Moderna testing 3 COVID-19 booster vaccines on omicron variant, Pfizer ready to adapt

Pfizer said if any coronavirus variant ever evades the protection offered by its COVID-19 vaccine, it expects to be able to produce a “tailor-made” adapted version of its vaccine to fight that variant in approximately 100 days, pending approval from federal regulators.

Will travel bans stop 'highly transmissible' omicron variant?

A coronavirus variant recently identified in South Africa is leading to a new round of travel restrictions just as many had finally begun to ease.

New COVID-19 variant is ‘huge international concern,’ UK health secretary says

The U.K.’s health secretary told Parliament Friday that the new COVID-19 variant was “of huge international concern” and that it was “highly likely” that it has spread to countries beyond where it has been detected.

Omicron variant: What to know about the new COVID-19 strain

South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province.

Omicron variant: WHO says new COVID-19 strain shows increased reinfection risk

The World Health Organization called a special session to flesh out information about a worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

Man jailed over bomb hoax at UK COVID-19 vaccine factory

A bomb scare temporarily halted production at a factory making COVID-19 vaccines in the U.K. earlier this year. This week, the man convicted of the crime received his jail sentence.

Santa gets a boyfriend in Norway postal service Christmas ad

The commercial, titled, “When Harry Met Santa,” celebrates 50 years since the country decriminalized homosexuality.

Health officials warn of 'worrying' new COVID variant

The variant, currently known as B.1.1.529, reportedly has a significant number of mutations that could make it capable of evading immunity.

More than 50 miners, rescuers dead after Siberian coal mine blast

Hours after a methane gas explosion and fire filled the mine with toxic fumes, rescuers found 14 bodies but then were forced to halt the search for 38 others because of a buildup of methane and carbon monoxide gas from the fire.

Kids, pregnant women among 27 migrants killed crossing English Channel

France's interior minister says pregnant women and children are among at least 27 migrants killed trying to cross the English Channel in a small boat that sank.

Thanksgiving: What the US holiday looks like around the world

Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday. Here’s a look at notable Thanksgiving celebrations across the globe.

WHO: Europe could see another 700K COVID-19 deaths by spring

WHO Europe called on people to get vaccinated and respect proper hygiene and practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus.

Sweden's first female prime minister resigns hours after election

Hours after being tapped as Sweden's first female prime minister, Magdalena Andersson resigned Wednesday after suffering a budget defeat in parliament and her coalition partner the Greens left the two-party minority government.

Man on bike sentenced to 3 years in purse-snatching incident

A man on a bike that was caught on camera stealing a woman’s purse has been sentenced to nearly four years in jail, police said.

Bulgaria bus crash: Dozen children among at least 45 dead

A bus carrying people home from a tourist trip crashed and caught fire in western Bulgaria early Tuesday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.

Former South Korean military dictator, Chun Doo-hwan dead at 90

Former South Korean military strongman Chun Doo-hwan, who crushed pro-democracy demonstrations in 1980, has died.