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By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) – The Omicron coronavirus variant dampened New Year festivities around much of the world, with Paris cancelling its fireworks show, London relegating its to television, and New York City scaling down its famous ball drop celebration in Times Square. The illuminated ball made of Waterford crystal panels slid down its pole …

Omicron dampens global New Year celebrations, fewer watch ball drop in Times Square Read More »

By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un capped off his 10th year in power with a speech that made more mention of tractor factories and school uniforms than nuclear weapons or the United States, according to summaries by state media on Saturday. North Korea’s main goals for 2022 will be jump …

North Korea’s Kim talks food not nukes for 2022 Read More »

By Sarah Wu TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen had a New Year message for China on Saturday: military conflict is not the answer, but Beijing responded with a stern warning that if Taiwan crossed any red line it would lead to “profound catastrophe”. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and …

In New Year’s speech, Taiwan president warns China against ‘military adventurism’ Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) – China ended the final week of 2021 with its biggest tally of local COVID-19 cases for any seven-day period since it contained the country’s first epidemic nearly two years ago. The National Health Commission reported on Saturday 175 new community infections with confirmed clinical symptoms for Dec. 31, bringing the total number …

China ends 2021 with highest weekly COVID cases since taming original epidemic Read More »

By Anna Mehler Paperny TORONTO (Reuters) – Canada will take in female Afghan judges and their families who have been living in limbo, primarily in Greece, since their evacuation from Afghanistan in the fall, a spokesperson for the immigration minister said Friday. In addition to the judges and their families, a group totalling about 230 …

Canada to resettle female Afghan judges, families living in limbo Read More »

By Renju Jose and Sisipho Skweyiya SYDNEY (Reuters) – Although farewell celebrations to the pandemic year of 2021 were almost as muffled as those that ushered it in, news that the Omicron variant wave appeared to be starting to recede brought hope for a happier New Year. The Australian city of Sydney was one place …

New Year celebrations muted by Omicron, but South Africa offers hope Read More »