Food or Fuel? The Sri Lankan govt is in a dilemma on what to purchase first. It's facing an acute shortage of both these essentials. It's relying on loans to stay afloat. India has granted USD 500 million more to help Colombo. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: 'Hand-To-Mouth situation' in Sri Lanka: Food and Fuel supplies run out

Omicron is spreading across mainland China. More than 20 million people are under lockdown. The new variant has breached the borders of Beijing. Will the outbreak derail the Winter Games? Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: Will Omicron derail the Winter Games?

China has claimed that its first Omicron case came through a letter from Canada. In the last two years, Beijing has also blamed imported fruits and frozen meat for Covid clusters. Palki Sharma tells you why these theories are nonsensical even by China's standards.

Gravitas: Fruits, meat and mail: China's excuses for Covid clusters

It's raining missiles in the Korean Peninsula. In the last 2 weeks, North Korea has test-fired 4 missiles. The tests have put regional powers like Japan and South Korea on edge. What is Kim Jong-Un up to? Does he want attention? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: 4 Missile Tests in 2 Weeks: North Korea returns to brinkmanship

Russia is thinning out its embassy in Ukraine. UK has sent arms to Ukraine; Canada has sent special forces. Russia is conducting military drills. US is sending Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Kyiv. Is a war inevitable? Listen in to Palki Sharma

Gravitas: Blinken to travel to Ukraine, as Russia conducts military drills

Russian troops in Kazakhastan on peacekeeping duty have completed their withdrawal from the country, confirmed Russian defence ministry. The troops left Kazakhstan after the country lifted the state of emergency which was declared after unprecedented unrest in the Central Asian state.

The Russian defence ministry said that four military planes carrying its last remaining troops had departed from the capital Nur-Sultan and Kazakhstan's largest city Almaty.

"The last units of the peacekeepers and the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent headed by Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov will return home on these planes," it said, according to Russian news agencies.

Images published by the Russian defence ministry showed military airplanes landing at an airport in the southern Russian city of Ulyanovsk, where a ceremony was held to mark the troops' return.

Ex-Soviet Kazakhstan has been roiled by clashes that followed peaceful protests over a New Year fuel price increase and which left at least 225 people dead, including 19 fatalities among servicemen.

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Troops from the bloc that includes ex-Soviet states Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia began arriving on January 6 following an invitation from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The withdrawal began on Thursday.

Serdyukov confirmed the completion of the mission under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a six-member military bloc led by Moscow.

"The peacekeeping operation...on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been completed," said Serdyukov.

The withdrawal comes on the same day that oil-rich Kazakhstan ended states of emergency across the country imposed after violence erupted that authorities blamed on bandits and "terrorists".

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian troops in Kazakhastan on peacekeeping duty have completed their withdrawal from the country, confirmed Russian defence ministry. The troops left Kazakhstan after the country lifted the state of emergency which was declared after unprecedented unrest in the Central Asian state.

Russian troops in Kazakhastan on peacekeeping duty have completed their withdrawal from the country, confirmed Russian defence ministry. The troops left Kazakhstan after the country lifted the state of emergency which was declared after unprecedented unrest in the Central Asian state. The Russian defence ministry said that four military planes carrying its last remaining troops had departed from the capital Nur-Sultan and Kazakhstan's largest city Almaty. "The last units of the peacekeepers and the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent headed by Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov will return home on these planes," it said, according to Russian news agencies. Images published by the Russian defence ministry showed military airplanes landing at an airport in the southern Russian city of Ulyanovsk, where a ceremony was held to mark the troops' return. Ex-Soviet Kazakhstan has been roiled by clashes that followed peaceful protests over a New Year fuel price increase and which left at least 225 people dead, including 19 fatalities among servicemen. × Troops from the bloc that includes ex-Soviet states Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia began arriving on January 6 following an invitation from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The withdrawal began on Thursday. Serdyukov confirmed the completion of the mission under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a six-member military bloc led by Moscow. "The peacekeeping operation...on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been completed," said Serdyukov. The withdrawal comes on the same day that oil-rich Kazakhstan ended states of emergency across the country imposed after violence erupted that authorities blamed on bandits and "terrorists". (With inputs from agencies)

Russian troops withdraw from Kazakhstan as state of emergency ends

US President Joe Biden's administration said on Wednesday that it will be distributing 400 million high quality Covid N95 masks for free to Americans . The step will be taken in order to rein in the coronavirus pandemic. The masks will be made available next week.

Tens of thousands of distribution points will be set up nationwide in order to give away masks. Pharmacies and community centres are expected to be main distribution centres. The White House said that the distribution drive will kick into full gear in February.

