China will regulate the sale of fireworks in the capital as part of its efforts to combat air pollution during the week-long celebrations for the Spring Festival next month.
People in China celebrate the combined Spring Festival and Chinese New Year for over a week with massive display of fireworks.
The Chinese capital will launch a real-name registration system for the sale of fireworks.
"Every fireworks store will be equipped with equipment to read the customers' identification cards. We can trace the buyer in case of an accident," Tang Mingming, deputy director of the Beijing Emergency Management Bureau, told The Beijing Youth Daily.
In the last few years, the use of fireworks has come down, specially in the capital Beijing.
The number of fireworks stores in the city will be reduced from more than 80 in 2018 to just over 30, Tang said, adding that fireworks booths will be banned in Beijing's sub-centre this year.
Firecrackers will be sold from January 30 to February 9, state-run ...

China restricts fireworks' sale to cut air pollution during Spring Festival

PTI Automatic

Anna Faris has congratulated her ex-husband Chris Pratt on his engagement to Katherine Schwarzenegger.
The 42-year-old actor was married to Pratt, with whom she has six-year-old son Jack, for eight years before they split in 2017 and finalised their divorce in November last year.
Pratt, 39, made shared the engagement news on Sunday with an adorable Instagram post and Faris commented on it.
''I'm so happy for you both!! Congratulations!'' she wrote on the post which was accompanied by a picture of Pratt and Schwarzenegger.
The "Jurassic World" actor and Katherine, the daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, have been together since June last year.

Anna Faris congratulates Chris Pratt on engagement

A Tokyo court on Tuesday rejected a request by former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn for bail following fresh charges, dashing his hopes for an early release from his Japanese jail cell.
The decision means the 64-year-old auto tycoon is likely to stay in custody until his trial, which even his own defence lawyer has admitted could take six months to begin.
The Tokyo District Court said in a statement that "a request filed by lawyers for his bail release was rejected today".
On Friday, prosecutors pressed formal charges against Ghosn over two more allegations of financial misconduct -- all of which the Franco-Brazilian-Lebanese businessman denies.
In a dramatic courtroom appearance on Tuesday, Ghosn denounced the allegations against him, saying he had been "wrongly accused and unfairly detained".
He has been indicted on two counts of allegedly under-declaring his income by more than nine billion yen ($83 million) in total over eight fiscal years in documents to shareholders.
Ghosn also ...

Tokyo court denies ex-Nissan chief Ghosn's bail request

Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in remote northeast Nigeria, setting fire to shelters for those made homeless by the conflict, military and humanitarian sources told AFP Tuesday.
The attack in Rann, some 175 kilometres (110 miles) northeast of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, began late on Monday afternoon and forced civilians to flee.
It followed a pattern by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction of Boko Haram that has called into question government claims the group is virtually defeated.
A similar attempt was made to take over a military base in Magumeri, 50 kilometres northwest of Maiduguri, on Sunday, a local community leader said.
Rann currently hosts some 35,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), according to the International Organization for Migration.
It has been repeatedly hit in the conflict, exacerbating already dire humanitarian conditions on the ground.
A military source in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, said the attack began at ...

Boko Haram attacks military base in Nigeria

Commending India for being a very important player in the multilateral system, UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa has said the country is a "leading force" in areas of climate action and poverty eradication.
Espinosa underscored that given India's large population, its actions and success on issues such as climate change and poverty eradication is "extremely important."
"India is a very important player in the multi-lateral system. It is a very strong reliable partner of the system. This should be acknowledged," Espinosa told PTI in an interview here.
Lauding India for its "constructive" role in the multilateral sphere, she said the country is a very good ally to boost role of the UN and to strengthen the multi-lateral system.
"I commend India for that. On the climate agenda, India is a leading actor, it has a strong commitment to renewable energies, push for solar power, poverty eradication agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). India is really a leading 

