Covid: US halves isolation time for asymptomatic infection
US health officials have halved the recommended isolation time for people with asymptomatic Covid-19 from 10 to five days, amid a surge in cases.
The measure is expected to alleviate disruption caused by staff shortages in many areas because of infections.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says most transmissions happen in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.
But experts have criticised the lack of testing requirements to end isolation.
US health officials have halved the recommended isolation time for people with asymptomatic Covid-19 from 10 to five days, amid a surge in cases.
The measure is expected to alleviate disruption caused by staff shortages in many areas because of infections.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says most transmissions happen in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.
But experts have criticised the lack of testing requirements to end isolation.
Robert E. Lee: Virginia workers open Civil War era time capsule
A conservation team in the US state of Virginia has opened a box containing Confederate war memorabilia believed to be more than 130 years old.
It contained newspapers, books and ammunition dated to the US Civil War.
Workers discovered the container in the state capital of Richmond while finishing the removal of a statue of the Confederate general Robert E Lee.
The memorial was removed after protests against it following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year.
Records held by the Library of Virginia say that the capsule was buried in 1877 and that dozens of local residents contributed around 60 objects to the container.
The lead conservator for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Kate Ridgway, said the contents and design of the box appeared to match the historical records.
A conservation team in the US state of Virginia has opened a box containing Confederate war memorabilia believed to be more than 130 years old.
It contained newspapers, books and ammunition dated to the US Civil War.
Workers discovered the container in the state capital of Richmond while finishing the removal of a statue of the Confederate general Robert E Lee.
The memorial was removed after protests against it following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year.
Records held by the Library of Virginia say that the capsule was buried in 1877 and that dozens of local residents contributed around 60 objects to the container.
The lead conservator for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Kate Ridgway, said the contents and design of the box appeared to match the historical records.
Elon Musk rejects claims that his satellites are hogging space
Elon Musk has rejected claims that his Starlink satellite internet project is taking up too much room in space.
"Tens of billions" of satellites can be accommodated in orbits close to Earth, he told the Financial Times.
His comments come after a claim by the head of the European Space Agency (ESA) that Mr Musk was "making the rules" for the emerging commercial space industry.
This week, China complained that its space station was forced to avoid collisions with Starlink satellites.
"Space is just extremely enormous, and satellites are very tiny," Mr Musk said in the interview.
Mr Musk pushed back at suggestions that his Starlink Internet Services project was effectively obstructing the entry of competitors to the satellite industry, saying that there is ample room in the Earth's orbit for satellites.
Elon Musk has rejected claims that his Starlink satellite internet project is taking up too much room in space.
"Tens of billions" of satellites can be accommodated in orbits close to Earth, he told the Financial Times.
His comments come after a claim by the head of the European Space Agency (ESA) that Mr Musk was "making the rules" for the emerging commercial space industry.
This week, China complained that its space station was forced to avoid collisions with Starlink satellites.
"Space is just extremely enormous, and satellites are very tiny," Mr Musk said in the interview.
Mr Musk pushed back at suggestions that his Starlink Internet Services project was effectively obstructing the entry of competitors to the satellite industry, saying that there is ample room in the Earth's orbit for satellites.
Ukraine tensions: Putin tells Biden new sanctions could rupture ties
Russia's Vladimir Putin has warned his US counterpart Joe Biden that imposing new sanctions over Ukraine could lead to a complete breakdown in relations.
In a phone call late on Thursday, the Russian president said such sanctions would be a "colossal mistake".
Mr Biden, meanwhile, told Mr Putin that the US and its allies would respond decisively to any invasion of Ukraine.
The call, requested by Russia, was the pair's second such conversation this month and lasted for almost an hour.
Russia's Vladimir Putin has warned his US counterpart Joe Biden that imposing new sanctions over Ukraine could lead to a complete breakdown in relations.
In a phone call late on Thursday, the Russian president said such sanctions would be a "colossal mistake".
Mr Biden, meanwhile, told Mr Putin that the US and its allies would respond decisively to any invasion of Ukraine.
The call, requested by Russia, was the pair's second such conversation this month and lasted for almost an hour.
New law allowing assisted suicide takes effect Austria
A law allowing assisted suicide has taken effect in Austria.
From Saturday, people aged over 18 who are terminally ill or suffer from a permanent, debilitating condition, can opt for assisted death.
