<p>Greece Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said that the country is willing to part with some of its greatest treasures so as to “fill the void” present in the British Museum if they are handed over the Parthenon marbles.</p>

<p>While speaking to the Guardian at the end of the year which marked their campaign for retrieving the fifth-century BC masterpieces, Mendoni vowed that the revered Greek galleries of London institution will never go empty.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our position is clear. Should the sculptures be reunited in Athens, Greece is prepared to organise rotating exhibitions of important antiquities that would fill the void,” she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking about any particular works which have been requested by London, the minister - who is a classical archaeologist by training - said that the discussions between the two countries have not extended to “specific artefacts”.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-parthenon-sculptures-row-triggered-between-united-kingdom-and-greece-663622">Explained: The Parthenon Sculptures row between United Kingdom and Greece</a></p>

<p>However, the minister for the first time gave a glimpse of how far Athens was willing to compensate to the British Museum in return for the sculptures - which are seen as a high point of art in the classical age – adding that any antiquities sent to the UK will also attract a lot of attention.</p>

<p>“[They] would fill the void, maintain, and constantly renew, international visitor interest in the Greek galleries of the British Museum,” said Mendoni, although she cautioned that “any agreement and all its particulars, would have to be in accordance with the Greek law on cultural heritage”.</p>

<h2><strong>UK, Greece discuss cultural exchange</strong></h2>

<p>Although the plan of cultural exchange was mooted after Greece Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis' centre-right New Democracy party came to power in 2019, there have been speculations that treasures, which include Agamemnon’s Mask – the gold funerary mask which has been called the “Mona Lisa of prehistory” by some historians - will be sent to Britain in return for the marbles.</p>

<p>Currently, the two sides have started to speak about “a partnership” which can offer a “win-win” solution in resolving the row. British Museum’s chair George Osborne, while speaking about the steps taken by Athens to reunite the marbles, appeared more determined to handle the issue head-on compared to any of his predecessors.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Greece demands return of 2500-year-old Parthenon sculptures from UK</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/greece-demands-return-of-2500-year-old-parthenon-sculptures-from-uk-world-news-wion-663842/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>He is the first museum chairperson who has acknowledged the controversy regarding the presence of antiquities in the British Museum publicly. In 1816, the marbles were bought by the museum from a bankrupt Lord Elgin, who was a former ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Lord Elgin had himself got the marbles removed from the Parthenon temple and other places on Athens’ Acropolis with the use of marble saws.</p>

<p>This year, the former chancellor has more than once hinted that a compromise settlement is likely to be in the offing. “We want to create a proper partnership,” said Osborne, while speaking to MPs on the culture, media and sport committee in October. “[One] that would mean objects from Greece coming here, objects that have potentially never left Greece before and certainly never been seen before, and objects from the Parthenon collection potentially travelling to Greece," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Greece Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said that the country is willing to part with some of its greatest treasures so as to “fill the void” present in the British Museum if they are handed over the Parthenon marbles.

Greece Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said that the country is willing to part with some of its greatest treasures so as to “fill the void” present in the British Museum if they are handed over the Parthenon marbles. While speaking to the Guardian at the end of the year which marked their campaign for retrieving the fifth-century BC masterpieces, Mendoni vowed that the revered Greek galleries of London institution will never go empty. “Our position is clear. Should the sculptures be reunited in Athens, Greece is prepared to organise rotating exhibitions of important antiquities that would fill the void,” she said. Speaking about any particular works which have been requested by London, the minister - who is a classical archaeologist by training - said that the discussions between the two countries have not extended to “specific artefacts”. Also read: Explained: The Parthenon Sculptures row between United Kingdom and Greece However, the minister for the first time gave a glimpse of how far Athens was willing to compensate to the British Museum in return for the sculptures - which are seen as a high point of art in the classical age – adding that any antiquities sent to the UK will also attract a lot of attention. “[They] would fill the void, maintain, and constantly renew, international visitor interest in the Greek galleries of the British Museum,” said Mendoni, although she cautioned that “any agreement and all its particulars, would have to be in accordance with the Greek law on cultural heritage”. UK, Greece discuss cultural exchange Although the plan of cultural exchange was mooted after Greece Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis' centre-right New Democracy party came to power in 2019, there have been speculations that treasures, which include Agamemnon’s Mask – the gold funerary mask which has been called the “Mona Lisa of prehistory” by some historians - will be sent to Britain in return for the marbles. Currently, the two sides have started to speak about “a partnership” which can offer a “win-win” solution in resolving the row. British Museum’s chair George Osborne, while speaking about the steps taken by Athens to reunite the marbles, appeared more determined to handle the issue head-on compared to any of his predecessors. Watch: Greece demands return of 2500-year-old Parthenon sculptures from UK He is the first museum chairperson who has acknowledged the controversy regarding the presence of antiquities in the British Museum publicly. In 1816, the marbles were bought by the museum from a bankrupt Lord Elgin, who was a former ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Lord Elgin had himself got the marbles removed from the Parthenon temple and other places on Athens’ Acropolis with the use of marble saws. This year, the former chancellor has more than once hinted that a compromise settlement is likely to be in the offing. “We want to create a proper partnership,” said Osborne, while speaking to MPs on the culture, media and sport committee in October. “[One] that would mean objects from Greece coming here, objects that have potentially never left Greece before and certainly never been seen before, and objects from the Parthenon collection potentially travelling to Greece," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Great Greek compromise for Parthenon marbles? Athens agrees to give away its ‘greatest treasures’ to Britain

<p>A dormant port of North Korea, which is located close to the border with Russia, has come back to life suddenly.</p>

<p>Experts say this has happened in the wake of the burgeoning trade in arms that are set to reach the frontlines in Ukraine, simultaneously bolstering Kim Jong Un's anaemic&nbsp;economy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the Najin port's satellite imagery from October to December, a steady stream of ships was seen at the facility.</p>

<p>Hundreds of shipping containers were getting loaded and unloaded, and rail care was being prepared for transportation of goods, according to reports.</p>

<p>It appeared that the activity picked pace in early October after the United States accused North Korea of providing munitions to Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Images were provided by the White House which showed weapons later getting delivered thousands of miles away to a depot which is located in the Russian town of Tikhoretsk for use in Ukraine.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-koreas-upgraded-warship-cheonan-begins-mission-amidst-north-korean-tensions-672819">South Korea's upgraded warship, Cheonan, begins mission amidst North Korean tensions</a></p>

<p>The transfer of munitions between the US and South Korea included hundreds of thousands of artillery shells which can grow more important as the US Congress and European Union remain divided over military aid which threatens the ability of Kyiv to repel the invasion of Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>

<h2><strong>Pyongyang refutes&nbsp;accusations of supplying arms </strong></h2>

<p>“Pyongyang’s decision to deliver munitions at scale once again underscores the grave threat that North Korea poses to international security, this time feeding a conflagration on European soil that has already cost the lives of tens of thousands of Ukrainians and consumed tens of billions of dollars in Western military support,” as per a report by the Royal United Services Institute, which is a UK security think tank, as reported by Bloomberg.</p>

<p>Pyongyang, which was banned from the sale of arms for the last 15 years, has again and again refuted accusations of supplying arms to Russia.</p>

