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New Coronavirus Variant: US Joins EU In Restricting Flights From Southern Africa

David Crabtree

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President Biden Getting Ready to Announce Tighter COVID Travel Restrictions

The South African countries have witnessed a steep rise in the cases of coronavirus variants which had a significant impact on The US as several citizens living in southern African countries have become exposed to the virus. According to a BBC NEWS report on November 27, the US government has decided to ban travel between two countries. The ban will not apply to the US citizens that are stranded in the seven southern African countries. The EU and the UK have followed the footsteps of the US and have travel restrictions.

The Variant Poses Serious Threat

The article added WHO had stated this situation as a significant concern for the citizens of the countries. The countries under the travel restriction are South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. In addition to these countries, the ban will be effective on the Canadian citizens who have traveled to any of these countries in the last two weeks.
As per the BBC article, the name of the new coronavirus variant is ‘Omicorn.’ As reported by the WHO, the initial traces of the new variant were found in South Africa and then started to spread across several countries’ world.

The concerned authorities of South African have condemned the move by the US government. The sources say that the ban imposed by the US does not comply with the WHO’s suggestions. Scientists and research professionals are yet to discover the mutations of the virus.

The New Variant Is Deadly

According to a WHO report, the new coronavirus variant is fatal than the previous variants. Scientists and other professionals have reported that ‘Omicorn’ is the most complex variant of coronavirus. The WHO has sent about 100 samples to experiment on the genetic mutations involved in the newer variant of the virus. The epicenter of this new variant is Gauteng, the capital of Johannesburg. Gauteng is the most populated city in South Africa.
There are ominous signs for several countries across the world. The WHO has said that the governments should not impose travel bans; instead should look to minimize the threat through various scientific approaches.

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Covid-19

Prince William and Kate Middleton Appeared as the Prince and Princess of Wales for the First Time

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Prince William

It has been two years since the United Kingdom’s royal family celebrated Christmas publicly. The COVID-19 concerns restricted the royal family members from spending the festive season together. However, this year King Charles III observed Christmas along with his family members addressing holiday services at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene situated in Norfolk.

Royal Family

Credit- Today

In the celebrations, Prince William and Kate Middleton were provided with the title of Prince and Princess of Wales by the king. It marked their debut in the holiday service with their new positions. The couple appeared at the Norfolk-based church with their kids- Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. It was also the debut of Prince Louis at the holiday walk of the royal family.

Prince William and Kate Middleton attended their traditional holiday walk-

Prince William and Kate Middleton have returned to the Christmas walk of the royal family after two years but this time with new titles as Prince and Princess of Wales. They appeared at the occasion alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The Prince and Princess were also accompanied by their kids 9-year old Prince George, 7-year-old Princess Charlotte, and 4-year-old Prince Louis.

The event took place at St. Mary Magdalene Church located in Norfolk. The event also marked William and Kate Middleton’s third kid Prince Louis’s first appearance in the royal holiday service. Their other two kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte first attended the occasion in 2019.

Prince William

Credit USA Today

The event couldn’t be celebrated in the last two years for the pandemic. Nevertheless, it didn’t lose its essence as the royal family attended it with all smiles. The announcement of the family occasion was made by King Charles and Queen Camilla way before as they wanted to organize the event at the favourite space of the departed Queen Elizabeth.

Prince William debuted at the Christmas outing at the age of five in 1987. On the other hand, Princess Kate Middleton first appeared at the event in 2011 after her marriage. The death of Queen Elizabeth will be a great sadness for the royal family members this festive season.

Also read- A neighbor claims to have heard the DeLand man’s fatal gunshot

The traditional activities at the Royal Christmas outing-

The royal family of the UK has followed the prevailing traditions of the holiday service in their recent Christmas celebrations. Along with that, the family members organized a gag gifts exchange tradition for Christmas. After the Christmas walk at the church, the members had a family lunch at Sandringham. The traditional food items at the lunch are roasted turkey and fruit pudding.

Royal family

Credit- WWD

Prince William wore a blue suit with a tie at the event whereas his wife was wearing a long green coat. Princess Charlotte was seen wearing a red coat, on the other hand, Prince George resembled his father wearing a blue suit with a tie. The youngest, Prince Louis wore a navy coat to attend the holiday service.

