The square which surrounds the medieval “leaning tower” in the Italian city of Bologna will remain closed for“a few years” as concerns regarding too much tilting of the 12th-century structure increased. 
 
The city’s mayor Matteo Lepore said it was necessary to close Piazza di Porta Ravegnana so as to “save” the Garisenda tower. “We’re not intervening because we think it could collapse at any moment, we’re intervening because we want to make it safe and restore it,” he added, as reported by The Guardian.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-at-least-20-dead-after-bus-falls-from-bridge-in-venice-642294">Italy: At least 21 dead after bus falls from bridge in Venice</a>

The future of the 48-metre-high Garisenda, which stands alongside the twice-as-high Asinelli tower, has remained a topic of huge discussion in the Emilia-Romagna city after the University of Bologna's scientists detected an anomalous increase in the oscillation of the tower. 
 
The Garisenda is slanted at 4 degrees which is a little more than Italy's famous Leaning Tower of Pisa which is at 3.9 degrees. It is believed that the tower is slanting because of ground subsidence during the 14th century. 
 
The officials are monitoring the tower for cracks and sensors were installed so that the shift can be tracked. 
 
Its foundations will be shored up with new materials to make the structure more secure. The Asinelli Tower, which visitors are allowed to climb, has also been closed.

<h2>Mayor gives reassurance as people fear the collapse of tower</h2>

Bologna council is establishing a special committee to oversee the Garisenda’s restoration. “I will seek the best possible professionalism, nationally and internationally … we will look for anyone who can help us,” Lepore said. 
 
However, even though the mayor had a reassuring tone, the residents of Bologna feared that the tower could collapse someday.

Watch |&nbsp;Italy's PM Georgia Meloni announces separation from husband

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“I am afraid to think about losing something that is part of the city’s soul,” said Carlo Lucarelli, an author and screenwriter, while speaking to Corriere della Sera. “I’ve always taken the two towers for granted, but with affection, in the same way you might take the presence of a brother for granted,” Lucarelli added. 
 
Meanwhile, actor and film director Giorgio Diritti said, “I’m worried from many perspectives, especially the fact that this news has come as a surprise. But how can it be a surprise if the tower has been monitored for years?” 
 
Diritti said that, if the tower really collapsed someday, he would be ready to go there “to hold the tower up”.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The square which surrounds the medieval “leaning tower” in the Italian city of Bologna will remain closed for“a few years” as concerns regarding too much tilting of the 12th-century structure increased.

The square which surrounds the medieval “leaning tower” in the Italian city of Bologna will remain closed for“a few years” as concerns regarding too much tilting of the 12th-century structure increased. The city’s mayor Matteo Lepore said it was necessary to close Piazza di Porta Ravegnana so as to “save” the Garisenda tower. “We’re not intervening because we think it could collapse at any moment, we’re intervening because we want to make it safe and restore it,” he added, as reported by The Guardian. ALSO READ | Italy: At least 21 dead after bus falls from bridge in Venice The future of the 48-metre-high Garisenda, which stands alongside the twice-as-high Asinelli tower, has remained a topic of huge discussion in the Emilia-Romagna city after the University of Bologna's scientists detected an anomalous increase in the oscillation of the tower. The Garisenda is slanted at 4 degrees which is a little more than Italy's famous Leaning Tower of Pisa which is at 3.9 degrees. It is believed that the tower is slanting because of ground subsidence during the 14th century. The officials are monitoring the tower for cracks and sensors were installed so that the shift can be tracked. Its foundations will be shored up with new materials to make the structure more secure. The Asinelli Tower, which visitors are allowed to climb, has also been closed. Mayor gives reassurance as people fear the collapse of tower Bologna council is establishing a special committee to oversee the Garisenda’s restoration. “I will seek the best possible professionalism, nationally and internationally … we will look for anyone who can help us,” Lepore said. However, even though the mayor had a reassuring tone, the residents of Bologna feared that the tower could collapse someday. Watch | Italy's PM Georgia Meloni announces separation from husband “I am afraid to think about losing something that is part of the city’s soul,” said Carlo Lucarelli, an author and screenwriter, while speaking to Corriere della Sera. “I’ve always taken the two towers for granted, but with affection, in the same way you might take the presence of a brother for granted,” Lucarelli added. Meanwhile, actor and film director Giorgio Diritti said, “I’m worried from many perspectives, especially the fact that this news has come as a surprise. But how can it be a surprise if the tower has been monitored for years?” Diritti said that, if the tower really collapsed someday, he would be ready to go there “to hold the tower up”. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Medieval 'leaning tower' in Italian city tilting too much, to remain closed for few years

The scientists working at US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday announced the arrival of an expected El Nino climate phenomenon, increasing fears of extreme weather and temperature records. 
 
This weather pattern which is marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean near the equator had last occurred in 2018-19. This phenomenon occurs every two-seven years on average. 
 
"Depending on its strength, El Nino can cause a range of impacts, such as increasing the risk of heavy rainfall and droughts in certain locations around the world," stated NOAA climate scientist Michelle L'Heureux. 
 
"Climate change can exacerbate or mitigate certain impacts related to El Nino. For example, El Nino could lead to new records for temperatures, particularly in areas that already experience above-average temperatures during El Nino," the scientist added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/australia-humpback-whale-trapped-in-fishing-net-rescued-ahead-of-world-ocean-day-602047">Australia: Humpback whale trapped in fishing net rescued ahead of World Ocean Day</a>

<h2>Australia warns of El Nino</h2>

This week, Australia issued a warning that El Nino is likely to lead people to warmer and drier days in a country which is vulnerable to fierce bushfires. 
 
Meanwhile, Japan held a developing El Nino partly responsible for its warmest spring on record. The influence of the phenomenon on the United States is weak during summer months but is more strong starting from late fall through spring, said NOAA, in its statement. 
 
By the months of winter, an 84 per cent chance of the climate phenomenon developing "greater than moderate" has been estimated, and a 56 per cent chance is there of a strong El Nino. 
 
This is likely to cause wetter than average conditions in the country's few parts, from southern California to the Gulf Coast. It is also expected to lead drier than average conditions in the Ohio Valley and Pacific Northwest.

WATCH |&nbsp;'Ukraine dam breach an environmental bomb' | WION Climate Tracker

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Chances of warmer-than-average temperatures in the country's northern parts will also increase&nbsp;due to the El Nino effect. NOAA had already factored the development of El Nino conditions in their hurricane predictions last month. 
 
The climate phenomenon has a suppressive effect on hurricane activity going on in the Atlantic. However, it generally enhances hurricane activity in the central and eastern Pacific.

<h2>What leads to&nbsp;El Nino?</h2>

El Nino, which means "Little Boy" in the Spanish language, is the El Nino–Southern Oscillation's warm phase. El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon born&nbsp;out of waters in the eastern Pacific which are unusually warm. 
 
It is formed when the trade winds, which were moving east-to-west parallelly to the equatorial Pacific, reverse or slow down due to a change in air pressure. However,&nbsp;scientists are&nbsp;not very confident about what kicks off the cycle.

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(With inputs from agencies)

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The scientists working at US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday announced the arrival of an expected El Nino climate phenomenon, increasing fears of extreme weather and temperature records.

