SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa's new cases have gone from an average of 300 per day in early April to about 8,000 per day in mid-May.

Health experts in South Africa say the country is experiencing a surge of new COVID-19 cases driven by two omicron sub-variants

Health experts in South Africa say the country is experiencing a surge of new COVID-19 cases driven by two omicron sub-variants.

South Africa is experiencing a surge of new COVID-19 cases driven by two omicron sub-variants, according to health experts. For about three weeks the country has seen increasing numbers of new cases and somewhat higher hospitalizations, but not increases in severe cases and deaths, said Professor Marta Nunes, a researcher at Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Analytics at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. “We're still very early in this increase period, so I don’t want to really call it a wave,” Nunes said.

Scientists warned that extreme events like this are likely to happen again "with even greater intensity."

The fatal floods that wreaked havoc in South Africa in mid-April this year have been attributed to human-caused climate change, a rapid analysis published Friday by a team of leading international scientists said.

The first factory to produce COVID-19 vaccines in Africa has announced that it has not received enough orders and is planning to stop production within a few weeks, in what a senior World Health Organization official described as a “failure” in efforts to achieve vaccine equity.

The World Health Organization says the number of new coronavirus cases reported worldwide has continued to fall except in the Americas and Africa.

The number of new coronavirus cases reported worldwide has continued to fall except in the Americas and Africa, the World Health Organization said in its latest assessment of the pandemic. WHO said there were only two regions where reported COVID-19 infections increased: the Americas, by 14%, and Africa, by 12%. Tedros said COVID-19 variants, including mutated versions of the highly infectious omicron, are driving a resurgence of COVID-19 in several countries, including South Africa, which was the first to identify omicron in November.

The World Health Organization says the number of newly reported coronavirus cases and deaths continued to fall in the last week, continuing a global decline that first began in March

The World Health Organization said Wednesday that the number of newly reported coronavirus cases and deaths globally continued to fall in the last week, continuing a decline that first began in March. There was also a nearly 70% jump in deaths reported in India, although that was attributed to delayed reporting rather than a recent surge of disease. Last week, authorities in South Africa said they had noted an uptick in COVID-19 cases attributable to the BA.4 mutant of omicron, although they said it was too early to tell if that would result in a significant new wave of disease.

From billionaire to billionaire, Patrice Motsepe has formed an opinion on Elon Musk.

The World Health Organization says that Africa is seeing a surge of outbreaks of preventable diseases as a result of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic

The World Health Organization says that Africa is seeing a surge of outbreaks of preventable diseases as a result of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Rivalry between stars of Famo, a popular style of music in Lesotho, has sparked years of gang warfare.

The government lowered the official death toll Thursday to 435, but said it could not confirm how many people are still unaccounted for.

A selection of the best photos from across Africa and beyond this week.

Devastating floods in South Africa this week, as well as other extreme weather events across the continent linked to human-caused climate change, are putting marine and terrestrial wildlife species at risk, according to biodiversity experts.

The two subvariants of the highly contagious Covid-19 strain have been detected in Botswana, South Africa, Germany and Denmark, among other countries, WHO said.

KwaZulu-Natal province has seen some serious flooding, but there isn't one clear explanation.

Some stations reported more than 12 inches of rain in 24 hours, leading to intense flooding and landslides.

The WHO warned, however, that with winter approaching for Southern Hemisphere countries, "there is a high risk of another wave of new infections."

The World Health Organization says the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in Africa have dropped to their lowest levels since the pandemic began, marking the longest decline yet seen in the disease

The World Health Organization says the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in Africa have dropped to their lowest levels since the pandemic began, marking the longest decline yet seen in the disease.

The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue in South Africa's Durban area. The president blamed climate change for the flooding.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says flooding in the Durban area has taken at least 259 lives and is a “catastrophe of enormous proportions.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says flooding in the Durban area has taken at least 259 lives and is a “catastrophe of enormous proportions.”.

The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported to the World Health Organization has fallen for a third consecutive week.

A Navy veteran who served as an engineer on a nuclear submarine is on a more important mission now.

Prolonged rains and flooding in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province have claimed the lives of at least 20 people

Prolonged rains and flooding in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province have claimed the lives of at least 45 people.

