Egypt trials robot that can test for coronavirus

Robot Cira-03 checks a COVID-19 patient in an Egyptian hospital in this file photo. Egyptian scientist Mahmoud el-Kemy is currently testing the new robot that can check people if they are showing any COVID-19 symptoms as the country suffers from the second coronavirus wave.

SD-Agencies

Thai protesters rally

outside army base

Thailand’s indefatigable activists took to Bangkok’s streets again on Sunday, this time to protest the army as they push forward with their campaign for sweeping reforms, including to the nation’s monarchy.

Around 800 protesters marched to the base of the 11th Infantry Regiment, which is closely associated with the country’s royal palace. Their number grew to well over 1,000 as they settled in for speeches by protest leaders.

An advance group of protesters had already pulled away two decrepit buses that had been used to block the entrance to the base and removed strands of razor wire.

South Korea: Deaths ‘not linked’ to flu vaccine

Health authorities in South Korea have concluded that the deaths of more than 100 people were not caused by a seasonal flu shot, allaying fears of a major setback to an unprecedented national vaccination campaign currently underway.

The government launched the drive in September to inoculate some 30 million people — more than half the country’s population — against the flu this year to avoid outbreaks of the winter illness amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

But reports of 108 people dying shortly after receiving flu shots raised concerns about their safety among the public and some doctors.

Iran condemns killing of top nuclear scientist

Following the recent killing of its top nuclear scientist, Iran has condemned the violence and vowed punishment, while regional countries and global bodies have expressed concern over rising tensions in the region and urged restraint.

On Friday, high-ranking Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated near the capital city of Tehran by “armed terrorists,” according to the Iranian Ministry of Defense.

“The Iranian nation will not allow the crime to remain unanswered,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted by official IRNA news agency as saying, adding that his country will respond to the assassination at an “appropriate” time.

Trump pardons Michael Flynn, ex-security adviser

U.S. President Donald Trump on November 24 announced he has pardoned Michael Flynn, his former national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The president’s decision will bring an end to Flynn’s dramatic criminal case, three years after he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia during Trump’s presidential transition period in 2016 and pledged cooperation with the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

UK and France sign deal to prevent migrant crossings

A new Anglo-French deal to prevent Channel migrant crossings was signed on Saturday night, as France agreed to double police beach patrols but continued to resist taking back arrivals.

The four-point plan, which includes a major expansion of surveillance by drones and CCTV along the 160 kilometers of France’s northern coastline aims to catch migrants before they leave French soil.

It follows a seven-fold increase in the number of migrants crossing the Channel this year with a record 8,500 reaching U.K. shores since January.(SD-Agencies)