The scientists working at US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday announced the arrival of an expected El Nino climate phenomenon, increasing fears of extreme weather and temperature records. This weather pattern which is marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean near the equator had last occurred in 2018-19. This phenomenon occurs every two-seven years on average. "Depending on its strength, El Nino can cause a range of impacts, such as increasing the risk of heavy rainfall and droughts in certain locations around the world," stated NOAA climate scientist Michelle L'Heureux. "Climate change can exacerbate or mitigate certain impacts related to El Nino. For example, El Nino could lead to new records for temperatures, particularly in areas that already experience above-average temperatures during El Nino," the scientist added. ALSO READ | Australia: Humpback whale trapped in fishing net rescued ahead of World Ocean Day Australia warns of El Nino This week, Australia issued a warning that El Nino is likely to lead people to warmer and drier days in a country which is vulnerable to fierce bushfires. Meanwhile, Japan held a developing El Nino partly responsible for its warmest spring on record. The influence of the phenomenon on the United States is weak during summer months but is more strong starting from late fall through spring, said NOAA, in its statement. By the months of winter, an 84 per cent chance of the climate phenomenon developing "greater than moderate" has been estimated, and a 56 per cent chance is there of a strong El Nino. This is likely to cause wetter than average conditions in the country's few parts, from southern California to the Gulf Coast. It is also expected to lead drier than average conditions in the Ohio Valley and Pacific Northwest. WATCH | 'Ukraine dam breach an environmental bomb' | WION Climate Tracker Chances of warmer-than-average temperatures in the country's northern parts will also increase due to the El Nino effect. NOAA had already factored the development of El Nino conditions in their hurricane predictions last month. The climate phenomenon has a suppressive effect on hurricane activity going on in the Atlantic. However, it generally enhances hurricane activity in the central and eastern Pacific. What leads to El Nino? El Nino, which means "Little Boy" in the Spanish language, is the El Nino–Southern Oscillation's warm phase. El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon born out of waters in the eastern Pacific which are unusually warm. It is formed when the trade winds, which were moving east-to-west parallelly to the equatorial Pacific, reverse or slow down due to a change in air pressure. However, scientists are not very confident about what kicks off the cycle. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US announces arrival of El Nino, triggering fear of extreme weather conditions

Oil prices rose on Thursday, paring earlier losses. But the recovery is too little after the commodity slipped more than 4% overnight.

Crude prices slip 4% over recession fears

As Ukraine conflict deepens, the fears of an energy war between Russia and the West have grown on Tuesday. &nbsp;

This comes as the United States pushed its allies to ban oil imports from Russia to penalise it for invasion of Ukraine. The talks on humanitarian corridors have also made little progress. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-allow-civilians-to-leave-russia-proposes-humanitarian-corridors-in-five-ukrainian-cities-say-reports-460072">Russia proposes humanitarian corridors in five Ukrainian cities, say reports</a>

In response, Russia has said that it could cut the gas supply to Europe. Russia currently supplies 40% of Europe's gas. So, it could hit the continent badly and result in major blackouts.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Monday said, "We have every right to take a matching decision and impose an embargo on gas pumping through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-belarusian-hackers-target-ukraine-european-allies-through-phishing-campaigns-says-google-460083">Russian, Belarusian hackers target Ukraine, European allies, says Google</a>

Earlier, Russia had also warned that it could stop the flow of gas from Russia to Germany through pipelines after Berlin decided last month to halt the opening of the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline. &nbsp;&nbsp;

If the United States and its allies banned imports of Russian oil, Novak also warned that oil prices could go more than double to $300 a barrel. It is a crucial source of revenue after the country was effectively frozen out of Western financial markets. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As Ukraine conflict deepens, the fears of an energy war between Russia and the West have grown on Tuesday. This comes as the United States pushed its allies to ban oil imports from Russia to penalise it for invasion of Ukraine.

As Ukraine conflict deepens, the fears of an energy war between Russia and the West have grown on Tuesday. This comes as the United States pushed its allies to ban oil imports from Russia to penalise it for invasion of Ukraine. The talks on humanitarian corridors have also made little progress. Also Read: Russia proposes humanitarian corridors in five Ukrainian cities, say reports In response, Russia has said that it could cut the gas supply to Europe. Russia currently supplies 40% of Europe's gas. So, it could hit the continent badly and result in major blackouts. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Monday said, "We have every right to take a matching decision and impose an embargo on gas pumping through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline." Also Read: Russian, Belarusian hackers target Ukraine, European allies, says Google Earlier, Russia had also warned that it could stop the flow of gas from Russia to Germany through pipelines after Berlin decided last month to halt the opening of the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline. If the United States and its allies banned imports of Russian oil, Novak also warned that oil prices could go more than double to $300 a barrel. It is a crucial source of revenue after the country was effectively frozen out of Western financial markets. (With inputs from agencies)

Fears of energy war between Russia, West grow. What’s at stake?

South Africa's health products regulator on Monday said that it would not approve Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine as it could increase the risk of HIV infection among men.

South Africa's health products regulator on Monday said that it would not approve Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine as it could increase the risk of HIV infection among men. The decision was based on earlier studies which tested the safety of a modified form of adenovirus a type of virus that causes respiratory infections, known as the Ad5 and contained in the Russian jab. "Use of the Sputnik V vaccine in South Africa, a setting of a high HIV prevalence and incidence, may increase the risk of vaccinated males acquiring HIV," the South African Health Product Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said in a statement. It further noted that the company behind the application for the use of Sputnik V in South Africa had no proof that the formula would be safe "in settings of high HIV prevalence". Also read | 'Universal booster': Sputnik Light's efficacy higher than other vaccines, experts claim "The rolling review of the Sputnik V vaccine will, however, remain open for submission of relevant safety data in support of the application," it added. Russia's Gamaleya Centre, which developed Sputnik V, said it would produce information to show that SAHPRA's concerns were "completely unfounded". "Speculation regarding the association between adenovirus type-5 vectored vaccines and HIV transmission in high risk groups has been based on small-scale studies," it said in a statement. This week, South Africa is set to begin vaccinating children as young as 12 as they are now offering booster shots to certain immuno-compromised citizens. South Africa is currently offering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson, which also contains an adenovirus but of a different type, and the rMNA Pfizer/BioNTech jab. Sinovac has also been approved.

South Africa rejects Sputnik V vaccine over HIV fears

With COVID-19's third wave fears on mind, Indian authorities are restricting religious festivals, which are going to start this week. &nbsp;

As these attract huge crowds, there is a possibility of outbreak of the third wave of COVID-19. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Several governments across the country are clamping down on mass gatherings. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;India, Russia to discuss situation in Afghanistan

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Mumbai’s Mayor Kishori Pednekar told reporters on Tuesday, “The third wave is not coming, it is already here”. &nbsp;

“We can celebrate festivals later. Let us first prioritise the lives and health of our citizens,” added Uddhav Thackeray, the chief minister of the western state of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital. He was speaking ahead of the 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which starts on Friday. &nbsp;

Tamil Nadu has also banned public festival celebrations. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-covid-vaccination-coverage-crosses-710-million-landmark-milestone-411725" hreflang="en">India's Covid vaccination coverage crosses 710 million landmark milestone</a>

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, urged people to show patience while celebrating festivals during COVID-19 pandemic and said in this battle, victory is certain. &nbsp;

Addressing the nation through his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister urged for low key Dussehra celebrations. "Today, all of you are living with great restraint, celebrating festivals with modesty. Therefore, in the Covid-19 battle, we are fighting, victory is certain," he said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With COVID-19's third wave fears on mind, Indian authorities are restricting religious festivals, which are going to start this week. As these attract huge crowds, there is a possibility of outbreak of the third wave of COVID-19.

