JournaBulletIn - World - Week 4

The World this Week 

Top global news from this week at a glimpse.

Japan’s Yui Ohashi wins gold medal in Women’s Olympic 400m Individual Medley 

Japan’s Yui Ohashi wins gold medal in Women’s Olympic 400m Individual Medley [Courtesy: Reuters]

Yui Ohashi of Japan dominated the women's 400m medley on Sunday, earning gold and defeating opponents including world-record holder Hungary's Katinka Hosszu, who has ruled over the event for the previous eight years. Ohashi finished in a time of 4:32.08, 3.90 seconds ahead of Hosszu who placed fifth with a time of 4:35.98. The Hikone born Ohashi will face Hosszu, who refers to herself as the Iron Lady, in the 200m Medley on Monday.

Indian Embassy issues security advisory for its nationals in Afghanistan 

Indian Embassy issues security advisory for its nationals in Afghanistan [Courtesy: Reuters]

The Embassy of India in Afghanistan has issued security advisory for its nationals living in the country. The warning comes in the aftermath of the departure of American and NATO forces from Afghanistan, as well as the Taliban's rise. The embassy has advised Indians who are residing, visiting, or working in Afghanistan to be extra cautious at all times. They have also been urged to refrain from all non-essential travel since the security situation in Afghanistan remains unpredictable. 

Pegasus originator says millions sleep well at night due to such technologies 

Pegasus originator says millions sleep well at night due to such technologies [Courtesy: Mikhail Nilov]

In the midst of a raging controversy over its surveillance software Pegasus, Israeli cybersecurity firm NSO Group has defended itself, claiming that due to such technologies available to intelligence and law enforcement agencies, millions of people around the world sleep well at night and walk in the streets safely. 

The company also said that it does not administer the technology and has no access to the data acquired by its clients. 

The suspected use of Pegasus software to spy on journalists, human rights defenders, politicians, and others in a number of nations, including India, has raised privacy concerns. 

Hanoi goes into lockdown as COVID-19 cases rise 

Hanoi goes into lockdown as COVID-19 cases rise [Courtesy: Eyeball]

Vietnam has announced a 15 day lockdown in the capital Hanoi as COVID-19 cases rise. The lockdown order, issued late Friday night, restricts public gatherings of more than two individuals. Only government offices, hospitals, and essential businesses are permitted to remain open. 

Following an upsurge in virus infection cases, the city had earlier this week stopped all outdoor activities and ordered non-essential businesses to shut. On Friday, Hanoi reported 70 confirmed infections, the city's highest number, as part of a total of 7,295 cases recorded in the country in the previous 24 hours.  

US launched recent air strikes in Afghanistan to repel Taliban offensive: Pentagon 

US launched recent air strikes in Afghanistan to repel Taliban offensive: Pentagon [Courtesy: AP]

The United States has launched air strikes to support Afghanistan government forces who have been under pressure from the Taliban as US-led foreign forces carry out the final stages of their withdrawal from the country. 

In a statement on Thursday, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said that, “In the last several days we have acted, through airstrikes, to support the ANDSF (Afghan National Defense and Security Forces)” without providing further details he said “But I won’t get into technical details of those strikes.” 

Author:

Vasundhara Tiwari