They were arrested on one of the most violent days in Hong Kong last year, when protesters threw firebombs at the main government offices and set a barrier aflame outside police headquarters. But last month, a judge quickly dismantled the prosecutors’ case against them.

In his ruling, District Judge Sham Siu-man said that police officers had given unreliable testimony and that they appeared to have gone against their training by using batons to subdue one protester. He found all eight defendants not guilty, saying one had merely been asking officers to do their job when she used a loudspeaker to urge restraint.

The next day, a Chinese government-owned newspaper in Hong Kong splashed a photo of the judge, wearing his court wig and robes, on its front page beside images of protesters and burning barriers. “Strange opinion issued by the court,” the headline read. The judge, it continued, says the protesters “were actually the ones wronged.”

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-keeps-piles-of-cash-at-home-due-to-us-sanctions-346176">Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam keeps 'piles of cash' at home due to US sanctions</a>

As the Chinese Communist Party extends its grip over Hong Kong, pro-Beijing forces are increasingly targeting the city’s independent judiciary, an institution that forms the backbone of this global center for commerce and capital.

State newspapers have railed for months against “yellow judges” seen as lenient toward protesters. (The color yellow is a symbol of the protest movement.) Party officials have called for an overhaul of the courts to rein in judges’ autonomy. The city’s leadership has exerted more influence over the selection of judges.

“It would be naive for anyone to think they will leave the judiciary alone. Why would they?” said Dennis Kwok, who represented Hong Kong’s legal sector in the local legislature until he was removed from office this month. “They want to get their hands on everything.”

The far-reaching national security law that Beijing passed this summer gives the state even more authority over the Hong Kong judiciary. China’s legislature also bypassed the local courts to force the ouster of four lawmakers in November, exercising new powers that some lawyers and legal scholars worry could be turned against judges.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-charge-12-hong-kong-locals-who-were-caught-fleeing-345925">China to charge 12 Hong Kong locals who were caught fleeing</a>

The Hong Kong judiciary, with its British-born, 170-year-old tradition of robes, wigs and independence, is at the heart of an existential fight over the region’s future.

Hong Kong’s courts firmly divide the city from mainland China, where the opaque legal system is controlled by the Communist Party. The city’s underlying rule of law has helped attract droves of multinational corporations, bringing a flood of money that has made Hong Kong one of the world’s leading cities.

The judicial system’s integrity is fiercely defended in Hong Kong. The demonstrations that engulfed the city last year began over a proposal that many saw as potentially undermining the local courts, by allowing extraditions to mainland China.

In addition to imposing the national security law, Communist Party officials and state newspapers in the city are pushing for still more control. In a continuing series, Ta Kung Pao, a newspaper owned by the Chinese government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, has demanded that judges be patriotic. It has called for establishing a council to set the length of sentences, an external panel to handle complaints about judges and greater scrutiny over the judicial selection process.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-prison-wrong-to-cut-long-hair-locks-says-court-345775">Hong Kong prison wrong to cut ‘Long Hair’ locks, says court</a>

“Beijing understands that this is an area that people will be very sensitive to and the international community will be watching over,” said Eric Cheung, a legal scholar at the University of Hong Kong. “Beijing may not want to be seen as interfering with judicial independence, but I think it is very clear some Beijing officials are not happy with some decisions made by our judges.”

Even before the protests and the security law, Beijing had significant judicial oversight. When China reclaimed Hong Kong from Britain in 1997, the ultimate authority for interpretation of its laws moved to Beijing.

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s rubber-stamp legislature, has the power to interpret the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s local constitution. Several of its rulings have gone against the city’s pro-democracy camp. The committee’s interpretation of oath-taking in 2016 paved the way for the removal of six pro-democracy lawmakers who had protested during their swearing-in ceremonies.

The security law has further constricted the city’s courts. It allows for some cases, such as those involving foreign forces or imminent threats, to be tried on the mainland. Under the law, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, will designate judges for trials on national security charges.

Hong Kong’s Department of Justice recently pressed beyond the scope of the law, asking that a judge authorized to hear national security matters handle the trial of Tam Tak-chi, an activist charged with sedition and unauthorized assembly. Those charges do not fall under the security law.

Britain is considering whether to bar its judges from serving in Hong Kong. Foreign judges serve temporary roles on the Court of Final Appeal so the city can maintain ties to common-law countries.

Both the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps have found fault with the courts over protest cases — perhaps signaling that the judiciary remains an impartial institution, with a range of outlooks among judges.

A High Court judge was criticized by pro-Beijing figures for ruling this month that the riot police had not been carrying sufficient identification and that mechanisms for dealing with complaints of police mistreatment needed to be improved. The Hong Kong Journalists Association had filed the suit over the police’s handling of reporters during protests.

Some judges have been condemned by the opposition for giving tough sentences to demonstrators or for appearing to sympathize with people who attacked protesters. After a district judge compared the protest movement to terrorism in an April ruling, Geoffrey Ma, chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal, barred him from future cases related to the political upheaval.

The criticism of judges, from both sides, has grown so frequent this year that Ma issued a lengthy defense of the judiciary’s independence.

“It is wrong to make serious accusations of bias or breach of fundamental principles merely based on a result of a case not to one’s liking,” he wrote in September. “The judiciary is not above criticism by any means, but any criticism must be solidly based and properly made. In particular, there must not be a politicization of the judiciary and its functions.”

So far, the protest cases that have been prosecuted do not indicate that the courts lean strongly to one side or another.

Of 10,148 people arrested in the protests, 2,325 have been prosecuted for crimes such as rioting, unlawful assembly or assault. As of the end of October, 372 had been convicted and 77 acquitted, according to Hong Kong police records.

They were arrested on one of the most violent days in Hong Kong last year, when protesters threw firebombs at the main government offices and set a barrier aflame outside police headquarters.

They were arrested on one of the most violent days in Hong Kong last year, when protesters threw firebombs at the main government offices and set a barrier aflame outside police headquarters. But last month, a judge quickly dismantled the prosecutors’ case against them. In his ruling, District Judge Sham Siu-man said that police officers had given unreliable testimony and that they appeared to have gone against their training by using batons to subdue one protester. He found all eight defendants not guilty, saying one had merely been asking officers to do their job when she used a loudspeaker to urge restraint. The next day, a Chinese government-owned newspaper in Hong Kong splashed a photo of the judge, wearing his court wig and robes, on its front page beside images of protesters and burning barriers. “Strange opinion issued by the court,” the headline read. The judge, it continued, says the protesters “were actually the ones wronged.” Also read| Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam keeps 'piles of cash' at home due to US sanctions As the Chinese Communist Party extends its grip over Hong Kong, pro-Beijing forces are increasingly targeting the city’s independent judiciary, an institution that forms the backbone of this global center for commerce and capital. State newspapers have railed for months against “yellow judges” seen as lenient toward protesters. (The color yellow is a symbol of the protest movement.) Party officials have called for an overhaul of the courts to rein in judges’ autonomy. The city’s leadership has exerted more influence over the selection of judges. “It would be naive for anyone to think they will leave the judiciary alone. Why would they?” said Dennis Kwok, who represented Hong Kong’s legal sector in the local legislature until he was removed from office this month. “They want to get their hands on everything.” The far-reaching national security law that Beijing passed this summer gives the state even more authority over the Hong Kong judiciary. China’s legislature also bypassed the local courts to force the ouster of four lawmakers in November, exercising new powers that some lawyers and legal scholars worry could be turned against judges. Also read| China to charge 12 Hong Kong locals who were caught fleeing The Hong Kong judiciary, with its British-born, 170-year-old tradition of robes, wigs and independence, is at the heart of an existential fight over the region’s future. Hong Kong’s courts firmly divide the city from mainland China, where the opaque legal system is controlled by the Communist Party. The city’s underlying rule of law has helped attract droves of multinational corporations, bringing a flood of money that has made Hong Kong one of the world’s leading cities. The judicial system’s integrity is fiercely defended in Hong Kong. The demonstrations that engulfed the city last year began over a proposal that many saw as potentially undermining the local courts, by allowing extraditions to mainland China. In addition to imposing the national security law, Communist Party officials and state newspapers in the city are pushing for still more control. In a continuing series, Ta Kung Pao, a newspaper owned by the Chinese government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, has demanded that judges be patriotic. It has called for establishing a council to set the length of sentences, an external panel to handle complaints about judges and greater scrutiny over the judicial selection process. Also read| Hong Kong prison wrong to cut ‘Long Hair’ locks, says court “Beijing understands that this is an area that people will be very sensitive to and the international community will be watching over,” said Eric Cheung, a legal scholar at the University of Hong Kong. “Beijing may not want to be seen as interfering with judicial independence, but I think it is very clear some Beijing officials are not happy with some decisions made by our judges.” Even before the protests and the security law, Beijing had significant judicial oversight. When China reclaimed Hong Kong from Britain in 1997, the ultimate authority for interpretation of its laws moved to Beijing. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s rubber-stamp legislature, has the power to interpret the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s local constitution. Several of its rulings have gone against the city’s pro-democracy camp. The committee’s interpretation of oath-taking in 2016 paved the way for the removal of six pro-democracy lawmakers who had protested during their swearing-in ceremonies. The security law has further constricted the city’s courts. It allows for some cases, such as those involving foreign forces or imminent threats, to be tried on the mainland. Under the law, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, will designate judges for trials on national security charges. Hong Kong’s Department of Justice recently pressed beyond the scope of the law, asking that a judge authorized to hear national security matters handle the trial of Tam Tak-chi, an activist charged with sedition and unauthorized assembly. Those charges do not fall under the security law. Britain is considering whether to bar its judges from serving in Hong Kong. Foreign judges serve temporary roles on the Court of Final Appeal so the city can maintain ties to common-law countries. Both the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps have found fault with the courts over protest cases — perhaps signaling that the judiciary remains an impartial institution, with a range of outlooks among judges. A High Court judge was criticized by pro-Beijing figures for ruling this month that the riot police had not been carrying sufficient identification and that mechanisms for dealing with complaints of police mistreatment needed to be improved. The Hong Kong Journalists Association had filed the suit over the police’s handling of reporters during protests. Some judges have been condemned by the opposition for giving tough sentences to demonstrators or for appearing to sympathize with people who attacked protesters. After a district judge compared the protest movement to terrorism in an April ruling, Geoffrey Ma, chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal, barred him from future cases related to the political upheaval. The criticism of judges, from both sides, has grown so frequent this year that Ma issued a lengthy defense of the judiciary’s independence. “It is wrong to make serious accusations of bias or breach of fundamental principles merely based on a result of a case not to one’s liking,” he wrote in September. “The judiciary is not above criticism by any means, but any criticism must be solidly based and properly made. In particular, there must not be a politicization of the judiciary and its functions.” So far, the protest cases that have been prosecuted do not indicate that the courts lean strongly to one side or another. Of 10,148 people arrested in the protests, 2,325 have been prosecuted for crimes such as rioting, unlawful assembly or assault. As of the end of October, 372 had been convicted and 77 acquitted, according to Hong Kong police records.

