The European Union on Thursday said that 200 million Europeans had been fully vaccinated against coronavirus. This translates to more than half of the adult population in European Union. However the bloc still short of 70 per cent target it had set for the summer.

European Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant told reporters that based on the latest data of the European Centre for Disease Control "54.7 percent of the adult population is fully vaccinated with either two doses or one dose in the case of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine".

"We have 68.4 per cent of adults in the EU who have already had their first dose," she added.

"We are now among the regions of the world that have vaccinated the most, but it is important that this progress is distributed in a more balanced way so that there are no pockets where the virus can spread and mutate," she added.

Rollout of vaccines was slower in Europe than in the UK or US due to supply shortages. This had drawn heavy criticism earlier this year.

The European Commission, which coordinated vaccine orders for the 27 member states, was the subject of many of the complaints.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen had announced on July 10 that the EU had enough doses to vaccinate "at least 70 percent of the adult population this month".

According to official data compiled by AFP, just over 440 million doses have been administered in the European Union. That is 98.4 doses per 100 inhabitants, while the United States are at 102.4 per 100 inhabitants.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Union on Thursday said that 200 million Europeans had been fully vaccinated against coronavirus. This translates to more than half of the adult population in European Union.

The European Union on Thursday said that 200 million Europeans had been fully vaccinated against coronavirus. This translates to more than half of the adult population in European Union. However the bloc still short of 70 per cent target it had set for the summer. European Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant told reporters that based on the latest data of the European Centre for Disease Control "54.7 percent of the adult population is fully vaccinated with either two doses or one dose in the case of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine". "We have 68.4 per cent of adults in the EU who have already had their first dose," she added. "We are now among the regions of the world that have vaccinated the most, but it is important that this progress is distributed in a more balanced way so that there are no pockets where the virus can spread and mutate," she added. Rollout of vaccines was slower in Europe than in the UK or US due to supply shortages. This had drawn heavy criticism earlier this year. The European Commission, which coordinated vaccine orders for the 27 member states, was the subject of many of the complaints. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen had announced on July 10 that the EU had enough doses to vaccinate "at least 70 percent of the adult population this month". According to official data compiled by AFP, just over 440 million doses have been administered in the European Union. That is 98.4 doses per 100 inhabitants, while the United States are at 102.4 per 100 inhabitants. (With inputs from agencies)

More than half of adults in European Union countries fully vaccinated against Covid

Afghanistan's defence ministry said on Friday that Taliban's claims of holding 90 per cent of country's borders was an "absolute lie". The ministry insisited that government forces were in control of country's frontiers

"It is baseless propaganda," deputy spokesman of the Ministry of Defence Fawad Aman told AFP, a day after the insurgents made the claim, which was not possible to independently verify.

Taliban had made the claim on Thursday. It came after the group captured key border crossings with Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan in recent weeks in a staggering offensive launched as US-led foreign forces began their final troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

On Friday, the deputy spokesman of defence ministry said that government forces were in control of country's borders and all "main cities and highways".

And even as large-scale fighting decreased during this week's Eid al-Adha holiday, the interior ministry accused the Taliban of killing about 100 civilians in the town of Spin Boldak along the border with Pakistan since seizing the crossing last week.

"Afghan security forces will soon take revenge on these wild terrorists," interior ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai said on Twitter.

"The Taliban whenever they get control (of territory), the first thing they do is destroy public facilities or public infrastructure, harass people and forcefully displace families," Aman told AFP.

"It happened in Spin Boldak too."

With the withdrawal of American-led foreign forces all but complete, the resurgent Taliban now controls about half of Afghanistan's roughly 400 districts.

(With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan's defence ministry said on Friday that Taliban's claims of holding 90 per cent of country's borders was an "absolute lie". The ministry insisited that government forces were in control of country's frontiers "It is baseless propaganda," deputy spokesman of the Ministry of Defence Fawad Aman told AFP, a day after the insurgents made the claim, which was not possible to independently verify.

Afghanistan's defence ministry said on Friday that Taliban's claims of holding 90 per cent of country's borders was an "absolute lie". The ministry insisited that government forces were in control of country's frontiers "It is baseless propaganda," deputy spokesman of the Ministry of Defence Fawad Aman told AFP, a day after the insurgents made the claim, which was not possible to independently verify. Taliban had made the claim on Thursday. It came after the group captured key border crossings with Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan in recent weeks in a staggering offensive launched as US-led foreign forces began their final troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. On Friday, the deputy spokesman of defence ministry said that government forces were in control of country's borders and all "main cities and highways". And even as large-scale fighting decreased during this week's Eid al-Adha holiday, the interior ministry accused the Taliban of killing about 100 civilians in the town of Spin Boldak along the border with Pakistan since seizing the crossing last week. "Afghan security forces will soon take revenge on these wild terrorists," interior ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai said on Twitter. "The Taliban whenever they get control (of territory), the first thing they do is destroy public facilities or public infrastructure, harass people and forcefully displace families," Aman told AFP. "It happened in Spin Boldak too." With the withdrawal of American-led foreign forces all but complete, the resurgent Taliban now controls about half of Afghanistan's roughly 400 districts. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan says Taliban's claim of controlling 90% of border is 'absolute lie'

Great Barrier Reef has escaped the prospect of being listed as endangered world heritage site by UNESCO. However, concerns remains for damage to ecosystem's corals due to climate change and other factors.

At a World Heritage Committee meeting chaired by China, delegates voted to delay the decision, after a concerted lobbying effort by Canberra.

The Great Barrier Reef has suffered three mass coral bleaching events in past five years. By some measures, the Reef has lost half of its corals since 1995 as ocean temperatures have increased.

Moreover, cyclones have battered the reef. Outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish has also damaged the reef. Crown-of-thorns starfish eat the corals.

"It's a warning to the international community and all of humanity that the coral ecosystem is in danger," Fanny Douvere, the head of UNESCO's World Heritage marine programme, said in June.

Australian government scientists say the corals have made a comeback over the past year, but acknowledge that will not improve the ecosystem's "very poor" long-term outlook.

What is World Heritage List?

World Heritage List is a UNESCO list that mentions sites all over the world. These sites have historical, scientific, cultural or other forms of importance. When a site gets listed, it is demarcated by UNESCO as a protected site.&nbsp;

Inclusion in the list increases chances of the site being better cared for and protected as it comes on international radar. The heritage list has helped conservation of sites all over the world.

