Anti-government protesters in Kazakhstan’s main city, Almaty, have stormed the mayor’s office on a second day of protests over fuel prices. Thousands of people took to the streets on Wednesday despite a state of emergency in some areas. On Tuesday, the president dismissed the government and said lower fuel prices would be restored. Protests are rare in the oil-rich former Soviet country, which is tightly controlled by the government.

In Almaty, police fired stun grenades and tear gas at a crowd of several thousand protesters, but were unable to stop them from entering the mayor’s office, AFP reports. Video on social media showed a plume of smoke rising from the building, while gunfire could also be heard. The city’s police chief, Kanat Taimerdenov, said “extremists and radicals” had attacked 500 civilians and ransacked hundreds of businesses. There are also reports that crowds have gathered near official buildings in other cities, and internet services appear to have been switched off across the country.(BBC)…[+]

A New York school teacher with no formal medical qualification has been arrested for allegedly giving a Covid vaccine to a student, say officials. Police say Laura Russo administered the dose at her home despite having no legal authorisation to give jabs, or consent from the boy’s parents.  Ms Russo, 54, who teaches biology, was held on New Year’s Eve and could face four years in prison if convicted. The 17-year-old boy had reportedly wanted the vaccine.  Injections can be dangerous if administered incorrectly. Doctors and licensed medical workers have to verify that a vaccine is not counterfeit or expired. Patients should also be asked about their medical history and have their reaction monitored after a jab. Police say it is unclear how Ms Russo obtained the alleged Covid vaccine, or what brand it is. Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech jab is the only one authorised for Americans under 18 years old.(BBC)…[+]

North Korea has fired a suspected ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast, in its first such launch since October. The missile landed in water between the Korean peninsula and Japan, bringing condemnation from Seoul and Tokyo. The UN prohibits North Korea from ballistic and nuclear weapons tests. Leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to bolster the North’s defences. It tested a variety of missiles last year amid stalled talks with the South and US. The latest launch – the first since a New Year speech in which Mr Kim set out policy priorities for 2022 – was first reported by the Japanese coast guard early on Wednesday, before being confirmed by defence authorities in Seoul. “South Korean and US intelligence are closely analysing for further detail,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. Japan’s Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said the suspected ballistic missile had flown about 500 km (310 miles), Reuters reported.(BBC)…[+]