Reader’s Links for December 2, 2021

Each day at just after midnight Eastern, a post like this one is created for contributors and readers of this site to upload news links and video links on the issues that concern this site. Most notably, Islam and its effects on Classical Civilization, and various forms of leftism from Soviet era communism, to postmodernism and all the flavours of galloping statism and totalitarianism such as Nazism and Fascism which are increasingly snuffing out the classical liberalism which created our near, miraculous civilization the West has been building since the time of Socrates.

This document was written around the time this site was created, for those who wish to understand what this site is about. And while our understanding of the world and events has grown since then, the basic ideas remain sound and true to the purpose.

So please post all links, thoughts and ideas that you feel will benefit the readers of this site to the comments under this post each day. And thank you all for your contributions.

This is the new Samizdat. We must use it while we can.

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

60 Replies to “Reader’s Links for December 2, 2021”

    • You think he’s lurking?
      When he gets better and comes back, I’ll KILL him.

      But – G-d forbid – it might be Tara or Shannon. I wasn’t functional for weeks after we lost Uncle Sashenka…

      Because otherwise we’d have gotten a message. I’m crying again…….

      • He’s not the lurker type unless he’s incapacitated and can’t type. Did you know he was one of the very first contributors on VTB?

        For me, regardless of whether he returns, he is symbolic of the spirit here as much or more than anyone, so never disappears. He is alive and kicking as long as we are.

        • For me, THERE IS NO REGARDLESS…!

          I’d be crushed.
          Losing Wrath has left a big wound. A whole dimension.

          But Richard?
          Phooey on spirit.
          That’s post-facto. I’m not going to concede anything.
          …….
          It’s happened before: We’ve had friends here who’ve become indisposed, then AWOL, and then returned to the warmth of the VTB hearth.

          That’s as far as I’m willing to go.

  1. On crushing supply chains to crush economies in order to build back better fascism:

    https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/omicron-could-cause-supply-chain-crunch-worsen-oecd-warns

    On a related note it makes perfect sense, in retrospect, that Dear Leader signalled his fealty to Soros’s directions by selling what little remained of Dystopia’s gold reserves upon his entering office. Given the lame excuse for this action in this article, Dear Leader was clearly read the game plan of the ensuing years, to the present. Controlled economic demolition in the run-up to the new world currency paradigm was always the order of the day:

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.3443700

    • On a sarcastic note, gold requires mining it. And that isn’t eco-friendly.
      But I do agree with you in that we were questioning why would Canada sell off almost all its gold reserves. What did they know that we didn’t? The Build Back Better worldwide digital plan.

    • Shocking.
      The great explicator of commie tactics is still fixated on spikey vs. anti-spikey.
      Gotta move on, figure out what we’ve gotta do.

  2. – ASTRA ZENECA (… rare jab blood-clots.). –

    “AstraZeneca uncovers what’s triggering blood clots after its jab: Vaccine acts like a magnet and attracts platelets which body mistakes for a threat and attacks

    A new study has found possible link to rare jab blood-clots which has been connected to the death 73 Britons

    Scientists found the virus used in the jab attracts a protein in the blood, called platelet factor 4, like a magnet

    In a case of ‘mistaken identity’ the body’s immune system then attacks this cluster, triggering the blood clots

    A team of international experts, involving researchers from AstraZeneca, say that in a very small number of cases — about one in 100,000 in the UK — the vaccine can set off a chain reaction which leads to the body confusing its own blood platelets for fragments of virus.”

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10266585/AstraZeneca-uncovers-trigger-blood-clots-jab.html

    • city news – TORONTO – A strong start to vaccinating 5-11 year-olds

      With a new variant of concern surfacing across Ontario, the race is on to get children aged 5-11 vaccinated.

    • city news -CAMH opens vaccine clinic to kids

      The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has opened up its vaccine clinic to kids between the ages of five and 11 years old

    • Health Dept. in Maryland says they gave dozens of kids expired COVID vaccine

      LARGO, MD – The Prince George’s County Health Department has notified the families of 70 children ages 5 through 11 who, due to a vaccine storage error, received expired first or second doses of Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine at the County’s Sports and Learning Complex on Friday, November 26. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Pfizer and the County Health Department recommend the children receive a replacement dose to ensure they have the most protection possible against COVID-19.

