Thailand commits to policy of not detaining migrant children
Advocates for the protection of refugees and asylum seekers lauded a commitment by Thailand on Monday to release children held in its immigration detention centers.
The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, said Thai government Ministries involved with the issue signed a memorandum of understanding providing a framework to meet a 2016 pledge by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to end the practice of detaining migrant children.
The document is an agreement in principle and does not ensure how such children will be taken care of.
Pakistan kicks off year's first polio campaign in 2019
A health worker gives a polio vaccination to a child in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.
A Pakistani health official says the country has kicked off its first nationwide polio vaccination campaign for the year in efforts to eradicate the crippling disease by the end of 2019.
Rana Safdar says the drive that started on Monday is targeting 39.2 million under-five children across the country, except for some areas badly hit by winter rains. He says 260,000 staffers are involved. The campaign will try to include children who move across the Afghan-Pakistan border.
Serena Williams ousts No. 1 Simona Halep at Australian Open
Serena Williams of the U.S. celebrates after winning the match against Romania's Simona Halep
Serena Williams faced her first real test at this year’s Australian Open and emerged with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory over No. 1-ranked Simona Halep to reach the quarterfinals.
It was a back-and-forth match Monday night, filled with momentum swings and terrific play by both women.
Williams gained control for good after saving three break points in a monumental game to hold for 3-all in the third set. She then broke for a 4-3 lead and finally was on her way.
‘Halwa’ ceremony marks the beginning of Budget
MoS Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla and Pon Radhakrishnan participate in the Halwa Ceremony to mark the ceremonial beginning of printing of Budget documents in North Block, New Delhi on Monday.
Ministers of State for Finance and senior officials of the Finance Ministry observed the symbolic ‘Halwa Ceremony’ to mark the launch of formal printing of documents relating to the Union Budget 2019.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, however, missed the customary pre-Budget event as he is currently in the US for a medical check up.
As part of the ritual, ‘halwa’ is prepared in a big ‘kadhai’ (large frying pot) and served to the entire staff in the ministry.
The significance of the sweet dish is that after it is served, a large number of officials and support staff, who are directly associated with the Budget making and printing process, are required to stay in the ministry and remain cut off from their families till the presentation of the Budget in the Lok Sabha.
'Thai Poosam' celebrated in Malaysia, Singapore
Hindu devotees climb the steps to Batu Caves during Thai Poosam in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday, January 21, 2019.
Hindu devotees in Malaysia and Singapore on Monday celebrated the colourful Thai Poosam festival, thronging the streets for an annual religious procession to fulfil vows and offer prayers to Lord Muruga.
The devotees, with leads bearing elaborately decorated home-made frames called “kavadis” and milk pots, formed part of the procession batches in the day-long event to mark the festival when Goddess Parvati gave her son Murugan a Vel “spear” to vanquish evil demon Soorapadman.
Fresh snowfall in Kashmir
A Kashmiri boatman paddles a shikara boat during rainfall on Dal Lake in Srinagar on January 21, 2019.
Fresh snowfall was witnessed in the higher reaches of Kashmir Monday and rains lashed the plains even as there was some respite from cold wave for valley residents.
Moderate rains lashed the plains of Kashmir from early hours of Monday while there were reports of snowfall in higher reaches of the valley, officials said here.
Devotees throng Sangam
Priest perform Ganga Aarti on the eve of Paush Purnima festival during ongoing Kumbh Mela 2019 in Allahabad, Jan 20, 2019.
Braving intense chill, scores of devotees took a dip in the River Ganga here on Monday on the occasion of Paush Purnima, the second auspicious bathing day of the Kumbh Mela.
Nitin Gadkari in Vijayawada
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, cutting a cake to mark the Central government’s offer of 10% reservation for the economically backward classes in the general category, at Siddhartha auditorium in Vijayawada on Monday, December 21, 2019.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday marked the Central government’s offer of 10% reservation for the economically backward classes in the general category by cutting a cake at Siddhartha auditorium in Vijayawada.
Mr. Gadkari also addressed a party meeting at the same venue on various issues before proceeding to Akiveedu in West Godavari district to participate in the inauguration/foundation laying of some national highway projects.
Telangana panchayat polls - Phase I
Women waiting to cast their votes during the first phase of the panchayat polls in Medak, Telanagana on Monday, December 21, 2019.
Polling began for the first phase of the panchayat elections in Telangana amid tight security. This is the first ever polls for panchayats after the formation of the state in 2014.
Polling began at 7 a.m and will end at 1 p.m even as counting will be taken up from 2 p.m.
Though 4,479 panchayats were scheduled to go the polls in the first phase, the election was declared unanimous in 769 panchayats, and elections to another nine were cancelled due to other reasons
Fire at Vizag Steel plant
The fire broke out in the filter house building of SMS-2 at VSP around 2.30 am on Monday, January 21, 2019.
Fire broke out in the early hours of Monday at Steel Melt Shop-2 of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. However, No casualties were reported.
The reason for the incident was not immediately known.
Hatsukayasai festival in Japan
Men wearing traditional 'shimekomi' loincloths and carrying torches sing and dance in Motsuji Temple during the Hatsukayasai festival on January 20, 2019 in Hiraizumi, Japan.
'Hatsukayasai' marked the final day of the annual Matarajin Festival in Japan, that runs from January 14 to 20 to pray for health, prosperity and a bountiful harvest. The festival culminated in a parade from the nearby train station to Motsuji Temple by men and women of 'unlucky ages' - 19, 33 and 37 for women or 25, 42 and 60 for men.
Naomi Osaka advances to quarters
Japan's Naomi Osaka bounces her racket in frustration during her fourth round match against Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.
On Monday, January 21, 2019, Naomi Osaka defeated Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova in the Round of 16 to advance to the Quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
In another match Svitolina defeated Madison Keys to reach Australian Open quarterfinals. Elina Svitolina served and served, and served again, tossing the ball into the sun, in a desperate bid to hold a game in the third set against Keys.
The sixth-seeded Svitolina fended off five break points in game that went to deuce 11 times, contained 28 points, and was pivotal in a momentum-swinging 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 win that earned her a place in the Australian Open quarterfinals.
(With inputs from Agencies)
