Pope Francis on Sunday said he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former Catholic school for indigenous students in Canada and called for respect of the rights and culture of native people.

Pope Francis expresses sorrow over discovery of Canada school children's remains

Israeli police detained two prominent Palestinian activists who have become the faces of a campaign to halt Palestinian evictions from the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

Israeli police detain Palestinian activist twins from East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah

The board of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RInfra) on Sunday gave its approval to raising Rs. 550.56 crore in fresh funding.<o:p></o:p>

The funds will be raised by preferential allotment of up to 8.88 crore equity shares and / or warrants convertible into equivalent number of shares of the company to promoter group and VFSI Holdings Pte. Limited, an affiliate of Värde Investment Partners, LP.

The issue price of shares is set at 62 rupees apiece.

The funds will be utilised for long-term resources, for general corporate purposes, fund future growth and to reduce debt, the Indian company said in a release.

The board of directors gave its nod to&nbsp;seeking approval of the members of the company for the proposal through postal ballot, said RInfra, one of India’s largest infrastructure companies.

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RInfra has projects in various infrastructure sectors such as power, roads and Metro Rail, as well as in the defence sector.<o:p></o:p>

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The board of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RInfra) on Sunday gave its approval to raising Rs. 550.56 crore in fresh funding. The funds will be raised by preferential allotment of up to 8.

The board of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RInfra) on Sunday gave its approval to raising Rs. 550.56 crore in fresh funding. The funds will be raised by preferential allotment of up to 8.88 crore equity shares and / or warrants convertible into equivalent number of shares of the company to promoter group and VFSI Holdings Pte. Limited, an affiliate of Värde Investment Partners, LP. The issue price of shares is set at 62 rupees apiece. The funds will be utilised for long-term resources, for general corporate purposes, fund future growth and to reduce debt, the Indian company said in a release. The board of directors gave its nod to seeking approval of the members of the company for the proposal through postal ballot, said RInfra, one of India’s largest infrastructure companies. RInfra has projects in various infrastructure sectors such as power, roads and Metro Rail, as well as in the defence sector.

Reliance Infrastructure board approves raising funds of over 550 crore rupees

In the deadliest massacre in the West African country Burkina Faso since the year 2015, at least 138 civilians have been slaughtered by Islamist jihadists.

Burkina Faso Massacre: Biggest attack in country's history

The United States will donate 750,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan as part of the country's plan to share shots globally, US Senator Tammy Duckworth said on Sunday, offering a much-needed boost to the island's fight against the pandemic.

US delegation in Taiwan: Taiwan's foreign minister hails US support

The board of directors of Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra)&nbsp;will consider raising fresh funds through various means like issuing equity shares, rights issue and qualified institutional placement, the Anil Ambani-led company has said in a regulatory filing.

The board of directors will meet on Sunday to cosider infusing fresh liquidity, which&nbsp;will enhance its financial flexibility and enable it to become a zero-debt company by March next year, it said in the&nbsp;filing on Wednesday.

The board will&nbsp;consider this&nbsp;and&nbsp;any other proposals to raise long-term equity resources.&nbsp;Further details will be announced upon conclusion of the board meeting.

“…We wish to inform you that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company will be- held on Sunday, June 6, 2021, to consider and approve raising of long term resources from domestic and/or global markets, inter alia, by issue of equity shares/ equity linked securities/ warrants convertible into equity shares, by way of preferential issue and/ or qualified institutional placement and/or rights issue or any other method including determination of issue price, if any and seeking members’ and other approval(s), as the Board may deem appropriate,” RInfra said in the filing.

“Further, please note that in accordance with the Company's Code of Practices and Procedures and Code of Conduct to Regulate, Monitor and Report Trading In Securities and Fair Disclosure of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (the “Code’) read with ‘the Securities and Exchange Board Of India (Prohibition Of Insider Trading) . Regulations, 2015, the Trading Window for trading in the securities of the Company for Designated Persons shall remain closed from the close of business hours of Wednesday, June 2, 2021, till 48 hours after the outcome of the Board Meeting are made public in terms of the SEBI | (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) — Regulations, 2015,” it added.

The promoter group has made the proposal to the board to infuse fresh equity into the company,&nbsp;demonstrating their confidence in the long-term prospects of the company.

RInfra has a track record of over 20 years in execution of projects aggregating over Rs 200,000 crore,&nbsp;and&nbsp;new opportunities are coming up everyday.

