SpaceX announced its intention to send four people deeper into orbit than any private citizen before them, in a mission that could cost more than $100 million and take place by 2022.

SpaceX announced its intention to send four people deeper into orbit than any private citizen before them, in a mission that could cost more than $100 million and take place by 2022. A new partnership with Space Adventures precedes this announcement and the new business partner of SpaceX is based in Washington, serving as an intermediary to send eight space tourists to the International Space Station (ISS) via Russian Soyuz rockets. The first person to have paid for this service was Dennis Tito who spent eight hours on the ISS in 2001 for $20 million. 2009 was the year Guy Laliberte, the founder of Cirque du Soleil Space Adventures' last customer, decided to book a trip to the ISS. See: After a successful rocket abort system test, SpaceX to carry humans into orbit this year Future customers will be transported to their destination on SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, which was developed to transport NASA astronauts and is due to make its first crewed flight in the coming months. President of Space Adventures, Tom Shelley stated that at its earliest, the mission could take place by late 2021, though "probably more likely is sometime in 2022." The duration of the mission will depend on the demands of the customers, stated Shelley. The capsule designed to take astronauts from the surface to the ISS is nine square meters in volume with no private areas to sleep, shower or use the bathroom. Weeks of training [ SpaceX chief Elon Musk speaks during a press conference (Courtesy: AFP) ] The cost of launching a Falcon 9 rocket is $62 million, according to publicly available figures, then there will be the cost of building a fresh Dragon capsule. Could it exceed $100 million? The funding required to launch a Falcon 9 rocket is $62 million as per publicly available data. Adding to that is the cost of building a fresh Dragon capsule, which has made many suspect the cost for the trip would exceed $100 million. Shelley had this to say when asked about the cost, "It's not cheap. Your assessment is correct, I can't comment specifically on the numbers, but yeah those are the cost components." "We have a pretty good network of high net worth individuals around the world, many of whom we know are interested in spaceflight," he added. See: SpaceX shows off upcoming missions The company announced in 2005 plans to send tourists around the Moon - but that mission has now been abandoned, confirmed Shelley. Other companies involved in space tourism are Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic. The offer from SpaceX is far more ambitious and utilises the same reusable Falcon 9 rocket that puts satellites into space and sends astronauts to the ISS. Much like SpaceX and other companies, Boeing also has plans to send passengers into space, but the development of their program has been marred by major glitches that resulted in the early termination of an uncrewed test flight in December.

SpaceX announces partnership to send four people into deep orbit

The Utah state Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday to effectively decriminalize polygamy among consenting adults, reducing penalties for practice with deep religious roots in the predominantly Mormon state.

The Utah state Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday to effectively decriminalize polygamy among consenting adults, reducing penalties for practice with deep religious roots in the predominantly Mormon state. The bill however, is expected to face greater resistance when it moves to the Utah House of Representatives. Also Read: Two Canadian men convicted of polygamy in landmark ruling Currently, the law states that polygamy is classified a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Utah Republicans reportedly spent little time discussing the bill and swiftly cleared it on a vote of 29-0. Under the bill, punishments for plural marriage would be limited to fines of up to $750 and community service. Fraudulent bigamy, however, remains a felony. Senator Deirdre Henderson, the chief sponsor of this bill, reportedly said that the intent was to lower the penalties so those from polygamous communities who are victims of crimes can come forward without fear of being prosecuted themselves. Also Read: Former US presidential candidate Romney announces Utah Senate bid It also facilitates otherwise law-abiding polygamists in obtaining access to medical or mental healthcare, education or even employment without fear. Those opposing the bill state that current law should not be changed because polygamy is inherently dangerous and harmful to women and children, particularly young girls, some of whom have been forced into marriages with older men. Senator Henderson reportedly said that though Utah has a history of felony punishment for polygamy, it has not successfully halted the practice. Also Read: One dead at University of Utah shooting, police search for suspect “The solution to the problem is increased societal integration, which can only come through decriminalizing otherwise law-abiding polygamists,” she stated during a preliminary debate on the bill last week. Critics of the bill have stated that the measure wrongly frames polygamy as a human rights issue. “Proponents of this bill attempt to piggyback on the success of the gay rights movement by promoting the narrative that this initiative is about consenting adults doing what they will,” the anti-polygamy group Sound Choices Coalition issued a statement. The anti-polygamy law was struck down by a federal judge for being unconstitutional, but a federal appeals court reversed the ruling. The US Supreme Court has declined to hear the case.

