Pompeo to be under quarantine after coming in contact with COVID-19 patient

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (File Photo)

Muscat [Oman], December 16: Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Wednesday approached Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during his two-day visit to the Gulf nation, and talked about reciprocal relations between the two countries including collaboration against the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Muraleedharan likewise expressed gratitude toward Albusaidi and the Omani government for its help to the Indian people group during the pandemic. 

"Approached HE @badralbusaidi FM of Oman. Had a magnificent conversation on our respective relations remembering participation for the battle against #COVID19. Like the gainful trade on territorial and global devpts," he tweeted. 

"Expressed gratitude toward HE @badralbusaidi and the Omani government for the help stretched out to Indian people group in Oman during the troublesome time of #pandemic," he included another tweet. 

The Minister of State for External Affairs additionally met Oman's Labor Minister Mahad Baawain, where he had conversations on fortifying collaboration on a few issues, remembering IT framework for protected and legitimate movement, skilling and then some. 

"Had a decent gathering with Oman's Labor Min. HE @mahadbaawain. Expressed gratitude toward him for taking great consideration of Indian people group esp during Covid. Talked about reinforcing coop. on specialists issues, IT infra on safe and lawful relocation and skilling," he said in a tweet. 

Moreover, he additionally communicated with the recently framed Oman-India Friendship Association. 

"Happy to connect with the recently settled Oman India Friendship Association. Talked about some innovative thoughts for improving associate btwn the youthful ages of our nations in business, training and culture," he tweeted. 

Muraleedharan started his two-day visit to Oman by offering supplications at the Motishwar Mandir recently. 

"Begun the main day of my Oman visit by offering supplications at the Motishwar Mandir, perhaps the most seasoned sanctuary in the Gulf. The sanctuary is a declaration to the deep rooted human individuals ties between our two nations," he wrote in a tweet. 

The visit would finish up on Thursday, December 17. 

An External Affairs Ministry discharge said that this will be his first visit to the nation as Minister of State. 

Muraleedharan, who is likewise Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, will meet the delegates of the Indian Social Club, social laborers, clinical and instruction experts and yoga associations. 

Oman right now has in excess of 600,000 Indians. (ANI)

Muraleedharan calls on Oman Foreign Minister, discusses bilateral ties, Covid-19

MoS for External Affairs V Muraleedharan with Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi (Source: Twitter/V. Muraleedharan)

Muscat [Oman], December 16: Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Wednesday approached Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during his two-day visit to the Gulf nation, and talked about reciprocal relations between the two countries including collaboration against the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Muraleedharan likewise expressed gratitude toward Albusaidi and the Omani government for its help to the Indian people group during the pandemic. 

"Approached HE @badralbusaidi FM of Oman. Had a magnificent conversation on our respective relations remembering participation for the battle against #COVID19. Like the gainful trade on territorial and global devpts," he tweeted. 

"Expressed gratitude toward HE @badralbusaidi and the Omani government for the help stretched out to Indian people group in Oman during the troublesome time of #pandemic," he included another tweet. 

The Minister of State for External Affairs additionally met Oman's Labor Minister Mahad Baawain, where he had conversations on fortifying collaboration on a few issues, remembering IT framework for protected and legitimate movement, skilling and then some. 

"Had a decent gathering with Oman's Labor Min. HE @mahadbaawain. Expressed gratitude toward him for taking great consideration of Indian people group esp during Covid. Talked about reinforcing coop. on specialists issues, IT infra on safe and lawful relocation and skilling," he said in a tweet. 

Moreover, he additionally communicated with the recently framed Oman-India Friendship Association. 

"Happy to connect with the recently settled Oman India Friendship Association. Talked about some innovative thoughts for improving associate btwn the youthful ages of our nations in business, training and culture," he tweeted. 

Muraleedharan started his two-day visit to Oman by offering supplications at the Motishwar Mandir recently. 

"Begun the main day of my Oman visit by offering supplications at the Motishwar Mandir, perhaps the most seasoned sanctuary in the Gulf. The sanctuary is a declaration to the deep rooted human individuals ties between our two nations," he wrote in a tweet. 

The visit would finish up on Thursday, December 17. 

An External Affairs Ministry discharge said that this will be his first visit to the nation as Minister of State. 

Muraleedharan, who is likewise Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, will meet the delegates of the Indian Social Club, social laborers, clinical and instruction experts and yoga associations. 

Oman right now has in excess of 600,000 Indians. (ANI)

Netflix to bring docu-series based on Pope Francis' book

Pope Francis

Washington [US], December 16: Online real time feature Netflix has requested for the creation of a unique narrative arrangement dependent on Poper Francis' book 'Sharing the Wisdom of Time.' 

As indicated by The Hollywood Reporter, the honor winning book highlights accounts of old individuals from various pieces of the world. 

The Documentary arrangement will be partitioned into four sections and will include people around the age of 70 from across the world, who will be recounting stories to youthful movie producers younger than 30. 