Parliament approved the new law in December, following a constitutional court ruling on the issue.
The practice will be tightly regulated, with each case assessed by two doctors - one of whom would have to be a palliative medicine expert.
Officials say the government has also allocated funds to develop palliative care to ensure no one chooses to die when other options are available.
Assisted suicide, in which somebody is given the means to end their own life, is legal in neighbouring Switzerland.
It's also been decriminalised in several European countries, including Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
A law allowing assisted suicide has taken effect in Austria.
From Saturday, people aged over 18 who are terminally ill or suffer from a permanent, debilitating condition, can opt for assisted death.
Parliament approved the new law in December, following a constitutional court ruling on the issue.
The practice will be tightly regulated, with each case assessed by two doctors - one of whom would have to be a palliative medicine expert.
Officials say the government has also allocated funds to develop palliative care to ensure no one chooses to die when other options are available.
Assisted suicide, in which somebody is given the means to end their own life, is legal in neighbouring Switzerland.
It's also been decriminalised in several European countries, including Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
EU plans to label gas and nuclear energy 'green' prompt row
The European Commission has proposed plans to label some gas and nuclear power as green, prompting criticism from Germany.
The proposal argues that gas and nuclear are key to helping transition to cleaner power.
But Germany's environment minister called the plan "absolutely wrong".
The European Commission has proposed plans to label some gas and nuclear power as green, prompting criticism from Germany.
The proposal argues that gas and nuclear are key to helping transition to cleaner power.
But Germany's environment minister called the plan "absolutely wrong".
Join our group πBybit Global Activitiesπ to get 10 USDT !π΅
See more details in the group! complete registration ONLY will just take 5 mins to get USDTπ₯³π€
BybitοΌEstablished in March 2018, Bybit is one of the fastest growing cryptocurrency exchanges, with more than 3 million registered users.
Welcome to join!!
π€Referral Roll β Invite Friends & Team Up for 1 BTC, 22,000 USDT in Prizes & More π€
See more details in the group! complete registration ONLY will just take 5 mins to get USDTπ₯³π€
BybitοΌEstablished in March 2018, Bybit is one of the fastest growing cryptocurrency exchanges, with more than 3 million registered users.
Welcome to join!!
π€Referral Roll β Invite Friends & Team Up for 1 BTC, 22,000 USDT in Prizes & More π€
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Twitter bans congresswoman over Covid misinformation
Twitter has permanently suspended the personal account of the US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for repeated violations of its rules around coronavirus misinformation.
The action against the Republican lawmaker came under Twitter's strike system, which identifies posts about the virus that could cause harm.
The company had previously suspended the Georgia congresswoman four times.
Rep Greene said the ban proved that the company is "an enemy to America".
Twitter has permanently suspended the personal account of the US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for repeated violations of its rules around coronavirus misinformation.
The action against the Republican lawmaker came under Twitter's strike system, which identifies posts about the virus that could cause harm.
The company had previously suspended the Georgia congresswoman four times.
Rep Greene said the ban proved that the company is "an enemy to America".
Top US phone firms reject call to delay 5G rollout
Two of the biggest US phone firms have rejected a government request to delay the rollout of 5G services this week.
The US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made the request over concerns about aviation safety.
However, AT&T and Verizon did say they will implement temporary safeguards.
Plane makers have warned that C-Band spectrum 5G wireless signals may interfere with sensitive aircraft electronics and could disrupt flights.
Two of the biggest US phone firms have rejected a government request to delay the rollout of 5G services this week.
The US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made the request over concerns about aviation safety.
However, AT&T and Verizon did say they will implement temporary safeguards.
Plane makers have warned that C-Band spectrum 5G wireless signals may interfere with sensitive aircraft electronics and could disrupt flights.
Bulli Bai: Indian man arrested for fake auction of Muslim women
Indian police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with an app that shared photos of more than 100 Muslim women saying they were on "sale".
He is an engineering student from the southern city of Bangalore whose identity has not been revealed.
The charges against him are unclear but he is a "close follower" of the app, Bulli Bai, police told BBC Marathi.
The app was hosted on web platform GitHub, which has since taken it down amid widespread anger and outrage.
Photographs of several prominent Muslim journalists and activists were used on the app without their permission and put on "sale" in a fake auction.
