ANONYMOUS - OUR VOICE

Hundreds Protest Against Denmark's Virus Law, "Corona Passports"

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Hundreds Protest Against Denmark's Virus Law, 'Corona Passports'" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-03/ju5bt3t_denmark-coronavirus650_625x300_28_March_21.jpg" title="Hundreds Protest Against Denmark's Virus Law, 'Corona Passports'" /></div>
The Scandinavian country has been under a partial lockdown since late December. (Representational)
</div>
Copenhagen:
Hundreds gathered in central Copenhagen on Saturday to protest against a controversial virus law and Denmark's plan to create so called "corona passports".
Marching through the streets, the crowd of mostly younger people, lit fireworks during a march which an AFP correspondent at the scene described as mostly peaceful.
Police told the Ekstrabladet newspaper that some 600 people had gathered and one person was arrested for throwing firecrackers towards police officers.
Organised by Danish anti-restriction group "Men in Black," the main issue for the protesters was a new provision to the penal code that calls for a doubled sentence for a crime that "has a background in or is connected to the Covid-19 epidemic".
The first severe application of that law happened in mid-March, when a Danish court convicted a 30-year-old woman for statements and actions that contributed to a "gross disturbance of public order as well as the use of violence against police," at a January protest -- organised by the same group.
Her one-year prison sentence was converted to two years. The Saturday march stopped outside the prison where she is being held, with cries of "Free Nanna" outside the building which was heavily guarded by police vans.
The demonstrators, most dressed in all black, shouted "Freedom for Denmark" and "Mette Ciao" -- a reference to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen -- as they made their way to a square in front of Copenhagen's city hall.
In addition to the doubling of sentences the protesters also object to the creation of "corona passports" -- a smartphone app which will be used to certify that someone has received a Covid-19 vaccine, tested negative within the last 72 hours or has recently recovered from Covid-19, conferring immunity to the disease.
Denmark's government has said the "corona passports" are a crucial part of the country's plan to reopen, but critics argue they will create a division in society.
The Scandinavian country has been under a partial lockdown since late December.
Primary schools reopened in February and secondary school student are due to return to classrooms in early April.
Most shops were allowed to reopen earlier this month.
However some businesses, including hairdressers, bars and restaurants, remain closed.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/hundreds-protest-against-denmarks-coronavirus-law-corona-passports-2400348">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/hundreds-protest-against-denmarks-coronavirus-law-corona-passports-2400348</a>

news world Hundreds Protest Against Denmark's Virus Law, "Corona Passports"

The Scandinavian country has been under a partial lockdown since late December. (Representational) Copenhagen: Hundreds gathered in cen...

In Saudi's Climate Change Campaign, A Plan To Plant Billions Of Trees

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="In Saudi's Climate Change Campaign, A Plan To Plant Billions Of Trees" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2018-12/me4h5v84_saudi-arabia-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-afp_625x300_05_December_18.jpg" title="In Saudi's Climate Change Campaign, A Plan To Plant Billions Of Trees" /></div>
The new initiatives are part of the prince's Vision 2030 plan. (File)
</div>
Riyadh:
Top crude exporter Saudi Arabia on Saturday unveiled a sweeping campaign to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions, including a plan to plant billions of trees in the coming decades.
The OPEC kingpin seems an unlikely champion of clean energy, but the "Saudi Green Initiative" aims to reduce emissions by generating half of its energy from renewables by 2030, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said.
Saudi Arabia also plans to plant 10 billion trees in the kingdom in the coming decades, he said in a statement released by the official SPA news agency.
Riyadh also plans to work with other Arab states on a "Middle East Green Initiative" to plant an additional 40 billion trees, in what would be the world's largest reforestation programme, he added.
"The kingdom, the region and the world needs to go much further and faster in combatting climate change," Prince Mohammed said.
"We reject the false choice between preserving the economy and protecting the environment."
The statement did not elaborate on how the mammoth plan would be executed in a largely desert landscape with extremely limited renewable water sources.
Saudi Arabia currently draws on oil and natural gas to both meet its own fast-growing power demand and desalinate its water -- which consumes huge quantities of oil daily.
The new initiatives are part of the prince's Vision 2030 plan to diversify the kingdom's oil-reliant economy.
Prince Mohammed said Saudi Arabia and the region face "significant climate challenges", including desertification, which poses an "immediate economic risk".
Some $13 billion is lost annually due to sand storms in the region, while pollution from greenhouse gases has reduced average Saudi life expectancy by 1.5 years, he added.
The initiatives come as energy giant Saudi Aramco, the kingdom's cash cow, faces scrutiny from investors over its emissions.
In January, Bloomberg News reported that the company excluded emissions generated from many of its refineries and petrochemical plants in its overall carbon disclosures to investors.
It added that if those facilities are included, the company's self-reported carbon footprint could nearly double, adding as much as 55 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent to its annual tally -- roughly the emissions produced by Portugal.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/saudi-arabia-unveils-campaign-to-tackle-climate-change-2400346">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/saudi-arabia-unveils-campaign-to-tackle-climate-change-2400346</a>

news world In Saudi's Climate Change Campaign, A Plan To Plant Billions Of Trees

The new initiatives are part of the prince's Vision 2030 plan. (File) Riyadh: Top crude exporter Saudi Arabia on Saturday unveiled ...

