WHO official warns of "premature rush" back to normalityJuly 6, 2021 - 10:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A World Health Organization official issued a stark warning on Monday, July 5 that several countries had made a "premature rush" back to normality," Reuters reports. As the United States and many parts of Europe ease social distancing restrictions, the WHO's head of emergencies program Mike Ryan warned that a new wave of Covid-19 infections could be coming. He added that for a lot of the world, the pandemic was just getting started: "All of the countries of the Americas, we still have nearly 1 million cases a week. 1 million. A week. You know it's not, it isn't over. And the same in Europe. In European region with half a million cases a week. It's not like this thing has gone away." Ryan's warning comes amid renewed concern over the highly contagious Delta variant, first detected in India. The variant has now spread to about 100 countries, and WHO officials have warned it could soon become the dominant form of the virus around the world. It's sparked a resurgence of cases across parts of Europe, Asia, and the U.S., in pockets where vaccination rates remain low. It's also driving a spike in Japan, casting a shroud over the Tokyo Olympics later this month. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |