Around the Globe

South Korea on Wednesday confirmed two new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza at poultry farms in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, raising the total number of farm infections this season to 10. Agricultural authorities implemented quarantine, culling, movement controls, and disinfection measures at and around the affected sites, and launched epidemiological investigations to trace infection routes. The government increased surveillance at high-risk farms, ordered stronger biosecurity measures, and pledged support for affected farm owners under livestock disease control rules.

South Korea’s Korea National Institute of Health announced that its researchers identified how the COVID-19 S1 spike protein may directly impair nerve cells linked to memory and proposed a potential treatment method. The study describes molecular pathways through which the S1 protein affects neuronal signaling and outlines a strategy to block or modulate this impact. The institute plans further preclinical and clinical trials, collaboration with hospitals and universities, and international data sharing to advance therapies for cognitive disorders reported after COVID-19 infection.

Japanese Nobel laureate Shimon Sakaguchi, based in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, plans to use his discovery of regulatory T cells to develop effective cancer immunotherapy. In an interview with Jiji Press ahead of the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm, he outlined research efforts to modulate regulatory T cells to boost antitumor immunity while limiting autoimmune side effects. Sakaguchi said he will expand international collaboration, pursue clinical applications, and continue studies on how regulatory T cells affect various cancers and immune-related diseases.

A new short film, “The Heart of Sister Lucia,” and testimony from her longtime physician, Dr. Branca Pereira Acevedo, highlight the life and mission of Fátima visionary Sister Lucia dos Santos as the Church marks the centenary of the Pontevedra apparitions with a jubilee year. Speaking in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, Pereira recounts how 15 years of caring for Sister Lucia at the Carmelite convent in Coimbra, Portugal, coincided with her own return to Catholic practice. The film premieres in Spanish on YouTube on Dec. 10 at 9:30 p.m. Spain time.

European leaders held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London on Monday to discuss Ukraine’s long-term security and efforts to end the war with Russia.

The Philippine ambassador to Qatar reports that about 250,000 Filipinos in the Gulf state enjoy good standing with employers and have among the fewest run-ins with authorities. Filipinos form the sixth largest expatriate group in Qatar, with many in high-paying and middle-management roles, including in the oil and gas sector. Ambassador Mardomel Melicor explains that expatriates make up about 90 percent of Qatar’s population, led by Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Nepalis, Egyptians and Filipinos, while Qataris account for around 10 percent. He says Qatar is pursuing labor reforms to comply with International Labor Organization standards.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced that the new “patriots only” Legislative Council, elected under Beijing‑imposed rules that cut directly elected seats, will lead institutional reform following the city’s deadliest fire in decades. The article details the 2021 electoral overhaul, the role of the pro‑Beijing Election Committee, tightened candidate vetting, and official plans for the legislature to review fire safety, building regulations, and governance measures once investigations into the fatal blaze conclude.