For the second time, China has undertaken an ambitious drilling project in Beijing. The purpose of this project is to find natural gas reserves that are extremely deep in the earth.

China steps up its research for natural resources

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Russia has been putting all its resources into a campaign which is aimed at halting Kyiv's troops from taking forth the counter-offensive. The statement came at a time when the top general reported about Kyiv's new progress on the southern front. 
 
However, Ukrainian military analysts have stated that things have been difficult for Ukrainian forces as they make efforts to advance southward. 
 
A counter-offensive was launched by Ukraine to re-capture swathes of land in southern and eastern Ukraine which were earlier captured by Russian forces after they invaded Kyiv in February 2022.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-says-it-advanced-nearly-2-km-on-southern-front-this-week-downed-16-drone-attacks-overnight-615689">Ukraine says it advanced nearly 2 km on southern front this week; downed 16 drones overnight</a>

The counter-offensive has been aiming at capturing villages in the southeast as part of the drive towards areas near the eastern city of Bakhmut and the Sea of Azov, which were captured in May by Russian forces after months of battles. 
 
Meanwhile, Russia has claimed that its forces have repelled attacks by Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donetsk region, which includes regions around Bakhmut. 
 
"We must all understand very clearly, as clearly as possible, that Russian forces in our southern and eastern lands are doing everything they can in order to stop our soldiers," said Zelensky in his nightly video address, after he held a meeting with top commanders on Friday. "And every thousand metres we advance, every success of every combat brigade deserves our gratitude,” he added.

<h2>Russian forces claim to repel 16 Ukrainian attacks</h2>

After the meeting, Commander of Ukrainian forces in the south General Oleksander Tarnavskyi said that his troops were "systematically moving the enemy out of their positions". Taking to Telegram, he wrote that in the past 24 hours, enemy losses were equivalent to at least 200.

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia's Wagner mercenary group trains soldiers in Belarus

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"In the south, the situation is very difficult in advancing towards Berdiansk," said military analyst Serhiy Hrabskyi, while referring to a port on the Sea of Azov in his talks with Ukrainian NV radio. Ukrainian forces have been aiming to cut off a land bridge which was established by Russian forces with the annexed Crimean peninsula. 
 
"They are moving on the village of Robotyne. The enemy is offering resistance to stop our advance southward,” he added. In its daily report, the defence ministry of Russia stated that 16 Ukrainian attacks were repelled by the forces in the eastern front which included near the long-contested town of Maryinka and in Klishchiivka, a strategic village on southern fringe of Bakhmut.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Russia has been putting all its resources into a campaign which is aimed at halting Kyiv's troops from taking forth the counter-offensive.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Russia has been putting all its resources into a campaign which is aimed at halting Kyiv's troops from taking forth the counter-offensive. The statement came at a time when the top general reported about Kyiv's new progress on the southern front. However, Ukrainian military analysts have stated that things have been difficult for Ukrainian forces as they make efforts to advance southward. A counter-offensive was launched by Ukraine to re-capture swathes of land in southern and eastern Ukraine which were earlier captured by Russian forces after they invaded Kyiv in February 2022. ALSO READ | Ukraine says it advanced nearly 2 km on southern front this week; downed 16 drones overnight The counter-offensive has been aiming at capturing villages in the southeast as part of the drive towards areas near the eastern city of Bakhmut and the Sea of Azov, which were captured in May by Russian forces after months of battles. Meanwhile, Russia has claimed that its forces have repelled attacks by Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donetsk region, which includes regions around Bakhmut. "We must all understand very clearly, as clearly as possible, that Russian forces in our southern and eastern lands are doing everything they can in order to stop our soldiers," said Zelensky in his nightly video address, after he held a meeting with top commanders on Friday. "And every thousand metres we advance, every success of every combat brigade deserves our gratitude,” he added. Russian forces claim to repel 16 Ukrainian attacks After the meeting, Commander of Ukrainian forces in the south General Oleksander Tarnavskyi said that his troops were "systematically moving the enemy out of their positions". Taking to Telegram, he wrote that in the past 24 hours, enemy losses were equivalent to at least 200. WATCH | Russia's Wagner mercenary group trains soldiers in Belarus "In the south, the situation is very difficult in advancing towards Berdiansk," said military analyst Serhiy Hrabskyi, while referring to a port on the Sea of Azov in his talks with Ukrainian NV radio. Ukrainian forces have been aiming to cut off a land bridge which was established by Russian forces with the annexed Crimean peninsula. "They are moving on the village of Robotyne. The enemy is offering resistance to stop our advance southward,” he added. In its daily report, the defence ministry of Russia stated that 16 Ukrainian attacks were repelled by the forces in the eastern front which included near the long-contested town of Maryinka and in Klishchiivka, a strategic village on southern fringe of Bakhmut. (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

Russia throwing all its resources to halt Ukraine's troops on counteroffensive, says Zelensky

China targeting major sectors of the developing nations is not something new. From Sri Lanka to Nepal, China has managed to invest in major infrastructural projects, all in the bid to spread its presence in the entire region. Now, China is shifting focus to the conflict-ridden Afghanistan.

China exempts Afghanistan from taxes, new move to exploit Afghan resources?

