The Life News South Africa Jan 1, 2021

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News from World, Worldwide readership.

Vol. 02 Issue 13 Jan 01, 2021

Pence asks judges to reject lawsuit

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

Legal advisors for Vice President Mike Pence gave a documenting requesting that a government judge reject a claim looking to extend his capacity to topple the discretionary votes cast in the 2020 official political race.

The recording requests that a government judge reject the claim by Rep. Louis Gohmert, R-Texas, and a few Arizona Republicans, saying that Pence isn’t the right respondent and that the issue ought to rather be routed to Congress.

“Offended parties have given this Court a crisis movement raising a large group of profound legitimate issues

about the way in which the discretionary decisions in favor of President are to be tallied,” Pence’s documenting states. “Be that as it may, these offended party’s suit is certainly not a legitimate vehicle for tending to those issues since offended parties have sued some unacceptable litigant.”

Gohmert’s claim expresses that the Electoral Count Act illegally requires Pence to maintain the Electoral College tally affirmed by the states and that the twelfth Amendment awards him “selective power and sole watchfulness” to decide if the balloters set forth by the state are substantial and to supplant them with Trumpdesignated voters. Pence’s

documenting noticed that Gohmert’s advantages are not adequately contradicted to his own to legitimize a claim, as their case would grow the VP’s forces.

“The VP - the solitary respondent for this situation - is incidentally the very individual whose powers they look to advance,” it states. “A suit to set up that the VP has watchfulness over the check, recorded against the VP, is a mobile legitimate inconsistency.” House General Counsel Doug Letter likewise documented an amicus brief requiring the excusal of Gohmert’s case, depicting it as a “extremist takeoff from our sacred techniques and steady administrative practices.”

executive and secure monetary help from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Accordingly, he has attempted to persuade individuals regarding Kabila’s collusion to desert to another political alliance, known as the Sacred Union, that will uphold his plan.

Tshisekedi enlisted an early triumph on Dec. 10 when the lower place of parliament casted a ballot to eliminate a Kabila partner as speaker.

Late on Thursday, he assigned Senator Modeste Bahati as a facilitator whose errand will be to decide if the Sacred Union has the help of a lion’s share of lawmakers.

Bahati will have a 30-day command, which can be recharged once, the administration said in an assertion.In the event that Tshisekedi is fruitful, the new parliamentary lion’s share could start a movement of no certainty against the public authority of Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga, a Kabila partner.

Tshisekedi, a long-term adversary of Kabila, won office by crushing Kabila’s picked replacement in the December 2018 political race, even as autonomous onlookers said another resistance up-andcomer had won.

Congo’s Tshisekedi looking for new parliamentary base

TL Bureau, Kinshasa

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has requested that a representative work out in the event that he can develop another alliance of allies in parliament that could help him power out a bureau overwhelmed by benefactors of his archetype, Joseph Kabila.

Tshisekedi moved a month ago to end an abnormal force sharing alliance he was constrained into with Kabila, who ventured down in January 2019 following 18 years in office yet whose partners actually controlled greater parts in parliament.

Tshisekedi says divisions in the collusion have baffled his endeavors to address equipped savagery in the mineral-rich east, change the legal

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United Kingdom off into the Brexit

TL Bureau, London/Brussels The United Kingdom left the European Union’s circle on Thursday, betraying a furious 48-year contact with the European task for an unsure post-Brexit future in its most critical international move since the deficiency of realm.

Brexit, generally, occurred at the strike of 12 PM in Brussels, or 2300 London time (GMT), when the United Kingdom finished the true participation, known as the progress period, which kept going 11 months after it officially left on Jan. 31.

For a very long time, the excited gyrations of the Brexit emergency ruled European undertakings, frequented the authentic business sectors and discolored the United Kingdom’s standing as a certain mainstay of Western monetary and political security.

Following quite a while of Brexit disdain, perhaps the main occasions in European history since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union passed with little exhibition: The United Kingdom sneaked away, entertained by the quietness of the COVID-19 emergency.

Allies cast Brexit as the beginning of a recently autonomous “worldwide Britain”, yet it has debilitated the bonds that quandary England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland into a $3 trillion economy.

“This is an astounding second for this nation,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 56, said in his New Year’s Eve message. “We have our opportunity in our grasp and it is dependent upon us to capitalize on it.”

As EU pioneers and residents bade goodbye, Johnson said there would be no huge fire of guidelines to assemble a “scratch and dent section Dickensian Britain” and that the nation would remain the “quintessential European human progress”. In any case, Johnson, the essence of the Brexit lobby, has been lacking in insight regarding what he needs to work with Britain’s “freedom” - or how to do it while getting record adds up to pay for the COVID-19 emergency.

His kid father, Stanley Johnson, who casted a ballot to stay in 2016, said he was currently applying for a French visa.

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H

ereditary transformations that fuel protection from a medication expected to forestall jungle fever in pregnant ladies and kids are basic in nations that are battling the infection, as per a PLOS Genetics examination.

Transformations of a quality connected with protection from the medication sulfadoxinepyrimethamine in the parasite that causes jungle fever were found in onefourth of the examples gathered in southeast Asia and 33% of those got in Africa, the analysts said.

The development in the quantity of jungle fever parasites with transformations to the quality pfgch1 are concerning on the grounds that they may expand protection from the medication, they said.

“We need to see how these transformations work and screen them as a feature of intestinal sickness observation programs,” study co-creator Taane Clark, a teacher of genomics and worldwide wellbeing at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said in an assertion.

Intestinal sickness causes in excess of 400,000 passings overall yearly, with most happening in small kids in sub-Saharan Africa, as per the World Health Organization.

Endeavors to control the infection have been hampered by the ascent of medication safe strains of the parasite species that causes the illness, as per Clark and his partners.

Sulfadoxinepyrimethamine, when a first-line hostile to intestinal sickness therapy, presently is utilized basically to forestall disease in pregnant ladies and youngsters in light of

Genetic mutations that cause malaria drug resistance common

the fact that the parasite Plasmodium falciparum has gotten impervious to it, the scientists said.

Jungle fever is spread when female Anopheles gambiae mosquitos conveying the parasite nibble people and feed on their blood, as per the scientists.

For the investigation, Clark and associates dissected genome arrangements from 4,134 blood tests of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite gathered from 29 nations in which intestinal sickness is endemic.

They found in any event 10 distinct forms of the quality in the examples, which they said shows that strains conveying the transformations might be on the ascent.

The development in these transformations could undermine endeavors to utilize sulfadoxinepyrimethamine to forestall intestinal sickness in networks at high-hazard for serious infection, the scientists said.

Nonetheless, with the distinguishing proof of these changes, analysts might have the option to screen their essence in parasite populaces to comprehend where the medication can be utilized successfully and where paces of medication opposition as of now are excessively high.

That might be especially critical given that a different examination, additionally distributed

Thursday by PLOS Pathogens, discovered that numerous episodes of blood taking care of by intestinal sickness conveying mosquitos abbreviate the hatching period for the infection and increment its transmission potential. An extra blood feed three days after contamination with Plasmodium falciparum quickens the development of the intestinal sickness parasite, shortening the brooding period needed before transmission to people can happen, the specialists said.Given that mosquitoes feed on blood on various occasions in normal settings, intestinal sickness transmission potential is likely higher than recently suspected, making illness end more troublesome, they said.

Furthermore, parasite development is quickened

editorial

in hereditarily changed mosquitoes with diminished conceptive limit, proposing that control procedures utilizing this methodology, with the point of smothering Anopheles populaces, may accidentally help jungle fever transmission, as indicated by the analysts.

The parasites can likewise be sent by more youthful mosquitoes, which are less defenseless to bug sprays, the specialists said.

The discoveries could help to all the more precisely comprehend intestinal sickness transmission potential and better gauge the genuine effect of ebb and flow and future mosquito control measures, as per the specialists.

“We needed to catch the way that, in endemic locales, jungle fever communicating mosquitoes are benefiting from blood generally every a few days,” study cocreator W. Robert Shaw said in an assertion. “Our examination shows that this regular conduct emphatically advances the transmission capability of jungle fever parasites, in beforehand undervalued ways,” said Shaw, an exploration researcher at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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world

WHO Chief Warns Against Attacks on Science During Pandemic TL Bureau, Vienna

The international community will win the fight against the coronavirus if it takes the lessons of 2020 to heart, dpa cited the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) as saying in a video statement published on Wednesday.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a decisive factor would be whether we would allow

conspiracy theories and attacks of science to prevail, or whether we could master the last stretch of the crisis together.

In 2020, false information had led to unnecessary suffering, Ghebreyesus said. “There is light at the end of the tunnel,” he added, pointing to the deployment of a vaccine and other efforts to defeat the pandemic that has gripped the world for the past year.

Coronavirus Variant Found in Britain Detected in U.S. for 1st Time

TL Bureau, Washington

Local health officials in the western state of Colorado yesterday, on Tuesday announced the United States’ first known case of a potentially more transmissible coronavirus variant spreading in Britain, Kyodo reported.

