WORLD
Lethal 'NeoCov' only 1 mutation away from infecting humans: Wuhan scientists
According to the scientists from Wuhan University in China, NeoCov can penetrate human cells in the same way as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. "It is only one mutation away from becoming dangerous for humans," researchers said in a paper posted on preprint website bioRxiv which has not been peer-reviewed yet. NeoCoV has been discovered among bats in South Africa and has only been known to spread among these animals to date.
1 hostage dead after 11-hr standoff near Tokyo
The man attacked three visiting medical workers and shot one of them dead in the standoff that started at around 9 p.m. on Thursday night until early Friday morning, reports Xinhua news agency. A 44-year-old male doctor, thought to be the assailant's primary physician, was found by police with no vital signs and later died at the hospital.
US weekly jobless claims fall after hitting 3-month high
In the week ending January 22, the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits decreased by 30,000 from the previous week's upwardly revised level of 290,000, according to a report released by the Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Prior to that, the figure had been rising for three weeks in a row, as the fast-spreading Covid-19 Omicron variant continued to disrupt labour market recovery, reports Xinhua news agency.
US bans China Unicom over national security concerns
China Unicom joins China Telecom as being another Chinese state-owned telco that has been banned from operating in the US. China Mobile is the only remaining major telco that is still operational in the US. The FCC said in a statement late on Thursday that China Unicom Americas, a US subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned enterprise, is subject to exploitation, influence and control by the Chinese government.
Russia playing 'destabilising role' in missile defence system sale to India: Price
Asked at his briefing on how missile purchase was going to affect Washington's relations with India given the tensions between US and Russia over Ukraine, Price said: "I think it shines a spotlight on destabilizing role that Russia is playing not only in the region but potentially beyond as well. In many ways, this doesn't change the concerns that we have with the S-400 system. Whether it is India, whether it is any other country, we continue to urge all countries to avoid major new transactions for Russian weapon systems."
Russia vs Ukraine: Let's compare military might of the two neighbours
Ukraine’s Pro-NATO President Zelensky said last year that his country is ready to push back any attempts of invasion ordered by President Putin. It is hence important to know the details of military capabilities of each side to predict how the war would unravel and which side would have an upper hand (at least on paper) should an invasion take place. Here’s the comparison of their respective military prowess.
Afghan soil still being used against Pakistan: Pak NSA
The NSA said the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had unilaterally terminated the ceasefire agreement, adding that whoever imposes war on the country will be dealt with strongly. In a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf said that a complete solution to all problems should not be expected with the Taliban coming into power.
Ukrainian Prez positively evaluates talks of Normandy format advisors
"Zelensky positively assesses the fact of the meeting, its constructive nature, as well as the intention to continue meaningful talks in two weeks in Berlin," said the statement on the Ukrainian presidential website. According to the statement, Zelensky emphasized that the sustainable and unconditional ceasefire in Donbas could be a basis for the next steps in the peace process, Xinhua news agency reported.
N.Korea confirms test-firing of long-range cruise, surface-to-surface missiles
On Thursday, South Korea's military said the North fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, marking its sixth such launch this month, Yonhap news agency reported. The latest "saber-rattling" came just two days after Pyongyang launched two apparent cruise missiles from an inland area.
'US equally focused on N.Korea as all other threats'
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday, marking its sixth missile launch since the start of this month, Yonhap news agency reported. "Just because right now one issue obviously is certainly capturing the attention of the world community doesn't mean that we are not equally pursuing and focused on other threats and challenges to the country," Kirby said in a press briefing.
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