Chancellor Scholz holds covid summit as German cases rise

The German Government is holding a special meeting Monday with regional leaders to decide whether to introduce further covid-19 restrictions. 

The gathering comes as the number of new Omicron infections continues to rise. 

From Berlin, Trent Murray reports.

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UK PM LAUNCHES ISLAMOPHOBIA INVESTIGATION

The UK government's launching an investigation into allegations of Islamophobia in the Conservative party.

Nusrat Ghani, a Muslim Tory MP, claims she was told she was sacked as a junior minister in 2020 because of her faith.

Downing Street denies the claims.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi says an investigation run by the Cabinet Office will establish the facts.

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As Omicron cases rise, India confirms community transmission for the first time

Intro:

One in five in India are now testing positive for COVID-19.

The country's reported more than 300,000 new infections on Monday.

Authorities have now confirmed for the first time that coronavirus is spreading through community transmission.

Ishan Garg reports.

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Japan expands Covid emergency as nationwide cases top 50,000

Japan is set to further expand Covid countermeasures as nationwide cases topped 50,000 for the first time. Half of the country's population has already been placed under fresh restrictions as the government tries to stem the spread of the Omicron variant. 

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Hong Kong battles COVID-19 outbreak at public housing estate

Hong Kong’s health authorities are battling to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 at a public housing estate. More than 170 people have tested positive in the same high-rise apartment complex.

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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US State Department orders departure of US diplomats' families from Ukrainian Capital

The US State Department has ordered family members of diplomats serving in the US embassy in Kyiv to leave the country.

It cited the "continued threat from Russia to Ukraine.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

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US urges Americans to leave Ukraine immediately, begins evacuating embassy families

The State Department is urging Americans in Ukraine to leave the country, and has started evacuating staff from the US Embassy in Kyiv.

The Biden administration says the action is being taken because of the growing possibility of "significant" military action by the Russians.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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Intel plans $20bn chip factory to counter semiconductor shortage

Intel has revealed its plans for a new chip manufacturing complex that
will cost at least 20 billion dollars.

This comes in the midst of a severe global semiconductor shortage,
affecting everything from smartphones to cars.

Silicon Valley Correspondent Rachel Silverman has more.

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CDC: Boosters 90% effective in preventing hospitalization

New data shows Pfizer and Moderna's booster shots are 90% effective in
preventing hospitalizations from Covid-19.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the
results of tests which looked at additional doses in the face of the
Omicron variant.

US correspondent Nick Harper reports.

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UN warns the world is facing a "5-alarm global fire"

The United Nations Secretary General said the world is facing "a
5-alarm global fire".

Antonio Guterres gave the warning as he set out his priorities for the
year ahead.

Sarah Walton reports

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Fed meeting set to dominate trading [PREVIEW]

This week on Wall Street all eyes will be on the Federal Reserve and
what action they will take to curb rising inflation.

The Central Bank's two-day policy meeting wraps on Wednesday with Fed
Chair Jerome Powell expected to hold a press conference after it
concludes.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Data suggests Omicron on decline in parts of the U.S.

Coronavirus-related hospitalizations are trending downwards in the
U.S. suggesting the Omicron wave may have peaked in parts of the
country.

But experts warn that it could still be weeks before that trend is
seen across the entire U.S.

And a flight departing Florida has been forced to turnaround due to
passenger's refusal to wear a mask.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Meat Loaf dies aged 74

'Bat Out of Hell' Singer Meat Loaf has died at the age of 74.

The Grammy winning performer sold more than 100 million albums over six decades.

Sarah Walton reports

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No breakthrough at US & Russia meeting over Ukraine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the meeting with his Russian
counterpart over Moscow's aggression towards Ukraine was "frank and
substantive".

The two men met in Geneva to try and deescalate tensions, with 100,000
Russian troops massed on the border, ahead of what the US says could
be an invasion of Ukraine.

US correspondent Nick Harper reports.

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[ALT] Secretary Blinken spoke to reporters after the meeting.

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Secretary Blinken again warned Russia the west would respond if troops
invaded Ukraine.

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London's Mayor stands down "major incident status" as COVID cases decline

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is standing the city down from its "major incident status" as coronavirus cases start dipping in the U.K.

That's as the First Minister of Wales, which sets its own COVID-19 restrictions instead of the central government in Westminster, says he believes the peak of the Omicron wave has now passed.

Our U.K. Correspondent Giles Gibson has more.

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UK Foreign Secretary calls for Russia to de-escalate on Ukraine border

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is urging President Vladimir Putin to "step back," as the US and Russia held what both sides called "critical" talks in Geneva. 

Her comments came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met amid mounting fears that Russia could be about to invade Ukraine.

Benji Hyer reports. 

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RADIO: AFRICA RENEWS PUSH FOR FAVOURABLE UN SECURITY COUNCIL REFORMS

LEAD

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has demanded that Africa is given better representation on the United Nations security council. Museveni was speaking at the 9th ministerial-level meeting of the African union (AU) committee of heads of state and government. The meeting in Uganda's capital Kampala is the latest in a series focusing on changes at the security council. Leon Ssenyange reports

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Russia threatens 'even more confrontation' as Blinken and Lavrov meet

The Russian Foreign Ministry says the degree of confrontation with the U.S. could rise even more if Washington doesn't take into account Moscow's priorities. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is holding talks in Geneva with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Julia Chapman has more.

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Ghana explosion leave 17 dead, others with severe injuries

At least 17 people have died following an explosion in the Western Region of Ghana. A truck transporting explosives to a mining site collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion. Nabil Ahmed Rufai reports from Accra.

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CONSERVATIVE REBELS THREATEN WHIP WHISTLEBLOWING

Rebel Conservative MPs are reportedly threatening to publish material to back up claims they've been intimidated and blackmailed by the Prime Minister's supporters.

Boris Johnson says he's seen no evidence those who are critical of him have been unfairly targeted by government whips.

Johnson remains under pressure from within his own party over the handling of allegations around parties during lockdown.

Correspondent James Gooderson is in Downing Street with the latest.

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