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South Asia is a treasure trove of diverse landscapes, cultures, and histories. Here, we’ll explore the beautiful countries that share borders with India: <keyword id="12266" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nepal" source="Orion">Nepal</keyword>, <keyword id="6356598" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhutan" source="Orion">Bhutan</keyword>, <keyword id="3001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan" source="Orion">Pakistan</keyword>, <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, as well as the maritime border with Sri Lanka. Each of these nations offers unique experiences and breathtaking beauty. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Nepal: The Himalayan Jewel" comment="subhead" text="Nepal: The Himalayan Jewel">Nepal: The Himalayan Jewel</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Nepal" msid="110382276" hostid="261" sizebytes="187574" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Majestic peaks of the Himalayas await adventurous souls in Nepal.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Located in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, Nepal is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers alike. The towering peaks, including Mount Everest, the highest point on earth, draw trekkers from around the globe. Beyond the mountains, Nepal is rich in cultural heritage with ancient temples, monasteries, and vibrant festivals. Highlights: Trekking in the Annapurna and Everest regions Exploring the historic Kathmandu Valley Visiting the birthplace of Buddha in Lumbini <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon" comment="subhead" text="Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon">Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Bhutan" msid="110382305" hostid="261" sizebytes="132570" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Bhutan&amp;#39;s spiritual serenity&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Bhutan, known for its serene landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is a country that measures success by Gross National Happiness rather than GDP. The country's lush valleys, towering cliffs, and pristine forests make it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Highlights: Witnessing the breathtaking architecture of Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) Experiencing vibrant festivals like Tshechu Exploring the capital city, Thimphu, and its impressive Dzongs <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Pakistan: The Land of Ancient Civilizations" comment="subhead" text="Pakistan: The Land of Ancient Civilizations">Pakistan: The Land of Ancient Civilizations</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Pakistan" msid="110382361" hostid="261" sizebytes="63724" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Step back in time amidst the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Pakistan is a country of stunning landscapes, from the peaks of the Karakoram Range to the arid expanses of the Thar Desert. It's also home to ancient archaeological sites, bustling cities, and a rich tapestry of cultures. Highlights: Visiting the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa Trekking through the beautiful valleys of Hunza and Swat Exploring the vibrant city of Lahore with its Mughal-era landmarks <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="China: The Middle Kingdom" comment="subhead" text="China: The Middle Kingdom">China: The Middle Kingdom</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="China" msid="110382391" hostid="261" sizebytes="160816" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Great Wall stands as a testament to China&amp;#39;s enduring history and grandeur.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>China, one of the world's oldest civilisations, shares a long and complex history with India. It offers a vast array of landscapes, from the Great Wall stretching across arid deserts to the serene beauty of its countryside. Highlights: Walking along the Great Wall Exploring the Terracotta Army in Xi’an Experiencing the vibrant culture and modern marvels of Beijing and Shanghai <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bangladesh: The Land of Rivers" comment="subhead" text="Bangladesh: The Land of Rivers">Bangladesh: The Land of Rivers</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Bangladesh" msid="110382434" hostid="261" sizebytes="77384" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Sundarbans, where the mystical allure of the Bengal tiger awaits.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Bangladesh is characterised by its lush greenery, numerous rivers, and rich cultural heritage. It’s a country where the simple, rural life offers a stark contrast to its bustling cities. Highlights: Exploring the Sundarbans, home to the Bengal tiger Visiting the ancient city of Paharpur Experiencing the lively capital, Dhaka, with its vibrant markets and historical sites <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Myanmar: The Golden Land" comment="subhead" text="Myanmar: The Golden Land">Myanmar: The Golden Land</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Myanmar" msid="110382468" hostid="261" sizebytes="94416" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Bagan&amp;#39;s golden spires paint a mesmerizing skyline across ancient plains.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Myanmar, with its golden pagodas, rich history, and diverse ethnic cultures, is a country that captivates travellers. From the serene shores of Inle Lake to the bustling streets of Yangon, there's much to discover. Highlights: Marvelling at the thousands of temples in Bagan Cruising on the Irrawaddy River Visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean" comment="subhead" text="Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean">Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Sri Lanka" msid="110382497" hostid="261" sizebytes="193556" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Serene beaches and lush tea plantations define Sri Lanka&amp;#39;s tropical paradise.&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>While Sri Lanka doesn’t share a land border with India, it lies close by in the Indian Ocean. This island nation is known for its beautiful beaches, lush tea plantations, and rich cultural heritage. Highlights: Relaxing on the pristine beaches of Bentota and Mirissa Exploring the ancient city of Sigiriya and its rock fortress Taking a scenic train ride through the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya The countries bordering India each offer unique experiences and landscapes, making South Asia a rich and diverse region to explore. Whether you’re seeking the serenity of the Himalayas, the cultural richness of ancient civilisations, or the natural beauty of lush landscapes, these neighbouring countries have something special to offer every traveller.

