To prepare for the next mission to Mars in 2020, NASA has taken to the lava fields of Iceland to get its new robotic space explorer ready for the job. With its black basalt sand, wind-swept dunes and craggy peaks, the Lambahraun lava field at the foot of Iceland's second biggest glacier, Langjokull, was chosen as a stand-in for the Red Planet's surface.

To prepare for the next mission to Mars in 2020, NASA has taken to the lava fields of Iceland to get its new robotic space explorer ready for the job. With its black basalt sand, wind-swept dunes and craggy peaks, the Lambahraun lava field at the foot of Iceland's second biggest glacier, Langjokull, was chosen as a stand-in for the Red Planet's surface. For three weeks, 15 scientists and engineers sent by the US space agency descended on the site, 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the capital, Reykjavik, last month to develop a prototype. It will aim to continue the work of the "Curiosity" rover, which has been exploring Mars since 2012 in search of signs of ancient life and making preparations for human exploration. Experts say that Iceland, a volcanic island in the middle of the North Atlantic, is in many ways reminiscent of the fourth planet from the Sun. "It's a very good analogue for Mars exploration and learning how to drive Mars rovers," said Adam Deslauriers, manager of space and education, at Canada's Mission Control Space Services. The company has been commissioned by NASA to test a rover prototype as part of the SAND-E (Semi-Autonomous Navigation for Detrital Environments) project. 'Indestructible' The prototype is a small, electric vehicle with white panels and an orange chassis. It has a four-wheel-drive propelled by two motors and is powered by 12 small car batteries stacked inside. "This rover we have is indestructible," Deslauriers told AFP. "The rovers that we have on Mars and the Moon would be a lot more sensitive to the environment and conditions of Iceland. "A Moon rover is completely unprepared for rain," he added, just as a rain shower swept in. Equipped with sensors, a computer, a dual-lens camera and controlled remotely, the rover moves its approximately 570 kilograms (1,257 pounds) at a leisurely speed of about 20 centimetres (7.9 inches) per second. The speed needs to be slow to enable the rover to collect data and imagery properly, Mark Vandermeulen, a robotics engineer at Mission Control Space Services, said. The meagre pace on the lava field is still two to four times faster than the speed it will be driving at its extraterrestrial destination. Transmitting from Mars to Earth Utilising its sensors and camera, the rover gathers and classifies data from its environment and sends back the findings to the engineers' trailer. The engineers then package the data and forward it to a tent where the scientists are huddled, to simulate how the data would be sent from Mars to Earth. The rover exploring Iceland is just a prototype for the one that will be going to Mars next year. That one, which has yet to be named, will also be able to collect samples and store them in tubes to be brought back to Earth by future missions. As the prototype isn't capable of doing this, researchers walk to the area studied, armed with radiometers and other equipment, to collect all the data samples that the finished rover would be able to do. 'Similar to Mars' The sites are selected to study how the chemical composition and physical properties of the sand and rocks change as they move from the glacier to a nearby river. Before Mars became an inhospitable frozen desert with an average temperature of minus 63 degrees C (minus 81.4 degrees F), scientists believe that the planet shared many of the characteristics of the subarctic island. "The mineralogy in Iceland is very similar to what we would find on Mars," Ryan Ewing, associate professor of geology at Texas A&M University, said. In particular, Ewing referred to minerals such as olivine and pyroxenes, both dark so-called mafic rocks, which have also been found on Mars. "In addition to that, we don't have much vegetation, it's cold and we have some of the environments like sand dunes and rivers and glaciers that Mars has evidence of in the past," Ewing said. Iceland has previously been used as a training ground for NASA missions. During the Apollo mission years, 32 astronauts in the mid-1960s received geological training in the Askja lava fields and near the Krafla crater in the north of the country. The setting allows NASA to test equipment and procedures, as well as the people performing them, in extreme environments while remaining on terra firma. Mission Control says it is planning to return to Iceland next summer before the launch of the next Mars rover mission, scheduled between July 17 and August 5, 2020.

NASA descends on Icelandic lava field to prepare for Mars

The bodies of a&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean&nbsp;defector&nbsp;and&nbsp;her&nbsp;young&nbsp;son&nbsp;have been&nbsp;found&nbsp;in their apartment,&nbsp;Seoul&nbsp;police&nbsp;said Tuesday,&nbsp;with local media reporting they appeared to have died of starvation.

The mother, only identified by the surname Han, and&nbsp;her&nbsp;six-year-old&nbsp;son&nbsp;were&nbsp;found&nbsp;on July 31, about two months after their deaths, authorities said.

"We did not see any signs of murder or suicide," an officer at&nbsp;Seoul's Gwanak&nbsp;Police Station&nbsp;told AFP.

"We are waiting to get the autopsy results from the National Forensic Service."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-sacks-army-commander-over-north-korea-defector-boat-232730">Defectors in South&nbsp;Korea</a>&nbsp;are eligible for subsidies from the authorities, but some struggle to integrate into the South's very different society.

Han, believed to be in&nbsp;her&nbsp;40s, withdrew the 3,858 won (US$3.16) she had in&nbsp;her&nbsp;bank account two months ago, according to the South's Dong-A Ilbo newspaper.

Her&nbsp;monthly rent and gas bills were more than a year overdue, it reported, and there was no food in&nbsp;her&nbsp;fridge when the bodies were&nbsp;found.

