News

Is the new Omicron variant really a ’cause of concern, not panic’?

Published

4 years ago

November 30, 2021

US President Joe Biden has warned Americans that it’s inevitable the Omicron variant will be in the country “at some point”… but the new variant is a cause for concern, not panic

Biden reassured residents, saying “we have the best vaccine in the world, the best medicines, the best scientists, and we’re learning more every single day”.

The President also pledged to fight this variant “with scientific and knowledgeable actions and speed, not chaos and confusion.”

Leaders around the world are acting swiftly to stop the spread of this new variant… as Japan shuts its borders to foreigners and the U-K will offer booster shots to all over 18s after 11 cases were detected.

In New York, City officials are now highly recommending residents wear masks while indoors in public places, regardless of vaccination status.

#BREAKING US President Biden says omicron variant is ‘cause for concern, not a cause for panic'

No reports of #omicron variant of the coronavirus has reached the United States yet – but is there a potential to go into a fifth wave of #covid19? @VeronicaDudo pic.twitter.com/K6cYdK5Vmm
— ticker NEWS (@tickerNEWSco) November 29, 2021

This comes as Pfizer’s CEO says he thinks his company’s vaccine will work, but it may offer far less protection.

Pfizer has also begun the development process for a modified vaccine and says it will be developed in less than 100 days if required.

The CEO noted that his company has already done this twice for both the Delta and Beta variants, both of which didn’t need to be used.

South Africa has also been praised for its transparency around the new strain, with a WHO spokesperson saying the country shouldn’t be reprimanded with travel bans.

Related Topics:biden covid Featured trending

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William Howard

William is an Executive News Producer at TICKER NEWS, responsible for the production and direction of news bulletins. William is also the presenter of the hourly Weather + Climate segment. With qualifications in Journalism and Law (LLB), William previously worked at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) before moving to TICKER NEWS. He was also an intern at the Seven Network's 'Sunrise'. A creative-minded individual, William has a passion for broadcast journalism and reporting on global politics and international affairs.

News

Iran live updates: Trump claims Khamenei dead as Iran insists he remains in command

Published

13 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Ahron Young

What’s happening in the Middle East?

President Donald Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed.
Trump describes the moment as the greatest opportunity for the Iranian people to “take back their country”.
Iran insists its leader is “firmly commanding the field”.
Israel and the U.S. have carried out strikes on Iran.
Impacts have been reported in Israel and across Gulf states as Iran launches retaliatory attacks.
The escalation has sparked fear and panic, with civilians fleeing major cities.

News

U.S. and Israel strike Iran as missiles hit Gulf bases and oil surges

U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.

Published

13 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Ahron Young

U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.

The United States and Israel have launched a sweeping military operation against Iran, striking leadership targets and more than 500 military sites in what President Trump has dubbed Operation Epic Fury.

Explosions have rocked Tehran, with civilians fleeing the capital as U.S. sea and air assets carry out sustained attacks. Washington says the mission is designed to prevent a nuclear armed Iran and has even called on Iranians to rise up against the regime.

Iran has retaliated with a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the region, including in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. While many projectiles were intercepted, a U.S. base in Bahrain sustained damage.

Gulf states long seen as stable hubs for global business are now directly in the firing line, raising fears of a wider regional war.

Oil prices are climbing and tankers are diverting from the Strait of Hormuz as markets react to the escalating conflict. U.S. aircraft carriers, advanced fighter jets and missile destroyers remain in position, signalling more strikes could follow.

With global leaders scrambling diplomatically, the world is watching to see whether this spirals further or shifts back to negotiations.

News

Iran warns ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz

Iran warns ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions and military buildup in the region

Published

15 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Ahron Young

Iran warns ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions and military buildup in the region

In Short:
– Iran’s Guard Corps advises ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz due to rising tensions.
– Tankers have diverted to Qatar and UAE amidst concerns over safety and potential Iranian threats.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has instructed ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane linking to the Persian Gulf. About a hundred merchant vessels transit the strait daily, according to the U.S.Tensions have escalated recently as the U.S. increased military presence in the region and Iran issued threats. Western nations are concerned about Iran potentially laying sea mines to disrupt commercial traffic. Currently, no evidence suggests Iran has mined the strait.

Ships have been repeatedly warned against entering the strait, as stated by crews in the area and the European Union’s naval command, Aspides. On Saturday, dozens of tankers diverted, with some seeking refuge in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates while others opted to steer clear of the region, as reported by oil brokers and shipowners.

Shipping Concerns

Tensions continue to impact shipping operations as carriers remain cautious in the Gulf region.

Tanker crews reported hearing explosions near Iran’s Kharg Island, which is vital for the country’s oil exports, as it handles 90% of its crude oil shipments.