Britain bans installation of new Huawei 5G equipment from September 2021

Following years of public outcry and campaigning by American pop star Cher, the "world's loneliest elephant" Kaavan, a&nbsp;36-year-old bull elephant landed in Cambodia on Monday from a cargo plane&nbsp;to start a new life with fellow pachyderms at a local sanctuary.

Kaavan received&nbsp;a warm welcome from American superstar Cher&nbsp;who will accompany him to a sanctuary housing potential mates.

After greeting Kaavan through an opening at the base of the crate,&nbsp;Cher said&nbsp;"I am so proud he is here.&nbsp;He's going to be really happy''.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/music-icon-cher-meets-pakistan-pm-ahead-of-elephants-move-345935">Music icon Cher meets Pakistan PM ahead of elephant's move</a>

Once the sole Asian elephant in Pakistan, Kaavan will be transported from Siem Reap to neighbouring province Oddar Meanchey where a wildlife sanctuary with about 600 other elephants will be his new home.

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US pop singer Cher poses in front of the crate containing Kaavan the Asian elephant upon his arrival in Cambodia from Pakistan at Siem Reap International Airport in Siem Reap/AFP

"Cambodia is pleased to welcome Kaavan. No longer will he be 'the world's loneliest elephant,'" deputy environment minister Neth Pheaktra said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kaavan-pakistans-loneliest-elephant-fan-of-music-left-for-indonesia-345013">Kaavan: Pakistan's loneliest elephant, fan of music, left for Indonesia</a>

Kaavan's case had sparked global uproar from animal rights groups, who petitioned for his move from an Islamabad zoo accused of substandard care and conditions.

His cause was boosted by a spirited social media campaign by Cher, who travelled to Pakistan to see him off.

Cher had written songs pressing for&nbsp;Kaavan's release from grim, isolated conditions at Islamabad Zoo and she had spent the last few days with him in Pakistan.

The multi award-winning singer has been with a film crew documenting&nbsp;Kaavan's story and said she was proud to be part of an effort to free an elephant she said had been shackled to a shed for 17 years.

Dozens of wildlife workers and experts led by Four Paws used a winch and rope to pull the sedated elephant into the crate before he was loaded onto the Russian-built cargo plane.

Kaavan's handlers took more than 200 kg (441 lbs) of food including bananas and melons to keep him busy on his journey.

Following years of public outcry and campaigning by American pop star Cher, the "world's loneliest elephant" Kaavan, a 36-year-old bull elephant landed in Cambodia on Monday from a cargo plane to start a new life with fellow pachyderms at a local sanctuary.

Following years of public outcry and campaigning by American pop star Cher, the "world's loneliest elephant" Kaavan, a 36-year-old bull elephant landed in Cambodia on Monday from a cargo plane to start a new life with fellow pachyderms at a local sanctuary. Kaavan received a warm welcome from American superstar Cher who will accompany him to a sanctuary housing potential mates. After greeting Kaavan through an opening at the base of the crate, Cher said "I am so proud he is here. He's going to be really happy''. Also read: Music icon Cher meets Pakistan PM ahead of elephant's move Once the sole Asian elephant in Pakistan, Kaavan will be transported from Siem Reap to neighbouring province Oddar Meanchey where a wildlife sanctuary with about 600 other elephants will be his new home. US pop singer Cher poses in front of the crate containing Kaavan the Asian elephant upon his arrival in Cambodia from Pakistan at Siem Reap International Airport in Siem Reap/AFP "Cambodia is pleased to welcome Kaavan. No longer will he be 'the world's loneliest elephant,'" deputy environment minister Neth Pheaktra said. Also read: Kaavan: Pakistan's loneliest elephant, fan of music, left for Indonesia Kaavan's case had sparked global uproar from animal rights groups, who petitioned for his move from an Islamabad zoo accused of substandard care and conditions. His cause was boosted by a spirited social media campaign by Cher, who travelled to Pakistan to see him off. Cher had written songs pressing for Kaavan's release from grim, isolated conditions at Islamabad Zoo and she had spent the last few days with him in Pakistan. The multi award-winning singer has been with a film crew documenting Kaavan's story and said she was proud to be part of an effort to free an elephant she said had been shackled to a shed for 17 years. Dozens of wildlife workers and experts led by Four Paws used a winch and rope to pull the sedated elephant into the crate before he was loaded onto the Russian-built cargo plane. Kaavan's handlers took more than 200 kg (441 lbs) of food including bananas and melons to keep him busy on his journey.

'World's loneliest elephant' Kaavan lands in Cambodia, receives warm welcome by Cher

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday warned the United Kingdom that she wants the second&nbsp;referendum "in the earlier part" of the next Scottish parliament, which begins next year.

Sturgeon said the UK government's current opposition to the independence referendum,&nbsp;indyref2, that could wrench it apart&nbsp;after Brexit,&nbsp;was ''unsustainable''.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-dragging-its-feet-in-brexit-talks-says-frances-foreign-minister-345371" hreflang="en">Britain 'dragging its feet' in Brexit talks, says France's foreign minister</a>

If there was another referendum and if Scots voted out, it would mark the biggest shock to the United Kingdom since Irish independence a century ago - just as London grapples with the impact of Brexit.

"The referendum for a whole variety of reasons should be in the earlier part of the next parliament," Scottish First Minister Sturgeon told the BBC.

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Scots voted 55-45 percent against independence in a 2014 referendum but both Brexit and the British government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis have bolstered support for independence among Scots.

The past 14 opinion surveys have shown that Scots support independence. Those surveys show support ranging from 51-59% though views on independence have been volatile over previous years with most polls in 2017-2019 showing Scots opposed to breaking up the United Kingdom.

Sturgeon's Scottish National Party (SNP) is expected to perform strongly in elections to the Scottish parliament in May. The SNP will argue that winning that election would be a mandate for another independence referendum.

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the 2014 independence referendum was decisive and a once in a generation event, so should be respected. His government says there should not be another independence referendum in the near future.

But if Sturgeon wins the May 6 Scottish election, Johnson will have a difficult choice: refuse a referendum and thus allow Scottish discontent to simmer or allow a referendum which could break apart the union he says is so dear to him and his party.

