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Solar tsunami, alien attacks, nuclear explosions, and more: Here is what deceased Baba Vanga predicted for the year 2023

OpIndia Staff
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Solar tsunami, alien attacks, nuclear explosions, and more: Here is what deceased Baba Vanga predicted for the year 2023

Baba Vanga, the famous blind Bulgarian mystic, had made several gloomy predictions in her lifetime. Although the clairvoyant passed away in 1996, many of her claims surprisingly turned out to be true after her death.

As the world celebrates a new year, her predictions for the year 2023 may come back to haunt mankind. Baba Vanga had foreseen the use of bioweapons in the future and had predicted that a developed country would attack using biological weapons.

According to The Mirror, the prophecy seems to correlate with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war during which Putin had raised alarms about the ‘increasing threat of nuclear war’.

Besides that, the clairvoyant had predicted a solar tsunami, which could potentially destroy the magnetic field of the Earth, cause communication failures, and even blackouts.

Baba Vanga had also envisioned an alien invasion of Earth and a change in Earth’s orbit, which could affect the climate of the planet drastically. She had predicted that a nuclear power plant in Asia would be rocked by an explosion, which will lead to toxic cloud formation and the spread of serious diseases.

Baba Vanga also predicted that other countries could be affected by the explosion due to the spread of serious diseases as the toxic clouds fill the air. The Mirror reported that a potential nuclear disaster at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is anticipated due to the ongoing war with Russia.

The blind Bulgarian mystic had also claimed in her lifetime that natural births would become a thing of the past and that newborns will now be grown in laboratories.

Recently, a filmmaker and science communicator by the name of Hashem Al-Ghaili released a concept video of an artificial womb facility called Ectolife.

Who was Baba Vanga?

She was nicknamed the ‘Nostradamus of the Balkans’ during her life for making bizarre claims. Baba Vanga, who lost her vision at the age of 12 during a massive storm, claimed that she was given an extremely rare gift from God to see into the future.

Her claims about the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the death of Princess Diana, and the Chornobyl disaster all ended up being true. She is believed to have gotten 85 percent of her predictions right. Strangely, Baba Vanga had rightly predicted even the September 11 terror attack and Brexit.

“The world will suffer from a lot of cataclysms and great disasters. The consciousness of people will change. Difficult times will come. People will be divided by their faith. We are witnessing devastating events that will change the fate and destiny of humanity,” her claims for 2021 read.

GST collection in December 2022 goes up by 15% to reach almost 1.5 lakh crore

OpIndia Staff
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GST collection in December 2022 goes up by 15% to reach almost 1.5 lakh crore

Continuing with the trend of robust GST collection in the country, the gross GST revenue collected during December 2022 reached ₹1,49,507 crore, going up by 15% compared to December 2021. Gross GST collected in November 2022 was ₹145867 crore, which means collection increased by ₹3640 crore or around 2.5% in the month compared to the previous month.

In the total GST collection of ₹1,49,507 crore in December, ₹26,711 crore was Central GST, ₹33,357 crore was State GST, ₹78,434 crore was Integrated GST, and the rest ₹11,005 crore was Cess, according to a statement issued by the Union Ministry of Finance.

The Union Government has settled ₹36,669 crore to CGST and ₹31,094 crore to SGST from IGST as regular settlement. The total revenue of the Centre and the States after regular settlements in the month of December 2022 is ₹63,380 crore for CGST and ₹64,451 crore for SGST.

While the overall revenues for the month of December 2022 are 15% higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year, revenues from import of goods was 8% higher and the revenues from domestic transaction (including import of services) are 18% higher than the revenues from these sources during the same month last year.

During the month of November, 2022, 7.9 crore e-way bills were generated, which was significantly higher than 7.6 crore e-way bills generated in October, 2022.

GST Collections had reached a record high of ₹1,67,540 crore in April this year. The second highest collection was ₹1,51,718 crore in October 2022. With the release of the December GST numbers, the total GST collection in the first nine months of the financial year has reached ₹13,40,426 crore. Also, GST collections have now exceeded the ₹1.4-lakh crore mark for 10 months in a row.

