In the early years of Vladimir Putin’s tenure as Russia’s leader, the country’s military was a hollowed-out but nuclear-armed shell.

It struggled to keep submarines afloat in the Arctic and an outgunned insurgency at bay in Chechnya. Senior officers sometimes lived in moldy, rat-infested tenements. And instead of socks, poorly trained soldiers often wrapped their feet in swaths of cloth, the way their Soviet and Tsarist predecessors had.

Two decades later, it is a far different fighting force that has massed near the border with Ukraine. Under Putin’s leadership, it has been overhauled into a modern sophisticated army, able to deploy quickly and with lethal effect in conventional conflicts, military analysts said. It features precision-guided weaponry, a newly streamlined command structure and well-fed and professional soldiers. And they still have the nuclear weapons.

The modernized military has emerged as a key tool of Putin’s foreign policy: capturing Crimea, intervening in Syria, keeping the peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and, just this month, propping up a Russia-friendly leader in Kazakhstan. Now it is in the middle of its most ambitious — and most ominous — operation yet: using threats and potentially, many fear, force, to bring Ukraine back into Moscow’s sphere of influence.

“The mobility of the military, its preparedness and its equipment are what allow Russia to pressure Ukraine and to pressure the West,” said Pavel Luzin, a Russian security analyst. “Nuclear weapons are not enough.”

Without firing a shot, Putin has forced the Biden administration to shelve other foreign policy priorities and contend with Kremlin grievances the White House has long dismissed — in particular reversing Ukraine’s Westward lean in the post-Soviet period.

It is Putin’s highest-stakes use of the military to muscle Russia back into the global relevance it lost with the ending of the Cold War. Putin laid out that doctrine in 2018, when he used his annual state-of-the-nation speech to unveil new nuclear weapons that could fly 20 times the speed of sound.

“No one listened to us,” Putin said in his address, which included a video simulation showing a Russian missile heading toward the United States. “Listen to us now.”

Today, it is the overhaul of the conventional forces that has provided leverage in the Ukraine crisis.

The T-72B3 tanks amassed on Ukraine’s border have a new thermal optics system for nighttime fighting as well as guided missiles with twice the range of other tanks, according to Robert Lee, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Ph.D. candidate at King’s College in London, who is a Russian military expert. Kalibr cruise missiles deployed on ships and submarines in the Black Sea and Iskander-M rockets arrayed along the border can hit targets just about anywhere inside Ukraine, Lee said.

In the past decade, the Russian air force has acquired more than 1,000 new aircraft, according to a 2020 article by Alexei Krivoruchko, a deputy defense minister. This includes the country’s most advanced fighters, the SU-35S; a squadron of these has been deployed to Belarus before joint military exercises next month.

The new capabilities were evident in Russia’s intervention in Syria in 2015. They were not only effective, but caught some in the U.S. military off guard.

“I’m embarrassed to admit, I was surprised a few years ago when Kalibr missiles came flying out of the Caspian Sea, hitting targets in Syria,” said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe. “That was a surprise to me, not only the capability, but I didn’t even know they were there.”

Kremlin thinking has also evolved over the size of the armed forces. The military relies less on a dwindling number of conscripts and more on a slimmed-down, well-trained core of roughly 400,000 contract soldiers.

These soldiers receive better treatment. Visiting the Defense Ministry in December, Putin boasted that the average lieutenant now made just over the equivalent of $1,000 per month, better than the average salary in other sectors. The federal government, he added, was spending about $1.5 billion on subsidizing private housing for service members.

And all Russian soldiers are now required to be deployed with thick, military issued socks.

What is new is not just Russia’s upgraded equipment, but the evolving theory of how the Kremlin uses it. The military has honed an approach that Dmitry Adamsky, a scholar of international security at Reichman University in Israel, calls “cross-domain coercion” — blending the real or threatened use of force with diplomacy, cyberattacks and propaganda to achieve political aims.

That blended strategy is playing out in the current crisis around Ukraine. Russia is pushing for immediate wide-ranging concessions from the West. Russian troop movements into allied Belarus put a potential invasion force within 100 miles of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. Russian state media is warning that Ukrainian forces are the ones preparing acts of aggression.

And on Jan. 14, hackers brought down dozens of Ukrainian government websites and posted a message on one stating, “Be afraid and expect the worst.”

“You see some cyber, you see diplomacy, you see military exercises,” Adamsky said. “They are all related by design.”

Not all the forces arrayed along the Ukrainian border are Russia’s most advanced. The ones amassed in the north have older weaponry and are mostly there to intimidate and stretch Ukrainian resources, said Oleksiy Arestovych, a former Ukrainian military intelligence officer who is now a political and military analyst.

The more well-equipped and modernized units, he said, have moved into the area close to two breakaway provinces in Ukraine’s east, where Russia instigated a separatist war in 2014 that continues today.

Russia’s military modernization is also, increasingly, meant to send a message to the United States, projecting power beyond Eastern Europe, frustrating and sometimes surprising U.S. officials.

It took Russia’s military transport planes only hours, for instance, to start ferrying about 2,000 Russian peacekeeping troops, along with heavy armor, to the Southern Caucasus after Putin brokered an end to the 2020 war between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In Syria, where Russia intervened in 2015 using devastating airstrikes and limited ground troops to protect President Bashar Assad, Russia’s advancements showed it could effectively deploy precision-guided weaponry, long an edge that Western armed forces had held over Russia.

Russia used the war in Syria, experts say, as a laboratory to refine tactics and weaponry, and to gain combat experience for much of its force. More responsibility was delegated to lower-level officers, a degree of autonomy that contrasts with the civilian government structure in the Putin era. Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu said last month that all ground troop commanders, 92% of air force pilots and 62% of the navy had combat experience.

“They showed to themselves and the whole world they are able to wage large-scale operations with precision weapons, and long-range weapons, and intelligence capability to support it,” Adamsky, the expert based in Israel, said.

For all its strides in recent years, Russia’s military retains a critical weakness of its Soviet predecessor: the civilian side of the country’s economy, nearly devoid of high-tech manufacturing and corporate investment in research and development. Army expenditures amount to a far higher percentage of the gross domestic product than in most European countries, starving other sectors.

When Ukraine’s military shot down Russian reconnaissance drones, for example, they discovered electronics and motors bought from hobby drone companies in Western Europe, according to a report published in November by Conflict Armament Research, a company based in Britain that specializes in tracing weaponry.

Russia possesses few new weapons systems fully created from the ground up, analysts say. Much of its modernization consists of refurbishments of older equipment.

But individual weapons systems are less important than the military’s innovative use of knowledge gained in each of the engagements of Putin’s tenure, said Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, who was NATO commander when war broke out in Ukraine in 2014.

