US, Canada, EU, Japan restrict South Africa travel over Omicron variant

Advisers to the World Health Organization held a special session Friday to flesh out information about the worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

Moderna testing 3 COVID-19 booster vaccines on omicron variant, Pfizer ready to adapt

Pfizer said if any coronavirus variant ever evades the protection offered by its COVID-19 vaccine, it expects to be able to produce a “tailor-made” adapted version of its vaccine to fight that variant in approximately 100 days, pending approval from federal regulators.

Will travel bans stop 'highly transmissible' omicron variant?

A coronavirus variant recently identified in South Africa is leading to a new round of travel restrictions just as many had finally begun to ease.

New COVID-19 variant is ‘huge international concern,’ UK health secretary says

The U.K.’s health secretary told Parliament Friday that the new COVID-19 variant was “of huge international concern” and that it was “highly likely” that it has spread to countries beyond where it has been detected.

Omicron variant: What to know about the new COVID-19 strain

South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province.

Omicron variant: WHO says new COVID-19 strain shows increased reinfection risk

The World Health Organization called a special session to flesh out information about a worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

South African health minister calls travel restrictions 'knee-jerk reaction' to variant

Dr. Joe Phaahla, the Health Minister of South Africa took issue with countries who've enacted travel bans on South Africa after they identified a new COVID-19 variant.

Santa gets a boyfriend in Norway postal service Christmas ad

The commercial, titled, “When Harry Met Santa,” celebrates 50 years since the country decriminalized homosexuality.

Kids, pregnant women among 27 migrants killed crossing English Channel

France's interior minister says pregnant women and children are among at least 27 migrants killed trying to cross the English Channel in a small boat that sank.

Thanksgiving: What the US holiday looks like around the world

Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday. Here’s a look at notable Thanksgiving celebrations across the globe.

Bulgaria bus crash: Dozen children among at least 45 dead

A bus carrying people home from a tourist trip crashed and caught fire in western Bulgaria early Tuesday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.

Former South Korean military dictator, Chun Doo-hwan dead at 90

Former South Korean military strongman Chun Doo-hwan, who crushed pro-democracy demonstrations in 1980, has died.

Austria's nationwide lockdown begins, with COVID-19 vaccine mandate looming

The new lockdown measures kicked in Monday a day after many Austrians hurriedly enjoyed a last day out at coffeehouses and Christmas markets across the country.

Mask-wearing cuts new COVID-19 cases by 53%, global studies suggest

A team reviewed the results of several studies worldwide and said findings suggest that mask-wearing was found to reduce new COVID-19 cases by more than half.

Iran-backed hackers accused of targeting US with ransomware, other cyber threats

An advisory issued by officials in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia warns that hackers linked to the Iranian government have been targeting a “broad range of victims” inside the U.S. with ransomware and other malicious cyber activity.