PODCAST] Daily Dose @ 5: Penang allows 18-year-olds to contest in elections, WHO monitoring new coronavirus Mu variant

AMONG the headlines for Wednesday, September 1, 2021, The Penang legislative assembly has approved an amendment to the state constitution to allow those aged 18 to contest in elections, with the move receiving bipartisan support.

The move to lower the age limit from 21 to 18 was brought forth by Penang Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, allowing the state to join six others that have approved similar amendments.

Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is monitoring a new coronavirus variant known as "Mu", which was first identified in Colombia in January.

Mu, known scientifically as B.1.621, has been classified as a "variant of interest", the global health body said.

The WHO said the variant has mutations that indicate a risk of resistance to vaccines and stressed that further studies were needed to better understand it.

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