<p>The satellite data's analysis, however, suggests otherwise, as per Bloomberg.</p>

<p>In one of the images dated December 9, the Russian container ship Angara, which was sanctioned by the US, was seen unloading cargo in Najin’s port while containers from North Korea were waiting for loading at an adjacent pier.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Japan, US, South Korea share real-time data on North Korea's missiles&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-us-south-korea-share-real-time-data-on-north-koreas-missiles-world-news-wion-671337/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“Satellite imagery shows that round trips of cargo vessels between Najin, North Korea, and Dunay, Russia, have continued unabatedly despite additional US sanctions and widespread reporting on this activity in the past few months,” said Jaewoo Shin, an analyst at the Open Nuclear Network in Vienna, while speaking to Bloomberg.</p>

<p>Shin added that though the nature of the cargo cannot be confirmed with the imagery available, the number of transferred containers and round trips suggest that the two countries have been indulging in a significant and ongoing exchange, which includes weapons and other military supplies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A dormant port of North Korea, which is located close to the border with Russia, has come back to life suddenly. Experts say this has happened in the wake of the burgeoning trade in arms that are set to reach the frontlines in Ukraine, simultaneously bolstering Kim Jong Un's anaemic economy.

A dormant port of North Korea, which is located close to the border with Russia, has come back to life suddenly. Experts say this has happened in the wake of the burgeoning trade in arms that are set to reach the frontlines in Ukraine, simultaneously bolstering Kim Jong Un's anaemic economy. In the Najin port's satellite imagery from October to December, a steady stream of ships was seen at the facility. Hundreds of shipping containers were getting loaded and unloaded, and rail care was being prepared for transportation of goods, according to reports. It appeared that the activity picked pace in early October after the United States accused North Korea of providing munitions to Russia. Images were provided by the White House which showed weapons later getting delivered thousands of miles away to a depot which is located in the Russian town of Tikhoretsk for use in Ukraine. Also read: South Korea's upgraded warship, Cheonan, begins mission amidst North Korean tensions The transfer of munitions between the US and South Korea included hundreds of thousands of artillery shells which can grow more important as the US Congress and European Union remain divided over military aid which threatens the ability of Kyiv to repel the invasion of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pyongyang refutes accusations of supplying arms “Pyongyang’s decision to deliver munitions at scale once again underscores the grave threat that North Korea poses to international security, this time feeding a conflagration on European soil that has already cost the lives of tens of thousands of Ukrainians and consumed tens of billions of dollars in Western military support,” as per a report by the Royal United Services Institute, which is a UK security think tank, as reported by Bloomberg. Pyongyang, which was banned from the sale of arms for the last 15 years, has again and again refuted accusations of supplying arms to Russia. The satellite data's analysis, however, suggests otherwise, as per Bloomberg. In one of the images dated December 9, the Russian container ship Angara, which was sanctioned by the US, was seen unloading cargo in Najin’s port while containers from North Korea were waiting for loading at an adjacent pier. Watch: Japan, US, South Korea share real-time data on North Korea's missiles “Satellite imagery shows that round trips of cargo vessels between Najin, North Korea, and Dunay, Russia, have continued unabatedly despite additional US sanctions and widespread reporting on this activity in the past few months,” said Jaewoo Shin, an analyst at the Open Nuclear Network in Vienna, while speaking to Bloomberg. Shin added that though the nature of the cargo cannot be confirmed with the imagery available, the number of transferred containers and round trips suggest that the two countries have been indulging in a significant and ongoing exchange, which includes weapons and other military supplies. (With inputs from agencies)

Sudden appearance of ghost ships at dormant North Korean port sends alarm bells ringing for Ukraine

<p>The doors of Ayodhya's Ram temple, which will be consecrated in January 2024, will open via the Indian city of Hyderabad. The firm, which is based in Hyderabad and is called Anuradha Timbers, has been crafting the door to the sanctum sanctorum along with 17 doors which will be attached to the main temple and the structures around them.</p>

<p>The temple's inauguration will take place on January 22 and the workers have already completed most of the construction on the temple's first floor. The work has now reached the level of decorations and it will be completed in the rest of the remaining period.</p>

<p>Sarath Babu, the Director Of Anuradha Timbers International&nbsp;- a century-old company - while speaking to NDTV&nbsp;said that the sanctum sanctorum's door, inside which the idol of 5-year-old Lord Ram will be placed, will be a formidable one. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The 8-foot tall doors will be six inches thick and 12 feet wide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"So far 18 doors of the main temple are completed and 100 frames around the temple. Until yesterday, we completed 118 doors," Babu said, adding that the number is likely to increase.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-temple-landscape-map-released-features-include-14-ft-wide-percota-green-spaces-673959">India: Ram temple landscape map released, features include 14-ft wide percota, green spaces</a></p>

<p>The doors, which are being constructed by craftsmen from Tamil Nadu, will be designed in Nagara style and will have traditional Indian motifs of lotus, peacocks and other birds displayed on them.</p>

<p>In temple architecture, Nagara is a north Indian style which is said to have started in the Gupta period. The wood used for making doors is Balarshah teak from Maharashtra. They are reported to be using gold leaf to cover these doors.</p>

<p>Speaking about the selection process, Babu said that the biggest names in the business were "invited" by the temple committee. Their firm was asked to create a model of the temple after which they got the job.</p>

<h2><strong>Mamata Banerjee likely to not attend temple's inauguration</strong></h2>

<p>Indian state of West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a rare stance of agreement with the Left parties, is likely to not attend the Ram Mandir's inauguration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even though there is no official confirmation yet, Trinamool Congress leaders have hinted that Banerjee will remain absent from the ceremony.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India: Preparations in full swing for Ram Mandir inauguration</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-preparations-in-full-swing-for-ram-mandir-inauguration-674200/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>While speaking to NDTV, Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that the stand of the party on the issue is clear that it opposes attempts made by the BJP &nbsp;to "misuse Lord Ram's name".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Mamata Banerjee will soon make her stand clear herself. The Trinamool Congress' stand is that we respect all religions and Lord Ram. We offer prayers to him, but the BJP is misusing Lord Ram's name, and we oppose that," he added.</p>

<p>The spokesperson said, "The BJP is trying to divert attention from the main economic issues of the common people. We oppose the political event of misusing Lord Ram's name."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The doors of Ayodhya's Ram temple, which will be consecrated in January 2024, will open via the Indian city of Hyderabad. The firm, which is based in Hyderabad and is called Anuradha Timbers, has been crafting the door to the sanctum sanctorum along with 17 doors which will be attached to the main temple and the structures around them.

