As Santa rode the cherry picker - the fire truck's hydraulic crane with a railed platform to carry people - accompanied by a firefighter, he delivered gift-wrapped presents to children.

Christmas: Santa's sweet gift to COVID infected kids in Peru

A growing body of preliminary research suggests the COVID vaccines used in most of the world offer almost no defense against becoming infected by the highly contagious omicron variant.

Most of the world's vaccines likely won't prevent infection from Omicron

The city of Xian in China's Shaanxi Province has been struck by incidences of deadly haemorrhagic fever and fresh COVID-19 outbreaks. The city located in northwestern China has ordered suspension of schools and has started citywide coronavirus tests, reported South China Morning Post citing local newspapers.

Chinese city battles twin threats of Covid and haemorrhagic fever

Coronavirus: 'Variant of concern' Omicron raises fears globally; cases have been detected in these countries

Omicron travel chaos: Countries that imposed travel curbs over new Covid variant

Sports schedules go haywire due to Omicron Covid variant: What's cancelled, what's postponed

Amid growing concerns over the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) variant, Pfizer Inc said on Friday the pandemic could extend through next year. The vaccine making company also announced plans to come up with a three-dose vaccine regimen for children aged 2 to 16.

Pfizer says COVID-19 pandemic could extend to 2024

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its deadly variants have caused havoc across the world. Some health experts have claimed that the virus has been less lethal among Asians.

Is Pakistan's COVID-19 mortality rate much higher than global data? Here's a report

From updates on the summit of Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) to Coronavirus trends across the world, read top 10 news headlines at this hour. Click on the links to read the full report.

Top 10 World News: Hamid Karzai slams Pakistan, Netherlands starts Omicron lockdown and more

United Kingdom's Health Minister Sajid Javid said that there is much "we still don't know" about the Omicron variant of coronavirus (COVID-19) and also warned that "it may be too late to react" as virus cases are rising in the country.

UK health minister says it may be 'too late to react' to Omicron as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

While the Omicron variant of coronavirus continues to rapidly spread all over the world, scientists are still struggling to identify the symptoms of this new variant.

COVID-19: Experts name one common symptom of Omicron variant

As the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic wreaked havoc across the world in the past two years, scientists and researchers are busy developing ways to counter the threat efficiently and curb the spread of the virus in the community.

Study reveals that proteins taken from shark immune systems can neutralise COVID-19 and its variants

Hundreds of prisoners set fire to a Thai jail during a two-day riot over the handling of a coronavirus cluster, with some inmates wounded as officers sought to restore order.

Riots over COVID-19 medical facilities, Thailand prison set on fire

From updates on the Russia-Ukraine situation to the latest on COVID-19 cases worldwide. Also read why Tesla has been hit by a lawsuit. And do not miss our explainer on what is Russia's draft treaty on security guarantees.

Top 10 World News: Biden admin 'failed to see' Omicron variant, Kremlin on Russia-US tensions

The current situation of the United Kingdom is a grim picture of the country where the Omicron variant of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly. It is also a warning to the world to not neglect the safety measures such as using face masks, social distancing, vaccination, sanitisation, etc.

Can Omicron and Delta unite to create an even worse COVID-19 variant? Expert has the answer

There is a possibility that the COVID-19 virus was "most likely" leaked from a lab in China, British MPs were informed on Thursday. Harvard scientist Dr Alina Chan, while testifying before the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, said that it was reasonable to hypothesise and investigate whether the Covid virus was modified in the lab.

Reasonable to hypothesise Covid virus is genetically engineered: Expert

In order to seek better medical care for COVID-19 patients in jail, numerous inmates rioted and set fire at a prison in southern Thailand, the officials said on Friday.

To seek better care for COVID-19 patients in Thailand jail, inmates riot, set fire

From US State Department report on global terrorism to coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from across the world, here are top news headlines. Click on the links to read the respective report.

Top 10 World News: Germany warns of 'massive' fifth wave, WHO approves Covavax jab for emergency use and more

From Victory Day (Vijay Divas) celebrations in Bangladesh to the United States blacklisting Chinese biotech firms for trying to seek surveillance on the Uyghur minority and top Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from across the world.

Top 10 World News: US blacklists Chinese biotech firms, rise in Covid cases in UK and more

UK PM Boris Johnson faced a tough time during a session in the house of commons. Just before the parliament heads for a Christmas recess period. Johnson received a lot of flak for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic once again.

UK PM Boris Johnson grilled over handling of covid-19

New Zealand has reported the first case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus (COVID-19) as the authorities informed on Thursday (December 16). The case has been detected at a state-run isolation facility in Christchurch in a person, who came to New Zealand from Germany via Dubai.

COVID-19: First Omicron case detected in New Zealand; infected person arrived in country from Germany

Australia and England have locked horns with each other in the second Test of Ashes 2021/22 edition, at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on Thursday (December 16). After Australia thrashed England by 9 wickets in the series opener at The Gabba, Brisbane, the hosts are hot favourites to win the second Test, which is a day-night contest at the picturesque Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, but were dealt with a major blow with skipper Pat Cummins being ruled out.

EXPLAINED! Why is Pat Cummins is out of 2nd Ashes Test as Steve Smith leads Aussies in D/N contest

COVID-19 cases in Canada may rapidly rise in the coming days due to community spread of the Omicron variant, mirroring the situation in the country's most populous province, of Ontario, Canada's top health official said on Monday.

Canada could soon see a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases as Omicron spreads locally 

covid-19-0

Covid 19, News on Covid 19, stories on Covid 19, articles on Covid 19, Covid 19 stories at Wion, Covid 19 news, Covid 19 latest news

covid 19-0

Christmas: Santa's sweet gift to COVID infected kids in Peru

Christmas: Santa's sweet gift to COVID infected kids in Peru

Most of the world's vaccines likely won't prevent infection from Omicron

Chinese city battles twin threats of Covid and haemorrhagic fever

Coronavirus: 'Variant of concern' Omicron raises fears globally; cases have been detected in these countries

Omicron travel chaos: Countries that imposed travel curbs over new Covid variant

Sports schedules go haywire due to Omicron Covid variant: What's cancelled, what's postponed

Pfizer says COVID-19 pandemic could extend to 2024

Is Pakistan's COVID-19 mortality rate much higher than global data? Here's a report

Top 10 World News: Hamid Karzai slams Pakistan, Netherlands starts Omicron lockdown and more

UK health minister says it may be 'too late to react' to Omicron as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

COVID-19: Experts name one common symptom of Omicron variant

Study reveals that proteins taken from shark immune systems can neutralise COVID-19 and its variants

Riots over COVID-19 medical facilities, Thailand prison set on fire

Top 10 World News: Biden admin 'failed to see' Omicron variant, Kremlin on Russia-US tensions

Can Omicron and Delta unite to create an even worse COVID-19 variant? Expert has the answer

Reasonable to hypothesise Covid virus is genetically engineered: Expert

To seek better care for COVID-19 patients in Thailand jail, inmates riot, set fire

Top 10 World News: Germany warns of 'massive' fifth wave, WHO approves Covavax jab for emergency use and more

Top 10 World News: US blacklists Chinese biotech firms, rise in Covid cases in UK and more

UK PM Boris Johnson grilled over handling of covid-19

COVID-19: First Omicron case detected in New Zealand; infected person arrived in country from Germany

EXPLAINED! Why is Pat Cummins is out of 2nd Ashes Test as Steve Smith leads Aussies in D/N contest

Canada could soon see a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases as Omicron spreads locally