The newspaper said she had defected to the South via China and Thailand in 2009, later marrying a Korean-Chinese man and moving to China. After a divorce, she returned to&nbsp;Seoul&nbsp;last year with&nbsp;her&nbsp;son but had difficulty finding work.

The bodies of a North Korean defector and her young son have been found in their apartment, Seoul police said Tuesday, with local media reporting they appeared to have died of starvation.

The bodies of a North Korean defector and her young son have been found in their apartment, Seoul police said Tuesday, with local media reporting they appeared to have died of starvation. The mother, only identified by the surname Han, and her six-year-old son were found on July 31, about two months after their deaths, authorities said. "We did not see any signs of murder or suicide," an officer at Seoul's Gwanak Police Station told AFP. "We are waiting to get the autopsy results from the National Forensic Service." Defectors in South Korea are eligible for subsidies from the authorities, but some struggle to integrate into the South's very different society. Han, believed to be in her 40s, withdrew the 3,858 won (US$3.16) she had in her bank account two months ago, according to the South's Dong-A Ilbo newspaper. Her monthly rent and gas bills were more than a year overdue, it reported, and there was no food in her fridge when the bodies were found. The newspaper said she had defected to the South via China and Thailand in 2009, later marrying a Korean-Chinese man and moving to China. After a divorce, she returned to Seoul last year with her son but had difficulty finding work.

North Korea defector and her son found dead: Seoul police

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in the United States have discovered a cache of some 25 guns and 10,000 bullets after arresting a teenager who made online comments supporting mass shootings.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in the United States have discovered a cache of some 25 guns and 10,000 bullets after arresting a teenager who made online comments supporting mass shootings. In a complaint filed Monday, the FBI charged Boardman, Ohio resident Justin Olsen with threatening to assault a federal law enforcement officer after he posted on an online forum: "In conclusion, shoot every federal agent on sight". The 18-year-old's account on the iFunny website, a forum where users share memes had approximately 4,400 subscribers. He had previously made posts supporting mass shootings and targeting family planning and reproductive rights group Planned Parenthood, the complaint said. After searching his father's house, agents found around 15 assault rifles and shotguns and 10 semi-automatic pistols inside the bedroom of Olsen's father, along with the ammunition. Agents also found "camouflage clothing and camouflaged backpacks," according to the complaint. Olsen admitted to making the online comments, the complaint said, but insisted they were "only a joke" and were made in regards to the controversial 1993 standoff in Waco, Texas. The Branch Davidians religious sect held off federal authorities attempting to arrest their members on weapons charges until the FBI eventually launched an assault and used tear gas. A fire engulfed the sect's compound and 76 people died Olsen's arrest came a week after back-to-back massacres killed 31 people in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, sparking calls for lawmakers to limit the availability of firearms and reduce the carnage from gun violence in the United States.

Online commenter supported mass shootings, stockpiled weapons: Federal Bureau of Investigation

WG Grace and Don Bradman may be spinning in their graves at the news an English cricket club have switched to using a vegan ball from the traditional leather one.

Earley Cricket Club in Reading a town 64 kilometres west of London had already introduced a vegan tea for their players.

That was down to their founder and chairman Gary Shacklady who found most cricket club teas consisted of ham sandwiches, not much use to him when he became a vegan.

Now they have gone the full hog and introduced a vegan cricket ball -- a synthetic animal products-free one covered in rubber instead of leather. &nbsp;

"It does behave like a leather cricket ball, but it bounces more and it's more difficult to grip," Shacklady told the Daily Mail.

"But we're enthused by it and we're hopeful of finding a better version."

Shacklady, who founded the club 12 years ago and at 33 is the youngest cricket club chairman in England, is hoping other clubs in their Berkshire Cricket League will follow their lead.

The school teacher says there was not much opposition when he proposed switching the tea to a vegan menu two years ago.

Ham and beef sandwiches have been replaced by the likes of Moroccan tagine, lasagne and meat-free spaghetti Bolognese.&nbsp;

"The teas have been well received as our players understand and support the reasoning behind the decision," said Shacklady, who set up the club 12 years ago.

"When other teams come to us, they pile their plates high.

"And when they eat food, nobody complains.

"Although you usually get one middle-aged white man who is horrified –- it's fine, he doesn’t have to eat it. But the point is that everyone can."

WG Grace and Don Bradman may be spinning in their graves at the news an English cricket club have switched to using a vegan ball from the traditional leather one.

WG Grace and Don Bradman may be spinning in their graves at the news an English cricket club have switched to using a vegan ball from the traditional leather one. Earley Cricket Club in Reading a town 64 kilometres west of London had already introduced a vegan tea for their players. That was down to their founder and chairman Gary Shacklady who found most cricket club teas consisted of ham sandwiches, not much use to him when he became a vegan. Now they have gone the full hog and introduced a vegan cricket ball -- a synthetic animal products-free one covered in rubber instead of leather. "It does behave like a leather cricket ball, but it bounces more and it's more difficult to grip," Shacklady told the Daily Mail. "But we're enthused by it and we're hopeful of finding a better version." Shacklady, who founded the club 12 years ago and at 33 is the youngest cricket club chairman in England, is hoping other clubs in their Berkshire Cricket League will follow their lead. The school teacher says there was not much opposition when he proposed switching the tea to a vegan menu two years ago. Ham and beef sandwiches have been replaced by the likes of Moroccan tagine, lasagne and meat-free spaghetti Bolognese. "The teas have been well received as our players understand and support the reasoning behind the decision," said Shacklady, who set up the club 12 years ago. "When other teams come to us, they pile their plates high. "And when they eat food, nobody complains. "Although you usually get one middle-aged white man who is horrified –- it's fine, he doesn’t have to eat it. But the point is that everyone can."