A man in his 20s, who has no travel history, was confirmed to have contracted the virus variant and is recovering in isolation, the office of the state governor said in a press release. “The individual has no close contacts identified so far, but public

health officials are working to identify other potential cases and contacts through thorough contact tracing interviews,” it said. “There is a lot we don’t know about this new COVID-19 variant, but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious,” Gov. Jared Polis said, adding that authorities are working to contain the virus “at all levels.”

The announcement is another blow to a country that has already suffered the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the world.

Enactment of Legal Peace Legislation to Restore Sudan’s Sovereign Immunities

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

With the enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act on December 28, the way is clear for victims of the 1998 East African Embassy bombings, the 2000 attack on USS Cole, and the 2008 murder of USAID employee John Granville, to receive long-awaited compensation for their immeasurable losses.

The $335 million previously provided by Sudan and to be released to the United States from escrow is in addition to the compensation Sudan has already paid to some victims of the Cole attack as part of a private settlement.

Achieving compensation for

The United States is designating the Venezuelan judge and prosecutor who presided over and prosecuted the November 2020 trial and sentencing of six U.S. persons known as the “Citgo 6.” These Americans have been unjustly imprisoned in Venezuela since November 2017 after being

lured to Caracas under false pretenses.

Lorena Carolina Cornielles Ruiz (Cornielles) presided over the trial of the Citgo 6 while Ramon Antonio Torres Espinoza (Torres) was the prosecutor representing the illegitimate Maduro regime.

As such, these two officials played critical roles in the kangaroo court trials of each of the Citgo

This historic step is possible because of the courageous actions of the Sudanese people, who have placed their country on a path towards democracy and economic prosperity. The leadership of the civilian-led Transitional Government in delivering on the demands of the people of Sudan is integral to the success of this transition.

We commend the Sudanese people for their continued insistence on freedom, peace, and justice, and we congratulate Prime Minister Hamdok and the civilian-led Transitional Government for their courage in advancing both the aspirations of the people they serve and the cause of regional peace under the Abraham Accords

Morauta’s family and the people of Papua New Guinea on his passing. Sir Mekere made invaluable contributions to the political and economic institutions of his country during his time in office.

In this time of mourning, we extend our deepest sympathy and reassurances that the United States will long remember Sir Mekere as a leading statesman and dedicated public servant

TL Bureau, Amman

Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has condemned the terror attack that targeted Aden airport on Wednesday, coinciding with arrival of the new Yemeni government to Aden city, which killed and injured a number of people.

In a press statement, the Ministry’s Spokesperson Dhaifallah Fayez affirmed Jordan’s strong

condemnation and denouncement of this cowardly terror attack, its rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism, aimed at destabilizing Yemen’s security and stability.

The Ministry also blasted attempts to impede efforts targeting to stop deterioration in Yemen, end the conflict, achieve peace, and meet aspirations of the Yemeni people for growth and prosperity, the statement added.

regarding border and cargo security. To confront emerging digital threats, both sides expressed their commitment to greater coordination and cooperation toward bolstering cyber resilience, combatting cybercrime, and strengthening critical infrastructure protection measures. In this regard, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States expressed their intention to establish informationsharing mechanisms to enhance operational collaboration.

The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States announced their intention to strengthen judicial and law enforcement cooperation to combat transnational crime and terrorism by sharing evidence and information used to investigate and prosecute these crimes. These bilateral efforts will demonstrate the strength of existing law enforcement-to-law enforcement cooperation and build on efforts

to counter transnational crimes and terrorism of all forms. Both countries affirmed their intention to take further steps to cut off terrorism financing. In this regard, the United States expressed its appreciation for the continued commitment of the Kingdom of Bahrain to strengthen its antimoney laundering practices, increase information-sharing with the United States, and support joint action against terrorist financiers.

The Strategic Dialogue addressed the importance of achieving mutual prosperity through increased trade and investment across sectors, noting the importance of the U.S.Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2006. The participants discussed the expansion of the friendly people-to-people ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States across educational, cultural exchange, scientific, and environmental collaboration.

On the Passing of Former Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Morauta

TL Bureau, Washinton DC.

On behalf of the Government of the United States, I want to convey my condolences and respect to former Prime Minister Sir Mekere

The United States Sanctions Venezuelan Officials Involved in Unjust Sentencing of the Citgo 6

TL Bureau , Washington D.C.

these victims of terrorism has been a top priority of the Department. We are pleased to have been able to work with Congress on this legislation while also preserving the ability of 9/11 victims with pending claims against Sudan to continue to pursue those claims.

The enactment of this legislation represents a fundamental change in Sudan’s relationship with not only the United States but also the entire international community. It removes a major impediment to Sudan’s full reintegration into the global economy by reducing the risk of attachment of Sudan’s assets, opening the possibility for substantially increased trade and investment.

executives. These proceedings were marred by a lack of fair trial guarantees and based on politically motivated charges, and media and human rights groups were denied access to the trials.

These six men and their families have suffered long enough. It is time for Maduro to release the Citgo 6 and let them be reunited with their families

Jordan Condemns Terror Attack on Aden Airport

Joint Statement of the United States-Bahrain Strategic Dialogue

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

His Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo launched the U.S. – Bahrain Strategic Dialogue this month. The Strategic Dialogue demonstrates the joint commitment of both countries to bolster their collective efforts to broaden and elevate their bilateral partnership. The Strategic Dialogue, held virtually over a two-week period, focused on cross-cutting priority areas of cooperation to enhance prosperity through trade and investment, strengthen mutual security, and build understanding through people-to-people exchanges in education, culture, science, and environment. The participants

discussed U.S. support for the Kingdom of Bahrain, a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States, in its efforts to enhance its military and security capabilities and the longstanding U.S.-Bahrain security relationship. The United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain reiterated their joint commitment to deter and confront external threats to the Kingdom of Bahrain and improve regional stability.

The launch of the Strategic Dialogue reflects the determination of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States to work closely together to maximize opportunities to accelerate their mutual peace and security objectives. These include achieving shared human rights goals such as the advancement of women, combatting human trafficking, protecting and promoting international labor and human rights standards, and reinforcing their bilateral

exchange of best practices. The United States recognized the progress the Kingdom of Bahrain has made toward its labor reforms and efforts to combat human trafficking and commended its Tier 1 status in the U.S. Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report for the third year in a row. The Strategic Dialogue discussed advancing cooperation in law enforcement and maritime and border security to tackle old and new security challenges.

To provide for maximum security and stability for both nations, confronting terrorism and transnational crimes and other states’ malign activity, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States announced their intention to enter into security partnerships to improve information-sharing, exchange expertise, and build capacity, including through concluding Memoranda of Cooperation

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Canadian Prime Minister to mark the New Year TL Bureau, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement to mark the New Year: “Tonight, across the country, Canadians will count down to midnight to welcome a new year, and reflect on the one that has passed.

“This year has been challenging for many of us. We have experienced a global pandemic that has threatened our health, our economy, and our very way of life. We have seen acts of senseless violence that have devastating impacts on our communities. And, we have heard heartbreaking stories and calls for justice from racialized Canadians and Indigenous peoples, demanding that we act now to address racism, discrimination, and injustices in our country.

“Through the mental, physical, and financial toll of these past 12 months, we have also seen Canadians show strength, resilience, and a willingness to work together. Communities have taken steps to support their most vulnerable, families and businesses have made sacrifices

to keep others safe, and people from coast to coast to coast have fought for a better, fairer future for everyone. These actions should inspire us all as we move into the next year.

“In 2021, we will continue our fight against COVID-19 with a renewed sense of hope.

Canadians have already started to receive doses of safe and effective vaccines. We have the most diverse vaccine portfolio of any country, and we continue to work with provinces and territories, and Indigenous communities and partners, to ensure that all Canadians will have free access to vaccines as soon as possible. We will also keep doing what it takes, for as long as it takes, to support people and businesses through the crisis.

“Businesses, entrepreneurs, workers, and all Canadians have shown incredible resilience and resolve throughout the many challenges they have faced this year. And we have taken action to have people’s backs every step of the way. We created measures like the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Business Account, and the new

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to help hundreds of thousands of businesses, charities, and nonprofits pay their bills and keep their workers on the payroll. We have also supported Canadians who have lost their income due to the pandemic – including the 8.9 million Canadians who received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit this year – and are continuing to provide income support through new recovery benefits and changes to Employment Insurance.

“The challenges we have faced this year have shown how important it is to build back better. As we recover from this crisis, we must take every opportunity to make our country stronger, more sustainable, and more just for everyone. That means building a more inclusive economy, and working with our partners to address the systemic barriers that discriminate against too many Canadians, making it harder for them to succeed.