The company already has an Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) order book of over Rs 25,000 crore, power distribution business in Delhi serving 45 lakh customers and defence manufacturing business.

The board of directors of Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) will consider raising fresh funds through various means like issuing equity shares, rights issue and qualified institutional placement, the Anil Ambani-led company has said in a regulatory filing.

The board of directors of Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) will consider raising fresh funds through various means like issuing equity shares, rights issue and qualified institutional placement, the Anil Ambani-led company has said in a regulatory filing. The board of directors will meet on Sunday to cosider infusing fresh liquidity, which will enhance its financial flexibility and enable it to become a zero-debt company by March next year, it said in the filing on Wednesday. The board will consider this and any other proposals to raise long-term equity resources. Further details will be announced upon conclusion of the board meeting. “…We wish to inform you that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company will be- held on Sunday, June 6, 2021, to consider and approve raising of long term resources from domestic and/or global markets, inter alia, by issue of equity shares/ equity linked securities/ warrants convertible into equity shares, by way of preferential issue and/ or qualified institutional placement and/or rights issue or any other method including determination of issue price, if any and seeking members’ and other approval(s), as the Board may deem appropriate,” RInfra said in the filing. “Further, please note that in accordance with the Company's Code of Practices and Procedures and Code of Conduct to Regulate, Monitor and Report Trading In Securities and Fair Disclosure of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (the “Code’) read with ‘the Securities and Exchange Board Of India (Prohibition Of Insider Trading) . Regulations, 2015, the Trading Window for trading in the securities of the Company for Designated Persons shall remain closed from the close of business hours of Wednesday, June 2, 2021, till 48 hours after the outcome of the Board Meeting are made public in terms of the SEBI | (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) — Regulations, 2015,” it added. The promoter group has made the proposal to the board to infuse fresh equity into the company, demonstrating their confidence in the long-term prospects of the company. RInfra has a track record of over 20 years in execution of projects aggregating over Rs 200,000 crore, and new opportunities are coming up everyday. The company already has an Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) order book of over Rs 25,000 crore, power distribution business in Delhi serving 45 lakh customers and defence manufacturing business.

Reliance Infrastructure board to consider fresh fundraising, aims to become zero-debt co by next March

There is no evidence that unexplained aerial phenomena spotted in recent years by US military personnel are aliens, an upcoming government report quoted by The New York Times Thursday said, but officials still can't explain the mysterious aircraft.

The newspaper, which cited senior administration officials briefed on the findings of the highly anticipated report, said they were able to confirm the unusual vessels were not the product of secret Pentagon technology.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/occams-razor-harvard-astronomer-says-that-alien-vessel-paid-us-a-visit-362060">'Occam's razor': Harvard astronomer says that alien vessel paid us a visit</a>

But the review of more than 120 incidents over the past two decades was unable to explain the mysterious movements of the craft, which include unusual acceleration, direction changes and the ability to rapidly submerge.

And while senior officials told the Times the lack of clear findings means that while there's no evidence of&nbsp;alien&nbsp;technology behind the phenomena, it's also impossible to rule out.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alien-invasion-spectacular-display-of-lights-across-us-sparks-conspiracy-theories-373462">'Alien invasion': Spectacular display of lights across US sparks conspiracy theories</a>

One senior official briefed on the report said intelligence and military officials increasingly worry the phenomena could be China or Russia experimenting with hypersonic technology.

The upcoming report,&nbsp;expected to be released to Congress by June 25, will have a classified annex, officials told the Times, which will likely fuel speculation that aliens are actually behind the encounters.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-recently-scanned-10-million-stars-for-alien-technology-what-did-they-find-326020">Scientists recently scanned 10 million stars for alien technology, what did they find?</a>

The Pentagon&nbsp;last year released videos taken by US Navy pilots showing in-flight encounters with the unusual aircraft.

And the mystery was further drummed up by former officials with access to classified intelligence.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chain-of-resonance-six-alien-planets-with-rhythmic-movement-are-locked-in-a-rare-orbital-dance-362329">'Chain of resonance': Six alien planets with rhythmic movement are locked in a rare orbital dance</a>

"What is true, and I'm actually being serious here, is that there's footage and records of objects in the skies that we don't know exactly what they are," former president Barack Obama told "The Late Late Show" last month.

