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Russia warns Finland over bases access | Israel approves West Bank land seizure

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms - Amarnath Yatra Bus' brakes fail - Champions coming home! - India: Officials find Cancer causing substance in street snack Pani Puri - This menu described Dosa 'naked crepe'

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Hurricane Beryl battered Jamaica as a powerful category 4 storm on Wednesday. Multiple homes were flattened and as many as seven people were killed.

Hurricane Beryl: Multiple homes flattened in Jamaica; atleast seven people dead

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Five killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine | Hezbollah Commander killed

More than a year into her Summer Carnival Tour, Pink is hitting pause due to an unspecified health issue. The Grammy-winning pop star announced Tuesday that her show scheduled show in Bern, Switzerland, is canceled due to doctor's orders.

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Donald Trump's sentencing for his conviction on criminal charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star was delayed on Tuesday until Sept. 18, less than seven weeks before the US election. Watch in for more details!

US: Trump's Hush Money sentencing delayed after immunity decision, earlier set for July 11

Green campaigners in a diving resort in the Philippines have come up with a novel way to clean up the town's shores - offering to swap a bag of rice for every sack of trash gathered by local residents.

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At least four people are reported to being killed and over two dozens others have been injured in Russian drone and missile barrage in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

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The past few years I've seen several sinister dating Trends come and go be coasting cookie jarring or ground hogging and now there's a new dating trend that's making the rounds it's called Vulturing.

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The Israeli Army carried out a drone strike against what it claims was a terrorist cell in the Nur Shams camp near Tulkarm in West Bank. Watch in for more details!

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Now Brazil has banned meta from mining data originating in the country to train its generative AI models. The country's National Data protection authority has suspended with immediate effect the validity of new meta privacy policy.

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Headlines of the hour: - Gantz slams settler attack on IDF - Taliban prisoner swap with US - Japan sterilisation law struck down - India stampede: Hunt on for 'Godman' - Egyptian cabinet rejig likely today - Flash floods in Northeast India - South Korea fines Credit Suisse

Egypt cabinet rejig likely today | Flash floods in Northeast India

The political landscape in Nepal is once again in limbo the embattled Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has clarified that he will not resign from his post and instead he'll face a floor test. Watch in for more details!

Nepal political turmoil: CPN gives 24-hour ultimatum to Nepal's PM to resign

The military carried out a drone strike late Tuesday against a cell of terror operatives in the West Bank's Nur Shams, with the Palestinians reporting four killed in the attack. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the operatives were planting an explosive device when they were struck.

Israel-Hamas war: IDF drone hits cell 'planting roadside bomb' in West Bank

A day after a deadly Stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras. District the dead toll has now risen to 121. But this stampede wasn't the first one, let's have a look at the deadliest stampedes across the world over the years.

Stampede tragedies: List of deadliest stampedes across the world over the years

After a deadly stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district, the death toll has now risen to 121. Investigation underway to determine accountability for the loss of lives. Watch in for moe details!

Hathras stampede: Devotees suffocated to death; preacher missing from Manipur Ashram

As part of a postwar plan for the Gaza Strip the Israeli military has come up with what is being described as a pilot scheme which will outline how the Palestinian occupied territory will be governed after Hamas. Watch in for more details!

Israel war: IDF pilot scheme to introduce Hamas-free 'bubble zones' will begin in two Gaza cities

Hours after China seized a Taiwanese fishing boat carrying five people, the self-ruled island nation called upon Beijing to release the fishing vessel that was reportedly held by the Chinese side near Taiwanese outlying islands on Tuesday (July 2). The seized vessel row coincided with a Taiwanese claim that a&nbsp;Chinese military drone hovered near an airport on a remote island.

The Chinese coast guard has increased patrols around Taiwan's Kinmen islands alongside rampant violation of Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwans-extended-conscription-and-loss-of-face-for-xi-jinping-547113">Taiwan's extended conscription and 'loss of face' for Xi Jinping</a>

The Kinmen islands are administered by Taipei but are located just five kilometres (three miles) from the Chinese mainland.

Taiwan's coast guard said it received a report at 08:14 pm (1214 GMT) on Tuesday from the owner of a fishing boat that two Chinese coast guard vessels had intercepted it around 23.7 nautical miles (44 kilometres) from Kinmen's Liaoluo port.

