<p>The US space agency is planning to replace the International Space Station (ISS) with one or more commercial space stations by 2030.</p>

<p>NASA's auditing body, the Office of Audits, has produced a report detailing the agency's commitment to replace the orbiting lab with commercial space stations.</p>

<p>Astronauts have lived and worked onboard the ISS orbiting roughly 250 miles above the Earth's surface for more than 20 years.</p>

<p>"The ISS costs about $3 billion a year, roughly a third of NASA's annual human space flight budget, and while current plans call for the Station's retirement in 2024, an extension to 2030 is likely," the US space agency said in the audit report.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-bigger-than-eiffel-tower-to-enter-earths-orbit-soon-433338">Asteroid bigger than Eiffel Tower to enter Earth's orbit soon</a></strong></p>

<p>Anticipating its retirement, NASA has committed to replacing the ISS with one or more commercially owned and operated space destinations.</p>

<p>"In the fiscal year (FY) that ended September 30, 2021, Congress authorised $17 million to that end -- a fraction of the $150 million the Agency said it needed. NASA's plans for long-term, deep space human exploration missions depend on continuous access to a research laboratory in low-Earth orbit," it added.</p>

<p>The Artemis mission, aimed at returning humans to the Moon and ultimately landing astronauts on Mars, is not feasible without continued human health research and technology demonstrations being conducted on the ISS and its eventual replacement.</p>

<p>"As long as humans intend to travel in space, NASA expects research and testing will be needed in the microgravity environment of low-Earth orbit," the audio report mentioned.</p>

<p>While overall ISS operations and maintenance costs remained steady at about $1.1 billion a year from FY2016 through FY2020, systems maintenance and upgrade costs trended upward 35 per cent in the same 5-year period, rising to approximately $169 million in FY2020 due primarily to upgrades.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, NASA and Roscosmos are investigating the cause and long-term impacts of cracks and leaks that were recently discovered in the Station's Service Module Transfer Tunnel, which connects the Service Module to one of eight docking ports on the Station.</p>

<p>"Causes being explored include structural fatigue, internal damage, external damage, and material defects. Notably, based on the models NASA used to assess the structure, the cracks should not have occurred, suggesting the possibility of an earlier-than-projected obsolescence for at least one element of the Station," the US space agency noted.</p>


The US space agency is planning to replace the International Space Station (ISS) with one or more commercial space stations by 2030. NASA's auditing body, the Office of Audits, has produced a report detailing the agency's commitment to replace the orbiting lab with commercial space stations.

The US space agency is planning to replace the International Space Station (ISS) with one or more commercial space stations by 2030. NASA's auditing body, the Office of Audits, has produced a report detailing the agency's commitment to replace the orbiting lab with commercial space stations. Astronauts have lived and worked onboard the ISS orbiting roughly 250 miles above the Earth's surface for more than 20 years. "The ISS costs about $3 billion a year, roughly a third of NASA's annual human space flight budget, and while current plans call for the Station's retirement in 2024, an extension to 2030 is likely," the US space agency said in the audit report. Also Read | Asteroid bigger than Eiffel Tower to enter Earth's orbit soon Anticipating its retirement, NASA has committed to replacing the ISS with one or more commercially owned and operated space destinations. "In the fiscal year (FY) that ended September 30, 2021, Congress authorised $17 million to that end -- a fraction of the $150 million the Agency said it needed. NASA's plans for long-term, deep space human exploration missions depend on continuous access to a research laboratory in low-Earth orbit," it added. The Artemis mission, aimed at returning humans to the Moon and ultimately landing astronauts on Mars, is not feasible without continued human health research and technology demonstrations being conducted on the ISS and its eventual replacement. "As long as humans intend to travel in space, NASA expects research and testing will be needed in the microgravity environment of low-Earth orbit," the audio report mentioned. While overall ISS operations and maintenance costs remained steady at about $1.1 billion a year from FY2016 through FY2020, systems maintenance and upgrade costs trended upward 35 per cent in the same 5-year period, rising to approximately $169 million in FY2020 due primarily to upgrades. Meanwhile, NASA and Roscosmos are investigating the cause and long-term impacts of cracks and leaks that were recently discovered in the Station's Service Module Transfer Tunnel, which connects the Service Module to one of eight docking ports on the Station. "Causes being explored include structural fatigue, internal damage, external damage, and material defects. Notably, based on the models NASA used to assess the structure, the cracks should not have occurred, suggesting the possibility of an earlier-than-projected obsolescence for at least one element of the Station," the US space agency noted.