India's stunning neighbouring countries that you must visit

Imagine relaxing alone in the vastness of space, with everyone you know too far away to interrupt your solitude, only for your distant neighbour to start blasting loud music at you! That's exactly what happened to <keyword id="19901191" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Venus" source="keywords">Venus</keyword> last Friday (July 12), when it got beamed by a hip-hop track courtesy of Earth and its noisy “intelligent” life. The song chosen for this cosmic broadcast was ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ by <keyword id="22437882" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Missy-Elliott" source="keywords">Missy Elliott</keyword>. Explaining this choice, Brittany Brown, director of the Digital and Technology Division at <keyword id="19935155" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NASA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="NASA" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="NASA">NASA</keyword>’s Office of Communications, said: “Both <keyword id="19929542" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-exploration" source="keywords">space exploration</keyword> and Missy Elliott's art have been about pushing boundaries. Missy has a track record of infusing space-centric storytelling and futuristic visuals in her music videos, so the opportunity to collaborate on something out of this world is truly fitting.” Transmitted at the speed of light, the song journeyed approximately 254 million kilometres from Earth to Venus, completing the trip in just 14 minutes. <div type="twitter" handle="MissyElliott" handlename="MissyElliott" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1812951003144007843"></div> Now for the billion-dollar question: Why was this done? The truth is, we don’t exactly know. NASA's news release didn’t specify a particular purpose. However, it might have been intended to mark a historic first for both NASA and Missy Elliott, while also promoting space exploration, the agency's upcoming Venus missions, and the shared values of pushing boundaries and inspiring the public through innovative collaborations. What it certainly showcases is the remarkable capability of NASA’s technology. This transmission was made possible by NASA's <keyword id="20775364" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Deep-Space-Network" source="keywords">Deep Space Network</keyword> (DSN), which used the largest and most sensitive telecommunication service of NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program. The DSN's array of giant radio antennas allows missions to track, send commands and receive scientific data from spacecraft exploring the moon and beyond. The song was beamed by the 34-metre (112-foot) wide Deep Space Station 13 (DSS-13) radio dish antenna, located at the DSN's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex near Barstow, California. Coincidentally, the DSS-13 is also nicknamed Venus. To date, the system has transmitted only one other song into space—The Beatles' ‘Across the Universe’—making the transmission of Elliott's song a groundbreaking moment for both hip-hop and NASA.

Noisy neighbour: The Earth randomly blasted Venus with a Missy Elliott hip-hop song last week, because why not?

We've all had that one <keyword id="2833" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tv-show" source="Orion">TV show</keyword> where week after week, season after season, we became deeply enmeshed in its universe. We forged complex relationships with its characters, loving some and loathing others, until their world felt like a part of our own. But then, the inevitable happens: the show ends, leaving a cavernous void that makes us ponder our next move in life. Sound familiar? While <keyword id="20006959" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="emotional-responses" source="keywords">emotional responses</keyword> like sadness and a sense of loss following the conclusion of a favourite series are well-known, they have rarely been the subject of thorough investigation—until recently. Adam Gerace, a psychologist from CQUniversity in Australia, has tackled this issue head-on with a comprehensive study on fans’ reactions to the conclusion of the <keyword id="23761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tv-series" source="Orion">TV series</keyword> <keyword id="20083228" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neighbours" source="keywords">Neighbours</keyword>. This iconic show, which captivated audiences in Australia and the UK from 1985 to 2022, outlasted many of its viewers’ real-life relationships with a run of 37 years! <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Probing post-finale pain" comment="subhead" text="Probing post-finale pain">Probing post-finale pain</cmsannotation> To delve into the emotional aftermath of a beloved show's ending, Gerace enlisted volunteers to complete online surveys reflecting their feelings about the show’s conclusion. The survey aimed to gauge the extent of <keyword id="60307" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="grief" source="Orion">grief</keyword> and other emotions tied to the show’s end, focusing not only on the series as a whole, but also on individual characters. It evaluated how well participants accepted the show's end, the distress over losing their beloved characters, and whether they achieved a sense of closure. Analysing the 1,289 responses gathered shortly after the final episode aired, Gerace discovered a pronounced sense of grief among many viewers. Many found it hard to come to terms with the abrupt disappearance of the show and their favourite characters. This emotional intensity was particularly evident in viewers who had developed "parasocial" empathic bonds with the characters—treating them almost as friends or members of their social circle. For context, parasocial refers to one-sided relationships where an individual feels a deep emotional bond with someone who doesn’t share or even recognise that connection. This dynamic often manifests in the attachments we form with media figures. The survey further indicated that fans who watched for entertainment and to experience different lifestyles, along with those who felt a strong connection to the series, also exhibited more profound grief and loss compared to viewers with other motives. Overall, the study revealed that viewers experienced a form of grief comparable to losing a real-life partner, friend or other significant person. These findings contribute to our understanding of parasocial relationships and media engagement, providing evidence that the end of a cherished series or character can evoke a genuine grief experience. The study was recently published on the open-access site PLOS ONE and can be accessed <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0302160">here</a>.

