Category: World

SEOUL, South Korea (AP): South Korea again broke its daily records for coronavirus infections and deaths and confirmed three more cases of the new omicron variant as officials scramble to tighten social distancing and border controls. The 5,352 new cases reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Saturday marked the third time… Continue reading SKorea sets daily records for new coronavirus cases, deaths

(BBC): Two men in the southern Indian state of Karnataka have tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus variant. One of them, a 66-year-old South African national, had travelled from there and has already left India, officials said. The second – a 46-year-old doctor in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru – has no travel history.… Continue reading India reports first cases of new Covid variant

TOKYO (AP): Japan has asked international airlines to stop taking new reservations for all flights arriving in Japan until the end of December as the country further tightens its border controls against a new coronavirus variant, the transportation ministry said Wednesday. It said the request is an emergency precaution amid growing concern over the spread… Continue reading Japan suspends new reservations on all incoming flights

OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP): A 15-year-old sophomore opened fire at his Michigan high school, killing three students, including a 16-year-old boy who died in a deputy’s patrol car on the way to a hospital, authorities said. Eight other people were wounded, some critically, including a 14-year-old girl who was placed on a ventilator after surgery.… Continue reading Student shoots, kills 3, wounds 8 at Michigan high school

LONDON (AP): The new potentially more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in more European countries on Saturday, just days after being identified in South Africa, leaving governments around the world scrambling to stop the spread. The U.K. on Saturday tightened its rules on mask-wearing and on testing of international arrivals after finding… Continue reading COVID variant spreads to more countries as world on alert

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP): A bus carrying tourists back to North Macedonia crashed and caught fire in western Bulgaria early Tuesday, killing at least 45 people, including a dozen children, authorities said. The bus apparently ripped through a guardrail on a highway, though authorities have said the cause is still under investigation. Photos taken shortly after… Continue reading Bus crashes, catches fire in Bulgaria; at least 45 dead

NEW DELHI (AP): In a major reversal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Friday that he would repeal the controversial agriculture laws that sparked yearlong protests from tens of thousands of farmers and posed a significant challenge to his administration. Farmers, who form one of India’s most influential voting blocs, have camped out on the… Continue reading Bowing to protests, India’s Modi agrees to repeal farm laws

(BBC): Authorities in the Indian capital, Delhi, have shut all schools and colleges indefinitely amid the worsening levels of air pollution. Construction work has also been banned until 21 November but an exception has been made for transport and defence-related projects. Only five of the 11 coal-based power plants in the city have been allowed… Continue reading Delhi smog: Schools and colleges shut as pollution worsens

BEIJING (AP): China on Tuesday welcomed a virtual meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden as raising hopes for better relations, while the U.S. was more muted on the talks as the world’s two biggest powers sought to ratchet down more than a year of tensions. The leaders appeared to put aside… Continue reading Xi-Biden talks raise hope for better ties but strains remain

WASHINGTON (AP): Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping have slurped noodles together in Beijing. They’ve shared deep thoughts about the meaning of America during an exchange on the Tibetan plateau. They’ve gushed to U.S. business leaders about developing a sincere respect for each other. The American president has held up his relationship with Xi as… Continue reading Biden and Xi prepare for meeting