APLUS

27/04/2024

It's very important.

25/04/2024

What the EFCC chairman said

14/04/2024

Happy mother's day to all the mothers and potential mothers. We love you!

14/04/2024

After years of waiting, WERKSELF did it today.
Congratulations to them.

26/03/2024

He is a legend, his record speaks

Chelsea royalty. 👑

Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame. 💙

24/02/2022

China's leaders may be watching Ukraine with an eye on Taiwan

Hong Kong (CNN)As the world's attention focuses on the escalating crisis between Russia and Ukraine, a spotlight has also been turned on an island halfway around the world -- self-governing Taiwan.

On the surface, there may be parallels: both Taiwan and Ukraine are Western-friendly democracies whose status quo could be upended by powerful autocracies.
In Taiwan's case, China's Communist Party seeks eventual "reunification" with the island it claims as its territory despite having never governed it -- and has not ruled out doing so by force. For Ukraine, that threat is unfolding: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he considers Russians and Ukrainians as "one people," and it's yet unclear how far he'll go to realize that claim -- on Monday he declared two breakaway, Moscow-backed territories in Ukraine as independent republics.
World leaders themselves have implied connections between the fates of Ukraine and Taiwan in recent weeks.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has said Taiwan could "empathize" with Ukraine's situation given its experience with "military threats and intimidation from China."
In the West, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday said "echoes" of what happens in Ukraine "will be heard in Taiwan," while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a trip to Australia earlier this month obliquely said "others are watching" the Western response to Russia, "even if it's half a world away in Europe."

Concerns have been rising in recent years that a confident China under leader Xi Jinping may make a bold move to take control of Taiwan, and Beijing will likely be carefully monitoring the situation in Ukraine for signs of how Western powers respond -- and just how severe those responses are.
The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Australia and Japan have all announced economic sanctions to punish Moscow following Putin's moves earlier this week.

But there are limits to the parallels, and to how much Beijing could glean from the spiraling crisis in Ukraine when it comes any future actions toward Taiwan.

"How the US responds to Ukraine is not going to be the same as Taiwan because the way the US has constructed its relationship with Taiwan over decades is different than its responsibilities to Ukraine, the European Union, or NATO," said Lev Nachman, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies.

"Even though (Beijing) will still be watching closely to see how the world reacts to invasion and a potential redrawing of borders, which will likely factor into Beijing's own geopolitical calculus, it is highly unlikely that Beijing is going to drastically alter its strategy towards Taiwan over Ukraine," said Nachman, who focuses on Taiwan politics.

Similarly, experts have pushed back at the notion that the US' focus on Europe could provide a potential opening for China to make a move on Taiwan. These fears are seemingly compounded by Moscow's increasingly close ties to Beijing.

"I don't believe the Chinese would use force against Taiwan this year ... (Xi) doesn't really want to take any risk," said Steve Tsang, director of SOAS China Institute at the University of London, pointing to the Communist Party National Congress, due to be held in October, in which Xi is widely expected to secure a historic third term in power.

12/02/2022

Manchester united keeper David de gea has said that he is disappointed on the outcome the results they're getting.

07/12/2021

Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Reunite AtVirgil Abloh’s Star-Studded Memorial

Before her appearance at the memorial, Kim has been making headlines for her outings with Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson. The two were seen holding hands on at least one of the outings and it’s been reported that they’re casually dating. A source previously told us that Kanye was “put off” by their speculated relationship and the pics of them holding hands and does “not like it.”
“Kanye was really put off by Kim holding hands with Pete and he did not like it at all. He asked Kim to ‘please refrain’ from showing public display of affection with anyone until their divorced is finalized. He told her that it doesn’t look good for their family and it doesn’t look good for her, or in the ‘eyes of God,’” the source EXCLUSIVELY told HollywoodLife.
Kim and Pete were first spotted together after she hosted SNL and did a sketch with him that included an onscreen kiss. “They were having a good time — you could see that there were sparks,” another source EXCLUSIVELY revealed about their time on the set together. “You can tell they became quick friends while she was on the show.”

07/12/2021

NIGERIA TECH. AT IT'S HIGHT

7 Seater Keke Napep

06/12/2021

Document shows how FBI can access your data on WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage, others

Titled "Lawful Access," the one-page document detailed the "FBl's ability to legally access secure messaging app content and metadata."

