Omicron variant: Airlines must ID passengers who traveled through southern Africa, CDC says

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ordered all airlines to turn over the names of passengers who have traveled to southern African countries now under travel restrictions.

Wife of Mexican drug lord 'El Chapo' sentenced to 3 years in prison on US charges

The wife of Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison after pleading guilty to helping her husband run his multibillion-dollar criminal empire.

Facebook owner Meta ordered to sell Giphy by UK antitrust watchdog

The U.K.'s antitrust watchdog has blocked Facebook's acquisition of Giphy and ordered the social network to sell off the GIF-sharing platform.

Barbados cuts ties with Queen Elizabeth II, becomes republic for 1st time

Barbados has stopped pledging allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II and officially became a republic. A ceremony was attended by Prince Charles and Rihanna.

Dozens stuck in remote UK pub after blizzard

Dozens of customers who stopped for a drink at Britain’s highest pub are getting a longer stay than they bargained for after the building was cut off by a blizzard. Sixty-one people woke up Monday after their third night at the Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales about 270 miles (435 kilometers) north of London.

WHO says omicron variant poses 'very high risk'

The U.N. health agency, in a technical paper issued to member states, said "considerable uncertainties” remain about the variant that was first detected days ago in southern Africa.

Omicron shows need for global accord on pandemics, WHO chief says

The WHO is pushing for an international accord to help prevent future pandemics amid the emergence of the new omicron COVID-19 variant.

‘Chanukah Sameach’ : Biden recognizes Hanukkah  2021 with well wishes

“From our family to yours, and from the People’s House to your own homes, Jill and I wish you and your loved ones a Chanukah Sameach, a Happy Hanukkah!” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

WHO disagrees with flight bans over omicron variant

WHO's regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow science and international health regulations in order to avoid using travel restrictions.

Canada is latest country to confirm cases of omicron variant

Canada is among several countries Sunday to report omicron cases. Canada said its two known cases are linked to travel from Nigeria.

Penguins at London Zoo post letters to Santa

Santa Claus opens letters from all over the world, including the ones from penguins living at the London Zoo.

Peru struck by magnitude-7.5 earthquake, USGS says

The quake occurred at 5:52 a.m. (1052 GMT) and its epicenter was in the Amazon region, 42 kilometers (26 miles) north northwest of the city of Barranca. It had a magnitude of 7.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Avenue of the Sphinxes: Egypt unveils renovated ancient promenade

After spending the last 50 years excavating the Avenue of the Sphinxes, Egypt put it on display Thursday in a made-for-tv event few cultures could rival.

Omicron variant emerges in more countries as world on high alert

In the U.S., Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases expert, said he would not be surprised if the omicron variant was already in the United States, too.

Fauci says omicron variant could be ‘red flag,’ urges COVID-19 boosters for all

“I keep saying it over and over, the next couple of months are going to be up to us. I mean, we, right now, have a tool, a very effective tool,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said, urging vaccination amid news of the worrying new omicron variant.

Ukraine leader alleges Russia-backed coup planned for next week

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is alleging that his country’s intelligence service has uncovered plans for a Russia-backed coup d’etat in Ukraine next week that involves one of the country’s richest oligarchs.