WHO disagrees with flight bans over omicron variant

WHO's regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow science and international health regulations in order to avoid using travel restrictions.

Oakland police will boost staffing to address violent crime

The department said it's deploying several tactical teams that will support patrol officers responding to armed caravans, illegal sideshows, and other violent acts.

California health officials on watch for omicron variant

"California is closely monitoring the new omicron variant, which has not yet arrived in California or the U.S.," Dr. Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health said Sunday.

Penguins at London Zoo post letters to Santa

Santa Claus opens letters from all over the world, including the ones from penguins living at the London Zoo.

Off White founder, fashion designer Virgil Abloh dies at 41 of cancer

Abloh's death was announced Sunday by the luxury group LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) and the Off White label, the brand Abloh founded. Abloha was the men’s wear designer of Louis Vuitton.

Trial set to start on charges Smollett faked racist attack

Smollett told police he was walking home from a sandwich shop when two men he said recognized him from the show "Empire" began hurling racial and homophobic slurs at him.

South African doctor says omicron variant symptoms ‘unusual but mild’

Dr. Angelique Coetzee, a board member of the South African Medical Association, said the COVID-19 omicron variant reported that it presents "unusual but mild" symptoms.

Woman robbed of dog at gunpoint in Oakland

Police are looking for two suspects who robbed a woman at gunpoint Friday evening in downtown Oakland, before making off with the dog she was walking.

TV news security guard dies after shot during attempted robbery in Oakland

A security guard protecting a Bay Area television news reporter died early Saturday morning, three days after he was shot during a robbery attempt in downtown Oakland.

Fauci says omicron variant could be ‘red flag,’ urges COVID-19 boosters for all

“I keep saying it over and over, the next couple of months are going to be up to us. I mean, we, right now, have a tool, a very effective tool,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said, urging vaccination amid news of the worrying new omicron variant.

US, Canada, EU, Japan restrict South Africa travel over Omicron variant

Advisers to the World Health Organization held a special session Friday to flesh out information about the worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

Black Friday lines almost nonexistent at Bay Area stores

Black Friday crowds were different as officials remained on high alert after alarming retail theft throughout the Bay Area.

U.S. will restrict travel from South Africa, 7 other countries over omicron variant

The United States will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries starting Monday over concerns of the "heavily mutated" COVID-19 omicron variant, senior administration officials said.

Man shot to death, another wounded in Gilroy

A 43-year-old man was shot to death and another man was wounded after someone fired into their vehicle in Gilroy Wednesday evening, authorities said.

GoFundMe pulls fundraiser for Waukesha suspect Darrell Brooks

GoFundMe has removed a fundraiser for Darrell Brooks Jr., the man charged in connection to the deadly Waukesha parade attack.

Hundreds of FedEx packages found dumped in Alabama woods, sheriff's office says

An estimated 300 to 400 packages of various sizes were found in a ravine near the small town of Hayden on Wednesday, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.