A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) U.S. says China working on brain-control weaponry that paralyzes opponents instead of killing them
The United States government has sanctioned China’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences and 11 affiliated research institutes for using ‘biotechnology’ that ‘controls the brain’s to support the armed forces.
The US Commerce Department, which blacklisted the Chinese institutes, did not go into detail about the weapons – but another separate cache of military documents from 2019 gives hints that China is focusing on ‘paralyzing and controlling the opponent’ by ‘attacking the enemy’s will to resist’, instead of destroying the enemy.
2) Beaches reopened, mandatory vaccine proof before entry
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has lifted the ban initially placed on the operation of beaches during the Christmas festivities in the capital.
Addressing the media after an extended REGSEC meeting with stakeholders, the Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Security Council, Henry Quartey announced that persons who will patronize any beach in Accra must show proof of vaccination or be willing to be vaccinated before gaining access to the shores.
3) UK reports new record number of COVID cases
The United Kingdom reported 183,037 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, a new record and over 53,000 more than the previous highest figure registered just a day earlier, government statistics showed. The rise, sparked by the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the virus, also coincides with an increase in the number of patients in hospital who have tested positive for coronavirus.
Despite the growing number of cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will not bring in new restrictions this year in England to limit the spread of Omicron, which now accounts for 90% of all community infections, according to health officials.
4) World’s second-tallest building finally complete, set for opening
The Malaysian government has now unveiled the world’s second-tallest building. The new Merdeka 118 skyscraper, located in Kuala Lumpur, is set to open officially by the end of 2022 and has replaced the 2,073ft- (632m) high Shanghai Tower as the world’s second-tallest tower.
When it opens, Merdeka 118, standing at 2,227ft tall will feature an observation deck, a Park Hyatt hotel, and rentable office spaces. The building, second only to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in terms of height has now reached its maximum height and it’s a sight to behold, as pictures show.
5) Atletico coach Simeone, others test positive for COVID, Barca have more cases
Atletico Madrid have recorded five COVID-19 positives, including manager Diego Simeone, while Barcelona had three more cases among their players on Thursday, the LaLiga clubs said.
Atleti said Simeone, captain Koke, midfielder Hector Herrera plus forwards Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix all tested positive for the coronavirus. Barcelona said midfielder Philippe Coutinho, defender Sergino Dest and winger Ez Abde were the latest players to return positive tests.