With COVID-19's third wave fears on mind, Indian authorities are restricting religious festivals, which are going to start this week. As these attract huge crowds, there is a possibility of outbreak of the third wave of COVID-19. Several governments across the country are clamping down on mass gatherings. Watch: India, Russia to discuss situation in Afghanistan × Mumbai’s Mayor Kishori Pednekar told reporters on Tuesday, “The third wave is not coming, it is already here”. “We can celebrate festivals later. Let us first prioritise the lives and health of our citizens,” added Uddhav Thackeray, the chief minister of the western state of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital. He was speaking ahead of the 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which starts on Friday. Tamil Nadu has also banned public festival celebrations. Also Read: India's Covid vaccination coverage crosses 710 million landmark milestone Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, urged people to show patience while celebrating festivals during COVID-19 pandemic and said in this battle, victory is certain. Addressing the nation through his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister urged for low key Dussehra celebrations. "Today, all of you are living with great restraint, celebrating festivals with modesty. Therefore, in the Covid-19 battle, we are fighting, victory is certain," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid COVID-19's third wave fears, India restricts religious festivals

French President Emmanuel&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;is among leaders set to&nbsp;attend&nbsp;a regional&nbsp;summit&nbsp;Saturday in Iraq, with the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan and a deadly jihadist attack in Kabul overshadowing the meeting.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II are due at the&nbsp;Baghdad&nbsp;summit, while the foreign ministers of arch-foes Iran and Saudi Arabia will also be present.

Organisers have been tight-lipped on the agenda, but the meeting comes as Iraq, long a casualty of jihadist militancy, tries to establish itself as a mediator between Arab countries and Iran.

Iraq seeks to play a "unifying role" to tackle crises shaking the region, sources close to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi have said.

Oil-rich Iraq has been caught for years in a delicate balancing act between its two main allies, Iran and the United States.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kill-list-biden-says-us-troops-may-have-handed-a-list-of-american-citizens-to-taliban-408871">Also read |&nbsp;Kill list? Biden says US troops 'may' have handed a list of American citizens to Taliban</a>

Iran exerts major clout in Iraq through allied armed groups within the Hashed al-Shaabi, a powerful state-sponsored paramilitary network.

Baghdad&nbsp;has been brokering talks since April between US ally Riyadh and Tehran on mending ties severed in 2016.

Macron&nbsp;aims to highlight France's role in the region and its determination to press the fight against terrorism, his office said.

The French president considers Iraq "essential" to stability in the troubled Middle East, it added.

'More urgent than ever'

An Islamic State (IS) group affiliate claimed Thursday's suicide bombing in Kabul that killed scores of people, including 13 US service members.

The attack has revived global concerns that the extremist organisation, which seized swathes of Syria and Iraq before being routed from both countries, is emerging anew, analysts said.

The blast came during the final days of US-led evacuations from Afghanistan after the Taliban's lightning takeover.

"These events show that it has become more urgent than ever to back the political process in Iraq and involve its neighbours," a source close to&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;said.

"A solution to security threats in the region, including Daesh (IS), depends on a stable, sovereign and prosperous Iraq," the source added.

A decade after the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, IS in June 2014 announced a "caliphate" in territory seized in Syria and Iraq, routing the badly prepared Iraqi army without a fight and seizing almost a third of the country.

France was part of a US-led coalition established to battle the extremists.

Iraq declared IS territorially defeated in December 2017, but the group still retains sleeper cells and continues to claim bloody attacks.

New IS 'strides'

One of the deadliest was a July bombing that ripped through a crowded&nbsp;Baghdad&nbsp;market, killing&nbsp;over&nbsp;30 people on the eve of a key Muslim holiday.

According to Colin Clarke, senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, IS "still has access to tens of millions of dollars and will likely continue to rebuild its network throughout Iraq and Syria".&nbsp;

Its "primary goal at the moment is to have its affiliates maintain momentum until it can sufficiently rebuild its core in the Levant," he said.

"(IS) affiliates in sub-Saharan Africa and now Afghanistan will have the opportunity to make strides in the coming year."

In July, President Joe Biden said US combat operations in Iraq would end this year, but that US soldiers would continue to train, advise and support the country's military in the fight against IS.

Washington currently has 2,500 troops deployed to Iraq.&nbsp;

Rasha Al Aqeedi, senior analyst at Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy, said coalition forces believed Iraq's security personnel could prevent another IS advance.

"Maybe they're not ideal, but they're good enough for America to leave the country believing that Iraq is not going to live through another 2014," she said.

French President Emmanuel Macron is among leaders set to attend a regional summit Saturday in Iraq, with the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan and a deadly jihadist attack in Kabul overshadowing the meeting.

French President Emmanuel Macron is among leaders set to attend a regional summit Saturday in Iraq, with the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan and a deadly jihadist attack in Kabul overshadowing the meeting. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II are due at the Baghdad summit, while the foreign ministers of arch-foes Iran and Saudi Arabia will also be present. Organisers have been tight-lipped on the agenda, but the meeting comes as Iraq, long a casualty of jihadist militancy, tries to establish itself as a mediator between Arab countries and Iran. Iraq seeks to play a "unifying role" to tackle crises shaking the region, sources close to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi have said. Oil-rich Iraq has been caught for years in a delicate balancing act between its two main allies, Iran and the United States. Also read | Kill list? Biden says US troops 'may' have handed a list of American citizens to Taliban Iran exerts major clout in Iraq through allied armed groups within the Hashed al-Shaabi, a powerful state-sponsored paramilitary network. Baghdad has been brokering talks since April between US ally Riyadh and Tehran on mending ties severed in 2016. Macron aims to highlight France's role in the region and its determination to press the fight against terrorism, his office said. The French president considers Iraq "essential" to stability in the troubled Middle East, it added. 'More urgent than ever' An Islamic State (IS) group affiliate claimed Thursday's suicide bombing in Kabul that killed scores of people, including 13 US service members. The attack has revived global concerns that the extremist organisation, which seized swathes of Syria and Iraq before being routed from both countries, is emerging anew, analysts said. The blast came during the final days of US-led evacuations from Afghanistan after the Taliban's lightning takeover. "These events show that it has become more urgent than ever to back the political process in Iraq and involve its neighbours," a source close to Macron said. "A solution to security threats in the region, including Daesh (IS), depends on a stable, sovereign and prosperous Iraq," the source added. A decade after the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, IS in June 2014 announced a "caliphate" in territory seized in Syria and Iraq, routing the badly prepared Iraqi army without a fight and seizing almost a third of the country. France was part of a US-led coalition established to battle the extremists. Iraq declared IS territorially defeated in December 2017, but the group still retains sleeper cells and continues to claim bloody attacks. New IS 'strides' One of the deadliest was a July bombing that ripped through a crowded Baghdad market, killing over 30 people on the eve of a key Muslim holiday. According to Colin Clarke, senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, IS "still has access to tens of millions of dollars and will likely continue to rebuild its network throughout Iraq and Syria". Its "primary goal at the moment is to have its affiliates maintain momentum until it can sufficiently rebuild its core in the Levant," he said. "(IS) affiliates in sub-Saharan Africa and now Afghanistan will have the opportunity to make strides in the coming year." In July, President Joe Biden said US combat operations in Iraq would end this year, but that US soldiers would continue to train, advise and support the country's military in the fight against IS. Washington currently has 2,500 troops deployed to Iraq. Rasha Al Aqeedi, senior analyst at Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy, said coalition forces believed Iraq's security personnel could prevent another IS advance. "Maybe they're not ideal, but they're good enough for America to leave the country believing that Iraq is not going to live through another 2014," she said.

Macron to attend Baghdad summit amid fears over IS

A major construction project in wetlands seen as one of the "green lungs" of smog-choked Mexico City has raised concerns for the future of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A more than 1.7-kilometer (one mile) long reinforced concrete bridge is being built on a freshwater lake system that helps to regulate the temperature and prevent flooding in the city of nine million people.

Hundreds of trees have been cut down in the Xochimilco reserve, which is home to endemic species including the critically endangered axolotl, a salamander-like amphibian.

