Lebanon and Israel will hold UN-mediated talks on their disputed land and maritime borders, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced Thursday.

The United States will act as a facilitator during the talks, which are due to be held in the southern Lebanon border town of Naqoura, Berri told a news conference without providing a date for the negotiations.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-lebanon-border-tensions-israel-claimed-to-have-rebelled-fighters-316483/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Lebanon has technically been at war with neighbouring Israel for decades, with tensions sporadically flaring in the border area in Lebanon's south, stronghold of the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement.

The two neighbours have no diplomatic ties and mutual suspicion, even animosity, defines their relations.

A key point of contention between Lebanon and Israel concerns oil and gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean, where both countries have sought bids for exploration in their exclusive economic zones.

The maritime border between the countries is disputed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-vows-forceful-response-if-more-attacks-from-lebanon-323172">Netanyahu vows 'forceful' response if more attacks from Lebanon</a>

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel views with "great gravity" the latest flare-up on the Lebanese border and pledged a tough response in the event of further incidents.

"We shall react forcefully to any attack against us," Netanyahu said in a statement. "I advise Hezbollah not to test Israel's strength. Hezbollah is once again endangering Lebanon due to its aggression."

The border flare-up came hours after Lebanon rejected an Israeli call to reform the UN peacekeeping force which patrols the border ahead of a UN Security Council vote to renew its mandate.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun, ally of Israel's arch-foe Hezbollah, seemed to leave the door open to eventual peace with the Jewish state.

Asked in an interview on BFMTV last week whether Lebanon would be prepared to make peace with Israel, Aoun responded: "That depends. We have problems with Israel, we have to resolve them first."

In Beirut, many have bitter memories of Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982, its occupation of the country's south until 2000 and the 2006 war that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians.

The fate of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees stuck in Lebanon for decades after fleeing or being driven out of their homes in waves following Israel's creation in 1948 is another thorny issue.

Longstanding demands for their return has remained a sticking point.

Lebanon and Israel will hold UN-mediated talks on their disputed land and maritime borders, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced Thursday. The United States will act as a facilitator during the talks, which are due to be held in the southern Lebanon border town of Naqoura, Berri told a news conference without providing a date for the negotiations.

Lebanon and Israel will hold UN-mediated talks on their disputed land and maritime borders, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced Thursday. The United States will act as a facilitator during the talks, which are due to be held in the southern Lebanon border town of Naqoura, Berri told a news conference without providing a date for the negotiations. Lebanon has technically been at war with neighbouring Israel for decades, with tensions sporadically flaring in the border area in Lebanon's south, stronghold of the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement. The two neighbours have no diplomatic ties and mutual suspicion, even animosity, defines their relations. A key point of contention between Lebanon and Israel concerns oil and gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean, where both countries have sought bids for exploration in their exclusive economic zones. The maritime border between the countries is disputed. Also read: Netanyahu vows 'forceful' response if more attacks from Lebanon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel views with "great gravity" the latest flare-up on the Lebanese border and pledged a tough response in the event of further incidents. "We shall react forcefully to any attack against us," Netanyahu said in a statement. "I advise Hezbollah not to test Israel's strength. Hezbollah is once again endangering Lebanon due to its aggression." The border flare-up came hours after Lebanon rejected an Israeli call to reform the UN peacekeeping force which patrols the border ahead of a UN Security Council vote to renew its mandate. Lebanese President Michel Aoun, ally of Israel's arch-foe Hezbollah, seemed to leave the door open to eventual peace with the Jewish state. Asked in an interview on BFMTV last week whether Lebanon would be prepared to make peace with Israel, Aoun responded: "That depends. We have problems with Israel, we have to resolve them first." In Beirut, many have bitter memories of Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982, its occupation of the country's south until 2000 and the 2006 war that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians. The fate of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees stuck in Lebanon for decades after fleeing or being driven out of their homes in waves following Israel's creation in 1948 is another thorny issue. Longstanding demands for their return has remained a sticking point.

Lebanon and Israel to hold UN-mediated talks on disputed borders

The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to force companies to disclose products that come from China's&nbsp;Xinjiang&nbsp;region, in a new bid to stop what lawmakers say is widespread forced labor in the restive area.

The bill follows a broader act approved a week earlier that aims to ban imports from&nbsp;Xinjiang, contending that abuses of the Uighur people are so widespread that all goods from the region should be considered made with slave labor.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-us-china-relationship-took-a-turn-for-the-worse-314882">How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse</a>

"The exploitation and enslavement of the Uighurs must stop. Americans don't want to purchase goods made with slave labor," said Representative Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat who led the latest effort.

The legislation would require all publicly traded companies to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission whether they are involved in&nbsp;Xinjiang, a major source of the global textile industry's yarn.

Unlike the broader act, which passed almost unanimously, the Uighur Forced Labor Disclosure Act drew opposition from most Republicans but passed 253-163 in the Democratic-led House.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-chinese-officials-over-abuse-of-muslim-minorities-in-xinjiang-312101">US imposes sanctions on Chinese officials over 'abuse' of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang</a>

Its prospects are uncertain as it needs to clear the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans and consumed by discussions on a Supreme Court nomination and Covid-19 relief a month before elections.

Republicans raised objections after concerns voiced by the US Chamber of Commerce, which said that the regulations imposed an impossible burden on legitimate companies.

The business lobby drew a parallel with previous efforts to label minerals from conflict-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, saying that companies had no reliable way to certify if products are free from abuses.

Representative Patrick McHenry, a Republican, accused bill sponsor Wexton of wanting to appear tough on China and said a better approach was to impose sanctions on officials, as President Donald Trump's administration has done.

"The bill before us is nothing more than a press release for an election," he said.

Wexton, whose district in northern Virginia has a large Uighur American community, scoffed at the suggestion and said Republicans were ignoring abuses and "perhaps even genocide" in&nbsp;Xinjiang.

"Republicans talk a good game but only if it doesn't create any kind of burden on US corporations or their profit margins," she said.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute in a recent report said it had identified more than 380 suspected detention facilities where China is believed to have held more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim Turkic-speaking people.

The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to force companies to disclose products that come from China's Xinjiang region, in a new bid to stop what lawmakers say is widespread forced labor in the restive area.

The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to force companies to disclose products that come from China's Xinjiang region, in a new bid to stop what lawmakers say is widespread forced labor in the restive area. The bill follows a broader act approved a week earlier that aims to ban imports from Xinjiang, contending that abuses of the Uighur people are so widespread that all goods from the region should be considered made with slave labor. Also see: How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse "The exploitation and enslavement of the Uighurs must stop. Americans don't want to purchase goods made with slave labor," said Representative Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat who led the latest effort. The legislation would require all publicly traded companies to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission whether they are involved in Xinjiang, a major source of the global textile industry's yarn. Unlike the broader act, which passed almost unanimously, the Uighur Forced Labor Disclosure Act drew opposition from most Republicans but passed 253-163 in the Democratic-led House. Also read: US imposes sanctions on Chinese officials over 'abuse' of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang Its prospects are uncertain as it needs to clear the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans and consumed by discussions on a Supreme Court nomination and Covid-19 relief a month before elections. Republicans raised objections after concerns voiced by the US Chamber of Commerce, which said that the regulations imposed an impossible burden on legitimate companies. The business lobby drew a parallel with previous efforts to label minerals from conflict-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, saying that companies had no reliable way to certify if products are free from abuses. Representative Patrick McHenry, a Republican, accused bill sponsor Wexton of wanting to appear tough on China and said a better approach was to impose sanctions on officials, as President Donald Trump's administration has done. "The bill before us is nothing more than a press release for an election," he said. Wexton, whose district in northern Virginia has a large Uighur American community, scoffed at the suggestion and said Republicans were ignoring abuses and "perhaps even genocide" in Xinjiang. "Republicans talk a good game but only if it doesn't create any kind of burden on US corporations or their profit margins," she said. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute in a recent report said it had identified more than 380 suspected detention facilities where China is believed to have held more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim Turkic-speaking people.

