The second phase trial of an mRNA-based cancer vaccine developed by BioNTech has started, the German biopharmaceutical company announced on Friday.

The first colorectal cancer patient was dosed with the individualized mRNA cancer vaccine BNT122 in a Phase 2 clinical trial, the company said in a statement.
Ozlem Tureci, co-founder and chief medical officer of BioNTech, said the trial is an important milestone in the company’s years long efforts to develop individualized immunotherapies for cancer patients.
- Many cancers progress in such a way that the patient initially appears tumor-free after surgery, but after some time tumor foci that were initially invisible grow and form metastases - she said.
- In this clinical trial in patients with colorectal cancer, we aim to identify high-risk patients with a blood test and investigate whether an individualized mRNA vaccine can prevent such relapses - she added.
The trial will enroll approximately 200 patients with high-risk colorectal cancer, and it will be performed in the US, Germany, Spain, and Belgium. The colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer worldwide.
BioNTech’s mRNA-based vaccine against COVID-19 was the first to win authorization in the US and the EU, and it has been highly effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths from the disease.

First colorectal cancer patient treated with individualized mRNA cancer vaccine, German biopharmaceutical company says

The trial will enroll approximately 200 patients with high-risk colorectal cancer, and it will be performed in the US, Germany, Spain, and Belgium

BioNTech begins Phase 2 trial of mRNA-based vaccine against cancer

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has decried a recent settler attack against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank as “terror”.

Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the rural area of Mesafer Yatta in Hebron city on Wednesday. Twelve people, including a child, were injured.
Attackers, who even stabbed some of the goats of the Palestinian farmers in the area, also threw stones at Palestinian houses and vehicles.
- This violent incident is horrific and it is terror. This isn’t the Israeli way and it isn’t the Jewish way - Lapid said on Twitter.
According to data from the Israeli Defense Ministry, a total of 370 incidents of violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank were reported in 2020, 42 of them against Israeli police and soldiers.
Israeli and Palestinian estimates indicate that there are about 650,000 settlers in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts.
Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians, smashed their cars in Hebron city

Israeli foreign minister slams settler ‘terror’ against Palestinians

New Zealand's parliament passed new counter-terrorism legislation on Thursday, granting more powers to security agencies in their efforts to fight terrorism, the country's immigration minister said.

The bill was part of a government move to implement the recommendation of a royal commission probe into the terror attacks in March 2019 on two mosques in the town of Christchurch, Kris Faafoi said in a statement.
- The Bill strengthens our laws to fight the ever evolving nature of terrorism and closes longstanding gaps in our counter terrorism legislation to better protect New Zealanders - Faafoi said.
- The new counter terrorism law's major change is to add the criminal offence of planning or preparation for a terrorist act - he added.
Under the new law, security agencies will also have powers to enter, search, and monitor premises without a warrant.
Weapons or combat training for terrorist purposes has also been criminalized, as has travelling to, from, or via New Zealand with the intent to carry out a terror offense.
It also expanded offences concerning terror financing to include "wider forms of support" such as goods and services.
- These changes bring our definition of a terrorist act into line with counter terrorism laws in other countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, and mean we have the tools we need so we can act early to prevent, respond to, and disrupt terrorist activity - said the official.
- The nature of terrorism has changed. Across the world there are more lone actors, rather than larger organised groups; as we saw with the March 15 attack on mosques in Christchurch two years ago, and the attack on shoppers in a West Auckland supermarket earlier this month.-Faafoi was referring to a knife attack in a supermarket on Sept. 3 that left six people wounded, three in critical condition. Police shot dead the "extremist" that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said was inspired by the Daesh terror group, also known as ISIS.
Brenton Tarrant, an Australian white supremacist who carried out the Christchurch attacks on March 15, 2019, had killed 51 people and injured 40 more at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre. He was sentenced to life in prison last year without the possibility of a parole.
The findings of a royal commission inquiry, which was formed to find out whether the attack could have been prevented, had been presented in parliament last year.
The 792-page report, which took about 18 months to compile, had identified deficiencies in the firearms licensing system, as well as "inappropriate concentration of resources" on the part of security agencies.
It had made a list of recommendations, including changes to how firearms are managed, establishing a new national intelligence and security agency and a proposal for the police to better identify and respond to hate crimes.