“The compliment that we have to pay to Russia is that they are a learning and adaptive force,” Breedlove said. “Every time we see them in conflict, they get a little better and a little better.”

Putin was only a few months into his first presidential term when he faced a military catastrophe. On Aug. 12, 2000, a torpedo exploded inside the nuclear submarine Kursk, sending it to the Barents Sea floor with 118 sailors. The Russian navy’s failed rescue mission, leading to the deaths of all aboard and an uncharacteristic mea culpa from Putin, underscored the military’s ineptitude.

The sinking came to define Putin’s first term, along with a vicious and bloody war in Chechnya where the Russian military struggled for years to quash an Islamic insurgency.

A major turning point came in 2008 when a long-simmering conflict over disputed territories in the Republic of Georgia exploded into war.

Russian forces quickly overwhelmed their much smaller Georgian neighbors, but the war uncovered deep deficiencies in the Russian military. Ground troops were not in radio contact with the air force, leading to several serious friendly fire attacks. Communications were so bad that some officers had to use their personal cellphones. Tanks and armored personnel carriers broke down frequently.

The failures prompted a massive shake-up of the Russian armed forces. The Soviet military’s prowess at land warfare was revived, with improvements such as revamped artillery technology, according to Mathieu Boulègue, a research fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House in London.

Just over a decade later, Russia’s tools of electronic warfare, which can be used to intercept or jam enemy communications and knock drones off course and out of the sky, are believed far superior to the U.S. military’s, analysts said.

“We’re playing catch-up now,” Hodges said. “For the last 20 years, we were focused on iPhones or cellphones and terrorist networks, while they continued to develop substantial, powerful jamming and intercept capabilities.”

There have been some setbacks for Moscow, including unsettling weapons failures. In 2019, a prototype of a nuclear-propelled cruise missile — hailed by Putin as the centerpiece of a new arms race with the United States — blew up during a test, killing at least seven people and spewing radiation for miles.

But as the Kremlin’s rhetoric increasingly cast Russia as locked in an existential conflict with the West, little expense was spared. The investment in the military was accompanied by a militarization of Russian society under Putin, entrenching the concept of a motherland surrounded by enemies and the possibility of a coming war.

All those developments, analysts say, make it hard for the West to stop Putin from attacking Ukraine, if he is determined.

“There’s very little we can do to deny Russia’s ability to wage further warfare against Ukraine,” Boulègue said. “We can’t deter a worldview.”

In the early years of Vladimir Putin’s tenure as Russia’s leader, the country’s military was a hollowed-out but nuclear-armed shell. It struggled to keep submarines afloat in the Arctic and an outgunned insurgency at bay in Chechnya.