US passes bill requiring firms to disclose Xinjiang products

After beating the coronavirus outbreak in China,&nbsp;hundreds of millions in China hustled to enjoy their first major national holiday&nbsp;with massive influx of travellers across country.

The Golden Week holiday marks the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and sees an astonishing annual movement of people trying to get home or take holidays.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-surge-in-domestic-travel-raise-concerns-of-covid-19-spread-331708/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But this year has added significance, with the crowds filling the concourses pointing to a country rebounding from the outbreak and parading the freedom to travel as a contrast to the rolling lockdowns hitting much of the world.

State broadcaster CCTV showed footage of train stations in Guangzhou and Shanghai completely packed to the brim with people.

Based on estimates by the Chinese government, up to 108 million railway trips would be made by travellers during this festive period from September 28 to October 8, state media reported.

Domestic travel has sprung back to life and given the economy a boost after the virus shuttered businesses and scared away tourists following its emergence in Wuhan late last year.

Wuhan in central China is back in business too, with visitors thronging to the Yellow Crane Tower, a Taoist shrine, according to the country's biggest travel agency Ctrip.

Mainland&nbsp;China&nbsp;reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, all imported from overseas, down from 19 a day earlier, according to the country's health authority.

Much-needed spending

More than 600 million trips will be taken during the holiday, down 20 percent from a year ago, Ctrip estimated, but they will still force the state railway to lay on 1,000 extra trains a day.

Around 108 million passengers will take trains during the eight-day holidays, around 13.5 million a day.

They are likely to bring much-needed spending to far-flung parts of China, last year, travellers spent $9.5 billion during the Golden Week.

At Beijing's Capital Airport — whose check-in rows and aisles were empty in February, thousands of passengers queued up with their luggage and children in tow.

Life in the Chinese capital has gradually returned to normal after ghostly scenes of empty roads in January and February, and a second virus outbreak in June.

The once eerily empty streets in the city's financial district are packed, previously deserted malls are full of shoppers and ice rinks have filled with children learning to skate again.

Chinese retail sales edged back to growth in August for the first time since the pandemic struck, signalling a rebound for the world's second-largest economy.

After beating the coronavirus outbreak in China, hundreds of millions in China hustled to enjoy their first major national holiday with massive influx of travellers across country.

After beating the coronavirus outbreak in China, hundreds of millions in China hustled to enjoy their first major national holiday with massive influx of travellers across country. The Golden Week holiday marks the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and sees an astonishing annual movement of people trying to get home or take holidays. But this year has added significance, with the crowds filling the concourses pointing to a country rebounding from the outbreak and parading the freedom to travel as a contrast to the rolling lockdowns hitting much of the world. State broadcaster CCTV showed footage of train stations in Guangzhou and Shanghai completely packed to the brim with people. Based on estimates by the Chinese government, up to 108 million railway trips would be made by travellers during this festive period from September 28 to October 8, state media reported. Domestic travel has sprung back to life and given the economy a boost after the virus shuttered businesses and scared away tourists following its emergence in Wuhan late last year. Wuhan in central China is back in business too, with visitors thronging to the Yellow Crane Tower, a Taoist shrine, according to the country's biggest travel agency Ctrip. Mainland China reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, all imported from overseas, down from 19 a day earlier, according to the country's health authority. Much-needed spending More than 600 million trips will be taken during the holiday, down 20 percent from a year ago, Ctrip estimated, but they will still force the state railway to lay on 1,000 extra trains a day. Around 108 million passengers will take trains during the eight-day holidays, around 13.5 million a day. They are likely to bring much-needed spending to far-flung parts of China, last year, travellers spent $9.5 billion during the Golden Week. At Beijing's Capital Airport — whose check-in rows and aisles were empty in February, thousands of passengers queued up with their luggage and children in tow. Life in the Chinese capital has gradually returned to normal after ghostly scenes of empty roads in January and February, and a second virus outbreak in June. The once eerily empty streets in the city's financial district are packed, previously deserted malls are full of shoppers and ice rinks have filled with children learning to skate again. Chinese retail sales edged back to growth in August for the first time since the pandemic struck, signalling a rebound for the world's second-largest economy.

After curbing COVID-19, China kicks off 'golden week' national holiday

Vehicles in Delhi without&nbsp;High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) and colour-coded stcikers will be&nbsp;penalised soon.

According to a report by news agency Press Trust of India, there are almost 30 lakh vehicles that will require HSRP and stickers.

Earlier, the&nbsp;Delhi&nbsp;government had&nbsp;asked owners of vehicles registered before April 2019 to affix them with High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) and colour-coded stickers, saying a drive will be launched "soon" to check for the violation of the directive.

It had&nbsp;mandated a one cm green sticker, providing registration details, in all BS-VI compliant motor vehicles.&nbsp;The order has&nbsp;come into force from today onwards.

The order was issued amending the Motor Vehicles (High Security Registration Plates) order, 2018.

Earlier, the government has said that from April 1, 2019, all motor vehicles will be fitted with tamper-proof, high security registration plates (HSRP). 
 
This HSRP or third number plate will be fitted on the inside of the windshield of each new manufactured vehicle by the manufacturers.

What is&nbsp;HSRP? 
 
Under the High-Security Registration Plates, a chromium-based hologram is applied by hot stamping on the top left corner of the number plates both at the front and back besides laser-branding of a permanent identification number with a minimum of 10 digits into the reflective sheeting on the bottom left of the registration plate.

What are colour-coded stickers?

Colour-coded stickers are used to identify vehicles based on their fuel type and&nbsp;to detect polluting vehicles from the non-polluting ones.

Light blue sticker denotes petrol and CNG vehicle and orange denotes diesel vehile. 
 
A Road Transport and Highways Ministry official said it has been brought-forth that the BS-VI emission standards, which have been mandated from April 1, 2020, provide for strict emission norms, and requests were to made to have distinct identification for such vehicles as is being made in other countries. 
 
"Accordingly, a feature in form of a unique strip of green colour of 1 cm wide on top of the existing third registration sticker for the purpose of BS-VI vehicles of any fuel type, that is,&nbsp;for petrol or CNG, which have a light blue colour sticker and a diesel vehicle which is of orange colour sticker, will have a green strip of 1 CM on top has been mandated," he said.

Last year, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) had directed that all vehicles in Delhi-NCR should have HSRP and colour-coded stickers by October.

(With inputs from PTI)

Vehicles in Delhi without High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) and colour-coded stcikers will be penalised soon. According to a report by news agency Press Trust of India, there are almost 30 lakh vehicles that will require HSRP and stickers.