Maharashtra was the state with highest GST collection at₹23,598 crore, followed by Karnataka at ₹10,061 crore and Gujarat at ₹9,238. The other states top ten were Tamil Nadu (₹8,324 crore) Uttar Pradesh (₹7,178 crore), Haryana (₹6,678 crore), West Bengal (₹4,583 crore), Delhi (₹4,401 crore), Telangana (₹4,178 crore), and Odisha (₹3,854 crore).

North Korea rings in New Year by firing ballistic missiles toward South Korea

OpIndia Staff
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North Korea rings in New Year by firing ballistic missiles toward South Korea

On December 31, North Korea fired three ballistic missiles toward South Korea. This was the latest missile launch by North Korea against their neighbours. Reportedly, five days before the incident, South Korea accused Pyongyang of flying five drones in South Korea’s airspace. It was the first such incident since 2017.

In a statement, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, South Korea, said that at around 8 AM on Saturday (local time), three short-range ballistic missiles launched from North Korea into the East Sea were detected. In 2022, North Korea reportedly test-fired over 70 ballistic and cruise missiles. Some reports have quoted experts saying that North Korea is modernising its arsenal, keeping its future dealings with the United States in mind.

On Tuesday, informing about the drones entering South Korea’s airspace, the military apologised to the public as it failed to intercept and bring down any of the five drones. All the drones tricked the warplanes and helicopters of South Korea and vanished from the South Korean radar after crossing the border. They were seen traveling as far as northern Seoul.

Reportedly, a major ruling party meeting in Pyongyang took place recently to review the past policies and discuss the future goals for 2023. The missiles were launched while these meetings were ongoing in North Korea. Some experts believe that the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would reaffirm his promise to expand the nuclear arsenal and introduce sophisticated weapons in the military on the pretext of dealing with so-called US hostility.

North Korea has not tested any nuclear weapons since 2017. In October last year, CBS News quoted US and South Korean officials saying that North Korea might test an atomic weapon soon.

Russian man who had gone missing after protesting against Putin in Bhubaneswar found by Railway Police, handed over to special branch

OpIndia Staff
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Russian man who had gone missing after protesting against Putin in Bhubaneswar found by Railway Police, handed over to special branch

A Russian citizen who had gone missing in Odisha has been traced and was detained by the Government Railway Police (GRP) at Bhubaneshwar Railway Station on December 31. Glagolev Andrew, a 58-year-old resident of Moscow had gone missing after he was seen protesting against Russian president Vladimir Putin at the Bhubaneswar railway station.

The Russian citizen was holding a placard and demonstrating in front of the station against the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the placard, it was written, “I am a Russian Refugee. I am against the war. I am against Putin. I am homeless. Please help me.”

After he was photographed by passengers holding the placard, he disappeared from the spot when police reached there. This created panic among the police, as this came after the death of two Russians in Odisha state. The Railway Police launched a search for the man his photographs which had gone viral on social media.

“Some passengers clicked photos of the Russian man at the railway station. We have his photos and are trying to locate him,” said Jayadev Biswajit, the inspector in charge of GRP at Bhubaneswar station. Following the search, the Russian was spotted by the GRP at the Bhubaneshwar Railway Station later in the day, and he was detained.

The police said in a statement that the Russian citizen visited India on a tourist Visa that has now expired. He did not have money and was begging at the station for money. Reports suggest that the man was unable to communicate with the local law enforcement agencies and authorities as he did not understand English and no one could speak Russian. The GRP detained him for inquiry about the purpose of his visit to India and his problems.

The Russian citizen had a valid passport in his possession but failed to produce a valid Visa. After questioning him, GRP handed him over to the special branch. Jayadev Biswait, IIC, Government Railway Police Station, told Odisha TV, “He is a national of the Russian Federation. Andrew Glagolev, aged 58, resides in Moscow. He has been residing in Indian since 2016, and he holds a valid passport. He had a six-month visa. Subsequently, he applied for asylum in India to concerned authorities in the United Nations. The proposal is under consideration; on that ground, he resides in India.”

