Europe sees spike in omicron cases, weighs new restrictions

With more cases of the omicron coronavirus variant are being reported across Europe, countries are bracing for a new wave and weighing additional measures.

“There is a tidal wave of omicron coming,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday warned, urging citizens to receive COVID-19 booster shots.

Only a day after this warning, Johnson confirmed the first death in the UK due to the omicron variant.

“Sadly, yes, omicron is producing hospitalizations, and sadly at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with omicron,” Johnson said Monday, speaking at a vaccine center in Paddington, west London.

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, Health Minister Robin Swann said they expect “significantly increased” levels of infection, encouraging booster vaccines.

The UK Monday reported 54,661 more coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, with 38 deaths, and Health Secretary Sajid Javid said omicron now makes up 20% of cases in the country.

Since it was first reported to the WHO from southern Africa on Nov. 24, the new omicron variant has been spreading around the world, causing a rise in the number of coronavirus cases on the European continent, with some of the countries imposing restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.

Omicron is the fifth SARS-CoV-2 variant designated as a “variant of concern” by WHO, following the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta variants.

According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 6,430 omicron cases were reported by 70 countries globally, with 1,686 of them in the EU.

Norway

According to the ECDC, Norway tops the list across the EU in the number of omicron cases, with 958 confirmed infections as of Dec. 13, causing tightening of restrictions.

The country announced new curbs as Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store warned Monday during a news conference that omicron and delta variants together would create "a total saturation of the health system."

Norway encourages the speeding of the vaccination campaign, reducing the gap between the second and third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to four-and-a-half months for people aged over 45 and health workers, offering booster shots by mid-January.

The serving of alcohol in bars and restaurants will also be banned in addition to stricter rules for swimming pools and gyms.

The country of 5.4 million has reported over 319,000 COVID-19 cases with 1,136 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Denmark

As of Dec. 13, Denmark reported 195 omicron cases confirmed through whole-genome sequencing, according to the ECDC, and 2,276 infections were registered nationwide through a variant-specific PCR.

The Nordic country reported 7,799 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours on Monday, its highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic, while currently 480 people are hospitalized, according to official data.

Danish health authorities decided to push the third dose of COVID-19 jab for everyone aged 40 and above, reducing the gap between the second and third doses to four-and-a-half months.

Since the start of the pandemic, Denmark reported over 562,000 cases of coronavirus, with over 3,000 people losing their lives, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Germany

German authorities have so far confirmed 28 cases of the omicron variant.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported further 36 suspected cases of omicron and said further tests were underway to determine the variant type.

Experts said the actual number of omicron cases in Germany could be much higher, as samples are not sequenced for every confirmed COVID-19 case.

Germany recorded its highest daily number of coronavirus cases earlier this month with nearly 75,000 new infections and more than 500 deaths in a single day.

Hungary

Hungary on Monday reported its first cases of the new omicron coronavirus variant.

Speaking to Hungary's M1 TV channel, the Central European country's national chief medical officer, Cecilia Muller, said the strain was detected in two people.

While one patient was experiencing mild symptoms, the other was receiving hospital treatment, Muller said.

Hungarian Health Ministry recorded a total of 16,017 coronavirus infections over the last three days.

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US says it is ready to move forward with fighter jet sale to UAE

The United States said on Wednesday it was ready to move forward with the sale of F-35 fighter jets and drones to the United Arab Emirates after Abu Dhabi told Washington it would suspend talks on the $23-billion deal that also includes munitions.

The deal was signed under then-President Donald Trump after the UAE forged ties with Israel last year but progress on the sale had slowed amid concerns in Washington, including over the Gulf Arab state's ties with China, a main trade partner.

"The UAE has informed the US that it will suspend discussions to acquire the F-35," a UAE official told Reuters on Tuesday, citing "technical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions, and cost/benefit analysis".

The official said talks may be re-opened in the future and that there were discussions to "address mutual defense security conditions for the acquisition".

In Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was prepared to move forward with the sale.

"We've wanted to make sure, for example, that our commitment to Israel's qualitative military edge is assured, so we wanted to make sure that we could do a thorough review of any technologies that are sold or transferred to other partners in the region, including the UAE," Blinken said.

The UAE had signed a deal to purchase 50 F-35 stealthy jets made by Lockheed Martin, up to 18 MQ-9B drones and advanced munitions, sources told Reuters in January.

