Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei welcomed the Iranian New Year as one of 'production, support and removal of barriers' in a live televised speech on Saturday.&nbsp;

"There is good ground for a production leap," Khamenei said, adding the government needed to get rid of any legal obstacles to higher output and growth as the economy suffers under US sanctions.&nbsp;

The army fired gun salutes at Tehran’s Azadi Square to usher in Nowruz - New Day in Persian and the most important date in the Iranian calendar, marked at the spring equinox - and the beginning of the year 1,400, which is celebrated in a dozen countries stretching from the Caucasus to central Asia.&nbsp;

In Washington, US President Joe Biden issued a Nowruz message calling for peace, prosperity and understanding.&nbsp;

"That is the message and the joy of Nowruz that we are honouring ... This year, perhaps more than ever, that message is badly needed," Biden said in a White House statement.&nbsp;

Biden’s administration is exploring ways to restore the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran signed with major world powers, but which was abandoned in 2018 by President Donald Trump who reimposed sanctions.&nbsp;

The United States and the other Western powers which originally signed up to the 2015 deal appear to be at an impasse over which side should return to the accord first, making it unlikely US sanctions that have crippled its economy can be quickly removed.&nbsp;

In a separate message, President Hassan Rouhani said he was hopeful the new year will see the end of the sanctions.&nbsp;

“We will defeat the sanctions ... I am more hopeful than eight years ago”, Rouhani said, referring to when he was elected for his first term.&nbsp;

Rouhani is barred from standing for a third term and the slate of presidential candidates has yet to be finalised.&nbsp;

Iran’s hardliners say the US sanctions are proof Rouhani’s policy of reaching out to the country's enemies was a failure. A delay in progress on returning to the nuclear deal could hurt the chances of a moderate succeeding Rouhani, although the final decision on any diplomatic initiative would be taken by Khamenei rather than the elected president.&nbsp;

Khamenei said on Saturday that the June election will likely bring to office 'new managers who most probably will be energetic and strongly motivated'.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei welcomed the Iranian New Year as one of 'production, support and removal of barriers' in a live televised speech on Saturday.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei welcomed the Iranian New Year as one of 'production, support and removal of barriers' in a live televised speech on Saturday. "There is good ground for a production leap," Khamenei said, adding the government needed to get rid of any legal obstacles to higher output and growth as the economy suffers under US sanctions. The army fired gun salutes at Tehran’s Azadi Square to usher in Nowruz - New Day in Persian and the most important date in the Iranian calendar, marked at the spring equinox - and the beginning of the year 1,400, which is celebrated in a dozen countries stretching from the Caucasus to central Asia. In Washington, US President Joe Biden issued a Nowruz message calling for peace, prosperity and understanding. "That is the message and the joy of Nowruz that we are honouring ... This year, perhaps more than ever, that message is badly needed," Biden said in a White House statement. Biden’s administration is exploring ways to restore the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran signed with major world powers, but which was abandoned in 2018 by President Donald Trump who reimposed sanctions. The United States and the other Western powers which originally signed up to the 2015 deal appear to be at an impasse over which side should return to the accord first, making it unlikely US sanctions that have crippled its economy can be quickly removed. In a separate message, President Hassan Rouhani said he was hopeful the new year will see the end of the sanctions. “We will defeat the sanctions ... I am more hopeful than eight years ago”, Rouhani said, referring to when he was elected for his first term. Rouhani is barred from standing for a third term and the slate of presidential candidates has yet to be finalised. Iran’s hardliners say the US sanctions are proof Rouhani’s policy of reaching out to the country's enemies was a failure. A delay in progress on returning to the nuclear deal could hurt the chances of a moderate succeeding Rouhani, although the final decision on any diplomatic initiative would be taken by Khamenei rather than the elected president. Khamenei said on Saturday that the June election will likely bring to office 'new managers who most probably will be energetic and strongly motivated'. (With inputs from agencies)

Supreme leader ushers in Iranian New Year with message of hope 

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has drawn criticism for broadcast of its new year gala in which performers were seen approximating African clothing. The performers had darkened their skin with make-up as well. The new year gala marked beginning Lunar New Year. CCTV's broadcast typically draws hundreds of millions of viewers.

"The New Year Gala director team is just stupid and vicious," said one of a number of users who took to Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform, to criticise the skit.

"Is there any difference between Chinese people doing blackface and white people slanting their eyes to make fun of Asians?"

China's foreign ministry said the integration of cultural elements from other countries into Chinese shows was a sign of respect and the inclusion of the African segment was not a diplomatic issue.

"If anyone wants to seize on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala programme to make a fuss, or even sow discord in relations between China and African countries, they obviously have ulterior motives," it said in a statement to Reuters.

The new year gala had led to a controversy in 2018 as well. At that time a skit featuring actress Lou Naiming drew criticism. She appeared on stage in colourful garb, her face and arms coloured brown, carrying a fruit basket on her head and accompanied by someone costumed as a monkey.

This year's gala saw organisations and advocates for Africans in China lambast the show. The show aired on Thursday evening.

"While supporters of the practice allege that blackface centres on empathy &amp; realism, it’s difficult to disassociate it from a long history of minstrelsy &amp; fixation on problematic caricatures," Black China Caucus, an activist group, said on Twitter.

"Next year, we hope organizers decide to end this practice &amp; hire some of thousands of Black people living in many parts of China." 
&nbsp;

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has drawn criticism for broadcast of its new year gala in which performers were seen approximating African clothing. The performers had darkened their skin with make-up as well.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has drawn criticism for broadcast of its new year gala in which performers were seen approximating African clothing. The performers had darkened their skin with make-up as well. The new year gala marked beginning Lunar New Year. CCTV's broadcast typically draws hundreds of millions of viewers. "The New Year Gala director team is just stupid and vicious," said one of a number of users who took to Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform, to criticise the skit. "Is there any difference between Chinese people doing blackface and white people slanting their eyes to make fun of Asians?" China's foreign ministry said the integration of cultural elements from other countries into Chinese shows was a sign of respect and the inclusion of the African segment was not a diplomatic issue. "If anyone wants to seize on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala programme to make a fuss, or even sow discord in relations between China and African countries, they obviously have ulterior motives," it said in a statement to Reuters. The new year gala had led to a controversy in 2018 as well. At that time a skit featuring actress Lou Naiming drew criticism. She appeared on stage in colourful garb, her face and arms coloured brown, carrying a fruit basket on her head and accompanied by someone costumed as a monkey. This year's gala saw organisations and advocates for Africans in China lambast the show. The show aired on Thursday evening. "While supporters of the practice allege that blackface centres on empathy & realism, it’s difficult to disassociate it from a long history of minstrelsy & fixation on problematic caricatures," Black China Caucus, an activist group, said on Twitter. "Next year, we hope organizers decide to end this practice & hire some of thousands of Black people living in many parts of China."

Chinese New Year gala show sparks racism controversy

As Asia welcomed the lunar Year of the Ox with subdued festivities amid travel curbs to contain renewed coronavirus outbreaks, Chinese state TV included dancers in blackface depicting Africans during a national broadcast on Thursday.&nbsp;

The African song and dance performance came at start of the Spring Festival Gala, one of the world's most-watched TV programmes. It included dancers in African-style costumes and dark face makeup beating drums.&nbsp;

The five-hour annual programme, which state TV has said in the past is watched by as many as 800 million people, also included tributes to nurses, doctors and others, who fought the coronavirus pandemic that began in central China in late 2019.&nbsp;

Festivities for the holiday, normally East Asia's busiest tourism season, are muted after China, Vietnam, Taiwan and other governments tightened travel curbs and urged the public to avoid big gatherings following renewed virus outbreaks.&nbsp;

China's ruling Communist Party tries to promote an image of unity with African nations as fellow developing economies. But state broadcaster China Central Television has faced criticism over using blackface to depict African people in past New Year broadcasts.&nbsp;

On Twitter, Black Livity China, a group for people of African descent, who work in or with China, called the broadcast extremely disappointing. It noted CCTV's 2018 Spring Festival Gala featured performers in blackface with a monkey.&nbsp;

We cannot stress enough the impact scenes, such as these have on African and Afro-diasporic communities living in China, the group said.&nbsp;

Elsewhere in China, Buddhist and Daoist temples that usually are packed with worshippers for the holiday were closed. Streets in major cities were largely empty.

