Author: News Desk

United States: The UN security council has denounced the Taliban-led administration’s ban on women attending universities or working for humanitarian aid groups. The 15-member council declared in a statement that the ban on women and girls attending high school and university in Afghanistan “represents an increasing erosion for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.” The council added that the ban “would have a significant and immediate impact for humanitarian operations in country, including those of the United Nations.” “These restrictions contradict the commitments made by the Taliban to the Afghan people as well as the expectations of the international…

United States: The US is considering entry restrictions for travelers from China, as officials expressed concern about a lack of transparency about the country’s biggest COVID-19 outbreak. “There are mounting concerns in the international community on the ongoing COVID-19 surges in China and the lack of transparent data, including viral genomic sequence data, being reported from the PRC,” US officials stated. The lack of genomic data makes it “increasingly difficult for public health officials to ensure that they will be able to identify any potential new variants and take prompt measures to reduce the spread,” the US officials remarked. “The…

United States: Scientists have developed a blood test to detect Alzheimer’s disease without the use of painful lumbar puncture, which extracts cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from the lower back, or expensive brain imaging. If the test is proven to be accurate, it may speed up disease diagnosis and allow for earlier treatment. Even though Alzheimer’s is the most prevalent type of dementia, diagnosing it can be difficult, especially in its early stages. Current guidelines recommend the detection of three distinct markers: abnormal accumulations of amyloid and tau proteins, as well as neurodegeneration – the slow and progressive loss of neuronal…

United States: US airlines have cancelled thousands of flights as winter storms and staffing issues wreaked havoc across the country. On December 27, nearly 4,900 flights were canceled, with another 4,400 delayed. More than 60 percent of the cancelled flights belong to Southwest Airlines, which called off over 2,500 flights. The flight cancellation chaos led to thousands of exasperated passengers sleeping in terminals as they searched for solutions. “We’ve been chasing our tails, trying to catch up and get back to normal safely, which is our number one priority, as quickly as we could. That’s exactly how we ended up…

South Korea: The former president of South Korea Mr. Lee Myung-bak has received a presidential pardon, which has cut short his 17-year prison sentence for corruption. Mr. Yoon Seok-yeol, president of South Korea, issued the pardon for the former president as part of the East Asian country’s customary mass pardons around national holidays. “Mr. Lee was on a list of more than 1,300 people who received special pardons from the perspective of broad national unity through reconciliation, tolerance, and consideration,” Mr. Han Dong-hoon, justice minister of South Korea, stated after a Cabinet meeting with president Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol. The former…

Australia: The Australian cricketer David Warner battled through searing heat to smash an incredible unbroken 200 before retiring in discomfort as Australia extended their lead over South Africa in his 100th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The hosts were 386-3 at the end of day two of the second Test, leading by 197 runs after the Proteas were bowled for 189 runs in their first innings on a scorching day. Travis Head was not out 48 with Alex Carey on nine. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were the only wickets to fall. But worryingly for Australia, Cameron Green, who…

India: Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he was counting on India’s assistance to implement a “peace formula,” during a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. The call comes as New Delhi looks to strengthen commercial ties with Moscow after becoming one of the country’s largest oil buyers, defying Western sanctions and giving Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin a crucial financial lifeline while the Kremlin continues an unprovoked war against its neighbour. https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1607371233108140034?s=20&t=irN4Bsmb3r6MUUGGCA5IaA “I announced the peace formula and now I count on India’s participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support…

Iran: The football legend of Iran Mr. Ali Daei has stated that an international flight has been rerouted to prevent his wife and daughter from leaving the country. The 53-year-old, who supports anti-government protests in Iran, claimed that his family’s flight from Tehran to Dubai to join him on vacation was forced to land on Kish island in the Gulf and they were removed. Mr. Daei shared that “they were going to Dubai for a few days and then back. If they had been barred from leaving, the passport police system should have indicated it. No one has given me…

London, UK: Mr. Stephen Greif, who starred in Blake’s 7 and The Crown, passed away at the age of 78. Mr. Greif had a long career in stage and film. He also made appearances in Doctors, Coronation Street, and EastEnders. His representatives at Michelle Braidman Associates stated that, “With great sadness, we announce the death of our wonderful client Stephen Greif.” “His extensive career included numerous roles on screen and stage, including at the National Theatre, RSC and in the West End. We will miss him dearly and our thoughts are with his family and friends,” the representatives remarked. The…

China: The National Health Commission of China has announced that the country will drop COVID-19 quarantine requirements for passengers arriving from abroad starting January 8 as part of easing the once-strict virus-control measures. The measure is the latest in a series of restrictions to be lifted as China gives up its “zero-COVID” policy. Since March 2020, all passengers arriving in China have had to undergo mandatory quarantine. Currently, arriving passengers are required to quarantine for five days at a hotel, followed by three days at home. Earlier, there was a requirement to quarantine for three weeks. While commenting on the…