Israel to ban travel to US, Canada due to omicron variant concerns

Israel will ban travel to the United States, Canada and eight other countries amid the rapid, global spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Missionaries freed from captivity in Haiti last week made daring overnight escape to elude kidnappers

Captive missionaries in Haiti found freedom last week by making a daring overnight escape, eluding their kidnappers and walking for miles over difficult, moonlit terrain with an infant and other children in tow, according to the agency they work for, officials said Monday.

Omicron infections 'just raging around the world,' Fauci says

The prospect of a winter chilled by a wave of infections is a severe reversal from the optimism projected by Biden months ago when he suggested the country would be back to normal by Christmas.

Christmas light displays from around the world

While it seems to be an age-old tradition, electric Christmas lights didn’t really catch on until the early twentieth century. Here’s a look at displays nowadays from around the world.

Close to 100 people test positive for COVID after Taylor Swift-themed party

Fans who gathered at the "On Repeat: Taylor Swift Red Party" in celebration of the pop star's rerelease of "Red" are now being asked to isolate after "at least 97 cases" have been confirmed, officials in Australia said.

Pope Francis celebrates 85th birthday as reform hits stride

Pope Francis turns 85 on Dec. 17, a milestone as he continues efforts to make the Catholic Church more attuned to the laity.

Haiti kidnapping: All Christian Aid Ministries hostages freed, police say

The Christian Aid Ministries hostages in Haiti have all been freed, according to the group and police. The group of 17 was kidnapped on Oct. 16.

Omicron variant is milder but better at evading vaccines, South African data indicates

The omicron variant appears to cause less severe disease than previous strains, South African data suggests. But the Pfizer vaccine seems to offer less defense against infection.

Man gets vaccinated up to 10 times in a single day

A man allegedly got vaccinated against COVID-19 as many as 10 times in a single day. Here's why:

South African president tests positive for COVID-19, has mild symptoms

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is self-isolating in Cape Town and is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service.

Woman falls overboard from cruise ship off coast of Mexico

The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday suspended its search for a woman who went overboard from a Carnival cruise ship near Ensenada, Mexico.

Vicente Fernández, beloved Mexican singer, dies at 81

Vicente Fernández,was known for hits such as “El Rey,” “Volver, Volver” and “Lástima que seas ajena,” and his command of the ranchera and mariachi styles of music attracted fans far beyond Mexico’s borders.

49 migrants dead, 58 injured in truck crash in south Mexico

A cargo truck jammed with people who appeared to be Central American migrants rolled over and crashed into a pedestrian bridge over on a highway in southern Mexico on Thursday, killing at least 49 people and injuring nearly five dozen others, authorities reported.

Dozens of camels ejected from annual Saudi Arabia beauty contest over Botox injections

Saudi media says that authorities have conducted their biggest-ever crackdown on camel beauty contestants that received Botox injections and other artificial touch-ups.

WHO warns omicron variant fears may set off hoarding of COVID-19 vaccines

The World Health Organization has expressed concerns that rich countries spooked by the emergence of the omicron variant could step up hoarding of COVID-19 vaccines.

Gunmen on jet skis open fire near Cancun resort, sending tourists running

Tourists visiting Cancun are sent running for their lives after gunmen on jet skis opened fire on the beach, steps away from the Grand Ocean Palm resorts.

Biden-Putin square off over Russian troop buildup near Ukraine border

President Biden warned Vladimir Putin that the U.S. would exact “a very real cost” on the Russian economy if it invades neighboring Ukraine.