Bangladesh on Wednesday kickstarted the golden jubilee celebrations of independence from Pakistan, along with the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The South Asian nation is&nbsp;organising&nbsp;a 10-day programme&nbsp;till March 26 to mark its liberation&nbsp;from Pakistan after the 1971 war.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-pays-homage-to-bangabandhu-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-on-his-birth-anniversary-371043" hreflang="en">PM Modi pays homage to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth anniversary</a>

The high-profile celebrations will be attended by&nbsp;Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the&nbsp;heads of state and government from Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, under separate schedules in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Several other world leaders and dignitaries have sent video messages to mark the golden jubilee celebrations.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-liberation-war-the-story-of-indias-victory-pakistans-surrender-and-the-birth-of-a-new-nation-268445">Bangladesh liberation war: The story of India's victory, Pakistan's surrender and the birth of a new Nation</a>

Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday welcomed his Maldivian counterpart Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as he arrived on a three-day visit to the country to join the celebrations.

Solih was escorted to the National Memorial on the outskirts of Dhaka to pay homage to the 1971 martyrs. He offered wreaths, planted a sapling and signed the visitors' book.

The Maldivian president also visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, originally the Bangladesh founder's private residence where he was gunned down in a military coup on August 15, 1975, along with most of his family members, the youngest of them being 10-year-old Sheikh Russell.

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Today, I was immensely honoured &amp; touched to accompany President <a href="https://twitter.com/ibusolih?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ibusolih</a> during his visit to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangabandhu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangabandhu</a> Memorial Museum in Dhaka and pay tribute to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a>. <a href="https://t.co/f8jrJqiGx7">pic.twitter.com/f8jrJqiGx7</a>
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid/status/1372169617435545602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Hamid, along with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, paid homage to Bangladesh's founder's portrait at Bangabandhu Memorial museum early in the morning in a sombre&nbsp;ceremony, while military bugles played the last post as they placed wreaths on his portrait.

Hasina, who is the elder daughter of Bangabandhu, in a statement urged the nation to join hands to take Bangladesh to higher heights in the international arena.

''Let us take a vow to transform Bangladesh into a safe and peaceful home for our next generation,''&nbsp;she said.

The premier said her government was working tirelessly to build a hunger-and poverty-free developed and prosperous Bangladesh as envisioned by the Father of the Nation by formulating and implementing 'Vision-2021', 'Vision-2041' and 'Delta Plan-2100'.

Indian Prime Minister Modi will visit Bangladesh&nbsp;for a two-day visit on March 26 and will join the main Independence Day celebrations that also marks 50 years of&nbsp;diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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My heartfelt homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a champion of human rights and freedom, on his birth anniversary. He is a hero for all Indians too. It will be my honour to visit Bangladesh later this month for the historic <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MujibBorsho?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MujibBorsho</a> celebrations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1372037155095113730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, was born on March 17, 1920.

Bangladesh had originally planned grand celebrations for the 50th years of Independence and Bangabandhu's birth centenary but the coronavirus pandemic forced the country to revise the plan on health grounds. 
&nbsp;

Bangladesh on Wednesday kickstarted the golden jubilee celebrations of independence from Pakistan, along with the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh on Wednesday kickstarted the golden jubilee celebrations of independence from Pakistan, along with the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The South Asian nation is organising a 10-day programme till March 26 to mark its liberation from Pakistan after the 1971 war. Also read: PM Modi pays homage to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth anniversary The high-profile celebrations will be attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the heads of state and government from Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, under separate schedules in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several other world leaders and dignitaries have sent video messages to mark the golden jubilee celebrations. Also read| Bangladesh liberation war: The story of India's victory, Pakistan's surrender and the birth of a new Nation Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday welcomed his Maldivian counterpart Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as he arrived on a three-day visit to the country to join the celebrations. Solih was escorted to the National Memorial on the outskirts of Dhaka to pay homage to the 1971 martyrs. He offered wreaths, planted a sapling and signed the visitors' book. The Maldivian president also visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, originally the Bangladesh founder's private residence where he was gunned down in a military coup on August 15, 1975, along with most of his family members, the youngest of them being 10-year-old Sheikh Russell. Today, I was immensely honoured & touched to accompany President @ibusolih during his visit to the #Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka and pay tribute to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation of #Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/f8jrJqiGx7 — Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) March 17, 2021 × Hamid, along with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, paid homage to Bangladesh's founder's portrait at Bangabandhu Memorial museum early in the morning in a sombre ceremony, while military bugles played the last post as they placed wreaths on his portrait. Hasina, who is the elder daughter of Bangabandhu, in a statement urged the nation to join hands to take Bangladesh to higher heights in the international arena. ''Let us take a vow to transform Bangladesh into a safe and peaceful home for our next generation,'' she said. The premier said her government was working tirelessly to build a hunger-and poverty-free developed and prosperous Bangladesh as envisioned by the Father of the Nation by formulating and implementing 'Vision-2021', 'Vision-2041' and 'Delta Plan-2100'. Indian Prime Minister Modi will visit Bangladesh for a two-day visit on March 26 and will join the main Independence Day celebrations that also marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. My heartfelt homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a champion of human rights and freedom, on his birth anniversary. He is a hero for all Indians too. It will be my honour to visit Bangladesh later this month for the historic #MujibBorsho celebrations. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 17, 2021 × Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, was born on March 17, 1920. Bangladesh had originally planned grand celebrations for the 50th years of Independence and Bangabandhu's birth centenary but the coronavirus pandemic forced the country to revise the plan on health grounds.

Bangladesh begins celebrations to mark golden jubilee of independence

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday acknowledged that China will pose a “great challenge” for the UK&nbsp;as he set out the findings of a major review of foreign policy.

Addressing the British parliament, Johnson said that the UK has "led the international community in expressing our deep concern'' over China’s mass detention of the Uighur people and its actions in Hong Kong.

Britain's biggest foreign and defence policy review since the 1990 end of the Cold War sets out how Prime Minister Johnson&nbsp;wants to be at the forefront of a reinvigorated, rules-based international order based on cooperation and free trade.

Johnson’s government said it would “tilt” its focus towards the Indo-Pacific region as part of its Integrated Review of government policy for the coming years, saying the area increasingly represented the geopolitical centre of the world.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-pm-boris-johnson-to-visit-delhi-on-april-26-will-head-to-pune-too-370966" hreflang="en">UK PM Boris Johnson to visit Delhi on April 26, will head to Pune too</a>

The United States has deployed its&nbsp;Navy aircraft carrier&nbsp;the USS Nimitz&nbsp;in the contested South China Sea.

Germany has also announced the deployment of its naval frigate to Japan.

"There is no question that China will pose a great challenge to an open society such as ours, but we will also work with China where that is consistent with our values and interests,"&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;told parliament.

Marginal influence

Britain, the world's sixth-largest economy, is dwarfed economically and militarily by China but believes that, with soft power and strategic alliances, it can help persuade Beijing to play by the rules of a new, more dynamic international system.