The US military no longer describes them as unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, instead using the term "unidentified aerial phenomena."

There is no evidence that unexplained aerial phenomena spotted in recent years by US military personnel are aliens, an upcoming government report quoted by The New York Times Thursday said, but officials still can't explain the mysterious aircraft.

There is no evidence that unexplained aerial phenomena spotted in recent years by US military personnel are aliens, an upcoming government report quoted by The New York Times Thursday said, but officials still can't explain the mysterious aircraft. The newspaper, which cited senior administration officials briefed on the findings of the highly anticipated report, said they were able to confirm the unusual vessels were not the product of secret Pentagon technology. Also Read | 'Occam's razor': Harvard astronomer says that alien vessel paid us a visit But the review of more than 120 incidents over the past two decades was unable to explain the mysterious movements of the craft, which include unusual acceleration, direction changes and the ability to rapidly submerge. And while senior officials told the Times the lack of clear findings means that while there's no evidence of alien technology behind the phenomena, it's also impossible to rule out. Also Read | 'Alien invasion': Spectacular display of lights across US sparks conspiracy theories One senior official briefed on the report said intelligence and military officials increasingly worry the phenomena could be China or Russia experimenting with hypersonic technology. The upcoming report, expected to be released to Congress by June 25, will have a classified annex, officials told the Times, which will likely fuel speculation that aliens are actually behind the encounters. Also Read | Scientists recently scanned 10 million stars for alien technology, what did they find? The Pentagon last year released videos taken by US Navy pilots showing in-flight encounters with the unusual aircraft. And the mystery was further drummed up by former officials with access to classified intelligence. Also Read | 'Chain of resonance': Six alien planets with rhythmic movement are locked in a rare orbital dance "What is true, and I'm actually being serious here, is that there's footage and records of objects in the skies that we don't know exactly what they are," former president Barack Obama told "The Late Late Show" last month. The US military no longer describes them as unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, instead using the term "unidentified aerial phenomena."

No evidence mystery UFOs seen by US Navy are alien spacecraft: Report

Australia's&nbsp;Victoria&nbsp;state authorities said on Friday they had detected the highly infectious&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;virus&nbsp;variant&nbsp;for the&nbsp;first&nbsp;time&nbsp;in the&nbsp;latest&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;in Melbourne, stoking concerns of a major spike in&nbsp;cases.

"That&nbsp;variant&nbsp;is the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant, it is now infamous in India and increasingly found in the United Kingdom. It is a&nbsp;variant&nbsp;of significant concern,"&nbsp;Victoria&nbsp;state Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton told reporters in Melbourne.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/only-one-of-three-strains-of-b1617-variant-now-a-variant-of-concern-who-388917">Only one of three strains of B.1.617 variant now a 'variant of concern': WHO</a>

Sutton said the new&nbsp;variant&nbsp;had not been linked to any sequenced&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;infection&nbsp;cases&nbsp;across Australia from hotel quarantine or elsewhere.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-says-only-one-strain-of-delta-variant-is-now-of-concern-388961/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In Canberra, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that he had agreed with the&nbsp;Victorian government to develop a new quarantine facility in Melbourne, and wanted to see mandatory <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccination</a> for aged care workers across the country.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-victoria-state-lockdown-end-date-in-doubt-after-new-covid-19-cases-388785">Australia: Victoria state lockdown end date in doubt after new COVID-19 cases</a>

Four new locally acquired&nbsp;cases&nbsp;were reported on Friday, versus three a day earlier.

Australia's Victoria state authorities said on Friday they had detected the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 virus variant for the first time in the latest outbreak in Melbourne, stoking concerns of a major spike in cases.

Australia's Victoria state authorities said on Friday they had detected the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 virus variant for the first time in the latest outbreak in Melbourne, stoking concerns of a major spike in cases. "That variant is the Delta variant, it is now infamous in India and increasingly found in the United Kingdom. It is a variant of significant concern," Victoria state Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton told reporters in Melbourne. Also Read | Only one of three strains of B.1.617 variant now a 'variant of concern': WHO Sutton said the new variant had not been linked to any sequenced COVID-19 infection cases across Australia from hotel quarantine or elsewhere. In Canberra, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that he had agreed with the Victorian government to develop a new quarantine facility in Melbourne, and wanted to see mandatory vaccination for aged care workers across the country. Also Read | Australia: Victoria state lockdown end date in doubt after new COVID-19 cases Four new locally acquired cases were reported on Friday, versus three a day earlier.