He added, “As informed by him, he has been in Odisha for three months, and mostly he stayed in Puri during that time. He has produced some documents. We are verifying his claims and the documents. As per the documents, his stay in India is legal. But, we cannot say anything until verifying the authenticity of the documents.”

Jayadev Biswait also said that he had found the man loitering on the platform earlier also and had verified his documents, at that time his visa was valid.

Russians died under mysterious circumstances in India

Earlier, it was reported that two Russians died under mysterious circumstances in a hotel in Odisha. One of them died allegedly of a heart attack and the second one allegedly jumped to death from his hotel room after attending the funeral of the former.

As per reports, on December 21, four Russian tourists checked into Sai International Hotel in Rayagada, Odisha. One of them, Vladimir Budanov, was found dead inside the hotel room on December 22. Reports suggest that Budanov died from a heart attack, and Pavel Antov allegedly committed suicide after attending his funeral on December 25. Superintendent of Police Vivekananda Sharma confirmed the two deaths to the news agency ANI.

Times of India quoted an unnamed CID-CB officer saying that so far, nothing suspicious was found in the deaths of Pavel Antov and his friend Vladimir Bydanov during an investigation by the crime branch. The cremated remains of the two were seized by the investigation team for forensic examination.

The deceased Russians were President Putin’s critic

As per reports, one of the Russian tourists who died in a span of 3 days was a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Dubbed the ‘highest-earning elected politician’ in Russia, Antov was a multi-millionaire. He was elected PM by the main pro-Putin party, United Russia. He has been an open critic of the President for the ongoing war in Ukraine. Antov was in India with three of his friends to celebrate his 66th birthday.

The Russian Counsel General in Kolkata, Alexei Idamkin, said in a statement that Antov died after he fell out of a hotel window. He said, “We are closely following the investigation and receiving all the information from the Odisha police.”

In June this year, Antov had termed the Russia-Ukraine war as Russian ‘terror’ wounding Ukrainian civilians. He also highlighted a missile strike, following which a girl was pulled out from under the rubble. The girl’s father had died in the attack. He had said, “The mother is trying to be pulled out with a crane – she is trapped under a slab. To tell the truth, it is extremely difficult to call this anything other than terror.”

Following his remarks, he was under intense pressure, after which he withdrew his comments and apologised for the same. In a social media post, he had called his statement ‘an unfortunate misunderstanding’ and a ‘technical error’. He backed President Putin and said he always had supported him and sincerely backed the military operations.

Haryana sports minister and former Olympian Sandeep Singh booked for sexual misconduct

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana sports minister and former Olympian Sandeep Singh booked for sexual misconduct

Haryana’s sports minister and former Olympian Sandeep Singh is booked under the charges of sexual misconduct with a female junior coach. Haryana police have received a complaint from the coach who also held a press conference in the office of the opposition party Indian National Lok Dal. The coach had requested chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar to inquire about the matter by setting up a special investigation team. On 29th December 2022, Haryana’s Director General of Police (DGP) PK Agrawal has therefore constituted a committee to investigate this matter.

According to the female coach, Sandeep Singh first noticed her at a gymnasium and then approached her over Instagram. The minister allegedly insisted on their meeting repeatedly after that, according to the coach. On July 1, 2022, Sandeep Singh allegedly made a Snapchat call and asked her to visit his official residence in Sector 7, Chandigarh, for verification of documents.

She said, “He messaged me on Instagram and said my national games certificate is pending and wanted to meet in this regard. Unfortunately, my certificate has been misplaced by my federation and I have been taking it up with the authorities concerned.”

Eventually, the lady consented to meet with the minister, but Sandeep Singh allegedly engaged in sexual misbehavior when she arrived with some documentation. She said, “Around 6.50 pm, he called me to his office and molested me. My t-shirt was torn. I managed to push him aside and ran out of the room as the door was unlocked.”

