India's Ministry of Defence(MOD) in its year-end review 2020 on Tuesday&nbsp;asserted that "defending the territorial integrity of India in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-stand-off-violent-clash-at-galwan-valley-was-planned-by-chinese-government-top-us-panel-346823">Galwan</a> Valley has been the most shining example of the valour of our forces in which 20 brave India soldiers made the supreme sacrifice."

Watch:

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"India categorically conveyed to China that any attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo at the border is unacceptable and that India is determined to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.

The Indian Army informed that budgetary constraints for "capability development" and meeting other requirements have been removed. The review noted that the induction of eight Rafale&nbsp;aircraft in September 2020 is a "gamechanger" for India’s national security.

The forces also informed that air version of supersonic BrahMos Air missile was integrated into the Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft last year.

"The strength of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/india-china-standoff-how-indian-navys-marcos-can-change-the-game-along-pangong-lake-in-eastern-ladakh-346930">Indian Navy</a> furthered with the commissioning of INS Kavaratti, a fully combat-ready Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette and commissioning of warship IN LCU L57," it added.

"​Unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force in more than one area on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) were responded to in a firm and non-escalatory way ensuring the sanctity of our claims in eastern Ladakh," the Indian Army said in its review.

On Pakistan's activities along the Line of Contol(LoC), the Indian Army said: "High level of alertness by troops blunted Pakistan’s endeavours to infiltrate terrorists into the Valley, at the same time high tempo of kinetic operations in the hinterland ensured denial of operational space to terrorist organisations." &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Army said the internal security situation in the north eastern states in India has improved considerably with a large number of surrenders of insurgent cadres.

"Excellent understanding and coordination with Myanmar&nbsp;(OP SUNRISE) have made it difficult for Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) to set up camps there," it said while lauding the efforts of stellar role played by the Army and other security forces ensuring reduction in violence levels.

India's Ministry of Defence(MOD) in its year-end review 2020 on Tuesday asserted that "defending the territorial integrity of India in Galwan Valley has been the most shining example of the valour of our forces in which 20 brave India soldiers made the supreme sacrifice.

India's Ministry of Defence(MOD) in its year-end review 2020 on Tuesday asserted that "defending the territorial integrity of India in Galwan Valley has been the most shining example of the valour of our forces in which 20 brave India soldiers made the supreme sacrifice." Watch: "India categorically conveyed to China that any attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo at the border is unacceptable and that India is determined to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said. The Indian Army informed that budgetary constraints for "capability development" and meeting other requirements have been removed. The review noted that the induction of eight Rafale aircraft in September 2020 is a "gamechanger" for India’s national security. The forces also informed that air version of supersonic BrahMos Air missile was integrated into the Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft last year. "The strength of Indian Navy furthered with the commissioning of INS Kavaratti, a fully combat-ready Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette and commissioning of warship IN LCU L57," it added. "Unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force in more than one area on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) were responded to in a firm and non-escalatory way ensuring the sanctity of our claims in eastern Ladakh," the Indian Army said in its review. On Pakistan's activities along the Line of Contol(LoC), the Indian Army said: "High level of alertness by troops blunted Pakistan’s endeavours to infiltrate terrorists into the Valley, at the same time high tempo of kinetic operations in the hinterland ensured denial of operational space to terrorist organisations." The Army said the internal security situation in the north eastern states in India has improved considerably with a large number of surrenders of insurgent cadres. "Excellent understanding and coordination with Myanmar (OP SUNRISE) have made it difficult for Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) to set up camps there," it said while lauding the efforts of stellar role played by the Army and other security forces ensuring reduction in violence levels.

India-China standoff: Defending India's territorial integrity at Galwan shining example of valour, says defence ministry in year-end review

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embraced <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breakthrough-saudi-arabia-qatar-to-sign-us-brokered-deal-to-ease-gulf-crisis-354486">Qatar's </a>emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, on the airport tarmac in Saudi Arabia as Gulf leaders signed a "solidarity and stability" deal on Tuesday.

Watch:

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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opened the Gulf Arab summit at the historic city of Al-Ula as the prince took aim at Iran and lauded a deal towards ending a long-running dispute with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-support-from-president-trump-saudi-arabia-says-final-agreement-with-qatar-within-reach-347759">Qatar</a>.

"There is a desperate need today to unite our efforts to promote our region and to confront challenges that surround us, especially the threats posed by the Iranian regime's nuclear and ballistic missile programme and its plans for sabotage and destruction," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said.

"These efforts ... led to the al-Ula agreement which will be signed at this blessed summit and which confirms Gulf, Arab and Islamic unity and stability," Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler added.

United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain had severed ties with Qatar in 2017 over allegations Doha supported terrorism which it stridently denied.

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law who has been an active hand in various peace deals in the past few months attended the signing in Al-Ula.

Kuwaiti foreign minister Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah had said on Monday the country has agreed to open the airspace and land and sea borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar, starting from this evening" as the Gulf states moved to break the deadlock with Qatar.

Leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC)&nbsp;signed two documents, the Al-Ula declaration and and a final communique. However, the contents of the document wasn't immediately released.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embraced Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, on the airport tarmac in Saudi Arabia as Gulf leaders signed a "solidarity and stability" deal on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embraced Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, on the airport tarmac in Saudi Arabia as Gulf leaders signed a "solidarity and stability" deal on Tuesday. Watch: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opened the Gulf Arab summit at the historic city of Al-Ula as the prince took aim at Iran and lauded a deal towards ending a long-running dispute with Qatar. "There is a desperate need today to unite our efforts to promote our region and to confront challenges that surround us, especially the threats posed by the Iranian regime's nuclear and ballistic missile programme and its plans for sabotage and destruction," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said. "These efforts ... led to the al-Ula agreement which will be signed at this blessed summit and which confirms Gulf, Arab and Islamic unity and stability," Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler added. United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain had severed ties with Qatar in 2017 over allegations Doha supported terrorism which it stridently denied. Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law who has been an active hand in various peace deals in the past few months attended the signing in Al-Ula. Kuwaiti foreign minister Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah had said on Monday the country has agreed to open the airspace and land and sea borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar, starting from this evening" as the Gulf states moved to break the deadlock with Qatar. Leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) signed two documents, the Al-Ula declaration and and a final communique. However, the contents of the document wasn't immediately released.

In historic turn, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embraces Qatar emir

Tens of thousands of poultry will be slaughtered in India after an outbreak of deadly avian influenza was found to have killed scores of birds across the country, officials said Tuesday.

At least six Indian states have stepped up efforts to contain two strains of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/1800-migratory-birds-die-due-to-avian-flu-outbreak-in-himachal-pradesh-354508"> bird flu</a> -- H5N1 and H5N8 -- in recent days after the deaths of thousands of migratory birds, ducks, crows and chickens.

H5N8, an Avian influenza subtype among poultry and wild birds, has spread across several countries since early last year.

Officials in northern Himachal Pradesh state said carcasses were found over the past week at a Himalayan lake that witnesses large flocks of migratory birds during the winter season.

"The death toll in the last week or so at the Pong lake crossed 2,400 migratory birds. Over 600 birds died on Monday," state wildlife chief Archana Sharma told AFP.

Samples sent to the Indian National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases tested positive for H5N1, officials added.

Most of the dead were Central Asian high-altitude bar-headed geese -- one of the world's highest flying birds -- that migrate to South Asia in their thousands during the winter season.

Local authorities have banned the sale and export of poultry in the region and have stepped-up testing to control the spread.

The mass deaths came amid a cull of nearly 35,000 poultry in southern Kerala state, where an H5N8 virus outbreak killed up to 12,000 ducks.

Authorities said the slaughter was ordered within a one kilometre (0.6 mile) radius of the infection epicentre.

In northern Haryana state authorities said nearly 150,000 chickens died mysteriously across several poultry farms in Barwala district. Neighbouring Punjab also reported similar deaths.

More than 20 farms said their flocks were wiped out by an "unknown disease" and samples have been sent to labs for testing.

Western Rajasthan and central Madhya Pradesh states have also reported hundreds of crow deaths caused by H5N1 and H5N8 over past weeks.&nbsp;

Rajasthan had already seen nearly 4,500 crows and herons die over several months from avian flu.

India has witnessed bouts of devastating bird flu outbreaks in recent decades, most seriously in 2008, when millions of poultry were culled.

Tens of thousands of poultry will be slaughtered in India after an outbreak of deadly avian influenza was found to have killed scores of birds across the country, officials said Tuesday.

Tens of thousands of poultry will be slaughtered in India after an outbreak of deadly avian influenza was found to have killed scores of birds across the country, officials said Tuesday. At least six Indian states have stepped up efforts to contain two strains of bird flu -- H5N1 and H5N8 -- in recent days after the deaths of thousands of migratory birds, ducks, crows and chickens. H5N8, an Avian influenza subtype among poultry and wild birds, has spread across several countries since early last year. Officials in northern Himachal Pradesh state said carcasses were found over the past week at a Himalayan lake that witnesses large flocks of migratory birds during the winter season. "The death toll in the last week or so at the Pong lake crossed 2,400 migratory birds. Over 600 birds died on Monday," state wildlife chief Archana Sharma told AFP. Samples sent to the Indian National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases tested positive for H5N1, officials added. Most of the dead were Central Asian high-altitude bar-headed geese -- one of the world's highest flying birds -- that migrate to South Asia in their thousands during the winter season. Local authorities have banned the sale and export of poultry in the region and have stepped-up testing to control the spread. The mass deaths came amid a cull of nearly 35,000 poultry in southern Kerala state, where an H5N8 virus outbreak killed up to 12,000 ducks. Authorities said the slaughter was ordered within a one kilometre (0.6 mile) radius of the infection epicentre. In northern Haryana state authorities said nearly 150,000 chickens died mysteriously across several poultry farms in Barwala district. Neighbouring Punjab also reported similar deaths. More than 20 farms said their flocks were wiped out by an "unknown disease" and samples have been sent to labs for testing. Western Rajasthan and central Madhya Pradesh states have also reported hundreds of crow deaths caused by H5N1 and H5N8 over past weeks. Rajasthan had already seen nearly 4,500 crows and herons die over several months from avian flu. India has witnessed bouts of devastating bird flu outbreaks in recent decades, most seriously in 2008, when millions of poultry were culled.