Earth has reached a milestone: Humanity has travelled the path to this year's "Earth Overshoot Day". Congratulations are in order or are they? This may be a milestone, but it is a dubious one. On Thursday, NGOs announced this questionable milestone, which signifies that mankind has exhausted all that the Earth can produce sustainably. Henceforth,&nbsp;any resource we use will be over and above the planet's "tipping point". As per an AFP report quoting WWF and the Global Footprint Network, people have used up "all that ecosystems can regenerate in one year".

"From January 1 to July 28, humanity has used as much from nature as the planet can renew in the entire year. That's why July 28 is Earth Overshoot Day," explained Mathis Wackernagel, president of the Global Footprint Network.

Watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker | Herault region in Southern France at 'high' risk of fire

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During the previous 50 years, Earth Overshoot Day has come earlier and earlier said the Global Footprint Network.

The burden is not distributed equally. According to Wackernagel, if everyone lived like Americans, the date would have been even sooner, on March 13.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-climate-change-drives-heatwaves-and-wildfires-500655">How climate change drives heatwaves and wildfires</a>

He added that "the Earth has a lot of stock, so we can deplete Earth for some time but we cannot overuse it for ever. It's like with money; we can spend more than we earn for some time until we're broke."

The two NGOs criticise the food manufacturing system for leaving behind a "considerable" environmental footprint.

As per them, 55 per cent of the planet's biocapacity goes towards feeding mankind. A large part of that (63 per cent in EU) is used up to rear and feed animals that are used for meat.

What's worse is that one-third of the food produced worldwide is wasted.&nbsp;

The NGOs recommend that wealthy nations cut back on their meat intake. If meat consumption were decreased in half, the date of the overshoot could be delayed by 17 days, according to Laetitia Mailhes of the Global Footprint Network.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Earth has reached a milestone: Humanity has travelled the path to this year's "Earth Overshoot Day". Congratulations are in order or are they? This may be a milestone, but it is a dubious one.

Earth has reached a milestone: Humanity has travelled the path to this year's "Earth Overshoot Day". Congratulations are in order or are they? This may be a milestone, but it is a dubious one. On Thursday, NGOs announced this questionable milestone, which signifies that mankind has exhausted all that the Earth can produce sustainably. Henceforth, any resource we use will be over and above the planet's "tipping point". As per an AFP report quoting WWF and the Global Footprint Network, people have used up "all that ecosystems can regenerate in one year". "From January 1 to July 28, humanity has used as much from nature as the planet can renew in the entire year. That's why July 28 is Earth Overshoot Day," explained Mathis Wackernagel, president of the Global Footprint Network. Watch | WION Climate Tracker | Herault region in Southern France at 'high' risk of fire During the previous 50 years, Earth Overshoot Day has come earlier and earlier said the Global Footprint Network. The burden is not distributed equally. According to Wackernagel, if everyone lived like Americans, the date would have been even sooner, on March 13. Also read | How climate change drives heatwaves and wildfires He added that "the Earth has a lot of stock, so we can deplete Earth for some time but we cannot overuse it for ever. It's like with money; we can spend more than we earn for some time until we're broke." The two NGOs criticise the food manufacturing system for leaving behind a "considerable" environmental footprint. As per them, 55 per cent of the planet's biocapacity goes towards feeding mankind. A large part of that (63 per cent in EU) is used up to rear and feed animals that are used for meat. What's worse is that one-third of the food produced worldwide is wasted. The NGOs recommend that wealthy nations cut back on their meat intake. If meat consumption were decreased in half, the date of the overshoot could be delayed by 17 days, according to Laetitia Mailhes of the Global Footprint Network. (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.

Earth Overshoot Day: The planet is exhausted. Mankind has already used up its resources for the year 2022

The World is consuming way more natural resources. 28th of July dubbed "Earth Overshoot Day" marks a tipping point when people have used up all that ecosystems can regenerate in one year.

WION Climate Tracker | Alarm as Earth hits 'overshoot day' | World marks a dubious milestone

Israel's Prime Minister&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of a crime that might not have been brought up ever before.

Reports claims Nethanyahu likes the White House to take care of his dirt...quite literally.

It has been revealed that&nbsp;Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu take majority of their dirty laundry to the White House to avail the free dry cleaning services.

The habit was noticed by the White House staff after it kept happening during every visit. “The Netanyahus are the only ones who bring actual suitcases of dirty laundry for us to clean,” the paper quoted an unnamed US official as saying. “After multiple trips, it became clear this was intentional.”

The report was published in the US' local paper Washington Post.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-russian-president-vladimir-putin-nominated-for-nobel-prize-330101">Also read:&nbsp;After Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin nominated for Nobel Prize</a>

Turns out, this is an old habit of the Israeli couple. In 2018,&nbsp;Sara Netanyahu was alleged of packing nearly five&nbsp;suitcases worth of laundry for state trips. Her husband, the much-criticised Prime Minister of Israel, had years ago successfully launched a legal bid to keep his domestic laundry bills private.

Nethanyahu's office, howwever, has denied these accusations and said only the clothes worn for public meetings are dry cleaned during the state trips.

Talking about Netanyahu’s recent US visit&nbsp;to normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, the officials said, “On this visit, for example, there was no dry cleaning, only a couple of shirts were laundered for the public meeting, and the prime minister’s suit and Mrs Netanyahu’s dress were ironed also for the public meeting,” the embassy statement said.

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“Oh yes, a pair of pyjamas that the prime minister wore on the 12-hour flight from Israel to Washington was also laundered,” the statement continued.