It means taking further climate action, and investing in clean energy and technologies. And it means taking action to ensure all Canadians are safe, involved, and supported in their communities.

world

Italy reports 555 coronavirus deaths on Thursday, 23,477 new cases TL Bureau, Rome Italy reported 555 coronavirusrelated deaths on Thursday against 575 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 23,477 from 16,202.

There were 186,004 swab tests carried out in the past day, the ministry said, up from a previous 169,045, according to Reuters.

Italy has seen an official total of 74,159 COVID-19 deaths since its outbreak came to light on Feb. 21, the highest toll in Europe and the fifth highest in the world.

A report on Wednesday by national statistics bureau ISTAT which looked at deaths from all causes since the start of the pandemic suggested the number of coronavirus victims in Italy is

probably higher than indicated by official data.

Italy has also reported 2.107 million cases to date, the health ministry said.

Patients in hospital with COVID-19 stood at 23,151 on Thursday, down by 415 from the day before. There were 202 new admissions to intensive care units, compared with 175 on Wednesday.

The current number of intensive care patients rose by 27 -- the first increase for at least a month -- to 2,555, reflecting those who died or were discharged after recovery.

When Italy’s second wave of the epidemic was accelerating fast in the first half of November, hospital admissions were rising by about 1,000 per day, while intensive care occupancy was increasing by about 100 per day.

Aryeh Lightstone Designated as U.S. Special Envoy for Economic Normalization TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State I am pleased to announce that I have designated Aryeh Lightstone to serve as the U.S. Special Envoy for Economic Normalization. As special envoy, Aryeh Lightstone will represent U.S. interests in normalizing economic relations between

Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Kosovo, and Morocco.

Designating Mr. Lightstone as Special Envoy will contribute to the speed and the efficiency of the normalization process and create momentum for the Abraham Accords. I am confident other countries will be encouraged to join and solidify the Accords against the outside factors that seek to undermine them

U.S. Vote Against the United Never Alone, Together as One - NATO in 2020 Nations 2021 Program Budget TL Bureau, Brussels

TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Today, the United States called for a vote in the UN General Assembly to register strong objections to certain elements of the UN’s annual Program Budget.

In particular, it is outrageous that the UN will fund in 2021 an event to promote the objectives of the Durban Declaration – a document saturated with anti-Semitism, anti-Israel bias, and hostility toward freedom of expression.

Over the last 20 years, the United

States has consistently opposed the corrosive Durban process.

We call on all UN member states to seek new means to address constructively and inclusively the challenge of racism and racial discrimination. The United Nations should never serve as a platform for those determined to divide and diminish, but sadly that is all too often the case.

For our part, we will continue to hold the United Nations to a higher standard.

Belgium Condemns Terrorist Attack on Aden Airport

TL Bureau, Brussels : Belgium has condemned the attack perpetrated on Aden airport after the new government had just landed there.In a statement issued by Belgium’s Foreign Ministry today, Belgium calls on all parties to continue to engage towards a lasting political solution to the conflict, offering condolences to the families of the victims.

Sudan Condemns Terrorist Attack on Aden airport

TL Bureau, Khartoum : Sudan strongly denounced the terrorist attack which took place yesterday at Aden airport, targeting the Yemeni cabinet’s members of the newly-appointed Yemeni government and resulted in fatalities and injuries. In a statement issued by the Sudanese Foreign Ministry today, Sudan affirmed that this terrorist act targets the positive steps that have been achieved in the formation of the new Yemeni government and the implementation of the military side under the Riyadh Agreement.

2020 was a difficult year for all of us. But amid the uncertainty, NATO provided stability and security – helping with COVID-19 relief efforts and carrying out our core task of keeping people safe.

It’s not clear how much longer this pandemic will last. Like everyone, we’re looking forward to a new year and a fresh start. Whatever the new year brings, we will continue to stand in solidarity in response to the pandemic and support civilian efforts that help save lives.

Our forces will remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any threat. And we will continue to adapt and evolve over a new decade of

Haiti’s Independence Day TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I send greetings to the people of Haiti as you celebrate the 217th anniversary of Haiti’s independence.

Haiti’s long history as a nation demonstrates the resolve of the Haitian people in overcoming adversity in the hope of a brighter future.

On Haiti’s Independence Day, we recognize the indomitable spirit that is the strength of the Haitian people, and we stand with them in the face

of political, security, and economic challenges.

The United States has continued to invest in the future of Haiti’s citizens through humanitarian, education, and health partnerships, rooted in our shared democratic values. I hope that in 2021, all sectors of Haitian society will work together to strengthen democratic institutions, protect human rights, fight corruption, and promote economic growth to achieve a stable, prosperous, and self-reliant Haiti.

I extend best wishes for health, peace, and prosperity to the people of Haiti. Happy Independence Day and Happy New Year.

innovation and cooperation, and rise to meet the challenges of the future

France’s New Daily COVID-19 Cases A Little Down But Still close to 20,000 TL Bureau, Paris

The French health ministry reported 19,927 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours today, on Thursday, down from Wednesday’s more than one-month high of 26,457 but still far from the government’s target of less than 5,000 daily additional infections, according to Reuters.

France, which has been criticized for a vaccination campaign seen as too slow, did nonetheless see the number of persons hospitalised for the disease decline for the third day running, relieving some stress on the healthcare system.

France’s cumulative total of cases now stands at 2,620,425, the fifth-highest in the world. The seven-day moving average of new infections stands at 13,274. The COVID-19 death toll was up by 251, at 64,632, versus a seven day moving average of 338.

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COVID-19 vaccine “not only weapon to end pandemic”

TL Bureau, Cape Town

Leading experts in South Africa’s vaccine procurement strategy say while securing a COVID-19 vaccine is top of the country’s agenda, it is not a magic bullet that will end the pandemic.

“There is a general misunderstanding and we need to clarify that once the vaccines arrive on our doorstep, that is not the end of the epidemic.

“The first branches will go to protect healthcare workers and will have no effect on the population as such.

“Then there will be immunisation of the population and that is going to take a long time,” said Professor Barry Schoub, who is the Ministerial Advisory Committee chairperson on vaccine development.

Schoub, together with the Health Department Deputy Director General, Dr Anban Pillay, and South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) extramural unit researcher, Safura Abdool Karim, engaged in a panel discussion broadcast by the SABC on the COVID-19 vaccine outlook in 2021.

The panel discussion on vaccine procurement comes as South Africa recorded its highest daily infections,

SA records highest daily record with 17 710 COVID-19 cases TL Bureau, Cape Town

South Africa has as of Wednesday recorded a staggering 17 710 new cases - bringing the country’s cumulative total of COVID-19 cases to 1 039 161, indicating a positivity rate of 33%.

“The positivity rate, being an indicator of the rapidity of spread, remains of major concern,” said Health Minister, Dr Zwelini Mkhize. A further 465 people lost their lives to COVID-19. Of these deaths 88 were recorded in Eastern Cape, Free State 4, Gauteng 41, KwaZulu-Natal 144, Limpopo 16, Northern Cape 7 and Western Cape 165. This brings the total deaths to 28 033 deaths.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health care workers who treated the deceased,” said the Minister. To date Eastern Cape has recorded 169 363 COVID-19 cases, Free State 62 287, Gauteng 282 624, KwaZulu-Natal 194 629, Limpopo 24 106, Mpumalanga 36 159, North West 39 531, Northern Cape 25 164 and Western Cape 205 280. A cumulative 6 553 761 tests have been conducted with 53 279 tests completed since the last report.

SOUTH AFRICA

North West urged to adhere to level 3 regulations

with 17 710 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the country’s cumulative total to 1 039 161.

South Africa is set to receive initial vaccines from the COVAX facility to cover 10% of its population in the early part of 2021.

Priority of the vaccine roll out will begin with healthcare workers, the elderly and those with comorbidities.

“The COVAX facility has indicated that we should expect delivery of the vaccine in quarter two [of 2021].

“They are trying very hard to get us delivery before that. If they succeed with the manufacturers, then we may get delivery earlier but we do not have a specific date as yet.

“COVAX indicated to us that in early January, they will have a firm date on when exactly that delivery will come through and we will certainly communicate that as soon as we hear what that date is,” said Pillay.

Dispelling some misconceptions that government failed to procure the vaccine on time, Karim explained the historic inequity within the procurement of medicine.

“The one thing I would want to dispute is the idea that our situation

is as a result of poor planning. The reason South Africa is not able to access the vaccine is in the way the US and UK have is that we are not a wealthy country and that is a historic inequity.

“Poorer countries are always left behind when it comes to health interventions and that is not a result of our government not wanting a vaccine. That is a result of a system that prioritises profits over people’s lives,” said Karim.

Additionally, Pillay said South Africa wants to acquire a vaccine with the best efficacy, which will be easily stored for mass roll out.

“One needs to bear in mind that the Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at -70 degrees Celsius.

Many countries did not opt to go with the Pfizer vaccine as a mass vaccination programme because it is very difficult to do that, particularly in a country like South Africa and many other developing nations that do not have storage capacity for -70 degrees.“We have commercially only two large storage facilities that will keep a -70 degrees vaccine. So we would not be able to keep the large quantities that are required to vaccinate many people,” he said.