The British government has long promised the "Integrated Review" that will show that Britain, which completed its exit from the EU at the end of last year, still has international clout and will define a new era.

The UK has taken a nuanced approach to China, calling Beijing's increasing power and assertiveness the most significant geopolitical factor of the decade, and promising to challenge it where necessary and defend British national security.

Johnson is pursuing forming an alliance of 10 democracies to create an alternative pool of suppliers of 5G equipment and other technologies to avoid relying on China.

The British government has approached Washington about a “D10” club of democratic partners, based on G7 plus Australia, South Korea and India.

In 2015, Britain's then-finance minister, George Osborne, predicted a "golden" era in Chinese-British relations. But ties have since frayed over issues including Beijing's security crackdown on former British colony Hong Kong and security concerns around Chinese investment in Britain.

What can the UK&nbsp;get from India?

Boris Johnson has called&nbsp;''India is an increasingly indispensable partner for the United Kingdom.''

India's skilled labour, technological assistance and vibrant market will open a lot of avenues for Britain which has recently parted ways with the European Union.

India is not the world's largest telecom market, it is also the fastest-growing.

According to a study on India's telecom sector, an increase in telecom subscriptions often touches 20 million a month.

India also offers the cheapest data compared at current market exchange rates.

As per cable.co.uk,&nbsp;the price per GB data in India to be $0.09.&nbsp;It took&nbsp;into account 5,554 data plans across 228 &nbsp;countries.

Along with the world, India is now steering towards 5G. The UK will need India's help to marginalise China in the telecom market.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India at the end of April in what will be his first major international trip after Britain’s exit from the European Union, as part of efforts to boost UK opportunities in the region, his office said on Monday.

"I am delighted to announce that I will visit India next month to strengthen our friendship with the world's biggest democracy," he said.

Johnson had planned an Indian trip in January as part of efforts to speed up trade talks between the two nations but was unable to do so&nbsp;amid a surge of COVID-19 infections at home.

At the time, his office said he had hoped to rearrange the visit before Britain hosted the meeting of leaders from the Group of Seven rich nations in June, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to attend as a visitor.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday acknowledged that China will pose a “great challenge” for the UK as he set out the findings of a major review of foreign policy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday acknowledged that China will pose a “great challenge” for the UK as he set out the findings of a major review of foreign policy. Addressing the British parliament, Johnson said that the UK has "led the international community in expressing our deep concern'' over China’s mass detention of the Uighur people and its actions in Hong Kong. Britain's biggest foreign and defence policy review since the 1990 end of the Cold War sets out how Prime Minister Johnson wants to be at the forefront of a reinvigorated, rules-based international order based on cooperation and free trade. Johnson’s government said it would “tilt” its focus towards the Indo-Pacific region as part of its Integrated Review of government policy for the coming years, saying the area increasingly represented the geopolitical centre of the world. Also read| UK PM Boris Johnson to visit Delhi on April 26, will head to Pune too The United States has deployed its Navy aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz in the contested South China Sea. Germany has also announced the deployment of its naval frigate to Japan. "There is no question that China will pose a great challenge to an open society such as ours, but we will also work with China where that is consistent with our values and interests," Johnson told parliament. Marginal influence Britain, the world's sixth-largest economy, is dwarfed economically and militarily by China but believes that, with soft power and strategic alliances, it can help persuade Beijing to play by the rules of a new, more dynamic international system. The British government has long promised the "Integrated Review" that will show that Britain, which completed its exit from the EU at the end of last year, still has international clout and will define a new era. The UK has taken a nuanced approach to China, calling Beijing's increasing power and assertiveness the most significant geopolitical factor of the decade, and promising to challenge it where necessary and defend British national security. Johnson is pursuing forming an alliance of 10 democracies to create an alternative pool of suppliers of 5G equipment and other technologies to avoid relying on China. The British government has approached Washington about a “D10” club of democratic partners, based on G7 plus Australia, South Korea and India. In 2015, Britain's then-finance minister, George Osborne, predicted a "golden" era in Chinese-British relations. But ties have since frayed over issues including Beijing's security crackdown on former British colony Hong Kong and security concerns around Chinese investment in Britain. What can the UK get from India? Boris Johnson has called ''India is an increasingly indispensable partner for the United Kingdom.'' India's skilled labour, technological assistance and vibrant market will open a lot of avenues for Britain which has recently parted ways with the European Union. India is not the world's largest telecom market, it is also the fastest-growing. According to a study on India's telecom sector, an increase in telecom subscriptions often touches 20 million a month. India also offers the cheapest data compared at current market exchange rates. As per cable.co.uk, the price per GB data in India to be $0.09. It took into account 5,554 data plans across 228 countries. Along with the world, India is now steering towards 5G. The UK will need India's help to marginalise China in the telecom market. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India at the end of April in what will be his first major international trip after Britain’s exit from the European Union, as part of efforts to boost UK opportunities in the region, his office said on Monday. "I am delighted to announce that I will visit India next month to strengthen our friendship with the world's biggest democracy," he said. Johnson had planned an Indian trip in January as part of efforts to speed up trade talks between the two nations but was unable to do so amid a surge of COVID-19 infections at home. At the time, his office said he had hoped to rearrange the visit before Britain hosted the meeting of leaders from the Group of Seven rich nations in June, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to attend as a visitor.

Why is Britain standing up to China

The suspect in the fatal shooting of eight people at day spas in and around Atlanta indicated he had issues with sexual addiction and the shootings may have not been motivated by racial hatred, law enforcement officials said on Wednesday.

Officials said that the 21-year-old suspect, Robert Aaron Long, appeared to have frequented the spas where Tuesday's violence occurred or similar ones, and that he was heading to Florida when he was apprehended, perhaps to carry out further shootings. Six of the eight victims were women of Asian descent.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-eight-dead-in-us-spa-shootings-suspect-reportedly-arrested-371000" hreflang="en">At least eight dead in US spa shootings; suspect reportedly arrested</a>

"The suspect did take responsibility for the shooting," Captain Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department told a news conference.

"It's a temptation for him that he wanted to eliminate," Baker added, referring to what he said were the suspect's sexual addiction issues.

While preliminary investigations appeared to suggest the suspect was not motivated by racial hatred, officials said it was still too early to know with certainty and the probe was still ongoing.

U.S. authorities are still looking into whether the attacks were inspired by anti-immigrant or anti-Asian motivation or some personal grievance, a federal law enforcement official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The killings were the latest in a string of mass shootings in the United States, with others occurring at schools, movie theaters, medical clinics and other public places in recent years. A 9mm firearm was found in Long's car, Baker added.

The bloodshed began about 5 p.m. on Tuesday when four people were killed and another was wounded at Young's Asian Massage in Cherokee County, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Atlanta, Baker said.

Two women of Asian descent were among the dead there, along with a white woman and a white man, Baker said, adding that the surviving victim was a Hispanic man.

