Foreign jihadists based in Syria's last major rebel bastion killed at least six regime fighters in an attack Friday in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said.&nbsp;

Four Uzbek fighters were also killed after they sneaked up on regime forces on the southern edge of the jihadist-dominated stronghold, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-bombards-rebel-bastion-killing-seven-civilians-399757">Syrian army bombards rebel bastion killing seven civilians</a>

The Idlib region, which is home to nearly three million people, is dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate but other rebels and jihadist groups are also present.

An international ceasefire deal has since March 2020 stemmed a Russia-backed regime assault to retake the bastion, though some small jihadist groups have refused the agreement and continued to attack pro-Damascus fighters on its edges.

Friday's attack occurred on the outskirts of the town of Maaret al-Numan, retaken by regime forces in their latest military campaign early last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-says-thousands-fled-fighting-in-syrias-daraa-403264">UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa</a>

The war in Syria, which began in 2011 with a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, has left more than half a million people dead and several million displaced.

Foreign jihadists based in Syria's last major rebel bastion killed at least six regime fighters in an attack Friday in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said.

Foreign jihadists based in Syria's last major rebel bastion killed at least six regime fighters in an attack Friday in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said. Four Uzbek fighters were also killed after they sneaked up on regime forces on the southern edge of the jihadist-dominated stronghold, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Also read | Syrian army bombards rebel bastion killing seven civilians The Idlib region, which is home to nearly three million people, is dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate but other rebels and jihadist groups are also present. An international ceasefire deal has since March 2020 stemmed a Russia-backed regime assault to retake the bastion, though some small jihadist groups have refused the agreement and continued to attack pro-Damascus fighters on its edges. Friday's attack occurred on the outskirts of the town of Maaret al-Numan, retaken by regime forces in their latest military campaign early last year. Also read | UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa The war in Syria, which began in 2011 with a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, has left more than half a million people dead and several million displaced.

Foreign jihadists kill six pro-regime fighters in Syria

More than 250 migrants disembarked in Sicily on Saturday from an NGO rescue ship, while another vessel carrying around 550 people was given permission to land on the Italian island.

Both ships had put out urgent appeals for a safe port following days at sea in the central Mediterranean, warning of the deteriorating health of those on board, who include children.

"The #SeaWatch3 (ship) reached the port of Trapani this morning. We are happy to finally have a port of safety," the German organisation Sea Watch International tweeted, saying 257 people were being disembarked.

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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeaWatch3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeaWatch3</a> reached the port of Trapani this morning. We are happy to finally have a port of safety. Before our guests can safely go ashore, all 257 rescued people on board will be tested for COVID-19. <a href="https://t.co/elrI5rHcvD">pic.twitter.com/elrI5rHcvD</a>
— Sea-Watch International (@seawatch_intl) <a href="https://twitter.com/seawatch_intl/status/1423953150390775815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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On Thursday, they had warned of a "critical" situation, with a lack of many medicines and symptoms of dehydration appearing among many of those on board, some of whom had been at sea for a week.

Meanwhile, the crew of another rescue vessel, Ocean Viking, told AFP they had been given permission to disembark their 549 passengers at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo on Sunday.

They had earlier warned they were running out of medication, some onboard were suffering from dehydration and others had skin infections.

"What we need is a place of safety to disembark them as soon as possible," crew member and spokeswoman Julia Schaerfermeyer said, adding that 118 minors including 13 children aged under 12 were among those on board.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-ngo-sea-watch-rescues-nearly-100-migrants-overnight-in-mediterranean-402107">German NGO Sea-Watch rescues nearly 100 migrants overnight in Mediterranean</a>

The vessel, run by French NGO SOS Mediterranee, rescued 555 people last weekend, although two pregnant women and two others have since been evacuated, alongside two of their relatives.

They were waiting off the east coast of Sicily for permission to disembark. They said requests to Malta were rejected while Tunisia and Libya did not respond.

Schaerfermeyer had appealed to the European Union to help coordinate plans to manage rescue ships in international waters, "to step up in support of the coastal states, and for a predictable disembarkation mechanism to be put in place".

Tens of thousands of people seek to cross the central Mediterranean each year, normally setting off from Libya and aiming for the Italian coast, but it is a deadly journey.

Almost 1,000 people have died on the route so far this year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

More than 250 migrants disembarked in Sicily on Saturday from an NGO rescue ship, while another vessel carrying around 550 people was given permission to land on the Italian island.

More than 250 migrants disembarked in Sicily on Saturday from an NGO rescue ship, while another vessel carrying around 550 people was given permission to land on the Italian island. Both ships had put out urgent appeals for a safe port following days at sea in the central Mediterranean, warning of the deteriorating health of those on board, who include children. "The #SeaWatch3 (ship) reached the port of Trapani this morning. We are happy to finally have a port of safety," the German organisation Sea Watch International tweeted, saying 257 people were being disembarked. The #SeaWatch3 reached the port of Trapani this morning. We are happy to finally have a port of safety. Before our guests can safely go ashore, all 257 rescued people on board will be tested for COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/elrI5rHcvD — Sea-Watch International (@seawatch_intl) August 7, 2021 × On Thursday, they had warned of a "critical" situation, with a lack of many medicines and symptoms of dehydration appearing among many of those on board, some of whom had been at sea for a week. Meanwhile, the crew of another rescue vessel, Ocean Viking, told AFP they had been given permission to disembark their 549 passengers at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo on Sunday. They had earlier warned they were running out of medication, some onboard were suffering from dehydration and others had skin infections. "What we need is a place of safety to disembark them as soon as possible," crew member and spokeswoman Julia Schaerfermeyer said, adding that 118 minors including 13 children aged under 12 were among those on board. Also read | German NGO Sea-Watch rescues nearly 100 migrants overnight in Mediterranean The vessel, run by French NGO SOS Mediterranee, rescued 555 people last weekend, although two pregnant women and two others have since been evacuated, alongside two of their relatives. They were waiting off the east coast of Sicily for permission to disembark. They said requests to Malta were rejected while Tunisia and Libya did not respond. Schaerfermeyer had appealed to the European Union to help coordinate plans to manage rescue ships in international waters, "to step up in support of the coastal states, and for a predictable disembarkation mechanism to be put in place". Tens of thousands of people seek to cross the central Mediterranean each year, normally setting off from Libya and aiming for the Italian coast, but it is a deadly journey. Almost 1,000 people have died on the route so far this year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Hundreds of migrants find safe port in Italy

Hundreds of firefighters fought wildfires and flare-ups that have devoured record numbers of woodlands in Greece Saturday and left hundreds of families homeless, but heavy rains brought some respite to hard-hit Turkey.