While the PM's office has denied the accusations repeatedly, the White House staff during the Obama and trump administration have recalled and confirmed incidents where the couple have sent suitcases filled with soiled clothes.

The&nbsp;Netanyahus are infamous for misusing state resources, whether it is their own state or some other country. The PM is on trial for&nbsp;three corruption cases, and hise&nbsp;wife has been accused of misusing public funds to host gradeur-style meals, even though she has been provided with a cooking team for her own house by the state.

No statement has been issued by the White House yet.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of a crime that might not have been brought up ever before. Reports claims Nethanyahu likes the White House to take care of his dirt.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of a crime that might not have been brought up ever before. Reports claims Nethanyahu likes the White House to take care of his dirt...quite literally. It has been revealed that Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu take majority of their dirty laundry to the White House to avail the free dry cleaning services. The habit was noticed by the White House staff after it kept happening during every visit. “The Netanyahus are the only ones who bring actual suitcases of dirty laundry for us to clean,” the paper quoted an unnamed US official as saying. “After multiple trips, it became clear this was intentional.” The report was published in the US' local paper Washington Post. Also read: After Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin nominated for Nobel Prize Turns out, this is an old habit of the Israeli couple. In 2018, Sara Netanyahu was alleged of packing nearly five suitcases worth of laundry for state trips. Her husband, the much-criticised Prime Minister of Israel, had years ago successfully launched a legal bid to keep his domestic laundry bills private. Nethanyahu's office, howwever, has denied these accusations and said only the clothes worn for public meetings are dry cleaned during the state trips. Talking about Netanyahu’s recent US visit to normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, the officials said, “On this visit, for example, there was no dry cleaning, only a couple of shirts were laundered for the public meeting, and the prime minister’s suit and Mrs Netanyahu’s dress were ironed also for the public meeting,” the embassy statement said. × “Oh yes, a pair of pyjamas that the prime minister wore on the 12-hour flight from Israel to Washington was also laundered,” the statement continued. While the PM's office has denied the accusations repeatedly, the White House staff during the Obama and trump administration have recalled and confirmed incidents where the couple have sent suitcases filled with soiled clothes. The Netanyahus are infamous for misusing state resources, whether it is their own state or some other country. The PM is on trial for three corruption cases, and hise wife has been accused of misusing public funds to host gradeur-style meals, even though she has been provided with a cooking team for her own house by the state. No statement has been issued by the White House yet.

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused of taking dirty laundry to White House

A new United Nations report claims that governments across the world have failed to conform to their pledges made a decade a go to protect wildlife.

The report, which was published on Tuesday also claimed that the destruction of nature may be slowed, and even reversed through conservation efforts.

Besides bringing to the light the inaction of world governments, the report also suggested changes to at least delay, if not stop climate change.&nbsp;

The changes were suggested in sectors like farming and urban planning, which could help save a million species.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/climate-change-massive-chunk-of-ice-twice-the-size-of-manhattan-breaks-off-greenland-327338" hreflang="en">Climate change: Massive chunk of ice twice the size of Manhattan breaks off Greenland</a>

Later this month, countries are going to meet for a UN summit on biodiversity, and may build upon this report to trigger future action.

The report added that making commitments are not enough, and that action on those commitments is pertinent to saving wildlife across the globe.

Before countries meet next year in China for a new wildlife pact, the UN has asked governments to set aside 30 per cent of the planet’s land and sea areas for conservation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/climate-change-contributes-to-spread-of-diseases-through-mosquitoes-says-study-322683" hreflang="en">Climate change contributes to spread of diseases through mosquitoes, says study</a>

As of now, only 17 per cent of the world’s land receive protection. To survive, the world needs to protect 30 per cent resources.

The report also pointed to improvements in conservation. For instance, the Japanese crested ibis, which had almost vanished, recently started to produce chicks in the wild. Conservationists had released captive-bred birds, which may have facilitated this resurgence.

If it weren’t for conservation efforts, the number of bird and mammal extinctions would have been twice as high during the last decade.

The report also taken into account the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of industrial society on the natural world.

The virus emanated from an animal, and could open up risks of more such pandemics jumping from animals.

A new United Nations report claims that governments across the world have failed to conform to their pledges made a decade a go to protect wildlife. The report, which was published on Tuesday also claimed that the destruction of nature may be slowed, and even reversed through conservation efforts.

A new United Nations report claims that governments across the world have failed to conform to their pledges made a decade a go to protect wildlife. The report, which was published on Tuesday also claimed that the destruction of nature may be slowed, and even reversed through conservation efforts. Besides bringing to the light the inaction of world governments, the report also suggested changes to at least delay, if not stop climate change. The changes were suggested in sectors like farming and urban planning, which could help save a million species. Also read: Climate change: Massive chunk of ice twice the size of Manhattan breaks off Greenland Later this month, countries are going to meet for a UN summit on biodiversity, and may build upon this report to trigger future action. The report added that making commitments are not enough, and that action on those commitments is pertinent to saving wildlife across the globe. Before countries meet next year in China for a new wildlife pact, the UN has asked governments to set aside 30 per cent of the planet’s land and sea areas for conservation. Also read: Climate change contributes to spread of diseases through mosquitoes, says study As of now, only 17 per cent of the world’s land receive protection. To survive, the world needs to protect 30 per cent resources. The report also pointed to improvements in conservation. For instance, the Japanese crested ibis, which had almost vanished, recently started to produce chicks in the wild. Conservationists had released captive-bred birds, which may have facilitated this resurgence. If it weren’t for conservation efforts, the number of bird and mammal extinctions would have been twice as high during the last decade. The report also taken into account the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of industrial society on the natural world. The virus emanated from an animal, and could open up risks of more such pandemics jumping from animals.