Australia's Victoria detects two cases of Delta Covid-19 variant for first time in latest outbreak

Multiple recipes featuring&nbsp;cicadas&nbsp;have surfaced in the United States as billions of the bugs emerge from 17 years underground, prompting authorities to warn the hungry and curious to think twice before taking a bite.

"Yep! We have to say it! Don't eat #cicadas&nbsp;if you're allergic to seafood as these insects share a family relation to shrimp and lobsters," said a tweet Wednesday from Food and Drug Administration regulators.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/trillions-of-cicadas-to-emerge-after-spending-nearly-2-decades-underground-382220">'Trillions' of cicadas to emerge after spending nearly 2 decades underground</a>

Billions of cicada nymphs that have been living underground since 2004 have begun bursting out of the soil to shed their skin, mate, lay eggs and then die, all against the backdrop of the deafening noise that males make to attract females.&nbsp;

US states including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana and Tennessee have all seen the translucent-winged, red-eyed insects.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cicadas-to-swarm-southwestern-us-after-17-years-300923">Cicadas to swarm southwestern US after 17 years</a>

Their arrival, on a regular cycle every 17 years, has been delayed and spotty this year due to cold temperatures and heavy downpours in some areas.

But the craze for the&nbsp;cicadas&nbsp;has not dimmed, especially among peckish birds, dogs and the occasional human.

Bun Lai, a chef and advocate for the sustainable food movement, invited locals for an insect hunt in a Washington park followed by a taste of his fried cicada sushi.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cicada-sushi-anyone-us-chef-serves-up-sustainable-brood-x-delicacy-387274">Cicada sushi, anyone? US chef serves up sustainable 'Brood X' delicacy</a>&nbsp;

"Free cicada hunt and cookout," Bun tweeted. "Bring ingredients to cook with and join me in getting creative or just eat!"&nbsp;

Multiple recipes featuring cicadas have surfaced in the United States as billions of the bugs emerge from 17 years underground, prompting authorities to warn the hungry and curious to think twice before taking a bite.

Multiple recipes featuring cicadas have surfaced in the United States as billions of the bugs emerge from 17 years underground, prompting authorities to warn the hungry and curious to think twice before taking a bite. "Yep! We have to say it! Don't eat #cicadas if you're allergic to seafood as these insects share a family relation to shrimp and lobsters," said a tweet Wednesday from Food and Drug Administration regulators. Also Read | 'Trillions' of cicadas to emerge after spending nearly 2 decades underground Billions of cicada nymphs that have been living underground since 2004 have begun bursting out of the soil to shed their skin, mate, lay eggs and then die, all against the backdrop of the deafening noise that males make to attract females. US states including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana and Tennessee have all seen the translucent-winged, red-eyed insects. Also Read | Cicadas to swarm southwestern US after 17 years Their arrival, on a regular cycle every 17 years, has been delayed and spotty this year due to cold temperatures and heavy downpours in some areas. But the craze for the cicadas has not dimmed, especially among peckish birds, dogs and the occasional human. Bun Lai, a chef and advocate for the sustainable food movement, invited locals for an insect hunt in a Washington park followed by a taste of his fried cicada sushi. Also Read | Cicada sushi, anyone? US chef serves up sustainable 'Brood X' delicacy "Free cicada hunt and cookout," Bun tweeted. "Bring ingredients to cook with and join me in getting creative or just eat!"

Allergic to seafood? Don't eat swarming cicadas, US warns

France&nbsp;will start offering <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Covid-19 vaccines</a> to all young people aged 12-18 years starting on June 15, President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday.

During a visit to the village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie in southern&nbsp;France, Macron also noted that 50 per cent of French adults have now received at least one <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid</a> vaccine jab, calling it "truly a turning point" in the country's inoculation drive.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-in-europe-britain-records-zero-deaths-germany-france-ramp-up-vaccination-388850">COVID-19 in Europe: Britain records zero deaths; Germany, France ramp up vaccination</a>

Vaccine supplies have increased sharply recently, prompting officials to open up appointments to all adults earlier this week, several weeks ahead of schedule.

With the country just beginning to bounce back from a severe third wave of infections, Macron's government is keen to quickly expand the vaccine coverage to slow the spread of variants.