Extreme rainfall in southeast Africa has become heavier and more likely to occur during cyclones because of climate change, according to a new analysis released Monday by an international team of weather scientists.

The corruption trial in South Africa of former President Jacob Zuma has been postponed again pending the outcome of the ex-leader’s appeal to get the state prosecutor removed from his case

The corruption trial in South Africa of former President Jacob Zuma has been postponed again pending the outcome of the ex-leader’s appeal to get the state prosecutor removed from his case.

The World Health Organization said that up to 65% of people in Africa have been infected with the coronavirus and estimates the number of actual cases may have been nearly 100 times more than those reported

The World Health Organization said that up to 65% of people in Africa have been infected with the coronavirus and estimates the number of actual cases may have been nearly 100 times more than those reported.

If Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor could have a hand in creating another season of the reality show, he'd ditch the 'Real Housewives' drama and get the cast to talk about COVID vaccines.

Renewable energy’s potential across the African continent remains largely untapped, according to a new report by the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Rule-breaking tourists don't let nature take its course in disturbing video from South Africa's Kruger National Park.

With declining cases of COVID-19, South Africa’s president has announced that it is no longer mandatory to wear masks outdoors and vaccinated travelers entering the country are no longer required to produce a negative PCR tests

With declining cases of COVID-19, South Africa’s president has announced that it is no longer mandatory to wear masks outdoors and vaccinated travelers entering the country are no longer required to produce negative PCR tests.

Candiss Pitts (aka Makhosi Nejeser) made $972,000 in 2021 through her spiritual advising company, The Royal Shaman. She shares how she started her business, and her best tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.

At the World Wildlife Conference in Panama later this year, discussions are expected to center around African wildlife such as elephants, big cats and rosewood trees.

How the tigers ended up living in a train car on a farm in central Argentina is a matter of some dispute. Now they’re starting a new life on a reserve in South Africa.

Four Bengal tigers rescued from years of captivity in a train carriage in Argentina have been released into open-air enclosures in South Africa.

As the world enters the pandemic's 3rd year, some ask whether the 70% vaccination goal set by WHO and the Biden administration could in fact be detrimental. Also: See our map of global progress.

The klipspringers, surrounded by dogs, tried to hold their ground in South Africa.

The World Health Organization says it has issued guidance advising people on how to test themselves for the coronavirus, months after critics said the lack of recommendations was compromising efforts to stop the pandemic in poor countries.

It's the latest reminder of the unrelenting nature of the pandemic even as people are shedding masks, travel is resuming and businesses are reopening.

The West has mobilized vast economic weaponry against Russia. But sanctions do not always produce meaningful or timely change.

The death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 6 million.

Health care experts say that confirmed deaths represent a fraction of the true number of deaths due to COVID because of limited testing.

The milestone is the latest tragic reminder of the unrelenting nature of the pandemic even as people shed masks, travel resumes and businesses reopen.

The world is on the verge of recording its 6 millionth official COVID-19 death, underscoring that the pandemic is far from over.

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine escalates, Moscow's growing influence in Africa has led to divergent responses among the continent's leaders.

From a tiny Pacific island nation to Europe’s economic powerhouse, country after country are lashing out at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urging support for a U.N. resolution demanding an immediate halt to Moscow’s offensive and withdrawal of all Russian troops

Colin de Grandhomme reached a second test century, four years after his first, and shared a 133-run sixth-wicket partnership with Daryl Mitchell on Sunday to shore up New Zealand’s first innings on the third day of the second test against South Africa. De Grandhomme came to the crease late on the second day with New Zealand in trouble at 91-5 in reply to South Africa’s first innings of 364.

The World Health Organization is creating a global training center to help poorer countries make vaccines, antibodies and cancer treatments using the messenger RNA technology used to make COVID-19 vaccines.

A selection of the best photos from across the Africa and beyond this week.

The NYPD is searching for a suspect who investigators said stabbed a rider on the L train Thursday afternoon. CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis reports.

European Union leaders have lauded the bloc’s cooperation with Africa on vaccines in the fight against the coronavirus, but there is no sign they will move toward the temporary lifting of intellectual property rights protection for COVID-19 shots

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, and just when new cases and hospitalizations in the U.S are on the decline, an Omicron subvariant called BA.2 is gaining significant traction in some parts of the world. While the original Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa in late November, is still responsible for the majority of new cases in most countries, BA.2, has rapidly spread in places such as South Africa, India, England and Denmark, where it is now dominant.

