‘Dictatorship’: Republican backlash over Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate

US President Joe Biden. Pic/AFP

US President Joe Biden's sweeping new Covid-19 vaccination mandates are sparking a backlash from some Republicans in the land of individual freedom, setting up potential court battles. After months of seeking to boost vaccination rates through gentle persuasion and incentives, the Democratic president made it clear that he was fed up as the Delta variant sends Covid cases surging across the country.

Biden directly addressed the estimated 80 million eligible Americans who have not yet got the shot against a disease that has left 650,000 people dead in the United States. Biden's plan mandates vaccinations for all federal employees and contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees. Companies could face fines if they do not comply. Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said Friday that while he supports the vaccine, getting the shot should be the individual choice of every American.

Pic/ZooATL

Gorillas test positive at Atlanta zoo

Several members of a troop of western lowland gorillas at Zoo Atlanta have tested positive for the Coronavirus after handlers noticed many of the great apes were showing signs of mild coughing, runny noses and a small loss of appetite, the zoo said Friday. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported 13 gorillas had tested positive for the virus.

Philippines extends state of calamity for a yr

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday extended the state of calamity until September 2022 to allow the government to draw emergency funds faster as the Southeast Asian country grapples with a surge of Covid-19 cases.

22,47,71,316
TOTAL Number OF CORONAVIRUS

CASES IN THE WORLD

46,33,218
Number OF DEATHS WORLDWIDE

20,13,52,895
Number OF RECOVERED PATIENTS

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