NASA aims to replace ISS with one or more commercial space station by 2030

<p>Beijing has pressured foreign governments to deport hundreds of Taiwan nationals to China, a new report found, in what human rights activists describe as a "hunt for Taiwanese".</p>

<p>More than 600 Taiwanese were extradited from various countries to China between 2016 and 2019 in an effort to "undermine Taiwanese sovereignty", rights group Safeguard Defenders said in a report Tuesday.</p>

<p>China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as its territory, to be retaken one day by force if necessary, and has stepped up efforts in recent years to diplomatically isolate it.</p>

<p>China and Taiwan agreed in 2009 that police from both sides would return overseas suspects to their respective territories.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Beijing began to increasingly ignore this agreement after the election of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, according to the NGO's report.</p>

<p>As Tsai has tried to assert the island's distinct identity, China has more aggressively professed its claim over Taiwan.</p>

<p>Safeguard Defenders said Beijing had pressured governments -- including the Philippines and Cambodia -- to extradite hundreds of Taiwanese mostly accused of telecoms fraud to China, despite efforts by the Taiwan government and the UN Human Rights Council to prevent the forced transfers.</p>

<p>Those extradited to China faced "arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and forced televised confessions", Safeguard Defenders said.</p>

<p>Spain accounted for the greatest number of known forced transfer cases -- more than 200 -- despite being bound by the European Convention on Human Rights, according to the report.</p>

<p>A Spanish court ruled in 2017 that a group of 121 Chinese and Taiwanese fraud suspects could be extradited to China, pointing to Beijing's widely followed "One-China policy" -- in which Taiwan is diplomatically considered a part of China.</p>

<p>The Spanish government has shown a "clear disregard" for its human rights commitments and a "lack of understanding of the severity of human rights abuses in China", Safeguard Defenders said.</p>

<p>In a contrasting European ruling, last year the Czech Supreme Court rejected China's extradition request for eight Taiwan nationals, citing the risk of torture and Beijing's poor rights record.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In response to the report, Taiwan's government said Wednesday that China "does not have jurisdiction" over Taiwanese citizens implicated in criminal cases abroad, who it said should be returned to Taiwan to face trial.</p>

<p>The Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's top China policy-making body, said Beijing aims to "show its sovereignty over Taiwan" by pushing for the deportations.</p>

<p>"We again urge the Chinese side that crime-fighting should not involve politics and we hope law enforcement units on both sides can continue to cooperate on existing basis to effectively fight crimes and protest public welfare," it said in a statement.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Wednesday dismissed the report as "pure nonsense."</p>

<p>Madrid-based Safeguard Defenders is an organisation that monitors and supports human rights activists in Asia.&nbsp;<br />
Co-founder Peter Dahlin was deported from China in 2016 after being detained for 23 days and forced to make a televised confession.</p>


Beijing has pressured foreign governments to deport hundreds of Taiwan nationals to China, a new report found, in what human rights activists describe as a "hunt for Taiwanese".

Beijing has pressured foreign governments to deport hundreds of Taiwan nationals to China, a new report found, in what human rights activists describe as a "hunt for Taiwanese". More than 600 Taiwanese were extradited from various countries to China between 2016 and 2019 in an effort to "undermine Taiwanese sovereignty", rights group Safeguard Defenders said in a report Tuesday. China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as its territory, to be retaken one day by force if necessary, and has stepped up efforts in recent years to diplomatically isolate it. China and Taiwan agreed in 2009 that police from both sides would return overseas suspects to their respective territories. But Beijing began to increasingly ignore this agreement after the election of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, according to the NGO's report. As Tsai has tried to assert the island's distinct identity, China has more aggressively professed its claim over Taiwan. Safeguard Defenders said Beijing had pressured governments -- including the Philippines and Cambodia -- to extradite hundreds of Taiwanese mostly accused of telecoms fraud to China, despite efforts by the Taiwan government and the UN Human Rights Council to prevent the forced transfers. Those extradited to China faced "arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and forced televised confessions", Safeguard Defenders said. Spain accounted for the greatest number of known forced transfer cases -- more than 200 -- despite being bound by the European Convention on Human Rights, according to the report. A Spanish court ruled in 2017 that a group of 121 Chinese and Taiwanese fraud suspects could be extradited to China, pointing to Beijing's widely followed "One-China policy" -- in which Taiwan is diplomatically considered a part of China. The Spanish government has shown a "clear disregard" for its human rights commitments and a "lack of understanding of the severity of human rights abuses in China", Safeguard Defenders said. In a contrasting European ruling, last year the Czech Supreme Court rejected China's extradition request for eight Taiwan nationals, citing the risk of torture and Beijing's poor rights record. In response to the report, Taiwan's government said Wednesday that China "does not have jurisdiction" over Taiwanese citizens implicated in criminal cases abroad, who it said should be returned to Taiwan to face trial. The Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's top China policy-making body, said Beijing aims to "show its sovereignty over Taiwan" by pushing for the deportations. "We again urge the Chinese side that crime-fighting should not involve politics and we hope law enforcement units on both sides can continue to cooperate on existing basis to effectively fight crimes and protest public welfare," it said in a statement. Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Wednesday dismissed the report as "pure nonsense." Madrid-based Safeguard Defenders is an organisation that monitors and supports human rights activists in Asia. Co-founder Peter Dahlin was deported from China in 2016 after being detained for 23 days and forced to make a televised confession.

