South Africa to stop most contact tracing as 80% of population gain some immunity
COVID-19 safety measures like contact tracing and quarantining are, for the most part, coming to an end in South Africa.
COVID-19 safety measures like contact tracing and quarantining are, for the most part, coming to an end in South Africa.
Canadian territory orders full lockdown over rising COVID cases
One Canadian territory has gone into a lockdown due to COVID cases.
One Canadian territory has gone into a lockdown due to COVID cases.
Santa Claus’ house: Take a tour of his North Pole estate valued at $1M
Santa Claus’ house on Zillow is estimated at more than $1 million, and the online real estate marketplace is offering a tour of the North Pole property.
Santa Claus’ house on Zillow is estimated at more than $1 million, and the online real estate marketplace is offering a tour of the North Pole property.
US will lift travel ban on southern African countries on Dec. 31
The Nov. 29 ban barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.
The Nov. 29 ban barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.
Biden signs bill blocking Chinese goods made by forced labor
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is the latest in a series of intensifying U.S. penalties against China for alleged abuses.
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is the latest in a series of intensifying U.S. penalties against China for alleged abuses.
Most crimes against Mexico journalists, activists go unpunished
90% of crimes against activists and journalists go unpunished in Mexico.
90% of crimes against activists and journalists go unpunished in Mexico.
WHO chief: Blanket COVID booster drives risk prolonged pandemic
The head of the World Health Organization warned Wednesday that blanket booster programs in rich countries risk prolonging the world's battle with COVID-19 and said that “no country can boost its way out of the pandemic.”
The head of the World Health Organization warned Wednesday that blanket booster programs in rich countries risk prolonging the world's battle with COVID-19 and said that “no country can boost its way out of the pandemic.”
Amazon Web Services down? Another outage reportedly disrupts some sites
Amazon Web Services (AWS) was dealing with another apparent outage on Wednesday, according to DownDetector — impacting some companies that rely on it.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) was dealing with another apparent outage on Wednesday, according to DownDetector — impacting some companies that rely on it.
How will the world decide when the pandemic is over?
We do not have clear-cut definitions for when a pandemic starts and ends. In March 2020, WHO designated the coronavirus outbreak a "pandemic."
We do not have clear-cut definitions for when a pandemic starts and ends. In March 2020, WHO designated the coronavirus outbreak a "pandemic."
South Africa's COVID-19 case drop may show its omicron peak has passed
South Africa's noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases may signal that the country's omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say.
South Africa's noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases may signal that the country's omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say.
FBI: Pan Am Flight 103 bombing still under investigation 33 years later
FBI officials believe they have not captured all of the people responsible for the Pan Am bombing that killed 270 people, including 190 Americans in 1988.
FBI officials believe they have not captured all of the people responsible for the Pan Am bombing that killed 270 people, including 190 Americans in 1988.
Swedish company showcases microchip that can download COVID-19 passport status
A microchip technology introduced in recent years by the Stockholm-based startup, Epicenter, is being presented as a means to store one's COVID-19 vaccine passport under the skin, according to a video from the South China Post that went viral Friday.
A microchip technology introduced in recent years by the Stockholm-based startup, Epicenter, is being presented as a means to store one's COVID-19 vaccine passport under the skin, according to a video from the South China Post that went viral Friday.
Israel to ban travel to US, Canada due to omicron variant concerns
Israel will ban travel to the United States, Canada and eight other countries amid the rapid, global spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Israel will ban travel to the United States, Canada and eight other countries amid the rapid, global spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
New snake species discovered thanks to Instagram post
Oligodon churahensis is the newest snake species after a university student unknowingly posted a picture of it on Instagram in June 2020.
Oligodon churahensis is the newest snake species after a university student unknowingly posted a picture of it on Instagram in June 2020.
Missionaries freed from captivity in Haiti last week made daring overnight escape to elude kidnappers
Captive missionaries in Haiti found freedom last week by making a daring overnight escape, eluding their kidnappers and walking for miles over difficult, moonlit terrain with an infant and other children in tow, according to the agency they work for, officials said Monday.
Captive missionaries in Haiti found freedom last week by making a daring overnight escape, eluding their kidnappers and walking for miles over difficult, moonlit terrain with an infant and other children in tow, according to the agency they work for, officials said Monday.
Omicron infections 'just raging around the world,' Fauci says
The prospect of a winter chilled by a wave of infections is a severe reversal from the optimism projected by Biden months ago when he suggested the country would be back to normal by Christmas.
The prospect of a winter chilled by a wave of infections is a severe reversal from the optimism projected by Biden months ago when he suggested the country would be back to normal by Christmas.
Christmas light displays from around the world
While it seems to be an age-old tradition, electric Christmas lights didn’t really catch on until the early twentieth century. Here’s a look at displays nowadays from around the world.
While it seems to be an age-old tradition, electric Christmas lights didn’t really catch on until the early twentieth century. Here’s a look at displays nowadays from around the world.
Netherlands lockdown: Omicron spread prompts closures for nearly 1 month
The Netherlands lockdown began Sunday, with all non-essential stores, bars and restaurants closing until Jan. 14.
The Netherlands lockdown began Sunday, with all non-essential stores, bars and restaurants closing until Jan. 14.
Omicron variant detected in 89 countries; WHO says cases rapidly doubling
WHO said on Saturday that omicron’s “substantial growth advantage” over the delta variant means it's likely to soon overtake delta as the dominant variant.
WHO said on Saturday that omicron’s “substantial growth advantage” over the delta variant means it's likely to soon overtake delta as the dominant variant.
North Korea, Kim Jong Un mark 10th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death
North Korea on Friday commemorated the 10th anniversary of former leader Kim Jong Il’s death with calls for greater public loyalty toward his son Kim Jong Un.
North Korea on Friday commemorated the 10th anniversary of former leader Kim Jong Il’s death with calls for greater public loyalty toward his son Kim Jong Un.