China witnesses surge in human metapneumovirus cases, sparking concerns of another health crisis after COVID-19 | Top News of Jan 3, 2025

[00:00:09] Hello, this is your Daily Dose of News from Onmanorama. I'm your host Anjua S. Kunjumon and these are the major news stories of Friday, January 3, 2025.

[00:00:20] China is witnessing a surge in human metapneumovirus HMPV cases, sparking concerns of another health crisis after COVID-19 pandemic.

[00:00:30] Reports and social media posts showed overcrowded hospitals, with some users also suggesting the presence of multiple viruses such as HMPV, influenza A, mycoplasma pneumonia and even COVID-19.

[00:00:43] HMPV causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to severe respiratory issues, especially among children and vulnerable groups.

[00:00:50] As of now, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV.

[00:00:55] Medical care for those infected is supportive, focusing on alleviating symptoms and preventing complications.

[00:01:03] A U.S. Army veteran who killed 14 people by ramming a truck into a crowd of New Year's Day revelers in New Orleans had pledged allegiance to Islamic State and appeared to have made recordings in which he condemned music, drugs and alcohol.

[00:01:20] Shamsuddin Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas native who once served in Afghanistan, acted alone in the attack, the FBI said on Thursday, reversing an earlier assessment that he may have had accomplices.

[00:01:32] He was killed in a shootout with police after the rampage, which also injured dozens of people and has been labelled by the FBI as an act of terrorism.

[00:01:44] A CBA court on Friday sentenced 10 persons to double life imprisonment, while four others, including a former CPM MLA, were sentenced to five years in prison for the murder of two youth congress workers at Piriya in Kerala's Kassar Gord five years ago.

[00:02:00] The court had found them guilty last Saturday.

[00:02:03] The case pertains to the murder of youth congress workers Kripish and Sharath Lal P.K. allegedly by CPM workers on 17th February 2019.

[00:02:13] According to the prosecution, the twin murders were carried out following politically motivated attacks and counterattacks between CPM and congress workers in the area.

[00:02:23] A five-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 13-year-old boy residing in her neighbourhood in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganch, police said on Friday.

[00:02:33] The incident occurred on Thursday evening in a village under the jurisdiction of Birchmangganch Police Station.

[00:02:39] The accused has been detained, said Atish Kumar Singh, National Superintendent of Police, Maharajganch.

[00:02:45] The girl was playing outside her house when the minor boy who lives nearby took her to his place and allegedly raped her, Singh said.

[00:02:55] With their relentless accuracy, Scott Bolan and Mitchell Stark ripped through the Indian batting line-up on Friday to put Australia in a commanding position on day one of the fifth and final test of the five-match series.

[00:03:08] The visitors were all out for 1.85 after Jaspreet Bumra, captaining the site after underperforming Rohit Sharma, opted out of the test.

[00:03:17] In reply, Australia lost Usman Khwaja for two on the last ball before stumps, with Bumra doing the damage, leaving them at 9 over 1 with some constats on 7th.

[00:03:30] That brings us to the end of this episode.

[00:03:32] Thanks for listening to Daily News Dose, hosted by me, Anju S. Kunyuman and produced by Vishnumar Lederan.

[00:03:38] Follow www.onmanorama.com for detailed updates on the latest news and be sure to come back tomorrow.