Australia – Alarming rise in covid cases triggers National Cabinet meeting

A snap National Cabinet meeting has been called in Australia, where state and territory leaders are considering their response to the alarming rise in people infected by the Omicron strain of Covid 19.

States are being urged to reactivate vaccine hubs to ease pressure on GP's and Chemists, and consider bringing forward by a month, the timing for the booster shot after the second dose of vaccine.

Shaun Bindley reports.

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US MARKETS RALLY AFTER BIDEN PROMISES 500M FREE COVID TESTS

US markets have rallied following three days of losses.

It comes after President Joe Biden announced new measures to try to stop the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Sarah Walton reports from the New York Stock Exchange.

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Secret Service discloses criminals stole $100 billion in US pandemic relief

The US Secret Service has disclosed that criminals stole more than 100 billion dollars in US government funding designed to support businesses through the early stages of the pandemic.

Only two billion dollars have been recovered so far, and more than 100 arrests have been made.

Our Washington correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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Biden tells Americans to get boosted, not to panic over Omicron surge

President Biden is urging the American public not to panic about the Omicron variant of Covid-19, and says the country is much better positioned to weather a fresh wave of infections than it was in the spring of 2020.

Speaking at the White House he announced plans to surge resources to the states hardest by the new strain of the virus, pledged to create rapid testing sites in New York City before Christmas, and said his government will distribute 500 million rapid test kits free-of-charge in January.

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The President said families of the vaccinated can celebrate Christmas as planned, but of offered no guidance on travel during the holiday season even though his Chief Medical Adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says Christmas will be an Omicron super-spreader event.

The President vigorously defended his proposed vaccine mandates that are still the subject of legal efforts to overturn them.

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US Population Growth Dips to Record Low

Population growth in the United States dipped to its lowest rate on record this year, according to figures newly released by the Census Bureau. 

The COVID-19 pandemic plays a big part in the decline. 

US Correspondent Rachel Silverman has details. 

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BORIS JOHNSON: NO FRESH RESTRICTIONS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's confirmed there will be no fresh
covid-19 restrictions in England before Christmas.

He says there are still too many uncertainties about the impact of the
Omicron variant to justify stricter measures yet.

But as UK correspondent Olly Barratt reports - he's not ruling out
needing to take action after Christmas.

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UK-EU talks continue as new Brexit negotiator takes tough stance against bloc

The UK's newly appointed and seventh Brexit negotiator Liz Truss says her country will stand its ground against the European Union, as she threatens to rip up a key part of the trade deal that Britain signed with the EU just 12 months ago.

 

She spoke virtually with European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič to solve an ongoing dispute over the Northern Ireland protocol, which the British government believes damages the integrity of the United Kingdom. 

From our Europe desk in Brussels, Benji Hyer reports.

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Boris Johnson: No new pandemic restrictions before Xmas

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed there will be no new pandemic restrictions in the UK before Christmas.

He again urged people to avail themselves of Covid-19 boosters.

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Biden to deploy 500 million test kits and 1000 military medics to tackle covid

US president Joe Biden is due to announce new measures to try to combat a potentially devastating Covid-19 surge, which include distributing 500 million free test kits and deploying 1000 military medics to struggling hospitals.

But despite Omicron now being the dominant strain in the United States, the White House has ruled out locking the country down.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

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EU drug regulator says boosters offer protection against Omicron variant

The European Union's drug regulator said early data shows a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine helps restore some protection against the new Omicron variant.

The European Medicines Agency said it was preparing for the possibility that vaccines could be tweaked to fight the variant. 

Emer Cooke is head of the EMA. 

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Scotland to introduce new Covid-19 measures from December 26

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced new measures for the country beginning after Christmas Day.

The Omicron Covid-19 variant is now the dominant strain in Scotland, accounting for around 63% of positive cases.

Chris Jones has more in London

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UK UNVEILS HOSPITALITY SUPPORT

The UK's announced a £1bn ($1.3bn) support package for the hospitality
and leisure sectors as covid-19 concerns cause a slump in takings.

Business leaders have been complaining of uncertainty about the
Christmas period, given the spread of the Omicron variant.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

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EU states ponder further Covid restrictions

Covid-19 is once again forcing countries in Europe to impose domestic and international travel restrictions, as the Omicron variant takes hold across the continent. 

Rapidly rising infection rates are leaving EU nations concerned about potentially overwhelmed health systems, prompting drastic action by governments to tackle the spread of the virus.

From our Europe desk in Brussels, Benji Hyer reports.

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Nigeria Enters Fourth Wave of COVID-19

Nigeria is currently experiencing a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

The development comes less than five months after the country entered a third wave of the pandemic.

Correspondent Tesem Akende reports from Jos.

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UK GOVT ASSESSES NEED FOR NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS

The UK government says it's looking at the latest data before deciding
whether stricter measures are needed to slow the spread of the Omicron
covid variant.

On Monday Prime Minister Boris Johnson's cabinet resisted calls from
scientists to toughen restrictions before Christmas.

But a so-called 'circuit breaker' lockdown is being considered for the
post-Christmas period.

Cabinet minister Steve Barclay says the evidence isn't there for an
immediate lockdown.

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GERMAN CHANCELLOR CONVENES EMERGENCY OMICRON SUMMIT

Senior politicians in Germany are meeting today to discuss whether further measures are needed in response to the rise in Omicron cases. 

Germany is the latest European country to consider restrictions in response to the new variant, after lawmakers in the Netherlands announced a hard lockdown which will last until at least mid January. 

From Berlin, Trent Murray reports

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Air pollution in North India worsens as the mercury drops

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As India grapples with a cold wave, air pollution is getting severe in many parts of the country.

The air quality in the capital fell on Tuesday – from the very poor category to 'severe'.

Still, local authorities are lifting restrictions that were imposed to improve pollution levels, as Ishan Garg reports.

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CDC: Omicron now dominant strain of Covid-19 in America

Omicron is now the dominant strain of Covid-19 in the US, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all cases according to the US government's  Centers for Disease Control.

It's a stunning turnaround that has taken place in less than a week.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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Dow Tumbles Amid Growing Omicron Fears

US markets fell on Monday as fear grew over the potential economic impact of the Omicron variant.

Economic growth for the US has also been revised down after President Biden's "Build Back Better" bill appeared to be scuppered in
Congress.

Sarah Walton reports from the New York Stock Exchange.


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Biden Admin Boosts Fuel-Economy Standards

The Biden administration is boosting fuel-economy standards to fight climate change. 

New rules reverse a Trump-era rollback that had loosened the standards. 

Rachel Silverman has the details. 

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