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New frog species found in China's Guangdong

New frog species found in China's Guangdong

A new frog species has been discovered in the city of Foshan in south China's Guangdong Province, reported Xinhua. It has been given the name Leptobrachella kungfu, inspired by the Chinese martial art, honoring Foshan's cultural legacy as a renowned "City of Kung Fu." This discovery, jointly made by researchers from Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering and the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, was published on Wednesday in the international taxonomic journal ZooKeys. According to the research team, the new species was identified through a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. They found that this species is small in size -- with six collected adult male specimens ranging from 25.7 mm to 28.2 mm in snout-vent length. This frog has a distinct black line behind its eye, slightly webbed toes with wide edges, uninterrupted ridges under its toes and rough back skin without any larger folds. It is mainly found in hilly parts of the western Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a densely populated and highly urbanized region. "The discovery shows that even small patches of nature within big cities are crucial homes for unique species and need our protection," said team leader Lin Shishi, adding that it reflects ongoing progress in detailed and specialized biodiversity surveys in the region. The research team has also developed an identification guide for the genus Leptobrachella in Guangdong to support further species recognition and conservation efforts.

Nordic countries to build air forces capable of combined operations

Nordic countries to build air forces capable of combined operations

Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen on Wednesday said that the Nordic countries would build air forces that are capable operating together both in peacetime and under emergency conditions. The Minister made the remarks while hosting a meeting of Nordic defence ministers in Helsinki, said the Ministry of Defence in a press release. “We have made good progress towards this goal. Together, the Nordic countries will have more than 200 new-generation fighters by the start of the next decade,” he said. Meanwhile, there is still work to be done to make combined and integrated operations across borders possible in all situations, said the Minister. “We will further deepen our cooperation so that we can achieve a combined capability to plan and conduct air operations across the Nordic countries. This is important for strengthening NATOs deterrence and defence in the High North,” Häkkänen added. “As regards military mobility, we will continue our excellent and efficient cooperation to develop military mobility in the Nordic region. In the current security landscape, it is a matter of great importance to improve military mobility between the Nordic countries,” said the Minister. The Nordic countries have deepened their cooperation since November last year when they signed a letter of intent on harmonised military mobility corridors in the Nordic region. “We are off to a good start and will continue our efforts as a matter of urgency,” Häkkänen said. Regarding defence materiel cooperation, the Nordic defence ministers decided to continue to strengthen the Nordic industrial capacity in ammunition production. For the first time, the Chiefs of Defence from all the Nordic countries attended the meeting, which will support strategic and military planning in the High North, the press release added.

Ukrainian PM proposes dismissal of Energy, justice ministers

Ukrainian PM proposes dismissal of Energy, justice ministers

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Wednesday submitted a motion to parliament asking to dismiss Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk and Justice Minister German Galushchenko amid a corruption scandal in the energy sector, reported Xinhua. Svyrydenko said on Telegram that both ministers have submitted their resignation letters in accordance with the law. In a statement on Facebook, Hrynchuk emphasized that no violations of law had occurred during her professional activities. "Such facts cannot exist in principle," she said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged parliament to support the ministers' resignations, and the government suspended Galushchenko's duties earlier in the day. "I believe that the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Energy cannot remain in office. This is, among other things, a matter of trust. If there are accusations, they must be addressed," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. Earlier this week, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau announced it had conducted an operation targeting corruption in the energy sector, particularly within the state-run nuclear energy operator Energoatom. According to the bureau, investigators uncovered a "high-level criminal organization" operating in the energy sector that allegedly involved present and former energy sector officials and a well-known businessman.

Saimaa Canal sailing season to end earlier due to absence of vessel

Saimaa Canal sailing season to end earlier due to absence of vessel

The Saimaa Canal delegates have decided that the sailing season in the canal will end on Friday, said the Ministry of Transport and Communications in a press release on Tuesday. Each year, the delegates agree on the length of the sailing season and the date on which it will open for traffic. This year, the season was agreed to last from 26 May to 31 December 2025. However, with no vessel traffic in the canal, the season will end earlier. The decision on the length of the sailing season is made according to the Saimaa Canal lease agreement adopted by Parliament. Following the decision to end the season, no cargo or passenger vessels will pass through the canal. During the sailing season, the traffic is subject to government decisions and the sanctions imposed by the EU. Under the government decision currently in force, the border crossing points of Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio on the border between Finland and Russia have been closed for maritime traffic. These are crossing points for pleasure craft referred to in the Schengen Borders Code. For this reason, it has not been possible for leisure boats to cross the border and use the Saimaa Canal. During this sailing season, by the beginning of October there had been 401 lockings at the Mälkiä lock on the Finnish side. The Saimaa Canal is 43 kilometres long. Nearly half of the canal runs through an area leased from Russia.

President to attend G20 Summit in Johannesburg

President to attend G20 Summit in Johannesburg

President Alexander Stubb will attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 22 to 23, said the President Office in a press release on Wednesday. This year, South Africa is holding the rotating presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20). During his visit in Johannesburg, the President will also have several bilateral and other meetings with G20 leaders. The delegation of the President will include Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto. This is the first time that the President of Finland will participate in a G20 summit at the invitation of President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. The summit will address a wide range of global challenges and seek solutions to them. The agenda focuses on reviewing the international finance and trade system, tackling climate change and food security, advancing the green energy transition, and managing technological issues and critical minerals.Stubb will speak at two different sessions. The G20 comprises 19 countries and representatives of the African Union and the European Union. The G20 members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. In addition, representatives from countries outside the G20 group and international organisations as well as decision-makers of regional economic communities in Africa are invited to the summits.