TL Bureau, Cape Town

North West Premier, Professor Job Mokgoro, has encouraged communities to adhere to level 3 regulations so as to alleviate pressure on healthcare workers.

While chairing the virtual Provincial Command Council meeting on Tuesday evening, the Premier said people should stay at home, respect all health protocols and observe the rules of the road when travelling during this holiday period.

The Command Council expressed concern about the non-adherence to health protocols, particularly at various post offices where COVID-19 social relief of distress grants are collected.

As a result, the council directed law enforcement and compliance officers to closely monitor these areas during this period, and enforce compliance.

Law enforcement was also directed to monitor social gatherings that are

prohibited under level 3, community behavior and adherence to the regulations, including the number of people attending funerals and adherence to curfew hours.“With the number of hospital cases steadily increasing in Bojanala Platinum District, which is now a hotspot, the Command Council received a report on the Department of Health’s state of readiness to respond to the surge, including the continuous monitoring of hospitals’ capacity to admit patients,” the North West provincial government said on Wednesday. The meeting welcomed the cancellation of year-end events that were planned by the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation in response to the restrictions imposed on all social gatherings during the adjusted alert level 3.

The provision of additional food parcels has been arranged for distribution, where needed, across the four districts of the province.

TL Bureau, Cape Town

the number of CIT incidents in the province, and to subsequently strengthen relations and enhance cooperation between the SAPS and the industry.

“If we want to make a positive impact and mitigate this emerging urban terror, we will need to work hard on building a value-driven relationship with operational plans that are more proactive rather than reactive,” said the Lieutenant General.

Comparing the rate of occurrence of incidents this year to last year’s rate, Lieutenant General Mawela confirmed that there is a worrying spike in the rate and frequency of incidents of cash-in-transit robberies in Gauteng. He added that urgent intervention and attention is required from all stakeholders.

The Commissioner emphasised the importance

of reviewing existing plans and strengthening relations whereby both law enforcement and industry partners will with immediate effect, put measures in place and embark on rigorous operations focusing on averting/preventing incidents; response time; arrests; and prosecutorialled investigations.

Mawela commended industry partners for the establishment of the CITASA (Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa) and the subsequent rollout of a state-of-the-art operational command centre where the SAPS will be represented. The SAPS will have access to shared services and technologies that will enhance efforts to flatten the spike in relation to cash-in-transit robberies.

“In addressing CIT robberies, we need to take cognisance of the

fact that various secondary crimes emanate from these robberies and this ultimately has a bearing on the total crime picture of the province. One CIT robbery may at the end of the day result in additional crimes being recorded such as: malicious damage to property relating to the armoured vehicle; attempted murder and murder where in some instances security guards, police members and/or suspects have been shot and injured or killed; robbery of the money, hijacking for suspects’ getaway, and other crimes,” said Mawela.

At the meeting, all stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to work together with the SAPS and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) towards eradicating cashin-transit robberies and related crimes

Concern at spike in cash-intransit incidents in Gauteng

Gauteng’s provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has met with representatives of the cashin-transit (CIT) industry following a spike in the number of CIT incidents in the province.Mawela, together with his Deputy responsible for Policing, Major General Tommy Mthombeni and the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, led a delegation of senior officers from Crime Intelligence, Visible Policing and Detectives in Wednesday’s urgent engagement with CIT industry partners.

The intention of the engagement was to urgently address the recent upsurge in

6

7

BUSINESS

Victorian town shows true grit in months following bushfire

TL Bureau, Parramatta

New Year’s Eve 2019 in Mallacoota is a day locals will never forget.

This time last year, the small town – located in the East Gippsland region of Victoria – was home to a sky painted an angry shade of red. That fateful day approximately 4,000 tourists and residents were forced to take shelter on the local beach, waiting for the Australian navy to safely evacuate them. From the beach, they helplessly watched the small town of Mallacoota succumb to one of the worst bushfires on record.

Authorities estimated that more than 120 structures in Mallacoota were destroyed by the bushfire, including at least 100 homes.

A number of the area’s small businesses were also left devastated by the bushfire, including the Mallacoota Pony Club, Golf and Country Club, and local Surf Life Saving Club. Prior to the fires, the Mallacoota Pony Club had worked hard to improve and maintain its facilities and expand into sporting and educational horsemanship programs. Unfortunately, the bushfire managed to destroy the clubhouse, office, round yard, jumping area, and cross country course, as well as the club’s holding yards, fencing, gates, maintenance tools and all horseriding equipment.

As a result, the club was in desperate need of financial support. As part of Commonwealth Bank’s Bushfire Recovery Grants program, the club was given $50,000 to fund the rebuilding of the Pony Club, including the construction of new boundary fences and gates. The money was also used to fund much needed clubhouse resources such as chairs, tables, uniforms, teaching manuals, saddles and saddle racks.

NSW town given a fresh start following

devastating fires Picton Rural Fire Service gets a makeover Adelaide Hills on road to recovery following bushfires Cate Tregellas, Secretary of Mallacoota Pony Club, said the first few months following the fires had been challenging to say the least, and the only thing that helped the club pull through was the ongoing community support.

“The support we received is what kept us going after the total devastation of our club and we’re incredibly grateful to those who helped us or simply offered a shoulder to cry on,” she said. “We were delighted when we learned CommBank selected the club for a $50,000 donation.

This will go a really long way in rescuing our club, bringing it back to life and open for business again once we’re past the coronavirus.” Over the course of 2020, the bank provided 213 Bushfire Recovery Grants to different organisations that were impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires. The Mallacoota Golf and Country Club and Surf Life Saving Club also received Bushfire

Recovery Grants from the bank to the value of $44,500 and $50,000 respectively. During the Mallacoota bushfire, the town’s Surf Life Saving Club had its first aid caravan destroyed – ruining uniforms, flags, signs, first aid equipment and supplies. Worse still, the caravan and its contents were uninsured.

The club’s president, Simon Berry, said the $50,000 Bushfire Recovery Grant is being used to construct a purpose-built emergency management facility. The facility will be used to respond to emergency situations, host incident management team meetings, and provide the club’s members with a bathroom and change room. “As the only emergency service present at the beach areas we patrol, our first-aid skills and equipment can be lifesaving in the event of an emergency,” Mr Berry told the local newspaper, Eden Magnet, in November. “Having access to an incident management, storage, and training area is vital for our club to meet its requirements as an emergency service. Mallacoota has

faced ‘catastrophic fire risk’ conditions for the last three summers and is likely to do so again in future years. So a facility which provides services to locals and tourists, as well as support during natural disasters is a major asset to the community.” Commonwealth Bank’s Head of Community Investment, Nathan Barker, said the bank was proud to be able to help so many organisations and communities impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires. “Mallacoota was left devastated following last year’s bushfire season. While the recovery process is still underway, the way the community has rallied and worked hard to rebuild and recover is inspirational,” he said. “At Commonwealth Bank, we are committed to supporting the communities in which we serve, and the 2020 Bushfire Recovery Grants program is just one of the ways we have shown that support.”

In addition to the 213 grants provided to organisations across Australia through the Bushfire Recovery Grants program, the bank and its customers donated in excess of $4 million to the Australian Red Cross, and raised over $350,000 via the ‘Fiver4Fires’ National Staff Fundraising Day. “Through our Bushfire Recovery Grants Program and various fundraising efforts, the bank has donated more than $10 million to fire-impacted communities across Australia,” Mr Barker said.

“2020 has been a tough for year for so many Australians in more ways than one, and we wanted to do whatever we could to ensure 2021 is a brighter and better year.”To commemorate 12 months following Australia’s devastating bushfires, over the coming weeks and months CBA Newsroom will share some of the stories of hope and optimism that the bank was privy to through our Bushfire Recovery Grants program.

A year like no other

TL Bureau, Parramatta Unprecedented challenges – that is the way CommSec’s chief economist Craig James defines 2020.

Sharing his reflections on the year that was in a podcast with CBA Newsroom, Mr James said 2020 had been a year like no other.

“2020 was certainly like nothing we had ever seen before. You have to go back to the year 1918 or 1919 to see a similar situation. While 2020 certainly brought with it its own set of challenges, we are ending the year with a degree of optimism,” he said.

At the beginning of the year, Mr James said things were looking pretty positive for Australia.

While the country faced some domestic challenges – including the devastating bushfires – the federal government seemed to be

in a good fiscal position. “As we moved further into January, we

had some resolution from China regarding their trade dispute with

the United States. We also had some resolution about Brexit. With those two things out of the way, things were actually looking very good.

Then COVID hit and the world changed in a very short period of time,” he said.

The Australian share market took a hit in February and March 2020 as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Tasmania leads the nation: CommSec State of the States “We had a 22-day period where the Australian share market lost 37 per cent. If you look at the Australian dollar, in January it was approximately US68 cents – US69 cents. By late February early March, it got down to as low as US57.6 cents – a dramatic impact in terms of the risk appetite,” Mr James said.