      Officials say there is no health risk to children who received the expired vaccine, but those doses are likely to be less effective at protecting against COVID-19 according to the CDC, MDH and Pfizer.

      “We deeply regret the error and we apologize for the concern and inconvenience this has caused families,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services, and Education Dr. George L. Askew. “As a pediatrician, I want to assure parents that receiving an expired COVID-19 vaccine dose or receiving a replacement dose does not endanger your child’s health. An expired dose may not provide the maximum protection that these vaccines give and that’s why the County quickly made arrangements for each of these children to get re-vaccinated.”

      The Department will be offering special private clinics only for affected families at its Cheverly Health Center (3003 Hospital Drive Cheverly, MD 20785) on Sunday, December 5 and Saturday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-ins and appointments are accepted.

      If the families want to get re-vaccinated sooner, they are also invited to attend any of the regular clinics offered at select County elementary and high schools as well as at the Sports and Learning Complex. For additional public and private COVID-19 vaccine clinic schedules, including a clinic locator mapping tool and a mobile clinic calendar, visit mypgc.us/COVIDvaccine. If families have transportation difficulties and need assistance getting to a clinic, they can contact the County’s Department of Public Works & Transportation hotline at 301-499-8603.

      “The vaccination vendor at the Sports and Learning Complex has been retrained on vaccine storage and administration protocols, and the County has been assured from the vendor administering vaccine that it has taken corrective action that will prevent this from happening again,” said Prince George’s County Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter. “Our collective goal remains protecting each other during the holiday season and from emerging variants. I urge residents to get vaccinated or boosted while continuing to mask up, maintain good hygiene, and get tested, especially if you begin to feel symptoms or if you have been exposed to COVID-19.”

      On November 19, the County Health Department received a transfer of 300 pediatric Pfizer doses from a provider that was unable to administer the doses before they expired on November 24.

      The vaccination vendor at the Sports and Learning Complex clinic, HealthCare Dynamics International, administered all but 70 of the transferred vaccine doses before the expiration date. However, the remaining 70 doses were not discarded, which is the proper protocol, and were mistakenly stored in the refrigerator with viable vaccine. On November 26, the remaining doses (at that point expired) were mistakenly placed on a tray with viable doses and were administered at the clinic that day.

      https://breaking911.com/just-in-health-dept-in-maryland-says-they-gave-dozens-of-kids-expired-covid-vaccine/

      • While they continue to dumb down med school admissions and curricula.
        Why bother reading labels?
        That’s obsessive, that’s raycist.

  3. YouTube Restricts Minors’ Access to Video of French Presidential Bidder Zemmour

    MOSCOW (Sputnik) – YouTube has restricted access to the video address of French right-wing journalist, writer and presidential candidate Eric Zemmour for minors, YouTube France spokesperson told BFMTV broadcaster on Thursday.

    “YouTube’s regulations generally prohibit offensive or violent content. In case a video contains an element that is not suitable for all users, we make sure to apply an age limit to protect them,” the spokesperson said.

    With the new rule, users willing to watch Zemmour’s video have to present YouTube WITH AN ID OR CREDIT CARD TO CONFIRM THEIR AGE .

    These restrictions came into force on Wednesday, according to the French broadcaster.

    Earlier this week, Zemmour’s candidacy video prompted a controversy claiming copyright infringement as the presidential bidder used multiple images from such movies as Jeanne d’Arc by Luc Besson, On the Last Breath by Jean-Luc Godard and others without obtaining permission from featured persons and right owners.

    The presidential election in France is scheduled for April 2022.

    https://sputniknews.com/20211202/youtube-restricts-minors-access-to-video-of-french-presidential-bidder-zemmour-1091202200.html
    =======================================
    Youtube’s decision to restrict the footage comes after the video was already controversial. Several people and companies are considering taking legal action against the candidate who allegedly used extracts in his video without paying the rights. This is for example the case of Gaumont who discovered the use, without authorization, of extracts from films such as “A monkey in winter“By Henri Verneuil ( 1962 ) and”Jeanne D’Arc» By Luc Besson( 1999). The company quickly indicated that it was preparing for summary proceedings.

