Omicron spreads; threat of new variant questioned: Virus Update
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 continued to spread globally, with new infections discovered in countries including the US, Norway, Ireland and South Korea.
SINGAPORE: Threats and coercion by China towards Taiwan increase the need for the United States to help Taiwan maintain a credible self-defence, the top US diplomat for Asia said on Thursday.
HANOI: Heavy rains that triggered floods and landslides in central Vietnam have left at least 18 people missing, some feared dead, with houses destroyed and roads damaged, authorities said on Thursday.
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 continued to spread globally, with new infections discovered in countries including the US, Norway, Ireland and South Korea.
GENEVA: The UN warned Thursday that the need for humanitarian aid was skyrocketing worldwide, as the pandemic continues to rage, and climate change and conflicts push more people to the brink of famine.
LONDON: Meghan Markle on Thursday won a second court victory against a British newspaper group, as judges threw out the publisher's appeal against a ruling that it breached her privacy.
Myanmar's junta and the Taliban authorities of Afghanistan on Thursday slammed the United Nations for denying their chosen representatives seats at the world body.
SINGAPORE: Singapore on Thursday detected two imported cases of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, both of whom have been isolated, its health ministry said.
BERLIN: German leaders including Chancellor Angela Merkel and her designated successor Olaf Scholz are expected to approve a de-facto "lockdown for the unvaccinated" on Thursday to combat surging Covid cases.
WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden will announce Thursday a winter campaign against Covid-19, with new testing requirements for travellers and a surge in vaccination efforts -- but no clear path to defeating the pandemic he was elected to confront.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday that his government has invited Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, to Cambodia next week.
MANILA: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the early frontrunner for the Philippines presidency, was hit by another formal complaint on Thursday, as long-time opponents of his powerful family pile pressure on authorities to disqualify him from elections next year.
GENEVA - Ethiopia risks descending into sectarian violence and experiencing a chaotic Kabul-style exodus if the year-long conflict spreads to the capital Addis Ababa, the UN aid chief warned.
SINGAPORE: Threats and coercion by China towards Taiwan increase the need for the United States to help Taiwan maintain a credible self-defence, the top US diplomat for Asia said on Thursday.
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the world's longest serving leaders after 36 years in power, on Thursday offered support for his eldest son as his potential successor and defended the idea of establishing a political dynasty.
