Israel has vaccinated the highest proportion of its population against the virus in the world. The authorities there are hoping this will enable them to get back to business as usual quicker
* UK is already dishing out 358,340 doses a day on average, a report by German company Statista says
* This is 46 per cent more jabs than the country needs to achieve herd immunity by December 31 this year
* France, Germany and Italy, however, will need to more than double the pace of their rollouts they said Britain and the US may be on the cusp of herd immunity by the end of 2021 thanks to their speedy Covid vaccine roll-outs, data suggested today.
But forecasters analysing the current pace of the global inoculation drive have warned Germany, France and Italy must rapidly speed up to reach the same threshold.
Herd immunity is when an infectious disease stops naturally spreading in a population because enough people are protected against the disease.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
U.N. aid chief urges Gulf states to step up to avert Yemen famine.
UN: Yemen faces world’s worst famine and needs $3.85 billion.
Iran says up to U.S. to move first on saving nuclear deal.
U.S. patience with Iran on renewing nuclear talks 'not unlimited': State Department.
Iraqi Christians, decimated by Islamist violence, prepare for pope's visit.
Israel's Netanyahu sets April target for reopening economy.
Israel launches 'green pass' for vaccinated people.
ASIA
India warns of worsening COVID-19 situation, vaccinations to expand.
Indonesia presses regional effort to resolve Myanmar crisis.
Civilian casualties in Afghanistan down, targeted killings up, UN says.
China rejects growing Western criticism at U.N. rights forum.
North Korea enslaving political prisoners to fund weapons programme: South Korea rights group.
Russia hosts new Kyrgyzstan leader on his 1st foreign trip.
Virus-weary Australia hails prospect of Brisbane Olympics.
Australia passes landmark law requiring Facebook, Google to pay for news.
AFRICA
Niger opposition leader claims election win despite results.
Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis: Maiduguri rocket attack kills 10.
UN Eritrea expert urges probe of refugee camp attack in Ethiopia.
COVID cases in Africa were 'underreported'.
Ghana becomes 1st nation to receive COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX program.
'Immense joy' as Senegal begins public vaccine distribution.
EUROPE
Czech Republic faces 'hellish days', needs tighter COVID measures, PM says.
France considers new local lockdowns to stem ‘worsening’ Covid-19 situation.
Putin warns of unnamed foreign efforts to destabilize Russia.
Russia beefs up fines for protest violations after Navalny rallies.
No breakthrough at UK-EU talks, says Northern Ireland's Foster.
Georgians protest against arrest of opposition leader Nika Melia.
Police pelted with stones, garbage dumpsters set alight in Catalonia’s 9th night of riots over jailed rapper Pablo Hasel.
German investigators seize 23 tonnes of cocaine in record European haul.
AMERICAS
Capitol Police head describes agency unprepared for mass attacks.
Top House Republicans Kevin McCarthy and Liz Cheney publicly clash on Trump as he backs him speaking at CPAC and she says ex-president should have no role 'in future of country'.
US Senate confirms veteran diplomat Thomas-Greenfield as new ambassador to UN.
Biden orders 100-day review amid supply chain strains.
Texas governor vows to overhaul electric grid operator after storm failure.
Mexican president says Mexico doing better than US on virus.
Venezuela kicks out EU envoy to protest sanctions.
Prison riots across three Ecuadorian prisons kill at least 75.
Facebook exploring potential news licensing agreements in Canada: source.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
German court convicts 'IS recruiter' Abu Walaa.
Turkish police nab Iraqi IS suspect, rescue Yazidi girl.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
More than 200 groups urge G20 to back IMF issuance to help poor countries in pandemic.
Moderna developing booster shot for new coronavirus variants, increases vaccine production target.
Price of Brent crude oil surpasses $67 per barrel first time since January 2020.
GameStop surges again as Reddit crashes temporarily.