A select meeting with Pope Francis will likewise be included in the docu-arrangement. Other than the meeting, the arrangement will likewise have a consistent theme as Francis' remarks. 

The book 'Sharing the Wisdom of Time,' was altered by Father Antonio Spadaro and was distributed in 2018 in America, revealed The Hollywood Reporter. 

The arrangement will be coordinated and created by Italian chief Simona Ercolani and it will be delivered internationally in 2021. (ANI)

PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina to hold virtual summit on Thursday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina (File photo)

New Delhi [India], December 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheik Hasina will hold a virtual highest point on Thursday and have thorough conversations on the whole range of the respective relationship, incorporating further reinforcing participation in the post COVID period. 

The highest point will be held a day after Vijay Divas, which denotes India's triumph over Pakistan in the 1971 war that prompted the production of Bangladesh. 

India and Bangladesh have kept on keeping up normal trades at the most elevated level with Bangladesh Prime Minister paying an official visit to India in October 2019. 

PM Modi had conveyed a video message on the noteworthy event of Mujib Borsho in March 2020. 

The two chiefs have stayed in customary touch during the COVID pandemic. 

Sources said India and Bangladesh have been putting forth attempts to upgrade transport and network. 

The administration on the two sides has been focused on restoring and operationalising the six pre-1965 rail joins among India and Bangladesh. 

With the initiation of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail interface, five out of six rail joins are presently operational. 

The other four operational rail joins associating West Bengal with Bangladesh are Petrapole (India) - Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) - Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)- Rohanpur (Bangladesh) and Radhikapur (India)- Birol (Bangladesh). 

Sources said the Haldibari-Chilahati rail interface was important for the wide check primary course from Kolkata to Siliguri yet the battle of 1965 successfully remove all the railroad joins. 

To resuscitate this past rail interface, the two sides have reestablished the connection improving network and individuals to-individuals joins on the two sides, the sources said. 

The sources said Haldibari-Chilahati course will upgrade network to Assam and West Bengal from Bangladesh. Work is likewise advancing on the rail interface associating Agartala and Akhaura. 

Bangladesh is honoring the year 2020 as Mujib Borsho - the birth centennial of the dad of the country of Bangladesh - Sheik Mujibur Rahman famously known as Bangabandhu. In his comments during the initiation of Mujib Borsho on March 17, PM Modi had said that Bangabandhu was "perhaps the best character of the only remaining century" and that "his whole life is a motivation for all". 

Both Prime Ministers had mutually initiated a memorial stamp on Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman. A sum of 500,000 stamps, 30750 First Day Covers and 25610 handouts on Bangabandhu have been given by the Department of Posts, sources said. 

Both head administrators mutually initiated a Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition to commend the life and traditions of Mahatma Gandhi and Sheik Mujibur Rahman. 

Sources said this presentation will get shown in New Delhi. Thusly, it would be shown in various areas in Bangladesh, the United Nations and would at long last finish at Kolkata in mid 2022. 

The sources said the display is curated with 21 dividers of data including the presentation divider featuring the subject of the show, a gathering divider, in view of the day the two chiefs met in August 1947 and Ba-Bangamata divider praising the two ladies who remained by their men. There are more than 100 purposes of computerized commitment, for example, a holographic time machine that layers chronicled photographs with a timetable to give a remarkable interface to the clients to reference the time and lives of these pioneers. 

The Jallianwala Bagh and Genocide burrow depict the torment, enduring, and the anguish suffered by the individuals during these brutal occasions. Bangladesh's battle for freedom prompted in excess of 3,000,000 passings and more than 200,000 assaults. 

There are other striking highlights, for example, a 360-degree perspective on a portion of the memorable areas and an automated mark of Bangabandhu and Mahatma Gandhi. (ANI)

India a key global partner for UK, have shared priorites on issues like climate change: Philip Barton

Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development

London [UK], December 16: Shared needs with India including environmental change and COVID-19 make it a key worldwide accomplice for the United Kingdom, Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said on Wednesday. 

Barton, a previous British High Commissioner to India, offered the remarks after re-tweeting comments of UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who is in a four-day visit to India 

"Our shared needs on issues like ClimateChange and COVID-19 make India, a key worldwide accomplice for the UK," Barton said. 

Raab, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, said that the UK is focused on building a closer relationship with India. 

"I met @narendramodi today to examine our joint vision, a 10-year guide to make occupations for Britons and Indians, protect our security and work all together for good in the Indo-Pacific," Raab said in a tweet. 

Dominic Raab had met External Illicit relationships Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday and the two chiefs examined openings in a post-Covid, post-Brexit world for a more grounded India-UK association. (ANI)

Maryam Nawaz slams Pak govt for 'incompetence, corrupt practices' after oil crisis report

PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz (File photo)

Islamabad [Pakistan], December 16: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday pummeled Prime Minister Imran Khan's administration for 'ineptitude, helpless dynamic and degenerate practices', two days after a request commission on the June oil emergency delivered its report. 