Having end-to-end encryption may not be enough cover for privacy when using popular encrypted messaging applications, because law enforcement can access your data when they want to.

A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) document prepared on January 7 has provided the kinds of user data various secure messaging apps can share at the request of law enforcement agencies.

Titled “Lawful Access,” the one-page document detailed the “FBl’s ability to legally access secure messaging app content and metadata.”

The “unclassified” document designated as “for official use only” and “law enforcement sensitive” was prepared by the FBI’s science and technology branch and operational technology division.

According to Rolling Stone, which first reported on it, the document was obtained by a group called Property of the People through an FOIA request.

It is an internal guide to how the FBI can snoop on targets using data requested from nine companies and their services: Apple’s iMessage, Line, Signal, Telegram, Threema, Viber, Tencent’s WeChat, Meta’s WhatsApp and Wickr.

Information accessible include subscriber data, messenger sender-receiver data, device backup, IP address, encryption keys, date/time information, registration time information and user contacts. All but one (IP address) of iMessage can be accessed by the FBI.

For WhatsApp, Line and iMessage, the access to message content is limited, while in the remaining, the FBI said it has no access to message content.

Only the information on the last date of a user’s connectivity and the date and time a user registered can be accessed for Signal. Telegram provides only registration time data, but for confirmed terrorist investigation, it “may disclose IO address and phone number to relevant authorities.”

Having end-to-end encryption may not be enough cover for privacy when using popular encrypted messaging applications, because law enforcement can access your data when they want to.

A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) document prepared on January 7 has provided the kinds of user data various secure messaging apps can share at the request of law enforcement agencies.

Titled “Lawful Access,” the one-page document detailed the “FBl’s ability to legally access secure messaging app content and metadata.”

The “unclassified” document designated as “for official use only” and “law enforcement sensitive” was prepared by the FBI’s science and technology branch and operational technology division.

According to Rolling Stone, which first reported on it, the document was obtained by a group called Property of the People through an FOIA request.

It is an internal guide to how the FBI can snoop on targets using data requested from nine companies and their services: Apple’s iMessage, Line, Signal, Telegram, Threema, Viber, Tencent’s WeChat, Meta’s WhatsApp and Wickr.

Information accessible include subscriber data, messenger sender-receiver data, device backup, IP address, encryption keys, date/time information, registration time information and user contacts. All but one (IP address) of iMessage can be accessed by the FBI.

For WhatsApp, Line and iMessage, the access to message content is limited, while in the remaining, the FBI said it has no access to message content.

Only the information on the last date of a user’s connectivity and the date and time a user registered can be accessed for Signal. Telegram provides only registration time data, but for confirmed terrorist investigation, it “may disclose IO address and phone number to relevant authorities.”
Nonetheless, the document is a watershed on the long debate between privacy and security.

On one hand, there are those who feel content with end-to-end encrypted communications, irrespective of third party backend access. On the other are journalists and whistleblowers who need confidentiality to stay safe.
The FBI’s revelation showed that WhatsApp is the only popular secure messaging app that provides near-real-time data in response to law enforcement requests. WhatsApp confirmed this to Rolling Stone.
The FBI’s revelation showed that WhatsApp is the only popular secure messaging app that provides near-real-time data in response to law enforcement requests. WhatsApp confirmed this to Rolling Stone.
WhatsApp might have provided a workaround for this, however.

In September, WhatsApp introduced the end-to-end encryption backups which enable users to store their data in a Backup Key Vault built based on a component called a hardware security module (HSM), a specialized, secure hardware, other than “cloud-based services like Google Drive and iCloud” which “WhatsApp does not have access to (as) they are secured by the individual cloud-based storage services.”

“We carefully review, validate, and respond to law-enforcement requests based on applicable law, and are clear about this on our website and in regular transparency reports.” WhatsApp told Rolling Stone.

“[The document] illustrates what we’ve been saying — that law enforcement doesn’t need to break end-to-end encryption to successfully investigate crimes.”

06/12/2021

All Travellers To UK To Show Pre-Departure Virus Tests
The UK government has announced that those travelling into the country will need to show a negative coronavirus test pre-departure as it reintroduces Covid-19 restrictions due to the Omicron variant.