But Macron urged people to remain "extremely careful and vigilant" and said wearing face masks outdoors would still be required in several regions for the time being.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worldwide-coronavirus-cases-cross-171-million-death-toll-at-3557281-388897">Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 171 million, death toll at 3,557,281</a>

The 43-year-old president, who caught Covid last December, announced Monday that he and his wife had also had the jab.

Later Wednesday, Health Minister Olivier Veran told TF1 television that the vaccination programme for teenagers would not be compulsory, but on a voluntary basis and with the agreement of parents.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-reimposes-strict-covid-curbs-on-travel-from-uk-387998">France reimposes strict Covid curbs on travel from UK</a>

Starting the vaccinations for adolescents now would make it easier to avoid schools closures at the beginning of the next academic year in September, he added.&nbsp;

The country is emerging from its third nationwide lockdown, with restaurants and cafes now allowed to serve clients outside. Indoor dining is due to resume from June 9.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-paris-venue-hosts-indoor-rock-concert---with-masks-and-virus-tests-388334">Paris venue hosts indoor rock concert - with masks and virus tests</a>

Pressure on hospitals has eased, with the number of Covid patients in intensive care falling steadily in recent weeks, with 2,754 serious cases as of Wednesday, down from more than 6,000 in late April.&nbsp;

Macron was in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie to launch a nationwide tour ahead of next year's presidential election, as well as regional elections set for later this month.

France will start offering Covid-19 vaccines to all young people aged 12-18 years starting on June 15, President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday. During a visit to the village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie in southern France, Macron also noted that 50 per cent of French adults have now received at least one Covid vaccine jab, calling it "truly a turning point" in the country's inoculation drive.

France will start offering Covid-19 vaccines to all young people aged 12-18 years starting on June 15, President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday. During a visit to the village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie in southern France, Macron also noted that 50 per cent of French adults have now received at least one Covid vaccine jab, calling it "truly a turning point" in the country's inoculation drive. Also Read | COVID-19 in Europe: Britain records zero deaths; Germany, France ramp up vaccination Vaccine supplies have increased sharply recently, prompting officials to open up appointments to all adults earlier this week, several weeks ahead of schedule. With the country just beginning to bounce back from a severe third wave of infections, Macron's government is keen to quickly expand the vaccine coverage to slow the spread of variants. But Macron urged people to remain "extremely careful and vigilant" and said wearing face masks outdoors would still be required in several regions for the time being. Also Read | Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 171 million, death toll at 3,557,281 The 43-year-old president, who caught Covid last December, announced Monday that he and his wife had also had the jab. Later Wednesday, Health Minister Olivier Veran told TF1 television that the vaccination programme for teenagers would not be compulsory, but on a voluntary basis and with the agreement of parents. Also Read | France reimposes strict Covid curbs on travel from UK Starting the vaccinations for adolescents now would make it easier to avoid schools closures at the beginning of the next academic year in September, he added. The country is emerging from its third nationwide lockdown, with restaurants and cafes now allowed to serve clients outside. Indoor dining is due to resume from June 9. Also Read | Paris venue hosts indoor rock concert - with masks and virus tests Pressure on hospitals has eased, with the number of Covid patients in intensive care falling steadily in recent weeks, with 2,754 serious cases as of Wednesday, down from more than 6,000 in late April. Macron was in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie to launch a nationwide tour ahead of next year's presidential election, as well as regional elections set for later this month.

France to widen Covid vaccine drive to 12 to 18-year-olds from June 15

Australian researchers are launching a&nbsp;koala&nbsp;"facial recognition"&nbsp;study that aims to better monitor the marsupials' behaviour and ultimately aid in their conservation.

The team from Griffith University&nbsp;is attempting to use artificial intelligence (AI) to recognise individual furry mammals&nbsp;when they use wildlife road crossings in Queensland state.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-gears-up-for-the-great-koala-count-using-drones-droppings-and-dogs-348189">Australia gears up for the great Koala count, using drones, droppings and dogs</a>

The underground pathways and bridges are installed at busy roads near&nbsp;koala&nbsp;habitats to offer them a safer route away from cars.&nbsp;

Associate professor Jun Zhou, who is leading the pilot study, said it was hoped AI would end the need for manual camera checks to determine which species were using the crossings.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/habitat-loss-in-an-australian-state-may-drive-koalas-to-extinction-by-2050-309664">Habitat loss in an Australian state may drive koalas to extinction by 2050</a>

"Now, with artificial intelligence developing very quickly over the past 10 years, the technology is powerful enough to help recognise not only koalas generally, but which individual koalas are using the crossings," he said.

