World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 every year to create awareness of the dangers of smoking, tobacco companies' and their business practices. As per the United Nations, consumption of tobacco kills more than 8 million people every year. Not just this, it causes huge damage to our environment, including damaging forests, polluting air and affecting water supplies.

The World Health Organisation released figures according to which six hundred million&nbsp;trees are&nbsp;chopped, 22 billion&nbsp;tonnes of water are used in making cigarettes, and 84 million&nbsp;tonnes of CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere raised global temperatures. The organisation further highlighted a briefing about the implications.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/switzerland-long-a-safe-haven-for-tobacco-ads-weighs-a-ban-452502">Switzerland, long a safe haven for tobacco ads, weighs a ban</a>

Theme

This year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day 2022 is "Tobacco: A Threat to our Environment." The campaign’s motive is to raise public awareness of tobacco’s severe environmental impacts, including its manufacturing, distribution and waste. Nearly 3.5 million hectares of land are destroyed every year to grow tobacco.

The campaign also aims to&nbsp;call for action, mainly focusing on youth to help them with pushing effective policies against tobacco industries holding them accountable for the environmental harm caused so that it can later be avoided.

How is health affected by tobacco’s environmental impact?

A farmer, who plants tobacco might inhale nicotine the same way as 50 cigarettes per day. Furthermore, Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) is a type of nicotine that affects one out of every four&nbsp;producers.

These tobacco producers might also have higher levels of aluminium and arsenic in their blood due to pesticides, which if chronic, might lead to blood disease, neurological disorders, birth deformities, and many more.

Children who work at tobacco farms have higher chances of developing kidney disease during their early ages and have higher chances of smoking rates.

Women who work on farms can be adversely affected as they can face high risks of infertility or reproductive issues.

Watch |&nbsp;56% of people in Switzerland vote to ban Tobacco advertisements

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What is WHO’s response?

The human and economic cost of tobacco is staggering but can be prevented if the right actions are taken.

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was adopted by WHO member states in the year 2003. This has been in force since 2005 and has 182 parties covering nearly 90 per cent of the global population.

In 2007, MPOWER was launched by WHO as a practical approach to scale up the enforcement of the requirement of FCTC for the reduction measures on the ground. MPOWER stands for&nbsp;Monitoring tobacco's use, protecting from using it, offering a help to quit it, warning about its dangers, enforcing ban on promotion of tobacco and raising taxes on it.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ancient-north-americans-used-tobacco-over-12000-years-ago-says-study-420073">Ancient North Americans used tobacco over 12,000 years ago, says study</a>

The WHO’s "No Tobacco Unit" (TFI) recently launched two online courses on tobacco product regulation on OpenWHO. Product regulation in general terms means knowing the contents (in) and emissions (out) of tobacco products.

Policymakers, regulators, health authorities, or anyone interested in tobacco product regulation will benefit from these courses.

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(With inputs from agencies)

World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 every year to create awareness of the dangers of smoking, tobacco companies' and their business practices. As per the United Nations, consumption of tobacco kills more than 8 million people every year.

World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 every year to create awareness of the dangers of smoking, tobacco companies' and their business practices. As per the United Nations, consumption of tobacco kills more than 8 million people every year. Not just this, it causes huge damage to our environment, including damaging forests, polluting air and affecting water supplies. The World Health Organisation released figures according to which six hundred million trees are chopped, 22 billion tonnes of water are used in making cigarettes, and 84 million tonnes of CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere raised global temperatures. The organisation further highlighted a briefing about the implications. Also read | Switzerland, long a safe haven for tobacco ads, weighs a ban Theme This year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day 2022 is "Tobacco: A Threat to our Environment." The campaign’s motive is to raise public awareness of tobacco’s severe environmental impacts, including its manufacturing, distribution and waste. Nearly 3.5 million hectares of land are destroyed every year to grow tobacco. The campaign also aims to call for action, mainly focusing on youth to help them with pushing effective policies against tobacco industries holding them accountable for the environmental harm caused so that it can later be avoided. How is health affected by tobacco’s environmental impact? A farmer, who plants tobacco might inhale nicotine the same way as 50 cigarettes per day. Furthermore, Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) is a type of nicotine that affects one out of every four producers. These tobacco producers might also have higher levels of aluminium and arsenic in their blood due to pesticides, which if chronic, might lead to blood disease, neurological disorders, birth deformities, and many more. Children who work at tobacco farms have higher chances of developing kidney disease during their early ages and have higher chances of smoking rates. Women who work on farms can be adversely affected as they can face high risks of infertility or reproductive issues. Watch | 56% of people in Switzerland vote to ban Tobacco advertisements What is WHO’s response? The human and economic cost of tobacco is staggering but can be prevented if the right actions are taken. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was adopted by WHO member states in the year 2003. This has been in force since 2005 and has 182 parties covering nearly 90 per cent of the global population. In 2007, MPOWER was launched by WHO as a practical approach to scale up the enforcement of the requirement of FCTC for the reduction measures on the ground. MPOWER stands for Monitoring tobacco's use, protecting from using it, offering a help to quit it, warning about its dangers, enforcing ban on promotion of tobacco and raising taxes on it. Also read | Ancient North Americans used tobacco over 12,000 years ago, says study The WHO’s "No Tobacco Unit" (TFI) recently launched two online courses on tobacco product regulation on OpenWHO. Product regulation in general terms means knowing the contents (in) and emissions (out) of tobacco products. Policymakers, regulators, health authorities, or anyone interested in tobacco product regulation will benefit from these courses. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

World No Tobacco Day 2022: 'A threat to environment'

In pics: Flag-waving Israelis take to streets, skirmishes erupt in Al-Aqsa mosque

In pics: From checking on construction to making coffee, Singapore’s robots to fill in labour gaps

Brazil flood: Death toll reaches 57, thousands displaced

Shanghai’s authorities on Monday (May 30) have announced that some of the COVID-19 lockdown measures put on businesses will be eased from Wednesday (June 1). Not just this, the two-month lockdown came to an end allowing the residents in virus-free sections of the city, BBC reported.&nbsp;

These plans have been introduced to help in city’s economy which has been severely harmed as a result of the lockdown restrictions.

Guidelines to manage the spread the of virus and people returning to work will be revised as per the officials.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-logs-80-new-local-covid-19-cases-45-in-shanghai-22-in-beijing-482503">China logs 80 new local Covid-19 cases, 45 in Shanghai; 22 in Beijing</a>

As per the announcement same, official numbers released on Sunday (May 29) showed the daily covid cases dropping from 170 to 122 cases in 24 hours.

Starting from June 1, the companies would no longer be required to be on ‘whitelist’ to resume their production. The declaration came as the city unveiled a 50-point plan aimed at reviving the city’s economy estimated to be $600 billion (£475 billion).

Watch |&nbsp;Shanghai inches towards gradual reopening, over 100 bank outlets resume work

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New measures included reducing taxes on automobile buyers like drivers who move to electric vehicles will be eligible for a $1,500 payment, speeding up the issuance of local government bonds, as well as the approval of construction projects.&nbsp;

Car manufacturers like Tesla and Volkswagen have been particularly suffered due to the covid restrictions.

Additional assistance for businesses will be included the ability to postpone insurance and pay rents along with utility bill discounts.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/east-asia/shanghai-to-reopen-subways-in-easing-of-covid-restrictions-480345">Shanghai to reopen subways in easing of Covid restrictions</a>

This year, banks will be required to extend $15 billion in loans to small and medium sized businesses. &nbsp;At this same time, vouchers will be distributed to assist stores and e-commerce platforms notably in cultural, fitness and tourism sectors.&nbsp;

Shopping malls and other venues have been allowed to open in some areas of the city.

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(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Shanghai’s authorities on Monday (May 30) have announced that some of the COVID-19 lockdown measures put on businesses will be eased from Wednesday (June 1). Not just this, the two-month lockdown came to an end allowing the residents in virus-free sections of the city, BBC reported.

Shanghai’s authorities on Monday (May 30) have announced that some of the COVID-19 lockdown measures put on businesses will be eased from Wednesday (June 1). Not just this, the two-month lockdown came to an end allowing the residents in virus-free sections of the city, BBC reported. These plans have been introduced to help in city’s economy which has been severely harmed as a result of the lockdown restrictions. Guidelines to manage the spread the of virus and people returning to work will be revised as per the officials. Also read | China logs 80 new local Covid-19 cases, 45 in Shanghai; 22 in Beijing As per the announcement same, official numbers released on Sunday (May 29) showed the daily covid cases dropping from 170 to 122 cases in 24 hours. Starting from June 1, the companies would no longer be required to be on ‘whitelist’ to resume their production. The declaration came as the city unveiled a 50-point plan aimed at reviving the city’s economy estimated to be $600 billion (£475 billion). Watch | Shanghai inches towards gradual reopening, over 100 bank outlets resume work New measures included reducing taxes on automobile buyers like drivers who move to electric vehicles will be eligible for a $1,500 payment, speeding up the issuance of local government bonds, as well as the approval of construction projects. Car manufacturers like Tesla and Volkswagen have been particularly suffered due to the covid restrictions. Additional assistance for businesses will be included the ability to postpone insurance and pay rents along with utility bill discounts. Also read | Shanghai to reopen subways in easing of Covid restrictions This year, banks will be required to extend $15 billion in loans to small and medium sized businesses. At this same time, vouchers will be distributed to assist stores and e-commerce platforms notably in cultural, fitness and tourism sectors. Shopping malls and other venues have been allowed to open in some areas of the city. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Shanghai to lift restrictions for businesses

Two&nbsp;people were&nbsp;injured&nbsp;following an explosion in the Moscow-controlled city of&nbsp;Melitopol&nbsp;in southeastern&nbsp;Ukraine, local pro-Kremlin authorities said on Monday, blaming Kyiv.

