Hundreds of senior police officers in the Philippines have been asked to resign after an investigation found out that a handful of them was involved in the narcotics trade. On Wednesday (January 4), the country's Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos appealed to all colonels and generals-about 300 in total- to offer courtesy resignations to restore trust in anti-narcotics operations.&nbsp;

Addressing a press conference at the national police headquarters in the capital city of Manila, Abalos said that these senior police officers could continue to work while their records were being assessed by a committee, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

"If you're not involved, there's nothing to worry about," Abalos said, adding those officers who did not tender their resignation would be questionable.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombias-eln-guerrilla-slams-claims-they-have-agreed-to-a-ceasefire-549320">Colombia’s ELN guerrilla slams claims they have agreed to a ceasefire</a>

"This is one way of cleansing our ranks. Let us start afresh. It's difficult to fight a war when it's your ally that will shoot you in the back," the interior secretary further told reporters on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The police in the Philippines have been waging an anti-narcotics campaign launched by former president Rodrigo Duterte and continued by his successor Ferdinand Marcos.

Former president Duterte had faced worldwide condemnation for launching an anti-narcotics crackdown where over 6,200 people were killed in police operations between 2016 and 2022, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

ALSO WATCH | Israeli PM Netanyahu postpones UAE trip amid security minister's Aqsa visit

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-pm-netanyahu-postpones-uae-trip-amid-security-ministers-aqsa-visit-549301/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Since Ferdinand Marcos became the president in June last year, more than 24,000 sting operations were conducted by authorities in which around 30,000 people were arrested and a dozen suspects killed, police data showed.&nbsp;

The latest plan to cleanse the police was recommended by police chief General Rodolfo Azurin and other senior officers, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos said on Wednesday and pointed out Azurin himself is expected to tender his resignation while his records were being checked.&nbsp;

A security analyst told AFP that Abalos' plan was taking a politically safer and less confrontational route to clean up the police force.&nbsp;

"If nobody resigns, then he's got all the more justification to start going after corruption via the hard-power route," Sam Ramos-Jones, director of operations at Philippine Strategic Associates, told the news agency.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Hundreds of senior police officers in the Philippines have been asked to resign after an investigation found out that a handful of them was involved in the narcotics trade.

Hundreds of senior police officers in the Philippines have been asked to resign after an investigation found out that a handful of them was involved in the narcotics trade. On Wednesday (January 4), the country's Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos appealed to all colonels and generals-about 300 in total- to offer courtesy resignations to restore trust in anti-narcotics operations. Addressing a press conference at the national police headquarters in the capital city of Manila, Abalos said that these senior police officers could continue to work while their records were being assessed by a committee, news agency AFP reported. "If you're not involved, there's nothing to worry about," Abalos said, adding those officers who did not tender their resignation would be questionable. ALSO READ | Colombia’s ELN guerrilla slams claims they have agreed to a ceasefire "This is one way of cleansing our ranks. Let us start afresh. It's difficult to fight a war when it's your ally that will shoot you in the back," the interior secretary further told reporters on Wednesday. The police in the Philippines have been waging an anti-narcotics campaign launched by former president Rodrigo Duterte and continued by his successor Ferdinand Marcos. Former president Duterte had faced worldwide condemnation for launching an anti-narcotics crackdown where over 6,200 people were killed in police operations between 2016 and 2022, Reuters reported on Wednesday. ALSO WATCH | Israeli PM Netanyahu postpones UAE trip amid security minister's Aqsa visit × Since Ferdinand Marcos became the president in June last year, more than 24,000 sting operations were conducted by authorities in which around 30,000 people were arrested and a dozen suspects killed, police data showed. The latest plan to cleanse the police was recommended by police chief General Rodolfo Azurin and other senior officers, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos said on Wednesday and pointed out Azurin himself is expected to tender his resignation while his records were being checked. A security analyst told AFP that Abalos' plan was taking a politically safer and less confrontational route to clean up the police force. "If nobody resigns, then he's got all the more justification to start going after corruption via the hard-power route," Sam Ramos-Jones, director of operations at Philippine Strategic Associates, told the news agency. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Hundreds of senior police officers in Philippines asked to resign. Here's why

In photos: Myanmar junta celebrates Independence Day; to free 7,012 prisoners

Leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, more commonly known as Lula, was sworn in as Brazil's president on Sunday in the capital city of Brasilia amid tightened security. He is the first president in the country to have been elected to a third term in office. Lula, dressed in a blue suit and tie, took the oath of the office&nbsp;before Congress, vowing to "maintain, defend and obey the constitution,'' news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

Lula&nbsp;described former president Jair Bolsonaro’s government as one the worst periods in Brazilian history and called the last few years “an era of shadows, doubts and a lot of suffering.”