The doors of Ayodhya's Ram temple, which will be consecrated in January 2024, will open via the Indian city of Hyderabad. The firm, which is based in Hyderabad and is called Anuradha Timbers, has been crafting the door to the sanctum sanctorum along with 17 doors which will be attached to the main temple and the structures around them. The temple's inauguration will take place on January 22 and the workers have already completed most of the construction on the temple's first floor. The work has now reached the level of decorations and it will be completed in the rest of the remaining period. Sarath Babu, the Director Of Anuradha Timbers International - a century-old company - while speaking to NDTV said that the sanctum sanctorum's door, inside which the idol of 5-year-old Lord Ram will be placed, will be a formidable one. The 8-foot tall doors will be six inches thick and 12 feet wide. "So far 18 doors of the main temple are completed and 100 frames around the temple. Until yesterday, we completed 118 doors," Babu said, adding that the number is likely to increase. Also read: India: Ram temple landscape map released, features include 14-ft wide percota, green spaces The doors, which are being constructed by craftsmen from Tamil Nadu, will be designed in Nagara style and will have traditional Indian motifs of lotus, peacocks and other birds displayed on them. In temple architecture, Nagara is a north Indian style which is said to have started in the Gupta period. The wood used for making doors is Balarshah teak from Maharashtra. They are reported to be using gold leaf to cover these doors. Speaking about the selection process, Babu said that the biggest names in the business were "invited" by the temple committee. Their firm was asked to create a model of the temple after which they got the job. Mamata Banerjee likely to not attend temple's inauguration Indian state of West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a rare stance of agreement with the Left parties, is likely to not attend the Ram Mandir's inauguration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22. Even though there is no official confirmation yet, Trinamool Congress leaders have hinted that Banerjee will remain absent from the ceremony. Watch: India: Preparations in full swing for Ram Mandir inauguration While speaking to NDTV, Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that the stand of the party on the issue is clear that it opposes attempts made by the BJP to "misuse Lord Ram's name". "Mamata Banerjee will soon make her stand clear herself. The Trinamool Congress' stand is that we respect all religions and Lord Ram. We offer prayers to him, but the BJP is misusing Lord Ram's name, and we oppose that," he added. The spokesperson said, "The BJP is trying to divert attention from the main economic issues of the common people. We oppose the political event of misusing Lord Ram's name." (With inputs from agencies)

Here's how century-old firm is constructing opulent doors of Ayodhya Ram temple

<p>A textbook introduced for students in Russia&nbsp;claims that former United States President Donald Trump did not win the 2020 presidential elections due to voter fraud which was committed by the Democrats. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The images of the content in the history book - which is being reportedly studied by students in the 11th grade - are being circulated on social media platforms in recent days. A page from the book was posted by a foreign correspondent for The Times (UK), Marc Bennetts on his X account and he translated the text in&nbsp;the book which read - Trump lost the election "as a result of obvious electoral fraud by the Democratic Party."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Reverse Cargo Cult it is. The new World History textbook for high schools in Russia quietly informs kids that Donald Trump was denied presidency in 2020 as a result of "obvious falsifications" by the Democratic Party. The "reverse cargo cult" is a staple of authoritarian… <a href="https://t.co/3sztTO7C7c">pic.twitter.com/3sztTO7C7c</a></p>
— Konstantin Sonin (@k_sonin) <a href="https://twitter.com/k_sonin/status/1739572585929613421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump, along with his allies, has been facing criminal charges and has been accused of interfering with the 2020 election&nbsp;results in which President Joe Biden emerged victorious. Meanwhile, claims by Trump of the election being rigged&nbsp;have been widely debunked in the courts and other judicial places.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaishankar-holds-wide-ranging-talks-with-lavrov-says-india-russia-relations-reflect-geopolitical-realities-674165">Lavrov hails 'mutually beneficial' India-Russia ties, Jaishankar calls Moscow a 'time-tested partner'</a></p>

<p>Trump has also faced criticism for complimenting Russian President Vladimir Putin even though he has condemned the invasion of Ukraine. Still, few Russian analysts have said that the Kremlin is likely to prefer Trump over Biden in 2024.</p>

<p>Professor at the University of Chicago, Konstantin Sonin, who has been writing frequently about Russian politics, talked about the claims in Russian textbooks regarding the 2020 election, on X.</p>

<h2><strong>Textbook&nbsp;makes unproven claims</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking to Newsweek about the textbook, Sonin said that he didn't doubt the content's&nbsp;authenticity and that the publication of the book was announced earlier this year in a press conference by the authors of the book and Russia's Minister of Education Sergei Kravstov.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another excerpt from the textbook was shared by Bennetts on X, which included Biden's photograph wearing a mask which was designed to curb the spread of respiratory illnesses.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Russia's defence sector booms amid gains in Ukraine war | Gravitas</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-russias-defence-sector-booms-amid-gains-in-ukraine-war-gravitas-674151/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>As per Bennetts, the excerpt included some unproven claims regarding President Biden. "On (masked) Biden from the same Russian school textbook 'His entire political career has been accompanied by corruption scandals. He and his family have commercial interests in Ukraine,'" wrote Bennetts.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On (masked) Biden from the same Russian school textbook "His entire political career has been accompanied by corruption scandals. He and his family have commercial interests in Ukraine." <a href="https://t.co/hTJVctaMDK">https://t.co/hTJVctaMDK</a> <a href="https://t.co/WFm9ogsgAI">pic.twitter.com/WFm9ogsgAI</a></p>
— Marc Bennetts (@marcbennetts1) <a href="https://twitter.com/marcbennetts1/status/1739732428883665242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Since the invasion of Ukraine by Putin in February 2022, Biden has been one of the strongest allies of Kyiv and has been pledging more support to the war-torn country as it tries to fight against Russia. The US president has also disparaged Putin publicly by calling the Russian leader a "pure thug" and a "murderous dictator".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A textbook introduced for students in Russia claims that former United States President Donald Trump did not win the 2020 presidential elections due to voter fraud which was committed by the Democrats.

A textbook introduced for students in Russia claims that former United States President Donald Trump did not win the 2020 presidential elections due to voter fraud which was committed by the Democrats. The images of the content in the history book - which is being reportedly studied by students in the 11th grade - are being circulated on social media platforms in recent days. A page from the book was posted by a foreign correspondent for The Times (UK), Marc Bennetts on his X account and he translated the text in the book which read - Trump lost the election "as a result of obvious electoral fraud by the Democratic Party." The Reverse Cargo Cult it is. The new World History textbook for high schools in Russia quietly informs kids that Donald Trump was denied presidency in 2020 as a result of "obvious falsifications" by the Democratic Party. The "reverse cargo cult" is a staple of authoritarian… pic.twitter.com/3sztTO7C7c — Konstantin Sonin (@k_sonin) December 26, 2023 × Trump, along with his allies, has been facing criminal charges and has been accused of interfering with the 2020 election results in which President Joe Biden emerged victorious. Meanwhile, claims by Trump of the election being rigged have been widely debunked in the courts and other judicial places. Also read: Lavrov hails 'mutually beneficial' India-Russia ties, Jaishankar calls Moscow a 'time-tested partner' Trump has also faced criticism for complimenting Russian President Vladimir Putin even though he has condemned the invasion of Ukraine. Still, few Russian analysts have said that the Kremlin is likely to prefer Trump over Biden in 2024. Professor at the University of Chicago, Konstantin Sonin, who has been writing frequently about Russian politics, talked about the claims in Russian textbooks regarding the 2020 election, on X. Textbook makes unproven claims Speaking to Newsweek about the textbook, Sonin said that he didn't doubt the content's authenticity and that the publication of the book was announced earlier this year in a press conference by the authors of the book and Russia's Minister of Education Sergei Kravstov. Another excerpt from the textbook was shared by Bennetts on X, which included Biden's photograph wearing a mask which was designed to curb the spread of respiratory illnesses. Watch: Russia-Ukraine war: Russia's defence sector booms amid gains in Ukraine war | Gravitas As per Bennetts, the excerpt included some unproven claims regarding President Biden. "On (masked) Biden from the same Russian school textbook 'His entire political career has been accompanied by corruption scandals. He and his family have commercial interests in Ukraine,'" wrote Bennetts. On (masked) Biden from the same Russian school textbook "His entire political career has been accompanied by corruption scandals. He and his family have commercial interests in Ukraine." https://t.co/hTJVctaMDK pic.twitter.com/WFm9ogsgAI — Marc Bennetts (@marcbennetts1) December 26, 2023 × Since the invasion of Ukraine by Putin in February 2022, Biden has been one of the strongest allies of Kyiv and has been pledging more support to the war-torn country as it tries to fight against Russia. The US president has also disparaged Putin publicly by calling the Russian leader a "pure thug" and a "murderous dictator". (With inputs from agencies)

