Tag: epidemic

Pentagon chief diagnosed with Covid-19

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has tested positive for Covid-19 and is exhibiting "mild" symptoms, according to a statement from him released by the Defense Department on Sunday."I have informed my leadership team of my positive test result, as well as the President. My staff has begun contact tracing and testing of all those with whom […]

Omicron virus reaches Lebanon

The Lebanese health ministry said Thursday that it had confirmed the country's first two cases of the Omicron variant of Covid in passengers tested upon arrival at the airport. "Two cases detected in airport testing" were confirmed to be of the Omicron variant, Health Minister Firass Abiad told a press conference. He said both passengers […]

Havana Syndrome hits US Vienna embassy, local CIA chief fired

The CIA has removed its Vienna station chief following criticism of his management, including what some considered an inadequate response to reports of “Havana syndrome” incidents at the US Embassy there, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. The Post, which cited unnamed current and former US officials, reported the action would send a message that […]

Macron striken by COVID, EU leaders fear for themselves

President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, prompting a track-and-trace effort across Europe following numerous meetings between the French leader and EU heads of government in recent days. Macron, who will turn 43 on Monday, is running France remotely and has gone into quarantine at the presidential retreat of La Lanterne close […]

COVID-19 hits Iran opposition at the top

An Iranian opposition leader who ran in a disputed 2009 presidential election and his activist wife have tested positive for the coronavirus while under house arrest, the semi-official ILNA news agency reported Sunday. The report came as authorities announced a stricter two-week lockdown set to begin Saturday for some 100 cities and towns to prevent […]

Coronavirus only barrier to UAE normalization with Israel

The first official delegation to Israel from the United Arab Emirates may remain at the airport and fly home the same day, rather than conduct a wider visit, due to coronavirus precautions, an Israeli minister said. Israel is under a second coronavirus lockdown, which it plans to begin easing next week, after a surge in […]

Israeli cabinet fails to resolve financial crisis as new official quits

Israel’s finance minister promised on Sunday the long awaited 2021 state budget would be ready in December amid accusations the government was dragging its heels for political reasons and after a third senior economic official quit in three months. Failure to pass last year’s budget was a big factor in the unprecedented political turmoil in […]

New violent strain of corona virus found in Australia

The virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on banknotes, glass and stainless steel for up to 28 days, much longer than the flu virus, Australian researchers said on Monday, highlighting the need for cleaning and handwashing to combat the virus. Findings from the study done by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, appear to show that […]

COVID strikes at heart of White House as Trumps infected

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he and his wife Melania had tested positive for COVID-19 and were going into quarantine, upending the race for the White House. “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!” the president said in a late night tweet. Trump, 74, […]

Turkish musicians commit suicide in mass over COVID

Around 100 musicians in Turkey have committed suicide since the country introduced preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in March, according to statistics released by the Turkish Musicians and Performers Union (Muzik-Sen) early this month. There are roughly 1 million registered musicians in Turkey, many of whom work without insurance and so have been unable […]

Israeli parliament being kept out of anti-corona crackdown

Israeli lawmakers on Thursday empowered the government to order anti-coronavirus curbs with limited parliamentary oversight, stirring opposition fears for the country’s democratic health. After early success in clamping down on the pandemic, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been struggling with resurgent contagions. Sporadic closures of various sectors of the economy have deepened public vexation, sparking […]

Fresh protests for Netanyahu to quit

About 2,000 Israelis rallied outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday as protests mounted against him over his handling of a worsening coronavirus crisis and alleged corruption. Wearing protective masks, the demonstrators marched from Netanyahu’s official residence to Israel’s parliament, holding up signs that read “Crime Minister” and calling on the five-term […]

Israelis take to the streets over Netanyahu's corona policy

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday in Tel Aviv, angered by what they say has been an inept government response to the economic hits they have taken during the coronavirus crisis. In keeping with restrictions on public gatherings, police limited the number of people allowed into Tel Aviv’s Rabin square for the rally as nearby […]

WHO cautions that coronavirus is mutating

Almost 30% of genome sequencing data from samples of the COVID-19 virus collected by the World Health Organization (WHO) have shown signs of mutation, but there is no evidence this has led to more severe disease, a top WHO official said on Friday. “I think it’s quite widespread,” Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist, told Reuters […]

Israeli defence contractors to help UAE with coronavirus

Two Israeli defense contractors said on Friday they were partnering with Abu Dhabi-based Group 42 to develop technologies that will help fight the new coronavirus. Israel has no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries, but common concerns over Iran’s regional influence have led to a limited thaw in ties. Last month, a senior United Arab […]

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