WHO Calls New Coronavirus Strain ‘Variant of Concern’ And Names It Omicron
The United Nations health body said Friday the new coronavirus variant is “a variant of concern” and named it Omicron.
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Migrants Face Uncertainty At Belarus-Polish Border
As Europe’s winter sets in, Pope Francis urged prayers for migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty as the European Union braced for a new influx of desperate people through Belarus and other routes. The Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, offered humanitarian aid to refugees who opted to stay at the Belarusian-Polish border.
All EU States Ban Travel From Southern Africa
All 27 member states of the European Union agreed Friday to suspend travel from seven southern African nations over the outbreak of a new coronavirus.
EU Warns Of South Africa COVID Variant; Banning Flights
The European Union’s executive wants that EU countries introduce an “emergency brake” on travel from southern Africa due to a new coronavirus variant.
Children, Pregnant Woman Drown In Channel
Among 27 migrants who died after their boat sank near Calais, France, were 17 men, seven women – one of whom was pregnant – and three children, France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.
WHO calls special meeting to discuss new Covid variant found in South Africa with ‘a large number of mutations’
The World Health Organization is monitoring a new variant with numerous mutations to the spike protein, scheduling a special meeting Friday to discuss what it may mean for vaccines and treatments, officials said Thursday.
New Government In Germany To Phase Out Coal, Legalize Drugs
Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, will have a new government of Social Democrats, Greens, and liberal parties that seek to phase-out coal by 2030 while legalizing “soft” drugs.
Dozens Of Migrants Drown On Way To Britain
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “shocked, appalled and deeply saddened” after at least 30 people died when their boat sank in the Channel.
Overturn Roe v. Wade? Why It Might Happen This Time
On Dec. 1, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the abortion case that some say is the most important since the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
Abbas meets Putin, seeks Quartet role in peace process
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday for talks on reviving the peace process with Israel, in the context of Russia’s support for the two-state solution.
Lithuania Allows Taiwan To Establish ‘Embassy’ Despite China’s Outcry
Lithuania has defended its decision to allow Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in the Baltic nation despite an angry response from China.
Austria In Lockdown As Nearby Germany Warns Unvaccinated Of Death
Austria returned to a national lockdown Monday and prepared for forced vaccinations against COVID-19, while in neighboring Germany, the government warned jab hesitant citizens of “death.”
Fresh Corona Unrest Erupts In Netherlands Injuring Several
More unrest has rocked the Netherlands and other countries in Europe, amid mounting anger against new lockdown rules that authorities say are needed to tackle rising COVID-19 cases.
WHO: ‘500,000 COVID Deaths In Europe Without Restrictions’
The World Health Organization (WHO) has effectively told Europe‘s leaders to maintain COVID restrictions even as people were injured in protests against these policies in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.
Israel to begin vaccinating children aged 5-11 on Tuesday, Bennett says
Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced on Friday that the country’s vaccination campaign for children aged 5-11 will debut on Tuesday.
Dutch Police Shoot During COVID Protests; Several Injured
The Dutch port city of Rotterdam turned into a war zone Friday with police firing warning shots, injuring several people, following protests against coronavirus restrictions.
Austria Announces Full COVID Lockdown, Vaccination Order
Austria has announced a full lockdown starting Monday and will force all its citizens to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Mideast Quartet expresses concern over West Bank violence, PA financial crisis
The so-called Quartet of Middle East mediators urged Israel and the Palestinians on Thursday to address an array of challenges — ongoing violence in the West Bank, the advancement of new settlement units in Palestinian territories, and “the untenable fiscal crisis within the Palestinian Authority.”
Europe imposes lockdown restrictions as fourth wave of coronavirus surges
Across Europe, sweeping COVID-19 restrictions are being imposed in a bid to tackle a fourth wave of the virus currently surging across the continent.
Putin accuses NATO of ignoring Russian ‘warnings about red lines’
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused NATO of ignoring Russian “red lines” in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, a habit that he blamed for raising the risk of a new crisis “tomorrow.”