Great Barrier Reef has escaped the prospect of being listed as endangered world heritage site by UNESCO. However, concerns remains for damage to ecosystem's corals due to climate change and other factors.

Great Barrier Reef has escaped the prospect of being listed as endangered world heritage site by UNESCO. However, concerns remains for damage to ecosystem's corals due to climate change and other factors. At a World Heritage Committee meeting chaired by China, delegates voted to delay the decision, after a concerted lobbying effort by Canberra. The Great Barrier Reef has suffered three mass coral bleaching events in past five years. By some measures, the Reef has lost half of its corals since 1995 as ocean temperatures have increased. Moreover, cyclones have battered the reef. Outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish has also damaged the reef. Crown-of-thorns starfish eat the corals. "It's a warning to the international community and all of humanity that the coral ecosystem is in danger," Fanny Douvere, the head of UNESCO's World Heritage marine programme, said in June. Australian government scientists say the corals have made a comeback over the past year, but acknowledge that will not improve the ecosystem's "very poor" long-term outlook. What is World Heritage List? World Heritage List is a UNESCO list that mentions sites all over the world. These sites have historical, scientific, cultural or other forms of importance. When a site gets listed, it is demarcated by UNESCO as a protected site. Inclusion in the list increases chances of the site being better cared for and protected as it comes on international radar. The heritage list has helped conservation of sites all over the world.

Great Barrier Reef won't be listed as endangered heritage site for now

After their seizure of Spin Boldak district in Kandahar province, the Taliban killed 100 civilians in Kandahar , said Tolo News quoting spokesman for Ministry of Interior.

The brutal terrorists on the order of their Punjabi bosses (Pakistan) ambushed the homes of the innocent Afghans in certain areas of Spin Boldak, looted the homes and martyred 100 innocent people,” Tolo News quoted the spokesman as saying.

“This unveils the real face of the cruel enemy,” said Mirwais Stanekzai, the spokesman, as quoted by Tolo News. The portal mentioned Taliban denying the claim.

Taliban has been on the offensive ever since US declared pullout of troops. The insurgents have speedily established their control especially in the northern part of the country, once a bastion of anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. Taliban now controls Afghanistan's border crossing with Tajikistan and Pakistan. They have claimed that they control 90 per cent of the Afghanistan's border. The claim is heavily contested by the government.

The developments in Afghanistan have countries in the region on alert. On Thursday, Tajikistan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-neighbour-tajikistan-holds-largest-ever-military-exercise-amid-taliban-advance-399746">held its largest-ever military exercise</a> that involved its entire army. On the same day, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/russia-deploys-military-machinery-near-afghanistan-border-399777">Russia deployed military machinery</a> at its base near Afghan border

After their seizure of Spin Boldak district in Kandahar province, the Taliban killed 100 civilians in Kandahar , said Tolo News quoting spokesman for Ministry of Interior.

After their seizure of Spin Boldak district in Kandahar province, the Taliban killed 100 civilians in Kandahar , said Tolo News quoting spokesman for Ministry of Interior. The brutal terrorists on the order of their Punjabi bosses (Pakistan) ambushed the homes of the innocent Afghans in certain areas of Spin Boldak, looted the homes and martyred 100 innocent people,” Tolo News quoted the spokesman as saying. “This unveils the real face of the cruel enemy,” said Mirwais Stanekzai, the spokesman, as quoted by Tolo News. The portal mentioned Taliban denying the claim. Taliban has been on the offensive ever since US declared pullout of troops. The insurgents have speedily established their control especially in the northern part of the country, once a bastion of anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. Taliban now controls Afghanistan's border crossing with Tajikistan and Pakistan. They have claimed that they control 90 per cent of the Afghanistan's border. The claim is heavily contested by the government. The developments in Afghanistan have countries in the region on alert. On Thursday, Tajikistan held its largest-ever military exercise that involved its entire army. On the same day, Russia deployed military machinery at its base near Afghan border

Taliban killed 100 civilians in Kandahar: Report

What did world's richest man Jeff Bezos and fellow crewmates do when ascended to peak altitude in Blue Origins rocket?&nbsp;For those of you who think there was something grand, no. Bezos and crewmates had skittles. The small celebration took place in weightlessness high above Earth.&nbsp;

Bezos and the crew flew outside Earth's atmosphere on Tuesday (July 20).

The flawless 10-minute hop from a west Texas base to beyond the Karman line -- the internationally recognized boundary marking the start of space -- and back again to the surface for a gentle desert landing minted four new astronauts, including the oldest and youngest ever.

At the highest point of their ascent. The crew experienced weightlessness for three to four minutes. It was at this time that they threw Skittles at each other. They unbuckled themselves from their seats and performed summersaults as they experienced weightlessness.

A video has now come out that shows the crewmates doing summersaults and throwing Skittles which Dutch teen Oliver Daemen caught in his mouth, as the capsule ascended to a peak altitude of 66.5 miles (107 kilometers).

Jeff Bezos's lift-off outside the Earth's atmosphere came nine days after a similar successful attempt by Richard Branson in a Virgin Galactic rocket.

Both of these flights are expected to give a fillip to space tourism sector.

What did world's richest man Jeff Bezos and fellow crewmates do when ascended to peak altitude in Blue Origins rocket? For those of you who think there was something grand, no.

What did world's richest man Jeff Bezos and fellow crewmates do when ascended to peak altitude in Blue Origins rocket? For those of you who think there was something grand, no. Bezos and crewmates had skittles. The small celebration took place in weightlessness high above Earth. Bezos and the crew flew outside Earth's atmosphere on Tuesday (July 20). The flawless 10-minute hop from a west Texas base to beyond the Karman line -- the internationally recognized boundary marking the start of space -- and back again to the surface for a gentle desert landing minted four new astronauts, including the oldest and youngest ever. At the highest point of their ascent. The crew experienced weightlessness for three to four minutes. It was at this time that they threw Skittles at each other. They unbuckled themselves from their seats and performed summersaults as they experienced weightlessness. A video has now come out that shows the crewmates doing summersaults and throwing Skittles which Dutch teen Oliver Daemen caught in his mouth, as the capsule ascended to a peak altitude of 66.5 miles (107 kilometers). Jeff Bezos's lift-off outside the Earth's atmosphere came nine days after a similar successful attempt by Richard Branson in a Virgin Galactic rocket. Both of these flights are expected to give a fillip to space tourism sector.

