Britain is dealing with a concerning surge in Omicron cases amid the rapid rise of infections ahead of Christmas, The UK might be staring at tougher covid-19 restrictions. While uncertainty over the covid-19 variant continues, UK's health secretary hasn't ruled out the chances of further covid curbs before Christmas festivities.

'No guarantees in covid pandemic,' says UK's health secretary on restrictions ahead of Christmas

The arrival of the Omicron variant in Britain has sent covid infection cases spiraling. Britain has recorded the highest daily cases since the pandemic hit the country last year. Over 78,000 new cases have been confirmed in the UK in just one day.

Omicron variant: UK confirms over 78,000 covid cases in last 24 hours

Pfizer Inc has said that its antiviral COVID-19 has about 90% efficacy in preventing hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk patients, and recent lab data suggests the drug retains its effectiveness against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Pfizer covid-19 pill nearly 90% effective against Omicron variant of Coronavirus

British PM Boris Johson is facing yet another scandal of gathering involving Johnson during covid times. Johnson had been facing accusations of sleaze and his poor handling of the covid-19 pandemic. Now one of Britain's newspapers has published a photograph of a gathering involving Boris Johnson during the lockdown.

Row over UK PM Boris Johnson's alleged 'Garden Gathering'

The WHO has warned that the new covid variant Omicron is probably already present in most countries around the world; officially cases have been reported from 77 counties.

Omicron spreading faster than any other variant: WHO

WHO warns not to underestimate Omicron | Coronavirus Latest News

The Omicron variant of coronavirus makes its way into China, as Asian country reports first such case. China orders stricter virus protocols.

After taking the world by storm, the Omicron variant of coronavirus makes its way into China

With the projection of Omicron being a milder COVID variant than Delta and its limited impact on fuel demand, oil prices rise. Prices extend gain from last Friday.

Oil prices rise with Omicron's projected limited impact on fuel demand

As Omicron cases rise, India's ICMR comes up with a new made in India testing kit that can detect the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 in 2 hours.

India's ICMR launches a new indigenous kit capable of detecting the Omicron variant in 2 hours

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

Omicron has pushed back the resumption of scheduled international flights. They will now remain suspended till January 31, 2022, as per Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines.

India: No commercial flights till January 31, order released by DGCA | Omicron Variant

COVID-19 cases in Omicron-hit South Africa more than double within a week as it reports around 20,000 new cases and 36 COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours. However, it is still early to determine how many of these cases are because of the Omicron variant.

South Africa records 20,000 Covid cases of Omicron variant

With over 500 Omicron variant cases, Britain has woken up to the threat as Omicron variant surge across the country. British PM Boris Johnson has announced tighter covid-19 restrictions, the new measures include, work from home, Covid vaccine passports mandatory and more.

Boris Johnson government introduces tougher covid-19 restrictions amid Omicron surge

Omicron scare: Work-from-home, Covid passports in England, Boris Johnson announces stricter curbs

With looming uncertainty over the Omicron variant and subsequent global alarms, in the latest providing some clarity, WHO chief said that there is an increased risk of reinfection from this variant, however, there is evidence that it causes milder diseases as compared to Delta variant.

WHO: Omicron more transmissible but milder than Delta variant

Latest variant of coronavirus Omicron variant has been found in 57 countries across the world while scientists are still studying the transmissibility of the variant, concerns of Omicron are only increasing. In the latest, three-shot course can neutralize Omicron variant.

Pfizer: Booster promising against Omicron | Coronavirus News

Amid the ongoing civil war, government regains back 6 major regions in the northern part of Ethiopia. It has been 13 months since the inception of the civil war in the country.

Civil War in Ethiopia: Government regains control of 6 regions as the fierce fighting continues

Flights stand cancelled, roads shut, and over 300,000 people were forced to flee from their homes as Typhoon Rai batters the Philippines.

The deadliest Typhoon of this year claims at least 75 lives in the Philippines

The third edition of the Central Asia dialogue begins in India. The key focus of the dialogue will be on the Afghanistan crisis.

India: Third edition of Central Asia dialogue to focus on trade, regional connectivity & Afghanistan

The third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit concludes in Istanbul. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has pledged 15 million covid-19 vaccine doses to Africa.

Here are key highlights of third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit

Taiwan's opposition suffered a major setback after voters rejected four referendums it had championed as a show of no confidence in the government.

Taiwan referendums fail in major setback for opposition

Chile is set to choose its next president, the country witnesses fierce competition between Boric and Kast. Chilean election offers a stark choice amid a leftist or an admirer of Pinochet.

Chile election offers stark choice between Boric and Kast | Presidential Polls

Brexit minister, Lord David Frost, has resigned as the man in charge of overseeing matters related to Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) amid opposition to lockdown restrictions due to a surge of the Omicron variant.

United Kingdom: Boris Johnson's trusted ally David Frost resigns

Pakistan is hosting an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Minister's meet on Afghanistan, which is proposed by Saudi Arabia. Taliban interim govt officials are also invited to the meeting. WION's Anas Mallick brings in more information on this.

Pakistan hosts OIC Foreign Ministers' meeting called by Saudi Arabia to address Afghanistan crisis

The Taliban regime appealed for international help to combat a deepening economic crisis that has fueled fears of another refugee exodus from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Taliban leaders appeal for help as migrant crisis looms

Leaders of Islamic nations have gathered in Pakistan for a special meeting of the 57-member organization of Islamic cooperation (OIC). The focus of the meet was the Afghan crisis, where the Pakistan warned of 'grave consequences' for the international communities if Afghanistan's economic meltdown continued.

Pakistan: Joint resolution on Afghanistan adopted in meet | Humanitarian Crisis

Pentagon documents show that the US air wars in the Middle East have been marked by "deeply flawed intelligence" and resulted in thousands of civilian deaths, including children.

Pentagon report: Civilian deaths undercounted | US Air Drone Strikes

'Deeply Flawed' US Air Wars In Middle East, reads Pentagon Documents

Fresh unverified footage of Peng Shuai was posted online by a state-affiliated journalist on Sunday as international concern persists for the Chinese tennis star after she publicly accused a former vice-premier of forcing her to have sex.

China: A new video of Peng Shuai emerges, women's Tennis body remains concerned

In a bid to provide relief to thousands of Afghan people, the interim Taliban government is all set to start reissuing passports.

Afghanistan: Taliban to resume issuing passports

India: Third edition of a 3-day long Central Asia dialogue underway in New Delhi

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