As a result of the return to travel during the holiday season and the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, Americans were scrambling Wednesday to find at-home Covid diagnostic kits, causing multiple major distributors to restrict the number of kits available per customer.

The number of tests per person was limited starting Wednesday by both Amazon and vendors on its platform.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-is-just-beginning-and-americans-are-already-tired-439140" hreflang="en">Omicron is just beginning and Americans are already tired</a>

Pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens have set maximum kits per customer to six and four, respectively.

Walgreens made the decision after "incredible demand for at-home rapid testing" stretched its inventory, according to a company press release.

As part of its plan, the company said it will "work diligently" with suppliers to get more samples on its shelves, although some stores may be affected by the temporary shortage.

"We ask that our customers please show patience and understanding as together, we continue to navigate the evolving pandemic environment," said Walgreen President John Standley in the statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boosters-cannot-be-seen-as-a-ticket-to-go-ahead-says-who-chief-tedros-amid-omicron-threat-439113" hreflang="en">Boosters cannot be seen as a ticket to go ahead, says WHO chief Tedros amid Omicron threat</a>

The shortage of rapid at-home tests has forced Americans to line up across the nation -- sometimes for hours -- to get a test at a clinic or mobile testing site.

One centre near the capital, Washington said the number of tests it is performing daily has quadrupled in the last two weeks.

Health officials report that the fast-spreading Omicron variant is the principal coronavirus strain in the United States, contributing to 73.2 per cent of new cases in the week ending December 18.

Watch |&nbsp;'Maybe one of the few things he and I agree on,' Biden appreciates Trump on getting booster shot

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/maybe-one-of-the-few-things-he-and-i-agree-on-biden-appreciates-trump-on-getting-booster-shot-439063/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden announced that the federal government would purchase 500 million rapid tests. However, these additional tests aren't expected to be available until January.

(With inputs from agencies)

As a result of the return to travel during the holiday season and the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, Americans were scrambling Wednesday to find at-home Covid diagnostic kits, causing multiple major distributors to restrict the number of kits available per customer.

As a result of the return to travel during the holiday season and the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, Americans were scrambling Wednesday to find at-home Covid diagnostic kits, causing multiple major distributors to restrict the number of kits available per customer. The number of tests per person was limited starting Wednesday by both Amazon and vendors on its platform. Also read | Omicron is just beginning and Americans are already tired Pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens have set maximum kits per customer to six and four, respectively. Walgreens made the decision after "incredible demand for at-home rapid testing" stretched its inventory, according to a company press release. As part of its plan, the company said it will "work diligently" with suppliers to get more samples on its shelves, although some stores may be affected by the temporary shortage. "We ask that our customers please show patience and understanding as together, we continue to navigate the evolving pandemic environment," said Walgreen President John Standley in the statement. Also read | Boosters cannot be seen as a ticket to go ahead, says WHO chief Tedros amid Omicron threat The shortage of rapid at-home tests has forced Americans to line up across the nation -- sometimes for hours -- to get a test at a clinic or mobile testing site. One centre near the capital, Washington said the number of tests it is performing daily has quadrupled in the last two weeks. Health officials report that the fast-spreading Omicron variant is the principal coronavirus strain in the United States, contributing to 73.2 per cent of new cases in the week ending December 18. Watch | 'Maybe one of the few things he and I agree on,' Biden appreciates Trump on getting booster shot Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden announced that the federal government would purchase 500 million rapid tests. However, these additional tests aren't expected to be available until January. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid panic due to the rapid surge of Omicron, US stores put limits on at-home Covid test purchase

The United States has authorised Pfizer's anti-covid pill for people aged 12 or above who are at high risk, it's called Paxlovid; the pill comprises of two types of tablets.

US approves Pfizer's anti-covid pill for 12 years of age and above

Russian Foreign Minister said he expects negotiations with the US to begin in January next year. Watch this report for more.

Russia agrees to begin security talks with the US next year amid rising tensions over Ukraine

Amid Israel's opposition to revive the nuclear deal with Iran. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Israel's prime minister Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem. Sullivan's visit to Israel comes at a critical time as negotiations are ongoing to salvage the nuclear deal with Iran.