"This is the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in US history," an unnamed White House official said in a statement.

The US is currently facing a surge of Covid cases due to Omicron variant of coronavirus. Other than the initiative to distribute masks, the White House is also focussing on expanding Covid-19 testing.

On Tuesday it launched a website where each American household can order free tests, to be performed at home.

The government aims to distribute one billion rapid tests in the United States, the country whose Covid-19 death toll of 853,000 is the world's highest.

US also has a problem of anti-vaxxers, those who have raised questions about side effects of Covid vaccines. More often, these doubts have been based on unscientific into propagated by individuals online. There is a strong public opinion in the US that vaccination must not be compulsory.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden's administration said on Wednesday that it will be distributing 400 million high quality Covid N95 masks for free to Americans . The step will be taken in order to rein in the coronavirus pandemic.

US President Joe Biden's administration said on Wednesday that it will be distributing 400 million high quality Covid N95 masks for free to Americans . The step will be taken in order to rein in the coronavirus pandemic. The masks will be made available next week. Tens of thousands of distribution points will be set up nationwide in order to give away masks. Pharmacies and community centres are expected to be main distribution centres. The White House said that the distribution drive will kick into full gear in February. "This is the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in US history," an unnamed White House official said in a statement. The US is currently facing a surge of Covid cases due to Omicron variant of coronavirus. Other than the initiative to distribute masks, the White House is also focussing on expanding Covid-19 testing. On Tuesday it launched a website where each American household can order free tests, to be performed at home. The government aims to distribute one billion rapid tests in the United States, the country whose Covid-19 death toll of 853,000 is the world's highest. US also has a problem of anti-vaxxers, those who have raised questions about side effects of Covid vaccines. More often, these doubts have been based on unscientific into propagated by individuals online. There is a strong public opinion in the US that vaccination must not be compulsory. (With inputs from agencies)

US government to distribute 400 million Covid N95 masks for free

Citizen scientists along with a University of California, Riverside astronomer have discovered a gas giant nearly three times more massive than Jupiter. The exoplanet has same diameter as that of Jupiter.

Researchers also believed that it contained 105 times the mass of Earth in elements heavier than helium and hydrogen. Details of the finding have been published in the 'Astronomical Journal' and were presented at the American Astronomical Society virtual press event on January 13.

"TOI-2180 b is such an exciting planet to have found," said UCR astronomer Paul Dalba, who helped confirm the planet`s existence.&nbsp;

"It hits the trifecta of 1) having a several-hundred-day orbit, 2) being relatively close to Earth (379 lightyears is considered close for an exoplanet), and 3) us being able to see it transit in front of its star. It is very rare for astronomers to discover a planet that checks all three of these boxes," he said.

Dalba also explained that the planet is special because it took 261 days to complete a journey around its star, a relatively long time compared to many known gas giants outside our solar system.&nbsp;

Its relative proximity to Earth and the brightness of the star it orbits also made it likely that astronomers will be able to learn more about it.

In order to locate exoplanets, which orbit stars other than our sun, NASA`s TESS satellite would look at one part of the sky for a month and then, move on. It searches for dips in brightness that would occur when a planet crosses in front of a star.

"The rule of thumb is that we need to see three `dips` or transits before we believe we`ve found a planet," Dalba said.&nbsp;

A single transit event could be caused by a telescope with a jitter, or a star masquerading as a planet. For these reasons, TESS isn`t focused on these single transit events. However, a small group of citizen scientists is.Looking over TESS data, Tom Jacobs, a group member and former US naval officer, saw light dim from the TOI-2180 star, just once. His group alerted Dalba, who specialized in studying planets that take a long time to orbit their stars.

Using the Lick Observatory`s Automated Planet Finder Telescope, Dalba and his colleagues observed the planet`s gravitational tug on the star, which allowed them to calculate the mass of TOI-2180 b and estimate a range of possibilities for its orbit.

(With inputs from agencies)

Citizen scientists along with a University of California, Riverside astronomer have discovered a gas giant nearly three times more massive than Jupiter. The exoplanet has same diameter as that of Jupiter.