Boris Johnson Condemns "Disgraceful Attacks" On Police In Bristol

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Boris Johnson Condemns 'Disgraceful Attacks' On Police In Bristol" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2020-12/evva8rrg_british-prime-minister-boris-johnson_625x300_24_December_20.jpg" title="Boris Johnson Condemns 'Disgraceful Attacks' On Police In Bristol" /></div>
"The police and the city have my full support," Boris Johnson said. (File)
</div>
London:
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday condemned "disgraceful attacks" on police after a third night of violence hit the western city of Bristol by protesters condemning new crime legislation.
Police in Bristol arrested 10 people on Friday night after what they called "violent conduct" at the protest, which swelled to 1,000 participants despite a government ban on mass gatherings owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Previous "Kill the Bill" demonstrations in Bristol last Sunday and Tuesday also turned violent, with protesters demanding the withdrawal of the legislation, which critics say harshly restricts the right to peaceful protest.
"Last night saw disgraceful attacks against police officers in Bristol," Johnson said on Twitter.
"Our officers should not have to face having bricks, bottles and fireworks being thrown at them by a mob intent on violence and causing damage to property," he said.
"The police and the city have my full support."
Protesters in Bristol have accused police of excessive force, and mocked them after the local force was forced to admit that it was mistaken in initially saying some officers had suffered broken bones last Sunday.
Further protests against the bill occurred later Saturday in several other British cities, despite police warnings for people to stay away because of the coronavirus ban.
In the northern city of Manchester, police arrested 18 people who had blocked tram lines after the bulk of other protesters had left peacefully.
Earlier, the protesters had marched through the city centre, and took the knee in front of a mural of George Floyd, the African-American man whose death in the US last year under police arrest sparked a global wave of Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
Police in the south-coast city of Brighton faced off with protesters who had blockaded the road outside a downtown police station.
The chanting crowd peaked at up to 300 people at one point, but had largely dispersed by late Saturday, Brighton newspaper The Argus reported.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/uk-pm-boris-johnson-condemns-disgraceful-attacks-on-police-in-bristol-2400343">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/uk-pm-boris-johnson-condemns-disgraceful-attacks-on-police-in-bristol-2400343</a>

news world Boris Johnson Condemns "Disgraceful Attacks" On Police In Bristol

"The police and the city have my full support," Boris Johnson said. (File) London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sa...

Japan To Issue Digital Vaccine Passport: Report

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Japan To Issue Digital Vaccine Passport: Report" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2020-12/gcpd1jkg_airportcovid-generic650_625x300_21_December_20.jpg" title="Japan To Issue Digital Vaccine Passport: Report" /></div>
Japan is set to issue digital health certificates to citizens vaccinated against Covid (Representational)
</div>
Japan is set to issue digital health certificates to citizens who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, joining China, the EU and other countries that have adopted similar measures aimed at opening up overseas travel, the Nikkei reported on Saturday.
In line with international standards, the certificate can be managed on a mobile app, allowing the carrier to present the proof of vaccination when boarding a plane or checking in to a hotel, the report said.
The app is also focused on foreigners staying in Japan and returning to their respective home countries, according to the report.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/japan-to-issue-digital-vaccine-passport-report-2400341">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/japan-to-issue-digital-vaccine-passport-report-2400341</a>

news world Japan To Issue Digital Vaccine Passport: Report

Japan is set to issue digital health certificates to citizens vaccinated against Covid (Representational) Japan is set to issue digital ...