The nations of Britain have shared the same monarch since James VI of&nbsp;Scotland&nbsp;became James I of England in 1603 and a formal union created the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707.

Today, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland includes England, Northern Ireland,&nbsp;Scotland&nbsp;and Wales.

The United Kingdom as whole voted 52-48 to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum: England and Wales voted to leave but&nbsp;Scotland&nbsp;and Northern Ireland voted to stay.

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday warned the United Kingdom that she wants the second referendum "in the earlier part" of the next Scottish parliament, which begins next year.

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday warned the United Kingdom that she wants the second referendum "in the earlier part" of the next Scottish parliament, which begins next year. Sturgeon said the UK government's current opposition to the independence referendum, indyref2, that could wrench it apart after Brexit, was ''unsustainable''. Also read: Britain 'dragging its feet' in Brexit talks, says France's foreign minister If there was another referendum and if Scots voted out, it would mark the biggest shock to the United Kingdom since Irish independence a century ago - just as London grapples with the impact of Brexit. "The referendum for a whole variety of reasons should be in the earlier part of the next parliament," Scottish First Minister Sturgeon told the BBC. Scots voted 55-45 percent against independence in a 2014 referendum but both Brexit and the British government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis have bolstered support for independence among Scots. The past 14 opinion surveys have shown that Scots support independence. Those surveys show support ranging from 51-59% though views on independence have been volatile over previous years with most polls in 2017-2019 showing Scots opposed to breaking up the United Kingdom. Sturgeon's Scottish National Party (SNP) is expected to perform strongly in elections to the Scottish parliament in May. The SNP will argue that winning that election would be a mandate for another independence referendum. × British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the 2014 independence referendum was decisive and a once in a generation event, so should be respected. His government says there should not be another independence referendum in the near future. But if Sturgeon wins the May 6 Scottish election, Johnson will have a difficult choice: refuse a referendum and thus allow Scottish discontent to simmer or allow a referendum which could break apart the union he says is so dear to him and his party. The nations of Britain have shared the same monarch since James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603 and a formal union created the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. Today, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom as whole voted 52-48 to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum: England and Wales voted to leave but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay.

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon warns UK; wants referendum 'early in next parliament'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the devolution of powers to Scotland “a disaster”, a comment that played into the hands of Scottish nationalists pushing for an independence referendum that opinion polls suggest they could win.

Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon, who is First Minister in the devolved parliament, tweeted late Monday that it was "worth bookmarking these PM comments for the next time Tories say they're not a threat to the powers of the Scottish Parliament.&nbsp;

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Worth bookmarking these PM comments for the next time Tories say they’re not a threat to the powers of the Scottish Parliament - or, even more incredibly, that they support devolving more powers. The only way to protect &amp; strengthen <a href="https://twitter.com/ScotParl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScotParl</a> is with independence. <a href="https://t.co/Hk7DqoFeuY">https://t.co/Hk7DqoFeuY</a>
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) <a href="https://twitter.com/NicolaSturgeon/status/1328437520313487363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The bonds holding the United Kingdom together have been severely strained over the last five years by Brexit and the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 14 recent polls have shown a majority of Scots now support independence.

In a video call on Friday with northern English lawmakers from his Conservative Party, Johnson said that devolution, introduced by Tony Blair had been the former prime minister’s “biggest mistake” and “a disaster”, media reported.

He also said he saw no case for giving Scotland’s semi-autonomous government and parliament, which are dominated by the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP), any further powers in addition to the ones they hold now.

The prime minister's Downing Street office later said in a statement that Johnson had "always supported devolution but Tony Blair failed to foresee the rise of separatists in Scotland.&nbsp;

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"Devolution is great -- but not when it's used by separatists and nationalists to break up the UK," added the statement.

Douglas Ross, who leads the Conservatives in Scotland, responded that "devolution has not been a disaster" and that "the SNP's non-stop obsession with another referendum - above jobs, schools and everything else - has been a disaster."

Scotland was promised a referendum on devolution by the Labour Party before the 1997 election, and the promise was carried out later that year, leading to the creation of a Scottish Parliament in 1999.

Scotland rejected independence in a 2014 referendum, but pressure for a new one has grown since Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016, a decision opposed by most voters north of the border.

Johnson called the MPs from Downing Street, where he is self-isolating after coming into contact with an MP who later tested positive for coronavirus.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the devolution of powers to Scotland “a disaster”, a comment that played into the hands of Scottish nationalists pushing for an independence referendum that opinion polls suggest they could win.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the devolution of powers to Scotland “a disaster”, a comment that played into the hands of Scottish nationalists pushing for an independence referendum that opinion polls suggest they could win. Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon, who is First Minister in the devolved parliament, tweeted late Monday that it was "worth bookmarking these PM comments for the next time Tories say they're not a threat to the powers of the Scottish Parliament. Worth bookmarking these PM comments for the next time Tories say they’re not a threat to the powers of the Scottish Parliament - or, even more incredibly, that they support devolving more powers. The only way to protect & strengthen @ScotParl is with independence. https://t.co/Hk7DqoFeuY — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 16, 2020 × The bonds holding the United Kingdom together have been severely strained over the last five years by Brexit and the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 14 recent polls have shown a majority of Scots now support independence. In a video call on Friday with northern English lawmakers from his Conservative Party, Johnson said that devolution, introduced by Tony Blair had been the former prime minister’s “biggest mistake” and “a disaster”, media reported. He also said he saw no case for giving Scotland’s semi-autonomous government and parliament, which are dominated by the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP), any further powers in addition to the ones they hold now. The prime minister's Downing Street office later said in a statement that Johnson had "always supported devolution but Tony Blair failed to foresee the rise of separatists in Scotland. × "Devolution is great -- but not when it's used by separatists and nationalists to break up the UK," added the statement. Douglas Ross, who leads the Conservatives in Scotland, responded that "devolution has not been a disaster" and that "the SNP's non-stop obsession with another referendum - above jobs, schools and everything else - has been a disaster." Scotland was promised a referendum on devolution by the Labour Party before the 1997 election, and the promise was carried out later that year, leading to the creation of a Scottish Parliament in 1999. Scotland rejected independence in a 2014 referendum, but pressure for a new one has grown since Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016, a decision opposed by most voters north of the border. Johnson called the MPs from Downing Street, where he is self-isolating after coming into contact with an MP who later tested positive for coronavirus.

Boris Johnson says devolving powers to Scotland was 'a disaster'; faces criticism

US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald&nbsp;Trump</a>&nbsp;said on Thursday he will leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, the closest he has come to conceding the November&nbsp;3 election, even as he repeated unfounded claims of massive voter fraud.

Speaking to reporters on the Thanksgiving holiday, Republican&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said if Democrat Biden - who is due to be sworn in on January&nbsp;20 - is formally declared the winner by the Electoral College, he will depart the White House.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-hell-leave-if-biden-wins-electoral-college-vote-345673" hreflang="en">Trump says he'll leave if Biden wins Electoral College vote</a>

Asked if he would leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for Biden,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said: "Certainly I will. Certainly I will. And you know that."

Trump&nbsp;has so far refused to fully acknowledge his defeat, though earlier this week - with mounting pressure from his own Republican ranks - he agreed to let Biden's transition process officially proceed.

Frenzied efforts by&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and his aides to overturn results in key states, either by lawsuits or by pressuring state legislators, have failed, and he is running out of options.

Showing that he intends to stay in the political fray until the end of his term,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said on Thursday he would travel on Dec. 5 to Georgia, a once solidly Republican state he lost narrowly to Biden, to campaign for two Republican US&nbsp;Senate candidates.

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However, according to a report by Washington Post, in private groups and telephone discussions, Trump has been talking about a completely extraordinary next act: another presidential run in 2024.

Donald Trump won 70 million votes in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US election</a>&nbsp;2020, which is more than what he won in 2016 and&nbsp;more than any incumbent president has won in American history.&nbsp;There's a large number of Americans who still believe in him and his story of election fraud.