English cricket club switches to vegan ball from traditional leather one

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-order-to-stop-lone-wolf-attackers-nations-must-unitenato-chief-241075">The gunman&nbsp;accused&nbsp;of killing 51 people in&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand</a>&nbsp;has handwritten a&nbsp;letter&nbsp;from&nbsp;jail&nbsp;expressing his political and social views, prompting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-utterly-disagrees-with-trump-tweets-on-congresswomen-236470">Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern </a>to say that should never have been allowed, media said on Wednesday.

The&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;Herald had an image of the six-page&nbsp;letter&nbsp;and envelope&nbsp;from&nbsp;the alleged mosque shooter, Brenton Tarrant, sent&nbsp;from&nbsp;Auckland Prison, which was posted&nbsp;online&nbsp;on the controversial imageboard 4chan.

It was said to have been in response to a&nbsp;letter&nbsp;sent to him by a person named Alan who is said to live in Russia.

"I think every&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealander would have an expectation that this individual should not be able to share his hateful message&nbsp;from&nbsp;behind bars," Ardern was quoted telling reporters in Tuvalu, where she is attending the Pacific Islands Forum.

"Obviously, this is an offender who has a very specific goal in mind, in terms of sharing his propaganda, so we should have been prepared for that."

Prisoners are allowed to send and receive mail and prison directors can only withhold it in certain circumstances.

"We have made changes to the management of this prisoner's mail to ensure that our robust processes are as effective as we need them to be,"&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand's Department of Corrections said in a statement quoted in the paper.

The&nbsp;letter&nbsp;mentioned a visit by Tarrant to Russia four years ago, media said.

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;site&nbsp;Newshub said the last two lines of the&nbsp;letter&nbsp;could be read as a call to arms but blanked out what it said.

Tarrant, an Australian, pleaded not guilty to 92 charges stemming&nbsp;from&nbsp;the massacre at two mosques in Christchurch on March 15. He faces trial in May 2020.

The gunman accused of killing 51 people in New Zealand has handwritten a letter from jail expressing his political and social views, prompting Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to say that should never have been allowed, media said on Wednesday.

The gunman accused of killing 51 people in New Zealand has handwritten a letter from jail expressing his political and social views, prompting Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to say that should never have been allowed, media said on Wednesday. The New Zealand Herald had an image of the six-page letter and envelope from the alleged mosque shooter, Brenton Tarrant, sent from Auckland Prison, which was posted online on the controversial imageboard 4chan. It was said to have been in response to a letter sent to him by a person named Alan who is said to live in Russia. "I think every New Zealander would have an expectation that this individual should not be able to share his hateful message from behind bars," Ardern was quoted telling reporters in Tuvalu, where she is attending the Pacific Islands Forum. "Obviously, this is an offender who has a very specific goal in mind, in terms of sharing his propaganda, so we should have been prepared for that." Prisoners are allowed to send and receive mail and prison directors can only withhold it in certain circumstances. "We have made changes to the management of this prisoner's mail to ensure that our robust processes are as effective as we need them to be," New Zealand's Department of Corrections said in a statement quoted in the paper. The letter mentioned a visit by Tarrant to Russia four years ago, media said. New Zealand site Newshub said the last two lines of the letter could be read as a call to arms but blanked out what it said. Tarrant, an Australian, pleaded not guilty to 92 charges stemming from the massacre at two mosques in Christchurch on March 15. He faces trial in May 2020.

Accused New Zealand gunman's letter from jail circulates online

Aircraft dumped water early on Wednesday to douse the flames of a wildfire&nbsp;on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-measles-cases-triple-year-on-year-who-242798">Greek island of&nbsp;Evia</a>&nbsp;that had prompted the evacuation of villages and spurred an appeal for help from elsewhere in Europe.

A state of emergency has been declared in regions of the densely-forested island east of Athens, after the blaze broke out on Tuesday, fanned by strong winds and high temperatures.

Italy was sending two aircraft after an appeal for airborne&nbsp;firefighting equipment from Greek authorities.

&nbsp;Officials said the conditions were improving by the morning after&nbsp;firefighters spent the night battling flames.

"The situation appears better. There was a huge effort (to contain the&nbsp;fire), superhuman efforts," Kostas Bakoyannis, the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boko-haram-attacks-military-bases-in-nigeria-steal-arms-sources-223918"> regional governor for central Greece,</a> told Skai TV.

Water dumping by specially equipped aircraft started at first light. "It is a difficult&nbsp;fire, that's the reality, there is no danger to human life and that is what is important," Bakoyannis said.

Fire&nbsp;officials said four villages and hundreds of&nbsp;people&nbsp;were evacuated as a precaution on Tuesday.

"The situation in&nbsp;Evia&nbsp;was very difficult and remains difficult," said Christos Stylianides, the European Union's aid commissioner.

Drawing upon his experience from other forest&nbsp;fires around Europe, Stylianides said he was impressed at the coordination shown among authorities dealing with the emergency, calling firefighters 'heroes'.

"We managed to protect lives and to save&nbsp;people's property," Civil Protection Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis said.

Greece has bitter memories of a horrific blaze that tore through the seaside town of Mati near Athens on July 2018, killing 102&nbsp;people&nbsp;in a matter of hours. Authorities were accused then of poor coordination and slow response.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a conservative elected last month, interrupted his holiday on Crete to return to Athens where he was briefed on the situation.