Vehicles in Delhi without High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) and colour-coded stcikers will be penalised soon. According to a report by news agency Press Trust of India, there are almost 30 lakh vehicles that will require HSRP and stickers. Earlier, the Delhi government had asked owners of vehicles registered before April 2019 to affix them with High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) and colour-coded stickers, saying a drive will be launched "soon" to check for the violation of the directive. It had mandated a one cm green sticker, providing registration details, in all BS-VI compliant motor vehicles. The order has come into force from today onwards. The order was issued amending the Motor Vehicles (High Security Registration Plates) order, 2018. Earlier, the government has said that from April 1, 2019, all motor vehicles will be fitted with tamper-proof, high security registration plates (HSRP). This HSRP or third number plate will be fitted on the inside of the windshield of each new manufactured vehicle by the manufacturers. What is HSRP? Under the High-Security Registration Plates, a chromium-based hologram is applied by hot stamping on the top left corner of the number plates both at the front and back besides laser-branding of a permanent identification number with a minimum of 10 digits into the reflective sheeting on the bottom left of the registration plate. What are colour-coded stickers? Colour-coded stickers are used to identify vehicles based on their fuel type and to detect polluting vehicles from the non-polluting ones. Light blue sticker denotes petrol and CNG vehicle and orange denotes diesel vehile. A Road Transport and Highways Ministry official said it has been brought-forth that the BS-VI emission standards, which have been mandated from April 1, 2020, provide for strict emission norms, and requests were to made to have distinct identification for such vehicles as is being made in other countries. "Accordingly, a feature in form of a unique strip of green colour of 1 cm wide on top of the existing third registration sticker for the purpose of BS-VI vehicles of any fuel type, that is, for petrol or CNG, which have a light blue colour sticker and a diesel vehicle which is of orange colour sticker, will have a green strip of 1 CM on top has been mandated," he said. Last year, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) had directed that all vehicles in Delhi-NCR should have HSRP and colour-coded stickers by October. (With inputs from PTI)

Delhi vehicles without HSRP and colour-coded stickers to be penalised soon

The&nbsp;European Union on Thursday&nbsp;launched a legal case against Britain over its new Internal Market Bill that would breach parts of the legally binding divorce agreement the two sides reached late last year.

The&nbsp;action underscored EU's worsening relations with Britain, which was a member of the bloc until January 31.

Both sides are trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement before the end of the year, but the fight over the controversial UK Internal Market bill has soured relations this month.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-bill-would-break-international-law-in-a-specific-and-limited-way-minister-says-326041">UK bill would break international law 'in a specific and limited way', minister says</a>

The EU had given London until Wednesday to withdraw the bill but instead UK&nbsp;lawmakers voted 340-256 Tuesday to push the legislation past its last major House of Commons hurdle.

It must also be approved by the House of Lords, where it is sure to meet strong opposition because it breaches international law. 
At the same time, EU and UK officials were continuing talks on a trade deal, going into detailed negotiations over everything from fisheries rights, state aid rules and legal oversight in case of disputes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-provisions-to-stay-in-internal-market-bill-as-uk-shows-no-indication-of-withdrawal-330985">Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal</a>

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the draft bill was a "breach of obligation of good faith" established in the Withdrawal Agreement, and would contradict the protocol of Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Such so-called infringements could lead to hefty fines being imposed by the&nbsp;EU's top court but that takes years, leaving plenty of time for the UK to change tack.

London now has one month now to reply to a formal letter of complaint from the Commission, which will then assess whether the answer is satisfactory and can then request that the UK falls back in line. If that fails, it can sue at the Luxembourg-based&nbsp;European Court of Justice.

The move comes as British and&nbsp;EU&nbsp;negotiators struggle to close the gap on state aid in parallel trade negotiations that have been overshadowed by the new controversy over the Internal Market Bill.

The European Union on Thursday launched a legal case against Britain over its new Internal Market Bill that would breach parts of the legally binding divorce agreement the two sides reached late last year.

The European Union on Thursday launched a legal case against Britain over its new Internal Market Bill that would breach parts of the legally binding divorce agreement the two sides reached late last year. The action underscored EU's worsening relations with Britain, which was a member of the bloc until January 31. Both sides are trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement before the end of the year, but the fight over the controversial UK Internal Market bill has soured relations this month. Also read: UK bill would break international law 'in a specific and limited way', minister says The EU had given London until Wednesday to withdraw the bill but instead UK lawmakers voted 340-256 Tuesday to push the legislation past its last major House of Commons hurdle. It must also be approved by the House of Lords, where it is sure to meet strong opposition because it breaches international law. At the same time, EU and UK officials were continuing talks on a trade deal, going into detailed negotiations over everything from fisheries rights, state aid rules and legal oversight in case of disputes. Also read: Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the draft bill was a "breach of obligation of good faith" established in the Withdrawal Agreement, and would contradict the protocol of Ireland/Northern Ireland. Such so-called infringements could lead to hefty fines being imposed by the EU's top court but that takes years, leaving plenty of time for the UK to change tack. London now has one month now to reply to a formal letter of complaint from the Commission, which will then assess whether the answer is satisfactory and can then request that the UK falls back in line. If that fails, it can sue at the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice. The move comes as British and EU negotiators struggle to close the gap on state aid in parallel trade negotiations that have been overshadowed by the new controversy over the Internal Market Bill.

Brexit: EU takes legal action against UK over Internal Market Bill

President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged that humans bear some blame for climate change, but scientists say the president still isn't dealing with the reality of our primary role.

Pressed repeatedly in Tuesday night's debate, Trump gave one of his fullest accountings yet of what scientists say is an escalating climate crisis threatening every aspect of life. Pushed by moderator Chris Wallace, and at one point by rival Joe Biden, Trump also pushed back on scientific findings that his environmental rollbacks would increase climate-damaging pollution.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-2020-debate-commission-promises-orderly-debate-next-time-331621">US elections: Debate Commission promises 'orderly' debate next time</a>

The climate change exchange represented a rare microburst of policy discussion from Trump in a loud, nerve-abrading debate. And it ever so lightly nailed down the position of the Republican president on climate change.

''It is a sad statement about the President's history on climate change, but it is a major development to see him clearly acknowledge a role of greenhouse gases from human emissions,''&nbsp;said Chris Field, director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University.

''It's still outright denial of the science, in addition to denial of the devastating impacts,&nbsp;such as the record wildfires once again forcing evacuations in the Western US,'' said Michael Mann, a Pennsylvania State University climate researcher and a veteran in scientists' battle to make ordinary people and leaders face facts on global warming.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bidens-inshallah-in-response-to-trump-during-debate-lights-up-twitter-331534" hreflang="en">Biden's 'inshallah' in response to Trump during debate lights up Twitter</a>

Trump said Tuesday that humans ''their tailpipe exhaust, oil and gas production, and smokestack fumes''&nbsp;are just one of many culprits for the weather-disrupting deterioration of Earth's atmosphere.

''You believe that human pollution, gas, greenhouse gas emissions contributes to the global warming of this planet?&nbsp;Wallace asked.

''I think a lot of things do, but I think to an extent, yes,''&nbsp;Trump finally responded after Wallace's third question pressing on the point.