From 0400 GMT on Tuesday, anyone travelling to the UK will have to show evidence of a negative lateral flow or PCR test taken within the last 48 hours before boarding a flight, the health ministry said late Saturday.

This will apply to travellers aged over 12 from any country. Currently travellers have to take a PCR test within two days of arrival.

The reintroduction of compulsory pre-departure testing prompted an angry response from the travel industry.

The Business Travel Association said that the measure would be a “hammer blow”, while the Airport Operators Association said that “pre-departure tests are a devastating blow, as they deter people from travelling”.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab told Sky News that he knew the new measure was a “burden for the travel industry” but stressed the UK needed to act.

“We’ve got to take the measures targeted forensically to stop the new variant seeding in this country to create a bigger problem.”

The government has vowed it “will take further decisive action if necessary to contain the virus and new variant”.

The UK earlier banned flights from South Africa and put 10 African countries on its red list, meaning only UK and Irish citizens or UK residents can travel from there to the UK. Nigeria will join the list from Monday.

Experts cautioned that travel restrictions and bans will not halt the virus spread.

Statistician David Spiegelhalter, a University of Cambridge professor who co-authored a history of the pandemic, told Sky News that “travel restrictions at the moment are only going to slow things up a little bit.. but they’re not going to stop it (Omicron) and it’s going to come in”.

England has made masks compulsory again in shops and on public transport in response to the new variant, with 160 Omicron cases confirmed for far in the UK.

The UK has also extended its booster programme to make all adults eligible.

06/12/2021

Taliban bans forced marriage of women in Afghanistan

Taliban chief in a decree says women should not be considered ‘property’ and must consent to marriage.

The Taliban has issued a decree barring forced marriage in Afghanistan, saying women should not be considered “property” and must consent to marriage, but questions remain about whether the group that returned to power in mid-August would extend women’s rights around work and education.

The decree was announced on Friday by the reclusive Taliban chief, Hibatullah Akhunzada – who is believed to be in the southern city of Kandahar. “Both (women and men) should be equal,” said the decree, adding that “no one can force women to marry by coercion or pressure”.
The decree did not mention a minimum age for marriage, which previously was set at 16 years old.

The group also said a widow will now be allowed to re-marry 17 weeks after her husband’s death, choosing her new husband freely.
The Taliban leadership says it has ordered Afghan courts to treat women fairly, especially widows seeking inheritance as next of kin. The group, which came to power in August, also said it had asked government ministers to spread awareness about women’s rights across the population.

The development was hailed as a significant step forward by two leading Afghan women, but questions remained about whether the group would extend women’s rights around work and education.

“This is big, this is huge … if it is done as it is supposed to be, this is the first time they have come up with a decree like this,” said Mahbouba Seraj, executive director of the Afghan Women’s Skills Development Center speaking from Kabul on a Reuters Next conference panel on Friday.

04/12/2021

EFCC arrests three suspects with 1,144 ATM cards at Kano airport

The three suspects caught with ATM cards were said to be travelling the United Arab Emirate (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it operatives have arrested three suspects with over 1,000 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, Kano State.

The commission, in a statement on Friday, said the suspects were caught trying to smuggle a total of 1,144 ATM cards out of the country.

Wilson Uwujaren, the commission’s spokesperson who issued the statement, added that the arrest was carried out between November 24 and December 1, 2021.

The three suspects, according to the statement, are Abdullahi Usman, Musa Abubakar and Abdulwahid Auwalu.

Mr Abubakar was said to have been discovered to be on his way to Dubai, UAE, with 714 ATM cards concealed with him.
EFCC said Mr Usman, who was said to be heading to Saudi Arabia, had 298 ATM cards in his possession.

Mr Auwalu, on the other hand, was sad to have been arrested with 132 ATM cards while trying to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is conclude,” the statement said.
The anti-graft agency had announced on September 2020 that it was investigating a suspected fraudster caught concealing 2,886 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards and four SIM cards in noodles while on his way to the United Arab Emirate, Dubai.

02/12/2021

Nnamdi Kanu Scheduled For Emergency Court Hearing, May Get Bail

Embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is scheduled for an emergency hearing in court on Thursday, December 2.

This was confirmed to SaharaReporters by the counsel for the Nigerian government in the matter.