As Asia welcomed the lunar Year of the Ox with subdued festivities amid travel curbs to contain renewed coronavirus outbreaks, Chinese state TV included dancers in blackface depicting Africans during a national broadcast on Thursday.

As Asia welcomed the lunar Year of the Ox with subdued festivities amid travel curbs to contain renewed coronavirus outbreaks, Chinese state TV included dancers in blackface depicting Africans during a national broadcast on Thursday. The African song and dance performance came at start of the Spring Festival Gala, one of the world's most-watched TV programmes. It included dancers in African-style costumes and dark face makeup beating drums. The five-hour annual programme, which state TV has said in the past is watched by as many as 800 million people, also included tributes to nurses, doctors and others, who fought the coronavirus pandemic that began in central China in late 2019. Festivities for the holiday, normally East Asia's busiest tourism season, are muted after China, Vietnam, Taiwan and other governments tightened travel curbs and urged the public to avoid big gatherings following renewed virus outbreaks. China's ruling Communist Party tries to promote an image of unity with African nations as fellow developing economies. But state broadcaster China Central Television has faced criticism over using blackface to depict African people in past New Year broadcasts. On Twitter, Black Livity China, a group for people of African descent, who work in or with China, called the broadcast extremely disappointing. It noted CCTV's 2018 Spring Festival Gala featured performers in blackface with a monkey. We cannot stress enough the impact scenes, such as these have on African and Afro-diasporic communities living in China, the group said. Elsewhere in China, Buddhist and Daoist temples that usually are packed with worshippers for the holiday were closed. Streets in major cities were largely empty.

In New Year's gala, Chinese TV features blackface performers

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has suspended a senior policeman over a New Year card that has been deemed to be extremely racist. The action has come just when the police force has been facing accusations of prejudice towards Arabs and blacks.&nbsp;

The New Year card in question was sent by a police station outside Paris. The cartoon on the card has a white policeman who is asking a black man to come closer. The policeman has a taser in his hands.

"Come closer. My taser is recharging in the cigarette lighter," says the slogan in the cartoon, below which is written, "the commissioner and the police... wish you a very happy 2021."

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter that an investigation into the matter had been launched. The police commissioner will be questioned. He has been suspended. Identity of the police commissioner has not been revealed.

The cartoon "shocked a lot of people due to the racist connotations," said an interior ministry official, who asked not to be named. "It is incomprehensible."

French police have been under fire over repeated instances where black or Arab suspects have been roughly arrested or beaten, prompting accusations of institutionalised racism in the force.

The beating of black music producer Michel Zecler in November prompted a storm of controversy, with four police charged over the assault.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has suspended a senior policeman over a New Year card that has been deemed to be extremely racist. The action has come just when the police force has been facing accusations of prejudice towards Arabs and blacks.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has suspended a senior policeman over a New Year card that has been deemed to be extremely racist. The action has come just when the police force has been facing accusations of prejudice towards Arabs and blacks. The New Year card in question was sent by a police station outside Paris. The cartoon on the card has a white policeman who is asking a black man to come closer. The policeman has a taser in his hands. "Come closer. My taser is recharging in the cigarette lighter," says the slogan in the cartoon, below which is written, "the commissioner and the police... wish you a very happy 2021." Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter that an investigation into the matter had been launched. The police commissioner will be questioned. He has been suspended. Identity of the police commissioner has not been revealed. The cartoon "shocked a lot of people due to the racist connotations," said an interior ministry official, who asked not to be named. "It is incomprehensible." French police have been under fire over repeated instances where black or Arab suspects have been roughly arrested or beaten, prompting accusations of institutionalised racism in the force. The beating of black music producer Michel Zecler in November prompted a storm of controversy, with four police charged over the assault.

French police officer suspended over 'racist' new year card

We all tend to know what the coming year has in store for us and even rely on astrology and tarot to forecast the year ahead.

However, politics and international relations don't work that way.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-fireworks-australia-new-zealand-welcome-2021-353638">With fireworks, India, other nations welcome 2021 as celebrations turn low-key</a>

<h1>Let's look at what awaits India in the new year vis-a-vis the world.&nbsp;</h1>

<h2>Vaccine manufacturing</h2>

The most important thing this year for India will be vaccine manufacturing and the world will be relying on the country for large-scale production and supply.

The Serum Institute of India is producing Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, Hyderabad-based Biological E has struck a deal for the shot being developed by Johnson &amp; Johnson's subsidiary.&nbsp;

Reports say Biological E may also manufacture the vaccine being developed by Houston's Baylor College of Medicine.&nbsp;

Indian Immunologicals Ltd has entered into a partnership with Australia's Griffith University.&nbsp;

Dr Reddy's has a deal to produce 100 million doses of the Sputnik V.&nbsp;

India's vaccine makers are known for their safety measures and effectiveness. But, going forward, India's role will be beyond large-scale vaccine supply and in 2021, the country will also be looking for equitable distribution of vaccines.&nbsp;

To ensure that distribution is not skewed towards wealthy countries, India will be supplying 100 million doses of vaccines to middle-income countries.&nbsp;

It has promised 30 million shots to Bangladesh. Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering has said that India's lead to develop vaccines "is a source of hope for all of us".

In 2021, India will be the world's hope for global vaccination.&nbsp;

<h2>Reviving the economy</h2>

This year, another big task for India will be getting its economy back on track.

In 2020, India entered its first recession since Independence.

The country needs to restructure its balance sheets, improve monetary policy transmission.

The IMF predicts that it will take India at least three years to recover from the pandemic blow to get its per capita GDP back to pre-pandemic levels.&nbsp;

As the Indian economy gets back on its feet, it can try to use the opportunity to include more digital technology.&nbsp;

<h2>The China challenge</h2>

China is another big challenge for India in 2021 and this hurdle is multi-fold.

First, India will have to look at ways to restructure the supply China, weed out Chinese products.&nbsp;

Secondly, India will have to get the dragon off its back at Ladakh.

It should work towards defining the Line of Actual Control or find alternatives, maybe military options.&nbsp;

India has a headway here as it controls the heights at the LAC.&nbsp;

The third challenge from China is autocracy. It will be up to India, the world's biggest democracy to stop China from spreading its aggressive and autocratic wings.&nbsp;

<h2>A 5G alliance</h2>

In 2021, a 5G alliance also awaits India, a group that will stand opposed to reliance on Chinese technology.&nbsp;

The grouping is expected to include the world's biggest democracies, India, Australia, South Korea, France, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy, the US and the UK.&nbsp;

Along with these countries, India will try to create an alternative pool of 5G equipment and technologies so that the world can boycott Chinese technology.&nbsp;

<h2>Regional stability and terrorism</h2>

Finally, India will also continue to work towards regional stability and anti-terrorism in 2021. New Delhi will also have to find a balance between putting its neighbourhood first and at the same time forming strategic alliances.&nbsp;

<h1>Now let's zoom out and see what awaits the world in 2021.&nbsp;</h1>

The vaccines might be here, but most of the world will not get it next year. Rich countries have secured 51 per cent of the supplies. The poor countries have fallen behind.&nbsp;

As per an estimate, the world needs 15 million doses, but COVAX, the global initiative for equitable access to immunisation has agreements in place to secure just around two billion doses.&nbsp;

Low-income countries might have to wait until 2023 or 2024 for vaccination and with the new strains and shortage of vaccine supplies, the world still needs lockdowns.&nbsp;

We all tend to know what the coming year has in store for us and even rely on astrology and tarot to forecast the year ahead. However, politics and international relations don't work that way.