Residents and experts worry that the project is just the first step in accelerated development of the area, which is listed as a Wetlands of International Importance under an&nbsp;intergovernmental conservation treaty.

"We're going to keep fighting, because we fear that they will want to continue to develop and fill the lakes here to make a commercial plaza," said Maria Alvarado, 60, a member of a group campaigning against the project.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/florida-building-collapse-death-toll-rises-to-28-with-117-missing-396088">Also read |&nbsp;Florida building collapse: Death toll rises to 28, with 117 missing</a>

Xochimilco is a magnet for tourists who ride colourful gondolas through its maze of canals and artificial islands created centuries ago by the area's indigenous peoples.

The splash of green in a vast urban sprawl has already been divided by one of the main highways skirting the city.

Activists filed several legal challenges and held demonstrations against the new bridge, which is being built at a cost of about $40 million and is almost completed.

"It's not just Xochimilco that loses -- the whole city loses," said Elia Solares, 65, a member of the campaign group.

'Enormous damage'

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the project, saying it will help traffic to flow more smoothly.

"It will be very important for the area ... both for public and private transport," she said last month, assuring residents that there was no ecological damage.

Her government has committed to restoring the wetland by planting endemic vegetation and connecting it with other lake areas.

"The wetland in this area of Xochimilco is going to be very important," she said.

But Luis Zambrano, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), fears the bridge will wreak destruction in a vital ecosystem.

"They're doing enormous damage," he said, warning that the project set a dangerous precedent.

"They're opening the door to the destruction of any ecosystem, no matter how protected it may be," he said.

Alvarado and her fellow campaigners plan to keep up their struggle to stop the bridge ever being used.

"We will not give up our fight," she said.

"Even if this bridge is already working, we will keep fighting against it being used."

A major construction project in wetlands seen as one of the "green lungs" of smog-choked Mexico City has raised concerns for the future of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A major construction project in wetlands seen as one of the "green lungs" of smog-choked Mexico City has raised concerns for the future of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. A more than 1.7-kilometer (one mile) long reinforced concrete bridge is being built on a freshwater lake system that helps to regulate the temperature and prevent flooding in the city of nine million people. Hundreds of trees have been cut down in the Xochimilco reserve, which is home to endemic species including the critically endangered axolotl, a salamander-like amphibian. Residents and experts worry that the project is just the first step in accelerated development of the area, which is listed as a Wetlands of International Importance under an intergovernmental conservation treaty. "We're going to keep fighting, because we fear that they will want to continue to develop and fill the lakes here to make a commercial plaza," said Maria Alvarado, 60, a member of a group campaigning against the project. Also read | Florida building collapse: Death toll rises to 28, with 117 missing Xochimilco is a magnet for tourists who ride colourful gondolas through its maze of canals and artificial islands created centuries ago by the area's indigenous peoples. The splash of green in a vast urban sprawl has already been divided by one of the main highways skirting the city. Activists filed several legal challenges and held demonstrations against the new bridge, which is being built at a cost of about $40 million and is almost completed. "It's not just Xochimilco that loses -- the whole city loses," said Elia Solares, 65, a member of the campaign group. 'Enormous damage' Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the project, saying it will help traffic to flow more smoothly. "It will be very important for the area ... both for public and private transport," she said last month, assuring residents that there was no ecological damage. Her government has committed to restoring the wetland by planting endemic vegetation and connecting it with other lake areas. "The wetland in this area of Xochimilco is going to be very important," she said. But Luis Zambrano, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), fears the bridge will wreak destruction in a vital ecosystem. "They're doing enormous damage," he said, warning that the project set a dangerous precedent. "They're opening the door to the destruction of any ecosystem, no matter how protected it may be," he said. Alvarado and her fellow campaigners plan to keep up their struggle to stop the bridge ever being used. "We will not give up our fight," she said. "Even if this bridge is already working, we will keep fighting against it being used."

Fears for future of Mexico City's 'green lung'

False claims that Covid-19 vaccines can cause infertility are discouraging Americans from receiving the shots and leaving health professionals to persuade patients that scare stories they have read online are unfounded.&nbsp;

Among the worst examples of such misinformation spread on Facebook are that immunised men can render unvaccinated women sterile through sex, that 97 per cent of vaccine recipients will become infertile and that the jabs could be 'sterilising an entire generation'. &nbsp;

With vaccine uptake already slowing, the claims are a threat to the Biden administration's goal of achieving herd immunity in the United States.&nbsp;

Research published earlier this month showed about two-thirds of those who said they will 'definitely not' get a vaccine were worried about the impact on their fertility.&nbsp;

And about half of unvaccinated people say they are concerned "the Covid vaccine may negatively impact their fertility in the future," Ashley Kirzinger, associate director of public opinion and survey research at Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy nonprofit that conducted the study, said.&nbsp;

Some 50 per cent of women and 47 per cent of men aged 18 to 49, who had not yet been vaccinated say they have such fears. &nbsp;

The initial exclusion of pregnant women from Covid vaccine trials created space for falsehoods, and the latest effort by anti-vaccine groups coincides with fewer people stepping forward for inoculations.&nbsp;

"They are largely just recycling things that scare people about previous vaccines onto these new vaccines, whether or not it makes scientific sense," said Devon Greyson, health communications professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.&nbsp;

The messages are targeting women because "fertility is just one of those things that we react so strongly to, and it's so personal," Greyson added. "So, if you're looking for a bogeyman, 'It will make you infertile' is a really good one."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

False claims that Covid-19 vaccines can cause infertility are discouraging Americans from receiving the shots and leaving health professionals to persuade patients that scare stories they have read online are unfounded.

False claims that Covid-19 vaccines can cause infertility are discouraging Americans from receiving the shots and leaving health professionals to persuade patients that scare stories they have read online are unfounded. Among the worst examples of such misinformation spread on Facebook are that immunised men can render unvaccinated women sterile through sex, that 97 per cent of vaccine recipients will become infertile and that the jabs could be 'sterilising an entire generation'. With vaccine uptake already slowing, the claims are a threat to the Biden administration's goal of achieving herd immunity in the United States. Research published earlier this month showed about two-thirds of those who said they will 'definitely not' get a vaccine were worried about the impact on their fertility. And about half of unvaccinated people say they are concerned "the Covid vaccine may negatively impact their fertility in the future," Ashley Kirzinger, associate director of public opinion and survey research at Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy nonprofit that conducted the study, said. Some 50 per cent of women and 47 per cent of men aged 18 to 49, who had not yet been vaccinated say they have such fears. The initial exclusion of pregnant women from Covid vaccine trials created space for falsehoods, and the latest effort by anti-vaccine groups coincides with fewer people stepping forward for inoculations. "They are largely just recycling things that scare people about previous vaccines onto these new vaccines, whether or not it makes scientific sense," said Devon Greyson, health communications professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The messages are targeting women because "fertility is just one of those things that we react so strongly to, and it's so personal," Greyson added. "So, if you're looking for a bogeyman, 'It will make you infertile' is a really good one." (With inputs from agencies)

Fertility fears, fuelled by misinformation, harm US vaccine uptake 

German exports posted their biggest rise in almost two years in September, data showed on Friday, providing some relief amid widespread concerns that Europe's largest economy will dip into recession in the third quarter.

The Federal Statistics Office said seasonally adjusted exports increased by 1.5 per cent&nbsp;this month. That was their biggest increase since November 2017 and compared with economist expectations for a rise of 0.4 per cent.

"While there is no doubt that industry is in recession, the entire German economy could have avoided another contraction - and hence a technical recession - at the very last minute," said ING economist Carsten Brzeski.

The economy shrank by 0.1 per cent&nbsp;in the second quarter, and recent data have suggested manufacturing fared badly in the third, which could put Germany in a technical recession - usually defined as two straight quarters of contraction.

