News Snapshot:
Japan confirms first case of Omicron variant Tokyo: Japan has confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant, Kyodo news agency reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed government sources. The prospect of a fast-spreading variant has raised fears of a return of the sort of restrictions that shut down a swathe of industries in 2020. Japan said it would close its borders to foreigners, following a similarly wide ban by Israel in imposing some of the strictest border controls since the variant's discovery in southern Africa. Restrictions take effect Japan will bar entry to foreigners from midnight on Monday, and Japanese...