China 'hunting' Taiwanese abroad through deportation: rights group

<p>US abortion rights may soon be consigned to the "ash heap of history," former vice president Mike Pence told activists Tuesday on the eve of a crucial Supreme Court hearing.</p>

<p>As the top court -- which shifted to the right under Donald Trump -- prepares to hear a case that may roll back 50 years of abortion rights, anti-abortion activists believe their moment may have finally arrived.</p>

<p>And Trump's former deputy, known for his firm Christian faith and conservative family values, said he was confident the landmark 1973 court decision guaranteeing a woman's right to abortion would be struck down.</p>

<p>"I do believe that Roe versus Wade will be overturned, whether it's now or in the near future," the Republican said in a Washington speech.</p>

<p>"I believe with all my heart that day will come," added the 62-year-old.</p>

<p>The case before justices on Wednesday regards a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court has previously guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the fetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks.</p>

<p>Pence said the high court has a chance to right a "historic wrong" once and for all by ultimately invalidating Roe and handing authority on the matter back to the states.</p>

<p>"It will not come as a surprise. It will simply be the culmination of a 50-year journey," Pence said. "We have not struggled for so long... to turn back so close to the finishing line."</p>

<p>A segment of the American population, particularly on the political right and religious Christians, has never fully accepted the 1973 abortion ruling and has waged a full-fledged fight to have it overturned.</p>

<p>Abortion opponents for years have mobilized near health clinics seeking to discourage women against terminating their pregnancies and shame doctors who perform the procedures.</p>

<p>At the same time, in conservative states mostly in the US South, emboldened legislatures have passed hundreds of restrictive laws, some of which directly contravene Roe's constitutional guarantee of abortion rights -- and therefore provide an opportunity for the Supreme Court to revisit the issue.</p>

<p>The anti-abortion movement received a massive boost when Trump, aided by Republicans in the US Senate, installed three judges believed to have anti-abortion leanings on the high court, bringing the conservative majority to six of nine justices.</p>

<p>With such an advantage in place, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of anti-abortion group Susan B Anthony List, said she was "very hopeful" that the court will overturn or at least "hobble" Roe.</p>


US abortion rights may soon be consigned to the "ash heap of history," former vice president Mike Pence told activists Tuesday on the eve of a crucial Supreme Court hearing.

US abortion rights may soon be consigned to the "ash heap of history," former vice president Mike Pence told activists Tuesday on the eve of a crucial Supreme Court hearing. As the top court -- which shifted to the right under Donald Trump -- prepares to hear a case that may roll back 50 years of abortion rights, anti-abortion activists believe their moment may have finally arrived. And Trump's former deputy, known for his firm Christian faith and conservative family values, said he was confident the landmark 1973 court decision guaranteeing a woman's right to abortion would be struck down. "I do believe that Roe versus Wade will be overturned, whether it's now or in the near future," the Republican said in a Washington speech. "I believe with all my heart that day will come," added the 62-year-old. The case before justices on Wednesday regards a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court has previously guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion until the fetus is viable outside the womb, which is typically around 22 to 24 weeks. Pence said the high court has a chance to right a "historic wrong" once and for all by ultimately invalidating Roe and handing authority on the matter back to the states. "It will not come as a surprise. It will simply be the culmination of a 50-year journey," Pence said. "We have not struggled for so long... to turn back so close to the finishing line." A segment of the American population, particularly on the political right and religious Christians, has never fully accepted the 1973 abortion ruling and has waged a full-fledged fight to have it overturned. Abortion opponents for years have mobilized near health clinics seeking to discourage women against terminating their pregnancies and shame doctors who perform the procedures. At the same time, in conservative states mostly in the US South, emboldened legislatures have passed hundreds of restrictive laws, some of which directly contravene Roe's constitutional guarantee of abortion rights -- and therefore provide an opportunity for the Supreme Court to revisit the issue. The anti-abortion movement received a massive boost when Trump, aided by Republicans in the US Senate, installed three judges believed to have anti-abortion leanings on the high court, bringing the conservative majority to six of nine justices. With such an advantage in place, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of anti-abortion group Susan B Anthony List, said she was "very hopeful" that the court will overturn or at least "hobble" Roe.

In US, Pence and allies eye end to 50 years of abortion rights

<p>NASA has done it again! The space agency on the forefront of space research has wowed everyone with another of its mesmerising post that unravels wonders of space.</p>

<p>Space is beautiful as much as it is mysterious. We may not have been able to fathom all corners of the space (if there are such corners at all) But what we have been able to spot never ceases to amaze us. The pristine beauty and the magnificence of whatever we are able to see get us transfixed each time.</p>

<p>NASA has posted a video of a 'cosmic reef'. This cosmic reef resembles the reefs we have underwater here on Earth. And at the very beginning of its post, NASA asks us to guess whether the video is 'interstellar or underwater'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Underwater or interstellar? Nicknamed the “Cosmic Reef” for its undersea world resemblance, this massive star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud is located 163,000 light-years away. This region features a giant red nebula, NGC 2014, and a smaller blue nebula, NGC 2020, housed in a bustling stellar birthplace..." says NASA in its post on Instragram.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CW36lVMF8iu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CW36lVMF8iu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CW36lVMF8iu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CW36lVMF8iu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Hubble Space Telescope (@nasahubble)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Like always, the post has wowed the online public. At the time of publishing this story, the video had been liked by more than 80 thousand people.</p>


NASA has done it again! The space agency on the forefront of space research has wowed everyone with another of its mesmerising post that unravels wonders of space.