We all tend to know what the coming year has in store for us and even rely on astrology and tarot to forecast the year ahead. However, politics and international relations don't work that way. Also read | With fireworks, India, other nations welcome 2021 as celebrations turn low-key Let's look at what awaits India in the new year vis-a-vis the world. Vaccine manufacturing The most important thing this year for India will be vaccine manufacturing and the world will be relying on the country for large-scale production and supply. The Serum Institute of India is producing Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, Hyderabad-based Biological E has struck a deal for the shot being developed by Johnson & Johnson's subsidiary. Reports say Biological E may also manufacture the vaccine being developed by Houston's Baylor College of Medicine. Indian Immunologicals Ltd has entered into a partnership with Australia's Griffith University. Dr Reddy's has a deal to produce 100 million doses of the Sputnik V. India's vaccine makers are known for their safety measures and effectiveness. But, going forward, India's role will be beyond large-scale vaccine supply and in 2021, the country will also be looking for equitable distribution of vaccines. To ensure that distribution is not skewed towards wealthy countries, India will be supplying 100 million doses of vaccines to middle-income countries. It has promised 30 million shots to Bangladesh. Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering has said that India's lead to develop vaccines "is a source of hope for all of us". In 2021, India will be the world's hope for global vaccination. Reviving the economy This year, another big task for India will be getting its economy back on track. In 2020, India entered its first recession since Independence. The country needs to restructure its balance sheets, improve monetary policy transmission. The IMF predicts that it will take India at least three years to recover from the pandemic blow to get its per capita GDP back to pre-pandemic levels. As the Indian economy gets back on its feet, it can try to use the opportunity to include more digital technology. The China challenge China is another big challenge for India in 2021 and this hurdle is multi-fold. First, India will have to look at ways to restructure the supply China, weed out Chinese products. Secondly, India will have to get the dragon off its back at Ladakh. It should work towards defining the Line of Actual Control or find alternatives, maybe military options. India has a headway here as it controls the heights at the LAC. The third challenge from China is autocracy. It will be up to India, the world's biggest democracy to stop China from spreading its aggressive and autocratic wings. A 5G alliance In 2021, a 5G alliance also awaits India, a group that will stand opposed to reliance on Chinese technology. The grouping is expected to include the world's biggest democracies, India, Australia, South Korea, France, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy, the US and the UK. Along with these countries, India will try to create an alternative pool of 5G equipment and technologies so that the world can boycott Chinese technology. Regional stability and terrorism Finally, India will also continue to work towards regional stability and anti-terrorism in 2021. New Delhi will also have to find a balance between putting its neighbourhood first and at the same time forming strategic alliances. Now let's zoom out and see what awaits the world in 2021. The vaccines might be here, but most of the world will not get it next year. Rich countries have secured 51 per cent of the supplies. The poor countries have fallen behind. As per an estimate, the world needs 15 million doses, but COVAX, the global initiative for equitable access to immunisation has agreements in place to secure just around two billion doses. Low-income countries might have to wait until 2023 or 2024 for vaccination and with the new strains and shortage of vaccine supplies, the world still needs lockdowns.

What India has in store for world in 2021

Wondering what life in 2021 may look like? On Episode 36 of Gravitas Plus, Palki Sharma Upadhyay brings you 6 trends that will dominate the year ahead & may shape our future beyond.

Gravitas Plus: 6 Trends that will rule 2021

With a resolve to overcome personal health struggles that came their way in 2020, almost four in five people (80.5 per cent) of respondents in a new survey say they feel more inspired to make a health goal in 2021, such as weight loss (34.2 per cent), building muscle (22 per cent), emphasizing mental health (12.5 per cent). 
 
According to the Life Time survey, a majority of people have reported gaining weight, losing muscle and struggling with their mental health during the past year. Nearly 86 per cent said they missed their in-person workout communities. 
 
Six in ten people say they`re sitting more than they did pre-pandemic with 30.8 per cent saying they sit more than eight hours a day. For those who previously commuted to work, they`re "redeeming" their commute time in a variety of ways: catching up on sleep, spending more time with family, finding more time for exercise, and eating more thoughtful meals they`ve planned. 
 
Overall results point to the pandemic having a substantial negative impact on the health and fitness habits for most. Nearly 70 per cent of respondents said their personal health has been negatively impacted this year. Top reasons cited for the negative impact include overall stress from pandemic, the closure of gyms, and working from home leading to less motivation to exercise. 
 
Additionally, three-fourths believe that health clubs are essential businesses and should remain open during the pandemic. 
 
With the `new year, new me` attitude kicking in most people, it seems they are motivated to regain their health and fitness in the New Year. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

With a resolve to overcome personal health struggles that came their way in 2020, almost four in five people (80.5 per cent) of respondents in a new survey say they feel more inspired to make a health goal in 2021, such as weight loss (34.

With a resolve to overcome personal health struggles that came their way in 2020, almost four in five people (80.5 per cent) of respondents in a new survey say they feel more inspired to make a health goal in 2021, such as weight loss (34.2 per cent), building muscle (22 per cent), emphasizing mental health (12.5 per cent). According to the Life Time survey, a majority of people have reported gaining weight, losing muscle and struggling with their mental health during the past year. Nearly 86 per cent said they missed their in-person workout communities. Six in ten people say they`re sitting more than they did pre-pandemic with 30.8 per cent saying they sit more than eight hours a day. For those who previously commuted to work, they`re "redeeming" their commute time in a variety of ways: catching up on sleep, spending more time with family, finding more time for exercise, and eating more thoughtful meals they`ve planned. Overall results point to the pandemic having a substantial negative impact on the health and fitness habits for most. Nearly 70 per cent of respondents said their personal health has been negatively impacted this year. Top reasons cited for the negative impact include overall stress from pandemic, the closure of gyms, and working from home leading to less motivation to exercise. Additionally, three-fourths believe that health clubs are essential businesses and should remain open during the pandemic. With the `new year, new me` attitude kicking in most people, it seems they are motivated to regain their health and fitness in the New Year.

New Year motivates majority of people to 'make a health goal'

It is a new year, a new beginning. But the world will be dealing with the same old China. Its plans for 2021- all the more dangerous. Beijing has already set the tone for 2021. Palki Sharma brings you the details.

Gravitas: A new year, a more dangerous China

A massive rave party taking place since the New Year's Eve near Rennes in France was finally shut down by several hundred French police officials on Saturday. The party was attended by about 2500 revellers from across France and even from abroad. The party had caused huge concerns since social distancing and other coronavirus measures went for a toss. Local police tried stopping the party on January 1 but were forced to wait for reinforcements as revellers clashed with the officials injuring some and damaged police cars.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter that more than 1,200 party-goers had been issued with penalty notices as they left the site, adding that the event's organisers were being identified and would be prosecuted.

About 800 of the revellers were sanctioned for attending an illegal party, breaking curfew and not wearing masks, and the rest were mostly issued notices for using illegal drugs, Berthier said.

Prosecutors in Rennes have opened a probe into the illegal organisation of a musical event and violence against persons of authority, the prefecture said, while local health authorities urged party-goers to self-isolate for seven days.

France has highest number of COVID-19 cases in Western Europe. The country is stepping up coronavirus restriction imposing curfew in many states starting at 6 pm. The rave party had thus become a matter of concern as it had the potential of becoming a superspreader event.

In neighbouring Spain, police broke up a smaller warehouse rave near Barcelona that had also been going for more than 40 hours.

About 200 people attended the New Year's Eve rave in the village of Llinars del Valles, and dozens continued to party on Saturday - some refusing to leave and shouting abuse when police arrived at the scene.

The event's three organisers were arrested, Catalan's Mossos d'Esquadra police force said on Twitter, adding that the three and those who attended the party would be charged and faced fines of between 3,000 and 600,000 euros.

(With AFP inputs)

A massive rave party taking place since the New Year's Eve near Rennes in France was finally shut down by several hundred French police officials on Saturday. The party was attended by about 2500 revellers from across France and even from abroad.

A massive rave party taking place since the New Year's Eve near Rennes in France was finally shut down by several hundred French police officials on Saturday. The party was attended by about 2500 revellers from across France and even from abroad. The party had caused huge concerns since social distancing and other coronavirus measures went for a toss. Local police tried stopping the party on January 1 but were forced to wait for reinforcements as revellers clashed with the officials injuring some and damaged police cars. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter that more than 1,200 party-goers had been issued with penalty notices as they left the site, adding that the event's organisers were being identified and would be prosecuted. About 800 of the revellers were sanctioned for attending an illegal party, breaking curfew and not wearing masks, and the rest were mostly issued notices for using illegal drugs, Berthier said. Prosecutors in Rennes have opened a probe into the illegal organisation of a musical event and violence against persons of authority, the prefecture said, while local health authorities urged party-goers to self-isolate for seven days. France has highest number of COVID-19 cases in Western Europe. The country is stepping up coronavirus restriction imposing curfew in many states starting at 6 pm. The rave party had thus become a matter of concern as it had the potential of becoming a superspreader event. In neighbouring Spain, police broke up a smaller warehouse rave near Barcelona that had also been going for more than 40 hours. About 200 people attended the New Year's Eve rave in the village of Llinars del Valles, and dozens continued to party on Saturday - some refusing to leave and shouting abuse when police arrived at the scene. The event's three organisers were arrested, Catalan's Mossos d'Esquadra police force said on Twitter, adding that the three and those who attended the party would be charged and faced fines of between 3,000 and 600,000 euros. (With AFP inputs)

Massive rave party in France finally shut down by hundreds of police officials

Times Square's famous new year countdown goes socially distanced with a touch of glamour

2020 has perhaps been one of Neymar best years, which is why he is throwing a grand party as it comes to an end. A-list models and celebrities are flying to Rio. But Brazilians are furious. Palki Sharma tells you why.