Blue Origin space mission: Weightless on top of the world, Jeff Bezos and crew had skittles

More than 230 migrants crossed the Moroccan border into Spain's&nbsp;Melilla&nbsp;enclave before dawn on Thursday, in one of the largest influxes into this tiny North African territory in recent years.

The incident occurred two months after an unprecedented 10,000 people surged into Spain's other enclave of Ceuta, exacerbating a diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lack-of-respect-spanish-pm-pedro-sanchez-slams-morocco-over-migrant-crisis-386352">'Lack of respect': Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez slams Morocco over migrant crisis</a>

In a statement, the Spanish government delegation in&nbsp;Melilla&nbsp;said: "a huge influx" of more than 300 migrants had tried to cross the frontier at 6:50 am with 238 of them successfully scaling the fence, all of them men.&nbsp;

It said they used "hooks" to scale the frontier which they managed to do despite the fact the border fence was equipped with "anti-intrusion" measures, without specifying what they were.

Three Guardia Civil police officers suffered "slight injuries" from the hooks used by those crossing the fence, it said.&nbsp;The migrants were taken to a reception centre where they will be quarantined in line with anti-Covid safety procedures.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/migrant-crisis-in-spains-ceuta-migrant-drowns-while-trying-to-enter-ceuta-386524/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Since mid-May, hundreds of migrants have tried to rush the Moroccan border fence into&nbsp;Melilla, with nearly 300 of them making it across.&nbsp;

Thursday's incident raised that number to more than 500 in just over two months.

Where Europe meets Africa&nbsp;

Spain's two tiny enclaves of Ceuta and&nbsp;Melilla&nbsp;have Europe's only land border with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants desperate to escape grinding poverty and hunger.

Over the years, thousands of migrants have attempted to cross the 12-kilometre (7.5-mile) border between&nbsp;Melilla&nbsp;and Morocco, or Ceuta's eight-kilometre border, by climbing the fences, swimming along the coast or hiding in vehicles.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-opens-migrant-camps-in-the-canaries-expecting-fresh-influx-359667">Spain opens migrant camps in the Canaries expecting fresh influx</a>

The two territories are protected by fences fortified with barbed wire, video cameras and watchtowers.

Claimed by Morocco, the two cities have long been a flashpoint in diplomatic relations between Rabat and Madrid, which insists both are integral parts of Spain.

In mid-May, Spain was caught off guard when more than 10,000 people swam or used small inflatable boats to cross into Ceuta territory as the Moroccan border forces looked the other way.

Although most were quickly sent back, there were still more than 2,000 left inside the enclave, among them 1,185 unaccompanied minors, a spokesman for the government delegation in Ceuta told AFP on Thursday.&nbsp;

The influx took place during a diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat over Western Sahara, which has long pushed for independence from Morocco.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spain-migrant-crisis-spain-witnesses-unprecedented-migration-385837/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Madrid had angered Morocco by allowing the leader of&nbsp;Western Sahara's independence movement into Spain for hospital treatment for a severe case of Covid-19, sparking a tetchy standoff between the two countries.&nbsp;

The unprecedented border breach was widely seen as a punitive move by Rabat.&nbsp;

Although Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali left Spain on June 2, diplomatic relations have remained tense.

More than 230 migrants crossed the Moroccan border into Spain's Melilla enclave before dawn on Thursday, in one of the largest influxes into this tiny North African territory in recent years.

More than 230 migrants crossed the Moroccan border into Spain's Melilla enclave before dawn on Thursday, in one of the largest influxes into this tiny North African territory in recent years. The incident occurred two months after an unprecedented 10,000 people surged into Spain's other enclave of Ceuta, exacerbating a diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat. Also read | 'Lack of respect': Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez slams Morocco over migrant crisis In a statement, the Spanish government delegation in Melilla said: "a huge influx" of more than 300 migrants had tried to cross the frontier at 6:50 am with 238 of them successfully scaling the fence, all of them men. It said they used "hooks" to scale the frontier which they managed to do despite the fact the border fence was equipped with "anti-intrusion" measures, without specifying what they were. Three Guardia Civil police officers suffered "slight injuries" from the hooks used by those crossing the fence, it said. The migrants were taken to a reception centre where they will be quarantined in line with anti-Covid safety procedures. Since mid-May, hundreds of migrants have tried to rush the Moroccan border fence into Melilla, with nearly 300 of them making it across. Thursday's incident raised that number to more than 500 in just over two months. Where Europe meets Africa Spain's two tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have Europe's only land border with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants desperate to escape grinding poverty and hunger. Over the years, thousands of migrants have attempted to cross the 12-kilometre (7.5-mile) border between Melilla and Morocco, or Ceuta's eight-kilometre border, by climbing the fences, swimming along the coast or hiding in vehicles. Also read | Spain opens migrant camps in the Canaries expecting fresh influx The two territories are protected by fences fortified with barbed wire, video cameras and watchtowers. Claimed by Morocco, the two cities have long been a flashpoint in diplomatic relations between Rabat and Madrid, which insists both are integral parts of Spain. In mid-May, Spain was caught off guard when more than 10,000 people swam or used small inflatable boats to cross into Ceuta territory as the Moroccan border forces looked the other way. Although most were quickly sent back, there were still more than 2,000 left inside the enclave, among them 1,185 unaccompanied minors, a spokesman for the government delegation in Ceuta told AFP on Thursday. The influx took place during a diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat over Western Sahara, which has long pushed for independence from Morocco. Madrid had angered Morocco by allowing the leader of Western Sahara's independence movement into Spain for hospital treatment for a severe case of Covid-19, sparking a tetchy standoff between the two countries. The unprecedented border breach was widely seen as a punitive move by Rabat. Although Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali left Spain on June 2, diplomatic relations have remained tense.

Over 230 migrants enter Spain's Melilla enclave after scaling the fence

The Great Barrier Reef near Australia may be downgraded as 'endangered' in the World Heritage listing this week. This has again focused everyone's attention on the list people often know a bit less about. The common man may well have heard of the list. But for him, it's often somewhat a static thing. Talk about intricacies and there are great chances of puzzled looks.

What is World Heritage List?

World Heritage List is a UNESCO list that mentions sites all over the world. These sites have historical, scientific, cultural or other forms of importance. When a site gets listed, it is demarcated by UNESCO as a protected site.&nbsp;

Inclusion in the list increases chances of the site being better cared for and protected as it comes on international radar. The heritage list has helped conservation of sites all over the world.