When TV shows end, fans experience grief similar to losing a partner or close friend: Study

Los Angeles, Hollywood icon <keyword id="21024" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="marilyn-monroe" source="Orion">Marilyn Monroe</keyword>'s LA residence, the only property she owned in her life, has been saved from demolition after a backlash from residents in the neighbourhood. Marilyn bought the palatial pad in the city's Brentwood area in 1962 after her divorce from <keyword id="473410" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="arthur-miller" source="Orion">Arthur Miller</keyword> but was found dead in the property just months later, following an apparent drug overdose at the age of 36. The property was to be demolished by its current owner, who bought the 2,900-square-foot hacienda for USD 8.35 million. The residents of the neighbourhood became aware of the planned demolition after the owner filed for permits, according to CNN. After a backlash from the residents, the Los Angeles officials intervened to block the demolition. "Unfortunately, the Department of Building and Safety issued a demolition permit before my team and I could fully intervene and get this issue resolved," LA city councilwoman Traci Park said in a news conference last week. Park said she received hundreds of calls urging her to save the Spanish colonial-style house. On Friday, the city council unanimously approved Park's emergency motion to begin the process to designate the house a historic building. Demolition is on hold until the city's Office of Historic Resources conducts a study and analysis of the home, according to Park. The 2,624-square-foot home sits on an estate which boasts a swimming pool and citrus grove. It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Marilyn Monroe's Spanish colonial-style home saved from demolition after outcry from neighbours

<keyword id="8695" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="malaysia" source="Orion">Malaysia</keyword> says it will cut the export of chickens from the start of June because of shortages in the country, <keyword id="60684" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bbc" source="Orion">BBC</keyword> reported. Elsewhere in <keyword id="21718" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="asia" source="Orion">Asia</keyword>, India has banned wheat exports, while Indonesia has blocked overseas sales of palm oil. It comes as the world faces the worst food crisis in decades following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. One agriculture expert has highlighted concerns about the potential rise of so-called "food nationalism" by governments in the region, BBC reported. Malaysian shoppers have seen chicken prices surge in recent months, while some retailers have put limits on how much of the meat customers can buy. On Monday, Malaysia's Prime Minister <keyword id="11904477" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ismail-sabri-yaakob" source="Orion">Ismail Sabri Yaakob</keyword> said the South East Asian country will stop exporting as many as 3.6 million chickens every month "until domestic prices and production stabilise". "The government's priority is our own people," he said in a statement. <keyword id="10474288" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="neighbouring-singapore" source="Orion">Neighbouring Singapore</keyword>, where Malaysian imports account for around a third of its chicken supplies, looks set to be hit especially hard by the move, BBC reported. Almost all the birds are imported live before they are slaughtered and chilled in <keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword>. Later on Monday, the <keyword id="14023134" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="singapore-food-agency" source="Orion">Singapore Food Agency</keyword> encouraged shoppers to buy frozen chicken and moved to discourage panic-buying. "While there may be temporary disruptions to the supply of chilled chicken, frozen chicken options remain available to mitigate the shortfall," the agency said in a statement. "We also advise consumers to buy only what they need." Malaysia's chicken export ban is the latest development in the global food crisis. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/if-you-place-an-order-youre-accepting-the-service-charge-restaurant-body-says/articleshow/91779455.cms">If you place an order, you’re accepting the service charge, restaurant body says</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tata-avinya-renders-reveal-the-expected-design-of-the-concept-electric-car/articleshow/91765348.cms">Tata Avinya renders reveal the expected design of the concept electric car</a>