Suez Canal Chief Cites Possible "Human Error" In Ship Grounding

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Suez Canal Chief Cites Possible 'Human Error' In Ship Grounding" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-03/n66k6fgg_suez-canal-ship-650_625x300_26_March_21.jpeg" title="Suez Canal Chief Cites Possible 'Human Error' In Ship Grounding" /></div>
Officials had previously blamed 40-knot gusts and a sandstorm for the accident. (File)
</div>
Suez, Egypt:
Egypt's Suez Canal chief said Saturday that "technical or human errors" could be behind the grounding of a huge container ship blocking the vital waterway, causing a backlog of over 300 vessels.
Osama Rabie, head of the Suez Canal Authority, told reporters that the ship could be afloat again by Sunday night.
The crisis has crippled global supply chains, forcing cargo firms to choose between waiting or the expensive option of rerouting vessels around the southern tip of Africa.
Officials had previously blamed 40-knot gusts and a sandstorm for the accident.
But Rabie said Saturday that "strong winds and weather factors" were not solely responsible, saying there "may have been technical or human errors".
Asked when the vessel might be freed, he sounded an optimistic note.
"We could finish today or tomorrow (Sunday), depending on the ship's responsiveness" to tides, he said.
Over 320 ships carrying billions of dollars-worth of cargo are now stalled at either end of the vital shipping lane linking Asia to Europe.
The 193-kilometre (120-mile) long canal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean is vital for shipping between Asia and Europe, the alternative route around the Cape of Good Hope costing an additional 12 days at sea.
Egypt is losing some $12-14 million in revenue from the canal for each day it is closed, Rabie added.
When will it move?
The MV Ever Given, which is longer than four football fields, has been wedged diagonally across the canal since Tuesday, blocking it in both directions.
In one sign of the knock-on effects, Syrian authorities said Saturday they had been forced to ration already scarce fuel supplies.
The Suez suspension "has impacted oil imports to Syria and slowed arrival of a ship carrying fuel and oil products" from government ally Iran, Syria's oil ministry said.
And Romania's animal health agency said Saturday that 11 ships carrying livestock out of the country were affected by the blockage. NGO Animals International warned of a potential "tragedy" affecting some 130,000 animals.
Those involved in salvage efforts have given varying predictions about how long it could take to reopen the canal.
Yukito Higaki, president of Japanese firm Shoei Kisen which owns the MV Ever Given, told local media on Friday that the ship could be freed by late Saturday.
The executive director of Royal Boskalis, parent company of Smit Salvage which is in charge of the salvage operation, suggested the ship could be afloat again "at the start of next week". 
Peter Berdowski said Friday that a crane was being set up to remove hundreds of containers from the ship's foredeck.
But Nick Sloane, a South African salvage master who was in charge of refloating Italy's Costa Concordia cruise liner, said that could involve "a very long delay".
The blockage has caused a huge backlog of ships at both the Red Sea and Mediterranean ends of the canal, causing major delays in the delivery of oil and other products.
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) -- the ship's technical manager -- said efforts were focused on "dredging to remove sand and mud from around the port side of the vessel's bow".
Rabie told journalists Saturday that 14 tugboats had been deployed to help refloat the ship.
Stakes 'too high'
But the vessel with gross tonnage of 219,000 and deadweight of 199,000 has yet to budge, forcing global shipping giant Maersk and Germany's Hapag-Lloyd to look into re-routing around Africa.
Lloyd's List, a shipping data and news company, said Evergreen's Ever Greet had already done so, adding that the blockage was holding up an estimated $9.6 billion worth of cargo each day between Asia and Europe.
Liability for those losses could be hard to establish, according to Laleh Khalili, a politics professor at Queen Mary University of London.
The "fracturing of ownership and operation across different legal jurisdictions and national boundaries" makes it harder to assign responsibility for maritime accidents, she wrote in The Washington Post on Friday.
Suez traffic has been disrupted several times in the past, notably after Egypt nationalised the operating company in 1956. 
That prompted an abortive invasion by Britain, France and Israel. Then during the Six Day War, Egypt imposed a blockade to prevent Israeli ships using the canal until 1975.
As efforts mount to free the Ever Given, salvage teams are hoping to take advantage of a spring high tide due to start Sunday night.
Plamen Natzkoff, an expert at VesselsValue, said teams would likely step up their efforts in the coming days to make the most of that opportunity.
"If they don't manage to dislodge it during that high tide, the next high tide is not there for another couple of weeks, and that becomes problematic," he said.
"The stakes are too high for it to take months."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/suez-canal-chief-cites-possible-human-error-in-ship-grounding-2400339">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/suez-canal-chief-cites-possible-human-error-in-ship-grounding-2400339</a>

news world Suez Canal Chief Cites Possible "Human Error" In Ship Grounding

Officials had previously blamed 40-knot gusts and a sandstorm for the accident. (File) Suez, Egypt: Egypt's Suez Canal chief said S...

Multiple Wounded In Stabbing Incident At Vancover-Area Library: Police

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Multiple Wounded In Stabbing Incident At Vancover-Area Library: Police" src="https://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2017-06/police-line-do-not-cross_650x400_41498536630.jpg" title="Multiple Wounded In Stabbing Incident At Vancover-Area Library: Police" /></div>
Multiple people were wounded in a stabbing incident at the North Vancouver Library (Representational)
</div>
Ottawa:
Multiple people were wounded in a stabbing at a public library in a Vancouver suburb on Saturday, and one suspect, who apparently acted alone, was taken into custody, Canadian police said.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said "multiple victims" were stabbed inside and outside the North Vancouver Library and that one suspect had been taken in custody.
It "appears this was a lone suspect," the RCMP said on Twitter, adding that it was still looking for "potential additional victims".
Amy Robertson of B.C. Emergency Health Services said six people were taken to the hospital and that she was unable to release details on their condition, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) reported.
"We were driving up ... and there was a woman right beside her car with a 7-year-old boy, multiple stab wounds and bleeding profusely ... She said it was a random stabber who was running down the street," a witness who gave his name as Steve told Canada's Global News.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/multiple-wounded-in-stabbing-incident-at-north-vancover-library-police-2400336">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/multiple-wounded-in-stabbing-incident-at-north-vancover-library-police-2400336</a>

news world Multiple Wounded In Stabbing Incident At Vancover-Area Library: Police

Multiple people were wounded in a stabbing incident at the North Vancouver Library (Representational) Ottawa: Multiple people were woun...