COVID variants as new restrictions were being slapped on travel some countries in Southern Africa The new variant now officially named omikron has the potential to be more resistant to the protection offered by vaccines However despite the shutdown of flights it has become evident that the variant is already spreading Cases have been reported in travelers in Belgium Israel and Hong Kong omicron is a variant of concern because of its high number of mutations There is also evidence that it carries a higher degree of infection than the other variants that means people who contracted COVID-19 and recovered could be subject to catching it again It could take weeks to know with current vaccines are less effective against it I am Karen Chammas AP's forts I'm John leatherby Can any team stop the sons Devin Booker with 32 points to lead Phoenix to a 15th straight win one 1897 over the next LeBron James find $15,000 for obscene gesture used late in Wednesday's overtime victory at Indiana College basketball top right Gonzaga could make a second half lead hold up as the bulldogs fell 84 81 to number 5 duke Four Cincinnati keeping their college football semi final dreams alive they finished with a perfect regular season They beat east Carolina 35 15 to finish at 12 O Steelers hoping to have TJ watt and make a Fitzpatrick back Sunday against Cincinnati Fitzpatrick coming off the COVID-19 list this week well what is questionable after missing last week's laws to Los Angeles with hip and knee injuries And a gel job of ski with a pair of goals he has 400 for his career Dallas snapping Colorado 6 game winning streak with the three one win I'm John leather AP sports The Serum Institute of India the world's largest vaccine maker has resumed exports of coronavirus shots to the UN backed covax distribution program after halting most overseas sales in March.