Brazil and Japan Report First Cases of the Omicron Variant
Brazil and Japan joined the rapidly widening circle of countries to report cases of the omicron variant Tuesday, while new findings indicate the mutant coronavirus was already in Europe close to a week before South Africa sounded the alarm.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time: Bangkok to Get Cold Spell This Week
BANGKOK — Bangkok could see temperatures drop below 20C over the next five days, the Meteorological Department said Tuesday. New Year's Eve may also see similar lows.
MFA to Evac Thais in Africa as ‘Omicron’ Concern Grows
BANGKOK — The government moved to ban travel from 8 African nations where a new variant of the coronavirus was reported. Flights will also be arranged to bring back Thai nationals living in those countries.
Barbados Says Goodbye to Queen, Transforms Into Republic
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Barbados stopped pledging allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday as it shed another vestige of its colonial past and became a republic for the first time in history.
COVID Variant Spreads to More Countries as World on Alert
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.
Myanmar Court Postpones Verdict for Ousted Leader Suu Kyi
BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Myanmar postponed its verdict on Tuesday in the trial of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to allow testimony from an additional witness.
Japan Bans Entry of Foreign Visitors as Omicron Spreads
TOKYO (AP) — Japan announced Monday it will suspend entry of all foreign visitors from around the world as a new coronavirus variant spreads, prompting an increasing number of countries to tighten their borders.
World Races to Contain New COVID Threat, the Omicron Variant
BRUSSELS (AP) — Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world raced Friday to contain a new coronavirus variant potentially more dangerous than the one that has fueled relentless waves of infection on nearly every continent.
US Lawmakers Meet With Taiwan President in Surprise Visit
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Five U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen Friday morning in a surprise one-day visit intended to reaffirm the United States' “rock solid” support for the self-governing island.
Some Fear China Could Win From US Spat With Marshall Islands
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — For decades, the tiny Marshall Islands has been a stalwart American ally. Its location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean has made it a key strategic outpost for the U.S. military.