The commission's 163-page report additionally assessed over (Pakistani) Rs 250 billion worth of oil carrying from Iran and noticed that a wide scope of activities in the oil area were against law and rules, working with no check and equilibrium, detailed Dawn. 

"The report on the oil emergency affirms what we definitely knew. It was an immediate aftereffect of the chose's inadequacy, helpless dynamic or more all bad practices. This is actually why he needs to go and is on out," Maryam said in a tweet on Wednesday. 

"As though we had lack of tricks - sugar, wheat, LNG, meds, and now the oil trick. All multi-billion dollars tricks reflecting ineptitude, helpless dynamic and plundering and looting the majority to profit chose and his sidekicks," she said in another tweet. 

First light detailed that the 15-part request commission on the oil emergency suggested departmental procedures against the top progressive system of the oil division, disintegration of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and an end to the tasks of processing plant and oil advertising organization Byco. 

It said having seen the illicit relationships of Ogra, the commission was likewise 'constrained to suggest' execution review of the multitude of administrative bodies (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, Competition Commission of Pakistan and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan). 

Data Minister Shibli Faraz on Tuesday said the report on the oil trick was put before the bureau and the executive has pledged to make a harsh move against those associated with the embarrassment. 

The report additionally recognized a progression of misbehaviors, including control of evaluating instrument, defilement, distortion and avoidance of charges, figure fudging, etc across the production network, detailed Dawn. (ANI)

India, UK experts to collaborate on new virtual hub to distribute vaccines, says Raab

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (Photo Credits: ANI)

New Delhi [India], December 16: Experts from India and the United Kingdom will work together by means of another virtual center to convey immunizations for Covid-19 and other dangerous infections, the meeting unfamiliar secretary of the United Kingdom Dominic Raab said on Wednesday. 

Raab approached Prime Minister Modi today to examine India and the UK cooperating for good and dispatching the spearheading new antibodies center, which will share the accepted procedures for guideline and clinical preliminaries, and further cultivate development, as indicated by a press proclamation from the British High Commission in India. 

The new center point will empower British and Indian specialists to share information on clinical preliminaries and administrative endorsements and get antibodies to individuals who need them most in a protected, secure and energy-effective way, and will ensure the UK and India by improving participation on the turn of events and dispersion of Covid-19 immunizations. 

"This Serum Institute and Oxford University association shows the UK-India relationship at its best: an antibody created in the UK and made in India; drawing our most brilliant personalities together to save lives as a worldwide power for good," he said. 

The Pune based Serum Institute of India (SII) is ready to make over a billion portions of the Covid-19 immunization created by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, which can be put away in ordinary cooler temperatures, making it simpler and less expensive to deliver, store and disperse far and wide. A large number of dosages made by SII will be circulated to the world's least fortunate individuals through the worldwide COVAX activity, in association with World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the antibody collusion. 

"A worldwide pandemic requires a worldwide arrangement. Logical participation has made achievements on Covid antibodies at record-breaking pace and the UK-India Vaccine Hub will currently expand on these developments, to finish this emergency and secure us all against future pandemics," said Raab. 

As per the British High Commission, India supplies more than 50% of the world's immunizations and 25 percent of the National Health Service's (NHS) conventional medications. A closer UK-India collaboration on meds and immunizations endorsements will guarantee rapid access for the UK to Indian-created drugs and help protect future supplies to the NHS. 

During his encounter with PM Modi on Wednesday, the UK Foreign Secretary flagged his aspiration for a closer UK-India relationship as a component of a more extensive UK center around organizations in the Indo-Pacific area. 

The pioneers likewise talked around a 10-year guide proclaiming another period for the UK and India with a goal-oriented arrangement for an Enhanced Trade Partnership. 

PM Modi named the collaboration with Raab as "magnificent" adding that he anticipated having Prime Minister Boris Johnson go to the Republic Day function one year from now as the central visitor. 

The British High Commission additionally educated that Raab likewise met Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and consented to cooperate on common acknowledgment of scholastic capabilities, beginning with graduate degrees, throughout the following year. 

Raab likewise invited the consenting to of another arrangement between the University of Edinburgh and Gujarat to open another biotechnology college in the state by July 2021, denoting the primary unfamiliar college joint effort of its sort in India. 

On Tuesday, he likewise met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar where the two talked about circumstances in a post-Covid post-Brexit world for a more grounded India-UK organization. (ANI)

Pakistan gives 'licence to kill' houbara bustard, a protected bird species

Housbara bustard

Karachi [Pakistan], December 16: Known for its grim record of creature preservation, and "prize chasing", Pakistan has given a "permit to slaughter" the houbara bustard, a worldwide ensured fowl species, whose chasing is prohibited in the nation. 

Pakistan gave exceptional licenses to the Emir of Qatar Sheik Tamim receptacle Hamad Al-Thani and 14 different individuals from his family to chase the houbara bustard, detailed Dawn. 

The houbara bustard goes under the "weak rundown" of (International Union for Conservation of Nature) IUCN. It implies that the species is undermined with worldwide annihilation. 