Thousands of birds to be culled over avian flu outbreak in India

Year after Soleimani killing, Iran unleashes 'kamikaze' drones amid tensions with US

The Indian government announced today that it is preparing to roll out its coronavirus vaccination campaign within ten days as part of emergency&nbsp;use authorisation(EUA).&nbsp;

Watch:

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Union health ministry said that there are 41 cold storage system in India and vaccines will be distributed from these&nbsp;centres which would be digitally monitored.

"There are four primary vaccine stores called GMSD located in Karnal, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and there are 37 vaccine stores in the country. They store vaccines in bulk," health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.

The health secretary informed that the overall burden on health delivery structure has declined appreciably with 44 per cent of active cases in the hospital with moderate or severe coronavirus symptoms and 56 per cent cases who have mild or asymptomatic symptoms and are in home isolation.&nbsp;

"The active cases in the country is less than 2.5 lakhs and continues to decline," the health secretary said.

India has the second-highest coronavirus infection cases in the world, according to Johns Hopkins coronavirus resource centre with over 10.3 million cases and over 149, 840 fatalities.

The government informed that 286 sites across 125 districts in all states and Union Territories have been prepared as "model session sites".

The government asserted that vaccination teams have been identified and trained with all SOPs operationalised against COVID-19.

The Indian government announced today that it is preparing to roll out its coronavirus vaccination campaign within ten days as part of emergency use authorisation(EUA).

The Indian government announced today that it is preparing to roll out its coronavirus vaccination campaign within ten days as part of emergency use authorisation(EUA). Watch: Union health ministry said that there are 41 cold storage system in India and vaccines will be distributed from these centres which would be digitally monitored. "There are four primary vaccine stores called GMSD located in Karnal, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and there are 37 vaccine stores in the country. They store vaccines in bulk," health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said. The health secretary informed that the overall burden on health delivery structure has declined appreciably with 44 per cent of active cases in the hospital with moderate or severe coronavirus symptoms and 56 per cent cases who have mild or asymptomatic symptoms and are in home isolation. "The active cases in the country is less than 2.5 lakhs and continues to decline," the health secretary said. India has the second-highest coronavirus infection cases in the world, according to Johns Hopkins coronavirus resource centre with over 10.3 million cases and over 149, 840 fatalities. The government informed that 286 sites across 125 districts in all states and Union Territories have been prepared as "model session sites". The government asserted that vaccination teams have been identified and trained with all SOPs operationalised against COVID-19.

India to begin coronavirus vaccine roll out in 10 days: Government

The Republic of Palau with a population of around 18,000 located in western Pacific Ocean which hasn't recorded a single case of coronavirus was one of the first countries to be vaccinated against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/portuguese-nurse-dies-two-days-after-getting-the-pfizer-covid-vaccine-354526">virus</a>.

Watch:

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The country received the Moderna vaccine last weekend and the vaccination drive began&nbsp;on Sunday, the government announced as health care workers and vulnerable groups were administered the vaccine.

Palau had begun implementing border control in January last year much before the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-months-of-claiming-to-have-no-cases-north-korea-requests-covid-vaccine-354496"> virus </a>began to spread across the world and by March it closed the borders. The country took a leap forward in testing which began in full force in April with all tests proving negative so far.

Several countries including India sent testing kits to the country although the country hopes to complete the vaccination effort by May but it depends on how fast the vaccines are distributed from the US.

The country had received 2,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine from the US on Saturday which was hailed by Palau health minister Emais Roberts.

Palau is part of US government's "Operation Warp Speed" with the US ambassador John Hennessey-Niland describing the country "a friend and partner". The country's government has reportedly asked for 30,000 doses which it is set to receive over the next three months.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-coronavirus-variant-more-of-a-problem-than-the-one-in-uk-says-official-354534">virus</a> has ravaged most parts of the world with the US being the worst-hit registering over 20 million infection cases and over 353,620 fatalities. The virus has claimed over 1.8 million lives worldwide with over 85 million cases.&nbsp;

The Republic of Palau with a population of around 18,000 located in western Pacific Ocean which hasn't recorded a single case of coronavirus was one of the first countries to be vaccinated against the virus.

The Republic of Palau with a population of around 18,000 located in western Pacific Ocean which hasn't recorded a single case of coronavirus was one of the first countries to be vaccinated against the virus. Watch: The country received the Moderna vaccine last weekend and the vaccination drive began on Sunday, the government announced as health care workers and vulnerable groups were administered the vaccine. Palau had begun implementing border control in January last year much before the virus began to spread across the world and by March it closed the borders. The country took a leap forward in testing which began in full force in April with all tests proving negative so far. Several countries including India sent testing kits to the country although the country hopes to complete the vaccination effort by May but it depends on how fast the vaccines are distributed from the US. The country had received 2,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine from the US on Saturday which was hailed by Palau health minister Emais Roberts. Palau is part of US government's "Operation Warp Speed" with the US ambassador John Hennessey-Niland describing the country "a friend and partner". The country's government has reportedly asked for 30,000 doses which it is set to receive over the next three months. The virus has ravaged most parts of the world with the US being the worst-hit registering over 20 million infection cases and over 353,620 fatalities. The virus has claimed over 1.8 million lives worldwide with over 85 million cases.

