Thousands stranded overnight on major highway south of Washington DC

Thousands of motorists have spent more than 11 hours stranded on a major highway just south of Washington DC after snow on the roads turned to ice when evening temperatures fell.

Interstate 95 in Virginia was brought to a standstill in four separate locations.

Motorists say they were given no information about rescue efforts, nor provided any indication by local authorities about how long they might be stranded.

Among those stuck in their cars, NBC reporter Josh Lederman.

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GERMANY: NEW TRAVEL RULES COME INTO FORCE FOR UK & SOUTH AFRICAN FLIGHTS

Fresh travel rules have come into force for Germany, with several countries taken off the country's variant red list. 

The move means that passengers from UK and South Africa are once again free to fly to German airports, providing they have the necessary covid documents. 

From Berlin, Trent Murray reports. 

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NHS: 'REAL CHALLENGES' DUE TO COVID STAFF SHORTAGES

Health leaders in the UK are warning Covid-related staff shortages are causing major challenges, with patient capacity reduced.

At least six hospital trusts have now declared a critical incident, putting some services at risk.

Staffing shortages are affecting other public services too - several rail operators are running reduced timetables.

Dr Layla McKay, from the NHS Confederation, says some trusts have 10 percent of staff off because of covid illness or isolation.

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India records the highest daily COVID infections in 4 months

India recorded over 37,000 fresh COVID infections in the past day, the highest rise in single day COVID infections in four months.

The country has also been witnessing a spike in the number of Omicron infections in its major cities.

Sreoshi Mukherjee reports...

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Toyota to launch its own automotive software

Toyota Motor Corporation is planning to launch its own operating system, according to Japanese media. The software will be capable of handling both basic and advanced operations, as the automaker vies to compete with rivals Tesla and Volkswagen.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Five Nuclear Weapons States sign joint statement on preventing further spread of weapons

The United States, China, Russia France and the UK have all signed a joint statement agreeing to work together to avoid a potential nuclear war and limit the further spread of nuclear weapons.

These nations are the five Nuclear Weapon States named in the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear weapons - known as the NPT.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

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U.S. markets start the trading year with record close

It was a good first day of the trading year in the U.S. with the Dow
Jones closing at a new record high.

There were gains for the airline sector as investors shrugged off
Covid-19 concerns and it was a good day of trading for Apple and
Tesla.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Prince Andrew accuser agreed not to sue any Epstein connections

A newly unsealed settlement reveals that Virginia Giuffre agreed not
to seek legal action against anyone connected with Jeffrey Epstein.

Giuffre is currently sueing Prince Andrew who she accuses of sexual
assault at several of Epstein's properties.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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2009 Settlement between Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Guiffre unsealed and published

A confidential 2009 agreement between Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre, the woman accusing Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager, has been released by a court in New York.

It shows Ms. Giuffre secured half-a-million dollars in compensation from Mr. Epstein, but also agreed to take no legal action against "other potential defendants".

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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New mayor of NYC defends decision to re-open public schools amid Omicron wave

The new Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, is defending his decision to re-open public schools there today amid reports that staff shortages are so widespread, that gyms are being turned into mass classrooms.

He spoke outside a school in the Bronx where he was on hand to welcome pupils this morning.

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UK PM: "Folly" to think pandemic is over

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has again indicated there are no plans to tighten Covid-19 restrictions in England, even as he says a rising tide of hospitalizations is putting the country's National Health Service under growing pressure.

He told reporters it would be "folly" to think the pandemic is over….again urged people to get boosters.

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All secondary school pupils in England are to be tested for Covid-19 before schools reopen later this month.

​FDA authorizes Pfizer boosters for 12 to 15-year-olds

Kids in the United States aged 12 to 15 are now one step closer to a Pfizer booster shot.

The Food and Drug Administration expanded eligibility for the jab on Monday, as students return to the classroom amid a surge in new infections.

Toni Waterman has more from Austin, Texas.

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TANZANIA GIRL ENROLMENT

Over 1,000 out of school girls in Tanzania enroll for adult learning in Tanzania
1,200 of the 3,000 girls have been enrolled in this year's academic calendar through the Secondary Education Quality Improvement Programme. The World Bank has finally approved the $500 million education loan that was delayed following pressure from civil society organizations which raised concern over schoolgirls' education rights.

Daniel Kijo reports.

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Actress Betty White, massive American star, dead at 99

One of America's most beloved stars, the actress Betty White has died at the age of 99.

She was a pioneer in the early days of television and went on to find fame in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", and then in the role of Rose on the sitcom "The Golden Girls".

She remained active in show business throughout her life…indeed The Guinness Book of Records says she worked longer in the television industry than anyone else ever.

She won 8 Emmy Awards and only this week features on the cover of America's "People" Magazine, previewing her hundredth birthday in 2022.

Our US Correspondent Simon Marks says she held an unparalleled place in American cultural history.

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Labor market in focus when U.S. trading begins in the New Year

Investors in the U.S. will kick off the New Year focusing on the
health of the country's labor market.

Traders are bracing to see how the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron
variant impacted December hiring.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Giuffre lawyers seek proof from Prince Andrew that he can’t sweat

Lawyers representing Virginia Giuffre have asked for proof that Prince
Andrew has an inability to sweat.

The Royal is accused of sexually abusing Giuffre as a teenager. An
allegation he vehemently denies.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Omicron infections could peak in the U.S. by mid-January

Infectious disease experts in the United States say the current surge in Omicron infections is worse than ever, but may also be over far quicker than other variants of the coronavirus.

Despite challenges in mapping the COVID-19 pandemic, there is precedent with Omicron in South Africa.

FSN's Caroline Malone reports.

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Thousands evacuate Colorado wildfires

Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes as wildfires
spread through a suburban part of Colorado.

The fires in the U.S. state are being fueled by winds exceeding 100
miles per hour.

U.S. correspondent William Denselow reports.

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Regional law bodies call for fresh review of East African Community treaty

Regional law bodies based in Tanzania's northern city of Arusha have reiterated their call for the amendment of the East African Community (EAC) Treaty.

The Pan African Lawyers' Union (Palu) and the East African Law Society (EALS) say this will create room for expansion of the bloc and ensure a new entrant meets all the required benchmarks.

Isaac Lukando reports.

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GOVERNMENT CLAIMS BOOSTER TARGET SUCCESS

The UK government says it has met its target of offering all eligible adults in England a coronavirus booster jab by the end of 2021. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had set that goal as the Omicron variant of Covid19 started to sweep the nation. Laura Makin-Isherwood reports.

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