HEALTH LEADERS WARN NHS FACING RECORD DEMAND

Health leaders in the UK have warned that the National Health Service is as stretched now as it was at the height of the Covid19 pandemic.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, NHS Providers say a combination of factors including increased hospitalisations and mental health care requests mean doctors are facing record levels of demand.

The groups' Chief Executive, Chris Hopson, warns that while confirmed Covid19 cases have dropped for a sixth consecutive day, the outlook is far from certain.

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France continues to tighten Covid-19 restrictions as fourth wave bites

More regions in France are re-imposing Covid-19 restrictions to fight the spread of the fourth wave of infections.

Face masks are once again obligatory in outdoor public places in 21 departments.

From FSN's bureau in Paris, here's Ross Cullen.

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UK to introduce new measures to tackle crime increasing police powers to stop and search

The UK has introduced new tactics to tackle crime, increasing the police's powers to stop and search.

As well as that, GPS tags will be attached to more burglars released from prison.

Speaking on the new measures, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to ensure "less crime, fewer victims and a safer society" with the country on its recovery from Covid-19.

But these measures come just days after the Police Federation said it had no confidence in Home Secretary Priti Patel - after officers' pay was frozen.

Kit Malthouse is the Policing minister:

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a two day visit to India

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The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be in India on Tuesday on a two-day visit.

The trip comes against the backdrop of the United States pulling out of Afghanistan.

The repercussions of that, along with regional security matters could be up for discussion, as Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

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Hong Kong court to deliver verdict of first person charged under National Security Law

Hong Kong's High Court will deliver today the verdict of the first person ever trialled under the city's National Security Law.

This will be a landmark decision spelling implications for how Hong Kong's common law tradition is reshaped under its new national security regime.

Samuel Wong reports.

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Olympic medal table leaders go head-to-head

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Japan, the US and China are leading the Olympic medal table … but Day 4 of the Games may determine who edges ahead.
 
Japan and the US will meet in the softball final, and all three countries are battling it out in the women's team artistic gymnastics final.
 
Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo. 

Record close for S&P ahead of big tech earnings reports

US stocks reached a new high on Monday with a record close for the S&P 500

It comes at the start of one of the busiest weeks for earnings reports.

Sarah Walton reports from New York.

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U.S. President confirms American troops will step back from combat role in Iraq

U.S. President Joe Biden says by the end of this year, American troops will no longer be in a combat role in Iraq.

He made the announcement as Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi visited the White House on Monday.

Giles Gibson is in Washington with the latest.

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California to Require Vaccination or Regular Testing for all State Employees

California will require all state employees and health care workers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or submit to regular testing.

The measures are an attempt to jumpstart the state's vaccination campaign which has slowed in recent weeks.

Ira Spitzer has more from Los Angeles.

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Beijing says US-China relations in a "stalemate"

China has said relations with the US are "in a stalemate" after a meeting between officials from both sides in the city of Tianjin.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's visit marks the highest level talks between the US and China under the Biden Administration.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

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US medical groups push for mandatory vaccinations

As COVID-19 cases spike across the US, more than 50 medical groups are pushing for mandatory vaccinations for health care workers.

And the Biden Administration has issued guidance saying those suffering from "long covid" could qualify for federal disability protection.

Rebecca Foster reports from WAshington.

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SOUTH SUDAN / KENYA VISA DEAL

Kenya has waived visa payment for South Sudanese, noting in a statement that South Sudan has also taken a similar step.

It says the waiver is in adherence to the Provisions of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

Patrick Oyet reports from Juba.

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Ghana's government fears the country is experiencing third wave of COVID-19

Ghana's president says the country appears to be in the grip of a third wave of COVID-19 infections, as cases of the virus surge. The country has recorded more than one hundred thousand infections with nearly 900 deaths since the outbreak began. The government has banned social events including wedding and funeral receptions to curb the spread of infections.  

Nabil Ahmed Rufai reports from Accra.

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Uganda Plans To Vacinate Children Against COVID-19

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Uganda is mooting plans to vaccinate children above 12 years.

 

The government says the process will start when the country receives the Pfizer vaccine.

 

The US, UK and the European Union recently approved pediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine for use in Children between the age of 12 and 15

Michael Baleke has more…

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Belgium hit by fresh flooding after heavy rainfall

Belgium has been hit by new floods after heavy rainfall over the weekend. 

It comes a week after flash floods that killed at least 37 people in Belgium and dozens more in Germany. 

Lucy Hough has more from Brussels. 

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South Africa relaxes to Lockdown Level 3

South Africa’s COVID-19 infection rates have declined by 20 percent in a single week, indicating that most regions have passed the peak of the country’s third wave of infections. While some areas are not yet showing signs of decline, government has decided to relax lockdown regulations to an Adjusted Alert Level 3. Mark Roughton has details.

 

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Torrential rain shuts down 2 London hospital emergency departments and closes tube stations

Torrential rain has caused severe flooding across London.

Roads, tube and train stations were forced to close because of the downpour which took place on Sunday.

Chris Jones has more in London

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CLEAN-UP AFTER LONDON FLOODS

Thunderstorms across London have left homes, roads, tube stations and hospitals shut with flood warnings still in place.

A month's worth of rain fell in just a few hours.

A major incident's been declared by one hospital trust - after the extreme weather affected two emergency departments in east London.

Rachel Venables is at a flooded station in London.

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Authorities in India warn against laxity on COVID-compliance as states relax lockdowns

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Authorities in India are warning against COVID-19 precaution fatigue.

Daily cases in the country have dropped significantly from its world record peak in May

But concerns are that not adhering to proper masking and distancing norms could result in a massive third wave.

Ishan Garg reports.

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Olympics host Japan aims for more golds as public mood shifts

After a whirlwind weekend in judo, swimming, and now skateboarding, Japan is now tied with China in gold medals, six to six. The country is currently ranked 2nd on the Olympics leaderboard. John Matthews reports from Tokyo.

(Note: see https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/all-sports/medal-standings.htm for updated count)

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