    https://news.in-24.com/lifestyle/tv/203929.html

    ========================================

  4. DAILY MAIL – Rugby greats pay tribute to ‘inspirational’ Scotland women’s international star Siobhan Cattigan, 26, who has died suddenly ‘in non-suspicious circumstances’

    Scotland international rugby player Siobhan Cattigan has died at the age of 26
    The rugby star, who won 19 caps for her country in her career, died on Friday
    Scottish Rugby now have ‘specialist employees providing ongoing support’
    Cause of death has not been revealed though it is thought to be non-suspicious

    […]The cause of death is unclear, with Scottish Rugby saying it will provide ‘support’ to those most affected. Police Scotland have not been made aware of the rugby star’s death, suggesting it is non-suspicious.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10262143/Scotland-international-rugby-player-Siobhan-Cattigan-tragically-dies.html

    ====================================
    the gateway pundit – Scottish Rugby Player Siobhan Cattigan Dies Suddenly at the Age of 26

    Siobhan Cattigan, Scottish international rugby star has died suddenly at the age of 26, Stirling County rugby football club confirmed on Tuesday.

    The Stirling County rugby football club released a statement on Tuesday four days after Cattigan’s death.

    Her cause of death was not yet revealed. Speculations have been circulating on social media platforms that the vaccine has something to do with her death. The Telegraph made a report saying it was not related to COVID-19 or the vaccine. Scotland police have not been aware of her passing, suggesting it is non-suspicious, according to Daily Mail.

    Over the past few months, dozens of athletes – particularly soccer players – have abruptly collapsed while competing, because somehow they have all developed serious heart conditions despite their young age and peak physical health.

    […]The Daily Mail published an ‘investigation’ into the athletes who are collapsing in games and they concluded that “it’s terrifying but it’s a COINCIDENCE,” adding there is no need for people to “panic.”

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/12/scottish-rugby-player-siobhan-cattigan-dies-suddenly-age-26/

  5. SWIMMING competition: Newly converted male to female wins!

    UPenn trans swimmer sparks outrage by SMASHING women’s competition records after competing as a man for three seasons

    Lia Thomas recently competed in women’s swimming event on November 20
    She has been breaking records while competing with University of Pennsylvania

    Lia Thomas, formerly named Will, has competed in a number of events recently, including a tri-meet with Cornell and Princeton universities on November 20 where the senior ‘blasted’ the University of Pennsylvania records in the 200m and 500m freestyle – posting times that beat almost any other female swimmers across America.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10266627/Fury-unfair-competition-trans-swimmer-smashing-womens-records.html

  6. Austria’s Chancellor Schallenberg stepping down

    Alexander Schallenberg has announced he is resigning as Chancellor of Austria, just two months after taking office. He said he would remain in the post until his party agrees a new leader in the wake of Sebastian Kurz’s departure.

    Just hours earlier, Schallenberg’s predecessor and People’s Party leader Kurz said he was leaving politics and would officially step down as party chair on Friday.

    In a statement Thursday, Schallenberg said he believes “that both positions – head of government and leader of the Austrian party with the most votes – should soon once again be held by the same person.”

    “I am therefore making my post as chancellor available as soon as the relevant course has been set within the party,” he added.

    https://www.rt.com/news/542030-austria-chancellor-schallenberg-kurz-resign/

    =====================================
    DEUTSCHE PRAVDA – Austrian chancellor resigns after Sebastian Kurz withdraws from politics

    Austria’s ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced he is stepping back from politics. His successor, Alexander Schallenberg, has also announced his resignation.

    Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced he is stepping back from politics following the birth of his son

    Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, 35, announced Thursday he would step back from politics.

    Kurz resigned his posts as the head of his conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) and as parliamentary group leader.

    He recently became a father. In his statement, he said he was withdrawing from politics to focus on his family. He also pushed back against criticism and allegations of corruption.

    “As chancellor, you have so many decisions that you have to make every day, that you know early on that you will also make wrong decisions,” he said.

    “You’re always under observation. You also constantly have the feeling that you’re being hunted,” Kurz added.

    Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung was first to report Kurz planned to retire from politics. Kurz’s withdrawal from national political life comes as a surprise to Austria.

    In October, Kurz stepped down as chancellor under pressure from coalition partner the Greens after prosecutors placed him under investigation on suspicion of corruption. Prior to then, most Austrians thought Kurz would remain in office for years.