New textbook for Russian students claims Donald Trump lost in 2020 due to ‘rigged’ US polls

<p>The world of translation in the literature of the Indian landscape – which boasts of a multitude of&nbsp;languages – found itself in the spotlight when writer Geetanjali Shree and translator Daisy Rockwell bagged the International Booker Prize for “Tomb of Sand” in 2022.</p>

<p>This kind of global recognition of Indian literature also brought in front of the world the increasing importance of translations in the field of literature. But what remained shrouded is how a bunch of translators have been silently working on translating historical archives to bring to light the lost narratives of the past era.</p>

<p>To understand history, the reader needs to be able to get access to various perspectives. Various languages in India ensure access to a diversity of opinions and help in understanding intellectual traditions in non-English languages.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nif-book-prize-2023-in-a-tell-a-tale-gita-ramaswamy-narrates-her-journey-of-a-lapsed-revolutionary-664579">NIF Book Prize 2023: In a tell-a-tale, Gita Ramaswamy narrates her journey of a 'lapsed revolutionary'</a></p>

<p>The one who is bearing the flag of translating historical texts from various Indian languages to English is&nbsp;the New India Foundation (NIF). The organisation has been offering fellowships for translating non-fictional texts in different Indian languages to English. The fellowships offer to cover various topics around post-independence India with an aim to expand the cultural reach of the works&nbsp;which have remained confined to one language.</p>

<h2><strong>Into the world of translators</strong></h2>

<p>A significant amount of historical work has remained confined to one language and has remained unheard of by the rest of the world because of the language barrier. The widespread use of English has emerged as a link to connect the two worlds with translations of the lost texts, which&nbsp;can now be shared with others after remaining&nbsp;in obscurity.</p>

<p>Speaking about how English should be seen as a linking and not a dominating language, Bengali translator and professor Iphshita Chanda, while speaking to WION, said, “English should be thought of as a link language but not as a master language donating its wealth and power to its vernacular illegitimate relatives. Speakers of different languages need to assert their power and the rethink forced supremacy of English as a saviour rather than as an instrument. Unless the mindset and vocabulary about multilingual change from the colonial to the plural, these shadows remain.”</p>

<p>In its translation fellowships, NIF focused on work from 1850 onwards when the political scenario of India changed drastically and the struggle for independence gained a different momentum.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Royal family's racism controversy: Rollout of new book 'Endgame' causes scandal&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-royal-familys-racism-controversy-rollout-of-new-book-endgame-causes-scandal-wion-666277/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Emphasising the importance of making accessible all political discourses which were part of the independence movement, Chanda said, “I think all discourses regarding the independence of thought and social and political democracy from as many Indian languages as practicable, should be made accessible in the original and in translation, across Indian languages and in English.”</p>

<h2><strong>Preserving the soul</strong></h2>

<p>Translating an original text written by someone in a particular time period can pose some serious challenges, like adapting to the lens of the writer, keeping its soul intact and not letting the translator's vision overshadow the writer's originality.</p>

<p>“It is now common knowledge that translation involves much more than transferring meaning from one language to another. The translator’s task is to convey, as sensitively as possible, cultural specificities and nuances. Translation affirms the possibility of communication between two cultures. At the same time, one must acknowledge the distinctiveness of the source and target cultures. Therefore, the translator has to deftly negotiate between these two cultures,” said Jatin Nayak, Odia translator and professor, while speaking to WION.</p>

<p>But what makes NIF stand out is its efforts to bring out the lost archives of the independence movement post-1850 and the partition&nbsp;to provide a different lens for the Indian diaspora to understand its past struggles.</p>

<p>Explaining NIF's crucial contribution in the field of translation to WION, Manish Sabharwal, Managing Trustee of the NIF, said, “The Bangla Translation Fellowship awarded in Round 1 focused on the diaries of Nirmal Kumar Bose from 1946 and 1947, at which time he was witness to key events of Independence around Bengal and the Partition there. This is just one example – it is true that the landscape of Indian Publishing changed dramatically from 1850 onwards, especially as print culture developed in Indian languages. Excavating these narratives will help us understand the progress of Indian history from a different lens, and it is to this end that the NIF Translation Fellowships are aiming to make a difference.”</p>


The world of translation in the literature of the Indian landscape – which boasts of a multitude of languages – found itself in the spotlight when writer Geetanjali Shree and translator Daisy Rockwell bagged the International Booker Prize for “Tomb of Sand” in 2022.

