Groundwater is a precious commodity. Although there abundance of water on Earth, a very very tiny fraction of its freshwater. This means that we have limited water to drink. Scarcity of water is an issue in itself but now a study has found that land is sinking world over due to excessive removal of groundwater.&nbsp;

The study has been carried out by American Association for the Advancement of Science nad has been published in the journal Eureka Alert! The study has been funded by the UNESCO.

As per the study, the majority of the 635 million inhabitants of subsistence-susceptible areas are located in Asia. Subsistence simply means that the ground is sinking. As per a Guardian report, countries like Mexico, India and China are rapidly draining groundwater to meet the food demand.

Economic growth has also been cited as one of the reasons for greater demand for groundwater.

The study has highlighted some scary facts.

It says that Jakarta has sunk by 2.5 metres in last decade. This is a huge thing considering changes in Earth's surface to the tune of mere centimetres are considered significant. The study notes that 25 per cent of the Netherlands is below sea level and more areas are under threat of subsidence.

The phenomenon mentioned in the study when coupled with rising sea levels due to global warming can prove to be horrible for global population in years to come.

The study has called for policy changes to tackle the situation.

Groundwater is a precious commodity. Although there abundance of water on Earth, a very very tiny fraction of its freshwater. This means that we have limited water to drink.

Groundwater is a precious commodity. Although there abundance of water on Earth, a very very tiny fraction of its freshwater. This means that we have limited water to drink. Scarcity of water is an issue in itself but now a study has found that land is sinking world over due to excessive removal of groundwater. The study has been carried out by American Association for the Advancement of Science nad has been published in the journal Eureka Alert! The study has been funded by the UNESCO. As per the study, the majority of the 635 million inhabitants of subsistence-susceptible areas are located in Asia. Subsistence simply means that the ground is sinking. As per a Guardian report, countries like Mexico, India and China are rapidly draining groundwater to meet the food demand. Economic growth has also been cited as one of the reasons for greater demand for groundwater. The study has highlighted some scary facts. It says that Jakarta has sunk by 2.5 metres in last decade. This is a huge thing considering changes in Earth's surface to the tune of mere centimetres are considered significant. The study notes that 25 per cent of the Netherlands is below sea level and more areas are under threat of subsidence. The phenomenon mentioned in the study when coupled with rising sea levels due to global warming can prove to be horrible for global population in years to come. The study has called for policy changes to tackle the situation.

Land is sinking fast world over because of excessive groundwater removal: Study

Happy New Year 2021: Celebrations begin, people look to leave memories of 2020 behind

New year celebrations have begun in countries where the clock has struck 12 am. New Zealand, Australia have welcomed the new year with fireworks. UK PM Boris Johnson's father has said that he is French. He is seeking French citizenship. Read this and more in top 10 world new below.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-fireworks-australia-new-zealand-welcome-2021-353638">With fireworks, Australia, New Zealand welcome 2021</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-fireworks-australia-new-zealand-welcome-2021-353638"><img alt="New Year" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2173ae40-ec41-4204-9288-93bc587d7b8b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20Year.JPG" /></a> 
 
Revellers on the waterfront viewed the five-minute show which comprised fireworks and laser lighting colouring the night sky over the city's harbour

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-french-says-uk-pm-boris-johnsons-father-as-he-seeks-france-citizenship-353629">'I am French', says UK PM Boris Johnson's father as he seeks France citizenship</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-french-says-uk-pm-boris-johnsons-father-as-he-seeks-france-citizenship-353629"><img alt="Boris Johnson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="37c6fd68-2cd7-4e96-b613-b3d03935c7e4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Boris%20Johnson_1.JPG" /></a> 
 
Boris Johnson's father was among the first civil servants appointed to Brussells after Britain joined the European Union in 1973

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-at-least-30-arrested-for-vandalising-hindu-temple-353664">Pakistan: At least 30 arrested for vandalising Hindu temple</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-at-least-30-arrested-for-vandalising-hindu-temple-353664"><img alt="Pakistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="65915f75-0da2-43d0-ba45-83b97b911b55" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pakistan_1.JPG" /></a> 
 
The vandalisation of the temple in Terri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) Karak district on Wednesday caused strong criticism from human rights groups and minority Hindu community leaders 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-foreign-minister-mohammad-javad-zarif-accuses-us-of-plotting-to-fabricate-war-pretext-353640">Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accuses US of plotting to fabricate war pretext</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-foreign-minister-mohammad-javad-zarif-accuses-us-of-plotting-to-fabricate-war-pretext-353640"><img alt="Javad Zarif" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bad9a31f-9f7d-4342-bc0b-b93f7f62e964" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Javad%20Zarif.JPG" /></a> 
 
US President Donald Trump had recently tweeted that the US was hearing 'chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq' and warned that 'if one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-confirms-uighur-muslim-imprisoned-on-terrorism-charges-353614">China confirms Uighur doctor imprisoned on terrorism charges</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-confirms-uighur-muslim-imprisoned-on-terrorism-charges-353614"><img alt="Uighur" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7c3dfdbe-5c0f-47ed-8f31-56c590642b6f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Uighur.JPG" /></a> 
 
The relatives of Gulshan Abbas on Wednesday told US congressional committee that she had been sentenced to 20 years due to her involvement in the rights of Uighur Muslims

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modis-approval-ratings-highest-among-world-leaders-353568">PM Modi's approval ratings highest among world leaders</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modis-approval-ratings-highest-among-world-leaders-353568"><img alt="Modi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a2a3d2e2-812f-4f37-baf7-f2f6e975853a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/PM%20MODI.JPG" /></a> 
 
