WHO warns that new virus variant poses 'very high' risk
The World Health Organization warned Monday that the global risk from the omicron variant is "very high" based on early evidence, saying the mutated coronavirus could lead to surges with "severe consequences."
On 2nd try, Swedes elect 1st female prime minister Andersson
Magdalena Andersson, who last week was Sweden's first female prime minister for a few hours before resigning because a budget defeat made a coalition partner quit, was on elected again on Monday as the Nordic nation's head of government.
Portugal probes local transmission of omicron at soccer team
Portuguese health authorities on Monday identified 13 cases of the omicron coronavirus variant among members of a professional soccer club and were investigating whether it was one of the first reported cases of local transmission of the virus outside of southern Africa.
World
Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, Honduras' 1st female president?
Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, the wife of ousted former president Mel Zelaya, has taken a commanding lead in Honduras' elections, capping a 12-year effort.
World
Black Eyed Peas frontman defies Israel boycott calls
The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am said Monday that politics don't dictate his actions, with pressure from pro-Palestinian activists unable to deter him from performing in Israel and maintaining ties to the country's high-tech scene.
World
France beefs up anti-smuggling agency after migrant deaths
France will double the staff of the agency in charge of fighting smugglers after 27 people died trying to reach Britain in an overcrowded boat last week and will talk with Britain about how best to stop migrants from undertaking such dangerous Channel crossings, a French official said Monday.
World
Barbados prepares to bid farewell to queen as head of state
The Caribbean island of Barbados on Monday prepared to wave goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II as head of state as it cuts ties with its colonial past and becomes a republic for the first time in history.
World
Talks to revive Iran nuclear deal resume; US stays distant
Negotiators in Vienna resumed talks Monday over reviving Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, with the United States taking part at arm's length as in previous rounds since the Trump administration pulled out of the accord three years ago.
World
Portugal creates North Atlantic's largest marine sanctuary
Regional authorities in Portugal's Madeira Islands on Monday expanded a protected marine area to create what they said is the largest fully protected marine reserve in Europe and the North Atlantic.
World
Belarusian leader accuses Lithuania of dumping dead migrants
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday accused Lithuanian authorities of dumping the bodies of migrants on the border between the two countries — a claim rejected by Lithuania amid soaring border tensions between Belarus and its European Union neighbors.
World
Leftist holds commanding lead in Honduran presidential vote
Leftist opposition candidate Xiomara Castro held a commanding lead Monday as Hondurans appeared poised to remove the conservative National Party from power after 12 years of continuous rule.
World
Leading Egyptian rights activist fined for social media post
A leading Egyptian human rights activist was convicted Monday of insulting a judicial election commission and fined about $640, in the latest episode in the government's crackdown on dissent.
World
Omicron brings COVID-19 vaccine inequity 'home to roost'
The emergence of the new omicron variant and the world's desperate and likely futile attempts to keep it at bay are reminders of what scientists have warned for months: The coronavirus will thrive as long as vast parts of the world lack vaccines.
World
Israeli Supreme Court: Cable car survivor to return to Italy
Israel's Supreme Court on Monday upheld lower court rulings in the bitter custody battle surrounding a 6-year-old boy who survived a cable car crash in Italy, saying he should be returned to his relatives there within two weeks.
Business
Couple detained on plane after leaving Dutch quarantine
Dutch military police arrested a husband and wife Sunday who had left a hotel where they were being quarantined after testing positive for COVID-19 and boarded a plane to fly home to Spain.
World
Bryan Adams unveils Pirelli calendar from COVID quarantine
Bryan Adams took a break Monday from his coronavirus quarantine in Milan to virtually unveil the 2022 Pirelli Calendar that he shot featuring fellow musicians including Iggy Pop, Cher and Jennifer Hudson.
Business
UK to expand COVID vaccine boosters amid omicron fears
Britain is extending its COVID-19 booster vaccine program to millions more people as part of efforts to tackle the spread of the new omicron variant, which is feared to be more contagious and vaccine-resistant.
Business
Storm with high winds pounds Istanbul; 4 dead, several hurt
A powerful storm pounded Istanbul and other parts of Turkey on Monday, killing at least four people and causing havoc in the city of 15 million people, reports said.
Business
Sputnik V maker: Vaccine could be adapted to fight omicron
The developer of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine said Monday that it will immediately start working on adapting that COVID-19 vaccine to counter the omicron variant.
World
Ghana orders vaccinations for restaurant, stadium access
Ghana's government is ordering access to beaches, restaurants, night clubs and stadiums be limited to people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, as part of its efforts to fight the spread of the virus.
Business
German governors, Merkel to discuss virus outbreak
Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks Tuesday with the governors of Germany's 16 states amid growing concern about the steep rise in new coronavirus cases in the country.
World
Doctor: Many South Africans ill in surge have mild symptoms
South Africa's rapid increase in COVID-19 cases attributed to the new omicron variant is resulting in mostly mild symptoms, doctors say.
World
Miss Universe hopeful tests positive for COVID-19 in Israel
Organizers of the Miss Universe pageant said Monday that a contestant tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Israel, which is pressing ahead with plans to host the pageant despite closing its borders in the face of a newly detected variant.
Most Read
Latest Videos
-
Draft climate accord expresses 'alarm and concern'
- Protesters march in Glasgow as climate talks continue
- Emergency team monitors La Palma lava destruction
- 8 dead as al-Shabab claims blast in Mogadishu
- Biden says Kabul attackers 'will pay'
- Biden sticks to Kabul deadline despite criticism
- U.S. increases Kabul evacuations as threats persist
- U.S.: Security threats slowing Kabul evacuations
- Biden vows to bring Americans in Afghanistan home
- Minnesota woman helps resettle Afghan colleagues