The principle explanations behind the houbara's decrease are poaching, unregulated chasing, along the corruption of its regular living space. 

Pakistan is likewise known for 'prize chasing' where markhor and ibex are pursued subsequent to paying an enormous measure of cash. The incongruity is that markhor is the public creature of Pakistan and individuals pay to kill the pride of Pakistan. 

Keeping in view its lessening populace, the houbara bustard, a transient flying creature isn't just secured under different worldwide nature preservation deals however its chasing is additionally prohibited under the neighborhood untamed life assurance laws. Pakistanis themselves are not permitted to chase this winged animal. 

It is apparent that Pakistan has utilized the chasing grant as an international strategy card to impact dignitaries from oil-rich Gulf countries. 

As per sources, different trackers incorporate the emir's dad, sibling, the Qatari PM, a counselor, the sibling of a previous head administrator, and a few individuals from the imperial family, announced Dawn. (ANI)

Hundreds of devotees flock to Pashupatinath Temple as it reopens after 9 months

Devotees at Nepal's Pashupatinath Temple on Wednesday (Photo/ANI)

Kathmandu [Nepal], December 16: Hundreds of fans rushed to the Pashupatinath Temple on Wednesday, after it resumed its entryways following a rest of nine months because of the continuous COVID-19 pandemic. 

The fans petitioned God for an early finish to the pandemic and return of regularity in the Himalayan area. 

Clinging to the general wellbeing convention, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu opened from 6 am (neighborhood time) today with COVID-19 limitations set up. 

"I had looked out for long. I returned from abroad before the lockdown and had not got an opportunity to enter the sanctuary. I am gifts the individuals who made this conceivable, may god favor them and may Pashupatinath secure them," Padma Panta, one of the aficionados who visited the sanctuary recently, told ANI. 

"I appealed to God to end the contention, the destruction of the illness and regularity," Panta added. 

As it resumed its doors, a few fans from India likewise crowded the sanctuary in the early hours. 

"I am from Mumbai and my family members dwell here in Nepal. I am here at the sanctuary to love Lord Pashupatinath. I am feeling honored to have the option to love at the sanctuary. I wanted to come here sooner or later of my life, which currently has been satisfied," said Ajay Sheshnath Tiwari, and Indian enthusiast to ANI in the wake of venerating at the respected altar in Kathmandu. 

Authorities at Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT) said the sanctuary has been returned following wellbeing security conventions gave by the Ministry of Health and Population. 

"We have organized just one line to enter and leave the sanctuary. While circumventing the sanctuary, there won't be any opportunity of one enthusiast contacting the other. In the wake of noticing the progression of individuals for a couple of days, we will acquire a few changes the courses of action, that we have presented today and would open different ways to enter the sanctuary, while holding fast to the security conventions," Pradeep Dhakal, Member Secretary at PADT told ANI. 

The PADT has not permitted enormous scope social events and different customs to be acted in the sanctuary premises taking into account conceivable spread of the infection. (ANI)

Imran Khan govt pushes for early Senate polls to weaken Opposition

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan (Photo Credit - Reuters)

Islamabad [Pakistan], December 16: Amid political tumult in Pakistan, the national government has chosen to hold Senate races in February rather than March 2021. The surveys are relied upon to bring about the deficiency of seats for Opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which as of now controls the Upper House. 

The choice was taken on Tuesday during a gathering of the government Cabinet led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, announced Dawn. 

In a 104-part Senate, races will be held for 52 seats the same number of individuals from the Upper House will be resigning on March 11. The national government conjured the possibility of early races to change the force structure in the Senate. 

Presently, the Senate is definitively constrained by the constituent gatherings of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). Early races will bring about the deficiency of seats for PDM. 

The PDM had collectively concluded that its legislators will handover renunciations to their gathering bosses by December 31 and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) administrator Bilawal Bhutto Zardari named that abdications of resistance officials are an 'nuclear bomb' for the occupant government. 

The transition to leave as a group by PDM will slow down the Senate political decision. The acquiescences may deliver the discretionary school for Senate races inadequate which thusly may make the Senate political decision unavoidably indefensible. 

This, thusly, will facilitate a great deal of the (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) PTI's present issues, for example, the section of enactment thought about significant by the public authority however stuck in the Senate. 

A source revealed to Dawn that the proposition for the early Senate political decision was advanced by the Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary. The public authority additionally summoned warning locale of the Supreme Court on open deciding in favor of the surveys. 

By and large, Senate races are done through mystery balloting, yet PM Imran Khan wanted to hold the political race by open polling form or display of approval. 

The data serve said that the public authority thought about getting the bill approved through a few methods - either through a sacred correction, chief request, or the political decision commission. 

In the wake of considering over the issue, the public authority chose to move to the summit court with respect to the issue, detailed Dawn. 

In the interim, PDM has requested PM Imran Khan-drove government quit by January 31 or face increased developments by resistance groups, for example, the long walk to Islamabad. (ANI)

Nigerian teachers' union threatens nationwide strike over increasing threats

Representative Image

Abuja [Nigeria], December 16: The public association of Nigerian instructors on Tuesday took steps to down apparatuses over ongoing assaults on schools, including Friday's kidnapping of understudies in the nation's northwestern territory of Katsina. 