    Kurz’s replacement also steps down

    Later on Thursday, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, a Kurz loyalist who took over when Kurz resigned from the chancellorship, announced he would not run for party leadership and announced his intention to resign as head of government.

    “I firmly believe that both positions — head of government and leader of the Austrian party with the most votes — should soon once again be held by the same person,” Schallenberg said in a statement.

    “I am therefore making my post as chancellor available as soon as the relevant course has been set within the party,” he added.

    Plagued by scandals
    Kurz is being investigated for giving false statements and breach of public trust. It is alleged that public funds were misused to buy complimentary journalistic coverage among other things.

    Kurz adamantly refutes the allegations of corruption and bribery. He is among ten people in his circle under investigation for breach of public trust, corruption and bribery.

    In his resignation statement, Kurz hit back at the accusations against him, saying they hampered his ability to work.

    His last months in office were more about “defending against accusations and proceedings and no longer about a competition for the best ideas.”

    Kurz said the process had been “very exhausting” for him.

    Many in his own ranks believed his successor as chancellor, career diplomat Alexander Schallenberg, was merely a placeholder until Kurz could return after clearing his name.

    Kurz’s People’s Party is one of the primary traditional political parties in Austria. After he became leader in 2017, the party built itself around him, leaving no obvious choice for successor.

    Interior Minister Karl Nehammer will succeed him as party chair.

    https://www.dw.com/en/austrian-chancellor-resigns-after-sebastian-kurz-withdraws-from-politics/a-59993547

    ==============================

  7. CNN – Germany locks down unvaccinated people, as leaders plan to make shots compulsory

    Berlin (CNN) Germany on Thursday announced a nationwide lockdown for the unvaccinated, as its leaders backed plans for mandatory vaccinations in the coming months.

    Unvaccinated people will be banned from accessing all but the most essential businesses, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, to curb the spread of coronavirus, outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel and her successor, Olaf Scholz, announced Thursday, following crisis talks with regional leaders.

    The pair also backed proposals for mandatory vaccinations, which if voted through the parliament could take effect from February at the earliest.

    Under the tightened restrictions, unvaccinated people can only meet two people from another household. Bars and nightclubs must shut down in areas with an incidence rate above 350 cases per 100,000 people over one week. And the country would limit the number of people at large events like soccer matches.

    Acting Chancellor Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz hold a press conference on tightened Covid-19 restrictions Thursday.

    The announcement comes as Germany battles a surge in cases that has pushed Europe back to the epicenter of the pandemic, heightening fears over the newly discovered Omicron variant.

    The press briefing is also Merkel’s last before she leaves office later on Thursday; a grim note to end her 16 years as German chancellor.

    “We have understood that the situation is very serious and that we want to take further measures in addition to those already taken,” Merkel told reporters at Thursday’s news conference. “The fourth wave must be broken and this has not yet been achieved,” she added.

    A nationwide vaccination mandate could come into effect from February 2022 — after it is debated in parliament and following guidance from Germany’s Ethics Council, Merkel said.

    She added that vaccinated people will lose their vaccination status nine months after getting their last shot, apparently in an effort to encourage booster uptake.

    https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/02/europe/germany-lockdown-covid-restrictions-intl/index.html

    • Germany to enforce unvaccinated LOCKDOWN & mandatory vaccines as Covid-19 fourth wave rages

      GERMANY is set to ban people who are not fully jabbed from shops, pubs and restaurants in what has been dubbed as a “lockdown for the unvaccinated”.

      The draconian measures comes as Germany battles a record number of infections amid a fourth Covid wave, with intensive care units set to reach capacity by Christmas.

      Under the emergency plans being unvaccinated counts as people or have not had two jabs — or their third booster one if they had their second more than nine months ago.

      Those who do not have proof of fully vaccinated status, such as on an app, would be barred from entering public venues.

      This includes bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, non-essential shops and only be able to socialise with a limited number of people.

      German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the measures were necessary in light of concerns that hospitals could become overloaded with people suffering Covid-19 infections, which are more likely to be serious in those who haven’t been vaccinated.

      She told reporters: “We have understood that the situation is very serious and that we want to take further measures in addition to those already taken.