In a gesture to the truth that he is bound to leave office in January, the president is genuinely considering life past the White House, advising counselors that he needs to stay an inescapable power in governmental issues and the media — maybe by running for the White House once more.&nbsp;

Trump has told friends he could report a 2024 mission before the finish of this current year, which would quickly set up a possible rematch with President-elect Joe Biden.&nbsp;

Trump additionally has been investigating approaches to bring in cash for moderately little work, for example, giving paid talks to corporate gatherings or offering passes to assemblies. Furthermore, he may attempt to compose a score-settling diary of his time as president and show up on TV, in a paid or unpaid limit.&nbsp;

In spite of the fact that there has likewise been extensive babble among Trump's partners about his beginning his very own media organization, numerous near the president said they accept that choice is more uncertain, to a limited extent since it would be a burdensome endeavor without ensured achievement. These guides, similar to some others met for this story, talked on the state of namelessness to truly examine delicate themes.&nbsp;

There is likewise tension on Trump to adapt his post-administration considering his own obligation and legitimate difficulties. He has installments due throughout the following four years of more than $400 million in credits and could acquire considerable legitimate charges identified with various examinations and claims.&nbsp;

Trump will "attempt to stay a political and media power," said Christopher Ruddy, a long-lasting companion who has been in contact with the president. "He has all these current organizations. He'll have new connections."&nbsp;

Whatever stage he chooses to utilize, Trump intends to look for retribution against those he accepts have double-crossed him — a gathering that incorporates Fox News Channel, which Trump had since quite a while ago adulated for the slavish inclusion on a portion of its projects yet now tries to rebuff.&nbsp;

Trump has railed secretly about the official discussion directed by Fox's Chris Wallace, the way that the organization was the primary significant news organization to call Arizona for Biden and that one of Fox's journalists affirmed the Atlantic's detailing that Trump had called military assistance individuals "suckers" and "washouts."&nbsp;

"He is truly furious with Fox," said Ruddy, who runs Newsmax, a traditionalist media organization whose link channel the president has advanced as a Fox elective.&nbsp;

After Biden's initiation, Trump is probably going to withdraw first to Florida, where he travels in the colder time of year at his Mar-a-Lago Club, counsels said. While in office, he changed his citizen enrollment from New York to Palm Beach, Fla. Individuals who have examined plans with Trump said he is probably going to promptly get more associated with his organizations where income has plunged.&nbsp;

Trump's daughter&nbsp;Ivanka, child in-law Jared Kushner and other grown-up youngsters have been centered more around their own fates than the president's, despite the fact that their professional alternatives and individual brands are inseparably attached to him, as indicated by a senior organization official who has spoken with relatives.&nbsp;

Indeed, even as Trump and a portion of his lawyers keep on spreading dubious schemes and case he is the legitimate champ of the political race, his political circle has been rising lately to discussing how Trump's post-administration will come to fruition — and how a man fixated on being viewed as a victor would attempt to disinfect the odor of being a political decision failure.&nbsp;

One counsel who as of late talked with the president said that Trump revealed to him he intended to report another mission in three weeks and that he needed to act rapidly to attempt to freeze the huge field of forthcoming 2024 Republican official competitors. That gathering incorporates, in any event, three individuals who have served in the organization: Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and previous US&nbsp;diplomat to the United Nations Nikki Haley.&nbsp;

In any case, different counselors advised that, as is frequently the situation with the ping-ponging president, Trump's perspectives on the issue are continually advancing and he has made no last assurance.

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden, the closest he has come to conceding the November 3 election, even as he repeated unfounded claims of massive voter fraud.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden, the closest he has come to conceding the November 3 election, even as he repeated unfounded claims of massive voter fraud. Speaking to reporters on the Thanksgiving holiday, Republican Trump said if Democrat Biden - who is due to be sworn in on January 20 - is formally declared the winner by the Electoral College, he will depart the White House. Also read: Trump says he'll leave if Biden wins Electoral College vote Asked if he would leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for Biden, Trump said: "Certainly I will. Certainly I will. And you know that." Trump has so far refused to fully acknowledge his defeat, though earlier this week - with mounting pressure from his own Republican ranks - he agreed to let Biden's transition process officially proceed. Frenzied efforts by Trump and his aides to overturn results in key states, either by lawsuits or by pressuring state legislators, have failed, and he is running out of options. Showing that he intends to stay in the political fray until the end of his term, Trump said on Thursday he would travel on Dec. 5 to Georgia, a once solidly Republican state he lost narrowly to Biden, to campaign for two Republican US Senate candidates. × However, according to a report by Washington Post, in private groups and telephone discussions, Trump has been talking about a completely extraordinary next act: another presidential run in 2024. Donald Trump won 70 million votes in the US election 2020, which is more than what he won in 2016 and more than any incumbent president has won in American history. There's a large number of Americans who still believe in him and his story of election fraud. In a gesture to the truth that he is bound to leave office in January, the president is genuinely considering life past the White House, advising counselors that he needs to stay an inescapable power in governmental issues and the media — maybe by running for the White House once more. Trump has told friends he could report a 2024 mission before the finish of this current year, which would quickly set up a possible rematch with President-elect Joe Biden. Trump additionally has been investigating approaches to bring in cash for moderately little work, for example, giving paid talks to corporate gatherings or offering passes to assemblies. Furthermore, he may attempt to compose a score-settling diary of his time as president and show up on TV, in a paid or unpaid limit. In spite of the fact that there has likewise been extensive babble among Trump's partners about his beginning his very own media organization, numerous near the president said they accept that choice is more uncertain, to a limited extent since it would be a burdensome endeavor without ensured achievement. These guides, similar to some others met for this story, talked on the state of namelessness to truly examine delicate themes. There is likewise tension on Trump to adapt his post-administration considering his own obligation and legitimate difficulties. He has installments due throughout the following four years of more than $400 million in credits and could acquire considerable legitimate charges identified with various examinations and claims. Trump will "attempt to stay a political and media power," said Christopher Ruddy, a long-lasting companion who has been in contact with the president. "He has all these current organizations. He'll have new connections." Whatever stage he chooses to utilize, Trump intends to look for retribution against those he accepts have double-crossed him — a gathering that incorporates Fox News Channel, which Trump had since quite a while ago adulated for the slavish inclusion on a portion of its projects yet now tries to rebuff. Trump has railed secretly about the official discussion directed by Fox's Chris Wallace, the way that the organization was the primary significant news organization to call Arizona for Biden and that one of Fox's journalists affirmed the Atlantic's detailing that Trump had called military assistance individuals "suckers" and "washouts." "He is truly furious with Fox," said Ruddy, who runs Newsmax, a traditionalist media organization whose link channel the president has advanced as a Fox elective. After Biden's initiation, Trump is probably going to withdraw first to Florida, where he travels in the colder time of year at his Mar-a-Lago Club, counsels said. While in office, he changed his citizen enrollment from New York to Palm Beach, Fla. Individuals who have examined plans with Trump said he is probably going to promptly get more associated with his organizations where income has plunged. Trump's daughter Ivanka, child in-law Jared Kushner and other grown-up youngsters have been centered more around their own fates than the president's, despite the fact that their professional alternatives and individual brands are inseparably attached to him, as indicated by a senior organization official who has spoken with relatives. Indeed, even as Trump and a portion of his lawyers keep on spreading dubious schemes and case he is the legitimate champ of the political race, his political circle has been rising lately to discussing how Trump's post-administration will come to fruition — and how a man fixated on being viewed as a victor would attempt to disinfect the odor of being a political decision failure. One counsel who as of late talked with the president said that Trump revealed to him he intended to report another mission in three weeks and that he needed to act rapidly to attempt to freeze the huge field of forthcoming 2024 Republican official competitors. That gathering incorporates, in any event, three individuals who have served in the organization: Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and previous US diplomat to the United Nations Nikki Haley. In any case, different counselors advised that, as is frequently the situation with the ping-ponging president, Trump's perspectives on the issue are continually advancing and he has made no last assurance.

Donald Trump secretly plotting potential 2024 presidential run

An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each will be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those injured in the wake of cyclone Nivar and heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister's Office said on Friday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclonic-storm-nivar-clobbers-south-india-power-supply-disrupted-in-several-cities-345300">Cyclonic storm Nivar clobbers south India; power supply disrupted in several cities</a>

The PMO said the monetary assistance to the next of kin of the deceased and to the injured will be provided from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and central teams are being sent to the state to assist in the rescue and relief work.

At least three people were killed in Tamil Nadu, over 1,000 trees uprooted and some low-lying areas marooned due to water-logging following heavy rains on Thursday as severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry.

In the state, about 2.30 lakh people have been accommodated in relief camps following the cyclone, Chief Minister Palaniswami had said.

"PM @narendramodi spoke to Tamil Nadu CM Thiru @EPSTamilNadu and discussed the situation in the wake of the cyclone and heavy rainfall in parts of the state. Central teams are being sent to Tamil Nadu to assist in rescue and relief work," the PMO tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> spoke to Tamil Nadu CM Thiru <a href="https://twitter.com/EPSTamilNadu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EPSTamilNadu</a> and discussed the situation in the wake of the cyclone and heavy rainfall in parts of the state. Central teams are being sent to Tamil Nadu to assist in rescue and relief work. <a href="https://twitter.com/CMOTamilNadu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMOTamilNadu</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1332352888820162560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"PM @narendramodi expressed condolence on the loss of lives and prayed for a quick recovery of the injured," it said.

