Freedom Convoy: Truckers cause chaos in Ottawa after second day of protests
Protesters against a vaccine mandate for truckers crossing the US-Canada border have brought Canada's capital city to a standstill for a second day, BBC reported.
Thousands of demonstrators joined the so-called Freedom Convoy in Ottawa.
Police have started investigations after several incidents, including the appearance of swastika flags and footage of a woman dancing on the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Defence Minister Anita Anand said the incidents were "beyond reprehensible".
Ottawa police said in a Twitter post that "several" investigations were now under way into the "desecration" of a number monuments in the capital city, as well as "threatening/illegal/intimidating behaviour to police/city workers and other individuals and damage to a city vehicle".
Elsewhere across the city, truckers blocked the streets around Canada's parliament building and Ottawa's Mayor Jim Watson said some protesters had harassed staff at a soup kitchen, demanding free meals after they were turned away by restaurants for their refusal to comply with indoor mask mandates.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family also left their home in Ottawa over safety concerns on Saturday.
Around 90% of Canada's 120,000 cross-border truckers are now vaccinated, in line with the country's adult population.
The demonstration has grown beyond a call to end the cross-border mandate to a push to an end to all vaccine mandates nationwide, and some demonstrators have pledged to continue their protests they are removed.
Mr Trudeau called the protesters "a small fringe minority" during a press conference earlier this week.
Conservative leader Erin O'Toole has met some of the protesters and has spoken in favour of the right to peaceful demonstration, but criticised "individuals desecrating" memorials in Ottawa.
Mr Trudeau's Liberal government brought in the vaccine mandate on 15 January that would require unvaccinated Canadian truckers crossing the two nations' border to quarantine once they return home.
The US has also recently said that foreign truck drivers must show proof of vaccination to enter the country.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister holds talks with Foreign Secretary Paudyal
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao has held a virtual meeting with Nepalese Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal.
On behalf of the Nepalese government, Paudyal extended sincere New Year greetings to China, congratulated Beijing on becoming the world's first city to host both Summer and Winter Games, and wishes the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 a complete success, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Wu Jianghao expressed his thanks and extended holiday greetings to his Nepalese colleagues. He stressed China will work with the international community to vigorously carry forward the Olympic spirit and present a streamlined, safe and splendid Games to the world.
Both sides also exchanged in-depth views on bilateral cooperation against COVID-19, Belt and Road cooperation, and international and regional issues of common concern, according to a press statement.
RPP Chair Lingden appoints 2 vice-chairmen, 2 general secretaries among 24 office bearers
Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Rajendra Lingden appointed two vice-chairmen and two general secretaries among 24 office bearers on Sunday.
Hem Raj Gurung of Lamjung and Mukunda Shyam Giri of Surkhet have been appointed as the vice-chairmen. Similarly, Rajendra Gurung of Okhaldhunga and Prahlad Prasad Sah of Morang have been appointed as the general secretaries.
There is a provision in the party statute that the chairman should appoint the two vice-chairmen and two general secretaries.
In addition to that, he appointed Bhakti Prasad Sitaula of Jhapa, Mohan Shrestha of Gorkha, Sagun Sundar Lawati of Panchthar and Gopal Dahal of Morang were appointed as the party spokesperson.
Earlier, two general secretaries, two vice-chairmen among eight office bearers were appointed from the general convention.
NA meeting postponed until further notice
The National Assembly meeting has been postponed yet again.
meeting scheduled for Monday has been postponed in view of the risk of coronavirus, the Parliament Secretariat said.
Issuing a statement, Bharat Raj Gautam, General Secretary at the Federal Parliament Secetariat, said that the meeting called for Monday has been postponed.
He said that the meeting has been postponed until further notice.
The meeting of the House of Representatives scheduled for today has also been postponed.