Kanu is facing an amended 7-count charge bordering on treasonable felony and acts of terrorism. He has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June.

It was gathered that the hearing could lead to Kanu being released on bail.
According to SaharaReporters, the Federal Government lawyers hinted that the move is in response to the fervent appeals by Igbo leaders for the release of the pro-Biafra agitator.

“Nnamdi Kanu scheduled for an emergency hearing tomorrow that could lead to his release on bail.

“This is in response to Igbo elders’ request for his release,” one of the sources said on Wednesday.
It will be recalled that a delegation of Igbo leaders led by former Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, had requested the unconditional release of Kanu when they met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja on November 19, 2021.

Buhari had that he would consider the unconditional release of the IPOB leader, adding that such a request was a difficult option to weigh but assured that he would give it a thought.

http://saharareporters.com/2021/12/01/breaking-ipob-leader-nnamdi-kanu-scheduled-emergency-hearing-thursday-could-be-released

30/11/2021

HOW I WAS SET FREE

I went to the Magistrate court 3years ago to get a date and I saw this young man. He was crying and praying the rosary. I went and sat beside him and asked him why he was crying.
He kept on saying "I didn't do it, I didn't do it". He was remanded by the Magistrate on a count of kidnap and other related offenses. No complainant.
He told me his story. I believed him. I told him I'd take it up on pro bono. He laid there and started praying for me. I pushed for his matter to be charged at the High Court.
Today the 29th of November,2021, the Judge of the High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has confirmed he didn't do it and has declared him innocent, discharged and Acquitted.
It can only be God. For the sake of God and Humanity

30/11/2021

Pope Francis Receives Official Invitation to Bahrain by King Hamad as the Country sets to Open New Catholic Cathedral to Our Lady

Fides news reports that Pope Francis has been officially invited to visit the Kingdom of Bahrain by King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa. The monarch's invitation was brought to the Pope by Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the King's adviser on diplomatic affairs, who was received at the Vatican on Thursday 25 November by both the Pope and Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to whom he brought the invitation. This is reported by the state news agency of the Kingdom. During the visit to the Vatican, the envoy of the Bahraini monarch also conveyed the Pope's greetings to the Pope, who "played the fundamental and pre-eminent role that Pope Francis played in creating and promoting interreligious dialogue and understanding between different cultures and civilizations, as well as in the spreading the values of human brotherhood and coexistence of all".

The monarch endorsed the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together - which was signed on February 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi by Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed al Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, and is convinced that on the basis of the principles contained therein, attempts could be made to build "a more prosperous future for all humanity". The official Bahraini news agency also reports the Pope's "sincere thanks" to the monarch of Bahrain for "the kind invitation to visit the kingdom he loves and cherishes," as it is a "model of openness and coexistence between its various social components".

The Pope - as stated in the official Bahraini report - also expressed his appreciation "for the wisdom of His Majesty King Hamed and his constant concern for the promotion of the culture of dialogue and tolerance" and praised his initiatives "aimed at consolidating and to spread the principles of coexistence and fraternity among all countries and peoples".

The territory of the Kingdom of Bahrain consists of an archipelago of 33 islands on the west coast of the Persian Gulf. The country ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family was formerly an emirate that was converted into a constitutional monarchy in 2002. Bahrain established diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1999. The first Catholic church to be built on the Persian Gulf in modern times is the Church dedicated to the Sacred Heart, which was built in 1939 in the Bahraini capital Manama on land donated by the Emir of Bahrain. In 2013 (see Fides, 13/2/2013) the Catholic Church received from King Ahmad bin Isa an additional 9,000 square meters of land in the parish of Awali, where construction of the Kingdom's Catholic Cathedral, Our Lady, began in spring 2014 of Arabia will be dedicated. Bahrain, along with Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is part of the Vicariate Apostolic North Arabia. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 26/11/2021)

30/11/2021

Barbados becomes a republic and parts ways with the Queen
Published3 hours ago

Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and become the world's newest republic.

In an overnight ceremony in the capital, Bridgetown, Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president.

The Prince of Wales and Barbadian singer Rihanna attended the event, which coincided with the country's 55th anniversary of independence.

In a speech, Prince Charles acknowledged the "appalling atrocity of slavery" the Caribbean island suffered.

The new era for Barbados ends Britain's centuries of influence, including more than 200 years when the island was a hub for the transatlantic slave trade.