Television images showed flames and plumes of black smoke on mountainsides carpeted in pine. Parts of&nbsp;Evia's forests are a Natura 2000 site, which the European Union designates as a nature reserve.

Greece often faces wildfires during its dry summer months, and authorities have warned of the high risk of blazes this week.&nbsp;

Environmental campaigners see an increasing number of wildfires around the world as a symptom of climate change. 
"Prevention and preparedness are essential," Stylianides said.

Aircraft dumped water early on Wednesday to douse the flames of a wildfire on the Greek island of Evia that had prompted the evacuation of villages and spurred an appeal for help from elsewhere in Europe.

Aircraft dumped water early on Wednesday to douse the flames of a wildfire on the Greek island of Evia that had prompted the evacuation of villages and spurred an appeal for help from elsewhere in Europe. A state of emergency has been declared in regions of the densely-forested island east of Athens, after the blaze broke out on Tuesday, fanned by strong winds and high temperatures. Italy was sending two aircraft after an appeal for airborne firefighting equipment from Greek authorities. Officials said the conditions were improving by the morning after firefighters spent the night battling flames. "The situation appears better. There was a huge effort (to contain the fire), superhuman efforts," Kostas Bakoyannis, the regional governor for central Greece, told Skai TV. Water dumping by specially equipped aircraft started at first light. "It is a difficult fire, that's the reality, there is no danger to human life and that is what is important," Bakoyannis said. Fire officials said four villages and hundreds of people were evacuated as a precaution on Tuesday. "The situation in Evia was very difficult and remains difficult," said Christos Stylianides, the European Union's aid commissioner. Drawing upon his experience from other forest fires around Europe, Stylianides said he was impressed at the coordination shown among authorities dealing with the emergency, calling firefighters 'heroes'. "We managed to protect lives and to save people's property," Civil Protection Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis said. Greece has bitter memories of a horrific blaze that tore through the seaside town of Mati near Athens on July 2018, killing 102 people in a matter of hours. Authorities were accused then of poor coordination and slow response. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a conservative elected last month, interrupted his holiday on Crete to return to Athens where he was briefed on the situation. Television images showed flames and plumes of black smoke on mountainsides carpeted in pine. Parts of Evia's forests are a Natura 2000 site, which the European Union designates as a nature reserve. Greece often faces wildfires during its dry summer months, and authorities have warned of the high risk of blazes this week. Environmental campaigners see an increasing number of wildfires around the world as a symptom of climate change. "Prevention and preparedness are essential," Stylianides said.

Fire rages on Greece's Evia, threat to people averted

Any move by the United States to place&nbsp;new&nbsp;ground-launched, intermediate-range&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;in South Korea could spark a "new&nbsp;Cold War" and an escalating arms race in the region,&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean&nbsp;state&nbsp;media&nbsp;said on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-wants-to-quickly-deploy-new-missiles-in-asia-us-secretary-of-defense-240407">US Defence Secretary Mark Esper</a> this month said he was in favour of placing ground-launched, intermediate-range&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;in Asia, a day after the United States withdrew from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty with Russia.

"The&nbsp;US pointed out that it is now examining a plan for&nbsp;deploying&nbsp;ground-to-ground medium-range&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-visits-south-korea-as-the-region-faces-myriad-challenges-241741"> Asian region and South Korea </a>has been singled out as a place for the deployment,"&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea's state&nbsp;news agency KCNA said.

"It is a reckless act of escalating regional tension, an act that may spark off a&nbsp;new&nbsp;Cold War and arms race in the Far Eastern region to deploy a&nbsp;new&nbsp;offensive weapon in South Korea," it said in a commentary.

Other senior&nbsp;US officials have said any deployment of such weaponry&nbsp;would&nbsp;be years away.

South Korea's defence ministry has said there had been no discussion of placing American intermediate-range&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;in the country, and there were no plans to consider the idea.

The KCNA statement also criticised recent moves to improve military sites in South that host&nbsp;US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems, which are designed to intercept ballistic&nbsp;missiles.

"It is a hard fact that the deployment of THAAD is under the&nbsp;US strategy to contain great powers and hold supremacy in&nbsp;Northeast Asia, not the one for 'shielding' South Korea from someone's 'threat'," KCNA said.

North&nbsp;Korea's military has launched a series of&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;in recent weeks to protest what it sees as a military build-up in South Korea, as well as joint military exercises by South&nbsp;Korean and American troops stationed on the peninsula.

The launches have complicated attempts to restart talks between&nbsp;US and&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean&nbsp;negotiators over the future of the country's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, which prompted sanctions by the United Nations Security Council.

Any move by the United States to place new ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles in South Korea could spark a "new Cold War" and an escalating arms race in the region, North Korean state media said on Wednesday.