Utah Senate votes to decriminalize polygamy

The United States has designated five <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-china-trade-deal-what-were-the-key-issues-and-are-they-resolved-275073">Chinese</a> media outlets as foreign missions. It means that the Trump administration has designated Chinese media houses as not practitioners of journalism but as operatives of the Chinese state.

The list includes - Xinhua news agency, China global television network, China radio international, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-righting-the-wrongs-of-the-past-trump-on-phase-1-trade-deal-with-china-274503">China </a>daily distribution corporation and the People’s Daily.

The US State Department has said these media houses are propagating state-sponsored propaganda and are just mere agents of the Communist Party of China.&nbsp;

Officials said that the decision comes after repeated examples of how much of a function of the state the companies have become and that the freedom of the press in China is under siege.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo added in a statement that the action is "long overdue".&nbsp;

Pompeo said for years the so-called media outlets have been mouthpieces of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese outlets are becoming more aggressive.

The move by the US government means all Chinese outlets will have to notify the office of foreign missions about the names, personal details and turnover of staff living in the US.&nbsp;

The entities designated as "foreign missions" will also have to clearly announce the current property holdings on US soil. The rules also apply to foreign embassies and consulates in the United States.&nbsp;

The US decision on the Chinese media outlets comes a month after President Trump signed a temporary truce in the trade war with China.

Critics suggest that this decision could lead to a retaliation against American journalists who work in china, especially those affiliated with the United States government.

The United States has designated five Chinese media outlets as foreign missions. It means that the Trump administration has designated Chinese media houses as not practitioners of journalism but as operatives of the Chinese state.

The United States has designated five Chinese media outlets as foreign missions. It means that the Trump administration has designated Chinese media houses as not practitioners of journalism but as operatives of the Chinese state. The list includes - Xinhua news agency, China global television network, China radio international, China daily distribution corporation and the People’s Daily. The US State Department has said these media houses are propagating state-sponsored propaganda and are just mere agents of the Communist Party of China. Officials said that the decision comes after repeated examples of how much of a function of the state the companies have become and that the freedom of the press in China is under siege. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo added in a statement that the action is "long overdue". Pompeo said for years the so-called media outlets have been mouthpieces of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese outlets are becoming more aggressive. The move by the US government means all Chinese outlets will have to notify the office of foreign missions about the names, personal details and turnover of staff living in the US. The entities designated as "foreign missions" will also have to clearly announce the current property holdings on US soil. The rules also apply to foreign embassies and consulates in the United States. The US decision on the Chinese media outlets comes a month after President Trump signed a temporary truce in the trade war with China. Critics suggest that this decision could lead to a retaliation against American journalists who work in china, especially those affiliated with the United States government.

US designates Chinese media outlets as 'foreign missions'

The death toll in China's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cases-top-500-on-cruise-ship-off-japan-281384">coronavirus</a> surged past 2,000 on Wednesday after 136 more deaths were reported by the country's health commission even as an elderly Hong Kong man who contracted the new coronavirus died.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sees-fall-in-coronavirus-deaths-who-urges-caution-apple-takes-hit-281448">Also Read: China sees fall in coronavirus deaths, WHO urges caution, Apple takes hit</a>

"A 70-year-old male patient who was infected with the novel coronavirus deteriorated and succumbed in Princess Margaret Hospital this morning," the Hospital Authority said in a statement.

It is the&nbsp;second fatality from the outbreak in Hong Kong.

The number of those infected by the virus has climbed to 74,185 even as the number of new cases fell for the second straight day. China's National Health Commission reported 1,749 new cases.&nbsp;The death toll from the virus stood at 2,004 reported mainly in central Hubei province.

Watch Video:

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The World Health Organization's (WHO) emergencies programme chief, Mike Ryan said: "Right now, the strategic and tactical approach in China is the correct one."

Meanwhile, Passengers who have tested negative for the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-be-kidnapped-by-china-taiwan-tells-who-in-bid-for-separate-virus-tally-281370"> coronavirus</a> began leaving a cruise ship off Yokohama in Japan. At least 500 people are expected to disembark from the ship in the coming hours.

The virus has already spread to at least 29 countries. South Korea on Wednesday reported 15 new confirmed cases with &nbsp;Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) confirming the cases. The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-new-gold-thieves-steal-thousands-of-surgical-masks-from-hospital-in-japan-281426"> virus</a> cases in South Korea has now jumped from 31 to 46 even as South Korea has blocked entry to foreigners coming from Hubei which is the epicentre of the virus.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the economy had reached an emergency situation and required stimulus as the epidemic had disrupted demand for South Korean goods such as cars, computer chips and smartphones as statistics revealed Japan and Singapore economies were also experiencing a slowdown and on the brink of recession.