Approval ratings are based on a seven-day moving average of adult residents in each country, and samples sizes vary by country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-first-case-of-uk-coronavirus-variant-353649">China reports first case of UK coronavirus variant</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-first-case-of-uk-coronavirus-variant-353649"><img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="23755524-0efe-4da2-84f7-f488682d0db7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/China_6.JPG" /></a> 
 
The new strain, which experts say potentially spreads faster than the original variant, has prompted travel restrictions on the UK by more than 50 countries, including China, where the coronavirus first emerged late last year

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/outcry-after-canadian-minister-flouts-coronavirus-restrictions-to-conceal-caribbean-holiday-353618">Outcry after Canadian minister flouts coronavirus restrictions to conceal Caribbean holiday</a>

<img alt="Canadian" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c3117ee5-2851-49a6-99b2-b84227a5381d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Canadian.JPG" /> 
 
Posts on Rod Phillips’s social media accounts suggested that he remained home over Christmas, but it emerged on Tuesday that the minister flew to the island of St Barts in mid-December and ignored a coronavirus lockdown to on this trip

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/move-over-mammoths-a-woolly-rhino-has-been-found-well-preserved-in-russian-permafrost-353643">Move over mammoths, a woolly rhino has been found well- preserved in Russian permafrost</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/move-over-mammoths-a-woolly-rhino-has-been-found-well-preserved-in-russian-permafrost-353643"><img alt="Woolly rhino" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e03639ee-36eb-433e-abe5-1623255e8ad5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/RHINO.JPG" /></a> 
 
Woolly rhinos roamed Siberian hinterlands in Russia about 12,000 years ago. And one of them has been found in diamond-producing region in Yakutia

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/want-to-try-some-adventure-this-new-year-snake-massage-in-egypt-might-be-it-353631">Want to try some adventure this New Year, snake massage in Egypt might be it</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/want-to-try-some-adventure-this-new-year-snake-massage-in-egypt-might-be-it-353631"><img alt="Snake" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e12f1d40-4621-4e25-b0b9-6e797f3c5168" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Snake%20massage.JPG" /></a> 
 
If you are planning any such massage, Egypt's Cairo is your go-to place as a combination of snakes will be used to give customers relief from pain

 
&nbsp;

New year celebrations have begun in countries where the clock has struck 12 am. New Zealand, Australia have welcomed the new year with fireworks. UK PM Boris Johnson's father has said that he is French.

New year celebrations have begun in countries where the clock has struck 12 am. New Zealand, Australia have welcomed the new year with fireworks. UK PM Boris Johnson's father has said that he is French. He is seeking French citizenship. Read this and more in top 10 world new below. With fireworks, Australia, New Zealand welcome 2021 Revellers on the waterfront viewed the five-minute show which comprised fireworks and laser lighting colouring the night sky over the city's harbour 'I am French', says UK PM Boris Johnson's father as he seeks France citizenship Boris Johnson's father was among the first civil servants appointed to Brussells after Britain joined the European Union in 1973 Pakistan: At least 30 arrested for vandalising Hindu temple The vandalisation of the temple in Terri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) Karak district on Wednesday caused strong criticism from human rights groups and minority Hindu community leaders Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accuses US of plotting to fabricate war pretext US President Donald Trump had recently tweeted that the US was hearing 'chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq' and warned that 'if one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over' China confirms Uighur doctor imprisoned on terrorism charges The relatives of Gulshan Abbas on Wednesday told US congressional committee that she had been sentenced to 20 years due to her involvement in the rights of Uighur Muslims PM Modi's approval ratings highest among world leaders Approval ratings are based on a seven-day moving average of adult residents in each country, and samples sizes vary by country. China reports first case of UK coronavirus variant The new strain, which experts say potentially spreads faster than the original variant, has prompted travel restrictions on the UK by more than 50 countries, including China, where the coronavirus first emerged late last year Outcry after Canadian minister flouts coronavirus restrictions to conceal Caribbean holiday Posts on Rod Phillips’s social media accounts suggested that he remained home over Christmas, but it emerged on Tuesday that the minister flew to the island of St Barts in mid-December and ignored a coronavirus lockdown to on this trip Move over mammoths, a woolly rhino has been found well- preserved in Russian permafrost Woolly rhinos roamed Siberian hinterlands in Russia about 12,000 years ago. And one of them has been found in diamond-producing region in Yakutia Want to try some adventure this New Year, snake massage in Egypt might be it If you are planning any such massage, Egypt's Cairo is your go-to place as a combination of snakes will be used to give customers relief from pain

Top 10 world news: New year celebrations begin, Iran targets US, and more

When we say the words 'ice age' and 'woolly', the first image that captures our imagination is that of a huge animal with tusks and trunks. The imagery of Mammoths has been made popular by movies and documentaries. But its often hard to wrap our heads around an alive battletank covered in soft fluffy wool. Well, we need to get used to it. A woolly rhinoceros has been found well-preserved in Russian permafrost.

While its a bit alarming to note that permafrost in Arctic is melting fast thanks to global warming, the receding ice sheets are throwing up surprises that is furthering our understanding of nature.

Woolly rhinos roamed Siberian hinterlands in Russia about 12,000 years ago. And one of them has been found in diamond-producing region in Yakutia.

When a plant or an aninal is preserved in permafrost, or permanent ice sheets, has a great chance of being well-preseved for thousands of years. The woolly rhino found in Russia has been found with all its limbs, its wool, tusk and some organs preserved. This is a rarity for such a find.

Valery Plotnikov, a scientist was quoted by local media as saying that the rhino may have lived in late Pleistocene era that ended 11,700 years ago. There are marks on its tusk that suggest that it used it to find food.

When we say the words 'ice age' and 'woolly', the first image that captures our imagination is that of a huge animal with tusks and trunks. The imagery of Mammoths has been made popular by movies and documentaries.