Any move by the United States to place new ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles in South Korea could spark a "new Cold War" and an escalating arms race in the region, North Korean state media said on Wednesday. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper this month said he was in favour of placing ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles in Asia, a day after the United States withdrew from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty with Russia. "The US pointed out that it is now examining a plan for deploying ground-to-ground medium-range missiles in the Asian region and South Korea has been singled out as a place for the deployment," North Korea's state news agency KCNA said. "It is a reckless act of escalating regional tension, an act that may spark off a new Cold War and arms race in the Far Eastern region to deploy a new offensive weapon in South Korea," it said in a commentary. Other senior US officials have said any deployment of such weaponry would be years away. South Korea's defence ministry has said there had been no discussion of placing American intermediate-range missiles in the country, and there were no plans to consider the idea. The KCNA statement also criticised recent moves to improve military sites in South that host US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems, which are designed to intercept ballistic missiles. "It is a hard fact that the deployment of THAAD is under the US strategy to contain great powers and hold supremacy in Northeast Asia, not the one for 'shielding' South Korea from someone's 'threat'," KCNA said. North Korea's military has launched a series of missiles in recent weeks to protest what it sees as a military build-up in South Korea, as well as joint military exercises by South Korean and American troops stationed on the peninsula. The launches have complicated attempts to restart talks between US and North Korean negotiators over the future of the country's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, which prompted sanctions by the United Nations Security Council.

Deploying new US missiles would be 'reckless act': North Korean state media

It's the lesser-known D-Day, one launched two months after the Normandy landings on the other side of France, with French forces this time playing a premier role.

It's the lesser-known D-Day, one launched two months after the Normandy landings on the other side of France, with French forces this time playing a premier role. On August 15, 1944, thousands of French soldiers set foot on home soil for the first time in years as Allied forces staged an ambitious assault on Mediterranean beaches, taking a direct hand in the fight to free Europe of Nazi Germany's grip. Besides accelerating the German retreat, this second landing was hugely symbolic for the French nation eager to emphasise its role in its liberation. Only a handful of French soldiers had taken part in the Normandy landings a few weeks earlier, General Charles de Gaulle snubbed the operation after being largely excluded from its planning. The Mediterranean offensive included the remnants of France's free forces, including tens of thousands of soldiers from its African colonies, whose contribution remained little known, let alone celebrated, for decades after the war. "On the political level, the landings had vital importance, especially for De Gaulle: He can say that French troops liberated France," said Florimond Calendini, director of the national memorial of the Mediterranean landings in Toulon. "After the humiliating defeat of 1940, seeing a French army free national territory showed the entire world that France can fight with an established army," he said. But the collective memory of Operation Dragoon, the code name for the landings, has faded over the decades, overshadowed by the legacy of Normandy. "Many French don't know about the Provence landings," Calendini said. "The publicity given to the Normandy landings is huge, because behind it you have all of America's soft power, with the films that have become famous the world over." President Emmanuel Macron will lead commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Dragoon landings Thursday at the Boulouris national cemetery in Saint-Raphael, the site of one of the beaches, where 464 troops killed in the operation are interred. His Ivorian and Guinean counterparts Alassane Ouattara and Alpha Conde have been invited to attend, in recognition of the crucial role played by African forces. 'Nancy has a stiff neck' Some 450,000 Allied soldiers using more than 2,000 ships took part in Operation Dragoon, including 250,000 French fighters, with most of the rest from the US. The French launched the assault shortly after midnight on August 15 by scrabbling up the rocky cliffs at Cap Negre, named for the rock's dark colour. Resistance fighters in the south had been alerted to the impending offensive the night before when underground radio sent a series of coded messages using seemingly anodyne phrases such as "Nancy has a stiff neck." As during the Normandy landings, locals would play a key role in harassing German forces as they fell back, helping the Allied soldiers to advance must faster than in the north. Hitler ordered a retreat from southern France as soon as August 17, except for the strategic ports of Toulon and Marseille, but these fell within 10 days. "In less than two weeks, all of Provence was liberated. It was a huge surprise for the Allies," Calendini said. By September 12, the Dragoon forces had met up with the soldiers advancing from Normandy, allowing the Allies to consolidate their forces before the final offensive to wrest France from its German occupiers. Overlooked legacy At the time, France's "Army B" consisted of nearly 600,000 men, two-thirds of them from African garrisons in countries still under French colonial rule. The force included around 233,000 "Muslims", as they were referred to at the time, including Moroccan battalions and infantry sections from Algeria, as well as fighters from Senegal and other West African colonies. There were also so-called Marsouins ("porpoises"), recruits from France's territories in the Pacific or the Caribbean. "Without its empire, France would have been just a liberated country. Thanks to its empire, France is a victorious country," Gaston Monnerville, a deputy from the overseas territory of French Guiana, said shortly after the war ended. African troops, in particular, paid a heavy price, with 55,000 killed throughout World War II. Yet for years their sacrifices were largely overlooked by most French, and in 1959 the government added injury to the insult by capping their military pensions as African nations gained their independence. France finally agreed in 2002 to increase the payouts to partially make up for the veterans' lost spending power over the subsequent decades, though they were still far below those of French ex-soldiers. The pressure continued to mount until then-president Nicolas Sarkozy announced in 2010 that pensions would be the same for all its veterans, regardless of nationality or place of residence.

The other D-Day: France marks 75 years since 'its' WWII landing

A 400-year-old temple in Japan is attempting to hot-wire interest in Buddhism with a robotic priest it believes will change the face of the religion -- despite critics comparing the android to "Frankenstein's monster."

The android Kannon, based on the Buddhist deity of mercy, preaches sermons at Kodaiji temple in Kyoto, and its human colleagues predict that with artificial intelligence it could one day acquire unlimited wisdom.

"This robot will never die, it will just keep updating itself and evolving," priest Tensho Goto told AFP.

"That's the beauty of a robot. It can store knowledge forever and limitlessly.&nbsp;

"With AI we hope it will grow in wisdom to help people overcome even the most difficult troubles. It's changing Buddhism," added Goto.

