Christmas travel will spread Omicron, warns Fauci

Christmas travel will increase the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, even among the fully vaccinated, the top US infectious disease expert says.

Action needed to limit hospital admissions - Sage

According to those leaked minutes, the Sage advisers say that without intervention measures beyond the Plan B rules currently in place, modelling indicates that hospital admissions could peak at least 3,000 a day in England. The number of people requiring treatment in hospitals has been rising, with admissions being between 696 and 815 every day in the past week.

Booster at least 80% effective against severe Omicron

UK researchers have analysed the likely impact that a Covid booster shot will have on Omicron and say it could provide around 85% protection against severe illness.

At least 27 feared dead in Japanese building fire

At least 27 people are feared to have died after a fire broke out in a building in downtown Osaka, Japan. Police are investigating whether the blaze was started deliberately, public broadcaster NHK said.

Four children die in Australia bouncy castle fall

Four children have died and five others are injured after falling from a bouncy castle that was blown into the air in Australia, police say. The accident - caused by a wind gust - happened on Thursday at a primary school fun day in Devonport, Tasmania.

Arctic heat record is like Mediterranean, says UN

The highest temperature ever recorded in the Arctic - 38C (100F) - has been officially confirmed, sounding "alarm bells" over Earth's changing climate.

Omicron: Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?

The heavily mutated Omicron variant has led to a serious dent in the ability of vaccines to protect us from catching the Covid virus. Two doses of some vaccines offer almost no protection from an Omicron infection, although they should still greatly reduce the risk of becoming so ill you need hospital care.

Work-from-home guidance reintroduced in England

People in England should now work from home if they can, as more Plan B guidance is introduced to curb the spread of Omicron.

Gothic author Anne Rice dies aged 80

Anne Rice, author of the gothic novel Interview with the Vampire, has passed away at the age of 80. The American writer, who sold more than 150 million books, died surrounded by her family on Saturday night.

First people in UK hospitals with Omicron variant

The first people in the UK have been hospitalised with Omicron infections, Nadhim Zahawi has said. The new variant of coronavirus now accounts for a third of cases in London, the education secretary said.