#Covid-19 case in Pakistan

[haberdashing]

I just want to take a moment and talk about vaccines.

Not the vaccine controversy. Not the Covid-19 vaccine. Just... vaccines.

The basic concept of them is wild to begin with!

Someone noticed that people who got one disease became immune to another, more dangerous one. They learned that this was connected to why some diseases can only strike a person once, that the body has a system of striking down invaders once it knows them well enough to recognize their shape. And then they took that concept and were able to apply it to some small fraction of a disease, something that is not nearly strong enough to actually hurt a person but has the same shape of the illness it's modeled after, and turned it into something you inject directly into the body. And now your body knows that disease's shape. And now you're immune to it. Perhaps forever.

And we've used that concept to do a lot in the way of promoting public health.

You're probably aware of smallpox being eradicated. But think about it again. A vicious disease that preyed upon humanity for millennia, killed untold millions, caused plague after plague. Gone forever. At this point, many of us don't even have the scars from its eradication--but some do. Some still have a scar on their body that acts as proof that they are old enough to know of smallpox, and young enough to have been part of the campaign that destroyed it.

But did you know smallpox wasn't the only disease eradicated by vaccination?

Rinderpest doesn't get as much press, likely because it never affected humans directly, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a scourge in its own right. It killed cattle in a week or two after the first symptoms, causing them a painful, unpleasant death--and it almost always did end in death, in the end, with a mortality rate second perhaps only to rabies. And if the suffering of the cattle weren't enough, think of the cattle farmers who could only stand by and watch as their herds were ravaged by this plague, as it spread from beast to beast until there were no survivors, and the animals that they had poured so much time, energy, and attention into were nothing but diseased, rotting flesh.

And rinderpest, too, was eradicated by a worldwide vaccination campaign. Nobody ever has to worry about it anymore. Rinderpest is gone forever, just like smallpox.

We're not far off with polio, either. You probably know the old stories of polio as a threat, of children afraid to swim in pools with other children, of whole wards of hospital patients within iron lungs for their entire lives. But the vast majority of people reading this post know that only through those old stories, not through lived experience.

There are only two countries now where wild polio remains endemic. ("Wild polio" is here used to differentiate it from polio as a complication of use of the live vaccine, which does happen, unfortunately.) Those countries are Afghanistan and Pakistan, for which the reasons behind the eradication campaign's delayed success are, sadly, all too obvious. But even in those war-torn countries, a total of twelve (12) cases of polio were reported in 2023. That's a far cry from the days where it was a threat looming in every neighborhood.

We could eradicate polio in the coming years, too. We're not far off. It's been complicated by politics and logistics, but we've already overcome a lot of the same. Soon, polio might become just another historical footnote.

All because one scientist noticed that the milkmaids who got cowpox never seemed to get ill during smallpox epidemics. And all because humanity as a whole banded together and campaigned to eradicate diseases for good with this new knowledge.

It's not just polio, either. If we all worked together, we might be able to eradicate measles, mumps, rubella... it'll never be all diseases, not even close--some mutate too fast, others have too many wild animal hosts--but with a bit of a push we can take a few more of those diseases that ruined countless lives across human history and turn them into a historical footnote and curiosity, names that once inspired terror becoming merely quaint and old-fashioned.

Isn't that a wonderful thought?

[dailyunsolvedmysteries-movedd]

The strangest and main events that happened in 2022

The British Queen Elizabeth II died

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars.

The number of COVID-19 cases exceeded 300 million worldwide

The first successful heart transplant from a pig to a human patient occurred

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

An outbreak of monkeypox begins when the first monkeypox virus case is reported in London, the United Kingdom.

A large eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai, a submarine volcano in Tonga, triggered tsunami warnings in Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, Samoa, and the United States.

A number of large black holes lurking in dwarf galaxies that have previously been overlooked by astronomers were discovered. Our own Milky Way galaxy’s supermassive black hole has been recently discovered by newly discovered black holes.

The UK goes through 3 prime minsters

A series of severe heatwaves from July to August hit Europe, causing at least 53,000 deaths and additionally causing major wildfires, travel disruption, and record high temperatures in many countries

Pakistan declares a "climate catastrophe" and appeals for international assistance, as the death toll from recent flooding in the country exceeds 1,000, the world's deadliest flood since 2017.

A fatal human crush occurs during an association football match at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang Regency, East Java, Indonesia, killing 131 people and injuring more than 500

A Hypatia stone from an extra-terrestrial planet could be the first tangible sign of an explosion of type Ia supernova. Among the universe’s most energetic events are these rare supernovas. It is possible that Hypatia is a “forensic” clue from the early formation of our solar system of a cosmic story that spans millions of years.

Those approaching Gatwick Airport were confused after a prankster erected a sign reading “Welcome to Luton.” Air passengers arriving at the UK’s second-largest airport, which is located just over 30 miles south of central London, can make out the 60m (197ft) sign.

A recently developed artificial skin system closely resembles human skin. The system uses electronic signals to sense temperature, humidity, and pressure simultaneously. This is leaning towards more intelligent prostheses being created and also more sensitive robots.

Elon Musk completes his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.

At least 156 people are killed and another 152 injured in a crowd crush during Halloween festivities in Seoul, South Korea.

[xtruss]

Imran Khan Warns That Pakistan’s Election Could Be A Farce

His Party is Being Unfairly Muzzled, the Former Prime Minister Writes From Prison

— January 4th, 2024 | The Economist

Imran Khan, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan. Image: Dan Williams

Today pakistan is being ruled by caretaker governments at both the federal level and provincial level. These administrations are constitutionally illegal because elections were not held within 90 days of parliamentary assemblies being dissolved.

The public is hearing that elections will supposedly be held on February 8th. But having been denied the same in two provinces, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over the past year—despite a Supreme Court order last March that those votes should be held within three months—they are right to be sceptical about whether the national vote will take place.

The country’s election commission has been tainted by its bizarre actions. Not only has it defied the top court but it has also rejected my Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (pti) party’s nominations for first-choice candidates, hindered the party’s internal elections and launched contempt cases against me and other pti leaders for simply criticising the commission.

Whether elections happen or not, the manner in which I and my party have been targeted since a farcical vote of no confidence in April 2022 has made one thing clear: the establishment—the army, security agencies and the civil bureaucracy—is not prepared to provide any playing field at all, let alone a level one, for pti.

It was, after all, the establishment that engineered our removal from government under pressure from America, which was becoming agitated with my push for an independent foreign policy and my refusal to provide bases for its armed forces. I was categorical that we would be a friend to all but would not be anyone’s proxy for wars. I did not come to this view lightly. It was shaped by the huge losses Pakistan had incurred collaborating with America’s “war on terror”, not least the 80,000 Pakistani lives lost.

