack time. But it was mostly exhausting and frightening. Our daughter was building her immune system in the middle of a pandemic, and there was very little we could do about it.

I certainly couldn’t count on our president. True to form, Jair Bolsonaro has been making an already difficult situation worse. After failing to sabotage the vaccination campaigns for adults and teenagers, he’s been concentrating his efforts on undermining vaccination for kids. But against the force of our health system — and Brazilians’ mighty appetite for vaccines — his evil plans have foundered.

Scaremongering is Mr. Bolsonaro’s preferred method. He’s suggested that the vaccine’s collateral effects are “unknown” and that we don’t have an “antidote” to them. Casting himself as a wise uncle, though a totally delusional one, he advised parents to “not be fooled by the propaganda” around children’s vaccination. “My 11-year-old daughter will not be vaccinated,” he informed the country, solemnly. (Pity that poor child.)

But his subterfuge goes further. Though Covid-19 vaccines for children have been proven to be safe and effective, the government showed no rush to buy them. On Dec. 16, Brazil’s independent Health Regulatory Agency took matters into its own hands and approved the use of Pfizer’s vaccine for children 5 to 11. Mr. Bolsonaro sprang into action: The decision, he said, was “lamentable” and “unbelievable.”

Not content with that dismissal, he then asked for the names of the health officials behind the approval, saying he wanted to release their identities so the public could “come to its own judgments.” This was, to put it lightly, reckless: Over the last few months, the agency’s directors have been receiving hundreds of death threats from people who oppose children’s vaccination. (What’s next? Lynching sanitation workers? Setting fire to penicillin prescriptions?)

As the year ended, the government tried to hold back the campaign by setting up a nonsensical public survey about the issue. It also planned to require every child to have a doctor’s prescription for a vaccine, a demand that governors rejected and was later withdrawn. And the administration’s Health Ministry keeps repeating that vaccinating children is “a parent’s decision,” implying that it might not actually be a good idea. Every step of the way, Mr. Bolsonaro has tried to obstruct children’s access to vaccination, as if catching the coronavirus were preferable.

Luckily for us, he failed. Starting Jan. 14, children 5 to 11 began receiving their first shots. Though the number of Pfizer doses available barely covers the country’s 20.5 million children, they are being supplemented by CoronaVac, the Chinese vaccine that has the advantage of being manufactured locally by the Butantan Institute. As with the country’s other vaccination campaigns, we can expect eager uptake.

The president, however, does not seem able to accept that Brazilians are “vaccine maniacs,” as he scornfully put it. Eighty-two percent of Brazil’s population is immunized with at least one dose, and even most anti-vaxxers dutifully take their jabs. Commitment to vaccines comes in strange places. In Rio de Janeiro, a street vendor selling false vaccination certificates — someone you might expect to be unconcerned about people skipping jabs — strongly scolded a prospective buyer. “The right thing to do is take the vaccine, you hear me?” he said. “You must take the vaccine.”

Some countries, to be sure, are coming to different conclusions about the value of vaccinating kids. In Sweden, for example, health officials decided they didn’t see a clear benefit for vaccinating children ages 5 to 11. Mr. Bolsonaro’s main argument, though, is that the death rates don’t justify the effort. Well, according to our Health Ministry, 1,467 children 11 or under have died of Covid-19 — a small fraction of the 632,000 Brazilians who’ve lost their lives, but an unacceptable number all the same.

What’s more, vaccination not only prevents suffering among children but also protects the rest of us. Children transmit the virus: As long as they remain vulnerable, so do we all. And right now, amid a record-setting spike of Covid-19 infections, Brazilians are very vulnerable indeed. The unvaccinated are particularly at risk, and they are mostly children. Here in São Paulo, there has been a thousand percent increase in admissions to pediatric intensive care units in the last month.

So the start of Brazil’s vaccination campaign for children over 5 was a source of happiness for almost everybody — the president excepted, of course. Most schools will resume in-person classes in February, after the summer break, and it will be a profound relief to see millions of kids partly immunized.

My daughter won’t be one of them: She’s still too young to receive her shots. But as a family we’re feeling, for the first time in a while, cautiously optimistic. Mr. Bolsonaro’s efforts to subvert our health system have mostly failed. Each one of the president’s tantrums is a sign of that failure — and, for us, a cause for celebration. 
&nbsp;

Every day, I have the same wish: that my 3½ -year-old daughter can get her Covid-19 vaccine. Last year she seemed to be constantly sick. She was often feverish and coughing, or her nose was runny and her throat sore.