More than 1,450 Greek firefighters backed by at least 15 aircraft were battling the fires, with reinforcements arriving from other countries, the fire service said.

The blazes in Greece are set to continue, with strong winds and temperatures of up to 38 degrees C (100 F) forecast in some regions on Saturday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozen-homes-destroyed-five-hospitalised-in-greece-forest-fire-402086">Dozen homes destroyed, five hospitalised in Greece forest fire</a>

This year's fires have been far more destructive than in previous years.

In the last 10 days, 56,655 hectares (140,000 acres) have been burnt in Greece,&nbsp;according to the European Forest Fire Information System. The average number of hectares burnt over the same period between 2008 and 2020 was 1,700 hectares.

"When this nightmarish summer ends we will reverse the damage as soon as possible," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged on Saturday.

Rains help Turkey&nbsp;

Greece and Turkey have been fighting devastating fires for more than a week as the region suffers its worst heatwave in decades. Officials and experts have linked such intense weather events to climate change.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greek-firefighters-battle-to-extinguish-forest-blaze-402198">Greek firefighters battle to extinguish forest blaze</a>

So far, they have killed two people in Greece and eight in Turkey, with dozens more hospitalised there during 10 days of the blazes.

A UN draft report seen by AFP labelled the Mediterranean region a "climate change hotspot", warning that heatwaves, droughts and fires would become more fierce in the future, supercharged by rising temperatures.

<img alt="Greece fire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="42c9e723-f46d-42cf-b41d-3e69a94e57f2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-08-07T220245.426.jpg" />

But the weather gave Turkey some respite Saturday. Officials in the Turkish coastal city of Antalya said the blazes were under control in the southwestern province after rainfall there.

And heavy rainfall was expected to continue until the afternoon in areas including Manavgat, one of the most affected by the fires.

The situation remained serious however around the tourist hotspot of Mugla, where at least three neighbourhoods have been ordered to evacuate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-and-greece-reel-from-raging-wildfires-during-heatwave-403133">Turkey and Greece reel from raging wildfires during heatwave</a>

There have been over 200 fires in 47 of Turkey's 81 provinces, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli tweeted early on Saturday. Thirteen fires continue in five provinces.

Fears of more high winds&nbsp;

Greek Civil Protection deputy minister, Nikos Hardalias said on Saturday that 55 blazes were raging across Greece.

They were burning on Evia, the country's second-largest island, which lies&nbsp;east of the capital; in the Peloponnese region in the southwest; and Fthiotida in Central Greece.

The fire front on Evia alone ran across 30 kilometres (18 miles) long, said Fanis Spanos, the regional governor of Central Greece, but in the Attica peninsula there the situation was "more stable".

There is, however, concern as winds are expected to pick up the pace later in the day, the Fire Brigade said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-evacuated-as-wildfire-reaches-turkeys-thermal-power-plant-402978">Hundreds evacuated as wildfire reaches Turkey's thermal power plant</a>

Part of a motorway linking Athens to the north of the country that had been shut down as a precaution was reopened Saturday.

In the northern Evia, where more than 1,300 people fled the fires on ferry boats Friday from the coastal village of Limni, another 23 were evacuated Saturday morning from a nearby beach at Rovies.&nbsp;

Navy warships are on high alert off the north of the island in case more evacuations are required.

Local officials, there have already called for more air support in the firefighting efforts warning for hundreds of homeless families.

Fanis Spanos told the Athens News Agency (ANA) that more than 300 families whose homes had been burned down were being sheltered in hotels.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-new-fire-breaks-out-in-thermal-power-plant-402921">Turkey: New fire breaks out in thermal power plant</a>

The situation remained dire in Mani, in the Peloponnese, where 5,000 people were evacuated on Friday.&nbsp;

Eleni Drakoulakou, the mayor of East Mani, told ERT TV on Saturday that half the town had been burnt, blaming a lack of water-dropping air support during the critical first hours of the wildfire.&nbsp;

ANA also reported that two people had been charged for arson.

In Athens, police arrested a woman in a park on Friday as she was carrying two lighters, petrol and flammable materials,&nbsp;a few minutes after a fire broke out there.

Authorities have banned visits to parks and forests through Greece.

A 43-year-old man was arrested in the area of Krioneri and charged with arson, according to ANA.

Hundreds of firefighters fought wildfires and flare-ups that have devoured record numbers of woodlands in Greece Saturday and left hundreds of families homeless, but heavy rains brought some respite to hard-hit Turkey.