The world of translation in the literature of the Indian landscape – which boasts of a multitude of languages – found itself in the spotlight when writer Geetanjali Shree and translator Daisy Rockwell bagged the International Booker Prize for “Tomb of Sand” in 2022. This kind of global recognition of Indian literature also brought in front of the world the increasing importance of translations in the field of literature. But what remained shrouded is how a bunch of translators have been silently working on translating historical archives to bring to light the lost narratives of the past era. To understand history, the reader needs to be able to get access to various perspectives. Various languages in India ensure access to a diversity of opinions and help in understanding intellectual traditions in non-English languages. Also read: NIF Book Prize 2023: In a tell-a-tale, Gita Ramaswamy narrates her journey of a 'lapsed revolutionary' The one who is bearing the flag of translating historical texts from various Indian languages to English is the New India Foundation (NIF). The organisation has been offering fellowships for translating non-fictional texts in different Indian languages to English. The fellowships offer to cover various topics around post-independence India with an aim to expand the cultural reach of the works which have remained confined to one language. Into the world of translators A significant amount of historical work has remained confined to one language and has remained unheard of by the rest of the world because of the language barrier. The widespread use of English has emerged as a link to connect the two worlds with translations of the lost texts, which can now be shared with others after remaining in obscurity. Speaking about how English should be seen as a linking and not a dominating language, Bengali translator and professor Iphshita Chanda, while speaking to WION, said, “English should be thought of as a link language but not as a master language donating its wealth and power to its vernacular illegitimate relatives. Speakers of different languages need to assert their power and the rethink forced supremacy of English as a saviour rather than as an instrument. Unless the mindset and vocabulary about multilingual change from the colonial to the plural, these shadows remain.” In its translation fellowships, NIF focused on work from 1850 onwards when the political scenario of India changed drastically and the struggle for independence gained a different momentum. Watch: Royal family's racism controversy: Rollout of new book 'Endgame' causes scandal Emphasising the importance of making accessible all political discourses which were part of the independence movement, Chanda said, “I think all discourses regarding the independence of thought and social and political democracy from as many Indian languages as practicable, should be made accessible in the original and in translation, across Indian languages and in English.” Preserving the soul Translating an original text written by someone in a particular time period can pose some serious challenges, like adapting to the lens of the writer, keeping its soul intact and not letting the translator's vision overshadow the writer's originality. “It is now common knowledge that translation involves much more than transferring meaning from one language to another. The translator’s task is to convey, as sensitively as possible, cultural specificities and nuances. Translation affirms the possibility of communication between two cultures. At the same time, one must acknowledge the distinctiveness of the source and target cultures. Therefore, the translator has to deftly negotiate between these two cultures,” said Jatin Nayak, Odia translator and professor, while speaking to WION. But what makes NIF stand out is its efforts to bring out the lost archives of the independence movement post-1850 and the partition to provide a different lens for the Indian diaspora to understand its past struggles. Explaining NIF's crucial contribution in the field of translation to WION, Manish Sabharwal, Managing Trustee of the NIF, said, “The Bangla Translation Fellowship awarded in Round 1 focused on the diaries of Nirmal Kumar Bose from 1946 and 1947, at which time he was witness to key events of Independence around Bengal and the Partition there. This is just one example – it is true that the landscape of Indian Publishing changed dramatically from 1850 onwards, especially as print culture developed in Indian languages. Excavating these narratives will help us understand the progress of Indian history from a different lens, and it is to this end that the NIF Translation Fellowships are aiming to make a difference.”

Bridging past with present: Etching lost narratives of Indian history with translation of archives

6 Health Benefits Of Diabetes-friendly Pink Guava

Guava, which has around 7 grams of fibre per 100 grams, is filled with insoluble fibre, as well as other types of fibre, which helps in the reduction of cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels.


Pink guava is filled with vitamin C, which promotes healthy skin, boosts immunity, and helps in wound healing.

Pink guava has antioxidants, beta-carotene and lycopene in abundance which help in combatting free radicals within the body, protect against skin damage and slow the ageing process.

Because of its high water and fibre content, along with other nutritional advantages, the fruit is a good midday snack choice for those who wish to lose weight.


Pink guava is filled with a good amount of potassium which plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and ensures proper functioning of nerve signaling and muscle contraction.


Pink guava, due to its abundant fibre and water content, is also a good fruit choice for people with diabetes. It slows down gastric issues and helps in avoiding blood glucose spikes.


8 Vegetarian Foods Which Contain More Calcium Than Milk


Mushrooms are a good source of protein which is important for both the formation and strengthening of the bones.

Chia seeds are filled with nutrients, including calcium. One can have chia seeds with oatmeal, smoothies or yoghurt.

A lot of plant-based yoghurts, like coconut yoghurt or almond, are filled with calcium which exceeds the calcium content of dairy yoghurt.


Vegetables like collard greens, kale and bok choy are filled with calcium and can be used in stir-fries, smoothies or salads.

Almonds are a great nutritious snack which is filled with not only calcium but also protein and healthy fats.

Oranges and other citrus fruits are filled with calcium and enriched with vitamin C which helps in calcium absorption.


Dried and fresh figs are a good source of calcium and can be enjoyed as a snack or added to dishes to enhance their sweetness.

Broccoli is not only a good source of vitamins and fibre but also contains calcium.


8 Vegetarian Foods Which Contain More Calcium Than Milk

<p>Indian newspaper Hindustan Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that the initial investigation of the debris recovered from the Merchant Vessel (MV) Chem Pluto has hinted at the use of Iranian Shahed 136 loitering ammunition in the attack which was carried out while the ship was on its way to New Mangalore Port through the Arabian Sea.</p>

<p>The Central Forensic Science Laboratory has been examining the missile debris in Pune which is set to submit a full report in a week, claimed the report. The Shahed 136 is a variant of the Russian Geran-2 expendable drone and has a range of 2,500 km as well as a warhead of 50 kg and delta wings.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-vows-to-find-out-who-is-behind-drone-attack-off-its-coast-673706">India vows to find out culprit behind drone attack on merchant ships off its coast, take strict action</a></p>

<p>As per the report, the Indian Navy has recovered what looked like the loitering ammunition's burnt-out wings. The initial reports had suggested the involvement of two Iranian vessels - MV Saviz (general cargo and 100 nautical miles off the attacked ship) and MV Artenos (Bulk carrier 280 nautical miles of MV Chem Pluto) - in firing the missile. However, the Indian Navy did not find anything on the two vessels after the incident.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Experts carry out forensic analysis of debris</strong></h2>

<p>Experts suggested that the explosives had fully detonated while examining the debris and concluded that it was definitely a drone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists, after preliminary analysis and sanitisation, said that the explosive charge on the drone "detonated completely causing extensive damage above the waterline".</p>

<p>"Remnants of projectile have been collected by the Indian Navy for further forensic analysis," said the Indian Navy, while speaking to the media. After the drone strike, India is now set to deploy warships, aircraft and other assets in the Indian Ocean to protect merchant vessels.</p>

<p>"In light of the recent maritime incidents in the Arabian Sea, IN has commenced focused maritime security operations in the region. The presence of IN warships and air surveillance in the region has been enhanced. Actions are being progressed in coordination with national maritime agencies towards ensuring the safety of merchant marine in the region," said the Navy.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;WION access first images of damaged MV Chem Pluto, merchant ship that was attcked in Arabian Sea</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-access-first-images-of-damaged-mv-chem-pluto-merchant-ship-that-was-attcked-in-arabian-sea-673535/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The destroyers have already been moved by the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard in the Arabian Sea. On Saturday (Dec 24), three warships - MV Mormugao, Kochi and Kolkata - as well as maritime patrol aircraft were deployed after the drone attack was reported by UK Maritime Trade Operations, or UKMTO.</p>

<p>The US Defence headquarters Pentagon stated that the ship was hit by "a one-way attack drone fired from Iran".</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government will track down those involved in the attacks on Merchant Navy ships, "even from the depths of the sea" and action will be taken against them.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indian newspaper Hindustan Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that the initial investigation of the debris recovered from the Merchant Vessel (MV) Chem Pluto has hinted at the use of Iranian Shahed 136 loitering ammunition in the attack which was carried out while the ship was on its way to New Mangalore Port through the Arabian Sea.