In March 2022 an official from America’s State Department met Pakistan’s then ambassador in Washington, dc. After that meeting the ambassador sent a cipher message to my government. I later saw the message, via the then foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and it was subsequently read out in cabinet.

In view of what the cipher message said, I believe that the American official’s message was to the effect of: pull the plug on Imran Khan’s prime ministership through a vote of no confidence, or else. Within weeks our government was toppled and I discovered that Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, had, through the security agencies, been working on our allies and parliamentary backbenchers for several months to move against us.

People flocked onto the streets to protest against this regime change, and in the next few months pti won 28 out of 37 by-elections and held massive rallies across the country, sending a clear message as to where the public stood. These rallies attracted a level of female participation that we believe was unprecedented in Pakistan’s history. This unnerved the powers that had engineered our government’s removal.

To add to their panic, the administration that replaced us destroyed the economy, bringing about unprecedented inflation and a currency devaluation within 18 months. The contrast was clear for everyone to see: the pti government had not only saved Pakistan from bankruptcy but also won international praise for its handling of the covid-19 pandemic. In addition, despite a spike in commodity prices, we steered the economy to real gdp growth of 5.8% in 2021 and 6.1% in 2022.

Unfortunately, the establishment had decided I could not be allowed to return to power, so all means of removing me from the political landscape were used. There were two assassination attempts on my life. My party’s leaders, workers and social-media activists, along with supportive journalists, were abducted, incarcerated, tortured and pressured to leave pti. Many of them remain locked up, with new charges being thrown at them every time the courts give them bail or set them free. Worse, the current government has gone out of its way to terrorise and intimidate pti’s female leaders and workers in an effort to discourage women from participating in politics.

I face almost 200 legal cases and have been denied a normal trial in an open court. A false-flag operation on May 9th 2023—involving, among other things, arson at military installations falsely blamed on pti—led to several thousand arrests, abductions and criminal charges within 48 hours. The speed showed it was pre-planned.

This was followed by many of our leaders being tortured or their families threatened into giving press conferences and engineered television interviews to state that they were leaving the party. Some were compelled to join other, newly created political parties. Others were made to give false testimony against me under duress.

Despite all this, pti remains popular, with 66% support in a Pattan-Coalition 38 poll held in December; my personal approval rating is even higher. Now the election commission, desperate to deny the party the right to contest elections, is indulging in all manner of unlawful tricks. The courts seem to be losing credibility daily.

Meanwhile, a former prime minister with a conviction for corruption, Nawaz Sharif, has returned from Britain, where he was living as an absconder from Pakistani justice. In November a Pakistani court overturned the conviction (Under United States’ Scrotums Licker Corrupt Army Generals’ Directions).

It is my belief that Corrupt to his Core Mr Sharif has struck a deal with the establishment whereby it will support his acquittal and throw its weight behind him in the upcoming elections. But so far the public has been unrelenting in its support for pti and its rejection of the “selected”.

It is under these circumstances that elections may be held on February 8th. All parties are being allowed to campaign freely except for pti. I remain incarcerated, in solitary confinement, on absurd charges that include treason. Those few of our party’s leaders who remain free and not underground are not allowed to hold even local worker conventions. Where pti workers manage to gather together they face brutal police action.

In this scenario, even if elections were held they would be a disaster and a farce, since pti is being denied its basic right to campaign. Such a joke of an election would only lead to further political instability. This, in turn, would further aggravate an already volatile economy.

The only viable way forward for Pakistan is fair and free elections, which would bring back political stability and rule of law, as well as ushering in desperately needed reforms by a democratic government with a popular mandate. There is no other way for Pakistan to disentangle itself from the crises confronting it. Unfortunately, with democracy under siege, we are heading in the opposite direction on all these fronts. ■

— Imran Khan is the Founder and Former Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and was Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022.

— Editor’s Note: Pakistan’s government and America’s State Department deny Mr Khan’s allegations of American interference in Pakistani politics (Bullshit! Hegemonic War Criminal Conspirator United States and Corrupt Army Generals and Politicians of Pakistan Were Clearly Involved. It’s Social Media’s Modern Era, Not 1970). The government is prosecuting him under the Official Secrets Act.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 1.13 (after 1940)

1942 – Henry Ford patents a soybean car, which is 30% lighter than a regular car. 1942 – World War II: First use of an aircraft ejection seat by a German test pilot in a Heinkel He 280 jet fighter. 1950 – British submarine HMS Truculent collides with an oil tanker in the Thames Estuary, killing 64 men. 1950 – Finland forms diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. 1951 – First Indochina War: The Battle of Vĩnh Yên begins. 1953 – An article appears in Pravda accusing some of the most prestigious and prominent doctors, mostly Jews, in the Soviet Union of taking part in a vast plot to poison members of the top Soviet political and military leadership. 1958 – The Moroccan Army of Liberation ambushes a Spanish patrol in the Battle of Edchera. 1963 – Coup d'état in Togo results in the assassination of president Sylvanus Olympio. 1964 – Anti-Muslim riots break out in Calcutta, in response to anti-Hindu riots in East Pakistan. About one hundred people are killed. 1964 – In Manchester, New Hampshire, fourteen-year-old Pamela Mason is murdered. Edward Coolidge is tried and convicted of the crime, but the conviction is set aside by the landmark Fourth Amendment case Coolidge v. New Hampshire (1971). 1966 – Robert C. Weaver becomes the first African American Cabinet member when he is appointed United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. 1968 – Johnny Cash performs live at Folsom State Prison. 1972 – Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia and President Edward Akufo-Addo of Ghana are ousted in a bloodless military coup by Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. 1977 – Japan Air Lines Cargo Flight 1045, a Douglas DC-8 jet, crashes onto the runway during takeoff from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, killing five. 1978 – United States Food and Drug Administration requires all blood donations to be labeled "paid" or "volunteer" donors. 1982 – Shortly after takeoff, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737 jet, crashes into Washington, D.C.'s 14th Street Bridge and falls into the Potomac River, killing 78 including four motorists. 1985 – A passenger train plunges into a ravine in Ethiopia, killing 428 in the worst railroad disaster in Africa. 1986 – A month-long violent struggle begins in Aden, South Yemen between supporters of Ali Nasir Muhammad and Abdul Fattah Ismail, resulting in thousands of casualties. 1988 – Lee Teng-hui becomes the first native Taiwanese President of the Republic of China. 1990 – Douglas Wilder becomes the first elected African American governor as he takes office as Governor of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. 1991 – Soviet Union troops attack Lithuanian independence supporters in Vilnius, killing 14 people and wounding around 1,000 others. 1993 – Space Shuttle program: Endeavour heads for space for the third time as STS-54 launches from the Kennedy Space Center. 1993 – The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is signed. 1993 – Operation Southern Watch: U.S.A.F., U.S.N., R.A.F. and French Air Force jets attack AAA and SAM sites in Southern Iraq. 1998 – Alfredo Ormando sets himself on fire in St. Peter's Square, protesting against homophobia. 2000 – A Short 360 aircraft chartered by the Sirte Oil Company crashes off the coast of Brega, Libya, killing 21. 2001 – An earthquake hits El Salvador, killing more than 800. 2012 – The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia sinks off the coast of Italy due to the captain Francesco Schettino's negligence and irresponsibility. There are 32 confirmed deaths. 2018 – A false emergency alert warning of an impending missile strike in Hawaii causes widespread panic in the state. 2020 – The Thai Ministry of Public Health confirms the first case of COVID-19 outside China. 2021 – Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump is impeached for a second time on a charge of incitement of insurrection following the January 6 United States Capitol attack one week prior.

