World

South Africa hit by fourth COVID wave driven by Omicron 03 Dec 2021 - 06:37 pm

CAPE TOWN: South Africa is being hit by a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the Omicron variant which has been detected...

England's COVID-19 prevalence rises, led by Delta not Omicron 03 Dec 2021 - 04:45 pm

LONDON: The prevalence of COVID-19 infections in England rose to around 1 in 60 people in the week ending Nov. 27, Britain's Office...

Malaysia detects first Omicron case in quarantined traveler from South Africa 03 Dec 2021 - 04:31 pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has detected its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant in a foreign student who was quarantined after arrival from...

Swiss tighten COVID-19 restrictions as cases rise 03 Dec 2021 - 04:23 pm

ZURICH: Switzerland announced stronger anti-Covid-19 measures on Friday, as its government battles to contain a surge in coronavirus infections and the arrival of...

Spain's Hipra eyes EU use of COVID-19 vaccine, rivalling Novavax 03 Dec 2021 - 04:20 pm

AMER, Spain: Spain's Hipra is confident there will be European Union demand for its experimental COVID-19 vaccine once approved for use as it...

Botswana says some diplomats found to have Omicron variant came from Europe 03 Dec 2021 - 03:23 pm

GABORONE: Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi said some of the four diplomats who first tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus variant in the country...

Vaccine makers right to plan for adjustments to COVID-19 shot: WHO 03 Dec 2021 - 03:18 pm

GENEVA: Makers of COVID-19 vaccines are to be commended for planning for the "likelihood" of needing to adjust their products to offer protection...

Sri Lanka reports first case of Omicron variant 03 Dec 2021 - 03:11 pm

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's health authorities on Friday said they have identified the first Omicron patient in the country. The Health Ministry said the...

Berlin reports first Omicron case, several more suspected cases 03 Dec 2021 - 02:47 pm

Berlin: German health authorities on Thursday reported the first confirmed case of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus in the capital Berlin,...

South Korea widens vaccine pass requirement as Omicron fears rise 03 Dec 2021 - 02:42 pm

SEOUL: South Korea announced on Friday that people visiting restaurants and cinemas and other public spaces will have to show vaccine passes, amid...

India sees impact of Omicron blunted by vaccination, prior infections 03 Dec 2021 - 02:02 pm

NEW DELHI- India expects the Omicron variant of coronavirus to cause less severe disease, the health ministry said on Friday, thanks to vaccinations...

Canadian province of Ontario records another new case of Omicron variant 03 Dec 2021 - 12:06 am

OTTAWA- The town of Durham in the central Canadian province of Ontario has recorded a case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the...

Zimbabwe detects case of Omicron variant in country 02 Dec 2021 - 11:57 pm

HARARE- Zimbabwe has detected case of Omicron variant in the country, its Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said on Thursday on state television. "We...

With God, roses and punk, German military honours Merkel 02 Dec 2021 - 11:50 pm

BERLIN- Germany's military on Thursday honoured outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel with their highest ceremony for a civilian, playing an eclectic mix of music...

S.Africa's health body sees threefold higher risk of reinfection from Omicron 02 Dec 2021 - 11:41 pm

JOHANNESBURG- The new Omicron variant of the coronavirus poses a threefold higher risk of reinfection than the currently dominant Delta variant and the...

Man with gun outside UN in New York surrenders to police 02 Dec 2021 - 11:33 pm

NEW YORK- A man who held an apparent shotgun to his neck near the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday is in...

UN goes on lockdown, man with gun outside 02 Dec 2021 - 08:58 pm

NEW YORK- The United Nations put its Manhattan headquarters on lockdown on Wednesday as police responded to a man with an apparent shotgun...

Novavax says it could start making Omicron-specific vaccine in January 02 Dec 2021 - 08:52 pm

Novavax Inc said on Thursday it could begin commercial manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine tailored for the Omicron coronavirus variant in January next...