An investigation is underway after 125 people were killed during a stampede after police fired tear gas at a soccer match in East Java’s Malang city in Indonesia.
Children around the world are returning to class with schools opening up after a year of closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the rapid spread of the more contagious delta variant and the coronavirus vaccines not available for much of the global school-aged population, children’s health risks have become even more pressing. The World's Elana Gordon moderated a discussion about the delta variant’s impact on children with Harvard epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch.
The highly infectious COVID-19 delta variant is leaving a devastating wake around the globe. The surge of infections raises a lot of questions and sparks concern among public health officials. The World's Carolyn Beeler moderated a discussion about the delta variant and what's next in the pandemic with Harvard Chan School epidemiologist William Hanage.
Top of The World: Simone Biles has withdrawn from the Olympic gymnastics all-around competition to focus on her mental well-being. And, a new report from the Federation of American Scientists suggests that China is potentially expanding its nuclear arsenal in its western deserts. Also, with infections continuing to spread, pushed by the delta variant, health officials in Australia have extended the lockdown in the country’s largest city by another four weeks.
Top of The World: Outbreaks of the coronavirus are spreading across Asia, with Indonesia becoming a new hot spot. And, South Africa has deployed 25,000 National Defence Force troops to quell rioting and looting in the country. Also, officials in Pakistan, who are investigating a bus explosion, said on Thursday that they had identified traces of explosives.
Former US President George W. Bush called him “one of the world’s most lethal terrorists.”
With lagging vaccine campaigns and threats of the new delta variant, some world leaders are prompted to impose vaccine mandates.
Top of The World: More than 350 doctors and medical workers in Indonesia have contracted COVID-19, despite being vaccinated. And, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered his government to prepare for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States. Also, a new report by the UN refugee agency UNHCR shows that millions of people were displaced around the world in 2020.
Global capacity for geothermal energy has nearly doubled over the past two decades.
Top of The World: US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday plans to end US support for the Saudi-led military offensive in Yemen. And, students in Hong Kong will have a new curriculum imposed by Beijing that includes lessons on the controversial national security law. Also, the government in Indonesia announced a ban on mandatory religious attire in public schools.
Brazil is the latest country to identify a new coronavirus variant. The UK has banned all travel from South America, amid fears of importing new infections. In Manau, Brazil’s largest Amazonian city, a critical oxygen shortage has left health officials asking for help.