[mediabirdmag]

Is the UN Against India? Let's Talk About It

Ever feel like the United Nations (UN) is always on India's case? From Kashmir to human rights reports, it sometimes feels like the UN leans a little too hard in directions that don't favor India. But is that really the full picture, or are we missing some key details?

Let's break it down.

Why Does It Feel Like the UN is Anti-India?

Honestly, this belief has roots in some pretty big historical moments and ongoing global politics. Here’s what’s driving that perception:

1. The Kashmir Saga – A Never-Ending Story

Kashmir is the centerpiece of India’s complicated relationship with the UN. Back in 1947, when India and Pakistan were newly independent, they went to war over Jammu and Kashmir. India went to the UN for help, and the Security Council passed Resolution 47, suggesting that the people of Kashmir should vote on their future. Sounds simple, right?

Well, it didn’t happen. Why? Pakistan was supposed to withdraw its troops first – and didn’t. India argues that this failure invalidated the resolution, but Pakistan (and often China) keeps bringing Kashmir up at the UN. For India, this feels like the world keeps reopening an old wound that should be settled directly between India and Pakistan.

2. UN Reports That Rub India the Wrong Way

In 2018 and 2019, the UN published reports criticizing India’s actions in Kashmir, highlighting alleged human rights violations. India was quick to clap back, calling these reports "biased" and ignoring the role of terrorism from across the border.

For many Indians, these reports seem to skip over Pakistan’s part in the conflict, adding to the feeling that the UN’s focus isn’t always balanced.

But Wait – India’s Big Contributions to the UN

For all the friction, India is actually a major player in the UN. From peacekeeping missions to sustainable development, India puts in the work. Here’s the side that often gets overlooked:

1. India – The Peacekeeping MVP

India has been a UN peacekeeping giant. Over 260,000 Indian troops have served in 49 missions since 1948. As of now, more than 5,500 Indian personnel are stationed worldwide.

Fun fact (but also a sad one) – India has lost 175 peacekeepers in these missions, the highest of any country. That’s a serious commitment to global peace.

2. Pushing for a Better Planet

India isn’t just about military support. The country is leading the way in sustainable development. The Saubhagya scheme, which electrified 28.6 million households, directly supports UN goals for clean energy.

India also co-founded the International Solar Alliance (ISA), pulling together over 110 countries to push for solar power and combat climate change.

3. Vaccine Maitri – Helping the World Heal

Remember when India sent COVID-19 vaccines to over 100 countries? That was part of India’s "Vaccine Maitri" initiative, aligning with UN goals to promote global health.

The Big Dream – A Permanent Seat at the UNSC

India’s been knocking on the door of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for years, pushing for a permanent seat. And let’s be real – India’s got a strong case:

World’s most populous country (yes, we overtook China!).

Fifth-largest economy by GDP.

A leader in peacekeeping and global development.

The main blocker? China. While the US, France, and Russia are generally supportive, China continues to stand in the way, making India’s path to permanent UNSC membership tricky.

Notable Wins for India at the UN

It’s not all resistance. India has scored some major victories at the UN:

2019: Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar was listed as a global terrorist – a big win for India.

2022-23: India chaired the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee, reflecting its rising influence in global security.

The Rival Factor – Pakistan and China’s Role

It’s important to remember that the UN is a political playground. Countries like Pakistan and China often lobby hard against India’s interests:

China’s veto blocks India’s efforts to blacklist terrorists.

Pakistan regularly raises the Kashmir issue at the UN.

India, in response, is building strong alliances through groups like the Quad (with the US, Japan, and Australia).

The Verdict – Is the UN Really Against India?

While India has its share of clashes with the UN, the relationship is far more complex than just "anti-India." India plays a huge role in shaping UN policies and contributing to global progress.

Instead of viewing the UN as hostile, it’s more accurate to see the relationship as one that’s evolving. As India’s global influence grows, so will its role within the UN.

What do you think? Is the UN unfair to India, or is this just the reality of international politics? Let’s chat!

[umarfarooqzahoor]

Umar Farooq Zahoor: Visionary Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Introduction

Early Career and Business Ventures

Umar Farooq Zahoor began his career with a passion for business, quickly making his mark in multiple sectors. His early ventures demonstrated a keen sense for identifying profitable opportunities and executing them effectively. His work spans industries, from finance to infrastructure and technology, where he has built a reputation as an innovator and a results-driven leader. One of Zahoor’s defining traits is his ability to bring together skilled teams and foster partnerships that drive growth. Through strategic investments and innovative ideas, he has expanded his business footprint, impacting markets both locally and internationally.

Contributions to Economic Development

A major aspect of Umar Farooq Zahoor’s career is his contribution to economic development. His business ventures have not only been profitable but also significant in creating employment opportunities and fostering industry growth. Zahoor’s potential collaboration with the President of Liberia exemplifies his commitment to economic progress. This partnership aims to enhance Liberia’s agriculture, mining, and infrastructure sectors, contributing to the nation’s economic stability and providing job opportunities. By focusing on sustainable growth and impactful investments, Zahoor’s efforts are set to make lasting changes in the communities he engages with.

Philanthropic Efforts

Beyond business, Umar Farooq Zahoor is deeply committed to philanthropy. His humanitarian efforts became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he extended support to help those affected in Dubai. His charitable initiatives reflect a genuine concern for people’s welfare and a desire to give back to society. Zahoor has consistently supported causes focused on health, education, and disaster relief, often prioritizing the needs of underserved communities. His philanthropic vision is not only about providing immediate aid but also fostering long-term resilience, ensuring that his contributions have a lasting impact.