Virus-free Palau located in Pacific could become first country to be vaccinated against COVID-19

India approved two Wuhan virus vaccines over the weekend. The emergency-use approvals were given to the Oxford-Astrazeneca shot - Covishield and the Bharat Biotech vaccine - Covaxin.

Both are two-shot vaccines and both are easy to store and distribute. The vaccines have been approved and administering shots is the next step. As India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it - India will be starting the largest vaccination programme in the world.

The task is to vaccinate over 1.3 billion people. However, no timeline has been announced so far but mass vaccination is expected to start soon. Reports claim it can be as early as this week.

Healthcare workers and frontline workers are set to get vaccinated first. They make up the first priority group and they will be administered the vaccine for free. The second group includes persons above the age of 50 and persons with co-morbidities.

The Wuhan virus vaccination is being called India's most ambitious vaccination drive ever. Mock drills have already been held in 125 districts and across all states with at least 96,000 vaccinators trained.

Cold chain infrastructure has been upgraded. India has secured enough shots to vaccinate its priority group. Those eligible for the vaccine in the first phase will be notified through a text message. They will be informed about the health facility they need to go to for the shot. They will also be provided a date and time.

India has kept the vaccination voluntary, however, that's not the government's biggest challenge since as with most things in India, politics is the biggest hurdle.

Despite all the checks, India has not been able to immunise itself from vaccine politics. India's vaccination programme has come under criticism. Most of it has been directed towards the approval of Covaxin - the home-grown vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech and ICMR the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR).

Critics say it has not been vetted properly and was approved prematurely.

The director of India's premier medical institute AIIMS suggested that Covaxin be kept as a backup vaccine. India's opposition leaders have questioned the lack of efficacy data for Covaxin. They also raised questions around the safety of the shot as some called it a "BJP vaccine" tagging it to the ruling party at the Centre in India.

As for the questions about the efficacy &amp; trail data, the managing director of Bharat Biotech Krishna Ella opened Pandora's box. He named a vaccine company and said that it was giving paracetamol to its volunteers suppressing adverse reactions.

He also said that while most vaccine makers have data of around 1,000 volunteers. Bharat Biotech is the only company with data of 25,000 people and that the company has carried out "200 per cent honest clinical trials".

He said that most vaccines will not be effective in the second year. None of the vaccine makers have said if their shots will be effective in case of transmission of the virus. WION has not been able to independently verify any of it.

These are desperate times call for desperate measures. Vaccine makers want to sell their shots, politicians want to play politics over vaccines and governments want to roll out vaccines as soon as possible. Accusations and mudslinging don't help anyone, avoiding transparency however is even worse.

India approved two Wuhan virus vaccines over the weekend. The emergency-use approvals were given to the Oxford-Astrazeneca shot - Covishield and the Bharat Biotech vaccine - Covaxin.

India approved two Wuhan virus vaccines over the weekend. The emergency-use approvals were given to the Oxford-Astrazeneca shot - Covishield and the Bharat Biotech vaccine - Covaxin. Both are two-shot vaccines and both are easy to store and distribute. The vaccines have been approved and administering shots is the next step. As India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it - India will be starting the largest vaccination programme in the world. The task is to vaccinate over 1.3 billion people. However, no timeline has been announced so far but mass vaccination is expected to start soon. Reports claim it can be as early as this week. Healthcare workers and frontline workers are set to get vaccinated first. They make up the first priority group and they will be administered the vaccine for free. The second group includes persons above the age of 50 and persons with co-morbidities. The Wuhan virus vaccination is being called India's most ambitious vaccination drive ever. Mock drills have already been held in 125 districts and across all states with at least 96,000 vaccinators trained. Cold chain infrastructure has been upgraded. India has secured enough shots to vaccinate its priority group. Those eligible for the vaccine in the first phase will be notified through a text message. They will be informed about the health facility they need to go to for the shot. They will also be provided a date and time. India has kept the vaccination voluntary, however, that's not the government's biggest challenge since as with most things in India, politics is the biggest hurdle. Despite all the checks, India has not been able to immunise itself from vaccine politics. India's vaccination programme has come under criticism. Most of it has been directed towards the approval of Covaxin - the home-grown vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech and ICMR the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR). Critics say it has not been vetted properly and was approved prematurely. The director of India's premier medical institute AIIMS suggested that Covaxin be kept as a backup vaccine. India's opposition leaders have questioned the lack of efficacy data for Covaxin. They also raised questions around the safety of the shot as some called it a "BJP vaccine" tagging it to the ruling party at the Centre in India. As for the questions about the efficacy & trail data, the managing director of Bharat Biotech Krishna Ella opened Pandora's box. He named a vaccine company and said that it was giving paracetamol to its volunteers suppressing adverse reactions. He also said that while most vaccine makers have data of around 1,000 volunteers. Bharat Biotech is the only company with data of 25,000 people and that the company has carried out "200 per cent honest clinical trials". He said that most vaccines will not be effective in the second year. None of the vaccine makers have said if their shots will be effective in case of transmission of the virus. WION has not been able to independently verify any of it. These are desperate times call for desperate measures. Vaccine makers want to sell their shots, politicians want to play politics over vaccines and governments want to roll out vaccines as soon as possible. Accusations and mudslinging don't help anyone, avoiding transparency however is even worse.

