Afghanistan twin quakes kill at least 22 in poorest areas

At least 22 people have been killed so far after back-to-back earthquakes struck the west of Afghanistan on Monday, officials said. According to data from the US Geological Society (USGS), the 4.9 and 5.3 magnitude quakes affected the northwest province of Badghis, where it caused house and building collapse.

World number one Barty into second round in 54 minutes

World number one Ashleigh Barty thrashed Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-1 in just 54 minutes to reach the second round of the Australian Open. Home favourite Barty won 11 games in a row before the Ukrainian finally got on the board on Rod Laver Arena.

Self-isolation cut to five full days in England

The minimum self-isolation period for people testing positive for Covid-19 in England has been cut to five full days. The quarantine period has been reduced after a review of the medical evidence, to help ease staff shortages across the economy.

Novak Djokovic loses Australian visa appeal

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has lost his last-ditch court bid to stay in Australia and is set to be deported. The Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel the unvaccinated Serbian player's visa. The government argued the 34-year-old posed a threat to public health.

Djokovic detained ahead of Australian visa appeal

Novak Djokovic has been detained in Australia ahead of a court hearing that will determine whether the unvaccinated tennis star can stay in the country. The Serbian faces deportation after his visa was cancelled for a second time, with the government labelling the 34-year-old a threat to public health.

Australia cancels Novak Djokovic's visa again

Australia has revoked tennis star Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time in a row over his right to remain in the country unvaccinated. The decision by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke means Djokovic now faces being deported.

Half of Europe will catch Omicron - WHO

The World Health Organization has warned that half of Europe will have caught the Omicron Covid variant within the next six to eight weeks. Dr Hans Kluge said a "west-to-east tidal wave" of Omicron was sweeping across the region, on top of a surge in the Delta variant.

US man gets pig heart in world-first transplant

A US man has become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig. David Bennett, 57, is doing well three days after the experimental seven-hour procedure in Baltimore, doctors say.

Kazakhstan unrest was coup attempt, says president

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described deadly violence last week as an attempted coup d'etat. He told leaders of a military alliance of ex-Soviet states the action had been coordinated by a "single centre", but did not name those responsible.

India begins booster shots as Covid-19 cases surge

India has begun giving booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to priority groups amid a surge in infections. Health and frontline workers and people above 60 years with comorbidities are currently eligible to take the jab. The drive began as India battles a spike in Covid cases fuelled by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.