Nov 26 China loosens some restrictions in Xinjiang after COVID-19 lockdown protests By Huizhong Wu, Dake Kang, Associated Press Authorities in China's western Xinjiang region opened up some neighborhoods in the capital of Urumqi on Saturday after residents held extraordinary late-night demonstrations against the city's draconian “zero-COVID” lockdown that had lasted more than three months. Continue reading
Nov 15 Judge orders Biden administration to halt Trump-era asylum restrictions at border By Elliot Spagat, Associated Press A federal judge has ordered the Biden administration to lift Trump-era asylum restrictions that have been a cornerstone of border enforcement since the beginning of COVID-19. Continue reading
Oct 26 China begins administering inhalable COVID-19 vaccine boosters By Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press The vaccine, a mist that is sucked in through the mouth, is being offered for free as a booster dose for previously vaccinated people, according to an announcement posted on an official city social media account. Continue reading
Oct 13 Biden administration extends COVID-19 public health emergency By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press The Biden administration says the COVID-19 public health emergency will continue through Jan. 11 as officials brace for a spike in cases this winter. Continue reading
Oct 12 U.S. approves omicron-specific boosters for kids as young as 5 By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press The U.S. is about to offer updated COVID-19 booster shots to kids as young as 5. Continue reading
Sep 29 Qatar confirms COVID-19 test requirements for World Cup fans By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press Fans going to the World Cup in Qatar must show a negative COVID-19 test when they arrive as part of the host nation's rules to combat COVID-19. About 1.2 million visitors to Qatar are expected for the tournament, which starts… Continue reading
Sep 20 How to get a student loan refund if you paid during the pandemic By Adriana Morga, Associated Press When President Joe Biden announced a plan to forgive student loan debt, many borrowers who kept making payments during the pandemic wondered if they'd made the right choice. Continue reading
Sep 06 WATCH: White House COVID task force holds news briefing as omicron boosters roll out By News Desk and Associated Press The White House COVID task force held a news briefing Tuesday morning, days after the nation's campaign to roll out new omicron-specific boosters began. Continue reading
Sep 01 CDC recommends updated COVID vaccine boosters that target omicron strain By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press The tweaked shots promise Americans a chance at their most up-to-date protection ahead of an expected winter surge because they target the omicron strains now circulating. Continue reading
Aug 31 WATCH: FDA approves update for COVID booster shots to target Omicron By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press The U.S. on Wednesday authorized its first update to COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses that target today’s most common omicron strain. Shots could begin within days. Continue reading