Despite Global Scrutiny China Defends 'Zero-COVID' Policy
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:30s - Published
Despite Global Scrutiny China Defends 'Zero-COVID' Policy
Despite Global Scrutiny, China Defends, 'Zero-COVID' Policy.
On May 13, officials in Shanghai said
they hoped to achieve zero COVID
cases outside of quarantine by May 20.
NBC reports that the city has been under strict lockdown for weeks as the government combats China's worst outbreak since the coronavirus pandemic began.
.
NBC reports that the city has been under strict lockdown for weeks as the government combats China's worst outbreak since the coronavirus pandemic began.
.
China's 'Zero-COVID' strategy has drawn global scrutiny,
including from the World Health Organization (WHO)
which questioned the tactic's sustainability.
Considering the behavior of the virus,
I think a shift will be very important, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General
of the World Health Organization, via NBC.
The comments by the WHO came after Chinese president Xi Jinping reaffirmed the government's commitment to China's COVID strategy.
NBC reports that analysts feel shifting
course could threaten Xi's plan to secure
a third term as China's president.
Last week, top leaders of the Chinese Communist Party vowed to , “unswervingly adhere to the general
policy of ‘dynamic zero-COVID’...
... and resolutely fight against any words
and deeds that distort, doubt or deny our
country’s epidemic prevention policies.” .
NBC reports that the criticism
by the WHO's director general was
quickly suppressed by Chinese censors.
.
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian
defended China's COVID policy
and cautioned against further criticism.
We hope relevant people will look
at China’s Covid policy in an objective
and rational light, learn more about
the facts and refrain from making
irresponsible remarks, Zhao Lijian, China's foreign ministry spokesman, via NBC
Fans Point Out the Twisted Irony , of Netflix's New 'Squid Game' , Reality Competition Series.
NBC reports that news of a new competition series inspired by 'Squid Game' has drawn criticism from fans who say the premise misses the point.
In Netflix's hit series, desperate
contestants participate in deadly versions
of children's games for millions of dollars.
The fictional game can only
have one winner, and all
losing contestants die.
Netflix's new 'Squid Game: The Challenge'
turns the scripted world of
the Korean drama into a reality. .
You’ve seen the drama, now
it’s your chance to take part
in Netflix’s biggest ever
social experiment!, Netflix 'Squid Game: The Challenge' casting call, via NBC.
*Please note: Win or lose,
all players will leave unscathed.
But if you win, you win big!, Netflix 'Squid Game: The Challenge' casting call, via NBC.
Some social media users , pointed out the irony , of the spin-off reality series.
The game is intended to represent
the commodification of suffering
by privileged people, and how watching
people struggle for money and their lives
is seen as entertainment for people who
will never have to experience such things. , Social media user, via NBC.
The game is intended to represent
the commodification of suffering
by privileged people, and how watching
people struggle for money and their lives
is seen as entertainment for people who
will never have to experience such things. , Social media user, via NBC.
Making a real life version goes against
the entire message of the original show
in an almost comical way, Social media user, via NBC.
NBC reports that other social media users echoed
the sentiment, including one tweet which read: , “Did Netflix even watch the show?
Did they glean any meaning from it?”.
According to Netflix, the new reality series will feature 456 players from around the world competing for a $4.56 million cash prize.
According to Netflix, the new reality series will feature 456 players from around the world competing for a $4.56 million cash prize
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
CERN's Latest LHC Experiment , Aimed at Explaining , the Mystery of Dark Matter .
NBC reports that the world's largest
particle accelerator is scheduled to begin
a new phase of operations in just a few weeks. .
NBC reports that the world's largest
particle accelerator is scheduled to begin
a new phase of operations in just a few weeks. .
The Large Hadron Collider is a vast ring of tunnels and detector caverns deep underground that spans over 5 miles across and 16 miles around.
The LHC uses powerful magnets to accelerate
beams of protons and atomic nuclei
around this massive underground ring. .
The accelerator then brings them together
causing a series of high-energy
collisions at near the speed of light.
CERN, the international organization
that runs the LHC, has been upgrading
the accelerator for the past three years. .
The upgraded facility is designed to achieve a higher energy output and has advanced detection equipment capable of better examining the chaotic explosions. .
