International
WHO launches call to speed up genomics tech development
AFP
Countries should step up their work on genomic technologies to combat diseases, and share that technology more quickly with developing nations, a new WHO report argued Tuesday.
Genomics — the study of DNA sequences and gene functions — could make a vast contribution to improving human health, said the World Health Organization’s Science Council.
“Genomic technologies are driving some of the most ground-breaking research happening today,” said WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan.
“The benefits of these tools will not be fully realised unless they are deployed worldwide.”
The report included a series of recommendations designed to help make that happen.
Genomics is the study of the total or part of the genetic sequence information of organisms and attempts to understand the structure and function of those sequences.
Its supporters hope it will provide efficient, cost-effective and robust means of preventing, diagnosing and treating major diseases.
– ‘Enormous contribution’ –
The Science Council was set up in April last year to advise WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on advances in science and technology that could directly improve global health.
Made up of nine leading scientists and public health experts, it is chaired by Professor Harold Varmus, a 1989 Nobel laureate and a former director of the US National Institutes of Health.
The council chose to focus on genomics because of its successes in confronting infectious diseases, cancers, and other chronic diseases.
Genomics uses biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology to understand and use biological information in DNA and RNA, with benefits for medicine and public health.
“Genomics can make enormous contributions to human health, from surveying populations for infectious agents, such as the virus that causes Covid-19, to predicting and treating a wide variety of diseases, such as cancers and developmental disorders,” said Varmus.
Genome sequencing data became the basis of global monitoring of both how the SARS-CoV-2 virus was evolving, and the emergence of new Covid variants. It was also used in the development of vaccines.
– Bringing down costs –
It is not ethically or scientifically justifiable for less well-resourced countries to gain access to such technologies long after wealthy nations do, the council’s report argued.
It advocated expanded access to genomic technologies — particularly outside the richest countries — by addressing shortfalls in financing, laboratory infrastructure, materials, and highly trained personnel.
The costs of establishing and expanding genomic technologies were declining, said the report — but they could be brought down further.
Tiered pricing, shared intellectual property rights and investing profits from one area into another could all help make genomic technologies more affordable, it argued.
Ministries should collaborate with scientific organisations on using genomics, building technical capacity and pooling resources with others, the report added.
But it also said that oversight and adherence to international standards was critical in promoting the ethical and legal use of information obtained with genomic methods.
International
American Airlines sued after woman alleges sexual assault on flight
A woman has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, alleging she was sexually assaulted during a red-eye flight from San Francisco to Dallas last year. According to court documents made public in recent hours, the woman claims airline staff failed to respond to her complaints during the incident.
The alleged assailant, identified as Cherien Abraham, is a Texas man who had previously been reported to the airline for a similar incident involving another female passenger in 2023. The lawsuit states that Abraham “placed his hand on the plaintiff’s thigh, slid it toward her vagina, and touched her genitals.”
In a statement sent to media outlets, American Airlines confirmed it is “working closely with authorities on the investigation.” The company added that “this individual will no longer be allowed to fly with us.”
The plaintiff, Barbara Morgan, was traveling to Dallas to visit her son. She was seated next to Abraham during the flight. After the assault, she attempted to notify flight attendants, but according to her testimony, she received no assistance from the airline staff.
International
Houthis threaten israeli airports, urge airlines to cancel flights
Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Sunday that they will begin targeting Israeli airports and urged international airlines to cancel all flights to the country. The statement came just hours after a missile launched from Yemeni territory struck near Israel’s main airport, Ben Gurion, causing panic among passengers.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces will target Israeli airports, particularly the one in Lod, known as Ben Gurion,” said Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree in a statement. He also urged “all international airlines to take this announcement seriously and immediately cancel flights to the enemy’s airport.”
The Houthis have carried out multiple attacks against Israel throughout the war in Gaza in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The missile strike near Ben Gurion International Airport occurred shortly before Israel’s top cabinet ministers were scheduled to vote on whether to escalate military operations in Gaza.
In a related development, Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, announced the military will begin calling up tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for possible further action.
International
Vatican speeds up Sistine Chapel preparations for upcoming conclave
Work is accelerating inside the Sistine Chapel as the Vatican prepares for the papal conclave set to begin on Wednesday. The preparations include the installation of a wooden floor, the setup of a stove for burning secret ballots, and the iconic chimney that will signal the election results.
A nearly five-minute video released by the Vatican on Saturday shows technicians assembling scaffolding beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes and laying a false wooden floor, where large tables will be placed to accommodate the 133 cardinals expected to vote.
Elsewhere in the chapel, workers are installing the heavy stove that will be used to burn the ballots. The footage, dated Friday, also shows firefighters climbing the tiled roof to prepare the chimney flue, which will emit either white smoke when a new pope is elected, or black smoke if no decision has been reached.
“This is a key stage for the Catholic Church,” said Silvio Screpanti, deputy director of Vatican infrastructure, on the Vatican’s official website. The stove has been discreetly tested, and in case of any issues, a technician will remain in a nearby technical room with a remote control to manage the stove, which now operates electronically.
A team of five electricians, five technicians, and two florists will remain on-site throughout the conclave. After taking an oath, they will stay within Vatican grounds with no outside contact, including with their families.
Some of these workers have participated in previous conclaves, while younger staff will receive guidance from more experienced colleagues, ensuring a smooth transition for future conclaves.
American Airlines sued after woman alleges sexual assault on flight
Houthis threaten israeli airports, urge airlines to cancel flights
Vatican speeds up Sistine Chapel preparations for upcoming conclave
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