Citizen scientists along with a University of California, Riverside astronomer have discovered a gas giant nearly three times more massive than Jupiter. The exoplanet has same diameter as that of Jupiter. Researchers also believed that it contained 105 times the mass of Earth in elements heavier than helium and hydrogen. Details of the finding have been published in the 'Astronomical Journal' and were presented at the American Astronomical Society virtual press event on January 13. "TOI-2180 b is such an exciting planet to have found," said UCR astronomer Paul Dalba, who helped confirm the planet`s existence. "It hits the trifecta of 1) having a several-hundred-day orbit, 2) being relatively close to Earth (379 lightyears is considered close for an exoplanet), and 3) us being able to see it transit in front of its star. It is very rare for astronomers to discover a planet that checks all three of these boxes," he said. Dalba also explained that the planet is special because it took 261 days to complete a journey around its star, a relatively long time compared to many known gas giants outside our solar system. Its relative proximity to Earth and the brightness of the star it orbits also made it likely that astronomers will be able to learn more about it. In order to locate exoplanets, which orbit stars other than our sun, NASA`s TESS satellite would look at one part of the sky for a month and then, move on. It searches for dips in brightness that would occur when a planet crosses in front of a star. "The rule of thumb is that we need to see three `dips` or transits before we believe we`ve found a planet," Dalba said. A single transit event could be caused by a telescope with a jitter, or a star masquerading as a planet. For these reasons, TESS isn`t focused on these single transit events. However, a small group of citizen scientists is.Looking over TESS data, Tom Jacobs, a group member and former US naval officer, saw light dim from the TOI-2180 star, just once. His group alerted Dalba, who specialized in studying planets that take a long time to orbit their stars. Using the Lick Observatory`s Automated Planet Finder Telescope, Dalba and his colleagues observed the planet`s gravitational tug on the star, which allowed them to calculate the mass of TOI-2180 b and estimate a range of possibilities for its orbit. (With inputs from agencies)

Research finds exoplanet three times more massive than Jupiter

In Pics: Situation remains grim in Tonga, countries come forward to help

A report by human rights group Safeguard Defenders has said that China is using intimidation tactics on expatriates. These, says the report, even include “state-sponsored kidnapping” to bring the expats back to the mainland. In other news, at least 14 have died in an airstrike in Yemen carried out by Saudi Arabia-led military coalition. Read this and more in Top 10 World News.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-using-intimidation-tactics-to-expatriate-dissidents-journalists-and-hong-kongers-living-abroad-report-445765">China using intimidation tactics on expatriate dissidents, journalists and Hong Kongers living abroad: Report</a>

During the pandemic, at least 1,421 people were brought back to China in 2020 and 1,114 in 2021

<img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b07cbeb3-d8ae-457f-a75f-462dbdded58e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/China_23.JPG" /> 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-11-dead-in-coalition-airstrike-against-houthi-rebels-in-yemen-445661">At least 14 dead in coalition airstrike against Houthi rebels in Yemen</a>

The coalition airstrike against Houthi rebels has come just a day after a drone attack in UAE. The attack was claimed by the Houthis. UAE is a partner in Saudi-led coalition against the rebels

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The case concerns a satellite deal struck in 2005 between Antrix, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, and Devas Multimedia, a Bengaluru-based company.

<img alt="Antrix" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ea12f1a0-bd9a-4c0e-ba71-97809a78853d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Antrix.JPG" />

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Snowstorms, tornados and floods, the United States has been witnessing extreme weather events since the start of January 2022.&nbsp;

<img alt="Floods" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d413a7e4-490e-4f87-adf7-5a838ed0a872" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/US%20floods.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-woman-killed-while-trying-to-rescue-dogs-from-tonga-tsunami-445668">UK woman killed while trying to rescue dogs from Tonga tsunami</a> 
 
The body of Angela Glover, a 50-year-old British woman, has been found in the aftermath of a huge undersea volcanic eruption that triggered a tsunami.

<img alt="UK woman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4ab94a4-aa8f-4e29-a60b-a37be64a8f5c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/UK%20woman.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-passes-law-to-shift-capital-from-jakarta-to-nusantara-445773">Indonesia passes law to shift capital from Jakarta to Nusantara</a> 
 
Shifting of Indonesian capital was necessitated due to rising concerns over the sustainability of the city due to congestion. Jakarta is also sinking very fast.

<img alt="Indonesia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6cd3e391-37ef-4228-8265-4302fb6eaa50" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Indonesia_2.JPG" />

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Taiwan's Parliament last week had endorsed extra spending on defence amid increased threat level from China.&nbsp;

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It was said that some of her co-workers didn’t like her 'overbearing', 'boisterous' and a 'Marmite' character, despite students having no qualms about her teaching style.

<img alt="UK lecturer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5eca01e7-d4be-4af9-8473-55c74ee1d155" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Loud%20voice.JPG" />

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Starlink is an ambitious project of Elon Musk's SpaceX that aims to create a constellation of satellites around Earth for mass internet connectivity. More than a thousand satellites have already been launched.

