LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday ordered England into a new national lockdown to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases that threatens to overwhelm parts of the health system before a vaccine programme reaches a critical mass.
The announcement came just hours after the government hailed Britain’s success in becoming the first country to begin rolling out the vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca against COVID-19.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iranian foreign minister alleges that Israel wants to instigate a war.
Aden airport re-opens days after deadly Yemen attack.
Syrian detainees' families forced to pay huge bribes to corrupt officials - report.
Saudi Arabia to reopen borders with Qatar.
Qatar’s emir to attend Tuesday’s GCC summit in Saudi Arabia.
Coronavirus: Israel leads vaccine race with 12% given jab.
Israeli prosecutors spell out allegations against Netanyahu.
ASIA
North Korea asks for COVID-19 vaccines from international alliance: report.
India approves TWO Covid vaccines after giving green light to Oxford Astra Zeneca jab and another made by Indian firm Bharat Biotech.
Tokyo calls for state of emergency over virus third wave.
Japan PM says weighing coronavirus emergency for Tokyo area.
South Korea's population falls for first time in its history.
AFRICA
100 dead in attacks on two western Niger villages.
Niger presidential favourite wins first round, heads for runoff.
Election violence rages in the Central African Republic.
Central African Republic President Touadera wins new term, says electoral commission.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan resume Nile dam talks.
Sudan state media say Nile dam talks to resume Sunday.
Algerian protester sentenced to three years for posting satirical memes.
France arrests former DRC rebel leader for role in 'crimes against humanity'.
South Africa testing whether vaccines work against variant.
EUROPE
EU rejects criticism for slow vaccine rollout across bloc.
England to go into lockdown as Britain records more than 58,000 daily COVID-19 cases.
Covid in Scotland: Scots ordered to stay at home in new lockdown.
Germany will extend lockdown by 3 weeks — reports.
Netherlands and Germany refuse entry to UK nationals for non-essential travel.
Coronavirus: French government vows to speed up vaccinations.
Italian government under pressure over economic recovery plan.
AMERICAS
Pence, Biden warn of high stakes of Georgia Senate runoffs.
With control of the US Senate at stake, all eyes are on Tuesday’s run-off elections in Georgia.
More GOP senators vow to challenge Biden's win.
In deadliest week so far, U.S. loses more than 18,400 lives to COVID-19.
New York finds first case of more contagious, 'UK' strain of coronavirus.
Brazil scrambles to secure COVID vaccine from India.
Venezuela’s Maduro plans shift to fully digitalized economy.
Mexico to take steps to grant Assange political asylum, President Lopez Obrador says.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
U.S. airstrikes in Somalia kill three al-Shabab extremists.
Indonesia to release suspected Bali bombings mastermind Abu Bakar Bashir.
Al Qaeda-linked jihadist group claims deaths of French soldiers in Mali.
Leader of group linked to Mumbai attacks arrested in Pakistan.
Total pulls staff from Mozambique gas site over jihadist threat.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Dow closes down 382 points on first trading day of New Year.
Stocks fall as trading starts for year of great expectations.
OPEC+ talks stretch to Tuesday with majority against supply hike.
Google workers form tech giant's first labour union.
Mystery as Chinese billionaire Jack Ma disappears from his own reality show after criticising regime.