Ongoing assaults have represented a danger to the lives of instructors and understudies, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) said in an explanation, in light of the assault on the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, in which in excess of 300 understudies disappeared. 

The most recent assault in Katsina "sent shudders through the spine of different individuals" of the association in the scholarly network, the association noted. 

On December 1, the head-educator of an elementary school in the southern territory of Edo, distinguished as Alu Ola Paul, was abducted by shooters on his approach to work and delivered six days after the fact, said the NUT. 

On December 8, two female educators at an optional school in the Effurun zone of the oil-rich Delta State were additionally supposedly seized inside their school premises by furnished criminals and still can't seem to be delivered, the instructors' association reviewed. 

"Considering these new turns of events, the NUT might be constrained to down apparatuses, forthcoming when it is alright for our individuals to instruct and control our understudies and understudies unafraid of kidnapping by these anonymous adversaries of instructive success of the Nigerian country," said the articulation. 

In the interim, the NUT approached the public authority at all levels to guarantee satisfactory security and 24-hour reconnaissance around schools. 

"These frequencies are pitiful tokens of past monstrous occasions in Chibok and Dapchi, where Boko Haram fear mongers had assaulted and stole understudies, making a fantastic interruption of school exercises and obstructing our country's instructive development and headway while oppressing relatives and family members to unfathomable injury," the NUT said. 

Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari on Monday affirmed that administration arbitrators are now in contact with ruffians of the understudies, declining to uncover subtleties of the exchanges as the specialists were attempting to ensure the people in question and secure their delivery. (ANI/Xinhua)

Desecration of Mahatma Gandhi's statue 'appalling': White House

White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany speaking at the press briefing on Tuesday (local time).

Washington [US], December 16: The profaning of Mahatma Gandhi's sculpture in Washington, DC, is "shocking" as he battled for the qualities like harmony, equity and opportunity that the US speaks to, said White House representative Kayleigh McEnany during a press instructions on Tuesday (neighborhood time). 

Answering to an inquiry on the new episode wherein the sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi was ruined during a dissent here against the as of late sanctioned agrarian laws in India, McEnany stated, "It is awful." 

She stated, "No sculpture or remembrance should be profaned and unquestionably not that of Gandhi who battled for the qualities that America speaks to - of harmony, equity and opportunity." 

Affirming that standing of Mahatma Gandhi should be regarded, she stated: "Despoiling is shocking to see. It is shocking that it happened more than once and we accept the standing of Mahatma Gandhi should be regarded, particularly here in America's capital." 

Prior on Tuesday, the State Department on Tuesday (nearby time) said that it takes "wellbeing and security of unfamiliar missions in the US genuinely" and it is in conversation with the Indian Embassy regarding the occurrence that happened during an enemy of homestead laws rally in Washington. 

"We know about ongoing fights before the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. We assume liability to accommodate the wellbeing and security of unfamiliar missions in the US genuinely," a State Department representative told ANI. 

"We are in conversation with the Indian Embassy about the new episode," the representative added. 

On December 12, during a meeting to communicate fortitude with ranchers who are upsetting against the new homestead laws in India, the sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi before the Indian Embassy in the US was damaged and vandalized by specific "Khalistani components". 

Banners and standards were seen stuck or propped facing the sculpture and a yellow banner was located hung over it. A few people were likewise observed waving "Khalistani" banners and raising favorable to Khalistan mottos. 

The Indian Embassy has denounced the "devilish demonstration" by law breakers which it stated, "took on the appearance of dissenters." 

"The sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza before the Embassy was mutilated by Khalistani components on 12 December 2020. The Embassy unequivocally censures this devilish demonstration by hoodlums taking on the appearance of nonconformists against the generally regarded symbol of harmony and equity." 

"The Embassy has held up a solid dissent with US law authorization organizations and has additionally taken up the issue with the US Department of State for an early examination and activity against the guilty parties under the relevant law," it added. 

This was the second time this year that the Mahatma's sculpture was damaged. On June 3 during the George Floyd fights, the sculpture was vandalized by obscure people. Post the spoiling, a specialist was brought in to restore the sculpture. 

The sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi was uncovered by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on September 16, 2000, within the sight of then US president Bill Clinton. 

A large number of ranchers from Punjab, Haryana and a few different states have been fighting at the fringes of Delhi against the three recently authorized homestead laws. (ANI)

China worst offender in record-breaking year for jailing of journalists amid COVID

Representative Image

New York [China], December 16: China, which has captured a few writers for their inclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the world's most exceedingly terrible prison guard for the second year straight, as indicated by a report by the journalists">Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an autonomous press opportunity backing association. 

As per its yearly worldwide overview, in any event 274 writers have been imprisoned on December 1, surpassing the high of 272 of every 2016. 