An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured, from the PMNRF, the PMO said.

An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each will be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those injured in the wake of cyclone Nivar and heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister's Office said on Friday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each will be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those injured in the wake of cyclone Nivar and heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister's Office said on Friday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister K Palaniswami. Also see| Cyclonic storm Nivar clobbers south India; power supply disrupted in several cities The PMO said the monetary assistance to the next of kin of the deceased and to the injured will be provided from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and central teams are being sent to the state to assist in the rescue and relief work. At least three people were killed in Tamil Nadu, over 1,000 trees uprooted and some low-lying areas marooned due to water-logging following heavy rains on Thursday as severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall near Puducherry. In the state, about 2.30 lakh people have been accommodated in relief camps following the cyclone, Chief Minister Palaniswami had said. "PM @narendramodi spoke to Tamil Nadu CM Thiru @EPSTamilNadu and discussed the situation in the wake of the cyclone and heavy rainfall in parts of the state. Central teams are being sent to Tamil Nadu to assist in rescue and relief work," the PMO tweeted. PM @narendramodi spoke to Tamil Nadu CM Thiru @EPSTamilNadu and discussed the situation in the wake of the cyclone and heavy rainfall in parts of the state. Central teams are being sent to Tamil Nadu to assist in rescue and relief work. @CMOTamilNadu — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 27, 2020 × "PM @narendramodi expressed condolence on the loss of lives and prayed for a quick recovery of the injured," it said. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured, from the PMNRF, the PMO said.

Cyclone Nivar: PM Modi speaks with Tamil Nadu CM; kin of deceased to get Rs 2 lakh, injured Rs 50,000

The European Union (EU) delegation and the EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul have urged for a "swift establishment" of the Afghan High Council of National Reconciliation,the body designated to provide "guidance" to the ongoing peace negotiations. 
 
The statement came at a time Afghan and the Taliban delegations in Qatari capital Doha continue to struggle on finalizing the procedural rules for the intra-Afghan talks, Khaama Press reported. 
 
"We encourage the swift establishment and operationalisation of the High Council of National Reconciliation as the body designated to provide guidance to the negotiations," the EU said in a statement on Thursday. 
 
"In addition to political leaders, the membership of the Council should include a diverse membership representing women`s groups, war victims, religious minorities, youth and civil society organizations," it added. 
 
While the ongoing talks between the Afghan and Taliban negotiators in Doha push through a peace deal in a war-torn country, the international community&nbsp;including the EU and women rights activists&nbsp;raise voice for equal role in the process. 
 
"Reaching a sustainable outcome respecting the rights and aspirations of the Afghan people will be best served by a strong political unity on the side of the Republic and the inclusion of all Afghan voices in the process," the EU in Kabul elaborated. 
 
Addressing the current war that has escalated in different parts of the country, the EU said that "we express deep concern about the continuing high level of violence and the security situation in Afghanistan, especially the number of civilian casualties and call for an immediate permanent and comprehensive ceasefire". 
 
The EU Delegation and EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul, as underscored at the Afghanistan 2020 conference, reaffirm the strong support of the bloc and its member states to a balanced Afghan Peace process, the statement concluded.

The European Union (EU) delegation and the EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul have urged for a "swift establishment" of the Afghan High Council of National Reconciliation,the body designated to provide "guidance" to the ongoing peace negotiations.

The European Union (EU) delegation and the EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul have urged for a "swift establishment" of the Afghan High Council of National Reconciliation,the body designated to provide "guidance" to the ongoing peace negotiations. The statement came at a time Afghan and the Taliban delegations in Qatari capital Doha continue to struggle on finalizing the procedural rules for the intra-Afghan talks, Khaama Press reported. "We encourage the swift establishment and operationalisation of the High Council of National Reconciliation as the body designated to provide guidance to the negotiations," the EU said in a statement on Thursday. "In addition to political leaders, the membership of the Council should include a diverse membership representing women`s groups, war victims, religious minorities, youth and civil society organizations," it added. While the ongoing talks between the Afghan and Taliban negotiators in Doha push through a peace deal in a war-torn country, the international community including the EU and women rights activists raise voice for equal role in the process. "Reaching a sustainable outcome respecting the rights and aspirations of the Afghan people will be best served by a strong political unity on the side of the Republic and the inclusion of all Afghan voices in the process," the EU in Kabul elaborated. Addressing the current war that has escalated in different parts of the country, the EU said that "we express deep concern about the continuing high level of violence and the security situation in Afghanistan, especially the number of civilian casualties and call for an immediate permanent and comprehensive ceasefire". The EU Delegation and EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul, as underscored at the Afghanistan 2020 conference, reaffirm the strong support of the bloc and its member states to a balanced Afghan Peace process, the statement concluded.

EU urges Afghan Peace Council to 'include diverse membership'

To counter China,&nbsp;India's topmost representatives have travelled to five countries in its&nbsp;immediate and&nbsp;the extended neighbourhood.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a tour to West Asia,&nbsp;foreign secretary Harsh Shringla is on a tour of Nepal and&nbsp;National Security Advisor&nbsp;Ajit Doval is on a tour to Sri Lanka.

The high-profile visits of Indian diplomats to its neighbouring countries are being seen as an effort to wrest back the waning regional influence from China. India is embroiled in a deadly border showdown with China in eastern Ladakh since May and&nbsp;has sought closer military ties with other countries.

As per reports, the Ladakh border standoff is likely to extend through the winter. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;is advancing bilateral ties with countries where the security interests of both sides converge.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nsa-ajit-doval-arrives-in-sri-lanka-to-attend-trilateral-maritime-dialogue-345789" hreflang="en">NSA Ajit Doval arrives in Sri Lanka to attend trilateral maritime dialogue</a>

Doval, India's National Security Advisor, arrived in Colombo on Friday for trilateral maritime dialogue among India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Sri Lanka will host the fourth national security advisor trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation with India and Maldives on Friday and Saturday.

This will be the first NSA level meeting on Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation. Besides Doval, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Major General (Retd). Kamal Gunaratne and Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi will participate in the meeting.

To defeat China's unending unilateralism, the agenda of the meeting will be cooperation and collective action on security issues in the Indian Ocean region.

From the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka to a friendship bridge in the Maldives,&nbsp;China has been vying for greater control in the region.&nbsp;The maritime dialogue will be aimed at rehauling India's traditional sphere of influence.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nepal-occupies-special-place-in-our-hearts-says-fs-harsh-v-shringla-345802" hreflang="en">Nepal occupies special place in our hearts, says FS Harsh V Shringla</a>

India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla on Friday said Nepal holds a very special place in everybody's hearts. He said this as he inaugurated India-built projects during his visit to Kathmandu.&nbsp;

India is building 50,000 houses in the Gorkha and Nuwakot districts of Nepal, of which 46,000 have been built. Many houses in this area were damaged due to the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

On his first day of the visit, Shringla met the top political leadership of the Himalayan republic, from PM Oli to&nbsp;President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-energy-defence-key-focus-of-foreign-minister-jaishankars-uae-visit-345763" hreflang="en">Covid-19, energy, defence key focus of Foreign Minister Jaishankar's UAE visit</a>

Energy, Covid-19 cooperation, defence were the key focus areas of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) as he met the top leadership---Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.&nbsp;

The primary goal of these visits is securing India's interests in the Gulf.&nbsp;New Delhi is working towards protecting the interests of eight million Indians living and&nbsp;working in the region.&nbsp;At the same time big ticket-investments are being made to generate income&nbsp;and India is looking to offer investment opportunities.

Allies in the Gulf are also crucial for India while tackling the perpetual nuisance, Pakistan.&nbsp;

From West Asia to South Asia, there is a renewed push by New Delhi to secure the neighbourhood from growing challenges.

India is making a&nbsp;renewed effort to strengthen the strategic backyard and&nbsp;a strong message for China and Pakistan to mend their ways.

To counter China, India's topmost representatives have travelled to five countries in its immediate and the extended neighbourhood. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a tour to West Asia, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla is on a tour of Nepal and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is on a tour to Sri Lanka.