The adult-sized robot began service earlier this year and is able to move its torso, arms and head.

But only its hands, face and shoulders are covered in silicone to replicate human skin.

Clasping its hands together in prayer and speaking in soothing tones, the rest of the droid's mechanical parts are clearly visible.

Wiring and blinking lights fill the cranial cavity of its open-top head and snake around its gender-neutral, aluminium body.

A tiny video camera installed in the left eye completes an eerie, cyborg-like frame seemingly lifted straight out of a dystopian Hollywood sci-fi thriller.&nbsp;

Developed at a cost of almost $1m in a joint project between the Zen temple and renowned robotics professor Hiroshi Ishiguro at Osaka University, the humanoid -- called Mindar -- teaches about compassion and of the dangers of desire, anger and ego.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/playing-god-japan-temple-puts-faith-in-robot-priest-242934/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"You cling to a sense of selfish ego," it warns worshippers. "Worldly desires are nothing other than a mind lost at sea."

No 'fuddy-duddy' priest&nbsp;

With religion's influence on daily life flat-lining in Japan, Goto hopes Kodaiji's robot priest will be able to reach younger generations in a way traditional monks can't.

"Young people probably think a temple is a place for funerals or weddings," he said, trying to explain the disconnect with religion.

"It might be difficult to relate to fuddy-duddy priests like me, but hopefully the robot is a fun way to bridge that gap. We want people to see the robot and think about the essence of Buddhism."

Goto insisted, however, that Mindar was no gimmick to boost income from tourists.

"This robot teaches us ways to overcome pain," he said. "It is here to save anyone who seeks help."

The pious droid delivers sermons from the Heart Sutras in Japanese, with translations in English and Chinese projected onto a screen for foreign visitors.

"The goal of Buddhism is to ease suffering," said Goto. "Modern society brings other kinds of stress, but the goal hasn't really changed for over 2,000 years."

A recent Osaka University survey showed a wide range of feedback from those who have seen the android at work, with many expressing surprise at how "human" it looked.

"I felt a warmth you wouldn't feel from a regular machine," said one of those polled.

"At first it felt a little unnatural, but the android was easy to follow," replied another temple-goer. "It made me think deeply about right and wrong."&nbsp;

Others were less convinced, some insisting the robot was too "fake".

"The sermon felt uncomfortable," complained one worshipper. "The robot's expressions felt too engineered."

'Frankenstein's monster'

Kodaiji temple has also faced criticism -- mostly from foreigners -- for tampering with the sanctity of religion.

"Westerners have been the most upset by the robot," said Goto, noting largely positive feedback from Japanese visitors.

"It could be the influence of the Bible, but Westerners have compared it to Frankenstein's monster," he added.

"Japanese people don't possess any prejudices against robots. We were brought up on comics where robots are our friends. Westerners think differently."

Goto denies accusations that Kodaiji, recently visited by French President Emmanuel Macron, is guilty of sacrilege.

"Obviously a machine doesn't have a soul," he said.&nbsp;

"But Buddhist faith isn't about believing in God. It's about following Buddha's path, so it doesn't matter whether it is represented by a machine, a scrap of iron or a tree."

The temple insists the deity of mercy is able to transform itself at will and that an android is merely the latest incarnation.

"Artificial intelligence has developed to such an extent we thought it logical for the Buddha to transform into a robot," said Goto.

"We hope it will touch people's hearts and minds."

A 400-year-old temple in Japan is attempting to hot-wire interest in Buddhism with a robotic priest it believes will change the face of the religion -- despite critics comparing the android to "Frankenstein's monster.

A 400-year-old temple in Japan is attempting to hot-wire interest in Buddhism with a robotic priest it believes will change the face of the religion -- despite critics comparing the android to "Frankenstein's monster." The android Kannon, based on the Buddhist deity of mercy, preaches sermons at Kodaiji temple in Kyoto, and its human colleagues predict that with artificial intelligence it could one day acquire unlimited wisdom. "This robot will never die, it will just keep updating itself and evolving," priest Tensho Goto told AFP. "That's the beauty of a robot. It can store knowledge forever and limitlessly. "With AI we hope it will grow in wisdom to help people overcome even the most difficult troubles. It's changing Buddhism," added Goto. The adult-sized robot began service earlier this year and is able to move its torso, arms and head. But only its hands, face and shoulders are covered in silicone to replicate human skin. Clasping its hands together in prayer and speaking in soothing tones, the rest of the droid's mechanical parts are clearly visible. Wiring and blinking lights fill the cranial cavity of its open-top head and snake around its gender-neutral, aluminium body. A tiny video camera installed in the left eye completes an eerie, cyborg-like frame seemingly lifted straight out of a dystopian Hollywood sci-fi thriller. Developed at a cost of almost $1m in a joint project between the Zen temple and renowned robotics professor Hiroshi Ishiguro at Osaka University, the humanoid -- called Mindar -- teaches about compassion and of the dangers of desire, anger and ego. "You cling to a sense of selfish ego," it warns worshippers. "Worldly desires are nothing other than a mind lost at sea." No 'fuddy-duddy' priest With religion's influence on daily life flat-lining in Japan, Goto hopes Kodaiji's robot priest will be able to reach younger generations in a way traditional monks can't. "Young people probably think a temple is a place for funerals or weddings," he said, trying to explain the disconnect with religion. "It might be difficult to relate to fuddy-duddy priests like me, but hopefully the robot is a fun way to bridge that gap. We want people to see the robot and think about the essence of Buddhism." Goto insisted, however, that Mindar was no gimmick to boost income from tourists. "This robot teaches us ways to overcome pain," he said. "It is here to save anyone who seeks help." The pious droid delivers sermons from the Heart Sutras in Japanese, with translations in English and Chinese projected onto a screen for foreign visitors. "The goal of Buddhism is to ease suffering," said Goto. "Modern society brings other kinds of stress, but the goal hasn't really changed for over 2,000 years." A recent Osaka University survey showed a wide range of feedback from those who have seen the android at work, with many expressing surprise at how "human" it looked. "I felt a warmth you wouldn't feel from a regular machine," said one of those polled. "At first it felt a little unnatural, but the android was easy to follow," replied another temple-goer. "It made me think deeply about right and wrong." Others were less convinced, some insisting the robot was too "fake". "The sermon felt uncomfortable," complained one worshipper. "The robot's expressions felt too engineered." 'Frankenstein's monster' Kodaiji temple has also faced criticism -- mostly from foreigners -- for tampering with the sanctity of religion. "Westerners have been the most upset by the robot," said Goto, noting largely positive feedback from Japanese visitors. "It could be the influence of the Bible, but Westerners have compared it to Frankenstein's monster," he added. "Japanese people don't possess any prejudices against robots. We were brought up on comics where robots are our friends. Westerners think differently." Goto denies accusations that Kodaiji, recently visited by French President Emmanuel Macron, is guilty of sacrilege. "Obviously a machine doesn't have a soul," he said. "But Buddhist faith isn't about believing in God. It's about following Buddha's path, so it doesn't matter whether it is represented by a machine, a scrap of iron or a tree." The temple insists the deity of mercy is able to transform itself at will and that an android is merely the latest incarnation. "Artificial intelligence has developed to such an extent we thought it logical for the Buddha to transform into a robot," said Goto. "We hope it will touch people's hearts and minds."

