Here’s what’s going on in the world for the week of November 28th.
Global News
Explainer on the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus
NASA launches spacecraft Tuesday as part of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission. The idea is to alter the trajectory of Dimorphos, a moonlet around 160 meters (525 feet) in diameter, by crashing a spacecraft into it.
Neutrinos detected at the Large Hadron Collider.
Americas
Peruvian president Pedro Castillo Terrones promises support to affected communities after the country suffered a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. This is the second earthquake after a 5.2 earthquake also struck in El Callao, Lima.
Samsung will open a semiconductor factory in Austin, Texas by 2024. The project, set at $17 billion is following other companies pledges to build similar factories in the USA.
France willing to discuss autonomy for the island of Guadalupe, which is currently considered French territory.
Africa
Despite reinstating the civilian prime minister, the military still faces protests in Sudan.
Egypt is reopening the Avenue of the Sphinxes after years of excavations and restorations.
Gunman kidnapped five Chinese nationals near a mine in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Tensions have been high between the Chinese mining operation and local Congolese, though the gunmen have not been identified.
Europe
Dutch police arrest couple attempting to flee the country after the couple left the hotel they were quarantining in. The couple tested positive for Covid-19.
New coalition government formed to replace the Merkel government in Germany. The three-party alliance will focus on continuing existing commitments to fight climate change, business deals, and strengthening existing alliances with the USA and European nations.
The new Omicron variant of Covid-19 is showing up in parts of Europe, leading to EU members imposing travel bans from Southern Africa. How fast the new variant is spreading is unclear.
Middle East
UAE and Amazon will open an Amazon fulfillment center by 2024, in accordance to the country’s carbon reduction initiatives.
UAE introducing 40 new laws aimed at areas such as family law and rights. These changes are part of the nation’s work towards a competitive edge culturally and socially on conservative neighbors like Saudi Arabia.
A probe into the slumping Turkish lira has been launched.
Asia
The Cambodian prince and former prime minister Norodom Ranariddh, died in France at the age of 77. The cause of death has yet to be released.
Philippine naval vessels will travel to the troops stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal. Prior attempts last week were stopped by the presence of Chinese maritime militia and Chinese coast guard vessels.
Tata looking into developing a $300 million semiconductor assembly and test site in India.
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