US NSA Jake Sullivan meets PM Naftali Bennett amid slow-moving Iran Nuclear deal talks

Russian Foreign Minister said he expected negotiations with US to begin in January next year. Watch this report for more.

Russian Foreign Minister to hold talks with United States next year

Despite the virus care and a spike in infections, New Yorkers are gearing up for a cheerful celebration as the city has sprinkled decorations across the streets.

New York welcomes the festive season as the city has sprinkled decorations across the streets

The US has authorized Pfizer's anti-COVID pill. It has been authorized for people aged 12 and above who are at risk. Now the steps come as the country witnesses a surge in COVID cases.

United States authorizes Pfizer's anti-COVID pill,

Russia agrees to begin security talks with United States

US NSA Jake Sullivan calls for joint strategy between US & Israel as he meets PM Naftali Bennett

A person identified as an American diplomat has been accused of providing a fake passport to a Syrian national. He has now been arrested. As per reports by Turkey's news agency, the man was detained at Istanbul Airport on November 11. Later, he was formally arrested for selling a forged passport for $10,000.&nbsp;

A state department spokesperson, in a statement, said, "We are aware of the detention of a U.S. citizen in Turkey. The individual is not a US diplomat. We are providing appropriate consular services."

The Syrian was detained and questioned. However, he was released later after there were proceedings for forging the documents.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boycott-intel-grows-louder-in-china-for-raising-concern-over-xinjiang-forced-labour-439207">Also read |&nbsp;‘Boycott Intel’ grows louder in China for raising concern over Xinjiang forced labour</a>

The American man has been identified as having the initials D.J.K. and working at the US embassy in Beirut. The Syrian was trying to fly to Germany using the passport in D.J.K.'s name.

The US embassy in Ankara has not made any comments so far. There was also no response from the US embassy in Beirut.

After an examination of the security camera, it was concluded that D.J.K. handed over the passport to the Syrian national at the airport and the two also exchanged clothes.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A person identified as an American diplomat has been accused of providing a fake passport to a Syrian national. He has now been arrested. As per reports by Turkey's news agency, the man was detained at Istanbul Airport on November 11.

A person identified as an American diplomat has been accused of providing a fake passport to a Syrian national. He has now been arrested. As per reports by Turkey's news agency, the man was detained at Istanbul Airport on November 11. Later, he was formally arrested for selling a forged passport for $10,000. A state department spokesperson, in a statement, said, "We are aware of the detention of a U.S. citizen in Turkey. The individual is not a US diplomat. We are providing appropriate consular services." The Syrian was detained and questioned. However, he was released later after there were proceedings for forging the documents. Also read | ‘Boycott Intel’ grows louder in China for raising concern over Xinjiang forced labour The American man has been identified as having the initials D.J.K. and working at the US embassy in Beirut. The Syrian was trying to fly to Germany using the passport in D.J.K.'s name. The US embassy in Ankara has not made any comments so far. There was also no response from the US embassy in Beirut. After an examination of the security camera, it was concluded that D.J.K. handed over the passport to the Syrian national at the airport and the two also exchanged clothes. (With inputs from agencies)

US diplomat arrested for allegedly selling fake passport to Syrian national in Turkey

US NSA Jake Sullivan meets Israel's PM Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem amid ongoing tensions with Iran

Amid a record increase in imports the U.S. current account deficit surged to a 15-year high in the third quarter as businesses rushed to replenish depleted inventories to meet strong demand.

US: Current account deficit surged to 15-year high in the third quarter

Omicron is now the dominant variant of the COVID-19 in the US, federal health officials said, racing ahead of Delta and other variants and accounting for 73% of new infections last week.

Omicron Variant spreads across the world

West Asia happens to be one of the worst affected regions in the world from climate change and its many consequences but what countries are not talking about is military pollution. The US military is one of the worst polluters in west Asia. If the US military was a nation in the region, it would be the eighth largest polluter in West Asia.

