Peru has announced new lockdowns for 10 of its 25 regions, including the capital Lima, as Covid-19 cases rise and hospitals reach a breaking point. The lockdowns will start on January 31. [...]

Ex-Russian oil tycoon: I was one of the lucky ones

CNN's Matthew Chance speaks exclusively with Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man, who -- after falling out with Russian President Vladimir Putin himself -- spent more than 10 years in a Russian jail. He says the US should impose tough sanctions on Putin to save Alexey Navalny from a similar fate. [...]

Could post-vaccine life mean we return to normal? Not yet

• Pulling off Tokyo 2020 will be a logistical nightmare ... and the clock is ticking • Live: WHO team to leave Wuhan quarantine [...]

UAE: Covid test must to enter govt building

The precautionary measure will come into effect, starting Sunday, January 31. [...]

UAE Covid vaccine: 104,200 residents vaccinated in 24 hours

UAE's vaccination administration rate is the second highest globally. [...]

Pope to meet top cleric in Iraq during first-ever papal visit

Meeting between religious figures reported to be a 'private visit' and 'without formalities'. [...]

AFP official ordered relieved over “erroneous” NPA list

(Eagle News)–Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has ordered the relief of Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Major General Alex Luna over what he said was the publication of an erroneous list of alleged New People’s Army members killed by government troops. In a statement, Lorenzana said the publication by Luna’s 0J2 office of the wrong list was an “unforgiveable lapse.” “His negligence only shows a lackadaisical attitude towards his job resulting (in) confusion […] [...]

FDA grants emergency use authorization for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine

(Eagle News) — The Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration has approved the emergency use authorization for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. FDA director-general Eric Domingo made the announcement in a Laging Handa press briefing on Thursday, Jan. 28. “The interim data, taken in its entirety, showed an efficacy rate of 70 percent after the first dose,” Domingo said. He said the rate increases after the second dose, depending on how long before that second dose is administered. […] [...]

Harris, 76ers hand Lakers first road defeat of NBA season

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Tobias Harris drove in the final dagger as the Philadelphia 76ers thwarted a late Los Angeles Lakers rally to hand the reigning NBA champions their first road defeat of the season — 107-106. In a bruising heavyweight clash, the Eastern Conference leading Sixers made a statement against the league-leading Lakers. Joel Embiid scored 28 points, Ben Simmons notched a triple-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and […] [...]