Banned

Over accusations of counterfeiting, Nepal's Tourism Ministry (MoCTCA) has dismissed the summit certificate issued to Haryana-based mountaineers Narender Singh Yadav and Seema Rani besides fining guide and organisers. Authorities, during examinations, found that both Yadav and Rani had fabricated their Mount Everest summit by submitting forged documents and photographs. Consequently, MoCTCA accorded them six-year retrospective bans, commencing… read-more

The Tennis Integrity Unit on December 1 has imposed an eight-year ban to Spanish tennis player Enrique Lopez Perez for match-fixing in three instances during 2017 and has fined him for $25,000. The Anti-Corruption Officer Richard McLaren has found the 29-year-old tennist guilty for breaching the rule thrice, while two other allegations went unproven. Perez had a career-high singles ranking of 154 and doubles ranking of 135 in 2019.

For repeatedly referring beef as "Gomatha Ulartha" in a cooking show, Kerala-based activist Rehana Fathima has been barred from expressing her opinion through any kind of media. Pronouncing the order, the Kerala High Court on November 23 observed that the use of word "Gomatha" by the activist was "likely to wound the religious feelings" of Hindus. The court stated Fathima's actions might affect the "Fundamental Right of the devotees" as well… read-more

Despite the ban imposed by Andhra Pradesh on the annual stick fighting festival Banni Utsavam due to COVID-19, a total of 47 people were injured during the ritual held in Devaragattu village on October 27 on the night of Vijayadasami. Thousands of people gathered on the Mala Malleshwara Swamy Temple even after the police tried to keep the crowd away. Post midnight, medical officials rushed to the spot to treat the injured.

Come November, Japan may remove the overseas travel ban for 12 countries. Reportedly, the countries' list includes China, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia among others. However, it is quite likely that Japan will suggest the travellers to avoid unnecessary and non-urgent visits. Earlier, the overseas travel was prohibited due to the spread of the coronavirus.