The carbon footprint of US Military: US Army a major polluter in West Asia

In retaliation to US imposing curbs on Chinese officials over the Human Rights issue, China has barred four US officials from entering the Asian nation.

China imposes sanctions on 4 US officials in retaliation after US imposed curbs on Chinese officials

The Latest Russian submarine has successfully launched a Kalibr cruise missile from the Sea of Japan at a target more than 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) away, located at a Russian training ground onshore.

Russia test-fires new Kalibr cruise missiles fired off from their new diesel submarine

Since July, all but the most affluent families across the country have been receiving child tax credits as monthly cash payments — a first-of-its-kind policy jujitsu that converted a tax break, usually given out as a lump sum at the end of the financial year, into an additional income that expanded America’s safety net.

The program represented the first significant shift of US&nbsp;government support for families in decades. Since the 1990s, the child tax credit was available only to parents who were actively working or looking for work, making the United States an outlier among other developed countries where subsidies for children are common.

President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, in addition to refashioning the tax credit into monthly checks, expanded the total amount parents and other caregivers received and stripped it of any work-related conditions, making more money available to more households.

The initiative, which was initially set to run for six months, has now wound down with the last of the checks sent out Dec. 15.

Democrats had hoped to make the tax credits permanent as part of Biden’s Build Back Better plan. But this week, the administration’s vast domestic agenda was effectively blocked, at least for now, by centrist Sen. Joe Manchin D-W.Va., who voted for the child tax credit expansion when it was first introduced but did not support its extension.

“I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation,” Manchin said on “Fox News Sunday,” citing concerns that the Build Back Better plan would add to the national debt and rising inflation.

The argument echoed that of his Republican colleagues — Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. and the senior Senate Budget Committee Republican, described the administration’s plan as an “inflation bomb” — who were united in their opposition to the Build Back Better legislation.

Experts have noted that since the payments of up to $300 per child started landing in bank accounts, alongside other COVID-related relief, child poverty dropped to record lows.

In an October report by the Census Bureau, around half of the roughly 300,000 recipients surveyed reported using the money on food — an indication that the tax credit was also helping to bring down hunger and food insufficiency. Many recipients also reported spending the funds on child care and school supplies.

Interviews with four families revealed other day-to-day expenses they used the funds for — from doctor’s appointments to car repairs — and the joys of a little breathing room for households that may otherwise live paycheck to paycheck.

Las Vegas

Miaya and Thaddeus Bennett

Children:&nbsp;Thaddeus Jr., 4; and Bailey, 3

Monthly Credit: $600

In 2019, months before the pandemic took hold, Miaya and Thaddeus Bennett, who are both 31, decided to pack up their lives in Connecticut and move to Las Vegas to be closer to family. Thaddeus gave up his job as a supervisor in the call center of a bank where he had worked for more than a decade. Miaya continued working as a medical dispatcher from Las Vegas.

But in April 2020, Miaya Bennett was let go from her job, and the couple suddenly found themselves living off unemployment checks for the first time in their lives. Miaya Bennett started studying to get a real estate license, and her husband took part-time jobs to keep an income coming in.

When the child tax credits arrived this summer, it was “a blessing and a relief,” she said.

For their two children, they received a total of $600 per month. The money helped pay for preschool for Thaddeus Jr., which costs roughly $200 a week for full-time care. “We don’t receive enough to put two kids into pre-K, so right now it’s just my son,” his mother explained.

But being able to use the checks to pay for one child’s preschool allowed the couple to keep paying for their children’s extracurricular activities — karate for Thaddeus Jr., ballet for Bailey.

“We consider ourselves blessed to be in a position to not have to say ‘not today’ to our kids for the simple things,” said Thaddeus Sr., who in May landed a full-time job at a mortgage company.

______

Christiansburg, Virginia

Kelly Bonner

Children:&nbsp;Jaden, 18; Gavin, 15; Liam, 11; and Mason, 10

Monthly Credit: $750

Last December, Kelly Bonner, 46, was down to just $50 in her bank account after being let go that April from her waitressing job. She and her children could afford only unhealthy meals, like ramen or processed foods. Some nights she didn’t eat at all so that there was enough food for her sons.