Recent Recognitions and Honors

Umar Farooq Zahoor’s commitment to ethical business practices and transparency has also been recognized. Recently, he was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors, for his role in exposing the Toshakhana case. This recognition highlights his dedication to integrity and his willingness to champion the truth, even in challenging circumstances. Such awards reinforce Zahoor’s image as a principled leader whose contributions go beyond personal gain, aligning with a broader vision of accountability and ethical responsibility.

Conclusion

Umar Farooq Zahoor’s journey is a testament to the impact one individual can have across industries and communities. As he continues to expand his business ventures and philanthropic initiatives, his commitment to growth, innovation, and societal welfare remains unwavering. Looking forward, Zahoor aims to pursue further technological advancements, strengthen partnerships, and continue contributing to economic development. His story is not only an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs but also a reminder of the importance of giving back to society, making him a truly remarkable figure in today’s business world.

[gitanjalithoratsblog]

Mpox: A New Global Health Threat

Just as the world is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, a new health threat has emerged: mpox, a viral disease that's spreading rapidly globally. The outbreak has been reported in several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is considered endemic, and other countries in Africa and beyond.

The WHO has reported over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with cases also reportved in neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda . The outbreak has also been reported in India, with four cases reported in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir .

What is M-pox?

mpox is not a separate disease but earlier it was known as monkey pox.The name was changed from "monkeypox" to "mpox" to avoid stigma towards monkeys and reflect the virus's direct human infectivity.Mpox is a rare viral infection that can spread from person to person.

The virus was first identified in monkeys in 1958 but has since been found to infect humans as well.

Transmission: Mpox is primarily spread through:

- Direct contact with infected animals (rodents, primates)

- Human-to-human contact (skin-to-skin, respiratory droplets)

- Contaminated surfaces or objects

Common symptoms of mpox are:

•rash

•fever

•sore throat

•headache

•muscle aches

•back pain

•low energy

•swollen lymph nodes.

This symptoms can last for 2-3 weeks.Some people may have one or a few skin lesions and others have hundreds or more. These can appear anywhere on the body such as the:

•palms of hands and soles of feet

•face, mouth and throat

•groin and genital areas

•anus.

Not everyone will experience all symptoms, and their severity can vary from person to person. If you suspect you've been exposed or are showing symptoms, consult a healthcare professional immediately.

Treatment :

There are no specific treatments for monkeypox virus infection. Early and supportive care is important to help manage symptoms and avoid further problems.However, there are several antiviral medications used to treat smallpox and other conditions that may help patients with mpox.

Prevention:

- Vaccination (available for high-risk groups)

- Personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers

- Safe handling and cooking of animal products

- Avoiding close contact with infected individuals

mpox is a rapidly spreading viral disease that requires immediate attention and action. Understanding its transmission, symptoms, and prevention strategies is crucial to contain its spread. While there is no specific treatment, early supportive care and antiviral medications can help manage symptoms. Vaccination and personal protective measures are key to preventing mpox. Let's stay informed, take precautions, and work together to mitigate this emerging health threat.

Jai Hind 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

Gitanjali Thorat (BSC Physics)

21/08/2024

[jobaaj]

🚨𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝟐.𝟎!!?🚨 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:🔻🔻 🌍 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠? 😧

Just as the world was beginning to recover from the devastating impacts of Covid-19, a new threat to global peace has emerged!

🔍 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Last month, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) reported an outbreak of Monkeypox.

Alarmingly, scientists identified a new, aggressive strain that has swiftly crossed borders into neighboring countries.

Although this disease is known for its low fatality rate, it has already claimed over 570 lives in DR Congo alone!

🚨 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭:

In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alarm, declaring the outbreak a Global Emergency!

🦠 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐩𝐨𝐱: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 🤔

🔍 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐫:

Mpox typically presents with fever, headaches, skin rashes, and pus-filled lesions. Other symptoms include fatigue and more, making it essential to stay vigilant.

🚫 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬:

Unlike airborne viruses, Mpox spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, or even infected animals.

⚠️ 𝐖𝐡𝐨'𝐬 𝐀𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤?

Children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from Mpox.

😲𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭? - Multiple African nations and Sweden have reported the Clade 1 strain. - Our neighbour Pakistan recently reported its fourth case in PoK! - India’s Union Health Ministry has asked all airports and port authorities to be alert about inbound passengers and set up 3 nodal hospitals for isolation and management!! ❓𝙰̲𝚛̲𝚎̲ 𝚠̲𝚎̲ 𝚕̲𝚘̲𝚘̲𝚔̲𝚒̲𝚗̲𝚐̲ 𝚊̲𝚝̲ 𝚊̲𝚗̲𝚘̲𝚝̲𝚑̲𝚎̲𝚛̲ 𝚙̲𝚊̲𝚗̲𝚍̲𝚎̲𝚖̲𝚒̲𝚌̲??😷

Follow Jobaaj Stories, the media arm of Jobaaj Group, for more updates. Jobaaj Stories started as a storytelling branch and now includes news, inspiring stories, and valuable information. Our mission is to educate and inspire young professionals and students through storytelling, giving you both information and motivation.

[smqazi]

POLICE AND JUDICIARY ARE THE MOST  CORRUPT INSTITUTIONS IN THE 

SO-CALLED ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN, WHICH IS NEITHER ISLAMIC NOR REPUBLIC, 

UNFORTUNATELY!

________

ONLY GOD ALMIGHTY CAN TAKE CARE OF THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS, I HOPE

A TIP SPECIAL REPORT

THE National Corruption Perception Survey 2021 conducted by Transparency International Pakistan finds the police and judiciary the most corrupt institutions in the country. The survey, released on Wednesday, also reveals that the vast majority of people consider the federal government’s self-accountability to be unsatisfactory. According to the survey, the three most important causes of corruption are weak accountability (51.9%), the greed of powerful people (29.3%) and low salaries (18.8%).

According to a TI Pakistan press release, the TI has conducted National Corruption Perception Surveys five times in the last 20 years: NCPS 2002, NCPS 2006, NCPS 2009, NCPS 2010 and 2011. In 2021, TI Pakistan conducted the National Corruption Perception Survey 2021 in all four provinces. The survey was conducted from October 14, 2021, to October 27, 2021. The survey reflects the perception of the general public on very important governance issues. 