The downgrade

The status of a partuicular site can be downgraded. The World Heritage List is not permanently fixed and sites can be downgraded or even deleted entirely on the UN body's recommendation. While placement on the "in-danger" list is not considered a sanction -- some nations have their sites added to gain international attention to help save them -- others see it as a dishonour.

The Great Barrier Reef is facing the same fate.

The Great Barrier Reef -- the world's largest living structure, visible from space -- was added to the list in 1981 for its "superlative natural beauty" and extensive biodiversity.

Why could the reef lose its status?

The reef has suffered three mass coral bleaching events in the past five years, by some measures losing half its corals since 1995 as ocean temperatures have climbed.

It has also been battered by several cyclones, as climate change drives more extreme weather, and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish which eat the coral.

"It's a warning to the international community and all of humanity that the coral ecosystem is in danger," Fanny Douvere, the head of UNESCO's World Heritage marine programme, said in June.

Australian government scientists say the corals have made a comeback over the past year, but acknowledge that will not improve the ecosystem's "very poor" long-term outlook.

What is the likely outcome?

This is not the first time the UN has threatened to downgrade the reef's World Heritage listing -- furious lobbying by Australia prevented it in 2015.

The country created a "Reef 2050" plan and has poured billions of dollars into reef protection, including water quality improvements, in part to address the concerns.

While UNESCO has acknowledged these efforts, it has also taken aim at Australia for its lacklustre climate efforts as the government continues to resist calls to commit to net zero emissions by 2050.

The decision now rests in the hands of the World Heritage Committee, but 12 other countries have proposed delaying the decision until 2023, after reported lobbying from Australian officials.

With 14 votes required to pass that submission, Australia would need to find just one other member to back that position, assuming it also votes in favour.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Great Barrier Reef near Australia may be downgraded as 'endangered' in the World Heritage listing this week. This has again focused everyone's attention on the list people often know a bit less about.

The Great Barrier Reef near Australia may be downgraded as 'endangered' in the World Heritage listing this week. This has again focused everyone's attention on the list people often know a bit less about. The common man may well have heard of the list. But for him, it's often somewhat a static thing. Talk about intricacies and there are great chances of puzzled looks. What is World Heritage List? World Heritage List is a UNESCO list that mentions sites all over the world. These sites have historical, scientific, cultural or other forms of importance. When a site gets listed, it is demarcated by UNESCO as a protected site. Inclusion in the list increases chances of the site being better cared for and protected as it comes on international radar. The heritage list has helped conservation of sites all over the world. The downgrade The status of a partuicular site can be downgraded. The World Heritage List is not permanently fixed and sites can be downgraded or even deleted entirely on the UN body's recommendation. While placement on the "in-danger" list is not considered a sanction -- some nations have their sites added to gain international attention to help save them -- others see it as a dishonour. The Great Barrier Reef is facing the same fate. The Great Barrier Reef -- the world's largest living structure, visible from space -- was added to the list in 1981 for its "superlative natural beauty" and extensive biodiversity. Why could the reef lose its status? The reef has suffered three mass coral bleaching events in the past five years, by some measures losing half its corals since 1995 as ocean temperatures have climbed. It has also been battered by several cyclones, as climate change drives more extreme weather, and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish which eat the coral. "It's a warning to the international community and all of humanity that the coral ecosystem is in danger," Fanny Douvere, the head of UNESCO's World Heritage marine programme, said in June. Australian government scientists say the corals have made a comeback over the past year, but acknowledge that will not improve the ecosystem's "very poor" long-term outlook. What is the likely outcome? This is not the first time the UN has threatened to downgrade the reef's World Heritage listing -- furious lobbying by Australia prevented it in 2015. The country created a "Reef 2050" plan and has poured billions of dollars into reef protection, including water quality improvements, in part to address the concerns. While UNESCO has acknowledged these efforts, it has also taken aim at Australia for its lacklustre climate efforts as the government continues to resist calls to commit to net zero emissions by 2050. The decision now rests in the hands of the World Heritage Committee, but 12 other countries have proposed delaying the decision until 2023, after reported lobbying from Australian officials. With 14 votes required to pass that submission, Australia would need to find just one other member to back that position, assuming it also votes in favour. (With inputs from agencies)

What is World Heritage List and why is Great Barrier Reef facing a downgrade?

A&nbsp;presidential decree has made&nbsp;Argentina the first country in Latin America to allow people to indicate gender&nbsp;beyond the binary&nbsp;on their national identification documents, by ticking an "X."

Instead of the cisgender gender identifiers of&nbsp;male or female, this option will help safeguard those who don't identify with the gender binary.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-man-dresses-up-as-wife-to-escape-coronavirus-detection-399693">Indonesian man dresses up as wife to escape coronavirus detection</a>

With this new choice, gender identity will be protected in a way that goes beyond the traditional binary distinction between males and females. This move has been discussed since 2012.

The official gazette of the country stated that the "X" could&nbsp;denote several different statuses, including "non-binary" or "indeterminate," as well as "another meaning" for someone with difficulties relating to the male/female binary.

Celebrating the decree, President Alberto Fernandez during a ceremony at the capital's Bicentennial Museum said that&nbsp;"the state should not care about a citizen's sexual orientation.". Talking about the&nbsp;importance of respecting identities beyond gender,&nbsp;he&nbsp;added that there are "a thousand ways to love, be loved, and be happy".

This "historic advance in the matter of rights" was celebrated by Argentina's LGBT Federation, which says that while this&nbsp;use of 'X' is not totally inclusive of the wide range of identities that exist, it does mark an important step towards achieving true equality in rights.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-rover-preparing-to-take-first-mars-rock-samples-399659">NASA rover preparing to take first Mars rock samples</a>

In Fernandez's view, the acceptance of same-sex marriage in his country under a law in force since 2010 is what sparked the development of this nation's commitment to diversity.

The Argentine government also recently passed a law that creates a quota for transgender workers in the Public Administration.

Argentina's national identification document (DNI), as well as its passport, will both include the new "X" category.

Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand have also implemented similar measures.

(With inputs from agencies)

A presidential decree has made Argentina the first country in Latin America to allow people to indicate gender beyond the binary on their national identification documents, by ticking an "X.