In the early years of Vladimir Putin’s tenure as Russia’s leader, the country’s military was a hollowed-out but nuclear-armed shell. It struggled to keep submarines afloat in the Arctic and an outgunned insurgency at bay in Chechnya. Senior officers sometimes lived in moldy, rat-infested tenements. And instead of socks, poorly trained soldiers often wrapped their feet in swaths of cloth, the way their Soviet and Tsarist predecessors had. Two decades later, it is a far different fighting force that has massed near the border with Ukraine. Under Putin’s leadership, it has been overhauled into a modern sophisticated army, able to deploy quickly and with lethal effect in conventional conflicts, military analysts said. It features precision-guided weaponry, a newly streamlined command structure and well-fed and professional soldiers. And they still have the nuclear weapons. The modernized military has emerged as a key tool of Putin’s foreign policy: capturing Crimea, intervening in Syria, keeping the peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and, just this month, propping up a Russia-friendly leader in Kazakhstan. Now it is in the middle of its most ambitious — and most ominous — operation yet: using threats and potentially, many fear, force, to bring Ukraine back into Moscow’s sphere of influence. “The mobility of the military, its preparedness and its equipment are what allow Russia to pressure Ukraine and to pressure the West,” said Pavel Luzin, a Russian security analyst. “Nuclear weapons are not enough.” Without firing a shot, Putin has forced the Biden administration to shelve other foreign policy priorities and contend with Kremlin grievances the White House has long dismissed — in particular reversing Ukraine’s Westward lean in the post-Soviet period. It is Putin’s highest-stakes use of the military to muscle Russia back into the global relevance it lost with the ending of the Cold War. Putin laid out that doctrine in 2018, when he used his annual state-of-the-nation speech to unveil new nuclear weapons that could fly 20 times the speed of sound. “No one listened to us,” Putin said in his address, which included a video simulation showing a Russian missile heading toward the United States. “Listen to us now.” Today, it is the overhaul of the conventional forces that has provided leverage in the Ukraine crisis. The T-72B3 tanks amassed on Ukraine’s border have a new thermal optics system for nighttime fighting as well as guided missiles with twice the range of other tanks, according to Robert Lee, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Ph.D. candidate at King’s College in London, who is a Russian military expert. Kalibr cruise missiles deployed on ships and submarines in the Black Sea and Iskander-M rockets arrayed along the border can hit targets just about anywhere inside Ukraine, Lee said. In the past decade, the Russian air force has acquired more than 1,000 new aircraft, according to a 2020 article by Alexei Krivoruchko, a deputy defense minister. This includes the country’s most advanced fighters, the SU-35S; a squadron of these has been deployed to Belarus before joint military exercises next month. The new capabilities were evident in Russia’s intervention in Syria in 2015. They were not only effective, but caught some in the U.S. military off guard. “I’m embarrassed to admit, I was surprised a few years ago when Kalibr missiles came flying out of the Caspian Sea, hitting targets in Syria,” said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe. “That was a surprise to me, not only the capability, but I didn’t even know they were there.” Kremlin thinking has also evolved over the size of the armed forces. The military relies less on a dwindling number of conscripts and more on a slimmed-down, well-trained core of roughly 400,000 contract soldiers. These soldiers receive better treatment. Visiting the Defense Ministry in December, Putin boasted that the average lieutenant now made just over the equivalent of $1,000 per month, better than the average salary in other sectors. The federal government, he added, was spending about $1.5 billion on subsidizing private housing for service members. And all Russian soldiers are now required to be deployed with thick, military issued socks. What is new is not just Russia’s upgraded equipment, but the evolving theory of how the Kremlin uses it. The military has honed an approach that Dmitry Adamsky, a scholar of international security at Reichman University in Israel, calls “cross-domain coercion” — blending the real or threatened use of force with diplomacy, cyberattacks and propaganda to achieve political aims. That blended strategy is playing out in the current crisis around Ukraine. Russia is pushing for immediate wide-ranging concessions from the West. Russian troop movements into allied Belarus put a potential invasion force within 100 miles of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. Russian state media is warning that Ukrainian forces are the ones preparing acts of aggression. And on Jan. 14, hackers brought down dozens of Ukrainian government websites and posted a message on one stating, “Be afraid and expect the worst.” “You see some cyber, you see diplomacy, you see military exercises,” Adamsky said. “They are all related by design.” Not all the forces arrayed along the Ukrainian border are Russia’s most advanced. The ones amassed in the north have older weaponry and are mostly there to intimidate and stretch Ukrainian resources, said Oleksiy Arestovych, a former Ukrainian military intelligence officer who is now a political and military analyst. The more well-equipped and modernized units, he said, have moved into the area close to two breakaway provinces in Ukraine’s east, where Russia instigated a separatist war in 2014 that continues today. Russia’s military modernization is also, increasingly, meant to send a message to the United States, projecting power beyond Eastern Europe, frustrating and sometimes surprising U.S. officials. It took Russia’s military transport planes only hours, for instance, to start ferrying about 2,000 Russian peacekeeping troops, along with heavy armor, to the Southern Caucasus after Putin brokered an end to the 2020 war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In Syria, where Russia intervened in 2015 using devastating airstrikes and limited ground troops to protect President Bashar Assad, Russia’s advancements showed it could effectively deploy precision-guided weaponry, long an edge that Western armed forces had held over Russia. Russia used the war in Syria, experts say, as a laboratory to refine tactics and weaponry, and to gain combat experience for much of its force. More responsibility was delegated to lower-level officers, a degree of autonomy that contrasts with the civilian government structure in the Putin era. Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu said last month that all ground troop commanders, 92% of air force pilots and 62% of the navy had combat experience. “They showed to themselves and the whole world they are able to wage large-scale operations with precision weapons, and long-range weapons, and intelligence capability to support it,” Adamsky, the expert based in Israel, said. For all its strides in recent years, Russia’s military retains a critical weakness of its Soviet predecessor: the civilian side of the country’s economy, nearly devoid of high-tech manufacturing and corporate investment in research and development. Army expenditures amount to a far higher percentage of the gross domestic product than in most European countries, starving other sectors. When Ukraine’s military shot down Russian reconnaissance drones, for example, they discovered electronics and motors bought from hobby drone companies in Western Europe, according to a report published in November by Conflict Armament Research, a company based in Britain that specializes in tracing weaponry. Russia possesses few new weapons systems fully created from the ground up, analysts say. Much of its modernization consists of refurbishments of older equipment. But individual weapons systems are less important than the military’s innovative use of knowledge gained in each of the engagements of Putin’s tenure, said Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, who was NATO commander when war broke out in Ukraine in 2014. “The compliment that we have to pay to Russia is that they are a learning and adaptive force,” Breedlove said. “Every time we see them in conflict, they get a little better and a little better.” Putin was only a few months into his first presidential term when he faced a military catastrophe. On Aug. 12, 2000, a torpedo exploded inside the nuclear submarine Kursk, sending it to the Barents Sea floor with 118 sailors. The Russian navy’s failed rescue mission, leading to the deaths of all aboard and an uncharacteristic mea culpa from Putin, underscored the military’s ineptitude. The sinking came to define Putin’s first term, along with a vicious and bloody war in Chechnya where the Russian military struggled for years to quash an Islamic insurgency. A major turning point came in 2008 when a long-simmering conflict over disputed territories in the Republic of Georgia exploded into war. Russian forces quickly overwhelmed their much smaller Georgian neighbors, but the war uncovered deep deficiencies in the Russian military. Ground troops were not in radio contact with the air force, leading to several serious friendly fire attacks. Communications were so bad that some officers had to use their personal cellphones. Tanks and armored personnel carriers broke down frequently. The failures prompted a massive shake-up of the Russian armed forces. The Soviet military’s prowess at land warfare was revived, with improvements such as revamped artillery technology, according to Mathieu Boulègue, a research fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House in London. Just over a decade later, Russia’s tools of electronic warfare, which can be used to intercept or jam enemy communications and knock drones off course and out of the sky, are believed far superior to the U.S. military’s, analysts said. “We’re playing catch-up now,” Hodges said. “For the last 20 years, we were focused on iPhones or cellphones and terrorist networks, while they continued to develop substantial, powerful jamming and intercept capabilities.” There have been some setbacks for Moscow, including unsettling weapons failures. In 2019, a prototype of a nuclear-propelled cruise missile — hailed by Putin as the centerpiece of a new arms race with the United States — blew up during a test, killing at least seven people and spewing radiation for miles. But as the Kremlin’s rhetoric increasingly cast Russia as locked in an existential conflict with the West, little expense was spared. The investment in the military was accompanied by a militarization of Russian society under Putin, entrenching the concept of a motherland surrounded by enemies and the possibility of a coming war. All those developments, analysts say, make it hard for the West to stop Putin from attacking Ukraine, if he is determined. “There’s very little we can do to deny Russia’s ability to wage further warfare against Ukraine,” Boulègue said. “We can’t deter a worldview.”

Putin overhauled Russia's hollowed-out forces, modernizing the military

Can the Queen go to prison? Here's a list of British Royals who faced legal troubles

China's "zero-COVID" stance has put it at odds with the rest of the world and is exacting a mounting economic toll, but an exit strategy remains elusive as authorities worry about the ability of the healthcare system to cope and adapt to new strains.

Chinese medical experts believed last year that higher vaccination rates would eventually allow China to relax tough rules on movement and testing as infection rates slow elsewhere.

The emergence of the highly transmissible&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;variant dashed those hopes.

While some analysts have branded China's approach as "unsustainable", many local health experts - and some from overseas - say the country has no choice but to continue given its less developed health system.

Some even argue China's economy could even emerge stronger than ever if it keeps&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;at bay.

"For a large country with a population of 1.4 billion, it must be said that the cost-effectiveness of our country's prevention and control has been extremely high," said Liang Wannian, head of the expert epidemic prevention group at China's National Health Commission, at a Saturday briefing.

Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, called on China last week to "reassess" its approach, saying it had now become a "burden" on both the Chinese and global economies.

But China is concerned the cost of lowering its defences could prove even higher, especially with a healthcare system that has lagged its broader development.

"With a large population and high density the government is rightly concerned about impacts for the spread of the virus," said Jaya Dantas, professor of international health at the Curtin School of Population Health in Perth, Australia.

China had 4.7 million registered nurses at the end of 2020, or 3.35 per 1,000 people, official data showed. The United States has around 3 million - around 9 per 1,000.

China is also wary of the risk of new variants, especially as it refuses to import foreign vaccines. Studies suggest China's vaccines are less effective against&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;and it has not yet rolled out its own mRNA version.

Wu Zunyou, the chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention, warned the "insidious"&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;could still lead to a rise in the absolute number of deaths even if it was proven to be less deadly, and China must remain patient.

"China's medical capacity and standards are not as good as Britain or the United States, but the results of China's coronavirus prevention and control are far, far superior," he said in a weekend interview with the Beijing News.