According to Mr James, investors were fearful as they hadn’t seen anything like COVID-19 before.

But as the year progressed, it seemed the pessimistic predictions had been overly and unnecessarily dire. “Domestically, we had the expectation that the unemployment rate would soar well over 10 per cent and we would see a very significant recession,” he said.

“It’s a credit to our federal government, state governments, territory government, the Reserve Bank and even to banks generally – we basically threw everything bar the kitchen sink in terms of providing stimulus. Now, as we reach the end of the year, we realise our first predictions were overly dire and things are actually looking a little bit more optimistic as we go into 2021.”

8

FEATURE

Stanford researchers develop labon-a-chip that turns blood test snapshots into continuous movies TL Bureau, California

BY ANDREW MYERS

For even the most routine of medical checkups, a blood test is often the first order of business.

But, for all its diagnostic power, this common test provides only a snapshot of the blood during a single moment in time.

The RT-ELISA prototype consists of three modules: in the first (bottom), blood from the subject is mixed with a solution containing beads of target proteindetecting probes and fluorescent detection antibodies. The second module (top-right) eliminates excess blood cells. And the third module (top-left), transfers the fluorescently labeled beads to a detection window for measurement by a high-speed camera. (Image credit: Caitlin Maikawa) “A blood test is great, but it can’t tell you, for example, whether insulin or glucose levels are increasing or decreasing in a patient,” said Tom Soh, a professor of electrical engineering and of radiology at Stanford.

“Knowing the direction of change is important.”

Now, Soh, in collaboration with Eric Appel, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, and colleagues have developed a technology that can provide this crucial piece of missing information. Their device, which they’ve dubbed the “Realtime ELISA,” is able to perform many blood tests very quickly and then stitch the individual results together to enable continuous, real-time monitoring of a patient’s blood chemistry. Instead of a snapshot, the researchers end up with something more like a movie.

In a new study, published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, the researchers used the device to simultaneously detect insulin and glucose levels in living diabetic laboratory rats.

But the researchers say their tool is capable of so much more because it can be easily modified to monitor virtually any protein or disease biomarker of interest.

The new device can continuously sense levels of virtually any protein or molecule in the blood. The researchers say it could be transformative for disease detection, patient monitoring and biomedical research.

Technologically, the system relies upon an existing technology called Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay – ELISA (“ee-LYZ-ah”) for short. ELISA has been the “gold standard” of biomolecular detection since the early 1970s and can identify virtually any peptide, protein, antibody or hormone in the blood. An ELISA assay is good at identifying allergies, for instance.

It is also used to spot viruses like HIV, West Nile and the SARSCoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

“We do ELISA continuously,” Soh said.

The Real-time ELISA is essentially an entire lab within a chip with tiny pipes and valves no wider than a human hair. An intravenous needle directs blood from the patient into the device’s tiny circuits where ELISA is performed over and over.

Soh likens the process to making a protein sandwich in which two molecules, or antibodies, are attached to the

protein of interest. One antibody can be custom-tailored to seek out and latch onto the specific biomarker. Once it is attached, the second antibody is activated.

This antibody fluoresces, or glows, which is monitored by a high-speed camera. Based on how brightly the blood sample glows, scientists can determine not only whether the target protein is present but also its concentration. The more target molecule exists in the blood, the brighter the sample will be.

Real-time, continuous blood monitors have been developed for a few blood markers like glucose, lactate and oxygen, but extending the technology beyond those few examples has proven “exceedingly difficult,” Soh said. This is why the Real-time ELISA’s adaptability to myriad proteins is especially promising.

“Don’t think of this as just an insulin sensor. Think of this as a way of doing ELISA in a completely new and different way,” Soh said.

The Real-time ELISA might

also prove a boon to biomedical research, providing instantaneous and detailed feedback on the effectiveness of drugs and other therapies, but Soh thinks the device will be most useful in intensive care units and emergency rooms, where time and accuracy are of the essence.

As one example, Soh points to the “cytokine storm” triggered by the disease COVID-19. As the illness sets in, the patient’s immune system kicks into high defensive alert and produces loads of disease-fighting signaling proteins, called cytokines. In some instances, the body fails to reduce the threat level even after the disease is brought under control, instead producing more and more cytokines, which can lead to sepsis and internal organ failure.

Soh envisions a future version of Real-time ELISA telling doctors whether cytokine levels in a patient are decreasing in response to treatment. Soh and his team are already at work modifying the device to measure a key cytokine, known as IL-6. Currently, IL-6 tests must be sent out to a lab for processing and it takes three days to get results back.

“In sepsis, time is key – every hour that goes by, your probability of dying increases by 8 percent,” Soh said. “Patients don’t have three days for a single test. That could have life-saving implications.”

Other Stanford co-authors on the study, titled “A fluorescence sandwich immunoassay for the real-time continuous detection of glucose and insulin in live animals,” include postdoctoral scholar Mahla Poudineh and doctoral candidate Caitlin Maikawa (co-lead authors), and professors Jelena Vuckovic and Seung Kim. The research was supported by the Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, the Stanford Diabetes Research Center Pilot Grant and the Transdisciplinary Initiative Program (TIP) of the Stanford Maternal & Child Health Research Institute.

9

life and real estate

SARS-CoV-2 Variants

TL Bureau, Geneva

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has had a major impact on human health globally; infecting a large number of people; causing severe disease and associated long-term health sequelae; resulting in death and excess mortality, especially among older and vulnerable populations; interrupting routine healthcare services; disruptions to travel, trade, education and many other societal functions; and more broadly having a negative impact on peoples physical and mental health. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has received several reports of unusual public health events possibly due to variants of SARS-CoV-2. WHO routinely assesses if variants of SARS-CoV-2 result in changes in transmissibility, clinical presentation and severity, or if they impact on countermeasures, including diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. Previous reports of the D614G mutation and the recent reports of virus variants from the Kingdom of Denmark, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of South Africa have raised interest and concern in the impact of viral changes.

A variant of SARS-CoV-2 with a D614G substitution in the gene encoding the spike protein emerged in late January or early February 2020. Over a period of several months, the D614G mutation replaced the initial SARS-CoV-2 strain identified in China and by June 2020 became the dominant form of the virus circulating globally. Studies in human respiratory cells and in animal models demonstrated that compared to the initial virus strain, the strain with the D614G substitution has increased infectivity and transmission.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus with the D614G substitution does not cause more severe illness or alter the effectiveness of existing laboratory diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, or public health preventive measures.

In August and September 2020, a SARS-CoV-2 variant linked to infection among farmed mink and subsequently transmitted to humans, was identified in North Jutland, Denmark. The variant, referred to as the “Cluster 5” variant

by Danish authorities, has a combination of mutations not previously observed. Due preliminary studies conducted in Denmark,

there is concern that this variant has may result in reduced virus neutralization in humans, which could potentially decrease the extend and duration of immune protection following natural infection or vaccination. Studies are ongoing to assess virus neutralization among humans with this variant. To date, following extensive investigation and surveillance, Danish authorities have identified only 12 human cases of the Cluster 5 variant in September 2020, and it does not appear to have spread widely.

On 14 December 2020, authorities of the United Kingdom reported to WHO a variant referred to by the United Kingdom as SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 (Variant of Concern, year 2020, month 12, variant 01). This variant contains 23 nucleotide substitutions and is not phylogenetically related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating in the United Kingdom at the time the variant was detected. How and where SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 originated is unclear. SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 initially appeared in South East England but within a few weeks began to replace other virus lineages in this geographic area and London.

As of 26 December 2020, SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 has been identified from routine sampling and genomic testing conducted across the United Kingdom . Preliminary epidemiologic, modelling, phylogenetic and clinical findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 has increased transmissibility.

However, preliminary analyses also indicate that there is no change in disease severity (as measured by length of hospitalization and 28-day case fatality), or occurrence of reinfection between variant cases compared to other SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating in the United Kingdom.1 Another of the mutations in the VOC 202012/01 variant, the deletion at position 69/70del was found to affect the performance of some diagnostic PCR assays with an S gene target. Most PCR assays in use worldwide will use multiple targets and therefore the impact of the variant on diagnostics is not anticipated to be significant. Laboratory evaluation has demonstrated no significant impact on the performance of antigen-based lateral flow devices. As of 30 December, VOC202012/01 variant has been reported in 31 other countries/territories/areas in five of the six WHO regions.

On 18 December, national authorities in South Africa announced the detection of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that is rapidly spreading in three provinces of South Africa. South Africa has named this variant 501Y.V2, because of a N501Y mutation. While SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 from the UK also has the N501Y mutation, phylogenetic analysis has shown that 501Y.V2 from South Africa are different virus variants. In the week beginning 16 November, routine sequencing by South African health authorities found that this new SARS-CoV-2 variant has largely replaced other SARSCoV-2 viruses circulating in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

While genomic data highlighted that the 501.