The minister has already called for an impartial investigation and rejected the accusations as false. An FIR in this regard is registered on Friday, December 31. A police source said, “In the matter of complaint made by a lady coach of Haryana against Sports Minister Haryana, a case FIR dated 31.12.2022 under Sections 354, 354A, 354B, 342, 506 of the IPC has been registered at Police Station Sector 26, Chandigarh, and is being investigated.”

A three-person Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been established by the Haryana government to look into the charges made against the minister. The committee includes Ms. Mamta Singh (IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Rohtak range), Mr. Sumer Pratap Singh (IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Panchkula), and Mr. Raj Kumar Kaushik (Haryana Police Services, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Panchkula). The committee is asked to inquire into the matter in depth and submit the report as early as possible.

Olympic medalist and former captain of the Indian national hockey team Sandeep Singh has been dismissing these claims, contending they were motivated. Additionally, the lady claims that Singh has harassed other female participants.

Mumbai: Man who pretended to be transgender sentenced to jail for 7 years for rape of a woman and performing black magic

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai: Man who pretended to be transgender sentenced to jail for 7 years for rape of a woman and performing black magic

A sessions court in Mumbai sentenced a 47-year-old man to seven years in jail for raping a woman by posing as a transgender. 

The convict identified as Narsimha Bichappa Shirvati drugged and raped a woman on the pretext of curing her from the influence of an ‘evil eye’. The incident dates back to April 11, 2018, when the victim went to a friend’s house. The accused who claimed to be a transgender person was also present in the house and told the victim that she is under the influence of an ‘evil eye’ and that he can help her get rid of it. The accused, then applied turmeric, lemon, and rice in his hand and then put it on the forehead of the victim. Soon after the victim felt dizzy, he took her to the bathroom where he sexually assaulted her. 

As per a Hindustan Times report, the victim is a tutor who went to her student’s residence in Parel, where the accused Narsimha Bichappa Shirvati was also present.

The accused threatened the victim not to reveal anything to anyone otherwise she will die a slow death and will also not be able to conceive. As per the report, the student saw the victim and the accused coming out of the bathroom and questioned the victim who told that the accused was not transgender but a man, who sexually assaulted her.

A week later, when the victim saw the accused standing outside her house, she called her husband and the accused was nabbed. 

During the hearing of the case, Sessions Court judge AB Sharma noted that the victim was threatened by the accused that she will not able to have children and will die a slow death when she tried to rescue herself. 

Judge Sharma also observed that the accused created an impression and fear in the mind of the victim about her death due to the influence of ‘evil eye’. For doing so he used some ingredients such as oil, lemon, rice, and turmeric. 

As per the report, the additional sessions court judge said that the accused taking benefit of the victim’s faith committed oral penetration with her. 

In his defence, the accused cited the delay in lodging the FIR. The victim’s counsel submitted that the victim was married just a year before and feared that her marital life would be ruined. To this, Judge Sharma said, “Admittedly, the female in Indian society are reluctant to disclose such unfortunate incidents that happened to them, to their family, fearing that it would spoil their relationship.”

Reportedly, the accused had also alleged that the student to whose residence the victim visited had an affair with him and that the two had a fight. After their fight, she had conspired to frame him and lodged a false case. 

The accused, however, failed to prove why would the victim submit false evidence against him. The court noted that the accused was a stranger to the student as well as the victim.

Separately, the accused has been sentenced to 1 year in jail under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices & Black Magic Act.

Haryana Roadways staff who helped save Rishabh Pant’s lives to be honoured by Uttarakhand govt

ANI
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Haryana Roadways staff who helped save Rishabh Pant’s lives to be honoured by Uttarakhand govt

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday announced that his government will on Republic Day honour the driver and operator of Haryana Roadways, who saved the life of star cricketer Rishabh Pant who met with an accident recently. 

Talking to ANI, Dhami said, “Uttarakhand government will honour the driver and the operator of Haryana Roadways, who saved the life of cricketer Rishabh Pant on 26 January.” He added, “The driver and operator risked their lives to save the life of Rishabh Pant. The Cricketer’s car rolled a couple of times in front of their eyes (after hitting a divider and going up in flames on the Delhi-Dehradun highway). The Haryana Roadways’ staff proved their mettle as they tackled the emergency situation.” 