Malaysia cuts chicken exports as food nationalism spreads across Asia

Using <keyword id="6360409" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nasa">NASA</keyword>'s <keyword id="145693" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hubble-Space-Telescope">Hubble Space Telescope</keyword>, scientists have mapped the immense envelope of gas, called a halo, surrounding the <keyword id="1077809" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Andromeda-galaxy">Andromeda galaxy</keyword>, our nearest large galactic neighbour. This tenuous, nearly invisible halo of diffuse plasma extends 1.3 million light-years from the galaxy -- about halfway to our <keyword id="67503" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="milky-way">Milky Way</keyword> -- and as far as two million light-years in some directions, said the study published in The Astrophysical Journal. This means that Andromeda's halo is already bumping into the halo of our own galaxy. The scientists also found that the halo has a layered structure, with two main nested and distinct shells of gas. "Understanding the huge halos of gas surrounding galaxies is immensely important," explained co-investigator Samantha Berek of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, US. "This reservoir of gas contains fuel for future star formation within the galaxy, as well as outflows from events such as supernovae," Berek said, adding that it is full of clues regarding the past and future evolution of the galaxy. A signature of this activity is the team's discovery of a large amount of heavy elements in the gaseous halo of Andromeda. Heavier elements are cooked up in the interiors of stars and then ejected into space -- sometimes violently as a star dies. The halo is then contaminated with this material from stellar explosions. The Andromeda galaxy, also known as M31, is a majestic spiral of perhaps as many as one trillion stars and comparable in size to our Milky Way. At a distance of 2.5 million light-years, it is so close to us that the galaxy appears as a cigar-shaped smudge of light high in the autumn sky. If its gaseous halo could be viewed with the naked eye, this would easily be the biggest feature on the night-time sky. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/india-likely-to-introduce-a-second-defence-import-embargo-list-by-the-end-of-year-as-it-chases-down-5-billion-in-exports/articleshow/77797223.cms">India likely to introduce a second defence ‘import embargo’ list by the end of year as it chases down $5 billion in exports</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/there-arent-enough-shares-of-hdfc-bank-indusind-bank-and-kotak-bank-that-foreign-investors-can-buy/articleshow/77798108.cms">There aren’t enough shares of HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank and Kotak Bank that foreign investors can buy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-strikes-ten-of-the-50-surviving-members-of-the-great-andamanese-tribe/articleshow/77797765.cms">COVID-19 strikes ten of the 50 surviving members of the Great Andamanese tribe</a>

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope maps giant halo around Milk Way's closest neighbour

New Delhi, Apr 2 () Tech giant Google will shut down its 'Neighbourly' app - which was designed to help people source local information from their neighbours - as it failed to scale up. The app was launched in May 2018 in Mumbai and then scaled to other cities like Ahmedabad, Coimbatore and Mysore. A few months later, it was made available pan-India. "We set out to build a helpful neighbourhood app that would let neighbours help each other find answers to everyday questions about their neighbourhoods," a Google spokesperson said.However, the product has not grown like the company had hoped, the spokesperson added. The shutdown of the app, which was part of Google's Next Billion Users initiative, comes at a time when the country is under a 21-day country-wide lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic. SR SHWSHW