Every day, I have the same wish: that my 3½ -year-old daughter can get her Covid-19 vaccine. Last year she seemed to be constantly sick. She was often feverish and coughing, or her nose was runny and her throat sore. She endured four P.C.R. tests and seven rapid tests (in March, one confirmed she had the virus). We basically spent the year swabbing her tiny nostrils and pulling her out of school every time a student or teacher tested positive. At times, it could be funny. Just imagine a small child wondering aloud, in the most serious voice, whether she caught the coronavirus because she took off her dinosaur face mask at snack time. But it was mostly exhausting and frightening. Our daughter was building her immune system in the middle of a pandemic, and there was very little we could do about it. I certainly couldn’t count on our president. True to form, Jair Bolsonaro has been making an already difficult situation worse. After failing to sabotage the vaccination campaigns for adults and teenagers, he’s been concentrating his efforts on undermining vaccination for kids. But against the force of our health system — and Brazilians’ mighty appetite for vaccines — his evil plans have foundered. Scaremongering is Mr. Bolsonaro’s preferred method. He’s suggested that the vaccine’s collateral effects are “unknown” and that we don’t have an “antidote” to them. Casting himself as a wise uncle, though a totally delusional one, he advised parents to “not be fooled by the propaganda” around children’s vaccination. “My 11-year-old daughter will not be vaccinated,” he informed the country, solemnly. (Pity that poor child.) But his subterfuge goes further. Though Covid-19 vaccines for children have been proven to be safe and effective, the government showed no rush to buy them. On Dec. 16, Brazil’s independent Health Regulatory Agency took matters into its own hands and approved the use of Pfizer’s vaccine for children 5 to 11. Mr. Bolsonaro sprang into action: The decision, he said, was “lamentable” and “unbelievable.” Not content with that dismissal, he then asked for the names of the health officials behind the approval, saying he wanted to release their identities so the public could “come to its own judgments.” This was, to put it lightly, reckless: Over the last few months, the agency’s directors have been receiving hundreds of death threats from people who oppose children’s vaccination. (What’s next? Lynching sanitation workers? Setting fire to penicillin prescriptions?) As the year ended, the government tried to hold back the campaign by setting up a nonsensical public survey about the issue. It also planned to require every child to have a doctor’s prescription for a vaccine, a demand that governors rejected and was later withdrawn. And the administration’s Health Ministry keeps repeating that vaccinating children is “a parent’s decision,” implying that it might not actually be a good idea. Every step of the way, Mr. Bolsonaro has tried to obstruct children’s access to vaccination, as if catching the coronavirus were preferable. Luckily for us, he failed. Starting Jan. 14, children 5 to 11 began receiving their first shots. Though the number of Pfizer doses available barely covers the country’s 20.5 million children, they are being supplemented by CoronaVac, the Chinese vaccine that has the advantage of being manufactured locally by the Butantan Institute. As with the country’s other vaccination campaigns, we can expect eager uptake. The president, however, does not seem able to accept that Brazilians are “vaccine maniacs,” as he scornfully put it. Eighty-two percent of Brazil’s population is immunized with at least one dose, and even most anti-vaxxers dutifully take their jabs. Commitment to vaccines comes in strange places. In Rio de Janeiro, a street vendor selling false vaccination certificates — someone you might expect to be unconcerned about people skipping jabs — strongly scolded a prospective buyer. “The right thing to do is take the vaccine, you hear me?” he said. “You must take the vaccine.” Some countries, to be sure, are coming to different conclusions about the value of vaccinating kids. In Sweden, for example, health officials decided they didn’t see a clear benefit for vaccinating children ages 5 to 11. Mr. Bolsonaro’s main argument, though, is that the death rates don’t justify the effort. Well, according to our Health Ministry, 1,467 children 11 or under have died of Covid-19 — a small fraction of the 632,000 Brazilians who’ve lost their lives, but an unacceptable number all the same. What’s more, vaccination not only prevents suffering among children but also protects the rest of us. Children transmit the virus: As long as they remain vulnerable, so do we all. And right now, amid a record-setting spike of Covid-19 infections, Brazilians are very vulnerable indeed. The unvaccinated are particularly at risk, and they are mostly children. Here in São Paulo, there has been a thousand percent increase in admissions to pediatric intensive care units in the last month. So the start of Brazil’s vaccination campaign for children over 5 was a source of happiness for almost everybody — the president excepted, of course. Most schools will resume in-person classes in February, after the summer break, and it will be a profound relief to see millions of kids partly immunized. My daughter won’t be one of them: She’s still too young to receive her shots. But as a family we’re feeling, for the first time in a while, cautiously optimistic. Mr. Bolsonaro’s efforts to subvert our health system have mostly failed. Each one of the president’s tantrums is a sign of that failure — and, for us, a cause for celebration.

Bolsonaro’s latest sabotage efforts have failed

A court in Moscow said on Tuesday that it will begin hearing of two cases against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny next week. If convicted in these cases, Navalny could see his prison sentence extended by more than 10 years. Navalany is currently in jail.

He was jailed last year. Navalny, most vocal domestic critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin has survived a poisoning attempt last year. He blames Russian government for the attack.

The Moscow Lefortovsky district court said it will hold preliminary hearings on charges of fraud and contempt of court against Navalny on February 15.&nbsp;

The fraud case was launched in December 2020, while Navalny, 45, was recovering in Germany after narrowly surviving a nerve agent poisoning.&nbsp;

Investigators accuse Navalny of stealing for personal use more than $4.7 million (4.1 million euros) of donations that were given to his organisations. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.&nbsp;

Navalny also faces up to six months in prison for contempt of court during one of his hearings last year when he was jailed for more than two years on old fraud charges.&nbsp;

He is currently serving his sentence in a penal colony outside Moscow.&nbsp;

Navalny will not be brought to the Moscow court and the hearings will be head in his prison, Navalny's lawyer Olga Mikhailova told the TASS news agency. &nbsp;

Navalny's poisoning and arrest sparked widespread condemnation abroad as well as sanctions from Western capitals.

