Le Journal

Ensuring Security for Republic Day: J&K Police Chief's Strategic Review Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief Nalin Prabhat conducted a comprehensive review of the security situation in the Valley's southern districts on Thursday. His focus was on anti-terror operations and preparations for the upcoming Republic Day.During a meeting at DPO Anantnag, Prabhat examined law and order management, counter-terrorism strategies, crime prevention measures, and security arrangements for January 26. He emphasized the necessity of heightened alertness to ensure peaceful and incident-free celebrations.Prabhat directed officers to intensify area control and reinforce intelligence-driven operations against anti-national activities. Stressing zero tolerance for threats to national security, he called for decisive actions to maintain public safety and peace.

EU's Preparedness Amid Greenland Acquisition Controversy The European Union must stay alert and be prepared to respond decisively to any emerging threats, President Emmanuel Macron announced in Brussels. This statement preceded an urgent EU leaders summit aimed at addressing U.S. President Donald Trump's public interest in acquiring Greenland.Macron emphasized the importance of being “extremely vigilant” and maintaining readiness to deploy the EU's available measures should threats arise, reflecting concerns about potential geopolitical implications.As discussions begin, the EU's stance demonstrates a commitment to strategic preparation and unified response capabilities in the wake of unexpected international developments.

Guinea-Bissau Halts Controversial Hepatitis B Vaccine Study Amid Ethical Concerns Guinea-Bissau has put a hold on a hepatitis B vaccine study funded by the Trump administration, pending ethical review, Health Minister Quinhi Nantot disclosed. The research aims to administer the vaccine to some infants and observe developmental outcomes, prompting ethical concerns over withholding the vaccine from others.The pause arises due to the ethics committee's lack of initial review and is in line with Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya's demand for ethical examination. Kaseya reaffirmed his agency's commitment to prioritizing African interests, while US health officials reiterated their support for proceeding with the study.With a $1.6 million contract awarded to Denmark's university, the project involves following 14,000 newborns for five years, stirring debate as mainstream medical consensus affirms the vaccine's protective effect. Criticism persists as the study's design, initially with no placebo, potentially places infants at risk, raising ethical red flags.

Greenland Decision Boosts UK Markets Amid Optimism The UK markets experienced a positive close on Thursday, influenced by President Donald Trump's moderated position regarding Greenland, which alleviated fears of a trade war. This development helped the FTSE 250 to climb 1.3%, reaching a zenith unseen in three years.Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 registered a minor 0.1% gain, riding on the waves of optimism concerning potential peace discussions in Ukraine and encouraging earnings reports from several domestic companies. Specifically, Computacenter's positive profit outlook and Senior's uplifted annual forecast buoyed investor sentiment.However, the day was not without its setbacks. Energy shares dipped following a decline in crude oil prices, although precious metal miners lent support as gold prices increased. In a related development, President Trump backed away from previous threats of tariffs and military involvement in Greenland, thus calming global markets.