To signify the official change of power, a final salute was made to the British monarchy and the Royal Standard flag was lowered and replaced.
Speaking as the guest of honour at the event, Prince Charles reiterated the continuing ties between the two nations despite the constitutional status change.

He described the moment as a new beginning before being awarded the prestigious Order of Freedom of Barbados by the new president.

The Queen sent the country her "warmest good wishes" for "happiness, peace and prosperity in the future" and said the nation holds a "special place" in her heart.
Dame Sandra Mason, 72, the island's governor-general since 2018, was named as president-elect of the nation following a vote in parliament last month. She now replaces the Queen as the head of state.

"Vessel Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage. May she weather all storms and land our country and citizens safely on the horizons and shores which are ahead of us," she said after being sworn in.

Barbados announced its plan to become a republic last year, but it will remain within the Commonwealth.

Formerly known as the British Commonwealth, the Commonwealth of Nations is a loose association of former British colonies and current dependencies, along with some countries that have no historical ties to Britain.

Leading national figures, including Prime Minister Mia Mottley, swore allegiance to Barbados in front of the new president at the ceremony, which lasted for several hours.

She later announced that pop star Rihanna would be named a national hero by President Mason. The artist and businesswoman, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was previously named an ambassador by her home country in 2018.

"May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation," Ms Mottley said, in reference to one of Rihanna's songs.

30/11/2021

Time to reclaim our land, defend our state

I am sincerely not happy and comfortable with Governor Samuel Ortom’s recent application on securing funds from the Federal Government to build ranches in Benue State for the Fulani herdsmen that have been invading the state to kill our people, r**e our women, burn our houses, destroy our farms and so on.

Many people have argued that Ortom preaching about ranches for Fulani herdsmen and accepting the building of ranches in his state is not new but there is something they need to understand. Collecting money from the Federal Government to build ranches is not a good idea. It is even better that the state government uses its money to build ranches and decide how it should be managed. Building of ranches with the funds given by the Federal Government would make it the Federal Government’s project and if completed, the state cannot decide how it should be ran or managed and that will be another conflict.
The Federal Government, under President Buhari has demonstrated its love for the Fulani herdsmen and has been supporting their atrocities. However, a governor that sees tomorrow would never accept any money from the same biased Federal Government to build ranches for the invaders, and as well, cannot give his people’s land to the Federal Government for the same purpose.

Federal Government’s plan, centres on getting land from all the 36 states, especially the non-Fulani-owned states, for the Fulani herdsmen and it is immaterial to know whether it is RUGA, Cattle Colony or Ranches.

The most important thing is that the states have given their land to the Fulani herdsmen to run their personal business, to gather more information about the states that would enable them to come up with a strategy that could help them to kill more and conquer the states eventually.
Our forefathers, worked hard to get the land we are occupying today. We shall be failures, if we sit down and watch the invaders take over our land. So far, they have occupied some of our places after killing our people that were once the occupants of the places. We need to wake up now, reclaim the collected places and defend our state.

We are becoming noisemakers by always complaining to the Federal Government and calling on the same biased government to come to our rescue. It is sad that part of our land would soon be given to the invaders for the establishment of their ranches as agreed to by the Benue State Governor!

Let me at this point call on Governor Ortom to revisit his decision and quickly discard the idea of giving land for ranches and that of accepting funds from the Federal Government for the same purpose. We need to wake up now before it is too late.

30/11/2021

World is put on high alert over the Omicron coronavirus variant

As fears mount over the newly identified coronavirus variant Omicron, governments around the world are scrambling to protect their citizens from a potential outbreak.