Scientists hope the upgraded experiment will shed light
on the invisible particles that make up dark matter
and help scientists explain our physical reality. .
NBC reports that the LHC is currently being
tested at low-power, and the first collisions of the
accelerator's third phase operation will begin on July 5.
The reopening comes one day after the 10th anniversary of the LHC's greatest achievement:
the discovery of the Higgs boson on July 4 of 2012.
The reopening comes one day after the 10th anniversary of the LHC's greatest achievement:
the discovery of the Higgs boson on July 4 of 2012
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Serena Williams , Receives Wild-Card Entry , for Wimbledon.
NBC reports that Serena Williams will
compete at this year's Wimbledon after being
awarded a wild-card entry for singles.
NBC reports that Serena Williams will
compete at this year's Wimbledon after being
awarded a wild-card entry for singles.
Last year, Williams was injured during the first set of her first-round match at the All England Club.
Last year, Williams was injured during the first set of her first-round match at the All England Club.
Since then, Williams has not competed anywhere and her name was absent from the women's singles entry list for this year's Grand Slam tournament.
Since then, Williams has not competed anywhere and her name was absent from the women's singles entry list for this year's Grand Slam tournament.
NBC reports that Williams was among
six women offered a spot in the singles
draw for this year's tournament.
NBC reports that Williams was among
six women offered a spot in the singles
draw for this year's tournament.
Other players to be entered in the draw include:
Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage and Katie Swan.
Other players to be entered in the draw include:
Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage and Katie Swan.
Other players to be entered in the draw include:
Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage and Katie Swan.
Seven of the eight men's wildcard entries
were also announced and included
three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka.
Seven of the eight men's wildcard entries
were also announced and included
three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka.
On June 14, Williams shared the big news
with her fans by posting a photo of her
white shoes on what looked like a grass court.
On June 14, Williams shared the big news
with her fans by posting a photo of her
white shoes on what looked like a grass court.
The image was captioned, "SW and SW19. It's a date.
2022. See you there. Let's Go.".
Williams has won seven of her 23 major
singles championships at Wimbledon. .
Williams has won seven of her 23 major
singles championships at Wimbledon. .
Her last win was in 2016.
In 2021, Williams' right leg buckled, leading to her second mid-match retirement at a Grand Slam tournament since her career began in 1998.
In 2021, Williams' right leg buckled, leading to her second mid-match retirement at a Grand Slam tournament since her career began in 1998
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Over 82 Million , COVID Vaccine Doses , Have Been Wasted in the US.
NBC reports that 82.1 million COVID vaccine doses have been discarded in America between
December 2020 and May of 2022.
That accounts for over
11% of the doses distributed by
the United States federal government. .
According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, that is an increase from the
65 million wasted doses reported as of late February.
Over a quarter of those doses
were thrown away by CVS
and Walmart in the U.S.
Over a quarter of those doses
were thrown away by CVS
and Walmart in the U.S.
Five other pharmacies,
including Costco, wasted over
a quarter of the vaccines they received. .
Five other pharmacies,
including Costco, wasted over
a quarter of the vaccines they received. .
In Oklahoma, 28% of the nearly
4 million doses the state received
ended up being discarded.
In Alaska, 27% of the state's
1 million doses were wasted,
according to CDC data.
According to NBC, the overall amount of waste
matches World Health Organization estimates
for a vaccination campaign of this size.
According to NBC, the overall amount of waste
matches World Health Organization estimates
for a vaccination campaign of this size.
However, public health experts
warn the high amount
of waste is still alarming. .
It’s a tremendous loss to pandemic
control — especially in the context
of millions of people around
the world who haven’t even
been able to get a first dose, Dr. Sheela Shenoi, infectious disease expert
at the Yale School of Medicine, via NBC.
NBC reports that a portion of the wasted doses include
batches that expired on the shelf, some that were spoiled
in power outages and others that were just discarded.
NBC reports that a portion of the wasted doses include
batches that expired on the shelf, some that were spoiled
in power outages and others that were just discarded
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Former Trump White House Adviser, Peter Navarro, Indicted on Contempt Charges.
According to court documents unsealed on June 3, former White House adviser Peter Navarro has been indicted on contempt of Congress charges.