Politics overtakes COVID-19 vaccination programme in India

The Tibetan government in exile has gone to polls in Dharamshala in India.

The elections for the 17th parliament of the central Tibetan administration have kickstarted with the results due to be out on May 14.

The parliamentary government of Tibetans in exile was formed way back in 1959, however, it is not officially recognised by the Chinese regime but the Tibetan diaspora and refugees across the world have supported this administration by voting for members of its parliament.

Now, elections for the 17th parliament is currently underway with polling beginning on January 3. Hundreds of Tibetans living in Dharamshala lined up to cast their ballot in the first round of voting. The second and final round is scheduled for April 11.

The new Sikyong or president will be announced on May 14 along with 45 parliamentarians. Lobsang Sangay will be completing his second term as president.&nbsp;

"Despite the pandemic, Tibetans in almost 40 countries are taking part in the elections, young and old all are coming out and participating in the election. So, this is a momentous and historic event because even though we are in exile, even though in South Asia we are refugees but we are exercising our fundamental right," Lobsang Sangay, said.

According to the last survey of the Tibetan diaspora, there are more than 140,000 Tibetans living in exile in over 40 countries. India is home to at least 100,000 Tibetans. This year as many as 80,000 Tibetans have registered themselves as voters out of this 55,000 voters reside in India.

"Tibet is under occupation, but Tibetans in exile are free and given the chance and opportunity, we prefer democracy over the authoritarian system," Sangay asserted.

A record number of 150 candidates are vying for the top political post. The front-runners include Kasur Dongchung Ngodup who is the representative of the Dalai Lama in New Delhi.

Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang, the former representative of Dalai Lama to North America is also in the running, as is Penpa Tsering, former Speaker of the parliament in exile and Acharya Yeshi Phuntosok the incumbent deputy Speaker.

Their fate is being sealed at 12 polling stations in Dharamshala besides this important polling stations have been set up in New York, Toronto and London.

The elections are taking place with all the necessary support from New Delhi since 61 years India has not only housed Tibetans in exile and preserved their cultural heritage but has also enabled them to democratically elect their leader every five years.

The Tibetan government in exile has gone to polls in Dharamshala in India. The elections for the 17th parliament of the central Tibetan administration have kickstarted with the results due to be out on May 14.

The Tibetan government in exile has gone to polls in Dharamshala in India. The elections for the 17th parliament of the central Tibetan administration have kickstarted with the results due to be out on May 14. The parliamentary government of Tibetans in exile was formed way back in 1959, however, it is not officially recognised by the Chinese regime but the Tibetan diaspora and refugees across the world have supported this administration by voting for members of its parliament. Now, elections for the 17th parliament is currently underway with polling beginning on January 3. Hundreds of Tibetans living in Dharamshala lined up to cast their ballot in the first round of voting. The second and final round is scheduled for April 11. The new Sikyong or president will be announced on May 14 along with 45 parliamentarians. Lobsang Sangay will be completing his second term as president. "Despite the pandemic, Tibetans in almost 40 countries are taking part in the elections, young and old all are coming out and participating in the election. So, this is a momentous and historic event because even though we are in exile, even though in South Asia we are refugees but we are exercising our fundamental right," Lobsang Sangay, said. According to the last survey of the Tibetan diaspora, there are more than 140,000 Tibetans living in exile in over 40 countries. India is home to at least 100,000 Tibetans. This year as many as 80,000 Tibetans have registered themselves as voters out of this 55,000 voters reside in India. "Tibet is under occupation, but Tibetans in exile are free and given the chance and opportunity, we prefer democracy over the authoritarian system," Sangay asserted. A record number of 150 candidates are vying for the top political post. The front-runners include Kasur Dongchung Ngodup who is the representative of the Dalai Lama in New Delhi. Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang, the former representative of Dalai Lama to North America is also in the running, as is Penpa Tsering, former Speaker of the parliament in exile and Acharya Yeshi Phuntosok the incumbent deputy Speaker. Their fate is being sealed at 12 polling stations in Dharamshala besides this important polling stations have been set up in New York, Toronto and London. The elections are taking place with all the necessary support from New Delhi since 61 years India has not only housed Tibetans in exile and preserved their cultural heritage but has also enabled them to democratically elect their leader every five years.