Post lunch, every member gathered to witness King Charles’ speech on Christmas. Before the Christmas outing, Kate Middleton organized another event at Westminster Abbey on December 15th. It was a concert dedicated to Christmas celebrations that was attended by the family members of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

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Many US Residents Migrated From The High-Tax States During The Pandemic

David Crabtree

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Rising living costs and increased inflation forced US residents to leave their homes and settle in low-cost areas. The individuals moved to states with low-income tax rates; many decided to shift for professional reasons. Yahoo Money reports that states with high-income tax witnessed a decrease in population in the past several months. Low tax states such as Florida, Texas, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Nevada, and Tennessee have recorded the most significant surge in population recently. Families can adjust their monthly budget in cheap areas and have a broader scope for financial growth.

Many US Residents Migrated From The High-Tax States During The Pandemic

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People Move Because Of Several Factors

Yahoo Money quoted Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects with the Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation; he said, “People move to states with low-income tax for a multitude of reasons, sometimes it’s the most direct and obvious reason that it reduces the tax liability. Especially now that people have more capacity to move where they want, that will be a higher priority for some. There are also second-order effects, states with lower tax burdens and with more pro-growth and higher economic opportunity- and people will move to seek out those things even beyond their tax burdens.”

Low Tax States Present Higher Financial Security

Several US citizens can now efficiently manage their expenses and enhance their lifestyle after moving to new places. The migration has increased inflation in the low-tax areas. However, the living costs are still meager compared to their home states despite the price rise. Yahoo Money quoted Ramona Cedeno, CPA and founder of FiBrick; she said, “I’m one of the people that’s trying to leave New York City to minimize tax burdens. Just up north of New York in the county of Westchester. New York can also be expensive. Before COVID, we stayed in these high-tax states because there was another reason too. My office was based in New York City, and I had clients in California, which required me to be there physically; now that we can work remotely, you don’t have to see clients all the time. You can live anywhere.”

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California Workers Could Get Up To 2 Weeks Of Paid Time Off If They Or Their Family Members Are Covid Positive

Paul S Voakes

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California news

Some respite for workers in California who are battling economic woes during another wave of Omicron Covid surge. California workers could be getting two weeks of paid time off if they get sick from COVID reports abc7.com.

California State had put in place a similar law last year. However, it expired in September after the COVID-19 situation stabilized and the spread of the virus slowed considerably.

California workers

California workers

Businesses would get up to $6 billion in tax cuts and other assistance

California workers will get up to two weeks of paid time off if they get sick from the coronavirus. In the same way, businesses would get up to $6 billion in tax cuts and other assistance. The above measures are a part of a proposal endorsed on Tuesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s top legislative leaders.

The new law had to be proposed after spreading a more viral and contagious form of the virus, the Omicron variant, which spread like wildfire in California State. Significant donors to Democratic politicians in California, labour unions have pressured state officials to bring the paid sick leave law back.

California Business Groups oppose the latest proposals.

However, the latest move to provide extra sick leave has been opposed by Business Groups as many industries are already struggling to retain workers during the pandemic. Last year businesses could avail themselves of the federal tax credit, which helped provide some relief. However, Tax Credit is not available this year.

However, Newsom and legislative leaders have agreed to end some tax increases on businesses. The taxes were imposed in 2020 when state officials feared that the pandemic could precipitate a significant budget deficit. Instead, state revenues have soared during the pandemic. The taxes were supposed to end at the end of 2022.

However, state officials have decided to end it Newsom, and legislative leaders have agreed to end them one year early. Additionally, more money will be spent on a state grant program for businesses and not charge state taxes on some federal grants. It all adds up to about $6 billion for businesses.

Proposals must have the support of Democrats in California State Chambers.

The proposals were declared by Newsom and the state’s top two legislative leaders: Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon on Tuesday. However, Democrats hold large majorities in both chambers, and it would also require their support for the approval of the projects.

The proposal envisages workers getting one week of paid time off if their family members test positive for the virus. The companies will have to provide the coronavirus test and pay for it. Workers who don’t undergo these tests refuse to be tested will be barred from the scheme.

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