News in Brief (03-12-2020)

Hong Kong jails three pro-democracy activists
HONG KONG, Dec 02: Hong Kong democracy activists Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam have been sentenced to jail for their involvement in mass protests last year. The trio had been found guilty of unlawful assembly. The pro-democracy movement has been stifled since Beijing introduced a controversial security law with harsh punishments. But as their offences took place before the law's enactment, the activists have avoided a potential life sentence. Wong has received a sentence of 13.5 months in jail, while Chow and Lam will be imprisoned for 10 and seven months respectively. — BBC
UK parliament votes to exit lockdown
LONDON, Dec 02: Much of England will swap lockdown for less stringent coronavirus restrictions, after Parliament approved new rules Tuesday despite a substantial revolt among lawmakers in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party. The rebellion, by lawmakers who want to go farther in easing the limits on public life, underscored the rising tide of discontent among Johnson's own members of Parliament over his handling of the pandemic. — New York Times
Ardern declares 'climate emergency'
WELLINGTON, Dec 02: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared a "climate emergency" on Wednesday, telling parliament that urgent action was needed for the sake of future generations. Ardern said the science on climate change was clear and New Zealand had to acknowledge the threat. The centre-left leader said the challenges posed by global warming meant parliament's declaration - an act undertaken by more than a dozen other countries - was warranted. — AFP
Spain records 8,257 new COVID-19 cases
MADRID, Dec 02: Spain reported 8,257 new coronavirus cases, bringing the national tally to 1,656,444, the country's health ministry said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, 442 more COVID-19 deaths were recorded, taking the death toll to 45,511, it said. Worldwide, Spain has the sixth highest number of COVID-19 infections and ninth highest in terms of deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. — AFP
Eight die in India after truck fell on vehicle
NEW DELHI, Dec 02: At least eight persons died in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh early on Wednesday morning after a truck filled with sand overturned and fell on their vehicle, confirmed a local cop. The mishap occurred in the state's Kaushambi area, near Delhi. The dead were family members and close relatives. — Xinhua