Gravitas: Neymar's new year bash sparks outrage

Ops! Mariah Carey forgot her 'Auld Lang Syne',&nbsp;lyrics.&nbsp; 
 
Mariah took to social media accounts on New Year’s Eve 2021 to share a video of her singing and at the moment, ironically she forgot one of her most celebrated holiday songs. 
 
&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/jennifer-lopez-pitbull-headline-times-square-new-year-eve-celebrations-353771">Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull headline Times Square New Year Eve celebrations</a> 
 
On the Friday night, when she took her social media to wish her fans on a new year eve and sung, ''Should auld acquaintance be forgot / And never brought to mind? / Should auld acquaintance be forgot,” Mariah sang before saying, “I don’t know how it goes.”

Mariah then got out some of the other lyrics, “And days of auld lang syne?”, After struggling for some time, the Grammy singer said, ''Never could pronounce it properly,” she then said. “I love you. Happy new year! Let’s hope for better, better days, in 2021 and beyond''.

Watch the video below!

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 🎉❄️❤️ (sorry for the camera work 😂) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AuldLangSyne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AuldLangSyne</a> <a href="https://t.co/gUqEe0JvO4">pic.twitter.com/gUqEe0JvO4</a>
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) <a href="https://twitter.com/MariahCarey/status/1344901124583813121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Later Mariah shared an Instagram Stories, where she is screaming as she struggled to walk through the snow in heels.

Mariah famously released her very first-holiday album Merry Christmas in 1994, featured the infectious hit single 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'

Ops! Mariah Carey forgot her 'Auld Lang Syne', lyrics. Mariah took to social media accounts on New Year’s Eve 2021 to share a video of her singing and at the moment, ironically she forgot one of her most celebrated holiday songs.

Ops! Mariah Carey forgot her 'Auld Lang Syne', lyrics. Mariah took to social media accounts on New Year’s Eve 2021 to share a video of her singing and at the moment, ironically she forgot one of her most celebrated holiday songs. Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull headline Times Square New Year Eve celebrations On the Friday night, when she took her social media to wish her fans on a new year eve and sung, ''Should auld acquaintance be forgot / And never brought to mind? / Should auld acquaintance be forgot,” Mariah sang before saying, “I don’t know how it goes.” Mariah then got out some of the other lyrics, “And days of auld lang syne?”, After struggling for some time, the Grammy singer said, ''Never could pronounce it properly,” she then said. “I love you. Happy new year! Let’s hope for better, better days, in 2021 and beyond''. Watch the video below! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 🎉❄️❤️ (sorry for the camera work 😂) #AuldLangSyne pic.twitter.com/gUqEe0JvO4 — Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) January 1, 2021 × Later Mariah shared an Instagram Stories, where she is screaming as she struggled to walk through the snow in heels. Mariah famously released her very first-holiday album Merry Christmas in 1994, featured the infectious hit single 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'

Mariah Carey forgets the 'Auld Lang Syne' lyrics while wishing fans on New years eve

Visitors and residents gathered on Thursday night (December 31) at Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa to celebrate the beginning of 2021, as a rocky, uncertain 2020 comes to an end.

Dubai welcomes 2021 with fireworks from landmark building

People in New Zealand were amongst the first globally to welcome 2021 as fireworks light up Auckland's 328-metre tall Sky Tower.&nbsp;

Revellers on the waterfront viewed the five-minute show which comprised fireworks and laser lighting colouring the night sky over the city's harbour.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-years-gift-india-sends-bcg-vaccines-to-maldives-353635">New Year's gift! India sends BCG vaccines to Maldives</a>

The festivities began in other countries as well amid the low-key celebrations seen in the wake of novel coronavirus that has killed millions this year. Let's take a look.

Watch |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pandemic-diminishes-new-years-magic-353691/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Australia</h2>

In the Sydney Opera House in Australia,&nbsp;fireworks sparkle the sky, but the harbour beneath was empty as a ghost town.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<h2>North Korea</h2>

To mark the New Year, crowds thronged the main square in the North Korean capital Pyongyang to celebrate new year amid concert and fireworks, state media reported.&nbsp;

The performers sang and danced on a stage decorated with a big, colourful "2021" sign without wearing masks.&nbsp;

People witnessing the event wore masks but did not maintain social distancing as they displayed glowing lights and balloons in Kim II Sung Square.

<h2>Taiwan</h2>

In Taiwan's capital Taipei, people welcomed 2021 with spectacular fireworks held in the 101 tower, city's tallest skyscraper.&nbsp;

However, the crowd was not as big as it generally is during the time of the new year due to Covid-19 restrictions.&nbsp;

<h2>India</h2>

India welcomed the new year in a very precautious manner as several metro cities imposed night curfews to avoid crowding which can lead to a spike in coronavirus infections.&nbsp;

Popular attractions in Mumbai, including the Gateway of India looked deserted on new year's eve as the city is under night curfew from 11 pm to 6 am till January 5.&nbsp;

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the IT city of Bengaluru from 6 pm on Thursday to 6 am Friday which made the celebrations very limited.

In the southern city of Chennai, festivities and celebrations took a toll as the government shut down restaurants, hotels, clubs and resorts on Thursday and Friday. 
&nbsp;

People in New Zealand were amongst the first globally to welcome 2021 as fireworks light up Auckland's 328-metre tall Sky Tower. Revellers on the waterfront viewed the five-minute show which comprised fireworks and laser lighting colouring the night sky over the city's harbour.

People in New Zealand were amongst the first globally to welcome 2021 as fireworks light up Auckland's 328-metre tall Sky Tower. Revellers on the waterfront viewed the five-minute show which comprised fireworks and laser lighting colouring the night sky over the city's harbour. Also read | New Year's gift! India sends BCG vaccines to Maldives The festivities began in other countries as well amid the low-key celebrations seen in the wake of novel coronavirus that has killed millions this year. Let's take a look. Watch | Australia In the Sydney Opera House in Australia, fireworks sparkle the sky, but the harbour beneath was empty as a ghost town. North Korea To mark the New Year, crowds thronged the main square in the North Korean capital Pyongyang to celebrate new year amid concert and fireworks, state media reported. The performers sang and danced on a stage decorated with a big, colourful "2021" sign without wearing masks. People witnessing the event wore masks but did not maintain social distancing as they displayed glowing lights and balloons in Kim II Sung Square. Taiwan In Taiwan's capital Taipei, people welcomed 2021 with spectacular fireworks held in the 101 tower, city's tallest skyscraper. However, the crowd was not as big as it generally is during the time of the new year due to Covid-19 restrictions. India India welcomed the new year in a very precautious manner as several metro cities imposed night curfews to avoid crowding which can lead to a spike in coronavirus infections. Popular attractions in Mumbai, including the Gateway of India looked deserted on new year's eve as the city is under night curfew from 11 pm to 6 am till January 5. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the IT city of Bengaluru from 6 pm on Thursday to 6 am Friday which made the celebrations very limited. In the southern city of Chennai, festivities and celebrations took a toll as the government shut down restaurants, hotels, clubs and resorts on Thursday and Friday.

With fireworks, India, other nations welcome 2021 as celebrations turn low-key

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

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

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

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

Serving us looks since forever, popstar Jennifer Lopez is now here to make you envious of her Disney princess avatar as she took over Times Square in New York to film ahead of her performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest.

Looking like Cinderella herself, the 51-year-old star strapped down in an icy blue gown by Balmain with beautiful detailing on the bodice with makeup and hair in place (like always). She was followed by photographers as she shot ahead of her New Year’s Eve performance.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/jennifer-lopez">Jennifer Lopez</a> took breaks between shots and layered up as it’s freezing right now in New York. She was seen sporting a Balmain jacket that accentuated her look with shiny boots.&nbsp;

Jennifer Lopez has been in New York since the weekend to perfect her headlining act. The Time Square event will also feature performances from Billy Porter, Cindy Lauper, Jimmie Allen, Machine Gun Kelly, Andra Day and Gloria Gaynor, among others. Brandy, Doja Cat, Ella Mai, Lewis Capaldi, Maluma, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Nelly and Saweetie will perform from the West Coast broadcast.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-jennifer-lopez-admits-the-pandemic-made-her-re-think-about-marrying-alex-rodriguez-351698" hreflang="en">Jennifer Lopez admits the pandemic made her re-think about marrying Alex Rodriguez</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jennifer-lopez-joins-elf-on-shelf-challenge-with-a-scintillating-series-of-pics-349131" hreflang="en">Jennifer Lopez joins 'Elf on Shelf' challenge with a scintillating series of pics</a>

Serving us looks since forever, popstar Jennifer Lopez is now here to make you envious of her Disney princess avatar as she took over Times Square in New York to film ahead of her performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest.