It dispatched two patrol vessels "to try to rescue" the fishing boat, along with a third for assistance, but one was "blocked by" Chinese coast guard ships, Taiwan's coast guard said in a statement late Tuesday.

Also watch |&nbsp;US-China war over Taiwan? Xi Jinping demands 'modern system for military governance' | Details

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"To avoid escalating the conflict, we have decided to stop the chase," the coast guard said, adding the fishing boat was taken to China's Weitou port.

<h2>Taiwan's boat seized: About people onboard the boat</h2>

According to Taiwan's coast guard officials, there were two Taiwanese and three Indonesians on&nbsp;the boat.

A Chinese coast guard spokesman said a Taiwanese fishing boat suspected of illegal fishing off the coast of Quanzhou was inspected and detained on Tuesday.

"The fishing vessel has violated the regulation of the seasonal fishing ban, and illegally trawled... within the prohibited fishing area," a Chinese coast guard spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Chinese coast guard had warned and expelled "relevant" Taiwanese vessels that "attempted to interfere with" its law enforcement operation at the time, he added.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's deputy coast guard chief Hsieh Ching-chin said the boat was seized within China's territorial waters, in an area where Beijing has declared a seasonal fishing ban between May 1 to August 15.

"We hope that the Chinese side will tell us as soon as possible the reason of the inspection," he said.

"We will actively request the Chinese side to release the boat and its crew as soon as possible through various channels".

China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and under its top leader Xi Jinping, it has not renounced the use of force to bring the island under control.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hours after China seized a Taiwanese fishing boat carrying five people, the self-ruled island nation called upon Beijing to release the fishing vessel that was reportedly held by the Chinese side near Taiwanese outlying islands on Tuesday (July 2).

Hours after China seized a Taiwanese fishing boat carrying five people, the self-ruled island nation called upon Beijing to release the fishing vessel that was reportedly held by the Chinese side near Taiwanese outlying islands on Tuesday (July 2). The seized vessel row coincided with a Taiwanese claim that a Chinese military drone hovered near an airport on a remote island. The Chinese coast guard has increased patrols around Taiwan's Kinmen islands alongside rampant violation of Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Also read | Taiwan's extended conscription and 'loss of face' for Xi Jinping The Kinmen islands are administered by Taipei but are located just five kilometres (three miles) from the Chinese mainland. Taiwan's coast guard said it received a report at 08:14 pm (1214 GMT) on Tuesday from the owner of a fishing boat that two Chinese coast guard vessels had intercepted it around 23.7 nautical miles (44 kilometres) from Kinmen's Liaoluo port. It dispatched two patrol vessels "to try to rescue" the fishing boat, along with a third for assistance, but one was "blocked by" Chinese coast guard ships, Taiwan's coast guard said in a statement late Tuesday. Also watch | US-China war over Taiwan? Xi Jinping demands 'modern system for military governance' | Details × "To avoid escalating the conflict, we have decided to stop the chase," the coast guard said, adding the fishing boat was taken to China's Weitou port. Taiwan's boat seized: About people onboard the boat According to Taiwan's coast guard officials, there were two Taiwanese and three Indonesians on the boat. A Chinese coast guard spokesman said a Taiwanese fishing boat suspected of illegal fishing off the coast of Quanzhou was inspected and detained on Tuesday. "The fishing vessel has violated the regulation of the seasonal fishing ban, and illegally trawled... within the prohibited fishing area," a Chinese coast guard spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday. The Chinese coast guard had warned and expelled "relevant" Taiwanese vessels that "attempted to interfere with" its law enforcement operation at the time, he added. Meanwhile, Taiwan's deputy coast guard chief Hsieh Ching-chin said the boat was seized within China's territorial waters, in an area where Beijing has declared a seasonal fishing ban between May 1 to August 15. "We hope that the Chinese side will tell us as soon as possible the reason of the inspection," he said. "We will actively request the Chinese side to release the boat and its crew as soon as possible through various channels". China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and under its top leader Xi Jinping, it has not renounced the use of force to bring the island under control. (With inputs from agencies)

China seizes Taiwanese fishing boat with five, including three Indonesians, onboard

US President Joe Biden is slated to meet Democratic Governors today to reassure them of his competence and address escalating discontent among Party leaders. Watch in for more details!