World may need to conserve 30% resources to survive, if not thrive: UN report

Teachers across the United States have come up with an innovative campaign to reject President Donald Trump&#39;s controversial proposal of arming teachers with concealed guns and weapons.

The hashtag #ArmMeWith has been trending for the last few days, in the wake of last week&#39;s shooting at a Florida high school, which claimed 17 lives.

&quot;I AM A TEACHER. NOT A POLICE OFFICER, NOT A SOLIDER, NOT A BODYGUARD. I would risk my life to save my students but I would never keep a concealed gun in my classroom, nor use it EVER. #ArmMeWith TISSUE &amp; PAPER TOWELS. that&#39;s all, Please &amp; Thank you,&quot; a teacher wrote on Twitter.

&quot;Bringing more guns into our schools does nothing to protect our students and educators from gun violence. Our students need more books, art and music programs, nurses and school counsellors; they do not need more guns in their classrooms. #ArmMeWith,&quot; a second teacher posted on the micro-blogging site.

A third one wrote, &quot;It&#39;s about weapons of war. No civilian needs access. #BanAssaultWeapons #NeverAgain #ArmMeWith&quot;

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Teachers have created a movement on instagram with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArmMeWith?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArmMeWith</a> and it&rsquo;s beautiful ???? <a href="https://t.co/qxZDyCuSJL">pic.twitter.com/qxZDyCuSJL</a>
&mdash; Sarah Merriam (@MrsSMerriam) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrsSMerriam/status/966131305518895104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;I&#39;m trained to teach, not to shoot. Instead of arming teachers with more gun, supply us with materials &amp; resources we desperately need. From 1:1 devices to #2 pencils. From mental health care to healthy nutrition. #ArmMeWith #DeafEd,&quot; posted another teacher on Twitter.

&quot;#ArmMeWith fair pay, an abundance of resources, excellent insurance, mental health treatment for TEACHERS, compassion from the administration, less testing, more free will to teach my students to be GOOD HUMANS,&quot; tweeted a fifth teacher.

Scores of students from Florida&#39;s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School joined other students from other high schools on Wednesday as protests against the ending of gun violence gained momentum across the US.

Students from California to Washington D.C. held marches in solidarity with the survivors from the Florida high school. The crowd marched at the state Capitol complex in Tallahassee, with banners and posters and chanting slogans such as &quot;Never again!&quot; and &quot;Shame on you!&quot;

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Teachers are speaking out... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArmMeWith?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArmMeWith</a> <a href="https://t.co/sECKMi0pxb">pic.twitter.com/sECKMi0pxb</a>
&mdash; Jessica Turlington (@turlingteach) <a href="https://twitter.com/turlingteach/status/966137544936112134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump said on Thursday that he pushed lawmakers to &quot;look at the possibility of giving&quot; guns to &quot;adept teachers with military or special training experience.&quot;

Scores of students from Florida&#39;s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School joined other students from other high schools on Wednesday as protests against the ending of gun violence gained momentum across the US.

Students from California to Washington D.C. held marches in solidarity with the survivors from the Florida high school. The crowd marched at the state Capitol complex in Tallahassee, with banners and posters and chanting slogans such as &quot;Never again!&quot; and &quot;Shame on you!&quot;

Trump said on Thursday that he pushed lawmakers to &quot;look at the possibility of giving&quot; guns to &quot;adept teachers with military or special training experience.&quot;

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Spread the word <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArmMeWith?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArmMeWith</a> <a href="https://t.co/JSg6RboXeb">pic.twitter.com/JSg6RboXeb</a>
&mdash; Michelle Horsham (@MichelleHorsham) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichelleHorsham/status/966142395522875392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump on Tuesday recommended a ban on &#39;bump stocks&#39; gun devices. He also directed his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions to make the proposed changes in the country&#39;s gun control law.

Last week, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, went on a rampage at the high school in Parkland, Florida and gunned down 17 students and injured 14 others. He allegedly used an AR-15 assault rifle that he had purchased legally.

Cruz was a former student and was expelled from the high school for disciplinary reasons. He has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.

After the incident, many lawmakers, gun control advocates and student survivors of the Florida school shooting have urged the Trump administration to implement tougher gun measures.

In most US states, the age limit for purchasing the AR-15 rifle is 18 years, while the age limit for handguns is 21 years.

