The British government on December 19 alerted the World Health Organisation about a new variant of the coronavirus that the Prime Minister said maybe “up to 70 per cent” more transmissible than earlier strains.

The new strain – now officially named VUI-202012/01 – showed a “substantial increase in transmissibility”.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-what-we-know-about-the-uks-new-covid-strain-351327" hreflang="en">Coronavirus: What we know about the UK's new Covid strain</a>

Over 60 per cent of new infections in London were now accounted for by the new variant.

However, "there's no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness," or that vaccines would be less effective against it, he said.

Several countries have banned flights from the UK over fears about a new coronavirus variant that has forced millions of people in Britain to cancel their Christmas plans.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/countries-that-have-blocked-travel-from-uk-after-the-emergence-of-new-strain-of-coronavirus-351376" hreflang="en">Countries that have blocked travel from UK after the emergence of new strain of coronavirus</a>

Netizens took to social media to express concern over what they referred to as #COVID20, a play on the year 2020, and the moniker 'COVID 2.0', to signify the new threat which has come up in the form of the novel coronavirus strain.

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Happy New Year <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID20?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID20</a> <a href="https://t.co/KVrn0gjWz1">pic.twitter.com/KVrn0gjWz1</a>
— Atif (@Atif68369134) <a href="https://twitter.com/Atif68369134/status/1340905481104220160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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When I saw <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID20?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID20</a> trending <a href="https://t.co/1wJ04VgvD8">pic.twitter.com/1wJ04VgvD8</a>
— granola bar (@khannn_bar) <a href="https://twitter.com/khannn_bar/status/1340807438522564608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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“This whole pandemic is gonna blow over by the end of 2020” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID20?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID20</a> <a href="https://t.co/G46WV37WGT">pic.twitter.com/G46WV37WGT</a>
— sereen (@sereenamer3) <a href="https://twitter.com/sereenamer3/status/1340786196092497923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Twitterati also expressed concern over UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's upcoming India visit on Republic Day as the chief guest of the parade, drawing a parallel with the 'Namaste Trump' event earlier in January, when US President Donald Trump had arrived in India for a high-profile public tour amid the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

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India Namaste Trump program ka Natija bhugt chuka hai to plz govt should postpone all flights from UK immediately without any statement and also postpone <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BorisJohnson</a> visit program in India... I humbly request to you Mr. PM sir <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/umashankarsingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@umashankarsingh</a>
— Indrajeet Kumar Singh (@Iksingh_08_57) <a href="https://twitter.com/Iksingh_08_57/status/1340945620870152196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock&nbsp;has stressed there is no evidence to suggest the new strain is more likely to cause serious disease.

''There are many variants. It just happens that this one has quite a few more mutations than some of the other variants, so that’s the reason why we’ve taken it particularly seriously,''&nbsp;explained Professor Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer.

''But there’s nothing to suggest that the symptoms are different, that the testing is different, or that the clinical outcome is different for this variant.''

The new strain first occurred in September in South East London and by November, it accounted for 28 per cent of all new Covid infections in the capital, rising to 62 per cent by December 9.

According to the WHO, apart from the UK, nine cases of the new strain have been reported in Denmark, as well as one case in the Netherlands and another in Australia.

WHO has also advised all its members in Europe to step up measures against coronavirus.&nbsp;

The British government on December 19 alerted the World Health Organisation about a new variant of the coronavirus that the Prime Minister said maybe “up to 70 per cent” more transmissible than earlier strains.

The British government on December 19 alerted the World Health Organisation about a new variant of the coronavirus that the Prime Minister said maybe “up to 70 per cent” more transmissible than earlier strains. The new strain – now officially named VUI-202012/01 – showed a “substantial increase in transmissibility”. Also read: Coronavirus: What we know about the UK's new Covid strain Over 60 per cent of new infections in London were now accounted for by the new variant. However, "there's no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness," or that vaccines would be less effective against it, he said. Several countries have banned flights from the UK over fears about a new coronavirus variant that has forced millions of people in Britain to cancel their Christmas plans. Also see: Countries that have blocked travel from UK after the emergence of new strain of coronavirus Netizens took to social media to express concern over what they referred to as #COVID20, a play on the year 2020, and the moniker 'COVID 2.0', to signify the new threat which has come up in the form of the novel coronavirus strain. Happy New Year #COVID20 pic.twitter.com/KVrn0gjWz1 — Atif (@Atif68369134) December 21, 2020 × When I saw #COVID20 trending pic.twitter.com/1wJ04VgvD8 — granola bar (@khannn_bar) December 20, 2020 × “This whole pandemic is gonna blow over by the end of 2020” #COVID20 pic.twitter.com/G46WV37WGT — sereen (@sereenamer3) December 20, 2020 × Twitterati also expressed concern over UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's upcoming India visit on Republic Day as the chief guest of the parade, drawing a parallel with the 'Namaste Trump' event earlier in January, when US President Donald Trump had arrived in India for a high-profile public tour amid the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. India Namaste Trump program ka Natija bhugt chuka hai to plz govt should postpone all flights from UK immediately without any statement and also postpone @BorisJohnson visit program in India... I humbly request to you Mr. PM sir @narendramodi @umashankarsingh — Indrajeet Kumar Singh (@Iksingh_08_57) December 21, 2020 × UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has stressed there is no evidence to suggest the new strain is more likely to cause serious disease. ''There are many variants. It just happens that this one has quite a few more mutations than some of the other variants, so that’s the reason why we’ve taken it particularly seriously,'' explained Professor Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer. ''But there’s nothing to suggest that the symptoms are different, that the testing is different, or that the clinical outcome is different for this variant.'' The new strain first occurred in September in South East London and by November, it accounted for 28 per cent of all new Covid infections in the capital, rising to 62 per cent by December 9. According to the WHO, apart from the UK, nine cases of the new strain have been reported in Denmark, as well as one case in the Netherlands and another in Australia. WHO has also advised all its members in Europe to step up measures against coronavirus.

COVID-20? Twitter abuzz with conspiracy theories after discovery of new strain of coronavirus

Countries that have blocked travel from UK after the emergence of new strain of coronavirus

The European Court of Justice ruled Thursday that authorities can ban the practice of ritual slaughter to promote animal welfare, without defying the rights of religious groups.

The court backed a regulation imposed in the Flemish region of Belgium banning the slaughter of livestock that have not been stunned on animal rights grounds.

The measure was seen as effectively outlawing the Muslim halal and Jewish kosher traditions, which require livestock to be conscious when their throats are slit. &nbsp;

However, experts believe that the decision has more to do with Europe's crackdown on religious minorities rather than&nbsp;promoting&nbsp;animal welfare.