After his arrest, Navalny's organisations were declared "extremist" and shuttered, while many key aides fled Russia fearing prosecution.&nbsp;

Last year, investigators launched a new extremism probe against Navalny that could see the opposition leader face up to 10 more years in jail.

(With inputs from agencies)

A court in Moscow said on Tuesday that it will begin hearing of two cases against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny next week. If convicted in these cases, Navalny could see his prison sentence extended by more than 10 years.

A court in Moscow said on Tuesday that it will begin hearing of two cases against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny next week. If convicted in these cases, Navalny could see his prison sentence extended by more than 10 years. Navalany is currently in jail. He was jailed last year. Navalny, most vocal domestic critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin has survived a poisoning attempt last year. He blames Russian government for the attack. The Moscow Lefortovsky district court said it will hold preliminary hearings on charges of fraud and contempt of court against Navalny on February 15. The fraud case was launched in December 2020, while Navalny, 45, was recovering in Germany after narrowly surviving a nerve agent poisoning. Investigators accuse Navalny of stealing for personal use more than $4.7 million (4.1 million euros) of donations that were given to his organisations. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Navalny also faces up to six months in prison for contempt of court during one of his hearings last year when he was jailed for more than two years on old fraud charges. He is currently serving his sentence in a penal colony outside Moscow. Navalny will not be brought to the Moscow court and the hearings will be head in his prison, Navalny's lawyer Olga Mikhailova told the TASS news agency. Navalny's poisoning and arrest sparked widespread condemnation abroad as well as sanctions from Western capitals. After his arrest, Navalny's organisations were declared "extremist" and shuttered, while many key aides fled Russia fearing prosecution. Last year, investigators launched a new extremism probe against Navalny that could see the opposition leader face up to 10 more years in jail. (With inputs from agencies)

Hearing on fresh criminal charges against Alexei Navalny to start next week

Vietnam opened most of its schools on Monday (February 7) to welcome 17 million students across the country. Country's health ministry announced plans to start vaccinating children five-years and older against Covid. Most of the Covid curbs in the country were lifted in October but almost all students were taking online classes since last year.

Health ministry said that almost all schools in the country would reopen by mid-February.

On Monday, Vietnam reported 16,815 new COVID-19 cases, including 16,809 locally transmitted and six imported, according to its Ministry of Health.

The Vietnamese capital Hanoi reported the highest number of infections on Monday with 2,988 cases, followed by central Nghe An province with 1,247 cases and central Da Nang city with 935 cases.

The infections brought the country`s total tally to 2,35,8786 with 38,424 deaths. Nationwide, 2,122,380 COVID-19 patients have so far recovered.

Some 182.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 29 million third shots, have been administered, said the ministry.

Vietnam has by far gone through four coronavirus waves of increasing scale, complication and infectivity.As of Monday, the country has registered over 2.35 million locally transmitted COVID-19 cases since the start of the current wave in late April last year, according to the ministry.

Vietnam opened most of its schools on Monday (February 7) to welcome 17 million students across the country. Country's health ministry announced plans to start vaccinating children five-years and older against Covid.

Vietnam opened most of its schools on Monday (February 7) to welcome 17 million students across the country. Country's health ministry announced plans to start vaccinating children five-years and older against Covid. Most of the Covid curbs in the country were lifted in October but almost all students were taking online classes since last year. Health ministry said that almost all schools in the country would reopen by mid-February. On Monday, Vietnam reported 16,815 new COVID-19 cases, including 16,809 locally transmitted and six imported, according to its Ministry of Health. The Vietnamese capital Hanoi reported the highest number of infections on Monday with 2,988 cases, followed by central Nghe An province with 1,247 cases and central Da Nang city with 935 cases. The infections brought the country`s total tally to 2,35,8786 with 38,424 deaths. Nationwide, 2,122,380 COVID-19 patients have so far recovered. Some 182.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 29 million third shots, have been administered, said the ministry. Vietnam has by far gone through four coronavirus waves of increasing scale, complication and infectivity.As of Monday, the country has registered over 2.35 million locally transmitted COVID-19 cases since the start of the current wave in late April last year, according to the ministry.

Schools open in Vietnam, more to open by middle of month

Reports say&nbsp;that part of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket broke down and fell towards Earth over Mexico as it burnt through the atmosphere. The rocket had sent a satellite to space in the year 2017. The spacecraft had helped in the launch of Echostar 23 mission that aimed to provide internet, broadband and other connectivity solutions to Brazil.

A Twitter handle @FronteraSpacial posted a video on February 6. The handle says that the video shows visuals of Falcon 9 rocket burning up through Earth's atmosphere.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🔥 FALCON 9 DE SPACEX CAE SOBRE MÉXICO 🇲🇽 
 
Esta noche se ha visto un "<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Meteorito?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Meteorito</a>" cayendo sobre el norte de México. 
 
🚀 En realidad era la segunda etapa de un Falcon 9 de SpaceX lanzado en marzo del 2017 con la misión EchoStar23. 
 
Se ha desintegrado en la atmósfera completamente. <a href="https://t.co/5ERaFTMBJ2">pic.twitter.com/5ERaFTMBJ2</a>
— Frontera Espacial (@FronteraSpacial) <a href="https://twitter.com/FronteraSpacial/status/1490334993494781952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 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>

It was initially thought that this was a meteoroid. But FronteraSpacial says that this visual represents part of Falcon 9 rocket falling towards Earth.

