This morning, South Korean stocks fell over 2 per cent, leading losses in the wider Asia-Pacific as trade data posted by China showed exports lowered more than expected while imports ticked up. Investors are also awaiting a rate decision by the reserve bank of Australia.

South Korea’s kospi erased Monday’s gains when the index posted its best session since late march 2020 after the country re-imposed a ban on short selling.

In Japan, the nikkei 225 slipped in its first hour of trade and extended those losses.

Overnight in the U.S., all three indexes eked out narrow gains to build on last week’s strong rally. The Nasdaq composite jumped to finish higher, &nbsp;notching its longest positive streak since January.

Oil prices eased, giving up most of the gains from the previous day, on concerns over weak demand in China.

Gold eased as investors cautiously turned back to riskier assets, and positioned for a host of federal reserve speakers this week including Jerome Powell for clarity on U.S. rate cuts.

Risk appetite is a bit better and there have been no major surprise developments from the Israel-Hammas war, and this is taking away a little bit of the safe-haven bidding for gold and silver.

Remember, bullion gained over 7 per cent in October as the West Asia conflict boosted safe-haven demand.

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This morning, South Korean stocks fell over 2 per cent, leading losses in the wider Asia-Pacific as trade data posted by China showed exports lowered more than expected while imports ticked up.

This morning, South Korean stocks fell over 2 per cent, leading losses in the wider Asia-Pacific as trade data posted by China showed exports lowered more than expected while imports ticked up. Investors are also awaiting a rate decision by the reserve bank of Australia. South Korea’s kospi erased Monday’s gains when the index posted its best session since late march 2020 after the country re-imposed a ban on short selling. In Japan, the nikkei 225 slipped in its first hour of trade and extended those losses. Overnight in the U.S., all three indexes eked out narrow gains to build on last week’s strong rally. The Nasdaq composite jumped to finish higher, notching its longest positive streak since January. Oil prices eased, giving up most of the gains from the previous day, on concerns over weak demand in China. Gold eased as investors cautiously turned back to riskier assets, and positioned for a host of federal reserve speakers this week including Jerome Powell for clarity on U.S. rate cuts. Risk appetite is a bit better and there have been no major surprise developments from the Israel-Hammas war, and this is taking away a little bit of the safe-haven bidding for gold and silver. Remember, bullion gained over 7 per cent in October as the West Asia conflict boosted safe-haven demand. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Global Markets Roundup | China's lower than expected exports leads to sell-off in Asian markets

China's deflationary pressures persist, highlighting the precarious nature of the country's economic recovery as the year 2023 draws to a close. Economists polled by Bloomberg predict that Chinese consumer prices fell back into deflation in October.

Navigating China's fragile consumer price landscape

Japan's factory output saw a weaker-than-expected increase in September, underscoring concerns about the nation's export-dependent economy. According to Reuters, government data revealed that industrial production in Japan rose by a mere 0.2 per cent in September compared to the previous month, as demand significantly decelerated. This figure fell short of the market's median forecast, which had predicted a 2.5 per cent gain, and followed a 0.7 per cent decline experienced in August.&nbsp;

A closer examination of the data highlights specific challenges within the manufacturing sector. Production machinery output recorded a decline of 3.4 per cent in September, reflecting a slowdown in the manufacturing of industrial robots and metals. Both domestic and international orders for these products showed a significant decrease, a representative from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) told Reuters. The METI official attributed this phenomenon to waning investment appetite, partially influenced by increasing interest rates both domestically and globally.&nbsp;

In contrast, there were some bright spots within the manufacturing landscape. Output in semiconductor manufacturing equipment surged by 13.2 per cent month-on-month in September. However, the official cautioned that the recovery of chip and electronic device production is unlikely to occur in the near future. On the automotive front, the production of automobiles saw a substantial increase of 6.0 per cent in September, rebounding from disruptions caused by a typhoon and system failures. Japanese automakers, including Toyota Motor and Honda Motor, reported robust domestic output figures for September, with Toyota registering a 12.8 per cent increase and Honda climbing by 24.2 per cent year-on-year.&nbsp;

Despite these fluctuations, manufacturers surveyed by the industry ministry anticipate seasonally adjusted production to rise by 3.9 per cent in October but then decline by 2.8 per cent in November. This prediction aligns with the industry's assessment of industrial output, which is described as "seesawing." The outlook for the manufacturing sector remains uncertain, with sluggish demand expected both domestically and abroad. Reuters mentioned Kota Suzuki, an economist at Daiwa Securities, who emphasised that production is not situated in an environment conducive to a substantial recovery.&nbsp;

In other economic indicators, Japanese retail sales exhibited a 5.8 per cent year-on-year increase in September, marking the 19th consecutive month of gains. This performance closely mirrors the median market forecast, which predicted a 5.9 per cent increase. However, the data also showed that compared to the previous month, retail sales in September slightly dipped by 0.1 per cent, following a 0.2 per cent growth in August.&nbsp;

(Inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

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Japan's factory output saw a weaker-than-expected increase in September, underscoring concerns about the nation's export-dependent economy. According to Reuters, government data revealed that industrial production in Japan rose by a mere 0.

Japan's factory output saw a weaker-than-expected increase in September, underscoring concerns about the nation's export-dependent economy. According to Reuters, government data revealed that industrial production in Japan rose by a mere 0.2 per cent in September compared to the previous month, as demand significantly decelerated. This figure fell short of the market's median forecast, which had predicted a 2.5 per cent gain, and followed a 0.7 per cent decline experienced in August. A closer examination of the data highlights specific challenges within the manufacturing sector. Production machinery output recorded a decline of 3.4 per cent in September, reflecting a slowdown in the manufacturing of industrial robots and metals. Both domestic and international orders for these products showed a significant decrease, a representative from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) told Reuters. The METI official attributed this phenomenon to waning investment appetite, partially influenced by increasing interest rates both domestically and globally. In contrast, there were some bright spots within the manufacturing landscape. Output in semiconductor manufacturing equipment surged by 13.2 per cent month-on-month in September. However, the official cautioned that the recovery of chip and electronic device production is unlikely to occur in the near future. On the automotive front, the production of automobiles saw a substantial increase of 6.0 per cent in September, rebounding from disruptions caused by a typhoon and system failures. Japanese automakers, including Toyota Motor and Honda Motor, reported robust domestic output figures for September, with Toyota registering a 12.8 per cent increase and Honda climbing by 24.2 per cent year-on-year. Despite these fluctuations, manufacturers surveyed by the industry ministry anticipate seasonally adjusted production to rise by 3.9 per cent in October but then decline by 2.8 per cent in November. This prediction aligns with the industry's assessment of industrial output, which is described as "seesawing." The outlook for the manufacturing sector remains uncertain, with sluggish demand expected both domestically and abroad. Reuters mentioned Kota Suzuki, an economist at Daiwa Securities, who emphasised that production is not situated in an environment conducive to a substantial recovery. In other economic indicators, Japanese retail sales exhibited a 5.8 per cent year-on-year increase in September, marking the 19th consecutive month of gains. This performance closely mirrors the median market forecast, which predicted a 5.9 per cent increase. However, the data also showed that compared to the previous month, retail sales in September slightly dipped by 0.1 per cent, following a 0.2 per cent growth in August. (Inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Japan's factory output growth slows, adding uncertainty to economic outlook 

Asia-Pacific markets had a mixed start to the week as they brace for a slew of key economic data releases in the region. The week's highlights include monetary policy decisions from Japan and Malaysia, South Korea's inflation data, and Taiwan and Hong Kong's gross domestic growth figures.

Japan's Nikkei 225 began the week on a down note, sliding over 1 per cent at the open, coinciding with the commencement of the Bank of Japan's two-day monetary policy meeting. On the other hand, South Korean markets opened on a positive note, thanks to a rally in small-cap stocks.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index experienced a marginal decline, while mainland Chinese stocks traded close to the flatline.

In the United States, the previous trading session saw mixed results in the major stock indexes. The S&amp;P 500 entered correction territory as renewed selling pressure emerged on Wall Street due to concerns about a potential recession. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a decline, while the Nasdaq Composite held its ground, with Amazon outperforming expectations for revenue and earnings in the third quarter.

Oil prices dipped by over 1 per cent&nbsp;as investors exercised caution ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting and China's upcoming manufacturing data. These declines offset the support from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Investors are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting, U.S. employment data, and tech giant Apple Inc.'s earnings for any signs of an economic slowdown that could affect fuel demand, especially in the world's leading oil-consuming nation.

Gold prices edged higher, buoyed by sustained safe-haven demand driven by tensions in the Middle East. The precious metal has gained approximately 8 per cent, equivalent to over $140, since the onset of the conflict in Israel on October 7th.

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Asia-Pacific markets had a mixed start to the week as they brace for a slew of key economic data releases in the region. The week's highlights include monetary policy decisions from Japan and Malaysia, South Korea's inflation data, and Taiwan and Hong Kong's gross domestic growth figures.

Asia-Pacific markets had a mixed start to the week as they brace for a slew of key economic data releases in the region. The week's highlights include monetary policy decisions from Japan and Malaysia, South Korea's inflation data, and Taiwan and Hong Kong's gross domestic growth figures. Japan's Nikkei 225 began the week on a down note, sliding over 1 per cent at the open, coinciding with the commencement of the Bank of Japan's two-day monetary policy meeting. On the other hand, South Korean markets opened on a positive note, thanks to a rally in small-cap stocks. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index experienced a marginal decline, while mainland Chinese stocks traded close to the flatline. In the United States, the previous trading session saw mixed results in the major stock indexes. The S&P 500 entered correction territory as renewed selling pressure emerged on Wall Street due to concerns about a potential recession. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a decline, while the Nasdaq Composite held its ground, with Amazon outperforming expectations for revenue and earnings in the third quarter. Oil prices dipped by over 1 per cent as investors exercised caution ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting and China's upcoming manufacturing data. These declines offset the support from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Investors are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting, U.S. employment data, and tech giant Apple Inc.'s earnings for any signs of an economic slowdown that could affect fuel demand, especially in the world's leading oil-consuming nation. Gold prices edged higher, buoyed by sustained safe-haven demand driven by tensions in the Middle East. The precious metal has gained approximately 8 per cent, equivalent to over $140, since the onset of the conflict in Israel on October 7th. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Global markets roundup | Gold shines for third straight week

A study conducted by an international team of scientists led by the University of Hong Kong found that the epicentre of the deadly bird flu outbreaks moved to Europe and Africa from Asia. The findings of the research published in the journal, Nature on Wednesday (Oct 18) also suggest that the strain currently circulating worldwide has become increasingly infectious among wild birds.

