Mass immunization campaigns had almost eradicated wild poliovirus until recent surges in Pakistan due to spillover from Afghanistan. Vaccine hesitancy, poor sanitary conditions, and Taliban restrictions contribute to the setbacks. Strengthening routine immunization programs and cooperation with the Taliban are necessary to eradicate the virus in the region.
Related news
President Trump has called for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and criticized the US financial aid to Ukraine. He claimed the war has led to substantial loss and financial strain. Trump accused President Zelenskyy of mismanagement and insisted only his administration could have ended the war. Elon Musk also supported these sentiments.
A Europe-bound boat capsized off Zawiya in northwestern Libya, resulting in the deaths of 16 Pakistani migrants. The Pakistani foreign ministry is expediting identification efforts, with survivors receiving assistance in Tripoli. This tragedy follows similar incidents involving Pakistani migrants attempting risky journeys to Europe.
Donald Trump Jr. has joined the board of GrabAGun, a digital firearms retailer. This announcement came as social media buzzed with the news of his ex-wife Vanessa Trump’s new relationship with Tiger Woods. Vanessa Trump and Woods both live in Florida but they have been staying together since Thanksgiving, reports said.
BNP criticises chief adviser Muhammad Yunus for proposing to lower the voting age to 17, stating it can delay elections. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir emphasizes the interim govt's duty to ensure credible elections and transition power to elected representatives promptly to address Bangladesh's chaos and instability.
A Polish court sentenced a 51-year-old Ukrainian man, Serhyi S, to eight years in prison for planning acts of sabotage and arson on behalf of Russia. Arrested in January 2024, he was found guilty of preparing to set fire to structures, including a US-owned paint factory. He denied the charges but admitted to accepting orders for arson in exchange for money. Four others are charged, and more arrests have been made in connection with similar crimes linked to Russia's hybrid warfare against Poland.
Derek Chauvin, convicted for George Floyd's death, has been granted access to Floyd's heart tissue samples for his federal appeal. Chauvin's lawyers argue a pre-existing heart condition, not Chauvin's actions, caused Floyd's death. This move challenges the original homicide ruling and Chauvin's subsequent convictions.
US President Donald Trump has fired USAID inspector general Paul Martin, a day after his office criticized the administration’s aid freeze. The report warned of $489 million in food aid at risk due to staffing cuts and policy changes. Trump, in his second term, is aggressively downsizing USAID, slashing staff and freezing aid. Critics argue the move is unconstitutional, while legal challenges have temporarily halted mass layoffs.
Indonesia has received a formal request from France to transfer Serge Atlaoui, a 61-year-old French death row inmate imprisoned for nearly 20 years on drug charges. Atlaoui was arrested in 2005 and sentenced to death in 2007. Discussions regarding his transfer are expected to take place in early January.
Vivek Ramaswamy addressed a social media post related to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and suspected killer Luigi Mangione's anger towards expensive healthcare. Ramaswamy said US healthcare is expensive while Europe benefits from lower marginal costs after US approval. "That’s how Europe arbitrages the U.S. by accessing the same medicines at lower cost. The details actually matter," Ramaswamy wrote.
The article narrates the fatal shooting of a pregnant Palestinian woman, Sondos Shalabi, by Israeli security forces during a crackdown in the West Bank. The event, along with other recent civilian casualties, highlights the increasing lethal tactics of the Israeli army amid ongoing conflicts with Palestinian militants.