Hundreds of firefighters fought wildfires and flare-ups that have devoured record numbers of woodlands in Greece Saturday and left hundreds of families homeless, but heavy rains brought some respite to hard-hit Turkey. More than 1,450 Greek firefighters backed by at least 15 aircraft were battling the fires, with reinforcements arriving from other countries, the fire service said. The blazes in Greece are set to continue, with strong winds and temperatures of up to 38 degrees C (100 F) forecast in some regions on Saturday. Also read | Dozen homes destroyed, five hospitalised in Greece forest fire This year's fires have been far more destructive than in previous years. In the last 10 days, 56,655 hectares (140,000 acres) have been burnt in Greece, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. The average number of hectares burnt over the same period between 2008 and 2020 was 1,700 hectares. "When this nightmarish summer ends we will reverse the damage as soon as possible," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged on Saturday. Rains help Turkey Greece and Turkey have been fighting devastating fires for more than a week as the region suffers its worst heatwave in decades. Officials and experts have linked such intense weather events to climate change. Also read | Greek firefighters battle to extinguish forest blaze So far, they have killed two people in Greece and eight in Turkey, with dozens more hospitalised there during 10 days of the blazes. A UN draft report seen by AFP labelled the Mediterranean region a "climate change hotspot", warning that heatwaves, droughts and fires would become more fierce in the future, supercharged by rising temperatures. But the weather gave Turkey some respite Saturday. Officials in the Turkish coastal city of Antalya said the blazes were under control in the southwestern province after rainfall there. And heavy rainfall was expected to continue until the afternoon in areas including Manavgat, one of the most affected by the fires. The situation remained serious however around the tourist hotspot of Mugla, where at least three neighbourhoods have been ordered to evacuate. Also read | Turkey and Greece reel from raging wildfires during heatwave There have been over 200 fires in 47 of Turkey's 81 provinces, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli tweeted early on Saturday. Thirteen fires continue in five provinces. Fears of more high winds Greek Civil Protection deputy minister, Nikos Hardalias said on Saturday that 55 blazes were raging across Greece. They were burning on Evia, the country's second-largest island, which lies east of the capital; in the Peloponnese region in the southwest; and Fthiotida in Central Greece. The fire front on Evia alone ran across 30 kilometres (18 miles) long, said Fanis Spanos, the regional governor of Central Greece, but in the Attica peninsula there the situation was "more stable". There is, however, concern as winds are expected to pick up the pace later in the day, the Fire Brigade said. Also read | Hundreds evacuated as wildfire reaches Turkey's thermal power plant Part of a motorway linking Athens to the north of the country that had been shut down as a precaution was reopened Saturday. In the northern Evia, where more than 1,300 people fled the fires on ferry boats Friday from the coastal village of Limni, another 23 were evacuated Saturday morning from a nearby beach at Rovies. Navy warships are on high alert off the north of the island in case more evacuations are required. Local officials, there have already called for more air support in the firefighting efforts warning for hundreds of homeless families. Fanis Spanos told the Athens News Agency (ANA) that more than 300 families whose homes had been burned down were being sheltered in hotels. Also read | Turkey: New fire breaks out in thermal power plant The situation remained dire in Mani, in the Peloponnese, where 5,000 people were evacuated on Friday. Eleni Drakoulakou, the mayor of East Mani, told ERT TV on Saturday that half the town had been burnt, blaming a lack of water-dropping air support during the critical first hours of the wildfire. ANA also reported that two people had been charged for arson. In Athens, police arrested a woman in a park on Friday as she was carrying two lighters, petrol and flammable materials, a few minutes after a fire broke out there. Authorities have banned visits to parks and forests through Greece. A 43-year-old man was arrested in the area of Krioneri and charged with arson, according to ANA.

Hundreds of families homeless as Greek fires rage, Turkey saved by the rain

Several hundred people protested Saturday in N'Djamena against the junta that has ruled Chad since the death in the battle of Idriss Deby Itno, despite a strong police presence.

Civil society organisations had called to demonstrate against the Transitional Military Council's (CMT) "power grab" in April by Deby's 37-year-old son Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chad-junta-names-presidential-runner-up-as-interim-pm-380563">Chad junta names presidential runner-up as interim PM</a>

"We are fighting for a just Chad... We will not stop as long as there is injustice in the country and the CMT is in charge," said Max Loalngar, spokesman for Wakit Tamma, an opposition platform.

Authorities had given the go-ahead for the protest and deployed security forces. But there was no violence.

"I marched to say no to the monarchical devolution of power in Chad," said Elsa, a 23-year-old protester, holding up a sign that read "Chad is not a kingdom".

Marcellin, a 25-year-old, added: "The country has been going backwards for almost 30 years in terms of education, clean water and access to employment.&nbsp;You have to be close to the ruling party or a member of the clan to have access to employment."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chad-woman-killed-by-protesters-in-capital-ndjamena-381004/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The generals under Deby's son have promised "free and transparent" elections after an 18-month "transition" when they took power -- but also proceeded to dissolve parliament and repeal the constitution.

A promised "national dialogue," which was supposed to include bitter critics, has yet to begin and a 93-strong body supposed to draft a new constitution has yet to be appointed.

The elder Deby died in April from wounds sustained fighting rebels.

Several hundred people protested Saturday in N'Djamena against the junta that has ruled Chad since the death in the battle of Idriss Deby Itno, despite a strong police presence.

Several hundred people protested Saturday in N'Djamena against the junta that has ruled Chad since the death in the battle of Idriss Deby Itno, despite a strong police presence. Civil society organisations had called to demonstrate against the Transitional Military Council's (CMT) "power grab" in April by Deby's 37-year-old son Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. Also read | Chad junta names presidential runner-up as interim PM "We are fighting for a just Chad... We will not stop as long as there is injustice in the country and the CMT is in charge," said Max Loalngar, spokesman for Wakit Tamma, an opposition platform. Authorities had given the go-ahead for the protest and deployed security forces. But there was no violence. "I marched to say no to the monarchical devolution of power in Chad," said Elsa, a 23-year-old protester, holding up a sign that read "Chad is not a kingdom". Marcellin, a 25-year-old, added: "The country has been going backwards for almost 30 years in terms of education, clean water and access to employment. You have to be close to the ruling party or a member of the clan to have access to employment." The generals under Deby's son have promised "free and transparent" elections after an 18-month "transition" when they took power -- but also proceeded to dissolve parliament and repeal the constitution. A promised "national dialogue," which was supposed to include bitter critics, has yet to begin and a 93-strong body supposed to draft a new constitution has yet to be appointed. The elder Deby died in April from wounds sustained fighting rebels.

Protests in Chad against military junta

Exposure to a cocktail of agrochemicals significantly increases bee mortality, according to research Wednesday that said regulators may be underestimating the dangers of pesticides in combination.

Bees&nbsp;and other pollinators are crucial for crops and wild habitats and evidence of steep drops in insect populations worldwide has prompted fears of dire consequences for food security and natural ecosystems.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bee-populations-are-declining-drastically-find-out-how-this-phenomenon-can-wreak-havoc-globally-321218">Bee populations are declining drastically: Find out how this phenomenon can wreak havoc globally</a>

A new meta-analysis of dozens of published studies over the last 20 years looked at the interaction between agrochemicals, parasites and malnutrition on bee behaviours, such as foraging, memory, colony reproduction, and health.&nbsp;

Researchers found that when these different stressors interacted they had a negative effect on&nbsp;bees, greatly increasing the likelihood of death.