According to the&nbsp;Pew Research Center,&nbsp;Christians make for 74.5 per cent&nbsp;of Europe's population. While 18.8&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;are not affiliated with any religion. But Muslims and Jews comprise only&nbsp;5.9&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;and&nbsp;0.2&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of its population.

It appears that European laws&nbsp;are laws clashing with culture and faith.&nbsp;

France, which is battling radicalism, has Europe's largest muslim population and also has a problem with the community's&nbsp;practices and customs.

France became the first European country to ban burqas in public spaces in 2010. It also&nbsp;outlawed all kinds of full-face coverings, all religious symbols in public, including the cross.

In 2018, the UN Human Rights Committee called the move a violation of human rights. However, by then France also banned the burkini and&nbsp;fined women for wearing full-body swimwear.&nbsp;

In 2016, a photo of male officers forcing a woman to remove her burkini- went viral. Similarly, in 2019, two swimming pools were shut down during peak summer because women wearing burkinis swam in those pools.

France said the reason behind such drastic decisions was to curb terrorism. However, the country appeased the Muslim community for votes and failed to keep a check on terrorist organistions.

And to hid its shortcomings, it started imposing random bans instead of striking at the root of the problem. The country realised it quite late.&nbsp;

-------------

In 2011, Belgium banned full-face veils and Dutch MPs&nbsp;backed a ban on the burqa in public spaces in 2016.

Several towns in Italy have burqa bans In Denmark, women can be fined over 100 euros for wearing a full-face veil

This is the same Europe that takes pride in preaching secularism,&nbsp;which means separating the state from religious institutions.

Pork is prohibited in Islam. But many French schools have scrapped pork-free options from school canteens due to which&nbsp;a Muslim child gets two options in the country either to eat it or remain hungry.

Jewish culture has not been spared either. Some lawmakers in Denmark wanted to ban circumcision under which&nbsp;Jews circumcise baby boys on their eighth day in a&nbsp;ritual called brit milah.

Denmark wanted to ban it but it was unable to do so.&nbsp;But now, Europe has posed a bigger challenge to its religious minorities.

The continent's top court has made provisions for the ban of halal and kosher meat.

This practically means, very soon Jews and Muslims will be left with two choices- just like french schoolkids- eat haram or nothing.

The decision cannot be called humane as slaughter cannot be humane no matter how it is justified.

Europe currently stands at a crossroads. Initially,&nbsp;it&nbsp;put itself on a pedestal as the ideal multicultural, modern, secular society but gradually&nbsp;started preaching to the world on how to treat minorities.

Although European governments gave shelter to immigrants but did not make them a part of the mainstream and now&nbsp;the divide is deepening.

Europe's confusion and xenophobia are showing in its laws and every time it's called out, it hides behind the radicalisation argument.

&nbsp;

The European Court of Justice ruled Thursday that authorities can ban the practice of ritual slaughter to promote animal welfare, without defying the rights of religious groups.

The European Court of Justice ruled Thursday that authorities can ban the practice of ritual slaughter to promote animal welfare, without defying the rights of religious groups. The court backed a regulation imposed in the Flemish region of Belgium banning the slaughter of livestock that have not been stunned on animal rights grounds. The measure was seen as effectively outlawing the Muslim halal and Jewish kosher traditions, which require livestock to be conscious when their throats are slit. However, experts believe that the decision has more to do with Europe's crackdown on religious minorities rather than promoting animal welfare. According to the Pew Research Center, Christians make for 74.5 per cent of Europe's population. While 18.8 per cent are not affiliated with any religion. But Muslims and Jews comprise only 5.9 per cent and 0.2 per cent of its population. It appears that European laws are laws clashing with culture and faith. France, which is battling radicalism, has Europe's largest muslim population and also has a problem with the community's practices and customs. France became the first European country to ban burqas in public spaces in 2010. It also outlawed all kinds of full-face coverings, all religious symbols in public, including the cross. In 2018, the UN Human Rights Committee called the move a violation of human rights. However, by then France also banned the burkini and fined women for wearing full-body swimwear. In 2016, a photo of male officers forcing a woman to remove her burkini- went viral. Similarly, in 2019, two swimming pools were shut down during peak summer because women wearing burkinis swam in those pools. France said the reason behind such drastic decisions was to curb terrorism. However, the country appeased the Muslim community for votes and failed to keep a check on terrorist organistions. And to hid its shortcomings, it started imposing random bans instead of striking at the root of the problem. The country realised it quite late. ------------- In 2011, Belgium banned full-face veils and Dutch MPs backed a ban on the burqa in public spaces in 2016. Several towns in Italy have burqa bans In Denmark, women can be fined over 100 euros for wearing a full-face veil This is the same Europe that takes pride in preaching secularism, which means separating the state from religious institutions. Pork is prohibited in Islam. But many French schools have scrapped pork-free options from school canteens due to which a Muslim child gets two options in the country either to eat it or remain hungry. Jewish culture has not been spared either. Some lawmakers in Denmark wanted to ban circumcision under which Jews circumcise baby boys on their eighth day in a ritual called brit milah. Denmark wanted to ban it but it was unable to do so. But now, Europe has posed a bigger challenge to its religious minorities. The continent's top court has made provisions for the ban of halal and kosher meat. This practically means, very soon Jews and Muslims will be left with two choices- just like french schoolkids- eat haram or nothing. The decision cannot be called humane as slaughter cannot be humane no matter how it is justified. Europe currently stands at a crossroads. Initially, it put itself on a pedestal as the ideal multicultural, modern, secular society but gradually started preaching to the world on how to treat minorities. Although European governments gave shelter to immigrants but did not make them a part of the mainstream and now the divide is deepening. Europe's confusion and xenophobia are showing in its laws and every time it's called out, it hides behind the radicalisation argument.

How EU ritual slaughter ruling targets religious minorities

The current&nbsp;European Union law&nbsp;states that all animals farmed for food production must be made unconscious (stunned using electricity, gas, or a stun gun) before being killed.

The&nbsp;Federation of Veterinarians of Europe&nbsp;took the position in 2002 that "the practice of slaughtering animals without prior stunning is unacceptable under any circumstances", and the issue has gradually become more central for animal welfare campaigners, and for politicians.

However, exceptions are made in the context of some religious practices.&nbsp;These practices very often result in animals being killed using a knife to cut their throat and bled to death while being fully conscious.

The slaughter of conscious animals was widely abandoned in the 20th Century and is now practiced mainly in the Jewish and Muslim communities.