The death toll in China's coronavirus surged past 2,000 on Wednesday after 136 more deaths were reported by the country's health commission even as an elderly Hong Kong man who contracted the new coronavirus died.

The death toll in China's coronavirus surged past 2,000 on Wednesday after 136 more deaths were reported by the country's health commission even as an elderly Hong Kong man who contracted the new coronavirus died. Also Read: China sees fall in coronavirus deaths, WHO urges caution, Apple takes hit "A 70-year-old male patient who was infected with the novel coronavirus deteriorated and succumbed in Princess Margaret Hospital this morning," the Hospital Authority said in a statement. It is the second fatality from the outbreak in Hong Kong. The number of those infected by the virus has climbed to 74,185 even as the number of new cases fell for the second straight day. China's National Health Commission reported 1,749 new cases. The death toll from the virus stood at 2,004 reported mainly in central Hubei province. Watch Video: The World Health Organization's (WHO) emergencies programme chief, Mike Ryan said: "Right now, the strategic and tactical approach in China is the correct one." Meanwhile, Passengers who have tested negative for the coronavirus began leaving a cruise ship off Yokohama in Japan. At least 500 people are expected to disembark from the ship in the coming hours. The virus has already spread to at least 29 countries. South Korea on Wednesday reported 15 new confirmed cases with Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) confirming the cases. The virus cases in South Korea has now jumped from 31 to 46 even as South Korea has blocked entry to foreigners coming from Hubei which is the epicentre of the virus. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the economy had reached an emergency situation and required stimulus as the epidemic had disrupted demand for South Korean goods such as cars, computer chips and smartphones as statistics revealed Japan and Singapore economies were also experiencing a slowdown and on the brink of recession.

Death toll in China's coronavirus passes 2,000 as another person dies in Hong Kong

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-passes-2000-passengers-begin-leaving-japan-cruise-ship-281458" hreflang="en">Death toll in China's coronavirus passes 2,000; passengers leave Japan ship</a>

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The death toll in China's&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;surged past 2,000 on Wednesday after 136 more deaths were reported by the country's health commission.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ucl-teen-sensation-haalands-brace-down-neymars-psg-in-1st-leg-of-round-of-16-281462" hreflang="en">Champions League: Teen sensation Haaland shines as Neymar's PSG fumbles</a>

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Borussia Dortmund's teen sensation Erling Braut Haaland managed to outshine world's two most expensive players as the young gun scored a brace in 2-1 victory against Paris Saint Germain in the first leg of the round of 16 clashes in the Champions League at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund.&nbsp;

OPINION:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/wion-edit-why-pakistans-imran-khan-is-chasing-the-wrong-priorities-281318" hreflang="en">WION Edit -&nbsp;Why Pakistan's Imran Khan is chasing the wrong priorities</a>

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In 2018, Pakistan had 69 million people living in poverty. By June 2020, 18 million more may slip below the poverty line. Pakistan has the worst infant mortality rate in the world.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/singer-lewis-capaldi-wins-big-at-brit-awards-as-rapper-dave-calls-pm-boris-johnson-racist-281464">Singer Lewis Capaldi wins big at BRIT awards as rapper Dave calls PM Boris Johnson racist</a>

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Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi and rapper Dave were the big winners at the BRIT Awards on Tuesday, in a ceremony packed with performances, including Dave's lyrical attack on Britain`s prime minister who he accused of being racist. 
&nbsp;

WATCH|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-sri-lanka-to-withdraw-from-un-resolution-on-war-crimes-281457" hreflang="en">Gravitas: Sri Lanka to withdraw from UN resolution on war crimes</a>

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Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Death toll in China's coronavirus passes 2,000; passengers leave Japan ship The death toll in China's coronavirus surged past 2,000 on Wednesday after 136 more deaths were reported by the country's health commission.

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Death toll in China's coronavirus passes 2,000; passengers leave Japan ship The death toll in China's coronavirus surged past 2,000 on Wednesday after 136 more deaths were reported by the country's health commission. Champions League: Teen sensation Haaland shines as Neymar's PSG fumbles Borussia Dortmund's teen sensation Erling Braut Haaland managed to outshine world's two most expensive players as the young gun scored a brace in 2-1 victory against Paris Saint Germain in the first leg of the round of 16 clashes in the Champions League at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund. OPINION: WION Edit - Why Pakistan's Imran Khan is chasing the wrong priorities In 2018, Pakistan had 69 million people living in poverty. By June 2020, 18 million more may slip below the poverty line. Pakistan has the worst infant mortality rate in the world. Singer Lewis Capaldi wins big at BRIT awards as rapper Dave calls PM Boris Johnson racist Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi and rapper Dave were the big winners at the BRIT Awards on Tuesday, in a ceremony packed with performances, including Dave's lyrical attack on Britain`s prime minister who he accused of being racist. WATCH|Gravitas: Sri Lanka to withdraw from UN resolution on war crimes ×

Morning News Brief: Coronavirus death toll soars past 2,000; PSG, Liverpool lose in Champions League and more!