All you need to know about Tibetan elections held at Dharamshala

Alibaba's Jack Ma is the most celebrated Chinese entrepreneur in the world, however, now he has a target on his back and he only has one man to blame for it - Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Chinese president is said to have personally scuttled the Ant group's IPO. Jack Ma is a member of the Communist Party, he is one of their own and yet, he's being hounded.

The Ant group IPO was supposed to be the biggest in history amounting to $35 billion driven by China's most well-known entrepreneur Jack Ma but just days before the Ant group was set to list all hell broke loose as Beijing hit the brakes on Jack Ma's IPO.

President Xi Jinping scuttled Jack Ma's plans. The trigger was a speech in which Jack Ma made scathing criticism of Chinese regulators.&nbsp;

Just before his IPO Ma had attended a summit in Shanghai in which the participants included the who's who of China's financial, regulatory and political establishment.

One of the attendees was Wang Qishan - the Chinese vice-president. In front of the august crowd, Jack Ma said China's banks operate like "pawn shops" and the regulators were stifling innovation.

The Alibaba founder paid a heavy price for those words. Reports say the message reached the top as Xi Jinping read government reports about Jack Ma's statements.

The Chinese president was furious. He personally ordered Chinese regulators to start an investigation. They are studying plans that could force the Ant group to divest investments in financial companies. The disinvestments would ultimately shrink the Ant group's influence over Chinese markets.

Jack Ma is also set to lose equity. Ma was once the most celebrated entrepreneur in China, however, now he is being painted as the enemy. He has been called a "villain", an evil capitalist and a bloodsucking ghost.

Ma's strategy has backfired. First, he infuriated the regulators with his speech and then overplayed his hand by lobbying with them. The Chinese state hit back with a new set of regulations.

The new rules dictated how companies like the Ant group will operate in the future. China declared that it is protecting investors by halting Ant group's IPO.

A day before the statement, Jack Ma and his executives were summoned by the Central Bank of China and three other regulators. The rare joint meeting prompted speculation that Jack Ma was given a dressing down.

The Chinese state under Xi Jinping values loyalty and submission above everything else but with his words in Shanghai Jack Ma challenged the state. The Alibaba founder now faces not just scrutiny of his business, he also must pass the Communist Party's loyalty test.

Jack Ma's story isn't technically rags to riches but it's a very compelling story, nonetheless. It is a story that every Chinese citizen wants to emulate. Ma is bigger than life and his personality is so towering that he is not shy of overshadowing Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Jack Ma or Ma Yun had started as a lecturer in English and became a member of the Chinese Communist Party. He went on to found China's biggest online commerce company - Alibaba.

He also launched Alipay and ventured into finance. Now, seventeen years on, Jack Ma is China's richest man. He has a western a name and around $50 billion in banks which is a career graph every young Chinese wants to follow and a reputation for challenging Chinese authorities.

Jack Ma is not just a billionaire, he is a people's billionaire.

Outside the country, Ma is China's poster boy. The first prominent Chinese man Trump met after he won the US presidential election in 2016.

Xi Jinping wanted to make China a global superpower through technology. Jack Ma was supposed to be his footsoldier in that plan - an entrepreneur who understood technology who could appear alongside top Chinese leaders and at the same time connect with a global audience.

Jack Ma's was supposed to be the face that told Xi Jinping's success story instead, Ma himself has become China's biggest success story - too big for the president's liking.

Now Xi Jinping is cutting him to size, not only did Jack Ma become China's biggest star, but he also questioned China's policies at a time when Xi Jinping's regime is already under global scrutiny.