A presidential decree has made Argentina the first country in Latin America to allow people to indicate gender beyond the binary on their national identification documents, by ticking an "X." Instead of the cisgender gender identifiers of male or female, this option will help safeguard those who don't identify with the gender binary. Also read | Indonesian man dresses up as wife to escape coronavirus detection With this new choice, gender identity will be protected in a way that goes beyond the traditional binary distinction between males and females. This move has been discussed since 2012. The official gazette of the country stated that the "X" could denote several different statuses, including "non-binary" or "indeterminate," as well as "another meaning" for someone with difficulties relating to the male/female binary. Celebrating the decree, President Alberto Fernandez during a ceremony at the capital's Bicentennial Museum said that "the state should not care about a citizen's sexual orientation.". Talking about the importance of respecting identities beyond gender, he added that there are "a thousand ways to love, be loved, and be happy". This "historic advance in the matter of rights" was celebrated by Argentina's LGBT Federation, which says that while this use of 'X' is not totally inclusive of the wide range of identities that exist, it does mark an important step towards achieving true equality in rights. Also read | NASA rover preparing to take first Mars rock samples In Fernandez's view, the acceptance of same-sex marriage in his country under a law in force since 2010 is what sparked the development of this nation's commitment to diversity. The Argentine government also recently passed a law that creates a quota for transgender workers in the Public Administration. Argentina's national identification document (DNI), as well as its passport, will both include the new "X" category. Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand have also implemented similar measures. (With inputs from agencies)

Beyond cisgender: Argentina introduces Latin America's first non-binary ID options

In an unusual move by a committee chair in the president’s own party, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is refusing to schedule a hearing for President Joe Biden’s nominee to run U.S. Customs and Border Protection until the administration answers questions about the federal response to the unrest in Portland, Oregon, last summer.

Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, notified the White House this week of his decision to delay a hearing for Chris Magnus, the police chief in Tucson, Arizona. Biden nominated Magnus in April to run the agency, which plays a central role in addressing the influx of migrants at the country’s southern border.

Wyden said that for months, he had been asking officials from the Justice and Homeland Security departments to answer specific questions about how the agencies, under former President Donald Trump, prepared for the extraordinary step of sending federal law enforcement officers into the streets of Portland and what happened on the ground, when protests there turned violent after George Floyd’s murder by a police officer in Minneapolis.

Standing up a military-type presence in the middle of downtown protests against police violence remains one of the most contentious decisions that Trump made during his time in office.

“Six months into the new administration, the Department of Homeland Security and Justice have failed to answer basic questions about how the Trump administration misused federal resources to stoke violence against peaceful protesters in my hometown,” Wyden said in a statement Wednesday.

Wyden is a liberal who holds one of the most powerful posts in the Senate. He was elected to the chamber in 1996 after serving in the House since 1981, where he represented a district that includes parts of Portland.

“While it is clear that Customs and Border Protection faces pressing issues,” he said in the statement, “as the senior senator from Oregon, I am unable to advance this nominee until DHS and DOJ gives Oregonians some straight answers about what it was up to in Portland last year, and who was responsible.”

The move by Wyden comes as the flow of migrants across the country’s southern border has surpassed the peak levels of recent years. The Border Patrol, which is part of Customs and Border Protection, caught migrants crossing into the country more than 178,000 times without documentation in June, the most apprehensions since April 2000.

The administration is planning for how it will lift a public health order put in place at the beginning of the pandemic, which it has used to turn back migrants at the border more than 1 million times. Lifting that order will further increase the number of people trying to get into the country, raising the sense of urgency to get a permanent leader in place at Customs and Border Protection.

“Given the continuing humanitarian crisis at the border, there is an urgent need for his leadership and expertise,” members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force, a group of local law enforcement officials that supports an immigration overhaul, wrote of Magnus in an open letter Wednesday.

A year ago, as the protests in Portland stretched on throughout the presidential campaign, Biden said Trump was using “egregious tactics” to address the unrest in Portland.

“Homeland Security agents — without a clearly defined mandate or authority — are ranging far from federal property, stripped of badges and insignia and identifying markings, to detain people,” Biden said in a statement at the time. “They are brutally attacking peaceful protesters, including a U.S. Navy veteran.”

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., has placed a hold on the nomination of Magnus and several other homeland security officials until, he said last week, “we can actually get the Biden administration to lay out what their policy is going to be and what they’re going to do to be able to actually enforce the law.”

That kind of move is typical of senators who are not in the president’s party, but interference from an ally of the president is not.

A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security said the agency responded to Wyden privately last week and “looks forward to working with him to resolve his concerns.”

Keith Chu, a spokesperson for Wyden, said the department had provided only “partial” answers to the senator’s questions. A Justice Department spokesperson said Wednesday that the agency was working with Wyden’s office on his requests.

According to a White House official, the administration is hopeful that the Senate will cooperate with plans to move forward with Magnus’ nomination.

Downtown Portland was shuttered for weeks last summer because of people protesting against police violence after a white Minneapolis police officer killed Floyd, an unarmed Black man, on May 25. While the shooting prompted protests around the country, demonstrations in downtown Portland outlasted those in most other cities.

Positioning himself as a law-and-order president, Trump described the city as lawless, filled with “anarchists” who “hate our country.” And he praised the actions of armed federal officers from multiple agencies who fired tear gas into crowds and pulled protesters into unmarked vans. Among the officers deployed to Portland were members of a special tactical team from Customs and Border Protection that is typically deployed for operations against drug smuggling.

Doing so only incensed the protesters, who had been raising concerns that fascism was on the rise in the United States.

“The uncoordinated deployment of poorly trained federal law enforcement in Oregon, and in other parts of the country, must never occur again,” Wyden wrote in a June 9 letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

An inspector general report released in April found that the Homeland Security Department had the authority to send federal officers to Portland but did not properly prepare them or coordinate with other agencies.

While the report addressed some of Wyden’s questions, he is seeking additional answers about who led the agents on the ground and whether they were identifiable, with badges and uniforms. He has also asked what guidance, if any, the officers were given about how to interact with protesters and members of the media. And he has asked for a list of equipment that federal officers used while deployed in Portland.

Wyden has also asked about the deployment of federal officers to Portland hours after Biden’s inauguration.

Mayorkas began a departmentwide review in March of the decisions that led to the agency’s involvement in the Portland protests. The review is seeking “to ensure that all DHS law enforcement personnel receive appropriate training and operate pursuant to policies in keeping with best practices and law,” said Marsha Espinosa, a department spokesperson. She said the agency “is committed to respecting the rights of all individuals who peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms of speech and assembly.”

In May, Biden revoked a Trump-era executive order that had paved the way for federal law enforcement officers to descend on Portland with the stated goal of protecting federal buildings and property.

In an unusual move by a committee chair in the president’s own party, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is refusing to schedule a hearing for President Joe Biden’s nominee to run U.

