Global omicron case numbers to soar

Published

4 years ago

January 5, 2022

Case numbers are soaring around the world, with supply chains, hospitals and businesses struggling to cope.

The US is now reporting more than one million cases a day, as scientists and governments hope to reach the peak in omicron cases over coming weeks.

Doctors in the US, UK and Australia are expecting case numbers to surge even higher over the next fortnight, as testing sites come under unprecedented strain.

It comes as experts warn against continued vaccinations, and the UK government is ruling out new restrictions, for now.

WE CAN’T KEEP VACCINATING

A leading expert who helped create the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine says giving everyone in the world booster shots multiple times a year is not feasible

.”We can’t vaccinate the planet every four to six months. It’s not sustainable or affordable,”

Professor Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group and head of the UK’s Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, told The Daily Telegraph.

NO NEW UK RESTRICTIONS

British PM Boris Johnson says the NHS will be put on a “war footing” but he will be recommending to the cabinet that the current – plan B – level of restrictions remains in place.

Adding that 90% of Covid patients in intensive care beds are unvaccinated.

Latest UK announcements:

100,000 key workers in areas like food processing and transport are to be sent lateral flow tests to use every day from 10 January
Boris Johnson says now is the time for “utmost caution” – and anyone who thinks the battle with Covid is over is “profoundly wrong”
But there is a chance we can “ride out this Omicron wave” without shutting the country down again, Johnson adds
For now the PM says he wants the current, Plan B, level of restrictions to remain in England – other parts of the UK have different rules

CHINA LOCKDOWN

China has put a second city into total lockdown after just three asymptomatic Covid cases were discovered.

Yuzhou – which has a population of 1.1 million – saw its transport system shut down and all but essential food stores closed overnight.

It follows a similar lockdown in Xi’an, where 13 million have been confined to their homes since 23 December.

FOURTH BOOSTER

Israel has already begun its rollout of a fourth vaccine dose, offering it to all medical workers and people 60 and older.

The German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach says Germans “will need a fourth vaccination” against Covid-19.

Epstein hearing explodes over redactions and hidden names

Lawmakers accuse AG Pam Bondi of hiding Epstein-linked names amid congressional hearing, questioning redactions related to billionaire Wexner.

Published

6 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Lawmakers accuse AG Pam Bondi of hiding Epstein-linked names amid congressional hearing, questioning redactions related to billionaire Wexner.

US lawmakers have accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of withholding key names linked to Jeffrey Epstein during a fiery congressional hearing. The confrontation centred on redactions within investigative files that critics argue should have been fully disclosed under federal law.

Representative Thomas Massie pressed the Justice Department over blacked-out sections, specifically questioning references to billionaire Leslie Wexner. Bondi maintained that Wexner’s name was released promptly once flagged, defending the department’s handling of the documents.

Frustration boiled over as lawmakers challenged the extent of the redactions, leading to an extraordinary moment in the hearing as Bondi pushed back and praised President Donald Trump while standing by the department’s review process.

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News

Angus Taylor moves to challenge Sussan Ley for party leadership

Angus Taylor resigns from Coalition frontbench to challenge Sussan Ley amid Liberal Party divisions and declining poll support.

Published

7 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Angus Taylor resigns from Coalition frontbench to challenge Sussan Ley amid Liberal Party divisions and declining poll support.

Angus Taylor has resigned from the Coalition frontbench to launch a leadership challenge against Sussan Ley, declaring he lacks confidence in her ability to rebuild support for the Liberal Party. His move sets up a high-stakes internal contest that could reshape the party’s direction.

Supporters of Mr Taylor are expected to push for a meeting by Friday to trigger a potential leadership spill, intensifying pressure on Ms Ley. Moderate MPs are calling on her to demand clear proof of numbers before any ballot takes place.

With the Liberals trailing in the polls and facing mounting questions over strategy, both camps are outlining starkly different visions for the party’s future as tensions rise in Canberra.

#AustralianPolitics #LiberalParty #AngusTaylor #SussanLey #LeadershipSpill #Canberra #AusPol #PoliticalNews

News

Iran buries nuclear site entrances amid rising tensions with the U.S.

Published

23 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Satellite images reveal that Iran has buried all three tunnel entrances at its Isfahan nuclear complex. Analysts say the move mirrors defensive preparations taken before U.S. airstrikes devastated the facility last year, with no vehicle or personnel activity visible around the entrances.

The burial appears aimed at limiting damage from potential airstrikes and complicating any ground raid targeting enriched uranium stored in the underground facility. Experts suggest equipment or materials may have been moved into the tunnels for protection, though this remains unconfirmed.

The fortification comes amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions. President Trump has demanded Iran curb its nuclear program, warning of military action, while Tehran insists halting uranium enrichment is unacceptable. Recent indirect talks in Oman showed little progress toward a new deal.