World News Briefs -- January 1, 2021 (Evening Edition)

Daily Mail: New 'super-COVID' variant first found in the UK is nearly 50 percent more contagious than other varieties, study confirms

* Imperial College London researchers analyzed how quickly the new B117 'super-COVID' variant spreads

* They compared samples of the mutated virus taken from nearly 2,000 people in the UK to another 84,000 taken from people with other variants

* B117 has a 'R' number that is between 0.4 to 0.7 points higher than others

* R numbers measure how many additional cases result from each infection

* Currently the US has an R of about 1.15. The UK's is between 1.1 and 1.3

* If the new virus variant became dominant in the US it could drive up transmissions and cases by about 48 percent

* It also seems to spread more commonly and quickly among people in their 20s

The new mutant variant of 'super' coronavirus is indeed more infectious than previous variants, just as scientists feared, a new study finds.

Imperial College London researchers found that the new variant that's been wreaking havoc in the UK and arrived in the UK may be nearly 50 percent more transmissible, based on samples taken from nearly 86,000 Britons.

That may not sound like much more, but each infected person leads currently leads to 1.15 more infections in the US, according to daily calculations from RT.live.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Saudi-led coalition retaliates with airstrikes after attack on airport in Yemen.

Yemen govt vows to bring stability after deadly attack.

Iran says Soleimani killers 'not safe on Earth'.

Iran accuses Trump of 'plot to fabricate pretext for war'.

Australia's Baha'i community pleads for help as arbitrary arrests and home raids escalate in Iran.

Iraq evacuates oil tanker after mine found attached to hull.

Syria attack: At least 28 killed in ambush on bus.

Israel has vaccinated 40% of its over-60s and more than 10% of its population as it powers ahead in global vaccine race despite fears of running out of doses.

ASIA

Japan shatters daily coronavirus record on New Year's Eve.

Thailand ramping up restrictions as new coronavirus outbreak spreads to Bangkok.

US travelers banned from Philippines starting Sunday.

China senior diplomat says U.S. relations at 'new crossroads'.

Xi, Putin pledge further development of China-Russia ties in New Year greetings.

‘Cheap trick’: China rebuffs Taiwan’s latest offer for talks.

Fifth journalist in two months killed in Afghanistan.

Kim thanks North Koreans for support 'in difficult times'.

Japan’s Suga insists delayed Tokyo Olympics will go ahead in 2021.

AFRICA

DR Congo rebels kill dozens of farmers.