In an unusual move by a committee chair in the president’s own party, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is refusing to schedule a hearing for President Joe Biden’s nominee to run U.S. Customs and Border Protection until the administration answers questions about the federal response to the unrest in Portland, Oregon, last summer. Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, notified the White House this week of his decision to delay a hearing for Chris Magnus, the police chief in Tucson, Arizona. Biden nominated Magnus in April to run the agency, which plays a central role in addressing the influx of migrants at the country’s southern border. Wyden said that for months, he had been asking officials from the Justice and Homeland Security departments to answer specific questions about how the agencies, under former President Donald Trump, prepared for the extraordinary step of sending federal law enforcement officers into the streets of Portland and what happened on the ground, when protests there turned violent after George Floyd’s murder by a police officer in Minneapolis. Standing up a military-type presence in the middle of downtown protests against police violence remains one of the most contentious decisions that Trump made during his time in office. “Six months into the new administration, the Department of Homeland Security and Justice have failed to answer basic questions about how the Trump administration misused federal resources to stoke violence against peaceful protesters in my hometown,” Wyden said in a statement Wednesday. Wyden is a liberal who holds one of the most powerful posts in the Senate. He was elected to the chamber in 1996 after serving in the House since 1981, where he represented a district that includes parts of Portland. “While it is clear that Customs and Border Protection faces pressing issues,” he said in the statement, “as the senior senator from Oregon, I am unable to advance this nominee until DHS and DOJ gives Oregonians some straight answers about what it was up to in Portland last year, and who was responsible.” The move by Wyden comes as the flow of migrants across the country’s southern border has surpassed the peak levels of recent years. The Border Patrol, which is part of Customs and Border Protection, caught migrants crossing into the country more than 178,000 times without documentation in June, the most apprehensions since April 2000. The administration is planning for how it will lift a public health order put in place at the beginning of the pandemic, which it has used to turn back migrants at the border more than 1 million times. Lifting that order will further increase the number of people trying to get into the country, raising the sense of urgency to get a permanent leader in place at Customs and Border Protection. “Given the continuing humanitarian crisis at the border, there is an urgent need for his leadership and expertise,” members of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force, a group of local law enforcement officials that supports an immigration overhaul, wrote of Magnus in an open letter Wednesday. A year ago, as the protests in Portland stretched on throughout the presidential campaign, Biden said Trump was using “egregious tactics” to address the unrest in Portland. “Homeland Security agents — without a clearly defined mandate or authority — are ranging far from federal property, stripped of badges and insignia and identifying markings, to detain people,” Biden said in a statement at the time. “They are brutally attacking peaceful protesters, including a U.S. Navy veteran.” Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., has placed a hold on the nomination of Magnus and several other homeland security officials until, he said last week, “we can actually get the Biden administration to lay out what their policy is going to be and what they’re going to do to be able to actually enforce the law.” That kind of move is typical of senators who are not in the president’s party, but interference from an ally of the president is not. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security said the agency responded to Wyden privately last week and “looks forward to working with him to resolve his concerns.” Keith Chu, a spokesperson for Wyden, said the department had provided only “partial” answers to the senator’s questions. A Justice Department spokesperson said Wednesday that the agency was working with Wyden’s office on his requests. According to a White House official, the administration is hopeful that the Senate will cooperate with plans to move forward with Magnus’ nomination. Downtown Portland was shuttered for weeks last summer because of people protesting against police violence after a white Minneapolis police officer killed Floyd, an unarmed Black man, on May 25. While the shooting prompted protests around the country, demonstrations in downtown Portland outlasted those in most other cities. Positioning himself as a law-and-order president, Trump described the city as lawless, filled with “anarchists” who “hate our country.” And he praised the actions of armed federal officers from multiple agencies who fired tear gas into crowds and pulled protesters into unmarked vans. Among the officers deployed to Portland were members of a special tactical team from Customs and Border Protection that is typically deployed for operations against drug smuggling. Doing so only incensed the protesters, who had been raising concerns that fascism was on the rise in the United States. “The uncoordinated deployment of poorly trained federal law enforcement in Oregon, and in other parts of the country, must never occur again,” Wyden wrote in a June 9 letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. An inspector general report released in April found that the Homeland Security Department had the authority to send federal officers to Portland but did not properly prepare them or coordinate with other agencies. While the report addressed some of Wyden’s questions, he is seeking additional answers about who led the agents on the ground and whether they were identifiable, with badges and uniforms. He has also asked what guidance, if any, the officers were given about how to interact with protesters and members of the media. And he has asked for a list of equipment that federal officers used while deployed in Portland. Wyden has also asked about the deployment of federal officers to Portland hours after Biden’s inauguration. Mayorkas began a departmentwide review in March of the decisions that led to the agency’s involvement in the Portland protests. The review is seeking “to ensure that all DHS law enforcement personnel receive appropriate training and operate pursuant to policies in keeping with best practices and law,” said Marsha Espinosa, a department spokesperson. She said the agency “is committed to respecting the rights of all individuals who peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms of speech and assembly.” In May, Biden revoked a Trump-era executive order that had paved the way for federal law enforcement officers to descend on Portland with the stated goal of protecting federal buildings and property.

Democratic Senator is bottling up Biden’s border nominee

Nearly three years after Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s tumultuous confirmation to the Supreme Court, the FBI has disclosed more details about its efforts to review the justice’s background, leading a group of Senate Democrats to question the thoroughness of the vetting and conclude that it was shaped largely by the Trump White House.

In a letter dated June 30 to two Democratic senators, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Chris Coons of Delaware, an FBI assistant director, Jill C. Tyson, said that the most “relevant” of the 4,500 tips the agency received during an investigation into Kavanaugh’s past were referred to White House lawyers in the Trump administration, whose handling of them remains unclear.

The letter left uncertain whether the FBI itself followed up on the most compelling leads. The agency was conducting a background check rather than a criminal investigation, meaning that “the authorities, policies, and procedures used to investigate criminal matters did not apply,” the letter said.

Tyson’s letter was a response to a 2019 letter from Whitehouse and Coons to the FBI director, Christopher A. Wray, posing questions about how the FBI’s review of Kavanaugh was handled.

In an interview, Whitehouse said the FBI’s response showed that the FBI’s handling of the accusations into misconduct by Kavanaugh was a sham. Tyson’s letter, Whitehouse said, suggested that the FBI ran a “fake tip line that never got properly reviewed, that was presumably not even conducted in good faith.”

