WHO labels new COVID strain named omicron a variant of concern
The World Health Organisation has declared a new coronavirus variant to be "of concern" and named it Omicron. It said the variant had a large number of mutations and e
Tag: World News
Australia's international borders will be reopened to eligible visa holders from 1st December
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced today that international borders will be reopened to eligible visa holders from 1st December. SBS News reports t
Taliban unveil new rules banning women in TV dramas
Women have been banned from appearing in television dramas in Afghanistan under new rules imposed by the Taliban government. The BBC reports female journalists and pre
Huge protests across Europe over new restrictions
Tens of thousands of people have been marching in the Belgian capital, Brussels, to protest against anti-COVID measures. The BBC reports that some protesters threw fir
Fresh protests in Europe against new restrictions
Fresh unrest has erupted in the Netherlands against new lockdown rules amid rising COVID-19 cases in Europe. People threw fireworks at police and set fire to bicycles
WHO says it is very worried about fresh wave of infections in Europe
The World Health Organization is worried about the spread of COVID-19 in Europe as the continent battles a fresh wave of infections. Regional Director Dr Hans Kluge w
US teenager cleared over Kenosha killings
A US teenager who shot dead two men during racial justice protests has been cleared of homicide and all other charges after claiming self-defence. 18 year old Kyle Rit
Portugal has banned bosses from text messaging and emailing staff out of working hours
Portugal has banned bosses from text messaging and emailing staff out of working hours as part of new laws dubbed "right to rest". The move is part of changes being in
Lockdown protesters gather in Wellington to march to the NZ Parliament
Thousands of protesters have brought Wellington's CBD to a standstill as they march to the NZ Parliament in a challenge to COVID restrictions. The NZ Herald reports th
Astroworld: Criminal investigation into Texas festival crowd surge
Police in Houston, Texas have opened a criminal investigation into the deaths at the Astroworld festival yesterday. At least eight people died and scores of people wer
COP26: Bezos pledges US$2 billion for restoring nature
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has said his Bezos Earth Fund will spend US $2 billion restoring landscapes and transforming food systems. He told the COP26 climate conferen
Queen Elizabeth II will not attend COP26 following medical advice to rest
Queen Elizabeth II will not attend the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow following medical advice to rest. The 95-year-old monarch underwent preliminary medical c
Colombia's most-wanted drug lord Otoniel captured
Colombia's most-wanted drug trafficker and the leader of the country's largest criminal gang has been captured. Dairo Antonio Úsuga, better known as Otoniel, was se
India’s recovery rate at its highest peak since March last year
As India celebrates a historic milestone of administering more than a billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, the country’s recovery rate stands at 98.15% which is
India administers one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine
India crossed a major milestone when the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed the one billion mark. The number is twice the number of v
World News: Court rules mandatory vaccination for NSW essential workers is valid
A judge has dismissed two legal challenges to health orders requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in NSW. The cases, heard in the NSW Supreme Court, involved 10
Qantas charged over Covid cleaning risks
Australian airline Qantas is being prosecuted over the duties of plane cleaners in early 2020. BBC News reports a cleaner was told to stop working after he opposed cle
At least 26 people killed in floods in India
At least 26 people have been killed in floods in southern India after heavy rain caused rivers to overflow, cutting off towns and villages. Five children are among the
More than 20 people have been killed in floods in southern India
More than 20 people have been killed in floods in southern India after heavy rain caused rivers to overflow, cutting off towns and villages. Five children are among th
17 American and Canadian missionaries kidnapped by gang members in Haiti
17 missionaries from the United States and Canada, some of them minors, have been kidnapped in Haiti. Officials say a notorious gang is behind the kidnap. The five
Covid: Russia's daily deaths pass 1,000 for first time
Russia has recorded 1,000 COVID-related deaths in a single day for the first time since the pandemic began. The figure had been rising all week, with the Kremlin blami