Russian troops took control of the city in the Zaporizhzhia region in the early days of Moscow's military campaign in&nbsp;Ukraine, but were met with fierce resistance.

"This morning there was a terrorist attack aimed at destabilising the peaceful life of the city,"&nbsp;Melitopol's Russia-installed authorities said on Telegram.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-new-law-to-enlist-more-people-into-armed-forces-483264">Russia's new law to enlist more people into armed forces</a>

According to the statement, a car packed with explosives blew up in the city centre, injuring&nbsp;two&nbsp;"humanitarian aid" volunteers, a 28-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man.

"The Ukrainian government continues its war on the civilian population and the infrastructure of cities," the statement said, adding that an investigation was underway.&nbsp;

Clouds of black smoke were visible in the city on Monday morning. The&nbsp;blast&nbsp;shook the windows and walls of nearby buildings, Vladimir Rogov, a Russia-appointed official in&nbsp;Melitopol, said on Telegram.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Did Putin survive an assassination attempt?

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In another sign that Moscow is looking to maintain a long-term presence in parts of&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;controlled by its troops, Russian investigators said they would be looking into the&nbsp;blast.&nbsp;

Russia's Investigative Committee "will identify the persons involved in committing this crime in order to bring the perpetrators to justice," it said in a statement.&nbsp;

According to its information, the&nbsp;blast&nbsp;"organised by Ukrainian saboteurs" took place during the distribution of humanitarian aid near a residential building.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-russia-targets-key-eastern-town-in-severodonetsk-civilians-trapped-483220">Ukraine war: Russia targets key eastern town; civilians trapped</a>

Three people were&nbsp;injured,&nbsp;two&nbsp;of whom are in hospital, the investigators said.&nbsp;

Some reports suggested that the&nbsp;blast&nbsp;took place near the area where the Russia-installed head of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky, lives.

Last week, the Moscow-appointed mayor of Enerhodar, another city in the Zaporizhzhia region under Russian control, was&nbsp;injured&nbsp;in an explosion.

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Two people were injured following an explosion in the Moscow-controlled city of Melitopol in southeastern Ukraine, local pro-Kremlin authorities said on Monday, blaming Kyiv.

Two people were injured following an explosion in the Moscow-controlled city of Melitopol in southeastern Ukraine, local pro-Kremlin authorities said on Monday, blaming Kyiv. Russian troops took control of the city in the Zaporizhzhia region in the early days of Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine, but were met with fierce resistance. "This morning there was a terrorist attack aimed at destabilising the peaceful life of the city," Melitopol's Russia-installed authorities said on Telegram. Also read | Russia's new law to enlist more people into armed forces According to the statement, a car packed with explosives blew up in the city centre, injuring two "humanitarian aid" volunteers, a 28-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man. "The Ukrainian government continues its war on the civilian population and the infrastructure of cities," the statement said, adding that an investigation was underway. Clouds of black smoke were visible in the city on Monday morning. The blast shook the windows and walls of nearby buildings, Vladimir Rogov, a Russia-appointed official in Melitopol, said on Telegram. Watch | Gravitas: Did Putin survive an assassination attempt? In another sign that Moscow is looking to maintain a long-term presence in parts of Ukraine controlled by its troops, Russian investigators said they would be looking into the blast. Russia's Investigative Committee "will identify the persons involved in committing this crime in order to bring the perpetrators to justice," it said in a statement. According to its information, the blast "organised by Ukrainian saboteurs" took place during the distribution of humanitarian aid near a residential building. Also read | Ukraine war: Russia targets key eastern town; civilians trapped Three people were injured, two of whom are in hospital, the investigators said. Some reports suggested that the blast took place near the area where the Russia-installed head of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky, lives. Last week, the Moscow-appointed mayor of Enerhodar, another city in the Zaporizhzhia region under Russian control, was injured in an explosion. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine war: Two injured in blast in Russia-controlled Melitopol

Sleep is something that the inhabitants of Zingqolweni abandoned many months ago.

Tucked in a remote corner of&nbsp;South&nbsp;Africa, this frightened&nbsp;village&nbsp;of 3,000 people has suffered a murder almost every month, occurring with clockwork regularity for a year.

The brutal series of killings has earned Zingqolweni a chilling moniker: "The&nbsp;Village&nbsp;of&nbsp;Death."

All 11 victims have been elderly people, most of whom were women and most of whom lived alone.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-ramaphosa-wishes-south-africans-on-africa-day-482144">President Ramaphosa wishes South Africans on Africa Day</a>

They have been stabbed to&nbsp;death&nbsp;in their homes after nightfall, when pitch darkness falls over a&nbsp;village&nbsp;where the unpaved roads are unlit.

Nobongile Fihla, 50, spoke to AFP as she walked back from the cemetery.&nbsp;

Her mother was among the first victims, killed in May 2021.

"I found my mother there, next to the door, lying in a pool of blood. Her throat was slit," Fihla told AFP. &nbsp;

Her aunt was then found stabbed to&nbsp;death&nbsp;in the same thatched round hut where the two sisters lived.

No-one saw or heard anything.&nbsp;

The homes, known as rondavels, are far apart from each other in Zingqolweni, a Xhosa-speaking community lying three hours from the nearest large city of East London.

Here the sun sets behind the green mountains of the Eastern Cape province by 6pm (1600 GMT) in the winter months.&nbsp;

Never in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Africa

South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;is one of the world's most violent countries outside a war zone, with a murder committed every 20 minutes on average.&nbsp;

But even hardened police have been taken aback by the gruesomeness of this killing spree.

All the victims were brutally stabbed. Some also had their throats slit.

Watch |&nbsp;Renewed flooding in South Africa's east, more than 300 people displaced

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"They literally bleed to&nbsp;death," a senior police investigator told AFP.

"A series of murders of elderly people with a psychological motive. No, not seen before in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Africa," said the investigator, who asked not to be named.

Six men have been arrested over the killings, and their trial is set to begin in June.

Local police believe the murders are simply burglaries that have gone wrong.

But local official Gcinikaya Koki,&nbsp;64, is among those who doubt that thieves are to blame.&nbsp;

"After the killings, when people were searching the house they found the money in the house," he said, adding that other valuables were also untouched.

"Now, you then ask yourself, 'What is it that they want from this person that they killed?'"

The only clue ever found has been a piece of clothing.

Fears of a serial killer on the loose have swept the&nbsp;village. Some have fled and women have started sleeping together at night.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-registers-more-than10000-covid-10-cases-for-first-time-since-january-478694">South Africa registers more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases for first time since January</a>

Code of silence&nbsp;

A special police unit that investigates serial crimes has visited the area several times.&nbsp;

The murders, the investigator told AFP, share hallmarks that fit the narrative of a lone killer.

In each killing, there is a single modus operandi; the murders occur regularly at the start of each month; and there is no evidence of a criminal motive.

The murderer must be young and strong enough to overpower his victims, according to this scenario.&nbsp;And given the remoteness of the&nbsp;village, he probably lives nearby, and possibly harbours a hatred of the elderly.

"The person must have known the people living there and who was living alone," the investigator said.

Husking maize on a stool in front of her home, 82-year-old Nontukunina Mbenyana says she is afraid but she will not leave.

"If they come for me, I am prepared," she said. "I will die in my own house."

Authorities had for months kept silent on the killings, so vigilantes stepped in.

Seven suspects, all men aged 21 to 27, were found dead. Some were burned alive, others hanged in the nearby forests.

Twelve men have been arrested, but then released for lack of evidence.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rescued-turtle-hatchlings-excrete-plastic-in-south-african-aquarium-477851">Rescued turtle hatchlings excrete plastic in South African aquarium </a>&nbsp;

So the investigation continues, amid a code of silence in the&nbsp;village.

"Nothing happened here," a man climbing into his pickup told AFP.

Lately, the grisly crimes have halted, deepening the mystery.

Increased police patrols and media attention may have deterred the murders "for a while," the investigator said.

"We sometimes see that serial murderers who begin to be uncovered move away. We might come across him again somewhere else..."

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Sleep is something that the inhabitants of Zingqolweni abandoned many months ago. Tucked in a remote corner of South Africa, this frightened village of 3,000 people has suffered a murder almost every month, occurring with clockwork regularity for a year.

