Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi, on Monday met President of United National General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-have-succeeded-in-internationalising-the-issue-of-kashmir-claims-imran-in-national-address-245851">discussed the Kashmir issue</a>, reported Express Tribune.

This comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in France and conveyed to him that revoking Article 370 was India's internal matter and no step has been taken by New Delhi that in any manner threatens regional peace.

Lodhi's meeting is yet another attempt at flogging a dead horse by Islamabad as the country has found itself completely isolated despite desperate attempts aimed at internationalising the issue India has categorically apprised Pakistan that revoking of the article, which left the neighbour rattled, is an "internal matter".&nbsp;

Following the Indian decision, Pakistan had sent its foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to China to seek its help at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging for an emergency meeting on the issue.&nbsp;

However, four out of five permanent members in the United Nations did not support Pakistan's contentions over India's decision.

Cash-strapped Pakistan has also alleged that India's decision of revoking the provisions under Article 370 will not only threaten the regional peace but also the world peace and further downgraded its diplomatic ties with its neighbour and suspended bilateral trade in the wake of it.

Islamabad has been snubbed on all fronts as the international community has made it clear that the Kashmir issue is strictly New Delhi's internal matter.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi, on Monday met President of United National General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa and discussed the Kashmir issue, reported Express Tribune.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi, on Monday met President of United National General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa and discussed the Kashmir issue, reported Express Tribune. This comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in France and conveyed to him that revoking Article 370 was India's internal matter and no step has been taken by New Delhi that in any manner threatens regional peace. Lodhi's meeting is yet another attempt at flogging a dead horse by Islamabad as the country has found itself completely isolated despite desperate attempts aimed at internationalising the issue India has categorically apprised Pakistan that revoking of the article, which left the neighbour rattled, is an "internal matter". Following the Indian decision, Pakistan had sent its foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to China to seek its help at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging for an emergency meeting on the issue. However, four out of five permanent members in the United Nations did not support Pakistan's contentions over India's decision. Cash-strapped Pakistan has also alleged that India's decision of revoking the provisions under Article 370 will not only threaten the regional peace but also the world peace and further downgraded its diplomatic ties with its neighbour and suspended bilateral trade in the wake of it. Islamabad has been snubbed on all fronts as the international community has made it clear that the Kashmir issue is strictly New Delhi's internal matter.

Pakistan envoy to United Nations meets UNGA President, discusses Kashmir issue

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-foreign-minister-javad-zarif-makes-surprise-visit-to-g7-summit-245580">Zarif kicked off his Asian tour</a> in Beijing on Monday, presenting a 25-year plan to cement Iran's ties with its biggest Asian trading partner amid biting US sanctions.

In Beijing, Zarif met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and said the pair had discussed a 25-year road map to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

China has continued to purchase Iranian crude despite sanctions.

"We reject actions of interference by others in the affairs of progressive countries including Iran and China," China's foreign minister told reporters after the meeting with Zarif.

"We have stood together in dealing with these interventions and interferences and rejecting them as a major threat to international peace and security and friendly relations among countries."

Zarif's Asian tour -- which also includes stopovers in Japan and Malaysia -- comes fresh on the heels of a surprise visit to the G7 summit in France over the weekend.

The summit in Biarritz saw a dramatic shift of focus when Zarif flew in at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the diplomatic deadlock on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

Iran's top diplomat didn't meet US President Donald Trump, French diplomats said, but the presence of the two men in the same place at least sparked hopes of detente.&nbsp;

Zarif was a key architect of the 2015 nuclear deal reached between Iran, the United States, European powers, Russia and China.&nbsp;

Trump's policy of applying "maximum pressure" on Tehran via crippling sanctions has been criticised by European powers and China and is seen as raising the risk of conflict in the Middle East.

In July, the US government imposed heavy sanctions seeking to hamper Zarif's travel, and effectively banning him from the United States.

Zarif tweeted that he was heading to Japan and Malaysia in the next leg of his Asian tour without offering details.

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif kicked off his Asian tour in Beijing on Monday, presenting a 25-year plan to cement Iran's ties with its biggest Asian trading partner amid biting US sanctions.

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif kicked off his Asian tour in Beijing on Monday, presenting a 25-year plan to cement Iran's ties with its biggest Asian trading partner amid biting US sanctions. In Beijing, Zarif met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and said the pair had discussed a 25-year road map to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. China has continued to purchase Iranian crude despite sanctions. "We reject actions of interference by others in the affairs of progressive countries including Iran and China," China's foreign minister told reporters after the meeting with Zarif. "We have stood together in dealing with these interventions and interferences and rejecting them as a major threat to international peace and security and friendly relations among countries." Zarif's Asian tour -- which also includes stopovers in Japan and Malaysia -- comes fresh on the heels of a surprise visit to the G7 summit in France over the weekend. The summit in Biarritz saw a dramatic shift of focus when Zarif flew in at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the diplomatic deadlock on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme. Iran's top diplomat didn't meet US President Donald Trump, French diplomats said, but the presence of the two men in the same place at least sparked hopes of detente. Zarif was a key architect of the 2015 nuclear deal reached between Iran, the United States, European powers, Russia and China. Trump's policy of applying "maximum pressure" on Tehran via crippling sanctions has been criticised by European powers and China and is seen as raising the risk of conflict in the Middle East. In July, the US government imposed heavy sanctions seeking to hamper Zarif's travel, and effectively banning him from the United States. Zarif tweeted that he was heading to Japan and Malaysia in the next leg of his Asian tour without offering details.

Iran's foreign minister meets China's Wang Yi, discusses 25-year road map to strengthen economic cooperation between two countries

Pyongyang appears to be developing warheads to penetrate a ballistic missile shield defending Japan, the country's defence chief said on Tuesday, pointing to the irregular trajectories of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launches-short-range-missiles-again-complicating-us-attempts-for-talks-245221">latest missiles launched by North Korea</a>.

Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya told a news conference that Japan believes the rockets were a new short-range ballistic missile, according to a ministry spokesman who confirmed his comments carried by domestic media.

Recent short-range missile tests by Pyongyang have stoked alarm in neighbouring Japan even as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-has-really-good-relationship-with-north-korea-245245">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> has dismissed the launches as unimportant.

Saturday's test firings came a day after Seoul said it was ending a military intelligence-sharing pact with Tokyo, amid a worsening spat over wartime forced labour.