Japan temple puts faith in robot priest, faces criticism

Indian stock indexes ended almost 1% higher on Wednesday, after Washington delayed tariffs on some Chinese imports, bringing relief to markets across Asia.

The benchmark NSE Nifty ended 0.95% higher at 11,029.40, while the benchmark BSE Sensex closed down 0.96% at 37,311.53.

Shares in Tata Steel Ltd, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and Vedanta Ltd were among the top gainers on the NSE index, gaining amid a rise in commodity prices.

The Nifty metal index, which has slid nearly 24% since the beginning of the year, rose 2.3%.

Indian stock indexes ended almost 1% higher on Wednesday, after Washington delayed tariffs on some Chinese imports, bringing relief to markets across Asia. The benchmark NSE Nifty ended 0.

Indian stock indexes ended almost 1% higher on Wednesday, after Washington delayed tariffs on some Chinese imports, bringing relief to markets across Asia. The benchmark NSE Nifty ended 0.95% higher at 11,029.40, while the benchmark BSE Sensex closed down 0.96% at 37,311.53. Shares in Tata Steel Ltd, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and Vedanta Ltd were among the top gainers on the NSE index, gaining amid a rise in commodity prices. The Nifty metal index, which has slid nearly 24% since the beginning of the year, rose 2.3%.

Nifty, Sensex end higher after Trump delays China tariffs

A slump in exports sent Germany's economy into reverse in the second quarter, data showed, as its manufacturers bore the brunt of a global slowdown amplified by tariff conflicts and uncertainty over Brexit.

A slump in exports sent Germany's economy into reverse in the second quarter, data showed, as its manufacturers bore the brunt of a global slowdown amplified by tariff conflicts and uncertainty over Brexit. Gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.1per cent quarter-on-quarter, in line with a Reuters poll of analysts, as several observers raised prospects of another contraction in the third quarter, and the industrial sector suggested the government should ditch its balanced budget and kick-start growth via fiscal stimulus. On a calendar-adjusted basis, the annual growth rate in Europe's largest economy slowed to 0.4per cent in the second quarter from 0.9per cent in the first, Wednesday's Federal Statistics Office data showed. For 2019 overall, Berlin expects growth of just 0.5per cent. "The bottom line is that the German economy is teetering on the edge of recession," Andrew Kenningham from Capital Economics said, noting that exporters were facing an even bigger potential hit if a threatened no-deal exit from the EU by Britain materialised on Oct. 31. Many economists define a recession as two consecutive quarterly contractions. Despite Wednesday's headline quarterly figure matching expectations, markets also took fright, with the yield on Germany's benchmark 10-year government bond hitting a record low of -0.624per cent. The global slowdown has impacted growth across western Europe, but Germany's traditionally export-reliant economy has been particularly vulnerable. The statistics office said that net trade slowed economic activity as exports recorded a stronger quarter-on-quarter decrease than imports. Construction was also a drag after the sector pushed up overall growth in the first three months due to an unusually mild winter. "Today's GDP report marks the end of a golden decade for the German economy," Cars ten Brzeski from ING said. "It was a decade of strong growth on the back of earlier structural reforms, fiscal stimulus, localisation at its peak and steroids provided by the ECB in the form of low-interest rates and a relatively weak euro." Domestic safety net? Domestic demand has become an important growth driver for Germany in recent years as consumers benefit from record-high employment, inflation-busting pay hikes and low borrowing costs. Positive contributions came from that source in the second quarter, as household consumption, government expenditure and gross fixed capital formation increased in the quarter, the statistics office said. But analysts suggested the positive impact of those factors was waning. "For a year now, the German economy has been only crawling forward," UniCredit analyst Andreas Rees said, with the many uncertainties facing German exporters presaging more pain in the rest of the year. "Besides Brexit, this is above all the US-Sino trade dispute and possible US tariffs on European cars," Rees said. ING's Brzeski said that, with trade conflicts, global uncertainty and the struggling automotive sector having "finally brought the German economy to its knees," a national debate about fiscal stimulus would get more heated. In a usual move, the powerful BDI industry association joined the growing chorus of voices demanding that the German government ditch its balanced budget rule. "In contrast to the debt brake, which is enshrined in the constitution, the black zero (balanced budget) should be called into question in an economically fragile situation," its managing director Joachim Lang wrote in a guest article in Wednesday's edition of business daily Handelsblatt. His comments came after a government official told Reuters last week that Berlin was considering issuing new debt to finance a costly climate protection package. Chancellor Angela Merkel had on Tuesday poured cold water on domestic and international calls for more fiscal stimulus, saying there was no need 'right now' for such a move. Merkel also pointed to already agreed fiscal steps such as the abolishment of the Soli income tax surcharge for most employees from 2021, a relief worth some 11 billion euros per year that is likely to support domestic demand and with its overall growth.