"SPACEX FALCON 9 FALLS OVER MEXICO. Tonight a "#Meteorite" has been seen falling over northern Mexico. It was actually the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched in March 2017 with the EchoStar23 mission. It has completely disintegrated in the atmosphere," says the handle (translated).

When a satellites falls towards Earth (re-entry), it is rarely a dangerous situation for citizens as friction with atmosphere breaks up the parts and subsequently burns it. There are, however, several examples of sizeable portion of a re-entering satellite having been found on the surface of Earth.

Elon Musk or SpaceX haven't commented on second stage Falcon-9 rocket falling, as it is fairly common for second state rocket component to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and getting destroyed.&nbsp;

Reports say that part of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket broke down and fell towards Earth over Mexico as it burnt through the atmosphere. The rocket had sent a satellite to space in the year 2017.

Reports say that part of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket broke down and fell towards Earth over Mexico as it burnt through the atmosphere. The rocket had sent a satellite to space in the year 2017. The spacecraft had helped in the launch of Echostar 23 mission that aimed to provide internet, broadband and other connectivity solutions to Brazil. A Twitter handle @FronteraSpacial posted a video on February 6. The handle says that the video shows visuals of Falcon 9 rocket burning up through Earth's atmosphere. 🔥 FALCON 9 DE SPACEX CAE SOBRE MÉXICO 🇲🇽 Esta noche se ha visto un "#Meteorito" cayendo sobre el norte de México. 🚀 En realidad era la segunda etapa de un Falcon 9 de SpaceX lanzado en marzo del 2017 con la misión EchoStar23. Se ha desintegrado en la atmósfera completamente. pic.twitter.com/5ERaFTMBJ2 — Frontera Espacial (@FronteraSpacial) February 6, 2022 × It was initially thought that this was a meteoroid. But FronteraSpacial says that this visual represents part of Falcon 9 rocket falling towards Earth. "SPACEX FALCON 9 FALLS OVER MEXICO. Tonight a "#Meteorite" has been seen falling over northern Mexico. It was actually the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched in March 2017 with the EchoStar23 mission. It has completely disintegrated in the atmosphere," says the handle (translated). When a satellites falls towards Earth (re-entry), it is rarely a dangerous situation for citizens as friction with atmosphere breaks up the parts and subsequently burns it. There are, however, several examples of sizeable portion of a re-entering satellite having been found on the surface of Earth. Elon Musk or SpaceX haven't commented on second stage Falcon-9 rocket falling, as it is fairly common for second state rocket component to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and getting destroyed.

SpaceX Falcon 9 second-stage rocket component disintegrates, falls to Earth: Report

Hong Kong has announced strict new coronavirus restrictions as authorities put fresh limits on private gatherings. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has announced ban on private gatherings of more than two families. The measures are being taken to combat record new infections.

Shortage of vegetables has added to the misery of citizens as truck drivers found positive for Covid were not allowed in the city from Chinese mainland.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-infections-in-hong-kong-reach-record-high-testing-capacity-to-ramp-up-451091">Covid infections in Hong Kong reach record high, testing capacity to ramp up</a>

The Asian financial hub reported a record 625 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, with cases likely to continue rising rapidly, authorities said. There were 2,600 infections over the past two weeks compared with just two in December.

Residents in the working-class Tsuen Wan district said they were frustrated by the spike in vegetable prices, and felt let down by the government.

"The price has gone up many times," said a resident with the family name Ngai, pointing to the cost of bean sprouts, which he said had increased approximately tenfold.

"Hong Kong people are having a hard time," he added.

Responding to the worrying trend, Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said public gatherings would be limited to two people from four currently, while churches and hair salons would close from Thursday (February 10), joining a slew of venues already closed.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong has announced strict new coronavirus restrictions as authorities put fresh limits on private gatherings. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has announced ban on private gatherings of more than two families.

Hong Kong has announced strict new coronavirus restrictions as authorities put fresh limits on private gatherings. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has announced ban on private gatherings of more than two families. The measures are being taken to combat record new infections. Shortage of vegetables has added to the misery of citizens as truck drivers found positive for Covid were not allowed in the city from Chinese mainland. Also Read | Covid infections in Hong Kong reach record high, testing capacity to ramp up The Asian financial hub reported a record 625 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, with cases likely to continue rising rapidly, authorities said. There were 2,600 infections over the past two weeks compared with just two in December. Residents in the working-class Tsuen Wan district said they were frustrated by the spike in vegetable prices, and felt let down by the government. "The price has gone up many times," said a resident with the family name Ngai, pointing to the cost of bean sprouts, which he said had increased approximately tenfold. "Hong Kong people are having a hard time," he added. Responding to the worrying trend, Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said public gatherings would be limited to two people from four currently, while churches and hair salons would close from Thursday (February 10), joining a slew of venues already closed. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong restricts private gatherings to combat Covid

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is reportedly attempting to build a rapport with Tibetan population along Line of Actual Control (LAC)&nbsp;in efforts to boost its border capabilities. These efforts even include deployment of PLA cooks to teach Tibetan families how to cook 'Chinese dishes', according to reports.