<h2>How was the study conducted?</h2>

The international team of researchers analysed the outbreaks of the H5N1 which has been classified as a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus given the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/current-avian-flu-strain-deadlier-may-become-endemic-study-584384">high death toll</a> in poultry. It was said to have been first detected in birds in China back in 1996.&nbsp;

Scientists studied the outbreaks between 2005 and 2022 and used the data on confirmed cases from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).&nbsp;

They have attributed the current outbreak to a highly infectious variant of H5N1 which is becoming increasingly infectious to wild birds.&nbsp;

It also caused Europe’s worst bird flu outbreak, before spreading globally. This strain has reportedly reached every continent except Oceania and Antarctica.&nbsp;

<h2>What was found?</h2>

The bird flu viruses which typically emerged from Asia for 25 years had not undergone any major change but their spread among wild birds indicates that the outbreaks are shifting, said the study.

The current strain first emerged in Europe in 2020.&nbsp;Around that time researchers also noted how the rate of spread among wild birds was three times faster than that in farmed poultry due to the mutations which allowed the virus to adapt to diverse species. 
&nbsp; 
The spread of bird flu within the poultry industry is determined by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-to-vaccinate-millions-of-ducks-against-bird-flu-despite-risk-of-import-restrictions-641798">human activity</a>&nbsp;and the trading of birds. However, for wild birds, it is their migratory routes that indicate where the disease will spread and with flyways along the east Atlantic and Pacific, the virus was able to spread to areas that had never been exposed to it before. &nbsp;

“These results highlight a shift in the HPAI H5 epicentre beyond Asia,” researchers wrote in the paper. The study also noted how outbreaks are typically seasonal and synchronise with bird migration in the Northern Hemisphere.&nbsp;

However, since November 2021, they have become persistent which led to the killing of millions of birds across five continents in 2022.&nbsp;

But despite the number of outbreaks, only 0.2 per cent of cases were sequenced, the researchers noted, urging the countries to ramp up surveillance to understand how the virus is changing.&nbsp;

<h2>Need for better data collection</h2>

To study the changes in the virus’&nbsp;behaviour, researchers also analysed more than 10,000 viral genomes and found that around mid-2020, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bird-flu-thing-of-past-scientists-achieve-major-breakthrough-with-gene-editing-645150">new H5N1 strain</a> evolved from an earlier variety, called H5N8.&nbsp;

This new variant first emerged in poultry in Egypt between 2016 and 2017 and is said to be the cause of global flare-ups throughout 2020 and 2021.&nbsp;

“Once it’s adapted to wild birds, we have no mechanism to control the virus. And I think that’s the biggest impact that has changed now,” says co-author Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran from the University of Hong Kong.

 
&nbsp;

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A study conducted by an international team of scientists led by the University of Hong Kong found that the epicentre of the deadly bird flu outbreaks moved to Europe and Africa from Asia.

A study conducted by an international team of scientists led by the University of Hong Kong found that the epicentre of the deadly bird flu outbreaks moved to Europe and Africa from Asia. The findings of the research published in the journal, Nature on Wednesday (Oct 18) also suggest that the strain currently circulating worldwide has become increasingly infectious among wild birds. How was the study conducted? The international team of researchers analysed the outbreaks of the H5N1 which has been classified as a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus given the high death toll in poultry. It was said to have been first detected in birds in China back in 1996. Scientists studied the outbreaks between 2005 and 2022 and used the data on confirmed cases from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). They have attributed the current outbreak to a highly infectious variant of H5N1 which is becoming increasingly infectious to wild birds. It also caused Europe’s worst bird flu outbreak, before spreading globally. This strain has reportedly reached every continent except Oceania and Antarctica. What was found? The bird flu viruses which typically emerged from Asia for 25 years had not undergone any major change but their spread among wild birds indicates that the outbreaks are shifting, said the study. The current strain first emerged in Europe in 2020. Around that time researchers also noted how the rate of spread among wild birds was three times faster than that in farmed poultry due to the mutations which allowed the virus to adapt to diverse species. The spread of bird flu within the poultry industry is determined by human activity and the trading of birds. However, for wild birds, it is their migratory routes that indicate where the disease will spread and with flyways along the east Atlantic and Pacific, the virus was able to spread to areas that had never been exposed to it before. “These results highlight a shift in the HPAI H5 epicentre beyond Asia,” researchers wrote in the paper. The study also noted how outbreaks are typically seasonal and synchronise with bird migration in the Northern Hemisphere. However, since November 2021, they have become persistent which led to the killing of millions of birds across five continents in 2022. But despite the number of outbreaks, only 0.2 per cent of cases were sequenced, the researchers noted, urging the countries to ramp up surveillance to understand how the virus is changing. Need for better data collection To study the changes in the virus’ behaviour, researchers also analysed more than 10,000 viral genomes and found that around mid-2020, a new H5N1 strain evolved from an earlier variety, called H5N8. This new variant first emerged in poultry in Egypt between 2016 and 2017 and is said to be the cause of global flare-ups throughout 2020 and 2021. “Once it’s adapted to wild birds, we have no mechanism to control the virus. And I think that’s the biggest impact that has changed now,” says co-author Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran from the University of Hong Kong. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Epicentre beyond Asia’: Deadly bird flu outbreaks ‘migrated’ to Europe and Africa, finds study

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecasts for China, indicating that the country's recovery is slowing down and attributing it to the weakness in its property sector. In its regional economic outlook report released on Wednesday, the IMF downgraded China's growth projection for 2023 and 2024. The world's second-largest economy is expected to expand by 5 per cent this year and 4.2 per cent next year, a decline from the IMF's April forecast of 5.2 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively.&nbsp;

The IMF's report highlights that China's recovery has been "losing steam," with the manufacturing purchasing managers' indexes entering a contraction phase between April and August. Simultaneously, conditions in the real estate sector continue to deteriorate, contributing to the downward revision in growth forecasts.&nbsp;

The report also raises concerns about the property market in China, stating that a prolonged housing market correction could lead to "greater financial stress among property developers and larger asset quality deterioration" in the near-term. This, in turn, could result in a potential decline of China's gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 1.6 per cent relative to the baseline by 2025. The global GDP would also be affected, with a decline of 0.6 per cent relative to the baseline.&nbsp;

Despite the challenges in China, the IMF's outlook for Asia and the Pacific in 2023 remains relatively positive. The report describes this region as "the most dynamic" for the year. The agency maintains its earlier growth projection for the region, forecasting a growth rate of 4.6 per cent in 2023. It anticipates that economic activity in the region will contribute to approximately two-thirds of global growth this year.&nbsp;

However, the IMF expects growth in Asia and the Pacific to decelerate to 4.2 per cent in the following year, and further slow to 3.9 per cent in the medium-term. This would represent the lowest growth rate in the past two decades, except for 2020. The structural slowdown in China and weaker productivity growth in many other economies are expected to exert downward pressure on the region.&nbsp;

One positive aspect noted in the report is disinflation. The IMF predicts that the region, excluding Japan, is expected to return to central bank inflation targets by the end of next year. This places Asia ahead of the rest of the world, where inflation is not anticipated to return to target levels until at least 2025.&nbsp;

However, the IMF cautions central banks in the region against prematurely easing monetary policy. It emphasises the need for these banks to ensure that inflation remains durably at appropriate targets, and suggests that strengthening financial supervision, vigilant monitoring of systemic risks, and modernising resolution frameworks are critical to maintaining financial stability.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecasts for China, indicating that the country's recovery is slowing down and attributing it to the weakness in its property sector.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecasts for China, indicating that the country's recovery is slowing down and attributing it to the weakness in its property sector. In its regional economic outlook report released on Wednesday, the IMF downgraded China's growth projection for 2023 and 2024. The world's second-largest economy is expected to expand by 5 per cent this year and 4.2 per cent next year, a decline from the IMF's April forecast of 5.2 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively. The IMF's report highlights that China's recovery has been "losing steam," with the manufacturing purchasing managers' indexes entering a contraction phase between April and August. Simultaneously, conditions in the real estate sector continue to deteriorate, contributing to the downward revision in growth forecasts. The report also raises concerns about the property market in China, stating that a prolonged housing market correction could lead to "greater financial stress among property developers and larger asset quality deterioration" in the near-term. This, in turn, could result in a potential decline of China's gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 1.6 per cent relative to the baseline by 2025. The global GDP would also be affected, with a decline of 0.6 per cent relative to the baseline. Despite the challenges in China, the IMF's outlook for Asia and the Pacific in 2023 remains relatively positive. The report describes this region as "the most dynamic" for the year. The agency maintains its earlier growth projection for the region, forecasting a growth rate of 4.6 per cent in 2023. It anticipates that economic activity in the region will contribute to approximately two-thirds of global growth this year. However, the IMF expects growth in Asia and the Pacific to decelerate to 4.2 per cent in the following year, and further slow to 3.9 per cent in the medium-term. This would represent the lowest growth rate in the past two decades, except for 2020. The structural slowdown in China and weaker productivity growth in many other economies are expected to exert downward pressure on the region. One positive aspect noted in the report is disinflation. The IMF predicts that the region, excluding Japan, is expected to return to central bank inflation targets by the end of next year. This places Asia ahead of the rest of the world, where inflation is not anticipated to return to target levels until at least 2025. However, the IMF cautions central banks in the region against prematurely easing monetary policy. It emphasises the need for these banks to ensure that inflation remains durably at appropriate targets, and suggests that strengthening financial supervision, vigilant monitoring of systemic risks, and modernising resolution frameworks are critical to maintaining financial stability. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China’s property market could slow down Asia's economy: IMF

A top international monetary fund official has given a thumbs up to India's economic growth story. Krishna Srinivasan, director of the Asia and Pacific department at the IMF, said India's macroeconomic environment is pretty sound. But he also added that India needs to do further structural reforms to exploit its ‘significant’ potential for higher growth.

IMF urges more reforms in India

Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, have invaded large parts of mainland Europe and parts of east Asia. But now, a study has shown that they are possibly facing resistance from native species like bumblebees.

New research shows bumblebees have a remarkably successful method for fighting off Asian hornets. The study was published in the journal Communications Biology and led by a British university.