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/lulas-returns-as-president-cultural-revival-for-brazil-says-amazon-star-amarantos-548511">Lula’s return as president ‘cultural revival’ for Brazil, says Amazon star Amarantos</a>

Lula, 77, returns to the presidential palace less than five years after he was jailed on controversial, since-quashed corruption charges. AFP earlier on Sunday said that 8,000 police personnel were deployed for the inauguration ceremony after a supporter of former president Jair Bolsonaro was arrested last week for planting a truck rigged with explosives.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Posse de Lula na Presidência doBrasil <a href="https://t.co/eaMLYGLNCT">https://t.co/eaMLYGLNCT</a>
— Lula (@LulaOficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/LulaOficial/status/1609575507452112899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Bolsonaro <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/brazil-president-bolsonaro-lands-in-us-ahead-of-lulas-inauguration-548313">left for the United States on Friday</a>- to avoid handing over the presidential sash to Lula. In the general election held in October last year, Lula narrowly defeated Bolsonaro with 50.9 per cent of the vote.

With Lula taking over office, he faces numerous challenges including rebooting Brazil's economic growth, curbing the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and delivering on his agenda to fight poverty and inequality.

According to political experts, the new Brazilian president will have to act assertively in the first 100 days of governance to show where the government is headed.&nbsp;

"His election win was very tight, and he'll face a divided country and a combative opposition. He'll have to lead a national unity government and restore the peace," political scientist Leandro Consentino told AFP on Sunday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, more commonly known as Lula, was sworn in as Brazil's president on Sunday in the capital city of Brasilia amid tightened security.

Leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, more commonly known as Lula, was sworn in as Brazil's president on Sunday in the capital city of Brasilia amid tightened security. He is the first president in the country to have been elected to a third term in office. Lula, dressed in a blue suit and tie, took the oath of the office before Congress, vowing to "maintain, defend and obey the constitution,'' news agency AFP reported. Lula described former president Jair Bolsonaro’s government as one the worst periods in Brazilian history and called the last few years “an era of shadows, doubts and a lot of suffering.” ALSO READ | Lula’s return as president ‘cultural revival’ for Brazil, says Amazon star Amarantos Lula, 77, returns to the presidential palace less than five years after he was jailed on controversial, since-quashed corruption charges. AFP earlier on Sunday said that 8,000 police personnel were deployed for the inauguration ceremony after a supporter of former president Jair Bolsonaro was arrested last week for planting a truck rigged with explosives. Posse de Lula na Presidência doBrasil https://t.co/eaMLYGLNCT — Lula (@LulaOficial) January 1, 2023 × Bolsonaro left for the United States on Friday- to avoid handing over the presidential sash to Lula. In the general election held in October last year, Lula narrowly defeated Bolsonaro with 50.9 per cent of the vote. With Lula taking over office, he faces numerous challenges including rebooting Brazil's economic growth, curbing the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and delivering on his agenda to fight poverty and inequality. According to political experts, the new Brazilian president will have to act assertively in the first 100 days of governance to show where the government is headed. "His election win was very tight, and he'll face a divided country and a combative opposition. He'll have to lead a national unity government and restore the peace," political scientist Leandro Consentino told AFP on Sunday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Lula da Silva takes over as Brazil's president, slams Bolsonaro's legacy

Several flights to and from the Philippines' capital city Manila were suspended on New Year's Day (Sunday) because of a malfunction of the air traffic control. According to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), a total of 282 flights were either delayed, cancelled or diverted to other regional airports, affecting around 56,000 passengers.&nbsp;

In a series of tweets on Sunday morning, the NAIA said that the country's civil aviation authority had put in place emergency protocols to address the situation to enable flight operations to resume as soon as possible.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippine-floods-death-toll-climbs-to-39-search-for-survivors-continues-547771">Philippine floods: Death toll climbs to 39; search for survivors continues</a>

"It is expected that flight departures and arrivals will be retimed to new schedules. In view of this, passengers were advised to await instructions or announcements from the airlines and stay inside the terminals and approach the nearest airline or airport help desk for updates," the airport said.&nbsp;

By afternoon, the Manila airport operators said the air traffic management system had been partially restored thereby allowing limited flight operations.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Following the partial restoration of its air traffic management system, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has began accepting flights into the NAIA.
— Ninoy Aquino International Airport (@MIAAGovPH) <a href="https://twitter.com/MIAAGovPH/status/1609486185642217473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

"Following the partial restoration of its air traffic management system, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has begun accepting flights into the NAIA," the NAIA tweeted, adding the first flight to land after the glitch was the Philippine Airlines flight PR222 from Brisbane, Australia.