      “To do this, the fourth wave must be broken and this has not yet been achieved.”

    • CBC – Germany announces lockdown for those unvaccinated against COVID-19

      German Chancellor Angela Merkel says people who aren’t vaccinated will be excluded from nonessential stores, as well as cultural and recreational venues.

    • GERMANY – Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), today spoke out

    • Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), today spoke out in favor of compulsory vaccination of the population in Germany. This is his predecessor, Guido Westerwelle, who died years ago.

      ========================================

  8. NYC – FULLY VACCINATED Person Tests Positive For Omicron After Attending Javits Center Conference

    • Minnesota reports 2nd US omicron case in resident who traveled to NYC

      NEW YORK (WPRI) — Minnesota public health authorities have confirmed what appears to be the second U.S. case of the omicron variant.

      According to health officials, the man, who was fully vaccinated and has since recovered, /b>
      traveled to New York to attend the Anime NYC 2021 convention at the Javits Center from Nov. 19–21.

      The man developed mild symptoms on Nov. 22 and got tested on Nov. 24, health officials say.

      “We have been working closely with Minnesota’s Department of Health and will continue to work diligently with other U.S. and global public health and industry partners as we learn more,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

      All attendees over 12 years old at the Anime NYC 2021 convention were required to show proof of vaccination. Anyone under 12 was required to show a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken within three days of their first day.

      Minnesota epidemiologists will continue to investigate in collaboration with New York City and the CDC.

      The country’s first omicron case was detected by health officials in California on Wednesday. They said the person had recently returned to San Francisco from a trip to South Africa.

      “CDC has expanded its capacity for genomic sequencing over the past nine months and we have more tools to fight the variant than we had at this time last year from vaccines to boosters to the prevention strategies that we know work including masking in indoor public settings, washing your hands frequently and physical distancing,” Walensky added. “These methods work to prevent the spread of COVID-19, no matter the genetic sequence.”

      The CDC recommends that everyone ages 5 and older get vaccinated, or get a booster dose if fully vaccinated already.

      https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/minnesota-reports-2nd-us-omicron-case-in-resident-who-traveled-to-nyc/
      ==========================
      Gov. Hochul: ‘We Do Anticipate More Cases’ After Omicron Case Traced To NYC

  9. the guardian –Omicron variant fuelling ‘exponential’ rise in Covid cases, say South Africa officials

    Nearly three-quarters of virus genomes sequenced last month were of new variant, say South African health officials

    The Omicron variant has fuelled a “worrying” surge in coronavirus cases in South Africa and is rapidly becoming the dominant strain, local health officials have said, as more countries including the US detected their first cases.

    The United Arab Emirates and South Korea – which is already battling a worsening outbreak and record daily infections – also confirmed cases of the Omicron variant.

    Dr Michelle Groome of South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said there had been an “exponential increase” in infections over the past two weeks, from a weekly average of around 300 new cases per day to 1,000 last week, and most recently 3,500. On Wednesday, South Africa recorded 8,561 cases. A week earlier, the daily tally was 1,275.

    “The degree of increase is worrying,” Groome said.

    The NICD said 74% of all the virus genomes it had sequenced last month had been of the new variant, which was first found in a sample taken on 8 November in Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous province.

    While key questions remain about how transmissible the Omicron variant is, which has been detected in at least two dozen countries around the world, experts are rushing to determine the level of protection afforded by vaccines. World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove told a briefing that data on how contagious Omicron was should be available “within days”.

    The NICD said early epidemiological data showed Omicron was able to evade some immunity, but exisiting vaccines should still protect against severe disease and death. BioNTech’s chief executive, Ugur Sahin, said the vaccine it makes in a partnership with Pfizer was likely to offer strong protection against severe disease from Omicron.

    As governments wait for a fuller picture to emerge, many continued to tighten border restrictions in the hope of stopping the virus spread.

    South Korea imposed more travel curbs as it detected its first five Omicron cases and fears grew about how the new variant could affect its ongoing Covid surge.

    Authorities halted quarantine exemptions for fully vaccinated inbound travellers for two weeks, who now require a 10-day quarantine.

    Daily infections in South Korea hit a record on Thursday of more than 5,200, with concern growing over the sharp rise in patients with severe symptoms.