It comes at a time when a record level of Asian hornets have been observed in the UK and continental Europe this year, raising the risk for bees and prompting substantial control efforts.&nbsp;

<h2>How does this fight take place?</h2>

Scientists from the University of Exeter observed that when attacked, buff-tailed bumblebees drop to the ground and take the hornets down with them. This causes the hornet to either lose its grip or the bee raises its sting and tussles until the hornet gives up.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/europeans-would-eat-not-bury-their-dead-15000-years-ago-study-643032">Europeans would eat, not bury, their dead 15,000 years ago: Study</a>

Researchers from the British university witnessed over 120 such attacks with bumblebees winning each time. However, this does not seem to be reflected in the numbers since the researchers also found that bumble bee colonies had reduced growth rates in areas with high numbers of Asian hornets.&nbsp;

This suggests that the hornets – despite their failed attempts to attack and enter the colonies – have a negative impact on the pollinators.&nbsp;

“Asian hornets prey on a wide range of insects, including honey bees, but little is known about their impact on other pollinators,” said Thomas O’Shea-Wheller, from Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute, in a statement.&nbsp;

<h2>Does this help the bumblebees?</h2>

During the so-called fight between honey bees or bumble bees it was observed that the hornets do something called “hawking” which is essentially hovering outside the colony and attacking returning foragers as they fly past, O’Shea-Wheller explained.&nbsp;

Researchers also found that while hornets deploy the same method for both pollinators, with bumblebees, they are “entirely unsuccessful.” The study also noted that while honey bees are often unable to escape the clutches of Asian hornets, bumblebees’ defensive response appears to be more successful.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/worlds-most-invasive-aquatic-plant-hydrilla-found-in-michigan-for-the-first-time-643304">Hydrilla: World's most invasive aquatic plant found in Michigan for the first time</a>

Speaking about the hornets’ low success rate, the researcher also said that hornets attack bumblebees of “all sizes” even some larger than them. He added, “They are very persistent and generalist predators, so these attacks may still be worthwhile despite the high failure rate, as long as they sometimes get a kill.”

For this study, researchers placed reared bumblebee colonies in 12 locations across the Spanish province of Pontevedra with varying local Asian hornet densities. These colonies were then weighed – as a way to measure colony growth – every two days.&nbsp;

Researchers noted that colonies in areas which had higher Asian hornet densities grew more slowly. “We can’t say for certain why this is. It’s possible that some external factor is good for Asian hornets, allowing them to thrive, but bad for bumblebees,” said O’Shea-Wheller. 
 
&nbsp;

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Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, have invaded large parts of mainland Europe and parts of east Asia. But now, a study has shown that they are possibly facing resistance from native species like bumblebees.

Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, have invaded large parts of mainland Europe and parts of east Asia. But now, a study has shown that they are possibly facing resistance from native species like bumblebees. New research shows bumblebees have a remarkably successful method for fighting off Asian hornets. The study was published in the journal Communications Biology and led by a British university. It comes at a time when a record level of Asian hornets have been observed in the UK and continental Europe this year, raising the risk for bees and prompting substantial control efforts. How does this fight take place? Scientists from the University of Exeter observed that when attacked, buff-tailed bumblebees drop to the ground and take the hornets down with them. This causes the hornet to either lose its grip or the bee raises its sting and tussles until the hornet gives up. ALSO READ | Europeans would eat, not bury, their dead 15,000 years ago: Study Researchers from the British university witnessed over 120 such attacks with bumblebees winning each time. However, this does not seem to be reflected in the numbers since the researchers also found that bumble bee colonies had reduced growth rates in areas with high numbers of Asian hornets. This suggests that the hornets – despite their failed attempts to attack and enter the colonies – have a negative impact on the pollinators. “Asian hornets prey on a wide range of insects, including honey bees, but little is known about their impact on other pollinators,” said Thomas O’Shea-Wheller, from Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute, in a statement. Does this help the bumblebees? During the so-called fight between honey bees or bumble bees it was observed that the hornets do something called “hawking” which is essentially hovering outside the colony and attacking returning foragers as they fly past, O’Shea-Wheller explained. Researchers also found that while hornets deploy the same method for both pollinators, with bumblebees, they are “entirely unsuccessful.” The study also noted that while honey bees are often unable to escape the clutches of Asian hornets, bumblebees’ defensive response appears to be more successful. ALSO READ | Hydrilla: World's most invasive aquatic plant found in Michigan for the first time Speaking about the hornets’ low success rate, the researcher also said that hornets attack bumblebees of “all sizes” even some larger than them. He added, “They are very persistent and generalist predators, so these attacks may still be worthwhile despite the high failure rate, as long as they sometimes get a kill.” For this study, researchers placed reared bumblebee colonies in 12 locations across the Spanish province of Pontevedra with varying local Asian hornet densities. These colonies were then weighed – as a way to measure colony growth – every two days. Researchers noted that colonies in areas which had higher Asian hornet densities grew more slowly. “We can’t say for certain why this is. It’s possible that some external factor is good for Asian hornets, allowing them to thrive, but bad for bumblebees,” said O’Shea-Wheller. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bumblebees have a ‘remarkably successful’ way of fighting off invasive Asian hornets: Study

Ghent University in Belgium has announced a new literature course on Taylor Swift's music. Watch the video to know more.

Ghent University introduces new literary course on Taylor Swift's songs

The Bank of Japan's (BOJ) monetary policy may change as a result of Japanese consumer inflation exceeding expectations. The national core consumer price index (CPI), excluding unstable fresh food prices, increased 3.1 per cent in August, matching the rate from the previous month and above the prediction of 3 per cent, according to statistics from the Statistics Bureau cited by the financial news website Investing.com.

The national CPI inflation grew by 3.2 per cent in August when fresh food costs were taken into account, which indicated a small decline from July's 3.3 per cent increase. The monthly growth rate also dropped, going from 0.5 per cent in July to 0.3 per cent in August.

An important core measurement, which excludes the cost of fuel and fresh food, was nevertheless strong in August at 4.3 per cent, a 40-year high. Consumer spending on food and other items continued to outweigh government subsidies for fuel and power, maintaining this inflationary tendency. This core figure, which the BOJ constantly monitors in order to assess Japan's underlying inflation, has been steadily increasing this year despite a drop in the overall inflation.

Since the BOJ's 2 per cent annual objective for headline CPI inflation has not been met for 17 months straight, there have been debates about possible modifications to the current policy of ultra-low interest rates. Indicating a change, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda cited significant support over seven years as well as indications of stable wage growth and inflation. Ueda's remarks have increased discussions about the possibility of discontinuing negative interest rates, even if the bank is anticipated to keep its neutral position.

As a result of a recent rise in oil prices, Japan's inflation rate has risen sharply, displaying trends similar to other developing economies. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is under political pressure due to rising inflation and other economic difficulties, since his popularity has declined ever since he took to office in October 2021. In reaction to price hikes, Kishida promised a "drastic" economic package while keeping key economic team members.

Due to differences in local and American interest rates, the yen is losing value and is currently trading at 10-month lows against the dollar. This has caused Japan's inflation. Japanese consumers now pay more for imports, particularly food and energy, as a result of the yen's weakening.

Analysts forecast that the BOJ would keep its current straightforward monetary policy after its policy meeting. Now the focus is on Governor Ueda's long-term goals for the central bank. Following his assertion that there might be enough information available by year's end to decide whether to continue the programme, several BOJ observers have revised their projections for increased rates, with half now calling for an increase in the first half of 2024.

The Japanese economy is still weak, according to Tom Kenny, a senior international economist at ANZ Research, who was quoted in a Moneycontrol report. He suggested that current monetary policies may need to be maintained because the demand might not be able to support persistent price pressures. Despite rumours, many analysts are sceptical to forecast that the BOJ's negative rate policy will stop immediately by year's end.

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The Bank of Japan's (BOJ) monetary policy may change as a result of Japanese consumer inflation exceeding expectations. The national core consumer price index (CPI), excluding unstable fresh food prices, increased 3.

The Bank of Japan's (BOJ) monetary policy may change as a result of Japanese consumer inflation exceeding expectations. The national core consumer price index (CPI), excluding unstable fresh food prices, increased 3.1 per cent in August, matching the rate from the previous month and above the prediction of 3 per cent, according to statistics from the Statistics Bureau cited by the financial news website Investing.com. The national CPI inflation grew by 3.2 per cent in August when fresh food costs were taken into account, which indicated a small decline from July's 3.3 per cent increase. The monthly growth rate also dropped, going from 0.5 per cent in July to 0.3 per cent in August. An important core measurement, which excludes the cost of fuel and fresh food, was nevertheless strong in August at 4.3 per cent, a 40-year high. Consumer spending on food and other items continued to outweigh government subsidies for fuel and power, maintaining this inflationary tendency. This core figure, which the BOJ constantly monitors in order to assess Japan's underlying inflation, has been steadily increasing this year despite a drop in the overall inflation. Since the BOJ's 2 per cent annual objective for headline CPI inflation has not been met for 17 months straight, there have been debates about possible modifications to the current policy of ultra-low interest rates. Indicating a change, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda cited significant support over seven years as well as indications of stable wage growth and inflation. Ueda's remarks have increased discussions about the possibility of discontinuing negative interest rates, even if the bank is anticipated to keep its neutral position. As a result of a recent rise in oil prices, Japan's inflation rate has risen sharply, displaying trends similar to other developing economies. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is under political pressure due to rising inflation and other economic difficulties, since his popularity has declined ever since he took to office in October 2021. In reaction to price hikes, Kishida promised a "drastic" economic package while keeping key economic team members. Due to differences in local and American interest rates, the yen is losing value and is currently trading at 10-month lows against the dollar. This has caused Japan's inflation. Japanese consumers now pay more for imports, particularly food and energy, as a result of the yen's weakening. Analysts forecast that the BOJ would keep its current straightforward monetary policy after its policy meeting. Now the focus is on Governor Ueda's long-term goals for the central bank. Following his assertion that there might be enough information available by year's end to decide whether to continue the programme, several BOJ observers have revised their projections for increased rates, with half now calling for an increase in the first half of 2024. The Japanese economy is still weak, according to Tom Kenny, a senior international economist at ANZ Research, who was quoted in a Moneycontrol report. He suggested that current monetary policies may need to be maintained because the demand might not be able to support persistent price pressures. Despite rumours, many analysts are sceptical to forecast that the BOJ's negative rate policy will stop immediately by year's end. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Japanese consumer inflation surpasses expectations, fuelling speculation on BOJ's next move

China and India are two major Asian economies, they are experiencing contrasting trajectories in Global Financial markets. China's clout is diminishing while India is gaining prominence.