"First departure: Cathay Pacific flight CX 930 to Hong Kong from NAIA Terminal 3," read another tweet.&nbsp;

On social media platforms, video clips and photographs showed long queues at the airport airline personnel distributing food packs and drinks to the stranded passengers, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

"We’re told radar and navigation facilities at NAIA are down. I was on my way home from Tokyo - 3 hours into the flight, but had to return to Haneda. 6 hours of useless flying but inconvenience to travellers and losses to tourism and business are horrendous. Only in the PH. Sigh," Manny V. Pangilinan, a Filipino businessman, tweeted.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Several flights to and from the Philippines' capital city Manila were suspended on New Year's Day (Sunday) because of a malfunction of the air traffic control. According to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), a total of 282 flights were either delayed, cancelled or diverted to other regional airports, affecting around 56,000 passengers.

Several flights to and from the Philippines' capital city Manila were suspended on New Year's Day (Sunday) because of a malfunction of the air traffic control. According to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), a total of 282 flights were either delayed, cancelled or diverted to other regional airports, affecting around 56,000 passengers. In a series of tweets on Sunday morning, the NAIA said that the country's civil aviation authority had put in place emergency protocols to address the situation to enable flight operations to resume as soon as possible. ALSO READ | Philippine floods: Death toll climbs to 39; search for survivors continues "It is expected that flight departures and arrivals will be retimed to new schedules. In view of this, passengers were advised to await instructions or announcements from the airlines and stay inside the terminals and approach the nearest airline or airport help desk for updates," the airport said. By afternoon, the Manila airport operators said the air traffic management system had been partially restored thereby allowing limited flight operations. Following the partial restoration of its air traffic management system, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has began accepting flights into the NAIA. — Ninoy Aquino International Airport (@MIAAGovPH) January 1, 2023 × "Following the partial restoration of its air traffic management system, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has begun accepting flights into the NAIA," the NAIA tweeted, adding the first flight to land after the glitch was the Philippine Airlines flight PR222 from Brisbane, Australia. "First departure: Cathay Pacific flight CX 930 to Hong Kong from NAIA Terminal 3," read another tweet. On social media platforms, video clips and photographs showed long queues at the airport airline personnel distributing food packs and drinks to the stranded passengers, Reuters reported. "We’re told radar and navigation facilities at NAIA are down. I was on my way home from Tokyo - 3 hours into the flight, but had to return to Haneda. 6 hours of useless flying but inconvenience to travellers and losses to tourism and business are horrendous. Only in the PH. Sigh," Manny V. Pangilinan, a Filipino businessman, tweeted. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Flights to and from Manila, Philippines suspended due to ATC glitch; 56,000 passengers affected

Three police officers were attacked with a machete during New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City, police said adding the suspect was shot in the shoulder by one of the officers. The attack happened a little after 10 pm on Saturday, about eight blocks from the iconic Times Square, just outside the high-security zone where revellers are screened for weapons.

The suspect is a 19-year-old man who has not been identified yet.&nbsp;

New York's mayor Eric Adam, New York City Police Department's (NYPD) Commissioner Keechant Sewell and other officials held a press conference on Sunday giving details about the attack.

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-approves-human-composting-all-you-need-to-know-about-transformation-of-human-body-into-soil-548525">New York approves human composting. All you need to know about transformation of human body into soil</a>

Mayor Eric Adams said that all three police officers were in stable condition. Adams praised the police response by saying that officers immediately secured the scene.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, NYPD commissioner&nbsp;Keechant Sewell said the attack happened approximately at 10-11 pm.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is the weapon that was recovered at the scene. <a href="https://t.co/Waaux2hUTt">https://t.co/Waaux2hUTt</a> <a href="https://t.co/EijU7QUgkQ">pic.twitter.com/EijU7QUgkQ</a>
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYPDnews/status/1609436699591049216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

"Officers assigned to the New Year's Eve Detail were at the corner of West 52nd street and 8th Avenue outside the security screening zone when unprovoked, a 19-year-old male approached an officer and attempted to strike him over the head with a machete. The male then struck two additional officers," Sewell said.&nbsp;

Sewell added that one of the officers, an eight-year veteran suffered a laceration to the head. Another officer, who recently graduated from the police academy suffered a skull fracture and a laceration to the head.&nbsp;

She did not elaborate the nature of the injuries the third officer sustained and said the 19-year-old suspect is being treated for his injuries.&nbsp;

An investigation has been launched into the incident.&nbsp;

Mike Driscoll, the assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who was also present during the press conference on Sunday, said that there was no ongoing threat. “We believe this was a sole individual at this time. There is nothing to indicate otherwise," Driscoll said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Three police officers were attacked with a machete during New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City, police said adding the suspect was shot in the shoulder by one of the officers.