NASA has done it again! The space agency on the forefront of space research has wowed everyone with another of its mesmerising post that unravels wonders of space. Space is beautiful as much as it is mysterious. We may not have been able to fathom all corners of the space (if there are such corners at all) But what we have been able to spot never ceases to amaze us. The pristine beauty and the magnificence of whatever we are able to see get us transfixed each time. NASA has posted a video of a 'cosmic reef'. This cosmic reef resembles the reefs we have underwater here on Earth. And at the very beginning of its post, NASA asks us to guess whether the video is 'interstellar or underwater'. "Underwater or interstellar? Nicknamed the “Cosmic Reef” for its undersea world resemblance, this massive star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud is located 163,000 light-years away. This region features a giant red nebula, NGC 2014, and a smaller blue nebula, NGC 2020, housed in a bustling stellar birthplace..." says NASA in its post on Instragram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hubble Space Telescope (@nasahubble) × Like always, the post has wowed the online public. At the time of publishing this story, the video had been liked by more than 80 thousand people.

Interstellar or underwater? NASA shares brilliant video of a cosmic reef

<p>French government said on Wednesday that everyone reaching France from outside European Union will have the obligation of a negative COVID-19 test irrespective of their vaccination status. The move is part of a bundle of measures aimed at tackling a new surge in infections as worries caused by the newly detected Omicron variant loom.</p>

<p>Talking to journalists after a government meeting, French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said that decisions regarding intra-EU-travel would be coordinated by European leaders later this week.</p>

<p>World Health Organisation (WHO) has already made an appeal advising countries against 'knee jerk reaction' and blanket restrictions in the wake of spread of Omicron variant.</p>

<p>"I well understand the concern of all countries to protect their citizens against a variant that we don't yet fully understand," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"But I am equally concerned that several Member States are introducing blunt, blanket measures that are not evidence-based or effective on their own, and which will only worsen inequities."</p>

<p>Omicron variant was first reported in South Africa a week ago. Though South Africa won international praise, the detection of new variant also caused global alarm and led to travel bans.</p>


French government said on Wednesday that everyone reaching France from outside European Union will have the obligation of a negative COVID-19 test irrespective of their vaccination status.

French government said on Wednesday that everyone reaching France from outside European Union will have the obligation of a negative COVID-19 test irrespective of their vaccination status. The move is part of a bundle of measures aimed at tackling a new surge in infections as worries caused by the newly detected Omicron variant loom. Talking to journalists after a government meeting, French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said that decisions regarding intra-EU-travel would be coordinated by European leaders later this week. World Health Organisation (WHO) has already made an appeal advising countries against 'knee jerk reaction' and blanket restrictions in the wake of spread of Omicron variant. "I well understand the concern of all countries to protect their citizens against a variant that we don't yet fully understand," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday. "But I am equally concerned that several Member States are introducing blunt, blanket measures that are not evidence-based or effective on their own, and which will only worsen inequities." Omicron variant was first reported in South Africa a week ago. Though South Africa won international praise, the detection of new variant also caused global alarm and led to travel bans.

Omicron: France mandates negative Covid test for all non-EU arrivals

<p>India joined the G20 Troika on Wednesday. The troika now consists of Indonesia, Italy and India.</p>

<p>The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, which reflects a recognition that global prosperity is interdependent and our economic opportunities and challenges are interlinked, MEA said in a release.G20 countries have come together to better prepare for the future.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As a founding member of the grouping, India has used the platform to raise issues of vital importance globally</p>

<p>Indonesia has assumed the G20 Presidency today and will convene various G20 meetings throughout the year culminating with the G20 Leaders` Summit on October 30-31, 2022 under the overall theme of&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Recover Together Recover Stronger".As a Troika-member, India will work closely with Indonesia and Italy to ensure consistency and continuity of the G20`s agenda, MEA said.</p>

<p>India will assume the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022, from Indonesia and will convene the G20 Leaders` Summit for the first time in India in 2023.</p>


India joined the G20 Troika on Wednesday. The troika now consists of Indonesia, Italy and India. The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, which reflects a recognition that global prosperity is interdependent and our economic opportunities and challenges are interlinked, MEA said in a release.

India joined the G20 Troika on Wednesday. The troika now consists of Indonesia, Italy and India. The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, which reflects a recognition that global prosperity is interdependent and our economic opportunities and challenges are interlinked, MEA said in a release.G20 countries have come together to better prepare for the future. As a founding member of the grouping, India has used the platform to raise issues of vital importance globally Indonesia has assumed the G20 Presidency today and will convene various G20 meetings throughout the year culminating with the G20 Leaders` Summit on October 30-31, 2022 under the overall theme of "Recover Together Recover Stronger".As a Troika-member, India will work closely with Indonesia and Italy to ensure consistency and continuity of the G20`s agenda, MEA said. India will assume the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022, from Indonesia and will convene the G20 Leaders` Summit for the first time in India in 2023.