New law is first step in implementing royal commission report on Christchurch mosques terror attack in 2019, says official

The bill was part of a government move to implement the recommendation of a royal commission probe into the terror attacks in March 2019 on two mosques in the town of Christchurch

New Zealand parliament passes new counter-terrorism law

The Kilauea volcano has erupted at its summit, spewing thick plumes and creating fire fountains up to 100 feet (about 30 meters) tall and flooding the Halemaumau Crater floor, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said on Thursday.

The eruption began around 3:20 PM Wednesday (0120GMT Thursday), according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Ken Hon, who told local news channel Hawaii News Now that lava is limited within the crater.
Hon said the eruption Wednesday had a “very rapid onset.”
He said there are no threats to any buildings or nearby communities as the eruption is within Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park.
The volcano's alert level was raised to "red" after the eruption, indicating "possible dangerous activity on the ground and in the air."
Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, has been erupting since 1983.

No threats to any buildings or nearby communities as eruption within Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, says official

The volcano's alert level was raised to "red" after the eruption, indicating "possible dangerous activity on the ground and in the air"

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts at its summit

EU ambassadors approved on Wednesday €149.6 million ($174 million) extra funding for Syrian refugees in Turkey.

The financial support will extend the bloc’s multi-purpose cash assistance program that provides monthly transfers for the most vulnerable refugees in the country, the Council of the EU wrote in a press release.
The scheme, officially named Emergency Social Safety Net, is the biggest humanitarian program in the bloc’s history that has been helping 1.8 million refugees to cover essential needs of rent, bills, food, and medicine.
The additional €149.6 million will be financed from the remaining margin of the 2021 budget.
The budgetary amendment has yet to be approved by the European Parliament.
Turkey is the largest host country for Syrian refugees, providing protection to nearly 4 million people who fled the neighboring country.

Bloc extends cash assistance program for most vulnerable Syrian refugees

The additional €149.6 million will be financed from the remaining margin of the 2021 budget

EU to provide nearly €150M extra fund for Syrian refugees in Turkey

Jordan reopened the Jaber border crossing with Syria on Wednesday after a two-month closure due to military escalations in the southwestern Daraa province.

Dozens of vehicles crossed the terminal in both directions since early morning, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter.
The move came amid efforts by Amman and Damascus to normalize their relations.
In an earlier statement, the Jordanian Interior Ministry said the reopening of the border gate was part of efforts to revitalize the trade and tourism movements between the two neighbors.
Jordan and Syria have also held ministerial meetings aimed at discussing ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, transport, electricity, agriculture and water resources.
Earlier this month, the energy and oil ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon agreed on a road map to supply Beirut with Egyptian gas via Syria to resolve a chronic energy crisis gripping the country.

Dozens of vehicles cross terminal in both directions

Dozens of vehicles crossed the terminal in both directions since early morning

Jordan reopens border crossing with Syria

Japan’s former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida has been elected new leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Wednesday, local media reported.

He will succeed outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
Kishida defeated Vaccination Minister Taro Kono in a runoff, according to Kyodo news agency.
The former foreign minister got 257 votes, while Kono received only 170.
Under pressure for a weaker anti-coronavirus policy, Suga earlier this month announced he will step down as premier and will not run for party leadership.&nbsp;Kishida is set to be elected prime minister during a special parliament session to be held on Monday.
The LDP saw a four-way leadership contest which included two female candidates – including Sanae Takaichi, a former communications minister; and Seiko Noda, the LDP executive acting secretary general.
They lost in the first round and party leadership elections went for runoff between Kishida and Kono.

Fumio Kishida receives 257 votes, Vaccination Minister Taro Kono gets 170 in runoff for party’s leadership

Japan’s former foreign minister Kishida to become new premier

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met Tuesday with International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol at NATO headquarters. 