The Latin American region has been hit by a severe dengue outbreak, with Peru reporting the latest victims of this pestilence. Dengue has claimed 12 lives in Peru and around 5,400 cases have been reported across the nation.

The Latin American region has been hit by a severe dengue outbreak, with Peru reporting the latest victims of this pestilence. Dengue has claimed 12 lives in Peru and around 5,400 cases have been reported across the nation. Peruvian authorities have declared a health emergency in regions witnessing the worst of the outbreak. Most cases are originating in the Eastern jungle regions which border Bolivia and Brazil. Neighbouring Peru has led the outbreak to Paraguay, which was also affected by this mosquito-borne disease as deaths from the dengue fever have been on the rise in the nation of Paraguay. Also See: What is dengue, and why is it so widespread this year? Health officials have reported 85,000 cases of Dengue fever in the nation, a number which is on the rise much like Peru. With a total of 16 deaths from the disease in Paraguay, this seems to be South America's worst outbreak of the disease in a decade and has had adverse effects on its healthcare system. The Paraguayan Senate has called for a 90-day Health Emergency following the outbreak. The President of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benitez has also contracted the disease. Bolivia has reported around 9,500 suspected cases nationwide, with the Department of Santa Cruz being the most affected one which has 1,200 cases. The world's fastest-spreading mosquito-borne disease is dengue, it causes flu-like symptoms and can cause internal bleeding in extreme cases.No specific treatment or vaccine is available yet, and infections around the world have increased dramatically in recent decades with many countries seeing a surge in cases this year.

Dengue outbreak in Latin America as 12 die in Peru

Consuming a Western diet for even one week can subtly impair brain function and encourage slim and otherwise healthy young people to overeat, according to a new study.

As per the research, after seven days on high fat, high added sugar diet, volunteers in their 20s scored worse on memory tests and found junk food more desirable immediately after they had finished a meal.

The findings of the study suggest that a western diet makes it harder for people to regulate their appetite, and points to disruption in a brain region called the hippocampus as the possible cause.

“After a week on a western-style diet, palatable food such as snacks and chocolate becomes more desirable when you are full,” said co-author Richard Stevenson who is&nbsp;a professor of psychology at Macquarie University in Sydney.

“This will make it harder to resist, leading you to eat more, which in turn generates more damage to the hippocampus and a vicious cycle of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysias-mahathir-pledges-to-step-down-for-anwar-but-not-before-november-267441">overeating</a>,” he added.

To investigate how the western diet affects humans, the scientists recruited 110 lean and healthy students, aged 20 to 23, who generally had&nbsp;a good diet.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/james-corden-calls-out-bill-maher-for-his-remark-over-fat-shaming-249646">James Corden calls out Bill Maher for his remark over fat-shaming</a>

The group was divided into two parts. One which ate their normal diet for a week. The other half was&nbsp;put on a high energy western-style diet, which featured a generous intake of Belgian waffles and fast food.

Previous studies have also hinted that&nbsp;junk food impairs the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory and appetite control.&nbsp;

In the longer term, eating a western-style diet contributes to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-defeat-obesity-hunger-climate-change-govts-must-curb-influence-of-big-corporations-lancet-193275">obesity&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/regular-use-of-mouthwash-may-increase-risk-of-diabetes-harvard-study-24947">diabetes</a>, both of which have been linked to declines in brain performance and the risk of developing dementia.

“The new thinking here is the realisation that a western-style diet may be generating initial and fairly subtle cognitive impairments, that undermine the control of appetite which gradually opens the way for all of these other effects down the track,” Stevenson said.

Understanding the impact of a western diet on brain function is necessary due&nbsp;the current food climate.

Consuming a Western diet for even one week can subtly impair brain function and encourage slim and otherwise healthy young people to overeat, according to a new study.