Iwaya and other Japanese officials called Seoul's decision "irrational" as the threat posed by North Korea grows.

Japan and the United States have Aegis destroyers deployed in the Sea of Japan armed with interceptor missiles designed to destroy warheads in space. Japan also plans to build two land-based Aegis batteries to bolster its ballistic missile shield.

Those defence systems, however, are designed to counter projectiles on regular and therefore, predictable, trajectories, and any variation in flight path would make interception trickier.

Detailed analysis of the latest North Korean launches was underway with the United States, an official of South Korea's defence ministry said on Tuesday.

Pyongyang appears to be developing warheads to penetrate a ballistic missile shield defending Japan, the country's defence chief said on Tuesday, pointing to the irregular trajectories of the latest missiles launched by North Korea.

Pyongyang appears to be developing warheads to penetrate a ballistic missile shield defending Japan, the country's defence chief said on Tuesday, pointing to the irregular trajectories of the latest missiles launched by North Korea. Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya told a news conference that Japan believes the rockets were a new short-range ballistic missile, according to a ministry spokesman who confirmed his comments carried by domestic media. Recent short-range missile tests by Pyongyang have stoked alarm in neighbouring Japan even as US President Donald Trump has dismissed the launches as unimportant. Saturday's test firings came a day after Seoul said it was ending a military intelligence-sharing pact with Tokyo, amid a worsening spat over wartime forced labour. Iwaya and other Japanese officials called Seoul's decision "irrational" as the threat posed by North Korea grows. Japan and the United States have Aegis destroyers deployed in the Sea of Japan armed with interceptor missiles designed to destroy warheads in space. Japan also plans to build two land-based Aegis batteries to bolster its ballistic missile shield. Those defence systems, however, are designed to counter projectiles on regular and therefore, predictable, trajectories, and any variation in flight path would make interception trickier. Detailed analysis of the latest North Korean launches was underway with the United States, an official of South Korea's defence ministry said on Tuesday.

North Korea developing warheads to penetrate missile defences: Japan

Edgar Fernandez keeps a mariachi suit in a rusty wardrobe at the public hospital in Caracas where he works as a nurse, donning it for performances that augment his meagre salary.

Given that he earns just $10 a month, the money from these shows has been his salvation in crisis-wracked Venezuela, where nurses have been forced to reinvent themselves as home entrepreneurs, security guards or builders just to survive.

Being a nurse in Venezuela is an almost impossible job these days: the country has seen an exodus of the profession, leaving those who remain short of colleagues and contending with problems such as major shortages of medical supplies and devastating electricity blackouts.

"A nurse's salary is worth nothing," Fernandez told AFP, saying the money he earns from a 12-hour shift "can't buy anything."

When a show clashes with his work shift, he has to pay a colleague to cover for him, meaning that his earnings -- which are not always money -- shrink.

"Sometimes they pay me... with flour, lentils... I prefer this to going home empty-handed," said the 40-year-old, who practically lives in the Perez Carreno hospital, sleeping on a dirty mattress since he cannot afford rent.

Decked out in his silver-lined outfit, Fernandez sings in bars and homes, and is even sometimes hired by former patients.

He saved up to record an album, which he peddles to radio stations. His hope is to one day find fame.

Home-made hairspray

Francis Guillen makes hairspray that she sells in Caracas's busy Catia market as she battles, like most Venezuelans, to make ends meet in a country whose inflation will reach a staggering one million per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund.

"If I didn't have another job, I don't know what would have become of me," said the 30-year-old nurse, who in a single day selling hairspray can earn the equivalent of her monthly salary.

Sometimes her father, also a nurse, helps her mix the chemicals in a bucket in her front room.

Her husband, who gave up his job as a fireman, also helps out with the business.

Guillen is tempted to resign from her job, but says the desire "to serve" her compatriots is keeping her from joining the 3.3 million people the United Nations estimates have left Venezuela since the start of 2016.

But since June 2018, 15,000 members of her profession -- or around 40 per cent -- quit and many of those emigrated, according to Ana Rosario Contreras, president of the Nurses College of Caracas, which has called for salaries to be paid in dollars to halt the exodus.

'In love' with nursing&nbsp;

By day, Carlos Ruiz works as a security guard for a metallurgy company and also does odd jobs.

The 42-year-old says he does "what's needed to survive."

But despite saving up as much as he can, he hasn't been able to buy a new nurse uniform for the last four years: he needs 10 months of salary for that.

He also has to deal with the scarcity of hospital supplies -- up to 80 per cent in some sectors, according to NGOs -- which President Nicolas Maduro blames on an economic war waged by the United States at the invitation of the opposition.

"There's no lack of those who accuse us of stealing medicines," according to Ruiz, who said he is "in love" with a job that allowed him to be present at the births of his four children.

In some hospitals, a single nurse has to look after up to four patients, something those in the profession decry as "labour persecution."

Working to save lives

Repeated major electricity blackouts have also taken their toll on the medical sector, knocking out power to hospitals -- many of which do not have working generators -- with potentially deadly consequences for patients.

Camilo Torres sells pastries and ice cream in his home in the southern state of Bolivar and goes to work at the local hospital on foot because of the lack of public transport. It takes him two hours.

Facebook photos attest to the toll his struggles have taken on his body: three years ago, he weighed 120 kilograms (264 pounds), but now weighs just 65 (143 pounds).

"I'm skinny and that's due to hunger," said the father of three, who wears broken shoes.

A neighbour helped him sew them up because a new pair costs three times his salary.

He can't even afford socks and his once white uniform looks yellow -- for Torres, detergent is a luxury.

But he won't give up.

"My job is to save lives. If there's no one in the hospital then I'm sure that if today 10 people die, tomorrow it will be 50 and that pain would never leave me," he said.

Edgar Fernandez keeps a mariachi suit in a rusty wardrobe at the public hospital in Caracas where he works as a nurse, donning it for performances that augment his meagre salary.

