The story of a non-resident Bangladeshi family establishing and running the famed perfume company Al Haramain and its successful subsidiaries
lifestyle7 hours ago
Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi said some of the four diplomats who first tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus variant in the country had come from Europe, calling for a reversal of widespread travel bans imposed against southern African countries.
Omicron, dubbed a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation, has prompted many governments to impose curbs on travel from southern Africa, and to take other measures to contain it.
While it is still not established where Omicron first emerged, on November 25, South Africa, followed by Botswana a day later, announced they had detected a new variant whose mutations were different from the dominant Delta variant.
South Africa has also complained it is being punished for having identified the new variant early.
"It is unnecessary and if you ask me, for lack of a better expression, irresponsible," Masisi said of the travel curbs, speaking in an interview with CNN on Thursday evening.
"The diplomats came from a number of countries ... and they passed through a number of countries to get to Botswana."
He declined to disclose their nationalities, only saying "some had been to Europe and some had been elsewhere". Asked if some had come from Europe into Botswana, he replied "indeed".
ALSO READ:
Botswana said last week the country was investigating certain mutations of the coronavirus that were found in four foreign nationals who were in the country on a diplomatic mission. Omicron was detected in the diplomats who travelled into country on November 7 and left on November 11.
The country has so far reported more than 20 cases of the new variant.
Presidential spokesman Batlhalefi Leagajang told Reuters on Friday that Masisi will not disclose the countries the diplomats passed through, or their countries of origin, because "the virus should never be geo-politicized."
Omicron has been reported in at least two dozen countries.
The story of a non-resident Bangladeshi family establishing and running the famed perfume company Al Haramain and its successful subsidiaries
lifestyle7 hours ago
Matches will be played on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day
sports7 hours ago
The plant to be set up in Al Bihouth area is expected to process 900,000 tonnes of waste into energy
environment8 hours ago
The minor didn't take his cellphone or wallet, assuming he'd return quickly
uae8 hours ago
Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of the 2023 season, is hoping to compete at the French Open in May where he is the record 14-time champion
tennis9 hours ago
A Good Samaritan offered him a ride to Bur Dubai for free, declining Sahni's attempt to offer payment
uae9 hours ago
Passengers with cancelled bookings will receive a full credit voucher for the amount paid
uae9 hours ago
Passengers must go to the airport only if they have a confirmed reservation
uae9 hours ago