• People queue to receive the monkeypox vaccine at a hospital in San Francisco, California. AP
    People queue to receive the monkeypox vaccine at a hospital in San Francisco, California. AP
  • California's governor declared a state of emergency over monkeypox, making it the third state in three days to take the step. AP
    California's governor declared a state of emergency over monkeypox, making it the third state in three days to take the step. AP
  • A man holds a sign calling for increased access to the monkeypox vaccine during a protest in San Francisco. AP
    A man holds a sign calling for increased access to the monkeypox vaccine during a protest in San Francisco. AP
  • The mayor of San Francisco announced a local state of emergency over the growing number of monkeypox cases. AP
    The mayor of San Francisco announced a local state of emergency over the growing number of monkeypox cases. AP
  • A pharmacist opens a freezer transport box containing the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox in San Francisco. AP
    A pharmacist opens a freezer transport box containing the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox in San Francisco. AP
  • Vials of single doses of the Jynneos shot for monkeypox are seen at the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. AP
    Vials of single doses of the Jynneos shot for monkeypox are seen at the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. AP
  • A pharmacist removes a tray of vials of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses. AP
    A pharmacist removes a tray of vials of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses. AP
  • People queue a monkeypox vaccination site in California. AP
    People queue a monkeypox vaccination site in California. AP
  • A public health worker administers the monkeypox vaccine in Los Angeles, California. AFP
    A public health worker administers the monkeypox vaccine in Los Angeles, California. AFP
  • Nurses speak with a person looking to receive a monkeypox vaccine at a drive-through vaccination site at the Westchester Medical Centre in Valhalla, New York. Reuters
    Nurses speak with a person looking to receive a monkeypox vaccine at a drive-through vaccination site at the Westchester Medical Centre in Valhalla, New York. Reuters
  • People protest during a rally calling for more government action to combat the spread of monkeypox at Foley Square in New York City. AFP
    People protest during a rally calling for more government action to combat the spread of monkeypox at Foley Square in New York City. AFP
  • People protest during a rally over the US response to the monkeypox outbreak in Manhattan, New York City. AFP
    People protest during a rally over the US response to the monkeypox outbreak in Manhattan, New York City. AFP
  • People queue to receive the monkeypox vaccine before the opening of a new mass vaccination site in Brooklyn, New York City. AFP
    People queue to receive the monkeypox vaccine before the opening of a new mass vaccination site in Brooklyn, New York City. AFP
  • A person waits to receive the monkeypox vaccine in New York City. AFP
    A person waits to receive the monkeypox vaccine in New York City. AFP

US declares national public health emergency over monkeypox outbreak


Patrick deHahn
  • English
  • Arabic

The US on Thursday declared a national public health emergency in response to the growing monkeypox outbreak, which is currently the largest in the world.

“We're prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said.

More than 6,600 presumed monkeypox cases have been reported by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

President Joe Biden's administration has faced criticism for its slow response to the outbreak, with only limited testing supplies and vaccines available as cases continue to rise.

The White House set up a monkeypox response team this week but three US states and several cities declared health emergencies before the federal declaration announced on Thursday.

The declaration will allow for greater funding to support public education on prevention, more accessible testing or treatment, and quicker deployment of vaccines.

Mr Becerra said the US has committed 1.1 million vaccine doses to be distributed nationally and 600,000 have been sent out already.

High demand for vaccines has forced local health departments to prioritise first doses for the two-dose regimen of the JYNNEOS vaccine, as health officials have said it is possible to delay the second dose.

Officials said an expected October shipment of 150,000 doses was expedited for September delivery, and other doses will arrive in the following months.

"We will leave no stone unturned in our effort to combat this virus," White House monkeypox response co-ordinator Robert Fenton said.

"This virus is moving fast."

The US estimates there are 1.6 to 1.7 million people who are at highest risk of developing monkeypox.

Monkeypox is spread through close physical contact, including sex, as well as through interacting with clothes or other items used by people who are infected.

The current outbreak is mainly affecting gay men, but cases have been reported in children and pregnant women.

Symptoms include body rashes and lesions, and patients must isolate for three to four weeks.

There are no known deaths from the virus in the US outbreak, but other non-endemic countries have reported fatalities.

The World Health Organisation declared a global emergency over the spread of the virus in non-endemic countries in July.

"We continue to marshal forward the tools we need to contain monkeypox and keep it from spreading to become endemic," Mr Becerra said.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

If you go

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.

The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.

Afghanistan fixtures
  • v Australia, today
  • v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
  • v New Zealand, Saturday,
  • v South Africa, June 15
  • v England, June 18
  • v India, June 22
  • v Bangladesh, June 24
  • v Pakistan, June 29
  • v West Indies, July 4
A%20MAN%20FROM%20MOTIHARI
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdullah%20Khan%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPenguin%20Random%20House%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E304%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Tour de France 2017: Stage 5

Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km

It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.

While you're here
SPECS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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SPEC%20SHEET
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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

SHAITTAN
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVikas%20Bahl%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAjay%20Devgn%2C%20R.%20Madhavan%2C%20Jyothika%2C%20Janaki%20Bodiwala%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Essentials

The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September. 
 

Updated: June 20, 2023, 12:16 PM