AMERICAN GIRL'S LATEST DOLL WINS "GIRL OF THE YEAR"
"Girl of the Year" dolls, which were introduced in 2001, differ from other American Girl dolls by being based on modern characters with contemporary stories, rather than characters linked to different periods of American history. The popular doll manufacturer has unveiled Corinne Tan, a Chinese American skier, as its 2022 Girl of the Year.
"We created Corinne to be a positive role model our fans can look up to and learn from as we all work toward a world where everyone is treated fairly and with respect," said Jamie Cygielman, general manager of American Girl, in a statement.
The Corinne doll, plus a book, retails for $110, with other accessories also available for purchase.
Mosque shut down for defending Jihadis in France
The French authorities have been conducting checks on all Islamic places suspected to have some links to extremism.
A mosque in Beauvais has been shutdown by the French authorities for six months over 'radical sermons' that allegedly 'defended jihad'. The imam of the mosque, located in the northern region of France, reportedly referred to jihadist fighters as "heroes" and incited violence. It is said that the man who was presented as an occasional speaker but who, in reality, acts as a regular imam had defended a religious practice of Islam and its superiority to the laws of the Republic. Earlier, the interior minister of France, Gerald Darmanin had initiated the process of closing the mosque of Beauvais claiming the radical sermons targetted Christians, homosexuals and Jews.
Israel recorded the first case of "florona"
Israel has reported a continuous rise in COVID-19 cases. Just as Israel's national health providers began administering fourth vaccine shots against COVID-19 on Friday to individuals with compromised immune systems, the country recorded the first case of "florona" disease, a double infection of COVID-19 and influenza.
The Health Ministry's Director-General Nachman Ash today okayed the boosters for immuno-suppressed people due to the Omicron infection wave, so long as at least four months have passed since their third shot. Ash also approved vaccines for elderly patients at geriatric facilities. The ministry said this was done "due to concerns of outbreaks at such facilities, and the risk to the health and lives of residents.
North Korean leader now talks about food instead of nukes
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in a speech that the country’s main goals for 2022 will be jump-starting economic development and improving people’s lives as it faces a great life and death struggle. He capped off his 10th year in power with a speech that made more mention of tractor factories and school uniforms than nuclear weapons or the US. Previous speeches of the North Korean leader made policy announcements, including significant diplomatic engagements with South Korea and the US. However, summaries of his speech made no specific mention of the US and just a passing reference to South Korea. However, the highlight of the speech was the pledge by Kim, to increase agricultural production and completely solve the food problem.