"China, which captured a few writers for their inclusion of the pandemic, was the world's most exceedingly awful prison guard for the second year straight. It was trailed by Turkey, which keeps on difficult writers free on parole and capture new ones; Egypt, which put it all on the line to keep authority of columnists not sentenced for any wrongdoing; and Saudi Arabia," the report featured. 

The CPJ has brought up that a large number of 47 detainees in China are carrying out long punishments or are imprisoned in the Xinjiang "with no charge uncovered". 

It further noticed that when the Covid rampaged Wuhan, Beijing captured a few writers for inclusion that conflicted with the official story. 

"The three actually imprisoned on December 1 incorporate autonomous video writer Zhang Zhan, who started posting reports from Wuhan on Twitter and YouTube toward the beginning of February and was captured on May 14. Her recordings incorporate meetings with nearby entrepreneurs and laborers on the effect of COVID-19 and the public authority's reaction to it," the CPJ said. 

Zhang Zhan was one of a few columnists in CPJ's worldwide registration who depended vigorously via web-based media as any remaining news sources are intensely edited or constrained by the state. 

"Her recordings are likely still accessible to a worldwide crowd since they are facilitated by organizations outside China. However, CPJ found that comparative substance delivered by other people who were later imprisoned had been brought down for reasons that were not satisfactory, thwarting examination and underscoring longstanding worries about straightforwardness by worldwide tech goliaths like Google, Twitter, and Facebook," the CPJ said. 

The report additionally expressed that in China, discretionary altercations showed up putting the unfamiliar media in expanded danger. During this year, over twelve writers working for the US distributions in China were removed. 

"Australian resident Cheng Lei, a business anchorperson for state-run telecaster China Global Television Network, was captured in August for purportedly jeopardizing public security in the midst of pressure among China and Australia, making her the second Australian columnist in guardianship after blogger Yang Hengjun, who has been hung on surveillance charges since January 2019," the report featured. 

It further said that the nations where the quantity of imprisoned columnists rose altogether incorporate Belarus, where mass enemy of government fights followed because of the contested re-appointment of the long-lasting president, and Ethiopia, where political distress has declined into furnished clash. (ANI)

Pashupatinath Temple reopens adhering COVID-19 protocols

Pashupatinath Temple has reopened while adhering to COVID-19 protocols. Photo/ANI

Kathmandu [Nepal], December 16: With COVID-19 conventions set up, worshipped Hindu altar Pashupatinath Temple re-opened for lovers on Wednesday morning, the Pashupati Area Development Trust affirmed. 

Shut since the principal period of lockdown beginning in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sanctuary will currently stay open from 6 am to 12 pm on regular schedule. Reparation love was additionally performed on Tuesday early daytime looking for absolution as it arranged to return the doors after a long rest. 

Passage of lovers inside the sanctuary, which had proceeded consistently since antiquated time, was precluded during the pandemic attributable to the danger of the transmission. 

Clinging to the wellbeing security conventions, lovers will be permitted to offer petitions inside the sanctuary from tomorrow, said Pradip Dhakal, part secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT). Guests should obligatorily wear the face cover. 

Despite the fact that the sanctuary would open from Wednesday, the unique puja, singing of psalms and ceremonial exercises, nonetheless, would not beginning right away. 

"We were constrained to confine ourselves during the emergency of the pandemic. We will continuously begin working the unique puja, singing of psalms and different customs that have been suspended by receiving wellbeing security methodology after the sanctuary's opening on Wednesday," he said. 

The PADT expressed that extraordinary security sharpness is to be embraced in the Pashupati zone as the sanctuary is opening after long in the midst of the current danger of Covid contamination. A gathering went to by all the security bodies was coordinated in this association, said PADT financier Dr Milan Kumar Thapa. 

The PADT has endured misfortunes around Rs 700 million because of this, PADT chief Dr Ghanashyam Khatiwada said. Be that as it may, the contribution of normal petition and love, 'aarti', food contributions and the crematorium administrations were kept during the period. (ANI)

WhatsApp Pay now live ln India

Representative Image

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 16: The Instant Messaging application WhatsApp has at last revealed WhatsApp's Payments (regularly known as WhatsApp Pay) highlight to clients across India for up to 20 million clients. 

The component has been dispatched with help from banking accomplices State Bank of India, HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank. 

As indicated by Mashable, WhatsApp planned its installments include on National Payments Corporation of India's (NPCI) Unified Payment Interface (UPI) framework and was conceded endorsements to go live as of late in November 2020 on a shared (P2P) premise. It has empowered individuals to move cash safely and effectively, much the same as communicating something specific through WhatsApp. 

"We're energized and favored to collaborate with State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and AXIS Bank to carry straightforward and secure advanced installments to WhatsApp clients across India. UPI is a groundbreaking help and we mutually have the occasion to bring the advantages of our computerized economy and monetary incorporation to countless clients who have not had full admittance to them previously," said Abhijit Bose, Head of WhatsApp, India, in an official statement. 