US: Joe Biden to meet Democratic Governors today, will Biden agree to sit out?

Headlines of the hour: - India stampede: Hunt on for 'Godman' - Saudi revokes Kerala man's death penalty - Gantz slams settler attack on IDF - Taliban prisoner swap with US - UK Election campaign in final hours - Boris Johnson joins Tory campaign - Egyptian cabinet rejig likely today - Who is high income in Russia?

India stampede: Hunt on for 'Godman' | Saudi revokes Kerala man's death penalty

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was supposed to make humanity's life easier; however, experts have warned about its dangers repeatedly. Moreover, many movies have dramatised all the dangers this technology poses, from someone using it for evil to the technology gaining self-awareness and destroying humanity. However, now, thanks to AI, Google is experiencing something these experts and movies didn't account for.

Google's efforts to achieve net-zero emissions are failing as the tech giant's AI technology pumps out high quantities of greenhouse gas emissions.

<h2>Google's greenhouse targets</h2>

The significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions as per news agency AFP is largely driven by the energy demands of Google's AI-powered data centres.&nbsp;

According to Google's recent environmental report, its climate-changing emissions have risen by 48 per cent over the past five years. This is in contrast to the company's goal of becoming carbon-neutral.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-does-biden-has-alzheimers-nancy-pelosi-says-both-him-and-trump-should-undergo-mental-acuity-test-737347">Explained: Does Biden have Alzheimer's? Nancy Pelosi says both him and Trump should undergo mental acuity test</a>

In 2023 alone, Google's total greenhouse gas emissions were 13 per cent higher than the previous year, primarily due to the higher energy consumption of its data centres and associated supply chain activities.

This increase comes even as Google has been scaling up its use of solar and wind energy.

Kate Brandt, Google's chief sustainability officer, and Benedict Gomes, senior vice president, acknowledged the challenges in their report, noting, "In spite of the progress we're making, we face significant challenges that we're actively working through."&nbsp;

"As we further integrate AI into our products, reducing emissions may be challenging due to increasing energy demands from the greater intensity of AI compute, and the emissions associated with the expected increases in our technical infrastructure investment."

<h2>AI and Greenhouse Emissions</h2>

As per the AFP report, Google is not alone in grappling with rising greenhouse gases while facing the "challenge of feeding power-hungry AI data centres".

Microsoft has also reported a 29 per cent increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 compared to 2020, citing ongoing investments "in the infrastructure needed to advance new technologies."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-conflict-children-in-gaza-hit-hard-by-skin-diseases-amid-prolonged-war-737283">Israel-Hamas conflict: Children in Gaza hit hard by dangerous skin diseases amid prolonged war</a>

Google emphasised the need for systemic changes, robust government policies, and innovative technologies to build a sustainable future. "We're committed to collaboration and playing our part, every step of the way," the report concluded.

(With inputs from agencies)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was supposed to make humanity's life easier; however, experts have warned about its dangers repeatedly. Moreover, many movies have dramatised all the dangers this technology poses, from someone using it for evil to the technology gaining self-awareness and destroying humanity.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was supposed to make humanity's life easier; however, experts have warned about its dangers repeatedly. Moreover, many movies have dramatised all the dangers this technology poses, from someone using it for evil to the technology gaining self-awareness and destroying humanity. However, now, thanks to AI, Google is experiencing something these experts and movies didn't account for. Google's efforts to achieve net-zero emissions are failing as the tech giant's AI technology pumps out high quantities of greenhouse gas emissions. Google's greenhouse targets The significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions as per news agency AFP is largely driven by the energy demands of Google's AI-powered data centres. According to Google's recent environmental report, its climate-changing emissions have risen by 48 per cent over the past five years. This is in contrast to the company's goal of becoming carbon-neutral. Also read | Explained: Does Biden have Alzheimer's? Nancy Pelosi says both him and Trump should undergo mental acuity test In 2023 alone, Google's total greenhouse gas emissions were 13 per cent higher than the previous year, primarily due to the higher energy consumption of its data centres and associated supply chain activities. This increase comes even as Google has been scaling up its use of solar and wind energy. Kate Brandt, Google's chief sustainability officer, and Benedict Gomes, senior vice president, acknowledged the challenges in their report, noting, "In spite of the progress we're making, we face significant challenges that we're actively working through." "As we further integrate AI into our products, reducing emissions may be challenging due to increasing energy demands from the greater intensity of AI compute, and the emissions associated with the expected increases in our technical infrastructure investment." AI and Greenhouse Emissions As per the AFP report, Google is not alone in grappling with rising greenhouse gases while facing the "challenge of feeding power-hungry AI data centres". Microsoft has also reported a 29 per cent increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 compared to 2020, citing ongoing investments "in the infrastructure needed to advance new technologies." Also read | Israel-Hamas conflict: Children in Gaza hit hard by dangerous skin diseases amid prolonged war Google emphasised the need for systemic changes, robust government policies, and innovative technologies to build a sustainable future. "We're committed to collaboration and playing our part, every step of the way," the report concluded. (With inputs from agencies)