India becomes part of G20 Troika, to host summit in 2023

<p>A prominent conservative broadcaster and anti-vaxxer in US Marcus Lamb has died of Covid. Jonathan Lamb, son of Marcus Lamb described the Covid infection as "a spiritual attack from the enemy".</p>

<p>Marcus Lamb, the televangelist, launched his Christian conservative TV network name Daystar Television network in 1997. It has over 70 stations across the US and even broadcasts in other countries in the world.</p>

<p>“It's with a heavy heart we announce that Marcus Lamb, president and founder of Daystar Television Network, went home to be with the Lord this morning," the network said in a tweet onTuesday. "The family asks that their privacy be respected as they grieve this difficult loss. Please continue to lift them up in prayer."</p>

<p>Lamb's TV network had become a way for conspiracy theorists to spread misinformation about Covid pandemic. The network and the guest it featured held firmly that Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) cured Covid infection. Scientists have found no conclusive proof of this.</p>

<p>The network also resisted US President Joe Biden's calls for mandatory vaccination. Daystar Television Network joined forces with Mississippi-based Christian fundamentalist organisation, American Family Association to move court against Biden administration's vaccine mandate.</p>


A prominent conservative broadcaster and anti-vaxxer in US Marcus Lamb has died of Covid. Jonathan Lamb, son of Marcus Lamb described the Covid infection as "a spiritual attack from the enemy".

A prominent conservative broadcaster and anti-vaxxer in US Marcus Lamb has died of Covid. Jonathan Lamb, son of Marcus Lamb described the Covid infection as "a spiritual attack from the enemy". Marcus Lamb, the televangelist, launched his Christian conservative TV network name Daystar Television network in 1997. It has over 70 stations across the US and even broadcasts in other countries in the world. “It's with a heavy heart we announce that Marcus Lamb, president and founder of Daystar Television Network, went home to be with the Lord this morning," the network said in a tweet onTuesday. "The family asks that their privacy be respected as they grieve this difficult loss. Please continue to lift them up in prayer." Lamb's TV network had become a way for conspiracy theorists to spread misinformation about Covid pandemic. The network and the guest it featured held firmly that Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) cured Covid infection. Scientists have found no conclusive proof of this. The network also resisted US President Joe Biden's calls for mandatory vaccination. Daystar Television Network joined forces with Mississippi-based Christian fundamentalist organisation, American Family Association to move court against Biden administration's vaccine mandate.

Conservative anti-vaxxer broadcaster Marcus Lamb dies of Covid

<p>British defence ministry said that it is planning to allow HIV positive people to join British armed forces if they no longer carry detectable amount of the virus. Military persons who become infected after they get enlisted can already remain in the armed forces. However, they are categorised as being not fully fit. The ministry said that this categorisation has been planned to be changed.</p>

<p>"Drug treatment has revolutionised the lives and outcomes of people diagnosed with HIV. As a modern and inclusive employer, it is only right that we recognise and act on the latest scientific evidence," junior defence minister Leo Docherty said.</p>

<p>The United States also currently bans people with HIV from joining its armed forces, and has faced legal challenge over its policy not to allow enlisted personnel who are HIV positive to commission as officers.</p>

<p>With the right treatment, the amount of virus in the blood of people infected with HIV can be reduced to undetectable levels, which in turn effectively eliminates the chances of them passing the virus which causes AIDS on to others.</p>

<p>From early next year, serving British military personnel who have tested positive for HIV, but no longer carry a detectable viral load, will be classed as fully fit, meaning they can be deployed on military operations.</p>

<p>People taking drugs that reduce the risk of contracting HIV will also be able to join the armed forces. Historically anyone taking regular medication has been unable to join Britain's armed forces, with limited exceptions such as contraceptives.</p>

<p>The planned changes were welcomed by Britain's National AIDS Trust. "A career in the armed forces was the only career not open to people living with HIV in the UK, and with this much-needed change the military will be more able to meet its obligation to promote inclusivity within its ranks," said Deborah Gold, the trust's chief executive.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


British defence ministry said that it is planning to allow HIV positive people to join British armed forces if they no longer carry detectable amount of the virus.

British defence ministry said that it is planning to allow HIV positive people to join British armed forces if they no longer carry detectable amount of the virus. Military persons who become infected after they get enlisted can already remain in the armed forces. However, they are categorised as being not fully fit. The ministry said that this categorisation has been planned to be changed. "Drug treatment has revolutionised the lives and outcomes of people diagnosed with HIV. As a modern and inclusive employer, it is only right that we recognise and act on the latest scientific evidence," junior defence minister Leo Docherty said. The United States also currently bans people with HIV from joining its armed forces, and has faced legal challenge over its policy not to allow enlisted personnel who are HIV positive to commission as officers. With the right treatment, the amount of virus in the blood of people infected with HIV can be reduced to undetectable levels, which in turn effectively eliminates the chances of them passing the virus which causes AIDS on to others. From early next year, serving British military personnel who have tested positive for HIV, but no longer carry a detectable viral load, will be classed as fully fit, meaning they can be deployed on military operations. People taking drugs that reduce the risk of contracting HIV will also be able to join the armed forces. Historically anyone taking regular medication has been unable to join Britain's armed forces, with limited exceptions such as contraceptives. The planned changes were welcomed by Britain's National AIDS Trust. "A career in the armed forces was the only career not open to people living with HIV in the UK, and with this much-needed change the military will be more able to meet its obligation to promote inclusivity within its ranks," said Deborah Gold, the trust's chief executive. (With inputs from agencies)

