Japan's Suga Considers State of Emergency

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is considering declaring a state of emergency for Tokyo and surrounding prefectures as coronavirus cases continue to surge.

The government will make its final decision after listening to a panel of experts.

Grace Lee reports from the Japanese capital.

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Hong Kong businesses warn of bankruptcies amid continued COVID-19 shutdowns

The Hong Kong government is facing calls to relax its COVID-19 restrictions, to prevent rising unemployment and bankruptcies among small businesses. 

Bars, beauty salons and gyms are among the industry sectors warning of financial ruin if they face continued shutdown. 

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong. 

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Nancy Pelosi Re-elected as House Speaker

Nancy Pelosi has been re-elected as Speaker of the House by a narrow majority.

 

The vote marked the start of a new Congress and comes as several Republican lawmakers seek to challenge Joe Biden's victory in November's election.

 

From Washington Jagruti Dave reports.

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US Senators try to overturn election result

A group of Republican US senators are staging a last-ditch attempt to
overturn the result of the Presidential election.

They're refusing to certify Joe Biden's win, instead demanding an
investigation into the unproven claims of election fraud.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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Trump asks Georgia Republican to "find" enough votes to subvert the election result.

US President Donald Trump has asked Georgia's Secretary of State to "find" enough votes to subvert the result of November's election.

 

The Washington Post obtained a recording of the President's phone conversation with Brad Raffensperger where he made the demand.

 

From Washington Jagruti Dave reports.

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Pakistani mountaineer to climb Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro in less than 24 hours

Pakistan's emerging mountaineer Asad Ali Memon has set his eyes on climbing Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa. Interestingly, as an unusual feat, Memon wants it to do in less than 24 hours.

Isaac Lukando reports 

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Tanzania’s Health Minister speaks out on Coronavirus Vaccine

The Tanzanian government says it will issue an official statement on its stance regarding Covid-19 vaccines soon.

Isaac Lukando reports.

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Brexit Transition Period Comes to a Close

The UK has officially cut ties with the European Union, as the Brexit transition period ended when the clock struck midnight in Brussels.

It comes four and half years after a majority of UK citizens voted to leave the EU.

FSN's Olly Barratt has been following the developments from London, and looks at what comes next.

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US markets preview

Wall Street traders will be watching for the result of two runoff
elections in Georgia on January 5th, which will determine which party
controls the US Senate.

Meanwhile market analysts are predicting the S&P 500 will surge in 2021.

Sarah Walton reports from New York.

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America's Most Prolific Serial Killer Dies in Prison

The man authorities believe was America's most prolific serial killer has died in prison.

Samuel Little may have killed as many as 93 people, beginning in 1970, although he was first convicted of murder just six years ago.

Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco

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Over 900,00 in the UK receive first dose of coronavirus vaccination

Over 900,00 people in the UK have received their first coronavirus vaccine dose, according to new data.

From January 4, the UK will have two vaccinations at its disposal after the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was approved on Wednesday.

From London Chris jones reports.

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EU and UK poised to begin new trading relationship

French truckers are warning of potential border chaos as the UK is poised to begin its new trading relationship with the EU. 

The transition period officially expires at 11pm London time, when the UK ceases to become a member of the single market. 

There'll be new customs procedures for businesses either side of the channel. 

Lucy Hough has more from Brussels. 

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New Coronavirus Variant Discovered in California

The new - and potentially more contagious - coronavirus variant first seen in the UK, has now been discovered in California. Health officials say they still expect vaccines to be effective against the new strain.

Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco

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Gavin Williamson 'confident' schools will be ready when pupils return

UK Education secretary, Gavin Williamson, says he's 'absolutely confident' that schools will be ready when pupils return.

 

He announced delays for many pupils in England on Wednesday, which are partly designed to allow schools to set up mass testing regimes.

Chris Jones has more in london.

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$2000 coronavirus stimulus cheques unlikely to pass in US Senate

Republicans in the US Senate have effectively ended any chance of coronavirus stimulus cheques being boosted to $2000 in the near future.

$600 direct payments for many Americans were part of the latest relief package approved by Congress earlier this month…but Democrats and US President Donald Trump have been pushing for more.

Our Washington correspondent Giles Gibson has more.

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'Stay At Home' Plea On NYE

People in England are being urged to stay at home and not go out to celebrate New Years Eve.

The warning comes amidst climbing Coronavrius infection rates, and harsher restrictions for much of the country.

John Bevir (Beaver) reports.

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Jimmy Lai back behind bars as Hong Kong's top court overrules bail decision

Hong Kong democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai is back behind bars, after the city's top court overruled a decision to grant him bail. 

He's accused of breaching the controversial national security law, and will now be remanded in custody again until his next court appearance in February. 

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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RUSSIA TO SUPPLY ALGERIA WITH SPUTNIK V VACCINE

Algeria is the latest country to receive doses of Russia's Sputnik V [vee] Covid-19 vaccine.

Its developers say the jab is 91% effective, and has no major side effects.

But as Russia struggles to roll out the vaccine to its own citizens, some believe the exports are premature.

Stuart Smith reports from Moscow.

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BREXIT TRADE DEAL TO KICK IN

The UK and EU will begin a new relationship when their trade deal kicks in later (2300GMT).

The legislation behind the deal has been passed by the UK's Parliament.

The agreement has also been signed by London and Brussels, so it can begin as the Brexit transition period ends in hours from now.

It sees the UK leaving the European single market and customs union, but avoids tariffs on goods.

Alex Altmann is a Brexit expert at accounting and tax advisors Blick Rothenberg - he hopes the deal can be built on in the years ahead.

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Night curfews in major cities could dampen New Year celebrations in India

Intro:

New Year's celebrations could be dampened in India…

As major cities are imposing night curfews.

Concerns are that large gatherings could lead to high infections, as Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

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