Consuming a Western diet for even one week can subtly impair brain function and encourage slim and otherwise healthy young people to overeat, according to a new study. As per the research, after seven days on high fat, high added sugar diet, volunteers in their 20s scored worse on memory tests and found junk food more desirable immediately after they had finished a meal. The findings of the study suggest that a western diet makes it harder for people to regulate their appetite, and points to disruption in a brain region called the hippocampus as the possible cause. “After a week on a western-style diet, palatable food such as snacks and chocolate becomes more desirable when you are full,” said co-author Richard Stevenson who is a professor of psychology at Macquarie University in Sydney. “This will make it harder to resist, leading you to eat more, which in turn generates more damage to the hippocampus and a vicious cycle of overeating,” he added. To investigate how the western diet affects humans, the scientists recruited 110 lean and healthy students, aged 20 to 23, who generally had a good diet. Also read: James Corden calls out Bill Maher for his remark over fat-shaming The group was divided into two parts. One which ate their normal diet for a week. The other half was put on a high energy western-style diet, which featured a generous intake of Belgian waffles and fast food. Previous studies have also hinted that junk food impairs the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory and appetite control. In the longer term, eating a western-style diet contributes to obesity and diabetes, both of which have been linked to declines in brain performance and the risk of developing dementia. “The new thinking here is the realisation that a western-style diet may be generating initial and fairly subtle cognitive impairments, that undermine the control of appetite which gradually opens the way for all of these other effects down the track,” Stevenson said. Understanding the impact of a western diet on brain function is necessary due the current food climate.

Western-style diet can impair brain function: Study

Government airstrikes have hit hospitals and refugee camps in northwest Syria and killed about 300 civilians as President Bashar al-Assad's forces press an assault against the last rebel stronghold, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

Government airstrikes have hit hospitals and refugee camps in northwest Syria and killed about 300 civilians as President Bashar al-Assad's forces press an assault against the last rebel stronghold, the United Nations said on Tuesday. UN officials said relief agencies were overwhelmed by the humanitarian crisis as nearly one million civilians, most of them women and children, had fled towards the Turkish border in bitter winter conditions to escape the onslaught. "Civilians fleeing the fighting are being squeezed into areas without safe shelter that is shrinking in size by the hour. And still, they are bombed. They simply have nowhere to go," UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said. Also Read: Syrian forces consolidate control of Aleppo, air strikes underway Syrian and Russian warplanes meanwhile kept up raids on the town of Darat Izza in Aleppo province on Tuesday, witnesses said, a day after two hospitals there were badly damaged. At Al Kinana Hospital, blown-out walls and dust-covered medical cables and supplies were strewn about the hospital after two staff were wounded on Monday, witnesses said. Ankara said talks with Moscow on Idlib were "not satisfactory" and Turkey would deploy more troops to the region. Turkish and Russian officials held a second day of talks in Moscow with no apparent agreement on Idlib, where the latest push by Russian-backed Syrian government forces has killed several Turkish troops. Watch: Turkey-Russia talks on Syria's Idlib inconclusive Russia said both sides restated their commitment to existing agreements aimed at reducing tension in Idlib. A statement did not mention Turkey's demand for Syrian government forces to pull back. Turkey says it cannot cope with a new refugee influx in addition to the 3.6 million Syrian refugees already stranded inside its borders. Appearing on national television on Monday, Assad said the rapid military gains presaged the eventual defeat of the nine-year-old insurgency against him although it could still take time. The rebel factions include Turkish-backed rebels and jihadist militants. Possible war crimes UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville, asked if Syria and Russia were deliberately targeting civilians and protected buildings, said: "The sheer quantity of attacks on hospitals, medical facilities, and schools would suggest they cannot all be accidental." The attacks could constitute war crimes, Colville told a briefing in Geneva. The UN human rights office said it had recorded 299 civilian deaths since January 1, about 93 per cent caused by the Syrian government and its allies. Also Read: 250,000 migrants fleeing from Syria's Idlib towards Turkey: Tayyip Erdogan The swift advance of government troops, backed by Russian airstrikes, through northwest Syria has caused the biggest displacement of the war as people flee towards a shrinking pocket near the Turkish frontier where insurgents hold their last strongholds. A UN spokesman, David Swanson, said close to 900,000 people have fled conflict zones in Idlib province and western Aleppo since December, more than 80 per cent of them women and children. Many have been unable to find shelter and are sleeping outside in freezing temperatures, burning plastic to stay warm and at risk of disease and death. "Only half of all the health facilities in the northwest are still functioning now," Swanson said. Hurras Network, a Save the Children partner in Idlib, said seven children including a seven-month-old baby had died from freezing temperatures and bleak conditions in camps. About 525,000 children are among those trapped, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said. Also Read: Will not withdraw from army posts in Syria's Idlib: Turkey The Syrian army said on Monday it had taken full control of dozens of towns in the Aleppo countryside. The M5 highway linking Damascus to Aleppo, the focus of recent fighting, was re-opened to civilian traffic on Tuesday after government forces recaptured it last week, the Syrian Observatory war monitoring group reported. The opposition said airstrikes in southern areas of Idlib province had left dozens of towns and villages in ruins in what is called a "scorched earth policy". The Russian and Turkish delegations met in Moscow to reconcile their differences over Idlib, which has raised questions over the durability of their cooperation. Also Read: Syria regime must halt 'escalation of violence': European Union Turkey has sent thousands of troops and convoys of military equipment to reinforce its observation posts in Idlib, established under a 2018 de-escalation agreement with Russia. Moscow has accused Turkey of flouting their agreements and failing to rein in militants it said were attacking Syrian and Russian forces. In one positive note, Turkish and Russian troops have restarted joint patrols near the border that had been halted since October, a Russian defence ministry official said. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said the WHO was sending essential medicines and supplies across the border, including trauma kits for Idlib.

