News
UK turns to COVID “Plan B” rules to contain Omicron
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the government will adopt new COVID rules, turning to “Plan B” to manage the new Omicron strain of the virus
Under the new Plan B rules, people in England are being asked to work from home again if possible and face masks will be compulsory in most public places, as part of new rules to limit the spread of Omicron.
The Prime Minister also announced that vaccine passports will also be needed to get into nightclubs and large venues from next week.
Boris Johnson announced the government was moving to its back-up plan of extra Covid rules at a news conference.
“It’s not a lockdown, it’s Plan B,”
Johnson says that moving to the tougher measures was the “proportionate and responsible” thing to do, but insisted it would not become a lockdown.
The PM stated that much more is still being learned about new variant Omicron, including from the World Health Organization and the picture surrounding the variant might get better, but that it “could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and therefore sadly in deaths”.
Under the new rules, face masks will be required in more public settings – including theatres and cinemas – from Friday, and from Monday, people will be asked to work from home where possible.
The NHS Covid Pass will also be required for visitors to nightclubs, indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any event with more than 10,000 people from next Wednesday.
Will Christmas be cancelled?
But Mr Johnson said Christmas parties and nativity plays should still go ahead – as long as the guidance is followed.
Many of the questions the PM faced centred on the row over the Downing Street Christmas party at the height of lockdown rules last December.
Government adviser Allegra Stratton – who was seen with other No 10 staff joking about the party in a leaked video from last year – resigned just before the news conference, saying she would always regret her remarks.
Earlier Mr Johnson apologised in the Commons for this video, although he said that he had been repeatedly told there had been no party. The Metropolitan Police has now said they will not investigate the issue, due to lack of evidence.
According to British media, when Johnson was questioned at the news conference regarding if the Plan B announcement was timed to divert attention from the Christmas party, the prime minister denied that was the case. Instead, the PM went on saying the government did not want to delay bringing in the rules which were important to protect public health.
News
Are women being silenced on LinkedIn? Algorithm claims spark debate
LinkedIn’s algorithm may favor men’s content, prompting concerns about gender bias and visibility for women professionals.
LinkedIn’s algorithm may favor men’s content, prompting concerns about gender bias and visibility for women professionals.
A Melbourne-based LinkedIn coach has raised concerns that the platform’s algorithm may be limiting the reach of women’s content. The discussion has intensified after an experiment showed major differences in engagement between male and female profiles posting identical content. Is the algorithm unintentionally amplifying gender bias?
We speak with Darren Woolley from TrinityP3 to unpack the evidence behind these claims, explore the implications of LinkedIn’s denials, and break down what these changes mean for professional women trying to build visibility online. What does the shift from cumulative to daily performance graphs signal? And how worried should users be about hidden bias?
Darren also explains why women must continue posting, how to create content that cuts through algorithm changes, and what strategies can help users—particularly women—boost their reach. Plus, we look at the broader call for more diverse voices to be heard on the world’s biggest professional platform.
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#LinkedInNews #SocialMediaBias #WomenInBusiness #AlgorithmIssues #DigitalVisibility #ProfessionalNetworking #GenderEquality #TechDebate
News
Hong Kong high-rise inferno leaves dozens dead and hundreds missing
Deadly fire at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court kills 36, 279 missing; authorities face scrutiny over construction safety.
Deadly fire at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court kills 36, 279 missing; authorities face scrutiny over construction safety.
A horrific fire has torn through Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court housing complex, killing at least 36 people and leaving 279 missing. The blaze erupted in the Tai Po district and quickly intensified as bamboo scaffolding helped the flames spread with alarming speed.
The complex, home to nearly 4,800 residents, was undergoing major renovations at the time of the disaster. Authorities are now facing renewed scrutiny over construction safety and the ongoing reliance on bamboo scaffolding, which has been at the centre of multiple accidents in recent years.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed deep condolences and called for urgent rescue and recovery operations as emergency teams continue searching for survivors.
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News
National Guard troops shot near White House as lockdown declared
Two National Guard members shot near the White House; critical condition prompts major law enforcement response and lockdown.
Two National Guard members shot near the White House; critical condition prompts major law enforcement response and lockdown.
Two National Guard members have been shot in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House, prompting a major response from law enforcement. A suspect was also shot during the confrontation, and officials report the guards are in critical condition. President Trump, currently in Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, confirmed the severity of the incident.
Authorities quickly locked down the White House and the Treasury Department’s headquarters as police surrounded Farragut Square with heavy security and yellow tape. The area remains closed off as investigators work to understand what led to the violent encounter.
This shooting comes as tensions rise around the National Guard’s legal role in the capital. A federal judge recently ruled their presence violates several laws but delayed action until December 11, leaving a controversial deployment in limbo.
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#WashingtonDC #NationalGuard #WhiteHouse #BreakingNews #USPolitics #SecurityAlert #Trump #TickerNews
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