India benefits from investor exodus in China; Foreign investors dump Chinese stocks | World DNA

Asia Cup 2023 live streaming for free: The most awaited cricket tournament in Asia is all set to commence from August 30 and it will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Asia Cup 2023 live streaming for free: The most awaited cricket tournament in Asia is all set to commence from August 30 and it will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The tournament will be played in a 50-over ODI format. The cricket tournament began in the 1980s. Asia Cup 2023: Live-streaming details Where to watch the Asia Cup 2023 live in India? Live Streaming The broadcasting rights for Asia Cup 2023 are purchased by Star Sports for television. The match shall be available on following channels: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD, Star Sports 1 Tamil SD + HD, Star Sports 1 Telugu SD+HD, Star Sports 1 Kannada Where to livestream Asia Cup 2023 for free To livestream the match, visit the Disney+Hotstar platform. Here is the list of live streaming and broadcasting details in other countries: Pakistan: PTV Sports and Ten Sports Bangladesh: Gazi TV United Kingdom: TNT Sports app Australia: Fox Sports and FOXTel app South Africa: SuperSport When will Asia Cup 2023 commence? Asia Cup 2023 will commence from August 30. Where will the Asia Cup 2023 matches be played? The matches will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and Pakistan Here is all that you should know about Asia Cup 2023: Asia Cup 2023: Full Squads Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Suliman Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (travelling reserve) Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish GC, Mousom Dhakal, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato, Arjun Saud Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir (travelling reserve) Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis (vc), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan. Asia Cup 2023 fixtures DATE Group Stage Venue 30-Aug Pakistan vs Nepal Multan, PAK 31-Aug Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Kandy, SL 02-Sep Pakistan vs India Kandy, SL 03-Sep Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Lahore, PAK 04-Sep India vs Nepal Kandy, SL 05-Sep Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Lahore, PAK Asia Cup 2023 Super Four: Full Schedule Date Match Venue September 6 PAK vs BAN Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore September 9 SL vs BAN R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo September 10 PAK vs IND R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo September 12 IND vs SL R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo September 14 PAK vs SL R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo September 15 IND vs BAN R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Asia Cup 2023 Super Four: Points Table TEAM MATCHES WON LOST POINTS NRR PAKISTAN 1 1 0 2 1.051 SRI LANKA 1 1 0 2 0.420 INDIA 0 0 0 0 0 BANGLADESH 2 0 2 0 -0.749 With inputs from agencies WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Asia Cup 2023 live streaming for free: Easy way to watch Asia Cup live on your mobile, laptop, TV

Months after completing its acquisition of competitor Credit Suisse, UBS Group AG is laying off hundreds of employees in Asia as a response to weak customer demand and China’s faltering economy, according to a report by The Economic Times.

According to the sources familiar with the matter, the largest bank in Switzerland has recently slashed some redundant posts and more are anticipated through November.

Relationship managers will be among the posts that will be eliminated by the lender in Singapore and Hong Kong, most of them in teams that have just been purchased from Credit Suisse, according to the sources. They said that the number of cuts has not yet been decided. According to one of the sources, the lender intends to keep the majority of its private bankers in Australia and India for the time being.

In the Asia-Pacific area, where Singapore and the regional commercial capital of Hong Kong have traditionally served as booking hubs for China’s ultra-wealthy, UBS is fighting low consumer demand and activity levels. The region’s profit before tax for the wealth management division decreased by 9 per cent in the second quarter compared to the same period last year.

On Monday, UBS shares gave up early gains and were trading at 22.73 Swiss francs ($25.493) in Zurich at 11:18 a.m.

As pandemic precautions and a real estate crisis impacted the nation, the second-largest economy in the world grew by 3 per cent last year, one of its weakest rates of expansion in decades. After it finally reopened, there was some optimism that China might rebound this year. However, the recovery has stalled, and the benchmark stock index is on pace to post losses for a third consecutive year.

After acquiring Credit Suisse in June, UBS has set huge integration goals for its former rival, including the elimination of 3,000 domestic jobs and the achievement of cost savings of more than $10 billion.

The headcount cuts coincide with those made by major banks like Barclays Plc and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. According to Bloomberg, as part of the layoffs, Barclays aims to fire around 5 per cent of the client-facing employees in the trading sector as well as certain dealmakers globally.

The smaller Swiss company was acquired by Zurich-based UBS after an emergency government-brokered deal for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.4 billion).&nbsp;

In a wager on the region’s valuable clients, Bloomberg had earlier reported that Asia could be designated as one of the regions to be spared significant cuts. According to information from Asian Private Banker, UBS had 850 private bankers in the region at year’s end, compared to 580 for Credit Suisse.

Yet, even senior bankers were leaving steadily. According to the record maintained by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Gautam Anand, a managing director in Singapore who was hired from Credit Suisse last year, is no longer employed by UBS. He began working with UBS in January as part of initiatives to improve services for the affluent diaspora of India.

Moreover, Martin Loh of Credit Suisse, Joe Lau, the market group head for China, as well other bankers have recently left Hong Kong.

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Months after completing its acquisition of competitor Credit Suisse, UBS Group AG is laying off hundreds of employees in Asia as a response to weak customer demand and China’s faltering economy, according to a report by The Economic Times.

Months after completing its acquisition of competitor Credit Suisse, UBS Group AG is laying off hundreds of employees in Asia as a response to weak customer demand and China’s faltering economy, according to a report by The Economic Times. According to the sources familiar with the matter, the largest bank in Switzerland has recently slashed some redundant posts and more are anticipated through November. Relationship managers will be among the posts that will be eliminated by the lender in Singapore and Hong Kong, most of them in teams that have just been purchased from Credit Suisse, according to the sources. They said that the number of cuts has not yet been decided. According to one of the sources, the lender intends to keep the majority of its private bankers in Australia and India for the time being. In the Asia-Pacific area, where Singapore and the regional commercial capital of Hong Kong have traditionally served as booking hubs for China’s ultra-wealthy, UBS is fighting low consumer demand and activity levels. The region’s profit before tax for the wealth management division decreased by 9 per cent in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. On Monday, UBS shares gave up early gains and were trading at 22.73 Swiss francs ($25.493) in Zurich at 11:18 a.m. As pandemic precautions and a real estate crisis impacted the nation, the second-largest economy in the world grew by 3 per cent last year, one of its weakest rates of expansion in decades. After it finally reopened, there was some optimism that China might rebound this year. However, the recovery has stalled, and the benchmark stock index is on pace to post losses for a third consecutive year. After acquiring Credit Suisse in June, UBS has set huge integration goals for its former rival, including the elimination of 3,000 domestic jobs and the achievement of cost savings of more than $10 billion. The headcount cuts coincide with those made by major banks like Barclays Plc and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. According to Bloomberg, as part of the layoffs, Barclays aims to fire around 5 per cent of the client-facing employees in the trading sector as well as certain dealmakers globally. The smaller Swiss company was acquired by Zurich-based UBS after an emergency government-brokered deal for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.4 billion). In a wager on the region’s valuable clients, Bloomberg had earlier reported that Asia could be designated as one of the regions to be spared significant cuts. According to information from Asian Private Banker, UBS had 850 private bankers in the region at year’s end, compared to 580 for Credit Suisse. Yet, even senior bankers were leaving steadily. According to the record maintained by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Gautam Anand, a managing director in Singapore who was hired from Credit Suisse last year, is no longer employed by UBS. He began working with UBS in January as part of initiatives to improve services for the affluent diaspora of India. Moreover, Martin Loh of Credit Suisse, Joe Lau, the market group head for China, as well other bankers have recently left Hong Kong. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UBS cuts jobs in Asia amid slowing activity

State-owned Saudi Aramco increased the price of its signature Arab Light to Asia in October by 10 cents to $3.60 a barrel over the benchmark, according to a price list obtained by Bloomberg. Although still the highest since December, the increase was less than the 30-cent increase predicted in a Bloomberg survey.

The de facto leader of OPEC increased prices for all grades by 20 cents a barrel to a record high for supply going to the US.

The action follows Saudi Arabia’s announcement this week that it will extend supply restrictions through December. It will maintain production at 9 million barrels per day, the lowest level in a number of years, as Russia extends its own export restrictions.

This has given rise to optimism that 2023 will conclude strongly for the oil market. After months of supply restrictions, Brent crude futures recently surpassed $90 per barrel, and some traders are betting on $100.

There was some respite for European buyers who had recently experienced a run of significant price increases. The list revealed that Aramco reduced supply costs into the Mediterranean and Northwest Europe by 10 cents per barrel, while they are still historically high.

European consumers of the kingdom’s petroleum were forced to look for alternatives, and many have since switched to sweet, or low-sulfur, oil.

Since the beginning of the year, the price of higher sulphurous crude, which accounts for the majority of the Saudi supply cuts, has skyrocketed. As a result, benchmark Brent crude futures have occasionally traded at significant discounts to barrels of lower quality from the Middle East.

(With inputs from Bloomberg)

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State-owned Saudi Aramco increased the price of its signature Arab Light to Asia in October by 10 cents to $3.60 a barrel over the benchmark, according to a price list obtained by Bloomberg.

State-owned Saudi Aramco increased the price of its signature Arab Light to Asia in October by 10 cents to $3.60 a barrel over the benchmark, according to a price list obtained by Bloomberg. Although still the highest since December, the increase was less than the 30-cent increase predicted in a Bloomberg survey. The de facto leader of OPEC increased prices for all grades by 20 cents a barrel to a record high for supply going to the US. The action follows Saudi Arabia’s announcement this week that it will extend supply restrictions through December. It will maintain production at 9 million barrels per day, the lowest level in a number of years, as Russia extends its own export restrictions. This has given rise to optimism that 2023 will conclude strongly for the oil market. After months of supply restrictions, Brent crude futures recently surpassed $90 per barrel, and some traders are betting on $100. There was some respite for European buyers who had recently experienced a run of significant price increases. The list revealed that Aramco reduced supply costs into the Mediterranean and Northwest Europe by 10 cents per barrel, while they are still historically high. European consumers of the kingdom’s petroleum were forced to look for alternatives, and many have since switched to sweet, or low-sulfur, oil. Since the beginning of the year, the price of higher sulphurous crude, which accounts for the majority of the Saudi supply cuts, has skyrocketed. As a result, benchmark Brent crude futures have occasionally traded at significant discounts to barrels of lower quality from the Middle East. (With inputs from Bloomberg) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Saudi Arabia raises oil prices to Asia for fourth consecutive month: Report  

Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony live Streaming:&nbsp;The Asia Cup 2023 is all set to commence on August 30, hosting one of the biggest cricket rivalries in cricket. The tournament will be played in a 50-over format. A total of six teams will be participating: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are co-shots and a hybrid model will be played. The first match will be played in Pakistan's Multan between the home country and Nepal. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday before the match at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Recently, BCCI in a tweet shared, "KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the #AsiaCup2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid."