"Today's trade data suggest that there has been hardly any negative drag from net trade on the third-quarter gross domestic product," he said, adding private consumption looked like it had increased slightly and construction was flat or positive.

Germany's export-reliant manufacturers have been suffering from a slowing world economy and&nbsp;business&nbsp;uncertainty linked to a trade war between the United States and China, and Britain's planned, if delayed, exit from the European Union.

Data published this week has painted a mixed picture of the industrial sector, with output falling more than forecast in September while orders rose more than expected. A survey showed Germany's manufacturers remained stuck in recession in October as new orders fell.

Speaking about Friday's data, Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg economist Jens-Oliver Niklasch said: "This looks like a revival in foreign trade but looking at the whole year, September is more of an outlier".

He said foreign trade had been rather weak throughout 2019 and added that the risks in overseas trade had declined but not disappeared. A 0.4 decline in exports to non-euro zone European Union countries between January and September compared with the same period last year could be due to Brexit, he said.

The DIHK Chambers of Commerce expects exports to grow by 0.3 per cent&nbsp;this year as a whole before declining by 0.5 per cent&nbsp;next year, which would be their first fall since the global financial crisis.

A panel of economists advising the government on Wednesday said Germany's long-term upswing had come to an end and said that the export-oriented German economy was particularly at risk from a possible escalation of the trade conflicts. But they did not expect a "broad and deep recession".

Friday's data showed imports climbed by 1.3 per cent&nbsp;in September. The trade surplus widened to 19.2 billion euros from an upwardly revised 18.7 billion euros in the prior month.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected imports to be unchanged and saw the trade surplus at 18.1 billion euros.

German exports posted their biggest rise in almost two years in September, data showed on Friday, providing some relief amid widespread concerns that Europe's largest economy will dip into recession in the third quarter.

German exports posted their biggest rise in almost two years in September, data showed on Friday, providing some relief amid widespread concerns that Europe's largest economy will dip into recession in the third quarter. The Federal Statistics Office said seasonally adjusted exports increased by 1.5 per cent this month. That was their biggest increase since November 2017 and compared with economist expectations for a rise of 0.4 per cent. "While there is no doubt that industry is in recession, the entire German economy could have avoided another contraction - and hence a technical recession - at the very last minute," said ING economist Carsten Brzeski. The economy shrank by 0.1 per cent in the second quarter, and recent data have suggested manufacturing fared badly in the third, which could put Germany in a technical recession - usually defined as two straight quarters of contraction. "Today's trade data suggest that there has been hardly any negative drag from net trade on the third-quarter gross domestic product," he said, adding private consumption looked like it had increased slightly and construction was flat or positive. Germany's export-reliant manufacturers have been suffering from a slowing world economy and business uncertainty linked to a trade war between the United States and China, and Britain's planned, if delayed, exit from the European Union. Data published this week has painted a mixed picture of the industrial sector, with output falling more than forecast in September while orders rose more than expected. A survey showed Germany's manufacturers remained stuck in recession in October as new orders fell. Speaking about Friday's data, Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg economist Jens-Oliver Niklasch said: "This looks like a revival in foreign trade but looking at the whole year, September is more of an outlier". He said foreign trade had been rather weak throughout 2019 and added that the risks in overseas trade had declined but not disappeared. A 0.4 decline in exports to non-euro zone European Union countries between January and September compared with the same period last year could be due to Brexit, he said. The DIHK Chambers of Commerce expects exports to grow by 0.3 per cent this year as a whole before declining by 0.5 per cent next year, which would be their first fall since the global financial crisis. A panel of economists advising the government on Wednesday said Germany's long-term upswing had come to an end and said that the export-oriented German economy was particularly at risk from a possible escalation of the trade conflicts. But they did not expect a "broad and deep recession". Friday's data showed imports climbed by 1.3 per cent in September. The trade surplus widened to 19.2 billion euros from an upwardly revised 18.7 billion euros in the prior month. Economists polled by Reuters had expected imports to be unchanged and saw the trade surplus at 18.1 billion euros.

Biggest rise in German exports in nearly two years gives some relief from recession fears

Companies' demand for bank loans held up in the eurozone in the third quarter, the European Central Bank found in a survey published Tuesday, in a mildly positive sign amid fears of a slowdown.

"Net demand for loans to enterprises remained broadly unchanged in the third quarter," the ECB said in its quarterly survey of 144 banks across the single currency area.

But the steady interest in loans disappointed financial firms' hopes earlier this year that the third quarter would bring growth in demand.

"Demand slightly increased for loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises, but decreased for loans to large firms," the ECB added.

Many of the central bank's measures to stimulate the economy in recent years have aimed at increasing bank lending, a more significant factor for growth in Europe than other advanced economies like the US.

But the Frankfurt institution and organisations like the International Monetary Fund were forced to slash eurozone growth forecasts in recent weeks, as external factors such as trade wars and Brexit weigh on the bloc.

ECB economists now expect an expansion of 1.1 per cent this year and 1.2 per cent in 2020.

It was unclear Tuesday whether British MPs would vote through a last-minute divorce deal with the European Union.

And a truce in the US' damaging trade conflict with China remains elusive, while Washington last week slapped new tariffs on $7.5 billion of EU imports.

The ECB in September responded to slowing growth and mounting risks with a fresh and controversial big-bang package of measures.

It relaunched mass bond-buying and further lowered a key interest rate into negative territory.

Even before then, banks reported in the third-quarter survey that "the ECB's negative deposit facility rate continued to contribute to an increase in lending volumes and a decrease in lending rates" for companies and households.

Looking elsewhere in the results, lenders said they eased slightly the criteria they use to evaluate potential home mortgage and business borrowers in July-September.

But they tightened up the terms and conditions in their loan contracts for both companies and home buyers over the same period.

Companies' demand for bank loans held up in the eurozone in the third quarter, the European Central Bank found in a survey published Tuesday, in a mildly positive sign amid fears of a slowdown.

Companies' demand for bank loans held up in the eurozone in the third quarter, the European Central Bank found in a survey published Tuesday, in a mildly positive sign amid fears of a slowdown. "Net demand for loans to enterprises remained broadly unchanged in the third quarter," the ECB said in its quarterly survey of 144 banks across the single currency area. But the steady interest in loans disappointed financial firms' hopes earlier this year that the third quarter would bring growth in demand. "Demand slightly increased for loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises, but decreased for loans to large firms," the ECB added. Many of the central bank's measures to stimulate the economy in recent years have aimed at increasing bank lending, a more significant factor for growth in Europe than other advanced economies like the US. But the Frankfurt institution and organisations like the International Monetary Fund were forced to slash eurozone growth forecasts in recent weeks, as external factors such as trade wars and Brexit weigh on the bloc. ECB economists now expect an expansion of 1.1 per cent this year and 1.2 per cent in 2020. It was unclear Tuesday whether British MPs would vote through a last-minute divorce deal with the European Union. And a truce in the US' damaging trade conflict with China remains elusive, while Washington last week slapped new tariffs on $7.5 billion of EU imports. The ECB in September responded to slowing growth and mounting risks with a fresh and controversial big-bang package of measures. It relaunched mass bond-buying and further lowered a key interest rate into negative territory. Even before then, banks reported in the third-quarter survey that "the ECB's negative deposit facility rate continued to contribute to an increase in lending volumes and a decrease in lending rates" for companies and households. Looking elsewhere in the results, lenders said they eased slightly the criteria they use to evaluate potential home mortgage and business borrowers in July-September. But they tightened up the terms and conditions in their loan contracts for both companies and home buyers over the same period.