The&nbsp;study&nbsp;published in Nature also found that&nbsp;pesticide&nbsp;interaction was&nbsp;likely&nbsp;to be "synergistic", meaning that their combined impact was greater than the sum of their individual effects.&nbsp;

These "interactions between multiple agrochemicals significantly increase bee mortality," said co-author Harry Siviter, of the University of Texas at Austin.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-bans-two-us-pesticides-citing-risk-to-bees-266292">France bans two US pesticides, citing risk to bees</a>

The&nbsp;study&nbsp;concluded that risk assessments that fail to allow for this outcome "may underestimate the interactive effect of anthropogenic stressors on bee mortality".

Researchers said their results "demonstrate that the regulatory process in its current form does not protect&nbsp;bees&nbsp;from the unwanted consequences of complex agrochemical exposure.&nbsp;

"A failure to address this and to continue to expose&nbsp;bees&nbsp;to multiple anthropogenic stressors within agriculture will result in the continued decline in&nbsp;bees&nbsp;and their pollination services, to the detriment of human and ecosystem health," the&nbsp;study&nbsp;concluded.

In a commentary also published in Nature, Adam Vanbergen of France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment said that pollinating insects face threats from intensive agriculture, including chemicals like fungicides and pesticides, as well as a reduction of pollen and nectar from wildflowers.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-reveals-that-caffeine-helps-bumblebees-pollinate-more-effectively-401414">Study reveals that caffeine helps bumblebees pollinate more effectively</a>

The industrial-scale use of managed honey&nbsp;bees&nbsp;also increases pollinator exposure to parasites and diseases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While previous individual studies have looked at how these stressors interplay, the new meta-analysis "confirms that the cocktail of agrochemicals that&nbsp;bees&nbsp;encounter in an intensively farmed environment can create a risk to bee populations".

He said there had been a general focus on impacts on honey&nbsp;bees, but added there is a need for more research on other pollinators, which might react differently to these stressors.

Some 75 per cent of the world's crops producing fruits and seeds for human consumption rely on pollinators, including cocoa, coffee, almonds and cherries, according to the UN.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-these-bees-can-detect-covid-19-383576/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In 2019 scientists concluded that nearly half of all insect species worldwide are in decline and a third could disappear altogether by the century's end.

One in six species of&nbsp;bees&nbsp;has gone regionally extinct somewhere in the world.

The main drivers of pollinator extinction are thought to be habitat loss and&nbsp;pesticide&nbsp;use.

Exposure to a cocktail of agrochemicals significantly increases bee mortality, according to research Wednesday that said regulators may be underestimating the dangers of pesticides in combination.

Exposure to a cocktail of agrochemicals significantly increases bee mortality, according to research Wednesday that said regulators may be underestimating the dangers of pesticides in combination. Bees and other pollinators are crucial for crops and wild habitats and evidence of steep drops in insect populations worldwide has prompted fears of dire consequences for food security and natural ecosystems. Also read | Bee populations are declining drastically: Find out how this phenomenon can wreak havoc globally A new meta-analysis of dozens of published studies over the last 20 years looked at the interaction between agrochemicals, parasites and malnutrition on bee behaviours, such as foraging, memory, colony reproduction, and health. Researchers found that when these different stressors interacted they had a negative effect on bees, greatly increasing the likelihood of death. The study published in Nature also found that pesticide interaction was likely to be "synergistic", meaning that their combined impact was greater than the sum of their individual effects. These "interactions between multiple agrochemicals significantly increase bee mortality," said co-author Harry Siviter, of the University of Texas at Austin. Also read | France bans two US pesticides, citing risk to bees The study concluded that risk assessments that fail to allow for this outcome "may underestimate the interactive effect of anthropogenic stressors on bee mortality". Researchers said their results "demonstrate that the regulatory process in its current form does not protect bees from the unwanted consequences of complex agrochemical exposure. "A failure to address this and to continue to expose bees to multiple anthropogenic stressors within agriculture will result in the continued decline in bees and their pollination services, to the detriment of human and ecosystem health," the study concluded. In a commentary also published in Nature, Adam Vanbergen of France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment said that pollinating insects face threats from intensive agriculture, including chemicals like fungicides and pesticides, as well as a reduction of pollen and nectar from wildflowers. Also read | Study reveals that caffeine helps bumblebees pollinate more effectively The industrial-scale use of managed honey bees also increases pollinator exposure to parasites and diseases. While previous individual studies have looked at how these stressors interplay, the new meta-analysis "confirms that the cocktail of agrochemicals that bees encounter in an intensively farmed environment can create a risk to bee populations". He said there had been a general focus on impacts on honey bees, but added there is a need for more research on other pollinators, which might react differently to these stressors. Some 75 per cent of the world's crops producing fruits and seeds for human consumption rely on pollinators, including cocoa, coffee, almonds and cherries, according to the UN. In 2019 scientists concluded that nearly half of all insect species worldwide are in decline and a third could disappear altogether by the century's end. One in six species of bees has gone regionally extinct somewhere in the world. The main drivers of pollinator extinction are thought to be habitat loss and pesticide use.

Pesticide threat to bees likely 'underestimated': Study

As vaccines help quell <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> cases, millions of Americans have gone back to work, but fewer Black and Hispanic workers are being rehired, entrenching persistent inequalities in the United States.

The divides are fueled by long-running&nbsp;employment&nbsp;discrimination, experts say, worsened by unique, virus-related disruptions that have left many job seekers unable to find work they can get to, or feel safe doing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/social-inequities-explain-racial-gaps-in-pandemic-studies-find-348674">Social inequities explain racial gaps in pandemic, studies find</a>

"We haven't actually addressed those underlying power disparities in the&nbsp;economy," said Kate Bahn, director of labour market policy with the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.

After skyrocketing to 14.7 per cent in April 2020 when business restrictions to stop the virus from spreading were at their tightest, the US&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;rate dropped to 5.9 per cent in June, according to the Labor Department.

But the gains were not shared equally: the jobless rate for Black workers was 9.2 per cent and for Hispanics 7.4 per cent, compared with 5.2 per cent for whites.