Google's AI ambitions clash with its climate goals, technology ups greenhouse emissions by 48%

US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced each other in the presidential debate on Thursday (June 27). The debate, which was supposed to be critical for the upcoming November elections, was eye-opening but for different reasons.

US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced each other in the presidential debate on Thursday (June 27). The debate, which was supposed to be critical for the upcoming November elections, was eye-opening but for different reasons. On Tuesday (July 2), at a fundraiser in McLean, Virginia, President Joe Biden provided a justification for his subpar debate performance. The president said that it "wasn't very smart" of him to travel in the weeks before his first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump while speaking to supporters with Representative Don Beyer of Virginia. Biden, according to the New York Post, stated, "I decided to travel around the world a couple of times... shortly before the debate... I didn't listen to my staff... and then I almost fell asleep on stage." Biden also apologised for his debate performance but told supporters it was "critical" to defeat Trump in November. Even though Democrats were alarmed by Biden's behaviour during Thursday's debate, polls continue to show that both candidates are tied. The US president said, "It's not an excuse but an explanation". Democrats urge Biden to withdraw following debate Since the debate on Thursday, several Democrats have urged Biden to withdraw from the race. Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Texas joined a growing number of party members who have questioned Joe Biden's efforts to win re-election by becoming the first sitting Democrat to call for the president to resign on Tuesday. Also read: US Supreme Court declines to hear appeal against law used in Hunter Biden’s conviction According to the president's campaign, party officials have no intention of replacing the president with a different candidate before November. Biden's pre-debate travel history In the weeks preceding the debate, Biden did make several trips. The president went to Apulia, Italy, on June 13 to attend the G7 summit. Two days later, he along with former President Barack Obama went to Los Angeles for a star-studded fundraiser. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was received by Biden at the White House on June 17 to talk about military expenditures and preparations for the alliance's 75th NATO Summit. According to Reuters, Biden headed to Camp David on June 21 to begin debate prep six days before he took the stage. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden blames pre-debate travel for subpar performance; ‘almost fell asleep on stage’

After violent protests against a finance bill that included tax rises to pay off the nation's massive debt last week, another wave of protesters returned to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and other cities throughout the country on Tuesday (July 2).

After violent protests against a finance bill that included tax rises to pay off the nation's massive debt last week, another wave of protesters returned to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and other cities throughout the country on Tuesday (July 2). The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said that 361 people had been injured and 24 people had died since the protests began two weeks earlier. The commission called the violence used against demonstrators "excessive and disproportionate." President William Ruto is dealing with his worst crisis since assuming office in 2022. In the midst of protests last week, the Parliament passed the finance bill. However, when in retaliation, demonstrators stormed into the Nairobi parliament building, police opened fire, killing over twenty people, according to rights groups. Following the violence, Ruto demanded an investigation into the protestors' deaths and declared he would not sign the finance bill. However, it doesn't seem like such actions have placated the young protestors who are demanding that the president resign. Also read: Politics is a 'dark' and 'negative' world, left it to protect my kids, says Ivanka Trump "We are determined to push for the president's resignation We hope for a peaceful protest and minimal casualties, if any," Ojango Omondi, an activist in Nairobi, told news agency Reuters on Tuesday. Tuesday saw protests in Kisumu, Nakuru, Kajiado, Mombasa, Migori, Mlolongo, and Rongo, as well as reports of scattered violence. The government will take action against those involved in the 'orgy of violence' and 'anarchic chaos and cruel plunder,' Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki warned. "People are dying in the streets and the only thing he can talk about is money. We are not money. We are people. We are human beings. He needs to care about his people, because if he can't care about his people then we don't need him in that chair," protester Milan Waudo told Reuters in Mombasa. (With inputs from agencies)

Protests turn violent in Kenya as activists demand President Ruto's resignation

Kozhikode native Abdul Rahim, sentenced to death row at Al-Malaz Prison in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and for whom Kerala raised a staggering sum of ₹34 crore as blood money for his release, may get released soon.

