The United States on Sunday cancelled more than 2,700 flights due to Omicron-related disruptions. According to a running tally on flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Over 2,700 flights cancelled in United States due to Omicron-related disruptions

The Omicron variant of coronavirus is disrupting the holiday season worldwide as global cases hit a record high with 1.44 million cases on Monday. Covid surges have wreaked havoc around the world, with many nations in Europe and North America trying to strike a balance between economically punishing restrictions and controlling the spread of the virus.

Omicron disrupts holiday season: Global cases hit record high with over 1 million infections

Around 11,500 flights have been cancelled worldwide since Friday as Omicron variant forced several countries to impose travel restrictions amid concerns over virus spread.

11,500 flights grounded worldwide since Friday as Omicron fuels another wave of infections

Australia’s most populous state New South Wales has reported a record number of COVID-19 cases as the Omicron explosion turns holidays into chaos. The state, home to Sydney and a third of Australia's 25 million population, reported 6,394 new infections, up from 6,288 a day earlier.

Omicron update: Australia’s most populous state reports record cases

IPL 2022 mega auction is set to take place in the garden city of India, i.e. Bengaluru, on February 12 and 13. While an official confirmation from the BCCI is still pending, it is believed that the board is set to go ahead with the said dates for the two-day affair.

IPL 2022 mega auction dates finalised, to take place in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13: Report

Throughout the world, the Omicron variant of Coronavirus has been spreading at an alarming rate. According to WHO, the variant has been reported in 77 countries and has spread faster than any other strain.

Scientists identify a common symptom of highly transmissible Omicron variant

The number of Omicron cases rising in the United Kingdom has been enormously worrying for the authorities. Experts have warned that Omicron variant could become the dominant strain in the United Kingdom by the end of December.

United Kingdom reports rapid spread of the Omicron variant

Amid the Omicron threat, the Australian government on Wednesday decided to reopen its borders for vaccinated skilled migrants and foreign students. The government had earlier pushed back the date after declaring it was reopening on December 1.

Australia allows vaccinated non-citizens to enter amid Omicron threat

India has detected 101 cases of Omicron variant of the Covid virus, the health authorities said on Friday, while asking people to keep new year celebrations a low-key affair.

101 cases of Omicron variant detected in India so far, says health department official

The World Health Organization has said that the Omicron variant of coronavirus is spreading at an unprecedented rate. "Seventy-seven countries have now reported cases of Omicron, and the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn't been detected yet," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

Omicron spreading at an unprecedented rate, warns World Health Organization

When scientists discovered the highly mutated omicron variant of the coronavirus last month, it set off an eerily familiar chain of events. Health experts held somber news conferences that raised more questions than answers.

Omicron is a dress rehearsal for the next pandemic

The nation’s coronavirus testing capacity, already straining to keep up with demand, is facing enormous new pressure, with holiday travellers waiting in long lines to be tested, overworked laboratories struggling to keep up, and rapid at-home diagnostics flying off pharmacy shelves as the omicron variant fuels a rapid spike in COVID-19 cases.

With Omicron, US testing capacity faces intense pressure

US Vice President Kamala Harris has acknowledged that the Biden administration couldn’t anticipate the emergence of variants like Omicron and Delta. Speaking to Los Angeles Times newspaper on the Covid situation in the country, Harris on Friday said, “We didn't see Delta coming…We didn't see Omicron coming.

US Vice President Kamala Harris admits Biden admin ‘failed to see Omicron variant coming’

As the UK battles the Omicron threat, Britain on Friday reported a record 93,045 new COVID-19 cases. It is the third consecutive day as the UK reported a record number of COVID-19 cases amid a surge in Omicron cases.

UK reports highest number of COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive day

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

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

Based on a preliminary study, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that the COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against the Omicron variant— which has a higher chance of reinfection.

Covid vaccines likely to be less effective against Omicron variant: WHO

World Health Organization Director General Tedros A Ghebreyesus provided an update on the Omicron variant strain, saying that 77 nations have already reported cases of the novel strain.

Omicron cases in 77 countries, spreading at unprecedented rate: WHO

As Omicron cases in the UK continue to surge, UK's health body has warned Omicron cases may account for 50 per cent of all COVID-19 infections in the UK by mid-December.

Omicron cases may reach parity with Delta by mid-December: UK health agency

As part of new efforts to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid virus, Norway has decided to ban serving alcohol in pubs and restaurants, apart from imposing strict rules in schools and speeding up vaccination in the country.

Norway announces alcohol ban, other curbs, to prevent Omicron spread

UK on Sunday raised Covid alert level from 3 to 4 due to surge in Omicron cases. It is the second-highest level indicating "transmission is high and pressure on healthcare services is widespread and substantial or rising".

UK raises virus alert level amid surge in Omicron cases