Three police officers were attacked with a machete during New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City, police said adding the suspect was shot in the shoulder by one of the officers. The attack happened a little after 10 pm on Saturday, about eight blocks from the iconic Times Square, just outside the high-security zone where revellers are screened for weapons. The suspect is a 19-year-old man who has not been identified yet. New York's mayor Eric Adam, New York City Police Department's (NYPD) Commissioner Keechant Sewell and other officials held a press conference on Sunday giving details about the attack. ALSO READ| New York approves human composting. All you need to know about transformation of human body into soil Mayor Eric Adams said that all three police officers were in stable condition. Adams praised the police response by saying that officers immediately secured the scene. Meanwhile, NYPD commissioner Keechant Sewell said the attack happened approximately at 10-11 pm. This is the weapon that was recovered at the scene. https://t.co/Waaux2hUTt pic.twitter.com/EijU7QUgkQ — NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 1, 2023 × "Officers assigned to the New Year's Eve Detail were at the corner of West 52nd street and 8th Avenue outside the security screening zone when unprovoked, a 19-year-old male approached an officer and attempted to strike him over the head with a machete. The male then struck two additional officers," Sewell said. Sewell added that one of the officers, an eight-year veteran suffered a laceration to the head. Another officer, who recently graduated from the police academy suffered a skull fracture and a laceration to the head. She did not elaborate the nature of the injuries the third officer sustained and said the 19-year-old suspect is being treated for his injuries. An investigation has been launched into the incident. Mike Driscoll, the assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who was also present during the press conference on Sunday, said that there was no ongoing threat. “We believe this was a sole individual at this time. There is nothing to indicate otherwise," Driscoll said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New York City: Three cops injured in machete attack on New Year's Eve; suspect shot

Twenty-two people were injured in celebratory gunfire in different parts of Karachi on New Year's eve. According to a report by Geo News early Sunday, as the clock struck 12 am to announce the arrival of the New Year, Karachi resonated with the sounds of heavy gunfire despite authorities banning the display of firearms.&nbsp;

The Geo News report said among the injured people, eight were taken to the Civil Hospital, four to the Jinnah Hospital and 10 to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Those hospitalised at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital include women and children.&nbsp;

It is not yet clear how many people have been arrested in connection with celebratory gun firing across Karachi. Geo News reported that three people were arrested in Korangi and charged with attempted murder. The law enforcers, meanwhile, arrested over 10 in the city.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistans-capital-on-high-alert-after-suicide-bombing-threat-report-548367">Pakistan's capital on high alert after threat of suicide attack: Report</a>

However, a Karachi Police spokesperson told the Dawn on Sunday that 20 suspects were arrested across the city and cases were registered against them.&nbsp;

Just a few days back, Karachi's Additional Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho had ordered all zonal Deputy IGPs to take strict legal action against people involved in aerial firing on New Year and directed the officers to arrest, register cases against such elements under provisions of murder and attempt to murder, the Pakistani Observer reported.&nbsp;

Additionally, Karachi's city commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon imposed a two-day ban (December 31 till January 1 morning) on carrying and display of arms, aerial firing, firecrackers and pillion riding of two-wheelers.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Twenty-two people were injured in celebratory gunfire in different parts of Karachi on New Year's eve. According to a report by Geo News early Sunday, as the clock struck 12 am to announce the arrival of the New Year, Karachi resonated with the sounds of heavy gunfire despite authorities banning the display of firearms.

Twenty-two people were injured in celebratory gunfire in different parts of Karachi on New Year's eve. According to a report by Geo News early Sunday, as the clock struck 12 am to announce the arrival of the New Year, Karachi resonated with the sounds of heavy gunfire despite authorities banning the display of firearms. The Geo News report said among the injured people, eight were taken to the Civil Hospital, four to the Jinnah Hospital and 10 to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Those hospitalised at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital include women and children. It is not yet clear how many people have been arrested in connection with celebratory gun firing across Karachi. Geo News reported that three people were arrested in Korangi and charged with attempted murder. The law enforcers, meanwhile, arrested over 10 in the city. ALSO READ | Pakistan's capital on high alert after threat of suicide attack: Report However, a Karachi Police spokesperson told the Dawn on Sunday that 20 suspects were arrested across the city and cases were registered against them. Just a few days back, Karachi's Additional Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho had ordered all zonal Deputy IGPs to take strict legal action against people involved in aerial firing on New Year and directed the officers to arrest, register cases against such elements under provisions of murder and attempt to murder, the Pakistani Observer reported. Additionally, Karachi's city commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon imposed a two-day ban (December 31 till January 1 morning) on carrying and display of arms, aerial firing, firecrackers and pillion riding of two-wheelers. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan: 22 injured in celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve across Karachi