Serving us looks since forever, popstar Jennifer Lopez is now here to make you envious of her Disney princess avatar as she took over Times Square in New York to film ahead of her performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest. Looking like Cinderella herself, the 51-year-old star strapped down in an icy blue gown by Balmain with beautiful detailing on the bodice with makeup and hair in place (like always). She was followed by photographers as she shot ahead of her New Year’s Eve performance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) × Jennifer Lopez took breaks between shots and layered up as it’s freezing right now in New York. She was seen sporting a Balmain jacket that accentuated her look with shiny boots. Jennifer Lopez has been in New York since the weekend to perfect her headlining act. The Time Square event will also feature performances from Billy Porter, Cindy Lauper, Jimmie Allen, Machine Gun Kelly, Andra Day and Gloria Gaynor, among others. Brandy, Doja Cat, Ella Mai, Lewis Capaldi, Maluma, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Nelly and Saweetie will perform from the West Coast broadcast. Jennifer Lopez admits the pandemic made her re-think about marrying Alex Rodriguez Jennifer Lopez joins 'Elf on Shelf' challenge with a scintillating series of pics

Jennifer Lopez dresses up as Disney princess ahead of New Year's Eve performance

With new variant of the coronavirus already having made its way to India, the central government on Wednesday asked states to ensure that new year celebrations remain low-key and do not become superspreader events. Union Health Ministry all states to keep strict vigil on New Year celebrations. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to all states and union territories. In it, he said that although coronavirus cases in the country have been on the decline lately, the rise in cases in Europe and America meant that high level of precaution was necessary in India.

"You will appreciate that in the wake of New Year and various celebratory events associated with it as well as ongoing winter season, strict vigil is required to be maintained to curb all potential 'super spreader' events and places where crowds may gather," Bhushan said in the letter.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated that states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, such as night curfew, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19.?

The Home Ministry has also stipulated that there shall be no restriction on interstate and intra-state movement of persons and goods.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-extends-suspension-of-flights-with-britain-to-january-7-353317">India extends suspension of flights with Britain to January 7</a>

Drawing attention to this, the Union health secretary has urged the states to "promptly assess the local situation and consider imposition of appropriate restrictions on December 30 and 31, as well as on January 1, 2021

Maharashtra

The state has been worst-hit during coronavirus pandemic in India. Maharashtra, notably Mumbai made up for a large chunk of coronavirus cases in the country.

Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended the lockdown till January 31, 2021. On New Year's Eve, hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars will remain open only till 11 pm at night.

"Hotels, restaurants,pubs and bars will remain open tomorrow (December 31) till 11 pm. There is no restriction on people stepping out to buy medicines and visiting friends and family members (after 11 PM). Gathering of five or more people at public places is prohibited," said Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. He appealed to people to follow coronavirus guidelines.

The state government had clamped a night curfew between 11 PM and 6 AM from December 22 to January 5 after a new strain of the virus was found in the UK.

Coronavirus situation Delhi

Four Covid positive patients have been found infected with the new variant first detected in the UK, while around 200 people, including returnees from the UK and their contact have been put under institutional quarantine by the Delhi government, officials told IANS.

All four patients have been admitted in the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital.

The patients found infected with the new variant have been isolated separately in different rooms of a special ward designated for the patients suspected or found infected with the new variant, the hospital officials told IANS

The tally of positive patients suspected of carrying the new strain has reached 35 in the hospital. Of them, 20 have returned from the UK and the remaining are those who came in contact with them, officials confirmed.

The AAP government has quarantined around 200 people, who either returned from the UK within a month or are in contact with those travellers found positive, at two facilities.

The Delhi government has designated 2,000-bed LNJP as the nodal centre for isolation of persons who are suspected to have the new variant of the Covid-19.

The officials informed that more than 80 of them have been quarantined at a hotel in Aerocity while the rest are kept in a banquet hall turned quarantine facility situated near Chattarpur.

(With agency inputs)

With new variant of the coronavirus already having made its way to India, the central government on Wednesday asked states to ensure that new year celebrations remain low-key and do not become superspreader events.

With new variant of the coronavirus already having made its way to India, the central government on Wednesday asked states to ensure that new year celebrations remain low-key and do not become superspreader events. Union Health Ministry all states to keep strict vigil on New Year celebrations. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to all states and union territories. In it, he said that although coronavirus cases in the country have been on the decline lately, the rise in cases in Europe and America meant that high level of precaution was necessary in India. "You will appreciate that in the wake of New Year and various celebratory events associated with it as well as ongoing winter season, strict vigil is required to be maintained to curb all potential 'super spreader' events and places where crowds may gather," Bhushan said in the letter. × The Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated that states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, such as night curfew, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19.? The Home Ministry has also stipulated that there shall be no restriction on interstate and intra-state movement of persons and goods. Also Read | India extends suspension of flights with Britain to January 7 Drawing attention to this, the Union health secretary has urged the states to "promptly assess the local situation and consider imposition of appropriate restrictions on December 30 and 31, as well as on January 1, 2021 Maharashtra The state has been worst-hit during coronavirus pandemic in India. Maharashtra, notably Mumbai made up for a large chunk of coronavirus cases in the country. Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended the lockdown till January 31, 2021. On New Year's Eve, hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars will remain open only till 11 pm at night. "Hotels, restaurants,pubs and bars will remain open tomorrow (December 31) till 11 pm. There is no restriction on people stepping out to buy medicines and visiting friends and family members (after 11 PM). Gathering of five or more people at public places is prohibited," said Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. He appealed to people to follow coronavirus guidelines. The state government had clamped a night curfew between 11 PM and 6 AM from December 22 to January 5 after a new strain of the virus was found in the UK. Coronavirus situation Delhi Four Covid positive patients have been found infected with the new variant first detected in the UK, while around 200 people, including returnees from the UK and their contact have been put under institutional quarantine by the Delhi government, officials told IANS. All four patients have been admitted in the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. The patients found infected with the new variant have been isolated separately in different rooms of a special ward designated for the patients suspected or found infected with the new variant, the hospital officials told IANS The tally of positive patients suspected of carrying the new strain has reached 35 in the hospital. Of them, 20 have returned from the UK and the remaining are those who came in contact with them, officials confirmed. The AAP government has quarantined around 200 people, who either returned from the UK within a month or are in contact with those travellers found positive, at two facilities. The Delhi government has designated 2,000-bed LNJP as the nodal centre for isolation of persons who are suspected to have the new variant of the Covid-19. The officials informed that more than 80 of them have been quarantined at a hotel in Aerocity while the rest are kept in a banquet hall turned quarantine facility situated near Chattarpur. (With agency inputs)

Mutant coronavirus: Centre asks states to ensure low-key New Year celebrations

Sydney, one of the world's first major cities to welcome each New Year with a public countdown featuring a fireworks display over its well-known Opera House, banned large gatherings that night amid an outbreak of the coronavirus, officials said on on Monday (December 28).

Sydney told to watch its famous New Year's Eve fireworks from home

In a remote valley in northern Pakistan, hemmed in by sheer rock walls and high pastures, members of a tiny community gathered.

The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith. Each year, they come together for Chawmos, a New Year festival that coincides with the winter solstice and is marked by dance, animal sacrifice and highly prescribed roles for men and women.

The two-week festival is a portrait in contrasts: snow and fire, solemn ritual and frenzied activity, gender segregation and public flirtation, community and isolation.

While the coronavirus has forced the world to adopt social distancing, the Kalash have practiced being a community in isolation for millennia.