In Atlanta, Georgia's state capital, police officers responding to a call of a "robbery in progress" shortly before 6 p.m. arrived at the Gold Spa beauty salon and found three women shot dead, Police Chief Rodney Bryant told reporters.

While investigating the initial report, the officers were called to a separate aromatherapy spa across the street where another woman was found dead from a gunshot wound, Bryant said. All four women killed in Atlanta were of Asian descent.

Long, of Woodstock in Cherokee County, was taken into custody in Crisp County, about 150 miles (240 km) south of Atlanta. A photo of Long, who is white, was released by authorities. He is being held in a Cherokee County detention center and his arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, law enforcement officials said.

Long was spotted in southern Georgia, far from the crime scenes, after police in Cherokee County issued a bulletin providing a description and license plates of the vehicle involved in the attacks.

He was arrested without incident after a highway pursuit by Georgia state police and Crisp County Sheriff's deputies, officials said.

Long's quick apprehension was aided by his family's cooperation with law enforcement and by footage of the suspect from security cameras at the shootings' locations, police said.

"We are really appreciative of the family. Without them this would not have happened as quickly as it happened. They were very supportive," Baker said.

Gun control is a divisive issue in the United States, which enshrines the right to bear arms in the Constitution. The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved a pair of gun control bills as Democrats seized upon a shifting political landscape that they said improved chances for enacting new laws after years of failed attempts.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said that "a crime against any community is a crime against us all," adding, "This was a tragic day with many victims. But thankfully the suspect was quickly apprehended."

Police departments in Atlanta and New York City said they would beef up presence around businesses and in Asian communities in the wake of the shootings.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden was briefed about the shootings overnight. Attorney General Merrick Garland, the top U.S. law enforcement official, also has been briefed, a Justice Department official said. The FBI's Atlanta office is assisting local police with its investigation.

The suspect in the fatal shooting of eight people at day spas in and around Atlanta indicated he had issues with sexual addiction and the shootings may have not been motivated by racial hatred, law enforcement officials said on Wednesday.

The suspect in the fatal shooting of eight people at day spas in and around Atlanta indicated he had issues with sexual addiction and the shootings may have not been motivated by racial hatred, law enforcement officials said on Wednesday. Officials said that the 21-year-old suspect, Robert Aaron Long, appeared to have frequented the spas where Tuesday's violence occurred or similar ones, and that he was heading to Florida when he was apprehended, perhaps to carry out further shootings. Six of the eight victims were women of Asian descent. Also read: At least eight dead in US spa shootings; suspect reportedly arrested "The suspect did take responsibility for the shooting," Captain Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department told a news conference. "It's a temptation for him that he wanted to eliminate," Baker added, referring to what he said were the suspect's sexual addiction issues. While preliminary investigations appeared to suggest the suspect was not motivated by racial hatred, officials said it was still too early to know with certainty and the probe was still ongoing. U.S. authorities are still looking into whether the attacks were inspired by anti-immigrant or anti-Asian motivation or some personal grievance, a federal law enforcement official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The killings were the latest in a string of mass shootings in the United States, with others occurring at schools, movie theaters, medical clinics and other public places in recent years. A 9mm firearm was found in Long's car, Baker added. The bloodshed began about 5 p.m. on Tuesday when four people were killed and another was wounded at Young's Asian Massage in Cherokee County, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Atlanta, Baker said. Two women of Asian descent were among the dead there, along with a white woman and a white man, Baker said, adding that the surviving victim was a Hispanic man. In Atlanta, Georgia's state capital, police officers responding to a call of a "robbery in progress" shortly before 6 p.m. arrived at the Gold Spa beauty salon and found three women shot dead, Police Chief Rodney Bryant told reporters. While investigating the initial report, the officers were called to a separate aromatherapy spa across the street where another woman was found dead from a gunshot wound, Bryant said. All four women killed in Atlanta were of Asian descent. Long, of Woodstock in Cherokee County, was taken into custody in Crisp County, about 150 miles (240 km) south of Atlanta. A photo of Long, who is white, was released by authorities. He is being held in a Cherokee County detention center and his arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, law enforcement officials said. Long was spotted in southern Georgia, far from the crime scenes, after police in Cherokee County issued a bulletin providing a description and license plates of the vehicle involved in the attacks. He was arrested without incident after a highway pursuit by Georgia state police and Crisp County Sheriff's deputies, officials said. Long's quick apprehension was aided by his family's cooperation with law enforcement and by footage of the suspect from security cameras at the shootings' locations, police said. "We are really appreciative of the family. Without them this would not have happened as quickly as it happened. They were very supportive," Baker said. Gun control is a divisive issue in the United States, which enshrines the right to bear arms in the Constitution. The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved a pair of gun control bills as Democrats seized upon a shifting political landscape that they said improved chances for enacting new laws after years of failed attempts. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said that "a crime against any community is a crime against us all," adding, "This was a tragic day with many victims. But thankfully the suspect was quickly apprehended." Police departments in Atlanta and New York City said they would beef up presence around businesses and in Asian communities in the wake of the shootings. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden was briefed about the shootings overnight. Attorney General Merrick Garland, the top U.S. law enforcement official, also has been briefed, a Justice Department official said. The FBI's Atlanta office is assisting local police with its investigation.

Sex addiction, not racial hatred, may have driven suspect in Georgia spa shootings

Twenty-one Republican attorneys general pressed the Biden administration Tuesday to clarify a provision in the $1.9 trillion economic aid package that the president signed into law last week, warning that its restrictions on state efforts to cut taxes could be “the greatest attempted invasion of state sovereignty by Congress in the history of our Republic.”

The seven-page letter was signed by a host of Republican officials, including the attorneys general of Texas, Arizona, Georgia and Utah. They take issue with a restriction that lawmakers included in a $350 billion relief effort for state, local and tribal governments that prevents them from using the federal funds “to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction in the net tax revenue” as a result of tax cuts. These governments have suffered revenue hits and laid off more than 1 million public employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

The law requires repayment to the federal government of any money that violates those conditions.

In their letter, the Republican officials asked Janet Yellen, the Treasury secretary, to clarify how expansively her department would interpret that portion of the law. Does it simply prohibit states from using the federal dollars to offset new tax cuts, or instead prohibit them from cutting taxes for any reason, even if those cuts were in the works before the law passed? The officials said the broader restriction would be damaging and most likely unconstitutional.

“This language could be read to deny states the ability to cut taxes in any manner whatsoever — even if they would have provided such tax relief with or without the prospect of COVID-19 relief funds,” the attorneys general wrote. “Absent a more sensible interpretation from your department, this provision would amount to an unprecedented and unconstitutional intrusion on the separate sovereignty of the states through federal usurpation of essentially one half of the state’s fiscal ledgers” — their ability to collect revenues.

