An Ignoble Experiment: More Omicron details are weeks away, Fauci says

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Monday 11.29.21

Happy Hanukkah! The Festival of Lights began last night and will continue until sundown on December 6. As the world continues to face monumental adversities, following the light is more important than ever. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On With Your Day.

By AJ Willingham

Travelers in Amsterdam wait for coronavirus testing as the Omicron variant spreads.

Coronavirus

Countries are shutting their borders and restricting travel following the discovery of a new Covid-19 variant. Rising reports of the Omicron variant have led Japan and Israel to ban all foreign nationals from entering, and at least 44 countries, including the US, have imposed travel restrictions from several African nations. The Omicron variant was first identified in South Africa, and a growing number of countries, including Canada, are reporting cases. While there's obviously widespread concern -- even stock markets are bracing for a virus-related hit -- the bottom line is there's not a lot we know for certain right now. Dr. Anthony Fauci has told President Biden it could take about two more weeks to have definitive information about the Omicron variant's transmissibility, severity and other characteristics.

Iran

The US and its allies restart Iran nuclear talks today to discuss a mutual return to the deal by the US and Iran. But the meeting of countries involved in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is not starting on an optimistic note. Iran on Friday announced yet more advances in its uranium enrichment, which reduces the amount of time it would need to develop a nuclear weapon. The recently elected hard-line government in Tehran is also sending a new set of negotiators who have emphasized the need for complete US sanctions relief. The US, however, says it's not prepared to offer any incentives to talk. The US special envoy for Iran says there are two options for Iran going forward: continued nuclear escalation or a return to diplomacy under the deal.

Capitol riot

It could be a big week in the investigation into the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat on the House select committee investigating the attack, says a decision could come this week over whether to refer former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows for criminal contempt charges for defying a subpoena this month. Also now on the subpoena clock are other allies of former President Trump, including Republican operative Roger Stone, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and key figures from the "Stop the Steal" movement. Judges from the DC Circuit Court of Appeals will also soon hear Trump's latest effort to stop the National Archives from turning over to the House documents from around January 6.

Taiwan

Simmering tensions between Taiwan and China just got hotter after Taiwan's air force scrambled yesterday to warn away 27 Chinese aircraft that entered its air defense zone. Taiwan has complained for more than a year of repeated missions by China's air force near the democratically governed island, and last month, China's military sent a record number of warplanes into the air around the country. These latest Chinese military activities are considered "gray zone" warfare by Taiwan, designed to wear out Taiwan's forces by making them repeatedly scramble and also to test their responses. China claims Taiwan as its own, despite never having controlled it. Last month, some Taiwanese leaders warned that China could attempt an invasion of the island in the next few years.

Ahmaud Arbery

Some big news that may have gotten lost in the long holiday weekend: A jury last week found all three White men charged in the killing last year of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, guilty of murder. Travis McMichael, who shot and killed Arbery, was convicted on all nine counts, including malice murder and four counts of felony murder. His father, Gregory McMichael, and the third defendant, William "Roddie" Bryan Jr., were also convicted on counts of felony murder. All three men could face life in prison. The trial in Georgia was a lightning rod for simmering tensions over racial injustice and the US justice system. Several controversies loomed over the proceedings, including the racial makeup of the nearly all-White jury.

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