The Kalash, whose wooden houses cling to the craggy hillsides of three valleys in Pakistan’s often unruly northwest, are the country’s smallest minority group. The overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s more than 200 million people practice Islam.
<img alt="New Year celebration in Pakistan" data-caption="**EMBARGO: No electronic distribution, Web posting or street sales before SUNDAY 3:00 a.m. ET DEC. 27, 2020. No exceptions for any reasons. EMBARGO set by source.**FILE - Members of the Kalash, a polytheist community of 4,000, carry torches during Chawmos, a New Year festival, in Balanguru, a village in Pakistan’s Rumbur Valley, Dec. 17, 2019. Chawmos is a portrait in contrasts: solemn ritual and joyous dancing, gender segregation and public flirtation, togetherness and isolation. (Rebecca Conway&amp;nbsp;© 2020 The New York Times)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="57d9b7f6-cce8-4cf6-828b-38c2630250aa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20Year%20tradition%20in%20Pakistan%20%281%29.jpg" />
Despite the seclusion of the Kalash, the outside world has crept closer, bringing changes to their way of life.

Their faith is often compared to an ancient form of Hinduism, but the origins of the Kalash are a mystery. Some believe they are descended from the forces of Alexander the Great; other anthropologists contend they are migrants from nearby Afghanistan.

Their religion incorporates animistic traditions of worshipping nature as well as a pantheon of gods, whose members in some instances bear resemblances to the Vedic gods of ancient India. Chief among the Kalash gods is Balumain, the lord of heaven, to whom the festival is dedicated.

For the Kalash, cleanliness and holiness are inextricably linked. Areas of the villages and valleys where they live are designated “pure,” and access to them is sometimes restricted by gender or may first require a ritual bath. The Kalash believe places and people are most likely to be visited by Balumain only after they have been cleaned and sanctified.

During the year, Kalash women must bathe and wash their clothes and dishes away from their homes. During their periods and when they give birth, they stay in menstruation huts. These are community spaces that are the exclusive domain of women, unlike the huts found elsewhere in the region, including in Nepal, where women are left alone and die from exposure and other causes every year.
<img alt="New Year celebration in Pakistan" data-caption="**EMBARGO: No electronic distribution, Web posting or street sales before SUNDAY 3:00 a.m. ET DEC. 27, 2020. No exceptions for any reasons. EMBARGO set by source.**FILE - Members of the Kalash, a polytheist community of 4,000, dance and sing during Chawmos, a New Year festival, in Balanguru, a village in Pakistan’s Rumbur Valley, Dec. 17, 2019. (Rebecca Conway © 2020 The New York Times" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5ff4630a-3792-4665-9e3f-e55d3afe491a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20Year%20tradition%20in%20Pakistan%20%282%29.jpg" />
As the Chawmos festival begins each December, the women take part in a purification ritual. Held in a temple, known as a jestekan, or in an open space away from their homes, women and girls hold bread that has been baked for them by male family members.

A male relative then showers them with water and waves burning juniper branches over their heads. Only then can women pass freely between the valley’s villages and homes to take part in the festivities.

What follows is 14 days of song, dance and ceremony. A group of women, often from the same family or clan, will form a circle and begin singing and dancing, their arms intertwined and their eyes half-closed in prayer. As the women sing, other women and men join the ring, and the circle grows larger and louder.

When moved, a young woman will break from the group and dance in the middle of the circle. Sometimes, a woman or a man from her family will join her. But often, a young man will enter the ring to dance with her. Their dance is different: The couple face one another, their eyes locked. They are courting.

In the first days of the celebration, young people often find a spouse; the women often make the first move.

“The girl goes to the boy’s family maybe for a few weeks or a month, and then when she comes back home, they will get married,” said Bibi Jan, a woman of about 80. “No one else decides; it is up to them what they choose.”

The dancing, as well as the flirting, is fueled by locally brewed mulberry wine. The role of women and the consumption of wine in the community contrast with the mores of their Muslim neighbors, who sometimes attend the festivals as tourists.

“The way they worship and the way men and women marry — and just interact generally — is very different from surrounding communities,” said Wynne Maggi, an anthropologist who has studied the Kalash.

The festival, the most important of the year, is also a time for the Kalash’s local leadership to deliberate over the serious challenges facing the culture.

The Kalash find themselves increasingly squeezed by outsiders buying up land and moving in. And for many years, the Kalash have been wary about the threat from Islamic militants who see their faith as sacrilege.

They face environmental threats as well. The trees that protected the valleys from floods caused by rain and glacial melt are being removed, sometimes illegally, at an alarming rate. The dearth of trees and changes to weather patterns resulting from global warming has resulted in recent years in devastating flash floods that destroy homes, bridges and crops.

Younger members are leaving the area for greater educational and employment opportunities. Government schools all teach about Islam, and each year some young Kalash decide to convert, locals say. A new road has made access to the area easier, and tourists are increasingly visiting the Kalash valleys, where most people exist largely on a mixture of subsistence farming and livestock husbandry.

But during the Chawmos celebrations, many of these problems are momentarily forgotten.

The festival culminates with a late-night torch procession through the tiny villages in the Kalash valleys; flickering lights weave down through forests, heralding the start of a final evening of dancing. The hillsides echo with song.

The Kalash dance around a bonfire, linking arms and chanting prayers for the year ahead.

In a remote valley in northern Pakistan, hemmed in by sheer rock walls and high pastures, members of a tiny community gathered. The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith.

In a remote valley in northern Pakistan, hemmed in by sheer rock walls and high pastures, members of a tiny community gathered. The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith. Each year, they come together for Chawmos, a New Year festival that coincides with the winter solstice and is marked by dance, animal sacrifice and highly prescribed roles for men and women. The two-week festival is a portrait in contrasts: snow and fire, solemn ritual and frenzied activity, gender segregation and public flirtation, community and isolation. While the coronavirus has forced the world to adopt social distancing, the Kalash have practiced being a community in isolation for millennia. The Kalash, whose wooden houses cling to the craggy hillsides of three valleys in Pakistan’s often unruly northwest, are the country’s smallest minority group. The overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s more than 200 million people practice Islam. Despite the seclusion of the Kalash, the outside world has crept closer, bringing changes to their way of life. Their faith is often compared to an ancient form of Hinduism, but the origins of the Kalash are a mystery. Some believe they are descended from the forces of Alexander the Great; other anthropologists contend they are migrants from nearby Afghanistan. Their religion incorporates animistic traditions of worshipping nature as well as a pantheon of gods, whose members in some instances bear resemblances to the Vedic gods of ancient India. Chief among the Kalash gods is Balumain, the lord of heaven, to whom the festival is dedicated. For the Kalash, cleanliness and holiness are inextricably linked. Areas of the villages and valleys where they live are designated “pure,” and access to them is sometimes restricted by gender or may first require a ritual bath. The Kalash believe places and people are most likely to be visited by Balumain only after they have been cleaned and sanctified. During the year, Kalash women must bathe and wash their clothes and dishes away from their homes. During their periods and when they give birth, they stay in menstruation huts. These are community spaces that are the exclusive domain of women, unlike the huts found elsewhere in the region, including in Nepal, where women are left alone and die from exposure and other causes every year. As the Chawmos festival begins each December, the women take part in a purification ritual. Held in a temple, known as a jestekan, or in an open space away from their homes, women and girls hold bread that has been baked for them by male family members. A male relative then showers them with water and waves burning juniper branches over their heads. Only then can women pass freely between the valley’s villages and homes to take part in the festivities. What follows is 14 days of song, dance and ceremony. A group of women, often from the same family or clan, will form a circle and begin singing and dancing, their arms intertwined and their eyes half-closed in prayer. As the women sing, other women and men join the ring, and the circle grows larger and louder. When moved, a young woman will break from the group and dance in the middle of the circle. Sometimes, a woman or a man from her family will join her. But often, a young man will enter the ring to dance with her. Their dance is different: The couple face one another, their eyes locked. They are courting. In the first days of the celebration, young people often find a spouse; the women often make the first move. “The girl goes to the boy’s family maybe for a few weeks or a month, and then when she comes back home, they will get married,” said Bibi Jan, a woman of about 80. “No one else decides; it is up to them what they choose.” The dancing, as well as the flirting, is fueled by locally brewed mulberry wine. The role of women and the consumption of wine in the community contrast with the mores of their Muslim neighbors, who sometimes attend the festivals as tourists. “The way they worship and the way men and women marry — and just interact generally — is very different from surrounding communities,” said Wynne Maggi, an anthropologist who has studied the Kalash. The festival, the most important of the year, is also a time for the Kalash’s local leadership to deliberate over the serious challenges facing the culture. The Kalash find themselves increasingly squeezed by outsiders buying up land and moving in. And for many years, the Kalash have been wary about the threat from Islamic militants who see their faith as sacrilege. They face environmental threats as well. The trees that protected the valleys from floods caused by rain and glacial melt are being removed, sometimes illegally, at an alarming rate. The dearth of trees and changes to weather patterns resulting from global warming has resulted in recent years in devastating flash floods that destroy homes, bridges and crops. Younger members are leaving the area for greater educational and employment opportunities. Government schools all teach about Islam, and each year some young Kalash decide to convert, locals say. A new road has made access to the area easier, and tourists are increasingly visiting the Kalash valleys, where most people exist largely on a mixture of subsistence farming and livestock husbandry. But during the Chawmos celebrations, many of these problems are momentarily forgotten. The festival culminates with a late-night torch procession through the tiny villages in the Kalash valleys; flickering lights weave down through forests, heralding the start of a final evening of dancing. The hillsides echo with song. The Kalash dance around a bonfire, linking arms and chanting prayers for the year ahead.

