The US State Department has defended its commitment to address the needs of Havana Syndrome sufferers, after a bipartisan group of senators raised concerns about the government's handling of the mysterious sickness plaguing diplomats and the intelligence community.
In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, the senators said the State Department is not giving Havana Syndrome the "requisite senior-level attention that it requires".
The letter came even after President Joe Biden signed the “Havana Act of 2021” last week authorising compensation to "specified agency personnel and their families for brain injuries that incurred from hostilities while on assignment", according to the White House.
State Department spokesman Ned Price pushed back following the letter's publication, pointing to the new law and stressing that Mr Blinken had "added his voice of support".
“We also have expressed our concern over these anomalous health incidents. That is precisely why we have made it such a priority to get to the bottom of them, and importantly to provide care for our employees who have been subject to them,” Mr Price said.
“We have made clear the resources that our employees have available to them, in terms of training, in terms of to whom they should turn if and when they should feel that they are subject or have been subject to an anomalous health incident.”
The Havana Syndrome got its name after dozens of diplomats at the US embassy in the Cuban capital complained of sickness, including migraine headaches, dizziness and memory lapse in 2016.
The following year, diplomats and family members along with intelligence officers stationed in Vienna began experiencing the same symptoms.
More than 200 victims have now come forward. A flight carrying Vice President Kamala Harris to Vietnam from Singapore was delayed in August due to concerns at the embassy in Hanoi about an “anomalous health incident”.
The Havana Syndrome is believed to be caused by the transmission of intense microwaves directed at victims’ residences or in some cases, hotel rooms. Many report hearing a loud, sustained chirping sound outside their homes, at volumes able to penetrate brick walls.
Officials have yet to conclude how the syndrome is caused or whether an adversary is responsible.
The National Security Council has teamed up with the CIA to create an independent panel to obtain classified information to search for causes.
Under the new law, the CIA and the US State Department will determine who is eligible for benefits and how much they should be compensated.
Citing a lack of concern for the illness under former president Donald Trump, NBC News asked Mr Blinken if the Biden administration had plans to raise the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During the interview, shared on the State Department’s website, Mr Blinken said he and Mr Biden were committed to finding the cause of the problem and a solution.
“My number one responsibility as secretary of state is to protect the men and women who work for the Foreign Service and the civil service who are representing our country around the world," he said.
"We need to know what happened, we need to know who’s responsible, and we need to make sure that we have in place measures to protect our people. The president has ordered that we make an intensive whole-of-government investigation to try to get to the bottom of this".
Under-21 European Championship Final
Germany 1 Spain 0
Weiser (40')
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT)
Tuesday
Mairobr v Liverpool
Spartak Moscow v Sevilla
Feyenoord v Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester City v Napoli
Monaco v Besiktas
RB Leipzig v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur
Wednesday
Benfica v Manchester United
CSKA Moscow v Basel
Bayern Munich v Celtic
Anderlecht v Paris Saint-Germain
Qarabag v Atletico Madrid
Chelsea v Roma
Barcelona v Olympiakos
Juventus v Sporting Lisbon
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Price: From Dh117,059
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
