TOKYO, Nov 30 — Japan has confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, in a man who had arrived in the country from Namibia, a government source said Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

SYDNEY, Nov 30 — Australian authorities on Tuesday confirmed a person with Covid-19 had the new Omicron variant after disclosing that the person had been active in the community, but urged calm as they weighed up the severity of the strain.

HONG KONG/SYDNEY, Nov 30 — Drugmaker Moderna set off fresh alarm bells in financial markets on Tuesday as the firm's chief warned that Covid-19 vaccines are unlikely to be as effective against the Omicron variant as they have been against the Delta version.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — The new Covid-19 B.1.1.529 variant, now named Omicron is probably more transmissible than the Delta variant, but it is not yet known how virulent the virus is, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

SINGAPORE, Nov 30 — Two travellers from South Africa who transited in Singapore before heading to Australia have tested positive for the Covid-19 Omicron variant of concern, according to the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH).

HONG KONG/SYDNEY Nov 30 — Hong Kong expanded a ban on entry for non-residents from several countries as global health authorities raced to curb a potential outbreak of the Omicron virus, while Australia's cabinet will review on Tuesday containment steps after five tested positive.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — The ringgit settled almost flat against the US dollar on Monday as growing concerns over the global economic outlook kept investors on the sideline, dealers said.