To counter China, India's topmost representatives have travelled to five countries in its immediate and the extended neighbourhood. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a tour to West Asia, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla is on a tour of Nepal and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is on a tour to Sri Lanka. The high-profile visits of Indian diplomats to its neighbouring countries are being seen as an effort to wrest back the waning regional influence from China. India is embroiled in a deadly border showdown with China in eastern Ladakh since May and has sought closer military ties with other countries. As per reports, the Ladakh border standoff is likely to extend through the winter. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is advancing bilateral ties with countries where the security interests of both sides converge. Also read: NSA Ajit Doval arrives in Sri Lanka to attend trilateral maritime dialogue Doval, India's National Security Advisor, arrived in Colombo on Friday for trilateral maritime dialogue among India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Sri Lanka will host the fourth national security advisor trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation with India and Maldives on Friday and Saturday. This will be the first NSA level meeting on Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation. Besides Doval, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Major General (Retd). Kamal Gunaratne and Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi will participate in the meeting. To defeat China's unending unilateralism, the agenda of the meeting will be cooperation and collective action on security issues in the Indian Ocean region. From the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka to a friendship bridge in the Maldives, China has been vying for greater control in the region. The maritime dialogue will be aimed at rehauling India's traditional sphere of influence. Also read: Nepal occupies special place in our hearts, says FS Harsh V Shringla India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla on Friday said Nepal holds a very special place in everybody's hearts. He said this as he inaugurated India-built projects during his visit to Kathmandu. India is building 50,000 houses in the Gorkha and Nuwakot districts of Nepal, of which 46,000 have been built. Many houses in this area were damaged due to the 2015 Nepal earthquake. On his first day of the visit, Shringla met the top political leadership of the Himalayan republic, from PM Oli to President Bidya Devi Bhandari. Also read: Covid-19, energy, defence key focus of Foreign Minister Jaishankar's UAE visit Energy, Covid-19 cooperation, defence were the key focus areas of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) as he met the top leadership---Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The primary goal of these visits is securing India's interests in the Gulf. New Delhi is working towards protecting the interests of eight million Indians living and working in the region. At the same time big ticket-investments are being made to generate income and India is looking to offer investment opportunities. Allies in the Gulf are also crucial for India while tackling the perpetual nuisance, Pakistan. From West Asia to South Asia, there is a renewed push by New Delhi to secure the neighbourhood from growing challenges. India is making a renewed effort to strengthen the strategic backyard and a strong message for China and Pakistan to mend their ways.

India-China standoff: How India is countering China's aggression with 'neighbourhood diplomacy'

Denmark's government said on Friday it wants to dig up mink that were culled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after some resurfaced from mass graves.

Denmark is facing a new horror, as cadavers of the culled minks have re-emerged from the earth, as per footage from local channels.

The macabre phenomenon was observed in a military training field outside the western town of Holstebro, where thousands of minks had been put into an improvised mass grave.&nbsp;Newspapers have referred to them as the "zombie mink".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/back-from-dead-zombie-minks-rise-from-graves-to-exact-revenge-after-being-culled-345356">Back from dead? Zombie minks rise from graves to 'exact revenge' after being culled</a>

Calling it a natural phenomenon, the local police said they ''got lifted by pressure from gases released by the decomposition.''

Denmark had ordered all farmed mink to be culled early this month after finding that 12 people had been infected by a mutated strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, which passed from humans to mink and back to humans.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-covid-scare-denmark-shaken-by-mink-culling-342511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The decision led to 17 million animals being destroyed and to the resignation last week of Food and Agriculture Minister Morgens Jensen, after it was determined that the order was illegal.

Jensen's replacement, Rasmus Prehn, said on Friday he supported the idea of digging up the animals and incinerating them. He said he had asked the environmental protection agency look into whether it could be done, and parliament would be briefed on the issue on Monday.

The macabre burial sites, guarded 24 hours a day to keep people and animals away, have drawn complaints from area residents about possible health risks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-largest-fur-auction-house-to-shut-down-following-mink-decimation-342962">World's largest fur auction house to shut down&nbsp;following mink decimation</a>

Authorities say there is no risk of the graves spreading the coronavirus, but locals worry about the risk of contaminating drinking water and a bathing lake less than 200 metres away.

Earlier,&nbsp;Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen broke down on Thursday when visiting a mink farmer who lost his herd following the government's order this month to cull all 17 million mink in the country to curb the spread of coronavirus.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/danish-pm-breaks-down-over-mink-culling-345778/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Frederiksen has faced opposition calls to resign and a vote of no confidence in parliament after an order by the government in early November, which it later admitted was illegal, to cull the country's entire mink population.

The order was given after authorities found COVID-19 outbreaks at hundreds of mink farms, including a new strain of the virus, suspected of being able to compromise the efficacy of vaccines.

"We have two generations of really skilled mink farmers, father and son, who in a very, very short time have had their life's work shattered," Frederiksen told reporters after a meeting with a mink farmer and his son at their farm near Kolding in Western&nbsp;Denmark.

"It has been emotional for them, and... Sorry. It has for me too," Frederiksen said with a wavering voice, pausing for breath in between words.

The move to cull&nbsp;Denmark's entire mink population, one of the world's biggest and highly valued for the quality of its fur, has left the government reeling after it admitted it did not have the legal basis to order the culling of healthy mink.

After a tumultuous couple of weeks since the order was given on Nov. 4, the Minister of Agriculture, Mogens Jensen, stepped down last week after an internal investigation revealed a flawed political process.

Denmark&nbsp;has proposed a ban on all mink breeding in the country until 2022. Tage Pedersen, head of the Danish mink breeders' association, said this month the industry, which employs around 6,000 people and exports fur pelts worth $800 million annually, is finished.

Denmark's opposition says the cull of healthy mink should not have been initiated before compensation plans were in place for the owners and workers at some 1,100 mink farms.

Denmark's government said on Friday it wants to dig up mink that were culled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after some resurfaced from mass graves. Denmark is facing a new horror, as cadavers of the culled minks have re-emerged from the earth, as per footage from local channels.

Denmark's government said on Friday it wants to dig up mink that were culled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after some resurfaced from mass graves. Denmark is facing a new horror, as cadavers of the culled minks have re-emerged from the earth, as per footage from local channels. The macabre phenomenon was observed in a military training field outside the western town of Holstebro, where thousands of minks had been put into an improvised mass grave. Newspapers have referred to them as the "zombie mink". Also read: Back from dead? Zombie minks rise from graves to 'exact revenge' after being culled Calling it a natural phenomenon, the local police said they ''got lifted by pressure from gases released by the decomposition.'' Denmark had ordered all farmed mink to be culled early this month after finding that 12 people had been infected by a mutated strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, which passed from humans to mink and back to humans. The decision led to 17 million animals being destroyed and to the resignation last week of Food and Agriculture Minister Morgens Jensen, after it was determined that the order was illegal. Jensen's replacement, Rasmus Prehn, said on Friday he supported the idea of digging up the animals and incinerating them. He said he had asked the environmental protection agency look into whether it could be done, and parliament would be briefed on the issue on Monday. The macabre burial sites, guarded 24 hours a day to keep people and animals away, have drawn complaints from area residents about possible health risks. Also read: World's largest fur auction house to shut down following mink decimation Authorities say there is no risk of the graves spreading the coronavirus, but locals worry about the risk of contaminating drinking water and a bathing lake less than 200 metres away. Earlier, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen broke down on Thursday when visiting a mink farmer who lost his herd following the government's order this month to cull all 17 million mink in the country to curb the spread of coronavirus. Frederiksen has faced opposition calls to resign and a vote of no confidence in parliament after an order by the government in early November, which it later admitted was illegal, to cull the country's entire mink population. The order was given after authorities found COVID-19 outbreaks at hundreds of mink farms, including a new strain of the virus, suspected of being able to compromise the efficacy of vaccines. "We have two generations of really skilled mink farmers, father and son, who in a very, very short time have had their life's work shattered," Frederiksen told reporters after a meeting with a mink farmer and his son at their farm near Kolding in Western Denmark. "It has been emotional for them, and... Sorry. It has for me too," Frederiksen said with a wavering voice, pausing for breath in between words. The move to cull Denmark's entire mink population, one of the world's biggest and highly valued for the quality of its fur, has left the government reeling after it admitted it did not have the legal basis to order the culling of healthy mink. After a tumultuous couple of weeks since the order was given on Nov. 4, the Minister of Agriculture, Mogens Jensen, stepped down last week after an internal investigation revealed a flawed political process. Denmark has proposed a ban on all mink breeding in the country until 2022. Tage Pedersen, head of the Danish mink breeders' association, said this month the industry, which employs around 6,000 people and exports fur pelts worth $800 million annually, is finished. Denmark's opposition says the cull of healthy mink should not have been initiated before compensation plans were in place for the owners and workers at some 1,100 mink farms.