In the Netherlands and elsewhere, most of the remains of an animal slaughtered by the Jewish method (shechita) end up on supermarket shelves as regular meat products, because parts of the carcass are forbidden to Jews under their dietary laws.

Under Kosher slaughter, known as&nbsp;shechita&nbsp;in Hebrew, the animal's neck is cut with a surgically sharp knife, severing its major arteries, causing a massive drop in blood pressure followed by death from loss of blood.&nbsp;

Scientific dispute

Positions on religious slaughter vary around the world - in the US, for instance, it is specifically defined as a humane method in the Humane Slaughter Act (1958) - but elsewhere several countries have already restricted or banned slaughtering unstunned animals.

Stunning has been obligatory in the European Union since 1979 in order to spare animals "avoidable pain or suffering", though most member states make exceptions for religious communities.

However, a&nbsp;ban on halal or kosher is not just anti-Islam or anti-semitic, it is also anti-market as the global halal market is estimated to be worth- 1.6 trillion dollars. While the global kosher beef market is expected to reach $248 billion by 2025.

Interestingly,&nbsp;nazis had prohibited slaughter without stunning or anesthesia under a&nbsp;law that was passed on April 21, 1933.

Some experts believe, the animals are bound to feel the pain of slaughter with or without stunning.&nbsp;

For starters, stunning itself is painful as most slaughterhouses make animals unconscious by exposing them to electric shock or firing a bolt against the animal's head.

Captive bolts go wrong many times and animals bleed to death. Chickens are mostly gassed.&nbsp;In short, there is no humane way to kill an animal.

&nbsp;

The current European Union law states that all animals farmed for food production must be made unconscious (stunned using electricity, gas, or a stun gun) before being killed.

The current European Union law states that all animals farmed for food production must be made unconscious (stunned using electricity, gas, or a stun gun) before being killed. The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe took the position in 2002 that "the practice of slaughtering animals without prior stunning is unacceptable under any circumstances", and the issue has gradually become more central for animal welfare campaigners, and for politicians. However, exceptions are made in the context of some religious practices. These practices very often result in animals being killed using a knife to cut their throat and bled to death while being fully conscious. The slaughter of conscious animals was widely abandoned in the 20th Century and is now practiced mainly in the Jewish and Muslim communities. In the Netherlands and elsewhere, most of the remains of an animal slaughtered by the Jewish method (shechita) end up on supermarket shelves as regular meat products, because parts of the carcass are forbidden to Jews under their dietary laws. Under Kosher slaughter, known as shechita in Hebrew, the animal's neck is cut with a surgically sharp knife, severing its major arteries, causing a massive drop in blood pressure followed by death from loss of blood. Scientific dispute Positions on religious slaughter vary around the world - in the US, for instance, it is specifically defined as a humane method in the Humane Slaughter Act (1958) - but elsewhere several countries have already restricted or banned slaughtering unstunned animals. Stunning has been obligatory in the European Union since 1979 in order to spare animals "avoidable pain or suffering", though most member states make exceptions for religious communities. However, a ban on halal or kosher is not just anti-Islam or anti-semitic, it is also anti-market as the global halal market is estimated to be worth- 1.6 trillion dollars. While the global kosher beef market is expected to reach $248 billion by 2025. Interestingly, nazis had prohibited slaughter without stunning or anesthesia under a law that was passed on April 21, 1933. Some experts believe, the animals are bound to feel the pain of slaughter with or without stunning. For starters, stunning itself is painful as most slaughterhouses make animals unconscious by exposing them to electric shock or firing a bolt against the animal's head. Captive bolts go wrong many times and animals bleed to death. Chickens are mostly gassed. In short, there is no humane way to kill an animal.

Why stunning animals before slaughter will not make a difference

After decades of neglect, one of ancient Rome's most important monuments, the mausoleum of the first emperor Augustus, has been restored and will reopen on 1 March 2021, city officials announced on Friday.

The mausoleum is the largest circular tomb in the world and was constructed in 28 BC near the banks of the River Tiber to house the remains of Augustus and his heirs, including the emperors Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius.

Describing it as a "historic day for Rome and for the world," the&nbsp;reopening was announced by the city's mayor Virginia Raggi during a press conference at the nearby Ara Pacis museum on 18 December.

"To reopen a monument like this is a signal of hope as we look with good faith towards the future despite the uncertainties of the pandemic. We need to work for the future and maintain our traditions," she said.

Raggi said that from&nbsp;1 March until 21 April, Rome's birthday or&nbsp;Natale di Roma, the site will be free to all visitors,&nbsp;with&nbsp;online reservations&nbsp;open from 21 December via the&nbsp;Mausoleo di Augusto&nbsp;website.

The monumental tomb of Rome's first emperor is destined to become a major draw for tourists, following&nbsp;decades of abandonment, and Raggi said that after 21 April it will&nbsp;remain&nbsp;free to visit for residents of Rome for all of 2021.

Once one of the most magnificent buildings in the city, it underwent many changes after the fall of the Roman empire, at one point becoming a fortified castle, then a hanging garden, and subsequently an amphitheatre for bullfighting and firework displays.

At the start of the last century, it was transformed into a huge theatre for concerts and operas before the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini ordered the dismantling of the auditorium as he sought to restore the landmarks of ancient Rome.

The site fell into disrepair over the years, trees grew from the walls, and rubbish-filled the pathways.

All that has been cleared and the structure has been made safe thanks to a 10-million-euro ($12.25 million) restoration, partly financed by phone company TIM.

Augustus helped transform Rome into a world-class city with his infrastructure projects. On his deathbed, he reportedly said: "Marmoream relinquo, quam latericiam accepi" (I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble).

The original marble cladding that adorned his tomb was plundered centuries ago and a statue that once towered over the building has long vanished, but tourists will get the chance to glimpse its past glories thanks to virtual reality tours.

After decades of neglect, one of ancient Rome's most important monuments, the mausoleum of the first emperor Augustus, has been restored and will reopen on 1 March 2021, city officials announced on Friday.