Researchers have previously also used identification tags and GPS to track koalas.

Griffith University said the team would work with conservation groups on training AI to distinguish between individual animals based on their appearance and movements.

They hope the data will offer a greater understanding of how koalas use the wildlife crossings and if the crossings could be better located to protect the animals from getting injured by cars.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thing-of-the-past-experts-fear-australias-iconic-koala-could-go-extinct-by-2050-309749">Thing of the past? Experts fear Australia's iconic koala could go extinct by 2050</a>

he government-funded project is set to get underway at 20 camera sites near Brisbane in July.

Koalas live along Australia's eastern coast, but are considered vulnerable to extinction and face a raft of threats including habitat loss from logging, development and bushfires which destroyed swathes of forests in 2019-2020.

Australian researchers are launching a koala "facial recognition" study that aims to better monitor the marsupials' behaviour and ultimately aid in their conservation.

Australian researchers are launching a koala "facial recognition" study that aims to better monitor the marsupials' behaviour and ultimately aid in their conservation. The team from Griffith University is attempting to use artificial intelligence (AI) to recognise individual furry mammals when they use wildlife road crossings in Queensland state. Also Read | Australia gears up for the great Koala count, using drones, droppings and dogs The underground pathways and bridges are installed at busy roads near koala habitats to offer them a safer route away from cars. Associate professor Jun Zhou, who is leading the pilot study, said it was hoped AI would end the need for manual camera checks to determine which species were using the crossings. Also Read | Habitat loss in an Australian state may drive koalas to extinction by 2050 "Now, with artificial intelligence developing very quickly over the past 10 years, the technology is powerful enough to help recognise not only koalas generally, but which individual koalas are using the crossings," he said. Researchers have previously also used identification tags and GPS to track koalas. Griffith University said the team would work with conservation groups on training AI to distinguish between individual animals based on their appearance and movements. They hope the data will offer a greater understanding of how koalas use the wildlife crossings and if the crossings could be better located to protect the animals from getting injured by cars. Also Read | Thing of the past? Experts fear Australia's iconic koala could go extinct by 2050 he government-funded project is set to get underway at 20 camera sites near Brisbane in July. Koalas live along Australia's eastern coast, but are considered vulnerable to extinction and face a raft of threats including habitat loss from logging, development and bushfires which destroyed swathes of forests in 2019-2020.

Artificial Intelligence for conservation: Australian researchers to test koala 'facial recognition'

NASA&nbsp;announced two new missions to Venus on Wednesday that will launch at the end of the decade and are aimed at learning how Earth's nearest planetary neighbor became a hellscape while our own thrived.

"These two sister missions both aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world, capable of melting lead at the surface," said Bill Nelson, the agency's newly-confirmed administrator.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/why-nasa-is-sending-bioluminescent-baby-squids-tardigrades-into-space-on-june-3-389016">Why NASA is sending bioluminescent baby squids, tardigrades into space on June 3</a>

"They will offer the entire science community the chance to investigate a planet we haven't been to in more than 30 years."

The missions have been awarded about $500 million under&nbsp;NASA's Discovery Program, and each is expected to launch in the 2028-2030 timeframe.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-curiosity-rover-clicks-rare-shiny-clouds-on-mars-388591">NASA's Curiosity Rover clicks rare shiny clouds on Mars</a>

Both missions were picked from a competitive, peer-reviewed process based on their scientific value and feasibility of their plans.

DAVINCI+, which stands for Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging, will gather more detail on the composition of Venus' primarily carbon dioxide atmosphere, to learn how it formed and evolved.

The mission also seeks to determine whether the planet once had an ocean.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-piece-of-space-debris-recently-damaged-the-international-space-station-388585">A piece of space debris recently damaged the International Space Station</a>

A descent sphere will plunge through the dense atmosphere which is laced with sulfuric acid clouds.&nbsp;

It will precisely measure the levels of noble gases and other elements to learn what gave rise to the runaway greenhouse effect we see today.