The development was mentioned in a report of an official Chinese portal, said the reports. The report was about situation in a Chinese village by the name of Yumai. It is China's last big border village located just kilometres from Upper Subansiri district in India's Arunachal Pradesh. The village is part of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

The PLA's courting of the villagers is being seen as part of a strategy to ensure they are on China's side in case of a border conflict with India.

In 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping had written a letter to Tibetan herders in the village. In the letter, Xi&nbsp;mentioned herders being 'guardians of Chinese territory'. He also said that he hoped that herders will 'motivate' others.

Now, Chinese Army appears to have taken steps in this direction, going by the developments mentioned in the report. Chinese soldiers have been instructed to call on the elderly in Yumai village to look to their general comfort and safety. Cooks from Chinese Army are teaching Tibetan household to cook 'Chinese' dishes.&nbsp;

The report says that even five 'homestays' have been set up for tourists. These rooms have wifi, oxygen generators and TVs. Military doctors visit the village twice a week to tend to the sick.

The 'three-person township' expanded to one having 20 residents in 1999 and 30 in 2009. As per reports in Chinese media, the village has 200 residents now.

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is reportedly attempting to build a rapport with Tibetan population along Line of Actual Control (LAC) in efforts to boost its border capabilities.

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is reportedly attempting to build a rapport with Tibetan population along Line of Actual Control (LAC) in efforts to boost its border capabilities. These efforts even include deployment of PLA cooks to teach Tibetan families how to cook 'Chinese dishes', according to reports. The development was mentioned in a report of an official Chinese portal, said the reports. The report was about situation in a Chinese village by the name of Yumai. It is China's last big border village located just kilometres from Upper Subansiri district in India's Arunachal Pradesh. The village is part of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). The PLA's courting of the villagers is being seen as part of a strategy to ensure they are on China's side in case of a border conflict with India. In 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping had written a letter to Tibetan herders in the village. In the letter, Xi mentioned herders being 'guardians of Chinese territory'. He also said that he hoped that herders will 'motivate' others. Now, Chinese Army appears to have taken steps in this direction, going by the developments mentioned in the report. Chinese soldiers have been instructed to call on the elderly in Yumai village to look to their general comfort and safety. Cooks from Chinese Army are teaching Tibetan household to cook 'Chinese' dishes. The report says that even five 'homestays' have been set up for tourists. These rooms have wifi, oxygen generators and TVs. Military doctors visit the village twice a week to tend to the sick. The 'three-person township' expanded to one having 20 residents in 1999 and 30 in 2009. As per reports in Chinese media, the village has 200 residents now.

Is Chinese army 'cultivating' villagers along its border with India for help in potential conflicts?

Human activities impact the world in more ways than we know. We build roads through forests, build dams that submerge large tracts of land previously over the water-level and many more things. Fortunately, efforts have been on to recognise such threats and then petition governments to take preventive or curative petition.

Such efforts have again been visible in case of blue whale conservation in Indian Ocean off the southern tip of Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

Since 2008, researchers have discovered a population of blue whale, an endangered species, in Indian Ocean off southern Sri Lanka. What's special about population of these whales is that unlike other whales who travel vast distances in oceans during a year, this whale population lives roughly in the same area of the ocean. They thrive on shrimps.

What puts this whale population in danger is that its habitat falls in the way of one of world's busiest shipping routes. This part of the sea connects Southeast Asia to Suez Canal. Because of this, this part of the sea sees daily traffic of about 200 huge ships, each about 300 metres across. Whales risk collisions with these ships and noise pollution due to shipping traffic interferes with whales's communication through vacalisations.

Conservation groups are calling on Sri Lanka government to propose shifting of sea lanes 15 nautical miles to the south. Such a request by Sri Lanka to global authorities may help in conservation of these whales.

“Studies indicate that if a shipping lane were to be established 15 nautical miles to the south of the current lane, the risk of collisions with blue whales would be reduced by 95%,” reads the letter from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Great Whale Conservancy and OceanCare. The content from the letter was quoted by The Guardian.

Human activities impact the world in more ways than we know. We build roads through forests, build dams that submerge large tracts of land previously over the water-level and many more things.

Human activities impact the world in more ways than we know. We build roads through forests, build dams that submerge large tracts of land previously over the water-level and many more things. Fortunately, efforts have been on to recognise such threats and then petition governments to take preventive or curative petition. Such efforts have again been visible in case of blue whale conservation in Indian Ocean off the southern tip of Sri Lanka. Since 2008, researchers have discovered a population of blue whale, an endangered species, in Indian Ocean off southern Sri Lanka. What's special about population of these whales is that unlike other whales who travel vast distances in oceans during a year, this whale population lives roughly in the same area of the ocean. They thrive on shrimps. What puts this whale population in danger is that its habitat falls in the way of one of world's busiest shipping routes. This part of the sea connects Southeast Asia to Suez Canal. Because of this, this part of the sea sees daily traffic of about 200 huge ships, each about 300 metres across. Whales risk collisions with these ships and noise pollution due to shipping traffic interferes with whales's communication through vacalisations. Conservation groups are calling on Sri Lanka government to propose shifting of sea lanes 15 nautical miles to the south. Such a request by Sri Lanka to global authorities may help in conservation of these whales. “Studies indicate that if a shipping lane were to be established 15 nautical miles to the south of the current lane, the risk of collisions with blue whales would be reduced by 95%,” reads the letter from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Great Whale Conservancy and OceanCare. The content from the letter was quoted by The Guardian.