Indian newspaper Hindustan Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that the initial investigation of the debris recovered from the Merchant Vessel (MV) Chem Pluto has hinted at the use of Iranian Shahed 136 loitering ammunition in the attack which was carried out while the ship was on its way to New Mangalore Port through the Arabian Sea. The Central Forensic Science Laboratory has been examining the missile debris in Pune which is set to submit a full report in a week, claimed the report. The Shahed 136 is a variant of the Russian Geran-2 expendable drone and has a range of 2,500 km as well as a warhead of 50 kg and delta wings. Also read: India vows to find out culprit behind drone attack on merchant ships off its coast, take strict action As per the report, the Indian Navy has recovered what looked like the loitering ammunition's burnt-out wings. The initial reports had suggested the involvement of two Iranian vessels - MV Saviz (general cargo and 100 nautical miles off the attacked ship) and MV Artenos (Bulk carrier 280 nautical miles of MV Chem Pluto) - in firing the missile. However, the Indian Navy did not find anything on the two vessels after the incident. Experts carry out forensic analysis of debris Experts suggested that the explosives had fully detonated while examining the debris and concluded that it was definitely a drone. Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists, after preliminary analysis and sanitisation, said that the explosive charge on the drone "detonated completely causing extensive damage above the waterline". "Remnants of projectile have been collected by the Indian Navy for further forensic analysis," said the Indian Navy, while speaking to the media. After the drone strike, India is now set to deploy warships, aircraft and other assets in the Indian Ocean to protect merchant vessels. "In light of the recent maritime incidents in the Arabian Sea, IN has commenced focused maritime security operations in the region. The presence of IN warships and air surveillance in the region has been enhanced. Actions are being progressed in coordination with national maritime agencies towards ensuring the safety of merchant marine in the region," said the Navy. Watch: WION access first images of damaged MV Chem Pluto, merchant ship that was attcked in Arabian Sea The destroyers have already been moved by the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard in the Arabian Sea. On Saturday (Dec 24), three warships - MV Mormugao, Kochi and Kolkata - as well as maritime patrol aircraft were deployed after the drone attack was reported by UK Maritime Trade Operations, or UKMTO. The US Defence headquarters Pentagon stated that the ship was hit by "a one-way attack drone fired from Iran". Meanwhile, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government will track down those involved in the attacks on Merchant Navy ships, "even from the depths of the sea" and action will be taken against them. (With inputs from agencies)

MV Chem Pluto drone attack: Initial investigation of debris hints at Iran link, says report

<p>Researchers in the United States have issued a warning against the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is present among wildlife, in humans, reported the Independent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The illness, which is also known as ‘Zombie Deer Disease’, leaves animals drooling and confused. It was first detected in November in Yellowstone National Park.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The disease was discovered in 800 samples of deer, moose and elk across Wyoming.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The CWD has been labelled by the experts as a ''slow-moving disaster'' and the governments are being strongly advised to prepare for the chances of its transmission to humans.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease was reported in 31 states in the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/worlds-oldest-disease-causing-species-found-its-407mn-year-old-fungus-667950">World’s oldest disease-causing species found: It’s 407mn-year-old fungus</a></p>

<p>''The mad cow disease outbreak in Britain provided an example of how, overnight, things can get crazy when a spillover event happens from, say, livestock to people. We're talking about the potential of something similar occurring. No one is saying that it's going to happen, but people need to be prepared,'' said CWD researcher Dr Cory Anderson, while speaking to The Guardian.</p>

<p>He further said that it is a worrying situation since there is no known way to eradicate the disease ''neither from the animals it infects nor the environment it contaminates.''</p>

<p>As per a report by Fox News, no cases of CWD have been found so far in humans.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, as per some studies, monkeys face the threat of getting infected by chronic wasting disease if they eat infected animal meat or come in contact with the bodily fluids or brains of infected animals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''These studies raise concerns that there may also be a risk to people. Since 1997, the World Health Organization has recommended that it is important to keep the agents of all known prion diseases from entering the human food chain,'' read the CDC website.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is Zombie Deer Disease?</strong></h2>

<p>The ‘Zombie Deer Disease’ is a fatal and contagious disease illness which affects cervids, which is a group of animals that includes elk, deer, moose, reindeer and caribou.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The disease is caused by a malformed protein - known as prion - which gets accumulated in the tissues and the brain and causes behavioural and physiological changes, emaciation and ultimately death.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;3D printed face implants for face disfigurement for Black Fungus patients&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/3d-printed-face-implants-for-face-disfigurement-for-black-fungus-patients-world-dna-673886/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The disease gets transmitted by direct animal-to-animal contact and also indirectly by getting in contact with infectious particles which are present in soil, vegetation or faeces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Animals can also get an infection if their pasture or feed is contaminated by the prions which are carrying it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, it may take more than a year for the development of symptoms in the deer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It generally starts with the deer losing weight drastically, stumbling around, and eventually losing all the energy. At present, there is no cure or vaccine with CWD.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Researchers in the United States have issued a warning against the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is present among wildlife, in humans, reported the Independent.

Researchers in the United States have issued a warning against the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is present among wildlife, in humans, reported the Independent. The illness, which is also known as ‘Zombie Deer Disease’, leaves animals drooling and confused. It was first detected in November in Yellowstone National Park. The disease was discovered in 800 samples of deer, moose and elk across Wyoming. The CWD has been labelled by the experts as a ''slow-moving disaster'' and the governments are being strongly advised to prepare for the chances of its transmission to humans. As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease was reported in 31 states in the United States. Also read: World’s oldest disease-causing species found: It’s 407mn-year-old fungus ''The mad cow disease outbreak in Britain provided an example of how, overnight, things can get crazy when a spillover event happens from, say, livestock to people. We're talking about the potential of something similar occurring. No one is saying that it's going to happen, but people need to be prepared,'' said CWD researcher Dr Cory Anderson, while speaking to The Guardian. He further said that it is a worrying situation since there is no known way to eradicate the disease ''neither from the animals it infects nor the environment it contaminates.'' As per a report by Fox News, no cases of CWD have been found so far in humans. However, as per some studies, monkeys face the threat of getting infected by chronic wasting disease if they eat infected animal meat or come in contact with the bodily fluids or brains of infected animals. ''These studies raise concerns that there may also be a risk to people. Since 1997, the World Health Organization has recommended that it is important to keep the agents of all known prion diseases from entering the human food chain,'' read the CDC website. What is Zombie Deer Disease? The ‘Zombie Deer Disease’ is a fatal and contagious disease illness which affects cervids, which is a group of animals that includes elk, deer, moose, reindeer and caribou. The disease is caused by a malformed protein - known as prion - which gets accumulated in the tissues and the brain and causes behavioural and physiological changes, emaciation and ultimately death. Watch: 3D printed face implants for face disfigurement for Black Fungus patients The disease gets transmitted by direct animal-to-animal contact and also indirectly by getting in contact with infectious particles which are present in soil, vegetation or faeces. Animals can also get an infection if their pasture or feed is contaminated by the prions which are carrying it. As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, it may take more than a year for the development of symptoms in the deer. It generally starts with the deer losing weight drastically, stumbling around, and eventually losing all the energy. At present, there is no cure or vaccine with CWD. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans may get infected by ‘Zombie Deer Disease’, warn scientists amid case surge in US

<p>A dense blanket of fog enveloped parts of northern India, including the national capital New Delhi, on Wednesday (Dec 27) morning.</p>

<p>The visibility in the capital city dropped to just 50 metres and movement of traffic remained disrupted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A red alert was issued by the weather office over the “very dense fog” which had enveloped the national capital amid intense cold wave conditions.</p>