Trump had evaded a direct answer to Wallace's previous two questions, instead responding with his administration's standard lines: It wants clean water and clean air, it supports planting trees and it blames worsening wildfires on Western states' failure to rake dead leaves, branches and trees on forest floors. Trump's eventual answer still dodged the key point, which is that burning oil, gas and coal is damaging the climate.

''Humans more than account for all of the climate change over the last 50 years (when the vast amount of the changes have occurred),''&nbsp;Donald J. Wuebbles, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Illinois, said in an email.

Wuebbles, a lead author in the congressionally mandated National Climate Assessment in 2017-18, said because of a change in energy from the sun, Earth had been on a slight cooling trend before human-made heat-trapping gases kicked in.

Trump's attacks on climate scientists and repeated attempts to undo rules and laws reining in fossil-fuel emissions speak ''louder than any reluctant admissions about our changing climate,''&nbsp;said Kim Cobb, professor of earth and atmospheric sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The position Trump took Tuesday is more conservative than that of many lawmakers in his party. Some Republican members of Congress became more outspoken on human-made climate change after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats demanding aggressive action on global warming triumphed in 2018 midterms.

Trump's response Tuesday came under pressure, but he did take a position and acknowledge a human role. That compares to past statements from 2012 on in which Trump dismissed the science behind global warming as a 'concept'&nbsp;invented by China to hurt the United States, a 'hoax'&nbsp;and a 'money-making industry'.

&nbsp;As recently as mid-September, he told California leaders struggling with the worsening wildfires associated with global warming that the climate would ''start getting cooler,&nbsp;again. You just watch,''&nbsp;he added.

On Tuesday, after Trump nodded at a human role in climate change, Wallace asked him why he then had undone the Clean Power Plan. That was a legacy Obama administration climate change effort intended to move US&nbsp;Utilities away from the dirtiest fossil-fuel plants.

''Because it was driving energy prices through the sky,''&nbsp;Trump responded.

That's an exaggeration. The US&nbsp;Energy Information Administration projects electricity prices would have averaged 2 per cent&nbsp;higher through 2030 with Obama's emissions-cutting power plan, mainly from the initial costs of adding more solar, wind and natural gas production to the electricity mix.

Biden jumped in with his own question, asking Trump why he was axing President Barack Obama's other major climate effort ? much tougher mileage standards that would have boosted electric cars.

The Obama administration said its move would have cut 6 billion metric tons in greenhouse gases. Trump's answers didn't address the climate damage, and he claimed to have given ''big incentives''&nbsp;for electric cars. In fact, Trump had vowed to eliminate some tax credits boosting electric vehicles, and the White House has said it wants to do away with all incentives supporting renewables as well.

Wallace pressed Biden on his $2 trillion proposal to wean the United States off fossil fuels, citing Trump's claims that the plan would ?tank? the economy and cost jobs. Biden responded by describing massive investments in more efficient buildings, transportation and power plants that he said would produce millions of jobs.

Biden appeared to stumble at one point as he spoke of his plan, and Wallace and Trump pressed him on the left's more ambitious Green New Deal, with Biden saying the Green New Deal,&nbsp;rather than his plan, would ''pay for itself''.&nbsp;Biden specified a couple seconds later, ''No, I don't support the Green New Deal.''

President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged that humans bear some blame for climate change, but scientists say the president still isn't dealing with the reality of our primary role.

President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged that humans bear some blame for climate change, but scientists say the president still isn't dealing with the reality of our primary role. Pressed repeatedly in Tuesday night's debate, Trump gave one of his fullest accountings yet of what scientists say is an escalating climate crisis threatening every aspect of life. Pushed by moderator Chris Wallace, and at one point by rival Joe Biden, Trump also pushed back on scientific findings that his environmental rollbacks would increase climate-damaging pollution. Also read: US elections: Debate Commission promises 'orderly' debate next time The climate change exchange represented a rare microburst of policy discussion from Trump in a loud, nerve-abrading debate. And it ever so lightly nailed down the position of the Republican president on climate change. ''It is a sad statement about the President's history on climate change, but it is a major development to see him clearly acknowledge a role of greenhouse gases from human emissions,'' said Chris Field, director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University. ''It's still outright denial of the science, in addition to denial of the devastating impacts, such as the record wildfires once again forcing evacuations in the Western US,'' said Michael Mann, a Pennsylvania State University climate researcher and a veteran in scientists' battle to make ordinary people and leaders face facts on global warming. Also read: Biden's 'inshallah' in response to Trump during debate lights up Twitter Trump said Tuesday that humans ''their tailpipe exhaust, oil and gas production, and smokestack fumes'' are just one of many culprits for the weather-disrupting deterioration of Earth's atmosphere. ''You believe that human pollution, gas, greenhouse gas emissions contributes to the global warming of this planet? Wallace asked. ''I think a lot of things do, but I think to an extent, yes,'' Trump finally responded after Wallace's third question pressing on the point. Trump had evaded a direct answer to Wallace's previous two questions, instead responding with his administration's standard lines: It wants clean water and clean air, it supports planting trees and it blames worsening wildfires on Western states' failure to rake dead leaves, branches and trees on forest floors. Trump's eventual answer still dodged the key point, which is that burning oil, gas and coal is damaging the climate. ''Humans more than account for all of the climate change over the last 50 years (when the vast amount of the changes have occurred),'' Donald J. Wuebbles, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Illinois, said in an email. Wuebbles, a lead author in the congressionally mandated National Climate Assessment in 2017-18, said because of a change in energy from the sun, Earth had been on a slight cooling trend before human-made heat-trapping gases kicked in. Trump's attacks on climate scientists and repeated attempts to undo rules and laws reining in fossil-fuel emissions speak ''louder than any reluctant admissions about our changing climate,'' said Kim Cobb, professor of earth and atmospheric sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The position Trump took Tuesday is more conservative than that of many lawmakers in his party. Some Republican members of Congress became more outspoken on human-made climate change after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats demanding aggressive action on global warming triumphed in 2018 midterms. Trump's response Tuesday came under pressure, but he did take a position and acknowledge a human role. That compares to past statements from 2012 on in which Trump dismissed the science behind global warming as a 'concept' invented by China to hurt the United States, a 'hoax' and a 'money-making industry'. As recently as mid-September, he told California leaders struggling with the worsening wildfires associated with global warming that the climate would ''start getting cooler, again. You just watch,'' he added. On Tuesday, after Trump nodded at a human role in climate change, Wallace asked him why he then had undone the Clean Power Plan. That was a legacy Obama administration climate change effort intended to move US Utilities away from the dirtiest fossil-fuel plants. ''Because it was driving energy prices through the sky,'' Trump responded. That's an exaggeration. The US Energy Information Administration projects electricity prices would have averaged 2 per cent higher through 2030 with Obama's emissions-cutting power plan, mainly from the initial costs of adding more solar, wind and natural gas production to the electricity mix. Biden jumped in with his own question, asking Trump why he was axing President Barack Obama's other major climate effort ? much tougher mileage standards that would have boosted electric cars. The Obama administration said its move would have cut 6 billion metric tons in greenhouse gases. Trump's answers didn't address the climate damage, and he claimed to have given ''big incentives'' for electric cars. In fact, Trump had vowed to eliminate some tax credits boosting electric vehicles, and the White House has said it wants to do away with all incentives supporting renewables as well. Wallace pressed Biden on his $2 trillion proposal to wean the United States off fossil fuels, citing Trump's claims that the plan would ?tank? the economy and cost jobs. Biden responded by describing massive investments in more efficient buildings, transportation and power plants that he said would produce millions of jobs. Biden appeared to stumble at one point as he spoke of his plan, and Wallace and Trump pressed him on the left's more ambitious Green New Deal, with Biden saying the Green New Deal, rather than his plan, would ''pay for itself''. Biden specified a couple seconds later, ''No, I don't support the Green New Deal.''

