Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron
US President Joe Biden is set to announce new measures against Covid-19 amid a new surge in cases and the emergence of the Omicron variant.
Mr Biden is expected to deliver a “stark warning” of what the winter will look like for unvaccinated Americans, NBC reported. He will also urge those currently vaccinated to receive a booster shot.
To date, 61.4 per cent of Americans have been fully vaccinated, data from the US Centres for Disease Control show. More than 60 million Americans have received a booster shot.
Top US infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci told CNN's State of the Union on Sunday that the new strategy will also focus on increased testing.
“We really need to flood the system with testing. We need to have tests available for anyone who wants them,” Dr Fauci said.
The president this month introduced a multi-step plan to combat Covid-19 this winter, including easier access to vaccines and boosters, supplying free testing for those without health insurance and extending the federal mask mandate through mid-March.
But a resurgence in Covid-19 cases has threatened to upend holiday plans, forced some states to reinstitute mask mandates and led to the postponement of numerous sporting events.
News organisation CNN has closed its offices to non-essential employees, and Google and Uber are two of a handful of major companies to push back return-to-office dates.
The US is averaging more than 132,000 new cases per day, data from Reuters show, as Americans rush to be tested, leading to long queues at pharmacies and drive-through sites.
Though the Delta variant still remains prevalent in the US, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky predicted that Omicron would soon become the “dominant strain".
Breakthrough infections of the Omicron variant have been reported in some who are fully inoculated, but vaccines have so far remained effective at preventing severe disease, the CDC said.
It is still too early to assess whether Omicron is deadlier than the Delta variant.
To date, more than 800,000 people have perished from coronavirus.
Uefa Champions League last 16 draw
Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur
Basel v Manchester City
Sevilla v Manchester United
Porto v Liverpool
Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain
Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma
Chelsea v Barcelona
Bayern Munich v Besiktas
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
More on Quran memorisation:
Oppenheimer
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Williams at Wimbledon
Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)
Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)
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Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
Results
2-15pm: Commercial Bank Of Dubai – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Al Habash, Patrick Cosgrave (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)
2.45pm: Al Shafar Investment – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Day Approach, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
3.15pm: Dubai Real estate Centre – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Celtic Prince, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Shadwell – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Tenbury Wells, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Jebel Ali Stakes by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5