Rishabh Pant is undergoing treatment at a Uttarakhand hospital. 

On December 30 around 5.30 am, Pant met with a serious accident while returning from Delhi to Roorkee to surprise his mother as his car collided with the divider on the Narsan border of Roorkee near Hammadpur Jhal on Friday. 

The 25-year-old was alone in the car and suffered injuries on his back, forehead and leg. 

According to photographs from the site, the car was burnt badly and Pant was at the wheel when he met with the accident. 
Haridwar SP (Rural) Swapan Kishore said on Friday that Pant was admitted to the Max Hospital in Dehradun. 

The cricketer narrowly escaped death after his high-end vehicle smashed into a road barrier. Pant escaped the near-fatal accident with burn injuries among others that will require plastic surgeries and he could be airlifted to Delhi if required, DDCA official has said. According to reports, he had dozed off on the wheel. 

It was earlier reported that bus driver, Sushil Kumar, and conductor, Paramjeet, spotted an uncontrolled car ram over the divider near Gurukul Narsan. 

They ran towards the car to help the passenger,” said Panipat Bus Depot general manager K Jangra after Haryana government honoured them on December 30 for their service to humanity. 

“As we dragged him (Rishabh Pant) out, the car caught fire and burned down within 5-7 seconds. He had major injuries on his back. We enquired about his personal information and that is when he said he is an Indian team cricketer,” bus staff Paramjeet who rescued Cricketer Rishabh Pant said. 

Dr Sushil Nagar of the Saksham Hospital, where Pant was admitted, told ANI earlier: “When he was admitted here, he was critical. But our team responded with quick treatment. We also did his X-Rays, there were no bone injuries rather a ligament injury in his right knee, which will become more clear after MRI reports.” 

Nagar also said: “There were two open wounds on his forehead and abrasions on his waist. There was nothing life-threatening. He was conscious and talking well. I asked him why he was driving at that point of time early morning. He said that he was going to pay a surprise visit to his mother.” 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Odisha CID intensifies probe into the death of 2 Russian nationals, here is what we know so far

OpIndia Staff
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Odisha CID intensifies probe into the death of 2 Russian nationals, here is what we know so far

Amidst rumours of foul play in the death of two Russian citizens in the Rayagada district of Odisha, the State Crime Branch has intensified its probe into the case.

The deceased were identified as Vladimir Bidenov (61) and Pavel Antov (65). As part of the investigation process, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) seized the bones and other remnants of the two men from the crematorium and sent them for forensic examination.

The post-mortem reports revealed that Vladimir Bidenov died due to cardiac arrest while Pavel Antov died due to excessive bleeding caused by an accident. Meanwhile, two other Russian citizens, who were accompanying the deceased, are now being interrogated.

According to the CID, the two Russians will remain in detention until the completion of the investigation. As part of the probe, the tour guide of the Russians, namely, Jitendra Singh, is also being questioned.

One Russian citizen, named Andrew Glagolev, who was spotted near Bhubaneswar railway station was also detained by the investigation agency. “The team is collecting evidence. We are analysing from all angles and will carry forward the investigation accordingly,” remarked Crime Branch DSP, Saroj Kant Mohant.

The Background of the Case

The death of ‘Putin critic’ Pavel Antov and his friend Vladimir Bidenov in Odisha’s Rayagada town has sparked rumours of foul play. The duo checked into Rayagada Sai International Hotel on December 21, 2022, along with and two other Russian nationals (Pan Senko and Turvo).

One of them, Vladimir Bidenov, was found dead inside the hotel room on December 22. Reports suggest that he died from a heart attack, and Pavel Antov allegedly committed suicide after attending his funeral on December 25.

Later, the local authorities contacted the respective family members and proceeded to cremate them in Rayagada itself as per instructions from the family members. Antov was estranged from his close family members following his divorce from both his wives and used to stay alone in Russia. 

