Britain reports 10,000 new Omicron cases, ‘major incident’ declared in London
Global News
The total number of Omicron cases recorded across the country hit almost 25,000 as of 1800 GMT on Friday, up by more than 10,000 cases from 24 hours earlier.
Britain reported a surge in cases of the fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant on Saturday, and London’s mayor declared a “major incident” to help the capital’s hospitals following a sharp rise in COVID-19 admissions.
The total number of Omicron cases recorded across the country hit almost 25,000 as of 1800 GMT on Friday, up by more than 10,000 cases from 24 hours earlier, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in its latest data.
Seven people believed to have had the Omicron variant had died as of Thursday, up from one death in the UKHSA’s previous data which ran up to Tuesday. Hospitalizations of people thought to have the variant increased to 85 from 65.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan declared a “major incident,” which allows for closer coordination between different public agencies and possibly more central government support, as COVID-19 hospital admissions in the city rose by nearly 30 per cent this week.
He said health worker absences had also increased.
“I’ve taken the decision, in consultation with our partners, to declare a major incident today,” Khan said during a visit to Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea Football Club which is being used as a mass vaccination center.
“This is a statement of how serious things are,” he said.
Khan, from the opposition Labour Party, also declared a major incident in January, when rising COVID-19 cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals.
Putin said 'if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means.'
United States President Donald Trump said he is ordering a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers” into Venezuela, pressuring the country’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. President Donald Trump intends to preview his agenda for next year and beyond in a live speech from the White House on Wednesday night.
Five more countries and the Palestinian Authority were added to the list of countries facing a full ban on travel to the U.S., while new limits were imposed on 15 other countries.
The couple were Bondi locals and described by their loved ones as an 'honest' and 'hardworking' couple who were 'devoted' to their family.
A statement issued by the National Council of Canadian Muslims says the delegation was barred from entry by Israeli authorities as 'public safety threats.'
The lawsuit, filed in a Florida court, seeks $5 billion in damages for defamation and $5 billion for unfair trade practices.
Lai, a former media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, was found guilty Monday of violating Hong Kong's stringent, China-imposed national security law.
U.S. officials said talks in Berlin led to narrowing differences on security guarantees that Kyiv said must be provided, as well as on Moscow’s demand that Ukraine concede land.
Ahmed Al Ahmed jeopardized his life when he tackled one of two alleged shooters to the ground and seized his gun during Sunday’s attack on a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach.
'They passed directly in our flight path.... They don’t have their transponder turned on. It’s outrageous,' the JetBlue pilot said in a conversation with air traffic control.
At least 11 people were shot and killed on Sunday during a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australian authorities said, declaring it a terrorist attack.
The victim was walking about 200 metres ahead of a friend near an area known as the '560-meter rocky peak,' when the friend heard a cry for help.