After decades of neglect, one of ancient Rome's most important monuments, the mausoleum of the first emperor Augustus, has been restored and will reopen on 1 March 2021, city officials announced on Friday. The mausoleum is the largest circular tomb in the world and was constructed in 28 BC near the banks of the River Tiber to house the remains of Augustus and his heirs, including the emperors Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius. Describing it as a "historic day for Rome and for the world," the reopening was announced by the city's mayor Virginia Raggi during a press conference at the nearby Ara Pacis museum on 18 December. "To reopen a monument like this is a signal of hope as we look with good faith towards the future despite the uncertainties of the pandemic. We need to work for the future and maintain our traditions," she said. Raggi said that from 1 March until 21 April, Rome's birthday or Natale di Roma, the site will be free to all visitors, with online reservations open from 21 December via the Mausoleo di Augusto website. The monumental tomb of Rome's first emperor is destined to become a major draw for tourists, following decades of abandonment, and Raggi said that after 21 April it will remain free to visit for residents of Rome for all of 2021. Once one of the most magnificent buildings in the city, it underwent many changes after the fall of the Roman empire, at one point becoming a fortified castle, then a hanging garden, and subsequently an amphitheatre for bullfighting and firework displays. At the start of the last century, it was transformed into a huge theatre for concerts and operas before the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini ordered the dismantling of the auditorium as he sought to restore the landmarks of ancient Rome. The site fell into disrepair over the years, trees grew from the walls, and rubbish-filled the pathways. All that has been cleared and the structure has been made safe thanks to a 10-million-euro ($12.25 million) restoration, partly financed by phone company TIM. Augustus helped transform Rome into a world-class city with his infrastructure projects. On his deathbed, he reportedly said: "Marmoream relinquo, quam latericiam accepi" (I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble). The original marble cladding that adorned his tomb was plundered centuries ago and a statue that once towered over the building has long vanished, but tourists will get the chance to glimpse its past glories thanks to virtual reality tours.

Mausoleum of Rome's first emperor Augustus to reopen after 14 years

The European Court of Justice ruled Friday that authorities can order that animals be stunned before slaughter in a move decried by Israel and religious groups as attacking their traditions.

The decision from the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) followed a legal challenge by Jewish and Muslim associations to a Flemish government prohibition on the killing of animals without prior non-lethal (also called reversible) stunning in 2017.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belgium-bans-halal-and-kosher-animal-slaughter-189404">Belgium bans halal and kosher animal slaughter</a>

The measure was seen as effectively outlawing the Muslim halal and Jewish&nbsp;kosher&nbsp;traditions, which require livestock to be conscious when their throats are slit. &nbsp;

"The court concludes that the measures contained in the decree allow a fair balance to be struck between the importance attached to animal welfare and the freedom of Jewish and Muslim believers to manifest their religion," the <a href="https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2020-12/cp200163en.pdf">ruling</a> said.

However, the EU court said later that the bloc's animal slaughter regulation "does not preclude member states from imposing an obligation to stun animals prior to the killing which also applies in the case of slaughter prescribed by religious rites," providing that this does not contravene the EU's charter of fundamental human rights.&nbsp;

While the charter upheld the right to "manifest" religious practices, the judgment said that this needs to be "balanced against the capacity of reversible stunning to meet an EU "objective of general interest," namely animal welfare".The court has also said that the proposed ban will not impact the movement of kosher and halal meat produced elsewhere.

Condemning the ruling, European Jewish Congress President Moshe Kantor has termed the decision as "a heavy blow to Jewish life in Europe".

Israel's foreign ministry lashed out at the verdict as "sending a harsh message to all European Jewry."&nbsp;

"Beyond the fact that this decision harms the freedom of worship and religion in Europe, a core value of the EU, it also signals to Jewish communities that the Jewish way of life is unwanted in Europe," the ministry said in a statement. &nbsp;

An umbrella organisation for Jewish groups in Belgium called the decision a "denial of democracy" that did not respect the rights of minority groups.&nbsp;

"The fight continues, and we will not admit defeat until we have exhausted all our legal remedies, which is not yet the case," Yohan Benizri, head of the Belgian Federation of Jewish Organisations, said.&nbsp;

The Muslim community in Belgium also reacted with dismay to the verdict.&nbsp;

The Belgian Coordination Committee of Islamic Institutions said the decision had been a "big disappointment" and argued that the court was pandering to populist sentiments.&nbsp;

"The Court of Justice seems to have given in to the growing political and societal pressure from populist movements which are waging a symbolic struggle against vulnerable minorities throughout Europe," the group said in a statement.&nbsp;

But the ruling was welcomed by the authorities and animal rights activists who had demanded the ban, arguing that stunning animals so that they are unconscious when they are killed is more humane.&nbsp;

"Today is a great day... for the hundreds of thousands of animals who, thanks to this decision, will be spared the hellish pains of slaughter without stunning for religious purposes," said Michel Vandenbosch, the head of animal rights group GAIA.&nbsp;

"For me, after more than 25 years of relentless struggle... this is one of the happiest days of my life."

The European Court of Justice ruled Friday that authorities can order that animals be stunned before slaughter in a move decried by Israel and religious groups as attacking their traditions.

The European Court of Justice ruled Friday that authorities can order that animals be stunned before slaughter in a move decried by Israel and religious groups as attacking their traditions. The decision from the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) followed a legal challenge by Jewish and Muslim associations to a Flemish government prohibition on the killing of animals without prior non-lethal (also called reversible) stunning in 2017. Also read: Belgium bans halal and kosher animal slaughter The measure was seen as effectively outlawing the Muslim halal and Jewish kosher traditions, which require livestock to be conscious when their throats are slit. "The court concludes that the measures contained in the decree allow a fair balance to be struck between the importance attached to animal welfare and the freedom of Jewish and Muslim believers to manifest their religion," the ruling said. However, the EU court said later that the bloc's animal slaughter regulation "does not preclude member states from imposing an obligation to stun animals prior to the killing which also applies in the case of slaughter prescribed by religious rites," providing that this does not contravene the EU's charter of fundamental human rights. While the charter upheld the right to "manifest" religious practices, the judgment said that this needs to be "balanced against the capacity of reversible stunning to meet an EU "objective of general interest," namely animal welfare".The court has also said that the proposed ban will not impact the movement of kosher and halal meat produced elsewhere. Condemning the ruling, European Jewish Congress President Moshe Kantor has termed the decision as "a heavy blow to Jewish life in Europe". Israel's foreign ministry lashed out at the verdict as "sending a harsh message to all European Jewry." "Beyond the fact that this decision harms the freedom of worship and religion in Europe, a core value of the EU, it also signals to Jewish communities that the Jewish way of life is unwanted in Europe," the ministry said in a statement. An umbrella organisation for Jewish groups in Belgium called the decision a "denial of democracy" that did not respect the rights of minority groups. "The fight continues, and we will not admit defeat until we have exhausted all our legal remedies, which is not yet the case," Yohan Benizri, head of the Belgian Federation of Jewish Organisations, said. The Muslim community in Belgium also reacted with dismay to the verdict. The Belgian Coordination Committee of Islamic Institutions said the decision had been a "big disappointment" and argued that the court was pandering to populist sentiments. "The Court of Justice seems to have given in to the growing political and societal pressure from populist movements which are waging a symbolic struggle against vulnerable minorities throughout Europe," the group said in a statement. But the ruling was welcomed by the authorities and animal rights activists who had demanded the ban, arguing that stunning animals so that they are unconscious when they are killed is more humane. "Today is a great day... for the hundreds of thousands of animals who, thanks to this decision, will be spared the hellish pains of slaughter without stunning for religious purposes," said Michel Vandenbosch, the head of animal rights group GAIA. "For me, after more than 25 years of relentless struggle... this is one of the happiest days of my life."