'Getting warmer': Trump acknowledges human role in climate change

A controversial brass plaque proclaiming that Thailand "belongs to the people and not the king" is swiftly&nbsp;becoming&nbsp;the emblem of a pro-democracy protest movement.

The plaque was placed near the Grand Palace in Bangkok during a mass rally by Thai pro-democracy protesters&nbsp;to call for the ouster of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and reforms in the monarchy. It was&nbsp;swiftly&nbsp;removed by authorities&nbsp;in darkness less than a day.

Thai activists are creating&nbsp;reproductions of the plaque in the form of Instagram filters, tattoos and merchandise ranging from mobile covers, t-shirts to&nbsp;key rings.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-protesters-plaque-removed-from-near-palace-police-says-329017">Thai protesters’ plaque removed from near palace, police says</a>

They continue to keep the symbol alive&nbsp;in a bold move to try and dismantle the powerful monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, despite laws banning criticism of the Thai royals.

<img alt="Thai" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="63d78d5b-b09c-4c04-8268-626d44f57e07" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/keychains--made-according-to-the-design-of-protesters--plaque-declaring--quot-this-country-belongs-to-the-people-quot---are-seen-in-bangkok-1.jpg" />

In picture: Keychains, made according to the design of protesters' plaque declaring "This country belongs to the people", are seen in Bangkok,&nbsp;Thailand/REUTERS

"Even though the real plaque disappeared, we (people) are now in the year of 2020, the plaque will appear again anywhere," said Anchalee Suebsangin, a member of Youth &amp; Direct Democracy Thailand, who started selling t-shirts containing designs of the plaque on Facebook within hours of hearing it had disappeared. She soon had over 1,000 orders.

"I don't intend to destroy the (monarchy) institution, but I think its power needs to be limited," said the 27-year-old office worker.

<img alt="Thai" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8f367f1-33d2-4233-8e6a-d0e9cc034b4d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2835%29_8.jpg" />

In picture:&nbsp;Phone cases printed with a plaque declaring "This country belongs to the people" are seen at a shop in Nonthaburi province,&nbsp;Thailand/REUTERS

The plaque, which features the three-finger salute used by Thai pro-democracy activists since a 2014 coup, reads "this country belongs to the people and is not the property of the monarch as they have deceived us."

<img alt="Thai" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba0f4b33-a954-4f04-9cf2-7e29b7021ad7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2836%29_13.jpg" />

FILE PHOTO: Thai protester places&nbsp;a sticker during a mass rally to call for the ouster of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and reforms in the monarchy in front of parliament in Bangkok,&nbsp;Thailand/REUTERS

It resembles another plaque commemorating the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 that was removed from outside a royal palace in 2017.

The palace did not comment on the plaque and has made no comment on the protests.

Ship, a 31-year-old graphic designer and sound engineer, created an Instagram filter with different colours of the plaque that has reached more than three million people.

"I created this one for those who have the same political view, they can install the plaque without trouble from anyone or destroying any property," said Ship.

Aunyamamee Dechara, the 25-year-old founder of online store Aunyaxstore who sold more than thousands of phone cases containing the image of the plaque, plans to donate all proceeds to support students participating in the movement, as she too supports the idea of monarchy reform.

ROYAL FIELD

The plaque, placed on the area next to the palace known as Sanam Luang - the Royal Field - was the work of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) protest group. They declined to identify a specific artist.

Even before the plaque was removed, they published digital files on the internet so anyone could reproduce it.

"The plaque wasn't just planted on Sanam Luang, but also in the hearts of the people, so it's no surprise that it would reappear everywhere," UFTD leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak told Reuters.

Thai&nbsp;activists in Germany placed a replica plaque outside the king's residence there.

Sellers said they would donate the profits to the UFTD protest group, while some would also contribute a separate fund set up to help pay expected legal expenses. Several leaders have already been charged over earlier protests.

The protesters challenge Prayuth's legitimacy, saying elections last year were engineered to keep him in power. He says they were democratic.

A controversial brass plaque proclaiming that Thailand "belongs to the people and not the king" is swiftly becoming the emblem of a pro-democracy protest movement.

A controversial brass plaque proclaiming that Thailand "belongs to the people and not the king" is swiftly becoming the emblem of a pro-democracy protest movement. The plaque was placed near the Grand Palace in Bangkok during a mass rally by Thai pro-democracy protesters to call for the ouster of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and reforms in the monarchy. It was swiftly removed by authorities in darkness less than a day. Thai activists are creating reproductions of the plaque in the form of Instagram filters, tattoos and merchandise ranging from mobile covers, t-shirts to key rings. Also read: Thai protesters’ plaque removed from near palace, police says They continue to keep the symbol alive in a bold move to try and dismantle the powerful monarchy of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, despite laws banning criticism of the Thai royals. In picture: Keychains, made according to the design of protesters' plaque declaring "This country belongs to the people", are seen in Bangkok, Thailand/REUTERS "Even though the real plaque disappeared, we (people) are now in the year of 2020, the plaque will appear again anywhere," said Anchalee Suebsangin, a member of Youth & Direct Democracy Thailand, who started selling t-shirts containing designs of the plaque on Facebook within hours of hearing it had disappeared. She soon had over 1,000 orders. "I don't intend to destroy the (monarchy) institution, but I think its power needs to be limited," said the 27-year-old office worker. In picture: Phone cases printed with a plaque declaring "This country belongs to the people" are seen at a shop in Nonthaburi province, Thailand/REUTERS The plaque, which features the three-finger salute used by Thai pro-democracy activists since a 2014 coup, reads "this country belongs to the people and is not the property of the monarch as they have deceived us." FILE PHOTO: Thai protester places a sticker during a mass rally to call for the ouster of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and reforms in the monarchy in front of parliament in Bangkok, Thailand/REUTERS It resembles another plaque commemorating the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 that was removed from outside a royal palace in 2017. The palace did not comment on the plaque and has made no comment on the protests. Ship, a 31-year-old graphic designer and sound engineer, created an Instagram filter with different colours of the plaque that has reached more than three million people. "I created this one for those who have the same political view, they can install the plaque without trouble from anyone or destroying any property," said Ship. Aunyamamee Dechara, the 25-year-old founder of online store Aunyaxstore who sold more than thousands of phone cases containing the image of the plaque, plans to donate all proceeds to support students participating in the movement, as she too supports the idea of monarchy reform. ROYAL FIELD The plaque, placed on the area next to the palace known as Sanam Luang - the Royal Field - was the work of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) protest group. They declined to identify a specific artist. Even before the plaque was removed, they published digital files on the internet so anyone could reproduce it. "The plaque wasn't just planted on Sanam Luang, but also in the hearts of the people, so it's no surprise that it would reappear everywhere," UFTD leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak told Reuters. Thai activists in Germany placed a replica plaque outside the king's residence there. Sellers said they would donate the profits to the UFTD protest group, while some would also contribute a separate fund set up to help pay expected legal expenses. Several leaders have already been charged over earlier protests. The protesters challenge Prayuth's legitimacy, saying elections last year were engineered to keep him in power. He says they were democratic.

