AP wire

Japan bans entry of foreign visitors as omicron spreads

  • By MARI YAMAGUCHI - Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japan announced Monday it will suspend entry of all foreign visitors from around the world as a new coronavirus variant spreads, prompting an increasing number of countries to tighten their borders.

AP wire

Today in History

  • By The Associated Press
  • Updated

Today in History

AP wire

More omicron cases pop up as world rushes to learn more

  • By MIKE CORDER, GEIR MOULSON and JEFFREY COLLINS - Associated Press
  • Updated

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in countries on opposite sides of the world Sunday and many governments rushed to close their borders even as scientists cautioned that it's not clear if the new variant is more alarming than other versio…

AP wire

WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries

  • By ANDREW MELDRUM - Associated Press
  • Updated

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The World Health Organization on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron variant.

Honduran election could oust long-ruling National party
AP wire

Honduran election could oust long-ruling National party

  • By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN The Associated Press
  • Updated

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Hondurans voted Sunday for a successor to deeply unpopular President Juan Orlando Hernández in elections that could oust his National Party after 12 years in power.

AP wire

Fauci fires back at Cruz over COVID claims about Chinese lab

  • By HOPE YEN - Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases expert, blasted Sen. Ted Cruz for suggesting that Fauci be investigated for statements he made about COVID-19 and said the criticism by the Texas Republican was an attack on science.

AP wire

In omicron hot spot, somber mood as S Africa faces variant

  • By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME and ANDREW MELDRUM - Associated Press
  • Updated

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — The overcast, drizzly skies match the somber mood at the Tshwane University of Technology, a hot spot in South Africa’s latest surge of COVID-19 cases, apparently driven by the new omicron variant that is leading countries around the world to impose new restrictions.

AP wire

EXPLAINER: What we know and don't know on new COVID variant

  • By MARIA CHENG - AP Medical Writer
  • Updated

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

AP wire

Swiss vote to approve COVID restrictions as infections rise

  • AP
  • Updated

BERLIN (AP) — Swiss voters on Sunday gave clear backing to legislation that introduced a system with special COVID-19 certificates under which only people who have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative can attend public events and gatherings.

AP wire

Community systems offer alternative paths for solar growth

  • By JOHN FLESHER - AP Environmental Writer
  • Updated

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Strolling his church's rooftop among 630 solar panels, Bishop Richard Howell Jr. acknowledged climate change isn't the most pressing concern for his predominantly Black congregation — even though it disproportionately harms people of color and the poor.

AP wire

Trial set to start on charges Smollett faked racist attack

  • By DON BABWIN - Associated Press
  • Updated

CHICAGO (AP) — A popular actor steps out onto the street and is brutally reminded that, despite his fame and wealth, places still exist where the color of his skin and sexual orientation put him in danger.

AP wire

Camped in Calais, migrants renew resolve to try for England

  • By DANICA KIRKA - Associated Press
  • Updated

CALAIS, France (AP) — At the makeshift camps in France near Calais and Dunkirk, migrants are digging in, waiting for their chance to make a dash across the English Channel despite the deaths of at least 27 people this week when their boat sank a few miles (kilometers) from the French coast.