Here is a list of countries imposing restrictions on arrivals from China amidst a surge in Covid cases in the country

OpIndia Staff
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Here is a list of countries imposing restrictions on arrivals from China amidst a surge in Covid cases in the country

With Covid cases surging and the Chinese government rolling back the ‘Zero covid policy’, several countries have started imposing restrictions on travellers arriving from China. 

This comes after China announced on December 25, 2022, that it will no longer publish daily figures of Covid cases and deaths in the country. The National Health Commission (NHC) admitted that tracking the extent of the pandemic outbreak in the country has become “impossible” since mandatory testing was discontinued.

Since China refuses to provide comprehensive data on the pandemic situation in the country, countries are forced to impose certain rules and restrictions on Chinese passengers. 

So far several countries have imposed restrictions such as mandatory negative cover test reports on passengers from China.

United States: On December 28, 2022, announced that it will require COVID-19 tests for travellers from China from January 5 onwards. All air passengers aged two and above will be required to undergo a negative test no later than two days before departure from China, Hong Kong, or Macau. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans should reconsider travelling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

(Image via US State Department website)

India: On December 29, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that from January 1st, 2023 onwards, passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. Prior to their departure, they will be required to upload their cover negative report on the Air Suvidha portal. 

United Kingdom: In a press release issued by the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care on December 30, 2022, passengers arriving from China to England beginning January 5 will be required to show a negative Covid pre-departure test (PDT) taken no more than two days before departure.

France: Travelers from China will be required to submit a negative Covid test report less than 48 hours prior to departure. From January 1, France will also conduct random Covid testing on some Chinese travellers upon arrival.

Canada: On Saturday, December 31, 2022, the Canadian government announced to put impose certain temporary health measures for air travellers entering Canada from China.

From January 5, all passengers two years of age and older arriving on flights departing from China, Hong Kong, or Macao will be required to show the airline confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test result obtained no more than two days before their departure.

Italy: For all travellers arriving from China, Italy was the first nation in Europe to order COVID-19 antigen swabs and virus sequencing. Malpensa, Milan’s main airport, had already begun testing passengers arriving from Beijing and Shanghai. According to media reports, 50% of travellers arriving from China in recent weeks tested positive at Milan airport.

Spain: On December 30, 2022, Spain’s Health Minister Carolina Darias said that Spain will require travellers from China to provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of complete vaccination.

Israel: Aryeh Deri, Israel’s Health Minister, announced on Friday new COVID-19 testing requirements for travellers from China. Israeli airlines have been instructed not to allow non-Israelis to take flights from China unless they can provide a negative PCR test.

South Korea: South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced on Friday that those arriving from China will be required to provide a negative PCR test within 48 hours of departure or a rapid antigen test within 24 hours, followed by a PCR test after arrival. This will come to effect from January 2nd.

Malaysia: On Friday, Malaysia announced that it would screen all incoming travellers for fever and test wastewater on flights arriving from China, as tourists from that country begin arriving next month despite an increase in COVID-19 cases there.

Japan: Japan: Japan has decided to restrict flights from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to two airports in Tokyo, as well as Osaka and Nagoya. The restrictions will come to effect from January 21.

Taiwan: Taiwan will begin testing arrivals from China for COVID-19 on January 1. According to the country’s Central Epidemic Command Center, all passengers arriving on direct flights from China, as well as via boat at two offshore islands, will be subjected to PCR tests upon arrival.

Australia: Two days after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that Australia is not changing its rules regarding allowing travellers from China into the country. The Australian government has taken a U-turn on Saturday and said that travellers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao must present negative COVID-19 test results. The requirements will apply to all air travellers aged two and up from the three countries beginning on January 5, 2023

It is pertinent to mention that World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed grave concern about reports of severe cases in China, following the country’s withdrawal of its “zero-COVID” policy.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged China to provide more detailed information about the pandemic situation.

“In the absence of comprehensive information from China, it is understandable that countries around the world are acting in ways that they believe may protect their populations,” the WHO Director-General tweeted.