India very important player in the multilateral system: UNGA President Espinosa

With tears in his eyes, Stephen Constantine stepped down as the Indian football team's coach, the group stage Asian Cup exit turning out to be one bitter pill that he found too hard to swallow.
India's promising start to the continental showpiece ended in a heartbreak when they conceded a 90th minute penalty for Bahrain to eke out a 1-0 win in their final group engagements here Monday night. And his "cycle" was finished.
"I'm stepping down after this game. I've been here for four years, my objective from day one was to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. I've done that and I'm exceptionally proud of the players for everything they have given," Constantine said.
"I think my cycle has finished. I did what I was asked to and a little bit more and after four years, I think it's time to leave," the Anglo-Cypriot added.
This was Constantine's second stint with the Indian side after having been at the helm between 2002 and 2005. He returned to the hot seat after taking over the reins for a second 

Teary-eyed Constantine resigns after India's Asian Cup exit

Donald Trump has sent a letter to Kim Jong-un, a media report said Tuesday, days after the US President said he received a "great letter" from the reclusive North Korean leader, amid talks about a second summit between them on denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
Kim and Trump held a historic meeting in Singapore on June 12 last year where they issued a vague goal for the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean Peninsula without describing when and how it would occur.
The letter delivered over the weekend comes after President Trump said early this month that he had received a "great letter" from Kim and was looking forward to meet the North Korean leader for a second time in the "not-too-distant future".
The letter comes as the two sides negotiate details of a second meeting between the two leaders. It was flown to Pyongyang and delivered by hand, the CNN reported, quoting a source familiar with the ongoing talks between Washington and Pyongyang on denuclearisation of the ...

Trump sends letter to Kim Jong-un: report

President Donald Trump personally paid for an "all American" feast of burgers, pizza and fries for a visiting college football champions as the White House chefs are among those furloughed due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, the longest in the US history.
On Monday, the Clemson Tigers were invited by Trump to the White House to celebrate their national championship win over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
With the White House chefs staying home because of the shutdown, Trump used his own personal money to order burgers and fries from McDonald's and the Wendy's, which he said were the "great American food."
"We ordered American fast food. Paid for by me. Lots of hamburgers, lots of pizza, I think they'd like it better than anything we could give," Trump said.
Standing behind the spread of fast food, in the Dining Room of the White House, Trump said he likes them all. "I like it all. It's all good stuff, great American food. And it's going to be very interesting to see at the end .

Trump orders burgers, fries for football champs after shutdown closes WH kitchen

Singer-actor Selena Gomez has returned to social media and has thanked her fans for their continuous support.
The singer took time off from Instagram after she entered rehab in October last year.
Gomez, 26, posted on Instagram on Monday for the first time since September last year.
"It's been awhile since you have heard from me, but I wanted to wish everyone a happy new year and to thank you for your love and support. Last year was definitely a year of self-reflection, challenges and growth.
"It's always those challenges which show you who you are and what you are capable of overcoming. Trust me, it's not easy, but I am proud of the person I am becoming and look forward to the year ahead. Love you all,'' she wrote.
Gomez had entered a treatment facility to help address ongoing issues related to anxiety and depression.

Selena Gomez returns to social media

Shaun Marsh smashed his seventh hundred before India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced a brilliant spell in the death overs to limit Australia to 298-9 in the second ODI here on Tuesday.
At the Adelaide Oval, Marsh arrived at the crease at 26-2 and scored 131 runs, inclusive of 11 fours and three sixes, adding 94 runs off 65 balls runs with Glenn Maxwell (48 off 37 balls).
This was after Australia won the toss and opted to bat in searing heat. The hosts were unchanged from the previous game, while India brought in debutant Mohammed Siraj in place of Khaleel Ahmed.
Bhuvneshwar (4-45) and Mohammed Shami (3-58) exerted themselves on proceedings with the new ball, and didn't let the Australian openers get away quickly.
Kumar bowled Aaron Finch (6) through the gate in the seventh over, in a near-similar replay of his dismissal in the first ODI. At the other end, Alex Carey (18) looked set once again before getting out two overs later, a top-edge off Shami's quick bouncer caught at midwicket 

Marsh fires Australia to 298/9

Harry Potter fans are getting a Muggle-created Pensieve as a range of limited edition memorable moments from the beloved book series are set to be released in the first ever fine art collection from the franchise.
According to DigitalSpy, Universal Studios and Classic Stills have joined hands to announce the new range of prints from the first book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".
A date is yet to be announced.
This will be later followed up by collections for all eight of the Harry Potter films over the next few years.
Subsequent collections will be released from the other films in chronological order.
Pottermaniacs will also get a chance to help participate in curating the collections, by pointing out the scene or moment they would most like to display.
A "Doctor Who" collection is also on the horizon, with Classic Stills also teaming up with the BBC.
The line-up will comprise 20 pieces spanning the show's history and will include all 13 actors to have played a main ...