Sleep is something that the inhabitants of Zingqolweni abandoned many months ago. Tucked in a remote corner of South Africa, this frightened village of 3,000 people has suffered a murder almost every month, occurring with clockwork regularity for a year. The brutal series of killings has earned Zingqolweni a chilling moniker: "The Village of Death." All 11 victims have been elderly people, most of whom were women and most of whom lived alone. Also read | President Ramaphosa wishes South Africans on Africa Day They have been stabbed to death in their homes after nightfall, when pitch darkness falls over a village where the unpaved roads are unlit. Nobongile Fihla, 50, spoke to AFP as she walked back from the cemetery. Her mother was among the first victims, killed in May 2021. "I found my mother there, next to the door, lying in a pool of blood. Her throat was slit," Fihla told AFP. Her aunt was then found stabbed to death in the same thatched round hut where the two sisters lived. No-one saw or heard anything. The homes, known as rondavels, are far apart from each other in Zingqolweni, a Xhosa-speaking community lying three hours from the nearest large city of East London. Here the sun sets behind the green mountains of the Eastern Cape province by 6pm (1600 GMT) in the winter months. Never in South Africa South Africa is one of the world's most violent countries outside a war zone, with a murder committed every 20 minutes on average. But even hardened police have been taken aback by the gruesomeness of this killing spree. All the victims were brutally stabbed. Some also had their throats slit. Watch | Renewed flooding in South Africa's east, more than 300 people displaced "They literally bleed to death," a senior police investigator told AFP. "A series of murders of elderly people with a psychological motive. No, not seen before in South Africa," said the investigator, who asked not to be named. Six men have been arrested over the killings, and their trial is set to begin in June. Local police believe the murders are simply burglaries that have gone wrong. But local official Gcinikaya Koki, 64, is among those who doubt that thieves are to blame. "After the killings, when people were searching the house they found the money in the house," he said, adding that other valuables were also untouched. "Now, you then ask yourself, 'What is it that they want from this person that they killed?'" The only clue ever found has been a piece of clothing. Fears of a serial killer on the loose have swept the village. Some have fled and women have started sleeping together at night. Also read | South Africa registers more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases for first time since January Code of silence A special police unit that investigates serial crimes has visited the area several times. The murders, the investigator told AFP, share hallmarks that fit the narrative of a lone killer. In each killing, there is a single modus operandi; the murders occur regularly at the start of each month; and there is no evidence of a criminal motive. The murderer must be young and strong enough to overpower his victims, according to this scenario. And given the remoteness of the village, he probably lives nearby, and possibly harbours a hatred of the elderly. "The person must have known the people living there and who was living alone," the investigator said. Husking maize on a stool in front of her home, 82-year-old Nontukunina Mbenyana says she is afraid but she will not leave. "If they come for me, I am prepared," she said. "I will die in my own house." Authorities had for months kept silent on the killings, so vigilantes stepped in. Seven suspects, all men aged 21 to 27, were found dead. Some were burned alive, others hanged in the nearby forests. Twelve men have been arrested, but then released for lack of evidence. Also read | Rescued turtle hatchlings excrete plastic in South African aquarium So the investigation continues, amid a code of silence in the village. "Nothing happened here," a man climbing into his pickup told AFP. Lately, the grisly crimes have halted, deepening the mystery. Increased police patrols and media attention may have deterred the murders "for a while," the investigator said. "We sometimes see that serial murderers who begin to be uncovered move away. We might come across him again somewhere else..." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sleepless nights in South Africa's 'Village of Death'

In pics: Thousands of Sri Lankans queued for fuel and gas amid economic crisis

Australia elections 2022: Candidates campaigning on different areas to seek victory

In pics: Curry-gate and other Australian election moments to remember

After winning only by a slender margin in a leadership review, Alberta premier Jason Kenney on Wednesday (May 18) resigned shocking many who expected him to say in power despite his growing unpopularity.

Kenny, the premier of Canada’s most oil-producing province, earned 51.4 per cent of party members' votes. &nbsp;He was elected to power in Alberta in 2019, and then saw his popularity plummet during the pandemic. He had also faced opposition from his own party—United Conservative Party.

The reason being cited for his unpopularity was his approach towards tackling the virus, reported Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-canada-extreme-intoxication-is-now-a-defence-for-heinous-crimes-like-murder-rape-478740">In Canada, extreme intoxication is now a defence for heinous crimes like murder, rape</a>

He told his party members in Calgary, “While 51 per cent of the vote passes the constitutional threshold of a majority, it clearly is not adequate support to continue on as leader and that is why tonight, I've informed the president of the party of my intention to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party.”

Kenny requested the leadership review to avert a caucus mutiny after months of harsh criticism of his management of the covid outbreak and his uncompromising leadership style. As a result of his decision, UCP, the ruling will appoint an interim leader and premier, as well as will hold a leadership election.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Canada to ban Huawei, ZTE 5G equipment as it joins five eyes intelligence-sharing network

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However, the leadership review procedure was criticised by several UCP members. There was a late rush in new party membership applications, as well as last minute alteration from person to person voting in early April in Red Deer, central Alberta.

The UCP was created in 2017, when Alberta’s two main right-wing parties, the Progressive Conservatives and the Wildrose Part merged.&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tit-for-tat-move-canada-looks-to-ban-russian-president-vladimir-putin-others-from-entering-nation-479966">&nbsp;Tit-for-tat move? Canada looks to ban&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin, others from&nbsp;entering nation</a>

Alberta will conduct a provincial election in spring 2023 and the fight for the UCP leadership will most likely will last for months. 
The New Democratic Party, led by Rachel Notley, is the primary opponent.&nbsp;

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After winning only by a slender margin in a leadership review, Alberta premier Jason Kenney on Wednesday (May 18) resigned shocking many who expected him to say in power despite his growing unpopularity.

After winning only by a slender margin in a leadership review, Alberta premier Jason Kenney on Wednesday (May 18) resigned shocking many who expected him to say in power despite his growing unpopularity. Kenny, the premier of Canada’s most oil-producing province, earned 51.4 per cent of party members' votes. He was elected to power in Alberta in 2019, and then saw his popularity plummet during the pandemic. He had also faced opposition from his own party—United Conservative Party. The reason being cited for his unpopularity was his approach towards tackling the virus, reported Reuters. Also read | In Canada, extreme intoxication is now a defence for heinous crimes like murder, rape He told his party members in Calgary, “While 51 per cent of the vote passes the constitutional threshold of a majority, it clearly is not adequate support to continue on as leader and that is why tonight, I've informed the president of the party of my intention to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party.” Kenny requested the leadership review to avert a caucus mutiny after months of harsh criticism of his management of the covid outbreak and his uncompromising leadership style. As a result of his decision, UCP, the ruling will appoint an interim leader and premier, as well as will hold a leadership election. Watch | Canada to ban Huawei, ZTE 5G equipment as it joins five eyes intelligence-sharing network However, the leadership review procedure was criticised by several UCP members. There was a late rush in new party membership applications, as well as last minute alteration from person to person voting in early April in Red Deer, central Alberta. The UCP was created in 2017, when Alberta’s two main right-wing parties, the Progressive Conservatives and the Wildrose Part merged. Also read | Tit-for-tat move? Canada looks to ban Russian President Vladimir Putin, others from entering nation Alberta will conduct a provincial election in spring 2023 and the fight for the UCP leadership will most likely will last for months. The New Democratic Party, led by Rachel Notley, is the primary opponent. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada: Alberta’s Jason Kenney resigns after party leadership review

Thailand&nbsp;will allow night clubs and karaoke bars to resume regular hours starting in June, a senior official said on Friday, dropping most of its remaining pandemic restrictions as daily infections decline.

Thailand's nightlife is a major attraction for tourists, but most entertainment venues have been shuttered or faced a strict curfew since the pandemic began, with some bars forced to convert to restaurants to stay in business.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-drops-pre-arrival-covid-19-test-for-foreign-visitors-463581">Thailand drops pre-arrival COVID-19 test for foreign visitors</a>

The government hopes the latest easing of restrictions will help revive the Southeast Asian country's battered tourism sector, a key growth engine that accounted for about 12 per cent&nbsp;of the economy before the pandemic.&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;is targeting 5 to 15 million arrivals this year.

"Entertainment venues, pubs, and massage parlours and others may open until midnight after June," said Taweesin Visanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's COVID-19 taskforce, told a news conference.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Thailand is giving away 1 million cannabis plants

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"These businesses should take a universal prevention approach ... staff must have received booster doses and take antigen tests every seven days," Taweesin added.

Starting June 1,&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;will also drop a requirement for unvaccinated travellers to quarantine. They will either have to take an test on arrival or show a negative COVID-19 test before departure, he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-bids-to-avert-population-crisis-as-birth-rate-crashes-459836">Thailand bids to avert 'population crisis' as birth rate crashes</a>

From January to mid-May,&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;received 1.01 million arrivals. There were 427,000 tourists for all of last year.

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Thailand will allow night clubs and karaoke bars to resume regular hours starting in June, a senior official said on Friday, dropping most of its remaining pandemic restrictions as daily infections decline.

Thailand will allow night clubs and karaoke bars to resume regular hours starting in June, a senior official said on Friday, dropping most of its remaining pandemic restrictions as daily infections decline. Thailand's nightlife is a major attraction for tourists, but most entertainment venues have been shuttered or faced a strict curfew since the pandemic began, with some bars forced to convert to restaurants to stay in business. Also read | Thailand drops pre-arrival COVID-19 test for foreign visitors The government hopes the latest easing of restrictions will help revive the Southeast Asian country's battered tourism sector, a key growth engine that accounted for about 12 per cent of the economy before the pandemic. Thailand is targeting 5 to 15 million arrivals this year. "Entertainment venues, pubs, and massage parlours and others may open until midnight after June," said Taweesin Visanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's COVID-19 taskforce, told a news conference. Watch | Gravitas: Thailand is giving away 1 million cannabis plants "These businesses should take a universal prevention approach ... staff must have received booster doses and take antigen tests every seven days," Taweesin added. Starting June 1, Thailand will also drop a requirement for unvaccinated travellers to quarantine. They will either have to take an test on arrival or show a negative COVID-19 test before departure, he said. Also read | Thailand bids to avert 'population crisis' as birth rate crashes From January to mid-May, Thailand received 1.01 million arrivals. There were 427,000 tourists for all of last year. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

COVID-19: Thailand to lift curbs on nightlife from June this year

Kids ages 5 to 11 should get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the US&nbsp;government said Thursday.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention quickly adopted the panel’s recommendation, opening a third COVID-19 shot to healthy elementary-age kids&nbsp;just like what is already recommended for everybody 12 and older.

The hope is that an extra shot will shore up protection for kids ages 5 to 11 as infections once again are on the rise.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/medical-experts-suggest-coronavirus-link-to-mystery-hepatitis-in-children-480039">Medical experts suggest coronavirus link to mystery hepatitis in children</a>

“Vaccination with a primary series among this age group has lagged behind other age groups leaving them vulnerable to serious illness,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, in a statement.

“We know that these vaccines are safe, and we must continue to increase the number of children who are protected,” she said.

Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer's kid-sized booster, to be offered at least five months after the youngsters' last shot.

