Discovery of new variant in Germany prompts warning from Merkel

German health authorities are continuing to investigate the origins of a new variant of Covid-19 discovered in the country.

It's not known whether the mutation - which is different from the ones first reported in the U.K. and South Africa - is more or less infectious than the original Covid-19 virus.

Trent Murray reports from Berlin 

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Inauguration Day- Joe Biden to be sworn in, just hours from now

Joe Biden is being sworn in as U.S. President in just a few hours’ time, in a heavily fortified Washington, as the Trump presidency comes to an end.

Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris takes the oath of office alongside him, becoming the first women to hold the position.

President Trump has granted clemency to 143 in a late night frenzy hours before leaving office.

Nina-Maria Potts reports:

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'A new dawn' for EU-US relations as EU leaders hail Biden inauguration

European leaders are welcoming inauguration of Joe Biden, after four tumultuous years under President Trump. 

Lucy Hough has more from Brussels. 

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GORBACHEV URGES FOR BETTER US-RUSSIA RELATIONS

The last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, is urging Joe Biden's incoming administration to improve ties between the USA and Russia.

Ahead of Mr Biden's inauguration, state news service Tass published an interview with the former President, where he said the state of current relations "was of great concern".

Stuart Smith reports from Moscow.

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NIgerian government says facilities to store COVID-19 vaccines are ready

The Nigerian government has confirmed that the country is ready with all the necessary facilities for the storage and preservation of vaccines. It's expecting to receive some doses of vaccines by the end of January or beginning of February at the latest.

Correspondent Phil Ihaza reports in Abuja

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The US to issue Visa restrictions on Tanzanians for undermining the democratic process and human rights

The United States has announced visa restrictions on Tanzanian officials responsible for or complicit in undermining Tanzania's October 28, 2020, general elections.  The actions of these officials caused the continuing downward trajectory of the country's democracy. 

Daniel Kijo reports from Dar es salaam.

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300 Lockdown days and zero vaccines

South Africa has been in lockdown for 300 days. The country is dealing with a second wave of Covid-19 infections and government faces ongoing criticism for its slow progress in securing vaccines. A leading health expert also believes that government's vaccine targets are unrealistic. Mark Roughton has details.

 

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JOE BIDEN TO BE SWORN IN

Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States later.

It'll be a stripped back ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Professor of US Politics and American Studies at the University of Birmingham Scott Lucas says he thinks the incoming President will try to set a different tone as he takes office.

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President Trump Grants Clemency to 143 People

In one of his final acts as President of the United States, Donald Trump has granted clemency to 143 people. 

He pardoned 73 people and commuted the sentences of 70 more. 

And as US Correspondent Rachel Silverman reports, many of them were corrupt politicians and allies.   

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State House Kenya Pulls down Congratulatory Message to President Museveni.

SUGGESTED LEAD

Kenya's state house has pulled down a message in which its  President Uhuru Kenyatta was congratulating Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for winning the 14th January election.

The message that was flagged by Facebook as false information said Mr Museveni's re-election was testimony of the confidence the people of Uganda had in his leadership.

President Museveni got 58% while his closest challenger Bobi Wine got almost 35%.

Isabel Nakirya reports,

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DRC YOUTH ACTIVISTS CASE

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The human rights group Amnesty International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of 10 youth activists who are facing charges of wicked destruction of property in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The activists were arrested last December for participating in a protest that demanded the protection of civilians in the eastern town of Beni. Chris Ocamringa has more..

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India starts exporting vaccines days after immunisation drive begins

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India is starting to export vaccines to six countries just days after starting its immunisation drive.

The first batch will go to five countries…

As India looks to strengthen its diplomatic relations through vaccines, according to experts.

Ishan Garg has more from New Delhi.

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Hong Kong's Lunar New Year markets to go ahead

Hong Kong's Lunar New Year markets are back on, after a government U-turn over a COVID-19 shutdown. The decision has been welcomed by local businesses involved in the markets, but criticised as unfair by many that are not, and which face continued operating restrictions. 

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Okinawa issues state of emergency

Japan's Okinawa Prefecture has issued its own emergency declaration over the spread of COVID-19, with the local medical system on the "verge of collapse". Grace Lee has more from Tokyo.

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WSJ report: Trump considering starting new political party

US President Donald Trump has talked about starting a new political party called the "Patriot Party" according to the Wall Street Journal.

 

The news comes as Mr Trump prepares to leave the White House and make way for the incoming Biden Administration.

 

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

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Australia - Crops continue to rot on the vine for lack of workers

Australia's peak farming body is warning that the longer the seasonal worker shortage drags on, the more crops will be left to rot on the vine.

About 40 million dollars' worth of produce has gone un-harvested across the nation, because of the lack of workers to complete the harvest.

Shaun Bindley reports from Brisbane

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COURTESY AIR NEWS MEDIA - AUSTRALIA

Joe Biden to be sworn in as 46th US President

Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday.

 

Unprecedented levels of security measures are in place for his inauguration, amid concerns of further unrest following the violent riot at the US capitol earlier this month.

 

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

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US Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 400,000

The death toll in the US from the coronavirus pandemic has topped four hundred thousand, driven by a surge in new cases towards the end of last year.

In less than a year, COVID-19 has killed almost as many Americans as the number who died in the second world war. 

US correspondent Ira Spitzer reports.

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Germany lockdown measures extended until mid February

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced Germany's coronavirus lockdown measures will remain in place until at least mid-February. 

Speaking in Berlin, the Chancellor said it was too early to start relaxing the rules given the dangers posed by new infectious variants of the disease. 

Trent Murray reports from Berlin

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President Trump claims political movement is "only just beginning" as he leaves office after one term

U.S. President Donald Trump says his political movement is "only just beginning" in a newly-released "Farewell Address" video.

Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday.

Our Washington correspondent Giles Gibson reports.

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