Last week, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, went on a rampage at the high school in Parkland, Florida and gunned down 17 students and injured 14 others

Teachers across the United States have come up with an innovative campaign to reject President Donald Trump's controversial proposal of arming teachers with concealed guns and weapons. The hashtag #ArmMeWith has been trending for the last few days, in the wake of last week's shooting at a Florida high school, which claimed 17 lives. "I AM A TEACHER. NOT A POLICE OFFICER, NOT A SOLIDER, NOT A BODYGUARD. I would risk my life to save my students but I would never keep a concealed gun in my classroom, nor use it EVER. #ArmMeWith TISSUE & PAPER TOWELS. that's all, Please & Thank you," a teacher wrote on Twitter. "Bringing more guns into our schools does nothing to protect our students and educators from gun violence. Our students need more books, art and music programs, nurses and school counsellors; they do not need more guns in their classrooms. #ArmMeWith," a second teacher posted on the micro-blogging site. A third one wrote, "It's about weapons of war. No civilian needs access. #BanAssaultWeapons #NeverAgain #ArmMeWith" Teachers have created a movement on instagram with #ArmMeWith and it’s beautiful ???? pic.twitter.com/qxZDyCuSJL — Sarah Merriam (@MrsSMerriam) February 21, 2018 × "I'm trained to teach, not to shoot. Instead of arming teachers with more gun, supply us with materials & resources we desperately need. From 1:1 devices to #2 pencils. From mental health care to healthy nutrition. #ArmMeWith #DeafEd," posted another teacher on Twitter. "#ArmMeWith fair pay, an abundance of resources, excellent insurance, mental health treatment for TEACHERS, compassion from the administration, less testing, more free will to teach my students to be GOOD HUMANS," tweeted a fifth teacher. Scores of students from Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School joined other students from other high schools on Wednesday as protests against the ending of gun violence gained momentum across the US. Students from California to Washington D.C. held marches in solidarity with the survivors from the Florida high school. The crowd marched at the state Capitol complex in Tallahassee, with banners and posters and chanting slogans such as "Never again!" and "Shame on you!" Teachers are speaking out... #ArmMeWith pic.twitter.com/sECKMi0pxb — Jessica Turlington (@turlingteach) February 21, 2018 × Trump said on Thursday that he pushed lawmakers to "look at the possibility of giving" guns to "adept teachers with military or special training experience." Scores of students from Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School joined other students from other high schools on Wednesday as protests against the ending of gun violence gained momentum across the US. Students from California to Washington D.C. held marches in solidarity with the survivors from the Florida high school. The crowd marched at the state Capitol complex in Tallahassee, with banners and posters and chanting slogans such as "Never again!" and "Shame on you!" Trump said on Thursday that he pushed lawmakers to "look at the possibility of giving" guns to "adept teachers with military or special training experience." Spread the word #ArmMeWith pic.twitter.com/JSg6RboXeb — Michelle Horsham (@MichelleHorsham) February 21, 2018 × Trump on Tuesday recommended a ban on 'bump stocks' gun devices. He also directed his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions to make the proposed changes in the country's gun control law. Last week, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, went on a rampage at the high school in Parkland, Florida and gunned down 17 students and injured 14 others. He allegedly used an AR-15 assault rifle that he had purchased legally. Cruz was a former student and was expelled from the high school for disciplinary reasons. He has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder. After the incident, many lawmakers, gun control advocates and student survivors of the Florida school shooting have urged the Trump administration to implement tougher gun measures. In most US states, the age limit for purchasing the AR-15 rifle is 18 years, while the age limit for handguns is 21 years.

US teachers say #ArmMeWith resources, not guns

Many observers of China&rsquo;s escalating global program of foreign investment and infrastructure development are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. In an ideal world, China&rsquo;s unbridled ambitions will improve economic growth, food security and social development in many poor nations, as well as enrich itself.

Such hopes are certainly timely, given the isolationism of the US Trump administration, which has created an international leadership vacuum that China is eager to fill.

But a close look reveals that China&rsquo;s international agenda is far more exploitative than many realise, especially for the global environment. And the Chinese leadership&rsquo;s claims to be embracing &ldquo;green development&rdquo; are in many cases more propaganda than fact.

To help steer through the maze, I provide here a snapshot of China&rsquo;s present environmental impacts. Are China&rsquo;s assertions reasoned and defensible, or something else altogether?

Predatory force?

For a start, China is overwhelmingly the world&rsquo;s biggest consumer of illegally poached wildlife and wildlife products. From rhino horn&nbsp;to pangolins, to shark fins, to a menagerie of wild bird species, Chinese consumption drives much of the global trade in wildlife exploitation and smuggling.

Over the past 15 years, China&rsquo;s rapacious appetite for ivory has largely driven a global collapse of elephant populations. In response to growing international criticism, China promised to shut down its domestic ivory trade by the end of 2017.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/file-20171130-12075-1at9skl-20171213063935.jpg" />
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The author examining a Forest Elephant gunned down by ivory poachers in central Africa. (Others)
</div>
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But even before China&rsquo;s ban has taken full force, a black market for ivory is developing in neighbouring Laos. There, Chinese entrepreneurs are churning out great quantities of carved ivory products, specifically designed for Chinese tastes and openly sold to Chinese visitors.

China is also the world&rsquo;s biggest importer of illegal timber, a trade that imperils forests while defrauding developing nations of billions of dollars each year in timber royalties.

China claims to be working to reduce its illegal timber imports, but its efforts are half-hearted at best, judging by the amount of illegal timber still flowing across its border with Myanmar.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/terrorism-fashion-and-illegal-animal-trafficking-20996">Also read: Terrorism, fashion and Illegal animal trafficking</a>

Infrastructure tsunami

More damaging still are China&rsquo;s plans for infrastructure expansion that will irreparably degrade much of the natural world.

