News in Brief (2024-01-31)

UK climate watchdog accuses Sunak
of sending 'mixed signals'
LONDON, Jan 30: Britain's top climate change advisory body on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of creating "mixed signals and a perception of "slowing UK climate ambition", as it demanded renewed action. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) said the country's image as a leader on the issue had suffered since a speech by Sunak in September in which he put the brakes on several net-zero initiatives. — AFP
19 Pak sailors rescued from pirates
NEW DELHI, Jan 30: Indian naval forces have rescued 19 Pakistani sailors after their fishing vessel was hijacked by pirates off Somalia's coast. This was the second rescue operation in 36 hours by Indian warship INS Sumitra. Hours earlier, the ship had rescued the 17-member Iranian crew of a vessel which was also hijacked by pirates, the navy said. India's navy has responded to several distress calls from vessels and sailors over the past few weeks. — BBC
5.7-magnitude quake hits Xinjiang
URUMQI, Jan 30: No casualties have been reported following a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Akqi County in Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Kizilsu in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 6:27 a.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time), local authorities said. The epicenter, with a depth of 10 km, was monitored at 41.15 degrees north latitude and 78.67 degrees east longitude, according to China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). No townships are located within a 20-km range of the epicenter. — Xinhua