Stoltenberg and Birol exchanged views on climate change and security, energy security and clean energy transition as well as strengthening cooperation between NATO and the IEA, according to a statement released by NATO.&nbsp;- The IEA took the lead in guiding the way forward on energy policies, which can lead to net zero carbon emissions - it added.
It said the increasing cooperation between NATO and the IEA was welcomed Stoltenberg, adding “the global transition to clean energy makes closer ties even more important."

Jens Stoltenberg, Fatih Birol exchange views on issues including climate change, energy security, clean energy transition

NATO secretary general meets with IEA executive director

Crews have helped 35 miners stranded underground to the surface at a mine in Canada, but four remained to be extricated as of late Tuesday.

A team of 58 responders from mine owner Vale SA’s rescue team and Ontario Mine Rescue helped the 35 miners at the Totten Mine near Sudbury in northern Ontario travel about one kilometer on a series of ladders and ropes to reach the surface Tuesday morning.
The other four are still underground awaiting their turn to reach the surface.
Doctors are on the scene checking miners as they exit the mine, said Nick Larochelle, president of the Steelworkers Union Local 6500, to which 30 of the miners belong.
- No one has been physically injured in the incident or in the evacuation - the union said.
- The highly trained rescue team has been working since last night to evacuate the miners who have been trapped underground since mid-day on Sunday. Food, water, and other necessities are available and workers are being given rides home. -The miners became stuck underground Sunday around noon when a giant scoop struck and damaged the elevator shaft, CTV News reported.
- We are taking it slow so that we're not pushing anybody past their energy level - said Shawn Rideout of Ontario Mine Rescue, referring to the remaining trapped miners.
The mine is located near Sudbury, a city with a population of about 165,000 about four hours north of Toronto. The Totten mine produces copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, gold and silver and has about 200 employees, according to Vale.
The company website states that Vale has been operating mines in Sudbury for more than 100 years. It has five mines, a mill, smelter, refinery and almost 4,000 employees, making it one of the largest integrated mining complexes in the world.

4 others on long trek out of mine from one kilometer underground

The other four are still underground awaiting their turn to reach the surface

35 trapped miners rescued in Canada

Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said Wednesday that its alliance with Iran aims to confront the Israeli occupation.

In a statement, the group said that the Palestinian resistance was founded to resist the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
- All resistance forces, including Iran, stand in one front against the Zionist enemy (Israel) and its allies - the Palestinian group said.
An Iranian military official had earlier said that the Palestinian resistance groups were seeking to defend Iran.
Gholam Ali Rashid, a prominent commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said former general Qasem Soleimani had founded six armies outside Iran's borders, including the Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups, which are ready to defend Iran.

Iranian military official said Palestinian resistance groups were seeking to defend Iran

Members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement march from the Khan Yunis Refugee Camp in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on September 27, 2021.

Palestinian group says alliance with Iran only to ‘resist Israel’

Britain and Pakistan, along with the international community, are on the same page for a “coordinated approach” to the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, a British government statement said Tuesday.

The British foreign secretary and Pakistani foreign minister discussed various issues during a meeting in London, a statement by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said.
Liz Truss and Shah Mahmood Qureshi “spoke about their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, including deepening economic links.”
The two ministers “discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, and the need for the international community to work together to ensure a coordinated approach.”
- They reaffirmed their commitment to preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terror and providing vital humanitarian assistance for ordinary Afghans - the statement said.
They also “discussed the need for action to cut carbon emissions and protect biodiversity,” the main drive in the upcoming COP26 summit in Glasgow.
They agreed to work together to achieve ambitious climate change objectives at November’s summit.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi meet in London

They agreed to work together to achieve ambitious climate change objectives at November’s summit

UK, Pakistan agree on need for coordinated approach to Afghanistan

The 2021-2022 NBA season, the 75th season of the association, will get underway in three weeks, but some players still remain unvaccinated, causing controversy.

A total of 90 percent of players have received at least one dose of the shot, but some players -- including New Jersey Nets' superstar guard Kyrie Irving -- are reportedly not vaccinated.
Players in the NBA are not currently mandated to receive the vaccine against coronavirus, but in some cities such as New York City and San Francisco, players must take the vaccine to be on the court at home.
Golden State Warriors player Andrew Wiggins previously applied for a religious exemption from receiving COVID-19 vaccination, but NBA denied his request.
- Wiggins will not be able to play in Warriors home games until he fulfills the city's vaccination requirements - NBA said.
Wiggins still defends his decision; "I'm confident in my beliefs and what I think is right, what I think is wrong. I'm just going to keep doing what I believe. Whether it's one thing or another, just going to keep doing it," he said.
Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar jumped into the fray and said that NBA should remove the staff or players who refused to take the vaccine.