Plaque design defying Thai monarchy turned into Instagram filters, merchandise

A court here has slammed former Prime Minister and Pakistani Muslim League (N) supremo Nawaz Sharif over his failure to appear before the court after permission was granted to fly abroad to get medical treatment in November last year.

"Accused [Sharif] knows that he went abroad after defeating the system. He must be laughing at the system while sitting abroad. It`s shameful conduct by the accused," Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune.

This comes after Sharif on Wednesday had said that he has been informed that "someone else" was running the Parliament, instead of its members.

"People tell me that someone else is running the Parliament. Other people come and give directions about the day`s agenda and voting on bills etc," he said while virtually addressing a meeting of its party from the United Kingdom.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-government-to-push-for-nawaz-sharifs-deportation-from-uk-331398" hreflang="en">Pakistan government to push for Nawaz Sharif's deportation from UK</a>

Pakistan has fast-tracked the process to bring back PML-N leader from London, where he had been staying since November 2019 on medical grounds. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday tasked relevant authorities with bringing back Sharif at the earliest.

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting where the PM also issued the directive to pursue the matter vigorously.A cabinet member told Dawn the government had already sent a request to the British government for the PML-N leader`s repatriation but it would now send a fresh application.

He said besides a normal application, a formal request for his extradition would also be made. "Although we have no extradition treaty with the UK, wanted people can be repatriated under special arrangements as we had also handed over some people to the UK," the cabinet member said.

Last week, the IHC Tuesday came down heavily on the Imran Khan-led government that it allowed Sharif to go abroad without informing the court and it was up to the dispensation to take steps for ensuring the latter`s return to the country.Additional Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Khokhar told a bench comprising Justices Aamer Farooq and Mohsin Akhtar Kayani that Pakistan`s Foreign Office implemented the court-issued non-bailable arrest warrants without delay through the Pakistan High Commission in the UK on September 17, Geo News reported.

A court here has slammed former Prime Minister and Pakistani Muslim League (N) supremo Nawaz Sharif over his failure to appear before the court after permission was granted to fly abroad to get medical treatment in November last year.

A court here has slammed former Prime Minister and Pakistani Muslim League (N) supremo Nawaz Sharif over his failure to appear before the court after permission was granted to fly abroad to get medical treatment in November last year. "Accused [Sharif] knows that he went abroad after defeating the system. He must be laughing at the system while sitting abroad. It`s shameful conduct by the accused," Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. This comes after Sharif on Wednesday had said that he has been informed that "someone else" was running the Parliament, instead of its members. "People tell me that someone else is running the Parliament. Other people come and give directions about the day`s agenda and voting on bills etc," he said while virtually addressing a meeting of its party from the United Kingdom. Also read: Pakistan government to push for Nawaz Sharif's deportation from UK Pakistan has fast-tracked the process to bring back PML-N leader from London, where he had been staying since November 2019 on medical grounds. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday tasked relevant authorities with bringing back Sharif at the earliest. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting where the PM also issued the directive to pursue the matter vigorously.A cabinet member told Dawn the government had already sent a request to the British government for the PML-N leader`s repatriation but it would now send a fresh application. He said besides a normal application, a formal request for his extradition would also be made. "Although we have no extradition treaty with the UK, wanted people can be repatriated under special arrangements as we had also handed over some people to the UK," the cabinet member said. Last week, the IHC Tuesday came down heavily on the Imran Khan-led government that it allowed Sharif to go abroad without informing the court and it was up to the dispensation to take steps for ensuring the latter`s return to the country.Additional Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Khokhar told a bench comprising Justices Aamer Farooq and Mohsin Akhtar Kayani that Pakistan`s Foreign Office implemented the court-issued non-bailable arrest warrants without delay through the Pakistan High Commission in the UK on September 17, Geo News reported.

Pakistan High Court slams Nawaz Sharif for failing to appear before court

A top Democratic senator has introduced a legislation in the US Senate to establish a forum for cooperation with India on clean energy technologies and energy transmission.

Introduced by Senator Robert Menendez, a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Prioritising Clean Energy and Climate Cooperation with India Act seeks to establish the US-India Clean Energy and Power Transmission Partnership (CEPTP) as the main forum for cooperation between the two nations on clean energy technologies.

The activities under the CEPTP include promoting joint research and development on clean energy technologies, encouraging US private investment in the Indian clean energy market and supporting initiatives to develop new and renewable energy generation capacity in India.

The legislation also promotes US-India cooperation on climate resilience and risk reduction, a statement said.

''Given the shared threat of climate change and India's growing need for electricity, there is a strong case to be made for strengthening the US-India clean energy partnership,''&nbsp;Menendez said.

''In that vein, I am introducing this legislation having witnessed firsthand the positive results that come when our nations work as a team to tackle common challenges,''&nbsp;he said.

It also sought America's participation in the International Solar Alliance led by India which is playing a key role in mobilising significant international investment in solar energy.

It urged the US to promote research, development and private sector cooperation on the production of electric vehicles and the planning and execution of an expansive charging station network to support extensive use of electric vehicles.

The Senate legislation, running into 39 pages, asks the Trump administration to support a report, within 90 days of its passage, detailing the scope and nature of the US' participation in Mission Innovation.

Observing that the US should support the Power for All initiative created by the Government of India through technical and other forms of assistance, the legislation said that the US should support the ambitious renewable energy generation goals set by the India through technical and other forms of assistance.

Increased demand for refrigeration and air conditioning in India, and the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, done at Montreal September 16, 1987, are driving innovation and investments in next-generation refrigeration equipment and refrigerants in India; it said.

As such the legislation says that enhanced United States-India bilateral cooperation and engagement on the development of technologies and chemicals that are compliant with the Kigali Amendment are in the interest of US industry leaders in the refrigeration and chemical coolant industries.

Menendez was part of a congressional delegation to India in the fall of 2019, during which he engaged with India's minister of New and Renewable Energy and Indian business leaders to discuss how the US and India can address the threat of climate change and deepen cooperation on clean energy production.

''By establishing the US-India Clean Energy and Power Transmission Partnership, we are laying the groundwork for successful partnerships between not only the US and Indian governments, but also our universities and private sectors. I am proud to lead this effort to further strengthen our relationship with India,''&nbsp;Menendez said.

The legislation also seeks to promotes lawful sharing of intellectual property between US and Indian private sector entities for renewable energy technology, air conditioning technology, and refrigeration systems technology.

A top Democratic senator has introduced a legislation in the US Senate to establish a forum for cooperation with India on clean energy technologies and energy transmission.