'PREMATURE OPTIMISM'

China has stepped up its health warnings, urging citizens to ignore claims that&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;is no more serious than the 'flu and to stay vigilant.

On Wednesday, the Global Times, published by the official People's Daily, also lashed out at overseas media for "mocking" China's policies, saying they saved lives.

Foreign criticism was "based on unfounded or premature optimism regarding the end of the pandemic", it added.

Experts in China and overseas have also cast doubt on the hope that&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;represents the final stage of the pandemic.

"SARS-CoV-2 will not magically turn into a malaria-like endemic infection where levels stay constant for long periods," said Raina MacIntyre, head of the Biosecurity Research Programme at the University of New South Wales' Kirby Institute.

"It will keep causing epidemic waves, driven by waning vaccine immunity, new variants that escape vaccine protection, unvaccinated pockets, births and migration," she told Reuters.

END-GAME

China's economy is expected to slow as a result of COVID related supply disruptions, while lockdowns to douse domestic outbreaks weigh on travel and consumption.

Hong Kong's "zero-COVID" approach has put the Chinese-controlled city out of step with other global finance centres and is battering its economy.

Still, China's economy has remained resilient, with GDP growth at 8.1% last year, far exceeding expectations.

MacIntyre of the Kirby Institute said it wasn't a "binary choice" between opening up and remaining isolated, adding there was "no need to surrender to the virus, as Australia is doing at the moment."

China could still emerge from the crisis in the strongest position, especially if COVID leads to widespread cognitive impairment, organ damage and other long-term conditions in other countries, she said.

"If China keeps the virus largely under control, their population will be fit and healthy into the future, while the United States and Europe will be groaning under an unprecedented burden of chronic disease."

China's "zero-COVID" stance has put it at odds with the rest of the world and is exacting a mounting economic toll, but an exit strategy remains elusive as authorities worry about the ability of the healthcare system to cope and adapt to new strains.

China's "zero-COVID" stance has put it at odds with the rest of the world and is exacting a mounting economic toll, but an exit strategy remains elusive as authorities worry about the ability of the healthcare system to cope and adapt to new strains. Chinese medical experts believed last year that higher vaccination rates would eventually allow China to relax tough rules on movement and testing as infection rates slow elsewhere. The emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant dashed those hopes. While some analysts have branded China's approach as "unsustainable", many local health experts - and some from overseas - say the country has no choice but to continue given its less developed health system. Some even argue China's economy could even emerge stronger than ever if it keeps Omicron at bay. "For a large country with a population of 1.4 billion, it must be said that the cost-effectiveness of our country's prevention and control has been extremely high," said Liang Wannian, head of the expert epidemic prevention group at China's National Health Commission, at a Saturday briefing. Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, called on China last week to "reassess" its approach, saying it had now become a "burden" on both the Chinese and global economies. But China is concerned the cost of lowering its defences could prove even higher, especially with a healthcare system that has lagged its broader development. "With a large population and high density the government is rightly concerned about impacts for the spread of the virus," said Jaya Dantas, professor of international health at the Curtin School of Population Health in Perth, Australia. China had 4.7 million registered nurses at the end of 2020, or 3.35 per 1,000 people, official data showed. The United States has around 3 million - around 9 per 1,000. China is also wary of the risk of new variants, especially as it refuses to import foreign vaccines. Studies suggest China's vaccines are less effective against Omicron and it has not yet rolled out its own mRNA version. Wu Zunyou, the chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention, warned the "insidious" Omicron could still lead to a rise in the absolute number of deaths even if it was proven to be less deadly, and China must remain patient. "China's medical capacity and standards are not as good as Britain or the United States, but the results of China's coronavirus prevention and control are far, far superior," he said in a weekend interview with the Beijing News. 'PREMATURE OPTIMISM' China has stepped up its health warnings, urging citizens to ignore claims that Omicron is no more serious than the 'flu and to stay vigilant. On Wednesday, the Global Times, published by the official People's Daily, also lashed out at overseas media for "mocking" China's policies, saying they saved lives. Foreign criticism was "based on unfounded or premature optimism regarding the end of the pandemic", it added. Experts in China and overseas have also cast doubt on the hope that Omicron represents the final stage of the pandemic. "SARS-CoV-2 will not magically turn into a malaria-like endemic infection where levels stay constant for long periods," said Raina MacIntyre, head of the Biosecurity Research Programme at the University of New South Wales' Kirby Institute. "It will keep causing epidemic waves, driven by waning vaccine immunity, new variants that escape vaccine protection, unvaccinated pockets, births and migration," she told Reuters. END-GAME China's economy is expected to slow as a result of COVID related supply disruptions, while lockdowns to douse domestic outbreaks weigh on travel and consumption. Hong Kong's "zero-COVID" approach has put the Chinese-controlled city out of step with other global finance centres and is battering its economy. Still, China's economy has remained resilient, with GDP growth at 8.1% last year, far exceeding expectations. MacIntyre of the Kirby Institute said it wasn't a "binary choice" between opening up and remaining isolated, adding there was "no need to surrender to the virus, as Australia is doing at the moment." China could still emerge from the crisis in the strongest position, especially if COVID leads to widespread cognitive impairment, organ damage and other long-term conditions in other countries, she said. "If China keeps the virus largely under control, their population will be fit and healthy into the future, while the United States and Europe will be groaning under an unprecedented burden of chronic disease."

No exit from zero-COVID-19: China struggles to find policy off-ramp

The Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army donned the new combat uniform during the Republic Day 2022 parade on Wednesday.&nbsp;

During the parade, the Parachute Regiment, which is an airborne and special forces regiment, was carrying the latest Tavor Assault rifles.&nbsp;

The new Indian Army uniform was unveiled at the parade ground on the occasion of the Army Day Parade (January 15).&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-republic-day-parade-pride-and-honour-as-lt-manisha-bohra-leads-all-male-aoc-contingent-watch-447670">India's Republic Day parade: Pride and honour as Lt. Manisha Bohra leads all-male AOC contingent - Watch</a>

The new uniform has been designed by a team of eight students and professors from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).&nbsp;

The changes in material and pattern were done to make it easy and comfortable to be worn by men and women in the Army.&nbsp;

The new uniform is of digital pattern and also, one of the key features of the uniform is that the soldiers will not have to tuck in the dress as in the new uniform, the belt will be under the dress.

The new camouflage dress is an amalgamation of colours including earthen and olive. It will be introduced in the Indian Army by August this year.

It is also more climate-friendly and suitable for the different kinds of terrain.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Ahead of the vibrant parade, India's national flag was unfurled at Rajpath followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute.&nbsp;

According to the tradition, the 21-gun salute was presented by the ceremonial battery of 871 field regiment. The ceremonial battery was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jitender Singh Mehta.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind honoured the proud winners of the highest gallantry, including the winners of Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra.