When we say the words 'ice age' and 'woolly', the first image that captures our imagination is that of a huge animal with tusks and trunks. The imagery of Mammoths has been made popular by movies and documentaries. But its often hard to wrap our heads around an alive battletank covered in soft fluffy wool. Well, we need to get used to it. A woolly rhinoceros has been found well-preserved in Russian permafrost. While its a bit alarming to note that permafrost in Arctic is melting fast thanks to global warming, the receding ice sheets are throwing up surprises that is furthering our understanding of nature. Woolly rhinos roamed Siberian hinterlands in Russia about 12,000 years ago. And one of them has been found in diamond-producing region in Yakutia. When a plant or an aninal is preserved in permafrost, or permanent ice sheets, has a great chance of being well-preseved for thousands of years. The woolly rhino found in Russia has been found with all its limbs, its wool, tusk and some organs preserved. This is a rarity for such a find. Valery Plotnikov, a scientist was quoted by local media as saying that the rhino may have lived in late Pleistocene era that ended 11,700 years ago. There are marks on its tusk that suggest that it used it to find food.

Move over mammoths, a woolly rhino has been found well- preserved in Russian permafrost

UK PM Boris Johnson's father Stanley confirmed on Thursday that he was seeking French citizenship just when free movement of Britons was coming to an end thanks to Brexit deal delivered by his own son. Speaking to France's RTL radio, he asserted that he was French.

It's not a question of becoming French. If I understand correctly I am French! My mother was born in France, her mother was completely French as was her grandfather.

"For me it's a question of obtaining what I already have and I am very happy about that," the 80-year-old added.

Boris Johnson's father was among the first civil servants appointed to Brussells after Britain joined the European Union in 1973. He initially campaigned against UK leaving the European Union but changed his mind after Britain voted to leave EU in 2016 vote.
<img alt="Boris Johnson father" data-caption="UK PM Boris Johnson's father Stanley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6c92b3e4-86cb-4d94-bc06-6c6fac1d3dbc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1L9385.jpg" />
"I will always be European, that's for sure," he told RTL. &nbsp;

"You can't tell the English: you're not European. Europe is more than the single market, it's more than the European Union."

"That said, to have a link like that with the EU is important," he said, apparently referring to an EU passport.

His daughter Rachel had published a book in March and had already revealed his plans of seeking French citizenship.

She wrote that her grandmother was born in Versailles and said that if her father received French citizenship she too would like to become French.

(With AFP inputs)

UK PM Boris Johnson's father Stanley confirmed on Thursday that he was seeking French citizenship just when free movement of Britons was coming to an end thanks to Brexit deal delivered by his own son.

UK PM Boris Johnson's father Stanley confirmed on Thursday that he was seeking French citizenship just when free movement of Britons was coming to an end thanks to Brexit deal delivered by his own son. Speaking to France's RTL radio, he asserted that he was French. It's not a question of becoming French. If I understand correctly I am French! My mother was born in France, her mother was completely French as was her grandfather. "For me it's a question of obtaining what I already have and I am very happy about that," the 80-year-old added. Boris Johnson's father was among the first civil servants appointed to Brussells after Britain joined the European Union in 1973. He initially campaigned against UK leaving the European Union but changed his mind after Britain voted to leave EU in 2016 vote. "I will always be European, that's for sure," he told RTL. "You can't tell the English: you're not European. Europe is more than the single market, it's more than the European Union." "That said, to have a link like that with the EU is important," he said, apparently referring to an EU passport. His daughter Rachel had published a book in March and had already revealed his plans of seeking French citizenship. She wrote that her grandmother was born in Versailles and said that if her father received French citizenship she too would like to become French. (With AFP inputs)

'I am French', says UK PM Boris Johnson's father as he seeks France citizenship

The European Union on Thursday made its displeasure clear as it said that it regretted US decision to impose tariffs as part of a dispute over aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing. US trade representative said on Thursday that the country was imposing tariffs on "aircraft manufacturing parts from France and Germany, certain non-sparkling wine from France and Germany, and certain cognac and other grape brandies from France and Germany,"

Airbus is a European company while Boeing is an American company.

The European Commission said it, "regrets that the United States has chosen to add further EU products to its retaliation list in the WTO Airbus case on aircraft subsidies."

Brussels complained that Washington had "unilaterally" disrupted ongoing talks and said it would seek a solution to the row with the incoming Biden administration.

US maintains that its latest move was a retaliatory measure taken in response to a tariff imposed by the EU which it says is unfair.

US and EU have been&nbsp;squabbling over aircraft subsidies for last 16 years. The battle has turned increasingly sour under protectionist policies of current US President Donald Trump.

Also Read &nbsp;| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-new-tariffs-on-french-german-products-in-airbus-boeing-spat-353514">US imposes new tariffs on French, German products in Airbus-Boeing spat</a>

The EU was authorized this year by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to levy additional customs duties on American products.&nbsp;

But Washington believes it has been penalized by the method of calculation chosen, which, according to the Trump administration, has led to an excessive amount of customs duties levied on American products.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

The European Union on Thursday made its displeasure clear as it said that it regretted US decision to impose tariffs as part of a dispute over aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing.