Google to shut down 'Neighbourly' app

Asuncion (Paraguay), Jul 3 (AP) As nearby nations grapple with uncontrolled spread of the novel coronavirus, the poor, landlocked nation of Paraguay appears to be controlling the disease, with just a few thousand confirmed cases and a few dozen deaths. Along with Paraguay's relative isolation, experts credit the country with creating a network of quarantine centers in military academies, motels, and religious institutions where citizens arriving home must isolate for at least 14 days and pass two consecutive coronavirus tests before being able to move about the country freely. With only 7 million people, a stagnant economy, high poverty and a weak public health system, Paraguay moved to slow coronavirus in March by closing borders and imposing the quarantine restrictions, along with closing schools and public events and declaring a nighttime curfew. Some 8,500 have passed through the quarantine system already, some complaining about poor food and housing and the requirements that the 14-day clock starts again for everyone in a shelter if one person tests positive for the coronavirus. There are also complaints of delays from many of the 15,000 Paraguayans still waiting outside the country in neighboring nations like Brazil and Argentina. "It was a horrible experience the entire time," said a 21-year-old who insisted on speaking anonymously out of fear of being discriminated against for having been infected. "There were 100 men together in my (quarantine) center, of all ages. When I arrived home my mother was excited to see me but didn't touch me. She first disinfected me all over with alcohol and a home remedy. I bathed and only then did she hug me." Paraguay built two hospitals to handle a possible surge in coronavirus cases, but a recent visit by an Associated Press journalist showed both are empty, which authorities cited as evidence of their success in slowing the spread of the virus. "Striking a balance is a great challenge for the government,′ presidential adviser Federico González said. "The shelters are full and the population is safe.″ Observers worry, however, that the uncontrolled surge of cases in Brazil, many close to Paraguay's border, means the smaller country's success may be short-lived. Adding to concerns are a predicted 5 per cent drop in gross domestic product for an economy that was already struggling, and a health system that remains unprepared for a large-scale epidemic. "I think the government's measures have been the right ones,″ said leftist Sen. Esperanza Martínez, a former health minister. "The problem is that they haven't been accompanied by longer-term solutions ... I think we're going to have problems in the next months that it will be hard to reverse, and the health system isn't prepared." (AP) MRJ

Paraguay controls coronavirus, while its neighbours struggle

Rabat, May 3 (AP) When the coronavirus came, Noureddine Elmihnida saw it as the scourge it was. But he also says he saw it as "an opportunity." It was, he says, a new chance for him and others who have lived lives of crime to redeem themselves, to step up and help their neighbours in a rundown section of Rabat, Morocco's capital. The North African kingdom established strict lockdown measures in early March to prevent the spread of the virus. Special permits are needed to leave the home. Some people, especially the elderly and vulnerable, found themselves stuck without food or medical supplies. Elmihnida volunteered to do grocery shopping and fetch medication for those in need. His phone is constantly ringing with calls from neighbours or friends who know of other people seeking help. He writes down their grocery and medical requests and, armed with his permit to leave the lockdown, does their shopping. He's been helping others since he left prison a dozen years ago. Ashamed of his life of crime and drugs, he wanted more than a fresh start. He wanted to make up for the pain he had inflicted on his loved ones. He had lost the respect of his community, his parents and his friends. "My parents were ashamed of me and my actions, and I needed to make things right," the 37-year-old said. He left prison determined not to return, and embraced "the idea of reconciliation, first with my parents who were affected the most, then with the community I grew up in." Together with other ex-convicts and some volunteers, he worked to make life better in El Youssoufia, a densely populated, crime-ridden neighbourhood. They cleaned, painted and softened the urban grime with plantings. And then, when the virus hit, he expanded his efforts. "Noureddine is a kind man," said his 60-year-old neighbor, too shy to identify himself by name. "He has helped deliver stuff to us without charge. When I couldn't collect my medicine from the clinic, he did. God bless him." Those services won the former convict recognition among more well-off residents who make donations - money that Elmihnida distributes to the poor. "I swore to God not to take any money for my services," he said. On April 5, the Justice Ministry announced a pardon by King Mohammed VI for 5,654 prisoners to limit the spread of the virus in prisons. Mohsen Harmati, one of those set free, began volunteering that day with Elmihnida. "Noureddine was a troublemaker for 10 years, but he's a changed man now. He has helped paint the neighborhood and plant it, and now he's helping people at the most needy of times," Harmati said. All that work continues. And Elmihnida also checks on migrants who camp out in the neighbourhood, their dreams of trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Spain scuttled by border closures. Elmihnida knows that his constant errands increase his risk of becoming infected with the coronavirus. Morocco has nearly 4,730 cases confirmed and 173 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. "But God will protect me because he knows I'm helping people without expecting a payback," Elmihnida said. (AP) INDIND