Whitehouse and six of his Democratic colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee replied to the FBI’s letter on Wednesday with demands for additional details on the agreement with the White House that governed the inquiry. They also pressed for more information on how incoming tips were handled.

“Your letter confirms that the FBI’s tip line was a departure from past practice and that the FBI was politically constrained by the Trump White House,” the senators wrote. Among those signing the letter were Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the committee’s chair, Coons and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.

Donald McGahn, the White House’s general counsel at the time, and the FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Former President Donald Trump has long taken credit for Kavanaugh’s confirmation, which was almost derailed over allegations by a California professor that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her during a high school gathering in the early 1980s.

Despite widespread concern over the claims — which were followed by other allegations of sexual misconduct, all of which Kavanaugh has consistently denied — Trump steadfastly backed the judge. He deployed McGahn to shepherd Kavanaugh through the unusually fraught confirmation, which culminated in a heated, daylong hearing in September of 2018.

Both Christine Blasey Ford, the professor who said she was assaulted, and Kavanaugh were grilled by senators on the Judiciary Committee.

In a recent interview with author Michael Wolff, Trump put his handling of Kavanaugh into stark terms, asking “Where would he be without me? I saved his life.”

But in addition to offering shows of support, the Trump White House carefully controlled the investigations into Kavanaugh’s past. After Ford came forward, Trump’s staff tried to limit the number of people the FBI interviewed as part of that probe. Only after an outcry from Democrats over the president’s approach did the administration say the agency could conduct a more open investigation.

Ultimately, 10 witnesses were interviewed by the FBI, according to the FBI’s recent letter. Ford and Kavanaugh themselves were never interviewed by the FBI.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who signed Wednesday’s letter to the FBI, called the process “an injustice in fact orchestrated by the White House under Donald Trump, an injustice that frankly was a disservice to the FBI.”

Nearly three years after Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s tumultuous confirmation to the Supreme Court, the FBI has disclosed more details about its efforts to review the justice’s background, leading a group of Senate Democrats to question the thoroughness of the vetting and conclude that it was shaped largely by the Trump White House.

Nearly three years after Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s tumultuous confirmation to the Supreme Court, the FBI has disclosed more details about its efforts to review the justice’s background, leading a group of Senate Democrats to question the thoroughness of the vetting and conclude that it was shaped largely by the Trump White House. In a letter dated June 30 to two Democratic senators, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Chris Coons of Delaware, an FBI assistant director, Jill C. Tyson, said that the most “relevant” of the 4,500 tips the agency received during an investigation into Kavanaugh’s past were referred to White House lawyers in the Trump administration, whose handling of them remains unclear. The letter left uncertain whether the FBI itself followed up on the most compelling leads. The agency was conducting a background check rather than a criminal investigation, meaning that “the authorities, policies, and procedures used to investigate criminal matters did not apply,” the letter said. Tyson’s letter was a response to a 2019 letter from Whitehouse and Coons to the FBI director, Christopher A. Wray, posing questions about how the FBI’s review of Kavanaugh was handled. In an interview, Whitehouse said the FBI’s response showed that the FBI’s handling of the accusations into misconduct by Kavanaugh was a sham. Tyson’s letter, Whitehouse said, suggested that the FBI ran a “fake tip line that never got properly reviewed, that was presumably not even conducted in good faith.” Whitehouse and six of his Democratic colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee replied to the FBI’s letter on Wednesday with demands for additional details on the agreement with the White House that governed the inquiry. They also pressed for more information on how incoming tips were handled. “Your letter confirms that the FBI’s tip line was a departure from past practice and that the FBI was politically constrained by the Trump White House,” the senators wrote. Among those signing the letter were Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the committee’s chair, Coons and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey. Donald McGahn, the White House’s general counsel at the time, and the FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Former President Donald Trump has long taken credit for Kavanaugh’s confirmation, which was almost derailed over allegations by a California professor that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her during a high school gathering in the early 1980s. Despite widespread concern over the claims — which were followed by other allegations of sexual misconduct, all of which Kavanaugh has consistently denied — Trump steadfastly backed the judge. He deployed McGahn to shepherd Kavanaugh through the unusually fraught confirmation, which culminated in a heated, daylong hearing in September of 2018. Both Christine Blasey Ford, the professor who said she was assaulted, and Kavanaugh were grilled by senators on the Judiciary Committee. In a recent interview with author Michael Wolff, Trump put his handling of Kavanaugh into stark terms, asking “Where would he be without me? I saved his life.” But in addition to offering shows of support, the Trump White House carefully controlled the investigations into Kavanaugh’s past. After Ford came forward, Trump’s staff tried to limit the number of people the FBI interviewed as part of that probe. Only after an outcry from Democrats over the president’s approach did the administration say the agency could conduct a more open investigation. Ultimately, 10 witnesses were interviewed by the FBI, according to the FBI’s recent letter. Ford and Kavanaugh themselves were never interviewed by the FBI. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who signed Wednesday’s letter to the FBI, called the process “an injustice in fact orchestrated by the White House under Donald Trump, an injustice that frankly was a disservice to the FBI.”

Details on FBI Inquiry into Kavanaugh draw fire from Democrats

<div>Mount Etna, which has been erupting regularly since February, has left thousands of towns in Sicily facing bankruptcy.</div>

The disposal of ash is subject to a premium of approximately €20 (£17) a cubic meter in Italy since it is considered special refuse.

<div>
Boris Behncke, a volcanologist at Catania's National Institute of Geophysics, says Etna spews tens of thousands of cubic metres of ash with each eruption, adding that it is a serious issue for municipalities.

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mount-etna-volcano-erupts-covering-nearby-town-in-ash-367556/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Monday, Italian authorities had to allocate €5m to compensate a number of villages struggling to pay for cinder removal, which costs up to €1m for every eruption.

Council official Alfio Previtera, representing the town of Giarre, one of the most affected by Etna's ash, described the situation as "very serious." He says that everything is covered in ash - streets, squares, rooftops, balconies, and cars.&nbsp;

In the town of Giarre, more than 25,000 tons of ash have fallen since March, forcing a lot of people to use umbrellas to protect themselves.

To cope with this emergency, many towns have built up massive debts, said Previtera. adding that they are at the brink of a financial collapse.