<p>As per the predictions of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), "dense to very dense fog conditions" will prevail over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Along with the national capital, many cities of northern India woke up to foggy weather with drastically reduced visibility.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Patiala, Lucknow and Prayagraj, the visibility dropped to 25 metres while in Amritsar there remained zero visibility.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bomb-blast-scare-near-israel-embassy-security-agencies-on-toes-673762">India: Bomb blast scare near Israel Embassy in Delhi, security agencies on toes</a></p>

<p>In the national capital, a visibility of 125 metres was recorded by the Palam Observatory near the Indira Gandhi International Airport and it decreased to just 50 metres at the Safdarjung Observatory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, as per the commuters, much lower visibility was recorded in various parts of the national capital. After weeks of good air quality, the city's air quality also saw a sharp decline.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Air quality deteriorates in Delhi&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The average air quality declined to 381 and fell in the category of "very poor" on the Air Quality Index.&nbsp;The minimum temperature in the national capital fell to 7 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature stood at 24 degrees Celsius.</p>

<p>As per the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) air bulletin, 441 AQI was recorded at Anand Vihar, while AQI was 327 in Lodhi Road in central Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the IGI airport, air quality remained at 368. Meanwhile, an AQI of 336 and 363 was recorded by Ghaziabad and Noida, respectively. As per the forecast, the air quality is likely to deteriorate further in the next week.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | India vows to avenge attacks on merchant vessels</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-vows-to-avenge-attacks-on-merchant-vessels-673813/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<h2 class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Flight Operations</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Delhi airport stated that landing and take-offs of flights are continuing as usual, however, they issued an advisory to travellers regarding possible delays.</div>

<p>Nearly 110 flights have been affected by the dense fog at the Delhi airport, as per the Delhi Airport FIDS (Flight Information Display System).</p>

<p>More than 30 flights were delayed due to fog at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday (Dec 26).&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the weather office, very dense fog is when visibility ranges between 0 and 50 metres, dense is between 51 and 200 metres, moderate between 201 and 500 metres, and shallow is between 501 and 1,000 metres.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A dense blanket of fog enveloped parts of northern India, including the national capital New Delhi, on Wednesday (Dec 27) morning. The visibility in the capital city dropped to just 50 metres and movement of traffic remained disrupted.

A dense blanket of fog enveloped parts of northern India, including the national capital New Delhi, on Wednesday (Dec 27) morning. The visibility in the capital city dropped to just 50 metres and movement of traffic remained disrupted. A red alert was issued by the weather office over the “very dense fog” which had enveloped the national capital amid intense cold wave conditions. As per the predictions of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), "dense to very dense fog conditions" will prevail over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Along with the national capital, many cities of northern India woke up to foggy weather with drastically reduced visibility. In Patiala, Lucknow and Prayagraj, the visibility dropped to 25 metres while in Amritsar there remained zero visibility. Also read: India: Bomb blast scare near Israel Embassy in Delhi, security agencies on toes In the national capital, a visibility of 125 metres was recorded by the Palam Observatory near the Indira Gandhi International Airport and it decreased to just 50 metres at the Safdarjung Observatory. However, as per the commuters, much lower visibility was recorded in various parts of the national capital. After weeks of good air quality, the city's air quality also saw a sharp decline. Air quality deteriorates in Delhi The average air quality declined to 381 and fell in the category of "very poor" on the Air Quality Index. The minimum temperature in the national capital fell to 7 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature stood at 24 degrees Celsius. As per the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) air bulletin, 441 AQI was recorded at Anand Vihar, while AQI was 327 in Lodhi Road in central Delhi. At the IGI airport, air quality remained at 368. Meanwhile, an AQI of 336 and 363 was recorded by Ghaziabad and Noida, respectively. As per the forecast, the air quality is likely to deteriorate further in the next week. Watch: Gravitas | India vows to avenge attacks on merchant vessels Flight Operations Delhi airport stated that landing and take-offs of flights are continuing as usual, however, they issued an advisory to travellers regarding possible delays. Nearly 110 flights have been affected by the dense fog at the Delhi airport, as per the Delhi Airport FIDS (Flight Information Display System). More than 30 flights were delayed due to fog at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday (Dec 26). As per the weather office, very dense fog is when visibility ranges between 0 and 50 metres, dense is between 51 and 200 metres, moderate between 201 and 500 metres, and shallow is between 501 and 1,000 metres. (With inputs from agencies)

Dense fog envelops India’s capital amid intense cold wave, visibility drops to just 50 metres

<p>As per a new research, men enjoy a significant advantage over women when they apply for any Chinese government jobs. The Inspection Squad for Workplace Gender Discrimination&nbsp;analysed the data of annual recruitment drive for the national civil service and discovered that more government positions were kept reserved for men in comparison to w omen.</p>

<p>The report, which was first published early in December, observed the job requirements for all government positions which were advertised in October, one month before the annual civil service exam which all candidates need to pass if they wish to secure a permanent government job.</p>

<p>It was found by the team that in around 40,000 jobs which were advertised, many had specified that they were “men-only” or “women-only” job opportunities. In these job opportunities, 10,981 jobs were earmarked for men in comparison to only 7,550 for women.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwans-unification-with-china-will-surely-happen-says-xi-jinping-on-maos-anniversary-673983">Taiwan’s unification with China ‘will surely’ happen, says Xi Jinping on Mao’s anniversary</a></p>

<p>The difference between the two genders equates to around 8.7 per cent of all the jobs which were advertised. In the data's further analysis, it was found that the situation of gender discrimination is worst in the provincial bureaus of central government agencies, like the People’s Bank of China or the Ministry of Railways, where more than 40 per cent of the job opportunities have gender preferences.</p>

<h2><strong>Gender preferences dominate job market</strong></h2>

<p>Among the different positions, only the revenue service, census, statistics and customs agencies have an even gender split while the others have been hiring more men than women.</p>

<p>“Those who do not take part in the exam or do not sign up for particular positions may not realise the obvious gender restrictions in the exam,” said the author of the report, who uses the alias Wang Lin. “We wanted to give an objective description of the situation," he added, the South China Morning Post reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Wang is among the group of volunteers who have been making efforts for the past nine years to improve workplace gender equality, using social media to mention in public examples of gender discrimination and filing complaints to government departments.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;China reasserts sovereignty claims over Taiwan, Xi Jinping vows Taiwan reunification&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-reasserts-sovereignty-claims-over-taiwan-xi-jinping-vows-taiwan-reunification-world-dna-673878/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>This year, a record 2.83 million applicants applied to appear in the exams amid the sluggish economic recovery of the country, which topped the 2.5 million that signed up in 2022.</p>

<p>The South China Morning Post, while looking into the requirements for the applications of this year on the government’s website, found that many “remarks” which were mentioned under the postings included additional job requirements which were not mentioned in the official job description.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a few of these requirements, it was stated that the jobs are for fresh college graduates and for people, who have a particular skill set, however, many others mentioned that jobs are “men only” or “women only”.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As per a new research, men enjoy a significant advantage over women when they apply for any Chinese government jobs. The Inspection Squad for Workplace Gender Discrimination analysed the data of annual recruitment drive for the national civil service and discovered that more government positions were kept reserved for men in comparison to w omen.