NBC reports that the former
Trump adviser was indicted
by a federal grand jury on June 2. .
Navarro was indicted for contempt after dodging
a subpoena from the House committee seeking
testimony and documents relating to January 6.
Navarro was indicted for contempt after dodging
a subpoena from the House committee seeking
testimony and documents relating to January 6.
According to NBC, court documents
show that the government requested
the indictment be sealed until his , "arrest operation is executed.".
The events leading to the charges
in the indictment have been the subject
of public scrutiny and concern, Federal prosecutors' motion to keep the case sealed, via NBC.
NBC reports that Navarro was indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress. One count was for failing to provide documents, and another was for failing to testify.
NBC reports that Navarro was indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress. One count was for failing to provide documents, and another was for failing to testify.
According to the House Committee,
Navarro played a key role, "in the ex-president’s effort
to overturn the 2020 election.”.
NBC reports that Navarro is the second individual to be charged with criminal contempt of Congress for failing to cooperate with the House's investigation of January 6.
NBC reports that Navarro is the second individual to be charged with criminal contempt of Congress for failing to cooperate with the House's investigation of January 6.
In November, former Trump White House adviser
Steve Bannon was indicted on contempt of Congress
after refusing to answer the House committee's questions. .
NBC reports that contempt of Congress
is punishable by a $100,000 fine
and up to one year in prison.
NBC reports that contempt of Congress
is punishable by a $100,000 fine
and up to one year in prison
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
North Korea Announces , Its First COVID Deaths, As ‘Explosive’ Outbreak Occurs.
According to CNN on May 12,
North Korea reported 18,000 new
"fever cases" resulting in six deaths.
The term "fever cases" is likely being used
due to limited testing capabilities in the country,
which means COVID infections have
not yet been confirmed in some people.
The term "fever cases" is likely being used
due to limited testing capabilities in the country,
which means COVID infections have
not yet been confirmed in some people.
The situation in which over 350,000 people have now likely been infected is being referred to as a "major national emergency.".
A fever whose cause couldn't be identified explosively spread nationwide since late April. As of now up to 187,800 people are being isolated, State media KCNA, via report.
The country had not acknowledged having any COVID cases until now, which many find hard to believe as the rest of the world hasn't been spared by the virus.
Kim Jong-un said the country's epidemic prevention measures were at a "vulnerable point.".
It is the most important challenge and supreme tasks facing our party to reverse the immediate public health crisis situation. , Kim Jong-un, via KCNA.
CNN reports all North Korean cities have been placed into lockdown and "people with fever or abnormal symptoms" are required to quarantine.
In addition to South Korea announcing it will
offer COVID vaccines to its northern neighbor,
China said it will do what it can to help as well. .
In addition to South Korea announcing it will
offer COVID vaccines to its northern neighbor,
China said it will do what it can to help as well. .
As comrades, neighbors and friends, China stands ready to provide full support to the DPRK in its fight against the epidemic, Zhao Lijian, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Threat of Nuclear War , Between U.S. and China , Exacerbated by War in Ukraine.
'Newsweek' reports that both the United States and China
have recently made comments that have stressed the already
tenuous relationship between the two global powers. .
On May 4, Admiral Charles Richard told the Senate Armed
Service strategic forces subcommittee that Russia's invasion
of Ukraine has increased the nuclear threat posed by China. .
We are facing a crisis deterrence
dynamic right now that we have only
seen a few times in our nation's history, Admiral Charles Richard, Head of U.S.
Strategic Command, via 'Newsweek'.
The war in Ukraine and China's
nuclear trajectory—their strategic
breakout—demonstrates that we have
a deterrence and assurance gap based
on the threat of limited nuclear employment, Admiral Charles Richard, Head of U.S.
Strategic Command, via 'Newsweek'.
The war in Ukraine and China's
nuclear trajectory—their strategic
breakout—demonstrates that we have
a deterrence and assurance gap based
on the threat of limited nuclear employment, Admiral Charles Richard, Head of U.S.
Strategic Command, via 'Newsweek'.
According to Richard, China was monitoring Russia's war in Ukraine , "closely and will likely use nuclear coercion to their
advantage in the future. Their intent is to achieve the
military capability to reunify Taiwan by 2027 if not sooner.".