Andrew Wiggins previously sought religious exemption from receiving COVID-19 vaccination but NBA denied his request

A total of 90 percent of players have received at least one dose of the shot

Some NBA players still unvaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of new season

The EU welcomed Saudi Arabia’s social and economic reforms, but expressed concern over certain human rights issues, said a statement issued on Tuesday following the first bilateral meeting on human rights.

The EU and Saudi delegations met in Brussels on Monday for the first Human Rights Dialogue, which “offered an opportunity to have detailed discussions on a wide range of topics,” the European External Action Service said.
The bloc welcomed kingdom’s socio-economic reforms, particularly those on women’​​​​​​​s rights.
- The EU encouraged Saudi authorities to work towards achieving women’s full enjoyment of all human rights - the statement noted.
The EU delegation also addressed current labor law reforms in Saudi Arabia, including changes to the "Kefala" system, a sponsorship arrangement that grants employers extensive rights over foreign workers.
They recommended Saudi Arabia to extend the scope of the legislation to domestic employees as well.
They also voiced concern over several human rights issues in Saudi Arabia, such as restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, an increase in executions, and conditions of detention centers.
The bloc also asked the kingdom to cooperate more with UN institutions on labor and human rights and adhere to relevant international treaties.

Bloc welcomes socio-economic reforms, but asks kingdom for further protection of labor, human rights

The EU and Saudi delegations met in Brussels on Monday

EU holds 1st ever human rights meeting with Saudi Arabia

Thai authorities on Tuesday rushed to protect parts of Bangkok from floodwaters that have already inundated 70,000 homes and killed six people in the country's northern and central provinces.

Tropical storm Dianmu has caused flooding in 30 provinces, with the kingdom's central region the worst hit, the Thai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said.
The level of the Chao Phraya River -- which snakes through Bangkok after winding almost 400 kilometres from the north -- is steadily rising as authorities release water from dams further upstream.
Soldiers on Tuesday set up barriers and sandbags to protect ancient archaeological ruins and landmarks as well as neighbourhoods in the old royal capital Ayutthaya, some 60 km (40 miles) north of Bangkok.
- Most of the banana trees that I planted have been submerged. It's all gone - Ayutthaya flood victim Somporn, 52, told AFP.
There are hopes Bangkok can avoid a repeat of the catastrophic 2011 monsoon season, when it experienced its worst flooding in decades -- a fifth of the city was underwater and more than 500 people died.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says it is closely monitoring the Chao Phraya's water level and has water pumps and sandbags ready.
- We will give people a warning if there is a sign the water level is rising and if there is a risk of flash floods - Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said on Tuesday.
Bangkok officials have begun piling sandbags outside banks and other businesses near a canal in Thonglor -- a shopping district and residential area popular with expats.
Once dubbed the "Venice of the East", the capital is built on former marshland and rests about 1.5 metres (five feet) above sea level.
In the past, farmland and rice paddies in low-lying areas absorbed flood water, but the city's expansion has seen much converted into real estate.
The city's flood prevention masterplan, involving underground reservoirs and tunnels, has not been fully built because of problems acquiring land, local media reported.
Over the weekend, emergency teams staged dramatic rescues evacuating villagers from rooftops in parts of Chaiyaphum province, about four hours northeast of the capital.
A TikTok user filmed a dramatic dog rescue in Lopburi province, as onlookers lowered a shirtless man into the raging torrent to fish out a paddling black pooch on Monday afternoon.

Tropical storm Dianmu has caused flooding in 30 provinces, with the kingdom's central region the worst hit

Bangkok officials have begun piling sandbags outside banks and other businesses near a canal in Thonglor, a shopping district and residential area popular with expats

Bangkok on alert as 70,000 homes flooded in Thailand

Afghanistan’s former president on Monday said his Facebook account has been hacked after a message in support of the Taliban was posted on the verified page.