Flower petals were showered by four Mi-17 V5 helicopters flying in the wineglass formation.

The Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army donned the new combat uniform during the Republic Day 2022 parade on Wednesday. During the parade, the Parachute Regiment, which is an airborne and special forces regiment, was carrying the latest Tavor Assault rifles.

The Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army donned the new combat uniform during the Republic Day 2022 parade on Wednesday. During the parade, the Parachute Regiment, which is an airborne and special forces regiment, was carrying the latest Tavor Assault rifles. The new Indian Army uniform was unveiled at the parade ground on the occasion of the Army Day Parade (January 15). ALSO READ | India's Republic Day parade: Pride and honour as Lt. Manisha Bohra leads all-male AOC contingent - Watch The new uniform has been designed by a team of eight students and professors from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The changes in material and pattern were done to make it easy and comfortable to be worn by men and women in the Army. The new uniform is of digital pattern and also, one of the key features of the uniform is that the soldiers will not have to tuck in the dress as in the new uniform, the belt will be under the dress. The new camouflage dress is an amalgamation of colours including earthen and olive. It will be introduced in the Indian Army by August this year. It is also more climate-friendly and suitable for the different kinds of terrain. Parachute Regiment Rday 2022 pic.twitter.com/pTfiy7BfdS — SSBCrack (@SSBCrack) January 26, 2022 × Ahead of the vibrant parade, India's national flag was unfurled at Rajpath followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute. According to the tradition, the 21-gun salute was presented by the ceremonial battery of 871 field regiment. The ceremonial battery was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jitender Singh Mehta. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind honoured the proud winners of the highest gallantry, including the winners of Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra. Flower petals were showered by four Mi-17 V5 helicopters flying in the wineglass formation.

Indian Army's Parachute Regiment dons new combat uniform during Republic Day 2022 parade - Watch

India celebrates 73rd Republic Day! Here's how the day is panning out

On the auspicious Republic Day 2022, women empowerment was on display as India showcased its cultural diversity and military might at Rajpath in the nation's capital, New Delhi on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Lieutenant Manisha Bohra of the Army Ordnance Corps led&nbsp;an all-male contingent during the January 26 parade at Rajpath.&nbsp;

Before that on Army Day (January 15), Lt. Manisha Bohra became the first lady officer to lead the all-male Army Ordnance Corps Regiment.&nbsp;

Ahead of the parade, Lt. Bohra said, "It is a matter of great honour for all of us to take part in the Republic Day parade and all of us have been practising very hard for it."

LIVE |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-republic-day-parade-2022-indias-colourful-tableau-on-display-at-rajpath-447603">Republic Day parade 2022: India's colourful tableau on display at Rajpath</a>

Today, on January 26, India is celebrating the 73rd Republic Day to mark the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950 and the country became a republic.&nbsp;

The nation celebrates the day with enthusiasm and fervour with a grand and dynamic parade. The celebrations show unity in diversity, which is one of the core values in the nation's making.&nbsp;

During the parade, a total of 21 tableaux, 12 of various states and Union Territories, nine ministries were showcased at the Republic Day parade this year.&nbsp;

Special arrangements have been made keeping in view the current COVID-19 situation. The number of seats for spectators has been significantly reduced and people are being encouraged to register online to witness the live celebrations.&nbsp;

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Lt Manisha Vohra leads Army Ordnance Corps Contingent in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDayParade2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDayParade2022</a> .<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay2022</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDayParade?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDayParade</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDayIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDayIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manishabohra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#manishabohra</a> <a href="https://t.co/MDZChySS3A">pic.twitter.com/MDZChySS3A</a>
— मानस पटेल 🇮🇳 (@ghodasara_manas) <a href="https://twitter.com/ghodasara_manas/status/1486211472661565442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Naari Shakti 🙏 
 
Lt. Manisha Bohra Leading Army Ordinance Corps Marching Contingent In Republic Day Parade 2022.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDayParade?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDayParade</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianArmy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianArmy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NaariShakti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NaariShakti</a> <a href="https://t.co/rO5ydrbEKK">pic.twitter.com/rO5ydrbEKK</a>
— Defence Squad (@Defence_Squad_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Defence_Squad_/status/1486219935013478403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

On the auspicious Republic Day 2022, women empowerment was on display as India showcased its cultural diversity and military might at Rajpath in the nation's capital, New Delhi on Wednesday.

On the auspicious Republic Day 2022, women empowerment was on display as India showcased its cultural diversity and military might at Rajpath in the nation's capital, New Delhi on Wednesday. Lieutenant Manisha Bohra of the Army Ordnance Corps led an all-male contingent during the January 26 parade at Rajpath. Before that on Army Day (January 15), Lt. Manisha Bohra became the first lady officer to lead the all-male Army Ordnance Corps Regiment. Ahead of the parade, Lt. Bohra said, "It is a matter of great honour for all of us to take part in the Republic Day parade and all of us have been practising very hard for it." LIVE | Republic Day parade 2022: India's colourful tableau on display at Rajpath Today, on January 26, India is celebrating the 73rd Republic Day to mark the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950 and the country became a republic. The nation celebrates the day with enthusiasm and fervour with a grand and dynamic parade. The celebrations show unity in diversity, which is one of the core values in the nation's making. During the parade, a total of 21 tableaux, 12 of various states and Union Territories, nine ministries were showcased at the Republic Day parade this year. Special arrangements have been made keeping in view the current COVID-19 situation. The number of seats for spectators has been significantly reduced and people are being encouraged to register online to witness the live celebrations. Lt Manisha Vohra leads Army Ordnance Corps Contingent in #RepublicDayParade2022 .#RepublicDay2022#RepublicDayParade #RepublicDayIndia #manishabohra pic.twitter.com/MDZChySS3A — मानस पटेल 🇮🇳 (@ghodasara_manas) January 26, 2022 × Naari Shakti 🙏 Lt. Manisha Bohra Leading Army Ordinance Corps Marching Contingent In Republic Day Parade 2022.#RepublicDay #RepublicDayParade #IndianArmy #NaariShakti pic.twitter.com/rO5ydrbEKK — Defence Squad (@Defence_Squad_) January 26, 2022 ×

India's Republic Day parade: Pride and honour as Lt. Manisha Bohra leads all-male AOC contingent - Watch

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: Joe Biden said that he will think about imposing personal sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin if he invades Ukraine.