“The amount of food stamps that we were getting, I could use that entire monthly allotment in one week,” she explained.

She did everything she could to stretch her unemployment checks and food stamps as far as possible, but she was always left with very little cash. She dreaded having to tell her sons that they might not be able to celebrate Christmas.

It was only because a generous friend gave her some extra money that she was able to pay rent that December and cobble together a Christmas dinner for her family.

“Every month, it’s just been like, How do we make it through?” she said. Then, this past summer, her car broke down. Doctors appointments and therapy for her youngest son, who has autism and mild attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, became impossible to access.

When the first child tax credit check arrived in July — a total of $750 for three of her four boys — the timing could not have been better, Bonner said. It went straight to repairing her car, which cost $550. The other checks have helped her buy healthier food, like fresh produce, for her sons. Over the summer, she took the boys swimming in an indoor pool, which costs roughly $25 for the five of them. She could even afford to take her 15-year-old, Gavin, to a Dropkick Murphys concert.

“That was a real luxury,” she said, “but then I built that memory with him, which is so special to me.”

And this year, she said, she’ll have the money to cook an even better Christmas dinner.

______

Eau Claire, Wisconsin 

Blayne and Kayla Midthun

Children:&nbsp;Jonah, 12; Stella and Nora, 10

Monthly Credit: $750

As owners of an ice-cream parlor, Blayne and Kayla Midthun, who are both 38, had come to expect seasonal ups and downs in their business, but not the kinds presented to them during the pandemic. Like most other small-business owners, they thought that shuttering their store, Ramone’s, during the early lockdown would be swift and temporary. “I remember thinking, OK, we’ll be back to business by our peak season in the summer,” Blayne Midthun said.

Instead, they had to apply for loans from the Paycheck Protection Program, adding to the debt that their 4-year-old business had already accumulated. They pivoted their business model from being primarily driven by in-store dining to relying more on takeout and delivery.

“We literally had never had an online store before,” Kayla Midthun said. “So I had to set that up, watching online tutorial videos, getting pictures of our products done, with the kids running around.”

By the end of 2020, the ice cream parlor made $100,000 less than it did in 2019. “That was a big hit for us,” Blayne Midthun said.

He took on a few side gigs, installing drywall and painting, to keep money coming in. In November, the couple took out another business loan. But because they also own a few properties around town that they rent out, they remained financially stable with a little belt-tightening. When they started receiving a child tax credit of $750 a month for their three children, they put the money straight back into their business — to keep their operating expenses in check.

______

Las Vegas

Maria Silva and Orlando Granillo

Children:&nbsp;Miguel, 15; Elysia, 11; Eileen, 9; Evelyn, 6; Orlando Jr., 3.5; Emelia, 1.5, and one more on the way

Monthly Credit: $1,650

A couple of months into the pandemic, Maria Silva’s car was repossessed.

Her partner, Orlando Granillo, a barber, had lost his job in April 2020, and the unemployment checks were barely enough to cover rent and food. They put electric and internet bills on four different credit cards, piling up debt. “Every day we lived in fear of our water being turned off or our gas,” she said, so they simply could not keep paying for the car.

It was the lowest point of the pandemic for them. “It’s one of those things where you just don’t realize how lucky you are to have certain things, like a vehicle, until it’s gone,” Silva said.

Granillo, 37, eventually went back to work in September 2020, which Silva, 40, said was scary because of the risk of COVID-19 exposure, but they needed the money. He would borrow his mother’s car to get around.

The child tax credit has helped the Granillos get back on their feet: It covers utilities, Silva said, and is helping them pay off some of their credit card debt. It has also enabled them to lease a used car.

Receiving the monthly payments has been “surreal and unbelievable,” she said.

Since July, all but the most affluent families across the country have been receiving child tax credits as monthly cash payments — a first-of-its-kind policy jujitsu that converted a tax break, usually given out as a lump sum at the end of the financial year, into an additional income that expanded America’s safety net.