Indian police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with an app that shared photos of more than 100 Muslim women saying they were on "sale".
He is an engineering student from the southern city of Bangalore whose identity has not been revealed.
The charges against him are unclear but he is a "close follower" of the app, Bulli Bai, police told BBC Marathi.
The app was hosted on web platform GitHub, which has since taken it down amid widespread anger and outrage.
Photographs of several prominent Muslim journalists and activists were used on the app without their permission and put on "sale" in a fake auction.
Elizabeth Holmes: Theranos founder convicted of fraud
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has been convicted of defrauding investors after a months-long landmark trial in California.
Prosecutors said Holmes knowingly lied about technology she said could detect diseases with a few drops of blood.
Jurors found Holmes guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud against investors and three charges of wire fraud.
She denied the charges, which carry a maximum prison term of 20 years each.
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has been convicted of defrauding investors after a months-long landmark trial in California.
Prosecutors said Holmes knowingly lied about technology she said could detect diseases with a few drops of blood.
Jurors found Holmes guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud against investors and three charges of wire fraud.
She denied the charges, which carry a maximum prison term of 20 years each.
Covid: French uproar as Macron vows to 'piss off' unvaccinated
French President Emmanuel Macron has been accused of using divisive, vulgar language after he used a slang term to say he wanted to make life difficult for unvaccinated people.
"I really want to piss them off, and we'll carry on doing this - to the end," he told Le Parisien newspaper.
Three months ahead of a presidential election, opponents of Mr Macron said his words were unworthy of a president.
MPs halted debate on a law barring the unvaccinated from much of public life.
French President Emmanuel Macron has been accused of using divisive, vulgar language after he used a slang term to say he wanted to make life difficult for unvaccinated people.
"I really want to piss them off, and we'll carry on doing this - to the end," he told Le Parisien newspaper.
Three months ahead of a presidential election, opponents of Mr Macron said his words were unworthy of a president.
MPs halted debate on a law barring the unvaccinated from much of public life.
Kazakhstan unrest: Troops ordered to fire without warning
Kazakhstan's authoritarian leader says he has ordered security forces to "fire without warning", amid a violent crackdown on anti-government protests.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also said "20,000 bandits" had attacked the main city of Almaty, the epicentre of protests sparked by a fuel price hike.
He blamed foreign-trained "terrorists", without giving evidence.
The interior ministry says 26 "armed criminals" and 18 security officers have been killed so far in the unrest.
Kazakhstan's authoritarian leader says he has ordered security forces to "fire without warning", amid a violent crackdown on anti-government protests.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also said "20,000 bandits" had attacked the main city of Almaty, the epicentre of protests sparked by a fuel price hike.
He blamed foreign-trained "terrorists", without giving evidence.
The interior ministry says 26 "armed criminals" and 18 security officers have been killed so far in the unrest.
Novak Djokovic: Having Covid gave tennis star vaccine exemption - lawyers
Tennis star Novak Djokovic had a vaccine exemption to enter Australia after a Covid infection on 16 December, his lawyers say in court documents.
Djokovic was denied entry to Australia after landing in Melbourne this week to play in the Australian Open.
The world's top ranked tennis player is currently in an immigration detention centre ahead of a court case on Monday.
His case has caused a huge outcry in Australia and made headlines around the world.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic had a vaccine exemption to enter Australia after a Covid infection on 16 December, his lawyers say in court documents.
Djokovic was denied entry to Australia after landing in Melbourne this week to play in the Australian Open.
The world's top ranked tennis player is currently in an immigration detention centre ahead of a court case on Monday.
His case has caused a huge outcry in Australia and made headlines around the world.
Kazakhstan unrest: Ex-intelligence chief arrested for treason
Kazakhstan's former intelligence chief has been arrested on suspicion of treason following nationwide anti-government protests.
The detention of Karim Massimov was announced by the National Security Committee, a body he headed until his removal this week.
Authorities now appear to be back in control of the largest city Almaty.
But President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said "terrorist" attacks were still happening in some places.
Kazakhstan's former intelligence chief has been arrested on suspicion of treason following nationwide anti-government protests.
The detention of Karim Massimov was announced by the National Security Committee, a body he headed until his removal this week.
Authorities now appear to be back in control of the largest city Almaty.