The European Union on Thursday made its displeasure clear as it said that it regretted US decision to impose tariffs as part of a dispute over aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing. US trade representative said on Thursday that the country was imposing tariffs on "aircraft manufacturing parts from France and Germany, certain non-sparkling wine from France and Germany, and certain cognac and other grape brandies from France and Germany," Airbus is a European company while Boeing is an American company. The European Commission said it, "regrets that the United States has chosen to add further EU products to its retaliation list in the WTO Airbus case on aircraft subsidies." Brussels complained that Washington had "unilaterally" disrupted ongoing talks and said it would seek a solution to the row with the incoming Biden administration. US maintains that its latest move was a retaliatory measure taken in response to a tariff imposed by the EU which it says is unfair. US and EU have been squabbling over aircraft subsidies for last 16 years. The battle has turned increasingly sour under protectionist policies of current US President Donald Trump. Also Read | US imposes new tariffs on French, German products in Airbus-Boeing spat The EU was authorized this year by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to levy additional customs duties on American products. But Washington believes it has been penalized by the method of calculation chosen, which, according to the Trump administration, has led to an excessive amount of customs duties levied on American products. (With AFP inputs)

EU says it 'regrets' American tariffs over Airbus-Boeing spat

Hong Kong's pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai was ordered back to jail on Thursday as Hong Kong's highest court upheld prosecutors' appeal against his bail. Jimmy Lai is one of the most prominent Beijing critic from Hong Kong who has been booked under the new National Security Law. The law was passed by China and imposed on the financial hub in June this year.

73-year-old Jimmy Lai served 20 days in custody before being granted bail last Wednesday on stringent conditions. These included a USD 1.3 million bond and surrender if all travel documents. He was placed under house arrest and even banned from tweeting.

However, Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal granted permission for the prosecution to appeal the bail decision. The prosecution said that a lower judge may "have erred in his construction or application" of Article 42 in the new legislation.

That article states that bail should not be granted unless the judge sees sufficient grounds to believe the defendant will not commit the alleged offence again.

"We have held that it is reasonably arguable that the Judge's decision was erroneous and that his order admitting the respondent to bail was invalid," a determination handed down by the Court of Final Appeal read. 
It also granted the prosecution's application for Lai to be held in custody pending the appeal, to be heard on February 1.

Jimmy Lai has been accused by the authorities of colluding with foreign countries by calling on overseas governments to sanction Hong Kong and China in response to an ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activism in the city. 
More than 1,000 of his tweets and a number of media interviews he gave have been examined by the prosecution.

Lai was the first defendant charged under the security law to be granted bail, but prosecutors rushed to the top court for an urgent hearing applying for leave to appeal the decision.

China's top party mouthpiece People's Daily had criticised the bail decision for "damaging Hong Kong's rule of law".

China's authoritarian leaders guaranteed Hong Kong would maintain key freedoms and autonomy after its 1997 handover by Britain, under a model dubbed "One Country, Two Systems".

But a historic retreat from that promise is underway, in response to recent years' unrest.

(With AFP inputs)

Hong Kong's pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai was ordered back to jail on Thursday as Hong Kong's highest court upheld prosecutors' appeal against his bail. Jimmy Lai is one of the most prominent Beijing critic from Hong Kong who has been booked under the new National Security Law.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai was ordered back to jail on Thursday as Hong Kong's highest court upheld prosecutors' appeal against his bail. Jimmy Lai is one of the most prominent Beijing critic from Hong Kong who has been booked under the new National Security Law. The law was passed by China and imposed on the financial hub in June this year. 73-year-old Jimmy Lai served 20 days in custody before being granted bail last Wednesday on stringent conditions. These included a USD 1.3 million bond and surrender if all travel documents. He was placed under house arrest and even banned from tweeting. However, Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal granted permission for the prosecution to appeal the bail decision. The prosecution said that a lower judge may "have erred in his construction or application" of Article 42 in the new legislation. That article states that bail should not be granted unless the judge sees sufficient grounds to believe the defendant will not commit the alleged offence again. "We have held that it is reasonably arguable that the Judge's decision was erroneous and that his order admitting the respondent to bail was invalid," a determination handed down by the Court of Final Appeal read. It also granted the prosecution's application for Lai to be held in custody pending the appeal, to be heard on February 1. Jimmy Lai has been accused by the authorities of colluding with foreign countries by calling on overseas governments to sanction Hong Kong and China in response to an ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activism in the city. More than 1,000 of his tweets and a number of media interviews he gave have been examined by the prosecution. Lai was the first defendant charged under the security law to be granted bail, but prosecutors rushed to the top court for an urgent hearing applying for leave to appeal the decision. China's top party mouthpiece People's Daily had criticised the bail decision for "damaging Hong Kong's rule of law". China's authoritarian leaders guaranteed Hong Kong would maintain key freedoms and autonomy after its 1997 handover by Britain, under a model dubbed "One Country, Two Systems". But a historic retreat from that promise is underway, in response to recent years' unrest. (With AFP inputs)

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai sent back to jail after challenge to bail

European Union and China on Wednesday agreed "in principle" to strike a major investment deal despite concerns over labour and human rights. The deal gives EU firms better access to Chinese market. EU-China deal may be European Union's first big deal after it successfully negotiated post-Brexit&nbsp;trade deal with UK recently.

"Today, the EU and China concluded in principle negotiations on an investment agreement," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted after a video call with Xi.

Calling the deal "of major economic significance", an EU statement said: "China has committed to an unprecedented level of market access for EU investors."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-overwhelmingly-back-post-brexit-trade-deal-with-european-union-353438">British MPs overwhelmingly back post-Brexit trade deal with European Union</a>

China's state news agency Xinhua confirmed that the two sides had "completed investment agreement negotiations as scheduled."

In addition, the EU said China has committed to "effectively implement" International Labour Organization rules it has already ratified "and to work towards the ratification of the ILO fundamental conventions, including on forced labour."

Talks on the deal had begun as early as 2014 but EU previously said China did little to lift curbs on European investment in the country. However, reports suggest that trade war between China and the US may have brought about change in Chinese position

(With agency inputs)

European Union and China on Wednesday agreed "in principle" to strike a major investment deal despite concerns over labour and human rights. The deal gives EU firms better access to Chinese market.

