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Japan Witnesses Surge in Flu Cases at Fastest Rate in a Decade. What About Covid?

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Japan is witnessing a rapid surge in flu cases, reaching levels considered alarming at the quickest rate in a decade, according to reports. The accelerated spread of the influenza virus is attributed to diminished immunity resulting from reduced flu cases in recent years, partly due to anti-infection measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Health experts note that the flu is surfacing about a month earlier than the usual timeframe. Over 166,690 patients across nearly 5,000 institutions were reported in the week ending December 10, surpassing the warning level of 30 patients per facility. The National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimated a nationwide total of around 1,118,000 flu patients during the same period. Additionally, COVID-19 cases are on the rise for the third consecutive week, raising concerns about potential further spread during year-end and New Year’s gatherings. Authorities have mandated closures at 6,382 educational facilities to curb the transmission. The unusual increase in flu cases, observed since August, emphasizes the importance of preventive measures, including vaccination, mask-wearing, and avoiding crowded places, echoing strategies employed against COVID-19, as highlighted by Nobuhiko Okabe, head of the Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health.

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UK PM Rishi Sunak Defends Party Amid Controversy Over Wealthy Donor’s Remarks about Black MP

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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced scrutiny on Wednesday as he had to justify the actions of the governing Conservative Party while acknowledging that one of the party’s major donors made “racist” comments targeting an Opposition Labour Party MP.

During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons, Sunak, referring to his Indian heritage, defended his government amid criticism over wealthy businessman Frank Hester’s reported remarks in a 2019 meeting. Hester allegedly said that Labour MP Diane Abbott makes you “want to hate all black women” and in another meeting, mentioned that Abbott “should be shot”.

Sunak told members of Parliament that the comments were “wrong, racist, and he has rightly apologized for them.” He emphasized that there is no place for racism in Britain and highlighted the diversity within the government he leads.

While Labour Leader Keir Starmer criticized Sunak for not returning the donated money from Hester, the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) accused Sunak of prioritizing money over morals.

Responding to the criticism, Sunak defended Hester’s support for “one of the most diverse governments in this country’s history, led by this country’s first British Asian Prime Minister.”

The Guardian, which reported Hester’s controversial comments, mentioned that Hester expressed regret for being rude about Diane Abbott but clarified that his criticism wasn’t based on her gender or skin color.

In addition to the remarks about Abbott, the Guardian also reported another incident where Hester questioned if there was “no room for the Indians” at a company meeting. A minister in Sunak’s Cabinet defended Hester, stating that he does not believe Hester is a racist despite his inappropriate comments. The minister emphasized the diverse composition of the current government as evidence against accusations of racism within the Conservative Party.

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Analysis by C Raja Mohan: India’s Prospects Under a Trump Presidency

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NCLAT affirms Jet Airways ownership transfer to Jalan Kalrock

Large quantities of molasses and ethanol cause concerns for Maharashtra sugar mills, leading to fire risks and a financial loss of Rs 925 crore

C Raja Mohan discusses the implications of a Trump presidency for India

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From Help Me Write to Magic Editor: The top 10 AI features available on Android phones

Delhi excise policy case: Delhi’s former deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s judicial custody extended until March 22

Uber introduces CO2 emission features for environmentally friendly rides

Understanding the Laken Riley murder case, which sparked a dispute between Trump and Biden

Travelling 9,000 km in 9 months: A UK YouTuber couple shares their experience in an autorickshaw and the positive reception from the Indian community

From the Urdu Press: Reports on SBI’s involvement in the electoral bonds controversy and the challenges faced by Chandrababu Naidu

How much daily carbohydrate intake is recommended?

Pakistani boat with 6 crew members intercepted off the Gujarat coast; drugs worth Rs 480 crore seized

On the anniversary of the Dandi March, PM Modi unveils plans for the redevelopment of Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram

NPCI set to approve Paytm’s request for a third-party application license: As per reports

Firebrand Pune leader Vasant More resigns from MNS; future plans to be decided soon

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Pakistani Student Condemned to Death for “Blasphemous” WhatsApp Messages

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According to a report by the BBC on Friday, a 22-year-old student in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for blasphemy over Whatsapp messages.

The court in Pakistan’s Punjab province issued the ruling this week, stating that the student had been convicted for sharing photos and videos containing derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad.

Another student, aged 17, received a life sentence instead of the death penalty due to being a minor.

Blasphemy is considered a capital offense in Pakistan, although no one has been executed by the state for it thus far. However, several individuals accused of blasphemy have been lynched by enraged mobs.

The case against the student originated from a complaint filed in 2022 by the cybercrime unit of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Lahore. The complainant alleged receiving the offensive material from three different mobile phone numbers.

Upon examining the complainant’s phone, the FIA confirmed the presence of “obscene material.”

The lawyers representing the two students have argued that their clients have been ensnared in a fabricated case. The father of the student facing the death penalty intends to lodge an appeal in the Lahore High Court, as reported by the BBC.

In a separate incident last August, over 80 Christian homes and 19 churches in Pakistan were vandalized following accusations against two Christian brothers of desecrating the Quran.

One of the most prominent blasphemy cases in Pakistan involved Asia Bibi, a Christian woman whose decade-long legal battle culminated in the overturning of her death sentence, leading to her departure from the country.

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