LABOUR LEADER SETS OUT VISION FOR UK POST COVID19

The Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, has delivered a keynote speech setting out his vision for the future of the United Kingdom. 

Sir Keir said the Covid19 pandemic offers a time to think again about the kind of society the UK wants to be.

Laura Makin-Isherwood has more.

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COVID-19 infection rate plummets in England, says new study

One of the UK's largest coronavirus surveys has found that infections are decreasing in England.

Imperial College London's REACT study found that infections had fallen by more than two-thirds since a month ago. 

From London, Benji Hyer reports. 

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COVID-19 CASES FALLING RAPIDLY IN ENGLAND

Covid-19 infections are falling rapidly in England according to a major study which tracks the epidemic in the country.

The React study from Imperial College London suggests cases have fallen by two-thirds since mid-January, and are 80% lower in London.

It estimates around one in 200 people had Covid-19 by the 13th February - a similar level to late September.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to set out on Monday a 'roadmap' out of lockdown restrictions.

Virologist Chris Smith says there's still a long way to go.

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Nigerian government releases names of abducted students and staff

The Niger state government has released the full list of the 42 school children and staff members abducted from a Government Science College, in the state.

Phil Ihaza in Abuja, tells us more.
 

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UN Condemns Attack on Journalists in Uganda

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The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Uganda or OHCHR has condemned the excessive use of force by the military police against journalists.

This happened as Opposition Leader Bobi Wine delivered a petition protesting the disappearances and brutality against his supporters by security forces to the UN office in Kampala.

Isabel Nakirya reports

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India issues new travel guidelines amid detection of coronavirus variants

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India has issued fresh guidelines for international travellers, as it tries to contain the spread of more infectious variants of the coronavirus.

India this week said that it had detected cases of the strains first found in South Africa and Brazil.  

Our correspondent Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai.

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Australia - Facebook calls governments bluff

Australian Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says he's had a "constructive discussion" with Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg today.

Australians woke this morning to find the social media company had blocked access to Australian news content, and even some government material.

Shaun Bindley reports

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Donald Trump pays tribute to controversial radio host Rush Limbaugh

Former US President Donald Trump has paid tribute to controversial radio host Rush Limbaugh who has died aged 70.

Mr Trump described Rush Limbaugh as "a legend" in his first interview since leaving the White House.

Our correspondent Jagruti Dave has more.

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Facebook blocks news content in Australia amid payment row

Facebook has blocked news content on its platform in Australia, after a row over a new law seeking to force it and Google to reimburse newsrooms for their journalism.
 
Google on the other hand has come to a financial agreement with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp in return for access to its content.

Our correspondent Jagruti Dave has the details.

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Another record close for the Dow in choppy day on Wall Street

The Dow Jones Industrial Index has notched another record close off
the back of some better-than-expected retail sales data.

The Federal Reserve's commitment to stimulus also gave Wall Street a
boost but there were losses for the tech sector.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Israeli Prime Minister's office says Netanyahu spoke with US President Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden has spoken to Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since taking office, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's office.

The call between the close allies comes four weeks after President Biden's inauguration.

Our Washington correspondent Giles Gibson has more.

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North Korean hackers accused of stealing $1.3 billion

Three North Korean hacker spies have been accused of conspiring to steal and extort more than $1.3 billion in cash and cryptocurrency from banks and businesses around the world.

The US Justice Department unsealed the charges on Wednesday.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington

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Conservative Icon Rush Limbaugh Dead at Age 70

Conservative and controversial talk radio pioneer Rush Limbaugh has died of lung cancer, at age 70. 

Limbaugh was a towering figure in US conservative politics. 

Rachel Silverman has this report from Oakland. 

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Retail sales smash Wall Street expectations

Retail sales smashed Wall Street estimates last month with gains seen
across every major category.

Analysts expect the U.S. economy to get off to a sluggish start this
year but stimulus checks helped fuel a surge in spending.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Drop in Number of New Cornavirus Cases Reported

The number of new coronavirus cases reported across the globe has declined by 16 percent over the past week. 

According to the World Health Organization, there's also been a ten percent reduction in the number of global deaths. 

Rachel Silverman has this report from San Francisco. 

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ECHR DEMANDS RELEASE OF NAVALNY

The European Court of Human Rights is demanding the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was sentenced to nearly three years in prison earlier this month.

Mr Navalny says the charges are politically motivated and has appealed the sentence.

The Court says Russia must release him as an interim measure, after his lawyer filed an appeal.

Stuart Smith reports from Moscow.

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RUSSIA TO TRIAL “SPUTNIK LIGHT” SINGLE-DOSE VACCINE

Russia's Ministry of Health has given the go-ahead to a Phase III clinical trial of "Sputnik Light" - a one dose alternative to Russia's Sputnik V [vee] Covid-19 vaccine.

The trial will be randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and take place in multiple counties, according to the Ministry.

Stuart Smith reports from Moscow.

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US to pay WHO more than $200M by end-Feb to back Covid-19 fight

The United States will pay the World Health Organisation more than $200 million dollars by the end of the month.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the intent to pay those dues during a high-level United Nations Security Council on Covid-19.

UN correspondent Liling Tan reports.

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Millions with out power in US winter storms

Millions of people are without power as winter storms have brought
chaos to parts to the United States.

The government says the weather is likely to delay the shipment of
Covid-19 vaccines.

Sarah Walton reports.

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First COVID-19 'human challenge' trials to go ahead in UK

The world's first COVID-19 human trials have been given the green light in the UK.

As part of the study, 90 healthy volunteers will be infected with the virus in a bid to discover more about its effects.

Chris Jones has more in London

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