World

Indians flood markets, tourist spots despite Omicron concerns 24 Dec 2021 - 06:16 pm

NEW DELHI- Indians are crowding markets and taking packed flights to holiday destinations again despite calls from authorities urging restraint and caution amid...

France says COVID tests needed for trips to its overseas territories 24 Dec 2021 - 05:07 pm

PARIS- France said on Friday that negative COVID tests will be required to travel to its overseas territories, as the government tightens controls...

United, Delta cancel hundreds of U.S. Christmas Eve flights amid COVID surge 24 Dec 2021 - 04:51 pm

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have canceled hundreds of Christmas Eve flights, as the spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant takes a toll on...

Chinese officials punished over COVID outbreak that led to Xian lockdown 24 Dec 2021 - 04:46 pm

BEIJING- Officials in the northwestern Chinese city of Xian are facing punishment after a COVID-19 outbreak led to the lockdown of its 13...

Seeking 'peace of mind', Lisbonites rush for COVID-19 tests before Christmas 24 Dec 2021 - 04:29 pm

LISBON- Vitor Chitas started queuing at 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve for a COVID-19 test before meeting up with loved ones later on...

US to lift travel curbs on eight African countries - source 24 Dec 2021 - 04:25 pm

The Biden administration will lift travel restrictions on eight southern African countries imposed last month over concerns about the fast-spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant,...

One in 10 Londoners are likely infected with COVID: ONS models 24 Dec 2021 - 04:22 pm

LONDON- Around 1 in 10 people in London were likely infected with COVID-19 on Sunday, according to new official estimates that underlined the...

Bhutan starts giving COVID-19 booster shots 24 Dec 2021 - 03:29 pm

KATHMANDU: Bhutan has started giving COVID-19 booster shots to senior citizens and priority groups as the Himalayan kingdom tries to stave off the...

S.Africa scraps isolation for those without COVID symptoms 24 Dec 2021 - 02:42 pm

JOHANNESBURG: South Africans without symptoms of COVID-19 will no longer need to isolate or test if they have been in contact with a...

Austria's vaccine board recommends fourth COVID jab for some 24 Dec 2021 - 01:55 pm

ZURICH: Austria should offer some healthcare staff and other key workers a fourth COVID-19 jab, the National Vaccination Board said in updated guidance...

Japan health panel approves Merck's oral COVID-19 treatment 24 Dec 2021 - 01:20 pm

TOKYO: A Japanese health ministry panel on Friday recommended approval of the COVID-19 antiviral pill developed by Merck & Co Inc, part of...

Hong Kong to widen booster access to all adults from Jan. 1 24 Dec 2021 - 12:02 pm

Hong Kong will start giving out Covid-19 booster shots to all adults from Jan. 1 following studies around the world that two doses...

Elephant Santas pass out face masks, hand gel in Thai school tradition 24 Dec 2021 - 11:57 am

AYUTTHAYA, Thailand: Elephants in Thailand wearing Santa hats and surgical masks passed out hand gel, face masks and balloons to students at a...

South Africa to roll out COVID-19 boosters immediately 24 Dec 2021 - 11:45 am

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa will start offering booster shots of Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine from Friday, the health department said in a...

Ferry fire kills at least 37 in southern Bangladesh 24 Dec 2021 - 10:54 am

DHAKA, Bangladesh: A massive fire swept through a river ferry in southern Bangladesh early Friday, leaving at least 37 dead and 72 injured,...

Czechs tighten arrival conditions for New Year's celebrations 24 Dec 2021 - 10:50 am

PRAGUE: The Czech Republic will require all foreigners visiting the country to have a negative PCR coronavirus test prior to entry starting from...

Ecuador makes COVID-19 vaccination obligatory 24 Dec 2021 - 10:47 am

BOGOTA: Ecuador's government said on Thursday it has made it obligatory for eligible people to be vaccinated against COVID-19, amid an increase in...

Thailand reports first Omicron cluster, cancels some New Year events 24 Dec 2021 - 10:42 am

BANGKOK: Thailand reported on Friday its first domestic cluster of coronavirus infections from the Omicron variant in Kalasin province in northeastern Thailand, officials...