Will travel bans stop 'highly transmissible' omicron variant?

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.

New COVID-19 variant is ‘huge international concern,’ UK health secretary says

The U.K.’s health secretary told Parliament Friday that the new COVID-19 variant was “of huge international concern” and that it was “highly likely” that it has spread to countries beyond where it has been detected.

Omicron variant: WHO says new COVID-19 strain shows increased reinfection risk

The World Health Organization called a special session to flesh out information about a worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

South African health minister calls travel restrictions 'knee-jerk reaction' to variant

Dr. Joe Phaahla, the Health Minister of South Africa took issue with countries who've enacted travel bans on South Africa after they identified a new COVID-19 variant.

Man jailed over bomb hoax at UK COVID-19 vaccine factory

A bomb scare temporarily halted production at a factory making COVID-19 vaccines in the U.K. earlier this year. This week, the man convicted of the crime received his jail sentence.

Santa gets a boyfriend in Norway postal service Christmas ad

The commercial, titled, “When Harry Met Santa,” celebrates 50 years since the country decriminalized homosexuality.

Kids, pregnant women among 27 migrants killed crossing English Channel

France's interior minister says pregnant women and children are among at least 27 migrants killed trying to cross the English Channel in a small boat that sank.

Thanksgiving: What the US holiday looks like around the world

Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday. Here’s a look at notable Thanksgiving celebrations across the globe.

WHO: Europe could see another 700K COVID-19 deaths by spring

WHO Europe called on people to get vaccinated and respect proper hygiene and practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus.

Bulgaria bus crash: Dozen children among at least 45 dead

A bus carrying people home from a tourist trip crashed and caught fire in western Bulgaria early Tuesday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.

Call between IOC, Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai raises more questions

A video call between the head of the International Olympic Committee and Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai was meant to reassure the world that she was safe — but instead has raised more questions.

Austria's nationwide lockdown begins, with COVID-19 vaccine mandate looming

The new lockdown measures kicked in Monday a day after many Austrians hurriedly enjoyed a last day out at coffeehouses and Christmas markets across the country.

Mask-wearing cuts new COVID-19 cases by 53%, global studies suggest

A team reviewed the results of several studies worldwide and said findings suggest that mask-wearing was found to reduce new COVID-19 cases by more than half.

Kim Kardashian helps fly Afghan women's youth soccer players to UK

Members of Afghanistan’s women’s youth development soccer team have arrived in Britain after being flown from Pakistan with the help of a New York rabbi, a U.K. soccer club and Kim Kardashian West.