British armed forces plan to allow people with HIV to join

<p>Amid the Omicron variant of COVID-19 creating concern globally, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Monday said the sample of one of the two persons who arrived in Bengaluru recently from South Africa is 'different from the Delta variant'.</p>

<p>The minister said he was not supposed to say anything officially as he was still in touch with the union health ministry and the Indian Council for Medical Research officials.</p>

<p>"There is a delta variant for the past nine months only, but you are saying that one of the samples is Omicron. I cannot say aboutit officially. I am in touch with the ICMR and central government officials," Sudhakar told reporters here.</p>

<p>The sample has been sent to ICMR, he said.</p>

<p>Refusing to divulge the identity of the man, the minister said his COVID report shows that he has contracted a different variant of the novel coronavirus.</p>

<p>"There is a 63-year-old man whose name I should not disclose. His report is a bit different. It appears different from the delta variant. We will discuss with the ICMR officials and will let people know by the evening what it is," the minister said.</p>

<p>The minister said he would chair a marathon meeting on Tuesday with the officers of his department, from the Principal Secretary to the Primary Health Centre level doctors, regarding the steps to be taken.</p>

<p>He added that the members of the Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19 have also been invited for the meeting.</p>

<p>Sudhakar also said that he has sought a detailed report on the Omicron variant.</p>

<p>"We will get a clear information on December 1 about how the Omicron behaves after the genomic sequencing. Accordingly we will initiate all measures," he explained.</p>

<p>Underlining the fact that the new variant is visible in at least 12 nations, Sudhakar said the international travellers will be tested carefully and those tested positive will be hospitalised compulsorily.</p>

<p>"We are tracking and closely watching all those who came from South Africa in the past 14 days. We have started tracing and testing their primary and secondary contacts since Saturday," the minister said.</p>

<p>Speaking about Omicron, Sudhakar, who himself is a medical professional, said he has also spoken to his classmate doctors working in South Africa, who told him that the new variant is not as dangerous as the delta variant.</p>

<p>"The satisfying thing I came across after talking to my classmates in South Africa is that this (Omicron variant) spreads rapidly, but it is not as dangerous like Delta.</p>

<p>People feel nausea and vomiting and sometimes the pulse rate goes up, but loss of taste and smell is not there. There is less hospitalisation because it's intensity is not severe," Sudhakar explained.</p>

<p>To a query on the possibility of a lockdown, Sudhakar said there was no such proposal before the government and there was no need to panic as people have already suffered losses due to the earlier lockdown in terms of loss of lives and livelihood.</p>

<p>According to health department officials, the two persons who flew into Bengaluru from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 on November 11 and 20. Both were hospitalised, they added.</p>


Amid the Omicron variant of COVID-19 creating concern globally, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Monday said the sample of one of the two persons who arrived in Bengaluru recently from South Africa is 'different from the Delta variant'.

Amid the Omicron variant of COVID-19 creating concern globally, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Monday said the sample of one of the two persons who arrived in Bengaluru recently from South Africa is 'different from the Delta variant'. The minister said he was not supposed to say anything officially as he was still in touch with the union health ministry and the Indian Council for Medical Research officials. "There is a delta variant for the past nine months only, but you are saying that one of the samples is Omicron. I cannot say aboutit officially. I am in touch with the ICMR and central government officials," Sudhakar told reporters here. The sample has been sent to ICMR, he said. Refusing to divulge the identity of the man, the minister said his COVID report shows that he has contracted a different variant of the novel coronavirus. "There is a 63-year-old man whose name I should not disclose. His report is a bit different. It appears different from the delta variant. We will discuss with the ICMR officials and will let people know by the evening what it is," the minister said. The minister said he would chair a marathon meeting on Tuesday with the officers of his department, from the Principal Secretary to the Primary Health Centre level doctors, regarding the steps to be taken. He added that the members of the Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19 have also been invited for the meeting. Sudhakar also said that he has sought a detailed report on the Omicron variant. "We will get a clear information on December 1 about how the Omicron behaves after the genomic sequencing. Accordingly we will initiate all measures," he explained. Underlining the fact that the new variant is visible in at least 12 nations, Sudhakar said the international travellers will be tested carefully and those tested positive will be hospitalised compulsorily. "We are tracking and closely watching all those who came from South Africa in the past 14 days. We have started tracing and testing their primary and secondary contacts since Saturday," the minister said. Speaking about Omicron, Sudhakar, who himself is a medical professional, said he has also spoken to his classmate doctors working in South Africa, who told him that the new variant is not as dangerous as the delta variant. "The satisfying thing I came across after talking to my classmates in South Africa is that this (Omicron variant) spreads rapidly, but it is not as dangerous like Delta. People feel nausea and vomiting and sometimes the pulse rate goes up, but loss of taste and smell is not there. There is less hospitalisation because it's intensity is not severe," Sudhakar explained. To a query on the possibility of a lockdown, Sudhakar said there was no such proposal before the government and there was no need to panic as people have already suffered losses due to the earlier lockdown in terms of loss of lives and livelihood. According to health department officials, the two persons who flew into Bengaluru from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 on November 11 and 20. Both were hospitalised, they added.

