NASA launches probe to study if life
possible on icy Jupiter moon
NEW YORK, Oct 15: NASA's Europa Clipper probe blasted off from Florida on Monday, bound for an icy moon of Jupiter to discover whether it has the ingredients to support life. Lift-off aboard a powerful SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket took place shortly after noon (1600 GMT), with the probe set to reach Jupiter's moon Europa in five and a half years. NASA later confirmed that it had successfully acquired a signal from the probe and that its massive solar arrays-designed to capture the weak light that reaches Jupiter-had fully unfolded. The mission will allow the US space agency to uncover new details about Europa, which scientists believe could hold an ocean beneath its icy surface. — AFP
Russia, China share views on global situation
BEIJING, Oct 15: The defence officials of Russia and China are united in their assessments of global processes, and they have a common understanding of what needs to be done in the current situation, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said at a meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China Zhang Youxia. "Yesterday we held very meaningful talks with the Minister of Defense of the People's Republic of China, and we see that we have common views, a common assessment of the situation, and a common understanding of what we need to do together," Belousov said. — TASS
Climate pact needs 'hundreds of billions' from rich govts
PARIS, Oct 15: The hosts of the coming UN climate summit said Monday that a hard-fought finance pact for poorer countries must include "hundreds of billions" of dollars from wealthy governments. Nearly 200 countries are supposed to agree at COP29 how much money should flow every year from rich nations to poorer ones to help them prepare for climate change. But little progress has been achieved so far in the negotiations, with disagreements over who should pay, how much, and the scope and structure of the pact. COP29 hosts Azerbaijan held a series of meetings last week with diplomats to try to make headway ahead of the main summit starting on November 11. — AFP
Japan election campaigns kick off
TOKYO, Oct 15: Campaigning kicked off Tuesday in Japan for an October 27 election in which new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is seeking to retain his long-ruling party's majority. Loudspeaker trucks began circulating and candidates handed out fliers ahead of the vote. Key issues include price rises, regional security, and disquiet over scandals in Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party. The LDP has governed Japan almost uninterrupted for decades, albeit with frequent leadership changes. Low voter turnout and a divided opposition mean the party and its coalition partner are highly likely to win. —AFP
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