8:42 AMGlobal Covid caseload tops 278 mn
The global coronavirus caseload has topped 278 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 5.38 million and vaccinations to over 8.86 billion, according to Johns Hopkins University.
In its latest update on Friday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and the death toll stood at 278,101,403 and 5,385,862, respectively, while the total number of vaccine doses administered has increased to 8,861,081,345.
The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 51,814,125 and 815,343, according to the CSSE.
8:26 AMAmid COVID-19 concerns, US expands interview waivers for H-1B, L-1 visas
Amid growing concerns of COVID-19 surge, the US on Thursday (local time) is temporarily dropping an in-person interview requirement for some work-visa categories - H-1B, L-1 and O-1.
The State Department is temporarily dropping an in-person interview requirement for some work-visa categories in 2022 to ease visa issuances, as the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into the third year, the department announced.
Applicants for H-1B, L-1 and O-1 visas applying from abroad won't be required to do an in-person interview at a US consulate, typically the final step before a visa is issued. Those categories represent the most common visa types companies use to attract high-skilled talent from abroad.
8:25 AMAllahabad HC suggests postponing UP polls over Omicron fears
The Allahabad High Court has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider postponing the 2022 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh by a month or two in the wake of the rising cases of Covid-19 cases caused by the new Omicron variant.
"Jaan hai toh jahan hai (the world exists only if you are alive)," Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav said while hearing a petition for bail that he granted.
His comments on Covid-19 and the elections came after he observed that the court was very crowded.
"If possible, consider postponing the election, because rallies and meetings can be held later when we all survive," he said.
8:19 AMS Korea ex-President Park, jailed for corruption, is pardoned
South Korea says it will grant a special pardon to former President Park Geun-hye, who is serving a lengthy prison term for a series of corruption charges.
The Justice Ministry said Friday that Park's pardon is aimed at promoting a national unity in the face of difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Park was arrested and sent to prison in 2017, after being removed from office following a corruption scandal that prompted months of massive street protests.
8:18 AMGreece announces new measures to contain spread of Covid-19
Greece's government has announced a new set of measures to contain the further spread of Covid-19 during the upcoming holiday season.
In the wake of the emergence of the Omicron variant, the government has decided the cancellation of all public festive events, the mandatory use of a mask indoors and outdoors, and additional protection protocols for travellers, Health Minister Thanos Plevris told a press briefing on Thursday.
He recommended all travellers entering Greece to repeat tests for Covid-19 on the second and fourth day upon their arrival, Xinhua news agency reported.
8:18 AMCovishield third jab works against Omicron variant, says Oxford
A third booster shot of the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria significantly boosts antibody levels against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, claimed the British drug major.
This brightens the scope for Serum Institute of India (SII), which makes Covishield, the Indian version of the Vaxzevria. Experts are of the opinion that mixing vaccine shots may give better results to boost immunity. However, the University of Oxford has supported the use of Vaxzevria as a third booster dose against Omicron. SII is sitting on 500 million doses of Covishield (half of which is in bulk drug form), and has cut production by half owing to low demand.
8:17 AMGM, Google, others join retreat from CES over rising COVID-19 cases
U.S. automaker General Motors Co, Alphabet Inc.'s Google and its self-driving auto-technology company Waymo on Thursday joined the companies no longer attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in person early next month due to rising COVID-19 infections.
GM Chief Executive Mary Barra had been scheduled to give a keynote speech at the annual conference on Jan. 5, during which the company would have shown its electric Silverado pickup truck for the first time. Barra will still make the speech and presentation remotely, a spokesman said.
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