A report has said that the number of people dying due to Covid in Japan over the last three months is around 16 times higher than during the same period last year. According to the report by the Mainichi Daily on Friday (December 30), there were 11,835 virus-related deaths from October 1 to December 29 compared to 744 deaths during the same period last year.&nbsp;

From December 23 to December 29 last year, the daily deaths were three (on December 23), zero (on December 24), one (on December 25), zero (on December 26), zero (on December 27), two ( on December 28) and four deaths (on December 29).&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-after-japan-india-and-malaysia-now-us-mulls-stricter-rules-for-travellers-from-china-547206">Covid-19: After Japan, India and Malaysia, now US mulls stricter rules for travellers from China</a>

However, data released by Japan's health, labour and welfare ministry said that deaths over the same week this year have been — 315 (on December 23), 339 (on December 24), 306 (on December 25), 217 (on December 26), 271 (on December 27), 415 (on December 28) and 420 deaths (on December 29).&nbsp;

The Mainichi Daily said it also looked at Covid deaths by age group from August 31 till December 27 this year. During this period, 40.8% of the deaths were of people in their 80s; 34.7% of people in their 90s and 17% of people in their 70s. The report said that these three age brackets accounted for more than 92% of the deaths, adding that elderly people in Japan need to be very cautious about Covid.&nbsp;

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Japan has recorded more than 27.7 million cases and 54,365 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The current virus outbreak in Japan is the country's eighth wave of infections. An <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-reports-its-highest-ever-tally-of-covid-related-deaths-415-in-one-day-547576">earlier report said that Japan had the highest global number of infections</a> in the past week.&nbsp;

In October, the Japanese government had scrapped Covid related curbs that halted tourism. And in November, visitor arrivals to the country jumped to nearly one million, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO).&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A report has said that the number of people dying due to Covid in Japan over the last three months is around 16 times higher than during the same period last year.

A report has said that the number of people dying due to Covid in Japan over the last three months is around 16 times higher than during the same period last year. According to the report by the Mainichi Daily on Friday (December 30), there were 11,835 virus-related deaths from October 1 to December 29 compared to 744 deaths during the same period last year. From December 23 to December 29 last year, the daily deaths were three (on December 23), zero (on December 24), one (on December 25), zero (on December 26), zero (on December 27), two ( on December 28) and four deaths (on December 29). ALSO READ | Covid-19: After Japan, India and Malaysia, now US mulls stricter rules for travellers from China However, data released by Japan's health, labour and welfare ministry said that deaths over the same week this year have been — 315 (on December 23), 339 (on December 24), 306 (on December 25), 217 (on December 26), 271 (on December 27), 415 (on December 28) and 420 deaths (on December 29). The Mainichi Daily said it also looked at Covid deaths by age group from August 31 till December 27 this year. During this period, 40.8% of the deaths were of people in their 80s; 34.7% of people in their 90s and 17% of people in their 70s. The report said that these three age brackets accounted for more than 92% of the deaths, adding that elderly people in Japan need to be very cautious about Covid. Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Japan has recorded more than 27.7 million cases and 54,365 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The current virus outbreak in Japan is the country's eighth wave of infections. An earlier report said that Japan had the highest global number of infections in the past week. In October, the Japanese government had scrapped Covid related curbs that halted tourism. And in November, visitor arrivals to the country jumped to nearly one million, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO). WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan: Number of people dying due to Covid ‘16 times’ higher than last year, says report

COP26 chief and former UK cabinet minister Alok Sharma is among the prominent Indian-origin people honoured by King Charles III. Sharma, 55, has been knighted for his contribution to combating climate change through his leadership at the COP26 Summit.&nbsp; According to a statement issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), "Alok Sharma receives a Knighthood for his contribution to combatting climate change through his leadership at COP26 and driving the UK to agree a historic agreement from individual countries that will have a major impact in addressing climate change in the future."