V2 variant rapidly displaced other lineages circulating in South Africa, and preliminary studies suggest the variant is associated with a higher viral load, which may suggest potential for increased transmissibility, this, as well as other factors that influence transmissibility, are subject of further investigation. Moreover, at this stage, there is no clear evidence of the new variant being associated with more severe disease or worse outcomes. Further investigations are needed to understand the impact on transmission, clinical severity of infection, laboratory diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, or public health preventive measures.

As of 30 December, the 501Y.V2 variant from South Africa has been reported from four other countries to date.

Public health response The authorities in the affected countries are conducting epidemiological and virological investigations to further assess the transmissibility, severity, risk of reinfection and antibody response to new variants. As one of the mutations (N501Y) – found in both the SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 and 501Y.V2 variants – is in the receptor binding domain, the authorities are investigating the neutralization activity of sera from recovered and vaccinated patients against these variants to determine if there is any impact on vaccine performance. These studies are ongoing.

Genomic data of the SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 and 501Y.V2 variants has been shared by the national authorities and uploaded to the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) and genomic

surveillance of the virus continues, globally.

The following activities have been initiated: National authorities that have reported virus variants are undertaking intensified sampling to understand how widely these new variants are circulating. National scientific teams are studying the effect of the mutations on reinfection potential, vaccination, diagnostic testing, infection-severity and transmissibility.

Researchers and government authorities are working with WHO and collaborating with members of the WHO SARS-CoV-2 virus evolution working group to assess epidemiologic, modelling, phylogenetic and laboratory findings as results become available.

WHO is working with countries to identify how current surveillance systems can be strengthened or adapted to evaluate potential virus variations through ongoing systematic clinical and epidemiologic surveillance, establishment of genetic sequencing capacity where possible, and providing access to international sequencing services to send samples for sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Risk communication and community engagement activities scaled up to explain the public health implications of SARSCoV-2 variants to the public and emphasize the importance of maintaining ongoing preventive measures to reduce transmission such as wearing face coverings, practicing hand hygiene and cough etiquette, keeping physical distance, ensuring good ventilation and avoiding crowded places. As part of WHO’s SARS-CoV-2 global laboratory network, which has monitored virus mutations from the start of the pandemic, a specific working group on virus evolution was established in June 2020, composed of experts in sequencing, bioinformatics, and in vivo and in vitro laboratory studies. The Virus Evolution Working Group works to 1) strengthen mechanisms to identify and prioritize (potentially) relevant mutations; 2) identify relevant mutations early and study the potential impacts related to viral characteristics (e.g. virulence, transmission) and effectiveness of available and future countermeasures (e.g. diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics); 3) evaluate possible mitigation strategies to reduce the negative impact of mutations; and 4) study the impact of specific mutations, including laboratory-controlled in vitro and in vivo studies of variants.

greater global effort to achieve enough vaccine supply to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere,” said Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products. “WHO and our partners are working night and day to evaluate other vaccines that have reached safety and efficacy standards. We encourage even more developers to come forward for review and assessment. It’s vitally important that we secure the critical supply needed to serve all countries around the world and stem the pandemic.”

Regulatory experts convened by WHO from around the world and WHO’s own teams reviewed the data on the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine’s safety, efficacy and quality as part of a risk-versus-benefit

analysis. The review found that the vaccine met the must-have criteria for safety and efficacy set out by WHO, and that the benefits of using the vaccine to address COVID-19 offset potential risks. The vaccine is also under policy review. WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) will convene on 5 January, 2021, to formulate vaccine specific policies and recommendations for this product’s use in populations, drawing from the SAGE population prioritization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines in general, issued in September 2020. The Comirnaty vaccine requires storage using an ultracold chain; it needs to be stored at -60°C to -90°C degrees. This requirement makes the vaccine more challenging

to deploy in settings where ultra-cold chain equipment may not be available or reliably accessible. For that reason, WHO is working to support countries in assessing their delivery plans and preparing for use where possible.

How the emergency use listing works The emergency use listing (EUL) procedure assesses the suitability of novel health products during public health emergencies. The objective is to make medicines, vaccines and diagnostics available as rapidly as possible to address the emergency while adhering to stringent criteria of safety, efficacy and quality. The assessment weighs the threat posed by the emergency as well as the benefit that would accrue from the use of the product against any potential risks.

WHO issues its first emergency use validation for a COVID-19 vaccine and emphasizes need for equitable global access TL Bureau, Geneva The World Health Organization (WHO) today listed the Comirnaty COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for emergency use, making the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine the first to receive emergency validation from WHO since the outbreak began a year ago. The WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) opens the door for countries to expedite their own regulatory approval processes to import and administer the vaccine.

It also enables UNICEF and the PanAmerican Health Organization to procure the vaccine for distribution to countries in need. “This is a very positive step towards ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines. But I want to emphasize the need for an even

10

What To Look For - Week 17

TL Bureau, New York

PLAYOFF PUSH: All 16 games are divisional contests in Week 17 and there are still 18 teams in contention for a trip to Super Bowl LV. There hasn’t been more teams still alive for postseason berths entering the league’s final week since 2006 (20 teams).

Six division titles have been secured, three of which feature a team that did not win their division in 2019 – the AFC East (BUFFALO BILLS), AFC North (PITTSBURGH STEELERS) and NFC West (SEATTLE SEAHAWKS).

Both the AFC South, coming down to the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS or TENNESSEE TITANS, and NFC East, with the DALLAS COWBOYS, NEW YORK GIANTS and WASHINGTON OOTBALL TEAM each still in contention for the division crown, are guaranteed to also have new winners in 2020.

The five new division winners this season will be the most in a season since

2017 (five).

Additionally, Pittsburgh won their division after missing the postseason in 2019, while two other division titles – AFC South (Indianapolis) and NFC East (Dallas, N.Y. Giants or Washington) – can be won by a team that missed the playoffs last season. At least two teams have won their divisions the season after missing the playoffs in 16 of the past 17 years.

Should Washington win the NFC East, they would complete the “worst-to-first” turnaround. At least one team has won its division the season after finishing in or tied for last place in 15 of the past 17 seasons.

The ARIZONA ARDINALS and MIAMI DOLPHINS can also qualify for the postseason this year after finishing in last place in their division last season.

Since 1990, at least four teams every season have qualified for the playoffs after failing to make the postseason the year before.

For the Week 17 playoff scenarios, click here.

SPORTS

Preview of NFL Network’s Week 17 Saturday and Sunday Programming

TL Bureau, New York

Each and every weekend, NFL Network provides extensive programming on Saturday and Sunday.​On Saturday, coverage begins at 8:00 AM ET with Around the NFL, hosted by Dan Hanzus, Gregg Rosenthal, Marc Sessler and Chris Wesseling. Coverage continues at 9:00 AM ET with Good Morning Football: Weekend, hosted by Colleen Wolfe, Michael Robinson, Shaun O’Hara and Mike Garafolo. On Sunday, NFL Network’s GameDay programming kicks off at 9:00 AM ET with the Emmy-nominated NFL GameDay Morning Presented by Lowes. Rich Eisen anchors the most comprehensive pregame show on television, joined by Pro Football Hall of Famers Michael Irvin and Kurt Warner, former head coach Steve Mariucci, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, analytics expert Cynthia Frelund, fantasy analyst Kay Adams and various NFL Network reporters stationed across the league.

NFL Network’s GameDay coverage continues at 1:00 PM ET with NFL GameDay Live – the ONLY show on television providing in-progress NFL highlights and analysis of the day’s games – and at 7:30 PM ET with NFL GameDay Highlights, which recaps the entire afternoon.

At 11:30 PM ET, NFL GameDay Final recaps the weekend’s games.

Sunday at 11:00 AM ET, NFL GameDay View streams on NFL. com, YouTube and the NFL App with

Andrew Hawkins, Cynthia Frelund and Gregg Rosenthalproviding analysis and predictions for the day’s games.

NFL RedZone hosted by Scott Hanson whips around the league providing all of the exciting plays and touchdowns as they happen starting at 1:00 PM ET. Saturday, January 2 on Good Morning Football: Weekend – 9:00 AM ET Hosts: Colleen Wolfe, Michael Robinson, Shaun O’Hara & Mike Garafolo Stacey Dales joins live from Chicago ahead of the Green Bay Packers-Chicago Bears matchup Mike Giardi previews DolphinsBills, Sara Walsh previews FalconsBuccaneers and Steve Wyche previews Cardinals-RamsMichael Robinson answers viewer questions in the Real Mike Rob Report Mike Garafolo has the latest news and notes from around the league in Mike Drop How can the Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and clinch their first playoff appearance since 2002? Good Morning Football: Weekend explains how the Chicago Bears can pull off an upset over the Green Bay Packers Which NFC East team would be the most dangerous in the playoffs?