Edgar Fernandez keeps a mariachi suit in a rusty wardrobe at the public hospital in Caracas where he works as a nurse, donning it for performances that augment his meagre salary. Given that he earns just $10 a month, the money from these shows has been his salvation in crisis-wracked Venezuela, where nurses have been forced to reinvent themselves as home entrepreneurs, security guards or builders just to survive. Being a nurse in Venezuela is an almost impossible job these days: the country has seen an exodus of the profession, leaving those who remain short of colleagues and contending with problems such as major shortages of medical supplies and devastating electricity blackouts. "A nurse's salary is worth nothing," Fernandez told AFP, saying the money he earns from a 12-hour shift "can't buy anything." When a show clashes with his work shift, he has to pay a colleague to cover for him, meaning that his earnings -- which are not always money -- shrink. "Sometimes they pay me... with flour, lentils... I prefer this to going home empty-handed," said the 40-year-old, who practically lives in the Perez Carreno hospital, sleeping on a dirty mattress since he cannot afford rent. Decked out in his silver-lined outfit, Fernandez sings in bars and homes, and is even sometimes hired by former patients. He saved up to record an album, which he peddles to radio stations. His hope is to one day find fame. Home-made hairspray Francis Guillen makes hairspray that she sells in Caracas's busy Catia market as she battles, like most Venezuelans, to make ends meet in a country whose inflation will reach a staggering one million per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. "If I didn't have another job, I don't know what would have become of me," said the 30-year-old nurse, who in a single day selling hairspray can earn the equivalent of her monthly salary. Sometimes her father, also a nurse, helps her mix the chemicals in a bucket in her front room. Her husband, who gave up his job as a fireman, also helps out with the business. Guillen is tempted to resign from her job, but says the desire "to serve" her compatriots is keeping her from joining the 3.3 million people the United Nations estimates have left Venezuela since the start of 2016. But since June 2018, 15,000 members of her profession -- or around 40 per cent -- quit and many of those emigrated, according to Ana Rosario Contreras, president of the Nurses College of Caracas, which has called for salaries to be paid in dollars to halt the exodus. 'In love' with nursing By day, Carlos Ruiz works as a security guard for a metallurgy company and also does odd jobs. The 42-year-old says he does "what's needed to survive." But despite saving up as much as he can, he hasn't been able to buy a new nurse uniform for the last four years: he needs 10 months of salary for that. He also has to deal with the scarcity of hospital supplies -- up to 80 per cent in some sectors, according to NGOs -- which President Nicolas Maduro blames on an economic war waged by the United States at the invitation of the opposition. "There's no lack of those who accuse us of stealing medicines," according to Ruiz, who said he is "in love" with a job that allowed him to be present at the births of his four children. In some hospitals, a single nurse has to look after up to four patients, something those in the profession decry as "labour persecution." Working to save lives Repeated major electricity blackouts have also taken their toll on the medical sector, knocking out power to hospitals -- many of which do not have working generators -- with potentially deadly consequences for patients. Camilo Torres sells pastries and ice cream in his home in the southern state of Bolivar and goes to work at the local hospital on foot because of the lack of public transport. It takes him two hours. Facebook photos attest to the toll his struggles have taken on his body: three years ago, he weighed 120 kilograms (264 pounds), but now weighs just 65 (143 pounds). "I'm skinny and that's due to hunger," said the father of three, who wears broken shoes. A neighbour helped him sew them up because a new pair costs three times his salary. He can't even afford socks and his once white uniform looks yellow -- for Torres, detergent is a luxury. But he won't give up. "My job is to save lives. If there's no one in the hospital then I'm sure that if today 10 people die, tomorrow it will be 50 and that pain would never leave me," he said.

Venezuela nurses turn to side jobs to survive economic crisis

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said she <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-campaigner-greta-prepares-to-sail-to-the-us-to-avoid-flying-242767">expects to arrive in New York on Tuesday</a>, completing her zero-carbon Atlantic crossing on a yacht.

The Malizia II racing yacht -- skippered by Pierre Casiraghi, the son of Monaco's Princess Caroline, and German round-the-world sailor Boris Herrmann -- left Plymouth in southern England on August 14 for a two-week voyage in order to enable the Swedish teen to attend a UN summit on zero emissions in September in New York.

The 16-year-old, whose school strikes have inspired children across the world to protest against global warming, refuses to fly because of the carbon emissions caused by planes.

On Monday, the sailboat was nearing the US coast with strong downwinds.

"Strong winds are pushing us west. We expect to arrive at North Cove Marina in Manhattan, New York sometime Tuesday afternoon or evening," Thunberg wrote on Twitter.

In a video post published late Sunday, she said the boat was travelling at "between 20 and 25 knots" and it was "very rough, and very high waves."

The teen marked the first anniversary of the start of her school strike on August 20.

She began sitting outside the Swedish parliament in August 2018 to raise the awareness of members of parliament to the urgency of climate change.

She was swiftly joined by other students around the world, as word of her strike spread through the media, and the "Fridays for future" movement was born.

The 18-metre yacht features state-of-the-art solar panels on its deck and sides while there are two hydro-generators which together provide all the electricity needed on board.

Her voyage has however sparked controversy after a spokesman for Herrmann, the yacht's co-skipper, told Berlin newspaper TAZ that several people would fly into New York to help take the yacht back to Europe. Hermann himself will also return by plane, according to the spokesman.

Team Malizia's manager insisted however that the young activist's journey would be climate neutral, as the flights would "be offset."

Thunberg has meanwhile said that she doesn't yet know how she will return to Europe when the time comes.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said she expects to arrive in New York on Tuesday, completing her zero-carbon Atlantic crossing on a yacht. The Malizia II racing yacht -- skippered by Pierre Casiraghi, the son of Monaco's Princess Caroline, and German round-the-world sailor Boris Herrmann -- left Plymouth in southern England on August 14 for a two-week voyage in order to enable the Swedish teen to attend a UN summit on zero emissions in September in New York.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said she expects to arrive in New York on Tuesday, completing her zero-carbon Atlantic crossing on a yacht. The Malizia II racing yacht -- skippered by Pierre Casiraghi, the son of Monaco's Princess Caroline, and German round-the-world sailor Boris Herrmann -- left Plymouth in southern England on August 14 for a two-week voyage in order to enable the Swedish teen to attend a UN summit on zero emissions in September in New York. The 16-year-old, whose school strikes have inspired children across the world to protest against global warming, refuses to fly because of the carbon emissions caused by planes. On Monday, the sailboat was nearing the US coast with strong downwinds. "Strong winds are pushing us west. We expect to arrive at North Cove Marina in Manhattan, New York sometime Tuesday afternoon or evening," Thunberg wrote on Twitter. In a video post published late Sunday, she said the boat was travelling at "between 20 and 25 knots" and it was "very rough, and very high waves." The teen marked the first anniversary of the start of her school strike on August 20. She began sitting outside the Swedish parliament in August 2018 to raise the awareness of members of parliament to the urgency of climate change. She was swiftly joined by other students around the world, as word of her strike spread through the media, and the "Fridays for future" movement was born. The 18-metre yacht features state-of-the-art solar panels on its deck and sides while there are two hydro-generators which together provide all the electricity needed on board. Her voyage has however sparked controversy after a spokesman for Herrmann, the yacht's co-skipper, told Berlin newspaper TAZ that several people would fly into New York to help take the yacht back to Europe. Hermann himself will also return by plane, according to the spokesman. Team Malizia's manager insisted however that the young activist's journey would be climate neutral, as the flights would "be offset." Thunberg has meanwhile said that she doesn't yet know how she will return to Europe when the time comes.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg's yacht due in New York on Tuesday

Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday said that the United States should take the ''first step'' by lifting all sanctions, news agency AFP reported.

"Tehran has never wanted nuclear weapons," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television, adding that the country was always ready to hold talks.

"But first the US should act by lifting all illegal, unjust and unfair sanctions imposed on Iran," he added.

"We will continue to scale back our commitments under the 2015 deal if our interests are not guaranteed," news agency Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump said earlier that he was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-ready-to-meet-iranian-leader-rouhani-raising-hopes-of-breakthrough-245861">prepared to meet his Iranian counterpart</a> within weeks, after talks about Tehran's nuclear programme at the G7 summit in France.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had made a surprise appearance on the sidelines of the summit in Biarritz on Sunday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron said the "conditions for a meeting" between Trump and Rouhani "in the next few weeks" had been created through intensive diplomacy and consultations.

"If the circumstances were correct, I would certainly agree to that," Trump said at a press conference with Macron at the end of three days of talks.

Asked if he thought the timeline proposed by his French counterpart was realistic, Trump replied, "It does", adding he thought Rouhani would also be in favour.&nbsp;

"I think he's going to want to meet. I think Iran wants to get this situation straightened out," he added.

Trump has put in place a policy of "maximum pressure" on Tehran over its disputed nuclear programme via crippling sanctions that are seen as raising the risk of conflict in the Middle East.

The US president last year unilaterally pulled out of a landmark 2015 international deal that placed limits on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for trade, investment and sanctions relief.

(With inputs from Reuters/AFP)

Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday said that the United States should take the ''first step'' by lifting all sanctions, news agency AFP reported. "Tehran has never wanted nuclear weapons," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television, adding that the country was always ready to hold talks.

Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday said that the United States should take the ''first step'' by lifting all sanctions, news agency AFP reported. "Tehran has never wanted nuclear weapons," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television, adding that the country was always ready to hold talks. "But first the US should act by lifting all illegal, unjust and unfair sanctions imposed on Iran," he added. "We will continue to scale back our commitments under the 2015 deal if our interests are not guaranteed," news agency Reuters reported. US President Donald Trump said earlier that he was prepared to meet his Iranian counterpart within weeks, after talks about Tehran's nuclear programme at the G7 summit in France. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had made a surprise appearance on the sidelines of the summit in Biarritz on Sunday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron said the "conditions for a meeting" between Trump and Rouhani "in the next few weeks" had been created through intensive diplomacy and consultations. "If the circumstances were correct, I would certainly agree to that," Trump said at a press conference with Macron at the end of three days of talks. Asked if he thought the timeline proposed by his French counterpart was realistic, Trump replied, "It does", adding he thought Rouhani would also be in favour. "I think he's going to want to meet. I think Iran wants to get this situation straightened out," he added. Trump has put in place a policy of "maximum pressure" on Tehran over its disputed nuclear programme via crippling sanctions that are seen as raising the risk of conflict in the Middle East. The US president last year unilaterally pulled out of a landmark 2015 international deal that placed limits on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for trade, investment and sanctions relief. (With inputs from Reuters/AFP)

Iran President Hassan Rouhani says no talks with US unless sanctions lifted

ESports star Myint was on the cusp of victory when the screens went dark in the Yangon cafe where he competes, costing him thousands of dollars in missed prize-money and denting his reputation.&nbsp;

Myanmar's gaming scene is mushrooming, but frequent power cuts are holding players back in the emerging democracy.&nbsp;

"Every time a black-out happens, we curse out the electricity corporation -- and it happens often," he told AFP.

More than 60 per cent of people in Myanmar still live without reliable electricity after a political transition in 2010 that sought to pull in foreign investment after decades of junta rule.

That includes getting in on the global explosion in eSports, a billion-dollar industry that will be a medal event in the Southeast Asian Games in November for the first time.

But Myanmar is at risk of missing out with power cuts, few personal computers and a dearth of resources to support travel and competition abroad holding homegrown champions back.

Myint Myat Zaw, a 21-year-old player also known as "Insane", said he has lost about 40 matches due to blackouts, making it difficult to earn a slot abroad where cash prizes are now in the tens of millions of dollars.&nbsp;

He plays Dota 2, which in Shanghai hosted its equivalent of the champions league this weekend, boasting a record $34.3 million prize pool.

But Dota 2 tournaments are rare in Myanmar, he said, making it difficult for him to earn a living from the game.&nbsp;

"The last three years was the hardest period of my career...I lived in a game shop and was also short on food," he told AFP.

Anywhere, anytime

For gamers, a dingy internet cafe has long been the typical venue to battle it out with players from other countries.

But that has started to change as cheap SIM cards hit the markets and smartphone use soars.

Mobile penetration stood at just seven per cent in 2012, but demand has skyrocketed and the figure now sits at more than 80 per cent.

Players competing on mobiles can stay logged on when local grids go dark.

"We can play anywhere, anytime," said Myint Myat Aung, a mobile gamer who competes on PlayerUnknown's Battleground (PUBG) for Singapore-based eSports team Impunity. &nbsp;

It is also cheaper.

"We only have phone bills which don't cost very much," he told AFP.

Last month, Impunity, with more than 400 other teams, took part in a PUBG tournament hosted by Samsung Galaxy at a Yangon mall.

Staring into smartphones, players took down their opponents with sniper rifles, the action projected onto a large screen as spectators cheered.&nbsp;

The prize pool for the tournament was around $7,000, an immense sum in a country where the average income is less than $1,300 a year.