Alibaba's Jack Ma is the most celebrated Chinese entrepreneur in the world, however, now he has a target on his back and he only has one man to blame for it - Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Alibaba's Jack Ma is the most celebrated Chinese entrepreneur in the world, however, now he has a target on his back and he only has one man to blame for it - Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Chinese president is said to have personally scuttled the Ant group's IPO. Jack Ma is a member of the Communist Party, he is one of their own and yet, he's being hounded. The Ant group IPO was supposed to be the biggest in history amounting to $35 billion driven by China's most well-known entrepreneur Jack Ma but just days before the Ant group was set to list all hell broke loose as Beijing hit the brakes on Jack Ma's IPO. President Xi Jinping scuttled Jack Ma's plans. The trigger was a speech in which Jack Ma made scathing criticism of Chinese regulators. Just before his IPO Ma had attended a summit in Shanghai in which the participants included the who's who of China's financial, regulatory and political establishment. One of the attendees was Wang Qishan - the Chinese vice-president. In front of the august crowd, Jack Ma said China's banks operate like "pawn shops" and the regulators were stifling innovation. The Alibaba founder paid a heavy price for those words. Reports say the message reached the top as Xi Jinping read government reports about Jack Ma's statements. The Chinese president was furious. He personally ordered Chinese regulators to start an investigation. They are studying plans that could force the Ant group to divest investments in financial companies. The disinvestments would ultimately shrink the Ant group's influence over Chinese markets. Jack Ma is also set to lose equity. Ma was once the most celebrated entrepreneur in China, however, now he is being painted as the enemy. He has been called a "villain", an evil capitalist and a bloodsucking ghost. Ma's strategy has backfired. First, he infuriated the regulators with his speech and then overplayed his hand by lobbying with them. The Chinese state hit back with a new set of regulations. The new rules dictated how companies like the Ant group will operate in the future. China declared that it is protecting investors by halting Ant group's IPO. A day before the statement, Jack Ma and his executives were summoned by the Central Bank of China and three other regulators. The rare joint meeting prompted speculation that Jack Ma was given a dressing down. The Chinese state under Xi Jinping values loyalty and submission above everything else but with his words in Shanghai Jack Ma challenged the state. The Alibaba founder now faces not just scrutiny of his business, he also must pass the Communist Party's loyalty test. Jack Ma's story isn't technically rags to riches but it's a very compelling story, nonetheless. It is a story that every Chinese citizen wants to emulate. Ma is bigger than life and his personality is so towering that he is not shy of overshadowing Chinese President Xi Jinping. Jack Ma or Ma Yun had started as a lecturer in English and became a member of the Chinese Communist Party. He went on to found China's biggest online commerce company - Alibaba. He also launched Alipay and ventured into finance. Now, seventeen years on, Jack Ma is China's richest man. He has a western a name and around $50 billion in banks which is a career graph every young Chinese wants to follow and a reputation for challenging Chinese authorities. Jack Ma is not just a billionaire, he is a people's billionaire. Outside the country, Ma is China's poster boy. The first prominent Chinese man Trump met after he won the US presidential election in 2016. Xi Jinping wanted to make China a global superpower through technology. Jack Ma was supposed to be his footsoldier in that plan - an entrepreneur who understood technology who could appear alongside top Chinese leaders and at the same time connect with a global audience. Jack Ma's was supposed to be the face that told Xi Jinping's success story instead, Ma himself has become China's biggest success story - too big for the president's liking. Now Xi Jinping is cutting him to size, not only did Jack Ma become China's biggest star, but he also questioned China's policies at a time when Xi Jinping's regime is already under global scrutiny.

How Chinese President Xi Jinping scuttled Jack Ma's Ant group IPO

UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) said today that Iran has started enriching uranium to 20 per cent after the country announced it had begun the process of enriching uranium at the underground Fordow facility.

Watch:

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"Iran today began feeding uranium already enriched up to 4.1 per cent U-235 into six centrifuge cascades at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant for further enrichment up to 20 per cent," the IAEA said.

Reports said President Hassan Rouhani had ordered the enrichment process days earlier. The European Union warned that Iran's decision was "considerable departure" from the nuclear deal.

Iran government spokesman Ali Rabei had said earlier that "a few minutes ago, the process of producing 20% enriched uranium has started in Fordow enrichment complex".&nbsp;

Iran had signed the nuclear deal with five permanent members of the UN Security Council Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States including Germany, however, the Trump administration had walked out of the deal in 2018 and imposed sanctions on its oil and bank sectors.

Iran had earlier appealed to the European nations to back the deal, however, it had started walking back on the deal as it informed the IAEA that it had started using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium.

In 2019, Iran had informed the IAEA that the uranium enrichment had increased ten-fold and it had developed two new advanced centrifuges.&nbsp;

EU spokesman Peter Stano warned Iran's nuclear enrichment "would constitute a considerable departure from Iran's nuclear commitments under the JCPOA."

UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) said today that Iran has started enriching uranium to 20 per cent after the country announced it had begun the process of enriching uranium at the underground Fordow facility.

UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) said today that Iran has started enriching uranium to 20 per cent after the country announced it had begun the process of enriching uranium at the underground Fordow facility. Watch: "Iran today began feeding uranium already enriched up to 4.1 per cent U-235 into six centrifuge cascades at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant for further enrichment up to 20 per cent," the IAEA said. Reports said President Hassan Rouhani had ordered the enrichment process days earlier. The European Union warned that Iran's decision was "considerable departure" from the nuclear deal. Iran government spokesman Ali Rabei had said earlier that "a few minutes ago, the process of producing 20% enriched uranium has started in Fordow enrichment complex". Iran had signed the nuclear deal with five permanent members of the UN Security Council Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States including Germany, however, the Trump administration had walked out of the deal in 2018 and imposed sanctions on its oil and bank sectors. Iran had earlier appealed to the European nations to back the deal, however, it had started walking back on the deal as it informed the IAEA that it had started using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium. In 2019, Iran had informed the IAEA that the uranium enrichment had increased ten-fold and it had developed two new advanced centrifuges. EU spokesman Peter Stano warned Iran's nuclear enrichment "would constitute a considerable departure from Iran's nuclear commitments under the JCPOA."

Iran has started enriching uranium to 20%, confirms IAEA

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Monday that the country will be in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/growing-evidence-suggests-covid-19-originated-from-wuhan-lab-senior-us-official-354410">coronavirus</a> lockdown for the rest of January due to surge in cases with restrictions coming into force from midnight tonight.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-begins-rollout-of-astrazeneca-oxford-covid-19-vaccine-354379/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Most schools in the country will remain shut till February 1, Sturgeon informed with home learning for most students.

