Dec 01 Omicron keeps world on edge as more information drips out By Mari Yamaguchi, Foster Klug, Raf Casert, Associated Press Much is still unknown about the new variant, including how contagious it is and whether it can evade vaccines, and the European Union chief acknowledged that waiting for scientists to tell the world more felt like "an eternity.”… Continue reading
Nov 30 Watch 8:16 Will the omicron variant require a new vaccine? An expert weighs in By Nick Schifrin, Dorothy Hastings A growing number of countries are reporting cases of the coronavirus' omicron variant, and many are mandating travel bans. Meanwhile, advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have now endorsed drug maker Merck's pill to treat COVID-19 in high-risk… Continue watching
Nov 30 What we know you can do to protect yourself from omicron By Laura Santhanam Key questions need to be answered about the new COVID-19 variant, omicron, including whether it is more transmissible, produces more severe disease, and responds to vaccines and medicines. Continue reading
Nov 30 Iraq electoral commission confirms October election results By Associated Press The final results announced by Iraq’s electoral commission have confirmed Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as the biggest winner in last month’s vote, securing 73 out of Parliament’s 329 seats. Continue reading
Nov 30 Rihanna's officially titled 'right excellent,' named Barbados national hero By Dánica Coto, Associated Press Prime Minister Mia Mottley noted that the pop star came from humble origins and was born less than a mile from where the ceremony was taking place. Continue reading
Nov 30 Barbados becomes a republic after bidding farewell to British monarchy By Dánica Coto, Associated Press The drive to become a republic began more than two decades ago and culminated with the island’s Parliament electing its first ever president last month in a two-thirds majority vote. Continue reading
Nov 30 Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France's Pantheon By Sylvie Corbet, Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press French President Emmanuel Macron presided over an elaborate ceremony Tuesday at the domed Pantheon monument in Paris to immortalize Baker alongside other French luminaries. Continue reading
Nov 30 President of Belarus offers to host Russian nuclear weapons By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press Lukashenko made the remarks as he moves to cement ties with Russia, his main ally and sponsor, amid tensions with the West over his disputed reelection last year and a crackdown on dissent in Belarus. Continue reading
Nov 30 French far-right pundit enters race for presidency By John Leicester, Associated Press A far-right former TV pundit with multiple hate-speech convictions has officially entered the race for France’s presidency. Continue reading
Nov 30 Myanmar court delays verdict for ousted leader Suu Kyi By Grant Peck, Associated Press The verdict would have been the first for the 76-year-old Nobel laureate since the army seized power on Feb. 1, arresting her and blocking her National League for Democracy party from starting a second term in office. Continue reading