EU court rules authorities can ban kosher, halal slaughter to promote animal welfare

The United States has warned Pacific island nations about security threats posed by a Chinese company's cut-price bid to build an undersea internet cable, two sources told Reuters, part of an international development project in the region.

Huawei Marine, which was recently divested from Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and is now majority-owned by another Chinese firm, submitted bids along with French-headquartered Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), part of Finland's Nokia, and Japan's NEC, for the $72.6 million project backed by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), the sources with direct knowledge of the project details said.

The project is designed to improve communications to the island nations of Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Kiribati.

Submarine Cables in the Pacific

Washington sent a diplomatic note to FSM in July expressing strategic concerns about the project as Huawei Marine and other Chinese firms are required to co-operate with Beijing's intelligence and security services, the sources said.

That note followed an earlier warning to Micronesia and development agencies from the Nauru government, a Pacific ally to Taiwan, which is viewed by China as a renegade province, about Huawei Marine's participation in the project, the sources said.

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The FSM government told Reuters in a statement it is talking to bilateral partners in the project, "some of whom have addressed a need to ensure that the cable does not compromise regional security by opening, or failing to close, cyber-security related gaps."

Under the Compact of Free Association, a decades-old agreement between the United States and its former Pacific trust territories, Washington is responsible for FSM's defence.

A spokeswoman for the Nauru government said bids were being examined and that stakeholders were addressing "technical and administrative&nbsp;issues" to ensure the project progresses, without elaborating.

The US&nbsp;State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs did not respond to requests for comment.

Following Reuters' report on the warnings about Huawei Marine on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that the United States was smearing Chinese companies.

The third island nation involved in the project, Kiribati, views Huawei Marine's bid most favourably after last year severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of China, the sources said.

The Kiribati government did not respond to questions.

A World Bank spokesman said the tender was continuing and could not "provide specific comments on the process at this time." The ADB referred questions to the World Bank.

Undersea cables, which have far greater data capacity than satellites, have emerged as a sensitive area of diplomacy in the Pacific, given their central role in international communications.

While the project, called the East Micronesia Cable project, could be split up, Huawei Marine's bids in the procurement process are more than 20 per cent below rivals, according to the two sources.

This has created an impasse, the sources said, given on a pure cost basis Huawei Marine is in a strong position to win the bid due to the terms overseen by the development agencies.

Typically, the countries involved in the project establish the bid assessment committees. The development agencies review the committee's recommendations to ensure the selected bidder complies with the agencies' policies and procedures.

The project is further complicated by its planned connection to the HANTRU-1 undersea cable, which is primarily used by the US&nbsp;government and lands at Guam, a US&nbsp;territory with substantial military assets.

Security concerns

Although Huawei Marine is now majority owned by Shanghai-listed Hengtong Optic-Electric Co Ltd, part of Hengtong Group, Washington continues to warn Pacific nations against using it to provide critical infrastructure.

Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, a global telecom equipment maker, has been subjected to repeated rounds of US&nbsp;sanctions and allegations that its products could be used by Beijing for spying, a charge consistently denied by the Chinese company.

Huawei Marine and Hengtong did not respond to Reuters' questions. A representative for Huawei Tech's Pacific Island business said the cable project was not part of the business.

The U.S. Commerce Department publicly lists Huawei Marine on its so-called "Entity List" - known as a blacklist - which restricts the sale of U.S. goods and technology to the company. The Department did not immediately clarify whether the change in Huawei Marine's ownership would mitigate this status.

Huawei Tech. Investment Co retains a small stake in Huawei Marine, company filings show.

In 2018, Australia largely paid for an undersea internet cable system for its Pacific neighbours, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, shutting out rival plans from Huawei Marine, then majority-owned by Huawei Technologies.

Australia raised concerns at the time that the cable, with a landing point in Sydney, could pose a future security risk if it tapped into Australia's communications network.

The United States has warned Pacific island nations about security threats posed by a Chinese company's cut-price bid to build an undersea internet cable, two sources told Reuters, part of an international development project in the region.

The United States has warned Pacific island nations about security threats posed by a Chinese company's cut-price bid to build an undersea internet cable, two sources told Reuters, part of an international development project in the region. Huawei Marine, which was recently divested from Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and is now majority-owned by another Chinese firm, submitted bids along with French-headquartered Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), part of Finland's Nokia, and Japan's NEC, for the $72.6 million project backed by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), the sources with direct knowledge of the project details said. The project is designed to improve communications to the island nations of Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Kiribati. Submarine Cables in the Pacific Washington sent a diplomatic note to FSM in July expressing strategic concerns about the project as Huawei Marine and other Chinese firms are required to co-operate with Beijing's intelligence and security services, the sources said. That note followed an earlier warning to Micronesia and development agencies from the Nauru government, a Pacific ally to Taiwan, which is viewed by China as a renegade province, about Huawei Marine's participation in the project, the sources said. The FSM government told Reuters in a statement it is talking to bilateral partners in the project, "some of whom have addressed a need to ensure that the cable does not compromise regional security by opening, or failing to close, cyber-security related gaps." Under the Compact of Free Association, a decades-old agreement between the United States and its former Pacific trust territories, Washington is responsible for FSM's defence. A spokeswoman for the Nauru government said bids were being examined and that stakeholders were addressing "technical and administrative issues" to ensure the project progresses, without elaborating. The US State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs did not respond to requests for comment. Following Reuters' report on the warnings about Huawei Marine on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that the United States was smearing Chinese companies. The third island nation involved in the project, Kiribati, views Huawei Marine's bid most favourably after last year severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of China, the sources said. The Kiribati government did not respond to questions. A World Bank spokesman said the tender was continuing and could not "provide specific comments on the process at this time." The ADB referred questions to the World Bank. Undersea cables, which have far greater data capacity than satellites, have emerged as a sensitive area of diplomacy in the Pacific, given their central role in international communications. While the project, called the East Micronesia Cable project, could be split up, Huawei Marine's bids in the procurement process are more than 20 per cent below rivals, according to the two sources. This has created an impasse, the sources said, given on a pure cost basis Huawei Marine is in a strong position to win the bid due to the terms overseen by the development agencies. Typically, the countries involved in the project establish the bid assessment committees. The development agencies review the committee's recommendations to ensure the selected bidder complies with the agencies' policies and procedures. The project is further complicated by its planned connection to the HANTRU-1 undersea cable, which is primarily used by the US government and lands at Guam, a US territory with substantial military assets. Security concerns Although Huawei Marine is now majority owned by Shanghai-listed Hengtong Optic-Electric Co Ltd, part of Hengtong Group, Washington continues to warn Pacific nations against using it to provide critical infrastructure. Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, a global telecom equipment maker, has been subjected to repeated rounds of US sanctions and allegations that its products could be used by Beijing for spying, a charge consistently denied by the Chinese company. Huawei Marine and Hengtong did not respond to Reuters' questions. A representative for Huawei Tech's Pacific Island business said the cable project was not part of the business. The U.S. Commerce Department publicly lists Huawei Marine on its so-called "Entity List" - known as a blacklist - which restricts the sale of U.S. goods and technology to the company. The Department did not immediately clarify whether the change in Huawei Marine's ownership would mitigate this status. Huawei Tech. Investment Co retains a small stake in Huawei Marine, company filings show. In 2018, Australia largely paid for an undersea internet cable system for its Pacific neighbours, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, shutting out rival plans from Huawei Marine, then majority-owned by Huawei Technologies. Australia raised concerns at the time that the cable, with a landing point in Sydney, could pose a future security risk if it tapped into Australia's communications network.

