* 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.
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.
AFRICA
DR Congo rebels kill dozens of farmers.
UN, African Union peacekeeping mission in Sudan's Darfur ends.
Ethiopian forces killed scores in June-July unrest, report says.
Bobi Wine likens Uganda election to 'a war and a battlefield'.
Bazoum leading as Niger prepares for election results.
South Sudan floods displace a million as hunger and diseases loom.
EUROPE
BioNTech criticises EU failure to order enough Covid vaccine.
Italy reports 462 coronavirus deaths on Friday, 22,211 new cases.
France tightens Covid-19 curfew in worst-affected areas from Saturday.
Portugal's EU presidency to focus on social justice.
Pope Francis calls for peace in New Year's blessing.
US alarmed as Russia expands rules on 'foreign agents'.
French police attacked while trying to stop New Year’s Eve rave.
Giulio Regeni: Italy condemns Egypt for ruling out charges against police.
AMERICAS
Frustrations flare as $2,000 checks blocked for fourth straight day.
Get ready to get out NOW: Residents of St Vincent and the Grenadines are told to prepare to evacuate as volcanoes begin spewing lava and could erupt with less than 24hrs notice after decades lying dormant.
Trump administration adds Cuban bank to US restricted list.
Peru farm workers block highway to protest police violence, demand higher wages.
Puerto Rico commits $8 million to rebuild Arecibo telescope.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
U.S. sees some indications of possible Iranian attack in Mideast.
Iran escalates threats as anniversary of Soleimani strike nears.
Is ISIS making a comeback? Bus massacre in Syria that killed nearly 40 soldiers sparks fears of a resurgence of terror group.
French PM in talks with Chad's Deby over jihadism fight.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Dow rises nearly 200 points, hits record high to wrap up wild 2020.
BioNTech admits it will struggle to fill COVID vaccine 'gap'.
China-US trade war: Beijing escalates tit-for-tat with Washington.
U.S. says it will impose tariffs on European-made plane parts, liquors.