But President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said "terrorist" attacks were still happening in some places.
Pakistan snow: Deadly weather traps hundreds of drivers
At least 21 people have died after heavy snow trapped them in their vehicles in northern Pakistan.
As many as 1,000 vehicles became stranded as would-be tourists reportedly rushed to view the winter snowfall in the hilltop town of Murree.
A policeman, his wife and their six children, as well as another family-of-five, are among the dead, according to local emergency services Rescue 1122.
The military says it has rescued more than 300 people stranded by the snow.
At least 21 people have died after heavy snow trapped them in their vehicles in northern Pakistan.
As many as 1,000 vehicles became stranded as would-be tourists reportedly rushed to view the winter snowfall in the hilltop town of Murree.
A policeman, his wife and their six children, as well as another family-of-five, are among the dead, according to local emergency services Rescue 1122.
The military says it has rescued more than 300 people stranded by the snow.
Novak Djokovic: Australia loses bid to delay tennis star's visa appeal
A bid by the Australian government to delay Novak Djokovic's appeal against deportation has been rejected by a judge overseeing his case.
The government had requested the tennis star's court hearing be postponed until Wednesday, but it will instead begin as scheduled on Monday morning.
Djokovic was denied entry to Australia after landing in Melbourne last week to defend his Australian Open title.
His case has caused a huge outcry and made headlines around the world.
A bid by the Australian government to delay Novak Djokovic's appeal against deportation has been rejected by a judge overseeing his case.
The government had requested the tennis star's court hearing be postponed until Wednesday, but it will instead begin as scheduled on Monday morning.
Djokovic was denied entry to Australia after landing in Melbourne last week to defend his Australian Open title.
His case has caused a huge outcry and made headlines around the world.
New York fire: At least 19 killed in apartment block blaze
At least 19 people, including nine children, have died after a fire in a New York apartment building.
Another 32 people were sent to hospital, several of whom are in a critical condition, according to New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Fire department Commissioner Daniel Nigro said they had found victims on every floor of the 19-storey block, saying the smoke was "unprecedented".
He told NBC News the death toll was the worst seen in New York for 30 years.
At least 19 people, including nine children, have died after a fire in a New York apartment building.
Another 32 people were sent to hospital, several of whom are in a critical condition, according to New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Fire department Commissioner Daniel Nigro said they had found victims on every floor of the 19-storey block, saying the smoke was "unprecedented".
He told NBC News the death toll was the worst seen in New York for 30 years.
Sulli Deals: Police arrest man for making app to auction Muslim women
Police in India have arrested a man suspected of creating an app that put up photos of more than 80 Muslim women for "sale" online last year.
The open source app - Sulli Deals - had been hosted on web platform GitHub in July 2021.
The 25-year-old was arrested days after a similar app - Bulli Bai - uploaded photos of more than 100 Muslim women.
Four students, including a 21-year-old student who allegedly created the second app, were arrested.
In both cases, there was no actual sale, but the purpose was to degrade and humiliate Muslim women, many of whom have been outspoken about the rising tide of Hindu nationalism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Police in India have arrested a man suspected of creating an app that put up photos of more than 80 Muslim women for "sale" online last year.
The open source app - Sulli Deals - had been hosted on web platform GitHub in July 2021.
The 25-year-old was arrested days after a similar app - Bulli Bai - uploaded photos of more than 100 Muslim women.
Four students, including a 21-year-old student who allegedly created the second app, were arrested.
In both cases, there was no actual sale, but the purpose was to degrade and humiliate Muslim women, many of whom have been outspoken about the rising tide of Hindu nationalism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Man gets genetically-modified pig heart in world-first transplant
A US man has become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig.
David Bennett, 57, is doing well three days after the experimental seven-hour procedure in Baltimore, doctors say.
The transplant was considered the last hope of saving Mr Bennett's life, though it is not yet clear what his long-term chances of survival are.
"It was either die or do this transplant," Mr Bennett explained a day before the surgery.
A US man has become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig.
David Bennett, 57, is doing well three days after the experimental seven-hour procedure in Baltimore, doctors say.
The transplant was considered the last hope of saving Mr Bennett's life, though it is not yet clear what his long-term chances of survival are.
"It was either die or do this transplant," Mr Bennett explained a day before the surgery.