<img alt="SpaceX" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1eab6969-4035-44fb-bef0-9666f4ca9613" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SpaceX_3.JPG" />

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/playing-action-video-games-can-help-improve-reading-ability-in-children-finds-study-445731">Playing action video games can help improve reading ability in children, finds study</a> 
 
One group was told to play an action video game the researchers had created and the other group was asked to play a video game, which was designed to teach children how to code. The researchers ensured that the children played the games for around two hours per week. At school, they were supervised for a period of six weeks.

<img alt="Video game" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5b61ca7b-271f-443a-8825-ebd7480bb5f7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/video%20games.JPG" /> 
&nbsp;

A report by human rights group Safeguard Defenders has said that China is using intimidation tactics on expatriates. These, says the report, even include “state-sponsored kidnapping” to bring the expats back to the mainland.

A report by human rights group Safeguard Defenders has said that China is using intimidation tactics on expatriates. These, says the report, even include “state-sponsored kidnapping” to bring the expats back to the mainland. In other news, at least 14 have died in an airstrike in Yemen carried out by Saudi Arabia-led military coalition. Read this and more in Top 10 World News. China using intimidation tactics on expatriate dissidents, journalists and Hong Kongers living abroad: Report During the pandemic, at least 1,421 people were brought back to China in 2020 and 1,114 in 2021 At least 14 dead in coalition airstrike against Houthi rebels in Yemen The coalition airstrike against Houthi rebels has come just a day after a drone attack in UAE. The attack was claimed by the Houthis. UAE is a partner in Saudi-led coalition against the rebels Antrix-Devas deal was a fraud against India: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slams Congress The case concerns a satellite deal struck in 2005 between Antrix, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, and Devas Multimedia, a Bengaluru-based company. In pics: Flood, snowstorm and tornado, US in grip of extreme weather events Snowstorms, tornados and floods, the United States has been witnessing extreme weather events since the start of January 2022. UK woman killed while trying to rescue dogs from Tonga tsunami The body of Angela Glover, a 50-year-old British woman, has been found in the aftermath of a huge undersea volcanic eruption that triggered a tsunami. Indonesia passes law to shift capital from Jakarta to Nusantara Shifting of Indonesian capital was necessitated due to rising concerns over the sustainability of the city due to congestion. Jakarta is also sinking very fast. China's J-20 stealth fighter jets ready for combat operations: Report Taiwan's Parliament last week had endorsed extra spending on defence amid increased threat level from China. UK lecturer who was sacked for having ‘loud voice' awarded more than £100,000 by court It was said that some of her co-workers didn’t like her 'overbearing', 'boisterous' and a 'Marmite' character, despite students having no qualms about her teaching style. Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch 49 Starlink satellites soon: How to watch Live Starlink is an ambitious project of Elon Musk's SpaceX that aims to create a constellation of satellites around Earth for mass internet connectivity. More than a thousand satellites have already been launched. Playing action video games can help improve reading ability in children, finds study One group was told to play an action video game the researchers had created and the other group was asked to play a video game, which was designed to teach children how to code. The researchers ensured that the children played the games for around two hours per week. At school, they were supervised for a period of six weeks.

Top 10 world news: China's intimidation of expats, Yemen airstrikes, and more

At least 14&nbsp;people were killed in an airstrike on Tuesday carried out by Saudi Arabia-led coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The airstrike was carried out in Sanaa, Yemen's rebel-held capital. The airstrike by the alliance came a day after an attack in UAE which was claimed by Houthi rebels. UAE is Saudi Arabia's partner in the coalition.

Three people were killed in the drone attack in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday.

The coalition also said it intercepted eight drones launched toward Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Early on Tuesday, the coalition said it had begun air strikes against strongholds and camps in Sanaa belonging to the Houthi group, Saudi state media said.

The strikes appeared to be the deadliest since 2019 on Sanaa.

The strike that killed&nbsp;14 people, according to initial estimates, was on the home of a former military official.

It killed him, his wife, his 25-year-old son, other family members and some unidentified people, a medical source and residents told Reuters.

Coalition strikes around the city had killed a total of about 20 people, the deputy foreign minister for the Houthi administration, which holds much of northern Yemen, said on Twitter.

Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said strikes had damaged houses, killed at least a dozen people and wounded about a dozen.

The UAE has armed and trained Yemeni forces that recently joined fighting against the Houthis in Yemen's energy-producing regions of Shabwa and Marib.