On May 6, China's foreign ministry
spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, was asked
about the remarks made by Richard. .
China follows a self-defensive nuclear
strategy and keeps its nuclear forces
at the minimum level required
to safeguard national security. , Zhao Lijian, China's foreign ministry
spokesperson, via 'Newsweek'.
China follows a self-defensive nuclear
strategy and keeps its nuclear forces
at the minimum level required
to safeguard national security. , Zhao Lijian, China's foreign ministry
spokesperson, via 'Newsweek'.
We stay committed to no first use
of nuclear weapons at any time and
under any circumstances, and undertake
unequivocally and unconditionally not
to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons
against non-nuclear-weapon states
or nuclear-weapon-free zones, Zhao Lijian, China's foreign ministry
spokesperson, via 'Newsweek'.
This policy remains clear and consistent.
China opposes any form
of 'China nuclear threat' theory, Zhao Lijian, China's foreign ministry
spokesperson, via 'Newsweek'.
In November, the U.S. Defense
Department claimed that China
was bolstering its nuclear arsenal.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
COVID is now an "inconvenience" for most people rather than "life-threatening", the World Health Organisation's special envoy on the virus has told Sky News. Sky News
The monkeypox outbreak is not yet a global health emergency, the World Health Organization has decided - although the director general remains "deeply.. Sky News
Polio Virus Is Detected , in London Sewage Sample.
The rare “national incident” was detected
by the London Beckton Sewage Treatment
Works during a “routine surveillance.”.
Investigations are underway after several closely-related viruses were found in sewage samples taken between February and May, London Beckton Sewage Treatment Works, Statement, via 'The Washington Post'.
[The detention means that it is likely] there has been some spread between closely-linked individuals in North and
East London... , London Beckton Sewage Treatment Works, Statement, via 'The Washington Post'.
... and that they are now shedding the type 2 poliovirus strain in their feces, London Beckton Sewage Treatment Works, Statement, via 'The Washington Post'.
British health authorities described the risk to the public.
[The type 2 poliovirus strain] on rare occasions can cause serious illness, such as paralysis,
in people who are not
fully vaccinated, British Health Authorities,
via 'The Washington Post'.
Vaccine-derived poliovirus is rare and the risk to the public overall is extremely low, Vanessa Saliba, UK Health Security Agency,
via 'The Washington Post'.
We are urgently investigating to better understand the extent of this transmission... , Vanessa Saliba, UK Health Security Agency, via 'The Washington Post'.
... and the NHS has been asked to swiftly report any suspected cases. No cases have been reported or confirmed so far, Vanessa Saliba, UK Health Security Agency,
via 'The Washington Post'.
The inspector general of the World Health Organization (WHO) tweeted in response to the news of the discovery.
Surveillance, vaccination and investment to #EndPolio is critical, as the #UK's announcement of environmental #polio samples identified in London sewage reminds us, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, via 'The Washington Post'.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative issued a similar statement.
It is important that all countries, in particular those with a high volume of travel and contact with polio-affected countries
and areas, , Global Polio Eradication Initiative,
via 'The Washington Post'.
... strengthen surveillance in order to rapidly detect any new virus importation and to facilitate a rapid response, Global Polio Eradication Initiative,
via 'The Washington Post'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Two people involved in testing for electric car maker NIO died when one of its vehicles fell three storeys from a Shanghai building, the company has said. Sky News
Elon Musk Says , Tesla's Factories , Are Losing Billions.
In a recent interview, Tesla CEO Elon Musk
said that the company's factories in Germany
and Texas are losing "billions of dollars.".
In a recent interview, Tesla CEO Elon Musk
said that the company's factories in Germany
and Texas are losing "billions of dollars.".
Both Berlin and Austin factories are
gigantic money furnaces right now.
It’s really like a giant roaring sound,
which is the sound of money on fire, Elon Musk, via 'Elon Musk Unfiltered' interview,
as reported by Gizmodo.
Gizmodo reports that 'Elon Musk Unfiltered,'
a 3-part interview, was uploaded
to YouTube on June 22.
Musk claims the Tesla factories are losing money due
to the ongoing supply chain crisis, while Tesla's Shanghai
"Gigafactory" was impacted by strict COVID lockdowns.