China&rsquo;s One Belt One Road initiative alone will carve massive arrays of new roads, railroads, ports, and extractive industries such as mining, logging, and oil and gas projects into at least 70 nations across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Chinese President Xi Jinping promises that the Belt and Road initiative will be &ldquo;green, low-carbon, circular and sustainable&rdquo;, but such a claim is profoundly divorced from reality.

As my colleagues and I recently argued in Science and Current Biology, the modern infrastructure tsunami that is largely being driven by China will open a Pandora&rsquo;s box of environmental crises, including large-scale deforestation, habitat fragmentation, wildlife poaching, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

China&rsquo;s pursuit of natural resources is also escalating across Latin America. In the Amazon, for example, big mining projects &ndash; many of which are feeding Chinese industries &ndash; don&rsquo;t just cause serious local degradation, but also promote widespread deforestation from the networks of roads bulldosed into remote areas to access the mines.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/the-first-ladies-of-conservation-how-the-black-mambas-are-protecting-wildlife-in-south-africa-13178">Also read: How women are protecting wildlife in South Africa</a>

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Overall, China is the most aggressive consumer of minerals on the planet and the biggest driver of tropical deforestation.

Beyond this, China is pushing to build a 5,000km railroad across South America, to make it cheaper for China to import timber, minerals, soy and other natural resources from ports along South America&rsquo;s Pacific coast. If it proceeds, the number of critical ecosystems that would be impacted by this project is staggering.

A World Bank study of more than 3,000 overseas projects funded or operated by China revealed how it often treats poor nations as &ldquo;pollution havens&rdquo; &ndash; transferring its own environmental degradation to developing nations that are desperate for foreign investment.

Finally, much has been made of the fact that China is beginning to temper its appetite for domestic fossil-fuelled energy. It is now a leading investor in solar and wind energy, and recently delayed construction of more than 150 coal-fired electricity plants in China.

These are unquestionably pluses, but they need to be seen in their broad context. In terms of greenhouse-gas emissions, China has exploded past every other nation. It now produces more than twice the carbon emissions of the United States, the second-biggest polluter, following the greatest building spree of coal, nuclear, and large-scale hydro projects in human history.

Despite its new post-Trump role as the world&rsquo;s de facto climate leader, China&rsquo;s overall agenda could scarcely be described as green.

<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<figcaption>
Iceberg ahead

Some would say it&rsquo;s unfair to criticise China like this. They would argue that China is merely following a well-trodden path of exploitative development previously forged by other nations and colonial powers.

But China is not the same as any other nation. The astounding growth and size of its economy, its dangerously single-minded vision for exploiting natural resources and land internationally, its intolerance of internal and external criticism, and its increasingly closed media and official myopia all combine to make it unique.

President Xi admits that many Chinese corporations, investors and lenders operating overseas have often acted aggressively and even illegally. But he says his government is powerless to do much about it. The most notable government response to date is a series of &ldquo;green papers&rdquo; containing guidelines that sound good in theory but are almost universally ignored by Chinese interests overseas.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/file-20171130-30896-1lw73xn-20171213064007.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Indigenous forest people in the Congo Basin become increasingly poor and marginalised as foreign miners, loggers and poachers invade their lands. (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Are Xi&rsquo;s assertions of powerlessness believable? He increasingly rules China with an iron hand. Is it really impossible for China to guide and control its overseas industries, or are they simply so profitable that the government doesn&rsquo;t want to?

Of course, China&rsquo;s huge international ambitions will have some positive effects, and could even be economically transformative for certain nations. But many other elements will benefit China while profoundly damaging our planet.
</figcaption>
</figure>

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/chinas-growing-footprint-on-the-globe-threatens-to-trample-the-natural-world-88312" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Image Credit:&nbsp;Bill Laurance and&nbsp;Mahmoud

Chinese investment is driving an unprecedented investment boom in global infrastructure. But despite its claims to be pursuing green development, China's building bonanza is harming the planet