Oklahoma, for example, has already passed an income-tax cut through its House of Representatives, including an expansion of the state’s earned-income tax credit that is meant to help low-income workers, Mike Hunter, the state’s attorney general, said in a statement Tuesday. “But,” he warned, “the federal stimulus bill might prohibit Oklahoma from providing this economic relief without losing its share of federal funding.”

A White House spokesman declined on Tuesday evening to comment on the letter. A Treasury Department spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment.

Republican lawmakers in Washington and around the country previously raised concerns over the provision.

“We were planning on giving — reducing the sales tax on used cars, that is low-income and middle-income,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas said on the CBS program “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “And now we’re worried about whether that’s going to be prohibited under this bill. The language seems to indicate it is.”

Twenty-one Republican attorneys general pressed the Biden administration Tuesday to clarify a provision in the $1.9 trillion economic aid package that the president signed into law last week, warning that its restrictions on state efforts to cut taxes could be “the greatest attempted invasion of state sovereignty by Congress in the history of our Republic.

Twenty-one Republican attorneys general pressed the Biden administration Tuesday to clarify a provision in the $1.9 trillion economic aid package that the president signed into law last week, warning that its restrictions on state efforts to cut taxes could be “the greatest attempted invasion of state sovereignty by Congress in the history of our Republic.” The seven-page letter was signed by a host of Republican officials, including the attorneys general of Texas, Arizona, Georgia and Utah. They take issue with a restriction that lawmakers included in a $350 billion relief effort for state, local and tribal governments that prevents them from using the federal funds “to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction in the net tax revenue” as a result of tax cuts. These governments have suffered revenue hits and laid off more than 1 million public employees during the coronavirus pandemic. The law requires repayment to the federal government of any money that violates those conditions. In their letter, the Republican officials asked Janet Yellen, the Treasury secretary, to clarify how expansively her department would interpret that portion of the law. Does it simply prohibit states from using the federal dollars to offset new tax cuts, or instead prohibit them from cutting taxes for any reason, even if those cuts were in the works before the law passed? The officials said the broader restriction would be damaging and most likely unconstitutional. “This language could be read to deny states the ability to cut taxes in any manner whatsoever — even if they would have provided such tax relief with or without the prospect of COVID-19 relief funds,” the attorneys general wrote. “Absent a more sensible interpretation from your department, this provision would amount to an unprecedented and unconstitutional intrusion on the separate sovereignty of the states through federal usurpation of essentially one half of the state’s fiscal ledgers” — their ability to collect revenues. Oklahoma, for example, has already passed an income-tax cut through its House of Representatives, including an expansion of the state’s earned-income tax credit that is meant to help low-income workers, Mike Hunter, the state’s attorney general, said in a statement Tuesday. “But,” he warned, “the federal stimulus bill might prohibit Oklahoma from providing this economic relief without losing its share of federal funding.” A White House spokesman declined on Tuesday evening to comment on the letter. A Treasury Department spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment. Republican lawmakers in Washington and around the country previously raised concerns over the provision. “We were planning on giving — reducing the sales tax on used cars, that is low-income and middle-income,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas said on the CBS program “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “And now we’re worried about whether that’s going to be prohibited under this bill. The language seems to indicate it is.”

Republican attorneys general press Biden over restrictions on state aid in stimulus plan

The NCAA quietly rewrote part of its coronavirus safety protocols, which college sports administrators have routinely used to justify holding basketball championships during the pandemic, to potentially shorten the quarantines of some teams arriving in Indiana for the Division I men’s tournament.

The association’s published health guidelines, which also apply to the women’s tournament scheduled to begin next week in Texas, call for teams to “remain in quarantine until two consecutive tests on separate days are confirmed negative, at which time team practice may begin.” But the NCAA’s unannounced change offers teams arriving late at night a quicker way out: negative results on virus tests separated by at least 12 hours.

The shift, acknowledged only after inquiries from The New York Times, allowed Iona, the No. 15 seed in the East region, to practice less than 24 hours after its chartered plane landed in Indianapolis late in the night it clinched its automatic bid.

The episode involving Iona, which coach Rick Pitino steered to a victory in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament on Saturday, is an early signal of how the NCAA may interpret, apply and change the safety rules it is relying on to stage 67 games in Indiana over the coming weeks.

Like their counterparts in many leagues, college sports administrators routinely recalibrated their approach to the pandemic, not just in details but sometimes with respect to issues they had depicted as foundational principles. Last year, for instance, executives regularly said that college games would not happen unless students were on campuses for classes — a position that ultimately faded away as the fall football season approached.

The NCAA quietly rewrote part of its coronavirus safety protocols, which college sports administrators have routinely used to justify holding basketball championships during the pandemic, to potentially shorten the quarantines of some teams arriving in Indiana for the Division I men’s tournament.

The NCAA quietly rewrote part of its coronavirus safety protocols, which college sports administrators have routinely used to justify holding basketball championships during the pandemic, to potentially shorten the quarantines of some teams arriving in Indiana for the Division I men’s tournament. The association’s published health guidelines, which also apply to the women’s tournament scheduled to begin next week in Texas, call for teams to “remain in quarantine until two consecutive tests on separate days are confirmed negative, at which time team practice may begin.” But the NCAA’s unannounced change offers teams arriving late at night a quicker way out: negative results on virus tests separated by at least 12 hours. The shift, acknowledged only after inquiries from The New York Times, allowed Iona, the No. 15 seed in the East region, to practice less than 24 hours after its chartered plane landed in Indianapolis late in the night it clinched its automatic bid. The episode involving Iona, which coach Rick Pitino steered to a victory in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament on Saturday, is an early signal of how the NCAA may interpret, apply and change the safety rules it is relying on to stage 67 games in Indiana over the coming weeks. Like their counterparts in many leagues, college sports administrators routinely recalibrated their approach to the pandemic, not just in details but sometimes with respect to issues they had depicted as foundational principles. Last year, for instance, executives regularly said that college games would not happen unless students were on campuses for classes — a position that ultimately faded away as the fall football season approached.

NCAA quietly eases a virus safety rule

Turkey's parliament increased pressure on a pro-Kurdish opposition party on Wednesday by stripping a prominent member of his seat over a criminal conviction for spreading "terrorist propaganda" in a social media post.

The move against Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a human rights advocate, dealt a new blow to the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) which nationalist allies of President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party (AKP) want to be banned over what they say are militant links.

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Gergerlioglu was the latest among many HDP lawmakers, mayors and officials jailed or forced out in recent years, and is one of many government critics to have expressed concern about an erosion of human rights in Turkey.

He said he would resist the decision and HDP deputies held up placards in parliament supporting him. They chanted "rights, law, justice" and "putschist AKP".

"Enough of so many anti-democratic practices. We will not bow down," Gergerlioglu shouted, adding that the will of the people had been "trampled underfoot".

Turkey's top appeals court last month upheld his 2018 conviction for "spreading terrorist propaganda" over a post he shared in 2016 before he was elected an MP in the northwestern province of Kocaeli.

He had shared and commented on a story that reported on an outlawed Kurdish militant group calling on the Turkish state to take a step towards peace.

Kurdish militias have been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Gergerlioglu, who will now see his immunity from prosecution lifted, defiantly declared in parliament that he will have to be forcibly removed from the chamber.

"I came here to parliament representing the people's will," said Gergerlioglu, who is also a physician, accusing the parliament of committing a "crime" against him.

"I'm not going anywhere," he shouted, calling the decision "unconstitutional".

Gergerlioglu was supported by fellow HDP MPs, some of whom applauded Gergerlioglu and banged on tables in the general assembly while chanting "rights, law, justice".

"We're not going to be silent, we're not scared, we're not going to submit," the MPs chanted as the standoff stretched into the evening hours.

'Not alone'

#GergerliogluYalnizDegildir (Gergerlioglu is not alone) has become a top topic on Turkish Twitter, even though the HDP's sit-in protest was largely ignored by the main television stations.

Meral Danis Bestas, who co-chairs the party's parliamentary group, said Gergerlioglu was the 14th HDP lawmakers to have been stripped of his immunity since 2016.

"You cannot do as you please with MPs elected by the people," her fellow co-chair Saruhan Oluc told reporters.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) noted that Gergerlioglu's offending posts never promoted violence and that he was stripped of his seat before the Constitutional Court had a chance to review his appeal.

HRW's Turkey director Emma Sinclair-Webb called it "a shocking attack on democratic norms and the rule of law, a violation of Turkey's constitution, laws and obligations under international law."

Although he has long been an irritant for Erdogan, his advocacy for female detainees subjected to strip searches particularly angered the government last year.

Ruling party MP Ozlem Zengin last month denied that women's rights were being violated.

The debate intensified after a public backlash against Zengin's comments in which he claimed that "honourable" women would not wait months or years to report such experiences.

Erdogan has announced a plan to strengthen rights to a fair trial and freedom of expression in Turkey, but has failed to appease his critics.

Pressure on the HDP has grown since Turkey said 13 captives, including Turkish military and police personnel, were executed by PKK militants in Iraq during a failed Turkish military operation to rescue them last month.

The PKK has fought an insurgency against the state in mainly Kurdish southeast Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Turkey's parliament increased pressure on a pro-Kurdish opposition party on Wednesday by stripping a prominent member of his seat over a criminal conviction for spreading "terrorist propaganda" in a social media post.

Turkey's parliament increased pressure on a pro-Kurdish opposition party on Wednesday by stripping a prominent member of his seat over a criminal conviction for spreading "terrorist propaganda" in a social media post. The move against Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a human rights advocate, dealt a new blow to the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) which nationalist allies of President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party (AKP) want to be banned over what they say are militant links. Gergerlioglu was the latest among many HDP lawmakers, mayors and officials jailed or forced out in recent years, and is one of many government critics to have expressed concern about an erosion of human rights in Turkey. He said he would resist the decision and HDP deputies held up placards in parliament supporting him. They chanted "rights, law, justice" and "putschist AKP". "Enough of so many anti-democratic practices. We will not bow down," Gergerlioglu shouted, adding that the will of the people had been "trampled underfoot". Turkey's top appeals court last month upheld his 2018 conviction for "spreading terrorist propaganda" over a post he shared in 2016 before he was elected an MP in the northwestern province of Kocaeli. He had shared and commented on a story that reported on an outlawed Kurdish militant group calling on the Turkish state to take a step towards peace. Kurdish militias have been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Gergerlioglu, who will now see his immunity from prosecution lifted, defiantly declared in parliament that he will have to be forcibly removed from the chamber. "I came here to parliament representing the people's will," said Gergerlioglu, who is also a physician, accusing the parliament of committing a "crime" against him. "I'm not going anywhere," he shouted, calling the decision "unconstitutional". Gergerlioglu was supported by fellow HDP MPs, some of whom applauded Gergerlioglu and banged on tables in the general assembly while chanting "rights, law, justice". "We're not going to be silent, we're not scared, we're not going to submit," the MPs chanted as the standoff stretched into the evening hours. 'Not alone' #GergerliogluYalnizDegildir (Gergerlioglu is not alone) has become a top topic on Turkish Twitter, even though the HDP's sit-in protest was largely ignored by the main television stations. Meral Danis Bestas, who co-chairs the party's parliamentary group, said Gergerlioglu was the 14th HDP lawmakers to have been stripped of his immunity since 2016. "You cannot do as you please with MPs elected by the people," her fellow co-chair Saruhan Oluc told reporters. Human Rights Watch (HRW) noted that Gergerlioglu's offending posts never promoted violence and that he was stripped of his seat before the Constitutional Court had a chance to review his appeal. HRW's Turkey director Emma Sinclair-Webb called it "a shocking attack on democratic norms and the rule of law, a violation of Turkey's constitution, laws and obligations under international law." Although he has long been an irritant for Erdogan, his advocacy for female detainees subjected to strip searches particularly angered the government last year. Ruling party MP Ozlem Zengin last month denied that women's rights were being violated. The debate intensified after a public backlash against Zengin's comments in which he claimed that "honourable" women would not wait months or years to report such experiences. Erdogan has announced a plan to strengthen rights to a fair trial and freedom of expression in Turkey, but has failed to appease his critics. Pressure on the HDP has grown since Turkey said 13 captives, including Turkish military and police personnel, were executed by PKK militants in Iraq during a failed Turkish military operation to rescue them last month. The PKK has fought an insurgency against the state in mainly Kurdish southeast Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Turkish parliament expels opposition MP over social media posts

The Juno spacecraft of the&nbsp;National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed the&nbsp;dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms, in a recent study.

The findings of the research, published in the journal AGU Advances state that the&nbsp;Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument of the Juno mission, the gas-giant orbiter is illuminating the provenance of Jovian polar light.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-discovers-three-microbes-that-may-help-grow-plants-on-mars-370933">NASA discovers three microbes that may help grow plants on Mars</a>

It reveals&nbsp;for the first time the birth of auroral dawn storms – the early morning brightening unique to Jupiter’s spectacular aurorae. These immense, transient displays of light occur at both Jovian poles and had previously been observed only by ground-based and Earth-orbiting observatories, notably NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jQNLMoot-Bs" width="560"></iframe>

First discovered by Hubble’s Faint Object Camera in 1994, dawn storms consist of short-lived but intense brightening and broadening of Jupiter’s main auroral oval – an oblong curtain of light that surrounds both poles – near where the atmosphere emerges from the darkness in the early morning region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-detects-fm-signals-from-jupiters-moon-ganymede-for-the-first-time-356822">NASA detects FM signals from Jupiter's moon Ganymede for the first time</a>

Before Juno, observations of Jovian ultraviolet aurora had offered only side views, hiding everything happening on the nightside of the planet.&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;Bertrand Bonfond, a researcher from the University of Liège in Belgium and lead author of the study,&nbsp;“Observing Jupiter’s aurora from Earth does not allow you to see beyond the limb, into the nightside of Jupiter’s poles. Explorations by other spacecraft – Voyager, Galileo, Cassini – happened from relatively large distances and did not fly over the poles, so they could not see the complete picture.”