Since July, all but the most affluent families across the country have been receiving child tax credits as monthly cash payments — a first-of-its-kind policy jujitsu that converted a tax break, usually given out as a lump sum at the end of the financial year, into an additional income that expanded America’s safety net. The program represented the first significant shift of US government support for families in decades. Since the 1990s, the child tax credit was available only to parents who were actively working or looking for work, making the United States an outlier among other developed countries where subsidies for children are common. President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, in addition to refashioning the tax credit into monthly checks, expanded the total amount parents and other caregivers received and stripped it of any work-related conditions, making more money available to more households. The initiative, which was initially set to run for six months, has now wound down with the last of the checks sent out Dec. 15. Democrats had hoped to make the tax credits permanent as part of Biden’s Build Back Better plan. But this week, the administration’s vast domestic agenda was effectively blocked, at least for now, by centrist Sen. Joe Manchin D-W.Va., who voted for the child tax credit expansion when it was first introduced but did not support its extension. “I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation,” Manchin said on “Fox News Sunday,” citing concerns that the Build Back Better plan would add to the national debt and rising inflation. The argument echoed that of his Republican colleagues — Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. and the senior Senate Budget Committee Republican, described the administration’s plan as an “inflation bomb” — who were united in their opposition to the Build Back Better legislation. Experts have noted that since the payments of up to $300 per child started landing in bank accounts, alongside other COVID-related relief, child poverty dropped to record lows. In an October report by the Census Bureau, around half of the roughly 300,000 recipients surveyed reported using the money on food — an indication that the tax credit was also helping to bring down hunger and food insufficiency. Many recipients also reported spending the funds on child care and school supplies. Interviews with four families revealed other day-to-day expenses they used the funds for — from doctor’s appointments to car repairs — and the joys of a little breathing room for households that may otherwise live paycheck to paycheck. Las Vegas Miaya and Thaddeus Bennett Children: Thaddeus Jr., 4; and Bailey, 3 Monthly Credit: $600 In 2019, months before the pandemic took hold, Miaya and Thaddeus Bennett, who are both 31, decided to pack up their lives in Connecticut and move to Las Vegas to be closer to family. Thaddeus gave up his job as a supervisor in the call center of a bank where he had worked for more than a decade. Miaya continued working as a medical dispatcher from Las Vegas. But in April 2020, Miaya Bennett was let go from her job, and the couple suddenly found themselves living off unemployment checks for the first time in their lives. Miaya Bennett started studying to get a real estate license, and her husband took part-time jobs to keep an income coming in. When the child tax credits arrived this summer, it was “a blessing and a relief,” she said. For their two children, they received a total of $600 per month. The money helped pay for preschool for Thaddeus Jr., which costs roughly $200 a week for full-time care. “We don’t receive enough to put two kids into pre-K, so right now it’s just my son,” his mother explained. But being able to use the checks to pay for one child’s preschool allowed the couple to keep paying for their children’s extracurricular activities — karate for Thaddeus Jr., ballet for Bailey. “We consider ourselves blessed to be in a position to not have to say ‘not today’ to our kids for the simple things,” said Thaddeus Sr., who in May landed a full-time job at a mortgage company. ______ Christiansburg, Virginia Kelly Bonner Children: Jaden, 18; Gavin, 15; Liam, 11; and Mason, 10 Monthly Credit: $750 Last December, Kelly Bonner, 46, was down to just $50 in her bank account after being let go that April from her waitressing job. She and her children could afford only unhealthy meals, like ramen or processed foods. Some nights she