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WHO declares mpox public health emergency of international concern

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern”.

The declaration comes a day after the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) declared mpox a “public health emergency of continental security”.

It is the second time in two years that the WHO has declared mpox a global emergency.

Last week, Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general (DG), said he was convening an emergency committee under the international health regulations to evaluate the upsurge of mpox in Congo and other African countries.

Speaking during an online press briefing on Wednesday, Ghebreyesus said the emergency committee met and advised that the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

“I have accepted that advice,” the WHO DG said.

Over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths, mostly from a new variant clade 1b, have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the beginning of the year.

The virus has also spread to other African countries, including Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda, particularly among children.

The WHO DG said the rapid spread of the new mpox clade in eastern Congo, the detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported any cases, and the potential for further outbreaks within Africa and beyond are “very worrying”.

“In addition to other outbreaks of other clades of mpox in other parts of Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” he said.

“A public health emergency of international concern is the highest level of alarm under international health law.

“The emergency committee’s advice to me and that of the Africa CDC, which yesterday declared a public health emergency of regional security, are aligned.

“WHO is on the ground, working with the affected countries and others at risk through our country and regional offices, as well as with partners including the Africa CDC, NGOs, civil society, and more.

“For example, we are providing machines to analyze blood samples and confirm cases of mpox; we’re supporting laboratories to sequence viral samples; we’re on the ground supporting case investigation and contact tracing, risk communication, and community engagement; we’re training health workers and supporting clinicians to provide appropriate care; we’re supporting countries to access vaccines and develop the strategies to roll them out; and much more.

“To fund this work, WHO has developed a regional response plan, requiring an initial $15 million. We have released $1.45 million from the WHO contingency fund for emergencies, and we plan to release more in the coming days. We are also appealing to donors to fund the rest of the response plan.

“WHO is committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries and leveraging our on-the-ground presence to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.”

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Possible assassination attempt on Trump deeply disturbing, says Kamala Harris

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US Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned the shooting that took place at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Sunday.

Donald Trump was playing golf in the vicinity as the gunshots rang out.

The Secret Service ferried Trump to safety and said it is investigating the incident as a possible assassination attempt.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said an “apparent assassination attempt” on Trump was thwarted, with a man arrested and an assault rifle recovered.

Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach county sheriff, said a Secret Service agent who was patrolling the course, spotted a rifle barrel emerging from a perimeter fence.

“He immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off,” Bradshaw said.

It is unclear if the suspect shot first, fired a round at all, or whether it was only the agent that fired.

“We are not sure right now if the individual was able to take a shot at our agents,” Rafael Barros, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Miami field office, said.

SUSPECT NAMED

The suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh. He was arrested after his car was stopped by local police.

Skynews reports that officers later searched the area where Routh was spotted and found an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two rucksacks and a GoPro.

The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden and Harris had been briefed and that they were “relieved” to learn of Trump’s safety.

In a separate statement, the Democratic Party presidential nominee said she was “deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt” on the former president.

“As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,” she said.

“I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance.

“As President Biden said, our administration will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission.”

Biden said the suspect was in custody and commended the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and efforts to keep Trump safe.

The incident comes about two months after the former president survived an assassination attempt during a rally.

The bullet grazed Trump’s ear.

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First all-civillian space team returns to earth after historic mission

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SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn crew has returned to earth after five days in orbit.

The US team was led by Jared Issacman, a billionaire, alongside Sarah Gillis of Space X, Anna Menon, and Kidd Poteet.

The historic mission saw the team reach the highest altitude than any other human in five decades. It also marked the first time such an endeavor has been completed by a privately funded and operated mission.

An event live streamed by SpaceX showed the Dragon capsule land off the coast of Florida on Sunday morning.

“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth,” SpaceX said on X

Returning to earth is among the most dangerous stretches of any space mission.

On its orbit back, the spacecraft reached extremely hot temperatures as it seared through the thickest parts of earth’s atmosphere because of the pressure and friction caused by hitting the air while still traveling around 17,000 miles per hour.

However, the crew was protected by the Dragon’s heat shield.

The spacecraft eventually landed in water before waiting rescue crews hauled it out of the ocean and onto a special boat known as the Dragon’s nest.

Final safety checks took place there before the crew disembarked from the capsule and began the journey back to dry land.

The US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said the mission represented “a giant leap forward” for the commercial space industry.

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Gunshots fired in Donald Trump’s vicinity at golf course

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Gunshots have been fired in the vicinity of former United States President, Donald Trump, his campaign has said on Sunday.

“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,”Steven Cheung, his campaign spokesman said in a short statement.

According to the New York Post, two people exchanged gunfire outside the former president’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The outlet reported the gunfine was not “targeting Trump”.

Trump was golfing at the resort on Sunday, which is a short distance from his main residence, Mar-a-Lago, according to US media outlets.

It comes just two months after an assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate.

Gunman, Thomas Crooks, fired multiple shots at Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. One bullet grazed the ex-president’s ear.

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