&nbsp;“That’s why the Juno data is a real game-changer, allowing us a better understanding of what is happening on the nightside, where the dawn storms are born.”

Researchers found dawn storms are born on the nightside of the gas giant. As the planet rotates, the soon-to-be dawn storm rotates with it into the dayside, where these complex and intensely bright auroral features grow even more luminous, emitting anywhere from hundreds to thousands of gigawatts of ultraviolet light into space.

The jump in brightness implies that dawn storms are dumping at least 10 times more energy into Jupiter's upper atmosphere than typical aurora.

The interior of Jupiter is just as intriguing as the planet’s dazzling surface, with a swirling mixture of liquid hydrogen and helium at its centre, vast atmospheric jet streams and exotic gravitational properties.

Data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft, orbiting the solar system’s largest planet since 2016, is providing researchers with what they called unprecedented insight into Jupiter’s internal dynamics and structure. Until now, scientists have had scant information about what lies below Jupiter’s thick red, brown, yellow and white clouds.

Jupiter is a type of planet called a gas giant, as opposed to rocky planets like Earth and Mars, and its composition is 99 percent hydrogen and helium. Juno’s data showed that as you go deeper under the surface, Jupiter’s gas becomes ionized and eventually turns into a hot, dense metallic liquid.

The Juno spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed the dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms, in a recent study.

The Juno spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed the dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms, in a recent study. The findings of the research, published in the journal AGU Advances state that the Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument of the Juno mission, the gas-giant orbiter is illuminating the provenance of Jovian polar light. Also read: NASA discovers three microbes that may help grow plants on Mars It reveals for the first time the birth of auroral dawn storms – the early morning brightening unique to Jupiter’s spectacular aurorae. These immense, transient displays of light occur at both Jovian poles and had previously been observed only by ground-based and Earth-orbiting observatories, notably NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. First discovered by Hubble’s Faint Object Camera in 1994, dawn storms consist of short-lived but intense brightening and broadening of Jupiter’s main auroral oval – an oblong curtain of light that surrounds both poles – near where the atmosphere emerges from the darkness in the early morning region. Also read: NASA detects FM signals from Jupiter's moon Ganymede for the first time Before Juno, observations of Jovian ultraviolet aurora had offered only side views, hiding everything happening on the nightside of the planet. According to Bertrand Bonfond, a researcher from the University of Liège in Belgium and lead author of the study, “Observing Jupiter’s aurora from Earth does not allow you to see beyond the limb, into the nightside of Jupiter’s poles. Explorations by other spacecraft – Voyager, Galileo, Cassini – happened from relatively large distances and did not fly over the poles, so they could not see the complete picture.” “That’s why the Juno data is a real game-changer, allowing us a better understanding of what is happening on the nightside, where the dawn storms are born.” Researchers found dawn storms are born on the nightside of the gas giant. As the planet rotates, the soon-to-be dawn storm rotates with it into the dayside, where these complex and intensely bright auroral features grow even more luminous, emitting anywhere from hundreds to thousands of gigawatts of ultraviolet light into space. The jump in brightness implies that dawn storms are dumping at least 10 times more energy into Jupiter's upper atmosphere than typical aurora. The interior of Jupiter is just as intriguing as the planet’s dazzling surface, with a swirling mixture of liquid hydrogen and helium at its centre, vast atmospheric jet streams and exotic gravitational properties. Data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft, orbiting the solar system’s largest planet since 2016, is providing researchers with what they called unprecedented insight into Jupiter’s internal dynamics and structure. Until now, scientists have had scant information about what lies below Jupiter’s thick red, brown, yellow and white clouds. Jupiter is a type of planet called a gas giant, as opposed to rocky planets like Earth and Mars, and its composition is 99 percent hydrogen and helium. Juno’s data showed that as you go deeper under the surface, Jupiter’s gas becomes ionized and eventually turns into a hot, dense metallic liquid.

NASA's Juno spacecraft unveils dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms for first time

'Don't come': US facing biggest migrant surge in 20 years

US President Joe Biden has said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should resign if accusations that he sexually harassed women are proven. Notably, Cuomo is a powerful member of Biden's Democratic party.

"Yes," Biden told ABC News when asked if Cuomo should step down in those circumstances.

"I think he'll probably end up being prosecuted, too," he added.

Eight women have come forward since last month to denounce what they said were inappropriate words and gestures from Cuomo. One former employee said he slipped his hand under her blouse last year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-imperious-rise-and-accelerating-fall-of-andrew-cuomo-370378">Also read |&nbsp;The imperious rise and accelerating fall of Andrew Cuomo</a>

Cuomo faces accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct levelled by several women, including former aides, and has come under pressure from disclosures that his administration withheld the number of nursing home residents killed in the state by Covid-19.&nbsp;

Apart from these allegations of groping, sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour made by women, Cuomo also faces an independent investigation into those accusations; an impeachment inquiry by state legislators; a federal investigation into his handling of nursing homes during the pandemic; and collapsing support from leaders in his own party.

Cuomo, however, denies sexual harassment and is refusing the calls to resign.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-biden-stay-on-the-sidelines-of-the-andrew-cuomo-saga-370872">Also read |&nbsp;Can Biden stay on the sidelines of the Andrew Cuomo saga?</a>

US President Joe Biden has said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should resign if accusations that he sexually harassed women are proven. Notably, Cuomo is a powerful member of Biden's Democratic party.

US President Joe Biden has said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should resign if accusations that he sexually harassed women are proven. Notably, Cuomo is a powerful member of Biden's Democratic party. "Yes," Biden told ABC News when asked if Cuomo should step down in those circumstances. "I think he'll probably end up being prosecuted, too," he added. Eight women have come forward since last month to denounce what they said were inappropriate words and gestures from Cuomo. One former employee said he slipped his hand under her blouse last year. Also read | The imperious rise and accelerating fall of Andrew Cuomo Cuomo faces accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct levelled by several women, including former aides, and has come under pressure from disclosures that his administration withheld the number of nursing home residents killed in the state by Covid-19. Apart from these allegations of groping, sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour made by women, Cuomo also faces an independent investigation into those accusations; an impeachment inquiry by state legislators; a federal investigation into his handling of nursing homes during the pandemic; and collapsing support from leaders in his own party. Cuomo, however, denies sexual harassment and is refusing the calls to resign. Also read | Can Biden stay on the sidelines of the Andrew Cuomo saga?

Biden says New York governor should resign if harassment claims proven

The&nbsp;National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered three bacterial strains at the International Space Station that may&nbsp;help grow plants on Mars.