As per a new research, men enjoy a significant advantage over women when they apply for any Chinese government jobs. The Inspection Squad for Workplace Gender Discrimination analysed the data of annual recruitment drive for the national civil service and discovered that more government positions were kept reserved for men in comparison to w omen. The report, which was first published early in December, observed the job requirements for all government positions which were advertised in October, one month before the annual civil service exam which all candidates need to pass if they wish to secure a permanent government job. It was found by the team that in around 40,000 jobs which were advertised, many had specified that they were “men-only” or “women-only” job opportunities. In these job opportunities, 10,981 jobs were earmarked for men in comparison to only 7,550 for women. Also read: Taiwan’s unification with China ‘will surely’ happen, says Xi Jinping on Mao’s anniversary The difference between the two genders equates to around 8.7 per cent of all the jobs which were advertised. In the data's further analysis, it was found that the situation of gender discrimination is worst in the provincial bureaus of central government agencies, like the People’s Bank of China or the Ministry of Railways, where more than 40 per cent of the job opportunities have gender preferences. Gender preferences dominate job market Among the different positions, only the revenue service, census, statistics and customs agencies have an even gender split while the others have been hiring more men than women. “Those who do not take part in the exam or do not sign up for particular positions may not realise the obvious gender restrictions in the exam,” said the author of the report, who uses the alias Wang Lin. “We wanted to give an objective description of the situation," he added, the South China Morning Post reported. Wang is among the group of volunteers who have been making efforts for the past nine years to improve workplace gender equality, using social media to mention in public examples of gender discrimination and filing complaints to government departments. Watch: China reasserts sovereignty claims over Taiwan, Xi Jinping vows Taiwan reunification This year, a record 2.83 million applicants applied to appear in the exams amid the sluggish economic recovery of the country, which topped the 2.5 million that signed up in 2022. The South China Morning Post, while looking into the requirements for the applications of this year on the government’s website, found that many “remarks” which were mentioned under the postings included additional job requirements which were not mentioned in the official job description. In a few of these requirements, it was stated that the jobs are for fresh college graduates and for people, who have a particular skill set, however, many others mentioned that jobs are “men only” or “women only”. (With inputs from agencies)

Men enjoy significant advantage over women in Chinese government jobs, says study

<p>India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking to soldiers in the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir after the row over the death of three civilians, said that he had full faith that the Army would wipe out terrorism from the region. Appreciating the Army for their bravery, Singh said, "I believe in your bravery and steadfastness... Terrorism should be finished from Jammu and Kashmir and you need to move forward with this commitment. I have full faith that you will achieve victory."</p>

<p>However, he asked the Army that they should not "make any mistake" which can hurt any Indian. Singh was in the border district of Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, to review the security situation days after four soldiers were killed in an ambush on two Army vehicles. This happened in the aftermath of the terror attack in which the Army had detained several civilians in Poonch&nbsp;for questioning, among which three were found dead.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-surge-in-india-jn1-cases-rise-to-69-national-tally-crosses-4000-mark-673922">Covid surge in India: JN.1 cases rise to 69, national tally crosses 4,000 mark</a></p>

<p>A Brigade Commander was asked to join the investigation of the Army into the deaths. The Army has said that it has zero tolerance for violence committed against innocent civilians.</p>

<h2><strong>Don't make a mistake that hurts an Indian: minister</strong></h2>

<p>"You are the country's protectors. But I want to request you that besides ensuring the country's security, you also have the responsibility to win the hearts of the people. There should be no mistake that hurts an Indian," Singh said.</p>

<p>The defence minister added that the forces need to share a close bond with the people. "We have to win battles, eliminate terrorists, but a bigger objective is to win the hearts of the people. We will win wars, but we need to win hearts too. And I know you try your best to do this," he added.</p>

<p>Assuring the troops, he said that every soldier is considered as a family member by every Indian.</p>

<p>"Every Indian feels this way. It is not tolerable to us if anyone casts an evil eye on you. Security and intelligence agencies play a crucial role in stopping such attacks. Whatever support is needed to step up surveillance will be provided by the government. The doors to our treasury are fully open," he stated.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India: Massive crowd gathers to catch a glimpse of tiger in UP's Pilibhit</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-massive-crowd-gathers-to-catch-a-glimpse-of-tiger-in-ups-pilibhit-world-news-wion-673933/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The defence minister said that such attacks "should not be taken for granted". "I know you all are alert, but I think more alertness is required. Your bravery makes us proud. Your sacrifice, your efforts have no parallel. And they are priceless. When a soldier dies a martyr, even if we pay some compensation, it cannot compensate for the loss. I want to assure you that the government is with you and your welfare and security are high on our priority list," Singh said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The defence minister said that the Indian Army is seen as more well-equipped and powerful than before. Earlier today, the minister reached Jammu and left for Rajouri soon after.</p>

<p>Singh is set to meet the families of the dead civilians as well as local residents.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking to soldiers in the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir after the row over the death of three civilians, said that he had full faith that the Army would wipe out terrorism from the region.

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking to soldiers in the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir after the row over the death of three civilians, said that he had full faith that the Army would wipe out terrorism from the region. Appreciating the Army for their bravery, Singh said, "I believe in your bravery and steadfastness... Terrorism should be finished from Jammu and Kashmir and you need to move forward with this commitment. I have full faith that you will achieve victory." However, he asked the Army that they should not "make any mistake" which can hurt any Indian. Singh was in the border district of Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, to review the security situation days after four soldiers were killed in an ambush on two Army vehicles. This happened in the aftermath of the terror attack in which the Army had detained several civilians in Poonch for questioning, among which three were found dead. Also read: Covid surge in India: JN.1 cases rise to 69, national tally crosses 4,000 mark A Brigade Commander was asked to join the investigation of the Army into the deaths. The Army has said that it has zero tolerance for violence committed against innocent civilians. Don't make a mistake that hurts an Indian: minister "You are the country's protectors. But I want to request you that besides ensuring the country's security, you also have the responsibility to win the hearts of the people. There should be no mistake that hurts an Indian," Singh said. The defence minister added that the forces need to share a close bond with the people. "We have to win battles, eliminate terrorists, but a bigger objective is to win the hearts of the people. We will win wars, but we need to win hearts too. And I know you try your best to do this," he added. Assuring the troops, he said that every soldier is considered as a family member by every Indian. "Every Indian feels this way. It is not tolerable to us if anyone casts an evil eye on you. Security and intelligence agencies play a crucial role in stopping such attacks. Whatever support is needed to step up surveillance will be provided by the government. The doors to our treasury are fully open," he stated. Watch: India: Massive crowd gathers to catch a glimpse of tiger in UP's Pilibhit The defence minister said that such attacks "should not be taken for granted". "I know you all are alert, but I think more alertness is required. Your bravery makes us proud. Your sacrifice, your efforts have no parallel. And they are priceless. When a soldier dies a martyr, even if we pay some compensation, it cannot compensate for the loss. I want to assure you that the government is with you and your welfare and security are high on our priority list," Singh said. The defence minister said that the Indian Army is seen as more well-equipped and powerful than before. Earlier today, the minister reached Jammu and left for Rajouri soon after. Singh is set to meet the families of the dead civilians as well as local residents. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Army will wipe out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir, says defence minister Rajnath Singh

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