Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has received the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to achieve international peace and co-operation.

After receiving the prestigious award in a formal ceremony at Oslo's City Hall today, Mr Ahmed said, he accepted this award on behalf of Ethiopians and Eritreans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace.

This year's Nobel Peace Prize was the 100th to be awarded. The Nobel Peace Prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and a cheque for nine million Swedish kronor (850,000 euros).

The Nobel Committee announced in October it was honouring Abiy Ahmed for his efforts to resolve the long-running conflict with neighbouring foe Eritrea.

To expedite the trial of cases relating to women and children, 45 new fast track courts will be set up in Odisha. State Law Minister Pratap Jena said 21 courts would be dedicated for cases of rape and sexual harassment of women.

The remaining 24 fast track courts will specifically deal with Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases. The State government's action comes after Centre's decision to formulate a scheme for setting up 1,023 fast track special courts for expeditious trial and disposal of rape cases.

13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal last evening. Thousands of sports lovers witnessed gala closing ceremony held at historic Dasaratha Rangshala in Kathmandu. 

Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, Ishwar Pokharel graced the occasion as Chief Guest. AIR Correspondent reports that India finished on top with 312 medals comprising 174 gold, 93 silver and 45 bronze. 

India, for the first time, ranks among the top 10 in this year's Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) released today at the COP25 climate summit in Spanish capital Madrid.

The current levels of per capita emissions and energy use in India ranked 9th in the high category showing that emissions are still comparatively low. However, despite a high rating for its Climate Policy performance, experts point out that India has yet to develop a roadmap to phase-out fossil fuel subsidies and reduce the country's high dependence on coal.

The authors of the report noted that while the country receives an overall medium rating in the renewable energy category, India's 2030 renewable energy target is rated very high for its well-below 2 degrees Celsius compatibility.

The world observes Human Rights Day today. The Day is celebrated on the 10th December every year to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948 as the shared standard yard stick to protect human rights across the globe.

The Declaration recognizes that the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of mankind are the foundation of justice, freedom and peace in the world. It reaffirms the faith of the people of United Nations in the fundamental human rights.

13th South Asian Games will come to a close in Nepal this evening. Indian athletes continue to dominate medals tally on the penultimate day yesterday. India consolidated its top position with 294 medals comprising 159 gold, 91 silver and 44 bronze medals.
 
AIR correspondent reports that on the final day of games, athletes will compete for eight gold medals in Boxing and one in Judo. In Squash, India will take on Pakistan for title clash in men's and women's team events. Indian men's Basketball team will play against Sri Lanka and women's team will compete with host Nepal in the finals. Before the closing ceremony, Nepal and Bhutan will clash for gold in men's football final.

Russia has been handed a four-year ban from all major sporting events by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

It means the Russia flag and anthem will not be allowed at events such as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics and football's 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But athletes who can prove they are untainted by the doping scandal will be able to compete under a neutral flag.

Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said the ban was part of "chronic anti-Russian hysteria".

"It is obvious that significant doping problems still exist in Russia, I mean our sporting community," he said. "This is impossible to deny.

The UNESCO-recognized Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) conducted a special service today for foreign tourists.

71 tourists from several countries, including the USA, the UK and France travelled by a special steam engine service from Coonoor to Ooty.

They were presented with special mementoes and gift hampers as well as served with the replica of the original Edmonton type cardboard ticket.

The routine services of the NMR had been cancelled till yesterday because of cascading rocks making the trip totally unsafe.

NTPC has signed a term loan agreement for 5,000 crore with State Bank of India. A company statement said that the loan facility has been extended at an interest rate linked to 3-month MCLR of the bank and has a door-to-door tenure of 15 years. The loan will be utilised to part finance the capital expenditure of NTPC.

In March this year, the company had raised $450 million (over 3,000 crore) through a 5-year bond offering in the international markets. This issuance was under the $6 billion (over 43,000 crore) Medium Term Note (MTN) programme. Later in July, NTPC raised 4,300 crore through bonds, which were to be used for capital expenditure and general corporate requirement.

In August, the group got shareholders’ nod to raise up to 15,000 crore through issuance of bonds and to raise its borrowing limit to 2 lakh crore.

In Odisha, President Ram Nath Kovind today laid the foundation stone for a memorial to mark completion of 200 years of Paika Rebellion, a valiant uprising of Paikas in 1817 against the British Rule which is often termed as the First War of Independence.

The proposed project will come up at the foothills of Barunei hills in Khurda district. The memorial is seen as an epitome of Odisha’s valour and will serve as an inspiration for the youth. The Paika Rebellion memorial which will come up in 10 acres of land will be a source of inspiration for the youths and generations to come.

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Union Ministers Pratap Sarangi and Dharmendra Pradhan and other eminent dignitaries were also present during the foundation laying ceremony.