European Union and China on Wednesday agreed "in principle" to strike a major investment deal despite concerns over labour and human rights. The deal gives EU firms better access to Chinese market. EU-China deal may be European Union's first big deal after it successfully negotiated post-Brexit trade deal with UK recently. "Today, the EU and China concluded in principle negotiations on an investment agreement," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted after a video call with Xi. Calling the deal "of major economic significance", an EU statement said: "China has committed to an unprecedented level of market access for EU investors." Also Read | British MPs overwhelmingly back post-Brexit trade deal with European Union China's state news agency Xinhua confirmed that the two sides had "completed investment agreement negotiations as scheduled." In addition, the EU said China has committed to "effectively implement" International Labour Organization rules it has already ratified "and to work towards the ratification of the ILO fundamental conventions, including on forced labour." Talks on the deal had begun as early as 2014 but EU previously said China did little to lift curbs on European investment in the country. However, reports suggest that trade war between China and the US may have brought about change in Chinese position (With agency inputs)

EU-China agree on a major investment deal

A landslide in a village about 30 miles northeast of Oslo, Norway, injured at least 10 people and left 15 missing Wednesday, according to local news media.

At least six people in the village of Ask were hospitalized and up to 200 were evacuated, the mayor said, according to Verdens Gang, a Norwegian newspaper. Rescuers were limited in how close they could get to the scene because the slide was ongoing as of Wednesday afternoon.

The landslide destroyed several homes, according to local police.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway, who was at the scene, said on Twitter Wednesday, “It hurts to see how the forces of nature have ravaged Gjerdrum,” the area that includes Ask. “My thoughts go to all those affected by the landslide. Now it is important that the emergency services get their job done.”

Norway’s military was assisting with the rescue operation, according to Dagbladet, a newspaper in Norway. Norwegian People’s Aid, a humanitarian organization, said it had sent nine ambulances and 40 crew members to assist with the operation.

Geir Fjellheim, the manager of Quality Hotel Olavsgaard, said about 300 people who had been evacuated from Ask were staying at the hotel. He said he had been told by police not to provide further details.

Landslides in Norway are relatively rare, but in June, a landslide in the northern part of the country swept at least eight buildings into the sea, causing significant damage but no injuries.

A landslide in a village about 30 miles northeast of Oslo, Norway, injured at least 10 people and left 15 missing Wednesday, according to local news media. At least six people in the village of Ask were hospitalized and up to 200 were evacuated, the mayor said, according to Verdens Gang, a Norwegian newspaper.

A landslide in a village about 30 miles northeast of Oslo, Norway, injured at least 10 people and left 15 missing Wednesday, according to local news media. At least six people in the village of Ask were hospitalized and up to 200 were evacuated, the mayor said, according to Verdens Gang, a Norwegian newspaper. Rescuers were limited in how close they could get to the scene because the slide was ongoing as of Wednesday afternoon. The landslide destroyed several homes, according to local police. Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway, who was at the scene, said on Twitter Wednesday, “It hurts to see how the forces of nature have ravaged Gjerdrum,” the area that includes Ask. “My thoughts go to all those affected by the landslide. Now it is important that the emergency services get their job done.” Norway’s military was assisting with the rescue operation, according to Dagbladet, a newspaper in Norway. Norwegian People’s Aid, a humanitarian organization, said it had sent nine ambulances and 40 crew members to assist with the operation. Geir Fjellheim, the manager of Quality Hotel Olavsgaard, said about 300 people who had been evacuated from Ask were staying at the hotel. He said he had been told by police not to provide further details. Landslides in Norway are relatively rare, but in June, a landslide in the northern part of the country swept at least eight buildings into the sea, causing significant damage but no injuries.

Norway Landslide Injures 10 and Leaves 15 Missing

President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday criticized the speed of vaccine distribution under the Trump administration and promised to step up the pace when he takes office, while delivering a sober warning about the toll of the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden offered a bleak assessment of the months ahead, saying they would be “a very tough period for our nation,” and he exhorted Americans to make the sacrifices necessary to overcome the devastation of the virus.

“It’s going to take all the grit and determination we have as Americans to get it done,” he said.

He warned that if the current pace of administering vaccines under President Donald Trump continued, “it’s going to take years, not months,” to vaccinate the nation. And he said he had directed his team to prepare a more aggressive effort once he takes office in three weeks, pledging “to move heaven and earth to get us going in the right direction.”

“This is going to be the greatest operational challenge we’ve ever faced as a nation,” Biden said during an address in Wilmington, Delaware, “but we’re going to get it done.”

Biden will assume the presidency amid a health crisis that has already killed more than 336,000 people in the United States and inflicted widespread economic disruption. Distributing vaccines to the American people will pose an early test for him.

Earlier this month, federal officials had said their goal was for 20 million people to get their first shots of a vaccine by the end of the year. As of Monday morning, 11.4 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines had been sent out across the country, but just 2.1 million people in the United States had received their first dose, according to a dashboard maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which most likely reflects a reporting lag of several days.

Biden has vowed to get 100 million vaccine shots into the arms of Americans in his first 100 days in office; vaccination currently requires two shots, which would suggest that about 50 million people would be vaccinated in that time.

On Tuesday, Biden announced new members of his COVID-19 response team, including coordinators to handle vaccinations, testing and supply chain management.

Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s effort to fast-track the development and rollout of vaccines, spent billions of dollars to help drug companies test and manufacture their vaccines and ensure that they would have a buyer. Those investments helped vaccines become available much faster than many experts had predicted.

Still, getting those vaccines into arms has gotten off to a slower start than federal officials had hoped.

“We certainly are not at the numbers that we wanted to be at the end of December,” Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, said on CNN on Tuesday. But he added, “I believe that as we get into January, we are going to see an increase in the momentum.”