Sample of one person who came from South Africa is different from Delta, says Karnataka minister

<p>National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday postponed a spacewalk outside International Space Station (ISS) due to space debris. Two of its astronauts, Thomas Marshburn and Kayla Barron were to undertake the spacewalk. It was to go on for more than six hours to replace a faulty communication antenna.</p>

<p>"NASA received a debris notification for the space station," the space agency tweeted.</p>

<p>"Due to the lack of opportunity to properly assess the risk it could pose to the astronauts, teams have decided to delay the Nov. 30 spacewalk until more information is available."</p>

<p>Russia destroyed one of its own satellites during a missile test early in November. This generated a cloud of debris that NASA said "increased the risk to the station."</p>

<p>The debris cloud forced the seven crew on the ISS to temporarily take shelter in their return ships. NASA said the biggest risk had been in the first 24 hours after the test.</p>

<p>It was not clear if NASA's postponement of Tuesday's spacewalk was due to debris from the Russian space missile test.</p>

<p>The Russians have rejected US accusations that their test had endangered the space station.</p>

<p>US officials said they were not informed in advance of the anti-satellite missile test -- only the fourth ever to hit a spacecraft from the ground -- which generated more than 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The spacewalk had been due to be Barron's debut walk, and the fifth for Marshburn.</p>

<p>The pair arrived at the ISS on November 11 aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance with NASA's Crew-3 mission for a six-month stay.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday postponed a spacewalk outside International Space Station (ISS) due to space debris. Two of its astronauts, Thomas Marshburn and Kayla Barron were to undertake the spacewalk.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday postponed a spacewalk outside International Space Station (ISS) due to space debris. Two of its astronauts, Thomas Marshburn and Kayla Barron were to undertake the spacewalk. It was to go on for more than six hours to replace a faulty communication antenna. "NASA received a debris notification for the space station," the space agency tweeted. "Due to the lack of opportunity to properly assess the risk it could pose to the astronauts, teams have decided to delay the Nov. 30 spacewalk until more information is available." Russia destroyed one of its own satellites during a missile test early in November. This generated a cloud of debris that NASA said "increased the risk to the station." The debris cloud forced the seven crew on the ISS to temporarily take shelter in their return ships. NASA said the biggest risk had been in the first 24 hours after the test. It was not clear if NASA's postponement of Tuesday's spacewalk was due to debris from the Russian space missile test. The Russians have rejected US accusations that their test had endangered the space station. US officials said they were not informed in advance of the anti-satellite missile test -- only the fourth ever to hit a spacecraft from the ground -- which generated more than 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris. The spacewalk had been due to be Barron's debut walk, and the fifth for Marshburn. The pair arrived at the ISS on November 11 aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance with NASA's Crew-3 mission for a six-month stay. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA postpones ISS spacewalk because of space debris

<p>A 69-year-old man has been rescued in rough seas off Japan after spending 22 hours drifting in open water, with one official calling his survival a "miracle."</p>

<p>The man, whose name has not been released, was alone on a boat off southwestern Kagoshima prefecture and en route to the Yakushima resort island Saturday afternoon when his boat capsized.</p>

<p>He managed to call a colleague on the island to alert him, but was not found until nearly a full day later, the coastguard told AFP, when rescuers spotted him sitting on the engine of his capsized boat, clasping a propeller part.</p>

<p>"He was out in the sea alone for 22 hours. I am amazed by his survival skills," a coastguard official told AFP, declining to be identified.</p>

<p>Dramatic footage released by the coastguard showed a team approaching him by boat calling out: "We are coming! Just a little bit longer! Hold on tight!"</p>

<p>The man was able to wrap himself in a grey plastic sheet, helping him stay warm, officials said.</p>

<p>"It's a miracle he survived," a coastguard official told the Asahi Shimbun daily.</p>


A 69-year-old man has been rescued in rough seas off Japan after spending 22 hours drifting in open water, with one official calling his survival a "miracle." The man, whose name has not been released, was alone on a boat off southwestern Kagoshima prefecture and en route to the Yakushima resort island Saturday afternoon when his boat capsized.

A 69-year-old man has been rescued in rough seas off Japan after spending 22 hours drifting in open water, with one official calling his survival a "miracle." The man, whose name has not been released, was alone on a boat off southwestern Kagoshima prefecture and en route to the Yakushima resort island Saturday afternoon when his boat capsized. He managed to call a colleague on the island to alert him, but was not found until nearly a full day later, the coastguard told AFP, when rescuers spotted him sitting on the engine of his capsized boat, clasping a propeller part. "He was out in the sea alone for 22 hours. I am amazed by his survival skills," a coastguard official told AFP, declining to be identified. Dramatic footage released by the coastguard showed a team approaching him by boat calling out: "We are coming! Just a little bit longer! Hold on tight!" The man was able to wrap himself in a grey plastic sheet, helping him stay warm, officials said. "It's a miracle he survived," a coastguard official told the Asahi Shimbun daily.