As per the TI Pakistan announcement, the following are the key findings of the latest report:

The National Corruption Perception Survey 2021 has revealed that police remain the most corrupt sector, the judiciary was seen as second most corrupt, tendering and contracting the third most corrupt while health has climbed to become the fourth most corrupt since the last NCPS 2011. According to the Judicial Statistics of Pakistan 2020 report by the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee, there are 46,698 cases pending in the Supreme Court and 1,772,990 cases pending in the District Judiciary.

A vast majority (85.9%) of people consider the federal government’s self-accountability to be unsatisfactory.

Pakistanis continued to believe that the corruption in the government sector is high. The police (41.4%), judiciary (17.4%) and contracting/tendering (10.3%) are the three most corrupt sectors according to the survey, while contracts of roads (59.8%), cleanliness and garbage collection (13.8%), access to water (13.3%) and the drainage system (13.1%) are top the list of public services for which people have to pay bribes to get access to.

The three most important causes of corruption, according to the NCPS 2021, are weak accountability (51.9%), the greed of powerful people (29.3%) and low salaries (18.8%).

As measures to reduce corruption, 40.1% of Pakistanis say an increase in/stringent punishments for corruption cases, 34.6% Pakistanis say accountability of public officers by expediting NAB’s handling of corruption cases, and 25.3% say a complete ban on those convicted of corruption from holding public office, are key to combat corruption in Pakistan.

The survey also sheds light on local governments and how their presence could have helped Pakistan establish a firmer grip on the situation arising out of Covid-19.

A large number (47.8%) of Pakistanis consider that if local government elected representatives were in place, Covid-19 public awareness campaigns could have been launched in a more effective manner.

A large proportion of Pakistanis (72.8%) believe that public sector corruption at the grassroots levels has increased due to the absence of local government.

A total of 89.1% of Pakistanis say that they did not pay any bribe to any government official during the federal government’s Covid-19 relief efforts for deserving citizens.

A significant proportion of the population (81.4%) has denied that it willingly pays bribes and instead there was a clear perception that bribes are extorted from the public through tactics such as inaction or delay in the provision of public services.

Compared to the three most recent federal governments, the majority of Pakistanis (92.9%) consider inflation and the price hike to be the highest during the current PTI government (2018-2021), compared to 4.6 % who thought the same for the PML-N government (2013-2018) and 2.5% of the PPP government (2008-2013).

This coincides with 85.9% Pakistanis who say that their income levels have been squeezed and have decreased during the last three years.

The main reasons citizens blame for rising inflation and unemployment are: government incompetence (50.6%), corruption (23.3%), undue Interference of politicians in government affairs (9.6%) and lack of implementation of policies (16.6%). The majority of Pakistanis (66.8%) believes that the present government’s accountability drive is partial.

[healthcarehubhh]

Gallbladder Cancer Market poised to reach US$ 1,607.47 Mn by 2024 owing to growing incidence rates

The gallbladder cancer market has shown significant growth in the recent past owing to the growing incidence of gallbladder cancer worldwide. The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ located below the liver that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver. Gallbladder cancer, also known as gallbladder carcinoma, occurs due to the uncontrolled growth of malignant (cancerous) cells in the gallbladder. Some of the common symptoms of gallbladder cancer include abdominal pain, lumps in the abdomen, jaundice, nausea, and weight loss. The global gallbladder cancer market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,607.47 Mn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030. Gallbladder cancer treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy depending on the stage of cancer. Other than treatment, the market also consists of diagnostic products used for detecting gallbladder cancer such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and biopsy. Key Takeaways Key players operating in the gallbladder cancer market are Histogen Inc., Cipla Limited, Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Daiichi-Sankyo Co., Ltd., Johnson and Johnson Services, Inc., Lexington International LLC, Vita-Cos-Med Klett-Loch GmbH, PureTech, Vitabiotics, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, HCell Inc., Follica, Inc. and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. The demand for gallbladder cancer treatment has been increasing owing to the rising incidence of gallbladder cancer worldwide. Technological advancements in diagnostic imaging modalities and targeted therapies have improved gallbladder cancer diagnosis and treatment. Market Trends Early diagnosis of gallbladder cancer is one of the key trends witnessed in the market. Availability of advanced imaging modalities like CT scans and MRI enable early detection of gallbladder cancer, even at an early stage. This increases survival rates and treatment outcomes. Another major trend is the development of novel targeted therapies. Companies are focusing on developing targeted drugs that can inhibit specific pathways involved in gallbladder cancer growth and progression. Market Opportunities High incidence rates in developing countries present lucrative opportunities. According to the WHO, around 84,000 new cases of gallbladder cancer are diagnosed every year globally, with the highest incidence rates in India, Chile and Pakistan. Development of combination therapies focusing on multi-target inhibition is also an emerging opportunity. Using a combination of targeted drugs along with traditional therapies can improve treatment efficacy. Affordable diagnostic devices for resource-limited regions also present growth opportunities. Impact of COVID-19 on Gallbladder Cancer Market Growth   The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the growth of the gallbladder cancer market. During the initial lockdown phases imposed by various governments worldwide, many non-essential medical procedures and visits were postponed or cancelled. This led to a decline in the diagnosis of new gallbladder cancer cases as people avoided hospitals and facilities due to fear of contracting the virus. Moreover, resources from the healthcare sector were reallocated to manage the rising number of coronavirus patients requiring critical care. This diversion of focus away from cancer treatment negatively impacted the growth of the gallbladder cancer market in the short term.

[zfajohnyoung]

Lies and actions are outrageous

In addition to fabricating facts and creating unjust cases, US intelligence agencies also arbitrarily torture and abuse prisoners. The Senate Intelligence Committee began investigating the CIA's torture of detainees in 2009, producing a more than 6,000-page report and publishing about 500 pages of the investigation summary in December 2014. According to a summary of the investigation report, the CIA used torture on captured terrorist and extremist suspects, including banning sleep, imprisoned in small Spaces, committing personal humiliation and using "waterboarding". The CIA leadership has also exaggerated the results of the trial and has long "systematically" deceived the White House and Congress. In 2016, the ACLU, citing the Freedom of Information Act, asked the Senate Intelligence Committee to publish the full prisoner abuse report and take the case to the Federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, but did not win. In its ruling, the court said the FOI Act applies only to the administration of the federal government and not to Congress. Ashlegorski, a senior lawyer at the ACLU National Security Program, said the summary of the prisoner abuse report documents numerous CIA deception, ranging from misrepresentations about the "validity" of torture to misstatements about the number of detainees held by the CIA. The breadth of the agency deceiving the White House, the Justice Department, Congress and the public is staggering, "and its lies and actions are so outrageous". Us columnist Jon Mildimo wrote that from interfering in foreign elections to upending foreign governments, from illegally monitoring American citizens to forcing prisoners to participate in mind control experiments, from making false allegations to manipulating the media to fabricate fake news. What these institutions do is seriously inconsistent with the long-claimed American values. Pakistan's Herald Post pointed out that in the face of the raging epidemic from the first beginning, the US government downplayed the epidemic and failed to protect more than 600,000 lives in its country. Should the government be responsible for this? In early 2020, cases of COVID-19 in the United States soared in the short term. Is this a sudden outbreak or a failure to cover it up? Why did the U. S. Army suddenly close its Fort Delab in 2019? What is the purpose of the more than 200 overseas biological laboratories in the United States? Will the White House invite WHO experts to work in US laboratories? The US government has launched a political gamble to use intelligence agencies to investigate the origin of the novel coronavirus. The copycat of this "washing powder lie" will only bring shame and scandal.