The UAE hosted Israel's prime minister this week. Asked if the F-35 deal and Israeli qualitative military edge had come up, his spokeswoman said only that Israel had received no requests from Abu Dhabi on these matters.

A person briefed on the negotiations said sticking points between the United States and the UAE revolved around how the jets can be deployed and how much of the sophisticated F-35 technology the Emiratis will be allowed to take advantage of.

"The Americans want to sell the Emiratis the planes but they want to tie their hands," another person, a Gulf source, said following the talks.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said defence deals include requirements for purchasing nations, but that the restrictions in this deal made it unfeasible.

In 1998, the UAE selected Lockheed's F-16 Block 60 fighter jet but the deal dragged over access to software source codes and other technology release issues until the sale went through in 2000.

Earlier this month, the Gulf state ordered 80 French-made Rafale warplanes after on-off negotiations for more than a decade. A UAE defence official had said the Rafale deal was complementary to, and not a substitute, for the F-35s.

The Emirati official said the United States, on whose security umbrella Gulf Arab states rely heavily, "remains the UAE's preferred provider for advanced defense requirements".

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby has said Washington is committed to working with Abu Dhabi to address its questions, anticipating the weapons sale would come up at a meeting of US and UAE officials at the Pentagon this week.

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Disengaging with Afghanistan would be disadvantageous for the world: PM Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday warned the international community that repeating the mistake of isolating Afghanistan would be disadvantageous for the world.

The prime minister made the comments as he chaired the second meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan, with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, Planning Minister Asad Umer, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tarin, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf, and senior civil and military officers, a statement by the Prime Minister's Office said.

The prime minister urged the international community to support the vulnerable people of Afghanistan, vowing that Pakistan would support the Afghan people in every possible way to avert a humanitarian crisis, the statement said.

The Ashraf Ghani-led government in Afghanistan was overthrown in mid-August, and since then, the country is facing a severe financial crunch, with their foreign assets frozen.

According to the statement, the premier highlighted that Pakistan has already committed to immediate relief of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth Rs5 billion, which comprises food commodities including 50,000 metric tons of wheat, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters, and other supplies.

He also said that humanitarian organisations wishing to work from Pakistan to support efforts in Afghanistan should be facilitated and that Islamabad had already committed to being the air and land bridge for humanitarian support to Kabul.

The Apex Committee was briefed that as per directions of the prime minister, the facility of a free COVID-19 vaccination for all Afghans entering Pakistan from land borders is being continued.

Moreover, the process of obtaining a Pakistani visa has been simplified for Afghans.

"Participants of the Apex Committee again expressed concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasised that Pakistan will not abandon Afghans in their time of need," the statement said.

It is pertinent to mention here that on Sunday, December 19, Pakistan is hosting an extraordinary session of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers in Islamabad to highlight the plight of vulnerable Afghan people in these testing times and to discuss ways for helping them.

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Govt slashes petrol price by Rs5 per litre

The government on Wednesday decided to decrease the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs5 per litre from December 16 to provide relief to people.

According to a notification issued by the Finance Division, the new price of petrol will be Rs140.82 per litre against the previous price of Rs145.82 per litre.

The new price of HSD, which is majorly used by the agriculture and transport sectors, will be Rs137.62 per litre as against Rs142.62 per litre.

Kerosene will be sold at Rs109.53 per litre as against Rs116.53, while the new price of light diesel oil is fixed at Rs107.06 per litre against Rs114.07 per litre.

The rates have been reduced amid fluctuations in the prices of petroleum products in the international market.

According to the notification, the new prices will be effective from December 16.

The government had last jacked up the price of petrol in Pakistan by Rs8.03 per litre on November 5.

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'never gave a penny' for Bani Gala's household expenses: Jahangir Tareen

The now-estranged PTI leader, Jahangir Khan Tareen, on Wednesday refuted former PTI member, retired Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed's statement about the former's alleged role in bearing most of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s monthly household expenses.

Tareen, seeking to set the record straight, issued a statement on Twitter.

Regardless of the current status of my relationship with Imran khan, the truth must be told. I did whatever was in my capacity to help PTI in the quest to build a new Pakistan but I never gave a penny for the household expenses of Bani Gala. Just want to set the record straight.

— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) December 15, 2021

He said that he ought to tell the truth regardless of the status of his relations with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"I have never paid a single penny for the household expenses of Bani Gala," Tareen wrote.