Indian national in Saudi Arabia to be freed from prison, Abdul Rahim to return to Kerala

As the United Kingdom votes in the general election on Thursday (July 4), there are several people who are going to express their displeasure with the system in a very peculiar manner - by spoiling their ballot paper. The last general elections saw more than 100,000 people damaging their ballot papers. This is mostly because they either do not support the party or candidate standing from their area, or they are just not in favour of anyone overall.

In India, we have the system of NOTA (None of the above), wherein a person who doesn't want to vote for anyone can choose this option. These votes are also counted which is a way to tell the politicians that something needs to be fixed at their end. Something similar is going on here as well, only that people in the UK spoil their ballot in some way or the other.

The question then arises, why go to the polling booth at all if they are not going to vote for anyone? Simply not turning up to vote should be enough. Several people even give the postal ballot a miss. However, campaigners argue that it is important to clearly show the anger and frustration one might have with a politician or a party. So they say that one should go to cast their vote but instead, should spoil the ballot paper.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-delivers-surprise-speech-at-tory-rally-aimed-at-influencing-voters-737359">Boris Johnson delivers surprise speech at Tory rally aimed at influencing voters</a>

Voting Counts, an organisation working to get young adults to engage in political discourse, says spoiling a vote is more noticeable than&nbsp;simply not voting. This way politicians get the message that people are dissatisfied and they need to do something to engage such voters.&nbsp;

By spoiling your vote "you become a voice for the disengaged", the organisation told SKY News.&nbsp;

Notably, the spoilt votes are not simply discarded but are counted and recorded. "Your apathy towards the political parties will be heard not just forgotten", the organisation says.

<h2>How are the ballots spoilt?</h2>

There are several ways people go about it. Some choose multiple candidates, others put a big cross on the entire ballot paper while a few simply leave it blank. Then there are those who go on a rant on the paper against the party or a candidate, while some draw explicit images.&nbsp;

<h2>What happens to the spoilt ballot papers?</h2>

All votes that appear to have been spoilt are placed in a pile and they are supposed to be counted simultaneously with the valid votes. Votes that aren't legible to the person counting the votes also go in this pile. While being counted, once it is clear that the voter deliberately spoilt the paper, or has chosen to go against the rules, then the vote is declared invalid. Objections can be raised by those at the venue on behalf of the candidates.&nbsp;

In the last general elections in the UK in 2019, 0.36% of votes were invalid, that is a total of 117,101 ballot papers.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-student-debt-18mn-owe-50000-pounds-each-as-total-balance-crosses-2362bn-pounds-737086">UK student debt: 1.8 million owe 50,000 pounds each as total balance crosses 236.2 billion pounds</a>

<h2>When a penis picture was counted as a vote</h2>

In the 2015 general election, a voter&nbsp;drew&nbsp;a picture of a penis next to Conservative MP Glyn Davies's box. Surprisingly, it was counted as a valid vote.

Davies wrote on his Facebook page, "One voter decided to draw a detailed representation of a penis instead of a cross in my box on one ballot paper. Amazingly, because it was neatly drawn within the confines of the box the returning officer deemed it a valid vote.

"I'm not sure the artist meant it to count, but I am grateful. If I knew who it was, I would like to thank him (or her) personally."

(With inputs from agencies)

As the United Kingdom votes in the general election on Thursday (July 4), there are several people who are going to express their displeasure with the system in a very peculiar manner - by spoiling their ballot paper.