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: Joe Biden said that he will think about imposing personal sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin if he invades Ukraine. India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day. Click on headlines to read the full report: Ukraine crisis: Joe Biden's rare sanction threat to Vladimir Putin; Russian media's narrative is different The United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (January 25) said that he will think about imposing personal sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin if he invades Ukraine. Live Republic Day parade 2022: India to showcase military might, cultural diversity at Rajpath India is celebrating 73rd Republic Day. On January 26 in 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect, and the country became a republic. Since then, the nation celebrates the date annually as Republic Day. Ahead of Winter Olympics, over 25% of US diplomats may leave China. Find out why Reports indicate that the State Department is preparing to approve the departure of American diplomats and their families from China. Is Navalny a terrorist? Russia adds Kremlin critic, allies to 'terrorists' list; US, EU condemn the move As authorities continue their crackdown on the opposition, Russia on Tuesday added jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a number of his allies to its list of "terrorists and extremists". WATCH | Gravitas: China wants to 'purify' the internet ×

Morning news brief: Biden's rare sanction threat to Putin; India's Republic Day celebrations and more

The auto safety authorities in the United States are seeking additional information from Tesla Inc for an ongoing investigation into 580,000 vehicles.&nbsp;

The probe was initiated after Telsa announced the decision to allow games to be played by passengers on the front centre touchscreen while driving.&nbsp;

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had opened a preliminary evaluation into 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles in December. The evaluation was done over the vehicle's "Passenger Play" feature. &nbsp;

The auto safely regulator stated that the gaming feature "may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/synthetic-wombs-elon-musk-other-tech-entrepreneurs-discuss-population-collapse-solutions-446496">Synthetic wombs? Elon Musk, other tech entrepreneurs discuss population collapse, solutions</a>

Now, NHTSA wants records of any crash reports related "in employment of front seat non-driving related tasks from in-vehicle based devices even if the task is intended only for front seat passenger."&nbsp;

The authority wants Tesla to furnish a chronology of events and studies supporting its risk assessment.&nbsp;

So far, Tesla has not responded.&nbsp;

On December 23, Tesla told NHTSA it would stop allowing video games to be played on vehicle screens while its cars are moving, the agency said.

Tesla informed NHTSA a software update will lock the "Passenger Play" feature and make it unusable when the vehicle is in motion, NHTSA said.

The auto safety authorities in the United States are seeking additional information from Tesla Inc for an ongoing investigation into 580,000 vehicles. The probe was initiated after Telsa announced the decision to allow games to be played by passengers on the front centre touchscreen while driving.

The auto safety authorities in the United States are seeking additional information from Tesla Inc for an ongoing investigation into 580,000 vehicles. The probe was initiated after Telsa announced the decision to allow games to be played by passengers on the front centre touchscreen while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had opened a preliminary evaluation into 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles in December. The evaluation was done over the vehicle's "Passenger Play" feature. The auto safely regulator stated that the gaming feature "may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash." ALSO READ | Synthetic wombs? Elon Musk, other tech entrepreneurs discuss population collapse, solutions Now, NHTSA wants records of any crash reports related "in employment of front seat non-driving related tasks from in-vehicle based devices even if the task is intended only for front seat passenger." The authority wants Tesla to furnish a chronology of events and studies supporting its risk assessment. So far, Tesla has not responded. On December 23, Tesla told NHTSA it would stop allowing video games to be played on vehicle screens while its cars are moving, the agency said. Tesla informed NHTSA a software update will lock the "Passenger Play" feature and make it unusable when the vehicle is in motion, NHTSA said.

US auto safety regulators seek more information from Tesla in drive game probe

Researchers have revealed that cannabidiol (CBD), which is an active ingredient found in cannabis might help block infection with the virus that causes coronavirus (COVID-19).&nbsp;

It has been established after the laboratory studies that CBD has shown promising results, however, further investigation is needed to produce a concrete result as the possible effect still needs to be tested on humans.

It should be noted that many potential COVID-19 treatments that showed promise in test tubes have not worked or benefitted researchers during Covid studies/trials.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-funding-to-who-fell-by-25-during-the-pandemic-report-447722">US funding to WHO fell by 25% during the pandemic: Report</a>

However, Marsha Rosner of the University of Chicago, who led a team that found CBD might help curb Covid infection in laboratory experiments, says findings will make a "strong case" for trials.&nbsp;

She said as quoted by Reuters: "Our findings do not say this will work in patients. Our findings make a strong case for a clinical trial."&nbsp;

Since it has not been tested on humans, the finding should not be treated as any sort of recommendation to buy and consume CBD oils or smoke marijuana to prevent coronavirus infection.

Using small doses of highly purified CBD that approximate what patients receive in an oral drug already approved for severe epilepsy, Rosner and colleagues found that CBD did not keep the coronavirus from infecting cells in test tubes.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-pfizer-and-biontech-begin-clinical-trial-of-omicron-based-vaccine-447469">COVID-19: Pfizer and BioNTech begin clinical trial of Omicron-based vaccine</a>

As per a report in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abi6110">Science Advances</a>, the researcher found that CBD acted soon after the virus entered the cells. It further blocked it from making copies of itself in part via effects on the inflammatory protein interferon. They found similar effects in infected mice.&nbsp;

"We don't know yet if CBD can prevent COVID, but we think our results provide a strong case for conducting a clinical trial. That's really our mantra: We want a clinical trial," Rosner told Live Science.

Covid cases have increased exponentially in the recent days, especially after the&nbsp;emergence of 'variant of concern' Omicron, which was detected in November last year.&nbsp;

"Our results suggest that CBD and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD can block SARS-CoV-2 infection at early and even later stages of infection. The mechanism appears to be mediated in part by activation of the IRE1α RNase and interferon pathways," part of the study read.&nbsp;

"In addition to these cell-based findings, pre-clinical studies show that CBD treatment reduced viral titers in the lungs and nasal turbinates of SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Finally, analysis of a national sample of patients with active records of 100 mg/ml CBD consumption at the time of COVID testing revealed an association with substantially fewer SARS-CoV-2 positive test results," it added.&nbsp;

Researchers have revealed that cannabidiol (CBD), which is an active ingredient found in cannabis might help block infection with the virus that causes coronavirus (COVID-19).