Air strikes hit hospitals, camps in northwest Syria; 300 civilian casualties

A woman in France has given birth to a baby after her immature eggs were&nbsp;matured in a lab and frozen for use five years after she&nbsp;was left infertile by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-link-between-talcum-powder-and-ovarian-cancer-finds-major-study-272830">cancer</a> treatment.

She gave birth to a healthy boy&nbsp;named Jules who&nbsp;was the first baby to be born through the new procedure, according&nbsp;to fertility specialists at Antoine Béclère University hospital in Clamart near Paris.

''Two more women, one who was treated for breast cancer and another who was treated for lymphoma, were now pregnant after having the same procedure at the hospital,'' said Michaël Grynberg, the head of reproductive medicine and fertility preservation at the hospital.

''While the procedure was not particularly efficient, it allowed some women to have babies when they had exhausted other options,'' he added.

The unnamed woman was offered fertility counselling when she was about to start&nbsp;her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-link-between-talcum-powder-and-ovarian-cancer-finds-major-study-272830">chemotherapy </a>for breast cancer at the age of 29.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-lawmakers-approve-ivf-for-lesbians-single-women-252435">French lawmakers approve IVF for lesbians, single women</a>

The drugs used in many cancer treatments are known to put fertility at risk.&nbsp;Doctors had ruled out the standard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-lawmakers-approve-ivf-for-lesbians-single-women-252435">IVF</a>&nbsp;procedure of using hormones to stimulate the woman’s ovaries to produce eggs as they were&nbsp;concerned it might adversely affect her <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-link-between-talcum-powder-and-ovarian-cancer-finds-major-study-272830">cancer</a>.

Another alternative&nbsp;way was to remove and freeze some of the patient’s ovarian tissue and reimplant it when she recovered, but the woman considered the operation too invasive.

Instead, the woman opted for retrieval of early-stage eggs from her ovaries.&nbsp;These were matured in the lab and then vitrified, a process that freezes the cells rapidly in nitrogen to reduce the chances of ice crystals forming and rupturing them.

Watch: First ever 'test tube baby' describes impact of IVF for families

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/first-ever-test-tube-baby-describes-impact-of-ivf-for-families-154067/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Out of her seven frozen eggs, six survived the process.&nbsp;These were fertilised with sperm injections, but only one developed into a healthy embryo that gave rise to the successful pregnancy.

The boy was born on 6 July 2019 when the woman was 34.&nbsp;Details of the birth were published in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cancer-deaths-over-last-5-years-falling-in-european-union-study-204192">Annals of Oncology</a>.

The medical team is working to make the procedure more efficient.&nbsp;Eggs have been&nbsp;matured in the lab before&nbsp;and used to create embryos that have gone on to produce live births but this was the first birth from an egg matured in the lab and then frozen before use.

A woman in France has given birth to a baby after her immature eggs were matured in a lab and frozen for use five years after she was left infertile by cancer treatment.