As the United Kingdom votes in the general election on Thursday (July 4), there are several people who are going to express their displeasure with the system in a very peculiar manner - by spoiling their ballot paper. The last general elections saw more than 100,000 people damaging their ballot papers. This is mostly because they either do not support the party or candidate standing from their area, or they are just not in favour of anyone overall. In India, we have the system of NOTA (None of the above), wherein a person who doesn't want to vote for anyone can choose this option. These votes are also counted which is a way to tell the politicians that something needs to be fixed at their end. Something similar is going on here as well, only that people in the UK spoil their ballot in some way or the other. The question then arises, why go to the polling booth at all if they are not going to vote for anyone? Simply not turning up to vote should be enough. Several people even give the postal ballot a miss. However, campaigners argue that it is important to clearly show the anger and frustration one might have with a politician or a party. So they say that one should go to cast their vote but instead, should spoil the ballot paper. Also Read: Boris Johnson delivers surprise speech at Tory rally aimed at influencing voters Voting Counts, an organisation working to get young adults to engage in political discourse, says spoiling a vote is more noticeable than simply not voting. This way politicians get the message that people are dissatisfied and they need to do something to engage such voters. By spoiling your vote "you become a voice for the disengaged", the organisation told SKY News. Notably, the spoilt votes are not simply discarded but are counted and recorded. "Your apathy towards the political parties will be heard not just forgotten", the organisation says. How are the ballots spoilt? There are several ways people go about it. Some choose multiple candidates, others put a big cross on the entire ballot paper while a few simply leave it blank. Then there are those who go on a rant on the paper against the party or a candidate, while some draw explicit images. What happens to the spoilt ballot papers? All votes that appear to have been spoilt are placed in a pile and they are supposed to be counted simultaneously with the valid votes. Votes that aren't legible to the person counting the votes also go in this pile. While being counted, once it is clear that the voter deliberately spoilt the paper, or has chosen to go against the rules, then the vote is declared invalid. Objections can be raised by those at the venue on behalf of the candidates. In the last general elections in the UK in 2019, 0.36% of votes were invalid, that is a total of 117,101 ballot papers. Also Read: UK student debt: 1.8 million owe 50,000 pounds each as total balance crosses 236.2 billion pounds When a penis picture was counted as a vote In the 2015 general election, a voter drew a picture of a penis next to Conservative MP Glyn Davies's box. Surprisingly, it was counted as a valid vote. Davies wrote on his Facebook page, "One voter decided to draw a detailed representation of a penis instead of a cross in my box on one ballot paper. Amazingly, because it was neatly drawn within the confines of the box the returning officer deemed it a valid vote. "I'm not sure the artist meant it to count, but I am grateful. If I knew who it was, I would like to thank him (or her) personally." (With inputs from agencies)

In UK, with no NOTA option, unhappy Britons resort to spoiling the ballot paper

The leaders of Russia and China were in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a regional summit, seeking to harden anti-Western alliances and press their influence in the strategic Central Asian region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in the Kazakh capital of Astana Wednesday morning for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) -- a Beijing-led regional bloc that covers Central Asia, India and Iran.

Moscow and Beijing have deepened their political, military and economic ties since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-using-relatives-to-conceal-7072mn-wealth-says-report-730561" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-using-relatives-to-conceal-7072mn-wealth-says-report-730561&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwkK6t04qHAxXfbmwGHaNZBwIQFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0AydVFDwDKc7z_GFbD9ehM&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-using-relatives-to-conceal-7072mn-wealth-says-report-730561" target="_blank">Xi Jinping&nbsp;using relatives to conceal $707.2mn wealth, says report</a>

Alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who arrived in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, the pair sees the SCO as a key forum for advancing their strategic interests across Eurasia.

"We attach great importance to partnership cooperation within this organisation," Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Russian state media outlets ahead of Putin's arrival.

"We believe that the SCO, as well as the second major association of BRICS, are the main pillars of the new world order, a locomotive in the context of establishing genuine multilateralism in world affairs," he added.

Both Russia and China have railed against what they call a US-led "hegemony" on the world stage.

China's Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said earlier this week that Beijing believed the SCO summit would "help build more consensus among all parties and make contributions to promoting security, stability and development of member countries", and advance "lasting peace and common prosperity in the world".&nbsp;

<h2>- Rivalry -</h2>

Despite inking a "no limits" strategic partnership just days before Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing have been historic rivals for influence in the Central Asian region.

The five countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan -- are ex-Soviet republics and have historic cultural, linguistic and economic ties to Russia.