The CDC takes the next step of recommending who actually needs vaccinations. Its advisers debated if all otherwise healthy 5- to 11-year-olds need an extra dose, especially since so many children were infected during the huge winter surge of the omicron variant.

But the US&nbsp;now is averaging 100,000 new cases a day for the first time since February. And ultimately, the CDC's advisers pointed to growing evidence from older kids and adults that two primary vaccinations plus a booster are providing the best protection against the newest coronavirus variants.

“This always perhaps should have been a three-dose vaccine,” said Dr. Grace Lee of Stanford University, who chairs the CDC’s advisory panel.

The booster question isn't the hottest vaccine topic: Parents still are anxiously awaiting a chance to vaccinate kids under 5 — the only group not yet eligible in the US.

Watch |&nbsp;If you are unvaccinated for COVID, you are a threat to those who're jabbed

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Dr. Doran Fink of the Food and Drug Administration said the agency is working “as rapidly as we can” to evaluate an application from vaccine maker Moderna, and is awaiting final data on the littlest kids from rival Pfizer. The FDA's own advisers are expected to publicly debate data from one or both companies next month.

For the 5- to 11-year-olds, it’s not clear how much booster demand there will be. Only about 30% of that age group have had the initial two Pfizer doses since vaccinations opened to them in November.

CDC adviser Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot of Vanderbilt University said health authorities must put more effort into getting youngsters their initial shots.

“That needs to be a priority,” she said.

Thursday's decision also means that 5- to 11-year-olds with severely weakened immune systems, who are supposed to get three initial shots, would be eligible for a fourth dose.

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech currently make the only COVID-19 vaccine available for children of any age in the US. Those ages 5 to 11 receive a dose that’s one-third the amount given to everyone 12 and older.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizers-anti-covid-pill-gets-who-approval-heres-what-you-should-know-about-paxlovid-472896">&nbsp;Pfizer's anti-Covid pill gets WHO approval. Here's what you should know about Paxlovid</a>

In a small study, Pfizer found a booster revved up those kids’ levels of virus-fighting antibodies including those able to fight the super-contagious omicron variant the same kind of jump adults get from an extra shot.

Vaccines may not always prevent milder infections, and the omicron variant proved especially able to slip past their defenses. But CDC cited data during the omicron surge that showed unvaccinated 5- to 11-year-olds had twice the rate of hospitalization as youngsters who got their first two doses.

Health authorities say for all ages, the vaccines are still offering strong protection against COVID-19's worst outcomes, especially after a third dose.

Some especially high-risk people, including those 50 and older, have been offered the choice of a second booster, or fourth shot — and the CDC on Thursday strengthened that recommendation, too, urging anyone who's eligible to go ahead and get the extra dose.

Still to be decided is whether everyone will need additional shots in the fall, possibly reformulated to offer better protection against newer coronavirus variants.

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&nbsp;

Kids ages 5 to 11 should get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the US government said Thursday. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention quickly adopted the panel’s recommendation, opening a third COVID-19 shot to healthy elementary-age kids just like what is already recommended for everybody 12 and older.

Kids ages 5 to 11 should get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the US government said Thursday. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention quickly adopted the panel’s recommendation, opening a third COVID-19 shot to healthy elementary-age kids just like what is already recommended for everybody 12 and older. The hope is that an extra shot will shore up protection for kids ages 5 to 11 as infections once again are on the rise. Also read | Medical experts suggest coronavirus link to mystery hepatitis in children “Vaccination with a primary series among this age group has lagged behind other age groups leaving them vulnerable to serious illness,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, in a statement. “We know that these vaccines are safe, and we must continue to increase the number of children who are protected,” she said. Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer's kid-sized booster, to be offered at least five months after the youngsters' last shot. The CDC takes the next step of recommending who actually needs vaccinations. Its advisers debated if all otherwise healthy 5- to 11-year-olds need an extra dose, especially since so many children were infected during the huge winter surge of the omicron variant. But the US now is averaging 100,000 new cases a day for the first time since February. And ultimately, the CDC's advisers pointed to growing evidence from older kids and adults that two primary vaccinations plus a booster are providing the best protection against the newest coronavirus variants. “This always perhaps should have been a three-dose vaccine,” said Dr. Grace Lee of Stanford University, who chairs the CDC’s advisory panel. The booster question isn't the hottest vaccine topic: Parents still are anxiously awaiting a chance to vaccinate kids under 5 — the only group not yet eligible in the US. Watch | If you are unvaccinated for COVID, you are a threat to those who're jabbed Dr. Doran Fink of the Food and Drug Administration said the agency is working “as rapidly as we can” to evaluate an application from vaccine maker Moderna, and is awaiting final data on the littlest kids from rival Pfizer. The FDA's own advisers are expected to publicly debate data from one or both companies next month. For the 5- to 11-year-olds, it’s not clear how much booster demand there will be. Only about 30% of that age group have had the initial two Pfizer doses since vaccinations opened to them in November. CDC adviser Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot of Vanderbilt University said health authorities must put more effort into getting youngsters their initial shots. “That needs to be a priority,” she said. Thursday's decision also means that 5- to 11-year-olds with severely weakened immune systems, who are supposed to get three initial shots, would be eligible for a fourth dose. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech currently make the only COVID-19 vaccine available for children of any age in the US. Those ages 5 to 11 receive a dose that’s one-third the amount given to everyone 12 and older. Also read | Pfizer's anti-Covid pill gets WHO approval. Here's what you should know about Paxlovid In a small study, Pfizer found a booster revved up those kids’ levels of virus-fighting antibodies including those able to fight the super-contagious omicron variant the same kind of jump adults get from an extra shot. Vaccines may not always prevent milder infections, and the omicron variant proved especially able to slip past their defenses. But CDC cited data during the omicron surge that showed unvaccinated 5- to 11-year-olds had twice the rate of hospitalization as youngsters who got their first two doses. Health authorities say for all ages, the vaccines are still offering strong protection against COVID-19's worst outcomes, especially after a third dose. Some especially high-risk people, including those 50 and older, have been offered the choice of a second booster, or fourth shot — and the CDC on Thursday strengthened that recommendation, too, urging anyone who's eligible to go ahead and get the extra dose. Still to be decided is whether everyone will need additional shots in the fall, possibly reformulated to offer better protection against newer coronavirus variants. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

COVID-19: CDC recommends Pfizer booster for children aged 5 to 11

A Kent student, Callum Pettit, 11, caught a seven stone pound fish; a common carp in a lake near Reims, France establishing&nbsp;a new record for catching the largest one by a junior angler.

The boy has been fishing with his father since he was a toddler. His previous largest catch was a 29-pound mirror carp, reports Metro.

It took him 23 minutes to catch the fish, and once it got on the scales, he along with his father Stuart realised they were creating a record. This massive catch, weighed 96 pounds 10 ounces and was only a few pounds lighter than Callum himself.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leaky-sun-umbrellas-worth-1642-adidas-gucci-slammed-in-china-480301">Leaky 'sun umbrellas' worth $1642: Adidas, Gucci slammed in China</a>

‘Big Girl,’ as the fish was nicknamed, went for Callum’s unique banoffee-flavoured bait.

In the year 2019, Ian Burton caught the biggest carp ever caught by a British angler at the same lake weighing 105 pounds and 14 ounces.&nbsp;

In the year 2018, a mirror carp captured at a fishery in Hungary by Dutchman Michel Schoenmakers holds the world record for carp at 112 pounds and 14 ounces.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Over 20,000 cancer cases in UK attributed to obesity

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Surprisingly, it wasn’t until Callum’s father, Stuart, 40 proceeded to pull the fish and dragged it to the land that, they realised that it’s amongst Europe’s largest carp fishes.

‘He played the fish for about 20 minutes, slowly pulling it up and winding it towards him,’ reported by Metro.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/expensive-coffee-customer-at-italy-coffee-bar-calls-police-over-price-of-espresso-480334">Expensive coffee: Customer at Italy coffee bar calls police over price of espresso</a>

‘We didn’t have any idea of the size of it until we got it into the net and even then, we thought it could have been a 60lbs or 70lbs fish.

‘The owner of the fishery came out and identified it as the Big Girl. It was the biggest fish I have ever set eyes on.’

Other fishermen, gathered to witness the historic catch by the young boy and his father.&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)

A Kent student, Callum Pettit, 11, caught a seven stone pound fish; a common carp in a lake near Reims, France establishing a new record for catching the largest one by a junior angler.

A Kent student, Callum Pettit, 11, caught a seven stone pound fish; a common carp in a lake near Reims, France establishing a new record for catching the largest one by a junior angler. The boy has been fishing with his father since he was a toddler. His previous largest catch was a 29-pound mirror carp, reports Metro. It took him 23 minutes to catch the fish, and once it got on the scales, he along with his father Stuart realised they were creating a record. This massive catch, weighed 96 pounds 10 ounces and was only a few pounds lighter than Callum himself. Also read | Leaky 'sun umbrellas' worth $1642: Adidas, Gucci slammed in China ‘Big Girl,’ as the fish was nicknamed, went for Callum’s unique banoffee-flavoured bait. In the year 2019, Ian Burton caught the biggest carp ever caught by a British angler at the same lake weighing 105 pounds and 14 ounces. In the year 2018, a mirror carp captured at a fishery in Hungary by Dutchman Michel Schoenmakers holds the world record for carp at 112 pounds and 14 ounces. Watch | Over 20,000 cancer cases in UK attributed to obesity Surprisingly, it wasn’t until Callum’s father, Stuart, 40 proceeded to pull the fish and dragged it to the land that, they realised that it’s amongst Europe’s largest carp fishes. ‘He played the fish for about 20 minutes, slowly pulling it up and winding it towards him,’ reported by Metro. Also read | Expensive coffee: Customer at Italy coffee bar calls police over price of espresso ‘We didn’t have any idea of the size of it until we got it into the net and even then, we thought it could have been a 60lbs or 70lbs fish. ‘The owner of the fishery came out and identified it as the Big Girl. It was the biggest fish I have ever set eyes on.’ Other fishermen, gathered to witness the historic catch by the young boy and his father. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

11-year-old UK child breaks the world record by catching a 96 pound fish, almost as heavy as him

In pics: Assam floods, more than 500,000 people fled their homes

Parents of a 6-year-old child Roli Prajapati, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Noida, donated their daughter`s organs which managed to save as many as five lives making her the youngest organ donor in the history of AIIMS, New Delhi.