didn’t eat at all so that there was enough food for her sons. “The amount of food stamps that we were getting, I could use that entire monthly allotment in one week,” she explained. She did everything she could to stretch her unemployment checks and food stamps as far as possible, but she was always left with very little cash. She dreaded having to tell her sons that they might not be able to celebrate Christmas. It was only because a generous friend gave her some extra money that she was able to pay rent that December and cobble together a Christmas dinner for her family. “Every month, it’s just been like, How do we make it through?” she said. Then, this past summer, her car broke down. Doctors appointments and therapy for her youngest son, who has autism and mild attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, became impossible to access. When the first child tax credit check arrived in July — a total of $750 for three of her four boys — the timing could not have been better, Bonner said. It went straight to repairing her car, which cost $550. The other checks have helped her buy healthier food, like fresh produce, for her sons. Over the summer, she took the boys swimming in an indoor pool, which costs roughly $25 for the five of them. She could even afford to take her 15-year-old, Gavin, to a Dropkick Murphys concert. “That was a real luxury,” she said, “but then I built that memory with him, which is so special to me.” And this year, she said, she’ll have the money to cook an even better Christmas dinner. ______ Eau Claire, Wisconsin Blayne and Kayla Midthun Children: Jonah, 12; Stella and Nora, 10 Monthly Credit: $750 As owners of an ice-cream parlor, Blayne and Kayla Midthun, who are both 38, had come to expect seasonal ups and downs in their business, but not the kinds presented to them during the pandemic. Like most other small-business owners, they thought that shuttering their store, Ramone’s, during the early lockdown would be swift and temporary. “I remember thinking, OK, we’ll be back to business by our peak season in the summer,” Blayne Midthun said. Instead, they had to apply for loans from the Paycheck Protection Program, adding to the debt that their 4-year-old business had already accumulated. They pivoted their business model from being primarily driven by in-store dining to relying more on takeout and delivery. “We literally had never had an online store before,” Kayla Midthun said. “So I had to set that up, watching online tutorial videos, getting pictures of our products done, with the kids running around.” By the end of 2020, the ice cream parlor made $100,000 less than it did in 2019. “That was a big hit for us,” Blayne Midthun said. He took on a few side gigs, installing drywall and painting, to keep money coming in. In November, the couple took out another business loan. But because they also own a few properties around town that they rent out, they remained financially stable with a little belt-tightening. When they started receiving a child tax credit of $750 a month for their three children, they put the money straight back into their business — to keep their operating expenses in check. ______ Las Vegas Maria Silva and Orlando Granillo Children: Miguel, 15; Elysia, 11; Eileen, 9; Evelyn, 6; Orlando Jr., 3.5; Emelia, 1.5, and one more on the way Monthly Credit: $1,650 A couple of months into the pandemic, Maria Silva’s car was repossessed. Her partner, Orlando Granillo, a barber, had lost his job in April 2020, and the unemployment checks were barely enough to cover rent and food. They put electric and internet bills on four different credit cards, piling up debt. “Every day we lived in fear of our water being turned off or our gas,” she said, so they simply could not keep paying for the car. It was the lowest point of the pandemic for them. “It’s one of those things where you just don’t realize how lucky you are to have certain things, like a vehicle, until it’s gone,” Silva said. Granillo, 37, eventually went back to work in September 2020, which Silva, 40, said was scary because of the risk of COVID-19 exposure, but they needed the money. He would borrow his mother’s car to get around. The child tax credit has helped the Granillos get back on their feet: It covers utilities, Silva said, and is helping them pay off some of their credit card debt. It has also enabled them to lease a used car. Receiving the monthly payments has been “surreal and unbelievable,” she said.