A woman in France has given birth to a baby after her immature eggs were matured in a lab and frozen for use five years after she was left infertile by cancer treatment. She gave birth to a healthy boy named Jules who was the first baby to be born through the new procedure, according to fertility specialists at Antoine Béclère University hospital in Clamart near Paris. ''Two more women, one who was treated for breast cancer and another who was treated for lymphoma, were now pregnant after having the same procedure at the hospital,'' said Michaël Grynberg, the head of reproductive medicine and fertility preservation at the hospital. ''While the procedure was not particularly efficient, it allowed some women to have babies when they had exhausted other options,'' he added. The unnamed woman was offered fertility counselling when she was about to start her chemotherapy for breast cancer at the age of 29. Also read: French lawmakers approve IVF for lesbians, single women The drugs used in many cancer treatments are known to put fertility at risk. Doctors had ruled out the standard IVF procedure of using hormones to stimulate the woman’s ovaries to produce eggs as they were concerned it might adversely affect her cancer. Another alternative way was to remove and freeze some of the patient’s ovarian tissue and reimplant it when she recovered, but the woman considered the operation too invasive. Instead, the woman opted for retrieval of early-stage eggs from her ovaries. These were matured in the lab and then vitrified, a process that freezes the cells rapidly in nitrogen to reduce the chances of ice crystals forming and rupturing them. Watch: First ever 'test tube baby' describes impact of IVF for families Out of her seven frozen eggs, six survived the process. These were fertilised with sperm injections, but only one developed into a healthy embryo that gave rise to the successful pregnancy. The boy was born on 6 July 2019 when the woman was 34. Details of the birth were published in Annals of Oncology. The medical team is working to make the procedure more efficient. Eggs have been matured in the lab before and used to create embryos that have gone on to produce live births but this was the first birth from an egg matured in the lab and then frozen before use.

First baby born through new egg-freezing technique in France

Amsterdam is plagued by overflowing hordes of tourists and is considering a ban on visitors from cannabis-vending coffee shops, to balance the quality of life for locals and the demands of travellers.

Amsterdam is plagued by overflowing hordes of tourists and is considering a ban on visitors from cannabis-vending coffee shops, to balance the quality of life for locals and the demands of travellers. Young tourists commissioned by Mayor Femke Halsema conducted a survey which revealed that half the respondents chose to visit the Dutch capital because they wanted to experience a cannabis cafe. The survey sought to investigate "what would happen to the willingness of tourists to visit Amsterdam if either the availability or accessibility of one or more of these factors should reduce or disappear," by observing the most popular reasons for visiting Amsterdam. Addressing the ever-increasing flood of tourists has been a consistent issue for Amsterdam, as the famously liberal city strains to deal with a surge in visitors and vulgar vacationists. Approximately 57 per cent of respondents put coffee shops near the top of their list of important reasons for coming to Amsterdam, while 34 per cent indicated they'd come to Amsterdam less often if they weren't able to visit coffee shops. Eleven per cent stated that the sole reason they were visiting is for the cannabis cafe. Halsema, before conducting the survey, sent a letter to councillors and suggested that the city's coffee shops can put "the quality of life in the city centre under pressure." On April 1, 2020, new measures will be in place to regulate group tours of the area and prevent tour groups from passing the red-light windows, touring past 10 pm and idling in "places that are sensitive to pressure" such as narrow bridges or new entryways. Anyone found in violation of the rules would be fined $205.

Amsterdam considers banning tourists from cannabis cafes

After reports emerged of threat of large scale locust attack in Pakistan, a Pakistan daily reported that authorities could rope in China for "ariel support".

<a href="Pakistan PM Imran Khan declares national emergency to fight locusts">Also Read:&nbsp;Pakistan PM Imran Khan declares national emergency to fight locusts</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-consider-importing-insecticides-from-india-to-fight-locusts-281375">Pakistan</a>, in fact, has also considered India as an option to import insecticides despite frayed bilateral relations. The country has declared an emergency over the locust attack.

The locusts which are believed to have arrived from Iran typically attack maze, cotton, wheat and other crops.

Africa has faced the brunt of locust attack with Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia being badly hit. Uganda is planning to deploy 2,000 soldiers and send supply equipment to tackle the invasion by desert locusts. The country used motorised sprayers, drone and manual sprayers to fight the locust attack.

The United Nations had earlier suggested spray pesticides as the only effective way to combat the worst locusts outbreak in 70 years in Kenya. The UN had said at least $76 million was needed to fight locust attack in east Africa.&nbsp;Parts of Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea have been aversely affected the swarms of locusts.

By June, the locust population is set to grow 500 times spreading to West Asia.&nbsp;

Pakistan's food security minister had said recently that the locusts were currently around the Pakistan-India border with June-July being the months when the inserts are set to invade Pakistan's fields which the country has been preparing in advance.

After reports emerged of threat of large scale locust attack in Pakistan, a Pakistan daily reported that authorities could rope in China for "ariel support". Also Read: Pakistan PM Imran Khan declares national emergency to fight locusts Pakistan, in fact, has also considered India as an option to import insecticides despite frayed bilateral relations.