Impunity's country manager Brian Min Sett said the increasing value of winnings was a sign of growth as "our country doesn't have many high-prize tournaments."

Myanmar, like other developing countries, is at "a serious disadvantage" compared to its neighbours, said Jeremy Jackson, market analyst for eSports research firm NewZoo.&nbsp;

"Access to stable electricity and internet are crucial when it comes to competitive gaming," Jackson told AFP.&nbsp;

"Undoubtedly, greater smartphone penetration will allow more people access to the mobile competitive gaming landscape."

Myanmar legends?

In a country that has produced few international athletic stars, eSports offers players away into a global community and a chance to make a steady salary, especially for those competing in ultra-popular mobile games.

"They can make their own living just by competing in tournaments," said Kaung Myat San, co-founder of the HOG e-sports centre in Yangon.&nbsp;

Myanmar's sporting authorities lack funding, so HOG plans to send 16 athletes to represent Myanmar in the Southeast Asia games -- including Myint Myat Zaw, who was scooped up as a salaried player earlier this year.&nbsp;

Both Dota 2 and Mobile Legend - a fantasy battle game designed for smartphones with more than 3 million users in Myanmar - will be part of the competition.

After years of struggling to eke out a living playing for people wishing to boost their scores, Myint Myat Zaw said he was "proud" to now be representing Myanmar.&nbsp;

"Although there is more pressure, it makes me keen to do better," he said.

ESports star Myint was on the cusp of victory when the screens went dark in the Yangon cafe where he competes, costing him thousands of dollars in missed prize-money and denting his reputation.

ESports star Myint was on the cusp of victory when the screens went dark in the Yangon cafe where he competes, costing him thousands of dollars in missed prize-money and denting his reputation. Myanmar's gaming scene is mushrooming, but frequent power cuts are holding players back in the emerging democracy. "Every time a black-out happens, we curse out the electricity corporation -- and it happens often," he told AFP. More than 60 per cent of people in Myanmar still live without reliable electricity after a political transition in 2010 that sought to pull in foreign investment after decades of junta rule. That includes getting in on the global explosion in eSports, a billion-dollar industry that will be a medal event in the Southeast Asian Games in November for the first time. But Myanmar is at risk of missing out with power cuts, few personal computers and a dearth of resources to support travel and competition abroad holding homegrown champions back. Myint Myat Zaw, a 21-year-old player also known as "Insane", said he has lost about 40 matches due to blackouts, making it difficult to earn a slot abroad where cash prizes are now in the tens of millions of dollars. He plays Dota 2, which in Shanghai hosted its equivalent of the champions league this weekend, boasting a record $34.3 million prize pool. But Dota 2 tournaments are rare in Myanmar, he said, making it difficult for him to earn a living from the game. "The last three years was the hardest period of my career...I lived in a game shop and was also short on food," he told AFP. Anywhere, anytime For gamers, a dingy internet cafe has long been the typical venue to battle it out with players from other countries. But that has started to change as cheap SIM cards hit the markets and smartphone use soars. Mobile penetration stood at just seven per cent in 2012, but demand has skyrocketed and the figure now sits at more than 80 per cent. Players competing on mobiles can stay logged on when local grids go dark. "We can play anywhere, anytime," said Myint Myat Aung, a mobile gamer who competes on PlayerUnknown's Battleground (PUBG) for Singapore-based eSports team Impunity. It is also cheaper. "We only have phone bills which don't cost very much," he told AFP. Last month, Impunity, with more than 400 other teams, took part in a PUBG tournament hosted by Samsung Galaxy at a Yangon mall. Staring into smartphones, players took down their opponents with sniper rifles, the action projected onto a large screen as spectators cheered. The prize pool for the tournament was around $7,000, an immense sum in a country where the average income is less than $1,300 a year. Impunity's country manager Brian Min Sett said the increasing value of winnings was a sign of growth as "our country doesn't have many high-prize tournaments." Myanmar, like other developing countries, is at "a serious disadvantage" compared to its neighbours, said Jeremy Jackson, market analyst for eSports research firm NewZoo. "Access to stable electricity and internet are crucial when it comes to competitive gaming," Jackson told AFP. "Undoubtedly, greater smartphone penetration will allow more people access to the mobile competitive gaming landscape." Myanmar legends? In a country that has produced few international athletic stars, eSports offers players away into a global community and a chance to make a steady salary, especially for those competing in ultra-popular mobile games. "They can make their own living just by competing in tournaments," said Kaung Myat San, co-founder of the HOG e-sports centre in Yangon. Myanmar's sporting authorities lack funding, so HOG plans to send 16 athletes to represent Myanmar in the Southeast Asia games -- including Myint Myat Zaw, who was scooped up as a salaried player earlier this year. Both Dota 2 and Mobile Legend - a fantasy battle game designed for smartphones with more than 3 million users in Myanmar - will be part of the competition. After years of struggling to eke out a living playing for people wishing to boost their scores, Myint Myat Zaw said he was "proud" to now be representing Myanmar. "Although there is more pressure, it makes me keen to do better," he said.

Armed with smartphones, Myanmar e-sports players battle power outages

Indian shares rose for a third straight session on Tuesday, as sentiment was boosted by easing global trade war worries and expectations of additional stimulus supported by a huge dividend from the Reserve Bank of India.

The broader NSE Nifty was up 0.49% at 11,110.20 as of 0409 GMT, while the benchmark BSE Sensex was 0.38% higher at 37,625.

The government is set to receive a much higher-than-expected dividend of 1.76 trillion rupees ($24.62 billion) from the central bank, allowing the administration to provide a wobbling economy additional fiscal stimulus.

"Markets may now consolidate and choose to look at what the government will do with the money," said Saurabh Jain, assistant vice-president of research at SMC Global Securities in New Delhi.

"It is essential to see where this money will go and which pockets will benefit, given the state of the economy."

Markets have gained on the back of the government's move to roll back a recently announced tax surcharge on foreign and domestic equity investors, speed up capital infusion to state-run banks and support the beleaguered domestic auto industry.

The India volatility index plummeted as much as 13.42% on Tuesday.

Broader Asian shares tracked global stocks higher as signs of easing hostilities between the United States and China restored investor confidence.

The Nifty PSU bank index, tracking state-owned banks, gained as much as 2.13%, with State Bank of India rising about 2.3%.