Shrinking German economy 'on edge of recession' as exports stutter

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-prices-slip-for-second-day-on-global-growth-fears-228302">Oil prices fell on Wednesday on disappointing </a>economic data from China and a rise in US crude inventories, erasing some of the sharp gains in the previous session after the US said it would delay tariffs on some Chinese products, easing trade tensions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-inches-down-as-inventory-data-counters-trade-deal-hopes-228693">Brent crude was down 46 cents</a>, or 0.8 per cents, at $60.84 a barrel at 0639 GMT, after rising 4.7 per cents on Tuesday, the biggest percentage gain since December.

US oil was down 62 cents, or 1.1per cents, at $56.48 a barrel, having risen 4per cents the previous session, the most in just over a month.

China reported a raft of unexpectedly weak data for July, including a surprise drop in industrial output growth to a more than 17-year low, underlining widening economic cracks as the trade war with the United States intensifies.

"Deteriorating China industrial output and consumer spending suggest the fundamental picture isn't great and the demand for energy may be under the pressure," said Margaret Yang, market analyst at CMC Markets.

Profit-taking after Tuesday's sharp gains also weighed on crude prices on Wednesday, analysts said.

"The moves in oil were so outsized overnight, that some profit-taking in Asia was logical," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst, Asia Pacific at OANDA.

Benchmark crude prices surged on Tuesday after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump backed off his Sept. 1 deadline for 10per cents tariffs on some products affecting about half of the $300 billion target list of Chinese goods.

But with about $110 billion worth of Chinese imports still subject to the tariffs increase next month, the delay will not solve the core issues between the US and China, said Yang.

"Markets will perhaps soon come down to earth and face the reality of a world of elevated trade tariffs, slower growth and policy inconsistency," Yang said.

Markets have been pummelled in recent weeks amid tough talk from Trump on trade.

China's commerce ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that US and Chinese trade officials spoke on the phone and agreed to talk again within two weeks.

Data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute (API) showed US crude stocks unexpectedly rose last week.

Crude inventories increased by 3.7 million barrels to 443 million, compared with analyst expectations for a decrease of 2.8 million barrels, the API said.

Oil prices fell on Wednesday on disappointing economic data from China and a rise in US crude inventories, erasing some of the sharp gains in the previous session after the US said it would delay tariffs on some Chinese products, easing trade tensions.

Oil prices fell on Wednesday on disappointing economic data from China and a rise in US crude inventories, erasing some of the sharp gains in the previous session after the US said it would delay tariffs on some Chinese products, easing trade tensions. Brent crude was down 46 cents, or 0.8 per cents, at $60.84 a barrel at 0639 GMT, after rising 4.7 per cents on Tuesday, the biggest percentage gain since December. US oil was down 62 cents, or 1.1per cents, at $56.48 a barrel, having risen 4per cents the previous session, the most in just over a month. China reported a raft of unexpectedly weak data for July, including a surprise drop in industrial output growth to a more than 17-year low, underlining widening economic cracks as the trade war with the United States intensifies. "Deteriorating China industrial output and consumer spending suggest the fundamental picture isn't great and the demand for energy may be under the pressure," said Margaret Yang, market analyst at CMC Markets. Profit-taking after Tuesday's sharp gains also weighed on crude prices on Wednesday, analysts said. "The moves in oil were so outsized overnight, that some profit-taking in Asia was logical," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst, Asia Pacific at OANDA. Benchmark crude prices surged on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump backed off his Sept. 1 deadline for 10per cents tariffs on some products affecting about half of the $300 billion target list of Chinese goods. But with about $110 billion worth of Chinese imports still subject to the tariffs increase next month, the delay will not solve the core issues between the US and China, said Yang. "Markets will perhaps soon come down to earth and face the reality of a world of elevated trade tariffs, slower growth and policy inconsistency," Yang said. Markets have been pummelled in recent weeks amid tough talk from Trump on trade. China's commerce ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that US and Chinese trade officials spoke on the phone and agreed to talk again within two weeks. Data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute (API) showed US crude stocks unexpectedly rose last week. Crude inventories increased by 3.7 million barrels to 443 million, compared with analyst expectations for a decrease of 2.8 million barrels, the API said.

Oil prices fall as China economic data disappoints, US inventories gain

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