Israeli girl meets her friends after release from Hamas captivity
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| A heartwarming video of 5-year-old Emilia Aloni meeting her kindergarten friends for the first time after being released from Hamas captivity has gone viral on social media. The video shows Aloni’s teacher greeting and hugging her at the school gate, followed by several friends warmly embracing her inside the school. Aloni was freed on November 24 as part of a hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. The reunion has touched the hearts of netizens, who expressed their emotions and support for Aloni on social media. |
Russian upper house to vote on March 17 date for presidential election
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| Russia’s Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, is set to vote on a proposal to hold the next presidential election on March 17. The announcement of the election date is expected to pave the way for President Vladimir Putin to announce his candidacy for another six-year term. Putin has been in power since 1999 and has no serious rivals in the upcoming election. If he serves another term, he will become the longest-serving leader of Russia since the 18th century. |
World Animal Health Body Warns of Swine Fever Vaccine Risks
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| The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is warning that more testing of African swine fever vaccines is needed. Vietnam authorized two vaccines against the disease, but WOAH claims that the producer of one of the vaccines, AVAC Vietnam JSC, has not shared enough data with international researchers and bodies. WOAH is urging countries interested in using AVAC’s vaccines to conduct their own trials before approving them. AVAC defends its vaccine, stating that it is safe and effective. The development of a new global standard for evaluating ASF vaccines is also being discussed by WOAH. |
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| North Korean hacker group, Andariel, is being investigated for stealing data from 14 entities, including defense technology information such as an anti-aircraft laser. The probe, conducted jointly by South Korean police and the FBI, aims to determine the extent of the data obtained by Andariel. The cache of data reportedly includes key South Korean defense secrets. Andariel is a North Korean state-sponsored hacking group known for conducting malicious cyber operations on foreign businesses, government agencies, and defense industry. The group also extorted bitcoin worth $357,866 from three firms through ransomware attacks. A foreign woman is being investigated in connection with the attacks. North Korea and South Korea are involved in the matter. |
Iran Sends Capsule with Animals into Orbit as Preparation for Human Missions
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| Iran has announced that it launched a capsule into orbit carrying animals as part of its preparation for future human missions. The capsule was launched 130 kilometers into orbit, and the launch is aimed at sending Iranian astronauts to space in the coming years. The type of animals inside the capsule was not disclosed. Iran has previously announced successful satellite launches and a successful return of a monkey from space in 2013. The country maintains that its space program is for scientific research and civilian applications, but Western countries are concerned about its potential dual-use for long-range missiles. |