Tata Motors Ltd was the top gainer among the Nifty stocks, rising as much as 2.89%, while Tata Steel Ltd gained as much as 3.76%.

Among the few losers on the NSE Nifty were IT stocks, weighed down by a decline in the rupee to 71.83 rupees per dollar vs last close of 72.03 rupees.

Tata Consultancy Ltd and Infosys Ltd fell as much as 1.24% and 1.76%, respectively.

Indian shares rose for a third straight session on Tuesday, as sentiment was boosted by easing global trade war worries and expectations of additional stimulus supported by a huge dividend from the Reserve Bank of India.

Indian shares rose for a third straight session on Tuesday, as sentiment was boosted by easing global trade war worries and expectations of additional stimulus supported by a huge dividend from the Reserve Bank of India. The broader NSE Nifty was up 0.49% at 11,110.20 as of 0409 GMT, while the benchmark BSE Sensex was 0.38% higher at 37,625. The government is set to receive a much higher-than-expected dividend of 1.76 trillion rupees ($24.62 billion) from the central bank, allowing the administration to provide a wobbling economy additional fiscal stimulus. "Markets may now consolidate and choose to look at what the government will do with the money," said Saurabh Jain, assistant vice-president of research at SMC Global Securities in New Delhi. "It is essential to see where this money will go and which pockets will benefit, given the state of the economy." Markets have gained on the back of the government's move to roll back a recently announced tax surcharge on foreign and domestic equity investors, speed up capital infusion to state-run banks and support the beleaguered domestic auto industry. The India volatility index plummeted as much as 13.42% on Tuesday. Broader Asian shares tracked global stocks higher as signs of easing hostilities between the United States and China restored investor confidence. The Nifty PSU bank index, tracking state-owned banks, gained as much as 2.13%, with State Bank of India rising about 2.3%. Tata Motors Ltd was the top gainer among the Nifty stocks, rising as much as 2.89%, while Tata Steel Ltd gained as much as 3.76%. Among the few losers on the NSE Nifty were IT stocks, weighed down by a decline in the rupee to 71.83 rupees per dollar vs last close of 72.03 rupees. Tata Consultancy Ltd and Infosys Ltd fell as much as 1.24% and 1.76%, respectively.

Sensex and Nifty rise on trade optimism, hopes of more stimulus

Asian stocks rose in step with their global peers while safe-haven bonds retreated on Tuesday, as signs Sino-US trade hostilities might be easing for now helped restore investor confidence after the previous session's rout.

Supporting the market mood, US President Donald Trump on Monday flagged the possibility of a trade deal with China and said he believed Beijing was sincere in its desire to reach an agreement. Global markets had been roiled at the start of the week by new tariffs from the world's two largest economies.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.3% after dropping 1.3% the previous day.

The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 1%.

South Korea's KOSPI added 0.8% and Japan's Nikkei rose 1.1%.

Equity markets may have found traction for now but the longer-term outlook for risk assets, buffeted repeatedly by trade concerns, remained shaky.

"There is still a large element of uncertainty regarding the US-China trade dispute. It remains difficult to foresee a resolution, and this will continue to weigh on equity market sentiment," said Shusuke Yamada, chief Japan FX and equity strategist at Bank Of America Merrill Lynch.

"Apart from the trade war, the equity markets also have to keep an eye on Brexit proceedings, monetary policy of key players such as the European Central Bank and moves in the Chinese yuan."

China's onshore yuan nudged down to a fresh 11-year low of 7.1566 per dollar.

China has allowed the tightly-managed yuan to slide some 3.6% so far this month as trade tensions with the United States worsened. This has triggered fears of a global currency war, in which countries try to weaken their currencies in an attempt to soften the blows of a broader economic slowdown. "It is clear that the trade conflict between the United States and China is getting ever more serious. The two may still opt to negotiate, but prospects for a quick resolution have diminished greatly as neither side can back down," said Yoshimasa Maruyama, chief market economist at SMBC Nikko Securities.

"The trade conflict only increases the torment on the global economy."

The dollar held gains made the previous day helped by a rebound in US Treasury yields.

The dollar index versus a basket of six major currencies stood at 97.990, having risen about 0.5% overnight.

The benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield was at 1.523%, pulled back from a three-year low of 1.443% reached on Monday on the back of wide-spread risk aversion.

The Japanese 10-year government bond yield was up 2.5 basis points at minus 0.255% after plumbing minus 0.285% on Monday, its lowest since July 2016.

The greenback traded at 105.770 yen following a 0.7% gain on Monday, when it had brushed an eight-month low of 104.460. The euro was effectively flat at $1.1104 after losing 0.4% on Monday.

The Australian dollar, sensitive to developments in China, Australia's largest trading partner, was steady at $0.6773 following a gain of 0.3% the previous day.

Crude oil prices recovered some ground as the broader markets stabilised, trimming some of their significant losses the previous day on the prospect of crude from Iran, currently facing sanctions, hitting the market.

Brent crude futures were up 0.46% at $58.97 per barrel after losing 1% the previous day. US crude rose 0.6% to $53.96 per barrel.

Oil prices fell on Monday after French President Emmanuel Macron said preparations were underway for a meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and President Trump in the coming weeks to find a solution to a nuclear standoff.

Asian stocks rose in step with their global peers while safe-haven bonds retreated on Tuesday, as signs Sino-US trade hostilities might be easing for now helped restore investor confidence after the previous session's rout.

