Nude cyclists protest car pollution in Brazil
Some 200 semi-nude bicycle riders snarled traffic in downtown Sao Paulo to protest car pollution and dangerous riding conditions in the city.
By HT Correspondent | AFP, Sao Paulo
UPDATED ON JUN 15, 2008 08:57 AM IST
Some 200 semi-nude bicycle riders snarled traffic in downtown Sao Paulo to protest car pollution and dangerous riding conditions in the city.
The demonstration drew the attention of motorists and passersby alike with no incident reported other than the arrest of one of the riders who had decided to take all his clothes off, city traffic officials said.
"Our nakedness shows how we feel as cyclists riding in traffic next to motorists well protected inside their vehicles," a demonstrator who preferred to remain anonymous told AFP on Saturday.
The naked pedal pushers were part of the World Naked Bike Ride, an organisation holding similar events in some 70 countries to protest "indecent exposure to cars."
"We face automobile traffic with our naked bodies as the best way of defending our dignity and exposing the unique dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians as well as the negative consequences we all face due to dependence on oil, and other forms of non-renewable energy," the group said on its website.
Germany's Merkel, state leaders ponder tougher virus rules
AP
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 01:56 PM IST
The country's infection rate has stabilized in recent days, indicating that existing restrictions may have been effective in bringing down the numbers.
Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture to introduce alert mode over UK Covid-19 variant
ANI, Tokyo
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 01:55 PM IST
The Japanese government has already declared a state of emergency in 11 of the 47 prefectures, which will last through February 7.
Thailand court gives record 43-year sentence for insulting king
AP, Bangkok
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 01:25 PM IST
Violating Thailand's lese majeste law — known widely as Article 112 — is punishable by three to 15 years’ imprisonment per count.
PLA holds Tibet drill to smoothen joint ops amid border friction with India
By Sutirtho Patranobis , edited by Vinod Janardhanan
UPDATED ON JAN 19, 2021 01:07 PM IST
The exercise involved ground assault forces as well as the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) aviation unit, which deployed attack helicopters for the drill, China’s official military media reported.
Taliban calls Joe Biden to honor deal to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan
Bloomberg
UPDATED ON JAN 19, 2021 12:34 PM IST
“Steps must now be taken to end the war, not to prolong it, and the agreement was made for the purpose,” Mohammad Naeem, a senior spokesman in the Taliban’s political office in Doha, said.
Here is how Donald Trump, the least liked US president, will spend his last days in office
By Yashwant Raj , edited by Vinod Janardhanan
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 12:02 PM IST
Trump presidency’s average approval rating of 41% is the lowest recorded by Gallup, which has tracked American presidents daily for decades. It is four points lower than the previous worst of 45%, scored by President Harry S Truman, a Democrat who served from 1945 to 1953.
Rishi Sunak draws up plans to boost UK welfare payments
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 12:02 PM IST
The chancellor of the exchequer has already topped up weekly payments to the low-paid and unemployed in the pandemic.
UN rights office 'deeply troubled' by Russian activist Alexei Navalny’s arrest
PTI, United Nations
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 11:32 AM IST
Two independent UN human rights experts saluted the bravery of the anti-corruption activist and called on Russia to release him.
Biden, Harris take break from inaugural preparation for Martin Luther King Day
AP
UPDATED ON JAN 19, 2021 11:20 AM IST
Biden, along with incoming First Lady Jill, helped fill about 150 boxes with fresh fruit and nonperishables for people in need.
Turkey imposes advertising ban on Twitter, Periscope, Pinterest
Reuters, Istanbul
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 11:18 AM IST
The law allows authorities to remove content from platforms, rather than blocking access as they did in the past.
Independent UN experts condemn US Capitol attack by pro-Trump protesters
PTI
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 11:13 AM IST
"The violent attempt to overturn the results of a free and fair election on January 6 was a shocking and incendiary event," the 23 experts said in a joint statement.
Joe Biden swearing-in: Why January 20 serves as Inauguration Day
By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Karan Manral
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 11:02 AM IST
The 20th Amendment of the US Constitution, ratified in 1933, moved Inauguration Day to January 20, from March 4.
Joe Biden has set sky-high expectations. Can he meet them?
AP, Washington
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 11:00 AM IST
Evoking some of the nation's loftiest reforms helped Biden unseat President Donald Trump but left him with towering promises to keep.
Donald Trump receives lowest job approval rating in final days as President
ANI, Washington
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 10:43 AM IST
A 34 per cent approval rating is a single point lower than his prior lowest single rating, which came on multiple occasions in 2017.
China, WHO acted too slowly on Covid-19, says independent response panel
ANI, Geneva
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 10:38 AM IST
China was also slammed by the panel for "lost opportunities to apply basic public health measures at the earliest opportunity."