Denmark to dig up 'zombie mink' that resurfaced from mass graves

Around 3.2 billion people across the world live in agricultural areas with high or very high water shortages or scarcity, of whom 1.2 billion people live in areas with very high water constraints, according to data from a report.

A report titled 'The State of Food and Agriculture 2020:Overcoming water challenges in agriculture' by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations published on Thursday shows&nbsp;fresh water available for each person has plunged by a fifth over two decades.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/harare-suburb-faces-severe-water-shortage-community-drinks-water-from-graveyard-wells-337682/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

About 1.5 billion individuals are enduring serious water shortage or even dry spell, as a blend of atmosphere breakdown, rising interest and helpless administration has made horticulture progressively troublesome across wraps of the globe.&nbsp;

The UN cautioned on Thursday that billions of individuals would confront hunger and broad ongoing food deficiencies because of disappointments to save water assets, and to handle the atmosphere emergency.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-gravitas-water-shortage-in-major-cities-8317/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Qu Dongyu, chief general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated: "We should pay attention to exceptionally both water shortage (the irregularity among gracefully and interest for freshwater assets) and water deficiencies (reflected in deficient precipitation designs) for they are presently the truth we as a whole live with … Water deficiencies and shortage in farming must be tended to quickly and intensely."&nbsp;

He said that the UN's reasonable advancement objectives, which incorporate clearing out yearning and improving admittance to clean water, were still close enough however substantially more should have been done to improve cultivating rehearses the world over and to oversee assets impartially.&nbsp;

The association's State of Food and Agriculture 2020 report found that 50 million individuals in sub-Saharan Africa live in territories where serious dry season effects affects cropland and pastureland once at regular intervals. In excess of a tenth of the world's rainfed cropland is liable to visit dry spell, as is about 14% of the world's pastureland.&nbsp;

Rainfed agribusiness speaks to 60% of worldwide harvest creation, and 80% of land under development, with the rest profiting by water system. Notwithstanding, water system is no panacea: over 60% of inundated cropland around the globe is profoundly water pushed. Water system of some unacceptable kind can squander water, exhausting non-inexhaustible assets, for example, underground springs, and helpless administration can bring about certain ranchers missing out on water assets – for example, on account of downstream homesteads, if streams and streams are shown dry to upstream water system.&nbsp;

Little scope and rancher drove water system frameworks are regularly more effective than enormous scope extends, the report found. Enormous scope state-supported plans in Asia, for example, have depended on taking advantage of groundwater, squeezing that asset. However, little scope ranchers around the globe face additional troubles, for example, an absence of secure residency over water rights, and little admittance to fund and credit.&nbsp;

Separate exploration has as of late indicated that the world's farmland is progressively being amassed in less hands, with enormous organizations and global proprietors assuming control over wraps of creation, while little ranchers – whose homesteads are frequently run along more earth supportable lines – are progressively being pushed out. About 1% of the world's homesteads work 70% of the universes' farmland.&nbsp;

Food creation must change to lessen ozone harming substance emanations and attempt to fight off atmosphere breakdown, however even this isn't clear, the FAO cautioned. "As the world expects to move to solid eating regimens – regularly made out of moderately water-serious nourishments, for example, vegetables, nuts, poultry and dairy items – the economical utilization of water assets will be perpetually significant," said Qu, previous bad habit priest of horticulture and country issues in China. "Rainfed farming gives the biggest portion of worldwide food creation. In any case, for it to keep on doing as such, we should improve how we oversee water assets from restricted precipitation."&nbsp;

The current year's FAO report centered around water, however a significant part of the association's work this year has been to attempt to stem the potential for the Covid pandemic to offer ascent to inescapable food deficiencies. The association approached governments recently to keep worldwide gracefully chains and food markets open, regardless of the movement limitations coming about because of the pandemic, and these calls appear to have generally been noticed.&nbsp;

The world's reaps this year have commonly been acceptable, with certain special cases, yet a few territories of Africa are as yet under danger of extreme food issues.

&nbsp;

Around 3.2 billion people across the world live in agricultural areas with high or very high water shortages or scarcity, of whom 1.2 billion people live in areas with very high water constraints, according to data from a report.

Around 3.2 billion people across the world live in agricultural areas with high or very high water shortages or scarcity, of whom 1.2 billion people live in areas with very high water constraints, according to data from a report. A report titled 'The State of Food and Agriculture 2020:Overcoming water challenges in agriculture' by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations published on Thursday shows fresh water available for each person has plunged by a fifth over two decades. About 1.5 billion individuals are enduring serious water shortage or even dry spell, as a blend of atmosphere breakdown, rising interest and helpless administration has made horticulture progressively troublesome across wraps of the globe. The UN cautioned on Thursday that billions of individuals would confront hunger and broad ongoing food deficiencies because of disappointments to save water assets, and to handle the atmosphere emergency. Qu Dongyu, chief general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated: "We should pay attention to exceptionally both water shortage (the irregularity among gracefully and interest for freshwater assets) and water deficiencies (reflected in deficient precipitation designs) for they are presently the truth we as a whole live with … Water deficiencies and shortage in farming must be tended to quickly and intensely." He said that the UN's reasonable advancement objectives, which incorporate clearing out yearning and improving admittance to clean water, were still close enough however substantially more should have been done to improve cultivating rehearses the world over and to oversee assets impartially. The association's State of Food and Agriculture 2020 report found that 50 million individuals in sub-Saharan Africa live in territories where serious dry season effects affects cropland and pastureland once at regular intervals. In excess of a tenth of the world's rainfed cropland is liable to visit dry spell, as is about 14% of the world's pastureland. Rainfed agribusiness speaks to 60% of worldwide harvest creation, and 80% of land under development, with the rest profiting by water system. Notwithstanding, water system is no panacea: over 60% of inundated cropland around the globe is profoundly water pushed. Water system of some unacceptable kind can squander water, exhausting non-inexhaustible assets, for example, underground springs, and helpless administration can bring about certain ranchers missing out on water assets – for example, on account of downstream homesteads, if streams and streams are shown dry to upstream water system. Little scope and rancher drove water system frameworks are regularly more effective than enormous scope extends, the report found. Enormous scope state-supported plans in Asia, for example, have depended on taking advantage of groundwater, squeezing that asset. However, little scope ranchers around the globe face additional troubles, for example, an absence of secure residency over water rights, and little admittance to fund and credit. Separate exploration has as of late indicated that the world's farmland is progressively being amassed in less hands, with enormous organizations and global proprietors assuming control over wraps of creation, while little ranchers – whose homesteads are frequently run along more earth supportable lines – are progressively being pushed out. About 1% of the world's homesteads work 70% of the universes' farmland. Food creation must change to lessen ozone harming substance emanations and attempt to fight off atmosphere breakdown, however even this isn't clear, the FAO cautioned. "As the world expects to move to solid eating regimens – regularly made out of moderately water-serious nourishments, for example, vegetables, nuts, poultry and dairy items – the economical utilization of water assets will be perpetually significant," said Qu, previous bad habit priest of horticulture and country issues in China. "Rainfed farming gives the biggest portion of worldwide food creation. In any case, for it to keep on doing as such, we should improve how we oversee water assets from restricted precipitation." The current year's FAO report centered around water, however a significant part of the association's work this year has been to attempt to stem the potential for the Covid pandemic to offer ascent to inescapable food deficiencies. The association approached governments recently to keep worldwide gracefully chains and food markets open, regardless of the movement limitations coming about because of the pandemic, and these calls appear to have generally been noticed. The world's reaps this year have commonly been acceptable, with certain special cases, yet a few territories of Africa are as yet under danger of extreme food issues.