Asian stocks rose in step with their global peers while safe-haven bonds retreated on Tuesday, as signs Sino-US trade hostilities might be easing for now helped restore investor confidence after the previous session's rout. Supporting the market mood, US President Donald Trump on Monday flagged the possibility of a trade deal with China and said he believed Beijing was sincere in its desire to reach an agreement. Global markets had been roiled at the start of the week by new tariffs from the world's two largest economies. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.3% after dropping 1.3% the previous day. The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 1%. South Korea's KOSPI added 0.8% and Japan's Nikkei rose 1.1%. Equity markets may have found traction for now but the longer-term outlook for risk assets, buffeted repeatedly by trade concerns, remained shaky. "There is still a large element of uncertainty regarding the US-China trade dispute. It remains difficult to foresee a resolution, and this will continue to weigh on equity market sentiment," said Shusuke Yamada, chief Japan FX and equity strategist at Bank Of America Merrill Lynch. "Apart from the trade war, the equity markets also have to keep an eye on Brexit proceedings, monetary policy of key players such as the European Central Bank and moves in the Chinese yuan." China's onshore yuan nudged down to a fresh 11-year low of 7.1566 per dollar. China has allowed the tightly-managed yuan to slide some 3.6% so far this month as trade tensions with the United States worsened. This has triggered fears of a global currency war, in which countries try to weaken their currencies in an attempt to soften the blows of a broader economic slowdown. "It is clear that the trade conflict between the United States and China is getting ever more serious. The two may still opt to negotiate, but prospects for a quick resolution have diminished greatly as neither side can back down," said Yoshimasa Maruyama, chief market economist at SMBC Nikko Securities. "The trade conflict only increases the torment on the global economy." The dollar held gains made the previous day helped by a rebound in US Treasury yields. The dollar index versus a basket of six major currencies stood at 97.990, having risen about 0.5% overnight. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield was at 1.523%, pulled back from a three-year low of 1.443% reached on Monday on the back of wide-spread risk aversion. The Japanese 10-year government bond yield was up 2.5 basis points at minus 0.255% after plumbing minus 0.285% on Monday, its lowest since July 2016. The greenback traded at 105.770 yen following a 0.7% gain on Monday, when it had brushed an eight-month low of 104.460. The euro was effectively flat at $1.1104 after losing 0.4% on Monday. The Australian dollar, sensitive to developments in China, Australia's largest trading partner, was steady at $0.6773 following a gain of 0.3% the previous day. Crude oil prices recovered some ground as the broader markets stabilised, trimming some of their significant losses the previous day on the prospect of crude from Iran, currently facing sanctions, hitting the market. Brent crude futures were up 0.46% at $58.97 per barrel after losing 1% the previous day. US crude rose 0.6% to $53.96 per barrel. Oil prices fell on Monday after French President Emmanuel Macron said preparations were underway for a meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and President Trump in the coming weeks to find a solution to a nuclear standoff.

Asia stocks, bond yields climb as trade war fears ebb

Oil prices rose on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump predicted a trade deal with China after positive comments by Beijing, calming nerves after a round of tit-for-tat tariff hikes had sent markets reeling.

Brent crude was up by 25 cents, or 0.4%, at $58.95 a barrel by 0214 GMT, after falling 1% in the previous session, dropping for the third day in a row.

US crude was up by 30 cents or 0.6% at $53.94 a barrel, having also dropped 1% on Monday for the fourth day of declines.

Trump on Monday said he believed China was sincere about wanting to reach a deal, while Chinese Vice Premier Liu He said China was willing to resolve the dispute through "calm" negotiations, settling global markets.

"For now, the street is in thrall to the President's comments, with financial markets doing abrupt changes of direction on his words that wouldn't look out of place in Fast and the Furious film," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA.

Oil prices have fallen around 20% from 2019 high reached in April, in part because of worries that the US-China trade conflict is hurting the global economy, which could dent demand for oil.

China's Commerce Ministry said last week it would impose additional tariffs of 5% or 10% on a total of 5,078 products originating from the United States, including crude oil, agricultural products and small aircraft.

In retaliation, Trump said he was ordering US companies to look at ways to close operations in China and make products in the United States.

"Unless you believe a trade deal will happen the slowdown in the global economy continues ... and earnings all over the globe will be under pressure," said Greg McKenna, strategist at McKenna Macro.

The measures are prompting reactions from Chinese companies, with Sinopec seeking a tariff exemption for importing US oil in the coming months, sources told Reuters.

Meanwhile, US crude oil and gasoline inventories likely fell last week, while distillate stockpiles rose, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday.

Five analysts polled by Reuters estimated, on average, that crude inventories fell 2.1 million barrels in the week to August 23.

Oil prices rose on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump predicted a trade deal with China after positive comments by Beijing, calming nerves after a round of tit-for-tat tariff hikes had sent markets reeling.

Oil prices rose on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump predicted a trade deal with China after positive comments by Beijing, calming nerves after a round of tit-for-tat tariff hikes had sent markets reeling. Brent crude was up by 25 cents, or 0.4%, at $58.95 a barrel by 0214 GMT, after falling 1% in the previous session, dropping for the third day in a row. US crude was up by 30 cents or 0.6% at $53.94 a barrel, having also dropped 1% on Monday for the fourth day of declines. Trump on Monday said he believed China was sincere about wanting to reach a deal, while Chinese Vice Premier Liu He said China was willing to resolve the dispute through "calm" negotiations, settling global markets. "For now, the street is in thrall to the President's comments, with financial markets doing abrupt changes of direction on his words that wouldn't look out of place in Fast and the Furious film," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA. Oil prices have fallen around 20% from 2019 high reached in April, in part because of worries that the US-China trade conflict is hurting the global economy, which could dent demand for oil. China's Commerce Ministry said last week it would impose additional tariffs of 5% or 10% on a total of 5,078 products originating from the United States, including crude oil, agricultural products and small aircraft. In retaliation, Trump said he was ordering US companies to look at ways to close operations in China and make products in the United States. "Unless you believe a trade deal will happen the slowdown in the global economy continues ... and earnings all over the globe will be under pressure," said Greg McKenna, strategist at McKenna Macro. The measures are prompting reactions from Chinese companies, with Sinopec seeking a tariff exemption for importing US oil in the coming months, sources told Reuters. Meanwhile, US crude oil and gasoline inventories likely fell last week, while distillate stockpiles rose, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday. Five analysts polled by Reuters estimated, on average, that crude inventories fell 2.1 million barrels in the week to August 23.

Oil rises as US-China trade comments calm markets

The Brazilian government has rejected G7 aid of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-pledges-millions-to-help-fight-amazon-fires-245803">20 million euros to fight Amazon fires</a>, news agency AFP reported&nbsp;on Tuesday.

"We appreciate (the offer), but maybe those resources are more relevant to reforest Europe,"&nbsp;Onyx Lorenzoni, chief of staff to President Jair Bolsonaro, told the G1 news website.

"Macron cannot even avoid a foreseeable fire in a church that is a world heritage site. What does he intend to teach our country?" Lorenzoni continued, referring to the fire in April that devastated the Notre-Dame cathedral.

Brazilian Environment Minister Ricardo Salles had earlier told reporters they had welcomed the G7 funding to fight the fires.

