US sets world record with one million daily Covid cases

The US has recorded more than one million Covid-19 cases in a single day, as the Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly. The figure is the highest recorded anywhere in the world since the pandemic began in 2019.

COVID-19 cases at record high around world, raising testing and quarantine fears

Global COVID-19 infections hit a record high over the past seven-day period, Reuters data showed on Wednesday, as the new Omicron variant raced out of control, keeping workers at home and overwhelming testing centres.

Kim Jong Un announces new focus on rural development in N.Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has announced plans to push ahead with rural development at a meeting of the Worker’s Party of Korea, state media reported on Wednesday.

Indonesia allows Boeing’s 737 MAX to fly again after deadly crash

Indonesia has lifted a ban on the Boeing 737 MAX, its transport ministry said on Tuesday, three years after the crash of one of the aircraft operated by domestic carrier Lion Air with the loss of all 189 people on board.

Indonesia rejects Rohingya refugees, sends stricken boat to Malaysia

Dozens of Rohingya refugees intercepted after their boat ran into trouble off the coast of Indonesia’s Aceh province were being sent into Malaysian waters, authorities said on Tuesday.

India blocks foreign funding to Mother Theresa charity

The Indian government on Monday “refused” to renew a permission for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity (MoC) to be able to secure foreign funds, cutting off a key source the charity has depended on to run its programs for the impoverished.

WHO will miss global 40 per cent vaccination target

The World Health Organization (WHO) will miss its target to vaccinate 40 per cent of the population in every country by the end of the year, with the shortfalls especially serious in Africa.

S.African icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies at 90

South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an anti-apartheid icon described as a “champion of universal human rights,” died on Sunday. He was 90.

Omicron grounds hundreds more US flights over Christmas weekend

U.S. airlines called off hundreds of flights for a third day in a row on Sunday as surging COVID-19 infections due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant grounded crews and forced tens of thousands of Christmas weekend travellers to change their plans.

Sudan forces fire tear gas as protesters head to presidential palace

Protesters opposed to military rule reached near the presidential palace in the Sudanese capital on Saturday for the second time in a week, television images showed, despite heavy tear gas and a communications blackout.

Bangladesh launch fire kills at least 38

At least 38 people have died in Bangladesh after a deadly fire swept through a launch on the Sugandha River in Bangladesh, an official said on Friday.

Omicron sweeps through swathes of London’s population

One in 20 Londoners had COVID-19 last week and that could have risen to 1 in 10 by the start of this week, according to early modelled estimates that underlined the relentless advance of the Omicron variant.

Japan joins US boycott of Beijing Olympics

Top government officials will not attend the Olympic Games, with the exception of Seiko Hashimoto – a member of the House of Councilors and the former Minister of State for Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

AstraZeneca vaccine booster works against Omicron: Study

A three-dose course of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the rapidly-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant, the pharmaceutical company said on Thursday, citing data from an Oxford University lab study.

Putin admonishes NATO for expansion, asks for Navalny proof

Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday accused NATO of massive expansion to the east with no regards for his country’s security interests.

S.African study offers Omicron hope as countries reimpose curbs

A South African study offered pre-Christmas good tidings about the severity of Omicron on Wednesday as the fast-spreading coronavirus variant forces countries across the world to impose new curbs.

US concerned over Turkey’s drone sales to conflict-hit Ethiopia

U.S. authorities have taken issue with Turkey over its sales of armed drones to Ethiopia, where two sources familiar with the matter said there was mounting evidence the government had used the weapons against rebel fighters.

UN shrinks Yemen food rations in “desperate measures”

The World Food Programme (WFP) said on Wednesday it will reduce food rations for 8 million people in Yemen from January due to a lack of funding from donors, warning the cuts will push more people into starvation.

UN urges Belarus, Poland to address refugees’ ‘dire conditions’

Belarus and Poland are pushing refugees back and forth across their border and leaving them with little if any food, clean water or shelter, the U.N. Human Rights office said on Tuesday, urging both countries to address “this appalling situation”.

Putin blames West for tensions in Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday blamed the West for escalating tensions in Europe, saying it had incorrectly assessed the outcome of the Cold War.

Europe considers new curbs as Omicron sweeps world

Countries across Europe were considering new curbs on movement on Tuesday, with German scientists urging maximum and immediate restrictions on social contacts as the Omicron variant swept the world days before the second Christmas of the pandemic.

More Covid restrictions inevitable: London mayor

London’s mayor has said he sees no way to avoid more Covid restrictions in the British capital amid a spike in Omicron infections, fearing without them the NHS would be brought to the brink of collapse.

Netherlands starts Christmas coronavirus lockdown

The Netherlands went into lockdown on Sunday and the possibility of more COVID-19 restrictions being imposed ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays loomed over several European countries as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly.

Pakistan urges US to ‘de-link’ Taliban from Afghan citizens

Pakistan on Sunday urged the United States to “de-link” the Taliban regime from Afghan citizens to help prevent a humanitarian crisis and chaos in Afghanistan.

Johnson ’accepts verdict’ after shock by-election defeat

Boris Johnson said on Friday he took personal responsibility for the loss of a Conservative stronghold in an election defeat that showed public dismay over a litany of scandals and stepped up pressure on the British prime minister from mutinous lawmakers.

More than 2,500 flee to Thailand as rebels clash with Myanmar army

At least 2,500 people including hundreds of children have fled a flare-up in fighting between the Myanmar army and ethnic minority rebels and have taken refuge across the border in Thailand, Thai authorities and an aid group said.

EU leaders weigh new sanctions on Russia amid ‘series of attacks’

BRUSSELS, DEC 16 (REUTERS) - The European Union is under assault from Russia on multiple fronts and must unite behind new economic sanctions, Baltic and central European leaders said on Thursday, with Lithuania citing a risk of possible Russian military strikes from Belarus.

FRANCE RESTRICTS ENTRIES FROM BRITAIN AS OMICRON VARIANT TAKES HOLD

France has significantly reduced entries from Britain as the new and more transmissible Omicron strain of Covid-19 continues its rapid advance.

Typhoon Rai intensifies to Cat 5 storm as it slams Philippines

MANILA, DEC 16 (REUTERS) - Typhoon Rai rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm before making landfall in the southern Philippines on Thursday, forcing mass evacuations and flight cancellations as floodwaters reached chest-high in low-lying communities.

OMICRON IS FASTEST-SPREADING COVID VARIANT YET: WHO

The World Health Organization warned Tuesday the Omicron variant of the coronavirus was spreading at an unprecedented rate and urged countries to act, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Omicron could become dominant in Europe next month.