The&nbsp;racial&nbsp;and ethnic&nbsp;employment&nbsp;gaps in the world's largest&nbsp;economy&nbsp;were present even when&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;was at record lows before the pandemic.

In Washington, the issue is receiving renewed attention from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>, who has put forth massive spending plans he says will help reshape the&nbsp;economy&nbsp;and make it more inclusive.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/classrooms-grapple-with-racial-slurs-in-classic-american-novels-394213">Classrooms grapple with racial slurs in classic American novels</a>

"When I started studying economics in 1963, the average Black family's wealth was roughly 15 percent of the average white family's," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday.

"What is surprising, however, is that it's almost six decades later, and the data point has barely changed. It's still 15 percent."

The Federal Reserve has also pledged to keep interest rates low for longer to increase the hiring of&nbsp;racial&nbsp;minorities, something that took nearly a decade following the 2008 global financial crisis.

"We all do better when the pie is bigger, and you get the pie bigger by being aggressive about this," William Spriggs, chief economist of the AFL-CIO trade union federation, told AFP.

'Fixed disparity'

The Labor Department is due to release the latest&nbsp;employment&nbsp;report on Friday, which some economists expect will show the&nbsp;economy&nbsp;gaining over one million jobs in July, lowering the&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;rate to 5.6 per cent as more businesses reopen.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-protests-highlight-inequalities-and-endemic-racial-discrimination-un-rights-chief-michelle-bachelet-302667">US protests highlight inequalities and endemic racial discrimination: UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet</a>

The June data showed&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;for white women was five per cent, despite losing jobs last year at about the same rate as Black workers, who have seen much slower rehiring. The trend is similar for Hispanics.

"There is a fixed disparity between Blacks and whites in terms of being rehired," Spriggs said.

A higher share of Black women are looking for jobs than white women, but large and small companies nationwide nonetheless complain they cannot find people to fill open positions, especially skilled workers.

"These employers are all yelling we can't find workers, we can't find workers. Black women are more available and yet they're not hiring them," Spriggs said.

"It's discrimination. Until we get serious about discrimination in hiring and discrimination in labor force, we just can't advance."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-lives-matter-activists-note-contrast-in-police-response-at-capitol-355386">Black Lives Matter activists note contrast in police response at Capitol</a>

Scholars blame the disparity on factors that push Black and Hispanic workers into jobs that pay less and often put them most at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Virus still a threat&nbsp;

Walter L. Simmons, president and CEO of nonprofit Employ Prince George's, which serves a mostly Black and Hispanic county outside Washington, said the ongoing pandemic disruptions are keeping some people from taking jobs, or even looking for work.

Bus and ride-sharing services have not yet returned to normal, meaning many jobseekers often cannot get to work. Childcare also has been curtailed, so working parents have to figure out what to do with their children.

Many people in Prince George's county live with extended family, and may be reluctant to take a job where they risk infection, Simmons said,&nbsp;a fear that has grown more acute as the highly infectious <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delta-is-the-fastest-covid-19-variant-and-will-pick-off-the-most-vulnerable-who-393278">Delta variant</a> spreads.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pandemic-economic-crisis-racial-injustice-climate-crisis-threats-to-our-democracy-says-president-biden-from-lincoln-memorial-358219">Pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice, climate crisis threats to our democracy, says President Biden from Lincoln Memorial</a>

"Those are three areas we're seeing that nobody really has an answer for. They're just saying come back to work," Simmons said in an interview.

For now, jobless workers are able to survive off of expanded&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;benefits authorized by the federal government, which pay some low-wage workers more than their previous jobs.

About two dozen states ended these benefits, and in September, they expire nationwide.&nbsp;

Simmons fears what could happen after.

"Those who were struggling prior to the pandemic, they're really going to struggle," he said.

As vaccines help quell COVID-19 cases, millions of Americans have gone back to work, but fewer Black and Hispanic workers are being rehired, entrenching persistent inequalities in the United States.

As vaccines help quell COVID-19 cases, millions of Americans have gone back to work, but fewer Black and Hispanic workers are being rehired, entrenching persistent inequalities in the United States. The divides are fueled by long-running employment discrimination, experts say, worsened by unique, virus-related disruptions that have left many job seekers unable to find work they can get to, or feel safe doing. Also read | Social inequities explain racial gaps in pandemic, studies find "We haven't actually addressed those underlying power disparities in the economy," said Kate Bahn, director of labour market policy with the Washington Center for Equitable Growth. After skyrocketing to 14.7 per cent in April 2020 when business restrictions to stop the virus from spreading were at their tightest, the US unemployment rate dropped to 5.9 per cent in June, according to the Labor Department. But the gains were not shared equally: the jobless rate for Black workers was 9.2 per cent and for Hispanics 7.4 per cent, compared with 5.2 per cent for whites. The racial and ethnic employment gaps in the world's largest economy were present even when unemployment was at record lows before the pandemic. In Washington, the issue is receiving renewed attention from President Joe Biden, who has put forth massive spending plans he says will help reshape the economy and make it more inclusive. Also read | Classrooms grapple with racial slurs in classic American novels "When I started studying economics in 1963, the average Black family's wealth was roughly 15 percent of the average white family's," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday. "What is surprising, however, is that it's almost six decades later, and the data point has barely changed. It's still 15 percent." The Federal Reserve has also pledged to keep interest rates low for longer to increase the hiring of racial minorities, something that took nearly a decade following the 2008 global financial crisis. "We all do better when the pie is bigger, and you get the pie bigger by being aggressive about this," William Spriggs, chief economist of the AFL-CIO trade union federation, told AFP. 'Fixed disparity' The Labor Department is due to release the latest employment report on Friday, which some economists expect will show the economy gaining over one million jobs in July, lowering the unemployment rate to 5.6 per cent as more businesses reopen. Also read | US protests highlight inequalities and endemic racial discrimination: UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet The June data showed unemployment for white women was five per cent, despite losing jobs last year at about the same rate as Black workers, who have seen much slower rehiring. The trend is similar for Hispanics. "There is a fixed disparity between Blacks and whites in terms of being rehired," Spriggs said. A higher share of Black women are looking for jobs than white women, but large and small companies nationwide nonetheless complain they cannot find people to fill open positions, especially skilled workers. "These employers are all yelling we can't find workers, we can't find workers. Black women are more available and yet they're not hiring them," Spriggs said. "It's discrimination. Until we get serious about discrimination in hiring and discrimination in labor force, we just can't advance." Also read | Black Lives Matter activists note contrast in police response at Capitol Scholars blame the disparity on factors that push Black and Hispanic workers into jobs that pay less and often put them most at risk of contracting COVID-19. Virus still a threat Walter L. Simmons, president and CEO of nonprofit Employ Prince George's, which serves a mostly Black and Hispanic county outside Washington, said the ongoing pandemic disruptions are keeping some people from taking jobs, or even looking for work. Bus and ride-sharing services have not yet returned to normal, meaning many jobseekers often cannot get to work. Childcare also has been curtailed, so working parents have to figure out what to do with their children. Many people in Prince George's county live with extended family, and may be reluctant to take a job where they risk infection, Simmons said, a fear that has grown more acute as the highly infectious Delta variant spreads. Also read | Pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice, climate crisis threats to our democracy, says President Biden from Lincoln Memorial "Those are three areas we're seeing that nobody really has an answer for. They're just saying come back to work," Simmons said in an interview. For now, jobless workers are able to survive off of expanded unemployment benefits authorized by the federal government, which pay some low-wage workers more than their previous jobs. About two dozen states ended these benefits, and in September, they expire nationwide. Simmons fears what could happen after. "Those who were struggling prior to the pandemic, they're really going to struggle," he said.