Eurozone firms keep borrowing as growth fears mount

Britain&rsquo;s 2.2 million financial industry workers face years of uncertainty and the risk of thousands of job cuts after the country voted to quit the European Union, leaving question marks over London&#39;s status as Europe&#39;s premier financial centre. 
 
The &lsquo;Vote Leave&rsquo; campaign fronted by a slew of Conservative lawmakers and financial industry veterans claimed victory over its &lsquo;Britain Stronger in Europe&rsquo; rival, after 374 of a total 382 counting areas declared majority support for their plan to leave the 28-nation club by 0507 GMT. 
 
The final official result is expected around 0600 GMT.&nbsp; 
 
Bankers&rsquo; early confidence that Britain would remain within the European Union quickly evaporated after early vote counts suggested the &quot;leave&quot; camp had the upper hand, sending Sterling plummeting to a thirty-year low and heart-rates racing on trading floors from London to Hong Kong. 
 
A leave vote means the future of Britain&#39;s financial services industry is now hanging in the balance.&nbsp; 
 
All depends on the divorce between Europe and Britain, the latter&#39;s ability to retain access to the European free market, and cope with the volatility that has seen Sterling nosedive against major global currencies. 
 
Mood in the restaurants and coffee shops in the high-rise banking hub of Canary Wharf, home to JPMorgan, Citi, HSBC and Barclays, was sober and contemplative, with job security fears rising to levels unseen since the 2008 financial crisis. 
 
Major investment banks have already warned they could move thousands of jobs elsewhere if Britain opts out of the EU, while the European Central Bank has signalled it could force euro trading out of London, the world&#39;s largest foreign exchange market.&nbsp; 
Wall Street bank Morgan Stanley could move around 1,000 of its roughly 6,000 employees currently in Britain on to the Continent if the country votes to leave the EU, a person familiar with the matter has told Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
Jamie Dimon, CEO of rival JPMorgan told staffers his bank &quot;may have no choice&quot; but to overhaul its UK business model, casting a pall over its 16,000 strong workforce. 
 
But for now, sources at banks said memos emailed internally to rattled employees advised them to think about clients first. 
 
&quot;I&rsquo;ve convened a big team meeting at 0800 GMT as the juniors are freaking out. I will tell them to focus on their job and wait for the volatility to pass but the reality is much, much starker, we&#39;ll have a crash and big layoffs,&quot; a senior investment banker at a U.S. bank told Reuters.&nbsp; 
&quot;It&#39;s an act of national self-harm,&quot; he added. 
 
CARNAGE ON MARKETS 
Months of bitter campaigning has left the industry - which earned the nation 190 billion pounds in 2014 - deeply divided, with investment banks and insurers pitted against many fund managers and brokers who wanted a Brexit. 
 
&quot;This is the biggest vote in my lifetime. Black Wednesday and the impact of Lehman Brothers collapsing - these other big events don&#39;t even compare in magnitude to this,&quot; said Mark Boleat, Chairman of the City of London&rsquo;s Policy and Resources Committee. 
 
&quot;We are just beginning to think through what will have to happen legally and it is massive, absolutely massive,&quot; he told Reuters. 
 
Reflecting the uncertainty that will hit the financial services sector, Hong Kong-listed shares of HSBC and Standard Chartered fell more than 10 per cent, while other UK banks are expected to post sharp declines when they start trading in London. 
 
All the major international and British banks in London had traders either working through the night or on call. Bankers in New York were also burning the midnight oil with special numbers laid out for clients to call, foreign exchange desks fully staffed and senior management keeping a fretful eye on screens. 
 
&quot;Leave&rsquo;s victory has delivered one of the biggest market shocks of all time ... Panic may not be too strong a word,&quot; Joe Rundle, Head of Trading at ETX Capital said. 
 
Many financial firms rely on the EU&rsquo;s &lsquo;passporting&rsquo; regime to sell their services across all of the bloc while basing the majority of their staff and operations in London.&nbsp; 
 
European government officials said UK-based firms could lose these privileges in the event of a Brexit, a move that would force them to shift some of their operations to the likes of Frankfurt, Paris or Dublin if they wanted to serve EU clients. 
 
WHAT NEXT? 
The Financial Conduct Authority said it would not comment about any immediate action it might take until after the referendum result has been formally announced. The Bank of England&#39;s Prudential Regulation Authority said it had no comment for the time being.&nbsp; 
 
For investment bankers, a Brexit vote is more than just about volatile prices on a screen but also about where they may end up working and living. 
 
&quot;I will be ok because I&#39;ve had a long career and I have savings and assets,&quot; the senior banker said. 
 
&quot;People just starting out, people in much more precarious situations, will lose out from Brexit.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
But some commentators said the volatility would be temporary and would soon subside when international investors drawn by a fall in sterling began to scour financial markets for bargains. 
 
&quot;Certainly, some international investors could find the UK less attractive but history shows us others are positively attracted to economies that get a devaluation boost,&quot; said Colin McLean, Managing Director at SVM Asset Management. 
 
&quot;There may even be more takeover activity from overseas firms looking for bargains on the London stock market,&quot; he said. 
 
Disappointed supporters of the EU project on mainland Europe said Britain would struggle to keep the same market freedoms that have attracted more than 250 foreign lenders to its shores and turned financial services into Britain&#39;s biggest export. 
 
&quot;If Britain guarantees to implement all the rules, then Europe will unlikely punish London,&quot; said European Parliament member Sven Giegold, a member of the German Green Party. 
 
&quot;But the will of the citizens was exactly to get rid of that dependence. That is the irony because you can&#39;t do both. If you want to keep your market open, you have to accept all the rules. Without that, Europe would be foolish to extend privileges to the UK and the City of London,&quot; he said. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Its 2.2 million financial industry workers face years of uncertainty and the risk of thousands of job cuts

