World

Indonesia on Friday removed all remaining measures to control the spread of COVID-19 effective immediately, since most of the country’s population already has antibodies against the disease, President Joko Widodo said. “There will be no more restrictions on gatherings and movements,” the president told a news conference, noting that the …

The Indian maker of a cough syrup that was linked to the death of 19 children in Uzbekistan said on Friday that it had halted production of all medicines after an inspection by the drug regulator. Indian media reported that the inspectors had found deviation from rules on manufacturing at …

South Korea’s military confirmed that it had test-fired a solid-fueled rocket on Friday after the unannounced launch led to rumors about a UFO or a North Korean missile launch.  In a statement, the Defense Ministry said that the launch was part of an initiative to build a space-based surveillance capability …

China’s meat trade on Friday cheered the imminent end of testing and disinfecting chilled and frozen foods for COVID-19, more than two years after Beijing started the controversial practice, adding substantial costs to the trade. The State Administration for Market Regulation will stop testing chilled and frozen foods for COVID-19 …

South Korea said on Friday it will impose mandatory COVID-19 tests on travellers from China, joining the United States, Japan and other countries in taking new border measures after Beijing’s decision to lift stringent zero-COVID policies. South Korea would also restrict issuing short-term visas for Chinese nationals until the end …

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s revolving door of generals “probably” indicates fractures in the Kremlin and disagreement among top officials as the war in Ukraine enters its 11th month.  “The continued churn of senior Russian officers probably reflects internal divisions regarding the Russian Ministry of Defense’s future conduct of the war,” …

COVID-19 cases continue to pop up in the Northeastern US as the XBB subvariant becomes the most common source of illness.  XBB, a subvariant of omicron, was responsible for 52.6% of cases in New England from Dec. 18 to Dec. 24, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control …

Tourists hoping to enjoy a holiday cruise have instead found themselves stranded off the coast of Australia due to a fungus outbreak on the ship. The Viking Orion, a lavish 14-deck, 980-person cruise ship built in 2018, has been refused entry at multiple ports and stuck at sea for five …

Russia will deploy violent soccer fans, known as “hooligans” or “ultras,” to Ukraine in an effort to bolster troop numbers as the conflict enters its 11th month.  “What is very clear is that Putin will not end this war any time soon,” Rebekah Koffler, president of Doctrine & Strategy Consulting …

Climate activist Greta Thunberg took a swipe at former kickboxer Andrew Tate on Twitter Friday after he and his brother Tristan were arrested in Romania on suspicion of human trafficking, rape and forming an organized crime group. Tate’s arrest came two days after he and Thunberg engaged in a spat …