Roli was shot in her head after which she was rushed to the hospital. Soon, she went into coma due to the severity of the injury and then was referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. After desperate failed attempts to save the little girl, the doctors declared her brain dead.

Senior AIIMS neurosurgeon Dr Deepak Gupta told ANI, "Roli, a six and a half-year-old girl, arrived at the hospital on April 27. She had a gunshot wound and a bullet was lodged in her brain. The brain was totally damaged. She arrived at the hospital in almost a brain dead condition. So, we talked to the family members."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/transplantation-of-organs-from-deceased-covid-19-patients-is-possible-heres-how-464932">Transplantation of organs from deceased COVID-19 patients is safe and possible. Here's how</a>

"We diagnosed her to be having brain death. Subsequently, our team of doctors sat with the parents and talked about organ donation. We counselled the parents and sought their consent if they would be willing to donate organs to save the lives of other children," the neurosurgeon said.

AIIMS doctor lauded the parents of Roli for donating the organs and saving five lives. The organs for donation are her liver, kidneys, both corneas and heart valve.

With this organ donation, Roli becomes the youngest donor in AIIMS Delhi history.

"We were very grateful to the parents for taking this step despite not knowing much about organ donation. They understood the importance of saving lives," Dr Gupta added.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Switzerland declares all adults as organ donors

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AIIMS neurosurgeon revealed, "We started open donation facility here way back in 1994. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, in the whole of Delhi and NCR, we haven`t had such a young donor.

"Dr Gupta is also looking after the organ donation activities at JPNATC Trauma Centre.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-months-after-historic-transplant-first-person-to-receive-gene-edited-pig-heart-dies-460677">Two months after historic transplant, first person to receive gene-edited pig heart dies</a>

Talking about donating his daughter`s organs, Roli`s father Harnarayan Pratjapati told ANI, "Dr Gupta and his team counselled us for organ donation that our child could save other lives. We thought about it and decided that she would be alive in other people`s lives and give others reason to smile."

Poonam Devi, the mother of Roli emotionally mentioned that her daughter has left them but managed to save the lives of other people.

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Parents of a 6-year-old child Roli Prajapati, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Noida, donated their daughter`s organs which managed to save as many as five lives making her the youngest organ donor in the history of AIIMS, New Delhi.

Parents of a 6-year-old child Roli Prajapati, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Noida, donated their daughter`s organs which managed to save as many as five lives making her the youngest organ donor in the history of AIIMS, New Delhi. Roli was shot in her head after which she was rushed to the hospital. Soon, she went into coma due to the severity of the injury and then was referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. After desperate failed attempts to save the little girl, the doctors declared her brain dead. Senior AIIMS neurosurgeon Dr Deepak Gupta told ANI, "Roli, a six and a half-year-old girl, arrived at the hospital on April 27. She had a gunshot wound and a bullet was lodged in her brain. The brain was totally damaged. She arrived at the hospital in almost a brain dead condition. So, we talked to the family members." Also read | Transplantation of organs from deceased COVID-19 patients is safe and possible. Here's how "We diagnosed her to be having brain death. Subsequently, our team of doctors sat with the parents and talked about organ donation. We counselled the parents and sought their consent if they would be willing to donate organs to save the lives of other children," the neurosurgeon said. AIIMS doctor lauded the parents of Roli for donating the organs and saving five lives. The organs for donation are her liver, kidneys, both corneas and heart valve. With this organ donation, Roli becomes the youngest donor in AIIMS Delhi history. "We were very grateful to the parents for taking this step despite not knowing much about organ donation. They understood the importance of saving lives," Dr Gupta added. Watch | Gravitas: Switzerland declares all adults as organ donors AIIMS neurosurgeon revealed, "We started open donation facility here way back in 1994. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, in the whole of Delhi and NCR, we haven`t had such a young donor. "Dr Gupta is also looking after the organ donation activities at JPNATC Trauma Centre. Also read | Two months after historic transplant, first person to receive gene-edited pig heart dies Talking about donating his daughter`s organs, Roli`s father Harnarayan Pratjapati told ANI, "Dr Gupta and his team counselled us for organ donation that our child could save other lives. We thought about it and decided that she would be alive in other people`s lives and give others reason to smile." Poonam Devi, the mother of Roli emotionally mentioned that her daughter has left them but managed to save the lives of other people. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

6-year-old brain dead girl saves 5 lives, becomes youngest organ donor at AIIMS Delhi

Health authorities in North America and Europe have detected dozens of suspected or confirmed cases of&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;since early May, sparking concern the disease endemic in parts of Africa is spreading.

Canada was the latest country to report it was investigating more than a dozen suspected cases of&nbsp;monkeypox, after Spain and Portugal detected more than 40 possible and verified cases.&nbsp;

Britain has confirmed nine cases since May 6, and the United States verified its first on Wednesday, saying a man in the eastern state of Massachusetts had tested positive for the virus after visiting Canada.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rare-monkeypox-outbreaks-from-us-to-spain-list-of-countries-where-cases-are-detected-recently-480319">Rare monkeypox outbreaks: From US to Spain, list of countries where cases are detected recently</a>

The illness, from which most people recover within several weeks and has only been fatal in rare cases, has infected thousands of people in parts of Central and Western Africa in recent years but is rare in Europe and North Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday it was coordinating with UK and European health officials over the new outbreaks.

"We really need to better understand the extent of&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;in endemic countries... to really understand how much is circulating and the risk that it poses for people who are living there, as well as the risk of exportation," infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said at a WHO press conference on Tuesday on global health issues.

The first case in Britain was someone who had traveled from Nigeria, though later cases were possibly through community transmission, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement.

"These latest cases, together with reports of cases in countries across Europe, confirms our initial concerns that there could be spread of&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;within our communities," said UKHSA Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Susan Hopkins.

Watch |&nbsp;Rare monkeypox outbreak: The US reports the first case of monkeypox

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The WHO said it was also investigating that many cases reported were people identifying as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men.&nbsp;

"We are seeing transmission among men having sex with men," said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Soce Fall at the press conference.

"This is new information we need to investigate properly to understand better the dynamic of local transmission in the UK and some other countries."

No risk to the public

The UKHSA noted that&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;has not previously been characterized as a sexually transmitted disease, underscoring that "it can be passed on by direct contact during sex."

"Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can spread&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;through contact with body fluids,&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;sores, or shared items (such as clothing and bedding) that have been contaminated with fluids or sores of a person with&nbsp;monkeypox," a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statement said Wednesday, adding that household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces.

The illness often starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle ache and swollen lymph nodes before causing a chickenpox-like rash on the face and body, the US agency explained.

The Massachusetts Department of Health, said that the case there,&nbsp;the first confirmed this year in the United States occurred in a patient who had recently traveled to Canada and "poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition."

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/england-detects-four-more-cases-of-monkeypox-infection-479779">&nbsp;England detects four more cases of monkeypox infection</a>

Health authorities in Canada's Quebec province announced they were investigating at least 13 suspected cases of&nbsp;monkeypox, the public broadcaster CBC reported Wednesday.

The cases were flagged to Montreal authorities after diagnoses were made in several clinics specializing in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) told CBC it had called on "public health authorities and laboratory partners across Canada to be alert for and investigate any potential cases."

According to the CDC, there were no reported cases of&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;for 40 years before it re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017.

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Health authorities in North America and Europe have detected dozens of suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox since early May, sparking concern the disease endemic in parts of Africa is spreading.

Health authorities in North America and Europe have detected dozens of suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox since early May, sparking concern the disease endemic in parts of Africa is spreading. Canada was the latest country to report it was investigating more than a dozen suspected cases of monkeypox, after Spain and Portugal detected more than 40 possible and verified cases. Britain has confirmed nine cases since May 6, and the United States verified its first on Wednesday, saying a man in the eastern state of Massachusetts had tested positive for the virus after visiting Canada. Also read | Rare monkeypox outbreaks: From US to Spain, list of countries where cases are detected recently The illness, from which most people recover within several weeks and has only been fatal in rare cases, has infected thousands of people in parts of Central and Western Africa in recent years but is rare in Europe and North Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday it was coordinating with UK and European health officials over the new outbreaks. "We really need to better understand the extent of monkeypox in endemic countries... to really understand how much is circulating and the risk that it poses for people who are living there, as well as the risk of exportation," infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said at a WHO press conference on Tuesday on global health issues. The first case in Britain was someone who had traveled from Nigeria, though later cases were possibly through community transmission, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement. "These latest cases, together with reports of cases in countries across Europe, confirms our initial concerns that there could be spread of monkeypox within our communities," said UKHSA Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Susan Hopkins. Watch | Rare monkeypox outbreak: The US reports the first case of monkeypox The WHO said it was also investigating that many cases reported were people identifying as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men. "We are seeing transmission among men having sex with men," said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Soce Fall at the press conference. "This is new information we need to investigate properly to understand better the dynamic of local transmission in the UK and some other countries." No risk to the public The UKHSA noted that monkeypox has not previously been characterized as a sexually transmitted disease, underscoring that "it can be passed on by direct contact during sex." "Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can spread monkeypox through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, or shared items (such as clothing and bedding) that have been contaminated with fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox," a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statement said Wednesday, adding that household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces. The illness often starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle ache and swollen lymph nodes before causing a chickenpox-like rash on the face and body, the US agency explained. The Massachusetts Department of Health, said that the case there, the first confirmed this year in the United States occurred in a patient who had recently traveled to Canada and "poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition." Also read | England detects four more cases of monkeypox infection Health authorities in Canada's Quebec province announced they were investigating at least 13 suspected cases of monkeypox, the public broadcaster CBC reported Wednesday. The cases were flagged to Montreal authorities after diagnoses were made in several clinics specializing in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) told CBC it had called on "public health authorities and laboratory partners across Canada to be alert for and investigate any potential cases." According to the CDC, there were no reported cases of monkeypox for 40 years before it re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US confirms its first monkeypox case as man tests positive after visiting Canada

Explained: What is Monkeypox? Its causes, symptoms and treatment

A sandstorm hit Saudi Arabia’s capital and other desert regions on Tuesday (May 17), obstructing visibility and impeding travel, as reported by the news agency AFP.