US warns Pacific islands about Chinese bid for undersea cable project: Sources

Brazilian Supreme Court on Friday&nbsp;ruled that citizens can be legally “required” to take a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>, laying the ground for “sanctions” for those who refuse the jab, despite vehement objections from President Jair Bolsonaro.

Ten judges of the Federal Supreme Court (STF)&nbsp;ruled 10-1 on Thursday that governments at all levels may set out penalties for anyone who declines to take a vaccine, allowing them to bar citizens from certain public places, among other measures.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-vaccination-plan-is-assailed-as-incompetent-349572">Brazil's vaccination plan is assailed as 'incompetent'</a>

The decision is a hit to President Jair Bolsonaro, who has refused to be immunised and no Brazilian citizen&nbsp;should be compelled to do so.

As indicated by an administration articulation after the choice, the individuals who neglect to demonstrate they have been immunised may have their privileges, for example, government assistance installments, state funded school enrolment or passage to specific spots, reduced.&nbsp;

The court underscored the choice didn't mean Brazilians would be taken forcibly to get shots that will be offered by the public authority through the general wellbeing organization.&nbsp;

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-and-his-non-normal-antics-314020">Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics</a>

Justice&nbsp;Ricardo Lewaandowski, who casted a ballot in kindness, said that despite the fact that immunization without assent was "glaringly unlawful", "the aggregate wellbeing can't be hurt by the individuals who purposely decline to be inoculated", the G1 news site revealed him as saying.&nbsp;

Antibodies against possibly dangerous infections, for example, measles and meningitis have for some time been obligatory for kids in Brazil and the judges excused a different case looking to liberate guardians from that commitment because of strict convictions.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro has vowed to make all COVID-19 shots endorsed by the wellbeing controller accessible to people in general, and yet has raised possibilities of an insufficient mass vaccination crusade by deterring Brazilians from taking an interest in it.&nbsp;

"It's not possible for anyone to constrain anyone to take the immunization," he said at an occasion in the north-eastern province of Bahia after the court's choice. "We're managing lives, where is our opportunity?"&nbsp;

Brazil has recorded more than 7.1 million COVID-19 cases and lost in excess of 184,000 individuals to the sickness, remembering more than 1000 for Thursday, the first occasion when it broke the figure in more than a quarter of a year. In excess of 46,000 new cases have been distinguished each day in the previous week.&nbsp;

Yet, the quantity of Brazilians who are available to being vaccinated against COVID-19 has declined to 73 percent in December from 89 percent in the start of August, as indicated by a Datafolha study. The individuals who are against making the efforts have ascended to 22 percent from 9 percent in a similar period. The survey firm met 2016 individuals via telephone between December 8-10.&nbsp;

Despite the fact that Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello has said he hopes to have 25 million dosages of three unique antibodies prepared by January, a date for a cross country vaccination crusade hasn't been set at this point.&nbsp;

Somewhere else, a second Covid immunization is required to be affirmed in the United States by Friday. Moderna's shot is probably going to be affirmed for crisis use by the US Food and Drug Administration, after a board of outside counselors to the organization consistently supported its utilization.&nbsp;

The advisory group casted a ballot 20-0 with one abstention that the advantages of the antibody exceed its dangers in individuals matured 18 and more established, multi week after a similar board supported a comparative immunization from Pfizer and German accomplice BioNTech SE, prompting a FDA crisis use authorisation daily later.

Brazilian Supreme Court on Friday ruled that citizens can be legally “required” to take a coronavirus vaccine, laying the ground for “sanctions” for those who refuse the jab, despite vehement objections from President Jair Bolsonaro.