A top Democratic senator has introduced a legislation in the US Senate to establish a forum for cooperation with India on clean energy technologies and energy transmission. Introduced by Senator Robert Menendez, a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Prioritising Clean Energy and Climate Cooperation with India Act seeks to establish the US-India Clean Energy and Power Transmission Partnership (CEPTP) as the main forum for cooperation between the two nations on clean energy technologies. The activities under the CEPTP include promoting joint research and development on clean energy technologies, encouraging US private investment in the Indian clean energy market and supporting initiatives to develop new and renewable energy generation capacity in India. The legislation also promotes US-India cooperation on climate resilience and risk reduction, a statement said. ''Given the shared threat of climate change and India's growing need for electricity, there is a strong case to be made for strengthening the US-India clean energy partnership,'' Menendez said. ''In that vein, I am introducing this legislation having witnessed firsthand the positive results that come when our nations work as a team to tackle common challenges,'' he said. It also sought America's participation in the International Solar Alliance led by India which is playing a key role in mobilising significant international investment in solar energy. It urged the US to promote research, development and private sector cooperation on the production of electric vehicles and the planning and execution of an expansive charging station network to support extensive use of electric vehicles. The Senate legislation, running into 39 pages, asks the Trump administration to support a report, within 90 days of its passage, detailing the scope and nature of the US' participation in Mission Innovation. Observing that the US should support the Power for All initiative created by the Government of India through technical and other forms of assistance, the legislation said that the US should support the ambitious renewable energy generation goals set by the India through technical and other forms of assistance. Increased demand for refrigeration and air conditioning in India, and the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, done at Montreal September 16, 1987, are driving innovation and investments in next-generation refrigeration equipment and refrigerants in India; it said. As such the legislation says that enhanced United States-India bilateral cooperation and engagement on the development of technologies and chemicals that are compliant with the Kigali Amendment are in the interest of US industry leaders in the refrigeration and chemical coolant industries. Menendez was part of a congressional delegation to India in the fall of 2019, during which he engaged with India's minister of New and Renewable Energy and Indian business leaders to discuss how the US and India can address the threat of climate change and deepen cooperation on clean energy production. ''By establishing the US-India Clean Energy and Power Transmission Partnership, we are laying the groundwork for successful partnerships between not only the US and Indian governments, but also our universities and private sectors. I am proud to lead this effort to further strengthen our relationship with India,'' Menendez said. The legislation also seeks to promotes lawful sharing of intellectual property between US and Indian private sector entities for renewable energy technology, air conditioning technology, and refrigeration systems technology.

Legislation introduced in US Senate to boost clean energy cooperation with India

A group of genes passed down from extinct human cousins is linked with a higher risk for severe COVID-19, researchers say.&nbsp;

Coronavirus patients&nbsp;with a snippet of&nbsp;Neanderthal&nbsp;DNA&nbsp;that crossed into the human genome some 60,000 years ago run a higher risk of severe complications from the disease, researchers have reported.

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When they compared the genetic profiles of about 3,200 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and nearly 900,000 people from the general population, they found that a cluster of genes on chromosome 3 inherited from&nbsp;Neanderthals who lived more than 50,000 years ago is linked with 60 per cent&nbsp;higher odds of needing hospitalization.

People with COVID-19 who inherited this gene cluster are also more likely to need artificial breathing assistance, co-author Hugo Zeberg of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology said in a news release.

The prevalence of these genes varies widely, according to a report published on Wednesday in Nature. In South Asia, roughly 30&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of people have them, compared to roughly one in six Europeans.

They are almost non-existent in Africa and East Asia. While the study cannot explain why these particular genes confer a higher risk, the authors conclude, "with respect to the current pandemic, it is clear that gene flow from&nbsp;Neanderthals has tragic consequences."

People infected with the new coronavirus, for example, who carry the genetic coding bequeathed by our early human cousins are three times more likely to need mechanical ventilation, according to the&nbsp;study.

There are many reasons why some people with Covid-19 wind up in intensive care and other have only light symptoms, or none at all.

Advanced age, being a man, and pre-existing medical problems can all increase the odds of a serious outcome.

But genetic factors can also play a role, as the new findings makes clear.

"It is striking that the genetic heritage from Neanderthals has such tragic consequences during the current pandemic," said co-author Svante Paabo, director of the department of genetics at the&nbsp;Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

Unevenly distributed

They found that a&nbsp;Neanderthal&nbsp;individual from southern Europe carried an almost identical genetic segment, which spans some 50,000 so-called base pairs, the primary building blocks of DNA.

Tellingly, two Neanderthals found in southern Siberia, along with a specimen from another early human species that also wandered Eurasia, the Denisovans, did not carry the telltale snippet.

Modern humans and Neanderthals could have inherited the gene fragment from a common ancestor some half-million years ago, but it is far more likely to have entered the homo sapiens gene pool through more recent interbreeding, the researchers concluded.

The potentially dangerous string of&nbsp;Neanderthal&nbsp;DNA is not evenly distributed today across the globe, the study showed.

Some 16 percent of Europeans carry it, and about half the population across South Asia, with the highest proportion -- 63 percent -- found in Bangladesh.

This could help explain why individuals of Bangladeshi descent living in Britain are twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as the general population, the authors speculate.

In East Asia and Africa the gene variant is virtually absent.

About two percent of DNA in non-Africans across the globe originate with Neanderthals, earlier studies have shown.

Denisovan remnants are also widespread but more sporadic, comprising less than one percent of the DNA among Asians and Native Americans, and about five percent of aboriginal Australians and the people of Papua New Guinea.

A group of genes passed down from extinct human cousins is linked with a higher risk for severe COVID-19, researchers say. Coronavirus patients with a snippet of Neanderthal DNA that crossed into the human genome some 60,000 years ago run a higher risk of severe complications from the disease, researchers have reported.

A group of genes passed down from extinct human cousins is linked with a higher risk for severe COVID-19, researchers say. Coronavirus patients with a snippet of Neanderthal DNA that crossed into the human genome some 60,000 years ago run a higher risk of severe complications from the disease, researchers have reported. When they compared the genetic profiles of about 3,200 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and nearly 900,000 people from the general population, they found that a cluster of genes on chromosome 3 inherited from Neanderthals who lived more than 50,000 years ago is linked with 60 per cent higher odds of needing hospitalization. People with COVID-19 who inherited this gene cluster are also more likely to need artificial breathing assistance, co-author Hugo Zeberg of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology said in a news release. The prevalence of these genes varies widely, according to a report published on Wednesday in Nature. In South Asia, roughly 30 per cent of people have them, compared to roughly one in six Europeans. They are almost non-existent in Africa and East Asia. While the study cannot explain why these particular genes confer a higher risk, the authors conclude, "with respect to the current pandemic, it is clear that gene flow from Neanderthals has tragic consequences." People infected with the new coronavirus, for example, who carry the genetic coding bequeathed by our early human cousins are three times more likely to need mechanical ventilation, according to the study. There are many reasons why some people with Covid-19 wind up in intensive care and other have only light symptoms, or none at all. Advanced age, being a man, and pre-existing medical problems can all increase the odds of a serious outcome. But genetic factors can also play a role, as the new findings makes clear. "It is striking that the genetic heritage from Neanderthals has such tragic consequences during the current pandemic," said co-author Svante Paabo, director of the department of genetics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Unevenly distributed They found that a Neanderthal individual from southern Europe carried an almost identical genetic segment, which spans some 50,000 so-called base pairs, the primary building blocks of DNA. Tellingly, two Neanderthals found in southern Siberia, along with a specimen from another early human species that also wandered Eurasia, the Denisovans, did not carry the telltale snippet. Modern humans and Neanderthals could have inherited the gene fragment from a common ancestor some half-million years ago, but it is far more likely to have entered the homo sapiens gene pool through more recent interbreeding, the researchers concluded. The potentially dangerous string of Neanderthal DNA is not evenly distributed today across the globe, the study showed. Some 16 percent of Europeans carry it, and about half the population across South Asia, with the highest proportion -- 63 percent -- found in Bangladesh. This could help explain why individuals of Bangladeshi descent living in Britain are twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as the general population, the authors speculate. In East Asia and Africa the gene variant is virtually absent. About two percent of DNA in non-Africans across the globe originate with Neanderthals, earlier studies have shown. Denisovan remnants are also widespread but more sporadic, comprising less than one percent of the DNA among Asians and Native Americans, and about five percent of aboriginal Australians and the people of Papua New Guinea.