Monday's Houthi-claimed attack on two sites in the UAE set off explosions in fuel trucks, killed three people and ignited a blaze near Abu Dhabi airport.

In response, the UAE said it reserved the right to respond to "terrorist attacks and criminal escalation".

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 14 people were killed in an airstrike on Tuesday carried out by Saudi Arabia-led coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The airstrike was carried out in Sanaa, Yemen's rebel-held capital.

At least 14 people were killed in an airstrike on Tuesday carried out by Saudi Arabia-led coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The airstrike was carried out in Sanaa, Yemen's rebel-held capital. The airstrike by the alliance came a day after an attack in UAE which was claimed by Houthi rebels. UAE is Saudi Arabia's partner in the coalition. Three people were killed in the drone attack in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday. The coalition also said it intercepted eight drones launched toward Saudi Arabia on Monday. Early on Tuesday, the coalition said it had begun air strikes against strongholds and camps in Sanaa belonging to the Houthi group, Saudi state media said. The strikes appeared to be the deadliest since 2019 on Sanaa. The strike that killed 14 people, according to initial estimates, was on the home of a former military official. It killed him, his wife, his 25-year-old son, other family members and some unidentified people, a medical source and residents told Reuters. Coalition strikes around the city had killed a total of about 20 people, the deputy foreign minister for the Houthi administration, which holds much of northern Yemen, said on Twitter. Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said strikes had damaged houses, killed at least a dozen people and wounded about a dozen. The UAE has armed and trained Yemeni forces that recently joined fighting against the Houthis in Yemen's energy-producing regions of Shabwa and Marib. Monday's Houthi-claimed attack on two sites in the UAE set off explosions in fuel trucks, killed three people and ignited a blaze near Abu Dhabi airport. In response, the UAE said it reserved the right to respond to "terrorist attacks and criminal escalation". (With inputs from agencies)

At least 14 dead in coalition airstrike against Houthi rebels in Yemen

Indonesian parliament on Tuesday formally approved a bill giving go-ahead to shifting the national capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan on Borneo. New name of the capital will be Nusantara.

First article of the bill formalised the name of the new capital Nusantara and defined the status of the city, which will become the new political center of the country with all embassies and representative offices of foreign organizations transferred there.&nbsp;

Nusantara was declared a city of regional significance. Administration of Nusantara would become the state body responsible for managing the new capital. The president will appoint and dismiss the head of administration and his deputy, whose term of office is limited to five years.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced the planned relocation of the Indonesian capital from the Jakarta metropolitan area to East Kalimantan in 2019. The authorities said a new capital was needed due to the congestion of the current capital, as well as in order to accelerate the economic development of Kalimantan. The project, estimated to cost over $30 billion, has been put on hold due to COVID-19 epidemic.&nbsp;

Shifting of Indonesian capital was necessitated due to rising concerns over the sustainability of the city due to congestion. Jakarta is also sinking very fast.

"The relocation of the capital city to Kalimantan is based on several considerations, regional advantages, and welfare. With the vision of the birth of a new economic center of gravity in the middle of the archipelago," said Suharso Monoarfa, the country's Minister of National Development Planning. The minister was quoted by Indonesia Parliament TV.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indonesian parliament on Tuesday formally approved a bill giving go-ahead to shifting the national capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan on Borneo. New name of the capital will be Nusantara.

Indonesian parliament on Tuesday formally approved a bill giving go-ahead to shifting the national capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan on Borneo. New name of the capital will be Nusantara. First article of the bill formalised the name of the new capital Nusantara and defined the status of the city, which will become the new political center of the country with all embassies and representative offices of foreign organizations transferred there. Nusantara was declared a city of regional significance. Administration of Nusantara would become the state body responsible for managing the new capital. The president will appoint and dismiss the head of administration and his deputy, whose term of office is limited to five years. Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced the planned relocation of the Indonesian capital from the Jakarta metropolitan area to East Kalimantan in 2019. The authorities said a new capital was needed due to the congestion of the current capital, as well as in order to accelerate the economic development of Kalimantan. The project, estimated to cost over $30 billion, has been put on hold due to COVID-19 epidemic. Shifting of Indonesian capital was necessitated due to rising concerns over the sustainability of the city due to congestion. Jakarta is also sinking very fast. "The relocation of the capital city to Kalimantan is based on several considerations, regional advantages, and welfare. With the vision of the birth of a new economic center of gravity in the middle of the archipelago," said Suharso Monoarfa, the country's Minister of National Development Planning. The minister was quoted by Indonesia Parliament TV. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia passes law to shift capital from Jakarta to Nusantara

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