'Miracle' rescue of Japan man after 22 hours at sea

<p>World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Dr Tedros on Tuesday cautioned against blanket measures and knee-jerk reactions over Omicron variant of the Covid virus and said that such moves may not be necessary. He said that some countries were introducing such measures and penalising African nations unfairly.</p>

<p>"I well understand the concern of all countries to protect their citizens against a variant that we don't yet fully understand," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.</p>

<p>"But I am equally concerned that several Member States are introducing blunt, blanket measures that are not evidence-based or effective on their own, and which will only worsen inequities."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-chief-raises-alarm-over-vacccine-equity-amid-risk-of-omicron-spreading-globally-432799/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Omicron variant was first reported in South Africa a week ago. Though South Africa won international praise, the detection of new variant also caused global alarm and led to travel bans.</p>

<p>In remarks to a closed-door meeting posted on its website, the WHO's Ethiopian head urged the 194 member states to stick to "rational, proportional" measures.</p>

<p>There were still more questions than answers, Tedros said, about Omicron's severity and the effectiveness of vaccines.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netherlands-had-omicron-cases-a-week-before-south-africa-identified-the-covid-variant-433005">Netherlands had Omicron cases a week before South Africa identified the Covid variant</a></strong><br />
<br />
No Omicron-linked deaths have yet been reported though the WHO has said it poses a high risk of infection surges.</p>

<p>"Once again, I thank Botswana and South Africa for detecting, sequencing and reporting this variant so rapidly," added Tedros. "It is deeply concerning to me that those countries are now being penalized by others for doing the right thing."</p>

<p><strong>'Knee-jerk reaction'</strong></p>

<p>Mid-way through a three-day WHO meeting of health ministers, Namibia's delegation on Tuesday expressed disappointment towards those states imposing travel bans on southern Africa.</p>

<p>"This travel ban is a knee-jerk reaction grounded in politics, not in science or guidance from the WHO Constitution," it said. "We therefore ask why is it that other states that (detected) the variant in persons who have no travel history to southern Africa are exempted from this travel ban?"</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-covishield-work-against-omicron-it-will-be-clear-in-2-3-weeks-says-serum-institutes-poonawalla-433016">Will Covishield work against Omicron? It will be clear in 2-3 weeks, says Serum Institute’s Poonawalla</a></strong></p>

<p>Tanzania called for an immediate lifting of the travel curbs, which are hurting tourism in the region, while Canada voiced gratitude for regional transparency.</p>

<p>"Transparent international collaboration, as demonstrated by the leadership of South Africa and the South African scientists who swiftly and openly shared information on this new variant, is what is needed now more than ever," said Leslie Norton, Canada's U.N. ambassador in Geneva.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Dr Tedros on Tuesday cautioned against blanket measures and knee-jerk reactions over Omicron variant of the Covid virus and said that such moves may not be necessary.

World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Dr Tedros on Tuesday cautioned against blanket measures and knee-jerk reactions over Omicron variant of the Covid virus and said that such moves may not be necessary. He said that some countries were introducing such measures and penalising African nations unfairly. "I well understand the concern of all countries to protect their citizens against a variant that we don't yet fully understand," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "But I am equally concerned that several Member States are introducing blunt, blanket measures that are not evidence-based or effective on their own, and which will only worsen inequities." × Omicron variant was first reported in South Africa a week ago. Though South Africa won international praise, the detection of new variant also caused global alarm and led to travel bans. In remarks to a closed-door meeting posted on its website, the WHO's Ethiopian head urged the 194 member states to stick to "rational, proportional" measures. There were still more questions than answers, Tedros said, about Omicron's severity and the effectiveness of vaccines. Also Read | Netherlands had Omicron cases a week before South Africa identified the Covid variant No Omicron-linked deaths have yet been reported though the WHO has said it poses a high risk of infection surges. "Once again, I thank Botswana and South Africa for detecting, sequencing and reporting this variant so rapidly," added Tedros. "It is deeply concerning to me that those countries are now being penalized by others for doing the right thing." 'Knee-jerk reaction' Mid-way through a three-day WHO meeting of health ministers, Namibia's delegation on Tuesday expressed disappointment towards those states imposing travel bans on southern Africa. "This travel ban is a knee-jerk reaction grounded in politics, not in science or guidance from the WHO Constitution," it said. "We therefore ask why is it that other states that (detected) the variant in persons who have no travel history to southern Africa are exempted from this travel ban?" Also Read | Will Covishield work against Omicron? It will be clear in 2-3 weeks, says Serum Institute’s Poonawalla Tanzania called for an immediate lifting of the travel curbs, which are hurting tourism in the region, while Canada voiced gratitude for regional transparency. "Transparent international collaboration, as demonstrated by the leadership of South Africa and the South African scientists who swiftly and openly shared information on this new variant, is what is needed now more than ever," said Leslie Norton, Canada's U.N. ambassador in Geneva. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron threat: WHO warns against knee-jerk reaction, blanket measures

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Manas Joshi

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.