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.
coronavirus
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.
U.S. jobless claims plunge to 199,000, lowest in 52 years
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plummeted last week to the lowest level in more than half a century, another sign that the U.S. job market is rebounding rapidly from last year’s coronavirus recession.
PM’s son, 9, gets COVID vaccine as Israel officially launches shots for ages 5-11
Israel officially launched its coronavirus vaccination campaign on Tuesday for children aged 5-11, hoping to stem the spread of COVID-19 in schools and patch the largest remaining gap in its drive for national immunity from the pandemic.
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.
Eyeing northern threats, IDF puts over a billion shekels into training for 2022
The Israel Defense Forces has been on a training spree over the past month, holding several large exercises for its Ground Forces in the Northern Command, with plans to continue doing so into next year, following two years of relative stagnation due to a combination of the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of a national budget.
Oklahoma Guard commander defends rejecting vaccine mandate as Pentagon warns troops who refuse
The Oklahoma National Guard’s commanding general Wednesday defended his directive countermanding federal requirements that all U.S. military personnel be vaccinated against the coronavirus, telling troops in a private town hall event that he was following orders from the state’s Republican governor and meant no disrespect to his superiors at the Pentagon.
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.
Florida legislature approves bill to limit COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Florida Senate Republicans on Wednesday succeeded in passing a bill to limit COVID-19 vaccine mandates for public and private employers in the state, the Hill reports. Senate Bill 1 has now been sent to Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it into law.
More than 10,000 Australians have filed coronavirus vaccine injury claims
Taxpayers are facing a hefty bill for rare but significant coronavirus vaccine injuries, with at least 10,000 people planning to claim under the federal government’s no-fault indemnity scheme.
Netherlands Has West Europe’s First Lockdown
The Netherlands’ police used water cannon and force to crackdown on protestors after the prime minister announced West Europe’s first partial COVID-lockdown this winter.
In world 1st, Israel to hold national drill to prepare for future COVID variants
Israel will hold a nationwide drill on Thursday to prepare for the possibility of future coronavirus variants, the Prime Minister’s Office announced, saying the exercise would be the first of its kind in the world.
Europe Facing Conflicts In Poland And Balkans (Worthy News Analysis)
As Europe focused on the coronavirus pandemic, it overlooked looming military conflicts in its eastern backyard from the Polish-Belarus border to the Balkans.
Vietnam: Pastors interrogated over false accusation they started COVID-19 outbreak
A pastoral couple and 11 members of their church have been interrogated by Vietnamese police officials in regard to false accusations that the Christians maliciously started a significant COVID-19 outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City in May, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Local Christian leaders believe the interrogation and accusations are part of an effort to defame and shame Vietnamese evangelicals.