Omicron’s arrival in Beijing prompts clampdown ahead of Winter Olympics
China had gone to extraordinary lengths to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible new variant in recent weeks, locking down entire cities.
By Eva Dou and Pei Lin WuJanuary 16, 2022Texas synagogue hostage-taker identified as 44-year-old British man
The hours-long standoff at the Dallas-area synagogue on Saturday ended with hostages freed and the suspect confirmed dead.
By Griff Witte and Devlin Barrett and Lateshia Beachum and Hannah Knowles and Jennifer Hassan and Paulina VillegasJanuary 16, 2022The U.S. government is boycotting the Beijing Olympics over human rights. Coke and Airbnb are still on board.
For two years, campaigners representing the people of Hong Kong, Tibet and China’s Xinjiang region have been pushing U.S. and Western companies to drop their sponsorships of the Games, which start Feb. 4. None have.
By Jeanne WhalenJanuary 16, 2022Novak Djokovic deported, won’t compete in Australian Open after bid to play unvaccinated fails
The presence of Djokovic, who has expressed opposition to coronavirus vaccines, could exacerbate anti-vaccine sentiments, a top Australian official said.
By Michael E. MillerJanuary 16, 2022Who is Aafia Siddiqui? Texas synagogue hostage-taker allegedly sought release of ‘Lady al-Qaeda’
Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani woman convicted on terrorism charges, is in U.S. federal prison for trying to kill American soldiers.
By Annabelle Timsit and Souad Mekhennet and Terrence McCoyJanuary 16, 2022Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, Malian president deposed in coup, dies at 76
He led the West African country for seven years but struggled to deal with an economic crisis and Islamist insurgency.
By Harrison SmithJanuary 16, 2022How the Tonga volcano generated a shock wave around the world
The eruption of Hunga Tonga was among the most spectacular displays caught by a weather satellite.
By Matthew CappucciJanuary 16, 2022Tongan Olympian who became a viral sensation for his oiled torso asks for tsunami help
Pita Taufatofua, who lives in Australia, has been cut off from communicating with his family.
By Cindy BorenJanuary 16, 2022Ousted Malian president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has died, his family says
Keïta led the West African nation of 20 million for seven years before his ouster by the military in 2020. Mali remains in crisis.
By Sammy Westfall and Danielle PaquetteJanuary 16, 2022‘Being Jewish and alive shouldn’t be a miracle’: World reacts to Texas synagogue attack
News that a rabbi and others were being held hostage in a Colleyville, Tex., synagogue sent shockwaves through Jewish communities worldwide.
By Jennifer HassanJanuary 16, 2022Underwater Pacific volcano sends tsunami waves to Tonga, cutting off contact with outer islands
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano spewed ash, steam and gas up to 20 km (12 miles) into the air late on Friday.
By Ellen Francis and Claire Parker and Rachel PannettJanuary 16, 2022An Australian state banned singing and dancing during covid. Then the Hillsong megachurch held a ‘youth camp.’
New South Wales state prohibited singing and dancing at music festivals and nightclubs amid a major surge in coronavirus infections, but religious events are exempt from the order.
By Bryan Pietsch and Amy ChengJanuary 15, 2022After crisis talks with Russia, the threat of war in Ukraine still looms. Here’s why.
Russia and NATO remain far apart, with Ukraine in the middle.
By Robyn DixonJanuary 15, 2022What’s next for Prince Andrew, cast out into the royal wilderness?
Legal experts say he'll settle out of court. Courtiers say there is no way back for him.
By William Booth and Karla AdamJanuary 15, 2022After a North Korean defector returned home, a struggle for clues to his life in the South
Homesick? Lonely? Spy? Investigators, fellow defectors and lawmakers grapple with why the defector raced back over the DMZ on New Year's Day.
By Michelle Lee and Min Joo KimJanuary 15, 2022Why Ukraine’s Turkish-made drone became a flash point in tensions with Russia
Russia is demanding that NATO halt military aid to Ukraine. The Western alliance says Moscow can never dictate its policies.
By Isabelle Khurshudyan and David L. SternJanuary 15, 2022Lisbon fined $1.4 million for sharing personal data of protesters with foreign countries, including Russia
The mayor's office violated the General Data Protection Regulation 225 times, the national data protection commission ruled.
By Amy ChengJanuary 15, 2022Separatists vow to derail Africa’s biggest soccer tournament with bullets and bombs in Cameroon
At least 4,000 people have died since fighting erupted between the separatists and government forces in 2017. Nearly a million have lost their homes.
By Danielle PaquetteJanuary 15, 2022Novak Djokovic detained again just two days before start of Australian Open
The decision reignited a legal fight over the unvaccinated Serb's entry into the country and renewed doubt over whether he will be able to pursue a record 21st Grand Slam victory.
By Michael E. MillerJanuary 14, 2022Russia arrests 14 alleged members of REvil ransomware gang, including hacker U.S. says conducted Colonial Pipeline attack
In a rare moment of U.S.-Russia cooperation on ransomware, Russia shuts down REvil ransomware gang, seizing cash, bitcoin, computers and luxury cars
By Robyn Dixon and Ellen NakashimaJanuary 14, 2022