Harry Potter classic moments to be released as limited edition fine art prints

A focused Serena Williams sent an ominous Australian Open warning with a 49-minute first-round demolition Tuesday as young gun Alexander Zverev comfortably began his tilt at a maiden Grand Slam title.
The American giant is bidding to match Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam crowns on her first return to Melbourne Park since winning in 2017 while eight weeks pregnant.
Now 37, she kept a low profile in the lead-up to the opening major of the year and came out of the blocks flying against fellow mum Tatjana Maria, pummelling her German opponent 6-0, 6-2.
Sporting a striking jade green jumpsuit and fine mesh stockings on Rod Laver Arena, the 16th seed wasted no time in getting out of the blistering Melbourne heat and said it was good to be back.
"The last time I was here I was pregnant and playing at the same time which is insane," she said.
"It's weird walking back on -- by myself this time -- it feels good. I have so many memories from last time I was here."
Bidding for an eighth .

Ominous Serena, Zverev make Open statements

Serena Williams unveiled her latest fashion statement at the Australian Open on Tuesday, and helpfully ended any confusion about what to call the striking garment.
Some suggested it was a onesie, others said it resembled a romper suit, but for the item's famous creator there could be only one name.
"It's a Serena-tard," Williams told reporters when quizzed about her latest look.  Made of jade-green lycra with a black-and-white waistband, the skin-tight outfit looks like a pair of disco-era hotpants attached to a builder's singlet.
Williams matched it with fishnet stockings, which she explained were a health measure designed to avoid deep-vein thrombosis (DVT).
Williams almost died in 2017 when blood clots formed in her lungs after she gave birth to her first child, daughter Olympia.
She said she still lived in fear of the condition returning and wore compression tights to help stop clots forming.
"(I'm) definitely still concerned. I have had some issues and they're not done. So it's ..

'Serena-tard' debuts at Australian Open

Scientists have designed a novel long-acting contraceptive that can be self-administered by women using a painless microneedle skin patch.
The research, published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, may pave the way for a new family planning option, particularly in developing nations where access to healthcare can be limited.
Long-acting contraceptives now available provide the highest level of effectiveness, but usually require a healthcare professional to inject a drug or implant a device.
Short-acting techniques, on the other hand, require frequent compliance by users and therefore are often not as effective.
In animal testing, an experimental microneedle contraceptive patch provided a therapeutic level of contraceptive hormone for more than a month with a single application to the skin.
When the patch is applied for several seconds, the microscopic needles break off and remain under the surface of the skin, where biodegradable polymers slowly release the contraceptive ...

'Contraceptives may soon be administered via pain-free patch'

Hong Kong scientists claim they have made a potential breakthrough discovery in the fight against infectious diseases - a chemical that could slow the spread of deadly viral illnesses.
A team from the University of Hong Kong described the newly discovered chemical as "highly potent in interrupting the life cycle of diverse viruses" in a study published this month in the journal Nature Communications.
The scientists told AFP Monday that it could one day be used as a broad-spectrum antiviral for a host of infectious diseases - and even for viruses that have yet to emerge - if it passes clinical trials.
The spread in recent decades of sometimes deadly bird flu strains, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) have underscored the need for new drugs that can work more quickly than vaccines.
Broad-spectrum antivirals are seen as the holy grail because they can be used against multiple pathogens.
In contrast, vaccines usually only protect ...

Hong Kong scientists claim 'broad-spectrum' antiviral breakthrough

A top North Korean diplomat was travelling to Sweden Tuesday, she told reporters, as speculation mounts over the next summit between the isolated state's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump.
Choe Son Hui, a North Korean vice-minister of foreign affairs, landed in Beijing on a flight from the North Korean capital Pyongyang.
"I am going to an international conference in Sweden," South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted her as saying on arrival at the airport.
Choe's trip comes as expectations grow for a second meeting between Kim and Trump -- despite a lack of progress in denuclearisation negotiations -- after the North Korean leader went to Beijing, long Pyongyang's key ally, last week for talks with President Xi Jinping.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Kim's trip was a sign a second US-North Korean summit was "imminent", and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added at the weekend that: "We're working out the details".
Suggestions circulating among Korea-watchers for 

