Category: Politics

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Jordan detects its first two cases of Omicron Covid variant

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Al-Araby

The Jordanian health ministry announced on Thursday evening it had identified its first two cases of the omicron variant of coronavirus. The health ministry’s statement, announced by state-run Petra news agency, said the first case is a Jordanian national who recently returned from South Africa and is currently quarantining in a hotel in Jordan’s capital, Amman. According to Petra, the second case is a Jordanian national who has not recently left the country, raising fears that the omicron variant may be spreading within the kingdom’s communities. The second individual is also quarantining in … Continue reading “Jordan detects its first two cases of Omicron Covid variant”

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Biden Signs Executive Order to Combat Climate Change

U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday to “leverage” the federal government’s scale and purchasing power to make it carbon neutral, cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 65% in less than a decade and establish an all-electric fleet of vehicles.

The order will cut emissions in federal operations as part of the government’s effort to combat climate change.

Biden’s directive requires that government buildings consume 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030, the U.S. fleet of vehicles be 100% electric by 2035, and federal contracts for goods and services be carbon-free by 2050.

“The United States government will lead by example to provide a strong foundation for American businesses to compete and win globally in the clean energy economy while creating well-paying union jobs at home,” the White House said in a statement announcing the climate change initiative.

Source: Voice of America

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Biden opens winter battle against Covid-19

Published by
AFP

Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden announced Thursday a winter campaign against Covid-19, with new testing requirements for travelers and a surge in vaccination efforts. Biden has brought steady leadership after the chaotic Donald Trump years, but the mutating coronavirus continues to defy him, helping drive his approval ratings deep underwater. Urging the nation — in particular his political rivals — to unite behind the strategy, Biden unveiled a raft of actions designed to tamp down Covid-19 in the coming months, as the latest Omicron variant spreads worldwide.  Eight cases of the n… Continue reading “Biden opens winter battle against Covid-19”

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Omicron variant was detected in the Netherlands before S. Africa flights

Published by
Reuters

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The COVID-19 Omicron variant was detected in the Netherlands before two flights arrived from South Africa last week carrying the virus, Dutch health officials said on Tuesday. At least 14 people on flights from Johannesburg and Capetown arrived at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on Nov. 26 carrying the new variant, the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said. “We have found the Omicron coronavirus variant in two test samples that were taken on Nov. 19 and Nov. 23,” the RIVM said. “It is not clear yet whether these people have visited Southern Africa.” The discovery … Continue reading “Omicron variant was detected in the Netherlands before S. Africa flights”

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Nazir Razak and a national reset

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Malaysiakini (English)

Good morning, here’s a quick rundown of what happened over the weekend. __Key Highlights __ Nazir Razak and a national reset Omicron variant Vernacular schools controversy __Nazir Razak and a national reset__Nazir Abdul Razak, the brother of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, along with a group of prominent figures, are seeking a non-partisan effort to institute reforms as the country’s political leadership has failed to do so. In a letter to the Conference of Rulers, they proposed a “Better Malaysia Assembly” comprising representatives from various segments of society to deliberate on… Continue reading “Nazir Razak and a national reset”

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US Praises South Africa’s Quick Detection, Sharing Variant Information

The United States praised South Africa on Saturday for quickly identifying the latest coronavirus variant, omicron, and sharing this information with the world.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with South Africa’s international relations and cooperation minister, Naledi Pandor, and they discussed cooperation on vaccinating people in Africa against COVID-19, the State Department said in a statement.

“Secretary Blinken specifically praised South Africa’s scientists for the quick identification of the omicron variant and South Africa’s government for its transparency in sharing this information, which should serve as a model for the world,” the statement said.

First detected in South Africa, the omicron variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, was deemed by the World Health Organization a “variant of concern” on Friday.

Earlier Saturday, Pandor’s office issued a statement saying that the country is being punished for detecting the new variant as more countries rush to enact travel bans and restrictions.

By Saturday, more than a dozen countries had announced temporary travel restrictions on South Africa and other countries in the region after cases were reported in Europe and the Middle East.

Source: Voice of America