    Earlier this month restrictions were eased in the country – which has fully vaccinated nearly 92% of adults – however infections have surged since and the presence of Omicron has fuelled fresh worries about pressure on the already strained hospital system.

    In Europe, the president of the European Union’s executive body said there was a “race against time” to stave off the new variant while scientists established how dangerous it is. The EU brought forward the start of its vaccine rollout for five-to-11-year-olds by a week, to 13 December.

    “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best,” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, told a news conference.

    Britain and the United States have both expanded their booster programs in response to the new variant, while Australia is reviewing its schedule.

    Top American infectious diseases specialist Anthony Fauci stressed that fully vaccinated adults should seek a booster when eligible to give themselves the best possible protection.

    Still, the WHO has noted many times that the coronavirus will keep producing new variants for as long as it is allowed to circulate freely in large unvaccinated populations.

    “Globally, we have a toxic mix of low vaccine coverage, and very low testing – a recipe for breeding and amplifying variants,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reminding the world that the Delta variant “accounts for almost all cases”.

    “We need to use the tools we already have to prevent transmission and save lives from Delta. And if we do that, we will also prevent transmission and save lives from Omicron,” he said.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/02/omicron-variant-fuelling-exponential-rise-in-covid-cases-say-south-africa-officials

    ================================================

    DEUTSCHE PRAVDA -Omicron: Scientists race to work out how dangerous the variant is

    Omicron has now been found in two dozen countries and infectious disease experts are still gathering data on the mutation.

    It is still unclear what kind of risk Omicron poses and how effective vaccines will be against the new heavily mutated variant.

    We expect to have more information on transmission within days.

    The measures to contain the spread though are familiar.

    Many countries are sealing their borders.

    Despite the WHO claiming it’ll help very little and Dutch scientists saying the variant was already in Europe before it was first detected in a traveller from South Africa.

    The US has recorded its first confirmed case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, in a vaccinated traveller who returned to California after a trip to South Africa.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsE3DVFxL6o

    • Omicron vs. Vaccines: Why Portugal outbreak may be alarming?

      ‘State of calamity’ is BACK? Major COVID OUTBREAK hits Portugal

    • South Korea to impose 10-day quarantine on all travellers regardless of vaccination status

      Short-term visitors to South Korea will have to serve the 10-day quarantine at a temporary facility designated by the government.

      SEOUL: All travellers to South Korea, including citizens and foreigners, will have to quarantine for 10 days on arrival regardless of their vaccination status, said the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on Wednesday (Dec 1).

      The new rule will start on Friday and lasts two weeks, said the agency.

      South Korean citizens and foreigners on long-term stay will be allowed to quarantine at home while foreigners on short-term stay will have to be quarantined at a temporary facility designated by the government, reported Yonhap news agency.

      All overseas travellers coming into South Korea will also be tested for the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

      This comes as South Korea on Wednesday reported five cases of the Omicron variant.

      A fully vaccinated couple tested positive for the variant after arriving last week from Nigeria, followed by two of their family members and a friend, according to the KCDA.

      Singapore and South Korea launched vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs) between both countries on Nov 15.

      In a Facebook post on Thursday, the Singapore Embassy in Seoul said it is checking with South Korean authorities on how travellers using the VTL will be affected.

      “We will post updates when we receive them,” said the embassy.

      Singapore Airlines operates six VTL flights from Singapore to Seoul every week – once a day from Tuesdays to Sundays. Korean Air operates four VTL flights from Singapore to Seoul every week.

      Under the VTLs, fully vaccinated travellers will be able to travel between Changi Airport and Incheon International Airport, and be subjected to COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, in lieu of serving quarantine or a stay-home notice, the Singapore Ministry of Transport announced in October.

      https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/south-korea-travel-singapore-vtl-quarantine-covid-19-omicron-variant-2351496
      ================================
      HUGE change to Quarantine Regulations here in South Korea due to the new Omicron variant

  10. BBC – UK orders 114m vaccine doses FOR NEXT TWO YEARS

    The government buys more Pfizer and Moderna doses for 2022 and 2023, amid fears of Omicron.

  11. UK – We’ve bought 114 million vaccine doses to fight Omicron, says Sajid Javid

    The extra Moderna and Pfizer jabs will be delivered in 2022 and 2023, giving the UK a steady supply for the next two years.