Since 1984 at least one African nation has competed at each subsequent winter Olympics.

Africa’s top health official is launching a campaign to enlist young people to encourage vaccinations, as just 11.3% of the continent’s 1.3 billion people are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Amnesty International says Israel has maintained “a system of oppression and domination” over the Palestinians going all the way back to its establishment in 1948, one that meets the international definition of apartheid

The big cat tried to be nonchalant, but a fight erupted anyway.

Vaccine access still remains an issue in many countries. But increasingly, logistical challenges, staffing problems and doses offered too close to their expiry date — a particular problem with donated vaccines from the West — are replacing access as the primary obstacle.

A man is discovered alive in the wheel section of a plane that landed in Amsterdam from South Africa.

Omicron may be less dangerous on an individual level, but hospitals are still overwhelmed, with dire ripple effects.

The press conference will be held the day before he marks one full year in office.

Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically.

Even as wealthy countries hit 80% vaccination rates, a number of countries have not even vaccinated 1 in 10 citizens. Our interactive map shows the vaccination landscape.

Cases will, eventually, drop. But how far and how fast is a wide-open question.

One influential model projects that the number of daily reported cases in the U.S. will crest at 1.2 million by Jan. 19 and will then fall sharply.

The World Health Organization says the number of new coronavirus infections in the last week globally jumped by about 55% although the number of deaths remained stable.

Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically.

The man suspected of starting the fire that gutted South Africa’s parliament buildings has appeared in court and will remain in custody pending his application for bail.

An anguished encounter between two titans of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle during the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings still rankles some Black South Africans.

African leaders are paying tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for his fearless campaign that helped end South Africa’s brutal apartheid regime.

Desmond Tutu is being remembered for his passionate advocacy on behalf of LQBTQ people as well as his fight for racial justice.

Desmond Tutu was, for many around the world, an icon.

Rafael Nadal says he tested positive for the coronavirus after playing in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.

France will restrict arrivals from Britain because of fast-spreading cases of the omicron virus variant.

The omicron variant is offering more hints about what it may have in store as it spreads around the globe: A highly transmissible virus that may cause less severe disease, and one that can be slowed — but not stopped — by today’s vaccines.

Long lines have formed for booster shots across England as the U.K. government urged all adults to protect themselves against the omicron variant.

Health experts still don't know if the omicron variant is causing milder COVID-19, but more indicators are emerging from South Africa.

The director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says African governments might have to resort to COVID-19 vaccine mandates if their citizens don’t hurry to get the increasingly available doses.

Omicron cases have been confirmed in at least nine African countries, with some officials reporting that initial cases appear to be mild.

It seems like nothing will slow the surge of traveling lately, but health leaders are hoping that doesn’t equal a surge in COVID cases – specifically eyeing up the omicron variant.

A northwest Houston woman with no recent travel history tested positive for the omicron variant of COVID-19 on Monday, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Asia stock markets have followed Wall Street higher as anxiety about the coronavirus’s latest variant eased.

U.S. health officials say that while the omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading in the country, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations.

The Botswana scientist who may well have discovered the omicron variant of the coronavirus says he has been through a “rollercoaster of emotions” — the pride of accomplishment followed by dismay over the travel bans immediately slapped on southern African countries.

World Health Organization officials say that the measures used to counter the delta variant should remain the foundation for fighting the coronavirus pandemic, even in the face of the new omicron version of the virus.

While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S., sending record numbers of patients to the hospital in some states, especially in the Midwest and New England.

The omicron variant of COVID-19 has been discovered in at least five states, showing yet again how mutations of the virus can circumnavigate the globe with speed and ease.

The omicron coronavirus variant has been confirmed in an unvaccinated Hawaii resident with no recent travel history.

Airlines are being required to gather information about some passengers that will help with contact tracing if they develop COVID-19.

Greek lawmakers have approved legislation making vaccination for COVID-19 mandatory for all people aged over 60 living in the country on pain of a monthly fine, to deal with an infection surge and the emergence of the omicron variant.

Nigeria has detected its first case of the omicron coronavirus variant in travelers that arrived from South Africa in the past week.