The teams have been divided into 2 groups: Group A and Group B

GROUP A: India, Pakistan &amp; Nepal

GROUP B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh &amp; Afghanistan

Here's all you need to know about the opening ceremony:

<h2>Asia Cup 2023 Details</h2>

Pakistan's Multan will host the Asia Cup 2023 opening ceremony at the Multan Cricket Stadium before the Pakistan vs Nepal match. The opening ceremony is scheduled on August 30 and will begin before the first match which will start at 3:00 pm IST. Although the authorities have not yet officially announced the timings of the opening ceremony, we can assume that it might begin at least 90 minutes before the first match. The venue, Multan Cricket Stadium, has a capacity of 35,000.&nbsp;

<h2>Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony Performers</h2>

Renowned artists like AR Rahman and Atif Aslam will perform at the opening ceremony. There will also be traditional Asian music and dance performances.&nbsp;

When will the Asia Cup opening ceremony take place? Date and Time

The Asia Cup opening ceremony will take place on August 30. The opening match is scheduled to be held at 3:00 PM IST and the ceremony will begin before the match.

Where to watch the Asia Cup 2023&nbsp;Opening Ceremony live in India? Live Streaming

The broadcasting rights of the cricket tournament in India have been purchased by Star Sports. Fans can watch the cricket tournament live on Hotstar.&nbsp;

 
The match shall be available on following channels:&nbsp;

Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD, Star Sports 1 Tamil SD + HD, Star Sports 1 Telugu SD+HD, Star Sports 1 Kannada

Where to livestream Asia Cup 2023&nbsp;Opening Ceremony for free in India?

To livestream the match, visit the Disney+Hotstar platform.&nbsp;

Here is the list of live streaming&nbsp;and broadcasting details in other countries:&nbsp; 
Pakistan: PTV Sports and Ten Sports&nbsp; 
Bangladesh: Gazi TV 
United Kingdom: TNT Sports app 
Australia: Fox Sports and FOXTel app 
South Africa: SuperSport

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony live Streaming: The Asia Cup 2023 is all set to commence on August 30, hosting one of the biggest cricket rivalries in cricket. The tournament will be played in a 50-over format.

Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony live Streaming: The Asia Cup 2023 is all set to commence on August 30, hosting one of the biggest cricket rivalries in cricket. The tournament will be played in a 50-over format. A total of six teams will be participating: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are co-shots and a hybrid model will be played. The first match will be played in Pakistan's Multan between the home country and Nepal. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday before the match at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Recently, BCCI in a tweet shared, "KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the #AsiaCup2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid." The teams have been divided into 2 groups: Group A and Group B GROUP A: India, Pakistan & Nepal GROUP B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Afghanistan Here's all you need to know about the opening ceremony: Asia Cup 2023 Details Pakistan's Multan will host the Asia Cup 2023 opening ceremony at the Multan Cricket Stadium before the Pakistan vs Nepal match. The opening ceremony is scheduled on August 30 and will begin before the first match which will start at 3:00 pm IST. Although the authorities have not yet officially announced the timings of the opening ceremony, we can assume that it might begin at least 90 minutes before the first match. The venue, Multan Cricket Stadium, has a capacity of 35,000. Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony Performers Renowned artists like AR Rahman and Atif Aslam will perform at the opening ceremony. There will also be traditional Asian music and dance performances. When will the Asia Cup opening ceremony take place? Date and Time The Asia Cup opening ceremony will take place on August 30. The opening match is scheduled to be held at 3:00 PM IST and the ceremony will begin before the match. Where to watch the Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony live in India? Live Streaming The broadcasting rights of the cricket tournament in India have been purchased by Star Sports. Fans can watch the cricket tournament live on Hotstar. The match shall be available on following channels: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD, Star Sports 1 Tamil SD + HD, Star Sports 1 Telugu SD+HD, Star Sports 1 Kannada Where to livestream Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony for free in India? To livestream the match, visit the Disney+Hotstar platform. Here is the list of live streaming and broadcasting details in other countries: Pakistan: PTV Sports and Ten Sports Bangladesh: Gazi TV United Kingdom: TNT Sports app Australia: Fox Sports and FOXTel app South Africa: SuperSport (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony live Streaming: Check date, time, venue, performers list all you need to know

Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) announced its plans to take their beverage brand Campa Cola to international markets, starting with Asia and Africa, on Monday, according to a report by Mint.

The company is a fully owned subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL) and the packaged consumer goods division of Reliance Industries Limited.

Isha Mukesh Ambani, director of RRVL, addressed shareholders during the company’s 46th annual general meeting and said that since its launch in different regions of India earlier this year, consumers begun to grow fond of Campa Cola.

“We are scaling it up further in India, and have started work to take it global, starting with Asia and Africa,” Mint quoted Isha Ambani as saying. The brand has not yet been introduced to all parts of India. In 2022, RIL purchased Campa Cola from Pure Drinks Ltd. of New Delhi, which had previously been a well-known beverage among other cola brands.

The cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s Ceylon Beverage International had previously been the contract packaging partner for the canning operations of Campa Cola beverage. Mint reported that people also know that the corporation is increasing the brand’s capacity for Indian bottling.

The consumer products portfolio of RCPL has expanded to include beverages, everyday essentials, cookies, and personal care items through owned, partner, and acquired brands.

“We launched our FMCG&nbsp;(fast-moving consumer goods) business with the vision to provide world-class products at affordable prices... to make heritage brands contemporary for Indian consumers, keeping the age-old brand promise intact,” Mint quoted Amabni. “We have acquired and partnered with several such brands like Campa Cola, Sosyo and Lotus.”

&nbsp;

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Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) announced its plans to take their beverage brand Campa Cola to international markets, starting with Asia and Africa, on Monday, according to a report by Mint.

Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) announced its plans to take their beverage brand Campa Cola to international markets, starting with Asia and Africa, on Monday, according to a report by Mint. The company is a fully owned subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL) and the packaged consumer goods division of Reliance Industries Limited. Isha Mukesh Ambani, director of RRVL, addressed shareholders during the company’s 46th annual general meeting and said that since its launch in different regions of India earlier this year, consumers begun to grow fond of Campa Cola. “We are scaling it up further in India, and have started work to take it global, starting with Asia and Africa,” Mint quoted Isha Ambani as saying. The brand has not yet been introduced to all parts of India. In 2022, RIL purchased Campa Cola from Pure Drinks Ltd. of New Delhi, which had previously been a well-known beverage among other cola brands. The cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s Ceylon Beverage International had previously been the contract packaging partner for the canning operations of Campa Cola beverage. Mint reported that people also know that the corporation is increasing the brand’s capacity for Indian bottling. The consumer products portfolio of RCPL has expanded to include beverages, everyday essentials, cookies, and personal care items through owned, partner, and acquired brands. “We launched our FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) business with the vision to provide world-class products at affordable prices... to make heritage brands contemporary for Indian consumers, keeping the age-old brand promise intact,” Mint quoted Amabni. “We have acquired and partnered with several such brands like Campa Cola, Sosyo and Lotus.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Reliance plans to introduce Campa Cola to international markets 

The coronavirus pandemic and rising inflation has pushed close to 70 million more people in Asia's developing countries into extreme poverty. An Asian development bank report shows that 155.2 million people in Asia's developing countries lived in extreme poverty last year. That's about 67.8 million more people than would have been the case without the covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

Extreme poverty rises in Asia

The BRICS nations consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, are gathered in South Africa for a summit that carries the potential to define the bloc's future and its determination to challenge a world order it views as tilted in favour of the West. While these nations have never been more prominent on the world stage, the inner workings of BRICS remain complex. This family sure has issues. &nbsp;

The summit is missing Russian President Vladimir Putin, as South Africa faces potential obligations to detain him over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. India and China, both members of the group, are dealing with a border conflict.&nbsp;China finds itself in a complicated relationship with the US, while New Delhi maintains close bonds with Washington.&nbsp;

This year's summit is a big test for Indian diplomacy as two predominant themes taking centre stage are the urge for expansion and a drive towards adopting a shared currency, both of which present challenges for India.&nbsp;

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Indian PM Narendra Modi during his initial involvement in Johannesburg, took part in the Leaders' Dialogue of the BRICS Business Forum

As the bloc seeks to rebalance global power, experts warn that it may adopt a more pronounced geopolitical stance, especially with China and Russia hoping to garner its support amid escalating tensions with the West - a prospect that could be advanced through its expansion.&nbsp;

There are conjectures that China and Russia are keen to welcome new members who would introduce an anti-Western perspective. Concerns also exist that the bloc's expansion could draw in nations that perceive BRICS as a counterforce to the European Union and the United States, which India and Brazil both oppose. But is that indeed the scenario?&nbsp;

"China will not project BRICS as anti-Western because China is delicately calibrating its relations with the US in the wake of domestic economic challenges, though Russia surely has a direct interest in forming an anti-Western grouping,” Dr Geeta Kochhar, Assistant Professor, Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University 
(JNU) told WION. &nbsp;

“China also seems to be the counterbalance Russia faces amidst the Russia-Ukraine war, and hence would not want to directly upset the West to avoid any sanctions from the Western world.” &nbsp;

Additionally, India also cannot prevent countries backed by China and Russia, like Iran, from joining the bloc, as India and Iran have the Chabahar port factor in the equation, Dr Kochhar explains.&nbsp;

The Chabahar port is situated along the Makran coastline in the Sistan and Baluchistan Province, adjacent to the Gulf of Oman and positioned at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. It stands as Iran's sole port offering a direct route to the Indian Ocean.