"We have decided to introduce from midnight (0000 GMT Tuesday), for the duration of January, a legal requirement to stay at home, except for essential purposes. This is similar to the lockdown of March last year," Sturgeon said.

Under the stringent lockdown restrictions, only two people from two households will be allowed to meet outdoors and places of worship will be closed. Sturgeon asserted that people will only be allowed to leave their houses for essential reasons.

"In one lane we have vaccines, our job is to make sure they can run as fast as possible and that's why the government will be doing everything we can to vaccinate people as quickly as possible," Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament

"But in the other lane we have the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-targets-67-vaccination-against-coronavirus-to-achieve-herd-immunity-354429">virus </a>which as a result of this new variant has just learned to run much faster," Sturgeon told lawmakers.

Sturgeon warned the surging cases could lead to breach inpatient COVID-19 capacity within "three or four weeks" in the country's hospital.

According to the government, 1,905 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Scotland in the last 24 hours with the total number of cases rising to 136,498.&nbsp;

There were 13,810 new coronavirus tests conducted nationwide with 15 per cent testing positive for the virus. The death toll due to the virus in the country has reached 4,578.

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Monday that the country will be in coronavirus lockdown for the rest of January due to surge in cases with restrictions coming into force from midnight tonight.

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Monday that the country will be in coronavirus lockdown for the rest of January due to surge in cases with restrictions coming into force from midnight tonight. Watch: Most schools in the country will remain shut till February 1, Sturgeon informed with home learning for most students. "We have decided to introduce from midnight (0000 GMT Tuesday), for the duration of January, a legal requirement to stay at home, except for essential purposes. This is similar to the lockdown of March last year," Sturgeon said. Under the stringent lockdown restrictions, only two people from two households will be allowed to meet outdoors and places of worship will be closed. Sturgeon asserted that people will only be allowed to leave their houses for essential reasons. "In one lane we have vaccines, our job is to make sure they can run as fast as possible and that's why the government will be doing everything we can to vaccinate people as quickly as possible," Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament "But in the other lane we have the virus which as a result of this new variant has just learned to run much faster," Sturgeon told lawmakers. Sturgeon warned the surging cases could lead to breach inpatient COVID-19 capacity within "three or four weeks" in the country's hospital. According to the government, 1,905 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Scotland in the last 24 hours with the total number of cases rising to 136,498. There were 13,810 new coronavirus tests conducted nationwide with 15 per cent testing positive for the virus. The death toll due to the virus in the country has reached 4,578.

Scotland imposes lockdown 'similar to March last year' amid surge in coronavirus cases

A UK court on Monday ruled that WikiLeaks&nbsp;founder Julian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-mp-urges-donald-trump-to-pardon-julian-assange-before-leaving-white-house-349532">Assange</a>, 49, should not be extradited to the United States to face charges related to breaking spying law and conspiracy to hack government computers.

Assange had taken refuge in the Ecuador embassy in 2010 after Sweden pressed for his extradition on rape charges which was subsequently dropped.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Good news the extradition of Julian Assange has been refused. 
 
Extradition would be an attack on press freedom. 
 
It is alarming the judge has accepted US Government arguments threatening freedom of speech and to publish. 
 
Assange should be released. 
 
See <a href="https://t.co/XPw13Am6Cs">https://t.co/XPw13Am6Cs</a>
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/1346087862865944576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Judge Vanessa Baraitser at the&nbsp;Old Bailey court&nbsp;in London said she refused Assange's&nbsp;extradition to the United States as she feared that the controversial whistleblower could commit suicide.

"Faced with conditions of near total isolation ... I am satisfied that the procedures (outline by US authorities) will not prevent Mr&nbsp;Assange from finding a way to commit suicide," judge Baraitser said.

Assange had stayed in the Ecuador embassy for seven years which ended after the new Ecuador government turned him over to British police in April 2019.

A UK court on Monday ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, 49, should not be extradited to the United States to face charges related to breaking spying law and conspiracy to hack government computers.

A UK court on Monday ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, 49, should not be extradited to the United States to face charges related to breaking spying law and conspiracy to hack government computers. Assange had taken refuge in the Ecuador embassy in 2010 after Sweden pressed for his extradition on rape charges which was subsequently dropped. Good news the extradition of Julian Assange has been refused. Extradition would be an attack on press freedom. It is alarming the judge has accepted US Government arguments threatening freedom of speech and to publish. Assange should be released. See https://t.co/XPw13Am6Cs — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 4, 2021 × Judge Vanessa Baraitser at the Old Bailey court in London said she refused Assange's extradition to the United States as she feared that the controversial whistleblower could commit suicide. "Faced with conditions of near total isolation ... I am satisfied that the procedures (outline by US authorities) will not prevent Mr Assange from finding a way to commit suicide," judge Baraitser said. Assange had stayed in the Ecuador embassy for seven years which ended after the new Ecuador government turned him over to British police in April 2019.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange not to be extradited to United States: UK court

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