Moncef Slaoui, the scientific adviser to Operation Warp Speed, said as recently as last week that the odds were high that the first 100 million people in the United States would be immunized by the end of March.

Michael Pratt, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, defended the pace of the vaccine rollout. He said in a statement that it was “a testament to the success of Operation Warp Speed” that 20 million doses had already been made available to states and other jurisdictions. (Not all of the doses have been shipped.) And Trump said in a tweet that it was “up to the States to distribute the vaccines once brought to the designated areas by the Federal Government.”

The pace of inoculation in the United States is expected to pick up in the first months of next year as more vaccine supply became becomes available and more facilities begin giving it out to a wider swath selection of Americans. So far, vaccines have been given primarily to health care workers at hospitals and to residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

In his remarks Tuesday, Biden said he could “see a return to normalcy in the next year,” but he also offered an ominous forecast for the near future. “We need to steel our spines for what’s ahead,” he said, adding that the next few months could be “the toughest during this entire pandemic.”

“I know it’s hard to hear, but it’s the truth,” he said.

He expressed hope that Trump, who has resisted wearing a mask and mocked Biden during the campaign for wearing one, could still influence the public in a positive way.

“It would make a huge difference for President Trump to say, ‘Wear masks,’” Biden said. “I hope the president will clearly and unambiguously urge all Americans to take the vaccine once it’s available.”

Hours before Biden spoke, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received her first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The shot was administered on live television, just as Biden’s was last week when he received the Pfizer vaccine at a hospital in Delaware.

Harris received the Moderna vaccine at United Medical Center, a public hospital in southeast Washington. She encouraged Americans to get vaccinated as well, saying: “It is relatively painless. It happens really quickly. It is safe.” Her husband, Doug Emhoff, also received the vaccine on Tuesday.

State and local officials have long said they need more money to distribute and administer vaccines. The $900 billion relief package that Trump signed into law on Sunday sets aside more than $8 billion for vaccine distribution, roughly in line with the $8.4 billion that health departments requested from Congress. The CDC in September had sent $200 million to the states for the effort, followed by another $140 million this month.

The government has said the goal is to allow anyone who wants a vaccine to get one by June, but it has not yet secured enough supply of vaccines that have been authorized for use. The United States has secured commitments for enough vaccine to vaccinate 200 million of the roughly 260 million adult Americans who are eligible to be inoculated.

Moderna has agreed to provide 200 million doses of its vaccine to the United States, with the first half coming by the end of March and the second half coming by the end of June.

Pfizer has also agreed to provide 200 million doses. With each person requiring two shots, it leaves the supply 120 million doses short.

Over the summer, before its vaccine had been shown to be effective, Pfizer agreed to provide an initial 100 million doses to the United States. At the time, the government passed on an offer from Pfizer to lock in additional supplies.

But as it became clear that more doses were needed, the government resumed talks with Pfizer. In a deal announced last week, Pfizer agreed to provide an additional 70 million doses by the end of June and another 30 million by the end of July.

As part of the deal, the government agreed to invoke the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law that allows the government to more quickly secure key supplies by forcing suppliers to prioritize orders from a specific contractor. Operation Warp Speed has so far used the Defense Production Act 18 times, including to help produce glass vials and syringes, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Biden said on Tuesday that he would also make use of the Defense Production Act upon taking office, saying he would “order private industry to accelerate the making of the materials needed for the vaccines as well as protective gear.”

The government has a few avenues for providing vaccines to the 60 million American adults not covered by the existing deals with Pfizer and Moderna.

It may be able to exercise options to buy more doses from Pfizer or Moderna. The government could also turn to vaccines from other manufacturers expected to report late-stage results in the coming weeks. Johnson &amp;amp; Johnson is expecting results late next month from a trial of its single-shot vaccine, a format that would make it easier to deliver than the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. And a U.S. trial evaluating a two-shot vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford could have results in February.

On Tuesday, Biden acknowledged he was not yet in control of the government’s virus response, saying, “My ability to change the direction of this pandemic starts in three weeks.” And he made clear that he would need help from Congress next year to provide additional funding to carry out his plans.

But even as he warned about the difficult weeks and months ahead, he struck an optimistic note about the longer term.

“We’re going to get through this,” he said. “Brighter days are coming.”

President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday criticized the speed of vaccine distribution under the Trump administration and promised to step up the pace when he takes office, while delivering a sober warning about the toll of the coronavirus pandemic.