Racial employment divide continues in recovering US economy

The&nbsp;UK&nbsp;government announced Wednesday it will offer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> vaccinations to all 16 and 17-year-olds, but not to younger healthy teenagers as in many other Western countries.&nbsp;

The move follows updated guidance from British health regulators that the country's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> drive should be extended to those aged 16 and 17 without underlying health issues after a review of the latest data.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-more-than-220000-children-inoculated-with-first-dose-of-covid-vaccine-402885">UK: More than 220,000 children inoculated with first dose of Covid vaccine</a>

However, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) made no change to its current advice to the government that only 12 to 15-year-olds deemed vulnerable should be jabbed.

This contrasts with the United States, which announced in May that younger teens would be vaccinated, and the European Union's medicines regulator which has approved two shots for all over-12s.

Britain's health secretary Sajid Javid confirmed he had accepted the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;experts' latest recommendations and asked the state-run National Health Service (NHS) "to prepare to vaccinate those eligible as soon as possible".

"JCVI will continue to review data and provide updates on at risk groups aged 12-15 and whether any additional groups will be added," he said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/long-term-covid-symptoms-very-rare-in-children-study-confirms-402937">Long term Covid symptoms very rare in children, study confirms</a>

The older teenagers eligible will receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved for use in Britain for people aged 12 and over.

Regulators have not yet decided when they should get their second doses, with a further recommendation likely in the coming weeks.

England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said at a televised briefing to announce the change that he wanted the NHS to begin jabbing 16 and 17-year-olds "as fast as practically possible".

"It has been preparing for multiple permutations and options for very many weeks now, and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks," he added.

Health experts welcomed the move, with Russell Viner, Professor of Child and Adolescent Health at University College London, calling it a "sensible step".

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/universal-coronavirus-vaccine-scientists-make-unique-discovery-that-may-help-prevent-future-pandemics-393371" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/universal-coronavirus-vaccine-scientists-make-unique-discovery-that-may-help-prevent-future-pandemics-393371&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwigubKuqpfyAhUQzjgGHd1KCx4QFjABegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3BRw2pt4_bvB6RzdFhGch6" dir="ltr" href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/universal-coronavirus-vaccine-scientists-make-unique-discovery-that-may-help-prevent-future-pandemics-393371&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwigubKuqpfyAhUQzjgGHd1KCx4QFjABegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3BRw2pt4_bvB6RzdFhGch6" target="_blank">Universal&nbsp;coronavirus vaccine? Scientists make unique discovery</a>

"There are important social and educational benefits for protecting young people and reducing transmission in the upper years of secondary school," he said.

Britain's fast-paced vaccination programme has seen nearly 89 per cent of adults given at least one dose, while close to two-thirds are now fully jabbed.

Since easing all virus curbs in England on July 19, the number of new daily cases has declined, prompting hopes the vaccines are succeeding in defeating the pandemic in Britain.

The UK government announced Wednesday it will offer coronavirus vaccinations to all 16 and 17-year-olds, but not to younger healthy teenagers as in many other Western countries.

The UK government announced Wednesday it will offer coronavirus vaccinations to all 16 and 17-year-olds, but not to younger healthy teenagers as in many other Western countries. The move follows updated guidance from British health regulators that the country's vaccine drive should be extended to those aged 16 and 17 without underlying health issues after a review of the latest data. UK: More than 220,000 children inoculated with first dose of Covid vaccine However, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) made no change to its current advice to the government that only 12 to 15-year-olds deemed vulnerable should be jabbed. This contrasts with the United States, which announced in May that younger teens would be vaccinated, and the European Union's medicines regulator which has approved two shots for all over-12s. Britain's health secretary Sajid Javid confirmed he had accepted the UK experts' latest recommendations and asked the state-run National Health Service (NHS) "to prepare to vaccinate those eligible as soon as possible". "JCVI will continue to review data and provide updates on at risk groups aged 12-15 and whether any additional groups will be added," he said in a statement. Also read | Long term Covid symptoms very rare in children, study confirms The older teenagers eligible will receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved for use in Britain for people aged 12 and over. Regulators have not yet decided when they should get their second doses, with a further recommendation likely in the coming weeks. England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said at a televised briefing to announce the change that he wanted the NHS to begin jabbing 16 and 17-year-olds "as fast as practically possible". "It has been preparing for multiple permutations and options for very many weeks now, and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks," he added. Health experts welcomed the move, with Russell Viner, Professor of Child and Adolescent Health at University College London, calling it a "sensible step". Also read | Universal coronavirus vaccine? Scientists make unique discovery "There are important social and educational benefits for protecting young people and reducing transmission in the upper years of secondary school," he said. Britain's fast-paced vaccination programme has seen nearly 89 per cent of adults given at least one dose, while close to two-thirds are now fully jabbed. Since easing all virus curbs in England on July 19, the number of new daily cases has declined, prompting hopes the vaccines are succeeding in defeating the pandemic in Britain.