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Chabahar Port is a seaport in Chabahar located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman

The primary and most crucial importance of the Chabahar port lies in enabling India to circumvent Pakistan when shipping goods to Afghanistan.&nbsp;It would also&nbsp;cut transport costs and time for Indian goods by a third.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/where-is-xi-jinping-chinese-leaders-unusual-absence-at-brics-business-forum-raises-eyebrows-628067">Where is Xi Jinping?&nbsp;Chinese leader's unusual absence&nbsp;at BRICS Business Forum raises eyebrows</a>

<h2>What is India’s stance?&nbsp;</h2>

In the complex world of geopolitics, India's current strategic choices are anything but straightforward. The question that looms large is where India truly fits into the ever-evolving global geopolitical puzzle. Some Western perspectives tend to scrutinise India's participation in groups like BRICS and the SCO, especially in light of the Ukraine conflict and the Western-Russia standoff. &nbsp;

A frequently raised question is: Is it feasible for India to actively engage in the Quad, which includes Australia, Japan, the US, and India, while concurrently maintaining its significance within the G-20, G-7, BRICS, SCO, and the broader global South?&nbsp;

“India is talking the rhetoric of multipolarity, but what multipolarity are we talking about?,” questioned Dr Manish Dabhade, founder, The Indian Futures, a New Delhi based independent think tank. &nbsp;

"India is certainly contesting Chinese unipolarity in Asia and the Indo-Pacific. That's precisely why India opposes the BRICS currency; it's not inclined towards even regional trading currencies. There's also an economic rationale behind this stance,” he told WION. &nbsp;

Currently, over 50 per cent of all global transactions are conducted in US dollars, while the Chinese&nbsp;Renminbi (RMB) accounts for just 3-4 per cent, and at most, it might increase to 4-5 per cent, which is a marginal shift, he pointed out. “The notion propagated by BRICS that they are de-dollarising the global economy is unlikely to materialise, at least not in the next 10-20 years.”&nbsp;

India is speaking the language of multilateralism, but it has largely chosen its side. The broader trajectory is shifting towards a closer alignment with the West, encompassing the US, Europe, and France, added Dabhade. India has also been contesting all of China's unfair trade practices, including its withdrawal from RCEP and China's inundation of Indian markets with their goods. However, primarily, it was about strategically countering China, he said. &nbsp;

There is an international climate now that is openly against China due to its expansionist agenda in Asia and the Indo-Pacific. This is the reason for the resounding calls to de-risk and decouple from China.&nbsp;

Follow the live blog for all latest updates on the 2023 BRICS summit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brics-summit-day-2-pm-modi-to-hold-bilateral-meeting-with-sa-prez-ramaphosa-628219">BRICS Summit, Day-2: PM Modi to hold bilateral meeting with SA Prez Ramaphosa</a>

<h2>Non–alignment to multi-alignment?&nbsp;</h2>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-aims-at-expansion-of-indias-upi-to-brics-nations-at-business-forum-meet-628060">India</a> is also walking the tightrope of multi-alignment, as noted by Dr Dabhade, while quoting Indian politician Shashi Tharoor. &nbsp;

“Somewhere, in some places, we are going to be with RIC (Russia, India, China trilateral) or even BRICS. However, India is also a part of the QUAD and has close bilateral relations with the US and France at the highest levels. But the larger eggs are in the American basket. India cannot simply walk out of BRICS because it still depends on Russian defence imports,” explained Dr Dabhade.&nbsp;

The contemporary geopolitical puzzle confronting New Delhi is far from a walk in the park: it involves India's need to establish a strong presence in non-Western global platforms like BRICS and the SCO, counterbalancing the ever-expanding influence of China within these arenas, and simultaneously juggling Western normative standards while carving out a space for itself in Eurocentric gatherings like the UNSC and the G-7. &nbsp;

All of this demands a delicate and multitasking approach, which Dr Kochhar likes to term "matured diplomacy". Additionally, India cannot antagonise anyone in a year when it’s hosting the G20 summit.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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The BRICS nations consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, are gathered in South Africa for a summit that carries the potential to define the bloc's future and its determination to challenge a world order it views as tilted in favour of the West.

The BRICS nations consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, are gathered in South Africa for a summit that carries the potential to define the bloc's future and its determination to challenge a world order it views as tilted in favour of the West. While these nations have never been more prominent on the world stage, the inner workings of BRICS remain complex. This family sure has issues. The summit is missing Russian President Vladimir Putin, as South Africa faces potential obligations to detain him over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. India and China, both members of the group, are dealing with a border conflict. China finds itself in a complicated relationship with the US, while New Delhi maintains close bonds with Washington. This year's summit is a big test for Indian diplomacy as two predominant themes taking centre stage are the urge for expansion and a drive towards adopting a shared currency, both of which present challenges for India. Indian PM Narendra Modi during his initial involvement in Johannesburg, took part in the Leaders' Dialogue of the BRICS Business Forum As the bloc seeks to rebalance global power, experts warn that it may adopt a more pronounced geopolitical stance, especially with China and Russia hoping to garner its support amid escalating tensions with the West - a prospect that could be advanced through its expansion. There are conjectures that China and Russia are keen to welcome new members who would introduce an anti-Western perspective. Concerns also exist that the bloc's expansion could draw in nations that perceive BRICS as a counterforce to the European Union and the United States, which India and Brazil both oppose. But is that indeed the scenario? "China will not project BRICS as anti-Western because China is delicately calibrating its relations with the US in the wake of domestic economic challenges, though Russia surely has a direct interest in forming an anti-Western grouping,” Dr Geeta Kochhar, Assistant Professor, Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) told WION. “China also seems to be the counterbalance Russia faces amidst the Russia-Ukraine war, and hence would not want to directly upset the West to avoid any sanctions from the Western world.” Additionally, India also cannot prevent countries backed by China and Russia, like Iran, from joining the bloc, as India and Iran have the Chabahar port factor in the equation, Dr Kochhar explains. The Chabahar port is situated along the Makran coastline in the Sistan and Baluchistan Province, adjacent to the Gulf of Oman and positioned at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. It stands as Iran's sole port offering a direct route to the Indian Ocean. Chabahar Port is a seaport in Chabahar located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman The primary and most crucial importance of the Chabahar port lies in enabling India to circumvent Pakistan when shipping goods to Afghanistan. It would also cut transport costs and time for Indian goods by a third. Also read | Where is Xi Jinping? Chinese leader's unusual absence at BRICS Business Forum raises eyebrows What is India’s stance? In the complex world of geopolitics, India's current strategic choices are anything but straightforward. The question that looms large is where India truly fits into the ever-evolving global geopolitical puzzle. Some Western perspectives tend to scrutinise India's participation in groups like BRICS and the SCO, especially in light of the Ukraine conflict and the Western-Russia standoff. A frequently raised question is: Is it feasible for India to actively engage in the Quad, which includes Australia, Japan, the US, and India, while concurrently maintaining its significance within the G-20, G-7, BRICS, SCO, and the broader global South? “India is talking the rhetoric of multipolarity, but what multipolarity are we talking about?,” questioned Dr Manish Dabhade, founder, The Indian Futures, a New Delhi based independent think tank. "India is certainly contesting Chinese unipolarity in Asia and the Indo-Pacific. That's precisely why India opposes the BRICS currency; it's not inclined towards even regional trading currencies. There's also an economic rationale behind this stance,” he told WION. Currently, over 50 per cent of all global transactions are conducted in US dollars, while the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) accounts for just 3-4 per cent, and at most, it might increase to 4-5 per cent, which is a marginal shift, he pointed out. “The notion propagated by BRICS that they are de-dollarising the global economy is unlikely to materialise, at least not in the next 10-20 years.” India is speaking the language of multilateralism, but it has largely chosen its side. The broader trajectory is shifting towards a closer alignment with the West, encompassing the US, Europe, and France, added Dabhade. India has also been contesting all of China's unfair trade practices, including its withdrawal from RCEP and China's inundation of Indian markets with their goods. However, primarily, it was about strategically countering China, he said. There is an international climate now that is openly against China due to its expansionist agenda in Asia and the Indo-Pacific. This is the reason for the resounding calls to de-risk and decouple from China. Follow the live blog for all latest updates on the 2023 BRICS summit: BRICS Summit, Day-2: PM Modi to hold bilateral meeting with SA Prez Ramaphosa Non–alignment to multi-alignment? India is also walking the tightrope of multi-alignment, as noted by Dr Dabhade, while quoting Indian politician Shashi Tharoor. “Somewhere, in some places, we are going to be with RIC (Russia, India, China trilateral) or even BRICS. However, India is also a part of the QUAD and has close bilateral relations with the US and France at the highest levels. But the larger eggs are in the American basket. India cannot simply walk out of BRICS because it still depends on Russian defence imports,” explained Dr Dabhade. The contemporary geopolitical puzzle confronting New Delhi is far from a walk in the park: it involves India's need to establish a strong presence in non-Western global platforms like BRICS and the SCO, counterbalancing the ever-expanding influence of China within these arenas, and simultaneously juggling Western normative standards while carving out a space for itself in Eurocentric gatherings like the UNSC and the G-7. All of this demands a delicate and multitasking approach, which Dr Kochhar likes to term "matured diplomacy". Additionally, India cannot antagonise anyone in a year when it’s hosting the G20 summit. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: Balancing act or anti-West pivot? India’s choices at the BRICS summit

Surgeons in New York have achieved a notable breakthrough: a pig kidney that was transplanted into a brain-dead man continues to function after more than 30 days. This accomplishment signifies a promising advancement in cross-species organ transplantation.

Pig kidney thrives in human body for month | Major medical breakthrough

Asia-pacific markets began the day with decline as investors digested a mix of factors including Japan's recent inflation figures and fresh challenges in China's real estate sector.

Asian markets open lower; US stocks extend losing run | World Business Watch

In this segment of the global market roundup, a market wrap of Asia Pacific markets is trading mixed as rising bond yields continue to put pressure on equities in the wake of the US credit downgrade.

Oil markets set for sixth week of gains

Asia's factory activity experienced a contraction in July, signaling a slowdown in global growth and reflecting the impact of China's weakening economy on the region's fragile recovery. Private surveys cited by Reuters revealed that several Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, faced challenges due to sluggish Chinese demand.

The Caixin/S&amp;P Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for China fell to 49.2 in July from 50.5 in June, marking the first decline in activity since April and falling short of analysts' expectations of 50.3. The 50-point index separates growth from contraction, and this decline highlights the mounting pressure on policymakers to manage inflation with tight monetary policies while navigating potential headwinds from a recession in the world's second-largest economy.

Japan, one of the leading economies in the region, experienced a contraction in its manufacturing activity during July, as shown by the final au Jibun Bank PMI, which dropped to 49.6 from 49.8 in June. The weakened activity was attributed to soft orders stemming from weakening global economic conditions and subdued demand from both domestic and overseas markets.

