December 22, 2022
Former Judge on China’s Top Court Suggests End to Prosecution of ‘Zero-COVID’ Violators
A former judge of the Supreme People’s Court, the highest court in China, is calling for the suspension or revocation of cases against some 80 people found guilty of violating “zero-COVID” policy regulations since the advent of omicron, a less deadly variant that began spreading in December 2021. China implemented the zero-COVID policy in January 2020, the month after the virus was first detected in humans in Wuhan. Anyone convicted of obstructing the prevention and control of COVID-19 faced a prison sentence of three to seven years, according to regulations set forth by the National Health and Medical Commission
Russia Mulls Early Return of Space Station Crew After Soyuz Capsule Leak
Russia’s space agency said it is considering a plan to send an empty spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) to bring home three crew members ahead of schedule, after their Soyuz capsule sprang a coolant leak while docked to the orbiting outpost. Roscosmos and NASA officials said at a news conference Thursday they continue to investigate how the coolant line of the capsule’s external radiator sustained a tiny puncture last week, just as two cosmonauts were preparing for a routine spacewalk. No final decision has been made about the precise means of flying the capsule’s three crew members back
THE MINISTRY FOR TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS AND THE MINISTRY FOR EDUCATION, SPORT, YOUTH, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION Viva Malta National Offshore Sailing Boat launched
The Viva Malta National Offshore Sailing Boat, which will provide an opportunity for Maltese sailors to compete in the international offshore circuit, has been officially launched. The launch was held at the Mediterranean Maritime Hub and presided over by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia and Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, together with Yachting Malta and Sports Malta. The sailing boat was blessed by Mons. Victor Grech. Viva Malta will now be passed on to Sport Malta and Malta Sailing Federation, who will work together to administer this initiative. Minister Aaron Farrugia