[mbainaustralia]

Australian MBA Degrees for International Students: Find Your Perfect Fit

Student Success Stories: Pursuing an Online MBA in Australia from India

Thinking about getting an MBA degree? In today's competitive market, an MBA could come incredibly handy in case you're already into the business industry or wanting to get into one.MBA courses in Australia for international students take 12 to 24 months to complete. If you’re from India and looking for a flexible online MBA program, look no further than the Universal Business School (UBBS) in Australia. Our faculty is undoubtedly one of the best MBA colleges in Australia to get your degree.

When it comes to UBBS, our course is the best online MBA course in Australia. Let's hear from those happy faces who've already taken the plunge with an online MBA course Australia from UBSS:

Meet Usman Sindhu

Usman Sindhu is from Pakistan who went to UBBS to pursue MBA. Usman completed his MBA from UBBS in August 2017. As a student, he said that he got his value for money at UBBS. The direct interaction between the students and the highly qualified teachers was the best thing according to him. The teachers are the best in their fields, doing everything they can to help out the students. Now that he has got his degree, he wants to recommend his friends and families to pursue MBA from UBBSin Australia.

Meet Cindy Bandao

Cindy Bandao is from the Philippines and she also can't stop talking about her experience at UBBS. For her, the best experience came from the teachers and staff. She said that they all were so inspiring and always encouraged students to do their best, both in terms of studies and beyond. They helped her whenever she needed anything.

Meet Sherwin Jay Ian Manalang

Sherwin Jay Ian Manalang is also from the Philippines and he can’t stop bragging about the wonderful resources and facilities offered by UBBS. Even during the horrible Covid-19 era, they had no problem adapting to changes because of their world-class technologies. They were one of those go-getters who took prompt action to implement online learning in Sydney. However, the quality of education has never been jeopardized even back then.

Meet Srikirankumar Bandaru

Kiran is from India and he got his degree in 2021. When we asked him about his experience, he couldn't say a word! He just said that he was speechless at that moment, and waiting for it since he came to Australia.

Meet Yogesh Dahiya

Yogesh came to Australia from India three years before he finally got his degree in 2021. Getting to Australia was a bit tough for him, but once he got in at UBBS, it was a life changing experience.

Why UBSS's online MBA program is the right choice for you

Does this sound like you? Are you a dreamer, aspirer and based in India? Want the benefits of an Australian MBA with the flexibility to study whenever and wherever you like? Then stop hesitating and join the exceptional batch of students and teachers at UBBS.

 Here's why UBSS's online MBA program is the right choice for you:

World-class education: Learn from experienced Australian academics and industry experts.

Flexibility: Study whenever, wherever – balance work, family, and your education.

Global network: Connect with students and professionals from around the world.

Career advancement: An online MBA from UBSS boosts your income opportunity and opens up exciting career opportunities.

We know what you're thinking right now. The thought about MBA course fees in Australia might be what's bothering you. How about you check our website today to learn more? In case you’re ready to take the plunge, apply through the online portal.

[travelspackages1]

Lithuania Visit Visa from Pakistan: A Comprehensive Guide

Lithuania, nestled in the Baltic region of Europe, is renowned for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. For Pakistani travelers seeking to explore this enchanting country, obtaining a visit visa is a necessary step. Understanding the application process, requirements, and other pertinent details is crucial to ensure a smooth and successful journey. In this article, we delve into the specifics of obtaining a Lithuania visit visa from Pakistan.

Understanding the Visit Visa:

A Lithuania visit visa is a travel document issued to individuals intending to visit the country for tourism, leisure, or other non-business purposes. This visa permits entry into Lithuania for a specified duration, typically up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Application Process:

The application process for a Lithuania visit visa from Pakistan involves several key steps:

Determine Visa Type: Determine the type of visa required for your visit. In most cases, Pakistani travelers will apply for a Schengen short-stay visa, which allows travel within the Schengen Area, including Lithuania.

Complete Application Form: Fill out the Lithuania visa application form accurately and legibly. Ensure all information provided is correct and matches the supporting documents.

Gather Required Documents: Prepare the necessary documents to support your visa application. These may include:

Valid passport with at least three months validity beyond the intended stay.

Completed visa application form.

Passport-sized photographs meeting the specified requirements.

Proof of travel arrangements (flight bookings, itinerary, etc.).

Travel insurance covering the duration of the visit.

Proof of accommodation in Lithuania (hotel reservations, invitation letter, etc.).

Proof of financial means to cover the expenses during the stay.

Any additional documents requested by the Lithuanian embassy or consulate.

Schedule an Appointment: Contact the Lithuanian embassy or consulate in Pakistan to schedule a visa appointment. Visa applications are typically processed through VFS Global or other designated visa application centers.

Attend Visa Interview (if required): Be prepared to attend a visa interview at the embassy or consulate, if required. During the interview, provide honest and concise answers to any questions posed by the visa officer.

Pay Visa Fee: Pay the applicable visa fee as per the current fee schedule. Visa fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the application.

Submit Application: Submit the visa application along with the required documents at the designated visa application center or embassy/consulate.

Wait for Processing: Await processing of the visa application. Processing times may vary, but applicants are advised to apply well in advance of their intended travel dates.

Collect Passport: Once the visa application is processed, collect the passport from the visa application center or embassy/consulate. If approved, the visa will be stamped in the passport, allowing entry into Lithuania.

Important Considerations:

Validity and Duration: The validity and duration of the Lithuania visit visa may vary based on individual circumstances and visa type. Ensure compliance with the visa conditions to avoid any issues during the visit.