UK to offer Covid vaccine to healthy 16 and 17 year-olds

The&nbsp;UK&nbsp;government said on Wednesday it aimed to resettle hundreds of more&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;translators&nbsp;and their&nbsp;families, after criticism from former military top brass it was not doing enough.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel said they were committed to relocating the&nbsp;families&nbsp;of&nbsp;500&nbsp;staff who supported British troops in Afghanistan "as soon as possible", some&nbsp;2,500&nbsp;individuals in total.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-attacks-bear-the-hallmark-of-taliban-us-402696">Kabul attacks bear the 'hallmark' of Taliban: US</a>

The pledge came after published criticism from senior defence figures, urging a review of the relocation scheme in the face of escalating violence in Afghanistan and threats to former local staff.

"There has been considerable misreporting of the scheme in the media, feeding the impression the Government is not supporting our former and current&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;staff," Wallace and Patel wrote.

"This could not be further from the truth and since the US announced its withdrawal we have been at the forefront of nations relocating people," they added.

In response to pressure following the announcement of a US military withdrawal from Afghanistan,&nbsp; the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;accelerated its relocation scheme for&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;local staff in May.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-afghan-defence-minister-in-kabul-claimed-by-taliban-402788">Attack on Afghan&nbsp;defence&nbsp;minister in&nbsp;Kabul claimed by&nbsp;Taliban</a>&nbsp;

Since the expansion was announced, 1,400&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;staff and their&nbsp;families&nbsp;had been relocated, equalling the total number resettled in Britain since 2014.

Six former heads of the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;armed forces and other senior military figures voiced concern in a letter to The Times last week that&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;staff had been rejected for a relocation because of security concerns.

Often these individuals were deemed ineligible because they were dismissed from service.

The ministers asserted they needed to ensure a "balance between generosity and security" and would now offer relocation to 264 members of&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;staff who were dismissed for a "relatively minor administrative offence".&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-taliban-claim-responisibilty-for-major-attack-in-kabul-402906/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Of these, they said, 121 individuals in that category have already been offered relocation.

The Taliban on Wednesday claimed responsibility for Tuesday's deadly bomb and gun attack on the capital, Kabul, amid a wider assault by the Islamist group on a string of provincial capitals.

Regular reprisals against&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;and interpreters and their&nbsp;families&nbsp;have escalated as the Taliban have seized vast swathes of the countryside in the weeks following the withdrawal announcement.

As humanitarian displacement from the conflict increases, the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;also said it would make further changes to its rules to allow former&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;staff and their&nbsp;families&nbsp;to make applications for relocation outside Afghanistan.

The UK government said on Wednesday it aimed to resettle hundreds of more Afghan translators and their families, after criticism from former military top brass it was not doing enough.

The UK government said on Wednesday it aimed to resettle hundreds of more Afghan translators and their families, after criticism from former military top brass it was not doing enough. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel said they were committed to relocating the families of 500 staff who supported British troops in Afghanistan "as soon as possible", some 2,500 individuals in total. Also read | Kabul attacks bear the 'hallmark' of Taliban: US The pledge came after published criticism from senior defence figures, urging a review of the relocation scheme in the face of escalating violence in Afghanistan and threats to former local staff. "There has been considerable misreporting of the scheme in the media, feeding the impression the Government is not supporting our former and current Afghan staff," Wallace and Patel wrote. "This could not be further from the truth and since the US announced its withdrawal we have been at the forefront of nations relocating people," they added. In response to pressure following the announcement of a US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, the UK accelerated its relocation scheme for Afghan local staff in May. Also read | Attack on Afghan defence minister in Kabul claimed by Taliban Since the expansion was announced, 1,400 Afghan staff and their families had been relocated, equalling the total number resettled in Britain since 2014. Six former heads of the UK armed forces and other senior military figures voiced concern in a letter to The Times last week that Afghan staff had been rejected for a relocation because of security concerns. Often these individuals were deemed ineligible because they were dismissed from service. The ministers asserted they needed to ensure a "balance between generosity and security" and would now offer relocation to 264 members of Afghan staff who were dismissed for a "relatively minor administrative offence". Of these, they said, 121 individuals in that category have already been offered relocation. The Taliban on Wednesday claimed responsibility for Tuesday's deadly bomb and gun attack on the capital, Kabul, amid a wider assault by the Islamist group on a string of provincial capitals. Regular reprisals against Afghan and interpreters and their families have escalated as the Taliban have seized vast swathes of the countryside in the weeks following the withdrawal announcement. As humanitarian displacement from the conflict increases, the UK also said it would make further changes to its rules to allow former Afghan staff and their families to make applications for relocation outside Afghanistan.

UK govt aims to relocate 2,500 Afghan translators and families

Lebanese&nbsp;police&nbsp;on&nbsp;Wednesday scuffled with angry&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;demanding accountability for last year's Beirut port explosion, a short distance from the main event marking the tragedy's first&nbsp;anniversary.

The scuffles near parliament in central Beirut broke out between riot&nbsp;police&nbsp;and stone-lobbing&nbsp;protesters, who tried to storm the main building.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/grief-and-wrath-lebanon-marks-year-since-deadly-blast-402879">Grief and wrath: Lebanon marks year since deadly blast</a>

Riot&nbsp;police&nbsp;responded by firing tear gas and beating demonstrators with batons.

The Red Cross said it transported six people to the hospital and had&nbsp;treated dozens more&nbsp;on-site.

Earlier, it said it had dispatched 16 ambulances and 80 paramedics in response to demonstrations in the city centre.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/year-after-lebanon-blast-children-still-in-distress-un-402580">Year after Lebanon blast, children still in distress: UN</a>

Nearby, a few hundred metres (yards) away at the port, thousands gathered to mark the first&nbsp;anniversary&nbsp;of the explosion which killed at least 214 people.