As revealed by Mashable, these joint efforts between the nation's summit banking associations and WhatsApp Payments, empowered by UPI, intend to help the advanced biological system to the unbanked and quicken the Government of India's plan of building an all the more carefully empowered Bharat. 

"Depending on WhatsApp offers monstrous accommodation to our clients as it permits them to bank flawlessly while they are on WhatsApp. [...] Now with WhatsApp Payments, there is a remarkable occasion to scale fundamental monetary administrations to individuals everywhere on the nation effortlessly," said Mr Bijith Bhaskar, Head - Digital Channels and Partnership, ICICI Bank in an official statement. 

"We are charmed to join forces with WhatsApp and wish them the absolute best. We anticipate keeping offering straightforwardness and accommodation to our clients by furnishing them with a large group of administrations through this organization," he added. (ANI)

US tech giants could face heavy fines as EU sets new rules for business practices

Representative Image

Brussels [Belgium], December 16: The European Commission on Tuesday (nearby time) delivered enactment giving controllers forces to drive the US tech goliaths, for example, Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOGL) and Facebook (FB) to "change their strategic approaches". 

As per a report by CNN, huge web-based media organizations and internet business locales face new commitments to eliminating unlawful and destructive substance from their foundation under the draft EU enactment called the Digital Services Act. 

The subsequent proposition - Digital Markets Act - will request the "guardians" to a rundown of rules and regulations to forestall unjustifiable rivalry. 

CCN cited Margrethe Vestager, the EU magistrate driving the charge on tech issues, as saying, "The two recommendations fill one need: to ensure that we, as clients, approach a wide decision of safe items and administrations on the web. What's more, that organizations working in Europe can uninhibitedly and decently contend online similarly as they do disconnected." 

It further detailed that according to the enactment the organizations not after the proposed EU content approaches could be fined up to 6 percent of worldwide incomes, and recurrent guilty parties could see their foundation briefly prohibited. 

"We anticipate working with EU policymakers to help guarantee that the recommendations meet the expressed objectives so Europeans keep on receiving all the rewards of computerized items and administrations," the Computer and Communications Industry Association, an exchange bunch that speaks to Amazon, Facebook, Twitter and Google, said in an explanation. 

"We trust the future dealings will try to make the EU a pioneer in computerized development, not simply in advanced guideline," the Association said. 

As indicated by CNN, the United Kingdom, which left the European Union recently, is likewise getting in on the demonstration. (ANI)

77 pc Pakistanis believe country heading towards wrong direction: Survey

Representative Image

Islamabad [Pakistan], December 16: Four out of each five people in Pakistan see that the nation is going off course, as per the most recent review by research organization IPSOS. 

Refering to the report that was delivered on Tuesday, The News International announced that solitary 23 percent individuals accept that the nation is moving towards the correct course and 77 percent accept something else. 

In excess of 1,000 individuals from everywhere the nation partook in the overview which was directed between December 1 and December 6, 2020. 

A year ago, in the final quarter, 21 percent individuals accepted that the nation was going in good shape, while 79 percent had a differentiating assessment. 

This year, 36 percent individuals said that their present individual monetary circumstance is powerless, 13 percent described it as solid and 51 percent said it is neither solid nor frail, The News International said. 

Then, the most recent year's information show that 38 percent accepted that their monetary circumstance is frail, 5 percent saw it as solid and 57 percent put it in the middle. 

In the interim, on area savvy appraisal, the report found that a "poor monetary circumstance" included in practically all the regions and expansion positioned number 1 among the rundown of top 4 supporters of the urgent circumstance. 

"In Sindh, the second-most noteworthy giver was seen to be joblessness (20%), trailed by COVID-19 (17 percent) and neediness (16 percent). In Punjab, 23 percent individuals felt the territory's poor monetary circumstance originates from joblessness, 8 percent thought it was because of COVID-19 and 14 percent accepted destitution has a job," The News International said. 

In the interim, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa around 18 percent accepted joblessness, 12 percent saw Covid and 8 percent called destitution as the explanation for the area's monetary circumstance. 

Essentially, in Balochistan around 25 percent reacted by accusing joblessness, a simple 2 percent felt COVID-19 assumed a job, and 25 percent felt it was neediness that has prompted the region's horrid condition of monetary undertakings, said Pakistani news source refering to the exploration report. (ANI)

COVID-19 cases in Sindh's prisons spike from 31 to 112 in 10 days

Representative Image

Sindh [Pakistan], December 16: As Covid cases keep on flooding in Pakistan, the caseload in Sindh's jails has spiked from 31 to 112 of every 10 days. 

As per a report by The Express Tribune, Sindh Prisons IG Qazi Nazeer Ahmed gave the orders to confine family visits for detainees to once in 10 days following the unexpected ascent in the quantity of Covid cases in jails. 

While each new detainee is put under isolate for 14 days, a series of COVID-19 screening has begun for the current detainees and prison authorities. 

As per The Express Tribune, there are more than 18,000 detainees in Sindh's 22 correctional facilities, which have a complete limit of 13,000 detainees. 