President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday criticized the speed of vaccine distribution under the Trump administration and promised to step up the pace when he takes office, while delivering a sober warning about the toll of the coronavirus pandemic. Biden offered a bleak assessment of the months ahead, saying they would be “a very tough period for our nation,” and he exhorted Americans to make the sacrifices necessary to overcome the devastation of the virus. “It’s going to take all the grit and determination we have as Americans to get it done,” he said. He warned that if the current pace of administering vaccines under President Donald Trump continued, “it’s going to take years, not months,” to vaccinate the nation. And he said he had directed his team to prepare a more aggressive effort once he takes office in three weeks, pledging “to move heaven and earth to get us going in the right direction.” “This is going to be the greatest operational challenge we’ve ever faced as a nation,” Biden said during an address in Wilmington, Delaware, “but we’re going to get it done.” Biden will assume the presidency amid a health crisis that has already killed more than 336,000 people in the United States and inflicted widespread economic disruption. Distributing vaccines to the American people will pose an early test for him. Earlier this month, federal officials had said their goal was for 20 million people to get their first shots of a vaccine by the end of the year. As of Monday morning, 11.4 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines had been sent out across the country, but just 2.1 million people in the United States had received their first dose, according to a dashboard maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which most likely reflects a reporting lag of several days. Biden has vowed to get 100 million vaccine shots into the arms of Americans in his first 100 days in office; vaccination currently requires two shots, which would suggest that about 50 million people would be vaccinated in that time. On Tuesday, Biden announced new members of his COVID-19 response team, including coordinators to handle vaccinations, testing and supply chain management. Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s effort to fast-track the development and rollout of vaccines, spent billions of dollars to help drug companies test and manufacture their vaccines and ensure that they would have a buyer. Those investments helped vaccines become available much faster than many experts had predicted. Still, getting those vaccines into arms has gotten off to a slower start than federal officials had hoped. “We certainly are not at the numbers that we wanted to be at the end of December,” Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, said on CNN on Tuesday. But he added, “I believe that as we get into January, we are going to see an increase in the momentum.” Moncef Slaoui, the scientific adviser to Operation Warp Speed, said as recently as last week that the odds were high that the first 100 million people in the United States would be immunized by the end of March. Michael Pratt, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, defended the pace of the vaccine rollout. He said in a statement that it was “a testament to the success of Operation Warp Speed” that 20 million doses had already been made available to states and other jurisdictions. (Not all of the doses have been shipped.) And Trump said in a tweet that it was “up to the States to distribute the vaccines once brought to the designated areas by the Federal Government.” The pace of inoculation in the United States is expected to pick up in the first months of next year as more vaccine supply became becomes available and more facilities begin giving it out to a wider swath selection of Americans. So far, vaccines have been given primarily to health care workers at hospitals and to residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. In his remarks Tuesday, Biden said he could “see a return to normalcy in the next year,” but he also offered an ominous forecast for the near future. “We need to steel our spines for what’s ahead,” he said, adding that the next few months could be “the toughest during this entire pandemic.” “I know it’s hard to hear, but it’s the truth,” he said. He expressed hope that Trump, who has resisted wearing a mask and mocked Biden during the campaign for wearing one, could still influence the public in a positive way. “It would make a huge difference for President Trump to say, ‘Wear masks,’” Biden said. “I hope the president will clearly and unambiguously urge all Americans to take the vaccine once it’s available.” Hours before Biden spoke, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received her first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The shot was administered on live television, just as Biden’s was last week when he received the Pfizer vaccine at a hospital in Delaware. Harris received the Moderna vaccine at United Medical Center, a public hospital in southeast Washington. She encouraged Americans to get vaccinated as well, saying: “It is relatively painless. It happens really quickly. It is safe.” Her husband, Doug Emhoff, also received the vaccine on Tuesday. State and local officials have long said they need more money to distribute and administer vaccines. The $900 billion relief package that Trump signed into law on Sunday sets aside more than $8 billion for vaccine distribution, roughly in line with the $8.4 billion that health departments requested from Congress. The CDC in September had sent $200 million to the states for the effort, followed by another $140 million this month. The government has said the goal is to allow anyone who wants a vaccine to get one by June, but it has not yet secured enough supply of vaccines that have been authorized for use. The United States has secured commitments for enough vaccine to vaccinate 200 million of the roughly 260 million adult Americans who are eligible to be inoculated. Moderna has agreed to provide 200 million doses of its vaccine to the United States, with the first half coming by the end of March and the second half coming by the end of June. Pfizer has also agreed to provide 200 million doses. With each person requiring two shots, it leaves the supply 120 million doses short. Over the summer, before its vaccine had been shown to be effective, Pfizer agreed to provide an initial 100 million doses to the United States. At the time, the government passed on an offer from Pfizer to lock in additional supplies. But as it became clear that more doses were needed, the government resumed talks with Pfizer. In a deal announced last week, Pfizer agreed to provide an additional 70 million doses by the end of June and another 30 million by the end of July. As part of the deal, the government agreed to invoke the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law that allows the government to more quickly secure key supplies by forcing suppliers to prioritize orders from a specific contractor. Operation Warp Speed has so far used the Defense Production Act 18 times, including to help produce glass vials and syringes, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Biden said on Tuesday that he would also make use of the Defense Production Act upon taking office, saying he would “order private industry to accelerate the making of the materials needed for the vaccines as well as protective gear.” The government has a few avenues for providing vaccines to the 60 million American adults not covered by the existing deals with Pfizer and Moderna. It may be able to exercise options to buy more doses from Pfizer or Moderna. The government could also turn to vaccines from other manufacturers expected to report late-stage results in the coming weeks. Johnson &amp; Johnson is expecting results late next month from a trial of its single-shot vaccine, a format that would make it easier to deliver than the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. And a U.S. trial evaluating a two-shot vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford could have results in February. On Tuesday, Biden acknowledged he was not yet in control of the government’s virus response, saying, “My ability to change the direction of this pandemic starts in three weeks.” And he made clear that he would need help from Congress next year to provide additional funding to carry out his plans. But even as he warned about the difficult weeks and months ahead, he struck an optimistic note about the longer term. “We’re going to get through this,” he said. “Brighter days are coming.”

Biden criticizes Trump on vaccine distribution and pledges to pick up pace

Ukraine said on Wednesday that it had agreed to purchase about 2 million doses of Chinese developed CoronaVac vaccine. This is Ukraine's first commercial vaccine contract. It will receive its first batch of 700,000 doses within one month after the vaccine is registered in China or elsewhere, said a statement from the presidency. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement that authorities would soon roll out "a large-scale" vaccination program.

Sinovac Biotech, one of China's leading vaccine producers, developed CoronaVac which underwent trials in Brazil, China, Turkey and Indonesia.

Ukraine's deal with Sinovac provides for 1,913,316 doses at 504 hryvnia ($18) per dose, which the presidency said would be given free of charge starting with healthcare workers and the most vulnerable.

It added that the authorities were continuing negotiations with other vaccine producers without naming them.