DAVINCI+ will also beam back the first high resolution images of the planet's "tesserae," geological features roughly comparable with Earth's continents whose existence suggests Venus has plate tectonics.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-proposed-venus-mission-attracts-international-payload-proposals-344846">India's proposed Venus mission attracts international payload proposals</a>

The results could reshape scientists' understanding of terrestrial planet formation.

The other mission is called VERITAS, an acronym for Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy.

This will aim to map the Venusian surface from orbit and delve into the planet's geologic history.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-venus-a-russian-planet-the-countrys-space-agency-chief-seems-to-think-so-327958">Is Venus a 'Russian planet'? The country's space agency chief seems to think so!</a>

Using a form of radar that is used to create three-dimensional constructions, it will chart surface elevations and confirm whether volcanoes and earthquakes are still happening on the planet.

It will also use infrared scanning to determine rock type, which is largely unknown, and whether active volcanoes are releasing water vapor into the atmosphere.

While the mission is&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;led, the German Aerospace Center will provide the infrared mapper, while the Italian&nbsp;Space&nbsp;Agency and France's Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales will contribute to the radar and other parts of the mission.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-parker-solar-probe-sends-stunning-image-of-venus-and-its-terrain-367178">Also Read |&nbsp;NASA's Parker Solar Probe sends stunning image of Venus and its terrain</a>

"It is astounding how little we know about Venus, but the combined results of these missions will tell us about the planet from the clouds in its sky through the volcanoes on its surface all the way down to its very core," said Tom Wagner,&nbsp;NASA's Discovery Program scientist.&nbsp;

"It will be as if we have rediscovered the planet."

NASA's last Venus orbiter was Magellan, which arrived in 1990, but other vessels have made fly-bys since then.

NASA announced two new missions to Venus on Wednesday that will launch at the end of the decade and are aimed at learning how Earth's nearest planetary neighbor became a hellscape while our own thrived.

NASA announced two new missions to Venus on Wednesday that will launch at the end of the decade and are aimed at learning how Earth's nearest planetary neighbor became a hellscape while our own thrived. "These two sister missions both aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world, capable of melting lead at the surface," said Bill Nelson, the agency's newly-confirmed administrator. Also Read | Why NASA is sending bioluminescent baby squids, tardigrades into space on June 3 "They will offer the entire science community the chance to investigate a planet we haven't been to in more than 30 years." The missions have been awarded about $500 million under NASA's Discovery Program, and each is expected to launch in the 2028-2030 timeframe. Also Read | NASA's Curiosity Rover clicks rare shiny clouds on Mars Both missions were picked from a competitive, peer-reviewed process based on their scientific value and feasibility of their plans. DAVINCI+, which stands for Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging, will gather more detail on the composition of Venus' primarily carbon dioxide atmosphere, to learn how it formed and evolved. The mission also seeks to determine whether the planet once had an ocean. Also Read | A piece of space debris recently damaged the International Space Station A descent sphere will plunge through the dense atmosphere which is laced with sulfuric acid clouds. It will precisely measure the levels of noble gases and other elements to learn what gave rise to the runaway greenhouse effect we see today. DAVINCI+ will also beam back the first high resolution images of the planet's "tesserae," geological features roughly comparable with Earth's continents whose existence suggests Venus has plate tectonics. Also Read | India's proposed Venus mission attracts international payload proposals The results could reshape scientists' understanding of terrestrial planet formation. The other mission is called VERITAS, an acronym for Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy. This will aim to map the Venusian surface from orbit and delve into the planet's geologic history. Also Read | Is Venus a 'Russian planet'? The country's space agency chief seems to think so! Using a form of radar that is used to create three-dimensional constructions, it will chart surface elevations and confirm whether volcanoes and earthquakes are still happening on the planet. It will also use infrared scanning to determine rock type, which is largely unknown, and whether active volcanoes are releasing water vapor into the atmosphere. While the mission is NASA led, the German Aerospace Center will provide the infrared mapper, while the Italian Space Agency and France's Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales will contribute to the radar and other parts of the mission. Also Read | NASA's Parker Solar Probe sends stunning image of Venus and its terrain "It is astounding how little we know about Venus, but the combined results of these missions will tell us about the planet from the clouds in its sky through the volcanoes on its surface all the way down to its very core," said Tom Wagner, NASA's Discovery Program scientist. "It will be as if we have rediscovered the planet." NASA's last Venus orbiter was Magellan, which arrived in 1990, but other vessels have made fly-bys since then.

NASA announces two new missions to Venus

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