But after a meeting between Bolsonaro and his ministers, the Brazilian government changed course.

The G7 has agreed to spend 20 million euros on the Amazon, mainly to send firefighting aircraft to tackle the huge blazes engulfing many parts of the world's biggest rainforest.

The initiative was announced after G7 leaders meeting in the resort of Biarritz held talks on the environment, focusing on the record number of fires destroying chunks of the Amazon.

The Amazon rainforest, which produces about 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere's oxygen, is burning from wildfires at a record rate and has drawn international attention.

Watch:&nbsp;G7 Nations extend help for Amazon

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g7-nations-extend-help-for-amazon-245815/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Environmental activists have been staging protests at Brazilian embassies worldwide and&nbsp;accusing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of supporting&nbsp;farmers who are burning the rainforest to expand farming land.

On Saturday, the Brazilian&nbsp;authorities deployed troops&nbsp;in an attempt to fight the environmental disaster.

(With inputs from AFP)

The Brazilian government has rejected G7 aid of 20 million euros to fight Amazon fires, news agency AFP reported on Tuesday. "We appreciate (the offer), but maybe those resources are more relevant to reforest Europe," Onyx Lorenzoni, chief of staff to President Jair Bolsonaro, told the G1 news website.

The Brazilian government has rejected G7 aid of 20 million euros to fight Amazon fires, news agency AFP reported on Tuesday. "We appreciate (the offer), but maybe those resources are more relevant to reforest Europe," Onyx Lorenzoni, chief of staff to President Jair Bolsonaro, told the G1 news website. "Macron cannot even avoid a foreseeable fire in a church that is a world heritage site. What does he intend to teach our country?" Lorenzoni continued, referring to the fire in April that devastated the Notre-Dame cathedral. Brazilian Environment Minister Ricardo Salles had earlier told reporters they had welcomed the G7 funding to fight the fires. But after a meeting between Bolsonaro and his ministers, the Brazilian government changed course. The G7 has agreed to spend 20 million euros on the Amazon, mainly to send firefighting aircraft to tackle the huge blazes engulfing many parts of the world's biggest rainforest. The initiative was announced after G7 leaders meeting in the resort of Biarritz held talks on the environment, focusing on the record number of fires destroying chunks of the Amazon. The Amazon rainforest, which produces about 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere's oxygen, is burning from wildfires at a record rate and has drawn international attention. Watch: G7 Nations extend help for Amazon Environmental activists have been staging protests at Brazilian embassies worldwide and accusing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of supporting farmers who are burning the rainforest to expand farming land. On Saturday, the Brazilian authorities deployed troops in an attempt to fight the environmental disaster. (With inputs from AFP)

Brazil rejects G7 aid of 20 million euros to fight Amazon fires

An unmanned spacecraft carrying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russia-launches-humanoid-robot-fedor-to-assist-astronauts-on-international-space-station-245141">Russia's first humanoid robot</a> to be sent into orbit successfully docked at the International Space Station on Tuesday, following a failed attempt over the weekend.

"Contact confirmed, capture confirmed," a commentator on NASA TV said.

The lifesize robot named Fedor -- short for Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research -- copies human movements, a key skill that allows it to help carry out tasks remotely.

It blasted off Thursday in a Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft from a Russian spaceport in southern Kazakhstan and is due to stay on the ISS until September 7, learning to assist astronauts in the space station.

An aborted docking on Saturday had increased uncertainty over the future of Russia's space programme, which has suffered a number of recent setbacks.

NASA said Saturday the craft had been "unable to lock onto its target at the station," and had "backed a safe distance away from the orbital complex while the Russian flight controllers assess the next steps".

Russian flight controllers had told the ISS crew it appeared the problem that prevented automated docking was in the station and not the spacecraft, NASA added.

Soyuz ships are normally manned on such trips, but this time no humans were travelling in order to test a new emergency rescue system.

Fedor is not the first robot to go into space. In 2011, NASA sent up Robonaut 2, a humanoid developed with General Motors that had a similar aim of working in high-risk environments.

It was flown back to Earth in 2018 after experiencing technical problems.

In 2013, Japan sent up a small robot called Kirobo along with the ISS's first Japanese space commander. Developed with Toyota, it was able to hold conversations -- albeit only in Japanese.

The International Space Station has been orbiting Earth at about 28,000 kilometres per hour&nbsp;since 1998.

Last October, a Soyuz rocket carrying an American and a Russian had to make an emergency landing shortly after lift-off -- the first failure in the history of manned Russian flights.

An unmanned spacecraft carrying Russia's first humanoid robot to be sent into orbit successfully docked at the International Space Station on Tuesday, following a failed attempt over the weekend.

An unmanned spacecraft carrying Russia's first humanoid robot to be sent into orbit successfully docked at the International Space Station on Tuesday, following a failed attempt over the weekend. "Contact confirmed, capture confirmed," a commentator on NASA TV said. The lifesize robot named Fedor -- short for Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research -- copies human movements, a key skill that allows it to help carry out tasks remotely. It blasted off Thursday in a Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft from a Russian spaceport in southern Kazakhstan and is due to stay on the ISS until September 7, learning to assist astronauts in the space station. An aborted docking on Saturday had increased uncertainty over the future of Russia's space programme, which has suffered a number of recent setbacks. NASA said Saturday the craft had been "unable to lock onto its target at the station," and had "backed a safe distance away from the orbital complex while the Russian flight controllers assess the next steps". Russian flight controllers had told the ISS crew it appeared the problem that prevented automated docking was in the station and not the spacecraft, NASA added. Soyuz ships are normally manned on such trips, but this time no humans were travelling in order to test a new emergency rescue system. Fedor is not the first robot to go into space. In 2011, NASA sent up Robonaut 2, a humanoid developed with General Motors that had a similar aim of working in high-risk environments. It was flown back to Earth in 2018 after experiencing technical problems. In 2013, Japan sent up a small robot called Kirobo along with the ISS's first Japanese space commander. Developed with Toyota, it was able to hold conversations -- albeit only in Japanese. The International Space Station has been orbiting Earth at about 28,000 kilometres per hour since 1998. Last October, a Soyuz rocket carrying an American and a Russian had to make an emergency landing shortly after lift-off -- the first failure in the history of manned Russian flights.

Spacecraft carrying Russian humanoid robot docks at International Space Station

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