Musk claims the Tesla factories are losing money due
to the ongoing supply chain crisis, while Tesla's Shanghai
"Gigafactory" was impacted by strict COVID lockdowns.
The past two years have been
an absolute nightmare of supply chain
interruptions, one thing after another,
and we’re not out of it yet, Elon Musk, via 'Elon Musk Unfiltered' interview,
as reported by Gizmodo.
Overwhelmingly our concern is how do
we keep the factories operating so we
can pay people and not go bankrupt,
and then everything else is nice to have. , Elon Musk, via 'Elon Musk Unfiltered' interview,
as reported by Gizmodo.
Musk explained that necessary parts
for building Teslas remain
stuck in China's ports.
Musk explained that necessary parts
for building Teslas remain
stuck in China's ports.
We had the Shanghai factory inop, we’ve got the tooling to enable this factory stuck in port in China with no one to actually move it. , Elon Musk, via 'Elon Musk Unfiltered' interview,
as reported by Gizmodo.
Gizmodo reports that the ongoing
supply chain crisis continues to
send ripples across the globe.
Widespread shortages have been reported for everything from baby formula to computer chips
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
The Most Expensive Cities , in the World for 2022.
CNN reports that Hong Kong
has once again been named
the world's most expensive city.
According to global mobility company
ECA International, this is the third year in a row
that Hong Kong has topped the list. .
The list is calculated based on several factors, including
the average price of household staples, rent, utilities,
public transit and the strength of local currency.
The list is calculated based on several factors, including
the average price of household staples, rent, utilities,
public transit and the strength of local currency.
CNN reports that Asia is clearly the most expensive continent, with Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Seoul all earning spots in the ECA's top 10.
CNN reports that Asia is clearly the most expensive continent, with Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Seoul all earning spots in the ECA's top 10.
The majority of the mainland Chinese cities
in our rankings have higher rates of inflation
than we are used to seeing, but they are
still typically lower than elsewhere in Asia, Lee Quane, ECA's regional director for Asia, via CNN.
The majority of the mainland Chinese cities
in our rankings have higher rates of inflation
than we are used to seeing, but they are
still typically lower than elsewhere in Asia, Lee Quane, ECA's regional director for Asia, via CNN.
Therefore, the main reason for
their rise in the rankings has been
the continued strength of the Chinese
yuan against other major currencies, Lee Quane, ECA's regional director for Asia, via CNN.
Therefore, the main reason for
their rise in the rankings has been
the continued strength of the Chinese
yuan against other major currencies, Lee Quane, ECA's regional director for Asia, via CNN.
Meanwhile, several major cities
in the EU were ranked lower
than in previous years.
Paris, Madrid, Rome and Brussels all
saw their overall cost of living drop.
Paris, Madrid, Rome and Brussels all
saw their overall cost of living drop.
Nearly every major Eurozone city saw
a drop in the rankings this year as the euro
performed worse in the last 12 months
than the U.S. dollar and British pound, Lee Quane, ECA's regional director for Asia, via CNN.
Geneva and Switzerland came
in third place after New York and Hong Kong
as the world's most expensive cities.
London, Tel Aviv and Zurich rounded out the rest of the ECA's top 10 most expensive cities in the world. .
London, Tel Aviv and Zurich rounded out the rest of the ECA's top 10 most expensive cities in the world.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, UP, Telangana, Haryana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Gujarat are reporting more than 1,000 cases daily cases. DNA
COVID-19 fattens up our body's cells to help fuel its viral takeover, with some fats increasing to 64-times their normal levels, new research suggests. Sky News
According to the Union Health ministry's data, India added 11,793 Covid cases and 27 Covid-related deaths in the last 24 hours.
#CovidIndia #Covid19 #CovidCases #CoronaDeaths
On Thursday, PM Modi addressed the 14th BRICS summit virtually. Among other leaders present at the annual meet were Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and top leaders of Brazil and South Africa.
#BRICS #BRICSSummit2022 #PMModi
The Brics (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries in the world, representing 41 per cent of the global.. IndiaTimes
Media reports have emerged that Chinese President Xi Jinping is suffering from a 'cerebral aneurysm' and had to be hospitalised at the end of 2021.
#XiJinping #ChinesePresident #CerebralAneurysm