Tareen said that he did whatever was in his capacity to help PTI build a new Pakistan.

Wajihuddin Ahmed — who had resigned from the PTI back in 2016 — alleged that Tareen initially gave funds worth Rs3 million per month for the now-prime minister's household expenses, which was later increased to Rs5 million per month.

Speaking during a show on a private news channel, he said that the perception about Imran Khan being an honest man is "completely wrong".

“The man who doesn’t even pay for his shoelaces, how can you call that man honest?” Ahmed asked.

It may be recalled that Ahmed had recommended the removal of Tareen and Pervez Khattak from the party on allegations of rigging during the PTI party election. However, Imran Khan later expelled Ahmed from the party.

Earlier, responding to Wajihuddin’s claims, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry had said: "Jokers like Justice Wajihuddin say things like these to increase their importance.”

Addressing a press conference, the information minister had said: “Such people are not recognised by their families either so there is no need to pay much attention to them."

Moreover, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill said the claims were "completely false and illogical".

"Whoever knows Imran Khan, knows his honesty and dignity. Wajih sahib often makes illogical remarks such as these in despair over being expelled from the party," he said in a tweet.

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NCOC decides to shift winter vacations to January: sources

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to shift the winter vacations for educational institutions to January from December, in a meeting held today (Wednesday).

Sources said that the decision was backed by all provinces, who agreed to the proposal.

"The decision was taken in line with the recommendations forwarded during the inter-provincial education ministers conference," revealed the source.

NCOC sources said the vaccination process will carry on in educational institutions, adding that educational institutions will remain closed in areas where heavy snowfall takes place.

A meeting of all the education ministers was held yesterday to discuss whether winter vacations can be shifted from December to January in educational institutions due to several issues.

The Government of Sindh has already announced winter vacations from December 20, 2021 to January 3, 2022.

Federal Ministry of Education, in a handout issued yesterday, said recommendations for winter vacations suggested by all the provinces were under consideration and a "final decision will be taken at tomorrow's (Wednesday) NCOC meeting."

Meanwhile, all provinces and textbook boards were directed at the meeting of the inter-provincial education ministers to publish the cabinet-approved political map of the country in the textbooks.

"Before this, different maps were being published in different provinces," the statement said.

Educational institutions have already been teaching the new political map of the country, which was introduced by the federal government a couple of years ago, essentially asserting its longstanding position on the Kashmir and Sir Creek issues.

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'never gave a penny' for Bani Gala's household expenses: Jahangir Tareen

The now-estranged PTI leader, Jahangir Khan Tareen, on Wednesday refuted former PTI member, retired Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed's statement about the former's alleged role in bearing most of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s monthly household expenses.

Tareen, seeking to set the record straight, issued a statement on Twitter.

Regardless of the current status of my relationship with Imran khan, the truth must be told. I did whatever was in my capacity to help PTI in the quest to build a new Pakistan but I never gave a penny for the household expenses of Bani Gala. Just want to set the record straight.

— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) December 15, 2021

He said that he ought to tell the truth regardless of the status of his relations with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"I have never paid a single penny for the household expenses of Bani Gala," Tareen wrote.

Tareen said that he did whatever was in his capacity to help PTI build a new Pakistan.

Wajihuddin Ahmed — who had resigned from the PTI back in 2016 — alleged that Tareen initially gave funds worth Rs3 million per month for the now-prime minister's household expenses, which was later increased to Rs5 million per month.

Speaking during a show on a private news channel, he said that the perception about Imran Khan being an honest man is "completely wrong".

“The man who doesn’t even pay for his shoelaces, how can you call that man honest?” Ahmed asked.

It may be recalled that Ahmed had recommended the removal of Tareen and Pervez Khattak from the party on allegations of rigging during the PTI party election. However, Imran Khan later expelled Ahmed from the party.

Earlier, responding to Wajihuddin’s claims, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry had said: "Jokers like Justice Wajihuddin say things like these to increase their importance.”

Addressing a press conference, the information minister had said: “Such people are not recognised by their families either so there is no need to pay much attention to them."

Moreover, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill said the claims were "completely false and illogical".

"Whoever knows Imran Khan, knows his honesty and dignity. Wajih sahib often makes illogical remarks such as these in despair over being expelled from the party," he said in a tweet.

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