The health ministry said earlier this month it had agreed a delivery of 8 million vaccine doses via Covax, a World Health Organisation mechanism for global vaccine distribution. 
The WHO and partners expect to begin Covax delivers in 2021.

Some pro-Moscow politicians in ex-Soviet Ukraine have lobbied for the introduction of the Russian-developed Sputnik V jab.

But health officials in Kiev have so far refused noting that the Sputnik V was registered before completing large-scale trials.

With the population of 42 million, Ukraine has officially recorded just over one million virus infections and 18,324 Covid-19 deaths.

(With AFP inputs)

Ukraine said on Wednesday that it had agreed to purchase about 2 million doses of Chinese developed CoronaVac vaccine. This is Ukraine's first commercial vaccine contract.

Ukraine said on Wednesday that it had agreed to purchase about 2 million doses of Chinese developed CoronaVac vaccine. This is Ukraine's first commercial vaccine contract. It will receive its first batch of 700,000 doses within one month after the vaccine is registered in China or elsewhere, said a statement from the presidency. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement that authorities would soon roll out "a large-scale" vaccination program. Sinovac Biotech, one of China's leading vaccine producers, developed CoronaVac which underwent trials in Brazil, China, Turkey and Indonesia. Ukraine's deal with Sinovac provides for 1,913,316 doses at 504 hryvnia ($18) per dose, which the presidency said would be given free of charge starting with healthcare workers and the most vulnerable. It added that the authorities were continuing negotiations with other vaccine producers without naming them. The health ministry said earlier this month it had agreed a delivery of 8 million vaccine doses via Covax, a World Health Organisation mechanism for global vaccine distribution. The WHO and partners expect to begin Covax delivers in 2021. Some pro-Moscow politicians in ex-Soviet Ukraine have lobbied for the introduction of the Russian-developed Sputnik V jab. But health officials in Kiev have so far refused noting that the Sputnik V was registered before completing large-scale trials. With the population of 42 million, Ukraine has officially recorded just over one million virus infections and 18,324 Covid-19 deaths. (With AFP inputs)

Ukraine to buy 2 million doses of China's CoronaVac vaccine

Iranian presidency said on Wednesday that the country will pay USD 150,000 to each family of the 176 victims in a passenger plane Iran shot down earlier this year. The Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 was shot down by Iranian forces on January 8. The incident took place shortly after the plane had taken off from airport in Tehran. It was bound for Kiev in Ukraine.

Iran had admitted that its forces accidentally shot down the Boeing 737-800 aircraft but the incident heightened tension between US and Iran nonetheless.

"The cabinet approved the provision of $150,000, or the equivalent in euros... for the families and survivors of each of the victims of the Ukrainian plane crash as soon as possible," Iran's presidency said on Wednesday, according to the official IRNA news agency.

"This compensation does not prevent the prosecution of the criminal element of the case before the competent judicial authority," the statement added.

On Wednesday, Mohammad Eslami, Iran's transport minister, said the final crash report would be "soon" made public, including a version in English.

"The owner of the plane, Ukraine, and Boeing were present for the investigation," Eslami said, according to IRNA.

Many of those killed in the incident were Iranians and Canadians, with 85 Canadian citizens or permanent residents, some dual nationals.

Iran's civil aviation authority has said earlier that misalignment of an air defence unit's radar system was the key "human error" that led to the plane's downing.

Tehran's air defences had been on high alert at the time in case the US retaliated against Iranian strikes hours earlier on American troops stationed in Iraq, which in turn had been in response to the US assassination of Iran's top commander, General Qasem Soleimani.

Ukraine's foreign minister said in July that he hoped to obtain as much financial compensation as possible in order to alleviate "the pain and mourning" of the relatives of the victims.

A Ukrainian delegation visited Tehran in October for talks on possible financial compensation.

(With AFP inputs)

Iranian presidency said on Wednesday that the country will pay USD 150,000 to each family of the 176 victims in a passenger plane Iran shot down earlier this year.

Iranian presidency said on Wednesday that the country will pay USD 150,000 to each family of the 176 victims in a passenger plane Iran shot down earlier this year. The Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 was shot down by Iranian forces on January 8. The incident took place shortly after the plane had taken off from airport in Tehran. It was bound for Kiev in Ukraine. Iran had admitted that its forces accidentally shot down the Boeing 737-800 aircraft but the incident heightened tension between US and Iran nonetheless. "The cabinet approved the provision of $150,000, or the equivalent in euros... for the families and survivors of each of the victims of the Ukrainian plane crash as soon as possible," Iran's presidency said on Wednesday, according to the official IRNA news agency. "This compensation does not prevent the prosecution of the criminal element of the case before the competent judicial authority," the statement added. On Wednesday, Mohammad Eslami, Iran's transport minister, said the final crash report would be "soon" made public, including a version in English. "The owner of the plane, Ukraine, and Boeing were present for the investigation," Eslami said, according to IRNA. Many of those killed in the incident were Iranians and Canadians, with 85 Canadian citizens or permanent residents, some dual nationals. Iran's civil aviation authority has said earlier that misalignment of an air defence unit's radar system was the key "human error" that led to the plane's downing. Tehran's air defences had been on high alert at the time in case the US retaliated against Iranian strikes hours earlier on American troops stationed in Iraq, which in turn had been in response to the US assassination of Iran's top commander, General Qasem Soleimani. Ukraine's foreign minister said in July that he hoped to obtain as much financial compensation as possible in order to alleviate "the pain and mourning" of the relatives of the victims. A Ukrainian delegation visited Tehran in October for talks on possible financial compensation. (With AFP inputs)

Iran to pay USD 150,000 to each family of victims in the passenger plane it shot down

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Manas Joshi

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.