How will the Los Angeles Rams offense change without quarterback Jared Goff? Fantasy expert Adam Rank provides fantasy advice you need to hear before you set your lineup Sunday, January 3 on NFL GameDay Morning – 9:00 AM ET Michael Irvin 1-on-1 w/ Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb

Host: Rich Eisen Analysts: Kurt Warner, Michael Irvin & Steve Mariucci Insider: Ian Rapoport Analytics Expert: Cynthia Frelund Fantasy Analyst: Kay Adams Michael Irvin sits down with Dallas Cowboys rookie wide receiver CeeDee Lamb ahead of the big game against the New York Giants Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith break down film together Warner’s Corner – Kurt Warner examines the Chicago Bears defense facing Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and their resurgent offense with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky at the helm Mooch’s Minute – Steve Mariucci breaks down running back Alvin Kamara’s six touchdown performance and his importance to the New Orleans Saints offense Football 101 – Kurt Warner and Michael Irvin break down the revitalized Dallas Cowboys passing attack Hall of Famers Only – Kurt Warner and Michael Irvin discuss their experiences having to win a game in the final week of the season to get into the playoffs and what it is like to scoreboard-watch GameDay Notebook – NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, and reporters Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero empty out their notebooks and provide news reports from around the league How do the Chicago Bears upset the Green Bay Packers and make the playoffs?

Death of Walther Tröger, IOC Honorary Member It is with great sadness that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has learnt of the death of Walther Tröger, IOC Honorary Member, at the age of 91.

TL Bureau, Lausanne

In addition to his invaluable contribution to the Olympic Movement internationally, Mr Tröger’s remarkable career as a sports administrator was marked by his successful commitment to shaping sport in Germany for several decades. Holding a degree in law from the University of Erlangen, he started in 1953 as Secretary General of the German Student Sports Association, before joining the German Sports Confederation (1961-1970) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC), where he served as Secretary General between 1970 and 1992, and as President for 10 years until 2002. During those years, Mr Tröger also served as 1st Vice-President

of the German Basketball Federation (1976-2006) and as a member of the FIBA Sports Commission (1964-1994).

He was also a member of the Executive Board, then Deputy Chairman of the German Sports Aid Foundation (1992-2002) and Chairman of the German Sports and Olympic Museum and of the Board of Directors of the Willi Daume Foundation.

Mr Tröger’s achievements were not limited to Germany alone. An avid sports fan – he practised handball, athletics, basketball, tennis and skiing – he served as IOC Sports Director between 1983 and 1990, before becoming an IOC Member in 1989 and an Honorary Member in 2010.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Walther Tröger made a great contribution to the IOC,

first as its Sports Director, then as a Member and lately as an Honorary Member. I got to know him as a person with a great passion for sport and an immense knowledge about the Olympic Movement already when we met for the first time in the 1970s, when he was Secretary General of the NOC and I was an athlete. In all his activities over the many years, Walther Tröger worked tirelessly in the administration of sport and made a major impact on the development of German and international sport.” Mr Tröger’s career was punctuated by 27 editions of the Olympic Games as a sports official. He was notably Chef de Mission at the Olympic Winter Games eight times between 1976 and 2002. During the Olympic Games Munich 1972, his role

as Mayor of the Olympic Village led him to be involved in the negotiations with the terrorist group that took Israeli athletes hostage. Throughout his IOC membership, he was involved in numerous commissions, such as the Sport for all Commission, of which he was successively Director, Chairman and an honorary member; the Olympic Programme Commission (1971-1994); and the Olympic Solidarity Commission (1985-1989). He also played a part in the success of several Olympic Games as a member of the Coordination Commission for the XVIII Olympic Winter Games in Nagano in 1998 (1992-1998), the Coordination Commission for the XIX Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2002 (1996-2002), and the

Evaluation Commission for the XX Olympic Winter Games in 2006 (1998-1999). Since 2015 he had been an Honorary Member of the Sport and Active Society Commission.

Mr Tröger received a number of distinctions during the course of his career. He received in particular the Commander’s Cross of the German Order of Merit, the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, and the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the French Republic. In 2009, he was also awarded the Olympic Order, the Olympic Movement’s highest distinction.

The IOC expresses its deepest sympathies to Walther Tröger’s family. As a mark of respect for him, the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast at the IOC Headquarters for three days.

11

tech/auto

Volkswagen significantly expands charging infrastructure

TL Bureau, Berlin

The Volkswagen brand is significantly expanding the charging infrastructure at its German sites.

Some 750 new charging points are planned for next year, including the first High Power Charging stations with up to 300 kW power.

Some 2,000 charging points in total are expected to be in operation by the end of 2021 – over 50 percent more than at present. Currently, there are already more than 1,200 charging points at Volkswagen’s ten sites in Germany.

A large share are publicly accessible and can also be used by EV drivers who do not work for Volkswagen. The biggest charging park with some 500 charging points is located in Wolfsburg. Further parks have been installed in Hanover, Brunswick, Salzgitter, Kassel, Emden, Osnabrück, Zwickau, Chemnitz and Dresden.

In the last twelve months alone, Volkswagen recorded over 50,000 charging operations at its sites in spite of corona. The power comes exclusively from renewable energy sources.

Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for E-mobility, said: “As announced, 2020 marked the start of Volkswagen’s major electric offensive. We successfully launched the

ID.301, and are already following that up with the next model, the ID.402. Volkswagen is also making an important contribution to the urgently needed expansion of the charging infrastructure.

We need significantly more charging points in Germany and Europe if electric vehicles are to establish themselves quickly. For that reason, all players from the fields of politics and industry must continue their efforts in the

coming year.” The Volkswagen brand has a comprehensive commitment to charging. Some 4,000 charging points are to be installed at the brand’s sites by 2025. Volkswagen dealers are also expanding new charging options on a large scale. In future, every Volkswagen dealer in Germany will provide at least one AC charger with 11 kW power and one DC charger with 22 kW power. In addition, the Group engages

worldwide in setting up fast-charging networks – via IONITY in Europe, Electrify America in the USA and CAMS in China. High demand for ID. Charger wallboxes Volkswagen also offers proprietary wallboxes, charging services and green power tariffs via its subsidiary Elli.

Home charging is booming: In the last three months alone, private wallbox deliveries by Elli ran at a five-digit figure. In Germany, demand is driven by the incentive program for private charging stations that offers a €900 bonus for the purchase of connected wallboxes. Volkswagen supplies two models eligible for the bonus – the ID. Charger Connect (€599) and the ID. Charger Pro (€849). Despite high demand, delivery time for these models is currently approximately two weeks.

Volkswagen was the first automaker to commit to the Paris Agreement and aims to become climate neutral by 2050. Under its long-term planning for the next ten years, the Group intends to launch some 70 all-electric models by 2030. Around 20 of these are already in production, with 50 more to follow. The Planning Round envisages production of approximately 26 million fully-electric cars by 2030. The Group plans to spend some €35 billion on e-mobility alone.

An impressive start to the new World Cycling Forum year: Mercedes-Benz unveils Joins IAA Mobility 2021 the MBUX Hyperscreen TL Bureau, Berlin

TL Bureau, Berlin

World premiere of the MBUX Hyperscreen on January 7th on Mercedes me media Stuttgart.

For Mercedes-Benz, 2021 marks the beginning of the next chapter in interaction between vehicle and user: the MBUX Hyperscreen takes the operation and display of infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions to a new level thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). The large, curved screen unit lends the interior a unique aesthetic and extends along the entire width of the vehicle in front of the driver and front passenger – for whom the digital experience is as emotional as it is intuitive and effortless.

The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) Hyperscreen, which is for the first time optionally available in the fully electric luxury saloon EQS, is representative of the emotional intelligence of the entire vehicle and is highly capable of learning.

The world premiere of the MBUX Hyperscreen grants insights into the MBUX Hyperscreen’s role as the digital core of MercedesEQ’s top model, the progressive luxury saloon EQS. The digital communication format addresses journalists and multipliers and

can be joined live on Mercedes me media. The world premiere will be broadcast on Thursday, January 7th at 2:00 p.m. (CET) in a media special at https://media.mercedes-benz. com/MBUXhyperscreen and will be available afterwards as an on‑demand video.

In addition, Mercedes-Benz will showcase the MBUX Hyperscreen at the firstever digital 2021 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which takes place from January 11th to 14th. The Mercedes-Benz Press Conference starts on January 11th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. (CET)/8:00 a.m. (PST, local Las Vegas time). Media representatives can register on the CES Website to watch the Mercedes-Benz Press Conference. The link is also available in the media special.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and MercedesBenz AG, Vera Schmidt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Digital Design, and Sajjad Khan, CTO and Member of the Board of Management Mercedes-Benz AG, will together present the MBUX Hyperscreen and its numerous facets. From control over functionality to material and design to technical details – the viewers gain interesting insights into the system, its unique features and its development.