Sandstorms are common in parts of Saudi Arabia between the month of March and May, with their densities varying. Storms have been more frequent in the region in recent months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-aramco-surpasses-apple-is-now-worlds-most-valued-company-478237">Saudi Aramco surpasses Apple; is now world’s most valued company</a>

Since mid-April, eight sandstorms have hit neighbouring Iraq, a phenomenon to be fuelled by soil degradation, severe droughts, and linked low rainfall to climate change.&nbsp;

Despite no reported aircraft delays or flight cancellations, a heavy grey haze made renowned Riyadh buildings like Kingdom Centre nearly impossible to see from more than a few hundred metres away. As per the Saudi Press Agency, the kingdom’s weather centre predicted "surface dusty winds" in the country’s east and in Riyadh, which would “reduce horizontal sight.”

Watch |&nbsp;Male model challenges gender norms in Saudi Arabia

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As per the forecast, dusty conditions were also expected further west in Mecca and Medina, the holy towns.&nbsp;

Due to the reduced visibility, electronic signals posted along Riyadh’s motorways advised the cars to go slow.

Sand blanketed cars and buildings in central Riyadh, as inhabitants tried to keep it out of their homes.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-reports-its-fastest-economic-growth-rate-in-a-decade-475634">Saudi Arabia reports its fastest economic growth rate in a decade</a>

An individual in conversation with AFP said that he’s grateful that he works indoors.

As per the official media, government offices, schools and universities in various areas in Iran were closed on Tuesday owing to this “unhealthy weather” and sandstorms.&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)

A sandstorm hit Saudi Arabia’s capital and other desert regions on Tuesday (May 17), obstructing visibility and impeding travel, as reported by the news agency AFP.

A sandstorm hit Saudi Arabia’s capital and other desert regions on Tuesday (May 17), obstructing visibility and impeding travel, as reported by the news agency AFP. Sandstorms are common in parts of Saudi Arabia between the month of March and May, with their densities varying. Storms have been more frequent in the region in recent months. Also read | Saudi Aramco surpasses Apple; is now world’s most valued company Since mid-April, eight sandstorms have hit neighbouring Iraq, a phenomenon to be fuelled by soil degradation, severe droughts, and linked low rainfall to climate change. Despite no reported aircraft delays or flight cancellations, a heavy grey haze made renowned Riyadh buildings like Kingdom Centre nearly impossible to see from more than a few hundred metres away. As per the Saudi Press Agency, the kingdom’s weather centre predicted "surface dusty winds" in the country’s east and in Riyadh, which would “reduce horizontal sight.” Watch | Male model challenges gender norms in Saudi Arabia As per the forecast, dusty conditions were also expected further west in Mecca and Medina, the holy towns. Due to the reduced visibility, electronic signals posted along Riyadh’s motorways advised the cars to go slow. Sand blanketed cars and buildings in central Riyadh, as inhabitants tried to keep it out of their homes. Also read | Saudi Arabia reports its fastest economic growth rate in a decade An individual in conversation with AFP said that he’s grateful that he works indoors. As per the official media, government offices, schools and universities in various areas in Iran were closed on Tuesday owing to this “unhealthy weather” and sandstorms. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: (With inputs from agencies)

Sandstorm hits Saudi Arabia’s capital and other desert regions

In pics: North Korea deploys army to curb virus outbreak

Britain's health authorities are investigating four more cases of rare viral monkeypox infection which have been diagnosed in England taking the total confirmed cases since May 6 to seven.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said investigations were underway to establish links between the latest four cases who appear to have been infected in London and do not have known connections with the other three cases.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-health-officials-confirm-two-more-cases-of-rare-monkeypox-infection-479068">British health officials confirm two more cases of rare monkeypox infection</a>

The latest four cases have no links to travel to a country where monkeypox is endemic and exactly where and how they got infected remains under investigation, including whether they have further links to each other, the agency said.

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection similar to human smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980. Although monkeypox is much milder than smallpox, with most infected people recovering within a few weeks, it can in rare cases be fatal.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Boris Johnson plans to cut 90,000 government jobs

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All four of the new cases self-identify as gay, bi-sexual or other men who have sex with men, the UKHSA said. They have the West African clade of the virus, which is mild compared to the Central African one, it said.

"This is rare and unusual," said UKHSA chief medial officer Susan Hopkins in the statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bank-of-england-warns-of-apocalyptic-food-prices-due-to-ongoing-russia-ukraine-conflict-479760">Bank of England warns of 'apocalyptic' food prices due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict</a>

"UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact."

She said the agency is urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay.

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Britain's health authorities are investigating four more cases of rare viral monkeypox infection which have been diagnosed in England taking the total confirmed cases since May 6 to seven.

Britain's health authorities are investigating four more cases of rare viral monkeypox infection which have been diagnosed in England taking the total confirmed cases since May 6 to seven. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said investigations were underway to establish links between the latest four cases who appear to have been infected in London and do not have known connections with the other three cases. Also read | British health officials confirm two more cases of rare monkeypox infection The latest four cases have no links to travel to a country where monkeypox is endemic and exactly where and how they got infected remains under investigation, including whether they have further links to each other, the agency said. Monkeypox is a rare viral infection similar to human smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980. Although monkeypox is much milder than smallpox, with most infected people recovering within a few weeks, it can in rare cases be fatal. Watch | Gravitas: Boris Johnson plans to cut 90,000 government jobs All four of the new cases self-identify as gay, bi-sexual or other men who have sex with men, the UKHSA said. They have the West African clade of the virus, which is mild compared to the Central African one, it said. "This is rare and unusual," said UKHSA chief medial officer Susan Hopkins in the statement. Also read | Bank of England warns of 'apocalyptic' food prices due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict "UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact." She said the agency is urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

England detects four more cases of monkeypox infection

Efforts by National Disaster Response Force(NDRF) and the Fire service are underway, to save one worker who is trapped under heavy debris of boulders in a 300-feet-deep, 50-feet-wide quarry. This accident in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district occurred during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday when unstable rocks descended from the higher portions of the quarry into the depths. The crashing pile of rocks and debris had trapped workers who were operating heavy vehicles and carrying out loading of rocks.&nbsp;

As of Tuesday, two persons have been rescued alive, mortal remains of three others have been recovered, and efforts are underway to find an individual who remains trapped. A 30-member NDRF team from Arakkonam, led by an Assistant Commandant has been on site since Sunday and has been leading the rescue efforts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/2-sikh-men-killed-india-slams-pak-over-continued-targeting-of-minority-community-members-479202">2 Sikh men killed: India slams Pak over ‘continued targeting of minority community members’</a>

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For 3rd day, rescue underway at quarry, after boulders crashed into 300-feet-deep, 50-feet-wide quarry on wee hrs of Sunday <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tirunelveli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tirunelveli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> 
 
2workers rescued, 2 dead, search on for 2 more 
 
TN had done much more to rescue 1 kid from deep bore well during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Diwali?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Diwali</a> 2019 ?? <a href="https://t.co/7oi8mRN40d">pic.twitter.com/7oi8mRN40d</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1526443211878985728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In an unfortunate development, one body has been recovered from the debris... So, only one more person remains trapped (hope and pray for the best) 
 
Thus far - 3 dead, 2 rescued and hospitalized , 1 trapped for whom rescue is underway <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tirunelveli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tirunelveli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Accidente?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Accidente</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> <a href="https://t.co/U2PXlcDhQU">pic.twitter.com/U2PXlcDhQU</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1526468792645484545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: India's wheat exports avert global food crisis

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According to the NDRF personnel, they are carrying&nbsp;Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue equipment, which includes Heartbeat detectors and thermal imaging cameras that can be used to locate and trace any signs of life under the debris.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-navys-oldest-air-station-completes-69-years-in-service-of-nation-478703">Indian Navy's oldest air station completes 69 years in service of nation</a>

However, the major challenge remains that the rescue work is often being hampered by falling rocks. In addition to this, rescue efforts are predominantly carried out during the daylight hours only and not after nightfall.&nbsp;

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Efforts by National Disaster Response Force(NDRF) and the Fire service are underway, to save one worker who is trapped under heavy debris of boulders in a 300-feet-deep, 50-feet-wide quarry.