However, there were some signs of optimism in Japan's economic outlook. The country's factory output grew in June for the first time in two months, primarily due to solid auto production. Furthermore, the S&amp;P survey showed that cost pressures for Japanese companies eased, thanks to declining fuel and commodity prices. This provided some relief for manufacturers grappling with slowing demand from foreign markets.

Looking ahead, manufacturers' output expectations remained positive, with hopes for sustained demand improvements and the pandemic's fading economic impact. The subindex reflecting output expectations remained consistent with June's reading, which was the strongest since October 2021.

The challenges faced by Japan and other Asian economies come at a time when the region had been considered one of the few bright spots in the global economy. However, China's economic slowdown has clouded the overall outlook. In revised forecasts issued in July, the International Monetary Fund projected that emerging Asia's economic growth would accelerate to 5.3 per cent in 2023 from 4.5 per cent in 2022, while China's economy is expected to expand by 5.2 per cent this year after a 3.0 per cent increase in 2022.

The situation underscores the delicate balancing act for policymakers, who must address inflationary pressures with tight monetary policies while also supporting economic recovery and growth in the region. Falling new orders, bleak employment prospects, and high inventory levels point to subdued factory activity in the coming months, raising concerns about the durability of the economic recovery in the region.

(With Inputs from Reuters)

Asia's factory activity experienced a contraction in July, signaling a slowdown in global growth and reflecting the impact of China's weakening economy on the region's fragile recovery.

Asia's factory activity experienced a contraction in July, signaling a slowdown in global growth and reflecting the impact of China's weakening economy on the region's fragile recovery. Private surveys cited by Reuters revealed that several Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, faced challenges due to sluggish Chinese demand. The Caixin/S&P Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for China fell to 49.2 in July from 50.5 in June, marking the first decline in activity since April and falling short of analysts' expectations of 50.3. The 50-point index separates growth from contraction, and this decline highlights the mounting pressure on policymakers to manage inflation with tight monetary policies while navigating potential headwinds from a recession in the world's second-largest economy. Japan, one of the leading economies in the region, experienced a contraction in its manufacturing activity during July, as shown by the final au Jibun Bank PMI, which dropped to 49.6 from 49.8 in June. The weakened activity was attributed to soft orders stemming from weakening global economic conditions and subdued demand from both domestic and overseas markets. However, there were some signs of optimism in Japan's economic outlook. The country's factory output grew in June for the first time in two months, primarily due to solid auto production. Furthermore, the S&P survey showed that cost pressures for Japanese companies eased, thanks to declining fuel and commodity prices. This provided some relief for manufacturers grappling with slowing demand from foreign markets. Looking ahead, manufacturers' output expectations remained positive, with hopes for sustained demand improvements and the pandemic's fading economic impact. The subindex reflecting output expectations remained consistent with June's reading, which was the strongest since October 2021. The challenges faced by Japan and other Asian economies come at a time when the region had been considered one of the few bright spots in the global economy. However, China's economic slowdown has clouded the overall outlook. In revised forecasts issued in July, the International Monetary Fund projected that emerging Asia's economic growth would accelerate to 5.3 per cent in 2023 from 4.5 per cent in 2022, while China's economy is expected to expand by 5.2 per cent this year after a 3.0 per cent increase in 2022. The situation underscores the delicate balancing act for policymakers, who must address inflationary pressures with tight monetary policies while also supporting economic recovery and growth in the region. Falling new orders, bleak employment prospects, and high inventory levels point to subdued factory activity in the coming months, raising concerns about the durability of the economic recovery in the region. (With Inputs from Reuters)

Manufacturing blues in Asia: Global slowdown puts pressure on recovery

NASA: July 2023 to become the world's hottest month in hundreds of years | WION Wideangle Deadly Wildfires in Southern #Europe Unprecedented Ocean Temperatures in #Florida Blistering heat conditions in #China and other parts of Asia Watch Extreme Heatwaves: Deadly Summer of 2023 on #WIONWideangle

Extreme heatwaves: Deadly summer of 2023 | WION Wideangle

The Next supercontinent is in the making. Today, there are seven continents. Some 200 million years from now there will be just one. Geophysicist Ross Mitchell has recently unveiled in his new book 'The Next Supercontinent'. Watch this video to know more.

North America & Asia might collide to form the next supercontinent 'Amasia' on Earth

Today, we have seven continents, but an intriguing future awaits us.&nbsp;

Geophysicist Ross Mitchell has recently unveiled his new book: "The Next Supercontinent" in which he talks about not only the past but also the distant future regarding what Earth might look like when all its continents merge into a single vast landmass.

<h2>Brief history</h2>

Mitchell takes us on a journey through time, exploring how the continents joined forces in the past to form supercontinents. We begin around 300 to 200 million years ago with Pangaea, a lush world filled with dinosaurs, centered on present-day Africa.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;These pictures of Earth from Mars show there's no 'Planet B' for us

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Travelling further back, we encounter Rodinia, a billion years ago, a barren landmass that included much of today's North America and Greenland. Then, two billion years ago, there was Columbia, the Siberia-centric first supercontinent, as some scientists believe.

<h2>Understanding how continents move</h2>

Understanding the movements of continents requires meticulous investigation. Scientists gather samples through fieldwork, determining the rock's age and latitude when it formed.&nbsp;

The formation and breakup of supercontinents are linked to the behaviour of the "solid but pliable" mantle. Mantle is the layer between the Earth's crust and core that stores ever-existing heat.&nbsp;

As per the book, the movement of&nbsp;continents occurs as heat rises in the mantle. The continents move towards that spot in the mantle which is comparatively cooler than other parts. That's how continents collide with each other, heralding the birth of a new supercontinent.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-report-hints-at-blocking-sunlight-to-cool-planet-earth-610980">Also read:&nbsp;White House report hints at blocking sunlight to cool planet Earth</a>

Eventually, when heat starts building up in the mantle below that giant continent, it starts to tear apart again, leading to the creation of new oceans and initiating another cycle.

<h2>Amasia: The next supercontinent?</h2>

Drawing from this knowledge of the past and understanding mantle mechanics, Mitchell predicts "Amasia" as the next supercontinent.&nbsp;

Contrary to some theories suggesting it could form from the closing of the Pacific or Atlantic oceans, Mitchell argues that Amasia will emerge through the disappearance of the Arctic Ocean.&nbsp;

As per his prediction, Amasia will form out of the merger of North America and Asia.

However, whether Mitchell's predictions about Amasia are accurate remains a question that none of us will live long enough to answer. It will be a matter for our coming generations to discover.

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&nbsp;

Today, we have seven continents, but an intriguing future awaits us. Geophysicist Ross Mitchell has recently unveiled his new book: "The Next Supercontinent" in which he talks about not only the past but also the distant future regarding what Earth might look like when all its continents merge into a single vast landmass.

Today, we have seven continents, but an intriguing future awaits us. Geophysicist Ross Mitchell has recently unveiled his new book: "The Next Supercontinent" in which he talks about not only the past but also the distant future regarding what Earth might look like when all its continents merge into a single vast landmass. Brief history Mitchell takes us on a journey through time, exploring how the continents joined forces in the past to form supercontinents. We begin around 300 to 200 million years ago with Pangaea, a lush world filled with dinosaurs, centered on present-day Africa. Watch: These pictures of Earth from Mars show there's no 'Planet B' for us × Travelling further back, we encounter Rodinia, a billion years ago, a barren landmass that included much of today's North America and Greenland. Then, two billion years ago, there was Columbia, the Siberia-centric first supercontinent, as some scientists believe. Understanding how continents move Understanding the movements of continents requires meticulous investigation. Scientists gather samples through fieldwork, determining the rock's age and latitude when it formed. The formation and breakup of supercontinents are linked to the behaviour of the "solid but pliable" mantle. Mantle is the layer between the Earth's crust and core that stores ever-existing heat. As per the book, the movement of continents occurs as heat rises in the mantle. The continents move towards that spot in the mantle which is comparatively cooler than other parts. That's how continents collide with each other, heralding the birth of a new supercontinent. Also read: White House report hints at blocking sunlight to cool planet Earth Eventually, when heat starts building up in the mantle below that giant continent, it starts to tear apart again, leading to the creation of new oceans and initiating another cycle. Amasia: The next supercontinent? Drawing from this knowledge of the past and understanding mantle mechanics, Mitchell predicts "Amasia" as the next supercontinent. Contrary to some theories suggesting it could form from the closing of the Pacific or Atlantic oceans, Mitchell argues that Amasia will emerge through the disappearance of the Arctic Ocean. As per his prediction, Amasia will form out of the merger of North America and Asia. However, whether Mitchell's predictions about Amasia are accurate remains a question that none of us will live long enough to answer. It will be a matter for our coming generations to discover. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

North America and Asia might collide to form next supercontinent on Earth, predicts scientist

A global pattern of heat waves scorching parts of Asia, Europe, United States has intensified. The world meteorological organisation is also warning of increased risks of death due to rising temperatures. Scientists say governments need to reduce emissions to prevent climate catastrophe drastically.

Global heatwave scorching 3 continents

Ancient Chinese artwork and statues in northwestern China’s Dunhuang caves which have survived more than a millennium through wars, political upheavals, and even millions of tourists over the years, may not be able to live through climate change, researchers from Greenpeace warned on Monday (July 17).&nbsp;

<h2>Extreme weather, climate change pose threat to ancient artefacts</h2>

According to environmental group Greenpeace, extreme weather has brought heavy rainfall and moisture to the deserts of China’s Gansu province which now poses a further threat to the caves and their artwork which date back to the 4th century.&nbsp;

The group said that while the total precipitation in the Chinese province has increased since 2000, the number of rainy days has dropped which has led to more bouts of intense downpours.&nbsp;

For centuries now, Gansu’s desert conditions had helped preserve these paintings and statues. However, in recent decades, the Chinese province has witnessed a change in weather patterns with a rise of 0.3 degree Celsius in temperature every decade, faster than the global average.&nbsp;

<h2>What’s the damage?</h2>

According to the environmental group, delicate paintings have begun flaking and peeling with cracks emerging in different parts of the UNESCO-listed world heritage site that could also over time undermine the structural integrity of the caves.&nbsp;

“Spikes in humidity, flash floods, and cave-ins are already happening,” said Li Zhao, a senior researcher in Greenpeace East Asia’s Beijing office. Li also spoke about how the “increased bouts” of rainfall “pose an acute risk”.&nbsp;

“While we’re still working to document, understand, and conserve these pieces of our history, they’re dissolved before our very eyes. This is a painful reality of the impact of climate change,” said the senior researcher, in a statement.&nbsp;

Li expressed concerns as he said that this is happening to UNESCO-listed caves which are among the best-funded and closely monitored heritage sites in China, but there are hundreds of others which are “less-funded, less-studied sites all around China that are facing these same risks.”

