More than 38,500 people are in UK hospitals with Covid-19, 78 percent more than during the first peak last year. © Toby Melville, Reuters
Early evidence suggests the variant of coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly as well as being more contagious, British officials warned on Friday.
"There is some evidence that the new variant (...) may be associated with a higher degree of mortality," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at a Downing Street news conference.
Patrick Vallance, the UK's Chief Scientific Adviser, said the new variant could be around 30 percent more deadly, although he stressed that only sparse data was available.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iran's supreme leader makes online threats to attack golfing Trump.
Iran calls on Biden to 'unconditionally' lift US sanctions.
Israeli missiles strike Syria’s Hama killing four civilians: SANA.
UN says 12 murdered at al-Hol camp in Syria since start of year.
UAE confirms it inked $23 billion deal to buy F-35 jets, drones from U.S..
Lebanon extends lockdown by two weeks as Covid-19 deaths soar.
Israeli Covid chief's claim single vaccine dose less effective 'inaccurate'.
ASIA
Beijing launches mass testing to stem virus outbreak.
One year after entering lockdown, Wuhan's youth fill nightclubs, its pandemic-spawning market reopens and a FILM is released praising the city - as rest of the world battles covid.
Thousands in Nepal protest against dissolution of Parliament.
U.N. report: More than 45% of North Koreans undernourished.
IOC dismisses reports Tokyo Olympics will be cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic.
Sri Lanka says to conduct investigation into war crime allegations.
Indonesia probing whether faulty system contributed to Sriwijaya Air crash.
AFRICA
Central African Republic declares emergency as rebels surround Bangui.
UN concern over 'disturbing rape reports in Tigray'.
Africa's Covid-19 mortality rates higher than global average, head of Africa CDC warns.
South Africa to pay 2.5 times more than EU for COVID vaccine.
Congo lawmakers move to force out prime minister in victory for President.
Tunisia mothers decry wave of ‘arbitrary’ arrests after unrest.
Fear and frustration in Nigeria as millions at risk of phone suspension.
EUROPE
New UK Covid variant may be 30% more deadly, says Johnson.
Coronavirus: EU puts extra travel curbs on 'dark red' zones.
Covid-19 death toll tops 50,000 in Germany as Merkel mulls border checks.
A double-dip recession in the eurozone is 'increasingly inevitable' due to Covid-19, with France among the countries seriously hit, experts warn.
Nord Stream 2: MEPs call for halt to Russian gas pipeline.
EU’s Michel phones Putin to demand Navalny’s 'immediate release'.
Moscow police vow to 'suppress' pro-Navalny rallies.
Russia detains Navalny aides as protests go viral.
Former Bosnian general given 10-year sentence for war crimes.
Former Vatican bank chief sentenced to 9 years for embezzlement.
British court sends 4 to prison for 2019 lorry deaths of 39 migrants.
AMERICAS
Chuck Schumer says Nancy Pelosi will send the Senate Donald Trump's impeachment article on Monday, immediately kicking off start of the trial.
Biden to sign executive orders to boost food benefits, workers’ rights as part of Covid relief push.
John Kerry commits US to climate crisis fight but warns world is way off pace.
Yellen wins unanimous Senate panel vote for Treasury despite Republican tax, debt concerns.
White House to begin policy review on North Korea.
PM Trudeau sees 'new era' of Canada-U.S. relations before first call with Biden.
Mexico calls for DEA internal probe of 'fabricated' case against minister.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US military moves to Try Bali bomb suspects at Guantanamo.
Baghdad suicide bombings highlight IS group's enduring threat.
White House launches sweeping review of domestic terror threats.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
IBM, Intel slump weighs on Wall Street as coronavirus concerns rise.
Pfizer offers 40 mn Covid shots to poorer countries at cost.
Google threatens to block Australia from search engine.