Welcoming a new year at an ancient festival in Pakistan

#GravitasPlus | 2020 felt like a Shakespearean Catharsis. We all want to delete it from our lives. Palki Sharma Upadhyay says save it. Here's why.

Gravitas Plus: Don't delete 2020 from your lives

In a bid to contain coronavirus, Kazakhstan has banned corporate parties and sporting events over new year holidays and tightened quarantine measures. Restrictions on mass gatherings will come into force on December 25 and will remain in effect till January 5, said a statement released by the office of the prime minister.

Authorities said that restrictions at Tengiz oilfield will contine "until the epidemiological situation stabilises". Hundreds of employees have contracted coronavirus at Tengiz oilfield.

The government also said that it would introduce price controls to make medicines used to treat the virus 24 percent cheaper on average, the statement said.&nbsp;

Year-end corporate parties are an important source of income for Kazakh hospitality sector. The sector has taken a beating over the last year.

Kazakhstan's chief sanitary doctor warned in May that the Tengiz oil field where US oil giant Chevron has a 50 percent stake could face closure over rising cases. &nbsp;

Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country of around 19 million people, has registered 146,584 cases of the coronavirus with 130,766 recoveries and 2,147 deaths.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

In a bid to contain coronavirus, Kazakhstan has banned corporate parties and sporting events over new year holidays and tightened quarantine measures. Restrictions on mass gatherings will come into force on December 25 and will remain in effect till January 5, said a statement released by the office of the prime minister.

In a bid to contain coronavirus, Kazakhstan has banned corporate parties and sporting events over new year holidays and tightened quarantine measures. Restrictions on mass gatherings will come into force on December 25 and will remain in effect till January 5, said a statement released by the office of the prime minister. Authorities said that restrictions at Tengiz oilfield will contine "until the epidemiological situation stabilises". Hundreds of employees have contracted coronavirus at Tengiz oilfield. The government also said that it would introduce price controls to make medicines used to treat the virus 24 percent cheaper on average, the statement said. Year-end corporate parties are an important source of income for Kazakh hospitality sector. The sector has taken a beating over the last year. Kazakhstan's chief sanitary doctor warned in May that the Tengiz oil field where US oil giant Chevron has a 50 percent stake could face closure over rising cases. Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country of around 19 million people, has registered 146,584 cases of the coronavirus with 130,766 recoveries and 2,147 deaths. (With AFP inputs)

Kazakhstan bans new year parties to contain coronavirus

Weeks before Christmas and New Year, Netherlands and Italy have said that they're going to follow Germany in imposing stricter lockdown during the holiday period.

Netherlands, Italy to follow Germany for COVID-19 lockdown during upcoming holidays

As COVID-19 continues to peak again in countries across the globe, a country has banned all year-end parties to control the number of new infections. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the ban on all new year parties. Additionally, music lessons across the country remain halted.

The country’s officials have also set in motion a plan to shut some public saunas and cafes.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-to-close-bars-restrict-restaurants-amid-coronavirus-spike-344897/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Currently, South Korea is witnessing COVID-19 infections at the pastiest pace so far since the pandemic began. The country has been hailed as a COVID-19 success story, in the league of Taiwan and New Zealand. But new cases have stoked fears of a spike in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-confirms-this-years-first-case-of-bird-flu-among-poultry-346131" hreflang="en">South Korea confirms this year's first case of bird flu among poultry</a>

On Sunday, after reporting 500 new cases for three consecutive days, 450 new cases were reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Experts are calling it the “third wave” of COVID-19 in the country. Recently, fresh outbreaks appeared at military facilities, a sauna, churches, and schools.

The country’s Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Sunday said that restrictions on gatherings would be tightened given the situation. Sye-kyun added that activities that are seen as prone to virus transmission will also stand suspended.

This is true especially for the capital Seoul and adjoining areas. "Year-end events and parties hosted by hotels, party rooms, guest houses and other accommodation facilities will be banned outright," Chung said during a briefing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-says-it-foiled-the-norths-attempt-to-hack-covid-19-vaccine-makers-345752" hreflang="en">South Korea says it foiled the North's attempt to hack COVID-19 vaccine makers</a>

Steam and sauna bath rooms will remain suspended along with the coaching for musical instruments and singing.

The PM added that social distancing norms across the country will also be retightened.

Additionally, the PM said the government is looking at getting more funds from the parliament to help the economy.

"Our assessment is that we need the third crisis support fund ... The government will come up with a conclusion on this after discussing with both the ruling and opposition parties," he said.

As COVID-19 continues to peak again in countries across the globe, a country has banned all year-end parties to control the number of new infections. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the ban on all new year parties.

As COVID-19 continues to peak again in countries across the globe, a country has banned all year-end parties to control the number of new infections. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the ban on all new year parties. Additionally, music lessons across the country remain halted. The country’s officials have also set in motion a plan to shut some public saunas and cafes. Currently, South Korea is witnessing COVID-19 infections at the pastiest pace so far since the pandemic began. The country has been hailed as a COVID-19 success story, in the league of Taiwan and New Zealand. But new cases have stoked fears of a spike in Asia’s fourth-largest economy. Also read: South Korea confirms this year's first case of bird flu among poultry On Sunday, after reporting 500 new cases for three consecutive days, 450 new cases were reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Experts are calling it the “third wave” of COVID-19 in the country. Recently, fresh outbreaks appeared at military facilities, a sauna, churches, and schools. The country’s Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Sunday said that restrictions on gatherings would be tightened given the situation. Sye-kyun added that activities that are seen as prone to virus transmission will also stand suspended. This is true especially for the capital Seoul and adjoining areas. "Year-end events and parties hosted by hotels, party rooms, guest houses and other accommodation facilities will be banned outright," Chung said during a briefing. Also read: South Korea says it foiled the North's attempt to hack COVID-19 vaccine makers Steam and sauna bath rooms will remain suspended along with the coaching for musical instruments and singing. The PM added that social distancing norms across the country will also be retightened. Additionally, the PM said the government is looking at getting more funds from the parliament to help the economy. "Our assessment is that we need the third crisis support fund ... The government will come up with a conclusion on this after discussing with both the ruling and opposition parties," he said.

This country has banned all new year parties to control COVID-19 infections

Australia's New Year fireworks show over Sydney Harbour will go ahead, but the number of people at popular viewing spots will be limited to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the country's most populous state declared on Monday (November 9).

Australia gives go-ahead to scale down New Year's Eve celebrations

Millions of kids will attend schools in new academic year from September as countries like France, Spain & US are looking at reopening amid Coronavirus pandemic. Several months long closure has widened educational gap.

Back to school in times of pandemic, France, Spain & US look at reopening

Members of Nepal's ethnic Tharu community in capital city Kathmandu marked their new year on Wednesday (January 15) with dance and music as they visited a fair to celebrate the special occasion.

Ethnic group in Nepal marks New Year with merriment

Local people held week-long traditional folk activities to celebrate the 13th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan calender that fell on Jan. 8 this year in Xinlong County of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Villagers hold celebrations to warm up Tibetan New Year in southwest China

As a new year begins, here is a look at the opportunities & challenges in front of humanity in 2020. #NewYear #Year2020

Gravitas: What to expect from 2020

While the world welcomed 2020 with gaiety, Himalayan nation <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-two-chinese-national-arrested-for-being-involved-in-illegal-activities-271039">Nepal</a> chose to welcome it in its own way, announcing the end of the decade to be celebrated as "Visit Nepal Year 2020". 
 