The United Nations Conference in Glasgow (COP 26) was held last year and Alok Sharma was the president of the conference.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-queens-guitarist-brian-may-economist-partha-dasgupta-among-those-knighted-by-king-charles-iii-548244">Queen's guitarist Brian May, economist Partha Dasgupta among those knighted by King Charles III</a>

Born in Agra, Sharma moved to Reading when he was five years old. He is a qualified chartered accountant and worked in the banking sector before entering Parliament.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, other Indian-origin people knighted by King Charles III include Cambridge Professor Partha Sarathi Dasgupta, Dr Mayur Keshavji from the Highgate Medical Centre and Ivan Manuel Menezes, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Diageo.&nbsp;

Professor Partha Sarathi was honoured with a Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for services to Economics and the Natural Environment. 
 
Ivan&nbsp;Manuel Menezes was knighted for services to Business and Equality and Dr Mayur Keshavji received the knighthood for services to General Practice.&nbsp;

In other high honours, the new Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) included Professor Vengalil Krishna Kumar Chatterjee from the University of Cambridge for services to People with Endocrine Disorders; Dr Ramesh Dulichandbhai- President of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), for services to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Dr Gurdial Singh Sanghera, founder and CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies among others, said a report by news agency PTI on Saturday.&nbsp;

The British Indian Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) included Professor Nishi Chaturvedi from the University College London for services to medical research; Ravinder Gill- founder of the College of Accountancy for services to higher education.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

COP26 chief and former UK cabinet minister Alok Sharma is among the prominent Indian-origin people honoured by King Charles III. Sharma, 55, has been knighted for his contribution to combating climate change through his leadership at the COP26 Summit.

COP26 chief and former UK cabinet minister Alok Sharma is among the prominent Indian-origin people honoured by King Charles III. Sharma, 55, has been knighted for his contribution to combating climate change through his leadership at the COP26 Summit. According to a statement issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), "Alok Sharma receives a Knighthood for his contribution to combatting climate change through his leadership at COP26 and driving the UK to agree a historic agreement from individual countries that will have a major impact in addressing climate change in the future." The United Nations Conference in Glasgow (COP 26) was held last year and Alok Sharma was the president of the conference. ALSO READ | Queen's guitarist Brian May, economist Partha Dasgupta among those knighted by King Charles III Born in Agra, Sharma moved to Reading when he was five years old. He is a qualified chartered accountant and worked in the banking sector before entering Parliament. Meanwhile, other Indian-origin people knighted by King Charles III include Cambridge Professor Partha Sarathi Dasgupta, Dr Mayur Keshavji from the Highgate Medical Centre and Ivan Manuel Menezes, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Diageo. Professor Partha Sarathi was honoured with a Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for services to Economics and the Natural Environment. Ivan Manuel Menezes was knighted for services to Business and Equality and Dr Mayur Keshavji received the knighthood for services to General Practice. In other high honours, the new Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) included Professor Vengalil Krishna Kumar Chatterjee from the University of Cambridge for services to People with Endocrine Disorders; Dr Ramesh Dulichandbhai- President of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), for services to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Dr Gurdial Singh Sanghera, founder and CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies among others, said a report by news agency PTI on Saturday. The British Indian Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) included Professor Nishi Chaturvedi from the University College London for services to medical research; Ravinder Gill- founder of the College of Accountancy for services to higher education. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ex-UK minister Alok Sharma among Indian origin people knighted by King Charles

Ismail Mashal- a professor in Afghanistan who made headlines for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/if-my-mother-and-sisters-cant-study-afghan-professor-tears-down-diplomas-on-live-tv-547568">tearing up his degree certificates on live television to protest the Taliban's ban</a> on university education for women, has vowed to fight the decree even if it costs his life.&nbsp;

"I'm raising my voice. I'm standing with my sisters... My protest will continue even if it costs my life," Mashal told news agency AFP at his office in Kabul on Saturday (December 31). Mashal said that as a man and as a teacher, he was unable to do anything else for women. "I felt that my certificates had become useless. So, I tore them."

Mashal, 35 , has been a professor of journalism for more than ten years at three universities in Kabul and also runs an educational institution for men and women. He resigned from the three universities after the Taliban administration imposed the ban on women students.&nbsp;

The authorities justified the ban by saying women were not observing a strict Islamic dress code.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus</a>

However, Mashal dismissed the justification and told AFP "They told us to implement the wearing of hijabs for women -- we did that. They told us to segregate classes -- we did that too."