- Urgent. The official Facebook page of Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has been hacked. Until it is recovered, the content posted on the Facebook page since yesterday is no longer valid - read a message on Ghani’s Twitter page.
It came after a brief statement on his Facebook page a day earlier that urged the international community to recognize and support the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
- This is a bitter fact that we and our former Cabinet do not have a percentage of control in Afghanistan, but still some countries are encouraging former ambassadors and representatives in the world to create a new crisis in the country - read the post on Ghani’s Facebook page.
It accused Afghanistan’s UN envoy Ghulam Isaczai and other diplomats of choosing personal gains over national interests.
- The international community should understand that if Afghanistan is to have prosperity and peace, then (it must) extend towards it a hand of friendship - it added.
The former president fled Kabul on Aug. 15 after the Taliban seized the capital and has since taken refuge in the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier this month, Ghani rejected claims that he escaped with millions of dollars and expressed regret for leaving “without ensuring stability and prosperity” in the country.
- I apologize to the Afghan people that I could not make it end differently - he said, stressing that he was advised to leave Kabul as it was “never my intent to abandon the people.” ​​​​​​​

Message on Ashraf Ghani's verified Facebook page called on world to support, recognize Taliban government

It came after a brief statement on his Facebook page a day earlier that urged the international community to recognize and support the Taliban government in Afghanistan

After pro-Taliban post, ex-Afghan leader says Facebook account hacked

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said the White House National Security Council on Monday.

According to a statement by National Security Council's spokesperson Emily Horne, President Joe Biden's adviser will be joined by National Security Council Middle East and North Africa Coordinator Brett McGurk and US special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking.
- Mr. Sullivan will meet with senior leaders on a range of regional and global challenges - said the statement.
According to the Associated Press, Sullivan will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the Yemen war, while he might also meet with Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, a brother to the crown prince, said the US network, citing two senior administration officials.
Yemen has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.
A Saudi-led coalition aimed at reinstating the Yemeni government has worsened the situation, causing one of the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crises with 233,000 people killed, nearly 80% or about 30 million needing humanitarian assistance and protection, and more than 13 million in danger of starvation, according to UN estimates.

National security adviser to meet with senior leaders on regional, global challenges, says White House

According to the Associated Press, Sullivan will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the Yemen war

BioNTech begins Phase 2 trial of mRNA-based vaccine against cancer

Israeli foreign minister slams settler ‘terror’ against Palestinians

New Zealand parliament passes new counter-terrorism law

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts at its summit

EU to provide nearly €150M extra fund for Syrian refugees in Turkey

Jordan reopens border crossing with Syria

Japan’s former foreign minister Kishida to become new premier

NATO secretary general meets with IEA executive director

35 trapped miners rescued in Canada

Palestinian group says alliance with Iran only to ‘resist Israel’

UK, Pakistan agree on need for coordinated approach to Afghanistan

Some NBA players still unvaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of new season

EU holds 1st ever human rights meeting with Saudi Arabia

Bangkok on alert as 70,000 homes flooded in Thailand

After pro-Taliban post, ex-Afghan leader says Facebook account hacked

US national security adviser to travel to Saudi Arabia, UAE

World

BioNTech begins Phase 2 trial of mRNA-based vaccine against cancer

Israeli foreign minister slams settler ‘terror’ against Palestinians

New Zealand parliament passes new counter-terrorism law

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts at its summit

EU to provide nearly €150M extra fund for Syrian refugees in Turkey

Jordan reopens border crossing with Syria

Japan’s former foreign minister Kishida to become new premier

NATO secretary general meets with IEA executive director

35 trapped miners rescued in Canada

Palestinian group says alliance with Iran only to ‘resist Israel’

UK, Pakistan agree on need for coordinated approach to Afghanistan

Some NBA players still unvaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of new season

EU holds 1st ever human rights meeting with Saudi Arabia

Bangkok on alert as 70,000 homes flooded in Thailand

After pro-Taliban post, ex-Afghan leader says Facebook account hacked

US national security adviser to travel to Saudi Arabia, UAE