After reports emerged of threat of large scale locust attack in Pakistan, a Pakistan daily reported that authorities could rope in China for "ariel support". Also Read: Pakistan PM Imran Khan declares national emergency to fight locusts Pakistan, in fact, has also considered India as an option to import insecticides despite frayed bilateral relations. The country has declared an emergency over the locust attack. The locusts which are believed to have arrived from Iran typically attack maze, cotton, wheat and other crops. Africa has faced the brunt of locust attack with Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia being badly hit. Uganda is planning to deploy 2,000 soldiers and send supply equipment to tackle the invasion by desert locusts. The country used motorised sprayers, drone and manual sprayers to fight the locust attack. The United Nations had earlier suggested spray pesticides as the only effective way to combat the worst locusts outbreak in 70 years in Kenya. The UN had said at least $76 million was needed to fight locust attack in east Africa. Parts of Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea have been aversely affected the swarms of locusts. By June, the locust population is set to grow 500 times spreading to West Asia. Pakistan's food security minister had said recently that the locusts were currently around the Pakistan-India border with June-July being the months when the inserts are set to invade Pakistan's fields which the country has been preparing in advance.

Now, Pakistan may seek China's help to fight locust attack

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-government-to-put-forward-brexit-bill-in-june-218823">British government</a> will invest 1.2 billion pounds in what it claims is the world's most powerful supercomputer to provide more accurate weather and climate forecasts.

The new supercomputer, which will be managed by the country's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-10-hottest-years-all-occurred-since-2002-met-office-239584">Met Office</a>.

It will be used to help more accurately predict storms, select the most suitable locations for flood defences and predict changes to the global climate.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/storm-ciara-devastates-uk-yorkshire-worst-hit-279711">Storm Ciara devastates UK; Yorkshire worst hit, flights disrupted</a>

Better forecasting will lead to an increment in the speed as well as the processing of more data.

It will enable better forecasting for airports so they can plan for potential disruption and provide more detailed information for the energy sector so it can prevent potential energy blackouts and surges.

Met claims that it can guide Environment Agency teams deploying mobile flood barriers or help the National Grid balancing fluctuations in wind and solar power.

It'll be the biggest investment in the 170-year history of the organisation and will dwarf the £97m bill for the current supercomputer.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/storm-dennis-one-person-dies-as-heavy-flooding-and-high-winds-hit-uk-280997">Storm Dennis: One person dies as heavy flooding and high winds hit UK</a>

To avoid contributing&nbsp;to the already enormous carbon emission, the computer will be located in countries with easy sources of clean energy.

The countries which are being considered are Iceland because of its geothermal sources and Norway its hydropower.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-10-hottest-years-all-occurred-since-2002-met-office-239584">Met Office</a>'s current supercomputers reach their end of life in late 2022.&nbsp;

The first phase of the new supercomputer will increase the Met Office computing capacity by six times, the government said on Monday.

The Met Office is currently using more than 200 billion observations from satellites, weather stations and buoys out in the ocean every day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/storm-ciara-devastates-uk-yorkshire-worst-hit-279711">Storm Ciara</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/storm-dennis-one-person-dies-as-heavy-flooding-and-high-winds-hit-uk-280997">Storm Dennis</a> have both caused widespread wind and flooding damage in the country.

The British government will invest 1.2 billion pounds in what it claims is the world's most powerful supercomputer to provide more accurate weather and climate forecasts.

The British government will invest 1.2 billion pounds in what it claims is the world's most powerful supercomputer to provide more accurate weather and climate forecasts. The new supercomputer, which will be managed by the country's Met Office. It will be used to help more accurately predict storms, select the most suitable locations for flood defences and predict changes to the global climate. Also read: Storm Ciara devastates UK; Yorkshire worst hit, flights disrupted Better forecasting will lead to an increment in the speed as well as the processing of more data. It will enable better forecasting for airports so they can plan for potential disruption and provide more detailed information for the energy sector so it can prevent potential energy blackouts and surges. Met claims that it can guide Environment Agency teams deploying mobile flood barriers or help the National Grid balancing fluctuations in wind and solar power. It'll be the biggest investment in the 170-year history of the organisation and will dwarf the £97m bill for the current supercomputer. Also read: Storm Dennis: One person dies as heavy flooding and high winds hit UK To avoid contributing to the already enormous carbon emission, the computer will be located in countries with easy sources of clean energy. The countries which are being considered are Iceland because of its geothermal sources and Norway its hydropower. The Met Office's current supercomputers reach their end of life in late 2022. The first phase of the new supercomputer will increase the Met Office computing capacity by six times, the government said on Monday. The Met Office is currently using more than 200 billion observations from satellites, weather stations and buoys out in the ocean every day. Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis have both caused widespread wind and flooding damage in the country.

UK to invest $1.6 billion in weather and climate supercomputer

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