But China's rising economic power and sprawling investment in the region has challenged Russian influence.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/with-xi-jinping-in-europe-china-plays-geopolitics-720020" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/with-xi-jinping-in-europe-china-plays-geopolitics-720020&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwkK6t04qHAxXfbmwGHaNZBwIQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3N8i6QFpBtUHDFyn7Y3hc9&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/with-xi-jinping-in-europe-china-plays-geopolitics-720020" target="_blank">With&nbsp;Xi Jinping&nbsp;in Europe, China plays geopolitics</a>

Central Asia is crucial to China's flagship Belt and Road international infrastructure development project.

The region is rich in natural resources and crucial for the overland transport of goods between China and Europe.

Russia's war on Ukraine has also been seen as creating an opening for other powers to swoop into regions that have been traditionally aligned with Moscow.

The ultra-closed Turkmenistan is not a member of the SCO, but the four others are, alongside India, Iran and Pakistan.

The nine-member bloc is complemented by 14 "dialogue partners", such as Turkey and several Gulf states.

Alongside the forum's main sessions, the Kremlin said Putin planned to meet bilaterally with a number of leaders at the summit, probably to include Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

NATO member Turkey is positioning itself as a possible mediator in the Ukraine war.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/videos/president-xi-jinpings-common-prosperity-campaign-in-focus-735886" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/president-xi-jinpings-common-prosperity-campaign-in-focus-735886&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwkK6t04qHAxXfbmwGHaNZBwIQFnoECAgQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0VaKECriIsY0bTN5TCrwvT&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/president-xi-jinpings-common-prosperity-campaign-in-focus-735886" target="_blank">President&nbsp;Xi Jinping's&nbsp;'common prosperity' campaign in focus</a>

Russia's close ally Belarus is expected to join the SCO at the meeting after being told at the 2023 summit that it would become a member.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also set to address the two-day summit on Thursday.

The leaders of Russia and China were in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a regional summit, seeking to harden anti-Western alliances and press their influence in the strategic Central Asian region.

The leaders of Russia and China were in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a regional summit, seeking to harden anti-Western alliances and press their influence in the strategic Central Asian region. Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in the Kazakh capital of Astana Wednesday morning for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) -- a Beijing-led regional bloc that covers Central Asia, India and Iran. Moscow and Beijing have deepened their political, military and economic ties since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Also read: Xi Jinping using relatives to conceal $707.2mn wealth, says report Alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who arrived in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, the pair sees the SCO as a key forum for advancing their strategic interests across Eurasia. "We attach great importance to partnership cooperation within this organisation," Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Russian state media outlets ahead of Putin's arrival. "We believe that the SCO, as well as the second major association of BRICS, are the main pillars of the new world order, a locomotive in the context of establishing genuine multilateralism in world affairs," he added. Both Russia and China have railed against what they call a US-led "hegemony" on the world stage. China's Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said earlier this week that Beijing believed the SCO summit would "help build more consensus among all parties and make contributions to promoting security, stability and development of member countries", and advance "lasting peace and common prosperity in the world". - Rivalry - Despite inking a "no limits" strategic partnership just days before Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing have been historic rivals for influence in the Central Asian region. The five countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan -- are ex-Soviet republics and have historic cultural, linguistic and economic ties to Russia. But China's rising economic power and sprawling investment in the region has challenged Russian influence. Also read: With Xi Jinping in Europe, China plays geopolitics Central Asia is crucial to China's flagship Belt and Road international infrastructure development project. The region is rich in natural resources and crucial for the overland transport of goods between China and Europe. Russia's war on Ukraine has also been seen as creating an opening for other powers to swoop into regions that have been traditionally aligned with Moscow. The ultra-closed Turkmenistan is not a member of the SCO, but the four others are, alongside India, Iran and Pakistan. The nine-member bloc is complemented by 14 "dialogue partners", such as Turkey and several Gulf states. Alongside the forum's main sessions, the Kremlin said Putin planned to meet bilaterally with a number of leaders at the summit, probably to include Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. NATO member Turkey is positioning itself as a possible mediator in the Ukraine war. Also read: President Xi Jinping's 'common prosperity' campaign in focus Russia's close ally Belarus is expected to join the SCO at the meeting after being told at the 2023 summit that it would become a member. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also set to address the two-day summit on Thursday.

Putin, Xi vie for influence at Central Asian summit

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