Ukraine war 'most severe' test ever for European security body: UN official

 Ukraine war is the most severe test the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has faced since its creation in 1975, top UN political affairs official told Security Council on Monday

The war in Ukraine is the most severe test the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has faced since its creation in 1975, the top UN political affairs official told the Security Council on Monday. These remarks came as the 15-member organ held its annual briefing on the OSCE’s work against the backdrop of intensifying fighting of key Ukrainian cities. Rosemary DiCarlo, who is Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, expressed concern that the situation on the ground worsened over the weekend.

She cited unrelenting shelling and bombardment of numerous cities in Ukraine, with civilians killed daily, as well as reports that Russian forces are using cluster munitions – including in populated areas, UN News reported. “The Russian invasion has shaken the foundations of the European security architecture to its core,” said the Under-Secretary-General. Recalling the organization’s history and its growing partnership with the UN, DiCarlo said today’s tragic conflict in Ukraine vividly illustrates the importance of mechanisms to maintain and strengthen European and international peace and security….READ MORE

Third Covid-19 wave in India to peak in February: IIT-K researchers

 The research report used the data of the first and second waves in India, and the current rise in cases triggered by Omicron in various countries, to predict a possible third wave in the country

Researchers at IIT Kanpur (IIT-K) have predicted that a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which may be triggered by the new Omicron variant, may peak in India by February 3, 2022. A report, published in the online preprint health server MedRxiv, said: “Following the trends around the world, this project report forecasts India’s third wave may start around mid-December and peak in the beginning of February.”

The team used a statistical tool called the Gaussian Mixture model to predict the third wave. The research report used the data of the first and second waves in India, and the current rise in cases triggered by Omicron in various countries, to predict a possible third wave in the country.

The researchers said the study “suggests the cases reach peak value after 735 days from our initial observation date, which is January 30, 2020, when India reported its first official case of Covid-19. So, the cases start rising around December 15, 2021, and the peak of the third wave will occur on Thursday, February 3, 2022″….Read More