The Pakistan news source additionally revealed that the circumstance is more regrettable in Karachi's Malir locale prison, where 70 COVID-19 cases have been accounted for. 

Additionally, 33 instances of Covid have been accounted for in Karachi Central Jail. 

As per the most recent update by the Johns Hopkins University, Pakistan has announced 443,246 instances of Covid and 8,905 passings up until this point. (ANI)

Melania Trump flouts children's hospital policy by taking her mask off

US First Lady Melania Trump

Washington [US], December 16: US First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday abused the expressed veil strategy at Children's National Hospital as she eliminated her cover to peruse an occasion book to youngsters. 

As per a CNN report, the principal woman showed up in the medical clinic's fundamental chamber wearing a veil however when she sat down before a tree, she eliminated the cover. 

As indicated by the emergency clinic strategy, "Everybody should wear a cover consistently while in any Children's National office to forestall the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a veil when entering any Children's National structure, as commanded by region authorities. This incorporates every open spot, for example, the corridor and cafeteria and wearing a cover consistently when you are around others." 

As per CNN, the First Lady didn't remark on why she eliminated her cover and on the off chance that she had gotten extraordinary consent to do as such. 

Diana Troese, Children's National representative, refering to the Washington, DC, wellbeing controllers, stated, "Our main need at Children's National Hospital is the security of our patients, families and workers. Under DC Health guidelines, wearing a veil isn't needed when an individual is giving a discourse for broadcast or a group of people, given nobody is inside six feet of the speaker." 

"On account of the present visit which was communicated to our 325 patients, while the First Lady eliminated her veil while she read a story, she was in excess of 12 feet from others in our enormous chamber. Any remaining individuals in that space were wearing veils. The rest of her visit, she wore a cover," she added. (ANI)

Boko Haram claims abduction of over 330 Nigerian students

Representative Image

Maiduguri [Nigeria], December 16: Boko Haram on Tuesday (nearby time) guaranteed duty regarding the kidnapping of more than 330 Nigerian understudies. 

A man professing to be a head of Boko Haram said the dread gathering was liable for grabbing scores of students in northwestern Nigeria on Friday, as indicated by a short sound message imparted to Nigerian media and checked on by CNN. 

"I am Abubakar Shekau and our siblings are behind the seizing in Katsina," said the man. 

Abubakar Shekau is both the otherworldly head and preeminent officer of the fear gathering. 

While CNN has not had the option to autonomously check the realness of the message, a state government representative has educated that around 337 understudies are still unaccounted for after an assault on the Government Science Secondary School Kankara. 

"The message guaranteed that Boko Haram had focused on the school due to the gathering's for quite some time held plan to stop "western" training in northern Nigeria, yet an administration official told CNN on Monday that the criminals had been in contact with an educator of the school, raising the possibility of a payoff exchange," CNN said. 

Boko Haram works in the western and focal African district. It is known to contradict western civilisation model of schooling and looks for the presentation of sharia law in Nigeria. 

The Boko Haram uprising started in 2009 when the fear mongers arranged an outfitted resistance to the Nigerian government. (ANI)

Punjab Police busts drone module engaged in cross-border smuggling, two held

Representative Image

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], December 16: The Punjab Police have arrested two members of a module using drones for cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons through an international network, including Pakistan-based smugglers with links to Khalistani operatives.

The accused, identified as Lakhbir Singh and Bachittar Singh, were arrested by Amritsar (Rural) police through certain leads, with further investigations expected to track their associates, including four drug smugglers currently lodged in Amrtisar jail, police said in a statement on Tuesday.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta disclosed that one quadcopter drone with a full supporter stand and one SkyDroid T10 2.4GHz 10CH FHSS Transmitter, along with mini receiver and camera support, have been seized, along with one .32 bore revolver and one car, as well as some live cartridges and drugs.

Giving details of the case, the DGP said that Lakhbir, resident of village Chak Mishri Khan, was nabbed from near Gurudwara Tahla Sahib on Monday. During investigations, he revealed that he had procured a quadcopter drone from Delhi about four months ago and the drone was currently at the residence of his associate Bachittar at Guru Amardas Avenue, Amritsar.

Further investigations revealed that Lakhbir was in close and frequent contact with four major drug smugglers of Ajnala, who are currently lodged in Amritsar jail. "A search in the prison led to the recovery of a touch smartphone from the possession of Lakhbir's associate Surjit Masih, a drug smuggler," police said.

According to the DGP, investigations so far show that Lakhbir had established an extensive communication network with foreign smugglers and entities, and was in close and frequent contact with a notorious Pakistan based smuggler namely Chishti. Chisthi is also in touch with Pakistan based Khalistani operatives, and has been responsible for smuggling of significant cross-border consignments into India from Pakistan in the past.

It was one Simranjit Singh, currently in Amritsar jail, who persuaded Lakhbir to purchase a drone for cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons.

An FIR under relevant sections of law against Lakhbir and Bachittar. (ANI)