Genes from extinct human cousins increase risk for severe COVID-19: Study

Eighteen-year old Fatima Sultani gazes at the peak of a mountain near Afghanistan's capital Kabul after completing a morning climbing session, considering her next challenge.

Fatima Sultani along with her companions had climbed&nbsp;the summit of Noshakh in the Hindu Kush mountains, which is the highest peak in Afghanistan at 7,492 metres.&nbsp;The group claims to be the first all-Afghan team to reach the summit.

She and her team of nine young Afghan mountaineers, including three women, are hoping to climb Afghanistan's Mir Samir mountain and after that travel to Nepal to summit the world's highest peak, Mount Everest.

"My main goal is to show the world that Afghan women are strong and can do the most challenging work that men do," she told Reuters. "When I became aware that women from foreign countries come here to conquer high peaks I thought ... why can't we Afghan women conquer these peaks?"

Sultani has continued climbing throughout the coronavirus pandemic, in August making it to the summit of the 7,492 metre (24,580 feet) Noshakh Peak in the Hindu Kush mountain range in northern Afghanistan, becoming the youngest woman in the world to do so.

But as the Islamist Taliban hold peace talks with the Afghan government in Doha, many women in Afghanistan worry the militant group may exert its influence through formal political channels.

When the Taliban ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, they banned education for females and barred women from leaving the house without a male relative.

The group says it has changed but many women remain sceptical.

"When I got into sports, I knew that I would face some problems in the future, for example, one of the issues was that maybe the Taliban would hinder sport for women, but still I'm ready to face the challenge," Fatima said.

When she's not training in the mountains, Fatima lives in Kabul with her parents, younger sister and cat. Her father said he will continue to celebrate Fatima's achievements but has lingering concerns about her safety.

"I am worried about this, (the Taliban) oppose women's sports," Abdul Wahed Sultani said. "(But) I told Fatima that you are free to do whatever sport you want to, even mountaineering, and I will support her as much as I can."

Eighteen-year old Fatima Sultani gazes at the peak of a mountain near Afghanistan's capital Kabul after completing a morning climbing session, considering her next challenge.

Eighteen-year old Fatima Sultani gazes at the peak of a mountain near Afghanistan's capital Kabul after completing a morning climbing session, considering her next challenge. Fatima Sultani along with her companions had climbed the summit of Noshakh in the Hindu Kush mountains, which is the highest peak in Afghanistan at 7,492 metres. The group claims to be the first all-Afghan team to reach the summit. She and her team of nine young Afghan mountaineers, including three women, are hoping to climb Afghanistan's Mir Samir mountain and after that travel to Nepal to summit the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. "My main goal is to show the world that Afghan women are strong and can do the most challenging work that men do," she told Reuters. "When I became aware that women from foreign countries come here to conquer high peaks I thought ... why can't we Afghan women conquer these peaks?" Sultani has continued climbing throughout the coronavirus pandemic, in August making it to the summit of the 7,492 metre (24,580 feet) Noshakh Peak in the Hindu Kush mountain range in northern Afghanistan, becoming the youngest woman in the world to do so. But as the Islamist Taliban hold peace talks with the Afghan government in Doha, many women in Afghanistan worry the militant group may exert its influence through formal political channels. When the Taliban ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, they banned education for females and barred women from leaving the house without a male relative. The group says it has changed but many women remain sceptical. "When I got into sports, I knew that I would face some problems in the future, for example, one of the issues was that maybe the Taliban would hinder sport for women, but still I'm ready to face the challenge," Fatima said. When she's not training in the mountains, Fatima lives in Kabul with her parents, younger sister and cat. Her father said he will continue to celebrate Fatima's achievements but has lingering concerns about her safety. "I am worried about this, (the Taliban) oppose women's sports," Abdul Wahed Sultani said. "(But) I told Fatima that you are free to do whatever sport you want to, even mountaineering, and I will support her as much as I can."

After climbing Afghanistan's highest peak, Fatima Sultani plans next summit

Approximately forty percent or two-fifths&nbsp;of the world's plants are at risk of extinction, scientists have warned.

Researchers say they are racing against time to name and describe new species, before they disappear.

Plants hold huge promise as medicines, fuels and foods, says a report by the royal botanic gardens, kew. These unknown species are a ''treasure chest'' of food, medicine and biofuels.&nbsp;

But opportunities are being lost to use plants and fungi to address global issues such as food security and climate change.

Over 4,000 species of plants and fungi belonging to the same group as onion, garlic, spinach, cassava and a sea holly were discovered in 2019.

While&nbsp;cassava can help in securing the staple crop eaten by 800 miliion people, the relatives of&nbsp;sea holly is anti-malarial and can treat inflammation.

The assessment of the state of the world's plants and fungi is based on research from more than 200 scientists in 42 countries.

The report was released on the eve of a united nations summit, which will press for action from world leaders to address biodiversity loss.

The scientists estimate that the extinction risk may be much higher than previously thought, with an estimated 140,000, or 39.4 per cent, of vascular plants estimated to be threatened with extinction, compared with 21 per cent&nbsp;in 2016.

The research found 723 plants used for medicine are at risk of extinction, with over-harvesting a problem in some parts of the world.

Approximately forty percent or two-fifths of the world's plants are at risk of extinction, scientists have warned. Researchers say they are racing against time to name and describe new species, before they disappear.

Approximately forty percent or two-fifths of the world's plants are at risk of extinction, scientists have warned. Researchers say they are racing against time to name and describe new species, before they disappear. Plants hold huge promise as medicines, fuels and foods, says a report by the royal botanic gardens, kew. These unknown species are a ''treasure chest'' of food, medicine and biofuels. But opportunities are being lost to use plants and fungi to address global issues such as food security and climate change. Over 4,000 species of plants and fungi belonging to the same group as onion, garlic, spinach, cassava and a sea holly were discovered in 2019. While cassava can help in securing the staple crop eaten by 800 miliion people, the relatives of sea holly is anti-malarial and can treat inflammation. The assessment of the state of the world's plants and fungi is based on research from more than 200 scientists in 42 countries. The report was released on the eve of a united nations summit, which will press for action from world leaders to address biodiversity loss. The scientists estimate that the extinction risk may be much higher than previously thought, with an estimated 140,000, or 39.4 per cent, of vascular plants estimated to be threatened with extinction, compared with 21 per cent in 2016. The research found 723 plants used for medicine are at risk of extinction, with over-harvesting a problem in some parts of the world.

40% of plant species facing risk of extinction: Report

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Vyomica Berry

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