Efforts by National Disaster Response Force(NDRF) and the Fire service are underway, to save one worker who is trapped under heavy debris of boulders in a 300-feet-deep, 50-feet-wide quarry. This accident in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district occurred during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday when unstable rocks descended from the higher portions of the quarry into the depths. The crashing pile of rocks and debris had trapped workers who were operating heavy vehicles and carrying out loading of rocks. As of Tuesday, two persons have been rescued alive, mortal remains of three others have been recovered, and efforts are underway to find an individual who remains trapped. A 30-member NDRF team from Arakkonam, led by an Assistant Commandant has been on site since Sunday and has been leading the rescue efforts. Also read | 2 Sikh men killed: India slams Pak over ‘continued targeting of minority community members’ For 3rd day, rescue underway at quarry, after boulders crashed into 300-feet-deep, 50-feet-wide quarry on wee hrs of Sunday #Tirunelveli #TamilNadu 2workers rescued, 2 dead, search on for 2 more TN had done much more to rescue 1 kid from deep bore well during #Diwali 2019 ?? pic.twitter.com/7oi8mRN40d — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) May 17, 2022 × In an unfortunate development, one body has been recovered from the debris... So, only one more person remains trapped (hope and pray for the best) Thus far - 3 dead, 2 rescued and hospitalized , 1 trapped for whom rescue is underway #Tirunelveli #TamilNadu #Accidente #India pic.twitter.com/U2PXlcDhQU — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) May 17, 2022 × Watch | Gravitas: India's wheat exports avert global food crisis According to the NDRF personnel, they are carrying Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue equipment, which includes Heartbeat detectors and thermal imaging cameras that can be used to locate and trace any signs of life under the debris. Also read | Indian Navy's oldest air station completes 69 years in service of nation However, the major challenge remains that the rescue work is often being hampered by falling rocks. In addition to this, rescue efforts are predominantly carried out during the daylight hours only and not after nightfall. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Search & Rescue underway for 3rd day; 2 rescued, 3 dead, at quarry accident

In pics: Thousands of devotees in Bangkok celebrate Buddha’s birthday after two years of covid hiatus

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Over thirty million (3 crore) children in the age group of 12-14 years have been administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.

The vaccination for children between the 12-14 age group started on March 16 with Biological E's intramuscular vaccine Corbevax, which is administered to the beneficiaries in an interval of 28 days.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-centre-approves-russian-vaccine-sputnik-booster-shot-says-officials-477030">Centre approves Russian vaccine ‘Sputnik’ booster COVID-19 shot: Report</a>

"Children are making a significant contribution to the vaccination campaign! Over 3 crore youngsters between 12-14 age group have received 1st dose of COVID19 vaccine. Congratulations to all my young friends who got vaccinated," Mandaviya said in a tweet.

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टीकाकरण अभियान में बच्चे दे रहे हैं महत्वपूर्ण योगदान! 💉 
 
Over 3⃣ crore youngsters between 12-14 age group have received 1st dose of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> vaccine. 
 
Congratulations to all my young friends who got vaccinated. <a href="https://t.co/SdHfALZyua">pic.twitter.com/SdHfALZyua</a>
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) <a href="https://twitter.com/mansukhmandviya/status/1523664998689820672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India`s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 1,900 million (190.48 Crore or 190,485,426,3) on Monday.

Watch |&nbsp;India: Mask mandate back in New Delhi as COVID cases surge

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So far 30,669,820 children between the 12-14 age group have been administered the first dose of the vaccine while 10,200,272 have received the second dose.

In the age group of 15-18 years, 587,704,28 first doses of the vaccine have been administered, and 43,308,651 second doses.

The countrywide vaccination drive began on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase.

Vaccination of frontline workers started on February 2, 2021. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.

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India launched vaccinations for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1 last year. The government then expanded its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years of age to be inoculated against the viral disease from May 1, 2021.

COVID-19 vaccination for minors in India started from January 3 onwards for those in the 15-18 age group with Bharat Biotech`s Covaxin. The drive later expanded on March 16 to include children aged above 12 for Biological E`s Corbevax.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-calls-who-data-collection-methodology-unsound-and-scientifically-questionable-476612">India calls WHO data collection methodology 'unsound and scientifically questionable'</a>

The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for the age group 18-59 years also started from April 10 onwards.

India witnessed a slight dip in the COVID-19 cases on Monday as the country reported 3,207 fresh infections in a day, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

Over thirty million (3 crore) children in the age group of 12-14 years have been administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.

Over thirty million (3 crore) children in the age group of 12-14 years have been administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday. The vaccination for children between the 12-14 age group started on March 16 with Biological E's intramuscular vaccine Corbevax, which is administered to the beneficiaries in an interval of 28 days. Also read | Centre approves Russian vaccine ‘Sputnik’ booster COVID-19 shot: Report "Children are making a significant contribution to the vaccination campaign! Over 3 crore youngsters between 12-14 age group have received 1st dose of COVID19 vaccine. Congratulations to all my young friends who got vaccinated," Mandaviya said in a tweet. टीकाकरण अभियान में बच्चे दे रहे हैं महत्वपूर्ण योगदान! 💉 Over 3⃣ crore youngsters between 12-14 age group have received 1st dose of #COVID19 vaccine. Congratulations to all my young friends who got vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/SdHfALZyua — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) May 9, 2022 × According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India`s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 1,900 million (190.48 Crore or 190,485,426,3) on Monday. Watch | India: Mask mandate back in New Delhi as COVID cases surge So far 30,669,820 children between the 12-14 age group have been administered the first dose of the vaccine while 10,200,272 have received the second dose. In the age group of 15-18 years, 587,704,28 first doses of the vaccine have been administered, and 43,308,651 second doses. The countrywide vaccination drive began on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. Vaccination of frontline workers started on February 2, 2021. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: India launched vaccinations for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1 last year. The government then expanded its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years of age to be inoculated against the viral disease from May 1, 2021. COVID-19 vaccination for minors in India started from January 3 onwards for those in the 15-18 age group with Bharat Biotech`s Covaxin. The drive later expanded on March 16 to include children aged above 12 for Biological E`s Corbevax. Also read | India calls WHO data collection methodology 'unsound and scientifically questionable' The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for the age group 18-59 years also started from April 10 onwards. India witnessed a slight dip in the COVID-19 cases on Monday as the country reported 3,207 fresh infections in a day, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

COVID-19 India: Over 30 million children between 12-14 years age group administered covid first dose

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Shanghai&nbsp;was tightening its&nbsp;COVID-19 lockdown&nbsp;for what it hoped would be the&nbsp;final&nbsp;week of its&nbsp;battle&nbsp;with the virus before it could gradually begin to ease restrictions, while&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;kept fighting its much smaller but persistent&nbsp;outbreak.

China's commercial hub of 25 million hoped to come out of its painful six-week-old lockdown&nbsp;later this month. Authorities on Saturday were hoping one last round of tightening would eradicate the last infections of the country's worst covid outbreak&nbsp;of the pandemic.

Many residents of the nation's most populous city, allowed to leave their housing compounds about a week ago for short walks or quick grocery trips, have more recently received notices to stay indoors for a three-day "silent" period.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-silences-criticism-over-zero-covid-policy-by-erasing-videos-of-excesses-by-authorities-477549">China silences criticism over zero-Covid policy by erasing videos of excesses by authorities &nbsp;</a>

Many buildings were told overnight that restriction would be extended until Friday. Going silent usually means residents cannot leave home and, in some cases, it can mean no deliveries.

Linette Lim, who has spent more than 40 days under lockdown, said her community received such a notice on Friday, a day after its official risk levels was lowered to a grade that in theory should have led to looser restrictions.

"It's very frustrating because everyone has been asked to make sacrifices, to overcome the present difficulties for the collective good, and people have been consistently complying and coping with whatever is thrown at them," she said.

"But somehow the goalposts keep shifting," said Lim. "Nerves are frayed and people have no end goal to look forward to."

Closing quarantine centres

Hundreds of millions in dozens of Chinese cities live under covid&nbsp;curbs of various degrees. The measures are hurting consumption and manufacturing in the world's second-biggest economy, and disrupting global trade and supply chains.

Some analysts expect the economy to shrink this quarter. Officials have promised more stimulus measures.

Watch |&nbsp;No end to COVID-19 woes in China’s capital city of Beijing

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China will offer subsidies, tax breaks and easier loans to boost prospects for college graduates, the cabinet said on Friday, as a record 10.76 million are set to finish college and enter the workforce this year in a weaker economy.

China's jobless rate hit its highest in nearly two years in March at 5.8 per cent, while youth unemployment was 16 per cent, the highest since July 2021.

Shanghai&nbsp;city official Ding Bo said on Saturday the number of patients in quarantine hospitals dropped to 50,000, one-fifth of the peak recorded last month. Authorities therefore closed five quarantine centres, he said.

The city reported more than 1,500 daily coronavirus cases,&nbsp;down&nbsp;from more than 2,000 the day before - all in areas under the tightest controls.

Cases found in relatively freer communities are being closely watched for clues on where the&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;is heading. There was one such case detected on Friday,&nbsp;down&nbsp;from four the previous day.

Beijing&nbsp;reported 56 daily cases, up from 50. The capital has been detecting a few dozen new cases almost every day since the first infections of its&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;were discovered on April 22.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-think-chinas-zero-covid-strategy-is-sustainable-who-477949">Don't think China's 'zero Covid' strategy is sustainable: WHO</a>

Officials in the capital this week denied rumours of an imminent lockdown, urging people not to panic-buy but to stay at home. Residents seemed to be heeding the advice as many of&nbsp;Beijing's streets were eerily quiet.

Mass testing across most of the city has become an almost daily routine.

Authorities in the capital had already banned dine-in services at restaurants, closed some malls, entertainment and tourist venues, suspended sections of the bus, subway and taxi systems and imposed lockdowns on some residential buildings.

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Shanghai was tightening its COVID-19 lockdown for what it hoped would be the final week of its battle with the virus before it could gradually begin to ease restrictions, while Beijing kept fighting its much smaller but persistent outbreak.

