World

Cuba to fast-track boosters as Omicron looms 29 Dec 2021 - 09:31 pm

HAVANA- Cuba will give booster shots to its entire population in January, according to a report in state-run media, in a bid to...

Italy plans to relax isolation rules for contacts of COVID-19 sufferers -statement 29 Dec 2021 - 09:23 pm

ROME- The Italian government on Wednesday said it is planning to relax isolation rules for those who came into close contact with COVID-19...

NYC to limit classroom closures, prioritize ramped-up testing for schools 29 Dec 2021 - 09:05 pm

New York City will stop quarantining entire classrooms exposed to the coronavirus and will instead prioritize a ramped-up testing program so that asymptomatic...

Greece introduces new coronavirus curbs as Omicron cases jump 29 Dec 2021 - 08:35 pm

ATHENS- Greece is introducing new restrictions on the hospitality sector from Thursday, bringing forward measures planned for early January as coronavirus infections surge....

Helicopter fighting fire crashes in Argentina's Patagonia, killing two 29 Dec 2021 - 08:30 pm

BUENOS AIRES- A helicopter that was fighting forest fires in the rugged Patagonia region of southern Argentina crashed on Wednesday, killing two crew...

Swiss see worsening COVID-19 situation as infections hit record 29 Dec 2021 - 08:21 pm

ZURICH- New COVID-19 infections in Switzerland hit a record high of 17,634 within the last 24 hours, figures published on the health authorities'...

US coronavirus cases hit record high 29 Dec 2021 - 07:46 pm

The average number of daily confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States hit a record high of 258,312 over the past seven days...

German COVID incidence rate 2-3 times higher than reported - minister 29 Dec 2021 - 07:30 pm

BERLIN- German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Wednesday that the number of new coronavirus cases has been under-reported and the actual incidence...

Spain cuts isolation for COVID-positive to 7 days from 10 days 29 Dec 2021 - 06:50 pm

Madrid: Spain's Health Minister Carolina Darias and regional health chiefs decided on Wednesday to cut the isolation period for people who tested positive...

Saudi Arabia to apply social distancing among worshippers, Umra performers 29 Dec 2021 - 06:05 pm

Doha: Saudi Arabia has decided to re-impose social distancing procedures at the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque as of 7am, Thursday, December 30,...

UK's Johnson warns of hospital risk for unvaccinated 29 Dec 2021 - 02:43 pm

LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Wednesday that the overwhelming majority of patients ending up in intensive care with COVID-19 had...

Australia seeks to ease COVID-19 test rules as cases hit records 29 Dec 2021 - 02:30 pm

SYDNEY/MELBOURNE: Australia will seek to make urgent changes to COVID-19 testing rules to ease pressure on test sites as infections surged and the...

Thailand warns of spike in COVID-19 cases after "super-spreader" event 29 Dec 2021 - 12:23 pm

BANGKOK: Thai health authorities warned on Wednesday that residents should brace themselves for a potential jump in coronavirus cases after classifying the country's...

Japan braces for Omicron spread as New Year's travelers fan across country 29 Dec 2021 - 12:08 pm

TOKYO: Japan braced for a feared rebound in coronavirus cases as the highways and airports filled with travelers at the start of New...

Poland reports highest number of COVID-related deaths in fourth wave 29 Dec 2021 - 11:23 am

WARSAW: Poland reported 794 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday, the highest number in the fourth wave of the pandemic, a deputy health minister said,...

India may see surging cases within days, Cambridge Tracker says 29 Dec 2021 - 11:06 am

Indiamay see a spurt in the Covid-19 growth rate within days and head into an intense but short-lived virus wave as the highly-infectious...

Japan braces for Omicron spread as New Year's travelers fan across country 29 Dec 2021 - 09:53 am

Tokyo: Japan braced for a feared rebound in coronavirus cases as the highways and airports filled with travelers at the start of New...

Sudan officials say gold mine collapse leaves 38 people dead 28 Dec 2021 - 09:48 pm

Cairo: Sudanese authorities said at least 38 people were killed Tuesday when a gold mine collapsed in West Kordofan province. The country’s state-run...