More than 3 billion people affected by water shortages: Report

The early environment of our planet was as poisonous as that of present-day Venus, as gases got away from a magma sea during Earth's turn of events, researchers have found, subsequent to dissolving drifting marbles with lasers for their exploration.&nbsp;

As indicated by researchers, an item the size of Mars probably collided with youthful Earth in an effect that delivered enough energy to liquefy down the early planet's whole mantle – the layer between the center and covering – transforming it into magma.&nbsp;

This mammoth occasion would have stripped the majority of Earth's then-climate, to be supplanted by another one, overwhelmed via carbon dioxide and with little nitrogen - much like the barometrical creation of Venus today, and like Mars.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-size-of-burj-khalifa-set-to-collide-with-earths-orbit-next-week-345021" hreflang="en">Asteroid size of Burj Khalifa set to collide with Earth’s orbit next week</a>

The discoveries come from an investigation by Paolo Sossi and his group at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, whose paper, distributed in Science Advances on Wednesday, taken a gander at "Earth's magma sea and its Venus-like early air."&nbsp;

To comprehend the air of early Earth the group set out to reproduce those conditions by gliding a little bit of rock over a gas stream and afterward softening it with a 1900°C laser.&nbsp;

"This little liquefied marble gliding at very nearly 2000 degrees is kind of a small Earth in its liquid state," Sossi disclosed to New Scientist.&nbsp;

By utilising various gases in the stream to suspend the bit of liquid stone, the specialists reproduced differing environmental conditions, permitting them to see which one most firmly related to tests of Earth's mantle and the geographical record.&nbsp;

The group found that once the environment delivered from early Earth's magma sea cooled, it would have "looked like that of present-day Venus." This, they state, infers that the current contrasts among Earth and Venus' climates, reflect what occurred after the two planets shaped.&nbsp;

Our planet is large enough that gravity keeps its air set up, not at all like Mars, while Earth's situation in the close planetary system additionally makes it adequately cool contrasted with Venus, the second planet from the sun.&nbsp;

This implies that, in contrast to Venus, the water stays in fluid-structure on the Earth's surface and can retain carbon dioxide from the climate to forestall the planet overheating - and, vitally, make and keep up the conditions essential for supporting life.

The early environment of our planet was as poisonous as that of present-day Venus, as gases got away from a magma sea during Earth's turn of events, researchers have found, subsequent to dissolving drifting marbles with lasers for their exploration.

The early environment of our planet was as poisonous as that of present-day Venus, as gases got away from a magma sea during Earth's turn of events, researchers have found, subsequent to dissolving drifting marbles with lasers for their exploration. As indicated by researchers, an item the size of Mars probably collided with youthful Earth in an effect that delivered enough energy to liquefy down the early planet's whole mantle – the layer between the center and covering – transforming it into magma. This mammoth occasion would have stripped the majority of Earth's then-climate, to be supplanted by another one, overwhelmed via carbon dioxide and with little nitrogen - much like the barometrical creation of Venus today, and like Mars. Also read: Asteroid size of Burj Khalifa set to collide with Earth’s orbit next week The discoveries come from an investigation by Paolo Sossi and his group at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, whose paper, distributed in Science Advances on Wednesday, taken a gander at "Earth's magma sea and its Venus-like early air." To comprehend the air of early Earth the group set out to reproduce those conditions by gliding a little bit of rock over a gas stream and afterward softening it with a 1900°C laser. "This little liquefied marble gliding at very nearly 2000 degrees is kind of a small Earth in its liquid state," Sossi disclosed to New Scientist. By utilising various gases in the stream to suspend the bit of liquid stone, the specialists reproduced differing environmental conditions, permitting them to see which one most firmly related to tests of Earth's mantle and the geographical record. The group found that once the environment delivered from early Earth's magma sea cooled, it would have "looked like that of present-day Venus." This, they state, infers that the current contrasts among Earth and Venus' climates, reflect what occurred after the two planets shaped. Our planet is large enough that gravity keeps its air set up, not at all like Mars, while Earth's situation in the close planetary system additionally makes it adequately cool contrasted with Venus, the second planet from the sun. This implies that, in contrast to Venus, the water stays in fluid-structure on the Earth's surface and can retain carbon dioxide from the climate to forestall the planet overheating - and, vitally, make and keep up the conditions essential for supporting life.

Scientists unravel Earth's early atmosphere after melting hovering marbles with lasers

Jolovan Wham, a civil rights activist, was charged at a Singapore court with an illegal public assembly for holding up a cardboard sign with a smiley face on it near a police station. It was a protest of one person.

The tightly controlled city-state has tough laws against dissent that make it illegal for even one person to hold a demonstration without a police permit.

Jolovan&nbsp;Wham, who has had numerous run-ins with the authorities, posted a photo of himself on social media in March holding the cardboard sign with the roughly drawn face.

The charge relates to a March incident in which Wham demonstrated his support for a young climate activist who said he had been questioned by police over a similar protest days previous. Wham posted a picture of himself holding the sign on his social media accounts.

The civil rights campaigner, who has already served two brief stints in jail this year, will be charged under the Public Order Act, which regulates assemblies and processions in public places, according to the charge sheet Wham posted on Twitter.

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Statement from the International Federation of Human Rights <a href="https://t.co/zP8rs1oGsN">https://t.co/zP8rs1oGsN</a>
— Jolovan Wham (@jolovanwham) <a href="https://twitter.com/jolovanwham/status/1331766212892655617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Wham said he took the photo to support a climate activist who was questioned by police for taking a picture in the same spot holding a sign that read: "SG is better than oil".&nbsp;

The 40-year-old&nbsp;was charged in court with taking part in a public assembly without a permit.&nbsp;

The activist posted a photo on social media of himself on his way to court wearing a t-shirt and a face mask with a smiley face printed on them.&nbsp;

"My guilt is plain for all to see," he said.&nbsp;

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"Singapore does not want you to be happy" 😆 <a href="https://t.co/3SPPIuZJDI">https://t.co/3SPPIuZJDI</a>
— Jolovan Wham (@jolovanwham) <a href="https://twitter.com/jolovanwham/status/1330884328885166082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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“These charges against me only show how absurd the situation has become,” Wham said in a text message, adding he planned to plead not guilty.

“Calling what I did an assembly is an abuse of the English language. How can one man standing in public for a few seconds for a photo op be a threat to public order?” Wham said.

He was also charged for holding up a sign in 2018 outside court calling on the government to drop defamation charges against two men over an online article that alleged corruption among officials.

Wham&nbsp;faces a fine of up to Sg$5,000 (US$3,700) for each offence if he is found guilty, according to charge sheets.

Amnesty International Southeast Asia researcher Rachel Chhoa-Howard said the incident was “yet another example of targeted action” to clamp down on Wham’s “peaceful activism”.

The activist served a 10-day jail term earlier this year for organising an event in 2016 that featured prominent Hong Kong democracy campaigner Joshua Wong speaking via Skype.

Permits for protests are rarely granted in Singapore, and demonstrations are only allowed without prior police approval in the corner of one downtown park.

Jolovan Wham, a civil rights activist, was charged at a Singapore court with an illegal public assembly for holding up a cardboard sign with a smiley face on it near a police station.

Jolovan Wham, a civil rights activist, was charged at a Singapore court with an illegal public assembly for holding up a cardboard sign with a smiley face on it near a police station. It was a protest of one person. The tightly controlled city-state has tough laws against dissent that make it illegal for even one person to hold a demonstration without a police permit. Jolovan Wham, who has had numerous run-ins with the authorities, posted a photo of himself on social media in March holding the cardboard sign with the roughly drawn face. The charge relates to a March incident in which Wham demonstrated his support for a young climate activist who said he had been questioned by police over a similar protest days previous. Wham posted a picture of himself holding the sign on his social media accounts. The civil rights campaigner, who has already served two brief stints in jail this year, will be charged under the Public Order Act, which regulates assemblies and processions in public places, according to the charge sheet Wham posted on Twitter. Statement from the International Federation of Human Rights https://t.co/zP8rs1oGsN — Jolovan Wham (@jolovanwham) November 26, 2020 × Wham said he took the photo to support a climate activist who was questioned by police for taking a picture in the same spot holding a sign that read: "SG is better than oil". The 40-year-old was charged in court with taking part in a public assembly without a permit. The activist posted a photo on social media of himself on his way to court wearing a t-shirt and a face mask with a smiley face printed on them. "My guilt is plain for all to see," he said. "Singapore does not want you to be happy" 😆 https://t.co/3SPPIuZJDI — Jolovan Wham (@jolovanwham) November 23, 2020 × “These charges against me only show how absurd the situation has become,” Wham said in a text message, adding he planned to plead not guilty. “Calling what I did an assembly is an abuse of the English language. How can one man standing in public for a few seconds for a photo op be a threat to public order?” Wham said. He was also charged for holding up a sign in 2018 outside court calling on the government to drop defamation charges against two men over an online article that alleged corruption among officials. Wham faces a fine of up to Sg$5,000 (US$3,700) for each offence if he is found guilty, according to charge sheets. Amnesty International Southeast Asia researcher Rachel Chhoa-Howard said the incident was “yet another example of targeted action” to clamp down on Wham’s “peaceful activism”. The activist served a 10-day jail term earlier this year for organising an event in 2016 that featured prominent Hong Kong democracy campaigner Joshua Wong speaking via Skype. Permits for protests are rarely granted in Singapore, and demonstrations are only allowed without prior police approval in the corner of one downtown park.

Jolovan Wham: Singapore charges activist who held up a smiley-face sign

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