The new mutation, which is potentially more transmissible, was first discovered in South Africa and has since been detected in Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Czech Republic and Hong Kong.
Israel is banning all foreigners from entering the country in response to Omicron fears, authorities announced Saturday. The ban, pending government approval, is expected to last two weeks. Israelis returning from a country on the red list, which includes countries in southern Africa, will be required to isolate for seven days in a designated hotel.
There are seven suspected cases of the variant in Israel, in addition to one confirmed case found in a person returning from Malawi, its Health Ministry said.
Two Omicron cases have been detected in Australia after travelers from southern Africa arrived in Sydney, the New South Wales Health Ministry said Sunday.
The two travelers are in isolation along with 12 other passengers who came from southern Africa, the ministry said.
Both cases are people who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, it added.
Australia has banned the entry of foreigners who have traveled to nine southern African countries in the past 14 days, including South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, South Korea has imposed restrictions on travelers from eight southern African countries, its Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced Saturday.
Foreign nationals traveling from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi and Mozambique are banned from entering South Korea, the agency said. The issuing of visas for nationals from those countries has been suspended until further notice, it added.
Korean nationals entering from those countries must quarantine in a government-designated facility for 10 days.
What's happening in Europe?
Europe is also frantically imposing travel bans and scrambling to ramp up its coronavirus sequencing abilities after several countries on the continent reported suspected Omicron cases.
A suspected case of the variant was discovered in Innsbruck, western Austria, after a traveler who recently arrived from South Africa tested positive for Covid-19, the Tyrol state government said Saturday.
Samples from the case have been sent to the capital of Vienna, and results are expected in the coming days, authorities said.
Meanwhile, scientists at the Regional Hospital in Liberec, Czech Republic, told CNN Saturday that one case of the Omicron variant was detected in a traveler who arrived from Namibia. Eight other people that traveled with the infected person are also being checked for Covid-19 and the variant, according to CNN affiliate CNN Prima.
By Saturday afternoon, two cases were confirmed in the UK, two others in Germany and one in Italy. Dozens more are suspected in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. The top infectious disease expert in the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci, also said it was possible the new variant was already in his country but was yet to be detected.
UK's Secretary of State for Health Sajid Javid said the two cases detected in the UK were linked to travel to southern Africa, the region where the Omicron variant was first detected. "These individuals are self-isolating with their households while further testing and contact tracing is underway," he added.
The German cases, identified in Munich, are two passengers who arrived from Cape Town on November 24, the Bavarian Ministry of Health said in a statement on Saturday.
"The individuals have been in domestic isolation since Nov. 25 following a positive PCR test. Following reports of the new variant, the two individuals had the foresight to arrange for themselves to be tested for the variant," authorities said.
The Italian case is in the southwestern region of Campania, a passenger who arrived from Mozambique, Italy's Health Ministry said in a statement. It didn't disclose the date of the passenger's arrival or nationality.
Earlier on Saturday, German authorities had identified a "suspected" case of the Omicron variant in Frankfurt from another passenger who returned from South Africa. The local health department said it should be able to confirm the full sequencing of the virus in this patient on Monday.
Dutch health authorities are investigating whether 61 people traveling from South Africa who tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday were infected with the new variant.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that no known Omicron cases have been identified in the United States, and that if the variant emerges, the agency expects that cases would be quickly identified through the nation's variant surveillance system.
The French government extended its suspension of flights from seven southern African countries on Sunday. The ban was scheduled to be in place until midnight on Sunday evening but was extended to midnight Tuesday evening.
Fauci, the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden and director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told NBC Saturday, "I would not be surprised if it is [in the US], we have not detected it yet, but when you have a virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility and you're having travel-related cases they've noted in other places already, when you have a virus like this, it almost invariably is going to go all over."
The World Health Organization (WHO) said late on Friday that early evidence suggest the Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa, could pose an increased risk of reinfection and said that some of the mutations detected on the variant were concerning.
GGD Kennemerland, the municipal health service responsible for the Amsterdam Schiphol airport, said the positive test results would be examined as soon as possible. Those who tested positive were sent into isolation at a nearby hotel, the Dutch authorities added.
The discovery of the new variant has sparked fears around the world. A number of countries have imposed travel bans and the global markets plunged.
Scientists have praised South African health authorities for their quick reaction to a Covid-19 outbreak in the country's Gauteng province, which led to the discovery of the new variant.
When cases in the province started to rise at a higher rate than elsewhere, health experts focused on sequencing samples from those who tested positive, which allowed them to quickly identify the B.1.1.529 variant.
Sharon Peacock, a professor of Public Health and Microbiology at the University of Cambridge, said the South African Health Ministry and its scientists "are to be applauded in their response, their science, and in sounding the alarm to the world."
She added the development shows how important it is to have excellent sequencing capabilities and to share expertise with others. That message was reinforced by WHO, which has on Friday called on countries to enhance their surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand coronavirus variants.