North Korean official heads for talks in Sweden: report

Groups of mice sent aboard the International Space Station (ISS) may help better understand the process of ageing in space and on Earth, according to NASA.
The investigation will provide space-flown samples to scientists from academia, industry and government agencies, who have agreed to share their data and results in an online database that is open to the public.
Rodent Research-8 (RR-8) will examine the physiology of ageing and the effect of age on disease progression using groups of young and old mice flown in space and kept on Earth, NASA said in a statement.
"The objective is to expose the mice to microgravity and track physiological changes," said Michael S Roberts, deputy chief scientist at the US National Laboratory, a sponsor of the investigation.
"Tissue samples from space-flown animals are extremely valuable to biomedical research and opportunities to use the space station are limited to a few missions each year," Roberts said.
"This investigation was conceived primarily ..

Mice flown to space may help decode ageing: NASA

A new "Star Trek" show, fronted by Michelle Yeoh, is officially moving forward at CBS All Access.
According to Variety, the series will be written by Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt.
The series would see Yeoh reprise the role of Philippa Georgiou, expanding on the character's current position as a member of Section 31, a shadowy intelligence agency operating within the Federation.
The actor said she cannot wait to see where the story goes and she believes it will go "where no woman has ever gone before".
"I'm so excited to continue telling these rich 'Star Trek' stories. Being a part of this universe and this character specifically has been such a joy for me to play," she added.
There were rumours of a Yeoh-led Section 31 series since the conclusion of "Discovery" season one, after a deleted scene revealed Georgiou being approached by a member of the organisation on the Klingon homeworld.
She is also set to appear in the second season of "Star Trek: Discovery", which debuts ...

Michelle Yeoh stand-alone 'Star Trek' series in the works

The French and German ambassadors to Beijing have granted a human rights award to a detained Chinese lawyer, with his wife picking up the prize on his behalf.
Yu Wensheng -- best known for suing the Beijing government over the city's once chronic pollution -- was detained last January and charged with "inciting subversion of state power".
Beijing has stepped up its crackdown on civil society since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012, tightening restrictions on freedom of speech and detaining hundreds of activists and lawyers.
Prior to his arrest, Yu had circulated an open letter calling for five reforms to China's constitution, including the institution of multi-candidate presidential elections.
His wife, Xu Yan, received the award at an event organised by the German embassy in Beijing on Monday.
The prominent attorney was among 15 winners of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law for 2018, announced in November.
"He (Yu) has lost his freedom for a year and ..

Detained Chinese lawyer wins Franco-German human rights award

Swapping just 30 minutes of sitting time with physical activity of any intensity or amount, may help reduce the risk of early death, a study claims.
The study highlights the importance of movement -- regardless of its intensity or amount of time spent moving -- for better health.
"Our findings underscore an important public health message that physical activity of any intensity provides health benefits," said Keith Diaz, assistant professor at Columbia University in the US.
About one in four adults spends more than eight hours a day sitting, researchers said.
The study included 7,999 individuals, age 45 and older, who took part in an investigation of racial and regional disparities in stroke between 2009 and 2013.
The individuals wore activity monitors for at least four days to record the amount and intensity of physical activity they engaged in while awake.
The researchers tabulated the death rate among participants through 2017. Using this data, they estimated how substituting time .

Reducing sedentary time may cut early death risk: Study

Using even a small amount of cannabis may cause changes in the brain volume of teenagers, according to a study.
The study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, is the first to find evidence that an increase in grey matter volume in certain parts of the adolescent brain is a likely consequence of low-level marijuana use.
Few studies have looked at the effects of the first few uses of a drug, said Hugh Garavan, a professor at the University of Vermont (UVM) in the US.
Most researchers focus on heavy marijuana users later in life and compare them against non-users. These new findings identify an important new area of focus.
"Consuming just one or two joints seems to change grey matter volumes in these young adolescents," Garavan said.
The study included 46 children who reported having used cannabis once or twice by age 14.
Their brains showed more grey matter volume in areas where cannabis binds, known as cannabinoid receptors, compared to the children who did not use the drug.
The .

Page 3608 - PTI Stories National