Researchers have revealed that cannabidiol (CBD), which is an active ingredient found in cannabis might help block infection with the virus that causes coronavirus (COVID-19). It has been established after the laboratory studies that CBD has shown promising results, however, further investigation is needed to produce a concrete result as the possible effect still needs to be tested on humans. It should be noted that many potential COVID-19 treatments that showed promise in test tubes have not worked or benefitted researchers during Covid studies/trials. ALSO READ | US funding to WHO fell by 25% during the pandemic: Report However, Marsha Rosner of the University of Chicago, who led a team that found CBD might help curb Covid infection in laboratory experiments, says findings will make a "strong case" for trials. She said as quoted by Reuters: "Our findings do not say this will work in patients. Our findings make a strong case for a clinical trial." Since it has not been tested on humans, the finding should not be treated as any sort of recommendation to buy and consume CBD oils or smoke marijuana to prevent coronavirus infection. Using small doses of highly purified CBD that approximate what patients receive in an oral drug already approved for severe epilepsy, Rosner and colleagues found that CBD did not keep the coronavirus from infecting cells in test tubes. ALSO READ | COVID-19: Pfizer and BioNTech begin clinical trial of Omicron-based vaccine As per a report in Science Advances, the researcher found that CBD acted soon after the virus entered the cells. It further blocked it from making copies of itself in part via effects on the inflammatory protein interferon. They found similar effects in infected mice. "We don't know yet if CBD can prevent COVID, but we think our results provide a strong case for conducting a clinical trial. That's really our mantra: We want a clinical trial," Rosner told Live Science. Covid cases have increased exponentially in the recent days, especially after the emergence of 'variant of concern' Omicron, which was detected in November last year. "Our results suggest that CBD and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD can block SARS-CoV-2 infection at early and even later stages of infection. The mechanism appears to be mediated in part by activation of the IRE1α RNase and interferon pathways," part of the study read. "In addition to these cell-based findings, pre-clinical studies show that CBD treatment reduced viral titers in the lungs and nasal turbinates of SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Finally, analysis of a national sample of patients with active records of 100 mg/ml CBD consumption at the time of COVID testing revealed an association with substantially fewer SARS-CoV-2 positive test results," it added.

Can weed cure Covid? Cannabis compound stops coronavirus in test tube

Naor Gilon, Israel's envoy to India has revealed what captured his heart the most during India's 73rd Republic Day parade as the nation celebrated January 26 will zeal and fervour.&nbsp;

India celebrates Republic Day to mark the date when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950 and the country became a republic.&nbsp;

The nation remembers the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country's freedom and showcase unity and cultural diversity with a grand parade at Rajpath in the nation's capital, New Delhi.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-republic-day-parade-pride-and-honour-as-lt-manisha-bohra-leads-all-male-aoc-contingent-watch-447670">India's Republic Day parade: Pride and honour as Lt. Manisha Bohra leads all-male AOC contingent - Watch</a>

Immediately after the parade, Israel's envoy to India took to his official Twitter account and posted a clip of the India Army's Parachute Regiment from the parade.&nbsp;

He wrote: "If you ask what captured my heart the most at the #RepublicDayParade? As an Israeli and a former paratrooper it is certainly the Parachute Regiment carrying the Israeli Tavor TAR-21 assault rifles."

During the parade, the Parachute Regiment, which is an airborne and special forces regiment, donned the new combat uniform and was carrying the latest Tavor Assault rifles.&nbsp;

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If you ask what captured my heart the most at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepublicDayParade?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RepublicDayParade</a>? As an Israeli and a former paratrooper it is certainly the Parachute Regiment carrying the Israeli Tavor TAR-21 assault rifles. <a href="https://t.co/sVUxweFXv2">pic.twitter.com/sVUxweFXv2</a>
— Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) <a href="https://twitter.com/NaorGilon/status/1486230724269457410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Parachute Regiment Rday 2022 <a href="https://t.co/pTfiy7BfdS">pic.twitter.com/pTfiy7BfdS</a>
— SSBCrack (@SSBCrack) <a href="https://twitter.com/SSBCrack/status/1486216195418525696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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This year's parade was special in so many ways as the swachhagrah, frontline workers, auto-rickshaw drivers, construction workers and labourers who prepared the majestic tableaus were among the special guests invited this year to the Republic Day parade.&nbsp;

The number of people allowed to attend the parade was curtailed to approximately 5,000-8,000 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, with seats reserved for construction workers, frontline health workers and others.

Naor Gilon, Israel's envoy to India has revealed what captured his heart the most during India's 73rd Republic Day parade as the nation celebrated January 26 will zeal and fervour.

Naor Gilon, Israel's envoy to India has revealed what captured his heart the most during India's 73rd Republic Day parade as the nation celebrated January 26 will zeal and fervour. India celebrates Republic Day to mark the date when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950 and the country became a republic. The nation remembers the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country's freedom and showcase unity and cultural diversity with a grand parade at Rajpath in the nation's capital, New Delhi. ALSO READ | India's Republic Day parade: Pride and honour as Lt. Manisha Bohra leads all-male AOC contingent - Watch Immediately after the parade, Israel's envoy to India took to his official Twitter account and posted a clip of the India Army's Parachute Regiment from the parade. He wrote: "If you ask what captured my heart the most at the #RepublicDayParade? As an Israeli and a former paratrooper it is certainly the Parachute Regiment carrying the Israeli Tavor TAR-21 assault rifles." During the parade, the Parachute Regiment, which is an airborne and special forces regiment, donned the new combat uniform and was carrying the latest Tavor Assault rifles. If you ask what captured my heart the most at the #RepublicDayParade? As an Israeli and a former paratrooper it is certainly the Parachute Regiment carrying the Israeli Tavor TAR-21 assault rifles. pic.twitter.com/sVUxweFXv2 — Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) January 26, 2022 × Parachute Regiment Rday 2022 pic.twitter.com/pTfiy7BfdS — SSBCrack (@SSBCrack) January 26, 2022 × This year's parade was special in so many ways as the swachhagrah, frontline workers, auto-rickshaw drivers, construction workers and labourers who prepared the majestic tableaus were among the special guests invited this year to the Republic Day parade. The number of people allowed to attend the parade was curtailed to approximately 5,000-8,000 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, with seats reserved for construction workers, frontline health workers and others.

Israel's envoy to India reveals what 'captured' his heart during India's 73rd Republic Day parade

An&nbsp;Iranian court on Tuesday sentenced French national Benjamin Briere to eight years in prison on spying charges, his Paris-based lawyer said, describing the trial as a politically motivated sham and his client as a "bargaining chip".

Briere, 36, has been held in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;since May 2020, when he was arrested after flying a helicam - a remote-controlled mini helicopter used to obtain aerial or motion images - in the desert near the Turkmenistan-Iran&nbsp;border.

The ruling comes at a sensitive time as the United States and European parties to&nbsp;Iran's 2015 nuclear deal try to restore the pact that was abandoned in 2018 by then-US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

"It is unacceptable that Benjamin Briere remains a hostage to negotiations on the part of a regime that persists in its desire to arbitrarily detain a French citizen and use him as a bargaining chip," lawyer Philippe Valent said in a statement.

France has been seen as tougher in nuclear negotiations with&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;than some of the other parties to the deal.

Briere, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was given an additional eight-month sentence for "propaganda against the Islamic Republic", Valent said.

Briere will appeal against the ruling, said Saeid Dehghan, one of his&nbsp;Iranian lawyers. He said his client had been shocked by the sentence, which was harsher than expected and included an additional charge of cooperating against&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;with hostile states.