In order to withstand the rigours of space on deep-space missions, food grown outside of Earth needs a little extra help from bacteria.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/breakthrough-first-plant-transplant-takes-place-in-international-space-station-360217">'Breakthrough': First plant transplant takes place in International Space Station</a>

The recent discovery aboard the International Space Station (ISS) can help researchers create the 'fuel' to help plants withstand such stressful situations.

The findings published in the&nbsp;Frontiers in Microbiology described the discovery&nbsp;of bacteria belonging to the family Methylobacteriaceae from different locations aboard the ISS across two consecutive flights.

While 1 strain was identified as Methylorubrum rhodesianum, the other 3 were previously undiscovered and belong to a novel species novel. The rod-shaped, motile bacteria were given the designations IF7SW-B2T, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5 with genetic analysis showing them to be closely related to Methylobacterium indicum.

Methylobacterium species are involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, abiotic stress tolerance, plant growth promotion and biocontrol activity against plant pathogens.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/perseverance-searches-for-life-on-mars-369682/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Potential for Mars missions

Now, in honor of the renowned Indian biodiversity scientists Dr Ajmal Khan, the team has proposed to call the novel species Methylobacterium ajmalii.

Commenting on the discovery, Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran (Venkat) and Dr Nitin Kumar Singh of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, (JPL), says that the strains might possess " biotechnologically useful genetic determinants" for the growing of crops in space.

However, further experimental biology is needed to prove that it is, indeed, a potential game-changer for space farming.

"To grow plants in extreme places where resources are minimal, isolation of novel microbes that help to promote plant growth under stressful conditions is essential," they said.

Along with JPL, other researchers collaborating on this discovery are based at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; Cornell University and the University of Hyderabad in India.

With NASA one day looking to take humans to the surface of Mars - and potentially beyond - the US National Research Council Decadal Survey recommends that the space agency use the ISS as a "test-bed for surveying microorganisms", according to Venkat and Singh.

"Since our group possess expertise in cultivating microorganisms from extreme niches, we have been tasked by the NASA Space Biology Program to survey the ISS for the presence and persistence of the microorganisms," they add.

"Needless to say, the ISS is a cleanly-maintained extreme environment. Crew safety is the number 1 priority and hence understanding human/plant pathogens are important, but beneficial microbes like this novel Methylobacterium ajmalii are also needed."

Expanding the ISS lab

As part of an ongoing surveillance mission, 8 locations on the ISS are being monitored for bacterial growths and have been for the last 6 years. These sample areas include where the crew assembles or where experiments are conducted, such as the plant growth chamber.

While hundreds of bacterial samples from the ISS have been analyzed to date, approximately 1,000 samples have been collected from various other locations on the space station but are awaiting a trip back to Earth where they can be examined.

According to Venkat and Singh, the eventual goal is to bypass this lengthy process and potentially find new novel strains using molecular biology equipment developed and demonstrated for the ISS.

"Instead of bringing samples back to Earth for analyses, we need an integrated microbial monitoring system that collect, process, and analyze samples in space using molecular technologies," Venkat and Singh said.

"This miniaturized 'omics in space' technology - a biosensor development - will help NASA and other space-faring nations achieve safe and sustainable space exploration for long periods of time." 
&nbsp;

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered three bacterial strains at the International Space Station that may help grow plants on Mars.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered three bacterial strains at the International Space Station that may help grow plants on Mars. In order to withstand the rigours of space on deep-space missions, food grown outside of Earth needs a little extra help from bacteria. Also read| 'Breakthrough': First plant transplant takes place in International Space Station The recent discovery aboard the International Space Station (ISS) can help researchers create the 'fuel' to help plants withstand such stressful situations. The findings published in the Frontiers in Microbiology described the discovery of bacteria belonging to the family Methylobacteriaceae from different locations aboard the ISS across two consecutive flights. While 1 strain was identified as Methylorubrum rhodesianum, the other 3 were previously undiscovered and belong to a novel species novel. The rod-shaped, motile bacteria were given the designations IF7SW-B2T, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5 with genetic analysis showing them to be closely related to Methylobacterium indicum. Methylobacterium species are involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, abiotic stress tolerance, plant growth promotion and biocontrol activity against plant pathogens. Potential for Mars missions Now, in honor of the renowned Indian biodiversity scientists Dr Ajmal Khan, the team has proposed to call the novel species Methylobacterium ajmalii. Commenting on the discovery, Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran (Venkat) and Dr Nitin Kumar Singh of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, (JPL), says that the strains might possess " biotechnologically useful genetic determinants" for the growing of crops in space. However, further experimental biology is needed to prove that it is, indeed, a potential game-changer for space farming. "To grow plants in extreme places where resources are minimal, isolation of novel microbes that help to promote plant growth under stressful conditions is essential," they said. Along with JPL, other researchers collaborating on this discovery are based at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; Cornell University and the University of Hyderabad in India. With NASA one day looking to take humans to the surface of Mars - and potentially beyond - the US National Research Council Decadal Survey recommends that the space agency use the ISS as a "test-bed for surveying microorganisms", according to Venkat and Singh. "Since our group possess expertise in cultivating microorganisms from extreme niches, we have been tasked by the NASA Space Biology Program to survey the ISS for the presence and persistence of the microorganisms," they add. "Needless to say, the ISS is a cleanly-maintained extreme environment. Crew safety is the number 1 priority and hence understanding human/plant pathogens are important, but beneficial microbes like this novel Methylobacterium ajmalii are also needed." Expanding the ISS lab As part of an ongoing surveillance mission, 8 locations on the ISS are being monitored for bacterial growths and have been for the last 6 years. These sample areas include where the crew assembles or where experiments are conducted, such as the plant growth chamber. While hundreds of bacterial samples from the ISS have been analyzed to date, approximately 1,000 samples have been collected from various other locations on the space station but are awaiting a trip back to Earth where they can be examined. According to Venkat and Singh, the eventual goal is to bypass this lengthy process and potentially find new novel strains using molecular biology equipment developed and demonstrated for the ISS. "Instead of bringing samples back to Earth for analyses, we need an integrated microbial monitoring system that collect, process, and analyze samples in space using molecular technologies," Venkat and Singh said. "This miniaturized 'omics in space' technology - a biosensor development - will help NASA and other space-faring nations achieve safe and sustainable space exploration for long periods of time."

NASA discovers three microbes that may help grow plants on Mars

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that there needed to be a cultural change in attitudes in Britain towards women after the murder of Londoner Sarah Everard prompted a debate over how the country deals with male violence against women.

During the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session, opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer called the murder a "watershed moment" that demanded cross-party support to achieve cultural change.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/men-do-better-londoners-hold-vigil-for-sarah-everard-police-revolts-370400">'Men, do better': Londoners hold vigil for Sarah Everard; Police revolts</a>

Putting aside party differences temporarily, Johnson said he fully agreed with Starmer and said that the issue of women's safety would not be resolved without widespread cultural and social change.

