WORLD
China puts city of 1.1 mn under lockdown after three cases
Yuzhou, which has a population of 1.1 million, saw its transport system shut down and all but essential food stores closed overnight, the report said. It follows a similar lockdown in Xi'an, where 13 million have been confined to their homes since December 23. The strict measures come ahead of the Lunar New Year and the Winter Olympics due to be held in Beijing from February 4-20.
Over 1L hospitalised with Covid in US, 1st time in 4 months
Covid hospitalisations reached a record high of more than 142,000 about a year ago, on January 14, 2021, and last topped 100,000 on September 11. The total fell to about 45,000 hospitalisations in early November, but increased steadily since then, and surged last week, Xinhua news agency reported. States are also reporting surges in the number of children hospitalised, and official data last week showed that pediatric hospital admissions reached a record high. In Illinois, that number has almost tripled since December.
WHO still recommends 14-day quarantine for Covid-19 patients
However, states must make decisions about the duration of quarantine based on their individual situations, Xinhua news agency reported citing Abdi Mahamud from WHO's Covid Incident Management Support Team. In countries with low infections, a longer quarantine time could help keep case numbers as low as possible, he explained. In places with runaway cases, however, shorter quarantines may be justified in order to keep the countries running, he added.
Western ads with narrow eyes seen as racist in China
By featuring models with narrow eyes, critics say these companies are perpetuating Western stereotypes of Chinese faces, the BBC reported. In November, a top Chinese fashion photographer had apologised for her "ignorance" after a picture she shot for French luxury brand Dior sparked a backlash. It had featured a Chinese model with narrow eyes. In recent days, there have been other incidents of social media outrage over ads by Mercedes-Benz and Gucci that featured Chinese women with narrow eyes, the BBC reported.
Taliban shut down women's baths in Afghan province
As the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is taking root across the country, their restrictions, especially on women, are also increasing. The decision was taken unanimously by religious scholars and provincial officials of the Directorate of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in the province. Based on the new decision, women can only take shower in private baths while observing Islamic hijab, not in general baths, the report said.
Imran Khan's ex-wife escapes gun attack in Islamabad
In a tweet, Reham Khan revealed that on the way back home from her nephew's wedding, her car was shot at and two men on a motorcycle held the vehicle at gunpoint. "I had just changed vehicles. My personal secretary and driver were in the car," the former television presenter said and demanded that the "so-called government should be held accountable for it (the attack)".
Australian PM rules out funding free rapid Covid tests
PM Scott Morrison said that the federal government cannot afford to continue spending on preventing the spread of Covid-19 at the same rate it did in 2020 and 2021, reports Xinhua news agency. "We've invested hundreds of billions of dollars getting Australia through this crisis," Morrison told Seven Network television. It comes amid growing pressure on the government to subsidize rapid antigen tests (RATs) for Australians with infections surging across the country.
1 year of Capitol Hill Violence: Americans believe their democracy is under threat
As per a poll published by news corporation CBS, over two-thirds of Americans believe that American democratic values and system is under threat and the Capitol Hill invasion by supporters of ex-President Donald trump was an ominous indication in terms of political violence in the country.
Evergrande trading halted as restructuring awaited
Evergrande has more than $300 billion of debt and is scrambling to raise cash by selling assets and shares to repay suppliers and creditors.
63,000 S.Korean residents to receive compensation for military noise pollution
According to the government of Pyeongtaek, a city about 70 km south of Seoul, the residents of 10 administrative units, including Sinjang and Paengseong districts, will receive monthly compensation from August under the military noise pollution compensation act which took effect last year, reports Yonhap News Agency.
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