The tourism campaign aims at bringing two million tourists by the end of decade kick-started in all seven provinces of Nepal. 
 
Nepal's President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-likely-to-appoint-new-governors-at-cabinet-meeting-on-november-4-259745">Bidhya Devi Bhandari</a> torched up Unity Lamp at Dasaratha Stadium formally inaugurating the campaign which will run on for a year. 
 
"I firmly believe that this campaign which started from today (Wednesday) would take the form of a great campaign through support and participation of all. Nepal is one of the World's fascinating tourist destination; we not only have been consoling our resources and possibilities but also working hard to tap them up," said Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, while addressing the inauguration ceremony in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/for-students-in-nepal-solar-eclipse-was-hands-on-experience-270389">Kathmandu</a>. 
 
The Government has claimed that the latest ploy is essential to make tourism one of the supporting pedestals of the economy. 
 
"Tourism has a key role in Nepal's economic development. Nepal was opened for foreign tourists only after 1951. In the last six decades, big changes have taken place in Nepal's tourism sector. As the country is moving forward towards permanent peace, stability and prosperity, the government has a goal of making tourism one of the key pillars of the Nepali economy. This is the reason the Government of Nepal has declared 2020 as Visit Nepal Year," Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Himalayan Nation. 
 
Mythical creature Yeti has been selected as mascot of the yearlong campaign as well as stickers targeting ambitious drive also was launched over the Viber. 
 
Tourism Sector has been contributing around 3 per cent of the total of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With the 15th Five-year plan marching towards completion, the Government has aimed to increase the figure to 10 per cent. 
 
Apart from increasing GDP contribution, Nepal government also is aiming to increase the daily expenditure of foreign tourists on a daily basis. 
Currently, foreign nationals on a visit to Nepal has been expending 44 Dollars each day and the government has planned to increase it to 80 Dollars each day and host 3.5 million tourists each year. For which the government has claimed this tourism action to pave the way to mark 2020-2030 a tourism decade. 
 
Tourists from India always have been topping the list of Foreigners on a visit to the Himalayan Nation. As per data till October of 2019, a total of 169,952 Indian tourists visited Nepal followed by 134, 28 Chinese Tourists. 
 
A total of 77,798 tourists came into Nepal from the USA in early 10 months of 2019 while Sri Lanka trailed behind with 57, 240 tourists in the same period. 
 
Indian Tourism Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-to-launch-e-portal-youtube-channel-to-promote-indian-culture-257130">Prahlad Singh Patel</a>, who was also present during the launch of VNY 2020 said, "A large number of people will come during Visit (Nepal) 2020. I think model work of Janakpur would start very soon which would further boost the interest of people as there is Ramayan Circuit, Buddhist Circuit. Another thing I must say is that Nepal's people have own heart of Indians; reliability which is towards them (Nepali) is unmatchable along with I think the cultural relation which we have should be more profound and the flow should always be there, India wants that," Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Tourism, India told media.

While the world welcomed 2020 with gaiety, Himalayan nation Nepal chose to welcome it in its own way, announcing the end of the decade to be celebrated as "Visit Nepal Year 2020".

While the world welcomed 2020 with gaiety, Himalayan nation Nepal chose to welcome it in its own way, announcing the end of the decade to be celebrated as "Visit Nepal Year 2020". The tourism campaign aims at bringing two million tourists by the end of decade kick-started in all seven provinces of Nepal. Nepal's President Bidhya Devi Bhandari torched up Unity Lamp at Dasaratha Stadium formally inaugurating the campaign which will run on for a year. "I firmly believe that this campaign which started from today (Wednesday) would take the form of a great campaign through support and participation of all. Nepal is one of the World's fascinating tourist destination; we not only have been consoling our resources and possibilities but also working hard to tap them up," said Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, while addressing the inauguration ceremony in Kathmandu. The Government has claimed that the latest ploy is essential to make tourism one of the supporting pedestals of the economy. "Tourism has a key role in Nepal's economic development. Nepal was opened for foreign tourists only after 1951. In the last six decades, big changes have taken place in Nepal's tourism sector. As the country is moving forward towards permanent peace, stability and prosperity, the government has a goal of making tourism one of the key pillars of the Nepali economy. This is the reason the Government of Nepal has declared 2020 as Visit Nepal Year," Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Himalayan Nation. Mythical creature Yeti has been selected as mascot of the yearlong campaign as well as stickers targeting ambitious drive also was launched over the Viber. Tourism Sector has been contributing around 3 per cent of the total of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With the 15th Five-year plan marching towards completion, the Government has aimed to increase the figure to 10 per cent. Apart from increasing GDP contribution, Nepal government also is aiming to increase the daily expenditure of foreign tourists on a daily basis. Currently, foreign nationals on a visit to Nepal has been expending 44 Dollars each day and the government has planned to increase it to 80 Dollars each day and host 3.5 million tourists each year. For which the government has claimed this tourism action to pave the way to mark 2020-2030 a tourism decade. Tourists from India always have been topping the list of Foreigners on a visit to the Himalayan Nation. As per data till October of 2019, a total of 169,952 Indian tourists visited Nepal followed by 134, 28 Chinese Tourists. A total of 77,798 tourists came into Nepal from the USA in early 10 months of 2019 while Sri Lanka trailed behind with 57, 240 tourists in the same period. Indian Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, who was also present during the launch of VNY 2020 said, "A large number of people will come during Visit (Nepal) 2020. I think model work of Janakpur would start very soon which would further boost the interest of people as there is Ramayan Circuit, Buddhist Circuit. Another thing I must say is that Nepal's people have own heart of Indians; reliability which is towards them (Nepali) is unmatchable along with I think the cultural relation which we have should be more profound and the flow should always be there, India wants that," Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Tourism, India told media.

Tourism campaign 'Visit Nepal Year 2020' kicks off

Did 2020 usher in a New Decade? #NewDecade #NewYear #SocialMedia #SocialMediaBattle

Gravitas: Social media battle:  Are we in a New Year or a New Decade?

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito said Thursday he hoped for a year without natural disasters, delivering his first New Year speech since ascending <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-new-emperor-naruhito-officially-takes-up-post-214938">the Chrysanthemum Throne</a> to tens of thousands of well-wishers.

"I'm glad to celebrate the New Year together with you," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/japanese-emperor-naruhito-formally-proclaims-his-enthronement-in-sokui-no-rei-257452">Naruhito</a> told the crowd, many waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai", meaning "long life".

"On the other hand, I'm worried about many people still living difficult lives because of typhoons and heavy rain last year," said the 59-year-old emperor, accompanied by Empress <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-imperial-couple-rides-through-tokyo-in-grand-enthronement-parade-261155">Masako</a>.

"I hope this year will be a good and peaceful year without any natural disasters," he said.

Last month the royal couple visited people in Japan's northeastern region hit by powerful typhoon Hagibis in October, which killed more than 80 people and caused huge damage to local infrastructure.

Also attending the traditional New year celebration was Naruhito's father <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/end-of-an-era-as-japans-emperor-akihito-abdicates-214724">Akihito</a>, who became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he stepped down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign.

The central Tokyo palace, surrounded by stone walls and moats, is opened to the public twice a year, on the emperor's birthday and the second day of New Year,&nbsp;for the royal family to greet well-wishers.

The emperor will appear four more times at the balcony later in the day.

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito said Thursday he hoped for a year without natural disasters, delivering his first New Year speech since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne to tens of thousands of well-wishers.

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito said Thursday he hoped for a year without natural disasters, delivering his first New Year speech since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne to tens of thousands of well-wishers. "I'm glad to celebrate the New Year together with you," Naruhito told the crowd, many waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai", meaning "long life". "On the other hand, I'm worried about many people still living difficult lives because of typhoons and heavy rain last year," said the 59-year-old emperor, accompanied by Empress Masako. "I hope this year will be a good and peaceful year without any natural disasters," he said. Last month the royal couple visited people in Japan's northeastern region hit by powerful typhoon Hagibis in October, which killed more than 80 people and caused huge damage to local infrastructure. Also attending the traditional New year celebration was Naruhito's father Akihito, who became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he stepped down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign. The central Tokyo palace, surrounded by stone walls and moats, is opened to the public twice a year, on the emperor's birthday and the second day of New Year, for the royal family to greet well-wishers. The emperor will appear four more times at the balcony later in the day.

Hope this year will be peaceful without natural disasters: Japan emperor Naruhito

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