Next to the world premiere, Mercedes-Benz will also provide additional information in form of videos, graphics, press releases and images for download on Mercedes me media. The opportunity to engage in a digital dialogue with the MercedesBenz press team is also offered.

The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) will host the forthcoming edition of the World Cycling Forum (WCF) from 06. - 07. September 2021 during the IAA Mobility show (7-12 September 2021) at the International Congress Center Munich (ICM).

The IAA’s new concept will see the exhibition evolve into the leading international platform for future mobility, and thus offers the cycling industry a promising opportunity to become involved in shaping intelligent transport solutions.

Established in 2017, the goal of the WCF is to bring together bicycle manufacturers, retailers, brands and interest groups from around the world to discuss the latest industry trends, share their knowledge and to network with their peers.

“We are delighted to be able to host the 2021 World Cycling Forum at the IAA Mobility expo in Munich. The focus on mobility creates many synergies for our members and brands and it will give us an ideal opportunity to develop a complimentary program while still delivering the topics that members of the WFSGI, as well as the cycling industry community, will find interesting and stimulating,”

says Robbert de Kock President and CEO of the WFSGI. “The World Cycling Forum has developed a strong reputation as a global meeting platform to discuss prominent topics for the cycling industry and by taking this to the superb facilities in Munich and collaborating with the IAA Mobility expo we will improve our reputation and extend the reach of the event. We look forward to welcoming you all in September 2021.” “New city, new concept, new ideas: from now on the IAA will showcase mobility in all its diversity – from cars and bicycles, to tech & connectivity, light electric vehicles (LEV), public transport, urban air aviation and more. As in previous years, the WCF will be a stand-alone event for the cycling industry’s key players. The separate IAA Conference will cover mobility on a 360° spectrum, being the stage for dialogues, debates and keynotes from all stakeholders. On both the conference platforms and at the tradeshow summit, the automotive and cycling industries can complement each other on their quest to find the mobility solutions of the future,” says Jürgen Mindel, Managing Director of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).”

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COVID-19 blog, 31 December

UAE Announces 1,730 738 new positive test results have New COVID-19 Cases, been added in the past 24 hours 1,435 Recoveries, TL Bureau, Tallinn from Lääne-Viru County, thirteen from Võru County, twelve from and 4 Deaths in Last The last 24 hours have seen 5,753 Viljandi County, and eleven from tests being analysed in Estonia in Rapla County. Nine new cases 24 Hours relation to coronavirus, of which were added from Järva County, the results of 738 (12.8%) of the initial tests were positive.

Based on the data in the population register, the highest number of new positive test results came from Harju County, where 425 further individuals were found to have been infected. A total of 330 of the new cases from Harju County were from Tallinn.

A further 118 new positive coronavirus test results were added from Ida-Viru County, forty-two cases from Tartu County, thirty-nine from Pärnu County, twenty-five

eight from Hiiu County, and seven each from Saare County and Valga County. Six further cases were added from Lääne County, and two each from Jõgeva County and Põlva County. On twelve occasions the places of residence of those individuals who tested positive were not specified in the population register.

The number of cases for every 100,000 people in the last fourteen days is 600.79, and 11.8% of all initial tests have been found to be positive.

TL Bureau, Washington DC/ Hong Kong

the group who were sentenced to jail terms to be immediately and unconditionally released. The CCP’s persecution of the Hong Kong 12 – two of whom were juveniles at the time of their arrest – exposes once again Beijing’s brutality, blatant disregard for the international treaties it has signed, and its disdain for the rights of the Hong Kong people. A regime that prevents its own people from leaving can lay no claim to greatness or global leadership.

It is simply a fragile dictatorship, afraid of its own people

On the Fate of the “Hong Kong 12”

Hong Kong was a thriving territory until the Chinese Communist Party and its local lackeys destroyed its rule of law and eviscerated the Hong Kong people’s freedoms. The “Hong Kong 12” who tried to flee this tyranny deserved a hero’s welcome abroad, not capture, a secret trial, and prison sentences. The United States strongly condemns the Shenzhen court’s actions and calls for the ten members of

TL Bureau, Abu Dhabi

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, announced that it conducted 146,721 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

According to WAM, it stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

As part of its intensified testing campaign, the UAE Ministry announced 1,730 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 207,822. The infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and receiving the necessary care.

The UAE Health Ministry also announced four deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 669.

It also noted that an additional 1,435 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 184,442.

President: Citizens will be able to save up to 40% on gas bills by choosing a state supplies

TL Bureau, Kyiv

The gas market for the population has been launched in Ukraine since August this year, and now citizens are free to choose the gas supplier with the most favorable conditions. Stateowned companies, in particular Naftogaz of Ukraine, can help the population save on gas bills.

This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a working trip to the Ivano-Frankivsk region.

“State-owned companies are needed to work in the interests of society, to create profitable opportunities for ordinary people.

“Naftogaz must clearly show Ukrainians how the company will provide cheaper gas,” the

President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he had already discussed the issue of prices for the population with CEO of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine Andriy Kobolyev.

“Despite the fact that the country has switched to the gas market and the market dictates prices, Naftogaz still has the cheapest prices compared to all suppliers,” the President said.

Today, more than 50 companies supply gas to households in Ukraine. Depending on the supplier and the region, gas prices differ significantly. For example, the price of gas for January 2021 from Naftogaz of Ukraine is UAH 7.22 per cubic meter with VAT, while the price of regional gas suppliers

averages UAH 9.9 per cubic meter with VAT. Private suppliers in different regions of Ukraine sometimes set the price of gas for the population at 30-40% higher than that of Naftogaz of Ukraine. “We have even found one company that offers a 50% higher price than that of Naftogaz,” the Head of State said. “Naftogaz will offer the lowest prices on the market. And will fight for price reduction, despite the market. People need help due to COVID-19,” the President added. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called on local authorities to explain to people how to save on gas bills, inter alia, by choosing a state supplier, as well as using the services of the state Oschadbank.

140 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Reported in Saudi Arabia

TL Bureau, Riyadh

The Ministry of Health said in a statement today that 140 new confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom

of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 362,741 cases, including 2,665 active cases receiving necessary medical care. Of these, there are 368 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable.

As many as 171 cases have recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 353,853, the Ministry of Health said, adding that 9 new deaths have been reported, bringing the total deaths to 6,223.

Philippines Bans Travel from Japan, 19 Locations Amid Virus Variant

TL Bureau, Tokyo

The Philippines will bar the entry of travellers from Japan and 19 other countries and territories, Kyodo cited the country’s transport ministry as saying Tuesday.

This came as the Southeast Asian nation tries to keep out a new, possibly more transmissible variant of the coronavirus.

The ministry said the ban will be effective from Wednesday until Jan. 15 and applies only to foreign nationals who wish to travel to the Philippines.

Returning Philippine citizens will be allowed back into the country but must quarantine for 14 days.

“Travelers from any other country that subsequently reports the presence of the new COVID-19 strain shall likewise

be banned from entering the Philippines,” the country’s Transportation Department said in an advisory.

Aside from Japan, the others included in the travel ban are Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Britain has already been under a travel ban since Dec. 24, which was due to expire at the end of the month, but the date has been extended to Jan. 15, in line with the new measures.

The ministry said travellers who are already in transit and arrive before the new restrictions start will be allowed entry into the country but must submit to PCR testing and a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

UK Reports 55,892 New COVID-19 Cases, 964 Deaths TL Bureau, London The United Kingdom recorded 55,892 new COVID-19 cases today, on Thursday and 964 deaths within 28 days of a

positive test for the virus, Reuters cited official data as showing.

Wednesday’s data had shown 50,023 new coronavirus infections and 981 deaths.

EU, Britain to Part Ways at Last As London Leaves Single Market

TL Bureau, Brussels/London

Britain was today, on Thursday counting down its final hours in the EU single market in a low-key fashion, preparing to finalize its divorce from the European Union at the turn of the new year, dpa reported.

When the 11-month postBrexit transition period ends at midnight CET, Britain will start a new era of much looser cooperation with the bloc.

The Big Ben clock tower bell in London is set to chime at 2300 GMT to mark Britain’s transition out of the single market, but coronavirus containment measures make major festivities out of the question. “11 pm on December 31 marks a new beginning in our country’s history and a new relationship with the EU as their biggest ally,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday.

His comments came shortly after parliament signed off on a freshly agreed deal on future

relations.

The incredibly tight timeline means the trade pact cannot be fully ratified by the EU side and must be applied provisionally.

In a final flourish of drama today, London and Madrid struck a separate deal allowing Gibraltar to retain free movement with Spain.

While the trade deal worth some 660 billion pounds (900 billion dollars) eliminates tariffs and quotas, there will be fundamental changes. Freedom of movement will end, though short-term travel stays visa-free.

Goods will be more heavily controlled, both at British-EU frontiers and within the United Kingdom - at the Irish sea border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Businesses on both sides will have to jump through hoops to prove they qualify for tariff exemption.

Moreover, key decisions are still to be made deciding the fate of many service sector companies.