Many observers of China’s escalating global program of foreign investment and infrastructure development are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. In an ideal world, China’s unbridled ambitions will improve economic growth, food security and social development in many poor nations, as well as enrich itself. Such hopes are certainly timely, given the isolationism of the US Trump administration, which has created an international leadership vacuum that China is eager to fill. But a close look reveals that China’s international agenda is far more exploitative than many realise, especially for the global environment. And the Chinese leadership’s claims to be embracing “green development” are in many cases more propaganda than fact. To help steer through the maze, I provide here a snapshot of China’s present environmental impacts. Are China’s assertions reasoned and defensible, or something else altogether? Predatory force? For a start, China is overwhelmingly the world’s biggest consumer of illegally poached wildlife and wildlife products. From rhino horn to pangolins, to shark fins, to a menagerie of wild bird species, Chinese consumption drives much of the global trade in wildlife exploitation and smuggling. Over the past 15 years, China’s rapacious appetite for ivory has largely driven a global collapse of elephant populations. In response to growing international criticism, China promised to shut down its domestic ivory trade by the end of 2017. The author examining a Forest Elephant gunned down by ivory poachers in central Africa. (Others) × But even before China’s ban has taken full force, a black market for ivory is developing in neighbouring Laos. There, Chinese entrepreneurs are churning out great quantities of carved ivory products, specifically designed for Chinese tastes and openly sold to Chinese visitors. China is also the world’s biggest importer of illegal timber, a trade that imperils forests while defrauding developing nations of billions of dollars each year in timber royalties. China claims to be working to reduce its illegal timber imports, but its efforts are half-hearted at best, judging by the amount of illegal timber still flowing across its border with Myanmar. Also read: Terrorism, fashion and Illegal animal trafficking Infrastructure tsunami More damaging still are China’s plans for infrastructure expansion that will irreparably degrade much of the natural world. China’s One Belt One Road initiative alone will carve massive arrays of new roads, railroads, ports, and extractive industries such as mining, logging, and oil and gas projects into at least 70 nations across Asia, Europe, and Africa. Chinese President Xi Jinping promises that the Belt and Road initiative will be “green, low-carbon, circular and sustainable”, but such a claim is profoundly divorced from reality. As my colleagues and I recently argued in Science and Current Biology, the modern infrastructure tsunami that is largely being driven by China will open a Pandora’s box of environmental crises, including large-scale deforestation, habitat fragmentation, wildlife poaching, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. China’s pursuit of natural resources is also escalating across Latin America. In the Amazon, for example, big mining projects – many of which are feeding Chinese industries – don’t just cause serious local degradation, but also promote widespread deforestation from the networks of roads bulldosed into remote areas to access the mines. Also read: How women are protecting wildlife in South Africa × Overall, China is the most aggressive consumer of minerals on the planet and the biggest driver of tropical deforestation. Beyond this, China is pushing to build a 5,000km railroad across South America, to make it cheaper for China to import timber, minerals, soy and other natural resources from ports along South America’s Pacific coast. If it proceeds, the number of critical ecosystems that would be impacted by this project is staggering. A World Bank study of more than 3,000 overseas projects funded or operated by China revealed how it often treats poor nations as “pollution havens” – transferring its own environmental degradation to developing nations that are desperate for foreign investment. Finally, much has been made of the fact that China is beginning to temper its appetite for domestic fossil-fuelled energy. It is now a leading investor in solar and wind energy, and recently delayed construction of more than 150 coal-fired electricity plants in China. These are unquestionably pluses, but they need to be seen in their broad context. In terms of greenhouse-gas emissions, China has exploded past every other nation. It now produces more than twice the carbon emissions of the United States, the second-biggest polluter, following the greatest building spree of coal, nuclear, and large-scale hydro projects in human history. Despite its new post-Trump role as the world’s de facto climate leader, China’s overall agenda could scarcely be described as green. Iceberg ahead Some would say it’s unfair to criticise China like this. They would argue that China is merely following a well-trodden path of exploitative development previously forged by other nations and colonial powers. But China is not the same as any other nation. The astounding growth and size of its economy, its dangerously single-minded vision for exploiting natural resources and land internationally, its intolerance of internal and external criticism, and its increasingly closed media and official myopia all combine to make it unique. President Xi admits that many Chinese corporations, investors and lenders operating overseas have often acted aggressively and even illegally. But he says his government is powerless to do much about it. The most notable government response to date is a series of “green papers” containing guidelines that sound good in theory but are almost universally ignored by Chinese interests overseas. Indigenous forest people in the Congo Basin become increasingly poor and marginalised as foreign miners, loggers and poachers invade their lands. (Others) × Are Xi’s assertions of powerlessness believable? He increasingly rules China with an iron hand. Is it really impossible for China to guide and control its overseas industries, or are they simply so profitable that the government doesn’t want to? Of course, China’s huge international ambitions will have some positive effects, and could even be economically transformative for certain nations. But many other elements will benefit China while profoundly damaging our planet. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity). Image Credit: Bill Laurance and Mahmoud

Opinion: China's growth is harming the planet

Diversified miner Vedanta Resources&#39; first-quarter core earnings rose about 48 percent on higher zinc production, with renewed demand for the metal driven by higher steel production in China.

The company, which mines zinc in India, South Africa and Namibia, reported an 84 percent jump in mined metal content, mainly of zinc, at its Indian unit to 233,000 tonnes for the first quarter to June 30.

Zinc is used to galvanise steel to protect it from rusting and steel producing countries such as China have ramped up production this year to support construction growth.

A jump in production boosted revenue at&nbsp;Vedanta&#39;s&nbsp;Indian unit by about 90 percent to $695 million. This underpinned the parent company&#39;s results.

Vendanta&#39;s output hit a monthly record in July at 74.02 million tonnes boosted by demand for steel-making ingredient zinc as mills ramped up production even as Beijing intensified its war on smog.

Vedanta&#39;s&nbsp;bounce back follows a couple of hard year when it was hit by weak commodities prices and debt. Investors have also worried about&nbsp;Vedanta&#39;s&nbsp;legal action in connection with pollution in Zambia.

Its shares were up 1.6 percent at 785 pence at 0728 GMT on the London Stock Exchange. While its shares have fallen around 20 percent this year, they have outperformed the wider STOXX Basic Resources index since the end of June, Reuters data showed. (http://bit.ly/2xrAclo)

Vedanta said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization rose to $777.8 million in the first quarter, from $527.1 million a year earlier.

The company, which also produces iron ore, copper, aluminium and oil, said revenue rose 32 percent to $3.08 billion in the quarter, beating Jefferies estimates by about 2 percent.

Vedanta has said it is well placed, with its zinc mines and it also produces aluminium - meaning it produces two other materials used in light, low carbon transport.

The group is also exploring ways to produce cobalt for use in batteries amid an anticipated electric vehicle boom.

