Good Morning,
Covid Fears
No one imagined this could happen so quickly, but fears over a new Covid variant and it’s rapid evolution is rattling economies around the World.
Since it was first discovered in South Africa, Omicron has been quickly spread through World travel to Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Britain, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, France, and Canada. The fact is is may have been spreading for some days before it was detected so travel bans and quarantines will slow it down, but it is already here.
Israel, Japan and Morocco have banned all foreign travel.
As oil prices began to dip with airline and travel stocks falling, the questions from every country are;
-is the variant spreading faster than Delta variant which is now dominant around the world?
-and critically is it more deadly, resulting in an increase in hospitalizations
-and will it evade vaccines?
So far there is only a marginal increase in hospitalization in South Africa, but it’s said to be too early to tell clearly and experts need the next two weeks to measure the strength of the virus.
Current testing still detects the virus and many current treatments will still apply. I attach the World Health Org. statement below.
As of tomorrow the UK has sensibly ordered mask mandates on public transportation and in crowded places. Wear a mask! Protect yourself.
Iran Nuclear Talks
Talks to slow Irans nuclear program begin Tuesday in Vienna, as the Biden administration tries to reengage Iran and persuade it’s radical leaders international inspections and slamming the brakes on making a nuclear bomb equals lifting sanctions and improving it’s economy.
But the spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces, Brig.-Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, on Saturday urged the total elimination of the Jewish state during an interview with an Iranian regime-controlled media outlet.
"We will not back off from the annihilation of Israel, even one millimeter. We want to destroy Zionism in the world,” Shekarchi told the Iranian Students News Agency.
Those comments are front page news in Israel, which is a nuclear state itself, that will increasingly see attacking Iran to force denuclearization as a tempting option.
Pope and Refugees
Last week 27 refugees perished trying to start a new life, by crossing the English Channel from France to England. Lured by criminal smugglers, their tiny dingy sunk and a pregnant woman and several children were among those who died.
This weekend as Britain vowed to get tougher on refugees, the Pope called on political leaders to do more to help refugees. It’s notable that the numbers of refugees trying to get to England are actually lower, and its not the favoured destination of most refugees. But Britains political leaders are accused of using immigration and migrants as a political tool to whip up anti migrant sentiment.
Have a listen to our latest Back Story w/Dana Lewis podcast as we discuss the politics of refugees which is far from humane.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1016881/9616431
Other News…
Today the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell begins. The British socialite was Jeffrey Epstein’s girlfriend and then the manager of his far-flung properties — a Caribbean island, a New Mexico ranch and Manhattan’s largest townhouse, among others. According to the authorities, she also oversaw a network that recruited dozens of vulnerable girls for Epstein to abuse.
Another ‘atmospheric river’ hit Canada’s British Columbia again over the weekend. Abbotsford, Merritt, and Hope are under new evacuation orders because of mudslides and flooding.
The Bosnian Serb leader accused of risking war by pursuing the breakup of Bosnia-Herzegovina has dismissed the threat of western sanctions and hinted at an imminent summit with Vladimir Putin, saying: “I was not elected to be a coward”. Milorad Dodik is the Serb leader who may try to break up the region created by the Dayton Accords and threaten peace in the Balkans.
Have a good Monday everyone! As always I attach the original source news links so you can read more on any topic.
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Dana
https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2021-update-on-omicron
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/iranian-brig-gen-urges-destruction-of-israel-prior-to-nuke-talks-687248
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bc-flood-update-weather-forecast-road-closures-evacuations
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/29/bosnian-serb-leader-putin-and-china-will-help-if-west-imposes-sanctions