Survivors and relatives of&nbsp;blast&nbsp;victims carried flags and portraits of the dead, as prayers and mournful tunes rang out amid a mix of grief and anger.&nbsp;

There were no reports of violence there.

Shortly after 6:00 pm&nbsp;on&nbsp;August 4, 2020, a stock of ammonium nitrate fertiliser haphazardly stored at the city's port exploded and left swathes of the Lebanese capital looking like a war zone.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/remembering-lebanons-deadly-beirut-blast-that-killed-200-people-402932/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

One year&nbsp;on, no senior official has been held to account. A local investigation has yet to yield major arrests or even identify a culprit, with political leaders widely accused of obstructing justice.&nbsp;

Lebanese police on Wednesday scuffled with angry protesters demanding accountability for last year's Beirut port explosion, a short distance from the main event marking the tragedy's first anniversary.

Lebanese police on Wednesday scuffled with angry protesters demanding accountability for last year's Beirut port explosion, a short distance from the main event marking the tragedy's first anniversary. The scuffles near parliament in central Beirut broke out between riot police and stone-lobbing protesters, who tried to storm the main building. Also read | Grief and wrath: Lebanon marks year since deadly blast Riot police responded by firing tear gas and beating demonstrators with batons. The Red Cross said it transported six people to the hospital and had treated dozens more on-site. Earlier, it said it had dispatched 16 ambulances and 80 paramedics in response to demonstrations in the city centre. Also read | Year after Lebanon blast, children still in distress: UN Nearby, a few hundred metres (yards) away at the port, thousands gathered to mark the first anniversary of the explosion which killed at least 214 people. Survivors and relatives of blast victims carried flags and portraits of the dead, as prayers and mournful tunes rang out amid a mix of grief and anger. There were no reports of violence there. Shortly after 6:00 pm on August 4, 2020, a stock of ammonium nitrate fertiliser haphazardly stored at the city's port exploded and left swathes of the Lebanese capital looking like a war zone. One year on, no senior official has been held to account. A local investigation has yet to yield major arrests or even identify a culprit, with political leaders widely accused of obstructing justice.

Lebanon police and protesters clash on blast anniversary

Debris mounts up after Germany's historic floods

Grief and wrath: Lebanon marks year since deadly blast

Australia were handed the bronze medal in the mixed doubles after world number one Novak Djokovic pulled out on account of an injury yet Ashleigh Barty said on Sunday they completely deserved the medal subsequent to playing "incredible" tennis this week.&nbsp;

Novak Djokovic had joined forces with Nina Stojanovic for the mixed doubles yet pulled out with a shoulder injury after to losing to&nbsp;Pablo&nbsp;Carreno&nbsp;Busta&nbsp;in the singles bronze medal match, guaranteeing women's World number one Ashleigh Barty and accomplice John Peers of the third spot at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-belinda-bencic-dedicates-singles-gold-to-idols-roger-federer-martina-hingis-402083" hreflang="en">Tokyo Olympics: Belinda Bencic dedicates singles gold to idols Roger Federer, Martina Hingis</a>

"We played incredible tennis this week," Barty, a two-time Grand Slam champion fresh off her victory at Wimbledon, told reporters. "It was a unique circumstance to win the bronze but we deserved it.

"For me, being my first experience (at the Olympics), it is quite remarkable. We did not want to make up the numbers. We wanted to win a medal for our country.

"To be able to contribute to our medal count is really exciting. A massive highlight of my career being able to call myself an Olympian and a medallist."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-tokyo-2020-olympics-novak-djokovic-smashes-racket-during-bronze-medal-match-402078" hreflang="en">Watch: Tokyo 2020 Olympics — Novak Djokovic smashes racket during bronze medal match</a>

Ashleigh Barty was shocked in the first round of the singles by Spain's 48th-positioned Sara Sorribes Tormo, while her women's singles run with Storm Sanders finished in the quarter-final.&nbsp;

In the mixed doubles semi-finals, Peers and Barty lost in straight sets to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Andrey Rublev of the Russian Olympic Committee.

"We obviously wanted to have the challenge of playing one of the best nations in the world. But regardless of whether we got on the court or not I feel we deserved it. We definitely deserved to be in the bronze medal match," she said.

"No matter what format, singles, doubles or mixed, I came here with a focus to win a medal for our nation."

Australia were handed the bronze medal in the mixed doubles after world number one Novak Djokovic pulled out on account of an injury yet Ashleigh Barty said on Sunday they completely deserved the medal subsequent to playing "incredible" tennis this week.

Australia were handed the bronze medal in the mixed doubles after world number one Novak Djokovic pulled out on account of an injury yet Ashleigh Barty said on Sunday they completely deserved the medal subsequent to playing "incredible" tennis this week. Novak Djokovic had joined forces with Nina Stojanovic for the mixed doubles yet pulled out with a shoulder injury after to losing to Pablo Carreno Busta in the singles bronze medal match, guaranteeing women's World number one Ashleigh Barty and accomplice John Peers of the third spot at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics: Belinda Bencic dedicates singles gold to idols Roger Federer, Martina Hingis "We played incredible tennis this week," Barty, a two-time Grand Slam champion fresh off her victory at Wimbledon, told reporters. "It was a unique circumstance to win the bronze but we deserved it. "For me, being my first experience (at the Olympics), it is quite remarkable. We did not want to make up the numbers. We wanted to win a medal for our country. "To be able to contribute to our medal count is really exciting. A massive highlight of my career being able to call myself an Olympian and a medallist." ALSO READ: Watch: Tokyo 2020 Olympics — Novak Djokovic smashes racket during bronze medal match Ashleigh Barty was shocked in the first round of the singles by Spain's 48th-positioned Sara Sorribes Tormo, while her women's singles run with Storm Sanders finished in the quarter-final. In the mixed doubles semi-finals, Peers and Barty lost in straight sets to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Andrey Rublev of the Russian Olympic Committee. "We obviously wanted to have the challenge of playing one of the best nations in the world. But regardless of whether we got on the court or not I feel we deserved it. We definitely deserved to be in the bronze medal match," she said. "No matter what format, singles, doubles or mixed, I came here with a focus to win a medal for our nation."

Tokyo Olympics: Australia deserved mixed doubles bronze, says Ashleigh Barty

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