Conservation groups call for rerouting sea lanes for whale conservation

During his first address to Congress last spring, President Joe Biden said that Jill Biden, the first lady, would lead an effort to fulfill his administration’s promise to provide two years of free community college to all eligible students.

That provision, tucked inside a massive social spending package that has struggled to win the support of all the senators who caucus with the Democrats, was the first lady’s signature legislative initiative. But on Monday, Jill Biden addressed a summit of community college leaders and confirmed what her husband has recently suggested: The plan has no future in a bill that Democrats are trying to whittle down in order to salvage.

“One year ago, I told this group that Joe, my husband Joe, was going to fight for community colleges,” she said at the Community College National Legislative Summit in Washington. “But Joe has also had to make compromises. Congress hasn’t passed the Build Back Better legislation — yet. And free community college is no longer a part of that package.”

The writing had been on the wall. Democrats had moved away from the provision, and Jill Biden has previously said that the current political climate meant that it might not be the “right time” for free community college to pass as part of a social spending bill. But her remarks Monday were her starkest acknowledgment yet that a measure she had championed is dead.

“We knew this wouldn’t be easy,” Biden said. “Still, like you, I was disappointed. Because, like you, these aren’t just bills or budgets to me, to you, right? We know what they mean for real people, for our students.”

And then she added an aside that was not in her scripted remarks: “It was a real lesson in human nature that some people just don’t get that.”

It is unusual for first ladies to weigh in on the defeat of a West Wing policy issue, but Jill Biden, a community college English professor, was personally invested in the issue.

She spent her first year visiting community colleges, but did not campaign for the support of Democratic senators and House members who wanted to pare back or eliminate the provision outright. Privately, advisers to both the president and the first lady say that was because the East Wing was never given a signal that the measure would stay in the bill’s final version, despite Jill Biden’s focus on the provision.

For months, Joe Biden has told Democrats that free community college would most likely have to be cut, including in one private meeting with progressive lawmakers last October. The bill would have originally committed $45.5 billion to waive two years of tuition at community colleges for five years. States would have to opt in, and the federal government would cover the cost of the program for the first year. The federal contribution would decrease by 5% each year after that, with states covering the rest.

But a White House framework for an intended compromise, unveiled in October, did not include the promised two years of free community college. And the House-passed $2.2 trillion version of the plan contains additional aid for community colleges and grant programs, but not the tuition-free provision.

The president has all but publicly abandoned the measure, telling reporters in January that he doubted free community college could be included in a renewed version of the spending bill.

“There’s two really big components that I feel strongly about that I’m not sure I can get in the package,” Joe Biden said. “One is the child care tax credit, and the other is help for cost of community colleges.”

Democrats are still exploring expanding tuition assistance for low- and middle-income students. But how big a program they will support, and how far that approach will go toward increasing access to higher-paying jobs — and economic competitiveness overall — remains to be seen.

Research has shown that waiving tuition at community colleges could lift not just enrollment among students who might not otherwise have attended college, but also their wages for years to come. Eliminating tuition makes the decision to enroll much easier, economists and researchers said. The plan was also supposed to financially shore up the colleges themselves, which have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic.

Critics of the community college plan had pointed to high dropout rates and poor outcomes at some of the schools; fewer than 40% of community college students earn a degree within six years. Jill Biden, for her part, has often publicly praised her students as resilient and hardworking.

“My students work incredibly hard to make it to class, often between work and raising families,” she told Good Housekeeping last August. “They want to learn.”

Like her husband, advisers say, Jill Biden will pivot toward highlighting legislative wins, including the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the coronavirus relief package. On Wednesday, she will travel to the University of Minnesota with Xavier Becerra, the secretary of Health and Human Services, to highlight the American Rescue Plan’s investments in child care.

But she said the president will still be searching for ways to incorporate community college benefits in future initiatives.

“When you lose, you work harder,” Biden said, “and you come back for more.”

During his first address to Congress last spring, President Joe Biden said that Jill Biden, the first lady, would lead an effort to fulfill his administration’s promise to provide two years of free community college to all eligible students.

