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World Health Organization: WHO:
Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern — The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) is an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations …
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Carl Zimmer / New York Times:
New Virus Variant Stokes Concern but Vaccines Still Likely to Work — The Omicron variant carries worrisome mutations that may let it evade antibodies, scientists said. But it will take more research to know how it fares against vaccinated people. — Scientific experts …
The Guardian:
South Africa accuses UK and others of ‘knee-jerk’ reaction to new variant — Travel restrictions on southern African states imposed by countries after discovery of B.1.1.529 already harming economy — Nick Dall in Cape Town and Lizzy Davies — South Africa has angrily condemned travel …
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Slate, Simple Flying, Al Jazeera, HotAir and Politico
Reuters:
U.S. President Biden calls for intellectual property protection waivers after Omicron discovery — U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday called on nations expected to meet at the World Trade Organization next week to agree to waive intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines in the wake …
Associated Press:
World races to contain new COVID threat, the omicron variant — BRUSSELS (AP) — Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world raced Friday to contain a new coronavirus variant potentially more dangerous than the one that has fueled relentless waves of infection on nearly every continent.
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Reuters, New York Times, Voice of America, FOX 5 San Diego, HotAir, Fox News and Slate
The White House:
Statement by President Joe Biden on the Omicron COVID-19 Variant — This morning I was briefed by my chief medical advisor, Dr. Tony Fauci, and the members of our COVID response team, about the Omicron variant, which is spreading through Southern Africa.
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Moderna, Inc., BizPac Review, The Hill, Forbes, Boston Herald, CBS Boston and Washington Post
The White House:
A Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease 2019
Kaitlan Collins / CNN:
Biden to restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries starting Monday
Biden to restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries starting Monday
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Washington Examiner, Washington Times, Metro.co.uk, Joe.My.God., The Western Journal and Forbes
Bruce Weber / New York Times:
Stephen Sondheim, Titan of the American Musical, Is Dead at 91 — He was the theater's most revered and influential composer-lyricist of the last half of the 20th century and the driving force behind some of Broadway's most beloved and celebrated shows. — Stephen Sondheim …
New York Times:
Seeking Backers for New Fund, Jared Kushner Turns to Middle East — Former President Donald J. Trump's son-in-law is trying to raise capital for his investment firm and is turning to a region that he dealt with extensively while in the White House. — As a White House adviser …
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Insider, POLITICUSUSA and Raw Story
Sarah Mervosh / New York Times:
In Minneapolis Schools, White Families Are Asked to Help Do the Integrating — In a citywide overhaul, a beloved Black high school was rezoned to include white students from a richer neighborhood. It has been hard for everyone. — MINNEAPOLIS — When Mauri Friestleben learned that Minneapolis …
NBC News:
Laser-focused on 2020, Trump seeks a Michigan Legislature that could help him in 2024 — Jon Rocha was settling in to watch the new “Ghostbusters” with his young daughter at the movies last week when he got the news: Former President Donald Trump had endorsed his bid for state representative in Michigan.
Discussion:
Raw Story
Sarah Kaplan / Washington Post:
Oil and gas companies should pay more to drill on public lands and waters, Interior Department says — In an effort to boost revenue and protect the environment, the Biden administration on Friday laid out plans to make fossil fuel companies pay more to drill on federal lands and waters.
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Lexi Lonas / The Hill:
Trump goes after Woodward, Costa over China — Former President Trump went after The Washington Post's Bob Woodward and Robert Costa over their recent book on his presidency, specifically attacking claims that Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley called China to offer reassurances after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
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RedState
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Sonam Sheth / Insider:
Trump says top US general should be ‘tried for treason’ for intervening to prevent a war with China
Trump says top US general should be ‘tried for treason’ for intervening to prevent a war with China
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HuffPost
The Daily Beast:
Former Trump Adviser Steve Cortes Out at Newsmax — Tensions have long simmered between the cable channel and Cortes, a diehard Trump loyalist whose public criticism of Newsmax's vaccine policy may have been the last straw. … Former Trump campaign adviser Steve Cortes is out at Newsmax …
Discussion:
Joe.My.God., Raw Story, BizPac Review and Insider
Reuters:
Sudanese politicians released after beginning hunger strike … Sudan's former minister of cabinet affairs Khalid Omer Yousif was released from detention along with others less than a day after beginning a hunger strike, the country's information ministry said in a statement early on Saturday.
Associated Press:
Can Biden find the right balance on immigration? — WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats wielded demands to fix the nation's broken immigration system as a cudgel against Republicans in the 2020 campaign. Elect us, went the argument, and we'll stop the cruel treatment of migrants at the border …
Discussion:
New York Times and Wall Street Journal
Voice of America:
Iran Forces Fire on Water Protesters in Most Violent Crackdown Since July — Iranian security forces appear to have fired tear gas and pellet guns at protesters in the central city of Isfahan in what activists say is the most violent government crackdown on dissent in the Islamic republic since July.
Discussion:
WTOP News and The Times of Israel
Andrew Ackerman / Wall Street Journal:
Centrist Senate Democrats Signal Opposition to Biden Banking Nominee — Concern conveyed in telephone call with committee chairman, likely scuttling Saule Omarova's chances of confirmation — WASHINGTON—A group of Senate Democrats have privately voiced their opposition to President Biden's nomination …
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