"His sentence is based on a different legal clause than the earlier one ... He has been convicted of cooperation with hostile states against&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;which carries a longer sentence than his previous one," Dehghan said.

HUNGER STRIKE

Briere has been on a hunger strike since Christmas.

"Benjamin Briere obviously did not - nor ever - benefit from any form of fair trial before impartial judges," Valent said. "This ruling is the result of a purely political process."

Iran's judiciary was not immediately available for comment. France's foreign ministry said the verdict was "unacceptable", adding that it was in regular contact with Briere.

France has warned Tehran in the past that the way it is handling the cases of French nationals held in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;could sour ties.

Briere's family are alarmed by his physical and psychological condition, Valent said, urging the French authorities to step in.

In recent years,&nbsp;Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.

Rights groups have accused&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Western powers have long demanded that Tehran free their citizens, who they say are political prisoners.

Earlier this month,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;re-imprisoned Franco-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah, sentenced to five years in jail in 2020 but recently living under house arrest. France has demanded Adelkhah's immediate release.

An Iranian court on Tuesday sentenced French national Benjamin Briere to eight years in prison on spying charges, his Paris-based lawyer said, describing the trial as a politically motivated sham and his client as a "bargaining chip".

An Iranian court on Tuesday sentenced French national Benjamin Briere to eight years in prison on spying charges, his Paris-based lawyer said, describing the trial as a politically motivated sham and his client as a "bargaining chip". Briere, 36, has been held in Iran since May 2020, when he was arrested after flying a helicam - a remote-controlled mini helicopter used to obtain aerial or motion images - in the desert near the Turkmenistan-Iran border. The ruling comes at a sensitive time as the United States and European parties to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal try to restore the pact that was abandoned in 2018 by then-US President Donald Trump. "It is unacceptable that Benjamin Briere remains a hostage to negotiations on the part of a regime that persists in its desire to arbitrarily detain a French citizen and use him as a bargaining chip," lawyer Philippe Valent said in a statement. France has been seen as tougher in nuclear negotiations with Iran than some of the other parties to the deal. Briere, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was given an additional eight-month sentence for "propaganda against the Islamic Republic", Valent said. Briere will appeal against the ruling, said Saeid Dehghan, one of his Iranian lawyers. He said his client had been shocked by the sentence, which was harsher than expected and included an additional charge of cooperating against Iran with hostile states. "His sentence is based on a different legal clause than the earlier one ... He has been convicted of cooperation with hostile states against Iran which carries a longer sentence than his previous one," Dehghan said. HUNGER STRIKE Briere has been on a hunger strike since Christmas. "Benjamin Briere obviously did not - nor ever - benefit from any form of fair trial before impartial judges," Valent said. "This ruling is the result of a purely political process." Iran's judiciary was not immediately available for comment. France's foreign ministry said the verdict was "unacceptable", adding that it was in regular contact with Briere. France has warned Tehran in the past that the way it is handling the cases of French nationals held in Iran could sour ties. Briere's family are alarmed by his physical and psychological condition, Valent said, urging the French authorities to step in. In recent years, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security. Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Western powers have long demanded that Tehran free their citizens, who they say are political prisoners. Earlier this month, Iran re-imprisoned Franco-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah, sentenced to five years in jail in 2020 but recently living under house arrest. France has demanded Adelkhah's immediate release.

French man sentenced to 8 years in Iran prison for spying

Is crunch time getting expensive in Japan?

For the first time since its debut in 1979, Japan's favourite corn puff snack, Umaibo, is getting a new price tag as the company has announced that it is increasing the price.&nbsp;

Based in the capital city Tokyo, the Yaokin Corp informed, as reported by Japan-based The Mainichi paper that the product would go up from a retail price of about&nbsp;by 2 yen ($.02) apiece, from the original 10 ($0.09 yen) to 12 yen ($0.11)&nbsp;from April.&nbsp;

The company also mentioned that the decision has been made due to the higher costs. Takeshi Nemoto has been in charge of purchasing snacks at Tokyo in snack shop Kawahara Shoten for decades. He made a similar prediction for other cheap snacks.

"There's nothing we can do (about the price hike). From a maker's point of view, they cannot secure profit anymore unless they raise the price," he said.&nbsp;

What is Umaibo?&nbsp;

Umaibo is famous as the "delicious stick" and had defined Japan's low growth for decades by keeping its price unchanged.&nbsp;

The 'delicious sticks' are quite similar to cheese puffs but shaped like a cylinder. They come in 15 flavours, from cheese to seasoned cod roe, with creamy corn soup the best seller. Reports have mentioned that around 700 million of the crunchy sticks are sold annually, both in packs and individually.

While prices are surging in the West, Japanese companies have so far been reluctant to increase prices across the board, out of fear of losing cost-sensitive customers.&nbsp;

Customers were shocked by the news. "I never imagined an impact on cheap snacks, something that kids can easily buy, so I'm a bit sad and surprised," said 51-year-old housewife Naomi Hosaka.

(With inputs from agencies)

Is crunch time getting expensive in Japan? For the first time since its debut in 1979, Japan's favourite corn puff snack, Umaibo, is getting a new price tag as the company has announced that it is increasing the price.

Is crunch time getting expensive in Japan? For the first time since its debut in 1979, Japan's favourite corn puff snack, Umaibo, is getting a new price tag as the company has announced that it is increasing the price. Based in the capital city Tokyo, the Yaokin Corp informed, as reported by Japan-based The Mainichi paper that the product would go up from a retail price of about by 2 yen ($.02) apiece, from the original 10 ($0.09 yen) to 12 yen ($0.11) from April. The company also mentioned that the decision has been made due to the higher costs. Takeshi Nemoto has been in charge of purchasing snacks at Tokyo in snack shop Kawahara Shoten for decades. He made a similar prediction for other cheap snacks. "There's nothing we can do (about the price hike). From a maker's point of view, they cannot secure profit anymore unless they raise the price," he said. What is Umaibo? Umaibo is famous as the "delicious stick" and had defined Japan's low growth for decades by keeping its price unchanged. The 'delicious sticks' are quite similar to cheese puffs but shaped like a cylinder. They come in 15 flavours, from cheese to seasoned cod roe, with creamy corn soup the best seller. Reports have mentioned that around 700 million of the crunchy sticks are sold annually, both in packs and individually. While prices are surging in the West, Japanese companies have so far been reluctant to increase prices across the board, out of fear of losing cost-sensitive customers. Customers were shocked by the news. "I never imagined an impact on cheap snacks, something that kids can easily buy, so I'm a bit sad and surprised," said 51-year-old housewife Naomi Hosaka. (With inputs from agencies)

'Delicious stick': Popular Japanese cheap snack is getting expensive for first time in 43 years

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