Britain’s 2.2 million financial industry workers face years of uncertainty and the risk of thousands of job cuts after the country voted to quit the European Union, leaving question marks over London's status as Europe's premier financial centre. The ‘Vote Leave’ campaign fronted by a slew of Conservative lawmakers and financial industry veterans claimed victory over its ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’ rival, after 374 of a total 382 counting areas declared majority support for their plan to leave the 28-nation club by 0507 GMT. The final official result is expected around 0600 GMT. Bankers’ early confidence that Britain would remain within the European Union quickly evaporated after early vote counts suggested the "leave" camp had the upper hand, sending Sterling plummeting to a thirty-year low and heart-rates racing on trading floors from London to Hong Kong. A leave vote means the future of Britain's financial services industry is now hanging in the balance. All depends on the divorce between Europe and Britain, the latter's ability to retain access to the European free market, and cope with the volatility that has seen Sterling nosedive against major global currencies. Mood in the restaurants and coffee shops in the high-rise banking hub of Canary Wharf, home to JPMorgan, Citi, HSBC and Barclays, was sober and contemplative, with job security fears rising to levels unseen since the 2008 financial crisis. Major investment banks have already warned they could move thousands of jobs elsewhere if Britain opts out of the EU, while the European Central Bank has signalled it could force euro trading out of London, the world's largest foreign exchange market. Wall Street bank Morgan Stanley could move around 1,000 of its roughly 6,000 employees currently in Britain on to the Continent if the country votes to leave the EU, a person familiar with the matter has told Reuters. Jamie Dimon, CEO of rival JPMorgan told staffers his bank "may have no choice" but to overhaul its UK business model, casting a pall over its 16,000 strong workforce. But for now, sources at banks said memos emailed internally to rattled employees advised them to think about clients first. "I’ve convened a big team meeting at 0800 GMT as the juniors are freaking out. I will tell them to focus on their job and wait for the volatility to pass but the reality is much, much starker, we'll have a crash and big layoffs," a senior investment banker at a U.S. bank told Reuters. "It's an act of national self-harm," he added. CARNAGE ON MARKETS Months of bitter campaigning has left the industry - which earned the nation 190 billion pounds in 2014 - deeply divided, with investment banks and insurers pitted against many fund managers and brokers who wanted a Brexit. "This is the biggest vote in my lifetime. Black Wednesday and the impact of Lehman Brothers collapsing - these other big events don't even compare in magnitude to this," said Mark Boleat, Chairman of the City of London’s Policy and Resources Committee. "We are just beginning to think through what will have to happen legally and it is massive, absolutely massive," he told Reuters. Reflecting the uncertainty that will hit the financial services sector, Hong Kong-listed shares of HSBC and Standard Chartered fell more than 10 per cent, while other UK banks are expected to post sharp declines when they start trading in London. All the major international and British banks in London had traders either working through the night or on call. Bankers in New York were also burning the midnight oil with special numbers laid out for clients to call, foreign exchange desks fully staffed and senior management keeping a fretful eye on screens. "Leave’s victory has delivered one of the biggest market shocks of all time ... Panic may not be too strong a word," Joe Rundle, Head of Trading at ETX Capital said. Many financial firms rely on the EU’s ‘passporting’ regime to sell their services across all of the bloc while basing the majority of their staff and operations in London. European government officials said UK-based firms could lose these privileges in the event of a Brexit, a move that would force them to shift some of their operations to the likes of Frankfurt, Paris or Dublin if they wanted to serve EU clients. WHAT NEXT? The Financial Conduct Authority said it would not comment about any immediate action it might take until after the referendum result has been formally announced. The Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority said it had no comment for the time being. For investment bankers, a Brexit vote is more than just about volatile prices on a screen but also about where they may end up working and living. "I will be ok because I've had a long career and I have savings and assets," the senior banker said. "People just starting out, people in much more precarious situations, will lose out from Brexit." But some commentators said the volatility would be temporary and would soon subside when international investors drawn by a fall in sterling began to scour financial markets for bargains. "Certainly, some international investors could find the UK less attractive but history shows us others are positively attracted to economies that get a devaluation boost," said Colin McLean, Managing Director at SVM Asset Management. "There may even be more takeover activity from overseas firms looking for bargains on the London stock market," he said. Disappointed supporters of the EU project on mainland Europe said Britain would struggle to keep the same market freedoms that have attracted more than 250 foreign lenders to its shores and turned financial services into Britain's biggest export. "If Britain guarantees to implement all the rules, then Europe will unlikely punish London," said European Parliament member Sven Giegold, a member of the German Green Party. "But the will of the citizens was exactly to get rid of that dependence. That is the irony because you can't do both. If you want to keep your market open, you have to accept all the rules. Without that, Europe would be foolish to extend privileges to the UK and the City of London," he said. (Reuters)

Britain's financial sector reels after the bombshell

Thai wildlife authorities found 40 tiger cub carcasses in a freezer in Thailand&#39;s infamous Tiger Temple on Wednesday as they removed live animals in response to international pressure over suspected trafficking and abuse.

The Buddhist temple in Kanchanaburi province west of Bangkok had become a tourist destination where visitors snapped selfies with bottle-fed cubs.

But the temple has been investigated for suspected links to wildlife trafficking and abuse. A raid that began on Monday is the latest move in a tug-of-war since 2001 to bring the tigers under state control.

Tiger parts are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The 40 dead tiger cubs were found in a freezer in a kitchen area, said Adisorn Nuchdamrong, deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks.

&quot;They must be of some value for the temple to keep them,&quot; he said. &quot;But for what is beyond me.&quot;

Officials wearing protective masks displayed the bodies of the cubs to media at the temple. Also on display was the body of a Binturong, a protected species commonly known as a bearcat, which the authorities found with the cub carcasses.

Monks at the temple were not immediately available for comment.

Officials have moved 52 live tigers from the temple since Monday, Adisorn said, leaving 85 still there.

Thailand has long been a hub for the illicit trafficking of wildlife and forest products, including ivory. Exotic birds, mammals and reptiles, some of them endangered species, can often be found on sale in markets.

On Tuesday, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group said the temple was &quot;hell for animals&quot; and called on tourists to stop visiting animal attractions at home and abroad.

Wildlife authorities found 40 tiger cub carcasses in a freezer in Thailand's infamous Tiger Temple on Wednesday as they removed live animals in response to international pressure over suspected trafficking and abuse

Thai wildlife authorities found 40 tiger cub carcasses in a freezer in Thailand's infamous Tiger Temple on Wednesday as they removed live animals in response to international pressure over suspected trafficking and abuse. The Buddhist temple in Kanchanaburi province west of Bangkok had become a tourist destination where visitors snapped selfies with bottle-fed cubs. But the temple has been investigated for suspected links to wildlife trafficking and abuse. A raid that began on Monday is the latest move in a tug-of-war since 2001 to bring the tigers under state control. Tiger parts are used in traditional Chinese medicine. The 40 dead tiger cubs were found in a freezer in a kitchen area, said Adisorn Nuchdamrong, deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks. "They must be of some value for the temple to keep them," he said. "But for what is beyond me." Officials wearing protective masks displayed the bodies of the cubs to media at the temple. Also on display was the body of a Binturong, a protected species commonly known as a bearcat, which the authorities found with the cub carcasses. Monks at the temple were not immediately available for comment. Officials have moved 52 live tigers from the temple since Monday, Adisorn said, leaving 85 still there. Thailand has long been a hub for the illicit trafficking of wildlife and forest products, including ivory. Exotic birds, mammals and reptiles, some of them endangered species, can often be found on sale in markets. On Tuesday, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group said the temple was "hell for animals" and called on tourists to stop visiting animal attractions at home and abroad.

Dead tiger cubs found in Thai temple amid trafficking fears

Authorities in Malaysia have uncovered an immigration racket involving the sabotage of a computerised passport-screening system at its main international airport, police said today, raising worries about human-trafficking and security.

The immigration department fired&nbsp;15 officials on Tuesday, took disciplinary action against 22 and said it was investigating more in connection with the security breach at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which could have been going on for years.

Police said arrests were imminent.

&quot;We have identified the suspects.&nbsp;We are still investigating but we will make arrests soon,&quot;&nbsp;deputy police chief Noor Rashid Ibrahim told reporters today.

International and domestic syndicates were involved, Noor Rashid said, and he suggested the motive was human trafficking.

&quot;The syndicates overseas collaborate with the syndicates here. These overseas syndicates &ndash; their responsibility is to bring the man over and collect payments, while the syndicates here, their job is to accept. These are the ones that tried to penetrate the system,&quot; he said.

Authorities said last week the airport&#39;s passport-verification system was deliberately disrupted at certain times of the day, possibly since 2010, raising suspicion people were being smuggled through immigration when it was down.

The revelations come after the auditor-general said in a report tabled in parliament two weeks ago that&nbsp;the immigration system was not functioning satisfactorily.

Human rights groups have questioned Malaysia&#39;s efforts to combat human trafficking after the discovery of mass graves of suspected migrants near the border with Thailand last year.

Malaysia has an estimated two million illegal migrant laborers, many of whom work in the electronics, palm oil and construction sectors.

The immigration system breach has also raised concern about security.

Authorities in the Muslim-majority country have arrested about 170 people since the beginning of last year for suspected militant activity.

Last month, Malaysia deported three foreign suspected militants and arrested 14 Malaysians on suspicion of links to Islamic State, including an aircraft technician.

In March, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said police had foiled an Islamic State plot to kidnap Prime Minister Najib Razak and other senior ministers last year.

Opposition lawmaker R. Sivarasa said the sabotage warranted a major criminal investigation and called for the police and the anti-corruption commission to look into it.