During his first address to Congress last spring, President Joe Biden said that Jill Biden, the first lady, would lead an effort to fulfill his administration’s promise to provide two years of free community college to all eligible students. That provision, tucked inside a massive social spending package that has struggled to win the support of all the senators who caucus with the Democrats, was the first lady’s signature legislative initiative. But on Monday, Jill Biden addressed a summit of community college leaders and confirmed what her husband has recently suggested: The plan has no future in a bill that Democrats are trying to whittle down in order to salvage. “One year ago, I told this group that Joe, my husband Joe, was going to fight for community colleges,” she said at the Community College National Legislative Summit in Washington. “But Joe has also had to make compromises. Congress hasn’t passed the Build Back Better legislation — yet. And free community college is no longer a part of that package.” The writing had been on the wall. Democrats had moved away from the provision, and Jill Biden has previously said that the current political climate meant that it might not be the “right time” for free community college to pass as part of a social spending bill. But her remarks Monday were her starkest acknowledgment yet that a measure she had championed is dead. “We knew this wouldn’t be easy,” Biden said. “Still, like you, I was disappointed. Because, like you, these aren’t just bills or budgets to me, to you, right? We know what they mean for real people, for our students.” And then she added an aside that was not in her scripted remarks: “It was a real lesson in human nature that some people just don’t get that.” It is unusual for first ladies to weigh in on the defeat of a West Wing policy issue, but Jill Biden, a community college English professor, was personally invested in the issue. She spent her first year visiting community colleges, but did not campaign for the support of Democratic senators and House members who wanted to pare back or eliminate the provision outright. Privately, advisers to both the president and the first lady say that was because the East Wing was never given a signal that the measure would stay in the bill’s final version, despite Jill Biden’s focus on the provision. For months, Joe Biden has told Democrats that free community college would most likely have to be cut, including in one private meeting with progressive lawmakers last October. The bill would have originally committed $45.5 billion to waive two years of tuition at community colleges for five years. States would have to opt in, and the federal government would cover the cost of the program for the first year. The federal contribution would decrease by 5% each year after that, with states covering the rest. But a White House framework for an intended compromise, unveiled in October, did not include the promised two years of free community college. And the House-passed $2.2 trillion version of the plan contains additional aid for community colleges and grant programs, but not the tuition-free provision. The president has all but publicly abandoned the measure, telling reporters in January that he doubted free community college could be included in a renewed version of the spending bill. “There’s two really big components that I feel strongly about that I’m not sure I can get in the package,” Joe Biden said. “One is the child care tax credit, and the other is help for cost of community colleges.” Democrats are still exploring expanding tuition assistance for low- and middle-income students. But how big a program they will support, and how far that approach will go toward increasing access to higher-paying jobs — and economic competitiveness overall — remains to be seen. Research has shown that waiving tuition at community colleges could lift not just enrollment among students who might not otherwise have attended college, but also their wages for years to come. Eliminating tuition makes the decision to enroll much easier, economists and researchers said. The plan was also supposed to financially shore up the colleges themselves, which have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic. Critics of the community college plan had pointed to high dropout rates and poor outcomes at some of the schools; fewer than 40% of community college students earn a degree within six years. Jill Biden, for her part, has often publicly praised her students as resilient and hardworking. “My students work incredibly hard to make it to class, often between work and raising families,” she told Good Housekeeping last August. “They want to learn.” Like her husband, advisers say, Jill Biden will pivot toward highlighting legislative wins, including the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the coronavirus relief package. On Wednesday, she will travel to the University of Minnesota with Xavier Becerra, the secretary of Health and Human Services, to highlight the American Rescue Plan’s investments in child care. But she said the president will still be searching for ways to incorporate community college benefits in future initiatives. “When you lose, you work harder,” Biden said, “and you come back for more.”

Free community college is off the table, Jill Biden says

New Zealand's Maori Party has said that the country should stop considering British monarch as head of the state. Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand faced oppression during colonial times.

The call for 'divorce' from the British monarchy came on 182nd anniversary of signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi, as it is called in the Maori language is the foundational legal document.&nbsp;

“If you look at our founding covenant as a marriage between tangata whenua [indigenous people] and the crown, then Te Tiriti is the child of that marriage. It’s time [for] tangata whenua to take full custody,” Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi said as quoted by The Guardian.

“This won’t mean the crown is off the hook. If a couple gets divorced, you don’t lose responsibility for your child. This will be an opportunity to reimagine a more meaningful and fulfilling partnership,”

The Treaty of Waitangi recognised Maori rights on their lands and provided guarantee against their possession by the crown. However, in 100 years after sigining of the treaty about 90 per cent of Maori lands were confiscated by colonial interests.

Among New Zealanders opinion to stop considering British Queen as head of state finds backers. As per 1News Colmar Brunton Poll, 30 per cent of the respondents preferred severing ties with the queen while 47 per cent were against such a move. 20 per cent of the respondents were undecided.

New Zealand's Maori Party has said that the country should stop considering British monarch as head of the state. Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand faced oppression during colonial times.

New Zealand's Maori Party has said that the country should stop considering British monarch as head of the state. Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand faced oppression during colonial times. The call for 'divorce' from the British monarchy came on 182nd anniversary of signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Te Tiriti o Waitangi, as it is called in the Maori language is the foundational legal document. “If you look at our founding covenant as a marriage between tangata whenua [indigenous people] and the crown, then Te Tiriti is the child of that marriage. It’s time [for] tangata whenua to take full custody,” Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi said as quoted by The Guardian. “This won’t mean the crown is off the hook. If a couple gets divorced, you don’t lose responsibility for your child. This will be an opportunity to reimagine a more meaningful and fulfilling partnership,” The Treaty of Waitangi recognised Maori rights on their lands and provided guarantee against their possession by the crown. However, in 100 years after sigining of the treaty about 90 per cent of Maori lands were confiscated by colonial interests. Among New Zealanders opinion to stop considering British Queen as head of state finds backers. As per 1News Colmar Brunton Poll, 30 per cent of the respondents preferred severing ties with the queen while 47 per cent were against such a move. 20 per cent of the respondents were undecided.