Last week, the Senate enacted legislation de-classifying ash as special waste, so as to prevent the villages from going bankrupt.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mount-etnas-red-lava-illuminates-night-sky-388019/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The law allows ash to be used in agriculture, and for other purposes like to make the soil more fertile, or in construction to act as a cement or filler.&nbsp;

Silvio Grasso, engineer and head of Giarre's civil protection, says the law will result in significant reductions in disposal costs.&nbsp;

However, the problem persists as Etna which has been erupting since February is not yet finished erupting.

In Catania, researchers studying the ash have found that it appears to reflect the "primitive magma" that comes from the mountain's deep core and has a higher concentration of gas, explaining the eruption's unusual heights of 2,000 metres.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-mount-etna-erupts-in-spectacular-manner-364436">In Pics: Mount Etna erupts in spectacular manner</a>
There are thousands of residents and farmers living and working on the volcano, who are enduring a near-constant rain of cinders. A meeting has been proposed to discuss the inconvenience the citizens are experiencing.&nbsp;

After the Italian government earlier this month lifted the requirement to wear protective masks against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, local authorities have once again recommended wearing them outdoors for protection against ash.
</div>

Mount Etna, which has been erupting regularly since February, has left thousands of towns in Sicily facing bankruptcy. The disposal of ash is subject to a premium of approximately €20 (£17) a cubic meter in Italy since it is considered special refuse.

Mount Etna, which has been erupting regularly since February, has left thousands of towns in Sicily facing bankruptcy. The disposal of ash is subject to a premium of approximately €20 (£17) a cubic meter in Italy since it is considered special refuse. Boris Behncke, a volcanologist at Catania's National Institute of Geophysics, says Etna spews tens of thousands of cubic metres of ash with each eruption, adding that it is a serious issue for municipalities. On Monday, Italian authorities had to allocate €5m to compensate a number of villages struggling to pay for cinder removal, which costs up to €1m for every eruption. Council official Alfio Previtera, representing the town of Giarre, one of the most affected by Etna's ash, described the situation as "very serious." He says that everything is covered in ash - streets, squares, rooftops, balconies, and cars. In the town of Giarre, more than 25,000 tons of ash have fallen since March, forcing a lot of people to use umbrellas to protect themselves. To cope with this emergency, many towns have built up massive debts, said Previtera. adding that they are at the brink of a financial collapse. Last week, the Senate enacted legislation de-classifying ash as special waste, so as to prevent the villages from going bankrupt. The law allows ash to be used in agriculture, and for other purposes like to make the soil more fertile, or in construction to act as a cement or filler. Silvio Grasso, engineer and head of Giarre's civil protection, says the law will result in significant reductions in disposal costs. However, the problem persists as Etna which has been erupting since February is not yet finished erupting. In Catania, researchers studying the ash have found that it appears to reflect the "primitive magma" that comes from the mountain's deep core and has a higher concentration of gas, explaining the eruption's unusual heights of 2,000 metres. Also read | In Pics: Mount Etna erupts in spectacular manner There are thousands of residents and farmers living and working on the volcano, who are enduring a near-constant rain of cinders. A meeting has been proposed to discuss the inconvenience the citizens are experiencing. After the Italian government earlier this month lifted the requirement to wear protective masks against COVID-19, local authorities have once again recommended wearing them outdoors for protection against ash.

Clean-up costs from Etna threaten to bankrupt several Sicilian towns

Pyongyang sweltered on Wednesday as state media issued warnings about a heatwave across&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea.

This summer the country has recorded higher-than-average temperatures that are hovering around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in the capital.

Residents strolling Pyongyang's main streets on Wednesday beat the heat with umbrellas and hand-held fans. Some cooled off by eating a bowl of shaved ice with sweet toppings, a traditional summer dessert.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pictures-heatwaves-strike-around-the-world-scientists-say-expect-more-156821">In pictures: Heatwaves strike around the world, scientists say expect more</a>

Despite the sizzling climate, everyone sweated it out in face masks to prevent the spread of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>.

Most homes in impoverished&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;do not have air conditioning, with data suggesting that only a quarter of the population has access to electricity.

State media has issued a series of warnings about the dangerously high temperatures over the past week.

"Officials and working people in all the fields and regions across the country have turned out in the campaign for preventing the damage from fierce heat and drought," the Rodong Sinmun newspaper said last week.

The paper added that forestry officials should be on the lookout for wildfires, and agricultural workers should watch out for pests and other heat-related crop damage.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/use-superior-language-not-souths-slang-kim-jong-uns-north-korea-warns-young-people-399036">Use 'superior' language, not South's slang: Kim Jong-un's North Korea warns young people</a>

A health official told state-run KCTV last week that&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;expected another heatwave at the end of the month.

Natural disasters tend to have a greater impact on the country due to its weak infrastructure, while deforestation has left it vulnerable to flooding.

A series of typhoons last summer triggered floods that damaged farmland and destroyed thousands of homes.

Last month,&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted that the country's food supply situation was "getting tense" due to the lingering typhoon damage, and called for steps to minimise the impact of natural disasters.

Pyongyang sweltered on Wednesday as state media issued warnings about a heatwave across North Korea. This summer the country has recorded higher-than-average temperatures that are hovering around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in the capital.

Pyongyang sweltered on Wednesday as state media issued warnings about a heatwave across North Korea. This summer the country has recorded higher-than-average temperatures that are hovering around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in the capital. Residents strolling Pyongyang's main streets on Wednesday beat the heat with umbrellas and hand-held fans. Some cooled off by eating a bowl of shaved ice with sweet toppings, a traditional summer dessert. Also read | In pictures: Heatwaves strike around the world, scientists say expect more Despite the sizzling climate, everyone sweated it out in face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Most homes in impoverished North Korea do not have air conditioning, with data suggesting that only a quarter of the population has access to electricity. State media has issued a series of warnings about the dangerously high temperatures over the past week. "Officials and working people in all the fields and regions across the country have turned out in the campaign for preventing the damage from fierce heat and drought," the Rodong Sinmun newspaper said last week. The paper added that forestry officials should be on the lookout for wildfires, and agricultural workers should watch out for pests and other heat-related crop damage. Also read | Use 'superior' language, not South's slang: Kim Jong-un's North Korea warns young people A health official told state-run KCTV last week that North Korea expected another heatwave at the end of the month. Natural disasters tend to have a greater impact on the country due to its weak infrastructure, while deforestation has left it vulnerable to flooding. A series of typhoons last summer triggered floods that damaged farmland and destroyed thousands of homes. Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted that the country's food supply situation was "getting tense" due to the lingering typhoon damage, and called for steps to minimise the impact of natural disasters.

North Korea's capital swelters in heatwave

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