People line up to get on an Air France flight to Paris from Johannesburg on Friday as the WHO labels Omicron a variant of concern. Photo: AP
World scrambles to contain Omicron coronavirus variant

Variant’s high number of spike protein mutations is unprecedented and troubling, health experts say.

2 hours ago
South Africa says flight bans ‘punishment’ for it finding new variant
South Africa says flight bans ‘punishment’ for it finding new variant
6 hours ago
Netherlands says 61 positive from two SA flights: UAE ‘gives all’ a vaccine
Netherlands says 61 positive from two SA flights: UAE ‘gives all’ a vaccine
4 hours ago
WHO names new Omicron variant, designates it ‘of concern’
WHO names new Omicron variant, designates it ‘of concern’
27 Nov 2021 - 4:24PM
Ethiopian PM vows to ‘bury the enemy’ in first message from the battlefront
Ethiopian PM vows to ‘bury the enemy’ in first message from the battlefront
27 Nov 2021 - 3:47AM

Opinion

Opinion | In Malaysia and Tunisia, dysfunctional leadership destabilises democracy
Sophie Lemière
Sophie Lemière
1 Aug 2021 - 4:49PM
Blowing Water | We all have a responsibility to call out racism when we see it

We cannot treat racist behaviour lightly and to dismiss it as a joke is no defence, Luisa Tam says.

SCMP Columnist
Luisa Tam
Luisa Tam
5 Nov 2018 - 8:49PM
Outside In | Investing in Africa is a good fit for China’s long-term plans
David Dodwell
David Dodwell
27 Jul 2018 - 10:30PM

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People in a shopping mall, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 26. Advisers to the WHO are holding a special session to flesh out information about a worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has emerged in South Africa, although its impact on vaccines may not be known for weeks. Photo: AP
New Africa Covid-19 variant causes concern; new travel restrictions begin

WHO holding special session Friday to discuss the new B. 1.1.529 variant but says it could take weeks to understand implications.

26 Nov 2021 - 10:37PM
Two Chinese nationals killed in DR Congo gold mine attack
Two Chinese nationals killed in DR Congo gold mine attack
26 Nov 2021 - 3:28AM
South Africa detects new coronavirus variant, prompting UK travel ban
South Africa detects new coronavirus variant, prompting UK travel ban
26 Nov 2021 - 2:42PM
South Africa jails two Chinese nationals for abalone poaching
South Africa jails two Chinese nationals for abalone poaching
25 Nov 2021 - 2:14AM
Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace laureate PM says he’ll ‘lead army from battlefront’
Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace laureate PM says he’ll ‘lead army from battlefront’
23 Nov 2021 - 5:16AM
US promises fairer treatment for Africa as it seeks to counter China
US promises fairer treatment for Africa as it seeks to counter China
22 Nov 2021 - 10:20PM
Five Chinese gold mine workers kidnapped in DR Congo after attack
Five Chinese gold mine workers kidnapped in DR Congo after attack
21 Nov 2021 - 10:07PM
Sudan military reinstates ousted PM Hamdok after deal
Sudan military reinstates ousted PM Hamdok after deal
21 Nov 2021 - 10:24PM
China-Africa forum: Covid-19 vaccine deals tipped to be on the table
China-Africa forum: Covid-19 vaccine deals tipped to be on the table
21 Nov 2021 - 10:47PM
US investing in Africa ‘without imposing unsustainable debt’
US investing in Africa ‘without imposing unsustainable debt’
21 Nov 2021 - 1:51AM
Two Chinese men jailed for procuring prostitutes in DR Congo
Two Chinese men jailed for procuring prostitutes in DR Congo
20 Nov 2021 - 9:43PM
US wants ‘race to the top’ on Africa infrastructure amid China competition
US wants ‘race to the top’ on Africa infrastructure amid China competition
19 Nov 2021 - 5:01AM
‘Massacre’ in Sudan: 15 shot dead in crackdown on anti-coup protests
‘Massacre’ in Sudan: 15 shot dead in crackdown on anti-coup protests
18 Nov 2021 - 7:00PM
Blinken warns of ‘democratic recession, bad actors’ as Africa tour begins
Blinken warns of ‘democratic recession, bad actors’ as Africa tour begins
17 Nov 2021 - 7:20PM
Blinken on maiden Africa tour with US-China rivalry in focus
Blinken on maiden Africa tour with US-China rivalry in focus
17 Nov 2021 - 8:58PM