Uzbekistan launches nationwide 'Car-Free Day' campaign
Uzbekistan has launched a nationwide environmental initiative titled ‘Day Without Cars’, which will ta...
Sri Lanka reported nearly 50,000 dengue cases in 2024, with 24 fatalities and a case fatality rate of 0.05%. The Western Province accounted for 44.1% of cases. In January 2025 alone, 2,045 cases have already been recorded, highlighting ongoing public health challenges.
Sri Lanka faced a significant dengue outbreak in 2024, with nearly 50,000 reported cases and 24 fatalities, according to data from the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), according to Xinxua. The case fatality rate was recorded at 0.05%, highlighting the persistent threat posed by the mosquito-borne disease.
The Western Province, the country’s most densely populated region, bore the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for 44.1% of cases. This trend continues into 2025, with 2,045 dengue cases already reported in January, signalling an ongoing challenge for public health authorities.
The NDCU is urging residents to remain vigilant and take preventive measures, such as eliminating stagnant water and using protective barriers, to reduce the spread of the Aedes mosquito, the primary carrier of dengue.
Health officials have also emphasised the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe complications. With rising numbers, dengue remains a critical health issue for Sri Lanka, necessitating collective action and public awareness to curb its impact.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, authorities said on Saturday. Four of the victims were reported to be in serious condition.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers, on Friday (15 May). The swap came as Ukranian officials said Moscow had carried out its largest aerial attack over 48 hours since the conflict started.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning that the situation poses a significant risk of cross-border spread in Central Africa.
The risk from hantavirus to the general public remains very low, and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more than 100 staff members actively working on the outbreak, a governmental health official said on Wednesday.
A Dutch hospital has quarantined 12 staff members as a preventive measure after blood and urine from a hantavirus patient were handled without observing strict protocols, according to officials, as medics around the world work to stop the spread of the outbreak.
The European Union is preparing sweeping new regulations targeting the addictive design features of major social media platforms, including TikTok, Meta and X, amid mounting evidence linking their use to serious mental health harm among children and teenagers.
Biological samples from an Italian man were transferred to a specialist hospital for testing on Tuesday, after he was suspected of contracting hantavirus. Meanwhile, World Health Organization boss Tedros Ghebreyesus said there were “no sign” of a larger outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise.
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