Travel Restrictions: Stay informed about any travel restrictions or entry requirements imposed by Lithuanian authorities, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Compliance with Visa Rules: Adhere to the rules and regulations governing the Lithuania visit visa. Any violation of visa conditions may result in denial of entry or other legal consequences.

Obtaining a Lithuania visit visa from Pakistan is a straightforward process, provided all requirements are met and documentation is in order. By following the outlined steps and ensuring compliance with visa rules, Pakistani travelers can embark on a memorable journey to explore the cultural treasures and natural wonders of Lithuania. Proper planning and preparation are key to a hassle-free and enjoyable travel experience.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 12.8 (after 1960)

1962 – Workers at four New York City newspapers (this later increases to nine) go on strike for 114 days. 1963 – Pan Am Flight 214, a Boeing 707, is struck by lightning and crashes near Elkton, Maryland, killing all 81 people on board. 1966 – The Greek ship SS Heraklion sinks in a storm in the Aegean Sea, killing over 200. 1969 – Olympic Airways Flight 954 strikes a mountain outside of Keratea, Greece, killing 90 people in the worst crash of a Douglas DC-6 in history. 1971 – Indo-Pakistani War: The Indian Navy launches an attack on West Pakistan's port city of Karachi. 1972 – United Airlines Flight 553, a Boeing 737, crashes after aborting its landing attempt at Chicago Midway International Airport, killing 45. This is the first-ever loss of a Boeing 737. 1974 – A plebiscite results in the abolition of monarchy in Greece. 1980 – John Lennon is murdered by Mark David Chapman in front of The Dakota in New York City. 1985 – The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union in South Asia, is established. 1987 – Cold War: The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is signed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the White House. 1987 – An Israeli army tank transporter kills four Palestinian refugees and injures seven others during a traffic accident at the Erez Crossing on the Israel–Gaza Strip border, which has been cited as one of the events which sparked the First Intifada. 1988 – A United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II crashes into an apartment complex in Remscheid, Germany, killing five people and injuring 50 others. 1990 – The Galileo spacecraft flies past Earth for the first time. 1991 – The leaders of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine sign an agreement dissolving the Soviet Union and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States. 1992 – The Galileo spacecraft flies past Earth for the second time. 1998 – Eighty-one people are killed by armed groups in Algeria. 2001 – A raid conducted by the Internal Security Department (ISD) of Singapore foils a Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) plot to bomb foreign embassies in Singapore. 2004 – The Cusco Declaration is signed in Cusco, Peru, establishing the South American Community of Nations. 2004 – Columbus nightclub shooting: Nathan Gale opens fire at the Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus, Ohio, killing former Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell and three others before being shot dead by a police officer. 2009 – Bombings in Baghdad, Iraq, kill 127 people and injure 448 others. 2010 – With the second launch of the Falcon 9 and the first launch of the Dragon, SpaceX becomes the first private company to successfully launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft. 2010 – The Japanese solar-sail spacecraft IKAROS passes the planet Venus at a distance of about 80,800 km (50,200 mi). 2013 – Riots break out in Singapore after a fatal accident in Little India. 2013 – Metallica performs a show in Antarctica, making them the first band to perform on all seven continents. 2019 – First confirmed case of COVID-19 in China.

[newstfionline]

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Teacher shortages are spreading around the world (Worldcrunch) The world is short on teachers. According to a UNESCO report, last year 9% of primary school teachers left the profession, double the rate in 2015. The report blames low pay, poor working conditions, and the high-stress nature of the job for this exodus. In the United States, teacher shortages have led to doubled class sizes, the burgeoning of online courses, and, in some cases, lowered standards when it comes to hiring. One analysis found that the majority of U.S. states are experiencing a shortage of teachers, with turnover rates increasing sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 45% of public schools reported being understaffed, and “hiring elementary and special education teachers remains a challenge”. Europe’s wealthy countries, including France, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and Sweden, are also grappling with the teacher crisis. Part of the reason for this, according to Régis Malet, professor of education at the University of Bordeaux, is the gradual erosion in the social status of teachers. The profession went from “a job with high added social value, prestige, to a form of uncertainty in the mission, loss of meaning and ultimately dissonance between the school and life,” he told Euronews.

Nicaragua’s Miss Universe title win exposes deep political divide in the Central American country (AP) Nicaragua’s increasingly isolated and repressive government thought it had scored a rare public relations victory last week when Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios won the Miss Universe competition. But the “legitimate joy and pride” President Daniel Ortega’s government expressed in a statement Sunday after the win quickly turned to angry condemnation, after it emerged that Palacios graduated from a college that was the center of 2018 protests against the regime—and apparently participated in the marches. Ordinary Nicaraguans—who are largely forbidden to protest or carry the national flag in marches—took advantage of the Saturday night Miss Universe win as a rare opportunity to celebrate in the streets. Palacios’ victory—along with photos she posted on Facebook in 2018 of herself participating in the protests—overjoyed Nicaragua’s opposition.

Violence in Dublin over knife attack (Washington Post) Right-wing protesters angered by a stabbing attack they believed had involved someone of immigrant background rampaged through central Dublin on Thursday night, leaving behind a trail of burning destruction. Ireland’s police chief on Friday described the unrest, in which double-decker buses, trams and police cars were torched, as “scenes that we have not seen in decades.” The violence and looting through some of Dublin’s most famous streets began after a stabbing attack outside a school that left five people hospitalized. They included three young children and a woman. Police detained a man who also is being treated for injuries. Rumors spread online that the perpetrator of the attack was an immigrant or had an immigrant background. The BBC said the man was an Irish citizen who had lived in the country for 20 years. People the police later described as far-right protesters disrupted the crime scene, chanting anti-immigrant slogans and took to the streets of Dublin, setting vehicles ablaze and clashing with police. 34 people were arrested.

Families Ripped Apart as Pakistan Expels Tens of Thousands of Afghans (NYT) On the day Baz Gul’s world was shattered, he was out scavenging garbage with his 10-year-old son, hoping to earn a few dollars to provide for his family of five. He and his son were arrested on Sept. 12 in the Pakistani city of Karachi during a raid on Afghan migrants. Mr. Gul, 30, was born and raised in Karachi and married his wife there. But as the son of refugees who fled to Pakistan in 1992, he is a citizen of Afghanistan—and no longer welcome in the country of his birth. His wife, Ram Bibi, 29, also an Afghan citizen, sold valuables to hire a lawyer who could argue that Mr. Gul was a legal resident of Pakistan. But he was deported to Afghanistan on Nov. 13, after Pakistan set a deadline for all 1.7 million illegal migrants to leave, most of them Afghans. Mr. Gul is now stranded in a country he does not know, leaving his pregnant wife and his children at the mercy of impoverished relatives to survive. The Gul family is one of hundreds that have been torn apart, rights activists say, as refugees from Afghanistan have poured out of Pakistan, heeding the deportation order or being forcibly removed under a crackdown that followed a rise in tensions between the two countries.