‘A blessing and a relief’: How four families used the child tax credit

Amid Iran's ongoing tensions with US and Israel, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is in Israel on a 3-day trip to discuss Iran.

US NSA Jake Sullivan embarks to Israel on a 3-day trip to hold Iran talks

Amid the ongoing tensions between Iran, the US and Israel on the revival of the nuclear deal, Iran's forces conduct war games as a show of strength.

Iran's elite revolutionary guards fire ballistic missiles amid tensions with Israel, US

US NSA Jake Sullivan is in Israel on a 3-day trip to discuss Iran

Iran holds military drills as a show of strength to US & Israel amid tensions regarding Nuclear deal

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns against underestimating the Omicron variant of the coronavirus as cases surge rapidly worldwide.

WHO warns against underestimating Omicron variant as mild amid a rapid surge in cases worldwide

The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 has spread its wings globally, with cases rising rapidly in the US. In the latest, Omicron has become the dominant strain in the US.

Omicron variant has become the dominant strain in the US as cases rise rapidly

Amid the global spread of Omicron cases, Israel PM Naftali Bennett warned citizens about the threat and said that the fifth COVID wave has begun.

Israel PM Naftali Bennett: The fifth wave of COVID-19 has begun

WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis and brings you a quick round-up of all the top headlines and breakings from all across the world.

WION Speed News: Pentagon's rules to tackle extremism | Migrants seek humanitarian visas

Tensions are simmering at the Ukraine border and in the latest remark, Russian president Vladimir Putin has blamed the West for escalating tensions across Europe and has stated that Russia will respond adequately to any western aggression.

Russia presses for urgent US response to its demands, warns of advanced military action

Amid security concerns since the Taliban takeover of war-torn Afghanistan, the US makes it clear that it has no plans to reopen the Kabul embassy yet.

US: No plans reopen Kabul embassy amid security concerns in Afghanistan

Former US President Donald Trump has sued New York Attorney General Letitia James seeking to end her civil investigation into his business practices.

Former US President Donald Trump sues NY attorney general to block probe of his business

Omicron is now dominant COVID-19 variant in US, accounts for 73% of new cases

A US magazine has identified the boy, whose case inspired movie ‘The Exorcist’. The 1973 horror classic had showed a demon-possessed child in the film. &nbsp;

The magazine, Skeptical Inquirer, has named the then 14-year-old boy, as Ronald Edwin Hunkeler. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In 1949, Hunkeler had underwent exorcisms in Cottage City, Maryland and St Louis, Missouri. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-was-in-close-contact-with-official-who-tested-positive-for-covid-438717" hreflang="en">Biden was in close contact with official who tested positive for Covid</a>

After suffering a stroke at home, Hunkeler, who had born in 1935, died in Marriottsville, Maryland last year. &nbsp;

Worked with NASA as an engineer, Hunkeler contributed to the Apollo space missions in 1960s. He patented a technology, which helped space shuttle panels withstand extreme heat. &nbsp;

A companion on condition of anonymity told New York Post that Hunkeler was always on edge as he thought his colleagues at NASA may find out about his past. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-reports-first-death-due-to-omicron-variant-an-unvaccinated-man-in-his-50s-438710" hreflang="en">US reports first death due to Omicron variant—an unvaccinated man in his 50s</a>

After hearing about the demonic possession of Hunkeler, William Peter Blatty wrote the 1971 novel and also the film based on the same name. Blatty heard Hunkeler's story when he was a senior at Georgetown University in Washington DC. &nbsp;

Hunkeler was raised by a middle-class family in Cottage City. He had begun experiencing paranormal activities at the age of 14. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A US magazine has identified the boy, whose case inspired movie ‘The Exorcist’. The 1973 horror classic had showed a demon-possessed child in the film. The magazine, Skeptical Inquirer, has named the then 14-year-old boy, as Ronald Edwin Hunkeler.

A US magazine has identified the boy, whose case inspired movie ‘The Exorcist’. The 1973 horror classic had showed a demon-possessed child in the film. The magazine, Skeptical Inquirer, has named the then 14-year-old boy, as Ronald Edwin Hunkeler. In 1949, Hunkeler had underwent exorcisms in Cottage City, Maryland and St Louis, Missouri. Also Read: Biden was in close contact with official who tested positive for Covid After suffering a stroke at home, Hunkeler, who had born in 1935, died in Marriottsville, Maryland last year. Worked with NASA as an engineer, Hunkeler contributed to the Apollo space missions in 1960s. He patented a technology, which helped space shuttle panels withstand extreme heat. A companion on condition of anonymity told New York Post that Hunkeler was always on edge as he thought his colleagues at NASA may find out about his past. Also Read: US reports first death due to Omicron variant—an unvaccinated man in his 50s After hearing about the demonic possession of Hunkeler, William Peter Blatty wrote the 1971 novel and also the film based on the same name. Blatty heard Hunkeler's story when he was a senior at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Hunkeler was raised by a middle-class family in Cottage City. He had begun experiencing paranormal activities at the age of 14. (With inputs from agencies)

US magazine identifies boy whose case led to 1973 horror classic 'The Exorcist'

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