Brazilian Supreme Court on Friday ruled that citizens can be legally “required” to take a coronavirus vaccine, laying the ground for “sanctions” for those who refuse the jab, despite vehement objections from President Jair Bolsonaro. Ten judges of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) ruled 10-1 on Thursday that governments at all levels may set out penalties for anyone who declines to take a vaccine, allowing them to bar citizens from certain public places, among other measures. Also read: Brazil's vaccination plan is assailed as 'incompetent' The decision is a hit to President Jair Bolsonaro, who has refused to be immunised and no Brazilian citizen should be compelled to do so. As indicated by an administration articulation after the choice, the individuals who neglect to demonstrate they have been immunised may have their privileges, for example, government assistance installments, state funded school enrolment or passage to specific spots, reduced. The court underscored the choice didn't mean Brazilians would be taken forcibly to get shots that will be offered by the public authority through the general wellbeing organization. Also see: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics Justice Ricardo Lewaandowski, who casted a ballot in kindness, said that despite the fact that immunization without assent was "glaringly unlawful", "the aggregate wellbeing can't be hurt by the individuals who purposely decline to be inoculated", the G1 news site revealed him as saying. Antibodies against possibly dangerous infections, for example, measles and meningitis have for some time been obligatory for kids in Brazil and the judges excused a different case looking to liberate guardians from that commitment because of strict convictions. Bolsonaro has vowed to make all COVID-19 shots endorsed by the wellbeing controller accessible to people in general, and yet has raised possibilities of an insufficient mass vaccination crusade by deterring Brazilians from taking an interest in it. "It's not possible for anyone to constrain anyone to take the immunization," he said at an occasion in the north-eastern province of Bahia after the court's choice. "We're managing lives, where is our opportunity?" Brazil has recorded more than 7.1 million COVID-19 cases and lost in excess of 184,000 individuals to the sickness, remembering more than 1000 for Thursday, the first occasion when it broke the figure in more than a quarter of a year. In excess of 46,000 new cases have been distinguished each day in the previous week. Yet, the quantity of Brazilians who are available to being vaccinated against COVID-19 has declined to 73 percent in December from 89 percent in the start of August, as indicated by a Datafolha study. The individuals who are against making the efforts have ascended to 22 percent from 9 percent in a similar period. The survey firm met 2016 individuals via telephone between December 8-10. Despite the fact that Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello has said he hopes to have 25 million dosages of three unique antibodies prepared by January, a date for a cross country vaccination crusade hasn't been set at this point. Somewhere else, a second Covid immunization is required to be affirmed in the United States by Friday. Moderna's shot is probably going to be affirmed for crisis use by the US Food and Drug Administration, after a board of outside counselors to the organization consistently supported its utilization. The advisory group casted a ballot 20-0 with one abstention that the advantages of the antibody exceed its dangers in individuals matured 18 and more established, multi week after a similar board supported a comparative immunization from Pfizer and German accomplice BioNTech SE, prompting a FDA crisis use authorisation daily later.

Brazil’s Supreme Court paves way for sanctions against COVID anti-vaxxers

Switzerland's parliament&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;approved a bill Friday allowing same-sex couples to marry, finally bringing the small Alpine nation into line with much of Europe on gay rights.&nbsp;

However, the final say depends on the&nbsp;Swiss themselves&nbsp;as the Christian, ultra-conservative Federal Democratic Union party has announced that it will ask for the legislation to be put to a referendum.&nbsp;

Switzerland is one of the few European countries where same-sex marriage is not legal. It is at the 25th position in terms of human rights for the&nbsp;LGBT&nbsp;community.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/switzerland-lgbt-groups-face-public-discrimination-even-after-legal-laws-279553/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The country allows same-sex couples to enter into "registered partnerships", but this does not provide the same rights as to marriage, including for obtaining citizenship and the joint adoption of children.

After being approved by the&nbsp;two chambers of parliament, it moved to&nbsp;parliament 13 years after civil partnerships became legal in Switzerland.

The wording of the bill allows same-sex couples&nbsp;to access sperm donations&nbsp;to conceive children.&nbsp;

Switzerland passed a law specifically protecting lesbian, gay, and bisexual people from discrimination only in February.

Amnesty Switzerland wrote in a tweet,&nbsp;"This is a historic victory for the rights of the LGBTI* Community."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Endlich ist es soweit: Das Parlament hat in der Schlussabstimmung die <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ehefueralle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ehefueralle</a> beschlossen. Das ist ein historischer Sieg für die Rechte der LGBTI*-Community. Die Schweiz macht wichtige Fortschritte - noch bleibt aber einiges zu tun. 🌈🇨🇭 <a href="https://t.co/gij9ict3au">pic.twitter.com/gij9ict3au</a>
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The Rainbow Families association, set up in 2010 to defend the interests of gay parents in Switzerland, said it was preparing for the issue to be put to a popular vote.

"If the opponents launch a referendum, we're ready," said Matthias Erhardt, deputy president of the national committee specially set up on "marriage for all".&nbsp;

"We have 82 percent of the population behind us and, thanks to the mobilisation of the LBGT community, our partner organisations and the political parties who support us, we will be able to further increase acceptance of LGBT people in society," he said.

Switzerland's parliament on Friday approved a bill Friday allowing same-sex couples to marry, finally bringing the small Alpine nation into line with much of Europe on gay rights.

Switzerland's parliament on Friday approved a bill Friday allowing same-sex couples to marry, finally bringing the small Alpine nation into line with much of Europe on gay rights. However, the final say depends on the Swiss themselves as the Christian, ultra-conservative Federal Democratic Union party has announced that it will ask for the legislation to be put to a referendum. Switzerland is one of the few European countries where same-sex marriage is not legal. It is at the 25th position in terms of human rights for the LGBT community. The country allows same-sex couples to enter into "registered partnerships", but this does not provide the same rights as to marriage, including for obtaining citizenship and the joint adoption of children. After being approved by the two chambers of parliament, it moved to parliament 13 years after civil partnerships became legal in Switzerland. The wording of the bill allows same-sex couples to access sperm donations to conceive children. Switzerland passed a law specifically protecting lesbian, gay, and bisexual people from discrimination only in February. Amnesty Switzerland wrote in a tweet, "This is a historic victory for the rights of the LGBTI* Community." Endlich ist es soweit: Das Parlament hat in der Schlussabstimmung die #Ehefueralle beschlossen. Das ist ein historischer Sieg für die Rechte der LGBTI*-Community. Die Schweiz macht wichtige Fortschritte - noch bleibt aber einiges zu tun. 🌈🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/gij9ict3au — Amnesty Schweiz (@Amnesty_Schweiz) December 18, 2020 × The Rainbow Families association, set up in 2010 to defend the interests of gay parents in Switzerland, said it was preparing for the issue to be put to a popular vote. "If the opponents launch a referendum, we're ready," said Matthias Erhardt, deputy president of the national committee specially set up on "marriage for all". "We have 82 percent of the population behind us and, thanks to the mobilisation of the LBGT community, our partner organisations and the political parties who support us, we will be able to further increase acceptance of LGBT people in society," he said.

'Historic victory': Switzerland's parliament approves same-sex marriage

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the arrest of Member of National Assembly (MNA) and Pashtun leader Mohammad Ali Wazir by stating that "it has been the modus operandi of the fascist governments to implicate the elected representatives in false cases to crush the public voice".

He said the arrest of Wazir was "against the democratic traditions". "It has been the modus operandi of the fascist governments to implicate the elected representatives in false cases to crush the public voice," Geo News quoted Bilawal as saying in a statement on Thursday.

Police arrested Ali Wazir in Islamabad on Wednesday in connection with a case registered against him and several leaders of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) in Karachi after a recent public meeting by the country`s opposition parties.

Bilawal said that holding public meetings is "no crime" and did not warrant arresting an elected representative, Geo News said. He warned the Imran Khan-led government that if it "continues to muzzle freedom of expression", it will "not bring good results", Geo News reported.