A serving police officer is set to go on trial in October accused of the kidnap and murder of Everard, whose killing sparked anger and soul-searching about what police, government and society can do to stop male violence against women.

The 33-year-old was abducted as she walked home from a friend's house in south London on March 3, with her body later found in woodland around 50 miles away in southeast England.

'Unwavering'

An official cause of death has not yet been given, but a coroner's inquest is due to open on Thursday.

At a cabinet meeting Tuesday chaired by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the government pledged to be "unwavering" in its commitment to tackle violence against women.

Johnson on Monday headed a meeting of his criminal justice taskforce to make new recommendations to improve safety.

But critics have objected that the taskforce does not include any ministers with responsibility for gender equality, and that criminal justice legislation currently making its way through parliament does not go far enough on the issue.&nbsp;

More socially distanced solidarity vigils have been staged in British cities in recent days, as well as in Irish cities including the capital Dublin, where up to 200 people gathered Tuesday.&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that there needed to be a cultural change in attitudes in Britain towards women after the murder of Londoner Sarah Everard prompted a debate over how the country deals with male violence against women.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that there needed to be a cultural change in attitudes in Britain towards women after the murder of Londoner Sarah Everard prompted a debate over how the country deals with male violence against women. During the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session, opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer called the murder a "watershed moment" that demanded cross-party support to achieve cultural change. Also see| 'Men, do better': Londoners hold vigil for Sarah Everard; Police revolts Putting aside party differences temporarily, Johnson said he fully agreed with Starmer and said that the issue of women's safety would not be resolved without widespread cultural and social change. A serving police officer is set to go on trial in October accused of the kidnap and murder of Everard, whose killing sparked anger and soul-searching about what police, government and society can do to stop male violence against women. The 33-year-old was abducted as she walked home from a friend's house in south London on March 3, with her body later found in woodland around 50 miles away in southeast England. 'Unwavering' An official cause of death has not yet been given, but a coroner's inquest is due to open on Thursday. At a cabinet meeting Tuesday chaired by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the government pledged to be "unwavering" in its commitment to tackle violence against women. Johnson on Monday headed a meeting of his criminal justice taskforce to make new recommendations to improve safety. But critics have objected that the taskforce does not include any ministers with responsibility for gender equality, and that criminal justice legislation currently making its way through parliament does not go far enough on the issue. More socially distanced solidarity vigils have been staged in British cities in recent days, as well as in Irish cities including the capital Dublin, where up to 200 people gathered Tuesday.

Sarah Everard case: Britain needs cultural change says Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Taiwan's defence minister said on Wednesday that&nbsp;it has strengthened deployments in the disputed South China Sea and that the United States has approved the export of sensitive technology to equip&nbsp;Taiwan's new submarine fleet.

China, which claims democratic&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;as its own territory, has increased its military activity near the island in recent months seeking to pressure Taipei to accept Beijing's sovereignty.&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;has vowed to defend itself.

Speaking in parliament, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, who took up his post last month, said&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;has increased personnel and armaments on Itu Aba, the main island&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;occupies in the South China Sea.

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Itu Aba, also known as Taiping island, is the largest naturally occurring island in the Spratleys and is garrisoned by&nbsp;Taiwan's Coast Guard.

"They are capable of starting a war," Chiu told the parliament when asked by a lawmaker on whether China could attack&nbsp;Taiwan. "My goal is for us to be ready at all times."

Chiu said&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;was bolstering its position there due to China's "expansionism" in the region, though it was not currently considering a return to a permanent army garrison.

China has built man-made islands in the South China Sea and air bases on some of them. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei all have competing claims in the strategic waterway.

Separately, Chiu said that the United States had approved export permits for all of the sensitive equipment needed by&nbsp;Taiwan's indigenous submarine fleet, which it started building last year.

He added that&nbsp;Taiwan's arms purchases from the United States - the island's main source of weapons - had not been impacted by the new Biden administration taking office in Washington and were continuing.

Taiwan&nbsp;is modernising its armed forces, especially as it face almost daily challenges from China in the airspace and waters near the island, including frequent Chinese air force missions into&nbsp;Taiwan's air defence identification zone.

Chiu said these missions were part of China's war of attrition against&nbsp;Taiwan, whose forces are dwarfed by Beijing's, and defence forces were already adjusting on how to deal with such incursions, though did not give details.

"If we match them one for one, it costs a lot," he said.

In response,&nbsp;Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the country hopes that the United States will abide by the 'one-China' policy after it granted&nbsp;submarine approval for&nbsp;Taiwan.

Before leaving Tokyo, Secretary of State Blinken accused Beijing of acting more repressively at home and "more aggressively abroad", citing its activities in the East and South China Seas and towards&nbsp;Taiwan.

Taiwan's defence minister said on Wednesday that it has strengthened deployments in the disputed South China Sea and that the United States has approved the export of sensitive technology to equip Taiwan's new submarine fleet.

Taiwan's defence minister said on Wednesday that it has strengthened deployments in the disputed South China Sea and that the United States has approved the export of sensitive technology to equip Taiwan's new submarine fleet. China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has increased its military activity near the island in recent months seeking to pressure Taipei to accept Beijing's sovereignty. Taiwan has vowed to defend itself. Speaking in parliament, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, who took up his post last month, said Taiwan has increased personnel and armaments on Itu Aba, the main island Taiwan occupies in the South China Sea. Itu Aba, also known as Taiping island, is the largest naturally occurring island in the Spratleys and is garrisoned by Taiwan's Coast Guard. "They are capable of starting a war," Chiu told the parliament when asked by a lawmaker on whether China could attack Taiwan. "My goal is for us to be ready at all times." Chiu said Taiwan was bolstering its position there due to China's "expansionism" in the region, though it was not currently considering a return to a permanent army garrison. China has built man-made islands in the South China Sea and air bases on some of them. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei all have competing claims in the strategic waterway. Separately, Chiu said that the United States had approved export permits for all of the sensitive equipment needed by Taiwan's indigenous submarine fleet, which it started building last year. He added that Taiwan's arms purchases from the United States - the island's main source of weapons - had not been impacted by the new Biden administration taking office in Washington and were continuing. Taiwan is modernising its armed forces, especially as it face almost daily challenges from China in the airspace and waters near the island, including frequent Chinese air force missions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone. Chiu said these missions were part of China's war of attrition against Taiwan, whose forces are dwarfed by Beijing's, and defence forces were already adjusting on how to deal with such incursions, though did not give details. "If we match them one for one, it costs a lot," he said. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the country hopes that the United States will abide by the 'one-China' policy after it granted submarine approval for Taiwan. Before leaving Tokyo, Secretary of State Blinken accused Beijing of acting more repressively at home and "more aggressively abroad", citing its activities in the East and South China Seas and towards Taiwan.

Taiwan strengthens deployments in South China Sea, gets US nod for submarine parts

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