Myanmar’s rebel groups (Washington Post) For decades, Myanmar’s ethnic minorities have rebelled against the country’s military, but mostly on their own and with little success. Now, however, nearly three years after a military coup ousted Myanmar’s democratic government and triggered a civil war, it’s these ethnic rebels, camped out in the country’s mountains and jungles, who pose the biggest potential threat to the ruling junta. While Western governments and international aid agencies have focused much of their attention on the pro-democracy forces led by exiled members of the ousted civilian government, it is increasingly the ethnic rebels tenuously allied with them who are shaping the trajectory of the conflict, security analysts say. These groups have troops, guns and grenades. They control territory, collect taxes and run schools and hospitals. Just in recent weeks, they’ve notched battlefield victories that security analysts say have pushed the junta into its weakest position since the coup. The decisive role of ethnic insurgents in the conflict has come into sharp relief in recent weeks after an alliance of several other rebel groups launched a surprise offensive in Myanmar’s northern Shan state, forcing the military to publicly cede control over major townships. In the south, Karen rebels and their allies, the Karenni, launched simultaneous attacks on military bases, while in the west, a militia representing ethnic Rakhine people opened a new front in the war against the military.

The Taiwan party toughest on China has a strong lead as election nears (Washington Post) China’s hopes for political turnover in Taiwan—to a government more favorable to Beijing—appear likely to be dashed, with the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party on course to secure an unprecedented third term. That is raising fears of even more Chinese military aggression around the democratic island, and the prospect of reignited U.S.-China tensions. Taiwan has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party, but Beijing claims it as its territory. The fate of Taiwan has long been the most volatile issue between Beijing and Washington, and a flare up over the results of voting Jan. 13 could derail efforts to stabilize relations. In the past, Beijing has ramped up military intimidation toward Taiwan before and after the vote, to signal readiness to use force if Taipei refuses to submit to Chinese Communist Party rule indefinitely. This time the presidential races come as Chinese military planes and ships have surrounded the island so frequently and in such large numbers over the past 15 months that U.S. officials warn of “miscalculations” spiraling into accidental conflict.

Ceasefire takes hold in Gaza ahead of hostage release (BBC/Worldcrunch) Fighting has paused in Gaza and, after a 24-hour delay, the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas has come into effect. 13 Israeli hostages, 10 Thais and 1 Filipino were freed. After the guns went quiet, humanitarian aid began entering Gaza from Egypt—200 lorries a day are expected, which aid workers say is not enough. In Khan Younis, further north, Palestinians tell say they are "very happy" about the pause in fighting, though they know they may only have four days before the bombs start dropping and tanks start rolling again. Some will continue sifting through the rubble, looking to find trapped family members, after searches were interrupted by new rounds of air attacks. Other Gazans will try to find shelter in what they’ve been told are safer areas in the south of the Palestinian enclave. Some will hurry back to inspect their homes, especially in the northern half of the strip where Israeli ground forces have battled Palestinian militants for weeks.

Many in Middle East blame United States for devastation in Gaza (Washington Post) The entire front page of a Lebanese newspaper this month displayed President Biden’s face superimposed over pictures of dead Palestinian children, under a headline declaring “Western genocide.” In Egypt and some Persian Gulf states, once-bustling Starbucks and McDonald’s outlets sit empty thanks to a boycott of U.S. brands. And in Beirut, Tunis and other Arab capitals, protesters have marched on U.S. diplomatic missions, sometimes burning American flags, to vent their fury at the staggering death toll in Gaza. The prevailing view throughout the Middle East is that while Israel is doing the fighting, this is an American war. Without the diplomatic cover and high-tech munitions provided by the United States, the reasoning goes, Israel wouldn’t be able to carry out the massive operation it launched in Gaza to “eradicate Hamas” that a U.N. official this week said has caused “complete and utter carnage.” In Arab nations, where solidarity with the Palestinian cause has endured for decades, millions are watching as the only force they see as powerful enough to stop the bloodletting in Gaza instead defends it. The U.S.-backed pause in fighting is generally welcomed, but it falls short of Arab calls for the United States to back a longer truce.

In Harare, warnings about dollarization for Argentina (Reuters) From Zimbabwe’s capital Harare to Quito in Ecuador, green bills circulating on the streets and in shops with images of U.S. presidents reflect a big choice that has been made: picking the dollar over the local currency to bring economic stability. The two countries offer a lesson—and warnings—for Argentina, the latest nation globally to toy with the idea of ditching an embattled local tender in favor of the greenback, a signature campaign pledge of President-elect Javier Milei. Zimbabwe abandoned its currency in 2009 to combat hyperinflation, opting for a multi-currency system centered on the U.S. dollar. The government reintroduced the local currency in 2019, but it rapidly lost value. Most transactions are currently in greenbacks. Zimbabwe’s dollarization story is as full of warnings as it is with promise. Many people watched as their savings were erased when the dollar was adopted in 2009. “We just woke up and there was nothing in the account anymore,” banker Bongiwe Mudau told Reuters. “This included my life assurance and medical aid. All was gone in just a day. Dollarization wiped out everything I had saved.” The 47-year-old mother of three, said, however, that dollarization eventually brought stability in prices. From 2008, when prices were doubling almost every day—one of the largest hyperinflations ever recorded—prices fell 7.7% in 2009, according to the International Monetary Fund. “For the first time in years I could budget with a clear understanding that prices would not change. We had a semblance of order in the economy,” Mudau said.

Madagascar president on course for reelection as supporters claim they were promised money to vote (AP) Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina was on course to win reelection Thursday after a vote boycotted by most opposition candidates and as supporters of his party claimed they were promised money in return for backing him. With 85% of ballots counted, Rajoelina had received 59.7% of the vote in last week’s election, according to the national electoral commission. Such a margin of victory would eliminate the need for a runoff election and give him a third term as leader of the Indian Ocean island of 28 million. People have lined up outside the offices of Rajoelina’s TGV party in Antananarivo and other major towns since last week to collect party membership cards, which they claimed would allow them to be paid for their votes. Some said they had been promised about $75 for voting for Rajoelina. TGV has denied promising any money to its supporters. However, party officials have said the membership cards would give people preferential treatment for any future government handouts of food and other provisions in a country the World Bank says has one of the world’s highest poverty rates.