Nov 28 EXPLAINER: What we know and don’t know on new COVID variant By Maria Cheng, Associated Press It’s unclear where the new variant first emerged, but scientists in South Africa alerted the World Health Organization in recent days, and it has now been seen in travelers arriving in several countries, from Australia to Israel to the Netherlands. Continue reading
Nov 28 Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary vote boosts president’s clout By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press With over 90% of precincts counted, three blocs all supporting Zhaparov emerged as the top vote-getters. Some opposition parties quickly challenged the results, accusing authorities of vote-rigging. Continue reading
Nov 27 South African scientists brace for wave propelled by omicron By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press In the space of two weeks, the omicron variant has sent South Africa from a period of low transmission to rapid growth of new confirmed cases. The country’s numbers are still relatively low, with 2,828 new confirmed cases recorded Friday,… Continue reading
Nov 27 COVID variant spreads to more countries as world on alert By Pan Pylas, Associated Press Amid fears that the recently identified new variant has the potential to be more resistant to the protection offered by vaccines, there are growing concerns that the pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions will persist for far longer than hoped. Continue reading
Nov 26 Watch 9:42 Alarm grows after emergence of new omicron COVID-19 variant. Here’s what you need to know A newly emerged variant of the coronavirus known as “omicron” is causing widespread concern. First discovered in South Africa, it's now been detected in multiple nations, including Europe and Israel. Many nations including the U.S. are considering travel bans to… Continue watching
Nov 26 19 dead, 32 injured in Mexico pilgrimage bus crash By Associated Press An official in the State of Mexico says the accident occurred Friday southwest of Mexico City. The bus was heading from the western state of Michoacan to Chalma. Continue reading
Nov 26 New variant hits sports just as they were nearing normality By Gerald Imray, Associated Press Golf, cricket and rugby became the first major sports to be affected by the new COVID-19 variant on Friday, prompting fears of renewed travel restrictions and disrupted events just as they were returning to normal nearly two years into the… Continue reading
Nov 26 Russia names 51 people presumed dead in coal mine accident By Dasha Litvinova, Associated Press Russian authorities have released the names of 51 presumed victims of a devastating methane explosion in a coal mine in Siberia, a toll that makes the accident the deadliest since 2010. Continue reading
Nov 26 Stocks sink on new COVID variant. Dow loses 905 points By Ken Sweet, Paul Wiseman, Associated Press Stocks are closing sharply lower on Wall Street Friday, after a coronavirus variant from South Africa appeared to be spreading across the globe and the European Union proposed suspending air travel from southern Africa. Continue reading
Nov 26 Will flight restrictions help as new virus variant emerges? By Maria Cheng, Haleluya Hadero, Associated Press 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. Continue reading