Ex-convict helps neighbours cope in Morocco virus lockdown

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="23050" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sweden">Sweden</keyword>'s neighbours have offered the country help as intensive care units in Stockholm fill with <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> patients amid an alarming second wave of infections.</li><li>Sweden is grappling with an alarming second wave of coronavirus infections.</li><li>A senior Swedish doctor last week warned that he was unsure if 'exhausted' healthcare workers would have the capacity to treat the same number of ICU patients as they did at the peak of Sweden's first coronavirus wave.</li><li>A Swedish official said the government had not yet requested help from its neighbours.</li></ul>Sweden's neighbours have offered the country emergency assistance as intensive care units in the country's capital city fill with coronavirus patients amid an alarming second wave of infections.Officials in <keyword id="6356961" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="norway">Norway</keyword> and <keyword id="6374076" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="finland">Finland</keyword> over the weekend said they were on standby to offer medical assistance to Sweden should the government request it.It comes after reports that Sweden was preparing to ask neighbouring countries to relieve the pressure on its healthcare system, with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sweden-coronavirus-surge-alarm-stockholm-hospitals-herd-immunity-strategy-2020-12?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">the number of intensive care beds rapidly running out</a> as infections rise across the country."We have not received an official request for help, but we assess on a daily basis what the hospital situation looks like and we are, of course, ready to help Sweden if we can," said Kirsi Varhila, a government official in Finland, according to a Financial Times report.Maria Jahrmann Bjerke, a Norwegian government official, <a href="https://www.nrk.no/urix/norge-vil-hjelpe-svenske-myndigheter-1.15286561">told Swedish state broadcaster NRK</a> that Norway would also offer medical assistance to Sweden, in comments which were <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/81299a7a-ec53-41fa-bf33-7ea40f4bca07">cited by the Financial Times</a>.Johanna Sandwall, operations chief of the National Board of Health and Welfare, told Swedish newspaper The Local that the government had not yet requested help from its neighbours and said ICU units were not yet at capacity."There are no such plans right now," she said. "Right now we have sufficient capacity nationally to meet our care needs." The offers come after a senior Swedish doctor last week warned that he was unsure if healthcare workers would have the capacity to treat 1,100 ICU patients as they did at the peak of Sweden's first wave earlier this year."People are exhausted," Sten Rubertsson, a staff doctor at the National Board of Health and Welfare told Dagens Medicin, in <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-11/sweden-set-to-turn-to-nordic-neighbors-for-icu-help-svd-reports">a report cited by Bloomberg</a>.High numbers of frontline health workers in Sweden have also quit over the last year, exacerbating the problem, according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-12/swedish-covid-workers-are-quitting-leaving-icus-short-staffed">a separate Bloomberg report</a>.Sweden opted to follow a unique approach to the pandemic, refusing to introduce national lockdown measures or recommend the use of masks to prevent the spread of infection. It has incurred a death rate many times greater than neighbouring countries which adopted a more conventional approach. Sweden has suffered a far more severe second wave than Norway or Finland since infections began to rise significantly in March. Per <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/81299a7a-ec53-41fa-bf33-7ea40f4bca07">the Financial Times</a>, the country has reported 1,400 deaths in the last month, compared to roughly 100 in Norway and 80 in Finland.A total of 7,514 people have <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/sweden/">died with coronavirus in Sweden since the beginning of the pandemic</a>, with cases having surged since a second wave of infections began in October. That compares to <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries">Norway</a>, where 387 people have died, and <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries">Finland</a>, where 453 people have died.Sweden's population is around 10 million, roughly twice that of both Finland and Norway, meaning Sweden's death rate per capita is significantly higher.Anders Tegnell, the chief epidemiologist who is credited as being the architect of the no-lockdown policy, had predicted earlier this year that Sweden would be saved from a second Covid wave due to high levels of immunity in the general population but <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sweden-herd-immunity-second-wave-coronavirus-cases-hospitalisations-surge-2020-11?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">admitted last month</a> that the country was experiencing a new surge in cases.Tegnell has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-sweden-defends-plan-not-to-lock-down-immunity-2020-4?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">been heavily criticised</a> for a policy which has coincided with a death rate many times higher than neighbouring countries including Norway. Sweden has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sweden-10-locals-how-they-feel-second-covid-19-wave-2020-11?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">begun gradually to retreat from its no-lockdown stance</a> in recent months as the government struggles to stem an alarming rise in the number of coronavirus infections.In November the government banned the sale of alcohol after 10pm and banned public gatherings of more than 8 people. Last week Stefan Lofven, the prime minister, said that <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9016859/Coronavirus-No-lockdown-Sweden-close-high-schools-month.html">high schools would close</a> for the rest of term.Swedish officials last week called for help and said the country's intensive care units were almost entirely full."We need help," Bjorn Eriksson, director of healthcare for the Stockholm region, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sweden-coronavirus-surge-alarm-stockholm-hospitals-herd-immunity-strategy-2020-12?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">said last week</a>, noting that 83 patients were in intensive care beds. "That corresponds more or less to all intensive care beds we normally have."

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