Shanghai was tightening its COVID-19 lockdown for what it hoped would be the final week of its battle with the virus before it could gradually begin to ease restrictions, while Beijing kept fighting its much smaller but persistent outbreak. China's commercial hub of 25 million hoped to come out of its painful six-week-old lockdown later this month. Authorities on Saturday were hoping one last round of tightening would eradicate the last infections of the country's worst covid outbreak of the pandemic. Many residents of the nation's most populous city, allowed to leave their housing compounds about a week ago for short walks or quick grocery trips, have more recently received notices to stay indoors for a three-day "silent" period. Also read | China silences criticism over zero-Covid policy by erasing videos of excesses by authorities Many buildings were told overnight that restriction would be extended until Friday. Going silent usually means residents cannot leave home and, in some cases, it can mean no deliveries. Linette Lim, who has spent more than 40 days under lockdown, said her community received such a notice on Friday, a day after its official risk levels was lowered to a grade that in theory should have led to looser restrictions. "It's very frustrating because everyone has been asked to make sacrifices, to overcome the present difficulties for the collective good, and people have been consistently complying and coping with whatever is thrown at them," she said. "But somehow the goalposts keep shifting," said Lim. "Nerves are frayed and people have no end goal to look forward to." Closing quarantine centres Hundreds of millions in dozens of Chinese cities live under covid curbs of various degrees. The measures are hurting consumption and manufacturing in the world's second-biggest economy, and disrupting global trade and supply chains. Some analysts expect the economy to shrink this quarter. Officials have promised more stimulus measures. Watch | No end to COVID-19 woes in China’s capital city of Beijing China will offer subsidies, tax breaks and easier loans to boost prospects for college graduates, the cabinet said on Friday, as a record 10.76 million are set to finish college and enter the workforce this year in a weaker economy. China's jobless rate hit its highest in nearly two years in March at 5.8 per cent, while youth unemployment was 16 per cent, the highest since July 2021. Shanghai city official Ding Bo said on Saturday the number of patients in quarantine hospitals dropped to 50,000, one-fifth of the peak recorded last month. Authorities therefore closed five quarantine centres, he said. The city reported more than 1,500 daily coronavirus cases, down from more than 2,000 the day before - all in areas under the tightest controls. Cases found in relatively freer communities are being closely watched for clues on where the outbreak is heading. There was one such case detected on Friday, down from four the previous day. Beijing reported 56 daily cases, up from 50. The capital has been detecting a few dozen new cases almost every day since the first infections of its outbreak were discovered on April 22. Also read | Don't think China's 'zero Covid' strategy is sustainable: WHO Officials in the capital this week denied rumours of an imminent lockdown, urging people not to panic-buy but to stay at home. Residents seemed to be heeding the advice as many of Beijing's streets were eerily quiet. Mass testing across most of the city has become an almost daily routine. Authorities in the capital had already banned dine-in services at restaurants, closed some malls, entertainment and tourist venues, suspended sections of the bus, subway and taxi systems and imposed lockdowns on some residential buildings. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Shanghai hunkers down for final covid battle, Beijing outbreak stubborn

According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, becomes virtually instantly nonviable when deposited on a cash banknote, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

The study shows that using credit and debit cards instead of cash as a virus prevention strategy is not recommended. The researchers also discovered that the virus is more stable on plastic money or cards, with live viral detection 48 hours after its initial deposition.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-tested-oral-vaccines-protects-against-the-virus-and-reduces-its-transmission-says-study-477614">New oral vaccine protects against Covid and reduces its transmission, says Study</a>

According to the researchers, no viable virus was found on the cash or cards that were randomly collected for the sample.&nbsp;

The researchers collected a collection of $1 bills, quarters, pennies and credit cards and inoculated them with SARS-CoV-2. After that, samples of cash, and coins were taken and analysed for virus detection at four different times: 30 minutes, 4 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Another setback for Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID vaccine jab as FDA limits its use

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After 30 mins after being placed on the dollar bills, the researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 was difficult to detect. The virus was decreased by 99.9993 per cent within 30 minutes, as per the study. The researchers tested the banknotes again after 24 and 48 hours and still no virus was detected.&nbsp;

The researchers were surprised that after putting nearly one million viruses on the banknotes, they still couldn’t find any after 24 hours.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explainer-what-is-egg-freezing-that-south-korean-women-are-opting-for-478572">Explainer: What is egg freezing that South Korean women are opting for? &nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

However, in the case of cards, the virus was only reduced by 90 per cent on money cards in 30 minutes and was detected even after the span of 48 hours later, even though the decrease rate had climbed to 99.6 per cent after four hours and 99.96 per cent after 24 hours.&nbsp;

The coin somewhat had similar results to the plastic money cards with a significant reduction in virus and still tested positive for the live virus after 24 and 48 hours.

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(With inputs from agencies)

According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, becomes virtually instantly nonviable when deposited on a cash banknote, news agency PTI reported.

According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, becomes virtually instantly nonviable when deposited on a cash banknote, news agency PTI reported. The study shows that using credit and debit cards instead of cash as a virus prevention strategy is not recommended. The researchers also discovered that the virus is more stable on plastic money or cards, with live viral detection 48 hours after its initial deposition. Also read | New oral vaccine protects against Covid and reduces its transmission, says Study According to the researchers, no viable virus was found on the cash or cards that were randomly collected for the sample. The researchers collected a collection of $1 bills, quarters, pennies and credit cards and inoculated them with SARS-CoV-2. After that, samples of cash, and coins were taken and analysed for virus detection at four different times: 30 minutes, 4 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours. Watch | Another setback for Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine jab as FDA limits its use After 30 mins after being placed on the dollar bills, the researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 was difficult to detect. The virus was decreased by 99.9993 per cent within 30 minutes, as per the study. The researchers tested the banknotes again after 24 and 48 hours and still no virus was detected. The researchers were surprised that after putting nearly one million viruses on the banknotes, they still couldn’t find any after 24 hours. Also read | Explainer: What is egg freezing that South Korean women are opting for? However, in the case of cards, the virus was only reduced by 90 per cent on money cards in 30 minutes and was detected even after the span of 48 hours later, even though the decrease rate had climbed to 99.6 per cent after four hours and 99.96 per cent after 24 hours. The coin somewhat had similar results to the plastic money cards with a significant reduction in virus and still tested positive for the live virus after 24 and 48 hours. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Virus survives longer on credit cards as compared to cash, says study

Several warnings&nbsp;were issued and&nbsp;residents of Queensland have been advised to prepare their homes and evacuate if necessary.

About a dozen or so warnings have been issued.

The storm is now moving towards Brisbane and the heavily populated southeast area of Queensland.&nbsp;A&nbsp;person was killed earlier this week in the flooding in the states’ north, reported BBC.

The flood struck Queensland earlier in February, killing 13 people and inundating more than 20,000 houses, Floods in New South Wales claimed the lives of nine more people.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/early-voting-begins-in-australia-election-with-opposition-ahead-in-polls-477466">Early voting begins in Australia election with opposition ahead in polls</a>

The rivers reached 23 metres in the month of February and flooded 800 houses and businesses in the town. On Friday (May 13), floods in the Locker Valley, west of Brisbane, swamped some towns and cut off a major highway.

In the month of February, 68 houses were flooded and about 300 properties in the area were predicted to be affected.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Australia: Climate change key point in the election debates

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According to the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, flooding has closed over 550 highways across the country. Due to extreme circumstances, including strong gusts and dangerous waves, beaches across the state were closed, including all Gold Coast beaches, The Guardian reported.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bermuda-triangle-mystery-solved-claims-australian-scientist-477506">'Bermuda Triangle mystery solved', claims Australian scientist</a>

The Bureau of Meteorology predicted heavy rains on Friday (May 13) and said this might result in life-threatening flash floods and landslides. For the second time in recent months, residents in Gympie, north of the state capital, have been advised to expect flood in areas, BBC reported.&nbsp;

On May 21, Australians will vote in a federal election in which climate change is an important topic. Several protests have taken place where people demanded the government keep climate change in mind. The country has suffered severe drought, and historic bushfires earlier.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Several warnings were issued and residents of Queensland have been advised to prepare their homes and evacuate if necessary. About a dozen or so warnings have been issued.

Several warnings were issued and residents of Queensland have been advised to prepare their homes and evacuate if necessary. About a dozen or so warnings have been issued. The storm is now moving towards Brisbane and the heavily populated southeast area of Queensland. A person was killed earlier this week in the flooding in the states’ north, reported BBC. The flood struck Queensland earlier in February, killing 13 people and inundating more than 20,000 houses, Floods in New South Wales claimed the lives of nine more people. Also read | Early voting begins in Australia election with opposition ahead in polls The rivers reached 23 metres in the month of February and flooded 800 houses and businesses in the town. On Friday (May 13), floods in the Locker Valley, west of Brisbane, swamped some towns and cut off a major highway. In the month of February, 68 houses were flooded and about 300 properties in the area were predicted to be affected. Watch | Australia: Climate change key point in the election debates According to the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, flooding has closed over 550 highways across the country. Due to extreme circumstances, including strong gusts and dangerous waves, beaches across the state were closed, including all Gold Coast beaches, The Guardian reported. Also read | 'Bermuda Triangle mystery solved', claims Australian scientist The Bureau of Meteorology predicted heavy rains on Friday (May 13) and said this might result in life-threatening flash floods and landslides. For the second time in recent months, residents in Gympie, north of the state capital, have been advised to expect flood in areas, BBC reported. On May 21, Australians will vote in a federal election in which climate change is an important topic. Several protests have taken place where people demanded the government keep climate change in mind. The country has suffered severe drought, and historic bushfires earlier. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: (With inputs from agencies)

Australians advised to evacuate from Queensland as the country faces new flood emergency

In pics: Violent wildfire in California destroys several luxurious homes

In pics: Palestinians honour Al Jazeera’s slain journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

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