Scam involved the sabotage of a computerised passport-screening system at country's main international airport, could have been going on for years

Authorities in Malaysia have uncovered an immigration racket involving the sabotage of a computerised passport-screening system at its main international airport, police said today, raising worries about human-trafficking and security. The immigration department fired 15 officials on Tuesday, took disciplinary action against 22 and said it was investigating more in connection with the security breach at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which could have been going on for years. Police said arrests were imminent. "We have identified the suspects. We are still investigating but we will make arrests soon," deputy police chief Noor Rashid Ibrahim told reporters today. International and domestic syndicates were involved, Noor Rashid said, and he suggested the motive was human trafficking. "The syndicates overseas collaborate with the syndicates here. These overseas syndicates – their responsibility is to bring the man over and collect payments, while the syndicates here, their job is to accept. These are the ones that tried to penetrate the system," he said. Authorities said last week the airport's passport-verification system was deliberately disrupted at certain times of the day, possibly since 2010, raising suspicion people were being smuggled through immigration when it was down. The revelations come after the auditor-general said in a report tabled in parliament two weeks ago that the immigration system was not functioning satisfactorily. Human rights groups have questioned Malaysia's efforts to combat human trafficking after the discovery of mass graves of suspected migrants near the border with Thailand last year. Malaysia has an estimated two million illegal migrant laborers, many of whom work in the electronics, palm oil and construction sectors. The immigration system breach has also raised concern about security. Authorities in the Muslim-majority country have arrested about 170 people since the beginning of last year for suspected militant activity. Last month, Malaysia deported three foreign suspected militants and arrested 14 Malaysians on suspicion of links to Islamic State, including an aircraft technician. In March, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said police had foiled an Islamic State plot to kidnap Prime Minister Najib Razak and other senior ministers last year. Opposition lawmaker R. Sivarasa said the sabotage warranted a major criminal investigation and called for the police and the anti-corruption commission to look into it.

Malaysia uncovers immigration racket raising trafficking, security fears

After a break of 20 years,&nbsp;Afghanistan&#39;s first&nbsp;cementfactory is once more clanking noisily in the countryside near Kabul as crushed-up limestone rocks rattle along a battered conveyor belt to the newly restored kiln.

In an area desperately short of industry and jobs, workers hope the relaunch of the plant, built by Czech engineers in 1957 and shut by the Taliban in 1995, heralds the revival of an industry shattered by decades of war and destruction.

&quot;By selling our products and improving the factory&#39;s production, we can avoid having our young generation go abroad,&quot; said Amir Mohammad. &quot;If there are job possibilities, they can stay with their families and look after their children.&quot;

But the outdated state-owned plant 75 km (47 miles) outside Kabul also shows how far there is to go before that promise can be achieved and there are serious questions whether the plant has a viable future unless it is thoroughly modernised.

Jabal Saraj, which now employs 150 workers, is a small factory with daily capacity of 100 tonnes and equipment that is at least 40 years out of date, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a 2011 report.

&quot;We&#39;ve tried our best and got the factory running using its old machinery,&quot; said Abdul Wakil, one of a group of former workers who have returned to help get the plant working again. &quot;As long as we have electricity, it will work.&quot;

Talks with a private operator to develop a separate, larger plant at Jabal Saraj have run for months, but for now, the government has decided the old plant still serves a purpose, a spokesman for the country&#39;s mines and petroleum ministry said.

&quot;This old factory is useful and has a profitable production capacity,&quot; Mohyaddin Noori added. &quot;It provides job opportunities.&quot;

Afghanistan&#39;s only other major&nbsp;cement&nbsp;manufacturer, the Ghori&nbsp;cement&nbsp;plant, has daily capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes, but domestic industry is dwarfed by the millions of tonnes of imports from neighbours, including Pakistan and Iran.

That fierce competition makes it tough to find domestically produced&nbsp;cement&nbsp;in Kabul&#39;s main wholesale markets, even despite the fact that domestic&nbsp;cement&#39;s bulk and relatively low cost should penalize foreign&nbsp;cement, trucked in hundreds of miles.

&quot;We have only Pakistani&nbsp;cement,&quot; said trader Ershad Shinwari. &quot;Afghan-made&nbsp;cement&nbsp;is not coming to us.&quot;

Demand for building materials has fallen sharply since international forces left in 2014 but the market has not collapsed and director Mohammadi hopes for domestic growth.

&quot;There is huge demand for&nbsp;cement&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan,&quot; he said. &quot;We&#39;ve got the factory working, so it will give investors a chance.&quot;

For the moment, however, Jabal Saraj relies on government subsidy to survive. The economics may be tough, but it is people nearby who are mainly looking for work.

&quot;We ask the other countries to help this factory and provide new machinery to replace the old machines,&quot; said plant worker Wazir Mohammad.

&quot;It will be very useful for our people as long as there is poverty in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;and everyone suffers insecurity.&quot;

After a break of 20 years,?Afghanistan's first?cementfactory is once more clanking noisily in the countryside near Kabul as crushed-up limestone rocks rattle along a battered conveyor belt to the newly restored kiln. In an area desperately short of industry and jobs, workers hope the relaunch of the plant built by Czech engineers in 1957 and shut by the Taliban in 1995.

After a break of 20 years, Afghanistan's first cementfactory is once more clanking noisily in the countryside near Kabul as crushed-up limestone rocks rattle along a battered conveyor belt to the newly restored kiln. In an area desperately short of industry and jobs, workers hope the relaunch of the plant, built by Czech engineers in 1957 and shut by the Taliban in 1995, heralds the revival of an industry shattered by decades of war and destruction. "By selling our products and improving the factory's production, we can avoid having our young generation go abroad," said Amir Mohammad. "If there are job possibilities, they can stay with their families and look after their children." But the outdated state-owned plant 75 km (47 miles) outside Kabul also shows how far there is to go before that promise can be achieved and there are serious questions whether the plant has a viable future unless it is thoroughly modernised. Jabal Saraj, which now employs 150 workers, is a small factory with daily capacity of 100 tonnes and equipment that is at least 40 years out of date, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a 2011 report. "We've tried our best and got the factory running using its old machinery," said Abdul Wakil, one of a group of former workers who have returned to help get the plant working again. "As long as we have electricity, it will work." Talks with a private operator to develop a separate, larger plant at Jabal Saraj have run for months, but for now, the government has decided the old plant still serves a purpose, a spokesman for the country's mines and petroleum ministry said. "This old factory is useful and has a profitable production capacity," Mohyaddin Noori added. "It provides job opportunities." Afghanistan's only other major cement manufacturer, the Ghori cement plant, has daily capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes, but domestic industry is dwarfed by the millions of tonnes of imports from neighbours, including Pakistan and Iran. That fierce competition makes it tough to find domestically produced cement in Kabul's main wholesale markets, even despite the fact that domestic cement's bulk and relatively low cost should penalize foreign cement, trucked in hundreds of miles. "We have only Pakistani cement," said trader Ershad Shinwari. "Afghan-made cement is not coming to us." Demand for building materials has fallen sharply since international forces left in 2014 but the market has not collapsed and director Mohammadi hopes for domestic growth. "There is huge demand for cement in Afghanistan," he said. "We've got the factory working, so it will give investors a chance." For the moment, however, Jabal Saraj relies on government subsidy to survive. The economics may be tough, but it is people nearby who are mainly looking for work. "We ask the other countries to help this factory and provide new machinery to replace the old machines," said plant worker Wazir Mohammad. "It will be very useful for our people as long as there is poverty in Afghanistan and everyone suffers insecurity."

Hopes and fears for jobs as Afghan cement factory reopens

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