Diversified miner Vedanta Resources' first-quarter core earnings rose about 48 percent on higher zinc production, with renewed demand for the metal driven by higher steel production in China

Diversified miner Vedanta Resources' first-quarter core earnings rose about 48 percent on higher zinc production, with renewed demand for the metal driven by higher steel production in China. The company, which mines zinc in India, South Africa and Namibia, reported an 84 percent jump in mined metal content, mainly of zinc, at its Indian unit to 233,000 tonnes for the first quarter to June 30. Zinc is used to galvanise steel to protect it from rusting and steel producing countries such as China have ramped up production this year to support construction growth. A jump in production boosted revenue at Vedanta's Indian unit by about 90 percent to $695 million. This underpinned the parent company's results. Vendanta's output hit a monthly record in July at 74.02 million tonnes boosted by demand for steel-making ingredient zinc as mills ramped up production even as Beijing intensified its war on smog. Vedanta's bounce back follows a couple of hard year when it was hit by weak commodities prices and debt. Investors have also worried about Vedanta's legal action in connection with pollution in Zambia. Its shares were up 1.6 percent at 785 pence at 0728 GMT on the London Stock Exchange. While its shares have fallen around 20 percent this year, they have outperformed the wider STOXX Basic Resources index since the end of June, Reuters data showed. (http://bit.ly/2xrAclo) Vedanta said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization rose to $777.8 million in the first quarter, from $527.1 million a year earlier. The company, which also produces iron ore, copper, aluminium and oil, said revenue rose 32 percent to $3.08 billion in the quarter, beating Jefferies estimates by about 2 percent. Vedanta has said it is well placed, with its zinc mines and it also produces aluminium - meaning it produces two other materials used in light, low carbon transport. The group is also exploring ways to produce cobalt for use in batteries amid an anticipated electric vehicle boom.

Vedanta Resources' earnings rise 48 per cent with helping hand from China

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired five ministers, according to an official decree, in a move that removed figures known for close ties to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar. 
 
Under a peace agreement signed in August 2015, Kiir headed the government while Machar was given the position of first vice president. Thirty ministerial posts were distributed between their two parties and others. 
 
But a presidential decree issued on Tuesday showed that cabinet posts including the interior and petroleum portfolios in the oil-rich state had been filled with allies of the new vice president, Taban Deng Gai. 
 
Deng, who leads a faction of Machar&#39;s SPLM/A (IO) party, was named vice president by Kiir after being fired as a minister by his own party leader.&nbsp;Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang, the son of the figurehead of South Sudan&#39;s independence movement, and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok, an influential ex-rebel. 
 
Their sacking strains the delicate balance of ethnicities in the government, analysts said.&nbsp;Garang is an opposition figure but a Dinka like the president, while Adwok is a Shilluk, a group which has now lost an important voice in government. 
 
Kiir did however retain powerful rebel figure Alfred Lado Gore in his government, moving him from the interior ministry to housing.&nbsp;Machar ally Gore hails from the Equatoria region, where the capital, Juba, is located and which is seen as a hotbed for opposition recruitment. 
 
The move also comes just days after Lam Akol, a minister representing another opposition grouping, resigned with the intention of organising the government`s opponents into a more consolidated force, he said, while declaring the peace deal dead. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s political tensions date back to December 2013, just over two years after the state achieved independence from Sudan. 
 
Kiir accused Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that degenerated into a ruinous civil war. &nbsp;The two agreed a peace deal and power-sharing arrangement in August 2015, but problems have lurked beneath the surface. 
 
Renewed fighting in July led the UN Security Council to consider a visit this month to Sudan and South Sudan to push for a return to peace efforts. Machar has not returned to Juba since the clashes. 
 
(AFP)

Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired five ministers, according to an official decree, in a move that removed figures known for close ties to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar. Under a peace agreement signed in August 2015, Kiir headed the government while Machar was given the position of first vice president. Thirty ministerial posts were distributed between their two parties and others. But a presidential decree issued on Tuesday showed that cabinet posts including the interior and petroleum portfolios in the oil-rich state had been filled with allies of the new vice president, Taban Deng Gai. Deng, who leads a faction of Machar's SPLM/A (IO) party, was named vice president by Kiir after being fired as a minister by his own party leader. Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang, the son of the figurehead of South Sudan's independence movement, and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok, an influential ex-rebel. Their sacking strains the delicate balance of ethnicities in the government, analysts said. Garang is an opposition figure but a Dinka like the president, while Adwok is a Shilluk, a group which has now lost an important voice in government. Kiir did however retain powerful rebel figure Alfred Lado Gore in his government, moving him from the interior ministry to housing. Machar ally Gore hails from the Equatoria region, where the capital, Juba, is located and which is seen as a hotbed for opposition recruitment. The move also comes just days after Lam Akol, a minister representing another opposition grouping, resigned with the intention of organising the government`s opponents into a more consolidated force, he said, while declaring the peace deal dead. South Sudan's political tensions date back to December 2013, just over two years after the state achieved independence from Sudan. Kiir accused Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that degenerated into a ruinous civil war. The two agreed a peace deal and power-sharing arrangement in August 2015, but problems have lurked beneath the surface. Renewed fighting in July led the UN Security Council to consider a visit this month to Sudan and South Sudan to push for a return to peace efforts. Machar has not returned to Juba since the clashes. (AFP)

South Sudan leader fires 5 ministers close to ex-rebel leader

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