    The Department of Health said they ‘accelerated’ the signing of the new contracts in light of the newly discovered Omicron strain.

    The deal suggests ministers are preparing to boost the nation’s immunity for at least the next two winters.

    • ISRAEL twitter @GagG_

      Look at this picture.

      This is how they guard the new hotel that is assigned as the quarantine for *suspected* with Omicron infections.

      *Suspected* are enforced to take PCR and evicted.

      Reminder: this is a non-deadly variant that *vaccinated* are infected with PublicHealth

      PIC :

      https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FFlZkhQX0AEbsPC?format=jpg&name=900×900

      https://twitter.com/GalG____/status/1466301643398463490

      =============================================
      COLORADO – Omicron variant of COVID-19 found in Colorado; woman recently returned from southern Africa

      Colorado is third state in U.S. to confirm infection via new variant of the coronavirus

      […]The woman was vaccinated against COVID-19, but hadn’t yet received a booster shot.

      People who were in close contact with her have been ordered to isolate, but none have tested positive so far, according to state health officials.

      […]

      https://www.denverpost.com/2021/12/02/omicron-variant-colorado/

      ============================================

      COVID in Colorado: Gov. Polis gives update after first OMICRON case detected

      Gov. Jared Polis providing an update on Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic after confirming the state’s first case of the omicron variant.

      Polis will be joined by State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy at the press conference at the Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion in Denver.

      The U.S. recorded its first confirmed omicron variant case Wednesday in a vaccinated traveler who returned to California after a trip to South Africa. The infected person was identified as a traveler who had returned on Nov. 22, developed mild symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19 Monday.

      On Thursday, President Joe Biden (D) will unveil a winter plan to combat the coronavirus which also includes tighter COVID-19 testing rules for travelers entering the country. The White House released details of Biden’s plan early Thursday, in advance of the speech.

  12. EXCLUSIVE: Mossad recruited top Iranian scientists to blow up key nuclear facility

    Mossad recruited a team of Iranian nuclear scientists to carry out a covert operation which blew up one of the regime’s most secure nuclear facilities earlier this year, the JC can reveal.…

    Some of the explosives they used were dropped into the compound by a drone and quietly collected by the scientists, while others were smuggled into the high security facility hidden in boxes of food on a catering lorry.

    The ensuing destruction caused chaos in the highest echelons of the Iranian leadership. It demolished 90 per cent of the centrifuges at the nuclear plant, delaying progress towards a bomb and putting the key complex out of action for up to nine months.

    Other revelations include:
    • Mossad spies hid explosives in building materials used to construct the Natanz centrifuge hall as long ago as 2019, then triggered them in 2020:

    • Agents sneaked an armed quadcopter, weighing the same as a motorbike, into Iran piece by piece, and used it to launch missiles at the TESA site in Karaj in June:

    • The three operations were planned together over an 18-month period by a team of 1,000 technicians, analysts and spies, as well as scores of agents on the ground:

    • The three-part assault on Iranian nuclear infrastructure was carried out by Mossad acting alone – known in Israeli intelligence circles as a ‘blue-and-white operation’ – and not jointly with the United States, dubbed ‘blue-white-and-red’.
    […]
    “The scientists’ motivations were all different,” a source said.

    “Mossad found out what they deeply wanted in their lives and offered it to them.

    “There was an inner circle of scientists who knew more about the operation, and an outer circle who helped out but had less information.”

    After the explosion, the scientists responsible were spirited away to a safe location. The source added: “All of them are very safe today….”

    The explosion left a crater so large that one Iranian official fell into it while examining the damage, injuring his head, leg, arm and back.…

    The orchestration of the blast was audacious. A year earlier, Israeli spies posing as construction wholesalers had sold Iranian officials building materials to be used in the centrifuge hall.

    Unbeknownst to the Iranians, the materials had been filled with Mossad explosives. They were built into the hall and remained in place all year. Then, when the time was right, Israel’s spymasters had pushed the button.…

    https://www.thejc.com/news/world/exclusive-mossad-recruited-top-iranian-scientists-to-blow-up-key-nuclear-facility-1.523163
    ……..
    Read the rest – it’s a feel-good story,