He also said in the statement that the cases being registered against the elected representatives and political leaders are "baseless".The PTM leaders were accused of committing several offences, including hatching a criminal conspiracy and passing derogatory remarks against state institutions, reported Dawn.

Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mohammad Ali Gandapur said that Wazir was arrested at the request of the Sindh police. According to Dawn, witnesses said Wazir was arrested after he attended a ceremony held at Shuhada APS Public Library in connection with the sixth anniversary of the Army Public School attack, where 147 people were killed.

Several leaders of the PTM, who have also been charged in the case, were also present but were not arrested. Apart from Wazir, others named in the FIR include PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen and MNA Mohsin Dawar among others.

The complainant in the case claimed that when he reached the venue of the public meeting he saw the suspects addressing around 2,000 participants and trying to create hatred towards different groups and to create law and order problems, Dawn reported.

This comes as the rattled Imran Khan`s government registered a case against a central leader of the opposition`s 11-party alliance -- Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) -- for causing irreparable damage to a national asset at the rally in Lahore.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the arrest of Member of National Assembly (MNA) and Pashtun leader Mohammad Ali Wazir by stating that "it has been the modus operandi of the fascist governments to implicate the elected representatives in false cases to crush the public voice".

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the arrest of Member of National Assembly (MNA) and Pashtun leader Mohammad Ali Wazir by stating that "it has been the modus operandi of the fascist governments to implicate the elected representatives in false cases to crush the public voice". He said the arrest of Wazir was "against the democratic traditions". "It has been the modus operandi of the fascist governments to implicate the elected representatives in false cases to crush the public voice," Geo News quoted Bilawal as saying in a statement on Thursday. Police arrested Ali Wazir in Islamabad on Wednesday in connection with a case registered against him and several leaders of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) in Karachi after a recent public meeting by the country`s opposition parties. Bilawal said that holding public meetings is "no crime" and did not warrant arresting an elected representative, Geo News said. He warned the Imran Khan-led government that if it "continues to muzzle freedom of expression", it will "not bring good results", Geo News reported. He also said in the statement that the cases being registered against the elected representatives and political leaders are "baseless".The PTM leaders were accused of committing several offences, including hatching a criminal conspiracy and passing derogatory remarks against state institutions, reported Dawn. Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mohammad Ali Gandapur said that Wazir was arrested at the request of the Sindh police. According to Dawn, witnesses said Wazir was arrested after he attended a ceremony held at Shuhada APS Public Library in connection with the sixth anniversary of the Army Public School attack, where 147 people were killed. Several leaders of the PTM, who have also been charged in the case, were also present but were not arrested. Apart from Wazir, others named in the FIR include PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen and MNA Mohsin Dawar among others. The complainant in the case claimed that when he reached the venue of the public meeting he saw the suspects addressing around 2,000 participants and trying to create hatred towards different groups and to create law and order problems, Dawn reported. This comes as the rattled Imran Khan`s government registered a case against a central leader of the opposition`s 11-party alliance -- Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) -- for causing irreparable damage to a national asset at the rally in Lahore.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari slams Imran Khan over Pashtun leader Mohammad Ali Wazir's arrest

When humans get to Mars one day, they'll have some pressing needs. One of those is water.

Water is substantial and difficult to move through space, so preferably they'll have the option to discover what they need to make due on Mars itself.&nbsp;

A new study led by researchers at the Planetary Science Institute (PSI) points to a "large, previously unrecognized reservoir of water ice" in the Nereidum Montes region of Mars.&nbsp;

The paper - distributed in the diary Icarus - inspected Viscous Flow Features (VFFs), frosty developments found on the red planet.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/aliens-calling-scientists-receive-radio-signals-from-faraway-planet-350645" hreflang="en">Aliens calling? Scientists receive radio signals from faraway planet</a>

VFFs have been contrasted and chilly arrangements on Earth and could be a likely wellspring of water for space travelers.&nbsp;

"Our radar examination shows that in any event one of these highlights is around 500 meters thick and almost 100 per cent&nbsp;ice, with a flotsam and jetsam covering all things considered ten meters thick," said PSI Senior researcher Daniel Berman, lead creator of the paper, in articulation on Monday.&nbsp;

These water ice stores could speak to "conceivably the biggest groupings of any non-polar area in the southern half of the globe," as indicated by PSI. The specialists utilized information from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to find the VFFs, which date to inside the last hardly any million years of the planet's set of experiences.&nbsp;

The study ties in with other research on the history and current presence of water on Mars. NASA shared a "treasure map" of water ice deposits on Mars in 2019.

While it's enticing to pack a hairdryer and straw and head for Nereidum Montes, it won't be that straightforward for future red planet adventurers. "This area would be an intriguing landing site because of the lot of ice, which could be utilized as a hotspot for water," Berman said. "Shockingly, it is bumpy territory and it would almost certainly be extremely hard to land there."

When humans get to Mars one day, they'll have some pressing needs. One of those is water. Water is substantial and difficult to move through space, so preferably they'll have the option to discover what they need to make due on Mars itself.

When humans get to Mars one day, they'll have some pressing needs. One of those is water. Water is substantial and difficult to move through space, so preferably they'll have the option to discover what they need to make due on Mars itself. A new study led by researchers at the Planetary Science Institute (PSI) points to a "large, previously unrecognized reservoir of water ice" in the Nereidum Montes region of Mars. The paper - distributed in the diary Icarus - inspected Viscous Flow Features (VFFs), frosty developments found on the red planet. Also read: Aliens calling? Scientists receive radio signals from faraway planet VFFs have been contrasted and chilly arrangements on Earth and could be a likely wellspring of water for space travelers. "Our radar examination shows that in any event one of these highlights is around 500 meters thick and almost 100 per cent ice, with a flotsam and jetsam covering all things considered ten meters thick," said PSI Senior researcher Daniel Berman, lead creator of the paper, in articulation on Monday. These water ice stores could speak to "conceivably the biggest groupings of any non-polar area in the southern half of the globe," as indicated by PSI. The specialists utilized information from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to find the VFFs, which date to inside the last hardly any million years of the planet's set of experiences. The study ties in with other research on the history and current presence of water on Mars. NASA shared a "treasure map" of water ice deposits on Mars in 2019. While it's enticing to pack a hairdryer and straw and head for Nereidum Montes, it won't be that straightforward for future red planet adventurers. "This area would be an intriguing landing site because of the lot of ice, which could be utilized as a hotspot for water," Berman said. "Shockingly, it is bumpy territory and it would almost certainly be extremely hard to land there."

Scientists discover 'previously unrecognised' water ice reservoir on Mars

From Pacman to Fortnite: Video games that changed the world

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