World
North America
US to announce diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics
The Biden administration’s plan to freeze out China’s games paves the way for Australia and other nations to follow suit.
- by Matthew Knott and Eryk Bagshaw
Latest
Bob Dole, war hero, senator, presidential candidate, dies at 98
Dole made a classic journey from the poverty of the Great Depression of the 1930s, through World War II battlefields to the corridors of power in Washington.
- by Will Dunham
Analysis
Coronavirus pandemic
Is the new ‘COVID normal’ a fresh variant every few months?
The world must be on guard for particularly large waves on the horizon and respond quickly — even if it’s just hitting the “pause” button.
- by Elizabeth Weise
Omicron not fuelling surge in hospitalisations: Fauci
Initial data from South Africa, the epicentre of the outbreak of the Omicron variant, does not show a resulting surge of hospitalisations, America’s top COVID adviser said.
Independent inquiry to examine Michigan school’s actions ahead of shooting
An independent inquiry will investigate why school staff sent a student back to class despite finding images of bullets on his phone and disturbing drawings with the words “blood everywhere”.
Maxwell prosecutors paint a picture of wretched excess and sexual predation
One week into Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex-trafficking trial, the jury has already been on board Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet and inside his Palm Beach mansion. They’ve also seen his stained massage table.
- by Patricia Hurtado and Mary Biekert
CNN fires anchor Chris Cuomo for helping brother with sex-harassment scandal
The news organisation said, “additional information has come to light”, leading to the firing of the popular prime-time TV host.
- by Joseph Wilkinson
Parents of suspected Michigan school shooter plead not guilty to manslaughter charges
A Michigan judge set bail at $US500,000 each for the parents of a teenager accused of murdering four fellow high school students after the couple was taken into custody following a high-profile manhunt.
- by Kathleen Foody
Omicron hits more US states as France cracks down on travellers
Researchers are scrambling to learn more about the heavily mutated variant that is driving a surge in cases in South Africa and has rapidly spread to countries around the world.
- by Reuters
Updated
Mass shooting
Parents of Michigan school shooter ‘found in basement’ after police hunt
Police had been searching for Ethan Crumbley’s parents James and Jennifer after laying involuntary manslaughter charges. Police say they had bought the firearm for their son as a Christmas gift.
- by Brendan O'Brien and Joseph Ax
Russia could invade Ukraine ‘next month’: US intelligence
Secret US government documents suggest the Kremlin is planning a multi-front offensive as soon as early next year involving up to 175,000 troops.
- by Shane Harris and Paul Sonne