The WHO Director-General also offered support to China for clinical care and protection of its health system.

French authorities notify ‘safe spaces’ to keep cars from being set ablaze on NYE, here is how the arson ‘tradition’ started

OpIndia Staff
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French authorities notify ‘safe spaces’ to keep cars from being set ablaze on NYE, here is how the arson ‘tradition’ started

On December 28, it was reported that the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg issued a map that contained information on the areas where people could safely park their cars on New Year’s Eve to save them from getting burnt by the hooligans. The reason behind issuing a list of safe places is that every year in France, hundreds of cars are burnt on New Year’s Eve. Despite the deadly Covid-19 wave in France last year, 874 cars were reportedly burnt on a single night. However, unofficial reports claimed over 1,000 cars were burnt.

Map issued by Eurometropolis showing safe places to park cars. Source: Twitter (Translated using Google Translation Service on Twitter)

Investigative Journalist Amy Mek said in a tweet, “Make Your Predictions! France’s traditional ‘burning of the infidel’s cars” on New Year’s Eve is starting to take place. Last year, 1,000+ vehicles were set on fire on the night of December 31. Will France’s cultural enrichers break last year’s record?”

In a follow-up tweet, she shared the map issued by the Eurometropolis and said, “Happy New Year from Sharia France! Strasbourg even released a map instructing people where they could hide their cars on New Year’s Eve. The city is implemented a major plan for guarded parking lots and parking bans on compromised “enriched” streets.”

The history of burning cars on New Year’s Eve in France

For decades, on New Year’s Eve, while the residents stay inside their homes, hooligans take to the roads in France and set hundreds of cars on fire. There have been recurrent incidents of car burning in France over the years, and it has taken the shape of an annual event. The level of vandalism reached the point that the authorities have reduced publicising these events to avoid competition in different areas. Reports suggest that in 2019, 1,457 cars were burnt, while 1,290 cars were set ablaze in 2018.

Going further back, in 2014, 1,067 cars were reported burnt down. The vandalism and car burning incidents find their roots in Strasbourg, adjoining the France border with Germany, in the 1980s. In the 1990s, the tradition reached its peak.

As per reports, media coverage of the incidents encourages the youth from rival housing estates to indulge in similar incidents to grab the attention of the media. According to the then government official Patrice Magnier, there was a direct correlation between the increase in car burning incidents and ‘media focus.’ The police officials and local government bodies failed to curtail the practice, thereby leading to a new peak between 2005-2009.

2005 riots and a precedent for car burning

In the infamous riots of October 2005, more than 8000 vehicles were burned by the rioters. The perpetrators reportedly included individuals of African and Arab heritage. The riots were triggered following the death of two teenagers in the suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois in Paris that lasted about three weeks. The riots involved setting buildings ablaze and frequent confrontations of rioters with the police, thereby forcing the French government to declare a state of Emergency.

While 879 vehicles were gutted in fire in 2007, the numbers shot up to 1147 by 2009. Arson cases were much higher in Paris-area housing projects (422 cars burnt) compared to well-policed Parisian intra-muros (12 cars burnt). It was observed that racially tense and poor neighbourhoods in Strasbourg, Lille, Toulouse and Nantes had witnessed higher instances of vehicle arson.

Arson as a way of French dissent

Car burning has now evolved to represent France’s way of ‘protest’. It has been observed that most people involved in arson are poor and often justify their actions as ‘defiance’ for lack of economic opportunities. Besides, such incidents are easy ways to pick up confrontations with law enforcement authorities and make quick bucks through insurance. Besides New Year’s eve, such incidents are also witnessed during France’s National holiday on July 14 (also called Bastille Day).

“While annual figures may fluctuate, they’ve generally swelled since the late 1970s, when French suburban youths first started burning cars as a way to get the attention of society, the media and politicians,” reported Time Magazine. It further added, “Later, the practice became an ambush tactic to draw law and fire authorities to the scene — where gangs then attack them. Now the act works as a manner of daily protest against alienation, discrimination and the indifference of more affluent French society.”

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