The professor pointed out the Taliban has not given a logical reason for the ban and that the ban has no basis in Islamic sharia law.&nbsp;

''The right to education for women has been given by God, by the Koran, by the Prophet (Mohammed), and our religion. So, why should we look down on women?" Mashal further told the news agency.&nbsp;

The ban on university education for Afghan women has been condemned globally with countries urging the Taliban to reverse it.&nbsp;

Apart from this, the Taliban have also imposed a ban on women working in Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). This order too has been condemned worldwide with a demand to reverse it. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Ismail Mashal- a professor in Afghanistan who made headlines for tearing up his degree certificates on live television to protest the Taliban's ban on university education for women, has vowed to fight the decree even if it costs his life.

Ismail Mashal- a professor in Afghanistan who made headlines for tearing up his degree certificates on live television to protest the Taliban's ban on university education for women, has vowed to fight the decree even if it costs his life. "I'm raising my voice. I'm standing with my sisters... My protest will continue even if it costs my life," Mashal told news agency AFP at his office in Kabul on Saturday (December 31). Mashal said that as a man and as a teacher, he was unable to do anything else for women. "I felt that my certificates had become useless. So, I tore them." Mashal, 35 , has been a professor of journalism for more than ten years at three universities in Kabul and also runs an educational institution for men and women. He resigned from the three universities after the Taliban administration imposed the ban on women students. The authorities justified the ban by saying women were not observing a strict Islamic dress code. ALSO READ | Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus However, Mashal dismissed the justification and told AFP "They told us to implement the wearing of hijabs for women -- we did that. They told us to segregate classes -- we did that too." The professor pointed out the Taliban has not given a logical reason for the ban and that the ban has no basis in Islamic sharia law. ''The right to education for women has been given by God, by the Koran, by the Prophet (Mohammed), and our religion. So, why should we look down on women?" Mashal further told the news agency. The ban on university education for Afghan women has been condemned globally with countries urging the Taliban to reverse it. Apart from this, the Taliban have also imposed a ban on women working in Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). This order too has been condemned worldwide with a demand to reverse it. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Even if it costs my life': Afghan professor vows to fight Taliban university ban

The death toll from the fire at the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino in Poipet, Cambodia climbed to 26 on Friday evening as rescuers finished searching the charred ruins of the complex.

The death toll from the fire at the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino in Poipet, Cambodia climbed to 26 on Friday evening as rescuers finished searching the charred ruins of the complex. The casino is located on the border of Thailand. Sek Sokhom, director of the Banteay Meanchey provincial information department told news agency AFP, "The death toll is 26, including 21 Thai nationals.'' Sokhom said the search was called off because the rescuers reached all parts "that we thought might have victims." The fire broke out at the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino late Wednesday, according to the Cambodian Police. A video shared by the news agency AFP showed the complex engulfed in flames as firefighters arrived to douse the fire. ALSO WATCH | Firefighters arrive at the scene of Cambodia hotel-casino deadly fire × Some other photographs and videos showed people huddling on windowsills and some desperately jumping from the roof to escape the flames. More than 400 employees and patrons were inside the casino complex when the fire broke out. Several people have been injured with most of them taken to Thailand for treatment. Local officials on the Thai side of the border said over 50 people had been hospitalised with 13 in critical condition. The fire was extinguished on Thursday afternoon and around 100 Thai rescue personnel swarmed the casino complex throughout the day to search for survivors or bodies. By night, the rescuers were forced to call off their efforts with an official from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation telling the news agency that conditions were too dangerous to continue. The rescue operations resumed Friday morning and got over in the evening. Teams of the Cambodian army and police and volunteers from Thailand were part of the search operations. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cambodia casino fire: Death toll rises to 26; rescue operation called off

Several patients in the United Kingdom (UK) were shocked after they received a text message on Christmas Eve from a doctor's surgery that they have advanced lung cancer, instead of wishing them Merry Christmas.&nbsp;

"Diagnosis -- Aggressive lung cancer with metastases. Thanks," the text message from the Askern Medical Practice, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, read, according to a report by The Sun on Wednesday. The message added one of the doctors at the clinic asked the patients for DS1500 - a form that patients with a terminal illness used to claim benefits.&nbsp;

Twenty minutes later, Askern Medical Practice issued an apology saying, "Please accept our sincere apologies for the previous text message sent. This has been sent in error."

"Our message to you should have read. We wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," the fresh message added.&nbsp;

Chris Reed, one of the recipients of the lung cancer message, told The Sun that he had been waiting for his lung cancer test results.&nbsp;

A property developer by profession, Reed, 27, said his partner started crying when the text message on Christmas eve came. He tried calling the clinic but the lines were jammed. Reed then visited the clinic and was reassured by a doctor that his results were negative.&nbsp;

The Askern Medical Practice has not issued any comment so far.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Several patients in the United Kingdom (UK) were shocked after they received a text message on Christmas Eve from a doctor's surgery that they have advanced lung cancer, instead of wishing them Merry Christmas.