New Zealand's Maori Party demands severance of ties with British monarchy 

We have all been through this. Uncertainty in life, relationship issues, job woes and many other things bring us down. All seems lost and irreparable. Past seems beautiful and the future represents a dark and dreary period with no hope whatsoever. Your boss seems like a demon. You want to break things.&nbsp;

And all these thoughts vanish after a simple snack. You were 'hangry' (angry because hungry).

Being hangry is a thing and by now we all probably know about it enough to take preventive steps. But do you know about 'hangxiety'? Read on.

A study published in Oxford Academic says that alcohol hangover can be a major cause of anxiety (Hangxiety). The study says that as body recovers from hangover it experiences physiological stress. Such stress is usually generated when the body is injured or ill. In other words, hangover creates symptoms similar to when the body is ill or injred.

This increases our cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone. This causes changes in blood pressure and heart rate. These changes are similar to when we are anxious. In other words, hangover induces symptoms of anxiety in us.

Brain activity changes too during hangover. Brain activity involving dopamine is lowered during hangover. Dopamine normally plays important role in fighting anxiety.

So next time you feel like drinking to drown your sorrows, think again. Because the hangover may make you more anxious. Be responsible.

We have all been through this. Uncertainty in life, relationship issues, job woes and many other things bring us down. All seems lost and irreparable. Past seems beautiful and the future represents a dark and dreary period with no hope whatsoever.

We have all been through this. Uncertainty in life, relationship issues, job woes and many other things bring us down. All seems lost and irreparable. Past seems beautiful and the future represents a dark and dreary period with no hope whatsoever. Your boss seems like a demon. You want to break things. And all these thoughts vanish after a simple snack. You were 'hangry' (angry because hungry). Being hangry is a thing and by now we all probably know about it enough to take preventive steps. But do you know about 'hangxiety'? Read on. A study published in Oxford Academic says that alcohol hangover can be a major cause of anxiety (Hangxiety). The study says that as body recovers from hangover it experiences physiological stress. Such stress is usually generated when the body is injured or ill. In other words, hangover creates symptoms similar to when the body is ill or injred. This increases our cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone. This causes changes in blood pressure and heart rate. These changes are similar to when we are anxious. In other words, hangover induces symptoms of anxiety in us. Brain activity changes too during hangover. Brain activity involving dopamine is lowered during hangover. Dopamine normally plays important role in fighting anxiety. So next time you feel like drinking to drown your sorrows, think again. Because the hangover may make you more anxious. Be responsible.

'Hangry' is passe, 'hangxiety' is the new thing

Iran said on Monday (February 7) that removal of sanctions remained a 'red line' to revive Iran nuclear deal. The indirect talks between Iran and the USA are slated to resume on Tuesday (February 8). The European Union confirmed resumption of talks in Vienna in statement on Monday.

Iran nuclear deal was struck by USA and other world powers in 2015. Under the deal, sanctions on Iran were lifted under promises from the Islamic republic of comprehensively limiting its nuclear program. However, former US president Donald Trump took America out of the deal in 2018 re-imposing crippling sanctions on Iran.

"The issue of removal of sanctions and Iran benefiting from it is Iran's red line in the talks," Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly news conference on Monday.

"If the U.S. returns to Vienna with a political decision and a specific agenda ... to remove the sanctions, then surely it will be possible to reach a deal quickly."

Iran's lead nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani would return to Vienna on Tuesday, Khatibzadeh said.

After eight rounds of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington since April, differences remain about the speed and scope of lifting sanctions on Tehran, including Iran's demand for a US guarantee of no further punitive steps, and how and when to restore curbs on Iran's atomic work.

The talks paused on January 28 as top negotiators returned to their respective capitals for consultations. US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley on Sunday (February 6) said he would soon return to Vienna, insisting the pact could still be revived.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran said on Monday (February 7) that removal of sanctions remained a 'red line' to revive Iran nuclear deal. The indirect talks between Iran and the USA are slated to resume on Tuesday (February 8).

Iran said on Monday (February 7) that removal of sanctions remained a 'red line' to revive Iran nuclear deal. The indirect talks between Iran and the USA are slated to resume on Tuesday (February 8). The European Union confirmed resumption of talks in Vienna in statement on Monday. Iran nuclear deal was struck by USA and other world powers in 2015. Under the deal, sanctions on Iran were lifted under promises from the Islamic republic of comprehensively limiting its nuclear program. However, former US president Donald Trump took America out of the deal in 2018 re-imposing crippling sanctions on Iran. "The issue of removal of sanctions and Iran benefiting from it is Iran's red line in the talks," Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly news conference on Monday. "If the U.S. returns to Vienna with a political decision and a specific agenda ... to remove the sanctions, then surely it will be possible to reach a deal quickly." Iran's lead nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani would return to Vienna on Tuesday, Khatibzadeh said. After eight rounds of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington since April, differences remain about the speed and scope of lifting sanctions on Tehran, including Iran's demand for a US guarantee of no further punitive steps, and how and when to restore curbs on Iran's atomic work. The talks paused on January 28 as top negotiators returned to their respective capitals for consultations. US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley on Sunday (February 6) said he would soon return to Vienna, insisting the pact could still be revived. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran deal talks to resume on Tuesday, Tehran says sanctions removal a 'red line'

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