This&nbsp;comes at a time when China is in the midst of conducting a nationwide cultural heritage survey but the Greenpeace researcher has said the process might take years and by then some of the country’s treasures could already be lost.

<h2>Not a unique case</h2>

Friends of Nature, a Beijing environmental group, last month said that higher levels of rainfall in China’s northern province of Shanxi have caused damage to ancient buildings, some of which are more than 1,000 years old.&nbsp;

Two national heritage sites in the Chinese province, Jinci Temple and Tianlongshan grottoes, collapsed, while old towers and walls in Shanxi have suffered damage due to unusually heavy rain, said the environmental group, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

A report by Bloomberg citing researchers from several countries from France to Namibia and Indonesia to Australia, said that there is evidence that climate change had accelerated the degradation of some of the ancient cave and rock art in their countries.&nbsp;

This has been attributed to floods eroding the artwork while salt crystallisation can cause flaking and peeling and the combination of moisture and heat can even sometimes cause rocks with ancient paintings to explode.&nbsp;

<h2>About Mogao Caves in Dunhuang</h2>

According to UNESCO, the site is one the largest and longest-used treasure houses of Buddhist art in the world. The first cave was constructed in 366 AD and currently, the site’s 492 caves are home to about 45,000 square metres of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures.&nbsp;

Dunhuang has also been described as an oasis in the desert which would be a frequent stop for traders travelling the Silk Road route between China and Central Asia and over the next 1,000 years became a repository of “unmatched historical value”.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Ancient Chinese artwork and statues in northwestern China’s Dunhuang caves which have survived more than a millennium through wars, political upheavals, and even millions of tourists over the years, may not be able to live through climate change, researchers from Greenpeace warned on Monday (July 17).

Ancient Chinese artwork and statues in northwestern China’s Dunhuang caves which have survived more than a millennium through wars, political upheavals, and even millions of tourists over the years, may not be able to live through climate change, researchers from Greenpeace warned on Monday (July 17). Extreme weather, climate change pose threat to ancient artefacts According to environmental group Greenpeace, extreme weather has brought heavy rainfall and moisture to the deserts of China’s Gansu province which now poses a further threat to the caves and their artwork which date back to the 4th century. The group said that while the total precipitation in the Chinese province has increased since 2000, the number of rainy days has dropped which has led to more bouts of intense downpours. For centuries now, Gansu’s desert conditions had helped preserve these paintings and statues. However, in recent decades, the Chinese province has witnessed a change in weather patterns with a rise of 0.3 degree Celsius in temperature every decade, faster than the global average. What’s the damage? According to the environmental group, delicate paintings have begun flaking and peeling with cracks emerging in different parts of the UNESCO-listed world heritage site that could also over time undermine the structural integrity of the caves. “Spikes in humidity, flash floods, and cave-ins are already happening,” said Li Zhao, a senior researcher in Greenpeace East Asia’s Beijing office. Li also spoke about how the “increased bouts” of rainfall “pose an acute risk”. “While we’re still working to document, understand, and conserve these pieces of our history, they’re dissolved before our very eyes. This is a painful reality of the impact of climate change,” said the senior researcher, in a statement. Li expressed concerns as he said that this is happening to UNESCO-listed caves which are among the best-funded and closely monitored heritage sites in China, but there are hundreds of others which are “less-funded, less-studied sites all around China that are facing these same risks.” This comes at a time when China is in the midst of conducting a nationwide cultural heritage survey but the Greenpeace researcher has said the process might take years and by then some of the country’s treasures could already be lost. Not a unique case Friends of Nature, a Beijing environmental group, last month said that higher levels of rainfall in China’s northern province of Shanxi have caused damage to ancient buildings, some of which are more than 1,000 years old. Two national heritage sites in the Chinese province, Jinci Temple and Tianlongshan grottoes, collapsed, while old towers and walls in Shanxi have suffered damage due to unusually heavy rain, said the environmental group, according to Reuters. A report by Bloomberg citing researchers from several countries from France to Namibia and Indonesia to Australia, said that there is evidence that climate change had accelerated the degradation of some of the ancient cave and rock art in their countries. This has been attributed to floods eroding the artwork while salt crystallisation can cause flaking and peeling and the combination of moisture and heat can even sometimes cause rocks with ancient paintings to explode. About Mogao Caves in Dunhuang According to UNESCO, the site is one the largest and longest-used treasure houses of Buddhist art in the world. The first cave was constructed in 366 AD and currently, the site’s 492 caves are home to about 45,000 square metres of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures. Dunhuang has also been described as an oasis in the desert which would be a frequent stop for traders travelling the Silk Road route between China and Central Asia and over the next 1,000 years became a repository of “unmatched historical value”. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Climate change threatens ancient Chinese artwork and statues, warn researchers

The big China GDP number is out. China grew by 6.3% in the April to June quarter of 2023. That's compared to the same period in 2022 when the economy barely grew. The latest number is still below analysts’ expectations and may force Chinese policymakers to unveil more measures to support the economy.

China grew 0.8% in the April-June quarter of 2023

A record heatwave is sweeping across the world. Asia, Europe and the United States are on the receiving end, battling dangerously high temperatures. A stubborn heat dome has parked itself over western states, and as of now, it shows no signs of dissipating.

Asia, Europe & US suffering heatwave conditions

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the world is big enough for both the United States and China to co-exist and that there&nbsp;is "ample room" for the US and Chinese companies to boost trade and investment. Yellen's remarks came as she concluded her visit to China in a display of Washington-Beijing geo-economic showdown.&nbsp;

Yellen said she had "direct, substantive, and productive" talks with Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang and Pan Gongsheng, the Communist Party chief of China's central bank.

Speaking at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing with Chinese financial tycoon He Lifeng on Saturday, the US treasury secretary said a "wide swath" of the American and Chinese&nbsp;economies should be able to interact in ways that emerge "uncontroversial to both governments".

Also watch |&nbsp;Janet Yellen's high-stakes China visit

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"The fact that despite recent tensions we set a record for bilateral trade in 2022 suggests there is ample room for our firms to engage in trade and investment," Yellen was quoted as saying by Financial Times.

Yellen repeated Washington's pitch for&nbsp;the two countries to enhance communication while being surrounded by a complicated global economic outlook.

"Amid a complicated global economic outlook, there is a pressing need for the two largest economies to closely communicate and exchange views on  various challenges," Yellen further said. "No one visit will solve our challenges overnight. But expect that this trip will help build a resilient and productive channel of communication."

<h2>We strive to put US-China relationship on surer footing: Janet Yellen</h2>

Yellen's visit is the second such recent visit by a US cabinet official to Beijing in a matter of weeks as Washington appeals to a belligerent China towards cooperation despite months of inflaming geo-economic tensions.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yellen-stresses-importance-of-us-china-ties-says-decoupling-economies-impossible-612979">Yellen criticises China's 'punitive' measures against US companies, but says decoupling 'impossible'</a>

"Broadly speaking, I believe that my bilateral meetings&nbsp;—&nbsp;which totalled about 10 hours over two days — served as a step forward in our effort to put the US-China relationship on surer footing," Yellen said.

<h2 data-analytics-observe="off" data-component-name="paragraph" data-editable="text" data-uri="cms.cnn.com/_components/paragraph/instances/paragraph_92C3EA6B-082B-D23F-1E4E-3814C52B9911@published">US not seeking to decouple from China: Janet Yellen</h2>

Yellen added that the United States is not seeking to decouple from China. It would be&nbsp;"disastrous for both countries and destabilising for the world" and "virtually impossible to undertake."

"There is an important distinction between decoupling, on the one hand, and on the other hand, diversifying critical supply chains or taking targeted national security actions," she said.

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US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the world is big enough for both the United States and China to co-exist and that there is "ample room" for the US and Chinese companies to boost trade and investment.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the world is big enough for both the United States and China to co-exist and that there is "ample room" for the US and Chinese companies to boost trade and investment. Yellen's remarks came as she concluded her visit to China in a display of Washington-Beijing geo-economic showdown. Yellen said she had "direct, substantive, and productive" talks with Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang and Pan Gongsheng, the Communist Party chief of China's central bank. Speaking at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing with Chinese financial tycoon He Lifeng on Saturday, the US treasury secretary said a "wide swath" of the American and Chinese economies should be able to interact in ways that emerge "uncontroversial to both governments". Also watch | Janet Yellen's high-stakes China visit × "The fact that despite recent tensions we set a record for bilateral trade in 2022 suggests there is ample room for our firms to engage in trade and investment," Yellen was quoted as saying by Financial Times. Yellen repeated Washington's pitch for the two countries to enhance communication while being surrounded by a complicated global economic outlook. "Amid a complicated global economic outlook, there is a pressing need for the two largest economies to closely communicate and exchange views on  various challenges," Yellen further said. "No one visit will solve our challenges overnight. But expect that this trip will help build a resilient and productive channel of communication." We strive to put US-China relationship on surer footing: Janet Yellen Yellen's visit is the second such recent visit by a US cabinet official to Beijing in a matter of weeks as Washington appeals to a belligerent China towards cooperation despite months of inflaming geo-economic tensions. Also read | Yellen criticises China's 'punitive' measures against US companies, but says decoupling 'impossible' "Broadly speaking, I believe that my bilateral meetings — which totalled about 10 hours over two days — served as a step forward in our effort to put the US-China relationship on surer footing," Yellen said. US not seeking to decouple from China: Janet Yellen Yellen added that the United States is not seeking to decouple from China. It would be "disastrous for both countries and destabilising for the world" and "virtually impossible to undertake." "There is an important distinction between decoupling, on the one hand, and on the other hand, diversifying critical supply chains or taking targeted national security actions," she said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

World is ‘big enough for both our countries to thrive’: Janet Yellen tells China

Singer Taylor Swift has come up with the release of her re-recorded “Taylor’s Version” of her third studio album Speak Now.

Taylor Swift rereleases her version of ‘Speak Now’

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