Several patients in the United Kingdom (UK) were shocked after they received a text message on Christmas Eve from a doctor's surgery that they have advanced lung cancer, instead of wishing them Merry Christmas. "Diagnosis -- Aggressive lung cancer with metastases. Thanks," the text message from the Askern Medical Practice, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, read, according to a report by The Sun on Wednesday. The message added one of the doctors at the clinic asked the patients for DS1500 - a form that patients with a terminal illness used to claim benefits. Twenty minutes later, Askern Medical Practice issued an apology saying, "Please accept our sincere apologies for the previous text message sent. This has been sent in error." "Our message to you should have read. We wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," the fresh message added. Chris Reed, one of the recipients of the lung cancer message, told The Sun that he had been waiting for his lung cancer test results. A property developer by profession, Reed, 27, said his partner started crying when the text message on Christmas eve came. He tried calling the clinic but the lines were jammed. Reed then visited the clinic and was reassured by a doctor that his results were negative. The Askern Medical Practice has not issued any comment so far. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK patients get 'you have lung cancer' text instead of Christmas wishes; clinic apologises

The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) has emerged as India's digital payments capital while Katpadi in Tamil Nadu is the fastest-growing city for digital payments with seven times growth this year, according to a report by Paytm on Wednesday (December 28).

One97 Communications announced the release of Paytm 2022 Recap- highlighting the interesting trends of transactions made through Paytm in 2021.&nbsp;

The report said Noida and Nagpur saw the highest percentage of spending via Paytm on micro-sellers or street-side vendors. Two cities in Tamil Nadu- Chennai and Trichy had the highest percentage of offline payments on food and beverages.&nbsp;

Amritsar city in Punjab had the highest spending on health and grooming through the digital payments platform, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/paytm-shares-tumble-as-softbank-sells-200-million-worth-stake-535026">Paytm shares tumble as SoftBank sells 4.5% stake worth $200 million</a>

The report also said that Paytm's market also saw growth in Northeast India with the fastest growing cities for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) being Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit, South Sikkim and Ranipool and Assam's Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Kamrup.&nbsp;

It added that Paytm UPI is one of the most preferred payment methods for Indians and users can check their individual journey with the company this year by visiting paytm.com/recap. Two of the most common names among Paytm users were Rahul and Pooja.&nbsp;

Paytm said in the report that the maximum number of payments were done at 7.23 pm with Wednesday being the busiest day in the week for digital transactions. The company also added it helped users avoid more than 1.61 billion trips to ATMs.

Paytm further said it was taking digital payments far and wide, driving financial inclusion with two out of three of its new users coming from smaller cities and towns.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) has emerged as India's digital payments capital while Katpadi in Tamil Nadu is the fastest-growing city for digital payments with seven times growth this year, according to a report by Paytm on Wednesday (December 28).

The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) has emerged as India's digital payments capital while Katpadi in Tamil Nadu is the fastest-growing city for digital payments with seven times growth this year, according to a report by Paytm on Wednesday (December 28). One97 Communications announced the release of Paytm 2022 Recap- highlighting the interesting trends of transactions made through Paytm in 2021. The report said Noida and Nagpur saw the highest percentage of spending via Paytm on micro-sellers or street-side vendors. Two cities in Tamil Nadu- Chennai and Trichy had the highest percentage of offline payments on food and beverages. Amritsar city in Punjab had the highest spending on health and grooming through the digital payments platform, news agency ANI reported. ALSO READ | Paytm shares tumble as SoftBank sells 4.5% stake worth $200 million The report also said that Paytm's market also saw growth in Northeast India with the fastest growing cities for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) being Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit, South Sikkim and Ranipool and Assam's Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Kamrup. It added that Paytm UPI is one of the most preferred payment methods for Indians and users can check their individual journey with the company this year by visiting paytm.com/recap. Two of the most common names among Paytm users were Rahul and Pooja. Paytm said in the report that the maximum number of payments were done at 7.23 pm with Wednesday being the busiest day in the week for digital transactions. The company also added it helped users avoid more than 1.61 billion trips to ATMs. Paytm further said it was taking digital payments far and wide, driving financial inclusion with two out of three of its new users coming from smaller cities and towns. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Paytm says Delhi-NCR emerges as India's digital payments capital: Report

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Harshit Sabarwal

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.